Volunteering In France | Interning in France

Every Monday in Chalais there is a traditional French market which has been ongoing for centuries. The first Monday in May, together with the Erasmus and international volunteers, I set off from La Giraudière in Brossac at 09.00 on the 10 kilometre trip in order to participate in this local ritual of visiting the Monday market.

Upon arrival, to the surprise of our group of merry volunteers, there were market traders selling all that one could ever need. The narrow streets were packed with stalls laid out and displaying their goods and produce. Everything was there including clothes, fresh products, books, trinkets and costume jewelry. The noise was everywhere as people, who use the market as their weekly rendezvous, pass on their nouvelles to each other. Competing with this are the market traders trying to get your attention for their particular merchandise and fresh products.

Looking down from above us is the imposing chateau of Chalais, which has seen more Monday markets than I can imagine. Once we had finished with our market day we decided to start the climb up to the imposing castle high above the ville de Chalais. Alas upon our arrival at the famous Chateau Talleyrand, the sole working drawbridge in Europe was closed for the day.

If you like Chalais’ market then check out a Chalais Market post about it.
Or maybe you are interested in volunteering in France then visit our website at Volunteer in France.

In the mid of May, La Giraudière in Brossac invites two of the French speaking locals, Hélöise and Ludovique from Barbezieux, for dinner thus presenting a opportunity for our volunteers to learning French in France.

Peter, one of our volunteers, an American student from Boston, met them at the cowboy fete in Brossac. They got along well right away, so that the couple took the State Champion with them on a trip to Périgueux. As a rematch for the excursion, La Giraudière invited the french couple to spend an evening with the whole international group including two other French speakers who were part of the volunteering group.

That evening, Peter, who doesn’t really like cooking, had to prepare a dish. But he rode flawlessly and prepared very tasty wraps. In addition, both the guests and Muriel, our French volunteer, had prepared cakes so that it became a real French feast.

On this occasion, the international volunteers could exchange ideas with French people using their newly learned French conversation. Accompanied by a few glasses of French red wine they enjoyed practicing and perfecting their grasp of the French language.

Thanks to this invitation, the Erasmus volunteers were able to recruit some new French speaking help to support the group in the form of Hélöise. Since this dinner, the young female French entrepreneur has come every Friday to help the group translate its guide in return for English lessons.

Like to know more about how to learn french in France at La Giraudière you read more about this at Learn French in France
Or maybe you are interested in volunteering in France at La Giraudiere then to read more visit our website at Volunteer in France.

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Arrival day at La Giraudière for this American Volunteer in Brossac, France was greatly anticipated. I signed up to volunteer months ago and researched every aspect of this trip to France. Among many visits to France, I’ve checked out most of the major towns and tourist attractions but have never spent much time away from large metropolitan areas. My name is Valerie Jablonski and this year I’m seeking a different kind of adventure. I am a retired teacher from Michigan with a desire to expand my horizons. Volunteering for three weeks to take part in a cultural exchange with others from around the world is a dream come true.

After a fast TGV train from Paris to Bordeaux, the TER train to Chalais was a relaxing way to check out the countryside. The contrast of major train stations in Paris and Bordeaux was reflected in the stops in small towns with no actual station building, just a spot to wait for the train. Finally, I stepped off the train and was met by Paul, who’s vision makes this all possible.

A warm welcome and a quick car ride to La Giraudière brought me face to face with the beautiful maison de maitre I had only seen in pictures. Set in an idyllic location on the edge of town, The sense of serenity all around was very calming. Then, a flurry of introductions followed. I met three Erasmus interns from Germany, Portugal and Russia, while a fourth from Spain turned up that evening. Two other volunteers from Australia rounded out the current group.

A tour of the maison and my accommodations followed. I took time to settle into my private room in a 3 bed apartment. Despite the midday heat, it was cool and inviting. I immediately felt at home and elated to experience France from small town life, which already appears quite different than anything I’ve done before.

Conversation flowed in various languages at dinner time. I love languages! Sitting in the open air, eating lemon chicken with pasta prepared by Hugo, the German Erasmus intern, listening and speaking with everyone on every topic, introducing myself and learning about the others leant a magical beginning to my stay.

I look forward to interacting with local townspeople, taking nearby day trips and swapping stories with everyone I meet. This is my introducton to blogging, so please come back for more descriptions of the daily activities at La Giraudière through my eyes. I can’t believe I am volunteering in France! This American is beaming with joy!

Like to know more about Americans volunteering in France at La Giraudière? Read more about this in our previous post on the blog.
Or maybe you are interested in volunteering in France at La Giraudière?Then visit our website at Volunteer in France.

On a sunny Sunday in May, two football fanatics of La Giraudière, went to Chalais to watch a match of the second men’s team of FC-Sud-Charente. Paul Rice, the head of the project and Hugo Müller, a Franco-German Erasmus volunteer. On this occasion, Paul asked the officials if Hugo could join in the weekly training sessions.

The trainer accepted the Erasmus volunteer from Brossac without hesitation. The training sessions ran from mid-May until the end of the season (early June).

FC Sud-Charente, a merger of the football clubs of Brossac and Chalais, has a first and second team and many youth teams. But during the week the seniors train together.

Hugo needed a lot of skill to keep up with the boys because it’s been four years since he played in a club or competitive environment. The training sessions were quite intense, but the team did not lack any sense of humour. Most of the players were about 25 years old, so Hugo (19) was more of a younger player.

Paul offered Hugo a lift to Chalais and the players offered him a lift back to Brossac. 

Such local activities are great opportunities for any foreign volunteer to meet new people and improve their French.

Hugo enjoyed it so much that he has already decided and arranged with the responsible persons that he will participate in the training sessions again after the summer break at the beginning of August.

Like to know more about FC-Sud-Charente then visit a previous match report at FC Sud Charente. Or maybe you are interested in volunteering in France then visit our website at Volunteer in France.