Allo Allo! I'll only say this once but it will be in French!

I'll only say this once! But come on France what are a few Anglicisms among Friends? Obviously, it is too painful for the academics for the French language to be polluted by Anglicisms! I wonder how much this "committee" cost the French Taxpayer?

The suggestions were considered a by panel of members of the Academie Francaise as well as French politicians and a rap musician Photo: REUTERS

A government agency announced the results of a competition among schoolchildren and students to identify French-sounding terms for 21st-century phenomena.

A report in The Independent said the task was to come up with French replacements for "chat", "talk" and “newsletter” as well as terms for "tuning" – where young motorists ‘pimp up’ their cars and "buzz" to describe an internet craze.

The suggestions were considered a by panel of members of the Académie Française as well as French politicians and a rap musician, called MC Solaar. The final list will now be considered for entry in the French dictionary.

The exercise has become an annual event and a symbol of the determination of the French government to avoid the encroachment of English buzzwords.

Alain Joyandet, the minister responsible for promoting the French language, said: “Ten years ago everyone was talking about the walkman or software," he said. "These words have now been naturally replaced in our language by baladeur and logiciel."

The report said the suggested replacements included “ramdam” instead of “buzz”,– proposed by Elodie Dufour-Merle, a student at the University of Aix-Marseille.

"Tuning" should be "bolidage", invented by a journalism student from Lyons, Charles Fontaine, while "Talk" might become "débat" – not a new word, but considered the best option – and "Chat", current used in the context of online oncversations, might become "éblabla" or "tchatche".

For "newsletter", the judges considered "niouzlettre", "plinfo", "inforiel", "jourriel" and "journiel" but chose "infolettre".

However, some Anglicisms remain. Most common is “le weekend” but there are also “post-its” in the office and safety devices fitted to cars are still "les air bags".

The jury of experts agreed on the following current Anglicisms and their replacements:

buzz – ramdam

tuning – bolidage

chat – éblabla

newsletter – infolettre

talk – débat

via telegraph.co.uk

Here is one extra one:
bollocks - bollocks

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Vendee residents evacuated in anticipation of high tides

This winter it seems that every plague and pestilence has been thrown at France. Today they are worried about high tides in low lying Vendee on the western coast of France.

The big storm of Feb 28 has weakened the area's levees and storm protection barriers, and helicopters will be used to monitor the high tides.

A spokesman said they are expecting a relatively large swell of three to four meters, and this combined with winds up to 110 km/h.

The weather should improve this afternoon in the Charente and Brittany across to the central region and the Upper Normandy. Meanwhile, a violent winds early in the day are anticipated on  the Aquitaine coast, with wind gusts of 100 to 120 km/h, and locally up to 130 km/h.

Photo by dynamosquito

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French Property of the Week: Fishing Business: Property + fully stocked Lake

Located just south of Bourganeuf in the Creuse this gorgeous little property sits in an isolated position on 2.5 hectares of land which includes a lake of 1.2 hectares. The lake is fully private and authorised for commercial use with 11 years remaining out of the 30 year authorisation and is fully stocked with carp (up to 12 kgs), pike, roach and very large perch.

Price: 283,000 euros
Location: Bourganeuf, Creuse, France

More details and Photos: Fishing Business in Limousin

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Neigh, Neigh - not Horse on the Menu

Very funny - horsing around? Sorry but I am not going to be tempted. Keep this to France only please ....

They eat horses, don't they? Photograph: Graham Turner

France, the home of adventurous carnivores, is still exporting its intrepid culinary habits to the UK. The Guardian's Edinburgh blogger, Tom Allan, reports that a restaurant has begun importing French horse meat to tempt customers.

As the home of haggis, Scotland is already accustomed to eating unconventional portions of sheep – but it remains to be seen whether pan-fried horse rump steak will catch on in Edinburgh's L'Escargot Bleu, or anywhere else in the UK. Will the Gallic penchant for equine dinners take hold across the country? Could you eat a horse?

via news.google.com

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Red Light to Legal Brothels in France

Dozens of French sex workers proclaiming themselves proud to be prostitutes marched Wednesday to protest a lawmaker's proposal to legalize brothels in France, arguing that such a law would deny them the freedom to work on their own.

