What to know about winter in Lacoste
Written by Jessalyn Murphy. Photo by Katelyn Myrick.
For nearly 20 years, SCAD students have had the opportunity to travel abroad and spend a quarter studying in the south of France at our Lacoste Campus. Surrounded by natural beauty, Lacoste sits on the top of a hill overlooking a valley filled with lavender fields, vineyards and orchards. Nothing quite compares to the view you see headed to class every morning. The experience is amazing at every step, regardless of when you attend. However, the winter quarter can be a bit different than the summer, spring and fall. Compiled here is a list of everything you need to know for a study abroad winter quarter in Lacoste.
When it comes to packing, pack light and pack warm. The weather tends to fluctuate a bit in the winter at Lacoste, but it tends to lean on the cold side. Towards the end of the quarter, there are some really great days where the temperature spikes up into the mid-60s. For the rest of the quarter, it isn’t freezing every single day but you will need a light jacket. It’s a good idea to pack a hat and gloves as well. SCAD Lacoste’s Student Services Coordinator, Antoine Tisserant, specifically recommends, “a good pair of hiking shoes as you will spend a lot of time walking up and down the village and valley.” Warmer clothing can take up a lot of space in your suitcase, and you will likely purchase a few items during your time in France.
You will have frequent opportunities to purchase anything you may need at the nearby Apt market. Apt is a town near Lacoste that professors and SCAD Lacoste staff will shuttle students to every Saturday morning. There are a variety of items available at the open market there, as well as grocery stores and pharmacies.
Almost every single Friday, the campus runs ELO trips to nearby cities. One of these trips is an overnight stay. These are free and included with tuition, and the kitchen prepares a lunch for you as well. They usually come with free admission to a variety of museums and planned activities. If you want to explore on your own with friends, that’s also a great option. These trips are an amazing opportunity to travel and see the nearby area. Take advantage of these as you will want to travel as much as possible, and who doesn’t love a free day trip?
Speaking of travel, it’s not a bad idea to save up some extra cash to travel with once you get to Europe. Public transportation in Europe is really affordable, trains and busses can take you almost anywhere. Airfare runs relatively low as well. You’ll likely want to take a weekend trip with your friends at least once if not more. Having some money set aside for trips like these is definitely something to consider.
The campus in Lacoste is relatively small, with a few buildings spread out in the upper village, and down in the valley at Maison Basse. It can feel a bit restrictive, but there are a lot of cool spots to explore in the village. While it’s cold outside, there are great indoor hangout spots ranging from cozy corners in the library to the lounge near the top of the village, both of which are open 24 hours. There is also a small restaurant at the base of the village, Cafe Le Sade. It’s only open on weekends but the heated patio and indoor dining space is the perfect spot to meet with friends and wind the week down.
The overall experience at SCAD’s Lacoste campus will be nothing short of amazing, regardless of when you go. Although, SCAD Lacoste’s Student Experience Director says, “my winter in Lacoste is magical.” If you decide to take a winter quarter abroad, you’ll have a great time, and hopefully, the tips above can guide you through your time there.
