Prices & Dates
Summer 1: June 15 – July 1, 2012 – $3,595 + Airfare
Paris Extension: June 12 – July 1, 2012 - $4,495 + Airfare
Summer 2: June 29 – July 15, 2012 – $3,595 + Airfare
Month: June 29 – July 29, 2012 – $6,195 + Airfare
Program Details
Age Requirement: Completing grades 9-12
Language Requirement: 1 year of French
Flight Information: Designated Flight Information
School Name: BFCI or Escapade Biarritz
Course Hours: 40 Hours (Summer 1 & 2) or 80 Hours (Month) of French Language & Culture
On-Site Leadership: On-Site Directors
Teacher Travelers: TBA
About SPI Biarritz
Gracefully situated on the southwestern Atlantic coast, Biarritz has remained for centuries a luxurious French seaside town full of summertime amenities! Biarritz boasts some of France’s most magnificent beaches, superb cultural events, and a natural charm unlike any place else. First discovered as a whaling port, over time the town grew into the sophisticated seaside resort that it is today, thanks to empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and other royals, who established the city as a popular vacation destination for Europe’s elite. In the summertime, Biarritz, also known as the surf capital of Europe, comes alive with spectacles like live music, surf competitions, jugglers, artists and parades. The SPI Biarritz program offers students the opportunity to live with a local homestay, take intensive French classes, and experience the vibrant yet relaxed lifestyle this French town maintains. With its small size and strikingly unique Basque culture, Biarritz provides the perfect immersion environment to embrace the French language and art for living. You too will fall in love with this beautiful part of the Pays Basque!
History of Biarritz | Map of Biarritz
What Students Say
Biarritz was an amazing place to study French! The people there were so helpful and almost too friendly. I wanted to stay for the whole summer!
My homestay mother was the best part of my experience! It really opened my eyes to how hospitable and kind the French people and culture really are. Paris was by far my favorite excursion and I can’t wait to go back and stay with my host “maman” again!
My French has improved so much, and my comprehension is finally to a point where I can understand everything the people say to me. I definitely recommend the Biarritz program to any serious French learner.
Itinerary:
| Day 1 |  Departure Day: Depart for Paris, France! You will travel from your home city and connect to meet SPI staff and other group members to travel on the designated international flight to Paris. Most flights from the U.S. will leave in the mid afternoon or evening and arrive in Paris the following morning. View Flight Information |
| Day 2 |  Paris Extension Program: View Paris Extension Itinerary
Arrival Morning: Arrive at Paris CDG Airport where you will be met by SPI on-site directors and teacher travelers. From here, you will meet any students traveling on different airlines and transfer to your hotel located in the center of the city where you will spend the first night enjoying the capital of France! Your on-site director will collect your passport to safeguard for the duration of the program. At the hotel, you will have time to freshen up after your long journey! Bienvenue en France… Paris Hotel Information: Hotel Pullman Montparnasse Paris Extension Hotel June 13-15: Hotel Campanile Maine Montparnasse (Then 15-17 at Pullman Montparnasse) Afternoon: Get to know your directors and fellow travelers over an orientation lunch followed by a walking tour of Paris. Shop in the Opera district, marvel at the Eiffel Tower, see the historic Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum. Other possible explorations include Montmartre, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde. (Lunch and dinner will be paid for on your own so you can start practicing paying in Euros!) Evening: Enjoy an evening stroll along the Seine River and have dinner with your new friends. Return to the hotel with your directors to get a good night’s sleep! |
| Day 3 |  Morning: Before departing for Biarritz fit in some final sightseeing with visits to various sites mentioned above. Have lunch in Paris with the group before boarding the train.
Afternoon:Depart Paris and head to Biarritz on France’s high speed train, the TGV, to meet your homestay and get settled in. En route, your director will review important orientation information about your homestay and getting adjusted to life in France. Evening: Arrive in Biarritz and greet your homestay! Enjoy the first night getting to know your homestay sharing pictures and getting your mind thinking in French! It is a good idea to bring a small gift from your hometown to break the ice. Your homestay will also help familiarize you with the city on the map and help get you to school the following morning. |
| Day 4 |  Morning:Today you’ll start your French language immersion program at our partner institution with a placement test to verify your current level. Classes are taught by dynamic teachers that help bring French grammar, oral expression and culture come to life! SPI French immersion courses focus on the practical acquisition of the language and are both challenging and fun!
Afternoon: After eating a packed lunch from your homestay, spend the afternoon exploring Biarritz on a guided orientation tour. Evening:Enjoy a nice evening meal with your homestay! Mealtime is very important in France and where you’ll learn cultural differences and be immersed in the language. Be sure to let your homestay know in advance if you are going to miss a meal. Take advantage of the evening hours to practice your language skills and getting to know your homestay. Many students will meet after dinner for an ice cream and a typical stroll around the neighborhood. Weekday Curfew: 10 PM Weekend Curfew: 12 AM Learn More about Housing Options & Curfews |
| Days 5-8 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Regular SPI French language immersion program and classes. Watch your skills progress as you learn French from native speakers! After class, enjoy a packed lunch from your homestay before participating in elective activities.
