Come out, come out, wherever you are!

[Ale]

Originally Posted by Penny

Hi All

This forum has got pretty quiet over the winter but with spring almost upon us, I thought it was time to get things moving. So welcome to the new Parenting in France sub-forum. Maybe I'm missing having my aussie mum-friends to chat to, but I'd be interested in hearing a bit about how others in France are finding parenting here. So de-lurk, post an intro here if you like and let's start talking....

Obviously my name is Penny and I live in Annecy. We've been here for 10 months now and I'm a stay-at-home mum to Lily aged 4 and Jasper who is almost 2.

Hoping to hear from someone....

Hi Penny,

I moved to Annecy in January and i'm a new mum of a lovely 3 months old boy. I've been looking for groups where to meet other mums in Annecy but there don't seem to be any - at least i couldn't find any... Do you know if such groups exist here?

I'm Italian but i lived in London for several years and there were plenty of these groups over there...

Looking forward to meeting other mums in the area!

[INDIA J]

Hi Ale,

Try contacting :

Peggy Hankey at Chatterbox :

chatterbox@chatterboxfr.net
Tel: 04 50 56 76 40
Fax: 04 50 56 76 40
'Snail' Mail: Les Côtes,
74910, SEYSSEL

She will, no doubt, be able to help you with info. on schools attended by the Brits. and English speaking mother toddler groups etc in the Annecy area...
There are plenty of them, not run by Chatterbox, but it's a good place to start...
Good Luck

[Ale]

Thanks India, i will definitely give it a go!

[Penny]

Hi Ale

And welcome to the forum!

Are you looking for french speaking groups or english or doesn't it matter? I have been meaning to contact Peggy myself as I have not found any english speaking baby/toddler groups here in Annecy (not that I've looked very hard) and I thought she may know of one.

But I have found a great place to meet other french mums and their kids. Its at the MJC Archipel Sud. They have an espace parents/enfants that is open 9-12 every Monday and Thursday morning. Its a group of mums, lots of toys and also 2 co-ordinators. They also organise activities such as baby gym and music class for when your little one is a bit older. Although many of the kids who go there are about 2 years old, they have a little corner for babies and you would certainly meet some nice mums there (including me!). Its right near the Ecole Vaugelas close to the vielle ville.

There are also other MJCs in Annecy in the other areas and a couple of those also have espace parents/enfants. I'm not sure about mothers groups with babies as my youngest was one when we arrived so I didnt really search them out.

My husband David who started this forum also organizes picnics on the Paquier every couple of months in summer, so make sure you join the group Annecy Expat friends in your profile and you'll get an email about our next picnic. We have quite a few expats who attend from Annecy and surrounding areas and some have young kids.

If you'd like to meet up for a coffee one day, let me know. I have met
quite a few expats here but not many with little kids who live in Annecy so I'd welcome a chat!

[Ale]

Hi Penny,

Thanks for your lovely reply!

I'd love to meet up with you, my email address is alessandra.verrini@gmail.com - let's arrange something!

[Trupial]

Hi,

There's been no postings on here for about 2 years!!

Anyways, here goes

I'm originally from Aruba (Dutch Caribbean) and my husband is French, we live in London, UK and are planning to move to Annecy with our two children (6 and 4).

Looking all over the place to find information about schools but am not getting very far. I also would like information on where to live in or near Annecy as I guess we'll be sending our children to a public school. I have looked at the international school in Geneva but almost choked at the cost lol....We will be working in Geneva.

Can someone help me out please?
Many thanks, Mercedes

[Penny]

HI Mercedes

Welcome to the forum. We live in the centre ville and really enjoy the lifestyle. The public schools in our area are really good and there is also a private school a little further away. If you are interested in living in Annecy itself there is a primary school brochure on the Mairie's site (www.annecy.fr have a look under the school section, I'd link to it but the site is currently down!). It gives you lots of info about the public schools and also the catchment areas (only relevant for public schools of course). To enrol in public school, you will need to be able to prove where you live.

I'm presuming your children already speak french, if not, I think for kids in primary who dont speak french, they like to start them in the CLIN program at les Romains. It wont matter for the maternelle.

Good luck with finding a place here. I think it depends on what you like, We would go crazy living in the "burbs" and love the convenience of walking everywhere in the centre, but that doesn't suit everyone!

cheers
Penny

[Trupial]

Hi Penny,

Thank you so much for your response and for the link! I couldn't retrieve this thread until now

Sorry to trouble you again but would you know of a place where they teach children English? perhaps on a Saturday or so? I am really worried they'll forget the English language as we do not speak English at home.

I have heard about a school in Geneva (Mosaic), I suppose it is too far from Annecy ...have you heard of people who live in Annecy and their children go to school in Geneva?

Thank you again for your feedback,
Regards from a very cold and gloomy London

[Craig N]

Hi,

This may be of interest to you: a new bilingual school in (or near) Annecy.

www.ecolebilingue74.fr

I also know there is a place called Petits Bilingues which teaches kids English (although targets French-speaking kids more than English speakers). There is also Chatterbox in Annecy-le-Vieux on Wednesdays (if it still exists...). It is for English native and bilingual kids.

HTH,

Craig

[Trupial]

Thank you very much, Craig. Much appreciated.

Regards, Mercedes