Angers, France Fall 2012 Study Abroad Program University of Kansas Office of Study Abroad 1410 Jayhawk Blvd. Room 108 Lawrence, KS 66045-7515 Tel: 785-864-3742 Fax: 785-864-5040
Welcome to Angers! Welcome to Study Abroad in Angers, France. The time that you spend abroad will be both educational and exciting. Living within a new culture and speaking a foreign language are challenging yet the experiences that you have and the lasting friendships that you make will be treasured souvenirs. Enclosed are information about Angers and the Catholic University of the West to help ease you into your new home. Angers is the historic capital of the Anjou region in western France. Known as a lively university town, Angers counts nearly 33,000 students among its 260,000 inhabitants. With its historic universities and textile mills and contemporary high-tech industries, Angers has served as an important cultural and industrial center since the Middle Ages. The chateaux and wine cellars of the nearby Loire valley also contribute to the character of this region. Angers is a town that is known for its quality of life. Those who visit Angers will appreciate the castles, flowers, fruit, wine, and above all, the quality of the language of the region. This area is renowned for what is known as la douceur angevine. Angers is a historic as well as a modern city. The Apocalypse is the oldest and largest tapestry in the world, dates from the 14 th century, and is displayed in the 13 th century castle located in Angers. Le Chant du Monde from the 20 th century and the Regional Center of Textile Art also testify to the vivaciousness of the art. Art, in all its forms, finds expression in Angers: dance, theater, music, and opera. As a modern city, Angers is steadfastly turned towards the future: one finds there, along with the traditional industries (slate mining, clothing, liqueurs and metallurgy) the advanced technologies such as data processing, plant biotechnology, biological and medical science. Angers also enjoys its reputation as a major horticulture center, becoming the most famous flowered city in Europe. As a city that has 148,000 inhabitants and 250,000 including the suburban areas, Angers is the principal city of the youngest department in France. Thanks to the T.G.V., a highspeed train, Angers is only an hour and a half from Paris, providing an excellent base from which to discover French culture. For more information about the town of Angers, we recommend that you visit the town s website. http://www.ville-angers.fr/ 2
Getting to Angers from Paris By the time you arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport just outside of Paris, you will probably feel both jetlagged and excited. Getting to your new home in Angers is probably next on your agenda, and the trip is fairly simple from the airport. In order to get to Angers, you can take a train from the Gare Roissy/Charles de Gaulle located in the airport. After collecting your luggage at baggage claim, follow the signs toward the tram which will take you to the Gare TGV Roissy/Charles de Gaulle. Once there you can buy a train ticket to Angers St. Laud for approximately 50 to 60. You can look up train schedules for any destination in France through the SNCF website. The SNCF is the French national train company. http://www.sncf.com. L Université Catholique de l Ouest The Université Catholique de l Ouest is a private institution of higher education with approximately 11,000 students. Degree programs are offered in the liberal arts and sciences as well as in theology. It is also home to the Centre International d Études Françaises (C.I.D.E.F.), an internationally renowned school for French as a foreign language. The scenic campus of UCO, located in town, is just a short walk or tram ride from the train station or the town center with its museums, shops, cafes and restaurants. Centre International d Études Françaises (C.I.D.E.F.) Le Centre International d Études Françaises, commonly known as C.I.D.E.F., is an institute of the Catholic University of the West. Founded in 1947, the C.I.D.E.F. is an establishment d enseignement superieur, welcoming each year around 1,500 foreign students representing 70 countries. C.I.D.E.F. represents an international community that wants to work and live without prejudices of race, religion, political association or nationality. The university s buildings, utilized by both foreign and French students, are