A lawmaker in France's governing party has proposed reopening brothels just over six decades after they were banned in order to move prostitutes off the streets and provide them with medical, financial and legal protection.

The protesters say the proposal limits their options to make their own decisions — and are demanding, instead, a repeal of a 2003 law that outlaws solicitation.

"We are workers and we want the choice to work as we want," said Thierry Schaffauser, 27, a sex worker from Paris now living in London. "For doctors, they can work for a company or they can be independent. I think the importance is to let people choose how they want to work."

Dozens participated in a daylong conference on prostitution at the Senate, organized by a lawmaker opposed to the proposed bill. Lawmaker Chantal Brunel, who proposed the law, was not present.

After the conference, the men and women marched through Paris' Left Bank, many dressed in their skimpy work attire. Some carried signs reading, "You sleep with us, you vote against us."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of," said Lola Bruna, a 19-year-old sex worker from Paris. They "used to say that this is the oldest job ever, and that's not for no reason."

Brothels were legally outlawed in France in 1946. The 2003 law tightened restrictions against prostitution by making solicitation punishable with two months in prison and a euro3,750 ($5,000) fine.

"The question is not, for example, about the brothels," said Alima Boumediene-Thiery, the Green Party senator who organized Wednesday's conference. "The question is about the recognition of the rights of these men and women who have made these choices that we must respect."

via google.com

Are you not surprised there is no EU directive on Prostitution? You can imagine EU Parliamentary members (sorry!) sticking their nose into this affair with much gusto. Right up Van Rumpuy's street. Think about it.

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Heaven: Autumn Wine Tours in Provence

OK - this is an advert for wine tours but this would be pure heaven for me. So contact me if you need to make the numbers up! Soak up the atmosphere in this wonderful part of France, and enjoy the wines too.

Visiting Provence during the wine harvest is a magical time to be in Southern France and Wine Lovers Tours is Offering 2 different tours in October

Visiting Provence during the wine harvest is a magical time to be in Southern France and Wine Lovers Tours is Offering 2 different tours in October. The Rhone Valley is a paradise for red wine lovers, where the Syrah grape reigns supreme. It is also home to some of the best cuisine in France. Visiting this area at any time of the year is a treat but during harvest it's especially magical.

We can also thank Peter Mayle for our infatuation with Provence. After writing A Year in Provence and Toujours Provence, Peter inspired many Americans to discover this gorgeous area. In our humble opinion this is France at its best; if there are any naysayers about France, this area will convince them to become a francophile. The cuisine, the warmth of the people, the culture and the outstanding wines combine to make any visit here so memorable.

Wine Lovers Tours is offering 2 opportunities this Autumn: the first is 'The Rhone Valley: Home of Serious Syrah' October 6-October 14. The focus here is from Lyon to Avignon and besides Chateauneuf-du-Pape there will be visits to rising stars such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Tavel as well as the famous towns in the Northern Rhone. The tour will spend 1 night in Lyon and 3 nights in Tain L'Hermitage before traveling to Avignon. For more information, visit www.wineloverstours.com/wine-tour-rhone-france-2010.html

The second is 'A Week in Provence and the Languedoc' October 14-October 22. Aix-en-Provence is a superb base to explore the heart of Mayle territory before moving to the Montpellier area, in the heart of the Languedoc. The Languedoc is famous for its garrigue landscape which even permeates the aromas of its wines. Cultural visits in this area will include the medieval town of La Couvertoirade and the Roquefort cheese caves. For more information on this tour, visit www.wineloverstours.com/wine-tour-provence-france-2010.html

via news.google.com

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Property Buyers Flocking to France (again)!

Holidaylettings.co.uk report ...

"British property buyers searching for second homes overseas are ditching more exotic locations and once again flocking to France. Buyers are taking advantage of lower property prices and, faced with a struggling pound, cheaper euro mortgages.

