Cinespaña Festival in Toulouse

From 2 - 11 Oct 2009

Every year the Cinémathèque de Toulouse hosts a festival of Spanish film - Cinespaña. The programme includes a competition with a jury of students and industry professionals, networking events, panel discussions and screenings of around 100 feature films, short films and documentaries.

This years theme honours Catalan cinema. The festival is based in the courtyard of the Cinémathèque de Toulouse (Toulouse film library), and has a restaurant and tapas bar available for aperitif-concerts.

For further details visit the Toulouse Tourist Office website . I'm reading: Cinespaña Festival in ToulouseTweet this!

Festival Jazzèbre in Perpignan

Thursday 1st - Sunday 25th October 2009

The 21st Festival JAZZEBRE will present a series of jazz and world music concerts with a strong latino theme at the Théâtre Municipal and the Médiator in Perpignan, and other venues around the region.

There will also be regional concerts in towns around the Pyrénées-Orientales and the Aude and ’musical picnics’ at natural and cultural sites around the region, as well as exhibitions, debates, musical apéros, films......

For further details.......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: Festival Jazzèbre in PerpignanTweet this!

Ryanair.com site unavailable 27-28 Sept: 23:00hrs to 03:00 hrs

Ryanair have advised that due to essential reservation system maintenance, online check-in, new bookings and flight change services will be unavailable from 23:00hrs (GMT) on Sunday 27th September 2009 until 03:00hrs (GMT) on the 28th September.

Ryanair recommends that passengers travelling on Monday 28th September 2009 ensure that they have checked in online and printed their boarding passes before this time.

For further details click here. I'm reading: Ryanair.com site unavailable 27-28 Sept: 23:00hrs to 03:00 hrsTweet this!

Impressions of Les Pyrénées-Orientales

On a sunny afternoon in Céret, Susan Daly from "The Irish Independent" discusses travelling from Girona airport to France with FROGBUS.com, and her impressions from her first visit to Les Pyrénées-Orientales.

I'm reading: Impressions of Les Pyrénées-OrientalesTweet this!

P-O Life Magazine for October/November

P-O Life for October/November is issuing at the end of September. Physical copies of P-O Life can be found in Leroy Merlin, the Palais des Congrès in Perpignan, Argelès Carrefour, Perpignan airport, all main tourist offices, many Intermarchés and Champions, the FNAC in Perpigan, and various restaurants and shops around the Pyrénées-Orientales region.

Packed with features and local news from Perpignan and the surrounding area, click here to download the latest edition. I'm reading: P-O Life Magazine for October/NovemberTweet this!

Peter Doherty plays El Mediator in Perpignan

3rd October 2009 at 9pm

Controversial English rock star, Peter Doherty, plays El Mediator in Perpignan on Saturday 3rd October.

The former Babyshambles and Libertines front man is playing this Perpignan show as part of a tour promoting his new album "Grace/Wastelands".

Click here for an access map to this Perpignan venue. I'm reading: Peter Doherty plays El Mediator in PerpignanTweet this!

Le Printemps de Septembre - Festival in Toulouse

From 25 September to 18 October 2009

Every year the city of Toulouse hosts "Le Printemps de Septembre", a free festival dedicated to the visual arts and live performances. This years theme is "Where I am doesn't exist" !

Exhibitions and events are staged all around the city, with special lighting adorning the streets; the main exhibitions take place in Toulouse's famous artistic venues, including the Musée des Abattoirs, the Galerie du Château-d'Eau, the Musée de la Médecine and the Goethe Institut.

For more details visit the Toulouse tourist office website. I'm reading: Le Printemps de Septembre - Festival in ToulouseTweet this!

International Art festival - Chateau Valmy, Argeles sur Mer

Saturday 19th September - Sunday 4th October 2009

Once again the "Association Artistique" will be organising the traditional art ’salon’ at Chateau Valmy from the 19th September to the 5th October.

This year 150 artists will exhibit over 300 works of art. Chateau Valmy is on the outskirts of Argeles sur Mer, about 20 minutes from Perpignan and just over an hour from Girona airport.

For further details.......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: International Art festival - Chateau Valmy, Argeles sur MerTweet this!

La Mercè Festival in Barcelona

23rd to the 27th September 2009

Barcelona's September festival is held in honour of the city's patroness, La Mercè (Virgin of Mercy). This week long festival, dating back to 1902, signals the end of summer and the start of autumn with concerts, open-air dancing, fireworks, human pyramid building (Castellers), and parades featuring spectacular floats and costumes.

