After copious searching for French language schools I happened upon sandyh and justretireds' trip reports. Their marvellous stories tipped the balance and I am going to Ecole des Trois Ponts this October.

I want to thank you for such wonderful descriptive narratives of your times and experiences at the school and elsewhere.

Now for more questions (not that you stinted on details) but I am assuming that for attending the language classes attire was fairly casual. Could you give me some idea of how to pack lightly? I am staying for 3 full weeks at the Chateau.

Never having spent October in France especially in this region I'm not sure what to expect to need weather wise either. I will be spending the last week of Oct in Paris.

Apart from tropical voyages my trip destinations always seem to necessitate 2 weather wardrobes. I hope this won't be the case here.

I would appreciate any feedback re: school, Lyon and Paris in October. Thanks.

ttt

Where do you live now? Paris' weather is fairly similar to New York City or Washington DC in October.

I haven't been in Lyon in October nor that particular school but have been to several other language schools in France and you could wear anything whatsoever you wanted. Most people were very casual, as for tourism, but it depended on what else they were doing that day, their age/nationality, etc. I don't know that particular school, of course.

Christina,

I live in Western Canada so by mid October we can have had a skiff or more of snow! We do get nice autumns but not always.

I imagine it is more fall-like in New York and Washington. I know there is no predicting the weather but I'm not sure what fall clothing in Paris & Lyon would be. Definitely different than where I live.

My time in France has always been spring and summer so I will gladly take any suggestions offered.

I have read those reports on the school, and it really sounds wonderful. I would love to go! As for the weather, I have been several times to France in October, and thought it perfect. I live in Miami, so loved some cool weather. Last October I was in Alsace and Lyon in October. A light jacket was fine, but be prepared to layer. Lyon was warm, actually, and rained some. Be sure to have raincoat and umbrella. The October before I spent 2 weeks in Burgundy, and it turned cold while I was there. But sunny and beautiful, and it probably wouldn't have been COLD to you, as it was to Floridian me! In Paris, also, be prepared to layer, as it can be warmish sometimes, or cool and rainy. Please do a report on the school when you return!

Paris avg high Oct 61 low 45 so the earlier in the month the warmer, the later the cooler. Having been in Paris area many Octobers i know it can be rainy and cool (high 50s) and blustery in October or it can be 65 and sunny - but rarely. Dress for cool and rainy.

We had fabulous weather in Roanne the week we were there, which was September 19 – 25, 2004. It was sunny and temperate every day, temperatures usually a little below 25 degrees C. The nights were cool, and towards the end of the week, René (the director) turned on the heat at night. I don’t know if this was typical weather in that season, and I imagine it would be turning a bit cooler in October.

- Larry

I notice I didn't answer the question about dress. Yes, dress at the Ecole des Trois Ponts was casual.

- Larry

This thread popping up inspired me to post some of my photos of the Ecole des Trois Ponts:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...0&y=7kg5zj

Some photos of Lyon and some of our side trips near Roanne are also included.

If you want to get in to see these without having to register and sign in, just click on the link at the bottom-right, "View photos without signing in".

Enjoy!

- Larry

Your pictures are great. I have been thinking of some day going to Ecole des Trois Ponts. It looks like a good choice.

cparris, glad you liked the pictures. We enjoyed <i>L'Ecole des Trois Ponts</i> a great deal. Their teachers were excellent, and with all the meals at the school, the immersion experience made for more rapid learning.

Its main disadvantage is being a bit isolated, being on the outskirts of Roanne. You can't just walk out the door and find yourself in the center of town. But that also means that the accomodations are very quiet and peaceful. And even if you don't have a car, it's close enough to bicycle into town, and they will lend you the bicycle.

The original poster, &quot;jazzyred&quot;, is at <i>l'&eacute;cole</i> right now.

I'd be happy to answer any more specific questions: e-mail me at &quot;[email protected]&quot;.

- Larry

justretired, I am really excited, I have already arranged my flights to allow for a one week stay at Ecole des Trois Ponts next August, 2006. My husband does not share my interest in studying French, he just enjoys my efforts while we are traveling so this will be a solo stay for me. I am excited and nervous because my French language skills are rather rusty. I am sure I will have many questions for those who have attended once the time gets closer. Deborah

DeborahAnn, I just saw your posting. As I said, feel free to write me as the time approaches. Or write the school directly at &quot;[email protected]&quot;, in French or in English.

Don't worry about the level of your French. They'll tailor the instruction to meet your needs. A week won't take you from rusty to fluent, but you're sure to make substantial progress.

- Larry

Hi Larry I enjoyed your photos and was happy to see you and Margie at the GTG. But I wish the seating were not at three tabless, so hard to meet everyone.

I saw Dr. Weil on Sunday Morning today talking about aging. The report was on aging healthfully not reversing aging. One activity recommended to help you brain was LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE!!!

We are hopefully going to Lyon next June for business conference my husband will be attending. I probably won't have time to attend the school. Looks wonderful; the pictures were lovely.

cigalechanta, we hope to attend future Fodor's get-togethers, and have a chance to talk with you more.

Ronda, glad you enjoyed the pictures. Since retiring, I've continued studying foreign languages, although at a low level (2 hour group classes once a week). I have Italian on Mondays, and Spanish on Tuesdays.

I was worried about studying them both at once, but I actually think my ability to keep Spanish and Italian separate has been <i>improved</i> by studying them simultaneously. My greatest problem is when the word is <i>the same</i> in both languages. Then I can only think of one word, and I'm not sure which language it belongs to. An example is &quot;cuando&quot; in Spanish, spelled &quot;quando&quot; in Italian, but pronounced the same.

I <i>hope</i> language learning keeps my brain sharp. But we're always eager to believe that we can control our health in simple ways. I suspect we have less control than we imagine (apart from the really obvious things, like not smoking).

- Larry