About the City
Gracefully situated on the Bay of Biscay, Biarritz is a luxurious seaside town full of amenities such as magnificent beaches, superb sporting facilities, and a natural charm unlike any place else. First discovered as a whaling port, the town grew into the seaside resort that it is today thanks to Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III) in the mid 19th century. She fell in love with this part of the Pays Basque and established it as a getaway not only for herself but for other European royals as well. Her palace, built on the beach, is today the Hotel du Palais, permanently restored and refined in every way.
While Biarritz "glistens with money" it is also the historic surfing capital of Europe. Equipped with huge beaches and powerful waves, it is home to the Biarritz Surf Festival every July and brings together some of the greatest surfers in the world for a week of long board contests, music, and festivals.
The town experiences a mild climate all year round and is a fun and lively place in the summertime, offering spectacles like bands playing, jugglers in the street, and painters in the old port. The lifestyle in Biarritz is vibrant and cosmopolitan, yet still relaxed. It provides the perfect environment for sports lovers or even those who just need to get away from the everyday grind.
Only 15 minutes from the Spanish border, Biarritz is truly a melting pot of many cultures. In addition to having some of Europe's best beaches, the city boasts a harmonious blend of the French art of living, the strikingly different Basque culture, and a unique splash of Spanish influence.
VIEW MAP OF BIARRITZ & EXCURSION SITES!
What Students Say
"Biarritz was an amazing place to live! The people there were so helpful and friendly. I wanted to stay for the whole summer!" - James, Austin, TX
"My homestay mother was the best part of my experience! It opened my eyes to how hospitable and kind the French people and culture really is. Paris was by far my favorite excursion and I can't wait to go back and live with my host family again!" - Holly, London, England
"My French has improved so much, and my comprehension is finally to a point where I can understand everything that people say to me in French. I definitely recommend the Biarritz program to any serious French learner."
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Prerequisites:
Must be completing grades 9-12 and have at least two year of high school French or equivalent.
Academic Information:
School: BLS Biarritz
Curriculum: Focus on conversation, grammar, reading, listening, and writing. Classes are taught Monday-Friday, 4 hours a day, by teachers who hold advance degrees in teaching french to foreigners. Classes are held with other SPI program participants and are broken up by skill level.
Academic Credit: Students receive 40 contact hours (2 WK), or 80 contact hours (MONTH) on their transcript that they can petition for up to 2-4 hours of college credit.
BLS Biarritz:
The academic curriculum helps students develop skills in conversation, grammar, reading, listening, and writing. Classes are broken up by skill level and taught M-F in the mornings. Classes are held with other program participants at a local high school in Anglet. Students will have access to the library/study room facilities as well as computers at the main BLS campus. The school also provides optional cultural activities 3 days per week in the afternoon that students may participate in such as surfing lessons, Pelote Basque, horseback riding, hiking, etc.
Homestay Family:
The homestay families are carefully selected by the program housing coordinator as well as screened by SPI. The families are well experienced in hosting foreign students and are committed to help you learn the language by adopting you into their way of life. Remember that families come in all shapes and sizes and an open mind to try new things is important! Each host family houses 2-3 students and provides 3 meals a day (breakfast, a packed lunch, and dinner.) |
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Summer 1&2:
| Day 1 |
Depart USA for Paris, France. |
| Day 2 |
Bienvenue en France! Arrive Paris CDG Airport. Transfer to your hotel located in the center of the city where you will spend two nights enjoying the capital of France! Spend the day going on a walking tour around Paris, shop in the Opera district, take an evening stroll along the Seine River and have dinner with the group. |
| Day 3 |
Enjoy the day exploring Paris! Visit the Eiffel Tower, the historic Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum. Other possible explorations include Montmarte, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde. |
| Day 4 |
Depart Paris in the morning and head to Biarritz to meet your host family. You will arrive in Biarritz via the world's fastest train, the TGV! Spend the evening getting to know your host family and start communicating in French. |
| Day 5 |
Start your first day of classes. You will take an informal placement test to determine your level. In the afternoon explore the city of Biarritz and neighboring Anglet on a guided orientation tour. |
| Days 6-9 |
Regular morning classes followed by various afternoon activities. Possible activities include: Surfing Lessons, Visit to local chocolate factory, Bayonne, Sea Canoeing, Beach Volleyball and social exchanges with local students. |
| Day 10 |
Full day excursion to the Pyrenees. Enjoy an incredible view on a breath taking hike near the coastal mountain range followed by an exciting rafting trip! You will also stop at one of the regions cultural Chateaux. |
| Day 11 |
Enjoy a relaxing Sunday with your host family. |
| Days 12-16 |
Regular morning classes followed by various afternoon activities. Possible activities include: Surf Lessons, Golfing, a visit to the Musee de la Mer (Aquarium), a day trip to local town of St. Jean de Luz and social exchanges with local students. |
| Days 17 |
Bid farewell to your host family in Biarritz as you leave to return to Paris on the TGV train. Spend your last night in a hotel near the CDG airport in Roissy. |
| Day 18 |
Depart Paris for USA with fantastique memories of France! |
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| *Summer MONTH program (32 days) will include different afternoon activities for the last 2 weeks and an excursion on the 3rd weekend to San Sebastian, Spain. |
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