If you like playing in traditional English and Irish folk music sessions and would like to do it in the traditional French countryside village setting of St Pierre Sur Orthe, Mayenne, Pays De La Loire, France, the French bar / English pub l’Homme Vert might just be the place for you to be Tuesday evenings.
Like many, I have occasionally wondered whether the French joie de vivre would be a great backdrop for a somnambulant retirement amongst leafy French glades but have been somewhat put off by the thought of being separated from my sources of traditional English and Irish pub folk music joining in sessions en Angleterre!
So, when I spotted l’Homme Vert bar / pub website, I immediately sent off an email to the proprietor asking for more information. Within less than the space of a few good traditional folk music session tunes, I had my reply and couldn’t resist sharing it with all you globe trotting instrumental folk music session players out there.
Landlady Jen said:
St Pierre sur Orthe is a very pretty village …The Tuesday night sessions would suit you, I think. It is nearly always instrumental, although, occasionally someone will burst into song if they know the words. Hearing Frenchmen sing to ‘Leaving of Liverpool’ or ‘Whisky in the Jar’ is a real treat!
I have played piano accordion for years, mainly Irish/Scottish/English folk, but also go off into Eastern European stuff. I have just bought me a diatonic accordion (melodeon) which I am determined to master… just can’t get the hang of the push/pull bit yet.
One of our regulars has a Mongolian viola which adds hilarity to the sessions. We are not sure what he does with it or what he is playing but, somehow he manages to end on the same note as the rest of us.
If you or any of your friends fancy coming over, be sure of a very warm welcome. We have a gite next to our house which sleeps 4 in a large family room, and the house is only 20 metres from the bar!! (Which also has a great English pint on tap) …
If you are about on 1st May we are having a ‘Green Man’ festival … One of the finest examples is only 40Kms away at Le Mans Cathedral.
So, if you are passing St Pierre Sur Orthe, Mayenne, Pays De La Loire, France or are looking for a French gite to pass a musical week away from home, it may well be worth checking out Jen’s warm welcome, traditional English and Irish folk music sessions and other musical events at l’Homme Vert.
Au revoir mes amis!
Rob
Rob Hopcott – online author yearning for le joie de vivre under English leaden skies