surrounded by a park and are located less than 15 minutes from the train station and a short walk from the town center and university restaurant. The Academic Program KU students take courses in French language and civilization at the CIDEF. The CIDEF tests and places each student in language classes appropriate to the student s level in French, ranging from beginning to advanced level. CIDEF courses are designed to help students reach fluency in both spoken and written French. Teaching methods are up-todate and the facilities available to students include a library and three language laboratories. Classrooms with audio-visual equipment, computers and printers or copiers are also available to students. Students can obtain a copy card for 5 which will purchase 3
approximately 100 copies. KU students will receive approximately 18 hours of credit per semester in French, although actual credit may vary. The particular courses for which the student receives credit will depend on the student s level and previous course work in French. A typical schedule at the CIDEF would include courses in subjects such as grammar, composition, phonetics, conversation, translation, and civilization. All credit earned will be counted as KU resident credit. Fall 2012 Calendar September Course Arrival Date: 3 September 2012 General meeting and Placement Test: 4 September 2012 8:30 am (Amphi. René BAZIN) Classes End: 28 September 2012 Autumn Trimester Classes start: 8 October 2012 End of trimester exams: 21 December 2012 Departure date: 22 December 2012 CIDEF Contact Information Centre International D Etudes Françaises (CIDEF) B.P. 10808 3, Place André-Leroy 49008 ANGERS Cedex 01 FRANCE Tel.: (0)2 41 81 66 30 or (0)2 41 88 30 15 Fax: (0)2 41 87 71 67 Email: cidef@uco.fr Web: www.uco.fr/instituts/cidef 4
Telephones and Email in France You will have access to telephones and email in Angers. However, in general, there is slightly less access to high-speed Internet connections in France. The CIDEF does have a number of email stations where you will have free access to send and receive email as well as a computer lab with high-speed internet. In town, the average price is 13 Euros for 10 hours. To call France from the U.S., dial 011 for international access and 33 for France. Thus, if you wished to call the CIDEF from the U.S., you would dial 011 33 2 41 88 30 15. Note that the initial 0 is dropped if you are calling from outside France. Cell phones are easily available in Angers as are pre-paid telephone cards. These cards can be purchased at the Post Office or at almost any newsstand or tobacco shop (tabac). Another popular option is text messaging. Many students are requested not to use the host family s phone so cell phones are very useful for meeting with others. There are three main companies: SFR, Orange (both can be found on Boulevard Foch) and Bouyages Telecom. An option for calling the U.S. at a low rate is the phone card: Tele 2. It can be found at several tabacs on Rue Bressingny. This card allows you to call the U.S. for $.10 per minute instead of $.50 per minute like most other cards. Please note that you must specifically ask for that card. Your Address in Angers The CIDEF will make housing arrangements for all students on the program unless you specify that you prefer to make your own arrangements. Your address in Angers will become known sometime during the month prior to your departure. The CIDEF usually notifies students by mail and also sends the information to the Office of Study Abroad. We will be in touch with you as soon as we receive confirmation of your address. Your address abroad* (for regular mail service) Your name CIDEF B.P. 10808 49008 ANGERS Cedex 01 FRANCE *Students living with a host family can use either the school address or address of the place of residence. We advise students to leave a copy of this contact information with a family member or friend here in the U.S. We also recommend having packages sent to the university. There, the secretaries can sign for it so you do not need to be home to receive it. 5
