French language centres in Biarritz, Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Pau, Poitiers et Royan
Sixteenth-century writer and moralist Michel de Montaigne is a key figure in contemporary thought. Tolerant, the author of the Essais invites us not to judge others by what we are. An Epicurean, he invites us to love life as it is. A wiser man, he asks us not to take ourselves too seriously : “our occupations are comical”, and to remain free : “we must lend ourselves to others and give ourselves to ourselves”. Appointed mayor of Bordeaux in 1581, he proved to be a shrewd politician.
If you’re a fan of quality popular music, get yourself a ticket for La Rochelle. For more than 40 years, in mid-July, les Francofolies have been helping young talent forge a future for themselves, while established artists remind fans of the sixties. Realistic songs, pop melodies, rock fury, rap rebellion or techno rhythms, the palette is wide and testifies to the dynamism of French song of the 2020s.
Dionysos deserved a showcase worthy of its renown. This was achieved on May 31, 2016, when French President François Hollande inaugurated a 13,000 m² building dedicated to the vine, its trades, its commerce and its culture. And to host this futuristic architecture, what could be more natural than to choose Bordeaux, a city whose wines are world-renowned. On the 7th floor, the panoramic restaurant allows visitors to savour the flavour of a sunset over the Garonne.
First, the ocean. Spiders, anchovies, lobsters, crabs, Atlantic fishing provides a wide variety of products. Cod cooked Biscay style with tomatoes and peppers is a real treat. Then the land. Bayonne ham, shaped in the farms of Béarn and cured by the foehn, the southerly wind that sweeps down the Pyrenees, is undoubtedly the most famous Basque product. Finally, as in every French region, don’t forget the cheese : here’s the particularly fruity ossau-iraty.
