Friday 29 July 2011

TGV to Brittany

TGV Services will be extended to Rennes in Brittany by spring 2017.

The latest extension will connect Le Mans to Rennes and speed up journeys by at least 35 minutes.

Paris will then be only an half an half from Rennes!

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Thursday 28 July 2011

Check the Cost of Living in France

Numbeo is the biggest free Internet database about cost of living and housing indicators worldwide! So we have chosen to see the values for France

Indexes Info - First they provide a summary by:
Consumer Price Index, Rent Index, Groceries Index, Restaurants Index, etc.    
Note: these are relative to New York (pity you cannot choose which country to make this relative too)

Then they produce some specific data by category which is very interesting reading

Average for France

Restaurants         
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant     12.06 €    
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course     48.10 €    
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar     7.40 €

Utilities (Monthly)    
Basic (Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)     95.67 €    
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff (no discounts or plans)     0.39 €    
Internet (6 Mbps, Flat Rate, Cable/ADSL)     29.80 €

Other categories include Sport and Leisure, Clothing, Transport, Rent   
   
You can also choose to see the values by City across France.

Reference: Numbeo France

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Treating Depression Naturally: A New Way of Thinking!

Depression is a serious disease that affects the mentality and physicality of a person. It could be caused by a lot of things like: Loss of a close person or relative, Low self-esteem, or Chemical Imbalance.Depressions in teens are usually caused by stress and loss of self-worth. But there is a way of treating depression naturally. Being proactive and relearning new skills will help a lot.The way we think is important in depression recovery; ofte

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Wednesday 27 July 2011

Diet Solution Program by Isabel De Los Rios - Which are the Primary Ingredients in The Diet Solution Recipes ?

Unlike many other diets with their slew of weight loss meals, The Diet plan Answer Recipes don't require you to purchase its pre-packed food, nor does it claim that cutting out carbs or fat will transform your body. Instead the Diet plan Remedy is really a method which is built upon consuming clean foods that will aid in your fat loss permanently. The fantastic factor about this diet plan plan is that it's a lifestyle which is easy to maintain in case you simply commit to eating points from t

Mediterranean Diet Plan

French Property of the Week: Dordogne Campsite

image.php?Id=950184&image_table=tbl_files

Not many opportunities come up to buy a Campsite in the Dordogne ... so don't miss this opportunity.

Department: Dordogne
Region: Aquitaine
Price: € 895,000

image.php?Id=950186&image_table=tbl_files

Beautiful campsite with tremendous potential, situated in the Dordogne (24) on 24 hectares of land, of which a large proportion is wooded area, 4 hectares of prairie and 4.5 hectares designated for camping, 1 hectare of which has 50 places for camping, some on a hill with magnificent views.

Turnover around 100.000 euros with the possibility to increase this with all year opening (as this is based on just 3 months opening !)

The Dordogne brings many tourists each year, and this campsite is already ready to run with the possibility to expand.

More photos and details: Dordogne Campsite

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Tuesday 26 July 2011

In the News in France: Oddities

Extracts from France Update - the daily Update on France (you can subscribe to receive a copy daily) ....

The Road to Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley, France

impressions-theeurotraveler.blogspot.com - At the end of this tree-lined avenue with its verdant canopy letting through only the smallest rays of sunlight, lies the magnificent Chateau de Chenonceau. Spanning the River Cher and casting its..


Les Tomates Farcies

chezlouloufrance.blogspot.com - Every summer, gardens explode with an abundance of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant and string beans. At the same time every food blog and cooking website explodes with an amazing variety of tomato, zu..


Book reviews: The Rough Guide to France - by Liz Allen

helium.com - Created on: February 22, 2008   Last Updated: February 24, 2008This guide begins with an extensive section, about eighty pages long, to refer to before you travel. It gives details on possible ways...


Back Home, via France

nytimes.com - FOR decades I knew where home was — the farm in Kentucky where I was raised. I was free to roam the world as long as my parents were still there. But now all that is gone, and in place of the famil...


5 tips to ensure French mortgage success

buyingahomeinfrance.wordpress.com - Turmoil in the banking world over the past few years has caused various shake ups with the French Mortgage Providers and we’ve seen lenders tighten and change their lending criteria. Some purchaser...


Dunkerque France,ferry port,photos and guide

a-taste-of-france.com - Places to visit in Dunkerque photos and guide The port of Dunkerque is a major international centre for bulk cargoes form all round the world. For such a heavy industrial centre the city has some v..


Concarneau market,photos and guide,Friday morning market in Brittany

a-taste-of-france.com - Concarneau market Brittany photos and travel guide to our visit to this large beach resort. The holiday resort is about 15 mins drive from where we were staying in the village of Saint Yvi in the o...

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Monday 25 July 2011

Reporting from the Front: Our Mayenne Correspondent!

Here are some observations about the Lower Normandy and Pays de Loire (Western Loire) regions in France from our Estate Agent in the field ....

I live and work in the beautiful rural region of Lower Normandy and Pays de Loire. This is a very peaceful country area with the possibility to live with fields all around you but having easy access to supermarkets, attractive villages, markets and local French life. The beaches and Mont St Michel are approx 45 minutes away.

The climate is hotter than the UK in the summer . We do get a good summer and spend a lot of time outside. Winters vary and can be cold. We do enjoy a good log fire with a book to read.

There are plenty of places to visit here and if you enjoy the outdoor life there are plenty of things to do. I have horses to ride and drive Shetland ponies.

Lower Normandy and Pays de Loire Properties

Houses here vary from colombage cottages to large stone houses. A lot of French houses have good sized gardens another hobby of mine as trees and fruit grow really well here. There are also smallholdings for sale where you can be a mini farmer. There are plenty of interesting small town properties also which give you a chance to live the local life and visit the boulangerie, restaurant etc.

