In the inter-war years Biscarrosse was the centre of the thriving French seaplane industry, with more than 100 flying boats providing flights to Africa. New York and South America. There is now an excellent museum there, with a regular international event to trace the history of aviation.
The 2018 edition also marks the centenary of the first flight of what was to become Latécoère Air Lines which started delivering freight and post for Laposte to the french colonies in Africa.
During the first world war the founder, Pierre Latécoère, invested in factories in Toulouse producing shells and aircraft and delivered about 800 planes to the french army. The company then specialized in design and manufacture of seaplanes which reached a zenith with the six engined Latécoère 631 which was billed as ‘The Ship of the Skies‘ and designed for transatlantic flights. The 631 first flew in 1939 and 10 examples were produced. It was the largest production seaplane ever built and to put this into context had a wingspan about one third larger than the famous Short Sunderland of WWII fame. Groupe Latécoère still exists today as a successful group of companies supplying assemblies and components to Airbus and Boeing.
The 2018 flying displays will involve historic seaplanes and legendary aircraft of French and international aviation including the Breguet 14, PBY Catalina, Douglas DC3, De Havilland Beaver etc
More recent aircraft will fly including a Rafale, competitor to Eurofighter Typhoon, from the 17F Flotille of the French Naval Air Force, a fire fighting Canadair seaplane of the Civil Security and also the presence of the Patrouille de France which is the Air Force aerobatic team.
There will be helicopter rides, exhibitions and the usual event amenities.
The BBC enjoyed an excellent day in 2016, and we look forward to visiting again this year, seeing around 30 classic seaplanes in action, contrasted with a display by the mighty supersonic Dassault Rafale which is built at Merignac.
Our Rendezvous and Picnic
We must expect it to be busy, and to avoid the crowds we propose meeting at 12.00 sharp for a ‘tranquil’ picnic at the Petit Lac.
We will then walk less than 1 Km along the canal to reach the event at the southern lake at Latecoere, which has the usual festival facilities (aviation and other stalls, refreshments etc).
Entry is free.
Please bring all you need for a picnic ! Phil aims to ‘reserve’ the picnic tables by the lake !
Picnic and Meeting Location
TIME: 12:00 noon on Sunday 10th June
GPS: 44.396591, -1.182885 ( N 44°23’47.7″ W 1°10’58.4″ )
Take A63 from Bordeaux and after 28Km turn off onto A660 signed to Arcachon
Turn off after 5 km, onto D216 signed to Biscarrosse
In Mios turn sharp right at the first roundabout then straight over the next one
After 25km go through Sanguinet (over 4 roundabouts including a large one surrounding the town hall)
After a further 12 Km you reach Biscarrosse
Go straight over the first and second roundabouts, and continue straight into the centre (over an absurd number of speed bumps !) past the Marie and the church
Take the second turn right after the church, signed to Dechetterie and Cimetiere ! This road is Avenue de Montbron
You will cross a bridge over the canal (joining Biscarrosse’s three lakes) and then look out for the lakeside car park on your right opposite the cemetery
Note the car park has an intimidating 2.1m width restriction. If your car is wider, or you don’t trust your judgement, you can park opposite in the Cemetery car park !
Note ignore any signs for ‘Hydravion’ (which direct to special parking, buses and crowds)
Booking
To register, please contact Phil C direct or book online below. Phil’s contact details are here
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Click ‘Submit’ only once and then wait for your booking details to be re-displayed on your screen.
There maybe a little delay while your details are being noted and registered.
If you do not receive a confirmation from the organiser within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the organiser direct for your booking confirmation.
We will visit this fascinating workshop where Bertrand Fournier, the owner, will take us through the process of the fabrication of stained glass windows.
He will follow up with painting and renovation. The visit will take approximately 2 hours and will be preceded by a lunch in a nearby restaurant.
The cost for our BBC group visit is 6€ per person.
This is our second visit due to popular demand.
