Excel Paris/Provence
Discover the heart and soul of France through detailed, field-based seminars exploring its rich history, art, and cultural traditions. Based in the vibrant university town of Aix-en-Provence and in central Paris, students immerse themselves in past and current French culture, surrounded by impressive architecture, renowned artwork, and glorious landscapes. There are field visits to Versailles, Chartres, St. Rémy-de-Provence, Avignon, Nîmes, and more. Whether you are a student of French wishing to refine your language skills, someone who is intrigued by the history or present political role of France, or someone pursuing foreign study as a way to prepare for college, ready yourself to go beyond the superficial and really understand France.

Excel Paris / Provence combines an exploration of French history and culture through hands-on learning with an opportunity for those who wish to further their fluency in French. Some seminars prepare students for college with materials taught in English, while others explore the treasures of French culture in French. Either way, students find them-selves in the field, exploring Provence, one of France’s most evocative regions, and Paris, one of the world’s great cultural centers. Together, the natural beauty of Provence and the monuments of Paris make an inspiring and exciting classroom for this program.

Aix-en-Provence and Paris: The program begins with two weeks in Aix-en-Provence, a dynamic university town nestled between the small hill villages of the Lubéron to the north, and the dramatic cliffs of the Mediterranean coast to the south. While its elegant squares and tree-lined avenues speak of its history, Aix is known as a cultural hub: it has several impressive museums, and is home to a world famous opera and summer music festival. It is the birthplace of Paul Cézanne, and is a short hop from Van Gogh and Gauguin’s home in Arles. Students stay in the centre ville, within walking distance of town squares, outdoor markets, museums and the cafés of the Cours Mirabeau. The relaxed, southern atmosphere of Aix is a great introduction to French culture and people; students have the chance to get to know each other and form a close-knit community before moving on to Paris for two weeks.

In Paris, the group stays in the center of the city, near Île Saint-Louis. Seminars meet at the facilities of Middlebury College’s School in France, located off the wide, shaded boulevards surrounding L’Eglise Madeleine. The center is well-equipped with computers, a small library, and sophisticated video equipment. It is the perfect jumping off point for visits to the Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, and the Champs-Elysées, to name only a few. Middlebury is not in session in the summer, and the Excel Paris/Provence program has exclusive use of its facilities.

A Typical Day

After rising and eating breakfast with classmates and instructors, students break into their class groups for the morning. The Art History as Auto-biography course may meet briefly in a seminar room to look at slides of the works they are about to see before setting out for the Musée d’Orsay, the French History class may head to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for a discussion of the victorious battles depicted on its flanks, and the Creative Writing class may visit a sunny café on the Cours Mirabeau to work on their latest piece. Classes focus on in-depth exploration of Aix, Paris, and the cities and villages within easy reach. Classes break for lunch, when students have the opportunity to explore some of the local restaurants and cafés on their own, then resume in the afternoon for continued exploration or discussion. After class, students and staff work together to plan afternoon activities such as biking near Mont Sainte-Victoire, a trip to the Musée Marmottan in Paris, a traditional tea at a famous teahouse, or a pétanque game in the Luxembourg Gardens. The entire group gathers for a daily community meeting before dinner. Evening activities include trips to the theatre, opera or ballet, film nights, and coffeehouses.  (back to top)

Excursions

Excursions provide Excel students with the opportunity to visit some of France’s more remote but vital historical and cultural landmarks. While these trips change from year to year, students may spend a day hiking and canyoning through the Gorges du Verdon, swimming at the foot of the Pont du Gard, or visiting the beautiful coves tucked in among the cliffs of the Calanques. From Paris, it’s only a short trip to Normandy for the weekend. Students visit the small museum that houses the Bayeux tapestry, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery before retiring to a beautiful, idyllic château south of Deauville. (back to top)

Courses of Study

Taught by energetic, highly qualified instructors, courses at Excel Paris/Provence are designed to take optimal advantage of the rich milieu of historic and modern France, while at the same time adhering to Excel’s standards of academic excellence, innovation, and fun. All students choose one major course and one minor course, both of which they follow throughout the program–from Aix-en-Provence to Paris. Major courses meet three days per week; minor courses meet two days per week. Courses are dynamic and intensive, limited in size following the college seminar format, and have a significant field component.

