Skip to Content

Field trips for Pau, France

We highly recommend students participate in the following organized field trips, which are included in your program fees. Some trips may be mandatory for specific classes and will be led by the Resident Director, instructors, or International Office staff. These excursions generally take place on Fridays/Saturdays or Saturdays/weekends.

Please note that destinations may only be available during certain terms and are subject to change at the discretion of the Resident Director or on-site staff.

The following are possible field trip destinations, with further details provided upon arrival.

Woman modeling her new Beret at the Beret Museum in France.Béret Museum and Pyrenees National Park

Head to the town of Nay to visit the Béret Museum and see how the famous French berets are made before trying some on. You’ll also take a hike through the breathtaking Pyrenean landscape to Lac de Gaube, a stunning mountain lake.

A group of students jumping in front of historic building in Bordeaux, France.Bordeaux

Discover one of the best known and most beautiful French cities. Participate in a guided tour of the city, and then enjoy free time in the Old Quarter, marveling at its lovely riverfront, splendid 18th-century facades, and animated shopping streets.

A group of students posing with the Pyrenees mountains in the background. French and Spanish Pyrenees

Discover the beautiful landscape of one of the mountain valleys south of Pau, and visit the city of Jaca in the Spanish Pyrenees, known for its beautiful medieval architecture.

Students taking a selfie with a view of the sea in the background in Biarritz, France.French Basque Coast: Bayonne and Biarritz

Take a guided tour of the picturesque Basque city of Bayonne, then head to Biarritz, the most famous seaside resort in the area where Queen Victoria and the Empress Eugenie often visited.

Students posing in front of historic Basque homes in the French Basque country.French Basque Country: St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and St.-Jean-de-Luz

Tour St.-Jean-de-Port, one of the most picturesque towns in the Basque country, and visit St.-Jean-de-Luz, a charming fishing and resort village along the coast. You’ll also see the church where Louis XIV got married and enjoy some free time on the beautiful beach.

Students on their way to hike the Pyrenees mountains in France.Gavarnie: Pyrenees Mountains

Visit the Pyrenees Animal Park to see the wildlife of the mountains, then head to one of the most stunning mountain valleys where you’ll hike through a mountain village and admire the spectacular scenery and waterfalls.

An areal view of the historic buildings of Saint Bertrand-de-Comminges in France.Grottes de Gargas and Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

Experience a guided visit of the prehistoric caves in Gargas, featuring Upper Paleolithic paintings and carvings. After, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch and take a guided tour of the medieval villages of Saint Bertrand de Comminges, cathedral, and Roman ruins.

A woman walking in front of the Carcassonne medieval castle in Toulouse, France.Toulouse

Marvel at incredible architecture as you explore Toulouse, including rose brick buildings, the Romanesque Basilique of St. Sernin, and the Augustinian Monastery.

Apply