Background
Bertrand is one of the most skilled stained glass workers in our region today working in the creation of new designs and restoration work. His achievements include:
1995 : Grand prix départemental et régional des métiers d’art (métier de tradition)
1995/2010 : Secrétaire général de la Chambre syndicale nationale du vitrail
1998 : Médaille d’argent Arts-Sciences-Lettres
2000 : Médaille de la ville de Bordeaux
2000 : Grand prix national de la dynamique artisanale
2000 : Diplôme de la société archéologique de Bordeaux
2003 : Membre du jury du prix départemental des métiers d’art
2004 : Grand prix départemental et régional des métiers d’art (métier de conservation et de restauration)
2005 : Titre de maitre artisan
Lunch
Lunch will be at 12:00 PROMPT (as there is a ‘second lunch sitting’ after we have finished) and has been arranged at:
L’Echoppe, 1 Rue Yvon Mansencal, 33140 Villenave-d’Ornon
We will meet in the atelier car park, which has ample parking space, at 14:15 for our tour starting at 14:30
Booking
Please either register direct with Brian whose contact details are here or alternatively please book online below.
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from the organiser within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the Brian direct (contact details here)for your booking confirmation
The Sud Ouest newspaper published a very comprehensive supplement on the event here (To view the complete supplement, scroll down and also scroll left and right)
Prices and Payment
All the meetings and the history debates are free and can be attended by everyone.
Passports
For each passport bought, a free catalog is given.
Passport for 20 films (not person specific) : 20 x 2,80 € = 56 €
Per Film
Adult : 6,50 €
Students and under 18 years : 4,50 €
‘5 film card’ (not person specific) : 5 films x 4,80€ = 24 €
School Pupils: 3 €
Payment by credit card is accepted.
It is also possible to automatically buy the tickets per unit at the entry of the theatre
It is highly advised to buy the tickets in advance from the box office and to arrive at least 15 minutes before the time of the session
The English/British Films
The website does not state if these films are showing as VO. (English dialogue with subtitles) or dubbed in french. This has been queried with the organisers who responded that ‘the vast majority of the english films are shown in VO with french subtitles’
Aigle des mers deMichael Curtiz (1940) – 1h48 Alerte aux Indes deZoltan Korda (1938) – 1h44 Anne des mille jours deCharles Jarrott (1970) – 2h26 Another country : Histoire d’une trahison deMarek Kanievska (1984) – 1h30 Au nom du père deJim Sheridan (1993) – 2h07 Les Aventures de Robin des Bois deMichael Curtiz (1938) – 1h45 Barry Lyndon deStanley Kubrick (1975) – 3h07 Bloody Sunday dePaul Greengrass (2001) – 1h47 Braveheart deMel Gibson (1995) – 2h45 Capitaine Blood deMichael Curtiz (1935) – 1h59 Capitaine sans peur deRaoul Walsh (1951) – 1h45 Ceux qui servent en mer de Noël Coward et David Lean (1942) – 1h58 Chagos ou la mémoire des îles deMichel Daëron (2011) – 1h30 Churchill, un géant dans le siècle deDavid Korn-Brzoza (2013) – 1h31 La Colline des hommes perdus de Sidney Lumet (1965) – 2h03 Comment j’ai gagné la guerre de Richard Lester (1967) – 1h50 Comrades de Bill Douglas (1987) – 3h02 Cromwell de Ken Hugues (1969) – 2h15 La Dame de fer dePhyllida Lloyd (2011) – 1h44 La Dame de Windsor deJohn Madden (1997) – 1h43 Le Discours d’un roi deTom Hooper (2010) – 1h58 L’Esprit de 45 deKen Loach (2013) – 1h34 L’Exilé deMax Ophuls (1947) – 1h30 Falstaff d’Orson Welles (1965) – 1h55 La Folie du Roi George deNicholas Hytner (1995) – 1h45 Les Griffes du lion deRichard Attenborough (1972) – 2h37 Henry V deKenneth Branagh (1990) – 2h18 Henry V deLaurence Olivier (1944) – 2h15 Un Homme pour l’éternité deFred Zinnemann (1966) – 2h Ipcress, danger immédiat deSidney J. Furie (1965) – 1h49 James Bond 007 contre Dr No deTerence Young (1962) – 1h51 Khartoum deBasil Dearden (1966) – 2h14 Lady Hamilton d’Alexander Korda (1941) – 2h05 Leo the Last de John Boorman (1970) – 1h44 Le Lion en hiver d’Anthony Harvey (1969) – 2h15 Mais qui a tué Maggie ? les derniers jours de Margaret Thatcher deWilliam Karel (2009) – 1h22 Marie Stuart deCharles Jarrott (1971) – 2h08 Master and Commander, de l’autre côté du monde de Peter Weir (2003) – 2h14 Meurtre dans un jardin anglais de