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Découvrons la Suisse & Paris

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14-Day Teacher-Led French Language and Cultural Immersion

Discover the land famous for mountains, chocolates and cheese! Delve into the rich cultural heritage of Switzerland through its historic museums and castles as you travel through Lausanne and Montreux. This unique French language immersion experience begins for your student group when they meet their famille d’accueil. French language skills learned in the classroom come to life in this in-depth language immersion experience in France. Our unforgettable Family Stay Experience® allows students to become temporary locals and appreciate the French lifestyle. Students live, speak the target language, and learn about cultural exchange in a very authentic way. Conclude your journey in Paris, “The City of Lights.”

Program Price: $3,799

Please note that the base price does not include the cost of international flights* Prices are based on a minimum group size of 24 students. When the minimum group size is not reached, a small-group supplement will apply. Final prices are determined by dates, air arrangements, family stay communities and other program components as confirmed by Xperitas, as well as the total size of the group and number of leaders at the time of final billing. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in fuel prices, exchange rates, and airfare costs beyond the control of Xperitas.

🛬Email virginie@xperitas.org with your departure city for an estimated international flight cost.

🐦Save $200 when you enroll before June 15, 2026 (discount applied to final payment)

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Travel Dates

All travel dates are tentative, pending teacher approval and airline confirmation.

OVERVIEW

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DAY 1

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Departure

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The adventure begins! Pack your bags and set off on an exciting journey to Geneva, Switzerland

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Meals Included: None

DAY 2

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Lausanne

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Called the “San Francisco” of Switzerland because of its hills and beauty, Lausanne is home to the Musée Olympique and to Switzerland’s largest university. You can take the funicular metro that runs from the lake to the top of the city or visit the Cathédrale de Lausanne, one of the largest medieval churches in the country.

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Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 3

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Montreux

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A motor coach will take you to the resort city of Montreux with its picturesque views of the Lake Geneva, enhanced by the beautiful background of the Alps. Walk the cobblestone streets of the small village of Gruyère, visit the cheese factory and enjoy a raclette lunch. Visit the Broc fabrique, home of Nestlé chocolate, and enjoy complimentary chocolate samples.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4

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Montreux

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Visit the Château de Chillon, built in the mid-12th century, home to the Counts of Savoy. Continue your day with an interactive visit to the Food Museum in Vevey. Your day concludes with a relaxing boat ride on Lake Geneva.

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Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5

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En route to Family Stay

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Get ready for one of the most exciting parts of your adventure! Today, you’ll hop on a bus and head to your family stay in one of France’s charming communities—Lyon, Vienne, Nantua, or Mâcon. Each city offers its own unique vibe: Lyon, a bustling city known for its rich history, vibrant food scene, and Renaissance architecture; Vienne, steeped in Roman heritage with stunning ruins and riverside views; Nantua, nestled by a beautiful lake and surrounded by the Jura Mountains; and Mâcon, famed for its picturesque vineyards and warm southern atmosphere. Upon arrival, meet your famille d’accueil and begin this immersive experience.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAYS 6-10

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Family Stay

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Embrace five more nights of authentic French living as you practice your language skills and take part in the daily life of your host family. From lively conversations at the dinner table to exploring local traditions, you’ll make memories that last a lifetime. This is your chance to connect, learn, and experience the culture firsthand.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11

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Paris

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Take the TGV to Paris and enjoy the “City of Lights.” Explore the Quartier Latin and the Jardin de Luxembourg. Then stroll through the Quartier St. Michel where you can take a walk down the Seine River on the Île de la Cité. Visit the Cathédrale de Notre Dame, la Sainte Chapelle et la Conciergerie.

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Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 12

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Paris

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Discover the Louvre and its famous pyramid, and then experience the quaint Montmartre district. Visit the Basilique du Sacré Coeur and celebrate French artistry at the Place du Tertre.

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Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 13

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Paris

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Spend one more day soaking up the magic of Paris! Experience Paris from a new perspective with an unforgettable Bateaux Mouches Seine river cruise. Glide down the iconic river as you take in panoramic views of landmarks like Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the beautiful bridges of Paris. Feel the city’s vibrant energy as you pass by its stunning architecture and waterfront scenes. In the evening, celebrate your journey with an exciting farewell dinner, indulging in classic French cuisine and sharing stories and laughs with your fellow travelers.

