Three young men standing arm in arm on a stone walkway, with an ancient castle featuring round towers and high walls in the background.

France

Community Service & Culture

About the Program

Discover the heart of France through an exciting combination of community service and French language immersion. Students will engage in impactful service projects that benefit local communities while interacting with native speakers in real-world settings. From cultural exchanges to hands-on volunteering, this program offers an enriching way to enhance French language skills, gain a deeper understanding of French culture, and contribute to meaningful projects. 

A scenic view of Carcassonne with a medieval fortress, houses, lush greenery, a river, and a stone bridge under a partly cloudy sky.

Itinerary

Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments that await each day on this itinerary!

  • Depart from the U.S. on an overnight flight to France

  • Flight arrives in Marseilles, meet Global Works leaders, and transfer by private bus to your hotel in Avignon
  • Settle into the group hotel, visit the stunning Palais des Papes for an interactive self-guided tour
  • Snap a picture at the Pont d’Avignon on the way to dinner
  • Dinner as a group in town, and early to bed to prepare for the full week ahead

  • Market scavenger hunt in the morning to buy picnic lunch items
  • Picnic lunch in the gardens at Rocher des Domes
  • Bus transfer to Les Baux de Provence, visit the castle, shop for souvenirs, and stop at Van Gogh’s asylum
  • Cooking class at Saint Rémy for dinner

  • Transfer to Pont du Gard, walk across the Roman aqueduct and enjoy a picnic lunch
  • Afternoon arrival to our host community for a potluck with local families
  • Settle into our lodging in Carcassonne
  • Workshop useful French language skills and gain important historical context for Carcassonne

  • Spend the morning exploring the medieval Cité, including the fortress & castle walls
  • Picnic lunch reflection time in the Cité
  • Start our service projects, such as restoring heritage sites and maintaining trails
  • Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening activity

  • Spend the morning at a local school, visit classrooms, and experience a French school day
  • Lunch and recess at the school
  • Join our new friends for a hike on a nearby trail
  • Enjoy dinner in the home of a local host family, split into small groups for dinner and conversation

  • Final morning of service and formal conclusion to our restoration projects
  • Transfer to Toulouse for lunch and final souvenir shopping
  • Walking tour along the river and explore the historic wonders of Toulouse
  • Final celebratory dinner, pack, and prepare for departure

  • Depart for the airport according to your flight schedule

Educational Focus & Highlights

Discover Medieval France

Explore the medieval Cité of Carcassonne, walking through its fortress and castle walls while learning about the region’s rich historical significance through service and restoration projects.

A group of people pose in front of a historic stone castle with round towers and conical roofs on a cobblestone plaza. The sky is partly cloudy.

History & Culture in Provence

Explore the charm of Provence with visits to Les Baux de Provence, Roman ruins, and a cooking class in Saint Rémy, immersing yourself in the region’s rich history and culinary traditions.

A group of people posing in front of an ancient stone aqueduct surrounded by greenery and a cloudy sky.

Contribute to the Community

Work alongside locals on meaningful community service projects, restoring historical sites and engaging with local schools, creating a lasting positive impact.

A group of people working together to build a stone wall outdoors on a sunny day.

A Day in French Schools

Spend a day at a local French school, participating in classes, lunch, and recess while practicing language skills and connecting with French students.

A group of people sitting on a stone ledge with a historic castle in the background under a clear blue sky.

What’s Included

3 Meals a Day

Enjoy three meals daily featuring local cuisine and flavors.

24/7 Guides

Travel with knowledgeable trip leaders who facilitate logistics and group dynamics throughout the program.

Authentic Accommodations

Stay in student-friendly accommodations that reflect the local culture and environment.

Teachers Travel Free

Teachers travel for free, making it a rewarding and affordable experience for educators.

Airfare Assistance

Global Works can arrange your group airfare needs, allowing for a seamless travel experience.

Daily Blog & Photos

Keep families updated with a daily blog and photos that we will email directly to them.

Gallery

A group of people stands on grass with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The sky is cloudy.
Three people use shovels and tools in a grassy, open field, while two others stand nearby. Overcast sky.
A group of people wearing aprons stand together in a cooking class setting. Some kitchen equipment and culinary signs are visible in the background.
A group of people stands in front of the Pont du Gard aqueduct on a sunny day, with trees and blue sky in the background.

Lodging

Participants

Participants stay in comfortable, dorm-style rooms that typically accommodate 4-6 students per room. These accommodations are carefully selected and often include locally run hotels or eco-lodges that reflect the culture of the area. Each location is selected to have private meeting spaces for group activities, ensuring both a supportive and appropriate environment for our programs.

Chaperones

Chaperones can expect to stay in private rooms, unless otherwise noted by the Global Works operations team. These rooms are located in the same facility as the student accommodations, allowing for a peaceful environment to relax and recharge without compromising proximity to the group. During homestays, chaperones typically have a choice to either stay with a homestay family or in a nearby hotel (location dependent).

A group of people on bicycles gather in front of a historic building with a clock and flags on a clear day.

My son absolutely loved his trip to France and the people – kids & guides! Global Works was very streamlined, well put together, capable; this all made me trust the program. Each time we spoke to our son during his trip he was gushing about so many things. This is not typical for my son!

The program went above my expectations. Everything was very well-organized. Communication was good. The packing list was very helpful. The guides were very personable and related well to every student. They went out of their way to have personal conversations with each person.

The trip enabled participants to experience many different and unique locations in France, creating a true immersion experience.

Bring Your Classroom to the World

Collaborate with Global Works on an impactful service-learning travel program for your students.