French Property of the Week: Restored 2 Bed Detached House in Normandy

Old stone two bed house located in a rural hamlet just outside a lively village with all shops, restaurant/bar, bakers etc. Tastefully restored, set on a plot of approx. 600m2 with an attached barn of approx. 20m2 for possible conversion/expansion.

There are good views to the rear. Very nice property, just needs a little tidying to the outside. This property has electric, water and a septic tank.

Location: Le Teilleul, Manche, Lower Normandy
Price: 78,000 euros
Details: Detached Property Normandy

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England 0 v 1 France

France - well Carla Bruni (it would seem) - won her battle to release 2 drug traffickers from prison in the Dominican Republic. Whereas Gordon Brown lost out to save a drug trafficker in China from execution. England 0, France 1.

Gordon's influence is not only waning in the UK but also on the international arena. The Labour Party must ditch Gordon - he has been a disaster. It all started when he told us his policies would stop Boom and Bust recessions in the UK. But here we are deep in the mire whilst other European economies have kick started. Mr Prudence should go. I fear there is little chance of that happening before the elections.

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You can dance the night away in France now

You can dance the night away in France now

Discotheques across France can now stay open until 7:00 am under new regulations!

The new rules state that any establishment that serves alcohol and has a dance floor can now stay open until seven in the morning.

But last rounds will now be at 5:30 am, allowing for a one-and-half-hour "dry period" when no alcohol will be served so you can sober up??

Didier Chenet, president of Synhorcat said: "It will also make Paris and other French tourist destinations more dynamic especially since they were seen cities that shut down early compared to Berlin, London or Barcelona."

Flick photo by irene.

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English Cooking Inspires the French!

Taking coals to Newcastle? After years of ridiculing the rosbifs, the French are turning to the Brits for cooking advice!

They have the finest gastronomic tradition in the West and are keen to let the rest of the world know. But when it comes to demonstrating their culinary talents on television the French are seeking inspiration from Britain.

With Gallic viewers tiring of old-fashioned cooking programmes involving self-important chefs, television executives are borrowing from Britain’s recipe book in an attempt to liven up their schedules.

For instance, TF1, the biggest television channel in France, announced that it has bought the rights to MasterChef, the 20-year-old BBC show which is being touted as a revolution in French cuisine.

The privately owned channel plans to run the series — which it describes as the most important amateur cooking competition held in France — on prime-time television in the new year with a first prize of €100,000 (£90,000).

Source: Times database

via news.google.com

Whatever next? Will they fall in love with the English language?

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Haute Couture in French Schools?

Students are getting up-tight about school clothing rules - wanting to wear more sexy clothing.

The protests began at Lycée Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire in Essonne, south of Paris, where teenagers rebelled against the strict dresscode by wearing skimpy clothes for two days. The move was prompted by a new headteacher who banned holes in trousers and garmets above the knee, the Independent reports.

At Lycée Condorcet d'Arcachon in Gironde, 200 students marched throught the town to protest against a new dress code, which stated that students could not wear low-slung trousers, short skirts or piercings. "We're at school, we don't want to feel like we are in a prison," one student said.

So they will be wearing this in the summer? Less is more?

Flickr photo by BodogGirl

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Wifi en France

Looking for a hotspot in France? Read on ... France has rolled about broadband and wifi to many parts of France. Connection to wifi en France while on the go enables you to access the internet from anywhere that has wifi hot spots available. You can usually find them at places like airports, hotels, coffee shops, or other areas having access to a LAN connection.

The first thing you need to do in order to connect to Wifi hot spots is to locate a hot spot access point. Public areas offering Wifi will normally have signs pointing you in the right direction. If you aren't sure, just ask somebody. Although just booting up your laptop will detect any available hotspots.

Some resources for free wifi France:
Free.fr have lots of free wifi hotspots in France - details: http://www.free.fr/adsl/pages/internet/connexion/acces-hotspot-wifiFree.html
Tutorial : http://www.freenews.fr/spip.php?article6783

Lists of Wifi hotspots en France
http://www.wififreespot.com/europe.html
http://v4.jiwire.com/hot-spot-directory-browse-by-state.htm?country_id=75&provider_id=0

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French Property of the Week: 4 bed detached property for less than 100K €

SUBSTANTIAL DETACHED FAMILY HOME FOR UPDATING

This charming property sits on the edge of a village 5 minutes drive from the town of St Hilaire du Harcouet.

It comprises conservatory to the front of the property, sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, shower room and WC on the ground floor. Upstairs are 4 double bedroom, one with WC and washbasin. There is also further attic space on that level. There is another attic up again.

