French language centres in Annecy, Chambéry, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lyon, Saint-Etienne et Vichy
“Enter here, Jean Moulin, with your terrible retinue…”. In 1966, André Malraux, Minister of Culture, paid tribute to the memory of one of the greatest figures of the Resistance, Jean Moulin, assassinated by the Gestapo in Lyon. It was a landmark speech, inscribing in the national memory the sacrifice of those who opposed the Nazi occupiers. Jean Moulin, or the need to disobey.
Since 1966, the Festival de La Chaise-Dieu has attracted thousands of music lovers to the heart of the Haute-Loire highlands. The Gothic Abbey of Saint-Robert, an exceptional heritage steeped in spirituality, is said to offer astonishing acoustics to guest artists of international renown. The warm, family atmosphere, combined with the demanding program, makes for an exceptional end-of-summer experience for festival-goers.
Like Lyon’s two rivers, the Saône and Rhône, the musée des Confluences stands at the crossroads of worlds and knowledge. Heir to five centuries of collections, the futuristic architecture of this establishment offers several distinct exhibitions. From the origins of Neanderthal to the “wonders and mysteries of the living world” and the “theater of man”, the museum today questions the workings of our societies. A fascinating and scholarly visit, which is sometimes disturbing.
Cantal, Saint-Nectaire, Fourme d’Ambert, Bleu d’Auvergne, Salers, no doubt you’re in appellation d’origine contrôlée, AOP heaven. Five cheeses and three letters to guide your choice before buying a good French cheese. Here in the Auvergne, pastures retain their former quality and farmers perpetuate their ancestral know-how. Exceptional gastronomy for discerning gourmets.
