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French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Hello,
I'm indeed French, but after 13 years of expat from Korea to Egypt, from India to Uganda, I feel more "international" than French and therefore I am scared to go back to France and settle back in ... my country? Both our kids have been born abroad and have never lived in France either... We are bound to TOURS in a couple of months and, as I saw that some members are based in Tours as well, I'd love to get in touch and check with them how we can keep in touch with the "international crowd" 200km away from Paris! Any suggestion, news, info, tips are welcome as we are in the process of selecting a school and then looking for an appartment... |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by MAGELANE
(Post 10695453)
Hello,
I'm indeed French, but after 13 years of expat from Korea to Egypt, from India to Uganda, I feel more "international" than French and therefore I am scared to go back to France and settle back in ... my country? Both our kids have been born abroad and have never lived in France either... We are bound to TOURS in a couple of months and, as I saw that some members are based in Tours as well, I'd love to get in touch and check with them how we can keep in touch with the "international crowd" 200km away from Paris! Any suggestion, news, info, tips are welcome as we are in the process of selecting a school and then looking for an appartment... How old are your children? If they are of Maternelle or Primaire age, they'll go to the Ecole in your Commune (or the one designated by the Mairie if you live in Tours itself, depending on your address). AFAIK you can choose a Collège or Lycée, wherever you live. BE members in the Tours area can maybe help out with "good" and "bad" Collèges and Lycées, but I've never heard of "bad" Primaires in France. Good luck with your move back. I, too, would be apprehensive (not scared!) about returning to the UK after so long here! P.S. Have just seen your other post. Your younger will be fine in Primaire and will have time to get used to the French Education System before going up to Collège. On the other hand, your elder should do at least CM2 to avoid being thrown in at the deep end in Collège without having mastered all the French Grammar and French culture that she'll need. Even if you've been speaking French with them, you'll remember doing grammatical analysis in CM and how important it's considered! |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by MAGELANE
(Post 10695453)
Hello,
I'm indeed French, but after 13 years of expat from Korea to Egypt, from India to Uganda, I feel more "international" than French and therefore I am scared to go back to France and settle back in ... my country? Both our kids have been born abroad and have never lived in France either... We are bound to TOURS in a couple of months and, as I saw that some members are based in Tours as well, I'd love to get in touch and check with them how we can keep in touch with the "international crowd" 200km away from Paris! Any suggestion, news, info, tips are welcome as we are in the process of selecting a school and then looking for an appartment... Tours has a lot of variety in the population and a good choice of areas to live in. The university brings lots of students of various nationalities (incl USA) and also the Institut de Touraine. The hospitals also have a variety of incomers to the town and surrounding area. It also has many people who have come to Touraine from Paris when they retired for the quality of life (and cheaper housing) but still only 1 hour from Paris by TGV. There is also a comprehensive bus service and a tramway (Sept 2013). Can you share with us why you are coming to Tours and what your ideas are regarding housing? Once you have established likely areas to live then you would be able to have a closer look at schooling. We have found it surprisingly easy to live here and we have made many french friends who have made us very welcome. The local accent is also very clear which should be helpful to your children. Good luck |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by cyrian
(Post 10695880)
Hi
Tours has a lot of variety in the population and a good choice of areas to live in. The university brings lots of students of various nationalities (incl USA) and also the Institut de Touraine. The hospitals also have a variety of incomers to the town and surrounding area. It also has many people who have come to Touraine from Paris when they retired for the quality of life (and cheaper housing) but still only 1 hour from Paris by TGV. There is also a comprehensive bus service and a tramway (Sept 2013). Can you share with us why you are coming to Tours and what your ideas are regarding housing? Once you have established likely areas to live then you would be able to have a closer look at schooling. We have found it surprisingly easy to live here and we have made many french friends who have made us very welcome. The local accent is also very clear which should be helpful to your children. Good luck After 13 years abroad for the French Government they want us back to France NOW! My husband applied for jobs in different cities and will most likely be appointed to Blois. Blois looks really small, that's why we are thinking of living in Tours instead (and he will commute). I'd rather live down town (3/4bedrooms apprt), close to the school as I will be looking for a job as well. My concern is not so much French (my daughters are fluent in both langages) but finding a good school that offers a european programm or extra english classes so they don't forget the language+ have a chance to meet english native speakers... If you have any tips... let me know :-) and hopefuly you can be my first english speaking friend in Tours :-) |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by dmu
(Post 10695467)
Hi again!
