just arrived in Avignon

barbel · #1 (**permalink**) 30th August 2009, 01:13 PM

Hi, I’ve just arrived in Avignon for a 12-month job, single (divorced) male aged 59, science Doctor, and looking to make friends and learn French. My interests include fishing, jogging, mountain biking, eating and drinking (all in a social and not competitive sense). Open to all suggestions!

frogblogger · #2 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 03:17 AM

Hi barbel (don't know if you can catch any in the Avignon area)... and welcome to ExpatForum.

Not sure about expat groups in Avignon, although there's a sizeable Anglophone community there. Great place, you've just missed the month-long festival (July) but perhaps you'll still be around for next year's festivities. Social jogging, fishing, eating and drinking, and extremely social mountain biking sound good to me.

Part of the year I live near Malaucene and Vaison la Romaine, at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, 30 minutes' drive away. If you're into mountain biking there are plenty of trails around the Ventoux and the Dentelles.

I am on t'other side of the world right now, but will be back for a few weeks from late September, then again from November until the following June.

When you've posted to the forum five times you'll be able to send PMs (private messages), btw.

barbel · #3 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 03:59 AM

Feel free to contact me again when you're back in france. I can see Mont Ventoux from the window of the flat I hope to move into later today, builders willing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Hi barbel (don't know if you can catch any in the Avignon area)... and welcome to ExpatForum.

Not sure about expat groups in Avignon, although there's a sizeable Anglophone community there. Great place, you've just missed the month-long festival (July) but near Malaucene and Vaison la Romaine, at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, 30 minutes' drive away. If you're into mountain biking there are plenty of trails around the Ventoux and the Dentelles.

I am on t'other side of the world right now, but will be back for a few weeks from late September, then again from November until the following June.

When you've posted to the forum five times you'll be able to send PMs (private messages), btw.

frogblogger · #4 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 04:10 AM

Which side of Avignon are you staying? When I wrote 30 minutes' drive, that's to the north side/Le Pontet area.

barbel · #5 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Which side of Avignon are you staying? When I wrote 30 minutes' drive, that's to the north side/Le Pontet area.

flat is... about 2km outside the walls, going out on the Route de Lyon towards (but not as far as) Le Pontet

frogblogger · #6 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 04:44 AM

Near the Rocade by the sound of it.

Plenty of places to learn French in town, it's a vibrant university city with a lot going on all year round. If you've a car you are spoilt for choice with countryside to go running and biking.

Bevdeforges · #7 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 07:49 AM

While you're waiting for Frogblogger to return, you should check out the local mairie. You've arrived at the perfect time. The month of september is when all activities and social groups start up again after the summer hiatus. Many towns run events called "Forum des activités" or "Forums des associations" in early September to feature the many (usually mairie-sponsored) local groups and you're bound to find a few groups dedicated to "randonée" (hiking), "vélo" (biking), "chasse et pêche" (hunting and fishing - the two seem to be always linked in France) - or possibly even an AVF (Accueil des Villes Françaises) or the local equivalent for newcomers to town. Once you have found an association or two, the eating and drinking just sort of comes along naturally.

Learning French is much more fun when you're doing some activity you like and the local associations are normally thrilled to have new members.
Cheers,
Bev

wendyj · #8 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 04:28 PM

An hour's drive or less by train to Nimes and come to BritsNîmes events

dcat · #9 (**permalink**) 28th September 2009, 06:24 PM

Hi barbel, I live not too far away on the Costa Daurada in Spain

. I would like to move to Avignon when my villa here sells. I was there last year and looked around for property to buy. But I think it more likely that I would rent. Do you have any idea what rents are like? I would like to live in the center of town, somewhere within or near the walls since I won't have a car. I'd be looking for a one- or two-bedroom apartment in good condition. Doesn't have to be new; actually I prefer old. I suppose rents could vary so let me put it another way. Do you think I could find something decent for about 400 a month? Or less? Thanks for any information.

barbel · #10 (**permalink**) 28th September 2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcat

Hi barbel, I live not too far away on the Costa Daurada in Spain

. I would like to move to Avignon when my villa here sells. I was there last year and looked around for property to buy. But I think it more likely that I would rent. Do you have any idea what rents are like? I would like to live in the center of town, somewhere within or near the walls since I won't have a car. I'd be looking for a one- or two-bedroom apartment in good condition. Doesn't have to be new; actually I prefer old. I suppose rents could vary so let me put it another way. Do you think I could find something decent for about 400 a month? Or less? Thanks for any information.

I can only share my own experience, and I was only looking at 2-bed appartments; they ranged from 500 - 900 depending on location, furnished/not, parking, etc. I found somewhere 10 min walk outside the walls for 700 with load of parking that you don't need; so, 400 for somewhere nice with one-bed might be possible, but you'd need to check the details of the locality.