British Association of the Var Putting people and social needs together since 1998 Association Loi 1901 No: W831001750 www.baofthevar.com December 2013 Newsletter No 139 ________________________________________________________________________ Artillery Museum We were extremely fortunate on 29 October to be guided by Adjudant-chef Thierry Simon around the Musée d'Artillerie, Draguignan, this being probably Draguignan's best kept secret. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and clearly enthusiastic about his love of military history. As a result we benefited from a profound insight into the equipment of the wars since the early 1800's and the technological developments in weaponry, with many practical demonstrations of the operation of cannons. This interresting hour and a half was followed by an exceptionally good value lunch at the restaurant Au Vieux Figuier close to the centre of Draguignan, where the particularly large turnout of 32 members was treated to a delightful meal around the pool (although indoors, sheltering from the rain). It was good to see such a large number of members attending this event after a couple of recent disappointments. Montauroux Coffee Morning Sandie and Geoff Docherty kindly hosted their pre-Christmas coffee morning on 5 November and appropriately the Christmas cards went like a bomb! Whilst attendance was slightly down on previous occasions, we are pleased to report that a grand total of about 330€ was raised for the Welfare fund from cards, books and coffee. Our thanks go to Sandie and Geoff for their efforts. Forthcoming Events Committee Meeting 13 December Grand Christmas Ball 6 December - St Aygulf Grand Christmas Lunch 14 December - St Aygulf New Years Eve Dinner Dance 31 December – Sillans la Cascade Lunch at Bastide des Moines 30 January - Montferrat Lunch and Quiz 13 February - Roquebrune sur Argens Grand Christmas Lunch Saturday 14 December at 12 noon At Hotel St Aygulf, 214 RD 559 (on the coast road from Fréjus at the entrance to St Aygulf - entrance on Rue d’Alsace) €28 for 4 courses with wine and coffee Gambas Ravioli is offered as an alternative to Oysters if preferred. Firm bookings with cheque L’assiette de jambon de parme and choice of second entrée must be received by ou 7 December. Salade de foie de volaille au vinaigre de Directions: When coming from Cotignac direction on framboises the D22, at the T junction just before Sillans la (salade, lardons, champignons, haricots, foies Cascade village turn left onto the D560 for Fox de volaille) Amphoux and continue along the road for approx 2 km ou and the Hotel/ Restaurant entrance is on your right. Salade Frédérique When coming from Salernes/Aups pass by the Sillans (avocat, fonds d’artichauts, bacon, amandes, la Cascade village and go straight on past the Cotignac salade) turn off on your left, following the direction to Fox **** Amphoux on the D560 and again the Hotel/restaurant is approx 2km on your right. Gigot d’agneau au pistou ou Faux filet de boeuf au Roquefort Lunch at the ou Bastide des Moines, Montferrat Escalope de saumon au basilic 04 94 50 21 30. **** Assiette de fromage On Thursday 30 January 2014 at 12 noon **** we will be re-visiting this popular venue, with Patisserie maison au choix the most extensive starter and dessert buffets **** in the area – you will be spoilt for choice. Vins AOC rouge et rosé In between there is also a choice of main **** course. It is situated at the approach to the Café village of Montferrat, coming from Figanières Interesting menu, good value for money, direction – do not use the Chateaudouble attractive venue by the sea - start your road as this is still closed. Christmas celebrations with the BAV! We will be celebrating John Collingwood’s birthday. Page 2 7 Dec Ampus, Place de la Mairie. Marché de Noël. “What’s On” Guide 10h00-16h00. 04 94 70 96 29 Zenith Oméga, Toulon: 0892 700 840 www.zenith- 7 Dec Ste Maxime, Le Carré theatre. Carla Bruni in omega-toulon.com concert. 20h30. €32. 04 94 56 77 77 Opera House, Toulon: 04 94 93 03 76 7 Dec Aups, church. Christmas concert by La Chorale www.operadetoulon.fr Classique – favourite British and French carols. 18h30. Draguignan Theatre: 04 94 50 59 59 Donations. www.theatresendracenie.com 7 Dec St Raphaël, Eglise Notre Dame de la Paix. Forum Theatre, Fréjus and Centre Culturel, St Russian Army choir – Christmas music. 14h30. €33. Raphaël: 04 94 95 55 55 www.aggloscenes.com 7-8 Dec Rayol Canadel, Domaine du Rayol. Fête de l’Hiver – Mediterranean garden. Free. December 2013 04 98 04 44 00 30 Nov-1 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Salon 7-8 Dec Draguignan, Mairie. Foire aux Santons. 