Excel Paris/Provence Courses of Study
 

Major Courses

Art History as Autobiography: Can we learn about an artist’s work by studying his life? Students in this Art History course take advantage of their surroundings to investigate the life and work of Picasso, Monet, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. Aix-en-Provence is the birthplace of Cézanne, and students can visit his virtually untouched studio. The cobble-stoned streets of Arles, where Gauguin and Van Gogh lived in an apartment atelier, as well as the sleepy town of St. Rémy de Provence, where Van Gogh spent his final years in an asylum, are only a short hop away. In Paris, students can see some of the principal works of these artistic luminaries at the Picasso Museum, Musée d’Orsay, and the Louvre. Through readings, careful contemplation of paintings and sketches, and ongoing immersion in the environs so influential in these artists’ life and work, students not only learn about the great masters but also gain key insights into a critical era in European art history.

Creative Writing: Follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Samuel Beckett, and a host of French masters by allowing the magic of France to inspire some of your best work. In this intensive writing workshop, students hone their skills by studying the fundamentals of creative writing, with a special emphasis on exploration in a foreign setting. The focus of this workshop is students’ own poetry, fiction, memoir/non-fiction, and journal writings, which are discussed in an open and constructive manner in class. Class time is spent exploring the urban and rural settings in and around Provence and Paris, or taking time to ponder a landscape, seek out interesting characters, or sit in a café to write and discuss literature. Short reading assignments help students address specific writing issues, and include a selection of contemporary and classic authors. For their final project, students write and present a fully-developed story, essay, or series of poems based on their experiences in France.

Drawing and Painting: Where better to study art than in Paris, the romantic and picturesque epicenter of Western artistic development? Designed for both experienced artists and beginners, this course takes students out of the studio into the field to sketch with watercolor, pencil, or charcoal. As a complement to the specific and interactive instruction, students find inspiration in fields of lavender and sunflowers, rows of olive and almond trees, and the master works of Cézanne and Gauguin. The streets of Aix are dotted with small yet impressive museums and gardens such as those at the Pavillon Vendôme that provide excellent spots to practice the techniques taught in class. Models abound in Paris’ many museums–the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Georges Pompidou, Picasso Museum, Centre Salvador Dalí - and students attempt to capture the renowned views from the bridges along the Seine or from the steps of the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre. Students show their work in an exhibition at the end of the program. Students must provide their own art supplies.

Intermediate French–Topics in Life and Culture: Designed for students with one to three years of high school French, this field-based course allows students to use France as their classroom in their quest to improve their comprehension and spoken command of the language. The limited class size allows instructors to identify weak or underdeveloped areas in students’ knowledge; customized field exercises help students to improve in those areas. Participants also spend time exploring France’s dynamic and exciting contemporary cultural scene, conducting field-based inquiries into the country’s societal makeup, youth culture, film and media, music, dance, and cuisine. Students are required to speak French while in class, and choose collectively either an independent study research topic in French life or culture, or a class project reflecting their interests and work accomplished during the program. Final projects are presented during the last week of the program.

Advanced French–Topics in Life and Culture: Designed for students with at least three years of high school French or the equivalent, this language immersion seminar focuses on group and individual field work, complemented by extensive, seminar-style discussions on French culture, literature, history, and the contemporary scene. Through readings, films, interviews, and field visits, students penetrate the heart of this fascinating and diverse country. Since all discussion and most readings are in French, students are expected to have advanced comprehension and speaking ability. Note that placement in Intermediate or Advanced French will be determined based on assessments during the first days of the program.

