We've just had a bunch of nice people say nice things about us...

"I'm a French expat in England and I couldn't do without Francis, Lulu & Wendy help. They looked after my flat in Montpellier from A to Z, including marketing for rental, dealing with the tenants and all the issues related to renting a furnished flat on short / medium periods. Leaving me with complete peace of mind."

Benoit Ivernel


"We have been incredibly impressed by Moving to Montpellier and
Montpellier holiday home services since we started using their
services since 2010 to let out our apartment. The team are
consistently professional, friendly and helpful. Frankly, I am not
sure what we would have done without them."
Bernie and Charlie Davie


Lulu and Francis I want to thank you for locating the apartment in such a nice area of Montpellier. The contract period will provide the right degree of flexibility to look at a purchase in the course of the next year.

The requirement was to find a flat with security,parking and near a tram. You met the specification very very well and against a tight time frame. Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf. I will be in touch for the next step.

Ronald Begley



Lulu has been invaluable in helping me manage a maison secondaire from
Australia - I was struggling to manage a 500 year house with all the leaks,
breakages, wear and tear. Lulu came along and took a real genuine personal
interest in getting to know and then locally managing the cleaners,
caretakers and tradesmen to ensure our home is now safe and well cared for.

Rebecca Pearse

The service and support we received from you was exceptional. You did a
superior job in finding us and apartment rental in the old part of the city
and we greatly appreciated your taking an hour to meet with us and discuss
the challenges and requirements of moving to Montpellier.
Beanie and Gary Archie
Durango, Colorado US


Bonjour Lulu, It would be our pleasure to both take the opportunity to thank you and to say what a pleasure it was to work with you! You turned what could have been a very frustrating and daunting experience into one which proved to be very smooth - at least for us! You answered all our questions and concerns quickly and efficiently and helped us to negotiate uncharted international waters. We look forward to meeting and thanking you in person when we arrive to Montpellier.

Kathryn and Stephen Ferguson, London, ON, Canada


We used the services of Lulu and Francis Laporte, Moving to Montpellier, during the spring and summer of 2010. There were lots of hurdles to overcome, and the tenacity and persistence of Lulu and Francis, together with their own expertise as an Anglo-French couple who have relacated internationally themselves, proved invaluable. We have no hesitation in recommending them.
Paula and Andrew Jefford.


What a world of difference Lulu and Françis have made to my long stay in Montpellier. As someone with a major illness, my needs go beyond the usual relocation challenges. Lulu and Françis have not only helped me locate such things as housing and shopping resources, but also with finding healthcare and helping me move my flotilla of luggage around. Their knowledge of Montpellier and relocations needs, combined with their quick response time, has saved me so much work and stress. Several years ago when I began living part-time in Paris, I faced all of these challenges alone. How I wish that I could have had such capable assistance there. I consider hiring Moving to Montpellier to be money well spent.
Annie Lipscomb

Apartment for sale in Montpellier, Antigone area

Two bedroomed penthouse apartment with views to the river and over green area for sale Euro275,000


Excellent condition, very light and airy. Owner moving abroad.


Full details here: http://flatforsalemontpellierantigone.blogspot.com/2012/01/view-from-lounge-flat-is-facing-south.html

Furnished apartment in Montpellier for medium to long term rental

2 bedroomed apartment in Montpellier - close to the railway station and 2 tram lines.  Walk-able to the Comedie, shops, restaurants etc.

