We are an English Speaking Association in the Nimes Area

BritsNîmes is a non-profit making association of people interested in the English language.Membership is open to individuals or families. Most live in Nîmes and the Gard.

BritsNîmes organise regular social or cultural activities. these are very varied and designed to help people to get to know the area and make new friends and meet local people. Information is dispersed via our website, emails and newsletters.

BritsNîmes attracts members from many nationalities. Some have lived in the area for many years, other are recent arrivals. The regular get-togethers allow everybody to exchange experiences about life in France and allows children to meet and befriend other bi-lingual youngsters.

BritsNîmes is always delighted to have new members. By joining BritsNîmes contact with other members in English can be both a pleasure and an experience, while a helping hand when in need is always welcome. All nationalities welcome

Monday

Our Calendar of Events

Click on the link in the left hand column for further details
on each of our events detailed below




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Monthly Visit



Monthly visit:  Sunday 23 June 10h30, visit of La Grotte de Trabuc 

Not far from the mas Souberyan in Mialet where "le Musée du Desert" is located you find La Grotte de Trabuc, one of the biggest caves in the Cévennes. It was already inhabited in the late Stone Age through the Roman times. In the Reformation period it was used as a refuge by the "Camissards" they used it also as a gunpowder factory. Camissards were French Protestants (Huguenots) of the rugged and isolated Cévennes region, who raised an insurrection against the persecutions which followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.  Later the entrances were closed by the troops of King Louis XIV. A century later, it was used as a refuge by the "Trabucaires", highway robbers. The name of the cave is derived from the Trabuc, blunderbuss, a very efficient weapon they used. In 1823, the first speleologists, Nicod and Gallière entered deep into the caves.
Nowadays a guided tour of one hour takes you 120m down, for a visit of over 1200m of galeries. Along with waterfalls and the beautiful emerald coloured lake "Le Lac de Minuit", you can admire at leisure the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, "living" soda straws, the forming of pearls and you find at the end of the path a whole army of 100.000 mini "soldiers" formed by stalagmites and divided by small dams made of calcium deposit. Up till now it is a unexplained phenomena. Local artist have designed artwork for some of the areas.
 
One has to be able to descend and climb back about 30m of metal stairs (with railings) in stages. Only children 5 yrs and older are allowed to enter the caves. The temperature is 14C, so bring a coat and proper walking shoes.
 
We will have lunch at a restaurant nearby "Le Pradinas", on the D-50 near (south of) the caves.
(Menu: Cruditées, Charcuteries, Duo de dessert.  Supplément vin et café : €4 pp)
 
If, after lunch, you would like to see more of the neighbourhood you can visit nearby:
- The lovely Bambouseraie gardens (entrée €8.80/€5.20) ,  
- Le Musée du Désert, about the history of the Huguenots and the Camissards (entrée €5.50/€4.50) 
- Verrerie d'Art d'Anduze, D-907 route de St Jean du Gard, Anduze
 
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At the top right of this newsletter you'll see 'view it in your browser' click this and then print as normal .

Yes, we would like to visit "La Grotte de Trabuc"
Date: Sunday 23 June, meeting 10h20 on parking of the caves for the visit to start at 10h30 - directions will be emailed to you.
 
Guided Tour : €7.20 adult x …… = €……..
                       €5.90 child : x …… = €…….
 
Lunch: adult  : €16 (€4 extra for coffee and wine) x..... = € ......
             child : €11 x ......= €.......
 
I enclose a cheque for Total _____ €
 
I need / I can offer _____ car spaces from Nimes
 
My Name: _______________ 
Tel No: __________________
or Email: _________________
 
Cheques payable to BritsNîmes sent to: Wendy Johnson. 40 place de la petite Camargue, 34400 Lunel by 17 June latest please.
We are limited to 45 places.

Please note that once we have received a payment for an outing, and we have promised numbers to an organisation, we aren't always able to refund monies if you are unable to come at the last minute, as we could already have been charged. We do try our best to be fair to all.
 


Disclaimer: Participants in walks and other activities do so entirely at their own risk. No responsibility is implied or taken for any inaccuracies in the itineraries. The walks/activity may be cancelled, the destination changed or the level of endurance altered without prior notice. By joining the walk/activity, all participants are deemed to have agreed to the terms and conditions contained in this disclaimer, and agreed to exonerate the walk/activity leaders, the organizers and any other participants in the walk/activity from any liabilities, claims, including but not limited to liabilities and claims as a result of any injuries or damages arising thereof.
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