Excursion Information
As a MICEFA student you have access to our great excursions provided throughout the semester! A listing and description of the upcoming excursions are listed below. If one of the excursions interests you, you can sign up directly via the website using the sign-up form at the bottom of this page!
Spring 2023 Excursions
ONE-DAY EXCURSION CHATEAU D'AMBOISE
& WINE TASTING
SATURDAY MARCH 25TH
Celebrate your stay in Paris with a trip to a beautiful castle and a wine cave – join us in March as we sample some of what the Loire Valley has to offer.
Our first stop will be to the Chateau d’Amboise. Amboise, an architectural jewel of the Renaissance, dips its majestic silhouette into the Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage river.
A place of residence for French kings from the 15th to the 19th centuries, its destiny is inextricably linked to the history of France. Numerous literary figures and artists were invited here, like Leonardo da Vinci whose tomb is preserved at the château.
This royal château is thus the expression of French-style luxury. From its balconies, its roofs and its terraced gardens, visitors can take in the Loire landscape and delight in what the kings enjoyed.
Pack a picnic lunch or eat at the castle food services.
After lunch, the group will hop back on the bus for a trip to the winery. There you’ll be able to discover the wine making process, tour the cellar and, of course, sample some excellent wine!
Trip includes: transportation to and from Amboise, entry to the Chateau and wine tasting.
Sign up deadline AND payment deadline: March 1st, 2022
Schedule
7:45 am: Meeting point by the General Leclerc Statue near the bus stations at Porte d'Orléans (14th arrondossiement)
8:00 am: Bus leaves Paris
11:00 am: Arrival Château d'Amboise
Guided visit around the grounds followed by time to visit the château and free time.
Please bring a lunch or plan to purchase food on the castle grounds.
3:00 pm: Bus leaves promptly from Amboise to go to the wine tasting
3:30 pm: Arrival at the winery for a tour and tasting
5:00 pm: Departure for Paris (estimated arrival in Paris 7:30-8:00pm)
Cost
TBD €€
ONE-DAY EXCURSION CHATEAU DE GUEDELON
SATURDAY APRIL 15TH
Discover the world of medieval construction in real time !
It is impossible to visit medieval castles and cathedrals without wondering how these buildings were constructed, where the materials came from, how they were transported, which tools were used or how such heavy loads were hosted.
In the heart of Guédelon forest, in an abandoned quarry, a team of master-builders is building a 13th-century castle from scratch using the technology and materials of the Middle Ages. Quarrymen, stonemasons, carpenter-joiners, woodcutters, blacksmiths, tilers, carters and rope makers are working together to revive heritage craft skills and to shed light on the world of medieval construction.
Guédelon is the site of scientific, historic and educational interest; it is a tourist destination and, above all, it is a collective venture.
Throughout the seasons, Guédelon’s master-builders rise to this extraordinary challenge. Visitors from across the globe come to the only construction site of its kind in the world to witness the building of the castle’s crenelated battlements, the Great Hall’s roof timbers, the vaulted chambers.
Trip includes: transportation to and from Guédelon and entrance to the castle site.
Sign up with MICEFA to come experience medieval history in the making.
This trip is included and mandatory for CSU IP. For other questions or to reserve your spot, please sign up below or come to the office. Your payment will make your reservation final.
Schedule
7:45 am: Meeting point by the General Leclerc Statue near the bus stations at Porte d'Orléans (14th arrondossiement)
8:00 am: Bus leaves Paris
11:00 am: Arrival Guédelon
Guided visit around the grounds followed by free time.
Please bring a lunch or plan to purchase food on the castle grounds.
3:00 pm: Departure for Paris (estimated arrival in Paris 5:30-6:00pm)
Cost
TBD €€
Important tips :
Make sure to wear appropriate closed shoes as some of the areas we will be walking in include dirt and mud. Sandals/ Flip-flops are not recommended.
Pack a picnic lunch or purchase your meal at the chateau and enjoy some traditional medieval cuisine fresh from the wood-fired oven.
Fall 2022 Excursions
ONE-DAY EXCURSION SUR LES TRACES DE VAN GOGH
AUVERS-SUR-OISE
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH
On the 20th of May 1890, Vincent Van Gogh arrives in the lovely country-side village of Auvers-sur-Oise. He lives there for 70 days, painting an impressive 78 paintings before he tragically commits suicide on July 29th, 1890. During his time in the village, Van Gogh was inspired by the beautiful landscapes and architecture. Here he painted some of his most famous paintings such as Champ de blé aux corbeaux, Portrait du Dr Gachet and L’église d’Auvers.
On this excursion you will follow in his footsteps, visit the famous sites and see his house all the while learning about Vincent Van Gogh’s troubled life.
Trip includes: Guided tour of Auvers-sur-Oise, entrance to Van Gogh’s home. (Train ticket price is covered by your Navigo pass, please bring it with you).
