Jane has been passionate about all things French since she can remember. She is a fluent French speaker and has a vast knowledge of France, its history and artistic and cultural background. She enjoys taking visitors to discover hidden treasures in rural France – the places and the people.

Jane Annois has been participating in French Potters markets every year since 1997. As a French teacher and ceramic artist she began combining these two lifetime interests to form an ongoing rapport with French ceramic artists and the French countryside. Jane has also taught ceramics at TAFE, primary and secondary schools, as artist in residence and in specialist workshops. She has been a demonstrator and guest speaker at numerous conferences in Australia and overseas, a highlight being the Australian representative at an international symposium in Amiens in France in 2001. She has exhibited her ceramic art internationally, notably in Paris in 2000, assisted by an Australia Council grant. In 2009 Jane was the international guest artist at the biannual Dieulefit potters’ market and exhibition.

The contacts she has made over this time allow her to share with her fellow travellers a rare insight to French culture, and the ceramic world.

Jane has organised a series of exhibitions, workshops, talks with the French ceramic artists in Melbourne February 2007 [“Tour Ceramique de France”], a reciprocal Australian ceramic exhibition in France in 2008 and assisted with an exhibition “From France” at Narek Gallery in Tanja in 2009; the  joint French Australian exhibition “Melting Pot” at Manningham Gallery in February 2010 and further Franco-Australian exhibitions in 2013. She is the founder of the Pottery Expos in Australia, based on the pottery markets of France, which have been held at Warrandyte for the past eleven years and at Federation Square in Melbourne’s city centre and other venues.

Since the tours have begun Jane has extended the interest focus to include art, painting and sculpture, with a tour devoted to hands on painting and art activities in the South of France.  There is a very popular wine tour through the Beaujolais, Bourgogne and Alsace; music tours featuring the internationally celebrated Jazz at Vienne and a tour of the Loire Valley with its chateaux.

The French tour has a maximum of 8 people. You will travel in a minibus driven by Jane, allowing for flexibility where the group can make day to day choices.

Jane speaks French fluently, smoothing the way, and gaining introductions to places otherwise unknown.

An important aspect of the tour as with any trip to France is the food. You will go to restaurants only frequented by the locals, are treated to culinary delights by French potters and discover local wines.

Jane has now taken 20 tours where people have enjoyed the French hospitality and experienced spectacular landscapes. Many have returned for a second and even third tour.

Tours are now open for 2012 and beyond.

Contact Jane on [03] 98442337 or 0422942216

jannois@bigpond.com

www.potteryexpo.com

www.zestefrenchtours.com