About France and the Area
DATES: Courses start the first Monday of each month; other dates on request.
** In Paris, add $145 per week. No 100 level (beginner) classes offered in Hyeres
*2008 Holidays (no classes): Mar 24, May 1, 8 & 12, Jul 14, Aug 15, Nov 1 & 11, Dec 20 - Jan 4, 2009
Amboise
Amboise has 12,000 inhabitants and is located in the heart of Touraine, in the land of chateaux. It is a town both traditional and modern, lively and quiet. For centuries, Amboise, where the French Revolution had its roots, has been able to maintain its charm and offers above all else: French quality of living with its measured rhythm, its culinary specialities and the spontaneity of its residents.
The facades and towers of some of the most beautiful castles in the world reach for the sky from a splendid green river landscape, and from close up, they are even more monumental than first realized. In Amboise, there is a royal castle set above the Loire Valley and is a strong point extensively embellished during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Tour des Minimes, with its spiral staircase enabling riders to enter without dismounting, is the only one that has survived the ravages of time. The St. Hubert chapel is delightful and quite close to the country house of Clos-Luce where Leonardo da Vinci died and was buried. The medieval Town Hall and St. Florentin church, with its fluted pillars, are in the town while St. Denis stands above it. These world-famous Loire castles are an essential part of the culture program.
Average temperature about 4°C/40°F in January and about 20°C/70°F in July.
Biarritz
Biarritz is a peaceful haven nestled between the Pyrenees mountains and the Atlantic ocean in the Basque region of France. Originally a quaint fishing village, Biarritz began its evolution into a fashionable and refined seaside resort in the 19th century with the arrival and attention of Napoleon III and his empress Eugenie.
Presently, Biarritz is also world-renouned for its excellent surfing, long sandy beaches, and year-round mild climate in addition to its wonderful architecture, elegant buildings, casinos and palaces. This region of France offers:
- St. Jean-de-Luz, St. Jacques de Compostelle, and a large number of authentic Basque villages
- Beautiful long sandy beaches offering a wide range of water sport activities year-round
- Quick access to the stunning views, trekking, and skiing available in the Pyrenees mountains
- Incredible waves and surfing
- Spain is located 20 minutes away by automobile
Bordeaux
"Take Versailles, add Antwerp and you end up with Bordeaux". This is how Victor Hugo described the wine capital. This distinguished city is one of the best preserved 18th century architectural complexes in the world. Its white stone facades, lush gardens, original 
cobblestone streets and elegant boulevards are just some of the many aspects which seduce visitors and ranks Bordeaux among Europe's most beautiful cities. Others may consider its geographical location, temperate climate or friendly atmosphere as its strong points. Whatever the reason one chooses to visit Bordeaux, everyone shares the same inherent love of wine and refined gastronomy.
Once you arrive you will discover a laid-back, pleasant city, with a wide range of cafes, restaurants, elegant shops. Even though it is the 5th largest city in France, Bordeaux is a very safe city. This region of France offers:
- Prestigious wines and outstanding chateaux
- Beautiful long sandy beaches
- Largest pine forest in Europe
- Breathtaking Arcachon Bay
- Picturesque medieval village of St Emilion, perched above the vineyards
- Famous Dordogne region with its amazing prehistoric sites
- Traditional and unspoiled Pays Basque region
- Pyrenees mountains
Hyeres
Hyeres is located in the posh Cote d'Azur region in the south of France. It boasts many beautiful, clean beaches and a large, striking marina. Hyeres has a history which dates back to the 12th century and the old town is full of winding streets, small shops and a traditional market. There are many cinemas, restaurants and parks which offer recreation for people of all interests.
Hyeres is an ideal-sized town for a linguistic stay: with its 56,000 inhabitants, it is large enough to provide all the services and entertainment you would expect, yet small enough to have a soul and enable you to know all the best places and to meet local people easily. Hyères has a heart and a history dating back to the XII century, of which the old town bears witness, with its picturesque winding streets, small shops and traditional markets. Of course Hyères has developed and grown, but always harmoniously: interesting shopping precincts, affluent residential areas, parks and flower gardens everywhere. A theatre, an auditorium seating 3,000, a gambling Casino, cinemas, discotheques, restaurants etc.... are all to be found in the lively town centre.
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a picturesque port town with 800 years of adventurous history and a relaxed atmosphere located on the Atlantic coast. It was from this ancient 
capital of French Protestantism that the founders of Montreal in French Canada set sail. The old harbor is bounded by the St. Nicholas and La Chaine towers. You can visit both of them and also the Lantern Tower. The harbor is always full of fishing or pleasure boats.
The town, with its arcaded shopping streets, has some fine old houses with imposing entrances including the Bourse, the Law Courts and the Henry II and Venette houses. The Prefecture, the Hotel de L'Attendance, the Gate of the Great Clock and the rectangular courtyard and facade of the town hall built in the reign of Henry IV are all worth seeing. You can catch a boat from La Rochelle to the islands of Re, Oleron or Aix where Napoleon spent his last brief spell in France.
The local authorities are particularly concerned about the quality of the environment. As an original way of reducing pollution, they have bought bicycles which are available free to the 125,000 inhabitants of the town.
A generally mild climate, the average temperature is about 5°C/41°F in January and 24°C/75°F in July.
Nice
Nice is located in the center of the capitol of the glamorous French Riviera, at the same time peaceful and dynamic. Both in winter and in summer Nice comes alive with carnivals, Jazz , music. and film festivals and its museums. The school is situated in the heart of the city, just 10 minutes walk from the Promenade de Anglais, the beach and is very close to the biggest shopping avenue served by numerous bus lines. What's more, all the cities along the French Riviera, from Monaco to Cannes, are easily reached by train in under 30 minutes.
The NRCSA Center is very close to hotels, residences, banks, post office, movie theaters, and is also a 10 minute walk from the Baroque old city, rich with colors and liveliness. In winter, students can ever enjoy ski resorts really attractive for the "Nicois" - a 1 to 2 hour drive from Nice.
Paris
The most tangible and immediate pleasures of Paris are to be found in its street life and along the lively banks of the River Seine. Few cities can compete with the cafés, bars and restaurants – modern and trendy, local and traditional, humble and pretentious – that line every street and boulevard. And the city's compactness makes it possible to experience the individual feel of the different quarters.
You can move easily, even on foot, from the calm, almost small-town atmosphere of Montmartre and parts of the Latin Quarter to the busy commercial centres of the Bourse and Opéra or to the aristocratic mansions of the Marais. An imposing backdrop is provided by the monumental architecture of the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Hôtel de Ville, the bridges and the institutions of the state.
As for entertainment, the city's strong points are in film and music. Paris is a real cinema capital, and the best Parisian music encompasses jazz, avant-garde, salsa and, currently, Europe's most vibrant African music scene.