Saint-Etienne



Saint-Etienne is a city in France.

Saint-Etienne est ville de province d'environ 180 000 habitants (ça fluctue) nous sommes à 45 minutes de Lyon en train et nous adorons faire croire qu'il y a une gueguerre entre les deux villes. Mais honnêtement nous aimons bien Lyon quand même. Donc si vous avez besoin de passer du temps sur Lyon et que vous ne trouvez pas de couch là bas vous pouvez venir chez nous. En plus notre ville ne manque pas d'intérêts en elle même, elle est riche en patrimoine (l'histoire de Germinal de Zola s'est en fait passée dans la banlieue de St-Etienne, l'auteur a juste transposé l'action dans le nord), elle est calme mais plein de petites choses se passent quand même. Saint-Etienne (il faut dire St-é) combine les avantages du village pour le coté solidarité et soutient avec les avantages d'une grande ville en ce qui concerne les infrastructures.
 * Bienvenue chez nous! Nous sommes 60 surfers ici et nous avons très envie de vous connaître.

Saint-Etienne is a city of about 180 000 inhabitants 45 minutes from Lyon by train and we love to pretend there is a war-like atmosphere between the two cities. But frankly we do like Lyon.So if you need to spend some time in Lyon but can't find a couch there you can ask us. Our city is rather insteresting itself, its history is rooted in mining history (Zola's Germinal actually happened by St-Etienne, he just set the story up in the north of France because this is where traditionnaly people picture the place where mines should be), it is quiet but a lot of little events happen and some of us can tell you what are all the fun stuff to go to when you come. By the way, you should say Saint-E (sainté) not Saint-Etienne. anyway we enjoy here both the benefit of a town as far as support goes when you're in trouble AND the benefit of what a big city can give you as far as transportation or having fun is concerned.
 * Welcome in Saint-Etienne! We are 60 surfers and we are looking forward to meeting and knowing you.

Meetings

 * Nous sommes en train de nous bouger donc nous n'avons pas encore décidé d'un moment défini pour nous rencontrer tous les mois mais on va se pencher sur la question.


 * We are in the process of having everything set up. We have not decided of a time to meet each month but when we have we'll just let you know.


 * We've got an official group where you can join us. You will find informations about meetings or activites in our city and meet a lot of "couchsurfeurs stéphanois" all differents but always welcomings !

The link to our group : http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=8712

History of Saint-Etienne
More informations about the History of Saint-Etienne on the Saint-Etienne !

What to visit ?
We've got some museums, the most importants are :

-the museum of Modern Art, about contemporary art and design -the museum of the mine, during the XIX° and the XX° century there were a lot of coalmines in Saint-Etienne

-the museum of art and industry with old weapons, ribbons and cycle

Saint Etienne is an important place of design, there are internationals biennials of design since 1998 and the next one will be in 2010. There will be also a city of design which will open in October 2009.

More informations about the places to visit in Saint-Etienne on the Saint-Etienne !



Tips

 * Le pass pour prendre le bus ou le train coûte 1.30€. Il est valable pour une heure et demie et pour tous les transports. Verifiez si vous ne trouvez pas un ticket laissez intentionnellement sur les appareils automatic de vente ou bien sur les cartes aux arrêts. Parfois les gens laissent un ticket dont l'heure n'est pas encore finie à l'intention des voyageurs sans ticket (vérifiez le jour et l'heure au dos du ticket).


 * A ticket for public transportation (a "pass") is 1.30€ and is good for an hour and a half for any public transportation (bus and "tram"). Check out vending machins and bus or tram stops, sometimes people leave a ticket when they don't need it anymore if it is still worth some time (be carefull and make sure the day and hour on the back of the ticket are still good).

Other useful things:


 * Si vous avez besoin d'un accès wi-fi vraiment gratuit allez donc à "Centre Deux". Asseyez vous sur les marches (assez larges) près de McDo et profitez de leur connection sans avoir à manger quoique ce soit.


 * If you need a really free internet spot McDonald's has the best comfortable "free" internet access. Just go to "Centre Deux" and take a sit on the stairs by McDonald's. You won't even have to buy anything to eat and you'll enjoy their internet.


 * Un bon kébab? "Chez Momo" dans la rue St Jean.
 * Une 'tite glace quand il fait chaud? Près de la grande poste un camion à glace a élu domicile dès que les temperatures le permettent. Glaces artisanales à tomber par terre. C'est la photo que vous avez juste au dessus. Je l'ai prise juste pour que vous ne le loupiez pas. Ce serait dommage.


 * Hungry and want a kebab? Try "chez Momo" in St Jean street.
 * It is hot and you would enjoy a lil ice cream? By the "grande post" (when it is hot enough) a guy in a truck sells home made ice creams that are just the best on earth. There is a pic above of the truck in case you need it to spot him. Don't miss it, it would be a shame.

CouchSurfers

 * Sofian is the city Ambassador and a very funny guy. If you've got a problem or if you just want to ask for something about St Etienne, contact him.


 * Desire is a very active member of St Etienne's group. He organizes Cs Meeting in St Etienne and often suggests travels or activities.


 * And there are a lot of others members who will be happy to host you !

In Case of Emergency



 * Police Station: 17 ou/or 04 77 43 28 28
 * Health Urgency: 15
 * Hospital: 04 77 82 80 00
 * Fireman Station: 18
 * Embassy:
 * Emergency Doctor: 15

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