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Archive for the ‘Miscellaneous’ Category

For Aix-based Bookworms

Posted in Book, Event, Miscellaneous on September 5, 2018| Leave a Comment »

…or rats du bibliotheque as the French call us!  If you are impatiently waiting to listen to Nobel prize-winner Orhan Pamuk at the Fete du Livre (https://aixcentric.com/2018/09/01/aix-fete-du-livre-and-journees-du-patrimoine/), you may be interested to know that there is a free talk, on his rapport with his home city of Istanbul, at 18:30 on 19th September, at the Cité du Livres in Aix.  In French. Thanks to Caroline for this info.

September sees the rentrée for the Book-in-Bar bookgroup who will be discussing ‘The Keeper of Lost Things’ by Ruth Hogan: this is her first novel and  has been warmly welcomed for its touching and funny narrative.  At Book-in-Bar, rue Joseph Cabassol, Aix, 27th September, 17:30.

And finally, the new James Bond novel is out – and it’s set in Marseille!  Bond has to contend with, ‘a tremendously corpulent Corsican drug-dealer named Scipio. “I have total control here in Marseille,” he announces villainously. “The port, the city, the police, the justice system? It is all mine!”’. (See Guardian review: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/23/forever-and-a-day-anthony-horowitz-review).  ‘Forever and a Day’ is by Anthony Horowitz, currently just in hardback.

 

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La Rentrée 2018

Posted in Miscellaneous on August 30, 2018| 5 Comments »

As the all the holidaymakers head back north from Provence and the locals settle back into their routines with the little ones going back to school on Monday, it’s time to dust down Aixcentric and get blogging again.

It seems like I’ve missed lots this summer – in particular Madonna rocking up at Chateau La Coste. (more…)

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Time for Rest and Summer Sunshine

Posted in Miscellaneous on July 2, 2018| 4 Comments »

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Marseille – Tomorrow Canebiere Pedestrianised

Posted in Miscellaneous on June 23, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Just a reminder that tomorrow, being the last Sunday of the month, La Canebiere will be traffic-free.  And once you have enjoyed some music, dancing, street food and browsed the market, it’s a good opportunity to explore paintings from Glasgow’s Burrell Collection at the Musée Cantini (next post) or the impressive Ai Weiwei expo at MuCEM.

 

 

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A Flexible Approach to Learning French this Summer

Posted in Miscellaneous on June 10, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Here is some information from two French teachers who have moved from the classroom approach in favour of walking round Aix, visiting the markets, having lunch together, all the time having French a conversation – with notes of new vocabulary being emailed to you later.  I’m guessing that variations of the word ‘travaux’ will figure largely in these notes this summer, but Fabienne and Chantal of Destination Francais have been running these courses for years and I’m sure will side-step  all those holes in the ground! 

This is what they offer:

 French classes for children: -communicative French classes based on fun activities, songs, games, role plays and oral activities.

French classes for adults – communicative French structured classes based on oral grammar and vocabulary activities, observation, role plays and discussions; our unique contextual classes take place in town for practical French (market, shopping, post office…) or for cultural French (art gallery, museums…).

The classes can take place at your place if you live in the centre of Aix or outside Aix  (extra travelling expenses)  or in a nice quiet tea room in centre ville

Prices: Private classes: 30 euros per hour ; Duo classes : 25 euros per hour per person; Group classes: 15 euros per hour per person. 

French for travellers – Would you like to learn French for daily use while travelling in France? Are you interested in learning how to speak French politely without making any faux pas?  Practical French for use in town: polite expressions / shopping/ payment/ directions (asking for one’s way in town) / timetables (understanding bus time tables, taking the bus) / renting  a car…

A table:  Ordering at the restaurant/ understanding a menu/ booking a table/ making claims/ the tip/ the payment

Included: a bilingual  practical French/ English booklet with information with all the elements met during the tour.

Prices:

French for travellers: From 9h30 to 12h30 or from 14h to 17h : 70 euros per pax for a private tour; From 2 persons: 60 euros

A table: Time to be discussed; 30 euros  per pax (lunch not included) from 4 persons; From 1 to 3 persons: 40 euros

Contact Fabienne and Chantal

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Aix — Coté Sud Design Show

Posted in Event, Miscellaneous, News, Shopping on June 6, 2018| 2 Comments »

A heads-up that this annual design extravaganza will be taking place in Aix’s Parc Jourdan this weekend.  Over 260 exhibitors will be showing furnishing, fabrics, lighting, brocante, kitchen items, tableware, and all sorts of inspiration for the house and garden.  Also:

  • Special products designed to celebrate this 20 year anniversary
  • ‘La Cuisine en Transmission’ – sessions from leading chefs describing the inspiration they have had from their families and the recipes passed down the generations
  • ‘Coaching Deco’ – 20 min workshops given by stylists who advise on how to ‘reinvent your home’.  Or you can book an individual 1-hr slot for 90€
  • Friday night is late-night (until 23:30) when the whole site will be illuminated – you could dine here too.

Details here: DP-VCS AIX-MARS 2018

 

 

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Aix- Very Unusual Weather

Posted in Miscellaneous, News, tagged on June 6, 2018| 2 Comments »

The one good thing about all this rain in Aix, said the local TV news, is the unusually lush green vegetation and the superb swathes of poppies in the fields right now.

According to Meteo France, Pays d’Aix has had nearly 30cm of rain in the last 3 months, something not seen since records began 60 years ago.  It’s double the normal amount with 31 days of rain. (more…)

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