French immersion courses

French immersion courses Learn French - naturally and experience the culture of France from the beaches of Normandy to the heart of Paris Sunset Quiberon I’ve enjoyed many a glass of French wine beneath that backstage festival flag in rural Oxfordshire and heard French conversations around the picnic table from guests such as Dan ArBraz and Anglo-French folk band The Churchfitters. So it’s a real treat to finally meet Peggy on home ground in the Breton department of Morbihan. Today he and Ellen divide their time between Oxfordshire and a traditional 18 th century longhouse with lashings of period charm complemented by a bright modern extension and secluded garden. Barely half an hour from his former seaside home, Peggy’s inland pad stands in a farming hamlet so small that the address begins simply ‘Lieu dit …’ (known as). Head west for the bustling port of Lorient and east to the tranquil Ria d’Etel, a drowned riverbed with picturesque inlets and historic villages. many of whom had never met each other. Today, it’s an annual ticketed event with food and live music in the true spirit of Breton musical events or ‘festnoz’. ‘I’ve always loved the way that traditional music is part of everyday life in Brittany,’ says Peggy. ‘Kids start playing in a bagad – or pipe band – from an early age, and the music evolves as they introduce contemporary instruments like bass guitars. ‘There’s nothing like a Breton music festival and there’s a great one in Lorient every August, but sadly it’s the same weekend as Cropredy. So I bring a bit of Brittany back to Oxfordshire with me!’ www.fairportconvention.com Hear French, Experience French, Speak French! xpfrance.net ‘And we’re still close to incredible beaches like the huge arc of golden sand that stretches from Port Louis and Gâvres to the Quiberon peninsula,’ says Peggy, who happily admits to being a huge fan of Breton seafood. One of the first thing they did on arrival was organise an apéro for their new neighbours, Ria d'Etel 122 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 123