Outside is a good sized garden and an outbuilding.

This property represents good value and would make a lovely family home.

Price: 99,600 euros
Location: St. Hilaire du Harcouët, Normandy
More details: Normandy property

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They are coming to get you ....

France tax authorities are stooping low - they are using stolen data from HSBC in Switzerland - to chase tax avoidance.

The Swiss government has demanded that the list of more than 100,000 international account holders, including thousands of French citizens, be returned immediately. HSBC yesterday said the information in the list was "incomplete" and "inaccurate".

The government defence says "France is committing no fraud, the tax evaders are. What counts is that we obtained [the information] legally."

Hang on a minute: data stolen - that makes it OK?

Flick photo by noii's

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A little birdie says Tiger Woods is coming to France?

Reports suggest that Tiger Woods, although feeling a little below par, is moving to France to get some privacy. He is fed up with golfers ringing Elin to find out how to beat Tiger.

Tiger, or should it be Cheetah, is looking for multi-million dollar estates in the south of France.

Not sure how he is going to get to France, afterall he cannot drive more than 400 yards without hitting a hydrant?

I think we have exhausted enough puns for today!

Flickr Photo by Keith Allison in the days he could drive.

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Britons flocking to Poitou-Charentes for Retirement

There are over 13,000 Britons living in the western region of Poitou-Charentes. The breakdown of foreigners is:
Portuguese 6600
Moroccans 2900
Algerians 2200
then good numbers for Belgians, Spanish and Guineans

Flickr photo by dynamosquito

In fact, 1 in 10 of new arrivals in Poitou-Charentes in the last 5 years are foreigners.

More data about the Brits: 85% choose rural areas; over 55% are aged between 50 and 74. However, there are families arriving with youn children (over 1800 aged under 15)

Why choose Poitou-Charentes?
Micro climate similar to south of France
Quiet safe rural area
Sandy beaches, lakes and rivers
Competitively priced properties in Poitou Charentes - especially in the east and north of the region

Other useful resources:
Poitou-Charentes Tourist Board
Poitou Charentes Tourist Video
Living and Moving to Poitou Charentes

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Kate Moss fancies Paris

Kate Moss is turning her back on London for a 6 bed apartment in Paris.

No doubt Philip Green will be purchasing an apartment in Paris too.

Gordon and Alistair watch out - you seem to be driving out all your super tax Brits; was a 50% tax such a good idea?

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French Property of the Week: Pefect Holiday Home - 2 bed cottage

This delightful cottage is really well looked after and fully double glazed. Totally ready to move into and situated in a sweet hamlet about five minutes from Bellac and 40 minutes north of Limoges in the Limousin.

On the ground floor is a nice newly fitted kitchen (stays as seen) and living area totalling 29m². It is really cosy with a wood burner and additional “Adler radiators” which are very efficient. The French doors open onto the very well kept garden with garden shed lovely young trees and bushes.

Price: 86,400 euros
More: Perfect Holiday Home

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Missus says one term only

Who wears the trousers in the Bruni / Sarkozy household?

Carla says one term is enough - so looks like Mr Sarkozy will not be looking for a second term of office. Her indoors says "one term would satisfy me." We assume she is referring to Mr Sarkozy's re-election!

So with 2 years to go until re-election in 2012, she has plenty of time to charm Nicolas with her feminine wiles.

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Culinary Traditions Of France - Gourmet

French cuisine is the amazingly high standard to which all other native cuisines must live up to. The country of France is home of some of the finest cuisine in the world, and it is created by some of the finest master chefs in the world. The French people take excessive pride in cooking and knowing how to prepare a good meal. Cooking is an essential part of their culture, and it adds to one's usefulness if they are capable of preparing a good meal.

Each of the four regions of France has a characteristic of its food all its own. French food in general requires the use of lots of different types of sauces and gravies, but recipes for cuisine that originated in the northwestern region of France tend to require the use a lot of apple ingredients, milk and cream, and they tend to be heavily buttered making for an extremely rich (and sometimes rather heavy) meal. Southeastern French cuisine is reminiscent of German food, heavy in lard and meat products such as pork sausage and sauerkraut.

On the other hand, southern French cuisine tends to be a lot more widely accepted; this is generally the type of French food that is served in traditional French restaurants. In the southeastern area of France, the cooking is a lot lighter in fat and substance. Cooks from the southeast of France tend to lean more toward the side of a light olive oil more than any other type of oil, and they rely heavily on herbs and tomatoes, as well as tomato-based products, in their culinary creations.

