Les Bénines d'Apie

About Us

"Les Bénines d'Apie" is a Paris based lesbian walking group.

Walks take place every Sunday of the year and sometimes on Saturdays or bank holidays as well.

They range from 10 to 30km (6-20 miles) using paths, fields, roads and bridleways in the Ile de France region, accessible by public transport. Numbers can vary between eight and thirty women on each walk. The group is very friendly and most women come along on their own.

Founded by an informal group of friends in 1984, the organization now claims over 200 members and we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2009 (with a big party of course!). Our hikes and other activities are led by a trusty group of about 20 experienced volunteer walk leaders.

Activities

• hikes in the Ile de France region every Sunday
• weekends or week-long hiking in France or abroad.
• exchanges with other regional women's walking groups
• other outdoor activities; evening/night walks, orientation and map reading, cycling, swimming, skiing, canoeing, etc.
• pot-luck picnics on special occasions like Bastille Day, Christmas, 12th Night, etc …
• cultural activities : cinema, châteaux, museums, exhibitions or artists' workshops, restaurants, etc.
• an annual party for members and friends

To join us for a day out

We go walking every Sunday in the Ile de France region. You probably will want to come along to one or two Sunday hikes before joining as a new member. Visitors are always very welcome. You can have an over-view of our forthcoming walks in the "calendrier" section of this website.

To join us for a day out send us an email at lesbenines@gmail.com or phone us at 06.75.42.55.86. and leave a message after the recorded announcement (which is in French) and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with details of the next appropriate hike.
You can walk with us twice without being a member.

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How it works

How long are the walks ?

Hikes vary in terms of speed (1, 2, 3 "shoes") and distance (10 to 30 kms). These two criteria are to be considered separately. For instance, a 15 km three-shoe hike with few breaks will be very fast and not for everyone, while a 23 km one-shoe hike with plenty of breaks will be accessible to all.

Transport

All of our walks are accessible by public transport, usually within about an hour's travelling distance of central Paris ; sometimes a bit longer in summer.

Do I need special equipment ?

You will need appropriate gear, outlined in the "conseil" page of this website. The minimum that you should bring with you is :

• a pair of hiking boots (in winter) or comfortable sturdy trainers with good grips (in summer)
• a windproof rain jacket
• a packed lunch
• at least 1 litre of drinking water, more in Summer
• a fleece or woollen jumper and warm gloves and hat (in winter)
• sunglasses, sunhat and suncream (in summer)

What about children?

We are an all-women adult group, so you can bring your daughter if she's over 18!

What about dogs ?

Well behaved dogs are tolerated and must be kept on a lead where necessary. They must be fully vaccinated and insured.

There is more information in French on the FAQ page.

Membership

To join "Les Bénines d'Apie or to renew your membership, just print the membership form on this website and send it to the address provided with a check for 16 euros made out to "Les Bénines d'Apie".
This yearly fee includes insurance coverage.

How do members get information ?

All members receive a printed program three times a year, detailing the forthcoming hikes, outings or visits and have password access to the program online in the members section.
Sometimes we organise walks or outings at short notice and notify members of cancellations or last minute changes via the answer machine.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch...
lesbenines@gmail.com or +33(0)6.75.42.55.86.

Traduction : P.P.

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