Of course the appropriate answer to this question is “STUDY FRENCH”…but in my experience there are many ways to study the FRENCH LANGUAGE, and experience the FRENCH CULTURE, and engage in your passion for the FRENCH SOCIETY, which does not involve books, or grammar, or vocabulary, or becoming frustrated.
ECOLES DES TROIS PONTS is ideally located within easy assess to a number of ACTIVITIES/EXCURSIONS which can enhance understanding of the many aspects of France. The following suggestions can be completed in 2-3 hours, are accessible by foot from the school, and have been selected to respond to a variety of interests.
Easy Walking and Therapeutic Wondering. The Park Beaulieu is less than ten minutes from the school. There is a Chateau which frequently houses art shows, especially during weekends, an old water wheel, and from where it is possible to pass a very enjoyable afternoon sitting on a park bench and watching the locals play boules. From the Chateau you can follow the river to the Park du Renaison. The footpaths are not muddy and there is a lovely patisserie located adjacent to the car park, should you decide sustenance is required.
Longer walks. The French have a lovely way of sign posting walks, and from Park Beaulieu it is possible to undertake a roughly 8-kilometer circular easy hike. I adore this Route #12, as it can be completed in under two hours, and is very varied as you walk by the river, in forests, on small lanes and adjacent to fields. It is easy to follow – just look for the #12 signs. In addition, you can walk all the way into Roanne by following the footpath (which is a bit rough in places, and can be muddy, depending on the season) by the Renaison River.
Watch a film at the Multiplex. (Cinema Le Grand Palais Roanne). There is a large cinema next to the railway station which advertises approximately fourteen films every week. Showings commence about 2.00pm and the cinema is a brief 25-minute walk away from ECOLE DES TROIS PONTS. Occasionally there are subtitles but mostly the films are in French. Watching children’s animated films is a great and enjoyable way to learn the language. See: www.legrandpalais.fr
Visit the Hyper-market. I do not believe I have ever visited the Hyper-market and stayed less than an hour. Nor have I visited and not purchased anything! Not only is there food, but everything for the home and family. It is also a really useful, and reasonably priced, location to buy the things you have forgotten, do not have enough of, or need to replenish. Located in a centre which also has a hairdresser, coffee bar, book shop and other small retail outlets, it’s a wonderful way to experience the REAL FRANCE. There is also a large CarreFor Supermarket in the opposite direction, but this only sells food.
Explore the town of Roanne. It is easy to wonder around Roanne and not get lost. There are a number of pedestrians only roads, a huge collection of shops (many selling underwear), wonderful old buildings (the School has a map high lighting these), a covered market, and a museum (Musee Dechelette). Outdoor markets are held on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Of course, there are also cafes and restaurants to stop at and watch the world go by and experience FRENCH CULTURE, and a short walk away is the port.
Check out the swimming pool. The Centre Nautique Nauticum is found by following the Renaison River to the end of the Parc du Renaison. Times for public swimming fluctuate depending on the time of day and the season. See: www.aggloroanne.fr
Jayne Seagrave is a BC Best selling Author. The ninth edition of her book Camping British Columbia, the Rockies and the Yukon was published by Heritage House in April 2023. Over 60,000 of her camping books have been sold. She also writes fiction, non-fiction, freelance articles and occasionally teaches writing and publishing courses. See: www.jayneseagrave.com