Additional Contact Information Director and Administration: The Administrative Office is located in Building E on the 5 th floor. The street address is, 3, rue Rabelais. Offices are open weekdays 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. Director: M Marc MELIN Office 501 Directrices-Adjointes: Mme Sandrine BEAUDOUX Administration Office 507 Mme Isabelle MARECHAL Pedagogy Office 500 Secretaries: Office 505 Mme Fabienne Levasseur Mlle Anne CATALANO Mme Fabienne BOUSSARD Mme Dominique LE GAL Social Delegate: Mme de KEPPER Tel. 02.41.81.66.00 ext. 6620 Mme de KEPPER helps students find lodging or solve problems Infirmary: Jacqueline HELLOT (infirmary located under the dining hall) ext. 6616 Aumonerie: M l Abbe Jo RIVAL (located in the building on rue Volney near the chemistry department). Police: In case of emergency, you can call the police from any telephone cabin, dialing the number 17 (free) Office of Study Abroad: 1410 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 108 Phone: (785) 864-3742 The University of Kansas Fax: (785) 864-5040 Lawrence, KS 66045-7515 E-mail: osa@ku.edu Post Offices: rue Franklin Roosevelt (centre ville) Tel. 02.41.20.81.81 2, rue Bamako (near Geant Casino) Tel. 02.41.80.12.12 Lost and Found Objects: Commissariat s Office, 4, rue des Ursules Tel. 02.41.88.16.16 6
Housing and Meals Note that room and half board are included in the KU program fee. During the September portion of your stay, the host family provides all breakfasts and dinners. The host family provides all breakfasts and 3 dinners per week during the regular semester. In the near future we will forward information to you about the name and address of your host family. Housing benefits begin on 3 September 2012. Once you receive the contact information for your host family in Angers, it is a good idea to contact them in order to let them know when you expect to arrive there. The host family will be expecting you, but you need to send them a card or call them so they know when you intend to arrive. Arrival in Angers Upon arrival in Angers students can proceed directly to the host family s address. It is not necessary to go to the university first. However, once you have settled in, please contact the Secretary s Office at the CIDEF to let them know that you have arrived. If you should arrive on the weekend to find that you cannot get in touch with anyone on site, you could take a taxi to the Office of Tourism (not very far from the train station) and inquire about hotels in the area. There are many inexpensive hotels in close proximity to the university. Sécurité Sociale The French government requires all students studying abroad in France for more than 3 months to subscribe to the French Sécurité Sociale, which will cover 70% of any medical costs that you may incur. In order to subscribe, you will need a copy of your birth certificate. The CIDEF will help you with the subscription, which costs approximately 200. When you subscribe, you must choose between two providers, LMDE and SMEBA. The two are essentially the same except that SMEDA is more local and guarantees reimbursement within 48 hours. You will be required to open a bank account in France in order to be refunded any reimbursable medical expenses. Selecting Your Courses A certain number of courses have been set up by CIDEF in order for students to improve language skills and to provide you with most of the hours you will need to be considered full-time. Elective courses are offered to those who place high enough in the proficiency exams as well as courses that are taught outside of CIDEF as part of the Catholic University of the West curriculum. 7
KU Professor Caroline Jewers will serve as an academic advisor to students on this program, helping them understand the credit they are earning and to select the appropriate courses. She can be contacted via email at: cjewers@ku.edu To determine the number of credit hours you will receive for your courses, remember that generally 15 contact hours (hours spent in class) are equivalent to one hour of KU credit (i.e. 45 contact hrs = 3 KU credit hrs). Whenever you are in any doubt as to the potential credit to be awarded for a course, it is your responsibility to ask questions and clarify the situation. It is also your responsibility to ensure that you are taking the required number of courses and have a clear understanding of the credit that can be awarded. Students should always feel free to ask questions concerning credit and the academic programs in order to be sure there will be no surprises at the conclusion of the program. If you feel that you have not been placed in the appropriate level, we advise you to speak with your teachers and academic advisor at the CIDEF. It is possible to move into a different level if it becomes