PROGRAM TWO
FAQs
Where are you located?
We are located in the beautiful South of France in Perpignan, capital of Pyrénées-Orientales département, Occitanie région. The Occitanie région of southern France was created in 2016 by the union of the former régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées. It is bounded by the région of Nouvelle-Aquitaine to the west, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to the north, and Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur to the east. Spain and Andorra border the région to the south and the Mediterranean Sea lies to the southeast.
When is Program Two in operation?
We are currently offering Program Two only during the summer months and on week long French holidays . The school year starts at the beginning of September in France. French schools have long holidays - a two-month summer holiday starting in July, two or three weeks at Christmas and Easter, as well as half term breaks. We operate Program One, which is our Discipleship School during the school year.
In the near future, we anticipate offering Program Two all year round. We will update our website as soon as this happens.
What is there to do in Perpignan? Will there be any events we can attend?
Perpignan offers markets every day, Monday to Sunday. Fairs are also held on 17 January, 15 May and 12 November. On Sundays, the town highlights its flea market, while a medieval market is organized every September. In December, the Christmas market settles in the city. Electro music festival and Tilt takes place in March.
During holy week, a festival of sacred music is proposed in Perpignan.
Around April 23, Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia, transforms Place Gambetta into a large book market, also celebrating the rose according to a 15th century tradition. Every holy Friday, the city proposes its procession of the Sanch, an annual Catholic ceremony of Catalan culture.
In June, you can discover the festival of the art book and the film. World Music Day was created in 1982 by the Ministry of Culture and Communication to celebrate amateur musicians. Today, this summer event is an unmissable date in French people’s social calendar, inviting an ever-increasing crowd to enjoy music in the streets. This diverse festival combines all styles, audiences and countries. Artists and music-lovers of all ages gather all over France, and now all over the world, in order to share these moments of pleasure and discover new artists who perform free of charge every year on 21 June.
Every last weekend of August, the Palais des Rois de Mallorca hosts the Guitar Festival at the Palais with concerts. In July and August, on Thursday evening, the city offers street concerts. Dedicated to jazz music, Jazzèbre is a festival offering different concerts between September and October. Every year in October, the Voice Festival brings together artists from around the world. At Christmas, a large Catalan nativity scene is installed in the town of Perpignan.
Perpignan is the land of Rugby. For more information go to: http://www.catalansdragons.com/index.php
For more information on other local attractions go to: https://www.perpignantourisme.com/en/agenda
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g187156-Perpignan_Pyrenees_Orientales_Occitanie-Vacations.html
Can I take a French language class during my visit?
If you want to combine a French language class with a cooking class, we highly recommend our partner friends at Alfmed Language School. They have Combination Programs you can enroll in, from horseback riding, golf, sailing and more. Bear in mind that this expense will be additional to you and you may have to rent a vehicle of your own or take public transportation to do these activities with Alfmed.
Alfmed Academie de Langues:
https://www.alfmed.com/combination-programs/gastronomy-option-cookery-and-french-courses/
Do I make my own travel arrangements?
Yes, we highly recommend you make flight arrangements to Barcelona, Spain (El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto), then from the Barcelona City Center, take the TGV one hour ride to the Gare (train station) in Perpignan.
How to get to Perpignan from BARCELONA AIRPORT: Via Barcelona SANTS Train station:
To connect from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Sants train station we suggest:
1 hour max. transfer: either Train or AEROBUS shuttle from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Sants station (5,90 euros single /10,20 euros return).
From Barcelona Sants station:
-
Direct AVE/TGV speed train. This direct speed train from Barcelona to Perpignan is scheduled at 07h20 / 09h20 / 13h17 / 16h45 / 18h30 . It takes only 1h20min for an average price of 30-35 euros:
For more information go to: https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/airport/transfers/transfer-barcelona-airport-perpignan
For TGV Train: https://en.oui.sncf/en/
What About Lodging and Meals?
We will arrange your lodging, meals, pre-breakfast morning devotionals for one hour and one or two evening Church services during the week with our local French Brethren at our place of lodging. We will plan sightseeing of Perpignan's major historical sites and events will be planned according to what events are taking place in Perpignan during the time of your visit. All appropriate forms regarding food allergies and lodging costs, as well as any other forms, will be emailed to you once we receive confirmation of your travel itinerary.
How much will lodging and meals cost for the week?
Pricing for lodging and meals for the week is to be determined. This is based on location of lodging and number of people attending. Prices will include accomodations, meals and Gare pickup (train station). Fees (if any) for events, and historical sites will not included in lodging and meals.
Perpignan's Office of Tourism: https://www.perpignantourisme.com/en/agenda
