CULTURE, DANCE, DRAMA, MUSIC AND THE ARTS
Is there an English-speaking arts or cultural organization not yet listed here, but catering to the British Community where you live in France? If so, we’d like to hear from them. Why not ask their Chairman or a committee member to contact the British Community Committee by e-mailing us on britishinfrance@gmail.com
Association France – Grande-Bretagne
The Association, formed in 1916 to promote exchanges between France and the UK, generally emphasizes Franco-British co-operation. It organises lectures and debates and arranges group tariffs for visits to British cultural events.
President - Jean-Marie Le Breton, former ambassador
Honorary Secretary - Laurence Peyraut-Berthier
Information - Gérard Hocmard
02 38 62 06 51
Secretary - Mrs Dominique Letellier
c/o Barclays, 24 avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris
01 44 17 89 70
01 45 00 89 70 fax
01 55 78 71 71 messages
www.france-grandebretagne.org
Association Franco-Ecossaise
The Paris Branch of the Franco-Scottish Society was founded in 1895. Its aims are to promote good relations between Scotland and France, principally by the exchange of goodwill visits, lectures, research work in the historical and cultural, as well as economic, relationship between the two countries, etc., and to welcome Scottish students.
Honorary President - Georges Dickson OBE
President - Jacques Leruez CBE
65 rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris
Information - Pierre de Baecker
Catherine Valaster
01 42 22 30 78
www.franco-ecossaise.asso.fr
The British and Commonwealth Women’s Association
The BCWA was founded in 1962 and has clubrooms conveniently located near to the Etoile. There is an extensive library of English books. Lunch is served Monday to Friday inclusive.
Hours of opening: Monday to Friday, 10.30 am – 3.00 pm.
The BCWA offers both cultural and social activities in and around Paris. These range from guided museum visits to group activities. Full details can be found in the monthly newsletter or on our website.
157 rue du Faubourg St. Honoré, 75008 Paris
01 47 20 50 91
www.bcwa.org
The Caledonian Society of France
The Society was founded in 1922 originally with a view to bringing together Scots in France. Its main activities are centred around the celebration of St. Andrew’s Day in late November/early December, and of Burns’ Night, held as close as possible to January 25th. Another regular feature is the ‘Afternoon of Scottish Music & Dancing’ held in the Shakespeare Garden (Bois de Boulogne) on May Day. The Society also organises ceilidhs on an occasional basis in order to support deserving charities based in Scotland.
Anyone, whether Scots-born or not, who has an interest in the preservation of Scottish culture and traditions, may apply for membership.
President - George P Mutch
25 rue Castagnary, 75015 Paris
01 48 28 38 69
Secretary - Margaret Mandron
18 rue de la Grange-Batelière, 75009 Paris
01 47 70 67 71
www.caledonian-society-france.org
The English-Speaking Union France
This international organisation (55 member countries) has its headquarters at Dartmouth House, London W1. The worldwide President is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Its aim is to build worldwide understanding and trust using English as a shared language. ESU France has branches in Paris, Anjou, Strasbourg and Bordeaux. The Honorary President of the French Branch is Monsieur Pierre-Christian Taittinger. Anyone interested in joining and coming to the meetings (talks, excursions, dinners featuring a speaker) may write for information to: The English Speaking Union France.
National President - Béatrix de Montgermont-Kei
21 rue Michel Ange, 75016 Paris
01 46 51 55 24
www.esu.org/branches/branch.asp?b=611
Paris President - Luce Loussouarn
8 villa de Ségur, 75007 Paris
ljloussouarn@free.fr
www.esu.org/branches/branch.asp?b=666
Loire Valley President - Margaret Coleman
53, Grande rue, 49400 Saumur
02 41 38 54 24
www.esu-loire-valley.fr/
Bordeaux President - Florence Cartigny
24 rue d’Audenge, 33000 Bordeaux
06 10 10 48 51
Strasbourg President - Erik Harremocs
4 rue de l’Ablette, 67000 Strasbourg
03 88 31 64 03
www.esu.org/branches/branch.asp?b=667
The Paris Welsh Society - Cymdeithas Cymry Paris
The Society was founded in 1890 to foster knowledge of Wales, its language and culture, and to celebrate Welsh anniversaries. The annual Noson Gwyl Ddewi Sant/St. David’s Day celebration is held on the nearest Saturday to 1st March with entertainment by Welsh artists, and an Owain Glyndwr evening is held in late September with a lecture by a guest speaker from Wales. Lunches and several other events pertaining to Wales are organised during the year. There is also a regular pub evening, and a Welsh-speaking group meets once a month. There are several non-Welsh members in the Society, and all are welcome who are interested in Wales. Croeso i bawb sydd â diddordeb yng Nghymru a’r Gymraeg.