Afternoon: Elective activities will be offered three days a week normally on Mon/Wed/Fri (weather permitting.) On Tues/Thurs directors will offer an optional activity such as a cultural event or performance. Elective activities will be selected on-site and potential activities include: surf lessons, movies in French, visit to the local chocolate factory, visit to the city of Bayonne, kayaking, photography, cooking, beach volleyball, swimming, and social exchanges with local students. Evening: Spend the early evening exploring Biarritz and all that is it has to offer. After, enjoy a nice evening meal with your homestay. |
| Day 9 |  All Day:Summer 1 & Paris Extension: Head across the nearby border into Spain where you will have the entire day to explore the old town, markets, tapas, and beautiful beaches of San Sebastian often referred as the “jewel” of northern Spain. Take note how the French Basque culture spills over into this region of Spain with similar foods, language, and traditions.
Summer 2 & Month: Head to the French Pyrenees Mountain Range for an all day excursion! Here, you will explore the region’s most famed mountain range and neighboring towns. This includes a stop at one of the regions finest residences, “Villa Arnaga,” the permanent residence of acclaimed French poet and dramatist, Edmond Rostand who wrote Cyrano de Bergerac. Soak up the many inspiring views along your visit throughout this geographically unique and culturally rich region. Evening: After returning to Biarritz, a fun evening activity with your director will be planned. |
| Day 10 |  All Day: Enjoy a nice full day with your homestay and new friends. Soak up some sun on one of Biarritz’s pristine beaches. This is also a great opportunity to explore Biarritz more by eating at restaurants, shopping, and taking in all the city has to offer! |
| Days 11-15 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Regular SPI French language immersion courses. After class, enjoy a packed lunch before heading out for activities.
Afternoon: Elective activities will continue and potential activities for week two include: continued surf lessons, golfing, sporting events, interesting guest speakers, soccer on the beach, Anglet, a visit to the Musee de la Mer, a day trip to local town of St. Jean de Luz and Summer 2 students will have the option to travel to San Sebastian, Spain! Evening: Enjoy the evening in Biarritz or spend an evening with your host family. Summer 1 & 2: Day 15 will be the last evening in Biarritz, so be sure to buy any last souvenirs and spend some time with your hosts and new friends! After dinner, you will meet with your group for one final “au revoir” to Biarritz. |
| Day 16 |  Morning Summer 1 & 2: Say “au revoir” to your homestay in Biarritz as you’ll meet up with the rest of your group to prepare to go back to Paris.
Afternoon Summer 1 & 2: Return to Paris on the high speed TGV train. You’ll arrive late in the afternoon and be transferred to your hotel in Roissy near the CDG Airport for convenience of making flights the following morning. You’ll have your final dinner with the group and share memories of your time abroad. (Dinner included) Hotel & Contact Information: Hotel Golden Tulip CDG Airport All Day Summer Month: Bastille Day 2012!: Head to the beaches of Hossegor where you will spend the afternoon celebrating Bastille Day in proper southwest Atlantic coast fashion with a picnic and games on the beach with friends! Return home to Biarritz in the early evening to prepare for an evening of fireworks and celebration with your directors. |
| Day 17 | Morning Summer 1 & 2:Light breakfast included. Wake up early and head to Paris CDG Airport to check in for your return flight. Depart with wonderful memories of a summer in France you’ll remember for the rest of your life!
All Day Summer Month: Enjoy a relaxing Sunday with your homestay and friends! Now that your French language skills have improved, use them as much as possible! |
| Days 18-22 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Regular SPI French language immersion courses. After class, enjoy a packed lunch before heading out for activities.
Afternoon: Continued elective activities include: surf lessons, rafting, local museum visits, beaches of Anglet, shopping, trip to the French cinema, and social exchanges with local students. Evening: Enjoy the evening in Biarritz or spend an evening with your homestay. |
| Day 23 |  All Day: Visit to the quaint yet bustling market Basque town of St. Jean de Luz! This inspiring place will give you even more reasons to adore the south Atlantic coast of France with its many outdoor and indoor markets, friendly people, and delicious cuisine.
Evening: Return in the early evening to Biarritz to enjoy dinner with your homestay. A fun evening activity with your director will be planned. |
| Day 24 |  All Day: Enjoy a nice full day with your homestay and new friends. Soak up some sun on one of Biarritz’s pristine beaches. This is also a great opportunity to explore Biarritz more by eating at restaurants, shopping, and taking in the sights. |
| Days 25-29 |  Morning:Light breakfast at home. Regular SPI French language immersion courses. Watch your skills progress as you learn French from native speakers! After class, return home for lunch.
Afternoon: Continued elective activities include: local cultural events, Roxy surf competition, scavenger hunt to fine tune French skills, shopping, movie night, visit to a French shopping mall, and continued social exchanges with local students. Evening: Enjoy the evening in Biarritz or spend an evening with your host family. On day 29, you’ll enjoy your last evening in Biarritz, so be sure to buy any last souvenirs and spend some time with your hosts and new friends! After dinner, you will meet with your group for one final “au revoir” to Biarritz. |
| Day 30 |  Morning: Enjoy your last breakfast and morning in Biarritz with your homestay.
Afternoon: Return to Paris on the high speed TGV train. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon and be transferred to your hotel in Roissy near the CDG Airport for easy access to flights the next morning. Hotel & Contact Information: Hotel Golden Tulip CDG Airport Evening: You’ll have your final dinner with the group and share memories of your time abroad. (Dinner included) |
| Day 31 | Morning: Light breakfast included. Wake up early and head to Paris CDG Airport for departing flights. Depart with wonderful memories of a summer in France you’ll remember for the rest of your life! |