History of the Relais de Poissy, "L'Escale"

In 1963, CLAJ (Clubs de Loisir et d'Action de la Jeunesse), a French association, buys L'Escale in order to encourage children and young adults from working-class backgrounds to take part in leisure activities. The CLAJ activists launch a fundraising campaign with the help of the numerous Relais International de la Jeunesse centres but without assistance from the state.

Set in the middle of a park on one of the most picturesque islands of the Seine, this large house and its annexes become the Relais International de la Jeunesse.

Today, the centre welcomes nearly 150 groups, more than 4000 people every year. The preservation of this special and friendly meeting place is at the heart of all the CLAJ members and employees' work.