Looking for French epee club

[Louis CB]

Hello,

At some point in the next 6-8 months I may well be leaving Britain for a bit and going to France to visit some old friends. I would also like to see what the fencing scene is like over there. Like most fencers I've heard great things about the French training system. I'd like to, at the very least, see this training system first hand. Ideally I'd like to actually fence some French cadets my own age.

I realize this may not be the best place to start looking for a French club, but I don't know where else to start. Can anybody:

-recommend a French club that has a reputation for being friendly to foreigners/newcomers

-point me towards either a French coach that will take in foreign fencers to his club

-point me towards a person who knows more

I am aware that there was an exchange a few months back between a French cadet and a British cadet's family, where the two cadets essentially swapped countries, salles and families for a week or two. This would be great, if it could be arranged - but again I'm not sure where to start looking.

I'm not asking people to DO this for me - just a push in the right direction. Any help at all is greatly appreciated, thanks!

-Louis CB

[prototoast]

There are a few French epee fencers on these boards, so when they show up, they should be able to help you. One thing I'd suggest now is you say where in France you will be. It's a large country, and where you are will affect which clubs are accessible.

[blue_falcon]

Well, I have no direct experience with French clubs but I know a few people who have moved to France and have enjoyed the epee fencing there. I think one possible starting point may be the Racing Club de France. (I think that's the name)

Here's a link to their site

http://www.racingclubdefrance.org/pa...e_escrime.html

[Schiavona]

There's a British poster on this board who has trained in France, he goes by Alain. He fences epee too! Go to the Members List, find Alain and send him a message. I'm sure he'll be glad to help.

[sreckiki]

One thing I'd suggest now is you say where in France you will be. It's a large country, and where you are will affect which clubs are accessible.

A name of a city would definetly help...