Full details and photos here: http://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/OfferedDetails.aspx?id=66522

English schooling in Montpellier

Come over to Kids & Montpellier for full info on everything for English speaking children in the Montpellier area - but a taster is here: 

Children's extra curriculum English courses and activities

http://www.lepetithome.com/   

enjoy english  http://www.enjoy-english.fr/

outbound         http://www.ieam.info/

petits bilingues  http://www.lespetitsbilingues.com/ 

Schools  ( fee paying) 

Ecole antonia    http://www.ecoleantonia-montpellier.com/  Maternelle

Montessori     http://asso.montessori.free.fr/  Maternelle

Eridan    http://www.ecole-eridan.com/ Maternelle- Secondary school

Baillargues  http://www.ecole-privee-bilingue.fr/                  Maternelle- Secondary school

 Schools(Non fee paying)

École Sibelius-Pottier        Primary school 6-10

College Camille Claudel              Secondary school 11-16

Lycee Jules Guesde      http://www.julesguesde.fr/               Secondary school 15-17

	Year of Birth	English	American	French
Kindergarten	2009			Nursery School
	2008			Petite section
	2007			Moyenne section
	2006	Year 1	Kindergarten	Grande section
Primaire (Primary School)	2005	Year 2	1st grade	Cours préparatoire
	2004	Year 3	2nd grade	Cours élémentaire 1ère année
	2003	Year 4	3rd grade	Cours élémentaire 2année
	2002	Year 5	4th grade	Cours moyen 1ère année
	2001	Year 6	5th grade	Cours moyen 2ème année
Collège (Middle School)	2000	Year 7	6th grade	6ème
	1999	Year 8	7th grade	5ème
	1998	Year 9	8th grade	4ème
	1997	Year 10	9th grade	3ème
Lycée (Secondary School)	1996	Year 11	10th grade	Seconde
	1995	Year 12	11th grade	Première
	1994	Year 13	12th grade	Terminale

                 

Recommended language schools

MILI   http://www.mili-fr.com/

http://www.ila-france.com/

Christmas market in Montpellier

C’est parti pour les Hivernales 2011 organisées par la Ville de Montpellier ! 

La 9ème édition des Hivernales-Marché de Noël, organisées à l’initiative de la Ville de Montpellier débutera le vendredi 2décembre 2011, et se poursuivra jusqu’au samedi 31 décembre 2011.

Durant cette période, plus de 100 commerçants seront présents sur la Place de la Comédie et sur l’esplanade Charles de Gaulle, tous les jours de 10h à 20h, pour le plaisir des yeux, des papilles et le plaisir d’offrir.


Read more:  http://www.montpellier.fr/TPL_CODE/TPL_ESPACEPRESSE/PAR_TPL_IDENTIFIANT/3433/1-montpellier-fr-site-de-la-mairie-de-montpellier.htm

48 hrs in Nimes

WHY GO NOW?

To see Nîmes in festive mood with food, drink and dancing on the streets during theferias of 17-19 September and 9-10 October. Much is based on the local tradition of bullfighting, but in the courses camarguaises (tests of skill between bull and man), the bull is not killed and often ends up as the victor. The main focus of activity is the Arènes, the 1st-century amphitheatre, reckoned to be the best preserved of the Roman world. Now is a good time to see it in all its 60-arched glory, before the winter canopy is installed in late October.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/48-hours-in-nimes-6161463.html

Le Bookshop Montpellier Newsletter November 2011

Programme novembre 2011

Vendredi 25 novembre dans le cadre des « Escapades en Librairies »
lecture de poésies bilingue avec Jean Gelbseiden à 14h30
Venez profiter d’une lecture de poésie des plus grands poètes anglais lus par Jean Gelbseiden de l’association « Les Mots Passants » Pour présenter les librairies indépendantes de Montpellier l’association Cœur de Livre vous invite à nombreuses manifestations littéraires dans toutes les librairies du 25 à 27 novembre.
(Pour le programme regardez au http://www.montpellier.fr/573-agenda-de-montpellier-pour-savoir-ou-sortir.htm/viewFileIdtf/14064/v/f/libelle/dossier+parcours+en+librairie.pdf)