President - Sioned Harper
01 44 18 35 34
sioned.harper@yahoo.com
www.pariswelshsociety.org
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
ABRSM is the world's leading provider of music exams and assessments. Each year over 630,000 candidates take our exams in more than 90 countries around the world. ABRSM also runs professional development courses, workshops and seminars for teachers and publishes a wide range of supporting music books and CDs.
Practical graded examinations at all levels, with no age limit, are held in Paris three times each year (March, May and December) at the British School of Paris. These exams are open to all. Theory examinations are held three times a year.
Syllabi, fees lists and entry forms are available from:
Mr Steven Calvert
British School of Paris
38 quai de l’Ecluse, 78290 Croissy-sur-Seine
01 34 80 45 94
06 15 65 36 73
steve.calvert@britishschool.fr
www.abrsm.org
Dear Conjunction Theatre Company
Dear Conjunction (see Shakespeare's Henry V, Act V) has produced over 40 plays ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan, through Molière to Pinter and Beckett since it was founded in 1991. The company is composed of bilingual, professional actors, directors and writers, resident in Paris. Their aim is to present plays in English and in French, using essentially the same actors in both languages. For the last seven years the company has been performing at the Sudden Theatre (Paris 18e), and touring in France and Europe. It organises rehearsed play and poetry readings, and can be commissioned for specific events and special occasions (like Remembrance Day, Christmas, etc.)
Les Clack
01 42 85 09 57
dearconjunction@wanadoo.fr
www.dearconjunction-paris-theatre.com
Royal School of Church Music, France
The RSCM is an educational charity committed to enabling the best use of music in worship, in church life, and in the wider community. Its mission is to serve the needs of its affiliated members and the wider Church, to develop first-class resources, and to continue to train and educate musicians and clergy to make best use of music in worship. It is an open, life-long learning organization, offering direct and indirect education and training through its programmes, published resources, courses, and activities. With over 8,000 affiliates, members and friends in over 40 countries, it is a truly international network, encouraged by over 600 volunteers, and supported by a small staff based in the UK.
Inaugurated as the School of English Church Music (SECM) at Westminster Abbey on 6 December 1927, the SECM became the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in 1945, by command of King George VI.
Now based at Sarum College in Salisbury Cathedral Close, the RSCM offers core programmes in singing, church music skills, and music in worship. The courses are non-residential, and are ecumenical in purpose, nature and content. The RSCM is now seeking to enlarge its mission geographically and is currently establishing effective national RSCM bodies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA, and now France.
Churches, schools and individuals may all become members of the RSCM (subject to acceptance). Membership gives access to the considerable resources of the RSCM including its regular publications, its training schemes for singers and musicians, and a valuable discount on all RSCM publications.
President John Crothers
01 40 95 13 05
john_crothers@hotmail.com
The English Cathedral Choir of Paris
The Choir was founded by counter-tenor and former Salisbury Cathedral chorister Christopher Wells under the patronage of Sir David Willcocks. The Choir sets out to promote English cathedral music and train children to sing the repertoire of English trebles. They are backed by altos, tenors and basses, some of whom have been cathedral choristers in England and/or sung in Oxford and Cambridge college choirs. The Choir sings on French radio and TV, and frequently tours France singing in music festivals, religious ceremonies and particularly in its home parish of St Denys du St Sacrement in the Marais, where rehearsals are on Saturdays. The children come from various schools in and around Paris and membership of the Choir in no way interferes with their normal school curriculum.