clear that work is either too easy or too difficult for you. At the end of the semester the CIDEF will send an official transcript to the Office of Study Abroad. The courses and grades that appear on this document will serve as the basis for awarding KU credit and grades. Remember that you are only allowed to take one course per semester for Credit/No Credit (Pass/Fail). If you wish to use this option you must notify Professor Jewers and Ingrid Horton within one month of the start of the academic program. Note that this option may not be used for courses that will count towards credit in your major. Language Proficiency Test: CIDEF Language Levels and Courses At the beginning of each term, new students will be required to take a French language proficiency test. The results of this test will determine your initial placement in language courses. Note that while some courses are required, others are optional. Beginning Level: Attain the bases necessary for understanding, speaking, and writing in order to communicate rapidly in French. Elementary-Middle-Advanced Levels: Development of capacities of communication. Reinforcement of lexical and grammatical knowledge. Acquire little by little a mastery of the French language, both written and oral. 8
Type of Instruction: Enrichment of lexicon through the study of informational or editorial texts, orthographic exercises; and understanding of the French way of life. Systematic study of grammatical structures and particulars in French. Exercises in comprehension of authentic documents. Students studying at the advanced level are asked to compose a mémoire, prepared under the direction of a language professor. The mémoire should be approximately 3000 words in length and should deal with various aspects of France and French culture, including subjects such as politics, society, economy, literature, arts, law, sport, and education. The mémoire will be reviewed by a panel of three judges at the end of the semester. Required Courses - Niveau Initiation: Langue Compréhension Orale Compétences Ecrites Expression Orale Phonétique Laboratoire Phonétique Théorie Required Courses - Niveau Elémentaire: Langue Compétences Ecrites Expression Orale Optional Courses - Niveau Elémentaire: Compréhension Orale Grammaire Théorie Phonétique Théorie Phonétique Laboratoire Etude Socio-Culturelle Ateliers Théatre Chorale Required Courses Niveau Moyen ler degré: Langue Optional Courses - Niveau Moyen 1er degré:. Compréhension Orale Compétences Ecrites Expression Orale Grammaire Théorie Phonétique Théorie Phonétique Laboratoire Etude Socio-Culturelle Histoire de France 9 hrs. 9 hrs 2 hrs. 9 hrs. 2 hrs. 2 hrs. 9 hrs. 2 hrs. 9
Histoire de l Art Ateliers Théâtre 2 hrs. Chorale Required Courses - Niveau 2e degré: Langue 6 hrs. Optional Courses - Niveau 2e degré: Compréhension Orale Compétences Ecrites Expression Orale Français des Affaires Français du Tourisme et de l Hotellerie Phonétique Théorie 2 hrs. Phonétique Laboratoire Traduction Anglais Etude Socio-Culturelle Histoire de France Littérature du XIXe siècle (Fall semester) Littérature du XXe siècle (Spring semester) Histoire de l Art Ateliers Théâtre 2 hrs. Chorale Required Courses - Niveau 3e degré and Niveau Supérieur: Langue 6 hrs. Optional Courses - Niveau 3e degré and Niveau Supérieur: Compréhension Orale Compétences Ecrites Expression Orale Français familier Phonétique Théorie 2 hrs. Phonétique Laboratoire Traduction Anglais Actualité Socio-Economique 6 hrs. Etude Socio-Culturelle Histoire de France Histoire de l Art Histoire de la Musique La Communauté Européenne 2 hrs. Philosophie Littérature du XIXe siècle (Fall semester) Littérature du XXe siècle (Spring semester) Théologie (Spring semester) Mémoire (niveau supérieur only) 10
Equivalent KU Credit for CIDEF Courses CIDEF Courses KU Equivalent Courses Langue (9 or 6 hours depending on level) (FREN 120, 230, 240, 300, 315, 330, 340 375, 376)* Compréhension orale FREN 315 or FREN 375 or FREN 376* Compréhension écrite FREN 350 Compétences écrites FREN 350 Expression orale FREN 375 or FREN 376* Images et Cultures FREN 375 or FREN 376* Français des Affaires FREN 352 Grammaire FREN 300 Phonétique (niveau Moyen 2º degree or higher) FREN 310 Étude Socio-Culturelle FREN 430 Actualité Socio-Économique de la France FREN 430 Littérature XIX siècle (fall only) FREN 465 Littérature XX siècle (spring only) FREN 470 Histoire de France FREN 440 or HIST 510 Histoire de l Art FREN 440 or HA 305 Histoire de la Musique FREN 440 Philosophie française FREN 440 La Vie politique française FREN 440 sous la Ve République (class must be in French) Indicates that equivalent credit depends upon student s level in French at KU and upon level of study at the CIDEF. 11
