The European go congress is the largest annual go event in Europe, gathering every year hundreds of players fighting for the title of European champion or Open champion. For the year 2011, the French Go Federation was candidate to organize this enormous event. The charming city of Bordeaux will host us for this 55^th edition.

The previous venues for the EGC in France were Paris, Grenoble and Marseilles. Here at the fourth French EGC, you can play in the 10-round European championship, and also take part in many side tournaments or simultaneous games with professional players. Many activities will be organized to enable you to enjoy the beautiful region of Bordeaux to the fullest !

Talence

Talence is a suburb of Bordeaux and part of the Urban Community of Bordeaux (CUB).

Using the various bus and tram lines, you can easily make your way in town (tram line B), to Bordeaux (only 10 minutes from the town centre) or to Pessac (i.e. to the seaside). Pessac railway station serves the town of Arcachon.

You will find stores of all kinds: baker’s, butcher’s, grocer’s, supermarket. There is a cinema (French version only), bookshop, bars and restaurants.

For leisure and sport: Thouars offers an Olympic size outdoor swimming-pool with a diving-board, a children’s play area and a small ground for beach volley. Go for jog or take a stroll in the Thouars woods.

Opposite the University entry lies the Peixotto park: children’s play area, lawns to play ball, a pond and shady groves where to take a break between two games. Go to the Castagnéra park media library, within the park area, for books, comics, children’s area, CDs.

The University campus : Bordeaux I

There is a great variety of style in its architecture. Red brick buildings mix with old châteaux outbuildings.

Its green surroundings with lawns, a pound and a bamboo grove offer an ideal spot to sit in the shade on an afternoon.

Nearby, there is free access to playing fields : “trinquet de pelote basque” (a local sport) and football pitches.

The congress organizing team, lead by Astrid Gaultier, is currently composed by around twenty voluntary workers from all over France. They work hard to make this large-scale event a success.

Here are the photos of voluntary helpers you might meet before or during the congress:

Astrid Gaultier Congress Head	Noël Saint-Paul Congress Head Assistant	Chantal Gajdos Congress Head Assistant	Paul Drouot Staff manager
Damien Martin-Guillerez Computer engineering	Claire Rioualen Congress journal writer	Benjamin Papazoglou Public relations	Vincent Mugnier Web broadcast
Elise Gruault Tourism