The 1st (hopefully annual) “Semana de Francia” will be celebrated in Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón next week, from Thursday March 22nd to Sunday March 25th! Oh la la!
Taking place as part of Altos de Chavón’s 30th anniversary celebrations and the 25th anniversary of the French Dominican Chamber of Commerce (CCDF), Casa de Campo and the CCDF, in collaboration with the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic, the “Semana de Francia” French Festival, will be an extraordinary 4 day event – and you are cordially invited to join the French fun!
Bienvenue!
Casa de Campo villa owners are invited to attend all events – we look forward to seeing you there!
The French festival will bring together more than 200 business leaders and official representatives of both countries for the 1st ever French-Dominican Business Forum, with special guest speaker his Excellency Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, President of the Dominican Republic.
As Altos de Chavón is transformed into “un petit village francais”, a gastronomy, arts and technology fair will line the cobbled streets. There will be French food and drinks tastings, sales of French, Haitian and Dominican products, special menus at the restaurants and exhibits of the latest advances in modern technology. In addition there will also be numerous musical, theatrical and even gastronomical performances as well as an Auto Feria (car show) and lots of lively street performers.
In other areas of Casa de Campo, Casa de Campo villa owners, residents and guests will have the opportunity to enjoy golf, polo and tennis tournaments, as well as sample the famous Château Haut-Brion wine and fine French cuisine at the Gala-Dinner “Exquisite Flavors of France” on Friday evening.
Don’t miss this extravaganza celebration of French music and dancing at the Altos de Chavón amphitheater – with the “Gran Orchestre de Rene Coll”, the Dominican-French jazz singer, Cyrille Aimee and CAN-CAN dancers!
Entrance to this event is free and a LIMITED number of tickets are available in the Casa de Campo villa owners club – get yours NOW before it’s too late!
Contact: (809) 523-2079
Below is the complete program of activities which will bring to life “L’Art de Vivre à la Française!”
“Semana de Francia” – Event Schedule: March 22nd – 25th
Thursday March 22nd
Claude Terrail Polo Tournament Played between Casa de Campo Polo and Domaine de Barbossi polo teams. Where: Casa de Campo Polo fields, When: 4pm
Inauguration ceremony and choir performance by INTEC Where: The main Altos de Chavón plaza, When: 6:30pm and 7pm
Welcome Cocktail and art exhibit by Michel Bizet Where: Altos de Chavón art gallery When: 7:30pm
Live music by Rene Coll’s “Big Band” from Paris Where: The main Altos de Chavón plaza When: 9pm
Friday March 23rd
French Dominican Business Forum Prestigious Caribbean, French and Dominican entrepreneurs and top executives, as well as official representatives from the French and Dominican governments including his Excellency Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, President of the Dominican Republic will discuss economic and commercial topics. When: 8am-6pm Where: Flamboyan Conference Centre Cost: US$450 (members), US$500 (non-members) Contact: 809-472-0588
Lunch – French Dominican Business Forum With Gregory Pugin, executive chef of Le Cirque Las Vegas and wine tasting by Carrefour and on behalf of Le Domaine de Barbossi Robert Remi chef de cuisine, Eric Bonneau chef patissire and sommelier Franck Thomas When: 1pm Where: La Caña Restaurant & Lounge by Le Cirque
Tours aboard the “Dumont Durville” French Navy Ship
Visitors are welcome to board the “Dumont Durville” navy ship which will be stationed at the Marina Casa de Campo throughout the Semana de Francia. When: 1:30pm – 2:30pm, 2:30pm – 3:30pm and 3:30pm – 4:30pm Where: The Marina Casa de Campo – look out for the big grey navy boat! Registration: At the French Chamber of Commerce tent in Altos de Chavón (part of the Feria) Note: Only 15 people are allowed on board at a time so arrive early to avoid disappointment!
Scientific Projects Conference by the New Horizons School Where: Espace André Malraux (Genesis Disco) When: 2pm
“Le Petit Prince” play by Antoine de Saint-Exupery produced by St John’s School Where: Espace André Malraux (Genesis Disco) When: 3:30 pm
Exhibition of historical French fashion Held by the students of the fashion design department of the UASD Where: The main Altos de Chavón plaza When: 4pm
Closing Forum Cocktail When: 6:15pm Where: Flamboyan Conference Centre
Live music by the INDESWASKA group from Guadalupe When: 7pm Where: The main Altos de Chavón plaza
“Exquisite Flavors of France” Dinner-Gala Featuring Clarence Dillon Wines including the famous Château Haut-Brion, as well as fine French cuisine prepared by distinguished invited chefs; Gregory Pugin, executive chef of Le Cirque Las Vegas and on behalf of Le Domaine de Barbossi Robert Remi chef de cuisine, Eric Bonneau chef patissire and sommelier Franck Thomas. Live music by the French jazz group “Sextet Bony & Co.” When: 8:30pm Where: Beach Club by Le Cirque, Minitas Beach Cost: US$300 Reservations: 809-523-3165 – space limited. Click here for more info!