Peter Greenaway (1983) – 1h50 Of Time and the City deTerence Davies (2008) – 1h14 Oliver Twist deDavid Lean (1948 – 1h56) Passeport pour Pimlico d’Henry Cornelius (1949) – 1h24 Le Pont de la rivière Kwaï deDavid Lean (1957) – 2h41 Un Pont trop loin deRichard Attenborough (1977) – 2h55 Le Prix d’un homme deLindsay Anderson (1963) – 2h02 Raining stones deKen Loach (1993) – 1h30 Les Révoltés du Bounty deFrank Lloyd (1935) – 2h12 Les Révoltés du Bounty deLewis Milestone et Carol Reed (1962) – 2h58 Robin des Bois d’Allan Dwan (1922) – 2h07 La Route des Indes deDavid Lean (1984) – 2h45 Samedi soir et dimanche matin deKarel Reisz (1960) – 1h29 Scum d’Alan Clarke (1979) – 1h38 Secret défense deKen Loach (1990) – 1h47 Les Suffragettes deSarah Gavron (2015) – 1h46 The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones – it’s not only rock’n’roll deChristiane Ratiney et Michaël Prazan (2015) – 0h52 The Navigators deKen Loach (2001) – 1h36 The Queen deStephen Frears (2008) – 1h39 Trainspotting deDanny Boyle (1996) – 1h33 Les Trois lanciers du Bengale d’Henry Hathaway (1935) – 1h50 Les Turbans rouges deKen Annakin (1967) – 1h55 Le Vent se lève deKen Loach (2006) – 2h04 Vera Drake deMike Leigh (2004) – 2h05 Les Vestiges du jour de James Ivory (1993) – 2h14 La Vie privée d’Elisabeth d’Angleterre deMichael Curtiz (1939) – 1h46 La Vie privée d’Henry VIII d’Alexander Korda (1933) – 1h36 Les Virtuoses deMark Herman (1997) – 1h47 Winstanley deKevin Bronlow et Andrew Mollo (1975) – 1h35
Come and join us for lunch, conversation and the company of friends in Bordeaux at the restaurant La Belle L’Epoque on the corner of Place des Quinconces on the Quai.
The dining room of a former hotel graced by a picturesque décor of coloured Bordeaux tiles by Vieillard, the famed local potters.
The menu of the day is 25€ for 3 courses (with choices) including wine and coffee.
Following lunch, if the weather is good you may wish to take a walk along Quai and burn off some of the calories!
We will meet 12 noon in the restaurant. The nearest tram stop line at Place Quinconces from either ligne B or ligne C. Parking available close by at Place La Bourse or at Quinconces.
Booking
If you would like to attend, then please contact Colette or Norma B or complete the online booking form below as soon as possible.
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from the organiser within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the organiser direct for your booking confirmation
On the third Thursday of each month we have an evening visit to the cinema to see a film in Version Original (English with French subtitles).
Afterwards we go to a bar and chat (sometimes about the film!). The March evening cinema visit will be on Thursday 17th March.
Shortly before the 19th, those on the mailing list will be informed of the film title, which cinema and at what time.
If you have not already enrolled on the mailing list for the Cinema Group then please register your details and preferences on-line or contact Deirdre direct.
The Base Sous-Marin now serves as a regular exhibition centre and is currently hosting a new exhibition ‘La Probabilité du Miracle’ by Gérard Rancinan and Caroline Gaudriault who take you on a unique journey combining art and culture, where reality merges with the unreal, where the words are mixed with the memory of the photograph and where the thought of Man is infinite.
The exhibition that mixes photographs, words, sounds, art-videos, an art movie, and art installations ‘that will not leave you unscathed‘.
Gérard Rancinan and Caroline Gaudriault offer a journey into an artistic universe where real and unreal confront each other.
Their proposition asserts itself as the mirror of the memory of our society and its time. The dialogue established between Gérard Rancinan’s photography and the texts of Caroline Gaudriault is punctuated throughout the journey by some forty works transposing an epoch marked by fantasies, illusion, contradictions to the denial of reality and books.
They pose questions about our world and even more about the perception that we have.
Phil visited several years ago to see an impressive photographic exhibition, and was amazed how clever use of coloured lighting transformed the ‘satanic’ interior, reflecting off the surface of the flooded submarine pens. It is still eerie and a bizarre venue for an exhibition, but it works!
