Photography Schools and Programs in France

Photography Studies in France

Photography is a fun and fascinating subject in which to pursue an education, and students can now pursue any number of study abroad opportunities focusing on this discipline, offered in countries around the world, including the beautiful nation of France.
 
Officially known as the French Republic, France is a sovereign country located in Western Europe that also includes several overseas regions and territories.  Mainland or European France is a fairly large country, extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea; and from the Rhine River to the Atlantic Ocean.  France is one of only three countries to boast both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, with the others being Spain and Morocco.  Because of its shape, the country is often referred to in French as l’Hexagone, or “the Hexagon.”
 
France is the largest country in Western Europe and the European Union, and the third-largest country in Europe as a whole.  Its population of approximately 66 million makes it the third most-populous European country.  France’s government is organized as a unitary semi-presidential republic, with Paris serving as its capital, the nation's largest city and the main cultural and commercial center in both France and Europe. The current Constitution of France, adopted by referendum on 4 October 1958, establishes the country as secular and democratic, with its sovereignty derived from the people. The nation's ideals are expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, one of the world's earliest documents on human rights, which was formulated during the seminal French Revolution of the late 18th century.

France is a major economic power and its citizens enjoy a very high standard of living.  The country has produced many influential artists, thinkers, and scientists, and remains a prominent global center of culture.  France is home to the world's fourth-largest number of cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, drawing around 83 million foreign tourists annually—the most of any country in the world.  Some of the country’s success can be attributed to its excellent system of higher education, a system that boasts some of the world’s highest-ranked universities.

Photography Education in France
 
Many of France’s excellent universities offer Photography as a course of study—a course that falls under the umbrella category known as Fine Arts.  Photography degrees at these institutions are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level, with the former taking approximately three to four years to complete, and the latter typically spanning an additional one to two years following the baccalaureate degree.
 
The degree programs in photography afford students the opportunity to complete a formal higher education while gaining the specific skill-sets needed to be a photographer.  Having a degree in this discipline can often lead to a high-level salaried photography job, such as in the competitive world of photojournalism. 

Most French degree programs are designed to take about four years to complete, but some students take longer if they do not take on a full course-load each semester due to work or personal obligations.

In addition to helping students embark on a professional career in photography, the degree programs in this discipline can also be extremely gratifying for those interested in photography as a hobby.  Collectively, these programs give students ample time to study both basic and advanced photographic techniques, which they can later combine to create their own unique style or “photographic voice.”

Why Study Abroad in France
 
For students of Photography, France offers a number of unique benefits, including world-class universities and professional instructors who are trained in working with international students.  France also offers a fantastic cultural experience, in which students can come to know and appreciate the French culture and meet people that live both locally and from different countries around the world that share a love of photography.  When not busy studying, students will have ample time to explore the country and practice their new skills while visiting some of the country’s most iconic sights and attractions—places that consistently draw more visitors to France each year than to any other country in the world. 
 
Some of these fun and interesting sites include:
 
Arc de Triomphe
 
Located in the beautiful city of Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments and an iconic French symbol.  This landmark is situated in the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle (Charles de Gaulle Square), close to the famous avenue Champs Élysées. The triumphal arch was built to commemorate the victory of the battle of Austerlitz. Construction finished in 1836, and the monument was officially opened by King Louis-Philippe.  It soon became a place of national importance, a place where the ashes of Napoléon Bonaparte and Victor Hugo were guarded before their burial ceremony.  Many official military parades were also held at this beautiful French site.
 
Palais Bourbon
 
The Palais Bourbon is a grand structure that is home to the main part of the French parliament, the National Assembly.  The assembly includes 577 voting politicians who represent different parties and are elected every five years. The building, which is open to guided tours, is situated on the left bank of the river Seine, and represents the absolute best in French architecture.
 
Royal Basilica of Saint-Denis
 
The Royal Basilica of Saint-Denis, or in French, the Basilique Royale de Saint-Denis, is a beautiful cathedral named for St Denis, a missionary who was sent from Italy to Gaul by Pope St Clement in AD 250.  Not much is known of St Denis, other than the fact that he settled on a small island on the Seine, known as Lutetia Parisoriu, and became the first Bishop of Paris. The original church was built over the site of his grave, although it was later rebuilt in its current location.  Visitors to the basilica can take guided tours where they can marvel at the architecture of the altar and the many famous paintings and adornments that line the inside walls.