Group members have different experiences of France and its language but all are keen to extend and build on their knowledge. Meetings are friendly, relaxed and totally non-threatening.

The group is led by Izzy using work sheets, laptop presentations and various role play scenarios. The emphasis is on the spoken language.

Class members learn from, and are very supportive of, each other leading to a greater understanding of the language and increased confidence in using it.

The French Group is flourishing and would like to thank Izzy for our interesting (and useful!) sessions and the Staff at Fort Stamford for their friendly support and the use of their facilities. 

See Brittany!

In the early twentieth century Brittany relied on an extensive network of railways and canals. Now, no longer needed for transport, many have been revived as voies vertes - gentle, traffic-free routes ideal for walking or cycling. Restored stations have become museums and rest stops along routes easily missed by road users.

There are six key routes which interlink through Brittany, varying in length. The Nantes-Brest canal has gentle towpaths while the Roscoff-Concarneau route stops in small towns like Gourin. The coastline has trails with quaint fishing ports, coves and dramatic sea views particularly of the tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Delay your rush south, take time in Brittany either to walk or cycle and you won't regret it!

Bayeux Tapestry

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not the only celebrities returning to the United Kingdom accompanied by public interest and provoking questions: we have also welcomed The Bayeux Tapestry. Unlike that of the Sussexes its appearance has been the subject of lengthy negotiations since 1953 when the British asked for its loan to mark Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. Finally, after years of futile diplomacy and following Brexit, President Macron and King Charles agreed that the loan of the Tapestry would strengthen ties between our two countries. Closure of the Bayeux Museum for renovation before the 1000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror gave the ideal opportunity for secure storage and display in England.

Vrai ou faux?

1. The French call The Bayeux Tapestry La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde suggesting that it was commissioned by William's wife Mathilda and possibly created in Winchester or Canterbury by Benedictine nuns at the request of Bishop Odo of Bayeux, half-brother of William. When he returned to France he took the Tapestry with him.
2. It is not correctly a tapestry but an embroidery as a tapestry is woven and traditionally hung on a wall. Its base of 9 panels is linen and the threads are wool coloured with natural dyes. The needles were probably made from bone or antler.
3. Figures include 623 men, 190 horses, 35 dogs but only 6 women.
4. It is 70 metres long and displayed in the longest display cabinet in the world.
5. It is insured while in England by the Treasury for an estimated £800 million.
6. Up to 1 million visitors are expected to see it at the British Museum.
7. There was a dummy run of its transportation via the Channel Tunnel and also its installation in the Museum.
8. Bletchley Park played a part in its preservation. During World War 2 its operators learned that the Nazis were intending to remove the Tapestry to Germany. French Resistance fighters were contacted and were able to hide it in the basement of the Louvre.
9. There is a copy of the Tapestry in Reading Museum. Viewing would be less crowded, less expensive but a lot less exciting.