Odile and Christopher Wells
01 42 72 73 76
pepysmusic@hotmail.com
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Paris Branch
The Paris Branch of the Society was created in 1984 in order to promote Scottish Country Dancing and to offer the opportunity to learn and practise Scottish Country Dances in France. The Branch organises classes; half-day schools for beginners, intermediate or advanced dancers. There is a dance every Monday night from 8 to 10 pm, and occasionally a ball on Friday or Saturday night. Everybody is warmly welcome.
Mme Jean Dardet
01 45 27 82 31
secretary@rscdsparis.org
www.rscdsparis.org
Paris Decorative and Fine Arts Society (PADFAS)
The Paris Society, a Member Society of NADFAS (UK), offers a series of 8 monthly lectures which are held on Thursday afternoons in the Théâtre Le Ranelagh, 5 rue des Vignes, 75016 Paris. These lectures, illustrated by slides, cover major art exhibitions in Paris as well as general fine arts subjects, and are given by experts of international reputation. The lectures are followed by light refreshments to allow members to meet and enjoy each other’s company. In addition, there are occasional private visits to museums and places of particular artistic interest, many of which are not normally accessible to the general public, musical evenings encouraging young musicians, special day outings in or around Paris, and a two/three day trip in the spring to explore an interesting area further afield. The annual subscription, which includes all lectures, is €80 or €140 for a couple. To receive a programme or further information, please contact:
Marie-Hélène Magnol (General Secretary)
01 46 02 26 25
metiers.musiquer@wanadoo.fr
www.padfas.com
Honorary Secretary: Douglas Wells
douglas.wells@free.fr
Royal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance exists to promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally.
The Academy is a worldwide educational, examining and membership organisation founded in 1920 to advance the standard of teaching in classical ballet.
With over 17,000 members, the Academy’s influence has spread to over 80 countries and its operations are supported by a network of international offices and representatives. Our Registered Teachers provide standards of excellence in ballet and dance teaching, entering some 175,000 students of all ages and abilities worldwide.
For information about the Academy’s work in France, and for names of Registered Teachers in France, please contact the Administrator for France and the Benelux:
Mme Jacqueline Spence
21 cité Joseph Bech, L-6186 Gonderange, Luxembourg
(+352) 787 225
(+352) 787 217fax
J_Spence@compuserve.com
The International Players
This amateur theatre group has been active in the west of Paris for 28 years, putting on two English-language productions of a high standard each year, which cover a range of very different styles – from musicals and pantomimes to serious plays and comedies – including very successful productions of a pantomime “Sleeping Beauty” and “Dancing at Lughnasa” in 2006, “Oklahoma!” and “Roleplay” in 2007, and “April in Paris”, “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole” in 2008-9 and “The Lady in the Van” in 2010.
The International Players are an energetic, friendly group of over 80 members from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and France. There are members of all ages with a variety of talents from acting and singing to designing sets and costumes.
The group rehearses and performs mainly in St-Germain-en-Laye and Le Pecq. New members are always welcome, even if in France for a short time.
International Players, Maison des Associations
Chairman - Linda Langford Powell
3 rue de la République, 78100 St-Germain-en-Laye
chair@internationalplayers.co.uk
www.internationalplayers.co.uk
The Open University
Britain’s largest university, with about 200,000 students a year, offers a wide range of courses to be studied individually or within programmes leading to recognised qualifications such as BA, BSc, LLB, MBA, MA and MSc. All courses are taught in English using the Open University’s proven method of supported distance learning.
Rosemary Pearson
01 47 58 53 73
01 47 58 55 25 fax
france@open.ac.uk (Quote reference FRKAAA)
www.open.ac.uk
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge offers on-the-ground support to non-professional theatrical groups from outside France bringing English language theatre to Paris.
While our objectives permit us to offer such support to any such groups, our priority is giving practical assistance to the Tower Theatre Company, who come to Paris every summer to present a Shakespeare play in the open-air Théatre de Verdure du Jardin Shakespeare at the Pré Catelan in the Bois de Boulogne.
