TOURS DE
FRANCE DUBLIN
Over the two days of February 29th and March 1st, I was asked
to attend, on behalf of ITA, an Exhibition in Dublin to promote
France to potential Irish tourists. I feel it is encouraging that
we are asked to help the CDT in their efforts to promote the department
to English speaking countries.
The event was organised by Maison de la France, a national body whose
raison d’etre is to publicise all things French to other countries.
Venue for the exhibition was the Round Room in the Mansion House, which
incidentally, was the place where the first Irish parliament was held.
The lay out was interesting, consisting of 6 Blocks which in turn were
split into 6 smaller units, each one consisting of a table with a screen
behind giving a continuous slide show of ,in our case
Deux Sevres. This was reinforced by a large screen at the back of
the hall showing a mixture of all the slides from every stand.
In the centre of the room was a stage and at various times there
were live examples of French music and dance, which created some
interest.
As you would expect there was food and wine available to taste. It was possible
for visitors to take their glass and enjoy sampling the wine as they explored
the exhibition, which made for a relaxed convivial atmosphere.
In excess of 3,000 people visited the event and although this was
no where near the numbers at the London Viva la France exhibition,
we felt that the quality of potential clients was far better in
terms of convert ability into firm custom.
Many ITA members supplied leaflets for distribution and these were all
taken by or given to visitors, so fingers crossed!
Please let ITA know if you receive a booking from the exhibition, feed
back is always useful.
Paul Woods
What The Press Have Said
The following extracts were written in the press thanks to ITADS.
The articles also featured members properties.
"Although I have visited France on several occasions, a recent
visit to
the Deux Sevres area was indeed virgin territory and a fascinating
find.
Niort - a free city by favour of Eleanor of Aquatine.
Lezay - holds the largest country market in the Poitou Charente.
Melle - boasts silver mines that are open to the public.
The area of Marais Potevin is ideal for enthusiasts of walking, cycling
and boating, this wetlands is one of the most unusual areas in
France.
Having found this beautiful landscape, it is the kind of place which
would certainly draw me back. A place that only reveals its secrets
to those who take the time to visit."
Courtesy of the Scottish Field magazine,
(www.scottishfield.co.uk)
"Our tour started off in a museum in Niort, whatever your taste, be
it paintings, ceramics, or natural history, the spacious auditoria and
surroundings give an aid to fully appreciate the objects on show.
Modern Niort is famous for growing Anjelica (used in the local liquor).
La Mothe-Saint-Héray - was a protestant stronghold, you will
find a parasol pine tree a common symbol grown
to indicate to those choosing to follow this path that this was
the place to settle.
Bougon - around 6000 years ago in the late stone age, man started to
settle down and the burial chambers found here are known to pre-date
the pyramids by 2000 years.
Deux Sevres is one of France’s best kept secrets, it is a place
where solitude is easily found, activities come courtesy of mother
nature."
Courtesy of the Travel & Motorcaravan
magazine
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