Tiffany Snel-Wark Sarah Houiller
Kary Spanghero
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 - an important part of French life
• 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 “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):
- 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):
1st weekend in October, Saturday 7pm to Sunday 7am
- see various museums, exhibitions and other original art forms at an unusual time
October
• 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 & supermarkets
sell the new season’s Beaujolais 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
• Le 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
• 1st April: Poisson d’avril (April Fool’s Day!)
• Pâques (Easter): Children are told that the bells return from Rome on Easter Sunday and drop chocolate eggs in their gardens!
April
• Marché Européen (European Market):
- Market Square, St Germain
- stalls representing European countries
- food, drink, art and crafts
- international music & entertainment
May
• 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: Tiffany, Sarah & Kary
or visit our website:
www.accueilinternational.org
Any questions?
Information & sign-up for new members
Friday 18th September 10.00 am - 12.00 noon
MAS - Maison des Associations 3 rue de la République, St-Germain-en-Laye