POPPY season is fast approaching and Royal British Legion organisers around France are supplying poppies for Remembrance Day on November 11.
Last year France raised £131,000 and the 2015 appeal is aiming to raise £41 million all over the world.
The money raised is used by the RBL to provide support for ex-forces personnel and their families.
Here is a list of poppy sales points across France this year. If you know of another distributor to add to the list, please let us know at news[at]connexionfrance.com.
Poppy Appeal Organisers in France
BORDEAUX: Brenda Vockings, Grand Chaccord, 24350 Montagrier, Dordogne, 05 53 91 17 12 or email vockings[at]btinternet.com
NORD/PAS-DE-CALAIS: Col. & Mrs Towler, 10 Chemin de la Foret, 62270 Boubers Sur Canche, 03 21 41 58 64 or email ancamin[at]aol.com
NICE/MONACO: Commander Healy, RBK Nice/Monaco Branch, Le Silmar, 10 Rue Jean Bracco, F-06310 Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, 04 93 01 30 00 or email mhealy[at]orange.fr
PARIS: Mrs J Warby, 5 Allée Des Pins, 78480 Verneuil Sur Seine, 01 44 59 39 91
CENTRAL BRITTANY: Mr & Mrs Curtis, La Lande de Bolore, St. Aignan, 56480, 02 97 39 60 69 or email kissmekate1[at]orange.fr
SOMME: Mrs I Blake, 8 Impasse Valentin Dupuis, 62175, Hendecourt Les Ransart, email isabelle.blake[at]wanadoo.fr
LINAZAY: Mr Checkett, Chez Merigeon, 86400, Linazay, 05 49 97 14 88 or email kenneth.checkett[at]wanadoo.fr
Poppy sales points
BORDEAUX/SOUTH WEST
Poppies are widespread in this area but if you have trouble finding them, contact Brenda Vockings (above) by email, as she does a 'Poppies by Post' service.
Dordogne
Piegut Pluviers: Sausageland
NORD
Armentières : Office de Tourisme, Rue du Lille, 59280 and Musée du Anciens Combattants d’Armentières, 16 rue des Capucins, 59280
Bollezeele: Hostellerie St. Louis, 47 rue d’Eglise
Cambrai : Office de Tourisme du Cambrésis, Maison Espagnole, 48 rue de Noyon, 59400. Hotel Beatus, 718 avenue de Paris.
Lille : Office de Tourisme et Congrés, 42 place Rihour, 59800. Books et Alia, 18 place Mendes-France. Centre Culturel britannique, 3 rue Jean Bart. Christ Church Lille, 4 rue Lydéric.
Englos : Holiday Inn Lille, Ouest Englos, Impasse Bertha, 59320
PAS-DE-CALAIS
Arras : Commonwealth War Graves Commision, 5-7 rue Angele Richard, 62217 Beaurains
In Arras : Carriere Wellington, rue Deletoile, (just beyond Le Clerc on the Beaurains Road); Hôtel Express by Holiday Inn, 3 rue du Docteur Brassart (near the station); Astria Hôtel Mercure, 58 boulevard Carnot (near the station); Hôtel Diamant, 5 place d’Heros
Bethune: Office de Tourisme, 3 rue Aristide Briand
Boulogne-sur-Mer : Office de Tourisme, Esplanade Auguste Mariette
Boubers sur Canche: La Cremailliere, Place General de Gaule
Bullecourt : Musée Bullecourt 1917, rue d’Arras
Calais : Office de Tourisme, Cote Opale, 12 boulevard Georges Clemenceau. Hotel Meurice, 5-7 rue Edmund Roche
Etaples sur Mer : boulevard Bigot Descelers, BP 102
Fromelles : Musée Bataille Fromelles, Pheasants Wood Military Cemetery
Hesdin : Hôtel La Chope, 46bis rue d’Arras
Lens-Lieven : Office de Tourisme & du Patrimoine Lens-Lieven, 58 rue de la gare
Martinpuich : Silent Picket, 10 Grande rue
St-Pol-sur-Ternoise : Bureau de Tourisme, 8 place Francois Mitterand
For wreaths please contact Anne Campbell Towler, the Poppy Appeal Organiser for Nord/Pas-de-Calais on 03 21 41 58 64 or ancamin[at]aol.com Wreaths may be posted for a donation plus postage.
Members of the Nord / Pas-de-Calais branch will be collecting at Terres de Boissons in Cite Europe on Friday October 30th, Saturday November 1st, Friday November 7th and Saturday November 8th. They will also have a stall on Arras market, (in front of the Beffroi) on Saturday November 8 from 8:30 until 12:00.
The Anglican congregations in Arras, Boulogne, Calais and Hesdin will also have poppies and collecting tins.