This trip is mandatory for CSU IP students
For other questions or to reserve your spot, please sign up below or come to the office.
Sign-up and payment Deadline: ASAP (cash only, exact change please)
Schedule
9:55 am: Meeting point at Gare Saint-Lazare
in front of the "info" kiosk Level 1+ accros from track 5
10:27 am: Train leaves Paris (bring your Navigo Pass)
11:44 am: Arrival in Auvers-sur-Oise.
Free time to explore and for picnic lunch! Bring a picnic lunch or there are restaurants in the town
1:50 pm meet in front of the Office of Tourism
2:00 pm: Guided tour "In the shoes of Van Gogh"
4:28 pm: Train leaves from Auvers-sur-Oise (estimated return to Paris, 5:50 pm)
Cost
8€ (plus your Navigo)
ONE-DAY EXCURSION MONET'S GARDENS - GIVERNY SATURDAY OCTOBER 8TH
Claude Monet lived for forty-three years, from 1883 to 1926, in his house in Giverny. With a passion for gardening as well as for colors, he conceived both his flower garden and water garden as true works of art. Walking through his house and gardens, visitors can still feel the atmosphere which reigned at the home of the Master of Impressionism and marvel at the floral compositions and water lilies, his greatest sources of inspiration.
Trip includes: Private coach transportation to and from Giverny, as well as entry to Monet’s house and gardens.
This trip is mandatory for CSU IP & for students enrolled in MIC 220E – 19th century French Painting: Impressionism and Beyond.
For other questions or to reserve your spot, please sign up below or come to the office.
Sign-up and payment Deadline: September 30th (cash only, exact change please)
Schedule
7:40 am: Meeting point at Porte d'Orleans, 75014 -
in front of the Général Leclerc Statue
8:00 am: Bus leaves Paris
10:30 am: Entrance to the Foundation Claude Monet to see Monet’s house.
Free time to visit the gardens and surrounding village.
Lunch time: Bring a picnic lunch or buy food on site (cafés, restaurants...)
2:30 pm: Bus leaves from Giverny (estimated return to Paris, 4:30pm)
Cost
25€
EXCURSION BEER TASTING AT GALLIA BREWERY
FRIDAY DECEMBER 2ND
Want to discover more about French beer and the brewing process? Want to taste some amazing beer brewed right here in Paris?
Then sign up to go visit the Gallia Paris 1890 Brewery for a chance to immerse yourself in their glorious universe full of delicious crafted beer!
This trip includes:
- A private tour of Gallia’s Brewery: this includes learning about all of the stages and process of making the beer.
- A beer tasting session of 4 of their latest beer creations, each promised to be more unique than the last.
- Free time in their Taproom where you will have the chance purchase and try more of their tasty treats. This area is known to be where the magic happens and friends can spend time doing one of many fun activities hosted here. Activities such as Foosball, Pinball, Ping-Pong, and more.
Spaces are limited so sign up quick and come make some cool memories with us as we learn, taste, and play at Gallia Paris 1890 Brewery and Taproom together.
For other questions or to reserve your spot, please sign up below or come to the office.
Schedule
Arrival Time - 17:20 pm: Meeting in front of Gallia Paris 1890 Brewery and Taproom, 35 rue Méhul 93500 Pantin -
Group 1 will begin their tasting at 17:30 while Group 2 enjoys the taproom and at 18:30 the two groups will switch.
Guided visit lasts an hour and then free taproom time
Cost
12€
Sign-up and payment Deadline: November 15th
Fee is already covered for CSU IP students but you must RSVP
ONE-DAY EXCURSION CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU & WINE TASTING SATURDAY MARCH 19TH
Our first stop will be to the Château de Chenonceau.
This French château spans the river Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley
The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century.[3] The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l’Orme, and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570 to 1576 to designs by Jean Bullant.
Pack a picnic lunch or eat at the castle food services.
This trip is included and mandatory for CSU IP and UParis Miami students. For other questions or to reserve your spot, please sign up below or come to the office. Your payment will make your reservation final.
Sign up deadline AND payment deadline: March 1st, 2022
Schedule
7:45 am: Meeting point by the General Lerclerc statue near the bus stations at Porte D'Orléans, 75014.
8:00 am: Bus leaves Paris (please be on time)
11:00 am: Arrive at Chenonceau Castle. Guided visit around grounds followed by time to visit the chateau and free time. Explore the Grounds & Lunchtime: every student has to bring a picnic lunch or buy food on site.
3:00 pm: Bus leaves promptly from Chenonceau to go to the wine tasting
3:30 pm: Arrival at the winery for a tour and tasting
5:00 pm: Departure for Paris (estimated arrival in Paris 7:30-8:00 pm)
Cost
35€
all inclusive/space is limited/first come first served
NB: For paid excursions you place is not fully reserved until you go to the MICEFA office and pay!