activities in saint-germain-en-laye and the …€“ st-germain’s own music festival foire...
TRANSCRIPT
3 September, 2009 1
Sarah Houiller and
Sue Evans Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Presentation prepared by Ann Williams, Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Activities in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
and the Surrounding Area
3 September, 2009 2
Want to be Part of Life in France?
Markets
● Nearly every village and town has a market with fresh produce
● Some markets also sell clothes and other non-food articles
● Most markets open early and finish around 1.00pm
/Continued
Markets (Continued)
– St-Germain-en-Laye, market square Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
– Poissy, market square
Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
– Fourqueux
Tuesday and Saturday
– Maisons Laffitte
Wednesday and Saturday
– Le Vésinet
Tuesday and Saturday
Brocantes/Vide-Greniers/Foires
● Most towns and villages have these at least once a year:
– an ideal way to discover a town or village, find a bargain or some original item
/Continued
● For dates of local brocantes, check out: – your local magazine/newspaper
– your own town or village website
● Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons (Antiques and Ham fair),
Ile des Impressionnistes, Chatou:
– September and March
– famous for its antiques and food
– lasts about 10 days
Brocantes/Vide-Greniers/Foires (Continued)
● Associations are an important part of French life
● They provide activities for both children and adults
● Most towns have an open day in September for all their associations, clubs and classes (Forum des Associations)
● Check out brochures edited by your local town or village (Maison des Associations, Centre de Culture)
Associations, Clubs and Classes
Local Magazines, Websites and Newspapers
● A great source of information for local events
3 September, 2009 9
Events to Look out for During the Year
September
● La Rentrée!
● Forums des Associations
● Journées du Patrimoine (National Heritage Weekend):
– an opportunity to visit many buildings and monuments, normally closed to the public
– street entertainment in St-Germain
/Continued
● l’Estival:
– St-Germain’s own music festival
● Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons (Antiques and Ham fair):
– Ile des Impressionnistes, Chatou
September (Continued)
/Continued
● Vendange (Grape harvest), St-Germain and Le Pecq’s own vineyard:
– meet on the Terrasse of the Château de St-Germain
● Foires aux Vins (Wine fairs):
– wine sales in many local supermarkets
September (Continued)
October
● Nuit Blanche (Sleepless Night) Saturday, 7.00pm to Sunday, 7.00am:
– see various museums, exhibitions and other original art forms at an unusual time
November
● Fête de la Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): 1st November
– half term holiday
– chrysanthemums on sale
● Beaujolais Nouveau (New Beaujolais): 3rd Thursday in November
– wine merchants and supermarkets are allowed to sell the new season’s Beaujolais wine on this date
● Téléthon:
– a national campaign to collect money for medical research and help those with muscular dystrophy
– most towns and villages have sponsored events or sales
● Marchés de Noël (Christmas Markets)
December
January
● Fête des Rois:
– Galettes on sale throughout January
– the person who finds lucky charm gets to be king for the day
● Les Soldes (Winter Sales):
– start on the same day throughout France
February
● Chandeleur (Pancake Day): 2nd February
● The skiing season is in full swing!
March
● Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons (Antiques and Ham fair),
Ile des Impressionnistes, Chatou
May
● Journée Européenne (European Day):
– St-Germain always marks the occasion
– stalls from European countries
– international entertainment on the market square
● Fête des Voisins (Neighbours Day):
– everyone is encouraged to meet their neighbours for a drink or a meal
/Continued
May (Continued)
● Nuit des Musées (Night of the Museums):
– visit many museums and historic buildings late into the night
– often free
June
● Fête de la Musique:
– music on all street corners throughout France
● Fête du Cinéma:
– throughout France: last week in June
– ticket prices reduced
July
● Fête Nationale: 14th July
– military parade along the Champs Elysées
– fireworks and dancing (bal) on 13th or 14th July in most towns and villages
● Les Soldes (Summer Sales)
/Continued
July (Continued)
● Fête des Loges:
– gigantic fun-fair in the forest of St-Germain
– lasts over 7 weeks: beginning of July until 3rd week of August
– little train links RER to the fun-fair
August
● Apart from La Fête des Loges in St-Germain, virtually everything grinds to a halt - quite a shock for almost everyone!
3 September, 2009 25
Want to Learn French?
Want to Learn French?
● GRETA programme:
– information from Lycée International
● LA CLEF:
– a local organisation for culture and education
– see www.laclef.asso.fr
● Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye:
– French conversation in small groups – see www.accueilinternational.org
3 September, 2009 27
Want to do Things Not Typically French?
Want to do Things Not Typically French?
● Scottish dancing in Fourqueux:
– no need to wear a kilt!
– beginners welcome
– leaflets available
/Continued
Want to do Things Not Typically French?
● English speaking Lions Club:
– Lions Club International is the largest service club in the world
– Both men & women are welcome
– All meetings are held in English
– “If you feel that life has been kinder to you than many others, maybe this is your chance to make a difference”
– www.lionsheraldic78.eu
/Continued
● The International Players:
– an English speaking theatre group with members of all ages and a variety of talents:
• acting
• singing
• designing and building sets
• making costumes
– based in Le Pecq
– see www.internationalplayers.co.uk
/Continued
Want to do Things Not Typically French? (Continued)
● Bowling centre in Orgeval on the N13
● Cricket club in Thoiry:
– the club welcomes cricketers, supporters and social members of all ages
– see www.standac.com
● Wildlife Park also in Thoiry:
– see www.thoiry.net
Want to do Things Not Typically French? (Continued)
3 September, 2009 32
Want to Meet People?
Two organisations specialise in welcoming and integrating newcomers:
• Accueil des Villes Françaises (AVF)
– national network
– local branches in most towns
– for both men and women
– French speaking
/Continued
Want to Meet People?
Two organisations specialise in welcoming and integrating newcomers (cont):
• Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
– a more international association
– for foreign women arriving in France and French women returning from abroad
– approximately 600 members of 50 different nationalities
– interest groups, activities and visits, organised by members for members
– in both French and native languages
/Continued
Want to Meet People? (Continued)
/Continued
Want to Meet People? (Continued)
● Some examples of our activities:
– 11 language groups, including an Anglophone Group
– International Coffees (in French) with a theme
– Specific group for new members
– French conversation
– Mother and Toddler Group
● Some examples of our activities:
– Book clubs
– Cookery
– Painting
– Golf
– Walking
– Photography
– Painting on eggs
– Mah Jong
Want to Meet People? (Continued)
/Continued
● Some examples of our activities:
– Discovering Chinese culture
– Gardening group
– Bridge (in French)
– Learning ancient languages – Latin and Greek
– Finding out about European History
– Bodyflex
– Pilates
Want to Meet People? (Continued)
/Continued
● Some examples of our activities:
– Going to:
– Shows
– Plays
– Concerts
– Restaurants
– Cinema
Want to Meet People? (Continued)
/Continued
● Some examples of our activities:
– Cultural visits:
– Historic walks
– Versailles
– Musée d’Orsay
– Exhibitions
Want to Meet People? (Continued)
3 September, 2009 40
Any Questions?
Come and talk to us:
Sarah, Sue or Manda Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
3 September, 2009 41
Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Information forum and
sign-up for new members
Tuesday 17th September – 14.00
MAS – Maison des Associations
3 rue de la République St Germain-en-Laye