The French property market, which is seen as more established and secure than other destinations, has seen prices fall between 15 and 20 per cent from their market peak making it a good time to buy.

To take advantage of these prices Britons are taking out euro mortgages through European lenders which, compared to UK mortgages, are often cheaper."

1st for French Property recommend looking at properties in the Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrenees and Provence where prices are now very competitively priced.

Property in Midi-Pyrenees to Renovate.

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French Property of the Week: Riverside Property in the foothills of the Pyrenees

We welcome a new agency to 1st for French Property - they are located in Quillan in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Here is a lovely example of a riverside property - if you are looking for a Languedoc-Roussillion property be sure to check out this property.

This great house is centrally located, a stones throw from commerce and stands overlooking the river Aude. Street level entry from a small courtyard to entry hall. From here there is the kitchen/diner, large living room with wood burner and doors onto the south facing balcony with fantastic views, also a wc/cloakroom and 2 large double bedrooms. Lower floor. 2 large double bedrooms, large bathroom and 3 rooms to renovate if required. There is a garage for 1 car.

Location: Quillan
Price: 229,000 euros
More details and Photos >> Aude Property

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25 Food Facts You Did Not Know About French Food!

Food blogger Dominique Cachat shares 25 trivia facts about food in France.

1. Traditional French culture places a high priority on the enjoyment of food. The French view eating as not just a neutral act, but as a culture.

2. France has a different cheese for almost every day of the year.

3. In France, people eat approximately 500,000,000 snails per year.

4. Ten billion baguettes are produced each year in France. By law, a traditional baguette can only have three ingredients: flour, yeast and salt, and must weigh 250 grams, just short of 9 ounces.

5. To help with the rising obesity in France, Starbucks has opened 46 stores in Paris and Lyon.

Next 20 Food Facts

One of the many attractions of France is Gastronomy - so go and enjoy it!

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Game of Death Hits France

First Japan, now France seems to be plumbing the depths. Is this Prime Time TV at its worst?

A disturbing French TV documentary has tried to demonstrate how well-meaning people can be manipulated into becoming torturers or even executioners.

The hugely controversial Game of Death was broadcast in prime-time on a major terrestrial channel, France 2, on Wednesday.

It showed 80 people taking part in what they thought was a game show pilot.

As it was only a trial, they were told they wouldn't win anything, but they were given a nominal 40 euro fee.

Before the show, they signed contracts agreeing to inflict electric shocks on other contestants.

One by one, they were put in a studio resembling the sets of popular game shows.

They were then asked to zap a man they believed was another contestant whenever he failed to answer a question correctly - with increasingly powerful shocks of up to 380 volts.

Blind obedience

Egged on by a glamorous presenter, cries of "punishment" from a studio audience and dramatic music, the overwhelming majority of the participants obeyed orders to continue delivering the shocks - despite the man's screams of agony and pleas for them to stop.

This programme denounces manipulation by authority but at the same time it manipulates people Marie-France Hirigoyen Psychiatrist

Eventually he fell silent, presumably because he had died or lost consciousness.

The contestants didn't know that the man, strapped in a chair inside a cubicle so they couldn't see him, was really an actor. There were no shocks and it was all an experiment to see how far they would go.

Only 16 of the 80 participants stopped before the ultimate, potentially lethal shock.

"No one expected this result," intoned a commentary. "Eighty per cent of the candidates went to the very end."

The show was billed as a warning against blindly obeying authority - and a critique of reality TV shows in which participants are humiliated or hurt.

Some of the participants smiled or laughed nervously as they delivered the shocks, although most were obviously stressed and troubled by the action.

'Terrifying power'

Many said they wanted to stop but were convinced by the presenter to continue.

The show was inspired by an experiment at Yale University in the 1960s by social psychologist Stanley Milgram.

He used similar methods to investigate how people could come to take part in mass murder.

Jean-Leon Beauvois, a psychologist who took part in the documentary, says he and other members of the team spent months analysing the results.

"When they signed the contract, participants were placed in the position of executioners," he said.