Throughout the festival there will be street theatre, circus acts, and the Sardana (Catalonia's traditional dance) in a fantastic celebration of Catalan culture.

For a full programme of events visit the La Mercè festival website. I'm reading: La Mercè Festival in BarcelonaTweet this!

New Italian Route for Girona airport

Ryanair have announced a new route from Girona airport (GRO) to Brindisi in the South of Italy. When this new route goes live in February 2010, there will be a total of 10 direct routes from Girona airport to Italy.

Ryanair have released 1 million €1seats for travel across its European network in October and November which are available for booking on www.ryanair.com until midnight Thursday (17th Sept).

Click here to read the Ryanair announcement and here to read destination information on Brindisi.

Travel from Girona airport to France with FROGBUS.com I'm reading: New Italian Route for Girona airportTweet this!

Girona airport traffic grows in August

Despite the worldwide recession, Girona airport (GRO) was one of only 3 Spanish airports to report passenger growth in August. Girona airport traffic in August increased by 2.5% to 618,000.

In contrast, passenger traffic at Barcelona international airport (BCN) fell for the 15th consecutive month. This is part of a larger trend, as a structural shift is happening in the EU aviation market with low cost carriers, such as Ryanair, being very aggressive in moving their business to lower charging airports. Read the full AENA report here.

Don't forget, catch FROGBUS.com between Girona airport and Perpignan. Book on-line here. I'm reading: Girona airport traffic grows in AugustTweet this!

Festival Occitània in Toulouse

From 21 September to 25 October 2009

The 10th annual Occitània festival in Toulouse brings together 1000 artistes performing in over 80 events during this month long festival.

Toulouse is a vibrant city with an eclectic mix of cultures making up its population. This festival celebrates its own 'Occitanian' culture and combines this with events & acts drawn from Arab, Catalane, French, Jewish, African, Castillane, Basque, and Celtic cultures.

Featured arts include poetry, cinema, dance, theatre, painting, photography, comedy, debates and music. Click here for further details from the Toulouse tourist office.

FROGBUS.com will shortly launch new bus routes from Toulouse. Details coming soon. I'm reading: Festival Occitània in ToulouseTweet this!

Toasting Arthurs Day in France!

The Arthur's Day celebrations, to mark 250 years since Arthur Guinness signed the 9,000 year lease on the St James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, will begin in the Irish capital, Dublin, at 17:59 local time on September 24th 2009 with a toast to Arthur and carry on around the world in Lagos, Kuala Lumpur and New York.

In Dublin, 33 events will take place simultaneously, including a major performance at the St James's Gate Brewery and four studio venues as well 28 intimate gigs at pubs around Dublin hosting local acts and surprise guest artists from the A-list line-up. Click here for more details.

Raising a toast in the Pyrénées-Orientales to celebrate 'Arthur's Day' in the video are Joe from FROGBUS.com and Fearghal from Café des Artistes in Laroque des Alberes. They also discuss whether Fearghal has drank or sold more than 250 pints this week....
I'm reading: Toasting Arthurs Day in France!Tweet this!

French lessons in Perpignan

Immersion Language company "How French", offer you intensive French language lessons and leisure in a beautiful region in your tutor's home.

Their friendly, personalised and varied programmes are aimed at individuals or couples in several formats:
1. Standard half-board residential French course.
2. Intensive French course in summer.
3. French homestay A-level preparation.
4. Distance learning via the Internet.

Click here to contact How French for course pricing and details.

Catch FROGBUS.com to travel Girona airport to Perpignan. I'm reading: French lessons in PerpignanTweet this!

Ceret Marathon 2009

Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th September 2009

Céret throbs with life throughout this sporting weekend, with correfocs, pasta evening and fireworks on Saturday followed by the internationally renowned Ronde Céretane on Sunday.

International athletes, runners in fancy dress, different nationalities all come together in September to share the pleasure and the passion of this challenging marathon.

For further details.......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: Ceret Marathon 2009Tweet this!

St Marys Rugby club win 'Le Bouclier de FROGBUS.com' at Argeles sur Mer

For the second year running St. Marys rugby club from Dublin defeated Etoile Sportif Catalan (Argeles sur Mer) in a match played on Friday evening in Argeles sur Mer.