Saturday November 26^th at 2 PM Book Club:
“Behind the Scenes at the Museum” by Kate AtkinsonCome and join the discussion (in English) at our monthly book club!
“Behind the Scenes at the Museum is the first novel of Kate Atkinson and covers -with a lot of humor- the experiences of Ruby Lennox from a middle-class English family living in York. By interspersing flashbacks with the narrative of Ruby's own life, the book chronicles the lives of four generations of women from Ruby's great-grandmother Alice to Ruby's mother's failed dreams. The story of Ruby's own life is told in thirteen chapters, all written in the first person, documenting key periods in Ruby's life from 1951 ("Conception" beginning with the words "I exist!") to 1992. In between each chapter are flashbacks that tell the story from the point of view of one of the other (mostly female) members of Ruby's family—including her great-grandmother Alice, her grandmother Nell and her mother Bunty.”

Lecture pour enfants
Tous les mercredis il est possible de réserver une lecture pour enfants avec un lecteur anglophone. Entre 16h et 17h votre enfant peut écouter des histoires et apprendre l’anglais en s’amusant. Cette activité est uniquement sur réservation, contactez nous au 04.67.66.22.90 ou par e-mail contact@lebookshop.com

Conversation exchanges 5-7 PM – Échanges linguistiques 17h00 – 19h00
Anglais/français le lundi  - 7, 14, 21 + 28 novembre 17h à 19h
Anglais/français le vendredi 4, 11 + 18 novembre de 17h à 19h
Allemand/français le vendredi 25 novembre de 17h à 19h

Commandez vos Christmas crackers ! 4 Coloris possibles (« Red Ribbons and Holly » « Rainbow –red, blue, orange, purple, metallic» « Jazz Glitter - white-gold » ou “silver with images of 12 Days of Christmas”
Chaque ensemble est vendu dans une boite de 10 crackers de 21cm (8.5”) à 15,90 €.

Le Bookshop – librairie anglophone / café
8 rue du Bras de Fer
34000 Montpellier
Tel. 04.67.66.22.90
e-mail : contact@lebookshop.com

English classes for children in Montpellier

Hello there,

Just a quick message to let you know that Outbound has got past the madness of ‘la rentrée’ and once again, our usual activities are now up and running.

Club & Discovery

The Outbound Classes for bilingual children started up again on the 17^th September at the Maison Pour Tous - Mélina Mercouri. We have on average 2 workshops a month on Saturday mornings :

·         9h30-11h : Club 1 (6-8 years) taught by Rosie BEVIS

·         9h30-11h : Club 2 (8-11 years) and 11h-12h30 : Discovery (12-16 years) taught by Christine STROUD  

Due to many requests from bilingual families with younger children, we’ve also opened a new class this year on Saturday mornings : 11-12h : Mini-club (5-6 years) run by Paula GRECH.

Paula uses her skills and experience as a trained dance therapist to bring a creative approach to developing self expression with this younger age group. Paula is also a former member of PIG so we’re pleased to have bridged a gap between the activities offered for this age group.

Chatterbox

Despite some major changes this year at the Maison Pour Tous Mélina Mercouri (no longer a centre aéré, so fewer children), we’ve nevertheless been able to open 2 classes on Wednesday mornings for French speaking children, run again this year by Chris BUTLER :

-       9-10h (GS/CP/CE1)

-       10-11h (CE2, CM1,CM2)

PIG

The Parent-Infant group “PIG” for Anglophone parents and small children, coordinated by Lulu Laporte, has already picked up again. Lulu has some much needed help this year from fellow PIG members Fiona & Emer. Check out the Pig blogwww.piglanguedoc.blogspot.com to know when and where they meet next.

Family membership

Please remember even if your children are now too old or simply aren’t attending OUTBOUND classes this year, your family membership (25€) helps tremendously in supporting our actions (promotion of bilingual education and the new International Sections in Montpellier schools).

As a member, you’ll also receive our newsletters and be invited to join in our annual events (hikes, picnics, Christmas & Halloween parties, pub evenings, book sales…).

If you haven’t already joined and would like to, just complete and return to the treasurer the attached membership form.

