Cancer Support France is once again organising a cycle for Life across the beautiful countryside of the Occitanie region. The event will take place over four days from the 22nd to the 25th of June, covering 200km of the Canal…
From 11 – 16 September 2016 a 300km cycle ride alongside the Canal de Garonne has been organised to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Support France (CSF). Over a beautiful 300km of cycle ways that run alongside the Canal des…
A cycling group of ‘rosbeefs’ in France organises a gruelling bike race in aid of World Bicycle Relief. See why Cyclist magazine calls the south of France Pyrénées a ‘magnet for cyclists’.
GIFT’s Christmas fair is bigger and better than ever, with a wide range of beautiful cards, calendars and gifts, and delicious homemade treats. Have fun and help raise funds for charity!
Reports are coming in! The 2015 Canal du Midi Cycle Ride organised by Cancer Support France was such a smashing success that they are thinking of making it an annual event.
Some 3.5 billion people will watch 18 teams of nine riders race 3,500km over three weeks during Le Tour de France, the world’s largest sporting event. Hannah Reynolds and John Walsh, the authors of France en Vélo, share their experiences. The Tour de France…
As the euphoria of Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup win fades and with Northern Irishman Darren Clarke having been named as the captain for the 2016 event at Hazeltine, Minnesota it’s a good time to remind all Francophile golf lovers that the…
For Sue Cavill, the winner of our travel writing competition, the prize was a visit to Champagne-Ardenne to report on the sights, sounds and, most importantly, the tastes of this historic region.
Situated approximately 40km south of Dijon in the heart of Burgundy wine country, Beaune is blessed with all manner of buildings and great events to enjoy…
Florence Derrick reveals our top ten rundown of totally Gallic events that visitors to l’Hexagone can enjoy during 2015.
Every year, the lovely seaside resort of Menton on the French Riviera goes citrus crazy as it celebrates the Fête du Citron. This year’s event, which had a Chinese theme, has just come to its extravagant conclusion – here are some highlights from the…
When we pack up and set out for a new life in France, full of eager anticipation, none of us expects to become ill. The medical culture is different, the language barrier becomes even harder, friends and family are far away. CSF can help.
Two years ago four British garden owners in the Creuse had an idea. What if they could develop an open garden scheme in France, like the ones in other countries?
Two Weymouth mayors have been recognised for services to twinning. But with busy lifestyles making volunteers harder to find, we look at what the future might hold.
Mary Winston Nicklin revels in the annual combination of folie and fête in the characterful capital of French Basque Country, Bayonne
Each summer the city of Nantes invites artists and designers to participate in an urban art trail, Le Voyage à Nantes.
A group of volunteers offer support to the bereaved or the terminally ill and their families…
The Tarn now has its own cancer support group as part of CSF Sud de France, on hand to offer advice and support to anyone in the Anglophone community who is touched by cancer whether it is as a patient, friend, family or bereaved. All English speaking people are welcomed.
With over 30 festivals throughout the year, the Dordogne offers a wide range of events to discover. Culture and eclecticism is what characterizes the festive offers found in Dordogne. As soon as the weather permits, events including classical and traditional music, rock, jazz, theater, exhibitions, readings and lectures animate the smallest of villages. Winter is more conducive to wander around markets and buy local produce.
Our pick of the best events this region has to offer, onion festivals (fête de l’oignon) and Christmas markets (Marché de Noel) included. Find out what’s on in Autun, Auxonne, Beaune, Bèze, Dijon, Nuits-Saints-Georges…
The Riviera has long been a popular place for royals to relax on holiday. Queen Victoria came back time and again in winter. But the Windsors were just one of many families keeping tradition alive on the Riviera this year.
From Amboise and Bourges to Tours and Vierzon, the Centre boasts a wide variety of music concerts, sporting events and festivals celebrating local heritage and gastronomy – something for everyone.
Raising a few hundred pounds for a worthy cause was just one of the reasons why Ellie Fullalove enjoyed (almost) every minute of the 145.42 it took her to cover the 21.0975km from Château de Vincennes to Place de la Bastille and back.
A holiday home from home with the added satisfaction of helping a worthwhile charity. Every penny goes to Combat Stress, which cares for UK veterans who have been traumatised by experiences during their service career.
Every year, Vichy dedicates a long weekend at the end of April to recreating the dress and dancing associated with Napoleon III, who transformed his favourite spa town by introducing more parks and a casino – amongst other things.
Join the locals in celebrating the heritage of this region and its regional delicacies at events across Alsace and Lorraine. From January’s Fête de la Montagne to December’s Fête Saint Nicolas, you’ll be spoiled for choice!
Join the locals in celebrating regional delicacies at foodie fairs, supporting the athletes competing in the island’s sporting events and getting involved with its annual music and religious festivals.