10h00- Plaisirs et Chocolat. 10h00-19h00. Free. 18h00. 04 94 60 31 31 08 26 20 83 83 8 Dec Draguignan, Place du Marché. Marché de Noël. 30 Nov-1 Dec Lorgues, Château de Berne. Marché de All day. 04 94 60 31 31 Noël Provencal. 10h00-18h00. Free. 8 Dec Draguignan, Office de tourisme. Guided visit. 04 94 60 43 64 10h30. €5. 04 98 10 51 05 30 Nov-1 Dec Lorgues, Château des Crostes. Marché 8 Dec Bargemon, Point Info Tourisme. Guided visit. Medieval. 10h00-18h00. 04 94 73 98 40 15.30. €5. 04 94 47 81 73 30 Nov-8 Dec Callian, Chapelle des Penitents. Foire 8 Dec Vidauban, Eglise St Jean-Baptiste. Christmas aux Santons. Free. 04 94 47 75 90 concert – Camerata Vocale. 16h00. Free. 1 Dec Les Arcs, Ste Roseline. Noël au Château. 04 94 99 99 00 04 94 99 50 30 8 Dec Cotignac, church. Christmas concert by La 1 Dec Cogolin, Centre Maurin des Maures. Concert des Chorale Classique – favourite British and French carols. Chorales. 04 94 55 01 10 18h30. Donations. 1 Dec Figanières, centre ville. Marché de Noël. 9h30- 9-31 Dec Montauroux, centre ville. Promenade parmi 14h00. 04 94 67 81 93 les santons (life-size). 04 94 47 75 90 1 Dec Lorgues, Point Info Tourisme. Guided visit. 12 Dec Draguignan, cinema. Ballet film – Nutcracker, 10h30. €5. 04 94 73 92 37 Tchaikovsky. 20h15. 1 Dec Les Arcs, Ste Roseline. Guided visit. 14h00. €5. 04 94 73 37 30 1 Dec Trans-en-Provence, Chapelle Notre Dame. Guided Visit. 15h30. €5. 04 94 73 37 30 1 Dec Flayosc, Eglise St Laurent. Christmas Organ Recital. 16h00. €10. 4-31 Dec Fréjus, centre ville et Port Fréjus. Noël à Fréjus. 5 Dec St Raphaël, Espace Félix Martin. Jimi Brown Experience – music of Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. €13. 04 98 11 89 00 6 Dec Entrecasteaux, church. Christmas concert by La Chorale Classique – favourite British and French carols. 18h30. Donations. 5 Dec St Maximin la Ste Baume, La Croisée des Arts. Offenbach operettas. 20h30. €15. 04 94 59 84 59 6 Dec Grimaud, centre ville. Fête de la Lumière – Christmas lights. 04 94 55 43 83 6 Dec Fayence, Espace Culturel. Concert – the Piaf years. 20h30. €12. 04 94 85 00 35 6 Dec Grimaud, place Vieille. Fête d la Lumière. 04 94 55 43 83 6 Dec Les Arcs, Café de la Tour. English Pub Quiz and lunch. 12h00. €10. 04 94 85 22 06 [email protected] 6-8 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre de la Mer. Fête de l’Huile – olives, olive oil. 08 26 20 83 83 6 Dec-5 Jan Cavalaire, Maison de la Mer. Noël Blanc – ice rink and shows. 04 94 10 92 10 7 Dec Draguignan, Eglise St Michel. Russian Army Choir – Christmas music. 20h00. 04 94 60 31 31 Page 3 13 Dec La Motte, Château des Demoiselles. Noël en 20 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre Le Carré. Christmas Musique – music and local products. 18h00. 04 94 70 Oratorio – Bach. 20h30. €32. 04 94 56 77 77 28 78 20 Dec Cavalaire, Eglise St Laurent. Christmas classical 13-15 Dec Plan de la Tour, Fougan Marie Mauron. choral concert. 21h00. €10. 04 94 64 00 96 Marché de Noël – with English stall. Free. 20 Dec Plan de la Tour, place Foch. Christmas Evening 04 94 55 20 50 – music, 13 desserts. 17h00. 14 Dec Montferrat, centre ville. Marché de Noël. 04 94 55 20 50 10h00-20h00. 04 94 70 93 28 21 Dec Lorgues, Espace F.Mitterand. Christmas 14 Dec Grimaud, Eglise St Michel. Classical music concert – Ensemble Choral de Lorgues. 20.45. Free. 04 concert. 18h00. Free. 98 10 27 76 14 Dec St Maximin la Ste Baume, La Croisée des Arts. 21 Dec Gassin, centre ville. Marché de Noël. Ballet National de Marseille – contemporary dance. 04 94 55 22 00 20h30. €15. 04 94 59 84 59 22 Dec St Maximin la Ste Baume, centre ville. Marché 14-24 Dec Brignoles, Place Carami. Marché de Noël. 04 de Noël. 9h00-18h00. Free. 04 94 59 84 59 98 05 18 90 22 Dec Ste Maxime, Théâtre le Carré. Orchestre 14 Dec-5 Jan Draguignan, centre ville. Fête de la Régional de Cannes – Beethoven. 20h30. €21. Glisse – ice rink. 10h00-19h00. 04 94 60 31 31 04 94 56 77 77 15 Dec Lorgues, centre ville. Marché de Noël. All day. 22 Dec Montauroux, cinema. Ballet film – Sleeping 04 94 70 93 28 Beauty (Bolshoi Ballet). 17h00. €20. 04 94 50 40 30 15 Dec Lorgues, Château de Berne. Truffle Day. 22 Dec St Raphaël, St John’s Anglican church, av Paul 10h00-18h00. Free. 04 94 60 43 64 Doumer. Nine Lessons and Carols (in English). 18h00. 15 Dec Fayence, centre ville. Marché de Noël. 9h00- 04 94 50 38 46 18h00. 22 Dec Ste Maxime, Eglise.