Annecy Travel Forum

I'm going to IFALPES institute for French Immersion in Annecy this January, and there are questions that I can't see to find an answer to anywhere else. I'm sure there are people who've done this program on the site, and I was hoping someone would be able to help me out.
I'm still not sure whether or not I need a Resident Card/Visa. Did any of you who went need one (in my case, I'm non EU, Canadian)? As well, for shared apartments, I assume you're responsible for your own linens, pots/pans, etc. Just how much is there provided in the apartments? What should I expect?

You don't say how long you will be in France for but if it is longer than 90 days, any non-EU citizen requires a visa and you specifically need a student visa if you will be studying for more than 6 months: http://www.intstudy.com/visafran.htm
The visa is to be allowed to enter France in the first place, once there then if staying for more than 90 days you need a residence card. This information is not difficult to come by, in fact there are relevant links on IFALPES' own website, and in English http://www.ifalpes.fr/learn_french_france/infos_utiles.php, plus I imagine it will be on the website of the French Embassy in Canada. It is the Embassy that you will need to apply to for your visa anyway.
I have no idea what is available in the shared apartments mentioned on IFALPES' website, but since they specifically say they do not provide towels, unless requested, I would not expect them to provide bedlinen either. On the other hand, it is normal in furnished apartments for pots, pans, etc. to be provided. It does say that the accommodation service will give you more information 2 weeks beforehand, but why not contact THEM for this sort of information, which is not the sort of thing normal travellers would be able to tell you?!

Thanks for the reply,
So you only need a resident card for over 90 days? I wasn't sure if they were similar or what not. Thanks. I plan on being there for three months (so just under 90 days).

You won't need a residency card. At least not unless Sarkozy manages to change the laws .... ! I agree with the others - why are you not asking the school (who you signed up with ?) for information about what is incldued in the apartments? That seems most logical. Have fun - it's a great town. I went to CILFA and it was a wonderful experience. CILFA had different types of apartments in different price ranges - some with more or less things provided. Some had 'communal kitchens' and were more like college dormitories, and others were independent apartments.

What a horrid thing to be accused of after being on this site for so many years! I have ABSOLUTELY no ties to CILFA except that I was a student there and found it was a good place to learn and it improved my French immensely. Excuse me for having an opinion - it is outrageous to state that I purposefully leaving 'misleading information' around this site - I could also accuse you of working for IFALPES by that reasoning! Also a residency card is NOT required to live in France for a Canadian to take a French course of that duration and that is 100% TRUE -- a VISA and a RESIDENCY CARD are two entirely different documents, and the person posting was NOT going to be staying long enough to require a residency card.

By the way CILFA is in point of fact affiliated to the University of Savoie - it is plainly stated on their website so don't accuse me of trying to tell people to stay illegally and at some low-quality school! I am highly offended by your response, and will consider reporting you to the site administrators for attacking me personally on this site.

Also onetangoboy - I see you joined on June 19th 2008 and have not logged on since then and have no travel pages at all. I have on the other hand been on this site for YEARS and have many pages built - who should be more trusted?