Cities, towns and villages around the region are attracting visitors throughout the year thanks to their music festivals, flea markets, local fairs and festive offerings.
There are all sorts of events being planned throughout the year in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Here’s our pick of the bunch, from springtime carnivals in Albi and Castres to local food festivals and major music concerts.
A very positive shortcut to integrating into life in France is to join an association. It provides an opportunity to meet people and practice the language.
Visit the region famous for its traditional dancing and the buttery goodness of its local cuisine and you’ll be spoiled for choice with foodie fairs and festivals keeping old customs alive.
We have just opened a small English Library for all those who want to borrow and read books in English. We want to act as a meeting point, and not just for the English speaking community. We hope to start French and English classes and conversation groups. We want to be the base for clubs – we already have a Writers’ Club and Chess Club…………
Louise Elsom has been living in the Languedoc for four years and in January 2012 launched Brits in Carcassonne now called Aude Grapevine, hosting regular events in a bid to bring English speakers together to share advice and tips on living in France.
The programme of concerts and shows, sporting and cultural events on offer in Paris ensures visitors come back time and time again. From foodies to film buffs, everyone is catered for.
Since I last wrote a few words about my exploits with La Troupe d’Acteurs du Quercy things have moved on. Well, they do don’t they? The sands of time and all that. From a personal point of view I have really enjoyed the opportunity to murder a few people…
Take your pick of cultural and sporting events held annually on the French Riviera. From Menton’s Lemon Festival in February to Saint-Paul’s Fête des Vendanges in October, there’s plenty to see and do all year round.
Christ Church Brittany began, as many good things do, in a very small way back in 1999, in Ploërmel. Since then, Christ Church has grown and now has three worship centres: the original one in Ploërmel, a second at Rostrenen in central Brittany and a third in Huelgoat in Finistère.
The purpose of Chats du Quercy is to find permanent, safe homes for homeless cats and kittens with responsible and caring owners. We aim to provide quality, short term housing in a safe, disease-free and stimulating environment…
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A new organization has been set up working across France to help rehome dogs, many of whom have had a terrible past, some of who are no longer able to live with their current owners through no fault of their own and some who face certain death within the over stretched SPA pounds.Please take a minute to read through the information from dog links, even if you are not in a position to offer a dog a permanent home there are still many things you can do to help.
Sixty-six years after the terrible events of June 1944 the people of Tulle have not forgotten and are determined not to forget.On June 7th 2010, at 6.30 p.m., at the memorial in the Place Lovy, a short ceremony was held in memory of the eighteen railway wardens who were pointlessly shot by the 95th Security Regiment of the Wehrmacht on 7th June 1944…..
Limousin has long been a retreat for artists and writers, who are inspired by the peace, tranquillity and breathtaking landscapes which make up this wonderful region of France. Sue Crampton has recently moved to the Limousin and is keen to start a writing group with other like minded individuals.
It is claimed that Grenoble has one of the biggest Anglophone communities of any French city. Coming to live in France doesn’t mean you should only spend time with French people. There is all manner of pan-European activity.
Café Church aims to be an up-to-date and fun expression of Christianity and to this end, there is something for everybody. Two monthly sessions are held in Bergerac.
Image not found.When pianist and jazz-singer Judy Blair saw the plight of the Haiti earthquake victims, her response was immediate: she started organizing a benefit concert. Just as she had for the Katrina disaster. The musicians she contacted, including Gary Brooker (founder of Procul Harum)…
Image not found.Do you love the South of France?
Do you struggle a bit with the language and administration?
Need a helping hand to “sort things out”?
“Help in Quercy” are at your service.
My decision to teach French happened by accident really. I had a call from a friend who had artisans on site and both sides were having trouble understanding what was required. I was happy to help but after I’d gone I was flattered to find the builder thought I was French. When my friend understood this, he said ‘Why don’t you teach it? It would really help me and I can think of several other people who would really value it too’.
And that’s how it all started…
A list of mother and baby groups throughout France Accents Mothers & Toddlers group Accents has been running for 3 years and are based in Civray (86400). They welcome all carers and children up to school age. Visit www.accents-asso.fr Tel:…
A list of women’s groups throughout France British and Commonwealth Women’s Association Contact Shirley Milojevic Tel: 01 47 20 50 91 Email: bcwa.paris@wanadoo.fr Visit the website Stitch in Time Based in the most rural part of France the Limousin. Our…
If you miss the opportunity to play cricket or are just looking to make some new friends, expats around the country have set up clubs to help make sure you are enjoying life in France.
A list of music and dance groups throughout France Association Azoukah Based in Ruffec. This local association organises oriental dancing classes (Ruffec, Sauze V etc), mostly in the evening. They also have a dance company who perform across the region…