Preparatory Exam Courses (Optional): Preparatory courses are available for students who wish to take exams such as those offered by the Alliance Française de Paris. Certificat Pratique Francais des Affaires (3e and supérieur) Diplôme Supérieur Francais des Affaires (3e and supérieur) Certificat Alliance Française (1er) Diplôme Alliance Française (2e, 3e, supérieur) 6 hrs. 6 hrs. Students who wish to enroll in courses with other French students in the Catholic University may do so if they place high enough on the language placement exams. Here is a list of possible courses: I.P.L.V.: Langues vivantes I.M.A.: Mathématiques appliquées I.E.A.: Ecologie I.F.E.P.S.A.: Education Physique et Sportive I.P.S.A.: Psychologie et Sociologie I.S.C.E.A.: Sciences de la Communication et Sciences de l Education I.L.H.: Lettres et Histoire Faculté de Théologie: Théologie, Culture et Sciences Regligieuses After choosing your courses, make sure that you fill out your course form and mail it back to the Office of Study Abroad. Reminder: It is the students responsibility to keep in contact with the Department of French and Italian in order to learn more about how classes will transfer as KU equivalents. CIDEF Announcements: Important announcements, official course schedules, welcoming news, and information concerning CIDEF activities will be posted on the fifth floor. Taking the time to read announcements and CIDEF information will help you learn more about CIDEF and the various opportunities to meet other French students while learning French at the same time. One recommendation is to look for papers marked linguistic exchanges. Many French students are learning English and this is a great way for them to practice their English and for you to practice your French. Another recommendation for a fun time in Angers is Mardi Café. Each Tuesday a group of students and moniteurs go to a different designated bar. It is a great way to meet new people, make friends and experience the nightlife of Angers. 12
Accueil Familial International de l Anjou: If you desire to eat, have tea, or converse with French family, members of the Accueil International de l Anjou can set up meetings to help you. Mme PIERSON, Mme LEBRETON or Mme THENIE will ask you to fill out an application that you will be able to give to the Administrative Office, room 505. There will be about a 4 euro first time fee but it offers the above meals and even some trips out of town. Being a part of the Accueil Familial International de l Anjou (a.k.a. AFIA) is an excellent way to learn more about the French language and culture. Libraries: Bibliothèque Centrale de l Université Hours: 8h30-20h00 Monday through Thursday 8h30-18h30 Fridays Bibliothéque Municipale: 49, rue Toussaint, near the Chateau Open Tuesday through Saturday Tel. 02.41.24.25.50 Bibliothéque anglophone: 60, rue Boisnet hours: 10h00-18h00 Monday through Saturday Tel. 02.41.24.97.07 Where to Eat in Angers There are various restaurants and cafes located throughout the centre ville of Angers. From kabobs to crêpes, one can find all different types of cuisine. At Place du Ralliement in centre ville there are many nice cafes perfect for a dinner with good friends and conversation. On rue St. Aubin, one can buy a pain au chocalat if on the go or a quick panini if in a hurry. On rue Bressigny, one can find inexpensive and quick meals ranging from pasta to burgers to sandwiches. On the other side of the river, other small restaurants abound. Prices vary, but a decent will usually cost around 7-13 EUR. Generally both French and foreign students can eat lunch and dinner at a Restaurant Universitaire; university cafeterias located around town. It is not uncommon for students of different universities to eat together. Here is a list of university cafeterias to choose from: Restaurant des Beaux-Arts, 35, Bd. du Roi René Restaurant Belle-Beille, Bd. Lavoisier On Saturdays and Sundays, only one university restaurant is open, so check with the individual restaurants to find out which one will be open. Please note that the university restaurants are not open Saturday or Sunday nights. In order to eat at the Restaurant Universitaire, you must buy meal tickets. Meal tickets come in packets of 10 (carnets de 13
