France Bordeaux Mission

France Bordeaux Mission

Here are free resources about the France Bordeaux Mission:

*Other Mission Pages: France LDS Missions.

France Bordeaux Mission Address

Here’s a recent address for the France Bordeaux Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the mission address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

This mission does not currently exist.

Phone Number: N/A
Mission President: N/A

France Bordeaux Mission Map

Here’s a link to the mission map for the France Bordeaux Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the France Bordeaux Mission

*Mission does not currently exist. (Browse LDS.org mission maps)

Videos with France Bordeaux RMs

Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the France Bordeaux Mission.  We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews. Coming soon..

LDS-Friendly Videos about France

Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about France. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about France, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.

LDS Church  places  history  food  nature  language  weather  Cities  Traditions  Music

France Bordeaux Missionary Blogs

Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the France Bordeaux Mission. This blog list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their mission blog was updated.

*Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

none found yet

France Bordeaux Mission Groups

Here are France Bordeaux Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the mission.

  1. France Bordeaux Mission Group (557 members)
  2. France Bordeaux Mission Friends Group (231 members)
  3. French Bordeaux Mission (1998-1999) Group (1 member)

France Bordeaux Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the France Bordeaux Mission!

Shirt designs include France Bordeaux Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.

*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: France Bordeaux missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

*Click here to browse France Mission gifts

France Bordeaux Mission Presidents

Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the France Bordeaux LDS Mission.

  1. 1998-2001, Gerald R. Williams
  2. 1995-1998, Charles Cuenot
  3. 1992-1995, Richard Oveson
  4. 1989-1992, Neil Andersen
  5. 1989, Mission created.

France LDS Statistics (2016)

  • Church Membership: 37,996
  • Missions: 2
  • Temples:
  • Congregations: 108
  • Family History Centers: 66

Helpful Articles about France

France Bordeaux Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from France Bordeaux RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.

*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.

When did you serve?

  • 1999-2001 (Heather)
  • 1999-2001 (Ryan)
  • 1997-1999 (Aaron)
  • 1994-95 (Tiffany)
  • 1994 – 1996 (Chris)
  • 1989-1990 (Suzie)

What areas did you serve in?

  • Orleans, Bordeaux, Poitiers, Nantes. (Heather)
  • Angers, Agen, St. Nazaire, Niort, Perigueux, Tours. (Ryan)
  • Anger, Toulouse, Dax, Bayonne, Bordeaux, metz. (Aaron)
  • Pau, Toulouse, Lormont (Bordeaux), Montauban. (Tiffany)
  • Angouleme, Pau, Perpignan, Brive. (Suzie)

What were some favorite foods?

  • Crepes, fresh baguettes, tarte au tatain, any and all pastries. (Heather)
  • Raclette, les Galette, Crêpes salé, lardons, crême freche, les mules avec les frites, pain aux chocolat, baguette, tout les patisseries, canard, foie gras, from age blanc, how can I forget home made burritos, salade nicoise, les cabobs (grec). That’s not an exhaustive list, but I hope it’s helpful. (Ryan)
  • Burritos, flan, yop, creme fraiche pizza (Aaron)
  • Crêpes with ham and cheese, authentic Greek gyros, “bonne religieuse” pastries at La Grosse Cloche in Bordeaux. (Tiffany)
  • Crème fraiche pizza, baguette et saucisson sec, à sandwich called a grec with frites and harrisa, pain au chocolat, croissant aux amandes, millefeuille, home made burritos. (Chris)
  • Chocolatini (I think that is what it was called in the south)- in Paris they are called “pain au chocolat,” Ratatouille, I could never wrap my head around eating mussels on New Years… I like my food cooked. (Suzie)

What was a funny experience?

