Short programs designed for international students
Faire défiler la pageImmerse yourself in the heart of France — the world’s cradle of gastronomy and art de vivre — with our short programs (Alliance Summer Program) designed for international students. Enjoy a unique experience that combines hands-on culinary practice, academic learning, and cultural immersion. Guided by our world-renowned chefs and experts, you will discover French excellence in an exceptional environment on the Institut Lyfe campus, just outside Lyon.
Experience the excellence of French Gastronomy and Hospitality
Designed for international students with 2 to 4 years of undergraduate studies in Culinary Arts or Hospitality, our short programs (from 3 to 10 weeks) offer total immersion in the very best of French culinary and hospitality excellence. You will have the opportunity to learn in small, multicultural groups, develop your technical skills, and enjoy a unique cultural experience in Lyon, France.
Three programs are available:
- a short course lasting 1 to 2 weeks in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management
- a 3-week short program in Hospitality Management
- a 10-week short program in Culinary Arts
- a 2-week short program in French & Italian Gastronomy
Summer Program: a professional immersion in excellence
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A close-knit international community
A close-knit international communityAt Institut Lyfe, you will join students from all over the world from our Alliance international network and share in the school’s unique spirit. You will thrive within a multicultural, supportive community where diversity and collaboration fuel creativity.
A prestigious campus designed for experience
Our 17,000 m² campus set within two historic châteaux is a true learning and creative playground. You will discover:
- our application restaurants, where every dish is an opportunity to practise and innovate,
- our state-of-the-art culinary and pastry labs to experiment and refine your techniques,
- our hotel and wine service spaces to learn the management and service standards of excellence.
Here, you will live and breathe excellence, gastronomy, and hospitality every day, in real professional conditions.
Junior School: Discover the World of Culinary Arts and Hospitality from the Age of 16
Duration: 2 weeks (from 19 to 31 Jully), or 1 week (from 19 to 25 Jully)
Language of instruction: English
Required qualification: B1 level in English and aged between 16 and 18
Applications open until 15 May 2027: apply online
Fee for 1 week: €4,400*
Fee for 2 week: €7,750*
Registration fee: €200
*Prices include courses, workshops, activities, excursions, accommodation, meals, airport transfers and 24/7 supervision.
Step into the world of culinary arts, gastronomy and hospitality with Institut Lyfe’s Junior School. Designed for students aged 16 to 18, this short programme, delivered entirely in English, offers an inspiring introduction to French gastronomy and hospitality culture through a one- or two-week immersive experience.
Rooted in a learning by doing philosophy, every workshop is designed to help you develop technical skills while fostering your creativity, confidence, teamwork and communication skills.
Whether you are simply curious or already considering a future career in these fields, this programme offers a meaningful first step, allowing you to learn alongside our chefs and hospitality experts in a supportive and international environment.
Discover more about Junior Summer School
Discover French Culinary Arts
During your immersion on our campus, you will have the opportunity to learn in the same state-of-the-art teaching kitchens used throughout the year by our Bachelor’s and MSc. students.
Guided by our experienced chefs, you will discover:
- the foundations of professional cooking;
- essential preparation and cooking techniques;
- plating and presentation;
- kitchen hygiene and food safety;
- modern French cuisine, plant-forward cooking and street food inspirations.
Our Cook & Eat workshops offer a complete experience from preparation to tasting, helping you develop both your technical skills and your sensory understanding of French food culture.
Discover the Art of Hospitality
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This module offers an engaging introduction to French-style hospitality, where service is seen as both an art and a culture of care. Through practical workshops and guided experiences, you will:
By combining observation, practice and interaction, you will begin to understand how French hospitality is defined by attention to detail, generosity and a strong sense of guest experience. |
More Than a Summer School
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Every day brings new opportunities to connect, have fun and create unforgettable memories. Alongside your classes, you will take part in a wide range of activities, including:
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Beyond the classroom, these shared experiences help you build confidence, teamwork, social skills and intercultural understanding in a safe, dynamic and welcoming environment.
Throughout your stay, you will be accommodated at Le Clipper, our on-campus student residence, located just a five-minute walk from campus. You will enjoy a fully furnished individual room in a safe and supervised environment with 24/7 security.
Short Program in Hospitality Management
Duration: 3 weeks, i.e. 80 hours (5 ECTS credits)
Dates: 12 to 31 July 2027
Language of instruction: English
Required qualification: at least two years of undergraduate studies in Hospitality; B1 level in English
Applications: apply online
Fee for external students: €4,400 (accommodation and half-board included)
Fee for Alliance network member students: €3,500 (accommodation and half-board included)
Our Hospitality Summer Program
Over an intensive 3-week program, experience an exceptional immersion at the heart of French hospitality and discover how tradition and innovation work together to create outstanding guest experiences.
Delivered entirely in English, the program combines academic courses, experiential workshops, and field trips to emblematic establishments: luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, wine estates…
Curriculum includes:
- Luxury Hospitality & CSR
- Luxury Onboard hospitality
- History and culture of beverages — with and without alcohol
- Tasting Protocols
Apply for the Hospitality Management Summer Program
Or contact our team for more information: short.programs@institutlyfe.com
Short Program in Culinary Arts
Duration: 10 weeks, i.e. 300 hours (22 ECTS credits)
Dates: 24 May to 31 July 2027
Language of instruction: English
Required qualification: at least two years of undergraduate studies in Culinary Arts; B1 level in English
Applications: Apply online
Fee for external students: €10,500 (accommodation and half-board included)
Fee for Alliance network member students: €7,000 (accommodation and half-board included)
A full immersion in the professional world
This program brings you to the source of gastronomy and offers a total immersion in French culinary excellence in small groups and in direct contact with renowned professional chefs.
