Presentation

France: always different

France a wonderful country. The French a people with their own character. A country with a different kind of society and a famous, deep-rooted culture that a foreigner usually gets into contact with in a superficial way. A country that becomes more fascinating as you get to know more about it.
Méridon offers you the opportunity to get acquainted with the less well-known aspects of France. You learn to see France and the French with different eyes. You judge more well-founded, because your insight has increased.

Méridon: exceptional

Méridon consists of a rurally situated castle, the Château de Méridon and a rural outbuilding, Petit Méridon, and is surrounded by a park of seven hectares. The park itself is situated in a protected nature area, (name), just 35 km south-west of Paris.
Méridon is run by a Dutch non-profit association without subsidy.
The aim of this international cultural centre is to promote the knowledge of French culture and society. Courses to achieve this have been organised in France since 1946. The castle became the property of the association in 1958. The staff of Méridon is supported by a number of trainees, volunteers and free-lance workers.

The formula: unique

At Méridon you can become acquainted with French society and culture in an intensive, but at the same time relaxed way. This is done by means of professionally organised group courses that are suitable for secondary or higher education. If you want you can also organise your course yourself. In general the courses take 5 to 7 days. A shorter or longer stay is of course also possible. The courses organised by Méridon can be given in French, Dutch or English. Méridon is meant for groups of all ages such as students, teachers, nature lovers, agricultural organisations, associations of senior citizens, music groups etc.
The group size can vary from 25 to 50 persons. To guarantee a hospitable welcome only one group at the time is received at Méridon.

The courses: topical

The courses can be about various subjects. The programme is made up according to your wishes. The organisation is very flexible and has a network that makes it possible to arrange your contacts with French people for you. It might be difficult for you to get into touch with these people yourself . For example you can exchange views with a famous architect or an avant-garde director. You can visit companies and talk about similarities and differences. Interpreters and other services can be provided for. Some themes for courses are knowledge on France, town and country, agriculture and horticulture, food and wine, politics and economy, urbanisation and architecture, education and non-formal education, art history and cultural history, music, dance and theatre.

The accommodation: of course idyllic

The accommodation at this castle is very special: not only because of the romantic atmosphere, but also because of its beautiful location. You will certainly enjoy your surroundings during your course. The comfort is good, not luxurious. Unfortunately the castle with its many stairs is not very accessible for people with poor mobility. The castle has a big work hall, two smaller halls and a dining-hall. There are ten big bedrooms with 2-4 beds. Petit Méridon has nine small rooms 1-2 beds and two big rooms with four beds.
All rooms have central heating and hot and cold water. Every floor has several showers and toilets. The course participants can choose between full or half board. The French kitchen of Méridon is excellent. Meals are good and comprehensive. Diets will be taken into account as much as possible.

The expenses: reasonable

Your stay at Méridon is definitely not expensive. Certainly not if you consider the fact that the meals are included. For the price of a simple hotel you stay at a castle with a beautiful park.

Méridon has more to offer

On request Méridon can also organise international meetings and conferences eg. meetings with sister-organisations in France.

Volunteer work

Every year many people who want to get to know French society and culture come to Méridon. At Méridon courses are organised for students, teachers, nature lovers, music groups etc.. The castle is run by a Dutch non-profit association. The small permanent staff is supported by trainees, volunteers and free-lance workers.

The work

The volunteers are enthusiastic and independent young people between 18 and 28 years old who see it as a challenge to receive groups of people at the castle. The volunteers are as a team responsible for a pleasant stay of the guests. They do the housework (cleaning of rooms, laying tables, doing the dishes etc.). They act as hosts and hostesses for the guests. In the absence of groups they are asked to do other activities in the garden or in the castle. The volunteers stay at the castle for about three months and work about eight hours a day five days per week. It is hard team work to ensure everything goes well during the stay of the groups.

The payment

Méridon is situated in a beautiful region 35 km south of Paris. The volunteers have their own room with board and lodgings at the castle. Paris can be reached by fast metro. In principle volunteers (in rotation) can take part in excursions usually to Paris. There is a travel insurance and the volunteers get pocket money (about 1000 FF per month). Once a week there is a two-hour French conversation lesson and guests can be received (by arrangement). Although it is sometimes hard work , the volunteers look back at their period at Méridon with pleasure. The castle becomes a bit "theirs", because as a team they have a lot of responsibility for the way things are run at the castle.