À la Riviera is located on the beautiful campus of the Centre International de Valbonne, in the heart of the Sophia-Antipolis "technopole." The site of France's equivalent to Silicon Valley, this area is dedicated to gathering, in a splendid natural park, the headquarters of numerous international high-tech companies. It therefore hosts, throughout the year, a multicultural and multiracial population integrated in the more traditional French groups of people.

The campus spreads under a forest of pine trees, 15 minutes north of Cannes and 10 minutes west of Antibes, in the famed region of the French Côte d'Azur. It offers a quiet, natural environment far away enough from the frenzy of high tourism to facilitate serious linguistic and cultural studies. Yet, it is close to major activity centers and offers a vast gamut of opportunities for individual outings and visits.

À la Riviera Campus at Centre International de Valbonne

À la Riviera classes are given in modern, agreeable classrooms very close to the students' residences that are surrounded by hiking trails. For our participants, access to the campus swimming pool is free.

On campus, participants will reside in university residences. Rooms are individual. They provide a bed, a little desk, cabinets and a sink with mirror. Multiple shower and bathrooms areas are located on each floor. They consist in separate stalls with individual doors. The lodging facilities provide basic but quite sufficient comfort.

Our classroom is equipped with a refrigerator and a TV/VCR set. It is accessible, but reserved, to the members of our program 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the afternoon, it serves as a center for common studies, preparations of presentations as well as a recreation room.

Residential fees include room and improved continental breakfast (coffee/tea or cocoa - bread/butter/jam - cereal - fruit and fruit juice). Participants have the possibility of taking their meals at the campus cafeteria or at the nearby restaurants and sandwich shops.

The Centre International de Valbonne (CIV) is also next to a series of convenience stores where participants can purchase snack foods, breads and pastries.

	Destination - The French Riviera
	Campus Convenience Stores

The campus is well linked to all surrounding cities via bus lines and transportation networks going to Valbonne, Grasse, Cannes, Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, Nice and various train stations. Participants can purchase a monthly pass (approximately $30) for bus transportation and they should expect to spend 20 to 30 minutes for most bus rides. Although buses are frequent in the daytime, non-scheduled late night returns necessitate sharing the expense of a taxi fare. For participants wishing to rent a car, which is not necessary and we do not recommend doing, parking on campus is free and available.

Surrounding the C.I.V. are located a number of Medical and Dental Offices, where the participants will find first aid. In case of an emergency, the person will be directed to the nearby regional hospital facility, 10 minutes within driving distance. S-he will be accompanied and assisted to the full extent of her-his needs by the Program Assistant. Proof of international medical insurance is required at time of enrollment to validate the registration. Students can purchase the $35 international student card which provides basic but sufficient emergency coverage.

 

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