"These were people like others, not exceptional, but 80% of them let themselves be drawn into becoming torturers."

For Mr Beauvois, it showed the "terrifying power of TV".

The documentary asserted that most people are conditioned from childhood to obey.

It made the argument that only those with experience of rebelling can muster the strength to disobey orders from an authority figure - in this case the presenter, backed by pressure from the audience.

Manipulation

One contestant said afterwards that her grandparents had been Jewish Holocaust victims and she regretted that she'd obeyed orders to keep inflicting shocks.

Another, originally from Romania, said her experience of living under Ceaucescu's regime had given her the strength to say no.

Some participants felt emboldened by the show, the producer says

In a studio discussion after the documentary was aired, psychiatrist Claude Halmos said the experiment showed that it was important to explain rules to children and not just impose them.

"We have to teach children to obey," she said, "but we must also teach them to disobey."

The producer, Christophe Nick, said the show had changed the lives of many participants. Some, he said, had become bolder about standing up to their bosses.

But one woman who had obeyed orders was shown close to tears afterwards. "How will I tell my husband and my children what I've done?" she asked.

Psychiatrist Marie-France Hirigoyen, who had no part in the documentary, said she accepted that it could help viewers understand the importance of standing up to an abusive authority, but she was concerned about its effect on participants.

"This programme denounces manipulation by authority but at the same time it manipulates people," she told the BBC.

"I wouldn't have accepted this show because I think it inflicts unnecessary trauma on people, but on the other hand, to get this message across, you probably need to be sensationalist."

via news.google.com

France - land of culture? Don't dent my faith in French culture please ....

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Midi-Pyrenees - one of its many attractions: Skiing

The Midi-Pyrenees is becoming increasingly popular with Brit buyers - not just the competitive prices and varied landscapes - but the many outdoor activities including Skiing. Obviously not as well known as the Alpes but is getting a cult following.

Latest ski report: With virtually no snow for the past week, but temperatures staying cold, very little has changed regards the snow depths or ski conditions.

Hautacam remains closed and is not likely to reopen this season, Luchon is still only operating fifty percent of its area following the storm damage, but Peyragudes is now back to operating ninety percent of its area.

The temperatures have started to rise this week across the region and it is set to remain warm.  Very little if any snow is forecast, with clear skies, warm days and cold nights.

For more on: Midi Pyrenees property

Here's a favourite:

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Opening a French bank account

Expatica explain "It is best to choose a major bank with a widespread national network of branches (see below) to take full advantage of whatever needs may arise during your travels in France.

To open an account with any bank, you will need to provide: —personal identification (a residence permit or passport) —proof of your home address in France (a phone or electricity bill or rental agreement) —in most cases, some written proof of earning ... " continued here

1st for French Property also have an article: Banking in France

If you have a property in France but are still resident in the UK, then we have found that the convenience of Britline (Credit Agricole) is excellent with English speaking staff on the end of a telephone. Here are the benefits of Britline:

No need to come to France to open your French bank account
as this process can all be done by post.

No need to worry about having to speak to your bank in French
as all our staff are English speaking. We appreciate that it is important for you to be able to discuss your financial matters in your own language.

We offer a full range of banking services
which you can apply for from the comfort of your own home.

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French Property of the Week: Bargain Cottage in Western France

Bargains abound in Western France, here is a good example of a Poitou-Charentes property for sale.

This house is in a village just a few minutes from the town of Chabanais and has a kitchen/diner, another room downstairs that could be used as a seperate dining room or study, a lounge, a double bedroom, a bathroom and a loft that has been converted to create another huge bedroom. I

Price: 87,200 euros
Location: Nr Chabanais, Charente, France
Details: More information and photos: Red Shuttered Cottage

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Once Again the French Hobby of Protesting Rears it Head

You know the French like to protest - it is part of their culture and they just love this hobby! So it was no surprise that several thousands of students and teachers took to the streets in Paris yesterday to protest against education reform initiated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Sarko was in London cozying up with Flash Gordo so it fell on deaf ears. Besides Sarko has more to worry about - see our earlier posts this week!

