Choose your Summer 2026 Program!
| Experience the vibrant confluence of French and Catalan cultures where the rugged Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean Sea. This 14-day residency blends intensive language study in the seaside retreat of Argelès-sur-Mer with a curated exploration of the medieval fortresses and terracotta cities of the French South.
This 14-day residency offers a profound immersion into the art de vivre of the Occitanie region, where the rugged Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean Sea. The journey begins in the terracotta "Pink City" of Toulouse and the cathedral city of Albi, before settling into the vibrant seaside rhythm of Argelès-sur-Mer. Students engage in a balanced curriculum of intensive morning language study at an accredited institute and afternoon cultural discovery. By residing in vetted homestays and exploring the rocky coves of Collioure—the historic "City of Painters"—participants gain more than linguistic fluency; they develop a deep, tactile connection to the heritage, gastronomy, and coastal elegance of the French South.
Program Location: Argelès-sur-Mer, France (with Albi & Toulouse)
Eligibility: 14-18 years of age
Group Size: Typical cohort of 8-12 participants (Min: 8 / Max: 15)
Focus: French Language & Occitan Heritage
Level of Spanish: Open to all levels (No previous French required)
Accommodation: Vetted Homestays (and premium hotels during travel)
Arrival & Departure Airport: TLS (Toulouse-Blagnac Airport)
Room & Board | Intensive French Study | Onsite Director & 24/7 Support | Regional Expeditions | Cultural Immersion | Airport Transfers | International Medical Insurance
A purposeful blend of academic growth and seaside exploration. The Arcos schedule is designed to maximize linguistic immersion in the mornings while leaving the afternoons open for the "Art de Vivre" that defines the South of France.
8:30 AM: Petit Déjeuner. Students begin the day with a traditional French breakfast at their vetted host residence or a local café.
9:30 AM: French Language Residency. Intensive morning sessions at our partner institute focus on communicative fluency and the regional heritage of the Occitanie region.
1:30 PM: Picnic & Cohort Bond. Students enjoy a daily picnic lunch prepared by their host families—featuring fresh local ingredients—shared with the group in the school’s garden grounds, a shaded village park, or along the Mediterranean beach.
3:00 PM: Cultural Discovery & Workshops. Afternoons are dedicated to active immersion, such as an essential oils workshop in the Albères mountains, kayaking the Mediterranean coves, or exploring seaside ateliers.
6:00 PM: Coastal Exploration. Days conclude with guided discovery, including hikes to the "City of Painters," Collioure, or visiting the historic ports of the Côte Vermeille.
8:00 PM: Dinner & Immersion. Students return to their homestay for a home-cooked meal and conversation—the ideal environment for practicing French in a natural, residential setting.
10:00 PM: Evening Curfew.
A curriculum-based immersion designed to move students from passive observers to active participants in French life. This framework bridges the gap between the classroom and the community, providing a linguistic foundation that is both academically grounded and practically rewarding.
Intensive Language Residency: 40 hours of professional French instruction at the Centre Linguistique Constance Cellerier. Classes follow the Common European Framework (A1–C2) with a focus on real-world fluency, social interaction, and the essential vocabulary needed to navigate local markets and village life.
The Painter’s Coast: Exploring the Fauvist history of Collioure, where students walk the same paths as Matisse and Derain, using their burgeoning language skills to engage with local art history.
Art de Vivre & Gastronomy: A hands-on French cooking class and guided visits to local markets, where students apply classroom vocabulary to master regional recipes and Southern French culinary traditions.
Regional Traditions: Discovering the unique "Catalan-French" identity of the region through activities like the traditional Sardana dance and visits to the historic essential oil distilleries of the Albères.
The journey extends into the heart of the "Pink City" and the medieval fortresses of the Southwest. While Argelès-sur-Mer serves as our coastal home base, these curated journeys pull back the curtain on the historical and architectural marvels of the Occitanie region.
Toulouse & The Pink City: An exploration of France's fourth-largest city, famous for its unique terracotta architecture, the historic Basilica of Saint-Sernin, and its vibrant, sun-drenched plazas.
UNESCO World Heritage Albi: A visit to the towering fortified cathedral of Sainte-Cécile and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, where art history meets the dramatic landscapes of the Tarn river.
The Fortress of Carcassonne: A journey through time to the largest walled city in Europe. Students explore the double-walled ramparts and 52 watchtowers of this perfectly preserved medieval masterpiece.
The Côte Vermeille: Coastal hikes along the "Vermilion Coast" to the seaside village of Collioure, where the Pyrenees mountains plunge into the Mediterranean, providing the ultimate reference for landscape photography and sketching.