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Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14

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Return

Transfer to airport and return to the U.S.

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Meals Included: Breakfast

The order of this itinerary and all itinerary items are subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances that may arise prior to or during the program.

INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

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What's Included

  • Round-trip airfare from city listed (and any airline fuel surcharges at time of booking)

  • In-country transportation (air, motorcoach, van, as applicable)

  • All overnight accommodations

  • Insurance for accidents or illness and trip cancellation coverage due to medical reasons only

  • International phone allowance $10 per day for one leader while in country

  • Xperitas Family Stay with all meals included

  • Local Family Stay Coordinator on call during family stay

  • 24/7 Xperitas emergency support while abroad

  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary

  • Entrance fee allowance of $75 per student

  • Public transit allowance of $30 per student

  • Tipping allowance of $10 per student

Activities Included

Group activity of your choice from the following options: tickets to the Atelier des Lumières, access to the Montparnasse Tower Observatory, or a cooking class where you'll prepare Flammekueche, a specialty from the Alsace region. , Ticket to Bateaux Mouches Seine river cruise , Entrance to Musée du Louvre

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What's not Included

  • Airline baggage fees

  • Variance in air cost due to changes in group contract after booking or if the group size prevents using the booked air contract.

  • Costs incurred due to late or missed flights

  • Passport, visa or other document costs

  • Transportation to/from departure city

  • Any meals not indicated on itineraries

  • Spending money and gifts

  • Any fees associated with advanced seating assignments

  • Small-group supplement when group has fewer than 24 participants

  • Tips for guide(s) and/or bus driver(s)

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION SCHEDULE

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Important Deadlines

Payment reminders will be sent 1 week and 1 day before each payment is due.

Accepted Payment Methods

Payments may be made by credit card, debit card, ACH transfer, or check. A 2.9% processing fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions.

Checks must be made payable to Xperitas and include the participant’s full name and destination country. Postdated checks are not accepted and will be returned.

Family Stay Application

  • Family Stay applications are due on November 1, 2026.

Passport Submission

  • Passport information and copy of passport due on December 1, 2026/February 1, 2027

XPERITAS FINANCIAL AID

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Bringing Equity to Student Immersion Travel

Xperitas is a nonprofit educational organization committed to making our short-term immersion travel programs accessible to as many students as possible. We provide meaningful financial aid on a “needs based” sliding scale to create equitable access. Over the past decade we have dedicated over a million dollars to financial aid, scholarship and classroom grant programs.

Financial Aid Applications Due October 15!

THE FAMILY STAY EXPERIENCE®

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Authentic Language Immersion

At Xperitas, we work with teachers to provide their students with outstanding language and cultural immersion experiences. We believe that when students have an authentic experience outside of the classroom, using their language skills in a different culture, they make a deeper cultural connection. Our programs are designed to inspire students to make personal connections with communities worldwide and gain greater cultural awareness. Benefits reported to us by teachers, parents and the students themselves are as follows: 

  • A better understanding of language and the nuance of dialect 

  • An understanding of language within the context of the culture 

  • A greater awareness of different perspectives  

  • A sense of increased independence, self-sufficiency, and cultural competence 

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How are Host Families chosen?

Since 1972, we have carefully selected families who volunteer to share their home, language, and culture with our student travelers. Students live with a local host family while abroad on their language immersion program, creating an authentic language and cultural immersion experience, unmatched by other cross-cultural programs. No Family Stay Experience is “typical”; every one is as unique as the families that host.

  • Families are volunteer, not a paid service

  • Students share meals and family routines in the target language

  • Families and students explore differences and similarities in culture and tradition

These connections can last a lifetime! Many students and host families stay in touch for years afterward.

The success of our Family Stay Experience® is due to our network of of dedicated Family Stay Coordinators around the world, who work tirelessly to ensure a safe and enjoyable hosting experience.

  • Xperitas Family Stay Coordinators are local to the host communities

  • Recruit and screen families in their own networks and match them to Xperitas participants

  • Are on call 24/7 during the program to address any issues that arise