Students are housed with French families and participate in all the activities of the Bucknell en France program. They will be automatically eligible to enroll in the regular program during the following spring semester. Tuition and housing fees are the same as for a regular Bucknell en France semester. The academic calendar of Bucknell en France is similar to Bucknell's, with adjustments for the French academic year. The first semester begins in early September and ends in mid-December, including a week's vacation in early October.
Students have a private room and take breakfast and the evening meal daily with their host family.
They eat lunch on their own in town or in the student restaurant. The administrative director in Tours screens and approves all the host families, some of whom have been housing Bucknell students since the beginning of the program in 1987. Returning students consider their experience living with the French family one of the most valuable aspects of their study in Tours. Although not required, FR230, FR231, FR270, and FR271 are recommended in preparation for Tours. There is no minimum French requirement for the intensive semester.