France

France: City of Light to Coastal Delight

Q: Is France: City of Light to Coastal Delight Right for My Child?

Which students thrive on this program? Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required. What will students do each day? Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Q: How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice. What is the refund policy? View terms & conditions

Q: What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included: All lodging All meals In-country transport All activities and excursions 24/7 staff support Not included: International airfare Travel insurance Personal spending money

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What Does a 15-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

Off to France!

Meet the other students and Rustic Pathways team at the departure airport for our overnight flight to Paris. Get to know everyone and get some rest, because tomorrow will be a big day!

Welcome to Paris

You'll meet your program leaders straightaway when you arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). We'll head straight to our accommodations to get some rest, shower, change and get some lunch. Then we'll take the afternoon to explore the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, and Tuileries. In the June 20 session - We'll spend two nights "glamping" in wooden chalets in a private campground in Paris. 4 students will share each tent and have private restrooms. Then, we'll spend the next two nights in a hostel in the Marais. We share gender-separated rooms of 4-8 students with private bathrooms. In the July 6 session - We'll be staying at a hostel in the heart of the Marais district. We share gender-separated rooms of 4-8 among the group, with private bathrooms.

Sights and Service in Paris

Cutting through the heart of the city, the Seine River defines the vibrant city. We'll have a walking tour of the two islands in the heart of Paris - Île de la Cité & Île Saint-Louis. We'll walk the iconic bridges and soak up the beauty of the cozy eateries and boutiques. We'll take a trip out of the city to Versailles. Considered one of the finest achievements of French 17th century art, we'll tour the château, have a picnic dinner in the garden, and enjoy a special summer event where the garden is filled with music, lights, and fireworks. We'll visit the Eiffel tower and have a picnic lunch in the nearby gardens. Then we will visit a local partner and help with their project to distribute food aid to people in the city. We'll get to be involved in the work, but also to understand the ways that NGOs help combat food insecurity.

Art in Paris

Today we don our artist hats! We'll spend the morning in Montmartre soaking up the cobbled streets, the stunning Basilica, and the charming neighborhood while learning from a local artist to paint our own postcards of the views. We'll lunch at the famous Butte Chaumont park.

Bordeaux

We say au revoir to Paris and we hop on a train to the southwest and Bordeaux. Enjoy the countryside rushing by your windows and be ready for lunch in the old city center. Along with our Bordeaux local program leader, we'll see the past and a vision for the future in the city. We'll tour the historic city center that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then, we'll cross to the Bastide district and the village square of Darwin. Coming here is like coming to the future. It's home to a village with a vision for the future where art, sport, sustainable food, and work come together. We'll be inspired by this vision of what urban life can become. We'll stay in a charming downtown hostel with shared private rooms of 4-8 with private bathrooms.

Arcachon and Oysters

Today we make our way to the coast! We catch a morning train to the coastal village of Arcachon. We'll rent bikes and ride the beautiful coastal bike path. We'll climb the largest sand dune in Europe, Dune du Pyla, and soak up the sun and wind. Archahon is famous for it's oyster cultivation. We'll head out on the water to tour the farms and learn how the ecological systems work and the challenges they face in a changing climate. If you're up for the challenge, learn how to open and enjoy some of the best oysters in the world. Later, we'll have a picnic lunch and an afternoon to relax and enjoy games on the beach. We'll spend the next two nights at charming hotel right on the coast, just 300 m from the beach. We'll have shared rooms of 2-4 with private bathrooms.

Bordeaux

After a slow morning in Arcachon, enjoying the sea breeze and sun we'll retrace our steps back to Bordeaux and further explore the historic city. We'll return to stay at the same hostel here as we did on Day 6.

Hendaye

We go even further south today, right up to the Spanish border. This is the Basque Country, home to fiercely independent people who live in this region along the border of France and Spain. We'll be staying in Hendaye, right on the coast. Today we'll visit the coastal fortified village of Fontarrabia and have a tapas tour of the village experimenting with all the different delicious specialties of the Basque Country. We'll stay the next 4 nights at a surf camp with comfortable permanent tents with beds, linens, and other comforts, but with the sea breeze just outside. We'll share with 2-4 students with shared bathrooms.

11-13

Basque Country

These three days will be spent getting to know the amazing Basque Country down along the border with Spain. We'll take train ride up La Rhune and enjoy hiking and the views of the mountains and valleys around us. We'll visit a Basque cake musuem. You'll by guided by the pastry chef to learn about the origins of this cake, it's importance in the Basque culture, and a live baking demonstration. Then we head to Espelette to tour the gardens famous for the fiery red chili that adds spice to so much of the food from this region. We'll meet with the local Surfrider Foundation and spend the morning building eco-responsible rainwater gardens. The project helps to reduce the amount of downstream pollutants carried from rain through urban or agricultural areas and into the ocean. We'll explore those waves up close later with a surf lesson on the famous beaches of Biarritz and then explore the town, famous for its beaches and picturesque buildings. We'll spend a day in the countryside. We'll explore classic villages, hike in the beautiful valleys, and visit a dairy farm and learn how the famous local cheese is made and get the chance to taste it.

Saying Goodbye to Paris

Today we'll make our way back to Paris by train. We'll check back into our original hostel in the Marais district. In the evening, we'll take a river cruise of the Seine We’ll marvel at the city’s finest monuments, including Notre-Dame, the Conciergerie, the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower. With the bridges and monuments lit up it becomes a fitting final night in the City of Lights. We'll end the program with Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity to help us capture the experiences and memories of this amazing journey.

Au Revoir

We'll have a last breakfast before heading to the airport to say goodbye to our program leaders and make our way home.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

7:1 Student-to-Leader Ratio

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Gender-Separated

Rooms with staff on site

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

France

What Do Parents Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

Students join a chaperoned group flight from a U.S. gateway airport. A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader travels with the group. International students arrange independent flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Monthly payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who's supervising my child?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can I reach my child?

Yes. Students can call, text, or WhatsApp during free time. Parents can reach Rustic Pathways’ 24/7 emergency line at any time.

How will I know they're okay?

Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program from staff on the ground.

What is the phone/device policy?

Students may bring phones but cannot use them during group activities or meals. Wi-Fi is available at most accommodations.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

Groups are typically 12-20 students per session. Students are ages 14-18, with most being 15-17.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Students from 50+ countries join Rustic Pathways programs each year. International students book their own flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Most students travel solo without knowing anyone. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, and friendships form quickly. Friends are welcome to enroll together.

What is the accommodation like?

Students stay in locally operated lodging with shared rooms accommodating 2-4 students. Accommodations include private bathrooms and common areas.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment.

Program Details

Will my child have unsupervised time?

Students have structured independence during free-time blocks with staff always nearby. There is no unsupervised time in public areas.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common food allergies are accommodated with advance notice. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment.

How much spending money?

$150-200 recommended for souvenirs and incidentals. Tipping is included in the program fee.

Do we need a visa?

Visa requirements vary by passport and destination. Contact a Rustic Pathways travel advisor for guidance specific to your student’s nationality.

Support

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is common in the first few days. Rustic Pathways staff are trained to support students through it. Read more about managing homesickness

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion

What Should Parents Know?

Is France: City of Light to Coastal Delight Right for My Child?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.

What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Why Does Rustic Pathways Go to France?

France offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.

How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice.

What is the refund policy?
View terms & conditions

What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included:

All lodging
All meals
In-country transport
All activities and excursions
24/7 staff support

Not included:

International airfare
Travel insurance
Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

France Europe 2026

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