Renaissance and Art de Vivre in the Loire Valley

Led by Professors Brenton Hobart & Raphaël Bloch Lainé

CL/FR3032 – The Monstrous Renaissance
FR2102 – French IV, Paris in 1954 
CL1025CCI – The World, The Text, and the Critic I

Discovering the Loire Valley: Language, History, and Culture. Fascinated by the Loire Valley’s rich history, magnificent châteaux, and enduring cultural legacy? This study trip offers a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of French language, art, and identity in one of France’s most celebrated regions – a microcosm of Renaissance power and culture. Students will explore the heart of Tours, once a center of humanist learning, and visit the château de Chenonceau, whose architecture and mythology inspired works from Rabelais’s Gargantua (1535) to Disney’s Cinderella (1950). At Clos Lucé, participants will encounter the inventive genius of Leonardo da Vinci, who lived there until his death in 1519. The journey concludes at the nearby Château d’Amboise, uncovering the intertwined histories of Joan of Arc, Machiavelli, François I, and Catherine de Medici.

Trip cost: €525
Includes round trip transportation to the destination, accommodation with breakfast, one group meal, local visits, professors trip cost and VAT.

Last day to register/cancel: January 18, 2026 • Late cancelation fee: Full cost of the trip
Payment for study trips must be made no later than January 30 for the Spring 2026 semester. Any concerns in this regard should be addressed to the Cultural Program Office and Student Accounting Services.