10) and can be bought for approximately 27 EUR at the RU near the entrance. Or they can be bought individually for 2.7 EUR per ticket. Tickets can be bought with cash and credit and debit cards during the week. Remember to bring your student I.D. with you. Students who wish to have additional meals with their host families may set up a meal plan with them, but the decision depends upon the relationship between the host family and the student. Sports Activities There are many sports activities in and around Angers. From kayaking the Loire River to playing ice hockey for a club team, one can find almost any activity to stay fit. For all information concerning club sports, go to either the Office of Tourism, la Mairie (Tel.02.41.88.23.80), or la Cite Administrative (Tel.02.41.87.55.70). The CIDEF will also have information about various sports activities. A pass will grant free access to tennis courts, stadiums, and reduced price for swimming pools. For a sports pass, bring a photo and a student identity card to l Hotel de Ville, Service des Sports, room 248 (Tel.02.41.05.40.00). Below is a list of recreation centers in Angers: Patinoire (ice skating rink): 6, allée des Haras Tel. 02.41.88.23.80 Centre d Animation du Lac de Maine: 71, route de Prumiers Tel. 02.41.48.12.47 bus route 16 and 6 Squash du Lac de Maine: Chemin de la Perussaie Tel. 02.41.88.03.38 Swimming Pools: Jean BOUIN: Bd P. de Courbertin Tel. 02.41.79.70.20 MONTPLAISIR: Bd Copernic Tel. 02.41.43.62.35 BELLE-BEILLE: rue Mansion Tel. 02.41.48.16.42 ROSERAIE: rue H. Bergson Tel. 02.41.66.92.42 Call for individual pool hours. 14
Cultural Activities There are a total of five excursions included in your program fee. The excursions vary each semester but may include trips to Le Mont St. Michel, Saint-Malo and the châteaux in the Loire Valley. Below is a list of establishments where students can go to see theatre, dance, music, and film. PIJ (Point Information Jeunesse): Allée du Hara Tel. 02.41.87.74.47 Students who wish to learn more about the possibilities concerning cultural and social life as well as sports can find information at PIJ. Centre de Congrès: 1, place Mendes France, close to the Jardin des Plantes Centre Dramatique National (Maison de la Culture) Tel. 02.41.88.99.22 Nouveau Théâtre d Angers, 12 place Imbach Théâtre Musical d Angers: Ave Montainge, consult announcements for up-coming events. Action Culturelle Saint-Barthelemy: Hôtel de Ville Tel. 02.41.96.12.81 Theater, dance, and music Historic Places Angers offers visitors a remarkable choice of monuments from different times throughout history. Don t leave without having visited the most famous! Le Château (reconstructed 13 th century) Tel. 02.41.87.43.47 The château, once occupied by the well-known King René, is the most visited monument in Anjou. Guided visits will show you the chapel, royal lodging and the lodging of the governor as well as the Tapisserie d Apocalypse, known worldwide as the oldest conserved French tapestry. From the top of the towers, you will discover a magnificent view of Angers. Le Chant du Monde de Jean Lurcat: Musée Jean Lurcat Le Chant du Monde (1892-1966) tapestry La Cathédrale: 12 th and 13 th century architecture 15
La Maison d Adam: Place Ste Croix (across from the cathedral) This old bourgeois home dates to the 15 th century. Its modest angles symbolize the new power of the bourgeoisie; the decor is very interesting and one can see the opposition between the two facades. If you look carefully, you will discover a sense of humor that spans hundreds of years! L Hôtel Pince: 32, bis, rue Lenepveu Tel. 02.41.88.94.27 This old hotel is transformed today into a museum particularly oriented towards the showcase of antique art as well as Japanese and Chinese estampes Musée des BeauxArts: 10, rue du Musée Tel. 02.41.88.64.65 This museum contains primitive paintings from the 14 th and 15 th centuries as well as collections from the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Galerie David d Angers: 33, bis, rue Toussaint Tel. 02.41.87.21.03 La Maison du Vin de l Anjou This house of wine sells wine from all around the Anjou region. La Maison du Vin allows one to experience the different tastes that make Anjou famous for its wine. Located across the street from the Chateau. This gallery showcases the sculptural works of