French canal long term stay

[classworks]

Any tips on spending a few months on the French canals.
I have never been but I was thinking about immersing (poor choice of word?) the family (kids are still primary age) in French for a year or so.
Are there any communities afloat or is this sort of thing discouraged?
Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tcm]

Not sure about a community, but you should find french school education far better than in UK, with easy access to primary-tertiary education for EC nationals at all stages. In some provincial areas of france i have heard this year of anti-brit feeling, but not widespread and only amongst feeble-thinking types.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ashley]

I've just started a winter in France with the wife.
We decided not to bring the newly purchased boat back to the UK purely because the life here is so lovely.
We're on the Yonne river below Paris and most of the boat yards are owned by Brits and there is a definite community spirit. The local French are very good and really appreciate your efforts to speak french even if they answer in English
Also, with so many people living aboard up this river, you don't get treated like a weirdo by the banks etc for living on a boat. This was a problem is was having to face on my return to the UK.
p.s. be prepared for paperwork, lots of it! I spent 30 minutes filling out forms just to buy a TV!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mikewilkes]

The answer to your problem is just dont go!! I manage to keep it to one trip a year but unfortunately that is going to be Christmas and Hogmany this year. Its bound to be a wee bit of a culture and climate shock after so long in the sun. Dont know where SWMBO has put my thermals!!!
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[classworks]

The local U.K. primary school has just cut the French classes for my daughter.
Well perhaps it was wrong of me to think about relying on her to act as interpreter and negotiator on matters of a marine nature. She is hasn't had her seventh birthday yet!
Anyone have any useful phrases/bits of vocab that one wouldn't normally find in a dictionary or phrase book?
'fraid my french classes did not get much further than Mon. Dubois asking the concierge where the ground floor was.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Stemar]

Do make an effort to learn some French before you go - and use it when you get there. The French are a proud nation, and generally don't take kindly to foreigners, who don't at least try and use their language. No matter how bad your French is, if you do your best, they may laugh at your assassination of their language, but they'll be far more helpful.

I lived in France for 8 years and brought a French wife back with me. There was some initial mickey-taking, but when people realised I respected their language and culture, I had absolutely no problems.

<hr width=100% size=1>