What is their angst? Their complaints of job decrease and stricter academic assessment have been fueled by recent statements of Education Minister Luc Chatel, who proposed to recruit retirees and students to substitute absent teachers.

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Some good new ferments for Languedoc Wine ...

Languedoc vineyards are still reeling from the court case with Gallo so some good news is always welcome. The Sun Sentinel reports on ....

The village of Nizas, France, is 20 miles northwest of the Mediterranean town of Sete in the heart of a burgeoning wine region known as Languedoc. Because of the region's warm, dry climate tempered by cool winds from the northern mountains and breezes from the sea, each grape vintage there consistently shows high quality, and the Languedoc appellation has rightly become known for some of the best wine values in the world.

Certainly adding to that is Domaine de Nizas, one of Languedoc's premier estates. Purchased and completely revitalized in 1998 by American businessman John Goelet and Bernard Portet, the founding winemaker at California's Clos du Val, Domaine de Nizas stands out among the many in Languedoc.

Consider the 2007 Domaine de Nizas Le Mas Red, produced from estate-grown grapes of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and petit syrah. The first two grapes provide good structure in the wine and a lingering finish on the palate, while the syrah contributes soft tannins and a fruit-rich aroma. The end result: a user-friendly red that can be enjoyed as an aperitif wine or with a variety of foods.

I also like the 2006 Domaine de Nizas Carignan. Unlike other wineries that use carignan grapes in a blend, this is a 100 per cent varietal, produced in limited quantities from 50-year-old vines. It's supple on the palate, has soft tannins yet rich flavors, and ends in a long and smooth finish on the palate.

Those who prefer something in white can opt for the 2008 Domaine de Nizas la Mas White, produced from a blend of sauvignon blanc, viognier, and vermentino (an Italian grape). The unique blend delivers aromas of apricots (from the viognier) and tastes of fresh citrus (from the sauvignon blanc and vermentino).

Serve with: Enjoy the Le Mas Red with beef and lamb, the carignan with hearty fare like beef stew, duck, or roast pork, and the Le Mas White with seafood or grilled fish (it's also quite good with goat cheese).

Availability/suggested retail: Sold in wine and food markets, the Le Mas red and white retail for $14 and the carignan for $16.

via news.google.com

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UK falls in Love with France (again!)

Did we fall out of love with France? Probably not ... but we are vacationing in France again.

According to top villa holiday company, CV Travel, France is back in vogue for British holiday-makers. The company reports bookings to France for 2010 to be on the increase as more clients opt for self-drive or rail and car-hire over and above flying through Europe’s busy and security-impeded airports.

Driving down or taking the train also gives holidaymakers the chance to enjoy the journey, as much as the destination.

In line with the greater interest in rail travel and holidays to France in 2010 CV Travel has come up with its top six French villas most easily accessible by rail, either Eurostar to Lille, transferring onto the TGV to Avignon, Aix-en Provence, Nîmes or Cannes and hiring a car, or taking a car through the Eurotunnel to Calais and driving south.

French markets are a real draw for Francophiles and foodies and one of the joys of holidaying in France, especially for self-drive holidaymakers who can load up the car and feast on local produce. The Provençal town of Aix-en-Provence has typically French food markets on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

St Bonnet-du-Gard is an authentic Provençal village with an impressive 12th century church, a few kms from Le Pont du Gard with its 4th Century aqueduct, while nearby Uzes is popular for its lively Saturday market selling truffles, olives and an abundance of garden produce.

via news.google.com

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Does France Need an Affairs Minister?

Tut Tut - France's first couple are raising a few eyebrows in the media and across France. The Telegraph summarises the rumours on the Twitter, blogs and news media ...

RUMOURS French President Nicolas Sarkozy and First Lady Carla Bruni are both having affairs are gaining momentum in France.

The Sun reported France's first couple were both committing adultery first emerged on networking site Twitter.