Cuisine Nouvelle is a more contemporary form of French cuisine that developed in the late 1970s, the offspring of traditional French cuisine. This is the most common type of French food, served in French restaurants. Cuisine Nouvelle can generally be characterized by shorter cooking times, smaller food portions, and more festive, decorative plate presentations. Many French restaurant cuisines can be classified as Cuisine Nouvelle, but the more traditional French restaurant cuisine would be classified as Cuisine du Terroir, a more general form of French cooking than Cuisine Nouvelle. Cuisine du Terroir is an attempt to return to the more indigenous forms of French cooking, especially with reference to regional differences between the north and south, or different areas such as the Loire Valley, Catalonia, and Rousillon. These are all areas famous for their specific specialty of French cuisine. As time has progressed, the difference between a white wine from the Loire Valley and a wine from another area has slowly diminished, and the Cuisine du Terroir approach to French cooking focuses on establishing special characteristics between regions such as this.

As part of their culture, the French incorporate wine into nearly every meal, whether it is simply as a refreshment or part of the recipe for the meal itself. Even today, it is a part of traditional French culture to have at least one glass of wine on a daily basis.

By:
Kirsten Hawkins

Kirsten Hawkins is a food and nutrition expert specializing the Mexican, Chinese, and Italian food. Visit www.food-and-nutrition.com/ for more information on cooking delicious and healthy meals.

via articlescollections.com

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How to sell a house and other tips

How to sell a house and make some profits - tips abound everywhere but how good is the advice?

How to sell a house and other tips is a post from: PROPERTYHOUSE.org

http://bit.ly/937aRn

Travel Tips for Paris

Thinking of going to Paris for a vacation or city break? What do you need to take with you and how can you make the most of your stay in Paris. There really is a lot to see. Chris Pirillo has some great tips ..... here is a selection and there are more, follow the link at the bottom.

Flickr Photo by Ian Muttoo

1. Bring a sturdy and comfortable pair of shoes for walking. Don’t worry so much about fashion. Your feet will only care that they are comfortable. Most Parisians spend time walking everywhere, and it is not uncommon to see a person carrying the makings of a meal from several stores (butcher, bakery, Casino) onto the Metro. Be prepared to stand during most of the prime commute hours on the Metro.
2. If you need a converter for an electrical appliance, make sure it’s not one of those “all-in-one” converters on a solid block. The prongs are the correct ones, but the block won’t fit in the deep and round hole around the prong entrance. Sticks and holes do matter.
3. In winter, bring a wool coat that hangs below the waist, a scarf, gloves, and a hat. The windchill factor is exacerbated in Paris proper because of the buildings. In summer, wear loose clothing but don’t be an ugly American: leave the open-toed Teva’s and flip flops at home. You’ll thank me after the first person rolls her bag over your toes in the Metro. Also, the Metro isn’t often air-conditioned in the summer, and with humidity, prepare to sweat.
4. Take a moment to study a map of the Metro lines. Almost everyone takes them for public transport, and they are much cheaper than taxis. You do not want to drive in Paris. If you are staying a week or longer, purchase a pack of tickets rather than single tickets. Keep these handy while you ride, as they are checked occasionally during transit and when you exit the Metro station, as well as when you are transferring from one line to another.
5. Pack light, and bring smaller and more narrow luggage with you. Some of the larger pieces of luggage I have seen don’t fit on the escalators of the Metro or are difficult to manage going up and down the entrances and exits.

Another 6 great travel tips here

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French Property of the Week: Old Mill in the Var, Provence, France

This Provence property is in Le Thoronet, Var: Beautiful 240 m² olive mill completely restored offering a large and homely village house on three floors. On the street level is the millroom with most of the olive oil machinery still intact. The room can be easily converted in a seperate apartment as it has its own entrance, a seperate showerroom and toilet.

On garden level a nice family country kitchen with wood burner and all the modern appliances for today's cooking.

Lots of charm and character.

Price: 420,000 euros
More about the Old Mill

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Spotlight on the Languedoc

It’s never been easier to get to the Languedoc.  Whether you fly into one of the region’s 5 airports, drive the car down over the Milhau Aqueduct, or take the 4-hour high speed train from Paris, you’ll discover why this area has become a French property hotspot over the last 10 years. 

The region has much to offer property hunters, both those looking for a place in the sun for their holidays, and those looking to start a new life in the sunny south of France.  As well as the popular cities and towns such as Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne and Pézenas, the area offers glorious vine-covered countryside dotted with medieval villages, perfect for those looking for their own slice of charming rural France.

For the holiday makers, once you recover from the beauty of the landscape and history-filled villages, there are plenty of other activities to be getting on with, like laying on one of the long stretches of sandy Mediterranean beaches, kayaking down the river Orb, hiking in the beautiful regional parks, or slowly turning into a wine connoisseur as you make your way from one wine domain to another. 

