ACCESS to the DORMITORIES and to IHES:
To go directly to the dorms from the CDG airport (it takes around 1h15) or fromParis downtown if you arrive by train (between 35mn and 1 hour depending on the area)
- Take the RER B towards Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse - Get off the train at the Bures-sur-Yvette station
- From the Bures-sur-Yvette station to IHES or to the dorms (less than 10 minutes walking),please see the local map access enclosed.
If you arrive at the Orly airport (it takes around 40 minutes)
- Take the automated metro (Orlyval) from the airport and the RER B Antony station
- Take the RER B towards Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse then follow the itinerary above.
It can also be helpful to have a look at the RATP (Paris Public Transportation Company) website where you can have information in english.
IMPORTANT: Bures-sur-Yvette and its area is safe and quiet place but pickpockets are quite usual on the trains and metro in Paris area so please remain cautious with you bags, phones...CHECK-IN time:
As the secretariat of the dorms is closed during the week-end, check-in time will be in the hall of the building 233 at the dorms from 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm at the latest on Saturday and Sunday.
IMPORTANT: do not forget that transfer time from the CDG airport can easily reach 2 hours (especially during week-ends and at night when there are far fewer trains to Bures). So, if you cannot check-in at the dorms before 11.00 pm, you'd better book a hotel-room at the airport for the night and take the RER to come to Bures the following day (fyi there is no funding leftover so costs pertaining to hotels and late night taxis will not be covered).
If you arrive earlier in the day and you need to store your luggage before coming to Bures, the best thing to do is to store your luggage in one of the left-luggage services in one of the downtown Paris stations from where you can take the RER to come to Bures later in the afternoon.
EVERY DAY LIFE IN BURES:
IHES is not located in downtown Paris and Bures-sur-Yvette is a small town with few shops and restaurants and they close quite early in the evening and are generally closed on Sunday (and on 14 July!).
FOOD:
- First of all, if you arrive late, do not forget to buy something to eat for dinner before your arrival in Bures.
- For lunches from Monday to Friday (except Wednesdays 8 and 15 when a buffet lunch will be served in the conference-room and except on Monday 14 (day "off" for Bastille Day), you'll have the possibility to have lunch in one of the cafeterias of the Paris-Sud University (a full lunch will cost you a bit less than 6,00€). I'll give you the access card to the cafeteria upon your arrival along with your key room
- Bures' baker can also prepare different kind of sandwiches with fresh baguette on demand and offers a quite large choice of pastries and viennoiseries (open from 7.00 am to 8.00 pm from Tuesday to Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday).
- If you want to buy food or anything you need during your stay, the supermarket Simply Market is open from 8.30 a.m to 9.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and from 9.00 am to 12.45 am on Sunday morning. Unfortunately the dorms where you'll stay are quite old and you won't have fridge or cooker in your room but several fridges will be at your disposal in a common-room on the ground floor of the bdg 233. There are tables and chairs in this room so, if you want, you will have the possibility to use this common-room to eat. Room and fridges are of collective use but are specifically at the disposal of the Summer School participants.
- You can also catch the bus line 4 that leaves from the Bures-sur-Yvette RER station, it takes 10 minutes to reach the shopping mail "Centre Commercial Ulis 2" where there are a lot of shops and a big Carrefour supermarket where you can find (almost) anything you need. - There are a few other different places nearby (in Bures and in Orsay) where you will have the possibility to eat too.
Places to eat (map of the area)
OTHER IMPORTANT PRACTICAL DETAILS:
- The rooms we have booked at the dorms are distributed among 2 buildings (231 and 232) located next to each other and the check-in desk will be in the hall of the building 233 (see local map access enclosed).
- Internet connection: unfortunately there is no Wi-fi connection at the dorms so you have to bring along an ethernet cord if you want to use the internet from your bedroom. On the other hand there is free access to the IHES Wi-Fi network everywhere at the institute (you do not need any password).
- Do not forget that the electric outlet plugs may be different than the ones you have in your country. Please don't forget to bring an adaptor if you need one.
- Rooms at the dorms are single-rooms and are not suitable for 2 persons.
- Sheets and blanket are provided (with an extra pair of sheets) but you need to bring along towels, soap....
- There is only a sink in each bedroom. Showers and toilets are shared and are located on each floor.
- There are laundry machines in the building 231. You'll just have to buy tokens at the reception desk of the dorms (from Monday to Friday - 8.30 to 4.30) if you need to use it.
- In case of emergency, there is night-watchman at the dorms in one or the other building.
LEISURE and TOURISM:
- You can find practical information on the nearby sport infrastructures, cinemas... on the IHES web site
- Itineraries to the Orsay outdoor swimming-pool and Gym Club nearby.
- Also, you may be interested in getting more information on how Paris is celebrating July 14, the Bastille Day