Many thanks for your continued support!

Outbound

www.ieam.info

Rooms for rent in Nimes - by the week / month

Rooms to rent by the week or the month in Nimes with good transport connections.  Internet connection.


Bathroom and fully equipped kitchen are shared.


More information:  http://fr.welchome.com/chambre-a-louer/landlord/ad_detail.php?code=12086&preview

Children's English speaking classes in Montpellier

Hello,

Re: www.ieam.info 

The English classes we organise at IEAM-Outbound will be starting up again very soon in Montpellier (Maison Pour Tous,opposite IBM).

This year we are starting an exciting new mini-club on Saturday mornings for English speaking 5-6 year olds - getting them to speaking out in English!

As you probably know, Outbound’s main focus since it started up back in 2003 was attaining an Anglophone section to the International Option of the Baccalaureate and then English sections right through from primary to secondary level in the Montpellier school district. Since this ‘rentrée’ - this has finally been achieved! (see details below).

Now we aim to reinforce our English classes and to further encourage and support English speaking children (and also French) who could potentially join these state school programmes in Montpellier.

Attached is our 2011-2012 programme for English speaking children on Saturday mornings (we also run English classes for French children on a Wednesday morning) at the Maison Pour Tous Mélina Mercouri.

Please pass on the news of our programmes and also the state school information below to any English speaking families you know who may be interested.

Many thanks!

Outbound

Promoting multilingual education for children

IEAM-Outbound classes and activities for English speaking children are starting up again soon at the Maison Pour Tous “Mélina Mercouri” (opposite IBM) in Montpellier…

Come and meet us at the Montpellier Associations Fair, on the 11th of September 2011.

Class information for English speaking children: 1^st classes : Saturday A.M. -  17 September 2011

·         Mini-Club : developing language skills (5/6 years)

·         Club 1 : learning to write in English (6-8 years)

·         Club 2 : learning to read in English (9-11 years)

·         Discovery : developing self-expression (11-16)

·         PIG : a Parent-Infant group (0-5 years) that meet regularly at the Montessori school in Montpellier www.piglanguedoc.blogspot.com

·         Family membership : you can also just join as a family member (25€) and help support our actions (promotion of bilingual education and the new International Sections in Montpellier schools), receive our newsletter and take part in our annual events (hikes, picnics, Christmas & Halloween parties, pub evenings, book sales…).

English lessons for French speaking children: 1^st classes: Wednesday A.M. -  21 September 2011

·         Maternelle GS-CP : 9h-10h

·         CEI-CE2 : 10h-11h

·         CM1-CM2 : 11h-12h

For more information: www.ieam.info or contact us contact@ieam.info. Tel : 06 21 76 90 32

IEAM Outbound (International Education Association of Montpellier) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2003 by a group of families wishing to promote access to multilingual education in and around Montpellier. Today we have around 40 member families.

Our association aims to promote multilingual education for children and develop language skills that can enable access to the International programmes now run from primary to secondary levels in the Montpellier school district.

International school programmes in Montpellier 2011-2012

IEAM Outbound (International Education Association of Montpellier) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2003 by a group of families wishing to promote access to multilingual education in and around Montpellier.

It’s taken a while, almost 10 years, but the goal IEAM-Outbound set itself – first the creation of an Anglophone section to the International Option of the Baccalaureate and then English sections right through from primary to secondary level in the Montpellier school district - has finally been achieved! Outbound has also always wished for as many international sections as possible and in as many languages as possible and so are extremely happy that from September 2011, there will not only be Anglo-American sections but also two new sections in Arabic and Chinese.

2011: Anglo-American sections in Montpellier school from primary through to secondary

PRIMARY: at the Sibelius Pottier primary school (St Eloi/la Jalade, Montpellier) a mixed level class (CE2, CM1 and CM2) is set to open in September 2011.

