Activities in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the Surrounding Area Shelagh Richard and Sarah Houiller Accueil International de Saint-Germain Germain-en en-laye Presentation prepared by Ann Williams, Accueil International de Saint-Germain Germain-en en-laye
Want to be Part of Life in France?
Markets Nearly every village and town has a market with mouth-watering fresh produce in wonderful displays Some markets also sell clothes and other non-food articles Most markets open early and finish around 1.00pm 13/09/2010 3 /Continued
Markets (Continued) St-Germain Germain-en en-laye Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays Fourqueux Tuesdays and Saturdays Maisons Laffitte Wednesdays and Saturdays Le Vésinet Tuesdays and Saturdays 13/09/2010 4
Brocantes/Vide-Greniers/Foires Most towns and villages have these at least once a year: an ideal way to discover a town or village and to meander through the stalls looking for a bargain or some original item 13/09/2010 5 /Continued
Brocantes/Vide-Greniers/Foires (Continued) Some examples of forthcoming brocantes: St-Germain, rue de Paris: 18 th September (Antiques Fair) Le Vésinet: 19 th September Chatou: 24 th September to 3 rd October Le Pecq: 9 th and 10 th October For more details, check out: your local magazine/newspaper your own town or village website 13/09/2010 6
Associations, Clubs and Classes 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 or Centre de Culture) 13/09/2010 7
Local Magazines, Websites and Newspapers These are a mine of information for local events 13/09/2010 8
Events to Look out for During the Year
September Forums des Associations: St-Germain Germain: 25 th Journées du Patrimoine: 18 th and 19 th (National Heritage Weekend) an opportunity to visit many buildings and monuments, normally closed to the public street entertainment in St-Germain Visit St-Germain forest, by bike in English: Saturday, 25 th register with Tourist Office in St-Germain 13/09/2010 10 /Continued
September (Continued) l Estival: 24 th September to 9 th October St-Germain s own music festival Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons (Antiques and Ham fair): Ile de Chatou from Friday, 24 th September to Sunday, 3 rd October famous for its antiques and food 13/09/2010 11 /Continued
September (Continued) Vendange (grape harvest) of St-Germain and Le Pecq s own vineyard: 21 st September from 5.00pm Meet on the Terrasse du Château de St-Germain 13/09/2010 12
October Nuit Blanche: during the night of 2 nd to 3 rd October (7.00pm to 7.00am): an opportunity to see various museums, exhibitions and other original art forms at an unusual time 13/09/2010 13
November Beaujolais Nouveau: 3 rd Thursday in November wine merchants and supermarkets are allowed to sell the new season s Beaujolais wine on this date 13/09/2010 14
December Téléthon, 3 rd and 4 th December: a national campaign to collect funds to help medical research and those with muscular dystrophy most towns and villages have sponsored events or sales to help the cause Marchés de Noël (Christmas Markets) in many towns 13/09/2010 15
January Les Soldes (Winter sales) 13/09/2010 16
February The skiing season is in full swing! 13/09/2010 17
May Journeé Européenne (European Day): St-Germain in particular always marks the occasion stalls from European countries international entertainment on the market square Fête des Voisins (Get to Know your Neighbours Day): everyone is encouraged to meet their neighbours for a drink or a meal a chance to enhance relations between neighbours! 13/09/2010 18
June Fête de la Musique music on all street corners throughout France Fête du Cinéma for one ticket purchased at the normal rate, all others are reduced available throughout France: last week in June 13/09/2010 19
July Fête Nationale: 14 th July fireworks galore with free dancing (bal) either on the evening before or on the 14 th July in most towns and villages Les Soldes (Summer Sales) 13/09/2010 20 /Continued
July (Continued) Fête des Loges: gigantic fun-fair fair in the Forest of St-Germain lasts over 7 weeks: beginning of July until 3 rd week in August little train links RER to the fun-fair fair 13/09/2010 21
August Apart from La Fête des Loges in St-Germain Germain, virtually everything grinds to a halt - quite a shock to almost everyone! 13/09/2010 22
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 Germain-en en- Laye: French conversation in small groups see www.accueilinternational.org 13/09/2010 24
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 13/09/2010 26 /Continued
Want to do Things Not Typically French? (Continued) The International Players: a 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 13/09/2010 27 /Continued
Want to do Things Not Typically French? (Continued) Bowling centre in Orgeval on the RN13 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 13/09/2010 28
Want to Meet People?
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 13/09/2010 30 /Continued
Want to Meet People? (Continued) Two organisations specialise in welcoming and integrating newcomers: Accueil International de Saint-Germain Germain-en en- Laye a more international association for foreign women arriving in France and French women returning from abroad 550 members of 50 different nationalities interest groups, activities and visits, organised by members for members in both French and native languages 13/09/2010 31 /Continued
Want to Meet People? (Continued) Some examples of our activities: 12 language groups, including an Anglophone Group French conversation Mother and Toddler Group 13/09/2010 32 /Continued
Want to Meet People? (Continued) Some examples of our activities: Book clubs Drama Cookery Painting Golf Walking Ethnic dancing Yoga Photography 13/09/2010 33 /Continued
Want to Meet People? (Continued) Some examples of our activities: Going to: Shows Plays Concerts Restaurants Cinema 13/09/2010 34 /Continued
Want to Meet People? (Continued) Some examples of our activities: Cultural visits: Historic walks Versailles Musée d Orsay Exhibitions 13/09/2010 35
Any Questions? Come and talk to us: Ann, Sarah or Shelagh Accueil International de Saint-Germain Germain-en en-laye