  • We were riding our bikes home when my companion’s skirt got caught in the wheel of her bike and she crashed pretty hard. A car full of French teens pulled over to help us. They called an ambulance and the police showed up too. They put my companion in the ambulance and sent her to the hospital. I was crying, trying to explain that we couldn’t be separated, so the police offered to take our bikes to our apartment and then take me to the hospital. After the ambulance left I turned to thank the teens who stopped to help us and noticed that someone was videotaping the whole scene with a camcorder (before cell phone videos). So somewhere out there in France this whole crazy scene is on someone’s home videos. The worst part was pulling up to our apartment building in the back of a police van. We were already hated by our neighbors so that didn’t help. I made it to the hospital and luckily my companion only had minor injuries. Never a dull moment. (Heather)
  • One day when I was on exchanges in my second city, I was with another elder, we were both junior companions. We were out knocking on doors. This particular house had a long balcony above the door. We had knocked a few times and determined that nobody was home, nobody but the dog that was on the balcony barking it’s head off. I yell for the dog to be quiet, which it did, much to my surprise. We were just turning around to walk away when the dog started to urinate off the balcony onto the other missionary that was with me. He was, thankfully, wearing his trench coat. I couldn’t help but start laughing hysterically. He didn’t think it was so funny though. That marked an end of the day for us. No more Porte-a-Porte for us. I hope that Elder Holt thinks about that moment and laughs like I do still. (Ryan)
  • I was served my first rum cake from a very recent convert. I had no idea what I was eating except that I loved it. The convert asked if I wanted more and of course I agreed. Once out of the room, my companion told me what it was. Oh well. Still one of the best cakes I ever had. (Aaron)
  • My companion and I had contacted a very nice, but quite eccentric, inactive couple. They had offered to feed us lunch so we went to their house. It was horrifyingly filthy. They had a cat and kittens that were infested with fleas that would rub around our legs. They then fed us a lunch of nearly-raw beef roast, undercooked rice, and watery punch served in glasses full of floaties. I had to eat a bite of bread with every spoonful or I was going to vomit. Afterwards we taught a lesson about death and resurrection when their cat was hit and killed by a car. The husband buried the cat in the front yard on the spot, then came in to finish the lesson. The cat dying was definitely not funny, but then the couple asked if their cat would be resurrected. It was hard not to laugh. The timing of the whole thing was crazy — straight out of a sitcom! (Tiffany)

What was a crazy experience?

  • I had a few scary moments…once we rode our bikes past a group of Muslim teens and they started throwing apples at us (another good reason to always wear your helmet). On another occasion we had a guy follow us up to our doorstep and inappropriately touch himself while we were trying to lock up our bikes so we had to go to the police station and report it. And finally I was on the train heading to zone conference and while walking back from the bathroom a group of guys surrounded me in between the train cars, not letting me through and laughing and making fun of my missionary tag. My companion pushed her way through the crowd and yanked me away from the guys. (Heather)
  • Porting during the world cup was crazy. We were either ignored, yelled at or let in to watch the match. (Aaron)
  • The experience above was as crazy as it gets, and the food was dangerous! Definitely memorable!! (Tiffany)
  • Riding bikes without helmets (even as sisters). Again, not something I think you could use, but on my first night in Perpignan, it was rainy and VERY dark outside. We were walking with umbrellas and a drenched map, trying to get back to the apartment. We walked by a guy sitting in his car and didn’t think much of it, but then a few blocks later, he was parked on the side of the street, but this time, he was leaning up against his car very actively playing with his private parts…. which once we saw him standing there, we realized he had been doing the same thing sitting in his car and we caught it out of the corner of our eye, but had just ignored it until we realized he was following us and we didn’t even know. (Suzie)

What was a spiritual experience?

  • In my first area, Orleans, we were teaching a teenage girl and the only thing I knew how to say in French was the First Vision, so my companion turned to me and nodded that it was my turn. The Spirit was there and we all knew it. That experience taught me early on how powerful the First Vision is. (Heather)
  • We had committed ourselves to being obedient 100% and after several weeks people approached us to hear about the gospel. (Aaron)
  • Just a few weeks before the end of my mission, my companion and I had a young woman approach us in a bookstore because we were American. She wanted to speak English with us. She ended up being a “golden contact,” and was baptized a few days before I went home. She was the only person on my mission that I found, taught all the lessons to, and saw baptized. It was truly a blessing and something I dearly wanted before I went home. (Tiffany)
  • Being with President Andersen (now Elder Andersen) and having him tell us that this was not the first time we had met together like this (at a zone conference….making reference that we met together as a team before we came to earth). Teaching someone who was American and when we told them the Joseph Smith story in English (I had always taught it before in French), it really rang true to me when I spoke the words in English. (Suzie)

What are some interesting facts about the France Bordeaux Mission?

  • My mission boundaries changed when President Williams and his wife left. This happened a few months after I went home, but leading up to it we no longer had new missionaries coming in. I think we only had 20 sisters when I finished. (Heather)
  • It no longer exists! When I was there, it stretched from within 50 kilometers of Paris on the north, all the way to the southern border of France. (Tiffany)
  • 13 zones at one point. 200+ missionaries. (Chris)
  • We were only open as a mission for 5 years. My companion, Sister Jill Brown (now Goodrich) were the first sisters to actually be called to that mission. The 9 elders and my companion and I were in the first ones ever to be called to that mission and we felt like pioneers- even though we all had to go to a stateside mission for 2 months to get our visas. (Suzie)

What was the weather like?

