HORIZONS
and HORIZONS Séranne

Programme 2009

Welcome to the Buèges Valley

The Languedoc Roussillon region is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting areas of France. It is a region of light and colour, bordered by sea and mountains, and the diversity of nature is astounding. It is a famous wine-growing area, steeped in history and blessed with endless days of sunshine and clear skies every year.

The original Occitan language or "Langue d'Oc" was used by medieval troubadours when performing poetry and songs for Kings and Nobility. The famous symbol of Occitania, the Toulouse Cross, hints at this region’s vast and fascinating history.

For centuries, the Languedoc area has been influenced by a medley of different cultures. These have included, the Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Saracens, Jewish and Languedociens. The region has been  fought over, often under a religious pretext. Yet, in spite of economic, political and cultural misfortunes, a protestor spirit remains and the diversity of influences over centuries, have conferred on this region, a distinct personality characterised by tolerance and generosity.

It is important that we strive to preserve the ecological richness, beauty and varied landscapes of the Languedoc region, as it is increasingly under the stress of tourism. Horizons Séranne organises ecological workshops that you are most welcome to join. We have the following aims:

We have the following aims:

  • Increasing the conservation and management of natural reserves, and providing environmental education to help preserve the ecological balance.
  • Developing respectful tourism in the area.
  • Raising young people's awareness and knowledge of the richness of the natural environment.
  • Supporting meetings and cultural exchanges.
  • Creating a place of discussion on Europe with an emphasis on European values

In order to promote our environmental protection projects, HORIZONS, created in 1989, gathers together specialists in the following varied fields: French language teaching, regional historians, experts on local tales and legends, archaeology, biology, geology and ecology.

Horizons-Séranne was formed at the beginning of 1999 on the initiative of young people with the aim of encouraging cultural, social and educational exchange.

We are pleased to present to following program of Horizons-Séranne activities. We hope to be able to welcome you in person to the Buèges Valley.

Programme 2009


 French Language Course

  • Open to all (beginners, intermediate and advanced).
     
  • Dates 2009:
    5th April - 18th April
    3rd May - 9th May
    21th June - 4th July
    19th July - 1st August
    4th October - 10th October
    11th October - 24th October
     
  • Teaching:
    880 EUR for two-week course
    (This includes teaching, 10 excursions, 11 nights half-board accommodation in our gîte plus 2 nights bed and breakfast.
    490 EUR for one-week course
    (This includes teaching, 5 excursions, 6 nights half-board accommodation in our gîte)

Discover the mysteries of Cathar country

  • Open to all / includes translations
     
  • Dates: 6th - 13th June 2009
  • Teaching:  720 EUR
    This includes fees, transport plus full-board accommodation in double rooms. There is an extra charge for individual rooms: 90 EUR
    West African Drumming and Percussion
  • Open to all: Beginners, intermediates (groups at different levels) Includes translations
     
  • Dates:  28th June - 4th July 2008
     
  • Teaching:  495 EUR
     
  • This includes course fees, excursions plus half-board gîte accommodation.
     
Southern and Regional Cuisine
(French cooking with French conversation)
  • Open to all (maximum 5 persons)
     
  • Dates 2009: 3rd - 9th May and 4th - 10th October
     
  • Prices: 
    360 EUR for 6 days
    (This includes course fees, 3 excursions and half-board accommodation)
    520 euros for 6 days with French languages teaching
    (This includes course fees, French languages teaching, 5 excursions and half-board accommodation).
     
  • Note: Individual and double rooms cost extra.

The Buèges Valley and the Séranne Mountain.

  • Open to all (Groups of 6 - 12 participants)
  • Dates:  Weekend dates not yet fixed.
    (Please contact us in advance)
  • Teaching: 39 EUR per person (subject to change)
     

Introduction to Orienteering, map-reading and navigation using a compass.

  • Open to all
  • Dates not yet fixed
    (Please contact us in advance)
  • Teaching:  39 EUR per person, subject to modifications
  • Accommodation: Full-board in gîte (at cost price)
     

Educational Walks in the Buèges Valley

  • Open to all (Groups up to a maximum of 15 participants)
  • Dates:  Half-day excursion
    (Please contact us in advance)
  • Teaching fee:  Fixed price for groups is 85 EUR (subject to change)
     

Environmental and Conservation Educational Training course including a visit to the Ranquas Reserve.

  • Open to all, for groups
  • Dates and conditions:  Please contact us in advance
     

Discover the region

Learn about the fascinating history of this region and discover a rich and compelling culture. We examine the implications this past history has for the future.

  • Open to all / including translations
  • Dates:
    5th April - 18th April
    3rd May - 9th May
    21th June - 4th July
    19th July - 1st August
    4th October - 10th October
    11th October - 24th October
  • Teaching:
    60 EUR for one week     and 120 EUR for both weeks
  • Accommodation: Half-board gîte (at cost price)

St. Guilhem le Désert

  • Open to all (Groups of 6 - 12 participants)
  • Dates: Weekend dates not yet fixed
    (Please contact us in advance)
  • Teaching: 35 EUR per person
  • Accommodation: Full-board in gîte (at cost price)
     

Personalised holidays (a customised mix of activities and visits for a particular group or individual)

We are happy to help you organise your stay with us. You can read about just a few of the many holiday activities to choose from in the area by clicking here.

Don't forget: All of our regional discovery and conservation programmes can be combined with French conversation and French language teaching courses. Please contact us to discuss your language requirements.

We can pick you up from nearby bus or train stations, and from Montpellier Airport. We also have space in our garage where motorbikes or bicycles can be stored.

We take care of all the practical organisation of your stay.

Lodgings: In addition to our own gîtes, we can provide rooms in the village with individual hosts.

Activities for children

We want you to be able to fully enjoy your stay with us and all that we have to offer. We are pleased to welcome families with children and are able to cater for children from between 2 to 15 years old.

We have activities for children that will stimulate their imaginations and creativity.

Children’s Workshops

We have created a series of discovery workshops for children. Using music and theatre, painting, making marionettes and masks, clay modelling, and other similar activities, your children can enjoy themselves, leaving you free to relax or take part in any of our Horizon courses detailed above.

Outdoor activities

Opportunities for outdoor activities in the area are boundless. There are numerous outdoor swimming spots and a network of hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. You may just want to relax, or stroll around our beautiful, medieval village, St Jean de Bueges. Come and discover the fauna and the flora of our surrounding.

All our programmes are conducted by our lively, trilingual specialist teacher, Connie and her team.

Languages spoken: French, German or English.

Links

 


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WEBSITE: Philipp Küchler  |  TEXT: Horizons Séranne  |  ILLUSTRATIONS: J.-C.D.