COLLEGE : As from September 2011, 2 classes will be offered : 6^ème and 5^ème  at collège Camille Claudel (rue d’Assas, Montpellier).

LYCEE: At the lycée Jules Guesde (Avenue de Lodève, Montpellier), the American section will be offered at all 3 levels : 2^nde, 1^ère and Terminale. It will also be the first year that the International American Option will be offered in

Montpellier.

For more information and for the list of all the schools running the international language programmes in Montpellier: http://www.ac-montpellier.fr/ia34/pdf/file/pedagogie/elv/plaquette_Formations_Internationales.pdf

Tax Changes

Here are the recent tax changes: http://www.spectrum-ifa.com/Frenchtaxupdate.shtml

The Montpellier tram system as at 2012 !

http://www.midilibre.com/downloads/fichiers/ldjnprmnfk/trace%20lignes%20tram.png


Click on the link to see the map.

Renting a house or apartment in the Montpellier area.

Or otherwise titled 'What the estate agents won't tell you'.

We do a lot of property searches for our clients, some medium term (mostly for 2 or 3 months furnished) and some long term 1 to 3 years unfurnished.)


If the properties we already have on our books are full for your dates, we can do an individual search for you for which we charge an hourly rate. This charge will stand, even if we are unable to find something suitable - please be advised of this.

These are some of the things we'd like to know about before we start our property search for you.

• Quite frankly be warned from the start it's a nightmare to do: Envisage estate agents not turning up for pre-arranged appointments. Appointments being cancelled at the last minute, the property not being even nearly suitable. Agencies don't call you back. There is no such thing as a mailing list (so no point in leaving your name, phone number or wish list for them to call you.)
• Don't expect replies by email from an agent - even if there is a contact list on the website. You will always have to call.

• For a long term rental – Ideally you need 1 to 2 months to actually do the search, then often it's a 2 months notice for the previous occupants to leave. If you are looking for a long term (1-3 years rental / non furnished) we recommend you take a short stay furnished rental for the initial look around. You will NEVER be able to rent a property over a week or a weekend's stay.
• If you don't have a salary IN FRANCE (no matter if you are earning millions elsewhere)... landlords won't accept your request to rent – in which case we set up, using an English speaking local banker: A Bank Bond: typically holding a 3 months rent along with a contract.
• Just because you've fallen in love with a property there is no guarantee the landlord will let you have it: they construct a 'dossier' on you and then decide who to rent to.
• Lower your expectations – houses / apartments in France can be of all standards – you will never get 'exactly' what you want! Take this as friendly advice.
• Consider where you are going to work / take kids to school with regards to where you want your property to be. Montpellier is a big city to cross at rush hour.
• A lot of the time for unfurnished rentals there will be no kitchen installed on the property (apart from a kitchen sink – think Ikea 'unfitted / fitted' kitchens as an easy solution.
• You will be required to have a renter's insurance and quite often too a maintenance contract for the boiler. We can set you up with an English speaking insurance agent.
• You pay tax d'habitation on long term rentals if you stay there over the 1^st January – you will pay for the whole year.
• Agency fees will normally be up to 1 months rental. Check out also 'charges' for apartment rentals (rubbish, cleaning and so on...)
• NB There always seems to be more clients than apartments / houses......
• Also note in France, it's not what you know, it's who you know... always get a recommendation.
• Don't forget you'll have to pay for electricity / water / phone / internet and maybe gas supplies to be set up.
• Set up a bank account as soon as you can in France... it is indispensible. We can recommend a local English speaking bank who is excellent.

Here at Moving to Montpellier, we can call around for you. Set you up with google maps and spreadsheets of appointments for you to independently visit. Or we can visit with you and translate and give our own opinions. A second visit with one of us in tow would be the ideal solution.

TEA POTES NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

Place Notre Dame,

30140 Anduze

Tel : 04 66 56 57 62

teapotes@gmail.com www.tea-potes.com

Welcome to our new programme for October, we can’t wait to be up and running with it! We are starting with a double bill of Verdi’s operas La Traviata and La Travatori.  We are changing our policy with tickets this year. 