It was also reported by prestigious French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

The first tweet alleged that Bruni was romantically involved with Benjamin Biolay, a musician and a winner at France's recent Victoires de la Musique awards.

It was then rumoUred that jilted President Sarkozy swiftly found solace in the arms of his 40-year-old ecology minister Chantal Jouanno, also a French karate champion.

French web magazine suchablog.com went onto report that Bruni was a close friend of Biolay for many years and was now unofficially living with him at his flat in Paris.

The gossip was given extra weight after being reported in a blog on Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche's official website.

The paper wrote, "It's the gossip of the moment that could become the story of the year.

"A romance is said to have started a few weeks ago between the First Lady of France and music award winner Benjamin Biolay.

"The rumour started on Twitter and is now on blogs and websites everywhere."

The paper went on to say that according to the suchablog site, it was now "much more than a rumour."

Le Journal added, "it says the presidential marriage is breathing its last breaths. Carla Bruni is in love with Benjamin Biolay and the President has found solace with Chantal Jouanno."

The same story was also reported by other established news sites including Yahoo News France, Le Post and Agoravoxtv, as well as TV news channel iTele.

It is the first time since Bruni and Sarkozy met at a Paris dinner party in November 2007 that there have been suggestions the marriage is in crisis.

For several months after their whirlwind romance and marriage three months later, regular reports predicted the marriage would only last as long as Sarkozy remained President.

Bruni's now notorious remark that she is "easily bored by monogamy" is also frequently quoted by the media.

But not until now did any otherwise creditable news source repeat internet rumoUrs that either of them was cheating.

via us.rd.yahoo.com

How long before Gordon spices up his romantic life so he can get some publicity? Well, maybe not ....

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Does France Need an Affairs Minister?

RUMOURS French President Nicolas Sarkozy and First Lady Carla Bruni are both having affairs are gaining momentum in France.

The Sun reported France's first couple were both committing adultery first emerged on networking site Twitter.

It was also reported by prestigious French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

The first tweet alleged that Bruni was romantically involved with Benjamin Biolay, a musician and a winner at France's recent Victoires de la Musique awards.

It was then rumoUred that jilted President Sarkozy swiftly found solace in the arms of his 40-year-old ecology minister Chantal Jouanno, also a French karate champion.

French web magazine suchablog.com went onto report that Bruni was a close friend of Biolay for many years and was now unofficially living with him at his flat in Paris.

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The gossip was given extra weight after being reported in a blog on Sunday newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche's official website.

The paper wrote, "It's the gossip of the moment that could become the story of the year.

"A romance is said to have started a few weeks ago between the First Lady of France and music award winner Benjamin Biolay.

"The rumour started on Twitter and is now on blogs and websites everywhere."

The paper went on to say that according to the suchablog site, it was now "much more than a rumour."

Le Journal added, "it says the presidential marriage is breathing its last breaths. Carla Bruni is in love with Benjamin Biolay and the President has found solace with Chantal Jouanno."

The same story was also reported by other established news sites including Yahoo News France, Le Post and Agoravoxtv, as well as TV news channel iTele.

It is the first time since Bruni and Sarkozy met at a Paris dinner party in November 2007 that there have been suggestions the marriage is in crisis.

For several months after their whirlwind romance and marriage three months later, regular reports predicted the marriage would only last as long as Sarkozy remained President.

Bruni's now notorious remark that she is "easily bored by monogamy" is also frequently quoted by the media.

But not until now did any otherwise creditable news source repeat internet rumoUrs that either of them was cheating.

 

 

via us.rd.yahoo.com

How long before Gordon spices up his romantic life so he can get some publicity? Well, maybe not ....

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New Driving Test in France

The Centre, Poitou-Charentes, Pays-de-la-Loire and Haute-Normandie regions will start offering the new test from this morning. It will be extended to the other regions of France in small groups between now and May 3.

The 35-minute practical test is designed to give examiners more freedom to decide on a driver's competence, with less emphasis on simply totting up errors.

As well as deducting marks for mistakes, examiners can add marks if the driver is courteous behind the wheel and drives in a fuel-efficient way. Candidates will need to score 20 out of 30 to pass.

