Nantes, France

French Language Immersion & Area Studies

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Experiential Learning, Part-Time Internship
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Homestay

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

French

Language Prerequisites:

4 semesters of college-level French; enrollment in a French course in the last year

Part-Time Internship (Optional):

Included in Program Fee

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

Our French Language Immersion & Area Studies Program has two important goals: to improve your written and verbal proficiency in French through language and area studies courses, and to introduce you to contemporary France and its role in the European Union. 

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Take Courses at Local Universities

Enroll in an art or business course at a local university.

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Intern at a School

Participate in a teaching internship in Nantes.

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Volunteer in the Community

Make a difference in the local community.

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Live with Local Families

Live in a homestay with a local family.

2024 Fall

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

September 04 - December 21

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
20,990

Program Dates:

January 08 - April 26

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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Rachael Grochowski

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

a photo of the Loire River crossing through the city of Nantes

Why Nantes?

Want to know what’s it’s really like to live in France? Come to Nantes! 

Nantes just might be the perfect place to improve your French language skills. That’s because it’s not a tourist destination, so English is rarely spoken. But Nantes is a spectacularly beautiful city on the Loire River, featuring gorgeous architecture, charming attractions, and beautiful outdoor spaces. Nantes is also home to some of the most delicious food France has to offer. It’s also very manageable, eco-friendly, and great to bike around in. Explore all that this city has to offer as you immerse yourself in French language, culture, academics, and innovation!

Learn More About Nantes

Get to Know Your New City

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Shop the Passage Pommeraye

Visit this ornate and elaborate shopping mall.

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Visit Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne

This impressive, moat-surrounded castle is a must see.

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Cruise Down the River

Spend a few hours on enjoying scenic boat cruise down the estuary.

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Ride the Great Elephant at Les Machines de L'Ile de Nantes

You’ll only find in these mechanical beasts in Nantes.

The Student Experience

Grace posign in front of a Chateau in the Loire Valley
Grace Heaton ,

Do It Scared!

Delve into the world of life in Nantes, France with me as I discuss all that the adjustment period of study abroad brings!

View All Blogs

Housing

A student's host mother places a birthday cake with candles in front of her in a Nantes homestay.
  • Homestay

Homestay

Live in a private room with a local family in a homestay. Many host families have been welcoming IES Abroad students into their homes for years. Only one IES Abroad student is housed with each family. You receive breakfast daily and five evening meals per week.

Headshot of Sophia Barton.
“Living with a host family is one of IES Abroad Nantes’s most unique and best assets, and it [is] definitely the best contributor to my French.”
Sophia B. • University of Portland • Nantes – French Language Immersion & Area Studies

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. 

We offer unique courses that explore French language, history, and culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local institutions enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class. 

Partner Institutions

Students walk into the library at the University of Nantes. The library is a chalk white building.
  • Nantes Université
  • École des Beaux-Arts de Nantes

Nantes Université

The main campus, called Tertre Campus, hosts the colleges of Language, Literature, Geography, History, Art History, Humanities, Political Science, Business, Economics and Management, Education, and Psychology. The Tertre campus, situated on the Erdre River, is located in the outskirts of Nantes, in the northern part of the city. The Tertre Campus of the Université de Nantes can easily be reached by tram and buses. It is only a 15-minute tram ride from the city center and approximately 25 minutes from the IES Abroad Center. 

The Lombarderie Campus hosts all courses in the sciences and is a 10-minute tram ride from the city center and the IES Abroad Center, in the same direction as Tertre Campus.

You are automatically registered at the Nantes Université and are encouraged to enroll in at least one university course provided you have the appropriate prerequisites. 

Visit Website

Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You take 15–19 credits per semester. All courses are taught in French. 

  • IES Abroad French language course (required, 3-4 credits) 
  • IES Abroad French-taught area studies courses (required, 3 credits each) 
  • French-taught courses at a partner university (optional, 2-4 credits each: Nantes Université and/or École des Beaux-Arts Nantes Saint-Nazaire
  • Teaching internship and seminar (optional, 3 credits) 

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the  IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication

NOTE: This is a list of possible course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (14)

Art History (2)

Course name Term Language Credits
AH 314 - French 19th and 20th Century Art Fall French 3
AH 313 - French Classicism: Art and Architecture Spring French 3

Partner Institution Courses

French Universities DO NOT provide syllabi prior to the start of classes. IES Abroad may have samples of past syllabi, but cannot guarantee that a specific course will be offered at a partner university.

Nantes Université 

The amount of credit awarded by local universities varies between 2-4 credits depending on the course. Course offerings vary from semester to semester, and course listings and syllabi are available shortly before the beginning of the academic year.

