Six months later...

 Bonjour.

 I can't believe it. It's been six months since we set off to the South of France, on the trip that in many ways changed my life. It confirmed so many things for me - that I want to study langauges at university, and then live and work in France and speak this beautiful langauge every day.

 That's my dream. That and becoming a writer.

 Maybe I'll write a book about Montpellier.

 Anyway, thank you so much for reading this blog. I may add more to it if anything relevant comes up. Otherwise, this may be goodbye from me.

 So, if anyone from the trip is reading this, I just want to say...

 Merci. Pour tout.

 Liz x

Day 8 - It's Friday, Friday...

 Bonjour!

 Today was Friday 1st April.

 We had our last morning of lessons at the language school; we were all a bit sad for it to be ending because we had a wondeful time there.

 I feel like I have learnt so much, from l'École Klesse and from the trip as a whole. I have not only had the chance to really improve my French language, but I have experienced the gorgeous French culture and way of life. I could happily live here.

 After lessons the group met up and we went to a crêpe parlour. I had a savoury galette, and then a sweet crêpe for dessert.

 Here are some of Flo's photos:

 We then found out the results of the treasure hunt, and then Flo and Odile played an April Fool on us, saying that our exams had been put forward to the very next week, which I think nearly everyone believed in the end. It was a huge relief to find out it was an April Fool!

 Then some people went off in search of the beach, and the rest of us went shopping in Montpellier.

 We discovered an amazing toyshop that appears from the outside to be one little shop, but when you go in it, you realise it extends a long way back, with loads of little rooms full of all sorts of fabulous things.

 There was also an outdoor market, and lots of lovely little shops. It was nice to take some time just to explore the city.

 I will always feel at home in Montpellier. I am determined to at least go back one day and visit, if not study or work or maybe live there one day.

 Au revoir,

 Liz x

Day 7 - Bowling and LazerQuest

 Bonjour!

 Today was Thursday. We had our morning lessons at the language school, which were very enjoyable as always.

 A group of us then went to the Odysseum, where we went bowling. It was good fun!

 I also had my first-ever Subway sandwich; c'était délicieux!

 The group of us then sat together in the amphithéâtre in the middle of the Odysseum. It was the warmest, sunniest day you could possibly imagine. I love Montpellier - the culture, the weather, the gorgeous food and the lovely way of living - Montpellier has everything.

 We then went back on the trams:

 We went back to where we were staying to have our tea, then we went back to the Odysseum for LazerQuest!

 J'adore LazerQuest.

 We all had a great time; I have always loved LazerQuest but the one in the Odysseum is probably the best I have ever been to; the maze is huge with lots of places to hide. Overall, tonight was one of my many highlights of the trip.

 Today was yet another lovely day in Montpellier. I want to stay here forever!

 Merci de lire

 Liz x

Dimanche

 Salut!

 It's Sunday, over two weeks since we set out for the South of France, and over a week since we got back.

 It's lovely to be back home, but I miss France so much! I want to go back there!

 I also miss being with everyone who went on the trip; such a wonderful group of people. I hope that I can stay in touch with you all.

 I have gained such a lot from this trip. I feel that my French has improved hugely, and that I have truly experienced another culture - it was only for a week yet I got fully immersed in it and I love it. Also, I have made some amazing new friends.

 I have seen some fantastic places and sights, and now I am determined to visit France more often; maybe even study there or go to live there one day. The French language and culture are now among my greatest passions; I spend all of my free time listening to French music now!

 It was one of the best weeks of my life, and if I can go on the trip next year I will! Montpellier and Carcassonne are two amazing places, in fact most of the South of France seems to me to be incredibly beautiful. For me it was a paradise, and I am desperate to return!

 I am working on making a little video about our trip; I will put it on here when it is done. I will also try to get as many photos of the trip as possible on this blog. So if you are reading this and you went on the trip and you have photos, could you please consider adding them to the blog sometime? Merci beaucoup!

 J'adore Montpellier et Carcassonne!

 Merci à tout le monde pour un voyage merveilleux et vraiment inoubliable.

 Liz x

Salut!

 Bonjour!

 We are now live on the web thanks to the wonderful Anthony Critchley. If you are on this blog for the first time, then welcome! I hope you enjoy reading about our trip to France.

 We are flying to Carcassonne tomorrow morning. Carcassonne is a stunningly beautiful walled town in the south of France.

 We are then going to the magnificent university city of Montpellier.

 I will be blogging regularly, and will try to add photos and video clips of our trip to the blog.

 Merci de lire,

 Liz x

5 days to go!

 Bonjour!

 I am very excited about Montpellier! We set off on Friday morning! We visit Carcassonne first, and spend Friday night there, and then on Saturday we go to Montpellier where we will spend the rest of our trip.

 I have been doing some research into Montpellier and Carcassonne, and this is what I have found out:

 Montpellier:

- is the 8th largest city in France

- is the fastest growing city in the country over the last 25 years

- is the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region and also the Hérault department

- is twinned with nine different cities all over the world, from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro

- has some beautifully painted trams

 

Aren't they gorgeous? I can't wait to see them for real when we get to Montpellier.

 Carcassonne:

- is a fortified town in the Aude department of France

- has a huge amount of history surrounding it

- has been used in the past as the start or the finish of stages in the Tour de France

- is twinned with the town of Eggenfelden in Germany

- judging by the photo, is incredibly beautiful

 I can't wait to go to France now and see these amazing places!

 5 days to go now!

 Merci de lire!

 Liz x

11 days to go!

 Salut!

 My name is Liz and I am delighted to be going on the French trip to Montpellier and Carcassonne, which is from 25th March to 2nd April.

 I will be doing this blog mainly in English, with a bit of French. It is a French trip after all; however I know people who want to read the blog who do not speak French. So I will try to reach a happy medium; mostly English, and French occasionally!

 I love French, and am really, really looking forward to this trip! I have never been to Montpellier or Carcassonne before; in fact I have only ever been on holiday in the north of France, so it will be amazing to go to the south and experience the different places, culture and climate there.

 I have been told that Montpellier is a lively, exciting university city, and that Carcassonne is a beautiful fortified town. I cannot wait to visit them both!

 I will update this blog as regularly as I can, so that you can keep track of the wonderful times we are sure to have on the French trip.

 Au revoir pour le moment.

 Liz