  • I was in the north in the winter so it was wet and cold. I was sent to Bordeaux for the summer and it was very hot and humid. The Spring and Fall were amazing to witness. (Heather)
  • Four seasons (Aaron)
  • I stayed in the south my whole mission. I would say that the weather was pretty temperate. The summers were hot and humid, but not excruciating so. It mostly rained during the winter. I think I saw flurries of snow only once. (Tiffany)
  • Hot. Dry. Cold. Wet. (Chris)
  • Lovely- I am from Oregon and it was very similar to the climate I was used to (which was a nice break from living in Provo where the weather is TOO hot and TOO cold). (Suzie)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

  • France is a beautiful country. There were many days I felt like I was on a movie set. In my opinion the French people were as patriotic as Americans. One Frenchman said to me, “American’s live to work and the French work so they can live.” The French enjoy life and take time to do things, whereas I feel that Americans rush through life to fit as much in as possible. “Le joie de vivre” that’s not just a phrase, it’s how the French approach life. (Heather)
  • Food, friendly people and unique culture. (Aaron)
  • France is beautiful, and there is so much history! There are many different cultures and ethnicities. The French are known for their rudeness, but was not the case where I served. They were very welcoming and laid-back. (Tiffany)
  • Friendly. Welcoming. (Chris)
  • Many people were kind to us once they realized we were interested in them. In fact, in my last city, one family who weren’t even members took us to a nearby tourist attraction (Sarlat) and took us out to lunch, they were so kind to us. This same family actually signed up to have the missionaries visit them when they were in SLC on a family vacation (they were wealthy). Their favorite place to visit is Zions & Bryce canyon. (Suzie)

Any packing/clothing advice?

  • I would pack basics but also bring some money to buy some clothes in France. The shopping is amazing and I wished that I had more clothes that fit in with the fashion of the areas where I served. We sisters really stood out because our clothes were so drab. (Heather)
  • Bring a heavy coat! You’ll need it eventually. (Aaron)
  • Comfortable shoes! Don’t pack nylons/pantyhose. No one wears them, and they are so uncomfortable whe it’s humid. Bring lots of tights for the winter. Wear calf-length skirts. Good length for riding bikes. (Tiffany)
  • Shoes with soles that can be replaced. Extra pair of glasses. Rain coat. Medium coat/jacket Only 5 pair of G. Do laundry more often. Do not use bleach on whites!!!! (Chris)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

  • I met my husband in the MTC, so I consider that the biggest blessing. I feel blessed to have had that time in my life to study the gospel so deeply. I also consider it a blessing to have experienced the church in a different culture and met saints who have very different experiences from mine. (Heather)
  • Too many to count but self discipline and hard work, followed by knowing when to have fun and play hard. Learned the art of conversation and an appreciation for language skills. (Aaron)
  • I left more open-minded and tolerant of other beliefs, cultures, etc. I became more confident in my testimony of the Gospel, and my faith in the Lord was strengthened. I had learned a second language. I had made some lasting friendships and incredible memories. (Tiffany)
  • Language that helped refugees from Democratic Republic of the Congo. Have a more broad view of the world. (Chris)

What are some skills you gained?

  • I learned how to chit chat, how to feel comfortable talking with anyone, and how to feel confident in my beliefs when they were challenged. (Heather)
  • I became more self-confident. My customer service skills improved. I learned French, obviously. My public speaking skills improved. (Tiffany)
  • Language. (Chris)
  • My career. I vacillated a lot prior to my mission. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do, but because of my deep love for the French language and for teaching, especially teens, it became very clear to me that I wanted to become a French Teacher and I have been one for the last 22 years. (Suzie)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

  • I wish I would have been more patient with myself. I also wish I would have communicated better with my companions. (Heather)
  • It’s okay to make mistakes! Just own up to them and move on! Don’t be shy — get in there and work! Nothing is more powerful than you sharing your sincere testimony. Look them in the eye! (Tiffany)
  • The best way to explain the First Principles and Ordinances. (Chris)
  • I wish I would have known more French. I wish I would have not felt so competitive with my companions, such as if she spoke better French than I did, then I felt threatened instead of realizing that the stronger one of us was, the stronger we were as a team. (Suzie)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to France Bordeaux?

  • French people don’t like to talk about religion but they do like to talk. Work on learning French that will help you teach, but that will also help you be able to talk and connect with those you are serving. (Heather)
  • Just follow the rules, please. You’ll be blessed! Pray, pray, pray — alone and with your companion. Figure out how the Holy Ghost communicates with you so you will recognize the promoting when you receive them. Be righteous so you are worthy to receive those promoting. Don’t waste your time. For many, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don’t waste it! (Tiffany)
  • Read the books you are told to read. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. (Chris)

What was a funny language mistake?

  • Careful with “message” vs “massage.” (Tiffany)
  • I mispronounced “l’amour” and the contact heard “la mort”. (Chris)
  • Trying to teach one of my companions to ride a bike. She tried really hard, but she could not get the brakes mastered so we ended up walking EVERYWHERE because I got car sick on the bus…..lots of times 10-12 miles per day. (Suzie)