The Mâcon 2012 université des nations

John Rogers gives his views on the Mâcon 2012 Université des Nations below.

A headline in the Nantwich Chronicle "A chance to learn French in Macon" attracted me and I applied successfully. I get by in French but was a little apprehensive about the rest of the eight days. In fact we had an uproarious week of partying and enjoyment. Macon is twinned wih nine countries and five were represented. There were 23 of us - 4 English, 4 Spaniards,5 Italians, 8 Germans and 2 Poles. We all mixed and enjoyed our time. We did 3 hours of French each morning; a beginners class and one for the more advanced. Then we were taken by car to wonderful places in nearby towns - Museums, Abbeys, a Chateau, a winery and wine tasting were enjoyed. Then a gourmet meal perhaps in Macon.

Macon itself was a great surprise. A beautiful city set on the bank of a wide river, crossed by a 12 arched bridge, it was the administrative capital of the province. It was more like Chester than Crewe! The surrounding countryside is great for wine lovers with many famous names.

All in all , one of the best holidays and highly recommended. I improved my French, learnt a lot about France and had a whale of a time in good company. Many thanks to CANTA amd to the Macon twinning comittee. John R

Further images of the summer school are available here.