Le Centre D'Avignon
A Center for Cultural Integration
Le Centre d'Avignon is IAU's cultural integration program, providing
an opportunity for serious students to immerse themselves in French culture
and pursue the study of language, literature, and the civilization of
contemporary France in a French-only environment.

Le Centre d'Avignon
It is housed in the remodelled 13th Century
Chapelle St. Antoine in the heart of town, close to the Papal
Palace, and is complete with classrooms, WIFI, and a kitchen. Le Centre d'Avignon is the ONLY American study abroad program in Avignon, which lends itself well to the Center's focus on cultural integration since little English can be heard in and around the city.
Qualified students
The best students for Le Centre d'Avignon include those:
- with an advanced level of French proficiency (3rd year College level or its equivalent), eager to use it in their daily environment
- interested in a multiplicity of courses in disciplines such as visual arts, history, political science, economics, literature, philosophy, linguistics, translation and stylistics
- interested in enrolling in courses (credit or audit) at the local French university
- who qualify for courses at the Conservatoire régional de musique et de danse
- who want to give back something to the community they live in: here this can be done through academic internships and/or bénévolat
The Curriculum, Faculty, and Staff
The Centre d’Avignon courses are at the 300 and 400 levels and cover a wide array of topics and genres: art history, the visual arts, political science, architecture, archeology,
economics, history, literature, linguistics, philosophy, poetry, theater studies and film. Semester students enroll in five courses (15 credit hours) while summer students enroll in two courses (6 credit hours).
In addition, fully customizable internships, are available to selected students who wish to apply their
language and work skills in a practical French environment.
The Centre d’Avignon program relies on a core of highly
trained French professors with advanced degrees in their subjects and who are attuned to the specific needs of American students. Most summers, an invited visiting professor from an American campus joins the faculty. All professors
who teach in the program are French native speakers. The director of the Centre d’Avignon, who taught French and Francophone studies for many years
in the United States, and most staff members are French native speakers.
The City of Avignon
A bustling city steeped in history and the sophistication of
modern France, Avignon is a provincial university town, with
wonderful architecture and a rich history. Each summer, it takes center stage in the world of theatre as
tens of thousands descend on the city to participate in or watch nearly 900 stage and street performances daily.
In addition, the city's proximity to the Mediterranean coast allows
students to enjoy the beaches and seaside towns. The nearby Marseille/Provence airport
allows students to take advantage of low cost
flights to the rest of Europe and Northern Africa. To view the city of Avignon in more detail, go
here.
Avignon