• Paris
• Florence
• Dakar

The unique attraction of this program is its focus on the arts. It is designed for students wishing to develop their interests and talents in areas such as the studio arts (drawing, painting, photography, bookbinding, printmaking, sculpture, fashion design illustration, ceramics, etc.), art history, and dance while experiencing another culture. The success of the program is intimately linked to its location: Paris is undoubtedly one of the most exciting places in the world for people in the arts due to its unique combination of historical resources, professional instruction, and public commitment to art and culture. Its incomparable art collections are displayed in more than thirty museums, while any street corner may inspire the photographer, the painter, the colorist. As many as 300 films from around the world are shown each week in the city's numerous cinemas and cinémathèques.

The Arts in Paris program is geared to take advantage of this richness by utilizing the museums, galleries, parks, and attractions as an integral part of its course instruction. Classes are conducted whenever possible in museums, studios, and historic sites throughout the city and in surrounding areas such as Chartres, Versailles, St. Denis, and Giverny. The program offers a unique opportunity to pursue both theory and practice by combining courses in the history of the fine and performing arts with extensive studio work; numerous visits of museums, galleries, artists’ studios, and historic sites; and field trips in, around, and outside of Paris.

"The Wells program was everything I was hoping for and more. Paris... is an artist's dream. The city, language, history, and culture surrounding you become your everyday classroom. Don't waste a moment while you're there - get everything you can out of this magnificent experience." (A.P., Rutgers University)

Host Institution

The Wells College Arts in Paris center is located in the colorful and bohemian Belleville district right off the Place Sainte Marthe, one of the neighborhood’s most charming squares. Lined with outdoor cafes frequented by local artists, the Place offers the perfect spot for a sitting with a coffee and drawing pad to catch the movements of Parisian life.

PERL, a well-established language school, is a private institution that caters specifically to the needs of foreign students; it is conveniently located in the eastern section of the city adjacent to the famous Père Lachaise cemetery, just a few metro stops from the Wells Center. The quality of the course offerings and an especially friendly atmosphere make it a special place; class size is limited to 10 or 12 students so that each student enrolled receives lots of attention from the instructor, and has ample time to participate actively in the class discussion.

Students with advanced language skills may also enroll in courses at the University of Paris X-Nanterre.
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Language Requirements

The program does not assume any fluency in French; however, it offers very successful language training, assuring that all committed students reach a good mastery of French before their return. Though no previous knowledge of French is required, we strongly encourage all students to take at least one semester of French at their home institution before joining the program.

"The Wells program was perfect for the student who wants to grow and be challenged by an experience abroad, while resting assured that they have a wonderful support system. The size, the professors, the city, the language, the art - I will never be the same!" (A.F., College of William and Mary)

Travel and Tour Information

The Arts in Paris program will put you in touch with our travel agent if you wish to travel on a group flight to Paris. For students arriving on the group flight, the program provides transportation from the airport to student housing. Once in Paris, the program provides a Navigo transportation pass for the first month of the semester; the pass allows unlimited free travel on all public transportation within the city of Paris. Students will pay for their own local transportation after the first month of the program.

"It was a fantastic experience of living in and absorbing a new culture while opening my eyes up to the world of art and language. Personally I grew and became more independent. Academically the opportunities that abounded were exquisite - climbing above the vault in Reims, painting in the Louvre, photographing the bridges of the Seine, getting to know the culture. Overall it was amazing." (S.O., Amherst College)

During the semester, the program organizes a number of trips outside of Paris; these trips are free of charge for its students. These day or overnight trips take students to Giverny, Chartres, Vaux le Vicomte, Burgundy, the Loire Valley, or Normandy.
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Photos courtesy of Kali Vermès