Most university courses are assigned 3 credits for a semester. At the Nantes Université, most courses consist of a cours magistral (lecture course) and a travaux dirigés (discussion sessions). The lecture course is taught by a professor or a maître de conférences, and the travaux dirigés are generally taught by an associate professor. You may select French-taught courses in: 

  • Art History 
  • Business & Economics 
  • Education 
  • Geography 
  • History 
  • Humanities 
  • Languages & Literature 
  • Political Science 
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Philosophy 
  • Biochemistry 
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics 
  • Physics 

View Course Offerings


École des Beaux-Arts de Nantes

The amount of credit awarded by local universities varies between 2-4 credits depending on the course. Course offerings vary from semester to semester, and course listings and syllabi are available shortly before the beginning of the academic year.

École des Beaux-Arts courses are practical workshops - you work alone with advising from the class instructor. Your evaluation and grade is based on your work and progress in class. Classes are available in: 

  • Live Model Drawing 
  • Painting 
  • Drawing 
  • Watercolor 
  • Oil 
  • Photo-Video 

View Course Offerings

 

PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

Learn More
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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Nantes, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

Sunset at the beaches of normandy

Caen, the Normandy Beaches, Saint Malo & Mont Saint-Michel

2 Days Fall & Spring

Stay overnight in Caen, city of William the Conqueror. Visit the local castle and the American Cemetery of Colleville next to the D-Day beaches to learn more about Normandy’s role in World War II. 

A student poses in front of ruins of an old, stone building on a sunny day.

Clisson & The Muscadet Vineyards

1 Day Fall & Spring

Tour this small, charming town dating back to the middle ages and known for its distinctive Tuscan-inspired architecture.

Chateaux of the Loire Valley

Tours & The Loire Valley Castles

2 Days Fall

Visit several of the most famous châteaux in the heart of the Loire Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is known for its wine production and for being the former playground of the French kings, who came here to hunt. 

A wine cellar with stone walls, wooden caskets, and rows of bottles of red wine

Bordeaux, La Rochelle & Cognac

2 Days Spring

Explore one of the most beautiful cities in France, notorious for its wine tradition and production. Sample Cognac in the small town where it is made.

Part-Time Internships

Did you know that, while in Nantes, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will: 

  • Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support. 
  • Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process. 
  • Experience what working in Nantes is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness. 
  • Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers. 

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country. 

Teaching Placements

Participating in a teaching internship in Nantes as part of your study abroad experience gives you the opportunity to learn about the French education system and teach English to French students. No prior teaching experience is required. A teaching internship abroad will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity. Additionally, it is also an ideal training for students who might want to come to France after graduation to teach English, as many Nantes alumni have done in the past. 

You complete at least four hours of supervised teaching each week. Placements are available in écoles primaires (elementary schools), collèges (junior high schools), and lycées (high schools) in Nantes. It is an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship. 

Volunteer Opportunities

When you volunteer in Nantes, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the on-site staff know at the beginning of your term.

Past volunteer opportunities in Nantes include:

Food Collection

Help in a community food bank

Relief Organization Support

Help underprivileged communities

Child Education

Tutor children in need

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
16,129
Housing
$
4,631
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
20,990

2024 Fall

Tuition
$
16,114
Housing
$
4,631
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
20,990

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
28,990
Housing
$
9,260
Insurance
$
490
Total
$
38,740

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

Learn More
passport stamps and stickers inside of passport books

About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Nantes Center is located in a gorgeous 19th-century residential building, just steps away from the historic Center of the city. Whether you’re finishing up a show at the Théâtre Graslin, absorbing the art at the Passage Pommeraye, or looking for a cozy place to read, the Center is your study abroad hub. 

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Nantes
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Nantes. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Intensive Language Learning
During the first week of the program, you will begin your language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore and discover Nantes before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
On-Site Staff Support
Our experienced, trained, and dedicated local staff are on-site throughout your entire program to ensure you have the support you need during your abroad adventure.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

January 10 - April 27

Application Deadline:

2024 Fall

Program Dates:

September 04 - December 21

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Early September - Late April

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

January 08 - April 26

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • 4 or more semesters of college-level French or the equivalent 
  • Enrolled in a French course within the year prior to the program start date 
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins 
  • For local university courses - 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (no exceptions) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

Grace posign in front of a Chateau in the Loire Valley
Grace Heaton ,

Do It Scared!

Delve into the world of life in Nantes, France with me as I discuss all that the adjustment period of study abroad brings!

beach sign
Lily Nannini,

Surf Camp

I fell in love with surfing after the very first lesson. In this blog, I share my experience from three days at Surf Camp Australia :)

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

Apply Now
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