Lola: A youthful rhythm between La Rouxière and the rest of the world

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I'm 22, a student in my final year of a Masters degree. I was born in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon and grew up in Loireauxence (La Rouxière). My parents moved here just before I was born, so I grew up in a house with a great living environment. I always went to school in Loireauxence (La Rouxière) right through to collège (La Rouxière then Varades). The primary school was unusual in that it had three different buildings and you moved from one to the other as you grew up. After that, I went to the Lycée Saint-Joseph in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon to take the art option. After the baccalauréat, I went on to study communications in La Roche-sur-Yon in the Vendée, then travelled to Latvia before returning to study culture in Caen, Normandy.

Any memories of your childhood in the Pays d'Ancenis?

Immediately I think back to Wednesday afternoon multisport at the school in Loireauxence (La Rouxière). It was really my favourite activity. We played rollerblading, basketball and lots of other sports. I remember roller skating in particular. It was particularly impressive because there was a springboard that always scared me, but I loved it. I've always loved swimming, and I spent a lot of time at the pool with my friends, my mum and my school. It was an important part of my childhood. At collège and lycée, I had less time for sport, but I remember revising on the banks of the Loire with my friends. You're lucky to have such a great environment, you can't put a price on that.

What do you do when you go home at the weekend?

I chose to study in La Roche-sur-Yon in the Vendée because it was closer to the Ancenis area than Lannion in Brittany, for example. The proximity meant that I could go home every weekend, which was very useful for seeing my family and friends. If you want to go out here at the weekend, there are plenty of options. The "guinguettes" are a must for me, like "La guinch'ette" in Montrelais with its Friday night pizzas. We often go there with my girlfriends and a board game. My parents and I are regulars at the Couleurs Parasol shows on Wednesdays at the Théâtre de Verdure, with a picnic on the banks of the Loire. Otherwise, we regularly go bowling or to the bar at Espace 23 in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon. The great thing is that we always meet up with friends and family there.

What makes you tick here in the Pays d'Ancenis?

What I love most here are the people. Everyone knows everyone, everyone is close and likes to share. It's a place where people stay, because there are all the services and jobs, which creates a real community. My family and friends are here, which makes it a focal point for me. It's reassuring and familiar. But above all, my town, Loireauxence (La Rouxière), is an intergenerational and welcoming town, where everyone says hello and checks up on each other, and that's what I love about it!

And then, of course, there are the places where we have memories, anecdotes and good times! I'm thinking of the Parc du Coteau in Loireauxence (La Rouxière), which is a special place for me. It's where all the events take place, where I used to have my birthday parties and where I used to play with my friends when I was little. Even today, it's a place where I often go for a walk.

What's your favourite thing about living here?

Once again, my favourite thing about Pays d'Ancenis is the people I've met here. It's a place where everyone knows each other, shares and meets, whatever their age. Talking about someone to a friend and discovering family ties or friendships is common here. People are close and it creates a very warm atmosphere. And then of course there's my family, my friends, my habits. For example, my dad always brings me a cheese from the La Blanchetière cheese dairy in Loireauxence, my favourite, when I come home. It's our ritual.

Will you one day return 'home' to the Pays d'Ancenis?

For the moment, the Pays d'Ancenis is my home base. I still want to explore the world and find professional opportunities elsewhere. But like my parents, I might come back one day to settle down. The Ancenis area is dynamic and offers a lot of opportunities. So maybe we'll meet up again in the future, and I'd love to!

It's a wonderful life story that illustrates just how strong the link with the place where you were born and where you live can be, with unforgettable memories. Thank you to Lola for sharing this intimate story with us!