Traveling to le Centre d'Avignon
Summer and Fall 2010
Use the 'print this page' feature in the upper right corner of this page and take it
with you as you travel.
Arrival in Avignon
You are expected to arrive in Avignon between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time on:
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 for Summer Students
Saturday, September 4, 2010 for Fall Students
Our staff or your host, clearly identified by the blue
and white IAU logo will be waiting for you at the TGV
train station. You may consult the train schedule from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle
airport to Avignon TGV for departure and
arrival times on June 16th and September 4th. Schedules are posted three
months ahead of time at
www.voyages-sncf.com. NOTE: Should your arrival plans be different, please contact the
Avignon center immediately.
Please make sure to complete the
travel itinerary
form by May 1 for summer term and July 15 for the fall semester. You will have to
log-in using the same e-mail and password as your online application - if you
did not complete an online application, please
contact the U.S. Office of Admissions
for instructions.
NOTE: Academic Studies Abroad (ASA) offers low student fares and is a
convenient way to book your travel. You can receive a quote from ASA by
visiting www.iauairfare.com. Previous
students have also used www.statravel.com
and www.studentuniverse.com to
book their flights.
You Have Two Travel Options
Option 1: easiest: fly to Paris CDG (Paris Charles de Gaulle airport) and
take a TGV train directly from the airport (CDG2 TGV) to Avignon TGV station
only, not to any other Avignon station. Call Rail Europe at
(800) 438-7245 and book both a 2nd class
ticket and a reservation. Ask for the 12-25 youth fare.
Option 2: most likely cheaper: fly to Marseille (MRS), take a direct bus to
the Marseille train station. Then take a train to the Avignon TGV station. For
more information on this option, please contact the
Avignon Center Director.
Departure from the U.S.
In order to arrive on time for the summer 2010 term, you need to
leave the U.S. on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.
In order to arrive on time for the fall 2010 semester, you need to
leave the U.S. on Friday, September 3, 2010.
In your carry-on items, all liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce
or smaller containers and placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic
bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich
bags are not allowed. Please check with your airline for any updates to these
regulations before traveling.
Pack an extra change of clothes and some toiletries in your carry-on/backpack
in case your checked luggage is lost or misdirected.
It is a good idea to purchase an international phone card to use on your way
to Avignon. You can search the web for different options and also visit the
ISIC website for more information on phone
cards. You will be able to buy/lease a phone during orientation and more
information can be viewed on the
Avignon cell
phone page.
On Your Way
Should you miss a connection or your flight be delayed, the airline will take
care of you. Ask them to contact IAU (or you can call yourself)
011-33-6-82-59-64-53 or by e-mail to
let us know of your delay and when to expect you.
If your luggage does not make it with you, report this immediately to the
airline, give the Center’s address: IAU 5 rue Figuière, 84000 Avignon, phone: 04
90 82 58 50 for all communications. With no luggage, ask for an emergency
toiletry kit and for authorization to buy necessary items upon arrival at your
final destination, should your suitcase not reach you within 24 hours.
Trains in Europe have
very limited space for luggage so please pack light. You may be required to
carry your luggage up/down staircases as not all French buildings are
equipped with elevators.
Passengers have approximately three minutes to board
and detrain which is extremely difficult with heavy luggage on a crowded
train.
Once at the Avignon TGV Station
You will be met by IAU staff and/or your IAU host. The person waiting for you
will have an ‘IAU’ sign with our logo. It may also have your name printed on it.
If for any reason your travel plans prevent you from arriving on the
scheduled arrival day and you plan to arrive earlier, immediately contact the
Avignon Center as they can often work
out paying arrangements (28€ per day) with your French hosts.
NOTE: About one month prior to your arrival, you will receive your host’s
biographical and contact information. It is always nice to contact them at this
point, if they have e-mail, to introduce yourself.
Departure from France
For your return to the U.S. once the semester is
completed, you should plan to leave your host's residence by noon on departure
day:
Wednesday, July 28 for Summer Students
Saturday, December 18 for Fall Students
Please do not plan on leaving the night before departure day as there are
activities until the last minute and you don’t want to miss them.
You may stay longer, provided the Avignon Center has been notified, and your
hosts agree to it. You will be charged a per diem (28€).
Remember
The center’s 24/7 emergency number from abroad: 011-33-6-82-59-64-53
The center’s 24/7 emergency number from France: 06 82 59 64 53
Center’s Offices are located at:
5 rue Figuière
84000 Avignon
Daytime phone and fax from France:
Tel: 04 90 82 58 50
Fax: 04 90 85 42 47
Bon Voyage!
We are here to help you, so do not hesitate to contact us directly for any
questions or concerns.
Sylvie Rockmore, Directrice du
Centre d’Avignon
Gisèle et Anita, Assistantes
