Paid Culinary or Hospitality Internships in France

AIW’s 3- to 7-month Paid Culinary Internship program in France provides students of Culinary Arts or Hospitality with a great opportunity to gain real work experience, learn a new language, and immerse themselves in a new culture. This program is divided into two phases. Students begin their programs with phase one in Montpellier, southern France, or Rouen, Normandy where they complete a short language and cultural immersion course to help them adapt to their new surroundings and learn the basic French skills they need to succeed during their internships. Following the language course, students move on to phase two of the program where they complete full-time internships with 3- to 5-star hotels and restaurants (including Michelin awarded) across the south of France or Normandy.

Program Details:

Duration: 3-7 months

Program Fee: From $4135.00 (round trip to France not included)

Program Start Dates:

2025: 03/03, 04/07* and 04/28, 06/02* and 06/30, 07/07*, 08/04, 09/01, 10/06* and 10/27 (These dates are for total beginners in French). *Dates for Rouen in Normandy.

Location:

Program begins in Montpellier or Rouen, France; internships can take place in various locations across France (ex: Rouen and Normandy area, Avignon, Marseille, Nice, etc.)

Compensation:

~670.00 Euros per month (approximately ~$700.00 USD)

Typical Application Process:

3-6 months

Phase 1: 2- to 4-Week Language Course

Location: Montpellier, France – a city full of life located just a few miles from the Mediterranean coast. Or Rouen, France in Normandy (only 1h30 by train from Paris). A new destination from 2025.

When students arrive in France, they begin their program with a specialized language and cultural immersion course. During this time, students are housed with host families and are provided with two meals per day.

What is Included?

Arrival transfer from Montpellier or Rouen train station or airport to host family’s residence
40-80 group French lessons with one of the top language schools in France
Orientation tour of Montpellier or Rouen
Cooking workshops and cultural activities
Accommodation with a host family (single room)
Breakfast and dinner provided by the host family
Bus/tram pass
medical & liability insurance for the whole duration of the program

Phase 2: 8- to 24-Week Internship

Students are placed in 3- to 5-star hotel-restaurants across southern France or Normandy for their internships. During the enrollment process, AIW works directly with students to provide them with options of placement based on their interests, qualifications, and available positions amongst partner hotels in France. All placements are vetted by AIW prior to placement to ensure program quality.

What is Included?

Monthly stipend of ~670.00 Euros (approximately $700.00 USD)
Full-time internship placement (at least 35 hours per week)
Two days off per week (not necessarily consecutive) to enjoy France
Accommodation in a shared staff apartment or staff hotel room (basic comfort)
Minimum of two meals per day provided by the hotel
Two evaluations with students and tutors during the internship
New skills developed by working with great professionals!
Meeting other students from around the world!

Note: Transferring from Montpellier or Rouen to the internship placement is the student’s responsibility. AIW can suggest travel options to their placements and the likely cost. It is the students' responsibility to buy transportation tickets (e.g. train/bus) once in France (approx. 50 Euros or US$53).

What do I receive after completion?

After students complete their internship program requirements and AIW final evaluation, AIW is happy to send them their Certificate of Completion signed by the language school, AIW, and the student’s host company in France.

Additional services available for all participants: additional nights of accommodation with host family or hotel, visa assistance when applicable, Paris and Barcelona tours, etc.

Please Note: AIW offers the option to combine multiple programs in different European countries (ex. France + Spain or France + Italy) for the duration of their choice at a special price. For more information, please contact AIW.

Program Eligibility:

US Participants completing a program longer than three months must apply for a visa. EU participants may be exempt. For other nationalities, please check with AIW.

Must be enrolled as a student in a culinary arts or hospitality program or be a recent graduate of a culinary arts or hospitality program.*
Be 18 to 55 years old.
US citizen or European Union citizen.**

* For eligibility based on graduation dates, please contact AIW.

** Normally, citizens of the following countries may stay in France for up to 90 days without a visa. Nevertheless, check with the embassy of your destination country to confirm: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salavador, UAE, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela, and British nationals overseas. Please contact AIW for more information.