Information - Robin Baker
01 45 20 67 30
chairman@towerbridge.fr
www.towerbridge.fr
British Council
The British Council is the international cultural relations agency for the United Kingdom. We work in the following areas in France:
Arts: We organise, every year, artistic events with our partners throughout France.
Education: We develop partnerships and exchanges with education professionals in France and the UK, and we help French students obtain information on studying in the UK through our dedicated website www.educationuk.fr
Science & Society: We support Franco-British innovation by facilitating scientific exchanges and the creation of networks of researchers. For the wider public, we organise events presenting the latest scientific discoveries aiming specially at younger audiences.
English exams: We run the following exams:
- IELTS for admission to English speaking Universities
- BULATS to test your level of professional English
- Cambridge exams (YLE, KET, PET, FEC, CAE, CPE, BECs) to obtain a diploma valid for life
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English classes at the Young Learners Centre: we teach English to children and teenagers aged 5 to 17 years through our English as a Foreign Language section and in our Bilingual section during the school year and school holidays. We also run specialised courses for primary teachers of English.
9 rue de Constantine, 75340 Paris Cedex
07 01 49 55 73 00
www.educationuk.fr
www.britishcouncil.fr
The University of London Institute in Paris
The University of London Institute in Paris is part of the world-famous University of London, and the only British University where English-speaking students can study French and literature in French and in France. We offer a three-year University of London BA in French Studies and an MA in Paris Studies.
9-11 rue de Constantine, 75340 Paris Cedex 07
01 44 11 73 83
01 44 11 73 76
french@ulip.lon.ac.uk
www.ulip.lon.ac.uk
The British School of Paris
The British School of Paris (BSP), a non-selective co-educational school, proudly provides quality British education for students, aged 3 to 18 years, from all over the world. The BSP, founded in 1954, is situated in the picturesque suburb of Croissy-sur-Seine, 25 minutes from Paris.
The BSP offers an extensive range of academic, cultural and sporting opportunities for each of its students. The Junior and Senior Schools are situated alongside each other on the leafy banks of the river Seine.
The cacademic programme is largely based on the English National Curriculum adapted to the special circumtances of the international clientele. The School embraces the high degree of flexibility within its well-balanced curriculum. Being a holistic educator the BSP has a strong extra-curricular base with a special focus on music and drama as well as a large variety of sports. The school strives to build strength in mind and body in all members of the community, Validus, Corpore, Animoque being the sub-text in its logo.
Senior School
38 quai de l’Ecluse, 78290 Croissy-sur-Seine
01 34 80 45 90
Junior School
2 rue Hans List, 78290 Croissy-sur-Seine
01 34 80 45 90
Registrar
01 34 80 45 96
registrar@britishschool.fr
www.britishschool.fr
Normandy
Amicale Culturelle Européenne
The association was formed in Basse-Normandie in 1996 under the law of 1901. Its aim is to promote friendship amongst British residents in Normandy and to encourage them to integrate with French and other European nationals living in the area.
To this end, ACE promotes classical concerts with British artists, and organises monthly events: visits to museums, one or several days’ leisure excursions, country walks, trips to other places of interest, and occasional luncheons.
President - Ron Dinsdale
5 La Durandière, 50150 Brouains
ronald.dinsdale@orange.fr
Information - Tom Hegarty
La Noblerie, 50560 Blainville-sur-Mer
hegarty.thomas@wanadoo.fr
Rhône-Alpes
Association France – Grande-Bretagne – Lyon & Rhône
The Lyon & Rhône branch of the Association France – Grande-Bretagne now has around 150 members. It offers a wide range of activities including talks by visiting speakers, a book circle, English-speaking luncheons and restaurant evenings, cinema outings to see films in English and a video club, conversation groups, activities specifically for younger members, trips to the U.K., and group bookings for cultural events, concerts, theatre and exhibitions of a British nature. A new activity: poetry evenings. Full details of our programme can be found on our website.
