French Language & Culture
Why Choose This Program?
Live the Language
Experience authentic immersion in the French language and culture.
Network
Meet new friends and gain a new family. Make lasting memories and connections.
Get Inspired
Jump up a level in French. Shine on college applications.
The Destination
Welcome to Rennes, a charming French city rich in regional identity and off the beaten tourist path.
Fifteenth-century half-timbered houses with colorful facades, Renaissance buildings, cobbled streets, and cozy courtyards all make Rennes a feast for the eyes. Situated at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers, Rennes is a gem in France’s northwestern Brittany—a scenic region of medieval villages, rugged beaches, and dramatic landscapes, which you’ll explore.
Rennes is a blend of the quaint and cutting edge, ranked as one of France's “most livable cities” and a center for digital innovation. Centuries-old traditions—including its own language, Breton—intermingle with a vibrant cultural scene driven by the city’s young and student-friendly population. Rennes has a long roster of festivals—music, cinema, and now gaming—with no shortage of things to do!
The city holds France’s second largest outdoor farmer’s market, known as the Marché des Lices, featuring local Breton specialties such as crêpes, galettes, and kouign-amann. Bring your appetite, be bold, and explore the city with an open heart and mind!
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Rennes.
Sample Itinerary
Sample Activities
Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
- Dabble in the art of pastry-making with a local chef. Make (and taste!) traditional specialties, such as sablé breton or tarte Tatin. Bon appétit!
- Travel to Mont Saint-Michel, a tidal island and UNESCO World Heritage Site with breathtaking views. Hike barefoot through the wet sands, explore the medieval town, and climb to the awe-inspiring abbey at the top.
- Discover Rennes from a new perspective while canoeing or kayaking the canal Saint Martin.
- In Rennes, art is everywhere—in museums, galleries, and streets! Tour its vibrant graffiti scene and design your own tags and murals with local street artists.
- Deepen your exploration Breton identity along the southwestern coast of Brittany, visiting quaint medieval towns, such as Vannes, Locronan, and Concarneau. Admire the sunset by the sea!
Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Adventures in Rennes
Students were filled with adventure this Wednesday as they participated in a Scavenger Hunt. We had two different groups accompanied by Program Leaders to assist with any questions. Students were... keep reading
2 Essential Ways to Prepare for Your Teen’s High School Summer Abroad
Once your teen is accepted on their CIEE high school summer abroad program and you have confirmed their participation, anticipation will fill your home. There are two very important tasks... keep reading
When Can My Teen Book Their Flight for High School Summer Abroad?
Your teen might be the first in the family to study abroad, to travel outside the U.S., and/or to take a solo flight. This is both exciting and nerve-wracking—so the... keep reading
Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—of all French language proficiency levels. Students must have completed Freshman year of high school before traveling on program.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application fee
$25
Optional college credit fee
$150
Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $7,250 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $7,250 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Daniel Audaz
Director
Daniel Audaz has been the Director of the CIEE program in Rennes since 2008. He is originally from Marseille and studied at the University of Aix-en-Provence (France) where he obtained his M.A. in Geography and then specialized in FLE/S (Français Langue Etrangère et Seconde).
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
You might also like
- Toulouse, France
- Language & Culture
Take your talent in French to the next level in the "pink city".
- College Credit
- Homestay
- Paris, France
- Language & Culture
Discover the elegance and charm of Parisian life while immersed in the language spoken by more than 100 million people.
- College Credit
- Homestay
- Paris, France
- Arts & Culture
Shape your creativity and imagination in the fashion capital of the world.
- Hostel/Hotel