Cultural visits and activities during the University Programmes

Students studying on campus have the chance to experience a multicultural environment with a variety of social activities and visits of Parisian landmarks. 

Activities fall into two types:

• Open activities are available to all students of the programme, at no additional cost
• Optional activities are available to students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sign-up is required, as is an additional fee, with Sciences Po students receiving considerable group discounts at major tourist attractions

Open activities in 2024

Seine River Cruise: Discover Paris from its best vantage point, the Seine River! As part of Orientation Day, all Summer School students will have a chance to take a river cruise with the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. You’ll learn about some of Paris’s most famous landmarks, from the Musée du Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, all while kicking back your feet and enjoying the sunshine!

Speaker Series: The Summer School's Speaker Series is an opportunity for participants from both academic tracks to interact with a variety of public and academic figures from the Sciences Po community and French society. These conferences allow participants to discuss key issues with experts and thus further their understanding of France and Europe.

Lunchtime Picnics: Join our Summer School team for a picnic in Science Po's garden every Friday at lunchtime. This is a great opportunity to meet students from outside your classes and practice your French language skills with our Summer School interns.

Apéro Hour: Fancy a drink and a pre-dinner snack? Join our interns and your classmates to enjoy the sunshine after class. You can have a chat, play some games, and let’s face it, what is more French than an apéro hour on a summer evening?!

Continuing at Sciences Po Presentation: Are you interested in continuing your studies at Sciences Po? Learn more about the different master’s degrees offered at Sciences Po and get your questions answered by a representative from Sciences Po’s International Office.

Optional activities in 2024

Day trip to Claude Monet’s Gardens at Giverny: Claude Monet is one of French impressionism’s most famous painters. This day trip took students to his world-famous garden, outside of Paris – the place where he painted the waterlilies and so much more! A visit to the Musée des Impressionnismes at Giverny was also included.

Day trip to Normandy: Visit of the breath-taking landscapes of Étretat and Honfleur! This guided day trip took students out of the busy city to discover the luscious scenery of Normandy. 

Day trip to Mont St Michel: Visit of the historical island-town of Mont St Michel with a friendly tour guide! This trip took students to the quaint and unusually located fortified town – a UNESCO-classified monument. 

Bike Tour in Paris: Paris has introduced more and more car-free districts and bike-only paths in recent years. From the Pont Neuf and the Palais Royal to the Village St. Paul and Ile St. Louis, students could cycle under the summer sun and see some of the city’s most famous monuments and charming neighbourhoods! 

Street Art Tour: Discovery of the bohemian art of 19th and 20th century Paris with this guided Art Tour of Montmartre. As one of the most popular places in Paris for young street artists to express themselves and be seen, this tour gave students the opportunity to visit the hidden gems of Montmartre. You’ll be surprised how quiet and colourful the streets are if you skip the most touristic places!

Paradox Museum: Expect the unexpected with this new immersive museum experience! Creativity and questioning are on the menu with these mind-bending installations.

Opéra Garnier: Visit of the historical Opéra Garnier (or Palais Garnier). This stunning theatre is world-renowned, not least for its extraordinary opulence! This guided tour took students backstage of this famous opera house.

Roland Garros: This private tour took students behind the scenes of the famous stadium! Visit of the legendary courts and the surrounding buildings with a knowledgeable tour guide.