Cholet Exchange 2014

The blog for our 2014 Cholet Exchange

Friday 27th June, 2014
Our final day was spent with our French partners at the spectacular theme park Puy du Fou. There really is nothing to compare it with in the UK, it's like doing 5 or 6 London West End shows in a day and more.
We experienced the highly-charged atmosphere of the Gallo-Roman Stadium, complete with racing chariots, lions, camels and ostriches, Viking longboats, a fantastic show of birds of prey, the chivalrous epic "le Secret de la Lance" and the Richelieu Musketeer. We left the park impressed and exhausted to pack our bags for the return home.

Thursday, 26th June, 2014
After a really early start (leaving school at 06.30!) we travelled to Angers to pick up the TGV, France's famous superfast train, arriving at Gare Montparnasse in Paris less than two hours later. We headed to the Eiffel Tower first and were then able to see many of the most famous landmarks of Paris during a cruise on the Seine.
We then took the métro up to Montmartre where we had some free time to explore the shops and the artists' stalls in Place du Tertre. We just had time to take in the stunning architecture at Notre Dame cathedral before heading back to Gare Montparnasse, where we wowed Parisien commuters with our rendition of Pharrell Williams' "Happy" on the station's piano with all singing along. A memorable ending to a magical day.......

Wednesday 25th June
After a full day on Tuesday at Trémosports, on Wednesday students had a day to relax with their penfriends. Many enjoyed the variety of activities that Cholet has to offer, with groups going to the Laserquest, the swimming pool (even better than Splashdown), the ice rink and shopping in Cholet centre.

Tuesday 24th June
Today Collège Trémolières celebrated its annual sports day "Trémo-Sport". Students dress up according to various themes in their tutor groups and take part in climbing, badminton, football, basketball, relay and vortex activities in turn all day. There was a "Where's Wally?" group, a Charlie Chaplin group, a 2nd Childhood group (including dummies, prams and nappies), to name a few and Highcliffe and Ballard students joined in with the dressing up and the activities. A fun day was had and there were well-deserved gourmet burgers and ice cream for all.

Monday, 23rd June 2014
The English students were given a guided tour of the school today by Monsieur Houdbine and Madame Pétrie (the Head and Deputy Head Teachers) before taking part in a quiz with Madame Tessier on French culture. They then joined their French partners for a question and answer session on the differences between French and English schools, followed by a delicious three-course lunch in the school canteen. We all then took off for Parc de Moine where we took part in a two and a half hour orienteering challenge. In teams of four (two English and two French) students went off in search of challenges, which they found dotted around the park. A correctly executed challenge in front of the jury ( for example, the English students teaching the French how to sing the National Anthem) gained them one of ten clues as to where a sack of treasure was hidden. We're all looking forward to "Trémosports" (sports day) tomorrow. Look out for our students who will be dressing up for this!

Sunday, 22nd June. 2014
After spending the morning with families, we all met up for a picnic and games at La Seguinière, a peaceful and idyllic lakeside beauty spot.

Saturday, 21st June
We arrived quickly in Nantes after only a 50 minute flight on a purple aeroplane from Southampton where we were met by our usual golden coach to take us to Collège Trémolières. Here we met our French partners and their families who welcomed us with quiche, cakes, a bi-lingual introduction and an impressive dance display!