Paris: Summer 2026

• Students will need to enroll in two courses:  French 21 and one Interior Design Course, ID 22 or ID 25.
  • French 21: Introduction to French Culture (No French Language Required) (3-unit course)
    and ONE of the following:

    • Interior Design 22: History of Interior Architecture and Furnishings I (Antiquity -18th Century) (3-unit course)

      OR

    • Interior Design 25: History of Interior Architecture and Furnishings II (19th and 20th Century Europe; 17th - 20th Century United States) (3-unit course)
• There are no prerequisites for these courses. ID 22 is NOT a prerequisite to ID 25.
• All courses are CSU and UC transferable and count toward Cal-GETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities.
  • Area 3A is satisfied by ID 22 or ID 25
  • Area 3B is satisfied by FR 21
• Students will have two weeks of asynchronous instruction in both courses prior to departing for Paris.
• You must be a Saddleback College or Irvine Valley College student during summer to be eligible to take these courses. If you have never been a college student or are a returning student, you must apply to Saddleback College.
• During this trip, you will have classroom sessions as well as field study trips.
  • Students will complete worksheets, written and visual essays and exams.

During our Study Abroad trip to Paris and its surrounding areas, students have 9 classroom sessions as well as numerous landmark visits. All logistics, payments, and trip details are under the coordination of AIFS, a leading provider of study abroad services since 1964.

Why Paris?

Paris, a city renowned for its historical landmarks, will be our home for 4 weeks. It is a place where academics, culture, and everyday life come together in a way that is hard to find anywhere else.

Living in Paris means passing by places like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame not as tourist stops, but as part of your daily routine.

With world-class museums, galleries, music festivals, and a strong fashion scene, there’s always something new to see or do.

Paris is a diverse and dynamic place to live and study. You’ll meet students from everywhere and be part of a global community.

The Paris Metro is a convenient and efficient way to navigate or discover the city.

Trip Highlights:

• Louvre Museum
  • The world’s largest art museum and home to masterpieces showcasing France’s artistic legacy.
  • Full Day trip with Audioguide.
• Mont Saint-Michel
  • A medieval abbey that reflects France’s religious and architectural heritage.
  • Overnight excursion with transportation and accommodation in Mont Saint-Michel.
  • Guided tour of town and self-guided visit to the Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel.
• Sainte Chapelle
  • Gothic Royal Chapel renowned for its Stained Glass Windows.
  • Afternoon Field Study.
• Notre Dame Cathedral
  • Guided afternoon visit to the recently reopened French Gothic cathedral.
• Panthéon 
  • A neoclassical mausoleum honoring many of France’s greatest figures, including Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie.
  • Afternoon Field Study.
• Conciergerie
  • A medieval palace turned prison, famously holding Marie Antoinette before her execution, offering insight into the French Revolution.
  • Morning Field Study.
• Palace of Versailles
  • A symbol of absolute monarchy, known for its role in shaping European history.
  • Full Day trip with transportation and guided tour of Palace.
• Le Marais Neighborhood
  • Guided half-day walking tour.
• Giverny
  • Full day Excursion with guided tour of Claude Monet’s House and Gardens .
• Villa Savoye
  • Half day excursion to the commune of Poissy to visit Le Courbusier’s modern interpretation of the French country house.
• Le Musée d’Orsay
  • A former railway station, this museum highlights Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas.
  • Afternoon visit with audioguides.

Classroom sessions will take place in a meeting room at the student accommodation site. Students will be provided with a Navigo card which can be used for unlimited travel on the metro and buses in the central zone of Paris, including travel to Paris-based outings. Travel to excursions outside of Paris (Mont-St-Michelle, Versailles, Poissy and Giverny) is included, as is overnight accommodation in Mont-St-Michelle.

Departure Date: Arrive in Paris on Monday, June 8, 2026

Return Date: Depart Paris on Sunday, July 5, 2026

Program Fee

Based on an enrollment of 18-23 Students, the fee per person is $5145.  (For 24+ students, the cost is $4705.)

The fee includes:

• Accommodation in twin- or triple-bedded rooms in a student residence.
  • Linens and towels, weekly cleaning and free wireless internet are included
  • Laundry facilities are available on site
• Breakfast Daily; Welcome Dinner; Farewell Lunch
  • Meal vouchers for use at the accommodation for lunch OR dinner, Monday to Friday are available for an additional $395
• Travel Pass:  A Navigo card for unlimited travel on the metro and buses in the central zone of Paris for the duration of the program
• Orientation with AIFS Staff on arrival
• Local area walking tour covering housing, classroom location and local amenities
• Access to the AIFS Study Center
• Student medical insurance policy
• Excursions described in the “Program Details” section

Optional Flight Package: TBD

• Airfare is not included in the program fee; however, AIFS will arrange a suggested flight.  Instructors will accompany students on the flight arriving in Paris.
• One transfer bus from Charles De Gaulle airport to our accommodation will be provided and arranged to meet the suggested flight.

In addition to Flights, the fee does NOT include:

• Summer course registration for 6 units at Saddleback College
• Fees to obtain a valid passport
• Meals other than Welcome Dinner, Farewell Lunch and daily breakfast
• Souvenirs and incidentals such as laundry

Scholarships and Funding

Besides Financial Aid, scholarships, and savings, students today have to think out of the box for ways to help fund their study abroad experience. In this video, Paula Messina (Regional Director, AIFS) offers ideas and real-life stories with emphasis on in-person and virtual fundraisers.

View the AIFS Funding Video

Step 1

Contact Amy Heneghan and Bouchra Nadeau to be added to our mailing list and register for an informational meeting.

Information Sessions

• September Session
  • Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 5 - 6 p.m.
  • Location: BGS 132 and Zoom (link provided after registration)
• October Session
  • Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 2 - 3 p.m.
  • Location: BGS 132 and Zoom (link provided after registration)
• January Session
  • Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 2 - 3 p.m.
  • Location: BGS 132 and Zoom (link provided after registration)
• February Session
  • Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 5 - 6 p.m.
  • Location: BGS 132 and Zoom (link provided after registration)

Step 2

Complete the Application Process

• Meet one-on-one with a faculty leader
• Enroll in the program and create your student account with AIFS to pay the deposit to secure your spot.
  • Your instructors will provide you with the enrollment link.
• DEADLINE TO APPLY & PAY $450 DEPOSIT: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
• FINAL PAYMENT DEADLINE: Friday, April 10, 2026