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Sarah Houiller and
Manda Adams
Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Activities in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
and the Surrounding Area
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
• St-Germain-en-Laye
Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
• Poissy
Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
• Fourqueux
Tuesday and Saturday
• Maisons Laffitte
Wednesday and Saturday
• Le Vésinet
Tuesday and Saturday
Markets
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
• 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
• 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, Classes
• A great source of information for local events
Local magazines, Websites, Newspapers
Events to look out for during the year
September
• La Rentrée!
• Journées du Patrimoine (National Heritage Weekend):
– opportunity to visit many buildings
and monuments, normally closed to the public
– street entertainment in St-Germain
• Forums des Associations
• L’Estival:
- St Germain’s own music festival
September
• Vendange (grape harvest) of St-Germain & Le Pecq’s own vineyard:
– meet on Terrasse of Château de St-Germain
• Foires aux vins (wine fairs):
– wine sales in many local supermarkets
September
• 1st Sunday of the month:
many museums and monuments free!
- some free all year round on 1st Sunday of month
- others free during the winter months only
eg, Louvre - October to March
October/every month
• Nuit Blanche (“sleepless night”) Saturday 7.00 pm to Sunday 7.00 am:
– 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
November
• 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
• Fête des Rois:
– “Galettes” on sale throughout January
– person who finds lucky charm gets to be king or queen for the day
• Les Soldes (winter sales):
– start on the same day throughout France
January
• La Chandeleur (Pancake Day): 2nd February
• The skiing season is in full swing!
February
• Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons (Antiques and Ham fair)
Ile des Impressionnistes, Chatou
(twice a year : Sept & March)
March
• Pâques (Easter): Children are told that the bells return from Rome on Easter Sunday and drop chocolate eggs in their gardens!
April
• 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
May
• Nuit des Musées (night of the museums):
– visit many museums and historic buildings late into the night
– often free
May
• Fête de la Musique:
– music on all street corners throughout France
• Fête du Cinéma:
– throughout France: last week in June
– ticket prices reduced
June
• 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)
July
• Fête des Loges:
– gigantic fun-fair in the forest of St-Germain
– lasts over 7 weeks: from beginning of July until 3rd week of August
– little train links RER to the fun-fair
July
• Apart from La Fête des Loges in St-Germain, virtually everything grinds to a halt… - quite a shock for almost everyone!
August
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
Want to do things not typically French?
• Scottish dancing in Fourqueux:
– no need to wear a kilt!
– beginners welcome
– for all nationalities
• 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
• The International Players:
– 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 and St-Germain
– see www.internationalplayers.co.uk
• Bowling centre in Orgeval on the N13
• Cricket club in Thoiry:
– welcomes cricketers, supporters and social members of all ages
– see www.standac.com
• Wildlife Park also in Thoiry:
– see www.thoiry.net
Want to meet people?
Two organisations specialise in welcoming and integrating newcomers:
1. Accueil des Villes Françaises (AVF)
– national network
– local branches in most towns
– for both men and women
– French speaking
Want to meet people?
2. Accueil International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
– a more international association
– for foreign women arriving in France and French women returning from abroad
– approx 550 members of 50 different nationalities
– in both French and native languages
– all activities run by volunteer members
Want to meet people?
• Our key groups and activities:
– 11 language groups, including an Anglophone group
– International Coffees with a theme - in French
– specific group for new members
– French conversation
– Mother and Toddler group
• Some examples of our activities:
– book clubs
– cookery
– painting
– golf
– walking
– painting on eggs
– Mah Jong
• More examples of our activities:
– discovering Chinese culture
– gardening group
– bridge (in French)
– learning ancient languages – Latin & Greek
– finding out about European History
– Bodyflex
– photography
• Outings to:
– shows
– plays
– concerts
– restaurants
– cinema
• Cultural visits:
– historic walks
– Versailles
– Musée d’Orsay
– exhibitions
Come and talk to us:
Sarah, Manda, Elaine & Catherine
or visit our website:
www.accueilinternational.org
Any questions?
Information & sign-up for new members
Friday 19th September 10.00 am - 12.00 noon
MAS - Maison des Associations 3 rue de la République, St-Germain-en-Laye
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