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How to Experience 3 Not-to-Be-Missed Towns in France

By U.S. News & World Report

Skip Paris and Nice for these beautiful, must-see places.

France is replete with a rich history that lies within the walls and atop the hills of its ancient cities. Spectacular to see from a distance and fascinating to visit, these well-preserved places artfully blend historic buildings with modern shops and restaurants. If you want to capture a sense of time and place and experience the ambiance of what life was like in the early settlements in France, there’s no better place to do it than in its ancient towns. Lesser-known, with their storied and well-maintained architecture and original structures, these tucked-away towns and villages will capture your imagination and take you back in time.

Pérouges — Day 1

The fortified village of Pérouges is classified as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, or Most Beautiful Villages in France. Located in the Rhone-Alpes, it lies just 25 miles northeast of Lyon (about about 300 miles southeast of Paris). Perched on a hill on the Dombes plateau overlooking the Ain River valley, this charming medieval village appears to have been frozen in time. On your way to La Place de la Halle, the main square and heart of the village, you’ll walk the winding narrow streets with uneven cobblestones and pass half-timbered homes leaning with time and built tightly side by side with characteristic wooden doors and shutters.

Pérouges — Day 2

Pérouges is a working village, with 80 residents within its walls. You’ll discover several active businesses, including an artisan paper maker, a wine shop and a traditional boulangerie. To really experience what life might have been like in medieval times in the village, plan to stay within the ramparts at Hostellerie de Pérouges. Located on La Place de la Halle, this charming hotel serves local specialties such as carp from the rivers of the Dombes plateau, Bresse chicken (the native blue-footed chicken) cooked in cream and the famous Galette de Pérouges, which is best described as a warm caramelized sugar- and butter-topped pizza.

Aigues-Mortes — Day 1

Aigues-Mortes, a walled medieval town with four corner towers, appears to rise up out of the flat coastal marshlands of the Petite Camargue. Located approximately 50 miles northwest of Marseilles (and about 75 miles west of Aix-en-Provence), the town was founded in 1240 by Louis IX, the first king of France, as a Mediterranean port. Highlights include walking around the rampart walls to view the layout of the town with its linear streets and a visit to Constance Tower, which offers a spectacular pinnacle view. Beyond the walls, in the summer, you can see the red salt lagoons of the Camargue, with their glistening salt piles that seem to bloom from the water.

Aigues-Mortes — Day 2

The center of activity is Place Saint-Louis, the main square, which is lined with the usual mix of cafes, galleries and boutiques. While wandering through the cobblestone streets of this charming town, you’ll discover that most of the original medieval structures have been destroyed. Today, there is primarily 19th-century architecture on display. There are exceptions, however, like the Eglise Notre-Dame-des-Sablons (The Church of Our Lady of the Sablons). Stay within the walls of Aigues-Mortes at the lovely Villa Mazarin and enjoy some of the town’s Provençal specialties. Stop by La Cure Gourmande to purchase the glazed fruits, candies and nougats for which the town is famous.

Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne — Day 1

This medieval hill town in south–central France near the Loire River (and about 270 miles from Cannes), has been a well-traveled destination for travelers since the Middle Ages. The town served as one of the starting points for the pilgrimage to St. James Way, also known as the Santiago de Compostela, where the apostle James is buried. The first tourists to Le Puy-en-Velay may have been pilgrims beginning their journey from Le Puy Cathedral to the Galicia region of Spain. This famous church is perched on Mount Anis overlooking the city, but it’s also worth taking the time to explore the old town, a beautiful area with a rich heritage.

Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne — Day 2

The oldest chapel in Le Puy, Chapelle St-Michel d’Aiguilhe, towers over the city. Visitors must climb 268 winding stone steps to reach the top. Wander the well-preserved streets of the old city with its medieval architecture and narrow passageways. Known as a lace-making center for centuries, this area is also where the Le Puy lentil is grown, a traditional ingredient in many French dishes. For a throwback to Renaissance times (circa A.D. 1524) and when Francis I was king, visit the third week of September when the town hosts Les Fêtes du Roi de l’Oiseau (the Bird King Festival). Daily festival events include archery competitions, music, costume parades and mock skirmishes throughout the town.

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How to Experience 3 Not-to-Be-Missed Towns in France originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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