The French Connection with a local twist

PRESS RELEASE


COALITION FOR ALGOMA
PASSENGER TRAINS (CAPT)

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French immersion Hearst getaway by train - September 12-15, 2013

Are you looking for an opportunity to improve your French?

Do you want the opportunity to exercise your French language skills while experiencing Francophone culture in Northern Ontario and meeting new people?

Come participate in the 2013 French Connection, a four-day immersion getaway in Hearst by train.

This weekend is for French language speakers of all levels!

Why go to Quebec to speak French when you can hop on the Algoma Central train to the 95 percent francophone city of Hearst - 96 miles north of the Sault!  

This fall, participants will have the opportunity to travel up to Hearst, Ontario aboard the Algoma Central Railway.

Along the way they will witness some of the country’s most beautiful natural scenery including the Agawa Canyon, a variety of the best Group of Seven painting sites as well as numerous lakes and rivers, private cottages and wilderness lodges, towering trestles and the vast mixed forests of the Canadian Shield ablaze with autumn splendour.

Imagine this, all while improving and practicing your French!

The weekend promises to provide a stimulating environment as participants will be able to join in a variety of cultural events in Hearst.

Following a warm reception on Thursday night, the weekend will include activities such as a music festival called the Festival Country de la perdrix and Foire des saveurs de Hearst.

Staying with a Francophone family in Hearst will ensure that you be immersed in the French language for the entire length of your stay.

The weekend emphasizes the idea of total immersion which will allow both local Francophones and those looking to improve their French language skills to have contact with the language and its culture 24/7.

Hearst is a hospitable town whose residents welcome visitors with open arms and “joie de vivre”.

Sylvie Lafontaine, the general manager of their Economic Development Corporation and a board member of the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT), has been working with CAPT to organize this event.

She looks forward to welcoming the French Connection participants when they get off the train on Thursday evening and is making sure that they will have a great time while in Hearst.

On Sunday they will return by train to the Sault.

Those who are interested in coming aboard this trip can contact Brittany at 705-949-2301 x4734 for more information.

Tickets are available at the Sault Community Theatre Box Office 705-945-7299.

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