Expats in Rennes?

[Chris Jones]

Des bonjours à tout le monde!

This is my first post to this site.

We (myself, my wife and our two daughters) just arrived in Rennes for academic year 2009-2010 this past Wednesday. I will be teaching mathematics in a school year abroad program for rising American 11th and 12th graders. My two daughters (ages 9 and 5) will be attending the local French elementary school (Camille Claudel) with very little preparation -- which is kinda crazy, but we're excited for them to have the opportunity to be immersed!

I am curious if there are any English speaking families in Rennes on this forum with kids of ages close to mine. We are, of course, hoping our daughters (and we) will make new friends with their French classmates/families, but it would be nice if there happen to be other families with similar backgrounds nearby with whom to connect.

All the best,
-Chris-

[luna76]

Hi Chris,
I'm a newby too (actually I just registered to answer to your post).
Me and my partner are currently working at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, UK and are considering a move to Rennes in Jan 2010.
We only have one kid much younger than yours, but feel free to contact us if you want. You'll easily find my university address if you google "luna informatics edinburgh".

All the best to you and your family for your bold move!
Cheers, Luna

Originally Posted by Chris Jones

Des bonjours à tout le monde!

This is my first post to this site.

We (myself, my wife and our two daughters) just arrived in Rennes for academic year 2009-2010 this past Wednesday. I will be teaching mathematics in a school year abroad program for rising American 11th and 12th graders. My two daughters (ages 9 and 5) will be attending the local French elementary school (Camille Claudel) with very little preparation -- which is kinda crazy, but we're excited for them to have the opportunity to be immersed!

I am curious if there are any English speaking families in Rennes on this forum with kids of ages close to mine. We are, of course, hoping our daughters (and we) will make new friends with their French classmates/families, but it would be nice if there happen to be other families with similar backgrounds nearby with whom to connect.

All the best,
-Chris-

[glentheleg]

Chris & Luna,

Welcome (and almost welcome) to Rennes. You've picked or been thrown into a very lovely town. I've lived in Rennes for a year and have been haunting this forum for quite some time and have yet to see more than one other person mention our town, so I'm not sure on what your chances will be locating others online.

However, my one piece of advice for meeting other expats of all manner of backgrounds/age groups etc is the pub O'Connell's. You may have already found the place, it's located opposite place du parlement, has english and irish staff and is pretty much a hub of the english speaking expat community here. You may benefit from a visit during a lunch time and having a chat with Stu or Mag who run the place, between them and the rest of the staff they have a real handle on what's going on in the town.

Also the pub itself is a very kid-friendly place, at least during the days/afternoons, and they serve lunch there.

I feel like I'm advertising the place... but when I first arrived and knew nobody, this was my destination once a day for a coffee and this is how I met almost all of the people I know in this town.

Glen.

[luna76]

Thanks, will absolutely do!
by chance, do you also know how to get hold of an (even sparsely) furnished 4/5 rooms flat? we'll be moving on the light side (just a few boxes of clothes, books and crookery) and we are dreading the idea of having to buy all furniture and appliances upfront. How do people get furniture on the cheap in Rennes? Is it the usual ikea?
Not to speak about having to find a nursery place for a 9 months old...
Oh dear, I've not even started and I can't wait for the settling in period to be over! I'm not really a good expat specimen

Originally Posted by glentheleg

Chris & Luna,

Welcome (and almost welcome) to Rennes. You've picked or been thrown into a very lovely town. I've lived in Rennes for a year and have been haunting this forum for quite some time and have yet to see more than one other person mention our town, so I'm not sure on what your chances will be locating others online.

However, my one piece of advice for meeting other expats of all manner of backgrounds/age groups etc is the pub O'Connell's. You may have already found the place, it's located opposite place du parlement, has english and irish staff and is pretty much a hub of the english speaking expat community here. You may benefit from a visit during a lunch time and having a chat with Stu or Mag who run the place, between them and the rest of the staff they have a real handle on what's going on in the town.

Also the pub itself is a very kid-friendly place, at least during the days/afternoons, and they serve lunch there.

I feel like I'm advertising the place... but when I first arrived and knew nobody, this was my destination once a day for a coffee and this is how I met almost all of the people I know in this town.

Glen.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by luna76

Thanks, will absolutely do!
by chance, do you also know how to get hold of an (even sparsely) furnished 4/5 rooms flat? we'll be moving on the light side (just a few boxes of clothes, books and crookery) and we are dreading the idea of having to buy all furniture and appliances upfront. How do people get furniture on the cheap in Rennes? Is it the usual ikea?
Not to speak about having to find a nursery place for a 9 months old...
Oh dear, I've not even started and I can't wait for the settling in period to be over! I'm not really a good expat specimen

Large furnished places can be tricky to find, as they are considered to be almost like hotel rooms. If you're going to be affiliated in any way with a school, ask around the school as there are often groups that help academics find accommodation.

As for cheap furnishings, IKEA is one plan. Brocantes (boot or rummage sales) are popular, too, though you've missed the "high season" for the town sponsored ones. September and the beginning of October are very popular times and it seems just about all the towns run them.

Don't worry too much about finding a nursery place. Many towns have crêches or halte garderies which are open to those living in the town. Ask at the mairie (town hall) when you arrive.
Cheers,
Bev

[glentheleg]

Like Bev said, furnished places are usually studio apartments for students, bigger places will almost always be unfurnished. And be ready for what unfurnished means in France, usually this: No stove tops, no oven, no fridge, no washing machine, no light fittings (shades etc, the wires and bulb-socket are still there)... there's a very different idea of renting in this country, as least compared to Australia and the UK.

Brocantes are brilliant, but Bev's right (when is she ever not?) you've missed the high season, and the big two day one in Rennes was a few weeks back. However we do have an IKEA a few minutes drive out of town, and there is a great second hand shop called La Trocante - the prices are reasonable and the goods range from complete crap to great (with prices varying accordingly). It's located nearish the train station. You'll probably save a little compared with ikea, won't have to travel as far, and won't end up with a flat that looks like an ikea catalog.

Good luck with the move,

G.