President - Margaret Marret
04 78 50 89 48
contactus@fgb-lyon.org
www.fgb-lyon.org
Chaplain - Canon Debbie Flach
03 28 52 66 36
chaplain@christchurchlille.com
www.christchurchlille.com
Grapevine
Grapevine is an association of anglophones and anglophiles founded in 1992, in Aix-les-Bains, It promotes the use of the English language and culture.
Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month from 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm. At Espace Sabaudia, Batiment “Lestal” 1, rue Jean Monard, 73100 Aix-Les-Bains.
President Claire Delorme-Pegaz
04 79 35 49 81
Secretary A.J. Davey
04 79 88 94 91
Royal Scottish Country Dance Sociey (Lyon Branch) - Scottish Chanterelle
The object of RSCDS Lyon Branch is to preserve and further the practice of traditionnal Scottish Dancing as it danced today; we are mainly involved in Scottish Country Dancing, but also hold occasionnal classes in Highland Dancing. We have a weekly class on Friday nights, with 3 levels (beginners, intermediate, advanced); we also organise ceilidhs, balls, social dancing, day classes (usually 3 times a year on Saturdays) and weekend schools (usually twice a year), with live musicians whenever possible. We accept beginners all year round, come and join us !
President Christiane Orgeret - 04 72 34 66 03
www.scottish-chanterelle.org
Nord Pas-de-Calais
The British Community Association, Lille
The British Community Association of Lille is a dynamic organisation with an active committee and a loyal membership, supplemented by a constant flow of English speakers on short-term postings.
We organise a variety of social and cultural activities for our members, their families and their friends, ranging from dinners and hikes to the Summer Barbecue and the Christmas Party at which Santa Claus has never failed to appear.
Chairwoman - Carol Vorobieff
06 07 87 08 37
bcacontact@aol.com
Secretary - Richard Irwin
bca.lille@gmail.com
www.bca-lille.com
Centre Culturel Britannique - British LIbrary in Lille
The Centre Culturel Britannique is an independent, non-profit making organisation run by a team of dedicated and friendly volunteers. The library houses over 7000 books, both fiction and non-fiction, a large DVD collection, as well as up to date English newspapers and magazines. We have a wide range of resources for students and teachers in our English Language Teaching section and an extensive collection of British literature, poetry, drama, history and geography. The CCB is a cultural and information centre which, offers a warm welcome to Anglophile residents in the region.
There are English Conversation Groups every day we are open, which are all led by an English native speaker and cover a wide variety of everyday and useful topics of discussion. They are held in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and a basic level of English is required. We also run a regular French conversation class for those wishing to practise and improve their French.
We hold a Story Time Club for 3-6 years olds as well as a Junior Club for older children and teenagers. The Book Club for adults meets on a regular basis and enjoy discussing the short stories selected. The Cinema Club meets at a local cinema whenever topical or British films are showing and then enjoy a social get together and discussion of the film afterwards. The CCB hosts a number of "Apero Chats" throughout the year and members meet to listen to a presentation and then discuss the subject in hand.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12.00 – 17.30 Thursday 17.00- 20.00
Closed during school holidays
Centre Culturel Britannique 3 rue Jean Bart, Lille 59000
03 20 54 22 79
ccb@nordnet.fr
Facebook The British Centre in Lille
International Singers, Lille Métropole
Our aim is to provide a high quality English-language vocal group centred on the Région Nord in France as an outlet for those who love to sing. The singers work on a repertoire that is based upon the very best of traditional English music, musical theatre and middle-of-the-road ‘standards’, but can also extend to music such as traditional part songs, close harmony and religious music. Membership is open to anyone able to attend rehearsals and sing in English. Experience of chorale singing would be a distinct advantage but is not essential. Applicants may be asked to undertake a short audition with the Musical Director and the Principal Musician. Full rehearsals are held approximately every 3 weeks on Saturdays usually at the EABJM International School in Marcq-en-Baroeul.
Chairman and Musical Director - Simon Fletcher
2 allée des Hêtres, 59420 Mouvaux
03 20 98 95 34
direction@international-singers.eu
www.international-singers.eu