LSU Students Embark on Unique Learning Journey in French Alps Region With Louisiana Links

Nestled in the picturesque French Alps, the small towns of Barcelonnette and Jausiers in the Alpes de Haute Provence region have once again welcomed a group of LSU students for an immersive educational experience.

Jausiers and Barcelonnette are part of France’s Ubaye Valley. The students, LSU professors, and staff are embarking on a unique program that combines academic work with hands-on learning in the heart of one of France’s most scenic and culturally rich areas. The experience, led by LSU’s Department of French Studies, focuses on the French language and offers cultural immersion in the Ubaye Valley. 

I think this trip has changed the way that I approach my goals. When I applied for the program, I wasn't sure if I would be accepted or if I would enjoy it, but it has been one of the most rewarding and joyful experiences of my life. I think I will be more confident in myself and more comfortable taking risks.

Elizabeth Murray, LSU student

Louisiana’s Ties to Ubaye Valley

The program started in 2001 and owes its existence, in part, to former LSU student Seola Arnaud Edwards. She attended LSU in 1951 and is a descendant of Jacques Arnaud, who founded the town of Arnaudville after coming to Louisiana from Jausiers. Through the stories shared by her relatives and her own research, Seola deepened her connection to her history and heritage. 

“I’ve always known about it. When I was 16 years old, my grandpa used to talk to me about it, and I would take notes. That was the beginning of my research and the basis of the study of my roots later on. I knew our people had come from France directly to Louisiana,” Seola said. “We're all related—all Cajuns are related, and I love it; I just love my roots.”

It took some doing to convince the valley’s residents of the connection, but in the end, they embraced the historical links between Seola and her relatives, as well as Louisiana and the Ubaye Valley.

“Jacques Arnaud and his brothers are famous heroes of the Ubaye Valley. Until the early 19th century, the Ubaye Valley was known for its small, family-owned silk mills. But, as the silk industry began to flourish in Lyon, the economy in the Ubaye Valley crashed, leaving its citizens poor and unemployed,” said Kevin Bongiorni, LSU Ubaye Valley Professor of French Studies. 

Many of those residents left to find work, including the Arnaud brothers. They traveled to Mexico where they established a textile business. As their business grew, many people from the Ubaye Valley would join them in Mexico, but the Arnaud brothers also used their earnings to support families who stayed in France.

“Jacques Arnaud would leave Mexico and seek his fortune by heading to Louisiana, where he would establish his cotton plantation and be the founder of the town that still bears his name,” said Bongiorni.

In 1992, Seola and her husband, LSU graduate Dick Edwards, traveled to the Ubaye Valley to see her great-great-great grandfather’s house and to prove her connection to the area. 

“No one in the valley knew anything about Seola, nor did they know about the connection to Louisiana,” Bongiorni said. “In all of their histories, to their knowledge, the Arnaud brothers had all stayed in Mexico. Seola’s claim would change the valley’s history books. The historical society soon formed a committee and Seola’s claims were put to the test. In the end, her claims were validated.”

In November 2000, Bongiorni traveled to the Ubaye Valley with Seola and her family to meet with town officials and members of the community.

“We decided to develop a non-traditional and unique program that would incorporate the historical and cultural links between Louisiana and the Ubaye Valley as well as develop a culturally and linguistically immersive experience for our students,” Bongiorni said. 

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The program, designed for students with intermediate to advanced French language skills, offers six credit hours across two classes. However, the learning extends far beyond traditional academics.

The students engage in informal internships with local businesses and schools, providing a hands-on understanding of the valley's economic and social fabric. They also participate in various workshops, ranging from cooking classes to crafts, allowing them to immerse themselves fully in the local culture. 

“My favorite internship was at the school where I was able to talk to the students and help them with their reading passages and math problems,” said Elizabeth Murray, a New Orleans native double majoring in communication disorders and French who will graduate in May 2025.

The group also visited the valley, including hikes and trips to historic forts and picturesque views, offering insights into the region's heritage and daily life. In addition, this year, the Tour de France rides through Barcelonnette, allowing students an opportunity to learn how the village prepares for the globally known competition.

“It was really exciting to finally get out of the classroom and start implementing what I had learned,” said Adam Judice, a geography and English double major from Lafayette who will also graduate in May 2025.

“The holistic and comprehensive immersive environment transcends the boundaries of any classroom and gives life and cultural experiences in the context of community and cultural engagement,” Bongiorni said.

“Students, simply through their participation in this program, develop their linguistic and cultural knowledge, thereby developing a global competence and showcasing LSU’s commitment to internationalization.”

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