Trip to Grandvilliers 2016
On Friday April 22nd 50 people headed from Athy to meet with our friends in Grandvilliers.
There were committee members, a youth Soccer team and coaches, representatives from Athy Scout troop, Athy Tennis Club, Kempo Athy, and Rising Stars Dance Group.
We left Athy at 4pm for Dublin airport to catch a flight at 7:30. Once we arrived in Beavauis we were greeted by members of the Jumelage committee and were then transported to Grandvilliers..........
On arrival in Grandvilliers we met our host families and departed to our homes for the next few days.
On Saturday morning we departed Grandvilliers at 9am for a day trip to visit many of the local historic sites. our first port of call was Noyon where we visited the famous Noyon Cathedral.
Then on to a small village town hall for a beautiful buffet lunch with the mandatory glass of vin. The afternoon consisted of a trip to the Armistice Museum and Memorial in the Forest of Compiegne. Here is location of the train carriage where the end of World War 1 was signed into existence in 1918. A recreation of the actual carriage was on show as well as many photos and memorabilia from the Great War.
Then a visit to Napoleon's hunting lodge, only a small retreat with over 1300 rooms, a nice weekend bolt hole. It is the Palais de Compiegne. A beautiful building with a lot of history.
Then back to Grandvilliers for a fabulous Gala Banquet, with our host families. A wonderful evening of food, conversation and the odd glass of vin or three.
On Sunday Morning the scene was set for the u14 soccer match and the inaugural tennis matches between Athy and Grandvilliers. Also there were the Kempo matches. Many of the Athy contingent were brought on trips by their host families on the Sunday afternoon.
Monday dawned very early with a 7am departure from Grandvilliers to catch a flight back to Dublin and arriving back in Athy at about midday.
A wonderful trip was had by all. Tired and exhausted but great memories and friends.
On Friday April 22nd 50 people headed from Athy to meet with our friends in Grandvilliers.
There were committee members, a youth Soccer team and coaches, representatives from Athy Scout troop, Athy Tennis Club, Kempo Athy, and Rising Stars Dance Group.
We left Athy at 4pm for Dublin airport to catch a flight at 7:30. Once we arrived in Beavauis we were greeted by members of the Jumelage committee and were then transported to Grandvilliers..........
On arrival in Grandvilliers we met our host families and departed to our homes for the next few days.
On Saturday morning we departed Grandvilliers at 9am for a day trip to visit many of the local historic sites. our first port of call was Noyon where we visited the famous Noyon Cathedral.
Then on to a small village town hall for a beautiful buffet lunch with the mandatory glass of vin. The afternoon consisted of a trip to the Armistice Museum and Memorial in the Forest of Compiegne. Here is location of the train carriage where the end of World War 1 was signed into existence in 1918. A recreation of the actual carriage was on show as well as many photos and memorabilia from the Great War.
Then a visit to Napoleon's hunting lodge, only a small retreat with over 1300 rooms, a nice weekend bolt hole. It is the Palais de Compiegne. A beautiful building with a lot of history.
Then back to Grandvilliers for a fabulous Gala Banquet, with our host families. A wonderful evening of food, conversation and the odd glass of vin or three.
On Sunday Morning the scene was set for the u14 soccer match and the inaugural tennis matches between Athy and Grandvilliers. Also there were the Kempo matches. Many of the Athy contingent were brought on trips by their host families on the Sunday afternoon.
Monday dawned very early with a 7am departure from Grandvilliers to catch a flight back to Dublin and arriving back in Athy at about midday.
A wonderful trip was had by all. Tired and exhausted but great memories and friends.