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