We were able to enjoy the hospitality of the people of Blois during a twinning trip for visually impaired people to France, being the second part of the successful exchange program started last year. Forty-seven members and staff visited for three days, during which we made many friends and were very well looked after by the Mercure Hotel.

Events started quickly on the journey as we stopped off in Paris on our way from the Eurotunnel to Blois. During our time in Blois we mixed educational visits to the AVH (the French national institute for the blind) and a tactile tour of the Jacobins Museum, with visits to a local market and a winery. The guided tour of the Chateau de Blois was also enjoyed by all. We are planning on repeating the exchange program in the near future and are eager to keep up the friendships that have been created over the two visits. Blois has planned and re-developed its town to cater for the needs of the visually impaired, access was excellent. Since our exchange France has agreed to develop five centres across France to serve the needs of visually impaired people.