Dear Friends of French Affaires,
It is that time of year to warm up our “Joyeux Noël” as Christmas approaches. I trust you are all well and ready to enjoy the approaching Holidays.
For French Affaires, 2023 has been a busy and productive year. I am just back from the popular “Paris at the Holidays” trip. You can see us at Instagram.
Maud and I made some minor modifications and they were all clear improvements. One of the highlights was the special visit to Chaumet Jewelry on the Place Vendôme. We were treated to a private two-hour visit. We also modified the programme with a visit to the Marais this year, including the Place des Vosges and the impressive Hotel de Soubise.
I already have a list for 2024 so if you are interested, let me know. Dates (in France) will be 29 November to 4 December 2024.
In 2024 we will again do the Aix Language Immersion (“Live Like a Local”) with its partner venue from this past year in Beaune. Many students have remained in contact with the Beaune instructor and are continuing their French lessons. The dates will be 30 August to 14 September — a nice time to be in Provence. This is a two-week trip and a way to drink deeply of the local culture.
Following this, we will reprise the very popular Cote d’Azur trip. Dates will be 15 September to 22 September. We will again stay in Eze and Cannes. I am happy to provide a detailed brochure.
I am doing a private trip to Beaune in May. I donated Elizabeth’s French language books to the local classical Christian school here in Beaufort, SC. After 6 years of Latin, the seniors were given a choice for their final year, and they chose French. As a graduation prize, I will host them in this lovely Burgundy setting. We have found a very nice house just down from the center of town.
Maud is busy putting her final touches on the Paris Fashion History and Ateliers trip. The dates (in Paris) will be either 6-10 or 27-31 May. I am in touch with many of you who have shown interest. Dior, Chaumet, YSL, Hermes, la Samaritaine and other landmark fashion destinations. This is not just a shopping trip, but an exclusive entry into the history and the workshops of Paris fashion. This is Maud’s special passion. Please contact me if interested.
I have been especially blessed to find myself back on the roads and at the sites Elizabeth and I so enjoyed together. They were the best days of our shared life, and in a sense hard to describe, so they remain.
May the angels of God greet you alongside the Christ child once again this year. Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noël.
Yours sincerely, Chris