More details: Connexion

Photo by emrank

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French Property of the Week: Picturesque Colombage Cottage with Views

VERY PRETTY COLOMBAGE 3 BEDROOM COUNTRY COTTAGE IN A SECLUDED LOCATION WITH FABULOUS VIEWS

The property is set back off a quiet lane and accessed to the front through tall solid wood gates but also has a separate access/driveway to reach the garage which is across the lawn to the side of the house.

The house is in a slightly elevated position and enjoys really superb long reaching views across the valley. 

The beautiful garden is full of mature trees, shrubs and coulourful borders and there is also a greenhouse and vegetable garden.

Location: Mortain, Manche, Lower Normandy, France
Price: 171,200 euros

More >> Photos and Full Description: Mortain Property

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Reasons to be cheerful

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Reason to be cheerful

Fed up with the winter blues. Signs of spring at East Dean nr Eastbourne. Snowdrops in full bloom. Perhaps winter is behind us!

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Provence Dreams

It is time to dream. Check out this lovely Provence Villa - stunning designs .....

Extract from: http://willowdecor.blogspot.com/2010/03/escape-to-south-of-france.html

The villa has been restored and is filled with antiques. The owners are collectors and as such the home is filled with interesting and unique items. A neutral palette allows you to focus on the gorgeous stone walls and period details.

The pièce de résistance of the room is surely the fireplace. The original mantel is one we only hope to copy here in the States. I love the lines of it, detailed but not too fussy. I also like the interesting assortment of items which line the top of the mantel. Clearly this is a home of collectors.

(All photos property of beachstudios.com)

More >> Provence Villas

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French jobless rate at 10-year high

Big leap in unemployment - rather a disaster for the fragile French economy. Perhaps will need a new stimulus package? Here are the facts .....

France's unemployment rate jumped to 10%, the highest in a decade a figure likely to influence voters ahead of regional elections, latest figures have shown.

Unemployment has been climbing for seven quarters, since the economy dipped into recession in 2008, but the leap announced on Thursday was especially high, from 9.5% in the third quarter.

The announcement was an embarrassing setback for conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy, who pledged in a television interview in January that joblessness would drop in the coming months.

"Where is the drop in unemployment promised by Nicolas Sarkozy?" the opposition Socialist Party asked, saying France should have plans to stimulate consumer spending and investment, and also boost efforts to help the unemployed.

Jobs are a main topic of concern in regional elections scheduled for March 14 and 21. Mr Sarkozy came to power in 2007 on a pledge to get France working more, but he ran into trouble pushing through many planned labour reforms even before the economic crisis hit.

Finance Minister Christine Lagarde and the junior minister for employment, Laurent Wauquiez, tried to put a positive spin on the joblessness figures, saying the job market in France has resisted the crisis better than many countries.

France's number of unemployed is 22% above its level in May 2007 - when Mr Sarkozy was elected - while joblessness across the 16-country eurozone rose 34% in the same period and the United States' rose 119%, they said in a statement.

Marc Touati, an economist at Paris-based brokerage Global Equities, said the unemployment rate could not be blamed on the crisis alone. He cited structural problems in the French labour market, saying education and youth training programs were poorly adapted to employers' needs.

Prospects are worst for French youths under 25, nearly a quarter of whom are unemployed.

When France's quarterly unemployment rate was last at 10% in 1999, the labour market had a much different look: The Socialist-led government was pushing through a reform to shorten the working week to 35 hours, on the rationale that employers would be forced to hire more people. Ensuing conservative governments have claimed the shorter working week was a mistake and parliament has substantially chipped away at the law that put it in place.

via news.google.com

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French jobless rate at 10-year high

French jobless rate at 10-year high

(UKPA) – 15 hours ago

France's unemployment rate jumped to 10%, the highest in a decade a figure likely to influence voters ahead of regional elections, latest figures have shown.

Unemployment has been climbing for seven quarters, since the economy dipped into recession in 2008, but the leap announced on Thursday was especially high, from 9.5% in the third quarter.

