Excursions

By participating in the many excursions and cultural visits proposed you will discover all that Touraine and the other nearby regions have to offer. For students arriving at the beginning of a regular or summer session, CLE organises a free guided tour of the city, its monuments and its historical restorations.

In addition CLE organises weekly visits to the renowned Renaissance châteaux of the Loire Valley: Chambord, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, and others, medieval fortresses, Fontevraud Abbey (where Henry Plantagenet II and Richard the Lion-Heart are buried), as well as the homes of Ronsard, Balzac and Leonardo da Vinci. Throughout your stay you will have ample opportunity to taste, in local cellars, the famous wines of Vouvray, Montlouis, Bourgeuil and Chinon.

We also organise visits to other regions of France, where you will discover such architectural treasures as Mont-St-Michel, Versailles, Chartres Cathedral and also La Rochelle. Excursions are organised for a minimum number of participants, thus reducing costs. If you prefer to go on your own, a multitude of guides and suggested itineraries are available and Isabelle Aubert is always on hand to advise you and make suggestions. As for Hervé Aubert he can give you some tips for purchasing wine!

Sports

Whether you like to play tennis or golf, ride horses, sail or row, you can take advantage of Tours' many sports facilities. You can also explore the region on foot or by bicycle. Maps and itineraries are at your disposal at CLE.

Evening entertainments

In Tours you may enjoy a number of cultural distractions: concerts, theatre, ballet, art exhibitions, to name but a few. You will also have the opportunity to join us once a month for a superb dinner in a small local restaurant, or at the table of one of France's great chefs, Jean Bardet. An unforgettable experience!

Wine-tasting course

This option has been running for several years now in response to student demand. You will learn about French wine, wine making and the correct way to taste red and white wines. The lessons are given by a wine specialist and are a favourite among students.