NICE/MONACO
Nice : Barclays Bank, rue Alphonse Karr; BPCA bank, bd Victor Hugo; Holy Trinity church, rue de la Buffa; Holy Trinity church Library, rue de France ; Go-Nice, off rue de France; British Asociation of Nice; Thor (restaurant), Cour Saleya; Ma Nolan (port), Quai 2 Emannuels; Ma Nolan (Nice), rue St François de Paule ; Wayne’s, rue du Préfecture ; Paddy’s pub, rue Droite ; The Snug, rue Droite
Villefranche : Chez Net, place du Marché
Beaulieu-sur-Mer: St Michael’s Church, rue de Myrtes ; Cave de Beaulieu, rue Général Leclerc ; Horlogerie Foltete, rue Général Leclerc
Cap d’Ail : Capitainerie du Port ; Le Cambuse, on the port
Monaco: St Paul’s Church, ave Grande-Bretagne; St Paul’s church Library, ave Grande-Bretagne; Barclays Bank, bd des Moulins; UBP Bank (ex Lloyds & Coutts), bd des Moulins ; HSBC Bank, bd d’Ostende ; Cosmopolite (bar), rue du Portier ; McCarthy’s (bar), rue du Portier ; Eric Blair Insurance & Consulate, Buckingham Palace ; Gale Force Computing, ave St Michel ; Ship & Castle, port Fontvieille ; Slammers (bar), rue Suffren Reymond ; Stars’n’Bars, quai Antoine 1er
Plus mail-order from Commander Michael Healy, 10 rue Jean Bracco, 06310 Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Orders tomhealy[at]orange.fr. 06 70 10 37 55 (text messages only). Their local target is €14,000. A new speciality for this year’s appeal is large Car Poppies for car radiators for €15.
CANNES AREA/WEST OF PACA
Poppies and collection boxes will be available from mid-October 2015 to Remembrance Sunday in November at the locations shown below. In addition, donations by cheque made out to The Royal British Legion and sent to our Treasurer would be most welcome at any time.
Poppies and Collection Boxes will be at the following locations:
Cannes: Holy Trinity Church, rue Général Ferrié; The English Book Shop, rue Blvd Napoléon; The Station Tavern, rue des Serbes; Morrisons Bar, rue d'Alliese; Association France - Grande Bretagne, rue d'Otan
Mouans-sartoux : Victoria Residential Home and The Grange British Association
Antibes: Antibes Book Shop, rue Auberon; Geoffrey's of London, Boulevard Aquillon; The Blue Bar, rue Lacan; Creatif Fleurs, rue Lacan ; Marine Discount, Galerie du Port ; Riviera Charts, Galerie du Port ; Rinck Travel, boulevard d’Aguillon ; Sea Design, avenue Tournelli ; Marina Presse (Tabac), Marina Baie des Anges (plus the outlets serviced by Cannes-Provence branch RBL)
Valbonne: English Book Centre, rue Alexis Julian; Brittain's Food Store; Dr. Ireland's Surgery
Mougins: RADA Players Group; Mougins School
St. Raphael: Anglican Church
Fayence : Librairie du Château ; AEPF - Amicale Europe Pays de Fayence
Cotignac: Modes d'Hier Antiquités, Rue des Deux Places ; La Table des Coquelicots, 10 Cours Gambetta ; Mirabeau Wine, Cours Gambetta
Lorgues : The Ark Community at Lorgues and Callian; Anita - VAR VILLAGE VOICE Magazine ; Servane Immobilier, 8 Place Révelin; The Grillon Bar
British Association of the Var: The Chairman has a supply of poppies as do the Neighbourhood Networks (see BA of Var newsletter for contact details and meeting times) of the following areas:
• Cabasse/Carces/Cotignac/Le Val/Correns
• La Motte/Le Muy
• Draguignan/Les Arcs/Le Luc/Taradeau/Vidauban/Le Canet des Maures
• Roquebrune-sur-Argens - Village & La Bouverie
• Villecrose/Salernes/Tourtour/Entrecasteaux
• St Maximin/Brignoles/Mazaugues/Meounes/Neoules/Tourves/Pourcieux
Toulon: Association France/Grande-Bretagne
Marseille: British Consulate, 24 avenue du Prado ; British Council, 521 Avenue du Prado
CENTRAL BRITTANY
Gouarec: AIKB office (also has hand-made crochet poppies), The British Shop
Ploerdut: AIKB office (also has hand-made crochet poppies), Bar le Welcome
Plussulian: Kerbian Farm
Bonen: The Pub
Maël-Carhaix: Chez Odette; Kreiz Briez
La Trinité-Porhoët: The Post office
Ploermel: Christ Church
Corlay: Heather Sheppard
Guénin: Saint Andrews
Dinard: Saint Bartholomews Church
Crédin: La Clochette
Sainte-Brigitte: Bar Maddison
Rostrenen : Fleur de Bretagne campsite, Creative
La Ferrière : Les Six Nations Bar (near Plemet)
The Blavet valley fishing Lakes have a box.
Poppies may also possibly be available at Valfresco at Caurel and the Academy at Callac. These two are not confirmed yet.