How old are your children? If they are of Maternelle or Primaire age, they'll go to the Ecole in your Commune (or the one designated by the Mairie if you live in Tours itself, depending on your address). AFAIK you can choose a Collège or Lycée, wherever you live. BE members in the Tours area can maybe help out with "good" and "bad" Collèges and Lycées, but I've never heard of "bad" Primaires in France. Good luck with your move back. I, too, would be apprehensive (not scared!) about returning to the UK after so long here! P.S. Have just seen your other post. Your younger will be fine in Primaire and will have time to get used to the French Education System before going up to Collège. On the other hand, your elder should do at least CM2 to avoid being thrown in at the deep end in Collège without having mastered all the French Grammar and French culture that she'll need. Even if you've been speaking French with them, you'll remember doing grammatical analysis in CM and how important it's considered! You are right! French grammar and analysis is a must to enter college... but we have been doing that extensively... and Océane did her CP/CE2 in a French school... so that shouldn't be too difficult for her... We just have to find the right place where she will feel comfortable... and not bored... and still be able to practice her English... Tricky situation! |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by MAGELANE
(Post 10696163)
Thank you Cyrian for those comforting informations...
After 13 years abroad for the French Government they want us back to France NOW! My husband applied for jobs in different cities and will most likely be appointed to Blois. Blois looks really small, that's why we are thinking of living in Tours instead (and he will commute). I'd rather live down town (3/4bedrooms apprt), close to the school as I will be looking for a job as well. My concern is not so much French (my daughters are fluent in both langages) but finding a good school that offers a european programm or extra english classes so they don't forget the language+ have a chance to meet english native speakers... If you have any tips... let me know :-) and hopefuly you can be my first english speaking friend in Tours :-) There is a Franco-American Association and a Franco-British Association in Tours. There is an RER service between Tours and Blois. You could live in Blois and travel to Orleans or Tours by train when needed. There are loads of schools in Tours and environs. I have no experience of french schools therefore cannot advise. I am unaware of any providing special english classes and I have not come across any english speaking kids in the town. If you live centrally then you are convenient for the train but there is a lot of traffic. I think that you really need to pay a visit and have a look around before you make any decisions. If you have any specific things you need to know then I would be glad to help - I will be back in Tours from 17th May. Many years ago my wife worked for an office of the french embassy in Scotland then she moved to the university and afterwards she worked for the Alliançe Française so we came across the frequent postings of the french staff |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Hi Magelane
We live pretty much between Tours and Blois, about 40 minutes drive to either city. Although we come under Blois prefecture, we head to Tours more often. My daughter goes to the private Lycée at Chambray les Tours and there is a strong emphasis on English so the fact that she is bilingual meant she was welcomed with open arms! There is also a maternelle, ecole primaire and college there but I can't tell you anything about them, our boys are schooled in the other direction, on the way to Blois! I enjoy shopping in Tours and there is an Ikea which, sad to say, has improved my life greatly (I can't help it, I was a design grad in a previous life! ;)) There is an English association, I used to have a leaflet - not really my cup of tea, it sounded a bit too high-brow for me so I didn't persue it. I'm not a city dweller but Tours does seem to me to have a lot to offer, more so than Blois. Sue |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Dear Sue,
Believe it or not, I have been dreaming of IKEA since we moved in Cairo 2 years ago, and I saw the IKEA signs 5 minutes away from home... But I think I will leave before it ever opens! I like very much what you say about the area and the schools... I am aiming at private schools as well (St Martin and ND la Riche) as they seem to be more open to international kids! I saw in your profile that your kids are about the same age as ours... so I hope we'll meet some day! Let's keep in touch, Sophie |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Reading all your kind posts and advices, I already feel less lonely and almost eager to go back to France :-)
I sure will let you know when I come to Tours (probably early July) for a first look... Thanks again, Sophie |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
I wouldn't rule out Blois completely without at least a visit first. Ok, so it's half the size of Tours but with several major international companies (eg Delphi and Procter and Gamble) there is quite a large international scene here.
