In brief
Since 1979, the Bienvenue en France association has been providing a range of activities for the spouses of foreign diplomats posted in Paris to help them find their feet in our country, and to make their time here fulfilling and enjoyable. An interview with its president, Marie-Hélène Colin de Verdière.
Label France: What was the reason for setting up Bienvenue en France?
Marie-Hélène Colin de Verdière: Living in Paris when you don’t know anyone here, and even worse don’t speak French, can be difficult. Many foreign diplomats’ spouses find themselves isolated from French life. So twenty-five years ago the idea arose of helping them get to grips with our way of life and way of thinking and encourage contact with the host community. Implicit in this was a desire to foster a love of France. Today, the association, which is subsidised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has over one hundred and forty volunteer coordinators and around two hundred active members who give a helping hand, as the need arises, at the various events we organize.
LF: What do you offer to diplomats’ spouses
M-HCdeV: The focus is primarily on learning French, and on arranging joint activities and outings. Every September after the summer break, we contact the foreign embassies in Paris and invite them to a forum at the Centre de Conférences Internationales, at which our coordinators present our programme. French classes are taught by experienced tutors. To help our foreign friends find their feet in Paris, or even in the suburbs, we organize receptions in different districts. This gives them some idea of the possibilities in their area and helps them make contact with people living locally. Welcoming them into the homes of French families has always been at the heart of our approach and many activities take place in the homes of the coordinators, who are generous enough to open their houses. Sociability and friendship are the mainsprings of Bienvenue en France.
LF: What activities are covered by the sixty or so Bienvenue en France groups?
M-HCdeV: They range from getting to know the Paris of the past and present (its inhabitants, museums, cafés, gardens...) to exploring our provinces; from meetings with writers and other well-known people to a range of creative workshops (painting, dance, dressmaking, cookery...); from sporting activities to visiting institutions, agricultural or industrial sites, hospitals... We try to familiarise them not only with prestigious France but also with active, bustling France. Some activities take place in the evenings or at weekends to allow spouses who work or the diplomats themselves - men and women - to take part. Furthermore, with the aim of facilitating contact between everyone, we organize social gatherings and meet up from time to time at special events (embassy reception, Music festival, big international lunch before the summer...).
LF: Finally, who are the five hundred beneficiaries of Bienvenue en France?
M-HCdeV: Mainly women - and from totally different backgrounds. The five continents are widely represented. In fact, this changes from one year to the next and depends on the involvement of the embassies. Furthermore, our beneficiaries include the wives not only of ambassadors, but also of consuls, secretaries, advisors, etc. and cover a wide age range. We even organize a big party for the children around Shrove Tuesday. We see this diversity as one of our greatest resources.
Bienvenue en France: 34, rue La Pérouse, 75116 Paris. Tel.: (33-1) 43 17 78 00.
On the internet:
bienvenue.enfrance @diplomatie.gouv.fr
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