After a week long training camp the Irish side ran out easy winners in what turned out to be a one sided match. The Catalan team were missing 9 first team regulars who are on tour playing for the French national amateur rugby team. The clubs are now formalising an exchange programme between their sides at underage and senior level due to get underway in 2010.

FROGBUS.com would like to thank Trevor Brennan (ex St Marys, Toulouse and Ireland) who very kindly travelled down from Toulouse to present Le Bouclier de FROGBUS.com to the winning St. Marys side.

To view some videos of the pre and most match festivities click here.

For a picture gallery click here. I'm reading: St Marys Rugby club win 'Le Bouclier de FROGBUS.com' at Argeles sur MerTweet this!

£35 fare between East Midlands and Girona airports!

In a typically cheeky offer, Ryanair have launched £35 (one way including taxes and charges) rescue fares for Easyjet passengers who have had their travel plans disrupted by Easyjet’s exit from East Midlands Airport!

This fare applies to East Midlands Airport flights to/from Alicante, Barcelona (Girona), Faro and Malaga from 10th January 2010.

Ryanair’s rescue fare can be booked via this page until 15th September for travel from 10th January, and applies to Easyjet passengers only.

Click here for the Ryanair press release and details of how to book. I'm reading: £35 fare between East Midlands and Girona airports!Tweet this!

Nouveau Roussillon Wine Festival Tour - October 2009

From Thursday 15th October to Sunday 18th October.

BORED WITH BEAUJOLAIS?

Catch some late summer sun, Pamper yourself in a luxurious spa hotel, relax and unwind at the Perpignan wine festival and enjoy an unforgettable gourmet wine tour. Frogbus.com and The French Tour Co have teamed up to put together a weekend package filled with fun, sun, wine, cuisine and culture.

From ONLY €379 pps, THIS AMAZING OFFER INCLUDES:

3 nights at the top quality spa hotel Résidence Cela Alenya, 3 breakfasts and 1 evening meal, full day wine tour to top winemakers in the Perpignan area with 4 course lunch, discover Perpignan at the Nouveau Roussillon Wine Festival and visit the beautiful fishing village of Collioure which is ranked in the Top 7 most beautiful towns in France. Transfer to/from Girona airport and all other bus transfers included.

Click here for the full itinerary and booking details. Numbers are limited so hurry and reserve your place now! I'm reading: Nouveau Roussillon Wine Festival Tour - October 2009Tweet this!

Medieval market in Perpignan

LE MARCHE MEDIEVAL - Campo Santo, Perpignan - Saturday 12th September 2009

Great fun for all the family, this medieval market takes Perpignan back in time to the days of the kings of Majorque! In and around the Campo Santo, (map here) you will find crafts, stalls, public executions(!), people dressed up in the costumes of the XIIIth century, fire eaters, sword fighting, re-enactments of medieval scenes, street battles, leper’s colony, children’s workshops, music, dance, makeup, pottery, archery demos and much more.

For further details and a full programme of events.......READ MORE at ANGLOPHONE-DIRECT.com I'm reading: Medieval market in PerpignanTweet this!

FROGBUS.com timetable change from Thursday 3rd September

REMINDER !

Please note that there is a small timetable change coming into effect from thursday 3rd September for Perpignan departures on the FROGBUS.com Perpignan - Le Boulou - Girona airport bus line.

The 17.15 departure from Perpignan will now depart at 17.45 with a pick up time of approx 18.05 at Le Boulou peage (exit 43, A9) arriving at Girona airport at 19.10.

There are no other timetable changes for the winter months. Click here to view the full timetable. I'm reading: FROGBUS.com timetable change from Thursday 3rd SeptemberTweet this!

Who will win 'Le Bouclier de FROGBUS.com'?

Friday 4th September at 19.30 in Argeles rugby stadium

FROGBUS.com are delighted to sponsor a 'Bouclier' for the senior match between St Marys Rugby Club (Ireland) and Etoile Sportif Catalan (Argeles sur Mer). St Marys rugby club have spent 2 pre-season training camps in 2008 and 2009 at Argeles sur Mer and hope to turn this into an annual event. Read last years match report here.

Entrance is free and there will be a full bar available at the ground. If last years match (and after party!) is anything to go by it will a great nights entertainment!

A very famous rugby player (in both Ireland and France) will be presenting Le Bouclier de FROGBUS.com on the night....the question is, which team will he be presenting it to??? I'm reading: Who will win 'Le Bouclier de FROGBUS.com'?Tweet this!