Getting to Provence From Paris          What is the closest airport (Provence)? The Avignon airport is less than an hour's drive from Vaison. Both Lyons and Marseilles are within two hours of Vaison. Nice is about three hours away. What is the closest train station (Provence)? Avignon about 40 minutes away from Vaison. Rental car facilities are extensive and convenient to the new TGV station south of Avignon's center. Montélimar is about an hour from Vaison. Avis has a convenient office inside the train station but please note that it is not open on Sunday. Orange is another possibility since there are a few direct TGVs there from Paris. But rental car offices are far away. Do I need a rental car (Provence?) You will need transportation, so a car is highly recommended for your convenience while you are in Provence. Note that Chanteduc is a steep 2-mile hike HIGH ABOVE Vaison-la-Romaine. If you choose not to rent a car, Patricia can recommend a driver you can contact to arrange transportation from Avignon, and the taxi company in Vaison is friendly and reliable for daily trips to Chanteduc. Will transportation be included during the program? In Provence, transportation is provided for planned excursions. In Paris, transportation is provided for any activities that are not within short walking distance of the rue Jacob studio. How do I find Train Schedules and make Train reservations from Paris or Nice? Many students fly into either Paris or Nice and take the TGV (bullet train) to Avignon.   The TGV trip is approximately 3 hours, non-stop and inexpensive (as compared to a commuter flight to Avignon). The train can be a very pleasant way to see France. We recommend that you book first class TGV tickets as the accommodations are larger, nicer and the service is much better – the price difference between coach and first class is minimal. The TGV schedule and tickets are available online at: http://www.raileurope.com/us/. Once you are on the website click on train tickets.  This website will also deliver the tickets to any US address. (Note: You will need to book two separate tickets – one each way – plus you will choose your departure and arrival terminals in Paris. Paris train terminals are located in each Paris airport as well as in Paris downtown.) TGV Tickets can be purchased approximately 60 days before the departure date. >>For Detailed Driving Instructions Click Here For Michielin.com

Getting Around Provence            TAXI SERVICE If you're traveling to Vaison for classes and don't want to cope with driving, Clerand Taxis, the Vaison company that Patricia works with, is a model of reliability and safety. Tel 334 90 36 00 04, fax 334 90 36 32 01, clerand@wanadoo.fr, website www.clerand.fr. They can deal with English email and faxes. Marc Fontaine is a driver who can meet you at the train station or airport and take you to Vaison. He has a comfortable car and claims a fundamental knowledge of English. Marc can be reached by telephone at: 334 75 46 52 25. Click here to send an email to: Marc Fontaine Click here to access Mark Fontaine's website