A number of other boxes are out with private people who take them to coffee mornings and clubs.
Kate Curtis also has a large stock at her house and can order items they may not have – contact her on 02 97 39 60 69 or email kissmekate1[at]orange.fr
LIMOUSIN/POITOU-CHARENTES
Charente
Aigle : Aigre Auto
Gourville : Café de la Gare
Mansle : Leggetts
Verteuil : Café Porte Bleue,
Montbron : Pub O’Mahony
Chabanais : Café Clemence ; Petticoat Lane
Le Lindois : TJ’s Hair Salon
Verneuil : Le Soleil Couchant
Chabroulie : Moulin de Chabroulie
Ecuras : Golf Club de la Preze
La Rochefoucauld : Somewhat Grey ; Je Ne Sais Quoi
Suris : Café de la Terrasse
Suaux : Robin des boissons
Nieull & St Claud : Kirsty’s Restaurant,
Ruffec Area: The Black Cat Library - 0545311402
Confolens: The Irish Belle; The Chip Shop
Charente Maritime
Dampierre : La Bonne Etape
Aulnay : PMU
Markys Pies, St Jean D’Angely Market
Creuse
Azerables : Le Creusois Bar
Deux-Sèvres
Les Forges: Golf Club
Sauzé-Vaussais: The Lemon Tree
Caunay: Mad Hatters
Chef Boutonne: Camping Moulin
Pers : Tante Mabel
Bougnon : La Bon Vie Restaurant
Parthenay: Café Theatre ; Newsagents, Leclerc; Le Drapeau Café ; Gan Assurance ; Citadel Restaurant ; Petit Cadeau ; Maison St Jaques,
L’Absie : Pause Café ; La Poste Bar
Fenieux : Belle Fleur Restaurant ; Cut 46 Hair Salon
Raffannes : Château Le Chat
Airvault : Ranton Church
Vienne
Civray : Ruche d’activités
Mauprevoir : Hotel du Diamont
Voulême : Edna’s
Blanzay : Auberge du Village
Brux: Restaurant/Bar St Martin
Vergne/Savigné : Cabinet Dentaire
L’Isle Jourdain : Le Poulbot
Champniers: Bar Les Tilleuls
Charroux: The Green Man
Haute-Vienne
Oradour Sur Vayres : La Galerie de Gabriel,
Bussiere-Poitvine : Limousin Depot Vente ; L’Ambiance ; Eco Entrepot
La Dorat : La Petite Place ; Le trefle irlandais
Magnac Laval: L’escapade
Mr T’s Friterie (various locations)
Fish 4 Chipz (various locations)
Top Hat Enterprises (various locations)
Angela Berry (artist) at various markets.
PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE
La Vendée Chippy mobile fish and chip vans are selling poppies at their usual venues in the south Vendée.
NORMANDY
Sainte-Mère-Eglise: Aces High Gallery; 49 Rue du Gen de Gaulle; 50480; Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Open 7 days a week.
LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON
The LFN organisation is selling poppies at the airports of Béziers, Carcassonne and Perpignan; they will be meeting all UK flights.
Other Poppy Sales Events:
Poitou-Charentes
Ray Davidson will be collecting for this year’s Poppy Appeal at Super U in Montmorillon (the Vienne)– November 6, 10.00-16.00, Leclerc in Montmorillon on October 24 and November 7 (10:00–16:00) and Super U in Saint-Benoît-du-Sault (the Indre) on October 31 (09.30-13.00)
Lyon
Poppies can be obtained at the British Council, Le Forum, Part Dieu, the Little Britain epicerie (12 boulevard des Brotteaux), and the following pubs – James Joyce, King Arthur, Smoking Dog, Elephant & Castle. They will also be available at the Anglican (English-speaking) Churches in Lyon and Grenoble, as well as the Remembrance ceremonies at La Doua and St Germain and the Cellier de l’Abbaye in Cluny.
The Lyon branch is also happy to send out poppies by post. Please contact Anthony Brittain at anthonyabrittain[at]aol.com
Brittany
There will be a coffee morning on October 26 in aid of the Poppy Appeal at La Lande de Boloré, 56480, Saint-Aignan, from 10.00 to 12.00. Tricia will be selling her greetings cards. Contact Kate Curtis on 02 97 39 60 69 or email kissmekate1[at]orange.fr. Booking would be appreciated. She can send directions if you need them.
The French version of the poppy - the bleuet
There is also a French equivalent of the poppy called the bleuet, also sold for commemorations. Like the poppy, the bleuet (cornflower) continued to grow on the land devastated by thousands of shells in World War One. Alexandre Fons of the Œuvre Nationale du Bleuet said: “The bleuet is not as widely worn as the poppy. There is a lot of state funding in France for support of ex-forces personnel and so such a big appeal is not necessary. However, wearing the flower is important as a sign of solidarity and a reflection on what happened.” Last year, bleuet sales raised €1,407,737.