We will be charging €10 (with a Tea Potes Membership Card) which will entitle you to 3 events at Tea Potes any time during the Season 2011/2012

Friday 30th September      La Traviata (Royal Opera House with Renee Fleming )rapturous applause greeted the return of Renée Fleming to Covent Garden for a revival of Verdi's La traviata – and with good reason.   The cast was unusually consistent from top to bottom, with strong leading performances by Thomas Hampson as Germont and Joseph Calleja as Alfredo, while Antonio Pappano's meticulous conducting and the return of Sir Richard Eyre to revive his production for the first time since it was unveiled in 1994 made for a richly engaging experience.

Thursday 6th October      14.30-15.30 and 16.00-17.00

 French/English conversation

PLEASE PHONE TO  RESERVE YOUR PLACE!

Friday 7^th October             14.30-16.00       Tea Potes Knitting Group

Thursday 13th October     14.30-15.30 French/English conversation

                                               16.00-17.00 French/English conversation

 Saturday 15th October     Ian Marsden’s workshop. Internationally published cartoonist and illustrator, Ian Marsden, will be doing an informal workshop during which time each participant can ask advice and questions and will create a cartoon of their own.  Look at his fantastic website (www.marsdencartoons.com)

Thursday 20th October    14.30-15.30 French/English conversation

                                              16.00-17.00 French/English conversation

Friday 21st October          14.30  TEA POTES Book Club will be  discussing ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett .  ‘Travels with My Aunt’ by Graham Greene is our November choice.  

                                                   16.30 for 17.00 Opera: La Travatori – Verdi

José Cura and Dmitri Hvorostovsky lead the star cast of Verdi’s blazingly passionate opera, in Elijah Moshinsky’s Royal Opera House production co-produced with Teatro Real Madrid, with sets by the noted Italian film designer Dante Ferretti.

                                         

Saturday 22nd October    10.30-12.00 Isabel Huggan Reading from her books

ISABEL HUGGAN is a Canadian author who has been living in Tornac since 1998. Internationally acclaimed for her short stories (THE ELIZABETH STORIES and YOU NEVER KNOW), in 2004 she received a prestigious Canadian prize for literary non-fiction for her memoir BELONGING : HOME AWAY FROM HOME, much of which concerns her life in France as a "foreigner" trying to integrate herself into a new culture and landscape . A teacher of creative writing for nearly 40 years, Isabel will talk about how realistic fiction springs from experience, using examples from her own work to illustrate the process. She will have copies of her books for sale.

14.30-16.00

“Exploring the Past “ The changing life of an Archaeologist
 DAVID MILES, who lives in the Cevennes, was Director of Oxford Archaeology and has worked all over the world. in 1999  he became chief archaeologist at English Heritage and his talk will look at how archaeology has been transformed during his long and distinguished career.  He is the author of ‘Tribes of Britain’

Thursday 27th October    14.30-15.30 French/English conversation 

                                                  16.00-17.00 French/English conversation

Friday  28th October         14.30-16.00       Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 29th October    Kate Falgade Lecture ‘From Cannibals to Croissants’

Kate Fagalde spent thirty years in southern Africa, largely by mistake.  A two year sojourn turned into a 23 year stay in Lesotho where she discovered how to run a trading station, fly a plane with a pig in it and look down the wrong end of an AK47.  She and her French husband then bought a derelict farm across the border in South Africa where she learned to live through drought conditions and bake croissants.  Her presentation "From Cannibals to Croissants" has been shown on several occasions when she lectured aboard the QE2. She supports the Mantsase Children's Home in Lesotho.

Village house for sale St Genies des Mourges

Lovely restored village house - 120m2 for sale.

All information and photos here: http://www.maison.bajana.com/Presentation.html