At Arcos Journeys Abroad, we believe the students' focus should be on the experience, not the logistics. Our French Immersion program is fully inclusive, providing a seamless transition from the "Pink City" of Toulouse to the Mediterranean coast with every detail curated specifically for high school travelers.
Intensive Language Residency: 40 hours of professional French instruction at the Centre Linguistique Constance Cellerier, including all placement testing and course materials.
Vetted Homestays: 13 nights of accommodation in secure, hand-picked homes in Argelès-sur-Mer, plus premium hotel stays during the Toulouse/Albi portion of the journey.
All-Inclusive Dining: Daily breakfast, host-prepared picnic lunches, and dinner. This includes traditional meals with host families and curated group dining at regional bistros.
Regional Expeditions: All transportation, entrance fees, and expert-led tours for visits to Toulouse, the UNESCO city of Albi, the Fortress of Carcassonne, and the Côte Vermeille
Art de Vivre Workshops: Hands-on cultural activities including a French gastronomy class, an essential oils workshop, and guided coastal hiking.
Global Protection: Comprehensive international medical insurance (Cigna Global) and 24/7 onsite support from our dedicated Resident Directors.
Professional Transit: Supervised airport transfers at TLS (Toulouse-Blagnac Airport) and all local ground transportation throughout the 14-day program.
Not Included: Round-trip airfare to Toulouse (TLS) and personal spending money for souvenirs or additional snacks.
Student well-being is the primary metric of success. Arcos combines the sophisticated atmosphere of the French South with a rigorous supervision model built specifically for high school travelers. This framework provides the professional structure and local expertise necessary for a secure and confident experience from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean.
Our France Resident Directors bring decades of experience in youth leadership and are available around the clock to provide immediate assistance and local expertise.
Participants reside in secure, hand-picked homes in Argelès-sur-Mer. These families are long-term partners of the program, providing a "home base" that is both culturally enriching and highly secure.
Cultural discovery is balanced with a mandatory buddy system and a strict evening curfew. Students are given the freedom to explore village shops and seaside cafés within a defined "Safe Zone" monitored by our staff.
We ensure guaranteed access to top-tier medical facilities in the region, including Centre Hospitalier de Perpignan, with all logistics managed by our onsite team.
From real-time flight monitoring to supervised airport transfers at TLS, every aspect of student transit is managed by our veteran staff to ensure a seamless transition.
A distinguished scholar and lifelong adventurer with a deep-rooted passion for the Mediterranean. Dr. Zaida C. brings an extraordinary level of expertise to our French residency, having served for years as a professor at the University of Perpignan. A polyglot with a Doctorate from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, she balances academic mentorship with a spirited, bohemian approach to discovery. Whether hiking the Pyrenees or exploring a local theater, Zaida’s intimate knowledge of the Art de Vivre ensures every student gains a sophisticated, soulful, and secure connection to the heart of the French South.
"Living in Argelès-sur-Mer felt like stepping into a movie. I loved that we would study French in the morning and then immediately go use it to buy a crepe or navigate the market in Collioure. The balance of being by the Mediterranean while learning so much about the history of places like Carcassonne made this the best summer of my life." — Sarah, 11th Grade, Saint Ann's School, New York, NY
"I was a bit nervous about the homestay, but my host family was so welcoming and patient with my French. Eating dinner on their terrace every night was where I actually learned the most—we’d talk about everything from French music to what we did that day. I came home feeling so much more confident in my speaking than I ever did in a classroom." — Emery, 9th Grade, St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School, Austin, TX
"This program isn't just a vacation; it's a total immersion. Seeing the 'Pink City' of Toulouse and the cathedral in Albi was incredible, but the best part was the bond our small group formed with our director, Zaida. She made the history feel alive and showed us what the 'Art de Vivre' actually looks like in the South of France." — Scarlett, 11th Grade, The Hockaday School, Dallas, TX
No. Our program is designed to welcome all students, from those just starting their linguistic journey to those looking for advanced immersion. Upon arrival, students are placed in small, proficiency-based groups (A1–C2) at our partner language institute. This ensures that every participant is challenged at their own pace in a supportive, small-group environment.
Safety and cultural fit are our top priorities. Our host families in Argelès-sur-Mer are trusted partners of the program who have been personally interviewed and had their homes inspected by our resident staff. These families are chosen for their warmth, their interest in cultural exchange, and their commitment to providing a secure "home base" for our students.
We utilize a model of Managed Autonomy. While the daily itinerary is structured and supervised, students have designated windows in the afternoons to explore village shops or seaside cafés within established "Safe Zones" using the mandatory buddy system. This allows students to practice their independence and Art de Vivre within a secure framework, always anchored by our 10:00 PM evening curfew.
