In the Calvados commune of Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, a newly formed local association organized a social games evening, bringing fresh community programming to residents who previously had to travel outside the area for organized leisure. Created during the summer of 2026, the group—named Les Besaces en mouvement—has quickly gathered around fifty members, according to regional reporting by La Voix Le Bocage.
A New Association Fills a Local Gap in Saint-Martin-des-Besaces
The foundation of the structure grew out of local demand for accessible activities within Souleuvre en Bocage. « Pour pratiquer une activité, quelle qu’elle soit, les habitants devaient aller au Bény-Bocage, et ils veulent que ça bouge ici », explained Marie Desrues, as cited by La Voix Le Bocage.
The origins of the association trace back to local badminton enthusiasts. Sophie Vautier, president of the existing ABC association, noted that members who previously managed badminton operations decided to establish an independent organization that could host a wider array of programming under the banner of Les Besaces en mouvement.
Badminton and Zumba Classes Expand Weekly Options
Alongside its social gatherings, the association runs a full athletic schedule focused primarily on badminton and zumba. Adult badminton takes place as a recreational, non-competitive format on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 20:00 to 22:00 local time at the Saint-Martin-des-Besaces gymnasium. Children can join introductory sessions on Thursdays from 17:00 to 18:00 at the same venue, supervised by two member volunteers.
The annual fee for badminton is set at 35 euros, in addition to the 5-euro general membership fee for the association. Zumba sessions complement the sports schedule at the Saint-Martin-des-Besaces village hall, featuring a youth class from 18:30 to 19:15 and an adult class on Thursdays from 19:30 to 20:30. Led by an outside professional dance instructor, the zumba classes are priced at 6 euros per session or 55 euros for a block of ten, allowing participants to pay only for the classes they attend.
Monthly Board Game Nights at the Local Library
Beyond physical sports, the organization hosts a dedicated social games night on the first Friday of every month from 19:30 to 23:00 at the Saint-Martin-des-Besaces library. This initiative requires only the standard 5-euro annual membership fee for entry, offering residents a low-cost community meeting space.
Organizers intend to broaden their cultural scope further in the coming months, with Marie Desrues indicating that future plans may incorporate local concerts and theatrical performances as the association works to cement its role as a central hub for local engagement.
