A Year In Provence...
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Anonymous
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All,
We are considering sending my two children to school at IBS Provence for a year. It is located right outside of Aix, near the village of Bouc-bel-Air. I would accompany them for the time they are there. I have many questions, so I would very much appreciate any insight or advice the collective might have to offer. Do you have any references or recommendations regarding long-term rentals (September - June)? Do you have any advice about car rentals? Driving in France? Anything else you might add? Thank you! |
Anonymous
| So exciting! Aix is a delightful town! I do not have any feedback regarding where to stay (we only vacationed there) but what a wonderful adventure. Consider visiting the Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Beaux de Provence. As for driving, read up on driving in Europe. We lived in another European country for many years. Do not run red lights! Also review road signs, and learn the rules for priority roads and otherwise (when not on a priority road) yielding to the right. Do not assume that you are on a priority road because it is the main road going straight. It must be marked as such or you will have to yield to people coming from the right! Have a great time! |
Anonymous
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My kids went to IBS for a year. There are lots of Americans. I suggest you join the « moving to Aix-en-Provence » Facebook group for information.
There are often house rentals Sept - June listed on the Facebook group and you will find tips on finding a house. In fact, it is difficult to find a 12 month lease as owners want to rent their houses on a weekly basis in the summer. The Aix rental market is super competitive. Most people choose to live relatively close to the school but there is a bus that picks up in a central location in Aix centre as well. IBS has an extensive bus route, but traffic to and around the school in horrendous. For cars, look into long term rentals called TEMPORARY TRANSIT TT rentals. Where essentially you buy a new vehicle « temporarily » and then the car manufacturer buys it back at the end of the rental period. Another option is just to buy a used vehicle. There is an IBS parent who is an intermediary who helps people who are comfortable navigating the experience themselves. He will be mentioned on the Facebook group I mentioned. |
Anonymous
| Thank you very much for the tips regarding the Facebook page and the car rental! Very pragmatic and much appreciated. How did your children like it? And how did you find it, or did they board? |
Anonymous
| I need to know more about this! |
Anonymous
| A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle - one of the most delightful reading experiences of my reading life, check it out. |
Anonymous
Is this an automatic visa situation for you? Interesting. I didn't realize this was possible. |
Anonymous
| Not a PP, but I am wondering how you are getting a long stay visa. |
Anonymous
Maybe they already have EU passports |
Anonymous
| I found driving in France very easy. Crazy number of roundabouts aside… |
Anonymous
Traffic circles are so much better than the ridiculously long red lights we have here! |
Anonymous
What does that have to do with the school? |
Anonymous
Yup, have had zero issues driving in France over 3 different visits where we drove. Once you get used to the roundabouts it's totally fine. |
Anonymous
| Check out Isabelle Bertolami on Tik Tok or instagram, she’s an American mom with a French husband living in France and raising their young daughter there. They have an Apartment in Paris that they Airbnb and they’re currently renting in Aix and have a lot of Aix insights https://www.tiktok.com/@isabellebertolami?_t=8mKHl9shNdq&_r=1 |
Anonymous
I can't believe I clicked on that. Exactly the nonsense I thought it would be. |