The Water Rock Interaction triennial symposium of the International Association of Geochemistry provides scientists, students, professionals, and the entire geochemical community with an international forum to exchange scientific ideas and advances from both the lab and the field. In 2013 the symposium will take place in France for the second time in its history, thirty-six years after Yves Tardy organized WRI-2 in Strasbourg. This time it will be hosted in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Avignon, and will take place in the Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace). We hope that this impressive venue, in addition to the traditional convivial and scientific ambiance of WRI, will foster scientific exchanges and further our knowledge in all fields related to water-rock interactions, and in particular in such new fields as environmental and risk assessment associated with contaminated water resources, shale gas exploitation, and geothermal energy. We look forward to receiving your scientific contributions, and we hope to see you in Avignon for WRI-14 in the summer of 2013!