The announcement was an embarrassing setback for conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy, who pledged in a television interview in January that joblessness would drop in the coming months.

"Where is the drop in unemployment promised by Nicolas Sarkozy?" the opposition Socialist Party asked, saying France should have plans to stimulate consumer spending and investment, and also boost efforts to help the unemployed.

Jobs are a main topic of concern in regional elections scheduled for March 14 and 21. Mr Sarkozy came to power in 2007 on a pledge to get France working more, but he ran into trouble pushing through many planned labour reforms even before the economic crisis hit.

Finance Minister Christine Lagarde and the junior minister for employment, Laurent Wauquiez, tried to put a positive spin on the joblessness figures, saying the job market in France has resisted the crisis better than many countries.

France's number of unemployed is 22% above its level in May 2007 - when Mr Sarkozy was elected - while joblessness across the 16-country eurozone rose 34% in the same period and the United States' rose 119%, they said in a statement.

Marc Touati, an economist at Paris-based brokerage Global Equities, said the unemployment rate could not be blamed on the crisis alone. He cited structural problems in the French labour market, saying education and youth training programs were poorly adapted to employers' needs.

Prospects are worst for French youths under 25, nearly a quarter of whom are unemployed.

When France's quarterly unemployment rate was last at 10% in 1999, the labour market had a much different look: The Socialist-led government was pushing through a reform to shorten the working week to 35 hours, on the rationale that employers would be forced to hire more people. Ensuing conservative governments have claimed the shorter working week was a mistake and parliament has substantially chipped away at the law that put it in place.

Copyright © 2010 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

via news.google.com

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Coals to Newcastle? No Cole to France instead

Cheryl Cole is flying to France to meet her estranged husband and naughty boy Ashley Cole.

The singer has responded to her soccer star spouse’s pleas and agreed to jet over to France – where the 29-year-old sportsman is receiving treatment for a broken ankle – to discuss his alleged affairs and the future of their marriage.

The 26-year-old pop star dumped Ashley two weeks ago, after it was claimed he had slept with several other women and sent them X-rated text messages and explicit photographs of himself.

Come on Cheryl you can do better than this!

Photo by schuey

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How to lose £36 million in 7 days!

Mikhail Prokhorov, Russia's second richest man, agreed to purchase Villa La Leopolda in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France in 2008 from Lily Safra for £360 million and put down his 10% deposit - so far so good.

However the oligarch backed out of the deal amid conflicting reports that he was concerned about the recession (others claim its was over a change in the estate's sale price!).

Prokhorov went to court last year to try to recover his ten per cent deposit, however, under French property law, once a sale contract has been signed, a deposit can only be refunded during a seven day 'cooling-off' period.

Photo by CHRIS230***

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Whose Starry Eyed Michelin Style?

 

French cook Gilles Goujon, poses in the kitchen of his restaurant, L'Auberge du Vieux Puits, which has just won a third Michelin star. Photo / AP

The Michelin Red Guide, has given with one hand and taken away with the other.

It has conferred its top ranking of three stars on a restaurant in the Aude southern France, removed a third star from another and, as it does each year, reshuffled the fine dining in France.

The Auberge du Vieux Puits in Fontjoncouse in southern France near Narbonne moved from two stars to three in Michelin's 2010 rankings, announced yesterday, with the number of top-ranked eateries in France standing at 26.

One restaurant near the Alpine town of Annecy, La Maison de Marc Veyrat, lost its perch at the top, falling from three stars to two.

Ten restaurants joined the two-star category, making a total of 77 and 47 got one star for a total of 455.

- AP

via nzherald.co.nz

 

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French Property of the Week: Charming columbage country house renovated with taste

Country house comprising:

On the ground floor: entry, kitchen dining room, lounge with fireplace, shower room- toilet.

On the upper level: 3 bedrooms of which 2 are interconnected.

1500 sqm land.

Fuel central heating.

Price: 148,000 euros
Location: Livarot, Calvados, Lower Normandy, France

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