The Base Sous-Marin
From the outside the base is a massive, ugly, dirty concrete structure built by the Germans during the war. This gigantic bunker is organized in eleven pens or docks for submarines and protected by a massive bomb proof concrete roof. The complex covers an area of 43,000 m2 with 12,000 m2 open to the public and converted into an a cultural space managed by the city of Bordeaux.
Throughout the year, the Submarine Base hosts a multidisciplinary program: temporary exhibitions, concerts, opera, jazz, theatre performances and dance.
If you would like to know more about the construction and war-time history of the base, please click here
Lunch
Bistro Regent la Peniche, at Quai Armand Lalande, Bassins a Flot No1 offers a five choice menu at 12.90€. It is unusual that it is on a ship, which affords great views of the Bassin and Submarine Pens.
Free parking on the adjacent Quai amidst many white vans, the area is undergoing major redevelopment !
The ship/restaurant is about a 5 minute walk north west along Rue Lucien Faure from the Bassins á Flot Tram stop (line B). (second traffic lights). I propose meeting at 1pm.
Please note there are 2 ship restaurants, plus other adjacent vessels. After lunch it will be best to drive the 1.3km circuit of the Bassin to reach the Submarine Base, I think we will have enough cars to carry any coming by foot.
Meeting Place and Car Parking for the Exhibition
We shall assemble at ‘La Base Sous-Marine’ at 2.45. The entrance to the base is off Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 BORDEAUX
There is ample free parking, public transport is not so easy !
Booking
If you would like to attend, then please contact Phil or complete the online booking form below as soon as possible.
When using the on-line booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from the organiser within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the organiser direct for your booking confirmation
We are holding our second BBC technology workshop/discussion to help members get the best use from their computers, tablets and smartphones
The location is still to be decided but the workshop will start at 10:30 with a break for lunch and will continue into the afternoon for as long as attendees request (within reason!)
Please bring your lunch
Attendees will be limited to sixteen to enable the workshop to be enjoyable, fun and useful.
Please indicate on the online booking form topics which interest you.
Much preparation work is needed, so we will finalize the agenda in October based on your requests. More details of the day as we move forward.
Booking
Gary and Ian are pleased to answer any questions that you may have about the workshop. (Gary and Ian’s contact details are here)
But, PLEASE book via the online form so that we can note your preferences and ensure that you get the most from the day.
32 tickets sold already! Do not be disappointed, buy your ticket now !
This year following Members preferences we are again returning to the stunning Château La Chèze in Floirac for our annual Christmas Party and Dinner.
The price for members is 45€, which is the same as last year. The price for member’s guests is 55€.
The evening commences at 7pm with a glass or two of kir petillant and canapes – an opportunity to meet up with friends and to welcome new members. Followed by a 20 minute production by the drama group. This year’s theme is definitely not for the faint-hearted or those with a delicate constitution:
‘Snow White And Her (Not Short Dwarfs) 30 Years On – THE REUNION’
After everyone has recovered from the drama group petit piece, dinner will be a served buffet and will be prepared for us by the highly regarded reputable traiteur ‘DuLou’.
You must order your choice of main course in advance and on the night you will have a choice of one of the starters and one of the desserts. The dinner includes wine and water.
After dinner there will be dancing to a selection of oldies and goodies and some up to date music into the wee hours of the morning and will keep going until there is no one left to dance. All those memories will come flooding back! The energetic can enjoy a boogie; maybe a smooch or two for the romantically inclined and we may be sure that some of the old faithfuls (music that is!) will make an appearance.
Or if you’re not feeling energetic, just sit by the open fire and chat with friends. And the drink will not run out! (Not that we are drunkards or old soaks). So please don’t miss out come and join us!
Last year we all ran out of steam 04:00!
In summary, very much an evening to suit everyone. To enjoy good food and wine. To be calm or to be energetic. The choice is yours. Oh ……. and also to enjoy great company in a beautiful environment!
* Venue
Château La Chèze – 27 Avenue Pierre Semirot, 33270 FLOIRAC.
The château was built in the late 19th century on the grounds of a former small fortified castle by a wealthy market gardener. The art nouveau style mansion has been modernized to high standards whilst retaining many of the original charming features. The staff are helpful and friendly and create a great ambience for us to enjoy.
* Menu
You must order your choice of main course in advance.
On the night you will have a choice of one of the starters and one of the desserts. The dinner includes wine and water. Please let us know your choice of menu by mid-November at the latest.