My daughter goes to http://www.smb41.fr/ mainly because it offered such a high level of international studies (amongst the best in France) and she has students in her class from all over France including Tours and Paris. |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by MAGELANE
(Post 10696477)
Reading all your kind posts and advices, I already feel less lonely and almost eager to go back to France :-)
I sure will let you know when I come to Tours (probably early July) for a first look... Thanks again, Sophie We have been here for 9 years but I remember the scary feeling of moving over, knowing no-one and with even less French plus four kids aged 7 and under :eek:, jumping straight in to run the farm. I still shudder when I think about it! Would I do it again? Yes of course I would! Sue |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Sue
Would it be you I saw with a group of kids in a toy shop in a small mall just off Place Jean Juares last year? Cyrian |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Hi Cyrian
I try to avoid toy shops, especially with kids in tow! We are rarely, if ever, in Tours en famille, so probably not. These days, if I am going to an informatique shop then they would be there in a flash. My children are now 10, 12, 14 and 16, only the youngest is shorter than me :ohmy: We probably look like a youthclub outing ;) Sue |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Magalane, If I were moving to anywhere in France it would be Tours, Angers or Nantes, and I know I would be guaranteed a great time. I left Sarthe after 15 years last summer when my son finished CM2, and miss lots of things. Tours has a great feel to it, and a big international crowd, I had a couple of girlfriends who hailed from all over and they loved living there. It's a new adventure, and I'm sure it will be an enjoyable one - you speak the language! You have employment! You will love it, best of luck:thumbup:
|
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by MillieF
(Post 10698233)
Magalane, If I were moving to anywhere in France it would be Tours, Angers or Nantes, and I know I would be guaranteed a great time. I left Sarthe after 15 years last summer when my son finished CM2, and miss lots of things. Tours has a great feel to it, and a big international crowd, I had a couple of girlfriends who hailed from all over and they loved living there. It's a new adventure, and I'm sure it will be an enjoyable one - you speak the language! You have employment! You will love it, best of luck:thumbup:
We chose Tours because it is lively - with a large student population and lots of tourists. There are regular markets of all sorts - food; flowers; bric-a-brac and flea. There is an art-house cinema with films in v.o. and a multiplex which also shows some films in english. There is an opera house and an auditorium both of which hold concerts. There is an Ikea (apologies to BW or TP which ever of you objects to this word). There are over 100 restaurants from tourist menus to Michelin. You have access to TGV and TER lines and are only 1 hour from Paris. Good luck with your choice. |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Institution Notre Dame La Riche is opening an International class in the primary school! Check out the website ndlr.fr
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Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by cyrian
(Post 10698251)
I agree.
We chose Tours because it is lively - with a large student population and lots of tourists. There are regular markets of all sorts - food; flowers; bric-a-brac and flea. There is an art-house cinema with films in v.o. and a multiplex which also shows some films in english. There is an opera house and an auditorium both of which hold concerts. There is an Ikea (apologies to BW or TP which ever of you objects to this word). There are over 100 restaurants from tourist menus to Michelin. You have access to TGV and TER lines and are only 1 hour from Paris. Good luck with your choice. |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
I'm actually the teacher for the International class so please do not hesitate in contacting me for further information.
Bethan |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by MAGELANE
(Post 10698334)
Thanks Cyrian... let's meet in one of the 100 retaurants then... :thumbsup:
Unfortunately, we are not in Tours early July. We get back on 15th July. |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by Befun
(Post 10698274)
Institution Notre Dame La Riche is opening an International class in the primary school! Check out the website ndlr.fr
I just found out myself and sent a message immediately... but it seems that, luckily for you,every one is off until next week! Otherwise, do you know the school? It sounds like a very good school... Thanks again, Sophie PS: Do you live in Tours as well? |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by Befun
(Post 10698356)
I'm actually the teacher for the International class so please do not hesitate in contacting me for further information.
Bethan As I said I emailed the school yesterday, but if you don't mind, I will get in touch with you in mp. Thank you SO much! |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Hi
Of course you can pm me! I'm really excited about this new class and SO looking forward to welcoming children from all over the world into our school! |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by cyrian
(Post 10698446)
I would be very happy to do that.
