Travel to this highly touristic French region and immerse yourself in the hearth of the country. Become an exchange student in France in the Loire Valley!
Attend a French private boarding school in the Loire Valley and live with a local host family during your weekends and holidays.
Next available start dates: August 2027 and January 2028. Applications are now open.
Last-minute applications for the Spring Semester 2027 starting in January 2027? Contact us now.
Study at a French boarding school in the Loire Valley
We place international students in French boarding schools in the Loire Valley:
- Nantes (3 schools)
- Cholet (1 school)
Exchange students live at the boarding house of the schools from Monday to Friday and with a nice French host family during weekends and school holidays. Enjoy your stay in a French boarding school in the Loire Valley!
State-supported private schools are significantly subsidized, making them much more affordable than fully independent international private schools in France. These schools adhere to the national curriculum, and while many have a religious foundation (often Catholic), students are not required to participate in religious services.
Why choose the Loire Valley?
A well-known, easily accessible region with excellent train links to Paris and Nantes.
What should you expect of a private boarding school?
French secondary education is divided into two schools:
- the “collège” for the first four years directly following primary school (Grades 6-9)
- the “lycée” for the next three years.
Completion of secondary studies leads to the “baccalauréat”. The school’s director makes the decision regarding grade and placement level for international students, taking into account the school’s organization, the student’s transcripts and their French level. All students attend general classes such as French, History, Foreign Language (usually English, then German or Spanish), Sports, etc..
Private boarding schools in France only offer 5-day boarding option. Exchange students are hosted in host families for weekends and holidays.
There is a strong community spirit in these schools and students are involved in many international projects. Discover our schools!
Graduation from a boarding school in France is only possible after at least two years of study (Grade 11 and 12).
Looking for an exchange program in France with host families? Or a program in a different location? Look at our page dedicated to student exchange in France.
Interested in exploring other regions:
In a French boarding school of the Loire Valley, exchange students live at the boarding quarters with their school friends during the week (Monday to Friday), with full board, and with a host family on weekends and during the school holidays, with full board.
Loire Valley boarding schools 2027
Prices valid for September 2027 and January 2028 intakes. Please inquire about January 2027 prices.
Program dates 2027/2028:
Academic Term :
- August 24, 2027 to December 18, 2027 (with orientation/ soft landing camp)
- January 15, 2028 to April 22, 2028 (with mini orientation)
- March 5, 2028 to June 10, 2028 (no orientation)
Academic Semester :
- August 24, 2027 to January 15, 2028 (with orientation/ soft landing camp)
- January 15, 2028 to June 10, 2028 (with mini orientation)
Full Academic Year:
- August 24, 2027 to June 10, 2028 (with orientation/ soft landing camp)
- January 15, 2028 to December 16, 2028 (with mini orientation and no accommodation during the summer break from mid-June to the end of August) = specific cost; please inquire
Optional Pre-School French Preparation Course: August 15 to 27, 2027
Orientation/Soft Landing camp: August 24 to 27, 2027
LAST MINUTE SPRING 2027: Interested in joining the Spring 2027 semester? Contact us now to check last-minute availability.
*Price in EUR per participant.
Not included Application fees (65 euros)
💰 What's Included in the Price?
- Administration fees
- School registration and fees (including school lunches)
- Boarding school on weekdays and host family accommodation with full board on weekends, bank holidays and half term holidays
- Support, assistance and 24/7 Hotline during the whole program
🚫 What's Not Included?
- Round-trip international airfare
- Travel insurance (luggage loss, flight delay etc.)
- Visa, passport and medical exam fees
- Extra activities such as sports, excursions, etc. organized by the school or others, extra language courses
- Domestic transfer on departure day
- Personal expenses and spending money
Mandatory fees to be added
- Meet&Greet + Orientation: 500 EUR
- Supervised transfer on arrival to school/host family: 300 EUR
- Insurance: 450 EUR
- School Books: 120 EUR (Bois Tillac)
- School transportation: Term 150 EUR - Semester 200 EUR- Year 250 EUR
Exchange students must be interviewed in their home country before being accepted in Loire Valley boarding schools.
A minimum of two years of French study and good academic results are required to study in France.
If you speak no or very little French, we advise you to consider a French international school in Paris area: Notre-Dame International High School. Inquire now: https://www.ndihs.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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Students live at the school's boarding house from Monday to Friday, then stay with a French host family during weekends, bank holidays, and school breaks, combining boarding-school life with regular host family immersion.
Placements are available in Nantes (three schools) and Cholet, all state-supported private schools that follow the French national curriculum.
Yes, but only if you complete at least two years of study (Grades 11 and 12) and pass the required exams, just as with other Nacel boarding and exchange programs in France.
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