A new Saturday school in Plymouth has been launched to help children learn about French culture and language. It was setup by a number of French mums to ensure their children don’t lose touch with their French heritage.

It is believed that at least 100 children with French associations reside in the city and being the hub of western cross-channel ferry services, it’s not surprising that there are so many.

The group, named Les Petits Mousses de Plymouth literally translated as The Little Ship’s Apprentices of Plymouth, was founded by Marriig Quentel-Watson.  Ms Quentel-Watson said the mothers believed their children would benefit enormously from being taught in written French. The Saturday school builds on a Saturday creative workshop for those aged five and under, Les Choco’mousses.

Ms Quentel-Watson and her friends are now trying to identify all interested families in Plymouth and the surrounding areas.  The group for children aged 6 to 16 will be launched in January 2015, and will run every Saturday morning from 10am to noon. So if you speak French at home and would like your children to get additional help, email lespetitsmoussesdeplymouth@gmail.com or visit the Les Petits Mousses de Plymouth Facebook page.

Ms Quentel-Watson arrived in Plymouth in 2002 and married an Englishman. They have three sons, and she wanted them to grow with French and English equally.  Her husband also became proficient in French, so that in their family the two languages co-exist.

2014 marks 70 years since the Allied invasion of 6th June, 1944 and we explore some of the reason why you should visit Normandy next month.

There’s plenty to keep you interested in Normandy, from tasting the famous ‘Calvados’ and the local cheeses and breads, to exploring the ancient history. Travel east from Dieppe to follow in the footsteps of the Impressionist painters around Fécamp and Etretat, or chill out at family resorts such as Trouville and Cabourg on the Côte Fleurie. West of Caen, the wide open sands of the D-Day landing beaches are gloriously unspoilt, and the museums and heritage sites that commemorate 1944 are a great way to put you in touch with the heroic exploits of Allied soldiers, perhaps members of their own family.

Head round the tip of the Cotentin Peninsula to find quiet coves beneath the high cliffs of La Hague, west of Cherbourg, and explore the sand dunes and estuaries around Barneville-Carteret and Agon-Coutainville on the west coast. Read more about our top reasons to visit this November here