Travel to France on a Budget

Most people associate France with Paris, known for its architecture, high fashion and art museums. But there is so much more to French culture outside of the big city lights! From the tip of Mont Blanc in the Alps to the Pyrenees near the border of Spain in the south, France has beautiful villages, country sides and coastlines where ancient traditions are still strong. France is a small, yet influential, country. Not quite the size of Texas, France’s haute couture and remarkable fine art, cinema, fashion, music, and cuisine make the country the number one tourist destination in the world.

As a World Explorer in France, you will get the chance to learn the real French way of life while living with a host family. Your number one priority is to spend quality time with your hosts, and to practice English with them for 15 hours per week. However, you are welcome to explore as you wish in your free time. Your program is truly what you make of it.

This program is ideal for French language learners. Immersing yourself into daily life in France is the best way to become fluent in French. You are welcome to take a formal French class during your program. Your local coordinator can help you find a language school near your host family’s home. Otherwise, we recommend that you engage with the locals through daily conversation.

CHI works with trusted overseas partners in France to find the best host families possible. Please note that most placements are often outside of the city center due to limited living space in urban areas. While you can request your ideal destination, we ask that you are flexible as our placements can be anywhere in the country depending on what is available at the time you apply. For example, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in Paris. Recent placements have been near Lyon, Bordeaux, Normandy and Rennes. Our partner agents in France are there for you if ever you need local support during your World Explorers program. Your local coordinator can offer advice about how to spend your free time through extracurricular activities upon request.

The French culture is so rich, you’ll never have a dull moment during your stay. Spend your mornings going to a cafe to chit-chat in French with the locals. Help your host family practice English in the afternoons and enjoy a classic French dinner together in the evenings. Take weekend trips to explore medieval villages and castles, ride a bike through the countryside, visit famous museums and do some shopping in the bigger cities. Join a meetup group online in order to be informed about upcoming local events in your area. Your possibilities are endless.

We encourage you to take advantage of visiting other parts of France during your stay with your host family. Your host family will do their best to show you around as much as possible, but you can also travel on your own. You can take a long weekend in Paris, visit the beaches in Nice or Marseille or explore the wine country in Pays de la Loire. Cheap charter flights from France allow you to visit other European countries after you leave your host family if you choose to incorporate more travel into your plans.

CHI also offers exciting volunteer and work opportunities in addition to our home tutor option in France. These programs are more structured and demand more hours of your time. Find out more about our International Internships, Volunteer Abroad opportunities and Au Pair Abroad opportunities available through our trusted partners in France.

• Working at a hotel or restaurant on a Hospitality Internship
• Working as an Au Pair Abroad
• Volunteering on a farm or a ranch
• Eco-volunteering with wild birds and animals

Contact a WE customer care specialist for more information.

Some of the overseas partner agencies we work with place restrictions on age. We recommend this destination for travelers ages 18-60+. Some older candidates may be considered, but we cannot guarantee it.