Unfortunately, we are not in Tours early July. We get back on 15th July. |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Befun, if you will pardon my ignorance, what exactly is an International school as opposed to a normal one? At the college my boys attend, there are pupils from all over France and some Dutch, possibly other nationalities too as there are boarders, in addition to our two English boys! They are linked to Shanghai and San Fransisco (I think).
We send them there because we didn't like the more local college. We didn't actually chose this area, this was the first farm offered to us and it ticked all the boxes and more besides - I doubt we could have done better :) |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by L'Acajou
(Post 10699683)
Befun, if you will pardon my ignorance, what exactly is an International school as opposed to a normal one? At the college my boys attend, there are pupils from all over France and some Dutch, possibly other nationalities too as there are boarders, in addition to our two English boys! They are linked to Shanghai and San Fransisco (I think).
We send them there because we didn't like the more local college. We didn't actually chose this area, this was the first farm offered to us and it ticked all the boxes and more besides - I doubt we could have done better :) Quote "Institution Notre Dame La Riche is opening an International class in the primary school! Check out the website ndlr.fr" But just out of nosiness it would be interesting to learn the objectives of the class:) |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by L'Acajou
(Post 10699683)
Befun, if you will pardon my ignorance, what exactly is an International school as opposed to a normal one? At the college my boys attend, there are pupils from all over France and some Dutch, possibly other nationalities too as there are boarders, in addition to our two English boys! They are linked to Shanghai and San Fransisco (I think).
We send them there because we didn't like the more local college. We didn't actually chose this area, this was the first farm offered to us and it ticked all the boxes and more besides - I doubt we could have done better :) |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Hi all! Thank you for your interest in the International class! The main objective of the class is to provide English speaking children with an education through the medium of English whilst also developing their French language skills. Each child will have a different "international profile" : some will have French parents but have lived abroad, some will, have an English parent and are therefore bilingual, some will have English parents with very little knowledge of the French language, some will have non Anglophone parents but have learnt English in school...etc. Children arriving in France after having an International experience sometimes find it difficult "fitting" into the French education system. My class would ensure a 'smooth landing' and an understanding of their situation. Some children may also only be in France for a short time and wish to continue their education in English. The curriculum will be based on my knowledge of the English National curriculum and the French national curriculum and I will use teaching methods commonly used in British schools. Our long term objectives are to lead these pupils up to pass internationally recognised exams at the Institution's High school. The main thing is that the pupils have a happy and positive learning experience. I hope I have answered some of your questions! Remember to check out www.ndlr.fr for additional information about the Institution!!
|
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by Befun
(Post 10702790)
Hi all! Thank you for your interest in the International class! The main objective of the class is to provide English speaking children with an education through the medium of English whilst also developing their French language skills. Each child will have a different "international profile" : some will have French parents but have lived abroad, some will, have an English parent and are therefore bilingual, some will have English parents with very little knowledge of the French language, some will have non Anglophone parents but have learnt English in school...etc. Children arriving in France after having an International experience sometimes find it difficult "fitting" into the French education system. My class would ensure a 'smooth landing' and an understanding of their situation. Some children may also only be in France for a short time and wish to continue their education in English. The curriculum will be based on my knowledge of the English National curriculum and the French national curriculum and I will use teaching methods commonly used in British schools. Our long term objectives are to lead these pupils up to pass internationally recognised exams at the Institution's High school. The main thing is that the pupils have a happy and positive learning experience. I hope I have answered some of your questions! Remember to check out www.ndlr.fr for additional information about the Institution!!
A great initiative! I aù so happy I found you and the international class! |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Also a massive bonus of Tours: once a year, there is a garlic & basil "fete" - think it's mid-july.
It is AMAZING and the whole old-tours smells ridiculously mouth-watering. Worth living there just for that once-a-year event!! :thumbsup: |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by MrsK
(Post 10731265)
Also a massive bonus of Tours: once a year, there is a garlic & basil "fete" - think it's mid-july.
It is AMAZING and the whole old-tours smells ridiculously mouth-watering. Worth living there just for that once-a-year event!! :thumbsup: The 26th July the whole town centre is closed for garlic. |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
:thumbsup:
|
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by cyrian
(Post 10731341)
http://www.loireavelo.fr/agenda/foir...6-juillet-2013
The 26th July the whole town centre is closed for garlic. Thanks :thumbsup: |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by L'Acajou
(Post 10732631)
Well I didn't know that! I will definitely be heading into Tours for that one!
