We have reserved blocks of rooms at the following hotels:

Hôtel Clos Dière at the Domaine Rabiega Vineyard

Hôtel Clos Dière at the Domaine Rabiega Vineyard is a recently opened hotel located in a wine estate.

Address: 516, chemin du Cros d’Aymar - 83300 Draguignan, France Rate: 220€ to 378€ per night + city tax (there are two single bedrooms at 153€ per night + city tax).
Discount Code: PCLES. Reserve by May 15, 2023.
Reservations can be made by calling Julia (+33.4.94.68.44.22) or by sending her an email at hotel@rabiega.com. Please indicate that you belong to the PCLES group to receive the special rate. On-site reservations are not available.
*The special rate is available for the nights of June 23 and June 24. Guests who wish to attend the extension program can book their rooms up until June 27 using the special rate.

Château des Salles

This property is currently fully booked for PCLES.

Château des Salles is our hosts’, Marie and Christophe Rhodius LLM’90, family-run guesthouse located on the family’s historic property.

Address: 1350, Route de Montferrat - 83300 Draguignan Rate: 130€ to 160€ per night + city tax.
Discount Code: PCLES. Reserve by May 13, 2023.
Reservations can be made by calling Julia Rhodius (+33.6.76.91.37.19) or by sending her an email at chateaudessalles@gmail.com. 
Please indicate that you belong to the PCLES group to receive the special rate. *The special rate is available for the nights of June 23 and June 24.
Guests who wish to attend the extension program can book their rooms up until June 27 using this special rate.

The Hôtel Clos Dière at the Domaine Rabiega Vineyard and the Château des Salles will include a bus shuttle for pick up and drop off to and from the different venues.

Other recommended hotels:

- Hôtel des Oliviers
Address: 815, chemin des Baguiers - 83300 Draguignan
tel +33.9.86.31.01.84, info@lesoliviershotel.com

- Hôtel du Parc
Address: 21, Boulevard de la Liberté 83300 Draguignan
tel +33.4.98.10.14.50, contact@hotel-duparc.fr

- Hôtel Spa Château de Berne 
Address: Chemin des Imberts 83780 Flayosc tel : +33.4.94.60.48.81

Please note that disruptions due to University travel policy or COVID-19 restrictions may occur. Visit the Penn Global Travel Guidance website for updates on University travel guidelines and procedures.

Please note that the schedule is tentative and subject to change. There will transportation provided between each venue for the weekend when staying at Château des Salles or Domaine Rabiega. Please see the Transportation tab for transportation between the airport and train station.

Friday, June 23, 2023

7:00pm: Welcome Reception at Why Not Bar (7 Place de Marché, 83300 Draguignan, France)
Join fellow alumni to kick off PCLES 2023 with a welcome reception! PCLES Attendees will meet for an informal gathering at Why Not, a cozy bar located in the center of the old town right on the marketplace.

Saturday, June 24, 2023

10:00am: Visit to the Abbaye du Thoronet
The group will visit the “Abbaye du Thoronet,” which is considered the “jewel” of Cistercian abbeys. It was built between 1160 and 1230, and is one of three Cistercian abbeys in Provence.

1:00pm: Lunch at Domaine de Beauveset in Tourtour
A typical Provençal lunch, called aïoli, will be served at Domaine de Beauveset, an old agricultural property surrounded by an unspoiled environment, overlooking the charming village of Tourtour.

 3:00pm: Guided tour of Tourtour
Tourtour, called “the village in the sky,” is considered among the most beautiful villages in France. Located at 2,083 feet high, it offers breathtaking views over a large part of Provence, from Frejus along the Mediterranean coast in the east, to the Montagne Sainte Victoire, a favorite subject of the painter Paul Cézanne, in the west. The tour will be led by Fabien Brieugne, mayor of Tourtour, and his English-speaking assistants.

  7:00pm: Gala Dinner in the Château des Salles
PCLES attendees will gather at the Château des Salles for the annual Gala dinner. Dress code: smart summer attire (please note that the weather will be warm!) Since the XVIIth century, Château des Salles was home to a noble family who was very active in local politics in Draguignan before the French Revolution. It has always been an agricultural property, and everything grown on the farm is organic, such as wine, vegetables, and olive oil.

