A little cooling from the hot summer days
Hello everybody,
it is me again, Jasmin. For the last weeks we have had really great weather here in Montpellier, we had almost around 30 degrees every day, so that I am enjoying my internship at the French Language School ILA even more! Luckily ILA is fully air conditioned, so the team works in great conditions and all French immersion students also learn French in nicely cooled down classrooms. This is better for everybody’s concentration; we keep a clear mind, even for some difficult grammar aspects in the French immersion classes 🙂 .
After the French lessons and during breaks, students go out into the sun to enjoy a scoop of ice cream or an iced coffee; there are numerous small cafes right next to ILA French language school in the center of Montpellier. Unless you happen to be in the middle of Place de la Comédie, where the heat builds up, you can enjoy the shady alleys of the historic center or parks like the Jardin des Plantes to enjoy this beautiful weather under the shady trees, to relax after class. Why not learn French or do some homework in the park rather than at home. If you need a break, walk a bit further, enjoy the beautiful historic center or the nice gardens, have a drink on one of the nice terraces and watch people. Talk to the waiter to practice your French!
This great weather makes me enjoy the wonderful countryside next to Montpellier even more. I went again to the wonderful area around Saint Guilhem-le-Désert, but this time not to hike up the mountains, but to take a canoe trip down the river Herault. We booked the canoes in advance over the phone and could already use our French to do so. We managed well, so we were picked up at 12.30 with a shuttle bus from near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and met another group of students, who learn French at ILA in Montpellier. By chance they booked the same canoe trip we did – it was nice to see familiar faces!
20 minutes later we were driven up the river and we received the safety instructions. We were explained the 12 km long parkour and we made a group photo of all ILA French Immersion students before everyone got into his own canoe! I loved seeing the impressive canyons, the turquoise river Herault (to which Montpellier’s department owes its name) from the shuttle bus I took to go to Pont du Diable, but I must say seeing it all from the water, down in the canyons, everything looks 100 times better! What a pleasure for the eyes, these colors. We had 5 hours ahead of us to get down the 12 kilometers, so we could enjoy many breaks, a wonderful picnic and a swim in the river.
The first few kilometers we paddled though this amazing countryside. On both sides beautiful mountains, in front of us the turquoise river and above us the blue sky and the sun – just perfect! I personally enjoyed a lot the rapids through which we passed. I initially had apprehension, but in the end, they were the most fun section of the ride. I can only recommend to overcome your fear and to take a shot at it! You should not suffer from Hydrophobia, and you will get splashed all over and wet, even if you do not fall into the water. However, getting wet was rather welcome in view of the high temperatures! During the trip we also discovered many beautiful places on the banks for picnicking, sunbathing and swimming.
All in all I can only recommend this canoe trip on the Herault! Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is easy to reach by public transport from Montpellier – so you really should visit at least once this area during your French Immersion Course in Montpellier. The nature is just outstanding, words cannot describe it. If will definitely do more canoeing here, maybe on the river Lez in Montpellier or at the UNESCO side Pont du Gard. For sure I will share my impressions with you again!
Stay on the blog!
Yours
Jasmin