Thanks :thumbsup: Arrive early - parking is difficult.:thumbsup: |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
I have given up parking in Tours centre, since they started digging up the roads for the tram! I park at St Pierre des Corps and take a bus, it is far less stressful :thumbup:
Sue |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Hello,
I am posting hoping the original poster (Magelane) is still around... It happens that we are in the same kind of situation as her: French family having lived abroad all their lives and coming to live in France. We are relocating between Tours and Le Mans and would love to meet the anglophone community in the area. From what I have gathered so far, it is more around Tours...? Are there any clubs/social meetings? I have read about the bilingual school and it seems fantastic, it would be exactly what our kids would need. Unfortunately the school run would be a tad too long...! But we are prepared to drive to Tours occasionally to meet english speaking families as we would very much like our children to keep speaking the language. Any suggestion/pointers in where to look would be welcomed. I am thinking about contacting Befun as well... If you are around, would you be OK with this Befun? Thank you all! |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
I'm scared to go back to London. No-one speaks English there any more!
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Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by InVinoVeritas
(Post 11200113)
I'm scared to go back to London. No-one speaks English there any more!
|
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
hello Timlutin,
This is Magelane, finally. I am indeed still around... but not scared anymore...:D The process has been a little painfull but hopefully I have made good friends... many of them foreigners or... ex-expats! The two best things that happened to us here are without any doubts the primary school where my youngest daughter is going (great bilingual programm with many international kids) and the "melting pot 37", a group of anglophon expats, French from aboad or just English language lovers, who meets once every other months or so to chat, have diner, exchange good tips or just enjoy a great moment! We meet at restaurants, at members house, sometimes with kids, sometimes without... it is very relaxed and never boring! Also to help new comers, I designed a page on Facebook "expats in Tours" where you can find some information and post all your questions. Please feel free to join... Hope that will help? Befun is the one who introduced me to the school Saint Agnes and.. she became my daughter teacher! She is a great, great, great lady :thumbsup: who is doing a tremendous job with our kids at school. Don't hesitate to get in touch with her... How old are your kids? Where are you coming from? Lets keep in touch(SNIP) and feel free to ask any question... have been there... know the feeling! Sophie
Originally Posted by Timlutin
(Post 11200043)
Hello,
I am posting hoping the original poster (Magelane) is still around... It happens that we are in the same kind of situation as her: French family having lived abroad all their lives and coming to live in France. We are relocating between Tours and Le Mans and would love to meet the anglophone community in the area. From what I have gathered so far, it is more around Tours...? Are there any clubs/social meetings? I have read about the bilingual school and it seems fantastic, it would be exactly what our kids would need. Unfortunately the school run would be a tad too long...! But we are prepared to drive to Tours occasionally to meet english speaking families as we would very much like our children to keep speaking the language. Any suggestion/pointers in where to look would be welcomed. I am thinking about contacting Befun as well... If you are around, would you be OK with this Befun? Thank you all! |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Originally Posted by L'Acajou
(Post 10738707)
I have given up parking in Tours centre, since they started digging up the roads for the tram! I park at St Pierre des Corps and take a bus, it is far less stressful :thumbup:
Sue |
Re: French girl scared to go back to TOURS FRANCE
Hi Sophie, thank you so much for coming back to me! :thumbsup:
At the moment we are living in Surrey, my kids are 10 (year 5), 8 (year 3) and 5 (reception). They were all born here. The older two are not so happy about the move (as you would expect), the little one is quite excited actually... I am not such a Facebook fan (yes I am one of those, sorry) but I might join "expats in Tours", it will certainly come in handy ;) : like you, we have never lived in France (grew up there and left 15 years ago) so there are lots of things to go through, from the CPAM to car registration! I would love to keep in touch and learn more about "melting pot 37"... I will also try and get in touch with Befun as well. Her school seems perfect but as already mentioned is 40 minutes from where we will be living so not really an option. We will do our best to maintain the kids English one way or another: meeting with other anglophone families would already be great. Thanks again for you reply :starsmile: |
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