Tennis Tournament “Copa de las Cámaras de Comercio” Where: La Terraza Tennis Club When: 9am Cost: US$95 Reservations: 809-523-5940, tenis@ccampo.com.do
Tours aboard the “Dumont Durville” French Navy Ship
Visitors are welcome to board the “Dumont Durville” navy ship which will be stationed at the Marina Casa de Campo throughout the Semana de Francia. When: 9am – 10am and 10am – 11am Where: The Marina Casa de Campo – look out for the big grey navy boat! Registration:At the French Chamber of Commerce tent in Altos de Chavón (part of the Feria) Note:Only 15 people are allowed on board at a time so arrive early to avoid disappointment!
CERI Conference: Study in Montepellier by Sup de Co Montepellier Where: André Malraux (Genesis Disco) When: 11am
Gastronomic Dictation by French Alliane, read by Marie-Ange Horlaville Where: André Malraux (Genesis Disco) When: 11:30am
“Le Petit Prince” play by Antoine de Saint-Exupery produced by St John’s School Where: Espace André Malraux (Genesis Disco) When: 2pm
Petanque Tournament
Where: Altos de Chavon amphitheatre, door #3
When: 3pm
Cost: RD$500
Claude Terrail Polo Tournament – FINAL including the polo and golf prize-giving ceremonies Played between Casa de Campo Polo and Domaine de Barbossi polo teams. Where: Casa de Campo Polo fields, When: 5pm
Live music by the INDESWASKA group from Guadalupe When: 6:30pm Where:The main Altos de Chavón plaza
Walkabout Foundation Marathon (8km)
Where: Minitas Beach to Altos de Chavón When: 9am
Minimum donation: US$25 fitnesscenter@ccampo.com.do Registration: 809-523-5185
Guided tour of the Emilio Robba art studios and archaeological museum Where: Meet at the Emilio Robba store in Altos de Chavón When: 10:30am
Brunch “Dominical” Prepared prepared by distinguished invited chefs; Gregory Pugin, executive chef of Le Cirque Las Vegas and on behalf of Le Domaine de Barbossi Robert Remi chef de cuisine, Eric Bonneau chef patissire and sommelier Franck Thomas. Where: La Piazzetta, Altos de Chavón When: 11am – 3pm
Live music by INDESWASKA group from Guadalupe Where: Fish fountain by the amphitheater When: 11:15am
Petanque tournament continuation and finals
Where: Amphitheater, door No.3 When: 2pm
“Les Fables de la Fontaine” play by Atelier de Chantal Where: Espace André Malraux/Genesis Disco When: 3pm
Percusion concert by “La Gran Mawon” group Where: The main Altos de Chavón plaza When: 5:00pm
Air Caraibes inaugural flight from Santo Domingo to Paris-Orly
Where: Las Americas Airport, Santo Domingo When: 9:30pm
Altos de Chavón becomes a “petit village français”
From Thursday the 22nd through to Sunday the 25th of March, Altos de Chavón will be opened as a “petit village français”, with the following attractions:
• Autoferia Francesa Popular (Car show): open 10am – 10pm
• Gastronomic, artistic and technological fair: open 10am – 10pm
• Street performers:
Stilt walking exhibition: Sat. 11:45pm, 5:15pm and Sun. 2pm
Show by the juggler “Chespi”: Sat. 2:45pm and Sun. 2:15pm
Mimes by the Instituto Tecnológico (INTEC): Sat. 4pm, 6pm
Clown show: Sat. 2:30pm, 7:30pm and Sun. 2:30pm
Fire-eating with Renato: Sat. 7pm and Sun. 3:30pm
Facepainting and balloon animals: Sun. 3pm
• Art exhibits! During the 4-day “Semana de Francia” event, 3 art exhibits will be on display as part of the “Gastronomic, artistic and technological fair”, these are:
• “Soleils” by French artist Michel Bizet, which will be located upstairs in the Altos de Chavón art gallery
• “Art Furniture and Fine Art” by French artist and Casa de Campo resident Jean Pierre Frey, located in between the St Stanislaus church and Papa Jacks
• “La acción del caballo de Polo” by Rachel White, on display on the ground floor of the Altos de Chavón art gallery
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