Sunday 25 September 2011

Did you know that the TGV, train à grande vitesse, celebrates its 30th anniversary this month?

The first TGV ( fast train) ran between Paris and Lyon for the first time on 27th September 1981.
There are 800 TGV per day, stopping at 230 stations.
It goes at an average speed of 320km per hour!
In 2010, 98,5 million passengers had taken the TGV in France; 1,7 billion in France and Europe.
For more info, have a look at the site below:
http://www.leparisien.fr/voyages/30-ans-du-tgv-les-chiffres-et-dates-cles-21-09-2011-1620154.php
Don't forget you can learn more about France if you join one of our French courses, for more info...

If you live in Bristol or Bath and you have a child learning French at secondary school, why not think of the Student Exchange between Bristol and Bordeaux? Meeting at the council house in Bristol on Wednesday, 28th September: For more info...

Sunday 18 September 2011

Do you know what Les journées du Patrimoine are?

Les journées du Patrimoine ( open days to show the French heritage) take place every year on the 3rd weekend in September. They are taking place this weekend. It gives the opportunity to the public to see monuments and sites which are not usually open to the public and the visits are free.
In Paris, you can see Le palais de l'Elysée, where the president works and lives, l'Hôtel de ville: the townhall, Le Palais Garnier: the opera house, and a lot more.
In Bordeaux, you can visit Le grand Théâtre; in Aix en Provence, you can go to some monuments and sites where Cézanne worked and in Nice you can discover La grotte du Lazaret: a prehistoric cave overlooking the sea.
And of course these open days are happening all over France.
We are still enrolling for this academic year so why not come and meet some French tutors at Alliance Française de Bristol et Bath: for more info...

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Do you know the French vocabulary for the rugby world cup?

Come to French lessons with Alliance Française de Bristol or Bath and you 'll find out.
You can come and meet us in Bristol on Saturday, September 17th in the foyer of the Central Library, College Green, between 10 am and 2pm: for more info...

What is in French?
The rugby world cup: la coupe du monde de rugby
A team: une équipe
A goal: un but
A player: un joueur
The rugby ball: le ballon oval
The referee: l'arbitre
A try: un essai
To convert a try: transformer un essai
A penalty: un but sur pénalité
A drop-goal: un drop

Sunday 11 September 2011

Time to enrol for French lessons with Alliance Française in Bristol and in Bath!

Come for enrolment at:
Henleaze Library, Northumbria Drive ( opposite Waitrose) in Bristol on Monday 12th September between 7.30pm and 9pm.
Or at:
St John's Parish Church, South Parade ( near Police Station) in Bath on Monday, 12th September, between 7.30pm and 9pm.
Have a look at our website for the French classes we offer: group lessons, drama and cookery workshops and more, for more info...

Schools have started again in France too, it is called la rentrée, children go and buy their school equipment (les fournitures) as exercise books and text books are not provided by schools.
A new pencil case ( une trousse) as well as a new satchel (un cartable) with the latest designs are very tempting! A homework notebook (Un cahier de textes) is a must and exercise book covers (des protège-cahiers ) of different colours for different subjects have to be bought according to the teachers' recommendations. But no uniforms, ( pas d'uniformes).
Bon courage à tout le monde!

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Do come for a chat to find out about our day and evening French classes in Bristol and in Bath!


Some French tutors for Alliance Française de Bristol et de Bath will be available to talk to you about our French tuition at:

Clifton Library, Princess Victoria Street, Bristol on Saturday, 10th September between 10 am and 1pm.

The Farmers’ market, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath on Saturday, 10th September, between 9am and 2pm.

If you can't come then, there are other opportunities to meet our French tutors in Bristol, for more info...

Or in Bath, for more info...


Saturday 3 September 2011

What about a bit of a refresher with the subjunctive before resuming French classes this September?

Suzanne, taking French tuition with Alliance Française de Bristol wrote this poem with her French tutor, Jocelyne:

Ecologie…au Subjonctif!


Tout le monde veut que nous puissions prendre
Tout ce que nous voulons,
Mais je doute que nous ayons besoin
D’utiliser autant.

Je regrette que nous supposions que la terre
Va durer sans arrêt.
Je crains qu’elle ne comprenne pas
Les dégâts que nous lui avons faits.

Malgré que les ressources naturelles
Ne soient pas illimitées.
Nous exigeons de plus en plus
Nous n’essayons pas d’elles sauver.

Il faut que nous nous réveillions maintenant
Et arrêtions d’être si gourmands.
Jusqu’à ce que nous respections la planète,
Nous trouverons la vie stressante !

If you wish to revise some grammar, improve your spoken French or your listening skills or start from the very beginning, now is the time to join one of our French classes, for more info...