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