Sunday, June 25, 2023

10:30am: Academic Program with Professor Eric Feldman at the Domaine Rabiega Vineyard 
Our annual academic presentation will feature Deputy Dean & Professor Eric Feldman, an expert in Japanese law, comparative public health law, torts, and law and society.

Domaine Rabiega is a quaint wine estate, active since the XVIth century, located in the outskirts of Draguignan. It offers, besides excellent wines, nice accommodation and dining. For non-alumni guests, a wine tasting will be available during the academic session.

12:30-2:00pm: Farewell Lunch at Bistrot Rabiega
The weekend will conclude with a summer lunch at the Bistrot Rabiega, located in the heart of the award-winning vineyard.

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Optional Extension Trip

Those who wish to participate in the extension program from June 26-27 will be able to book their hotel at a special rate (as stated above). The extension program will include trips to St-Tropez and Canyon du Verdon. 

The extension program will offer the opportunity to PCLES attendees to discover a bit more of our beautiful region, which is in fact one of the most favorite areas in France for tourism and sightseeing. An English-speaking guide will accompany us on the bus during this two-day journey and will help us understand more about the history, geography, and culture of the region.

Monday, June 26 : Journey to St. Tropez, French Riviera

9:00am: We will depart from Draguignan and visit the Mediterranean coast in the town of Sainte Maxime one hour later, for a short cruise to Saint Tropez, across the bay. Saint Tropez is a beautiful coastal town on the French Riviera, long popular with artists and international jet setters, and is known for its beaches and nightlife. Once a fishing village, yachts now outnumber fishing boats.

12:00-4:00pm: Lunch and a Tour of St Tropez
We will enjoy lunch in a restaurant in the center of the city, followed by a free tour. It is recommended to walk through the small cobblestone streets, stroll around the harbor, or visit the “Musée de l’Annonciade”, a beautiful little museum close to the harbor offering a wide range of impressionist paintings.

4:00-10:00pm: “Plage de Pampelonne”
The bus will take us to the world famous sandy beach of Pampelonne, located on the Northern shore of the St. Tropez peninsula. Do not forget your bathing suits (although some parts of the beach are clothing optional!) Dinner will be in a beach restaurant.

Return by bus to Draguignan at 10:00pm.

Tuesday, June 27: Journey to the Gorges du Verdon
9:00am-10:00pm:
We will depart from Draguignan, heading to the Canyon of Verdon, which is the second largest canyon in the world after Grand Canyon, Colorado. It takes approximately 1 hour 1/2 to get to this magnificent area, which offers a whole different setting than the Riviera!

We will drive along the canyon, allowing us a few stops to discover the magnificent scenery, including a visit to Moustiers Sainte Marie. Often compared to a Nativity scene due to its amazing setting and the famous chain and cross, this charming village is part of the Regional Park of Verdon. We will have dinner on our way back to Draguignan.

Return by bus at 10:00pm.

Early Bird Rate until April 17: $470 USD
Young Alumni Rate (2013-2023): $470 USD
Standard Rate for all reservations, except Young Alumni, after April 17: $495 USD
Option for Extension Program: $625 USD

This fee covers all meals, beverages, tours, and activities listed on the schedule for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

**REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 31**
No refunds after June 1

Airport:
- The closest airport is Aéroport Nice-Côte d’Azur and is the most convenient way to arrive from abroad.
- Another airport option is Aéroport Marseille-Provence, which is a bit further away.

Train station:
- The closest train station from the airport is Nice-St Augustin train station. Upon arrival at the Les Arcs-Draguignan train station, the best way to get to your accommodations is the taxi service listed below. Travel time is approximately 1:20 hour from Nice-St Augustin to Les Arcs-Draguignan.
- From Paris, you can take the TGV which stops at Les Arcs-Draguignan station. Travel time is approximately 4:30 hour+.

Shuttle:
For those who want to take a direct shuttle from Nice Airport to their lodging in Draguignan, our hosts recommend that you book with Var Active. The price of the shuttle is $224 USD (210 euros). The van can accommodate up to 7 people. Please specify that you belong to the PCLES group and ask for Gaëtan.
Phone number: 00.33.6.29.30.21.66
Email adresss: varactivefrance@gmail.com
Website: varactive.com

Taxi:
Centrale Taxi Draguignan / Gare des Arcs
Tel: +33 4 94 68 68 68