Monflanquin
The 13th century
hilltop village of Monflanquin (pop. 2,500) is among France's national
treasures. In the department of Lot-et-Garonne in south-western France, it is a
substantially restored bastide (walled city), considered one of the best example
of its type in France.
An unspoiled site
visited by French tourists, Monflanquin is about equidistant from Bordeaux and
Toulouse. The Dordogne Valley with its many castles, chateaux and prehistoric
caves (which inspired Jean Auel's latest book) is nearby, as is Rocamadour, an
abbey and town carved out of
a rocky hillside. The village is in Bordeaux wine
country, and Portland area restaurateurs tell us the region is among France's
most interesting gastronomically. There are good restaurants in Monflanquin and
many more in Villeneuve-sur-Lot (pop. 25,00), about nine miles away, which also
has an historically important bridge and nice waterfront along the Lot river.
There are hiking
trails, local community swimming pools, exercise facilities and even a local art
school. A good 18-hole golf course is less than 10 km from town. Monflanquin
boasts a traditional French market full of local produce and cheeses every
Thursday and an antique market. The musée de Bastides in the village's Place des
Arcades also is very interesting. But, just prowling around the narrow streets
and passageways of 13th century Monflanquin can be fascinating in itself.
Background
First organized in
1996, the Say It In French Language Immersion Vacation in France offers students an
opportunity to practice French language skills in France
 and to discover the
history and culture of a region under the careful guidance of the school's
director. In past years, the program took place in the regions of Normandy,
Brittany, Provence, Dordogne, Languedoc, and Lot-et-Garonne.
With the
acquisition of a 13th century townhouse in the Lot-et-Garonne, Say it in French
Language Immersion has finally found a home in Monflanquin, one of the most
beautiful villages in France. Monflanquin is located between Bordeaux and
Toulouse.
French Language Immersion
Vacation
Spend a fun and
educational week of French language immersion in the charming 13th century
village of Monflanquin, France. We will tour the village, go to the market, do a
little cooking, spend time in the library, take walks in the country, and share
some meals and free time together while speaking French. Several excursions
outside the village will be included, but our main focus is experiencing village
life. There will be time for relaxation — to read, explore, daydream, paint, do
crafts or take a nap.
Click
here
to read what students thought of the camp.
Dates: TBD
Location: Activities take place in a charming 13th
century townhouse in the center of Monflanquin in the Lot-et-Garonne.
Monflanquin (pop.2500) perched at 181 meters, is a beautifully
picturesque medieval village dating from the 13th century. Built
on a hillside as a planned fortified village or "bastide", Monflanquin
remains well preserved as one of the finest examples of bastide
architecture in all of France.
Group
Size: Six Participants
Group
Leader: Giselle Bawnik
Cost:
$TBD.
Call Giselle
Bawnik, camp director at (503) 314-4695 for further information.
Enrollment form:
Word format
PDF format
Instruction: French instructional activities to sharpen and enhance French language
skills through pronunciation and communication exercises, vocabulary
building, reading, and aural comprehension practice.
Participants will play games in French, take part in a group cooking
project, and go on a nature walk. Information will be provided
and reviewed before visiting certain tour sites so participants are
prepared to comprehend more clearly in French what they will see.
Lodging: Hotel rates are about
$468 for a double and $421 for a single depending on the exchange
rate. Rooms can
be shared.
Meals:
Monflanquin has a number of excellent reasonably priced restaurants.
Participants are responsible for their own meals.
Airfare: Contact the school to discuss air travel.
For more
information and a brochure: contact Giselle Bawnik at (503) 644-4490, (503) 314-4695
or by the Contact Form.
For more
information on the web about Monflanquin, check out:
www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/Monflanquin.htm.
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