Spend a night in a refuge

Have you thought of spending a night in a mountain refuge?  It's great to escape the pollution, noise and lights of the city.  As night falls you experience the mountains in a whole new way.  We are lucky in Grenoble as the mountains are very close, so one doesn't have to be a keen hiker to reach some of the refuges.
There are two types of refuge the guarded and unguarded.  The first usually has to be booked.  There is a person who looks after the refuge, so it tends to be cleaner and well kept.  They will often cook a meal for the guests.  Sleeping accomodation is in dormitories.   Of course this type of refuge is not free.  A good example is the Cret de Poulet Refuge above St Pierre d'Allevard.  A fairly easy hour and a half walk from the cross country skiing centre at Barioz leads to the refuge.  In the summer, it is run by a young couple who are welcoming and provide copious meals.  In winter volunteers take over.  It is only open at weekends and is often booked well in advance.
The second possibility is the unguarded refuge which is free.  Things are decidely more basic.  The upkeep depends on volunteers from the local community.  People who stay are expected to tidy up after themselves.  There is usually tables, chairs, a fireplace, and matresses on a dormitory floor.  The door is always open and the refuge operates on a 'first come first served basis'.  Those who arrive too late may find themselves turned away as the refuge is already full.  A good example is Grande montagne refuge above La Rochette.  This refuge can be reached after a slightly steep one hour thirty minute walk.  The refuge is quite well equipped with pots and pans.  It is, however, popular and can fill up quickly.  One advantage is that there at least four other refuges within 1.5km of each other, so if one is full you can always try another.
One last point don't forget a sleeping bag and some toilet paper.

An Irish pub in Grenoble

One of the first places you'll probably hear about as an expatriat is O'Callaghan's pub. It's an Irish theme pub like those we find all over the world. It's by the river, close to the pedestrian bridge which leads to the Bastille. O'Callaghan's pub has been a meeting place for Grenoble expatriats for many years. You'll find beers served in pint glasses and hear English spoken in accents from all over the world. The terrace is a great place to sit on a summer's evening, alternatively you can watch the football or rugby inside, or even have a game of darts.
Recently an O'Callaghan's restaurant opened very close to the pub. They offer curry nights on Fridays and Sunday lunches. The food is good but one strange feature is that potates only come as baked jacket potatoes. A little strange with Sunday lunch and disappointing when you order fish and chips.
So when your feeling a bit homesick or want to hear some English, head down to O'Callaghan's pub.

Forum des associations

As I mentionned in my last post, it's 'La rentrée' and one feature of this period is the 'Forum des associations'. Each village or commune organises a sort of salon where the different associations or clubs present their activity to potential participants. There are clubs for every activity; football, tennis, climbing, painting, music, yoga, in fact almost any activity you can think of is represented. There is so much choice that some people have to set themselves a limit, one sport and one artisitic club for example, if not the cost and time would be crippling. Many clubs take place on Wednesdays as there is no school. A lot of mothers don't work on Wednesday and spend the day ferrying their offspring to and from different clubs. Others take place in the evenings or on Saturday mornings. Most French people join at least one association and their kids often two or three.

In France the 'vie associative' is taken very seriously, so seriously in fact that in 1901 a law was passed governing the organisation of these clubs, you may well hear people talking about 'la loi mille neuf cent un'. This law sets strict rules about the committee who runs the club and any paid employees. In addition the role of the 'bénévole' (volunteer) in the association is very important, again most French people do some form of volunteering with associations. They act as treasurer, secretary or just offer their time to help the association. Associations are a part of life like school and work and help fill the time between the famous holidays.

La rentrée

It's 'rentrée' time again. After the long summer break, schoolchildren are getting ready to go back to school. However the 'rentrée' is not just for the kids, it's an integral part of French culture. After the 14th of July, the National holiday, it seems that the whole country shuts down until September. Forget trying to contact any part of the French administration, there is of course a skeleton staff, but you can guarantee the person you need is on holiday. Restaurants and shops all over Grenoble post signs informing you that they are closed for the annual holidays. Some companies even close down for the month of August. The motorways are clogged with parting and returning holidaymakers, and the most important news items are the traffic and weather reports. Then just as suddenly it's all over and the first week of September finds everyone back at work and the country grinds back to work.
Les vacannces (holidays) and la rentrée are the two most important moments in the French calendar.