Category: Clubs and Groups

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Book Club

A group of book loving Anglophones meet together regularly to discuss books that have been chosen by its members. If you, like us, enjoy reading. Perhaps you would like the opportunity to explore books that you might not have thought of trying. We are a friendly bunch and our discussions are often lively and thought provoking.

For further information please contact us at

Some of the books we have read and discussed:

The Children Act by Ian McEwan
My Brilliant friend by Elena Ferrante
The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak
To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
L’Auberge by Julia Stagg
A Week In December by Sebastian Faulkes
The Book Thief by Markus Zusac
The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window by Jonas Jonasson
Woman With A Birthmark by Hakan Nesser

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English / French Conversation Groups

We have recently formed two conversation groups; one to cater for beginners wanting to learn French and a second our French speakers who want to improve their English (with a little French thrown in!)

We have a group of members (English and French) who facilitate these groups. We generally plan specific themes or subjects each time to stimulate the flow of conversation. The main aim is to have relaxed informal groups where people feel happy to speak.

For further information please contact us at

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Dance Group

Why not join us to learn country dancing?

Our dance group meets every other Tuesday during term time near Coutances. The evening encompasses English Country Dancing, Scottish Country Dancing and a touch of Morris Dancing thrown in as well.

Members and non-members are welcome, men and women, you don’t need to have a partner to come along. There is a small charge per session of 3€ for members and 4€ for non-members to cover the cost of hiring the venue.

Comfortable shoes are recommended.

For further information contact us at .

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Walking Group

Our walking group meets once a month from February to June and from September to November. All members are welcome – we have some regulars but also people who dip in and out as it suits them.

We walk for about 5km – taking around an hour and a half. We try to put together a mixture of seaside and country walks. There’s nothing too strenuous but stout footwear is recommended.

Afterwards we try to go to a local auberge or restaurant for lunch with a good value menu or have a picnic.

For further information please contact us at

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Book Club goes International

Our book club members were very excited when we were approached with a proposal for a meeting between a book club in Jersey and ourselves.

After a great deal of liaising and planning, our Jersey guests arrived on the Saturday afternoon. The evening was kindly hosted at the home of a member of the Coutances-Jersey twinning group.

The evening started with apéros. Then we sat down to a cornucopia of food, punctuated by much talk and laughter as we became acquainted.

Having eaten our fill, it was down to the serious business of dis-cussing the chosen book. This was The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.

The evening came to a close and the hosts took their guests home with them for a well earned sleep.

Sunday saw us all meet up in La Pergola, on the outskirts of Coutances, enjoying yet more food and conversation before saying “adieu” to our new friends.

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September Walk at Coutainville

Our walk took us past some very large holiday villas, but also some cosy houses surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and unbelievably the rain waited until we entered the restaurant! We all took the starter buffet and the lunch formule. There was a good ambiance present. Once again it was a success and thanks go to our organiser.

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Dance Group at Le Manoir

Our Dance Group has been meeting once a fortnight.

Under the guidance of Louise we have had great fun and much hilarity learning some more English and Scottish country dances.

Our season culminated in June in a small dance “show” at Le Manoir retirement home in Coutances and an end-of-season party at Gratot.

This was our second visit to a retirement home in Coutances to entertain the residents and we were as warmly welcomed as before.

We danced for about an hour, demonstrating four Scottish and two English dances.

We then invited the staff to join in a couple with us, which they did with great enthusiasm, even pressing us for an extra one!

They then provided us with refreshments which were much needed and very gratefully received!

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1st French conversation group

Not wanting to wait for La Rentrée, 11 keen members got together on 21 August for the first of the French conversation groups.

Introductions (in French of course) were made and various aspects of the weather discussed and phrases learnt. Hopefully everyone gained from the discussion and learnt at least that it’s OK to open your mouth and see what French comes out!

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Walk at Hambye

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16 people and one dog enjoyed a walk in the vicinity of the Abbey at Hambye. Whilst it was raining heavily prior to the walk, it did not rain during the walk but the ground was very wet and some of the bridges were very slippery. Following the walk we had a very nice 3 course meal at the Hotel de La Gare at Gavray where we gained all the calories lost on the walk!