Apéro :
Kir and ‘amuse bouches’
Entrée (to be chosen on the night):
Blanc Manger de Saumon, confit de tomate des beaux jours, mascarpone fromagere et tuile au parmesan dans son verre bodega.
OR Fois Gras Mi Cuit a la fleur de Sel sur Ardoise
OR Terrine de Crevette aux petits legumes et sauce citronnee
Main (to be chosen in advance):
Amboisie de Volaille des Landes farcie a la forestiere, rectangulaire de legumes croquants et pomme de terre.
OR Dos de Cabillaud roti, legumes du moment et beurre de vin rouge.
Desert (to be chosen on the night):
La Tarte aux pommes et notes de cannelle
OR L’entremet tout chocolat aux notes de caramel au beurre sale.
OR Verrine mousse aux zestes de citron vert, mangue et passion.
Coffee
White and red wine and water
* Booking
The cost of the evening is 45€ for members and 55€ for non members. A cheque made payable to ‘Bordeaux British Community’ together with your menu choices should be sent to Norma Brooks before the closing date of mid-November.
Please reserve online via the website by clicking here or direct to Norma Brooks via norma.brooks@sfr.fr, If you require further information you may contact Norma Brooks or Colette Gibson.
When using the online booking form, please note the following:
Do not forget to press ‘Submit’
If you do not receive a confirmation from Norma within 48 hours then your booking has not been recorded and we ask you to contact the Norma direct for your booking confirmation
Double and twin rooms are 85€ per night including breakfast. Suites are available at 110€.
Reservations direct to chateau by contacting Isabelle Jolibois on her mobile 07 78 41 16 31 or the chateau reception on 05 56 73 04 43
YOU MUST STATE THAT YOU ARE WITH THE BORDEAUX BRITISH PARTY TO GET THE SPECIAL ROOM RATE.
Please also request an email confirmation of your reservation as last year there was an unfortunate mistake with a booking.
The château has 14 rooms but some have already been booked by members for the party
There are is a gite and a number of local hotels available nearby. Some of these hotels are listed below. The room rates are for a double room for the night of 2nd December. The prices will increase as we get closer to Christmas, so book early!
‘Gites de la Port de Pascale’
A 10 minute walk from the chateau.
Contact Mme Remaut on 05 56 86 67 71 or 07 83 45 81 41.
Taxis – Recommend that you book your taxi in advance rather than waiting until you need it. When booking your taxi, please make sure that you have the château address to hand which is: Château La Chèze, 27 Avenue Pierre Semirot, 33270 FLOIRAC
The château reception will book your taxi but definitely do not wait until the last minute
3985.fr – Dial 3985 to make a reservation (note that this is a premium line – 1,35€ plus 0.34€ per minute)
Pages Jaune– In the first search box enter ‘taxi’ and enter ‘floirac’ or ‘cenon’ in the second box. There are several taxis located in Cenon and Floirac
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, please 'click' here:
BBC Cookie Policy
In the inter-war years Biscarrosse was the centre of the thriving French seaplane industry, with more than 100 flying boats providing flights to Africa. New York and South America. There is now an excellent museum there, with a regular international event to trace the history of aviation.
Come and join us for lunch, conversation and the company of friends in Bordeaux at the restaurant La Belle L’Epoque on the corner of Place des Quinconces on the Quai.
The Base Sous-Marin now serves as a regular exhibition centre and is currently hosting a new exhibition ‘La Probabilité du Miracle’ by Gérard Rancinan and Caroline Gaudriault who take you on a unique journey combining art and culture, where reality merges with the unreal, where the words are mixed with the memory of the photograph and where the thought of Man is infinite.
Their proposition asserts itself as the mirror of the memory of our society and its time. The dialogue established between Gérard Rancinan’s photography and the texts of Caroline Gaudriault is punctuated throughout the journey by some forty works transposing an epoch marked by fantasies, illusion, contradictions to the denial of reality and books.
Bistro Regent la Peniche, at Quai Armand Lalande, Bassins a Flot No1 offers a five choice menu at 12.90€. It is unusual that it is on a ship, which affords great views of the Bassin and Submarine Pens.
Taxis – Recommend that you book your taxi in advance rather than waiting until you need it. When booking your taxi, please make sure that you have the château address to hand which is: Château La Chèze, 27 Avenue Pierre Semirot, 33270 FLOIRAC
British Pound Exchange Rate