À nous les petites Anglaises

It's the summer of 1959 in Paris when Alain and Jean-Pierre prepare to take their English exams.

The students prepare to go inside.

After failing the exam, the two friends are sent for a one month stay in south east England to improve their skills.

Jean-Pierre (Stéphane Hillel) asks a Policeman for directions to the Ramsgate bus.

Later that night, the bus brings the two friends into Ramsgate where they are staying with different families. Colin Axon advises that to the right is the lych gate of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Minster-in-Thanet, Kent which is a couple of miles away from Ramsgate. The headstones have since been moved.

And in daylight by Colin.

Alain (Rémi Laurent) and Jean-Pierre are watched by Jimmy Simmonds. Looking from the lych gate towards St Mary the Virgin in the village of Minster-in-Thanet located by Colin Axon.

Colin provides this image of the lych gate now.

Young Jimmy Simmonds takes Jean-Pierre to his home. Colin identifies this as looking from outside the lych gate along Church Street in the village of Minster-in-Thanet.

A clearer view by Colin.

The next day, after the two have settled in to their respective homes, Alain takes a bus to visit Jean-Pierre. Wellington Crescent in Ramsgate.

Changes to the wall height. SJ

The bus makes it's way through town and out into the estates. Madeira Walk looking south-west over Ramsgate, Kent. The location appears in 'The Big Sleep' and 'Ruby Blue'.

Now from a lower angle. SJ

Alain watches the bus depart after he alights.

A cyclist is asked for directions to Rockstone Alley and Alain finds that the fellow Frenchman's name is Pierrot (Michel Melki). Colin Axon is sure that this is one end of Bursill Crescent in Ramsgate, Kent which is confirmed by Janet Denton who lived around the corner and saw these scenes being shot and adds that "Apparently, the production has become one of the most popular films watched in France according to a recent radio programme."

Colin's now shot also to prove it.

Jean-Pierre talks with children outside the Simmonds' house. Abbey Grove in Pegwell area of Ramsgate located by Colin Axon.

With houses looking so similar, Colin believes that this is the house in the screen capture.

Alain turns as Jean-Pierre calls over. Abbey Grove in Pegwell, Ramsgate identified by Colin and confirmed by David John Bassett who recalls filming taking place during the long hot summer.

Captured by Colin.

The two share a bike and go for a ride. Nethercourt Hill in Ramsgate recognised by David Bassett who watched this scene being filmed.

Alain and Jean-Pierre pass through town centre streets. This is the corner of Margate Road and Boundary Road in Ramsgate Colin tells us.

More proof from Colin.

A girl's school is seen and Jean-Pierre steers the bike to the gateway. The entrance to Holy Trinity Church of Bellevue Road in Ramsgate found by Colin Axon. Janet Denton was one of the extras used from the local Girls Grammar School and recalls that they had a lovely sunny afternoon off lessons for the filming but often wonders if her head teacher would have been so happy if she knew what the film was about!

The same wall taken by Colin.

On second thoughts, the pair move off and head for the sea front.

Colin advises that this is looking from the entrance to Holy Trinity Church along Bellevue Road in Ramsgate.

Jean-Pierre and Alain walk with three girls that they have just met in an amusement arcade. Harbour Parade in Ramsgate.

As he walks his companion towards Ellington Park, Jean-Pierre notices local girl Claudie (Véronique Delbourg). Cilin tells us that these are steps lead from the beach up to Winterstoke Gardens on Victoria Parade in Ramsgate.

The seemingly unaltered steps taken by Colin.

After a fight breaks out in the dance hall that the boys were in, Pierrot leads them to a safer venue. Colin Axon recognised the Foy Boat public house . . .

. . . and this view is looking down Adelaide Gardens in Ramsgate.

Outside the Rock'n'Jive club. Colin Axon identifies this as the front of the former Foy Boat public house looking down Sion Hill Road in Ramsgate. Jerry Kelk tells us that he was in the rock and roll band inside the club, the skinny guitarist in a white tee shirt and recalls that "The French lead singer imposed upon us was terrible and I think the interior shots, some anyway, were filmed upstairs at the Oak Hotel on Harbour Parade." David Bassett explains that many of the club scenes were actually shot in the building next door on the first floor where a balcony and French doors allowed views across the Marina and Museum. Jerry continues "The big dance was in the Dreamland Ballroom where I’m in a green drape suit. I was one of many teddy boys, most or maybe all of whom were ‘real’ local Teds, and was I was handed the female lead’s handbag while she danced. It was all quite an unusual experience but loads of fun."

Not much rockin an' jivin' going on in Colin's modern shot.

Jean-Paul and Alain attend English lessons. The Ursuline Convent, Westgate-on-Sea in Kent identified by Jacqui Wright who suspects that the interior shots of the language school were also filmed here.

When Pierrot arrives, half of the class walk out and head to the beach.

On another day, Alain, Jean-Pierre, Pierrot and their friends take the bus to an out of town beach. Looking towards Kingsgate Castle from Whiteness Road in Broadstairs, Kent.