David (1788-1856), a native to Angers. There are 20 monumental models, 70 busts, and hundreds of bronzed medallions to study and appreciate. A few sights to see outside of Angers Château du Plessis Bourre (by car): 15km from Angers Open everyday from 10h-12h and 14-19h Château du Plessis Mace (by car): An elegant manor, well furnished, and also known as le plus Angevin Chateau de l Anjou. Open everyday, except Tuesdays, from 10h-12h and 14h-18h30 Château de Brissac (by train or car): 20km south east of Angers. A private chateau, interesting mixture of architecture. The interior contains beautiful tapestries and richly adorned ceilings. Open everyday, except Tuesdays, from 9h-12h and 14h-18h Château de Serrant (by car): St Georges sur Loire A renaissance finished in the 18 th century. An immense park welcomes the visitor. Open everyday, except Tuesdays, from 10h-12h and 14h-17h20 Château de Montgeoffroy (by car): A private seigniorial chateau constructed in the 18 th century. Objects of art are of an exceptional quality. Open everyday from 9h30-12h and 14h30-18h30 16
Château de Montsoreau (by car leaving Saumur): This mini-fortress, mini-residence dominated the Loire. This chateau was made famous the Dame de Montsoreau d Alexandre DUMAS. Open everyday, except Tuesdays, from 10h-12h and 14h-18h30 Château de Saumur (by train): After its destruction in 1067, this château was rebuilt in the 12 th century by Henry II of England. The page for September in the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry depicts the château as it looked in 1410. Château de Montreuil-Bellay (by car): This chateau has stood through eight centuries of French history. Open everyday, except Tuesdays from 10h-12h and 14h-18h Le Musée de l Ardoise: 32, chemin de la Maraichere, TRELAZE Tel. 02.41.69.04.71 After arriving in Angers, it will not take long to discover that all the rooftops are made from a sheeting black rock called ardoise. Angers is known for its ardoise. Visiting the museum is an excellent way to learn more about the history in this area. Open each afternoon, except Mondays from 14h-18h Le Moulin de la Herpinière (50km from Angers) Open everyday from 9h30-11h30 and 14h30-18h30 L Abbaye de Fontevraud (15km from Saumur): Celebrated abbey of the 15 th century kings, this is one of the most important of France. It is also the tomb of the Plantagenet Kings. A cultural center is in development. Hameau Troglodytique de la Fosse (4km from Doue la Fontaine): A subterranean village where one will discover the tools and the customs of the countrymen living underground. Open everyday, except Mondays, from 9h30-12h and 14h-19h All information concerning bus and car schedules can be obtained at the train station (underneath Place de la République). Vieil Angers La Doutre: This quarter of Angers is rich in both history and monuments. Le Ronceray and the Eglise de la Trinité are located near Place de la Laiterie. This area is one of the tourist centers around Angers. There are numerous wooden houses constructed in the 16 th and 17 th centuries. One can also see the Hotel Mont de Pieté and the Hotel des Penitentes. Information is available at the Office of Tourism, Place Kennedy. La Cité (quarter between the chateau and the cathedral): Along the narrow side streets, one will be able to find old homes dating to the 10 th, 12 th, and 14 th centuries. In this 17
enchanting quarter, you will have the chance to admire rue St Aignan and the logis de l Estaigner. Additional information is available at the Office of Tourism. For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are numerous parks and gardens located around Angers. These include: le Jardin du Mail (across from the Hotel de Ville) le Jardin des Plantes (between Bd St-Michel and Bd Carnot) le Jardin des Beaux-Arts (Bd du Roi René) le Parc de la Garenne (at the base of rue St-Jacques, La Doutre) Please feel free to contact me with any questions. The information in this handbook is subject to change periodically. If you come across anything that should be updated or revised for future editions of this handbook, please let us know. Bon voyage! Ingrid D. Horton, Ph. D. Program Coordinator Email: idhorton@ku.edu Office of Study Abroad 1410 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 108 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS. 66045-7515 Tel. (785) 864-7804 Fax: (785) 864-5040 www.studyabroad.ku.edu Updated February 2012. 18