International Relations: The EU, France and French Foreign Policy: As Europe moves from monetary to political unification, it becomes an undeniable powerhouse on the international scene. This course examines the larger issues of the European Union by focusing on France’s political and economic systems, its leaders, and its relations with its neighbors and the United States. Field visits to the Hôtel de Ville in Aix-en-Provence, la Bourse or le Sénat in Paris, or a newspaper give students insight into the major political and economic institutions of France. Discussions with members of the diplomatic community and day-to-day coverage of the French media complement films, readings, and debates.

Minor Courses

Intermediate French—French Cuisine and Culinary Arts: French Cuisine and Culinary Arts France prides itself on its refined and delectable cuisine; after taking a bite of roasted duck, enjoying a warm goat cheese salad, or devouring a molten chocolate cake, one cannot help but agree. However, as any Frenchman will tell you, the dishes are only a part of the French culinary experience. Each region of France is famous for its own specialty, usually a product of the region’s own climate, history, and customs. In this course, designed for students with two or more years of French, the focus goes beyond the study of French language to the origin of these specialties, parallels between food and art, and the importance of quality and flavor. In addition to short readings and class discussions in French, students attend two full-day cooking workshops, visit the famous vegetable and fruit markets of Paris and Aix-en-Provence, interview an artisanal chocolatier, and consider the role of family-run dairies. There is a supplemental fee of $250. Note: This is not a traditional cooking class, but a multi-faceted exploration of French cuisine and language. Students are required to speak French in class.

Conversational French: Designed to maintain and improve existing conversational skills, this course offers a series of informal discussions, drills, and field exercises in French. Students must have taken at least one year of high school French or the equivalent. Note: Because of time constraints, students wishing for more significant progress in language acquisition should either take a major course in French or consider Putney’s Language Learning program in France.

World War II and the French Resistance: In 1940, Maréchal Pétain signed an armistice with Nazi Germany, agreeing to collaborate in exchange for bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation. Some of the many French citizens who opposed collaboration formed the legendary Resistance movement. Whether by distributing underground newspapers, bombing German convoys, or staging peaceful protests, the Resistance served notice to the Vichy régime and the Nazi occupiers that freedom and democracy are at the core of French national identity. In this course, students study the role of France in World War II, discover the varied character of different chapters of the Resistance, and discuss and understand the measures taken by both the Vichy régime and the Resistance. Field visits include excursions to the beaches of Normandy, the Musée de L’Armée in Paris, the American Cemetery, and a WWII internment camp.

History of Fashion Design: France has long been recognized as a leader in fashion. From the established, iconic fashion houses to the young designers opening boutiques in the Marais District, fashion design has proven to be an art form that continually reinvents and revitalizes itself. In this course, students draw upon the fashion history of France to communicate design concepts in clothing with style and expression, as well as to consider the social and cultural implications of fashion. Readings and discussions complement visits to a Provençal textile mill, the Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, and a designers’ studio. Inspired by past masters and today’s innovators, students sketch their own designs, choosing one piece to present at a culminating fashion show. Students are responsible for purchasing extra materials for their designs.

Architecture through the Ages: Using the many stunning examples of Roman, Gothic, and contemporary architecture in France as points of departure, this course introduces students to the major currents of French architectural history and provides insight into the societies that produced them. Through a series of field visits and informal discussions, students observe some of the finest examples of architecture in the world–le théâtre antique d’Arles, le Panthéon, le château de Versailles, la Tour Eiffel, l’Arc de la Défense–and consider what these works tell us about the people who built them.

Travel Photography: Composition and Narrative In this course, students learn how to use their cameras as tools to explore new environments and document their experiences. Through reviewing other photographers’ work, class assignments, and critiques, students expand their understanding of photography and develop the visual and technical skills for capturing the essence of the people and places that they encounter. By the end of the course, students have created a dynamic body of work that goes beyond the typical postcard shot and photographs of travel companions. In order to best take advantage of the inspirational surroundings, emphasis is placed on field work and shooting techniques, rather than digital image manipulation. Students must provide their own digital camera with a pixel depth of at least 3 megapixels. There is a supplemental fee of $150 for this course.