Courses for the Culinary Arts Summer Program are taught by Institut Lyfe chefs in our labs, kitchens, and application restaurants.
Curriculum includes:
- 4 modules in advanced French culinary techniques
- 1 module in French Pastry
- 1 module of French Bakery (taught by 2024 World Bakery Champion Xavier Sacriste)
- 1 module of culinary event challenge
- 1 module of restaurant immersion
Apply for the Culinary Arts Summer Program
Or contact our team for more information: short.programs@institutlyfe.com
Culinary event challenges
As a student of the Summer Program in Culinary Arts, you will be immersed in gastronomic culture through field visits and will take part in hands-on projects to organise and oversee an event, putting your skills into practice.
World Cuisine Buffet: celebrating international culinary diversity
As part of the short program in Culinary Arts, students will design and prepare a buffet for 50 guests, reinventing signature dishes from their home countries with a modern, sustainable, and creative approach. This project showcases cultural exchange and culinary diversity, while highlighting the techniques, products, and flavours unique to each culinary identity. A wonderful opportunity to celebrate world cuisine through innovation and collaboration.
“The Summer Program at the Institut was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It changed the way I see cuisine and gastronomy.
We learned so much in the kitchen, but my best memories are the moments spent discovering and cooking the specialities of the other students in the program.” Tim Mohon (Chef John Folse Culinary Institute)
Lyon Street Food Festival
You will have the exceptional opportunity to take part in the Lyon Street Food Festival, Europe’s unmissable street-food event that brings together more than 120 French and international chefs. You will contribute to recipe preparation, kitchen production, service, and stand set-up. This truly immersive experience reveals the behind-the-scenes of a major culinary festival and helps you build skills in real-world conditions.
Discover student testimonials from the Culinary Arts Summer Program
CAST Summer Program “The Arts in French & Italian Gastronomy”
Duration: 2 weeks (approx. 60 teaching hours)
Dates: 01 to 12 February 2027 or to 02 to 13 August 2027
Language of instruction: English
Required qualification: Students in culinary and hospitality programs, English level B1 minimum
Applications: Apply online
Fee for external students:€2,240
Alliance member fee : €2,100
Immerse yourself in two of the world’s greatest gastronomic cultures with the Summer School co-organised by Institut Lyfe and CAST – Italian Institute of Culinary Arts & Hospitality.
Designed as a unique international experience, this two-week programme invites you to take part in a cross-cultural educational journey in France and Italy—two cultural birthplaces of culinary arts and hospitality. Combining hands-on culinary training, cultural immersion, and international exposure, you will develop a global outlook on the culinary arts.
Find out more about the Cast Summer Programme short course
Two countries, two gastronomic cultures
Over two weeks, you will evolve in professional conditions alongside expert chefs, alternating practical workshops, tastings, and cultural exploration.
The first part of the programme takes place in Lyon, France. At Institut Lyfe’s campus, you will take part in practical workshops guided by expert chefs and discover iconic French products, including cheese and wine tastings. The experience also includes a one-day field trip to Lyon to explore local markets, culinary boutiques, and a traditional restaurant.
The programme then continues in Brescia, Italy, at CAST. Through hands-on lessons in professional laboratories, you will explore regional Italian cuisine and discover iconic Italian products such as fresh pasta and traditional preparation methods. The curriculum evolves from fundamental skills to more refined techniques, allowing you to develop both technical expertise and a deeper understanding of culinary culture.
A formative experience
Delivered in English, this programme is designed for students in culinary arts or hospitality seeking an immersive experience in Europe.
Upon completion, a Certificate of Participation will be awarded, recognising your involvement and the skills developed throughout the programme.
Would you like to discover French and Italian gastronomic cultures through an immersive experience in two renowned institutions?
Would you like to learn more about the programme, application process, or receive the brochure? Please contact our dedicated team at: short.programs@institutlyfe.com
For Non-EU applicants: the visa application process may require approximately 30–45 days. Candidates are advised to plan accordingly and initiate documentation at the earliest to avoid delays.
Why choose Institut Lyfe’s international short programs?
Joining Institut Lyfe’s Summer Programs means experiencing a fully immersive journey at the heart of a world-class campus. Students benefit from high-end facilities and English-taught courses led by renowned chefs and experts. The programs combine culinary learning with the discovery of French culture through exclusive visits. Everything is included — accommodation, meals, and support — for a formative, friendly, and unforgettable experience in Lyon, the world capital of gastronomy.
Contact our team for more information
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Summer Programmes
In which language are the courses taught?
All Summer Programmes are delivered entirely in English. A minimum B1 level of English is required to fully participate in the workshops and interact with other participants.
Where are students accommodated during the Summer Programmes?
Throughout the programme, you will stay at Le Clipper, our on-campus student residence located just a five-minute walk from campus.
You will benefit from:
- a fully furnished individual room;
- a safe and supervised environment with 24/7 security;
- shared facilities that encourage interaction with other international students;
- direct access to campus facilities.
Everything is designed to ensure a comfortable, welcoming and fully immersive experience.
Can parents contact their child during the programme?
Yes. Students may use their mobile phones outside educational activities, and a dedicated team is available should parents need to get in touch.
What happens in the event of a medical issue?
Our team is available to support students whenever needed, and parents will be contacted if the situation requires it. Valid health insurance is mandatory to participate in the programme.
What does a typical day look like?
Depending on the short programme you choose, each day combines practical workshops, meals, cultural activities, opportunities to discover Lyon and social moments with fellow participants.
What are the admission requirements and how do I apply?
Applications must be submitted through our dedicated online application platform.
To apply, participants must:
- hold a valid passport;
- have valid health insurance;
- demonstrate a minimum B1 level of English, certified by a language test or confirmed by an English teacher.