And for those who are lucky enough to call this region their new ‘home’, they’ll be able to take advantage year round of the mild climate and Mediterranean way of life, where things move a little bit slower, giving them plenty of time to enjoy the good things in life.

While it’s no longer possible to find an absolute steal in the region, there are still many bargains to be had, and plenty of properties offering real investment potential.  From properties in need of renovation starting at around 60,000 euros, to stunning Mediterranean-style villas with pools and built-in rental potential starting at around 300,000 euros, there real is something for everyone.

Perfect for family holidays, and offering so many advantages to retirees and people looking to start a new life in France, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more attractive and enticing region as the Languedoc-Roussillon.  There is enough going on in the Languedoc to keep you coming back year after year, and for those that make the decision to live here permanently, you won’t be disappointed with your choice.  Now that the region is so easy to get to, what are you waiting for?  Now’s the time to discover the Languedoc and find your own maison dans le soleil!

Rachelle Atkins (from www.realestatelanguedoc.com)

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French Meals - really are good for you

Our posting about France Likes Flatulence caused rather a stir! So we though we'd better redress the balance with some items of interest about French Meals. There has been this paradox about French food - eating rich, high-fat foods does not lead to health problems. So read on ...

• Use Well The Days : French Cooking and Exercise Re-Start - I'm continuing to eat whatever I want and enjoying the French meals. I'm in Phase 1 of Slim in 6, called Start It Up, 24 mintues long. It's supposed to get easy after a week, then I'm to move up to Phase 2, Ramp It Up. We'll see if I ...

• France: Clinging to traditional meals « Eating Real Food - Despite popular stereotypes, French meals are quite diverse in their content. Heavier, unhealthy foods tend to be found in French restaurants and cafes. Outside of those, families prepare lighter dishes made from fresh ingredients (you ...

• French Paradox in a Pill | MedHeadlines - Med Headlines - The mystery of the dietary French paradox may be one step closer to becoming a mystery solved. And with that solution may come the revolutionary diet pill many overweight or diabetic-prone people dream of. The mystery is that people in France enjoy a lifetime of dining on rich, high-fat foods but suffer little from the medical consequences, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary illness, that so many people in other parts of the world develop on similar diets.

• Today in Mice Articles | The "French Paradox," Explained | Miller ... - It has long been thought that the traditional red wine that goes with French meals somehow helps stave off heart disease. The new study highlights the importance of the chemical resveratrol, which has been shown to have anti-cancer and ...

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It's Nice in Nice

Nice’s idyllic location between the Mediterranean sea and the Alps makes it a perfect place for summers by the beach and skiing in the mountains in winter. Its all year round good climate allows for a great outdoor lifestyle. As a cultural city, Nice hosts many local and international events, as well as excellent restaurants and shopping…..

Regarding business, the beginning of 2009 was difficult because of the economic worldwide crisis. Since then, people who appreciate the quality of the life in the French Riviera and its easy access (International Airport) have continued to buy here. There is also good rental market in Nice that allows for interesting investment opportunities. The prices of good properties in nice areas have not been affected by the crisis. For example a sea view apartment on the Promenade des Anglais would sell for between 7 000 / 10 000 euro per square metre and the central area between 4 000 / 6 000 euro per square metre.

Barbara Pietra
www.cosmopolitanrealestate.fr - apartments and villas in the French Riviera, particularly in Nice.

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The Allier, the least known department in the Auvergne

Most British people are barely aware of the Allier. They drive through it on their way to more exotic parts of France but rarely stop to explore it. Yet it is one of the most interesting and beautiful departments, full of history and culture, with hardly any industry and very little traffic on the roads. The heart of the Allier is known locally as the Bocage Bourbonais, with the lovely spa town of Bourbon l’Archambault, the former seat of the legendary Bourbon kings at is centre. The area is not as dramatic as some other parts of France, or even the Puy de Dôme, the Haut Loire or the Cantal, the other departments which make up the Auvergne.  But the term bocage refers to countryside of gently rolling hills, enormous horizons that seem to go on forever, small meadows, forest, woodland, hedgerows, rivers and lakes. The farming here is almost exclusively white charolais cattle and sheep.  The only arable crops are a little wheat or barley grown for the straw to be used as winter bedding, sunflowers and a little rape for oil. This makes for abundant wildlife; birds, hedgehogs, hares, red squirrels, pine martins, deer, coypu, wild boar and of course, fish.