The group descends to the beach. This may be above Kingsgate Bay, Lanthorne Road, Broadstairs.

The bus brings the gang back to Ramsgate before taking Alain and Claudie on to their destination. Harbour Parade with Madeira Walk leading off in the centre background.

Whilst passing through Ramsgate after conducting a guided walking tour, tour guide Rob Sissons captured this comparison.

Alain and Claudie get off the bus. David Bassett locates this as the corner of Grummock Avenue and Nethercourt Farm Road on the Nethercourt Estate, Ramsgate.

After walking together, the two part company.

Claudie climbs the hill towards home. The junction of Grummock Avenue and Nethercourt Farm Road identified by David Bassett.

Alain arrives back at his lodgings. David Bassett tells us that this house stands on St. Mildred's Road in Ramsgate, opposite Queen Bertha Road and that his friends Auntie and Uncle currently live there.

David provides this capture as proof of the previously unidentified location.

After a less than successful date, Jean-Pierre and Claudie talk before the two part company for the evening. Looking towards 32 St. Mildred's Avenue in Ramsgate found by David Bassett.

After his date with Claudie, Jean-Pierre arrives back at the Rock'n'Jive club. This is the front of the former Foy Boat public house, looking towards Prospect Terrace in Ramsgate. Information from Colin Axon.

Colin took this sadder view.

An establishing shot of the beach at Ramsgate. Harbour Parade.

Surprisingly deserted in late July. SJ

Claudie walks across the beach, noticing Alain with a girl. In the background are the buildings on Harbour Parade.

Some picturesque bins. SJ

Claudie sits on the sand close to Véronique and her friends. Long after it's appearance in 'A Man's Affair', the since demolished Pleasurama stands in the background.

Pleasurama, formerly Merrie England, burned down in a fire in 1998, a fate suffered by Dreamland in Margate seven years later. SJ

Alain runs through rain to meet his friends in the cinema. King's Place off King Street in Ramsgate.

This is Colin's more recent view down Kings Place from outside the former Kings Cinema looking towards the High Street.

The film has already started when Alain enters. The King's Cinema in King's Place, Ramsgate.

Colin took this shot of the doors to the former Kings Cinema adding that "The building has more recently become the Kings Church."

Claudie and Alain talk in a café. Colin recognised the bottom of the High Street in Ramsgate, opposite Kings Place. David Bassett adds that in 1976, the café that they're sitting in was Morelli's Cafe Bar and that the shop across the road at was Bowkets bakery which became a travel agency.

Colin created this composite image showing the café and the bank opposite.

Whilst out walking together, the two take shelter when it begins to rain. The since demolished shelter at Ellington Park located by David Bassett.

Jean-Pierre waits for Claudie at the Rock'n'Jive club. Ramsgate's Maritime Museum on Harbour Parade serves as the backdrop in this view from was the Castle Hotel.

As they get closer, Claudie and Alain sit looking over Ramsgate marina. Scenes for 'The Big Sleep' and 'Ruby Blue' were filmed nearby. Colin Axon identifies this as the terrace of the Royal Temple Yacht Club on the West Cliff Arcade in Ramsgate.

The terrace now, captured by Colin.

Jean-Pierre and Alain talk as they ride. Park Road in Ramsgate identified by David Bassett who explains that the pair are cycling towards the junction with High Street and the main entrance to Ellington Park.

The two turn a corner to meet Pierrot outside a shop. The corner of Park Road and High Street in Ramsgate, Kent.

Rob Sissons returned to the same corner to find that the shop no longer exists.

Pierrot leads the way into the corner shop where they steal whisky. Facing the shop that stands at the corner of Park Road and High Street.

Claudie cycles through Ramsgate streets towards the house where Alain is staying.

As Claudie approaches, she sees Alain and Véronique (Sophie Barjac) setting off to play tennis.

After shock turns to jealousy, Claudie rides away. David Bassett tells us that this is Queen Bertha Road in Ramsgate and that the Blue Mark 1 Ford Cortina is his friend's late fathers car parked outside their family home.

Feeling down, Jean-Pierre arrives at the tennis club.

Alain leaves his game and sets off to find Claudie.

Alain arrives at Claudie's house just as she is leaving. St Mildred's Avenue, Ramsgate located by David Bassett.

Claudie and Alain argue in the street. David Bassett spotted another view along St. Mildred's Avenue.

Mourning the loss of Claudie, the two pals have pleanty to drink before heading back to Jean-Pierre's accomodation.

A drunken Alain and Jean-Paul run from the wrong house after waking the occupants. The house stands on Abbey Grove in Ramsgate advises David John Bassett, who followed the cast and crew around with his friends.

Claudie leaves the beach where she has been talking with Pierrot. Harbour Parade, Ramsgate on the Isle of Thanet.

The lift to Madeira Walk is still there. SJ

The milkman arrives outside the house the morning after Claudie takes Alain home and the two finally get together.