The Allier also boasts the forest of Tronçais, the largest oak forest in Europe. It was planted by Louis the 14th’s chancellor, Colbert just before the French Revolution.  He persuaded the King that in order to have enough oak to replenish the French fleet of warships in 150 years time they needed a substantial programme of planting. Oak trees are indigenous to the Bourbonais and they grow in all the hedgerows. Now the forest supplies the finest oak casks for the wine industry, abundant wood for building, furniture and flooring, as well as renewable energy for heating.

Most of the Allier is between 150 and 400 metres above sea level with mountains of around 1,500 metres in the south east of the department.  This means that the weather tends to be warm and relatively dry. December, January and February can be very cold with heavy night frosts but are usually bright and sunny during the day. It is not unusual to be able to sit outside for lunch during much of November and occasionally in February. This contrasts with the Puy de Dôme, the Cantal and the Haute Loire where the winters start in September and spring comes late.  On the other hand, if you live in the centre of the Allier it is possible to be on the ski slopes in an hour and a half.

The Allier also boasts more than 300 Romanesque churches, more than 500 moated and renaissance castles, manor houses, stately homes and fortified farms. There are medieval villages, reasonably priced cafés, bars and restaurants serving the local gastronomy. Souvigny, the historical capital of the Bourbonnais boasts the first monastery to open outside Cluny which is still active today. The Allier is Europe’s last unspoilt river and you can spot a salmon from the bridge linking the Bocage Bourbonnais to the Sologne Bourbonais east of Moulins. There are Jazz festivals in the Bocage; mediaeval festivals; classical music in the churches. Village fêtes and brocantes, a cross between a boot sale and antiques fair, throughout the summer;  old book fairs, riding, golf, tennis, cycling, skiing, walking, canoeing down the gorges. Or you can simply enjoy the unspoilt countryside and its traditional way of life. This is a region begging to be discovered with some of the least expensive property in France – check out Allier Property.

Adrian Collett
http://www.coeurdelafrance.co.uk & http://propertyfrench.com

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New French Property Website

All about the French Property market - help to choose areas of France and Living in France

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Who dares to start a new business in these times?

Economic numbers reached new lows, people spending less money, holiday destinations changed. Who still dared to start a new business amongst these circumstances in 2009?

Two people with lots of support in the background put their courage together and opened their doors to Simply Canvas in 2009 located in SW France. Not just a normal B&B, or another holiday home, but a place with something extra!

Sleeping under the stars in luxurious decorated tents, sipping fresh herb tea that you pick yourself in the garden and relax by the swimming pool. At night joining the other guests on long tables for a lovely meal.

And it worked! A warm welcome by a couple who have a special story, an eco friendly environment, good food and a creative concept are the ingredients for a successfully started business in 2009. Don't be discouraged by economic circumstances and let the creativity flow! Have a look on www.simplycanvas.eu to inspire you. Plus now is the time to buy a property, bargains are appearing on the market and you can negotiate strongly.

Smiles!

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France Likes Flatulence

Baked Beans are creating a stir in Paris - sales are up. Why? The changing nature of French meals – they are increasingly adopting British style snacks, known as 'Le snacking', rather than long lunches.

Exports of British food & drink to France have increased by 11.5 per cent in the last year. France is now the second biggest market for British food after Ireland.

Le Figaroscope said: "It is impossible to resist the invader".

Look out for more hot air in France!

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French Property of the Week: 5 Bed Stone house with Pool in a quiet location

From our new agency in Lot-et-Garonne an excellent bargain - 5 Bed Stone house with Pool in a quiet location

1980’s stone house with 5 bedrooms and 2600m2 of land in a quiet location

• 5 Bedrooms
  
• Swimming Pool
  
• Garage/Workshop
• Fuel central heating
• 2600m2 of Land
• Quiet location

Situated 15 minutes drive from the Bastide market town St Foy La Grande, in the Gironde department of Aquitaine. The larger town of Bergerac, with its international airport is 10 minutes away by car.

Price: 213,000 euros
Full description and more photos: Near Ste Foy la Grande

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Gourmet Dinners in Franche-Comte

Interesting post about one of France's lesser known tourist areas: Franche-Comte:

While a three day break is unlikely to ever be enough time to fully appreciate such a distinctive location, it offered a chance to get to grips with some of the highlights.

Undoubtedly among them is the local Comté cheese, with local farmers, dairies and wholesalers offering holidaymakers the chance to follow the production of this local – Appellation d’origine Contrôlée (AOC) recognised - delicacy from pasture to plate.

But for something a little more invigorating, Franche Comté is also a hub for the production of the infamous absinthe, called the “Green Fairy” in historic literature for its color and reputed addictive effect. Only fully legalised in France in 2001

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