I enjoy my job meeting lots of different people, driving around the quiet roads helping people to find that little bit of peace that we all need.

Margarete Hill - check her lovely properties

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Friday 22 July 2011

Free makeup samples and vitamin products for skin care

Vitamin products can help your skin and it’s always important to take good care of your skin. In this day and age, there are countless skin care products and lines to choose from, depending on what skin type you have. There there are skin care regimens for teenagers, individuals in their twenties, thirties, and so on. Naturally each of these lines aim to accomplish different things. So it is important to know your skin type and condition in

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Photos on Saulieu

Saulieu is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in the Burgundy region in eastern France. Capital of the Morvan, and found in the Morvan Regional Park, Saulieu is located to the southeast of Paris on the RN6 road.

The Morvan is a mountainous massif lying just to the west of the Côte d'Or escarpment in Burgundy, France. It is a northerly extension of the Massif Central and is of Variscan age. It is composed of granites and basalts and formed a promontory extending northwards into the Jurassic sea.

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Thursday 21 July 2011

Brittany in March - video

We have been featuring Brittany to celebrate the launch of 1stforBrittanyProperty.com. A specialist site for .... Brittany.

In this video, (filmed in March) so the weather is not the greatest, features Dinan, Cancale, and Mont St Michel. The old streets in Dinan, and the the beach front at Cancale are well depicted. Not the greatest advert for Mont St Michel with its narrow streets and vendors selling holiday tat!

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Wednesday 20 July 2011

French Property of the Week: French Lakeside Holiday Homes

Fantastic value from just 62,000 euros!!

image.php?Id=919742&image_table=tbl_files

Town:     Miramont de Guyenne
Department:     Lot-et-Garonne
Region:     Aquitaine
Price:     € 62,000

image.php?Id=919743&image_table=tbl_files

Located in a picturesque lakeside location on the outskirts of the market town of Miramont, this small development is ideal for those seeking peace and tranquillity in rural France. Ideally suited to both holidays and semi-permanent living most of the bungalows have lake views.

More photos and details: French Lakeside Home

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Tuesday 19 July 2011

Find the real South of France in Béziers

Béziers itself is an impressive sight, bordered on three sides by the Orb river and the Canal du Midi, the ancient town, dominated by its cathedral sits atop of a rocky spur overlooking Hérault department or to you and me, Hérault county.

It is a town worth exploring being a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.

The canal is certainly a marvel built nearly 100 years before the Basingstoke Canal and was clearly a great success.

Inaugurated in 1681 to help develop trade joining the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, the Canal du Midi is today classified as an UNESCO Heritage Site.

Its shady banks, locks and little bridges make a great place to unwind and explore, either by boat or on the cycle path where you can enjoy life at a more moderate and peaceful pace.

Admirers of beautiful architecture, scholars of French literature and history buffs are sure to love the nearby town of Pézenas

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Monday 18 July 2011

France Tourist Places Video

More great shots of France to liven up your day!.

Enjoy!

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Friday 15 July 2011

French Property of the Week: Castle in the Gers((tag:Chateau,Gers,Midi-Pyrenees)

image.php?Id=878184&image_table=tbl_files

This beautifully restored castle is situated in the idyllic hills of the Gers region in the South West of France, offering perfect views of the Pyrenees mountain chain. While in an amazingly quiet, totally private and picturesque location it is at the same time close to golf and other sports facilities and only a few minutes from Marciac, center of a renowned international Jazz Festival. The original building that stood on the site dated back to before the Middle Ages, it was destroyed during the revolution and rebuilt in 1827.

image.php?Id=878188&image_table=tbl_files

When visiting it becomes immediately apparent that the current owners have put a lot of love and energy into this elegant residence by executing detailed and careful restoration work.

image.php?Id=878191&image_table=tbl_files

For more details and lots of photos of this elegant chateau: Marciac Chateau

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Thursday 14 July 2011

A Visitor's View of the Tour de France - video

The Tour de France takes over the news media for 2 weeks in France - take away the doping issues, the crashes, and errant TV crews - what is it like for the average visitor following the Tour? Read on ... enjoy the landscapes, gastronomy, Paris ...

Ever wonder what it would be like at the biggest professional race of the year, the Tour de France?

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Wednesday 13 July 2011

Trip through Ardeche - Video

Enjoy a trip through the Ardeche - wonderful scenery and interesting cultures and skills from the past.

Ardeche, lies on the west bank of the Rhone about halfway down the river. It is a very wild woolly place perched mostly on the side of hills.

Visit Ardeche Property too.

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Tuesday 12 July 2011

French Mediterranean Diet Benefits Of Herbs

MediterraneanDietPlan.info is your #1 source for recommendations, tips, and comprehensive range of posts about the Mediterranean Diet Food. The Daily MediterraneanDietPlan.info highlights for you the best articles, photos, videos and tips for natural dieting. Here is the latest feature Diet article:


http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/french-mediterranean-diet-benefits-of-herbs-4984970.html

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Mediterranean Diet Plan

In the News Today

Provence, France Bike Tour by In Situ Travel
gordonsguide.com - Provence, France Bike Tour A region that will enlighten all of your senses, Provence is an extraordinary place. A collection of sun-drenched vineyards, ancient medieval hilltop villages and meander...

Clerques,photos and travel guide,village in Vallee de la Hem,Northern France
a-taste-of-france.com - Clerques is a village in the Hem valley it is 6 miles from the market town of Ardres. It is 3 miles from the large village of Tournehem-sur-la-Hem Clerques is a small village mainly farming on the ...

New club offers help for drivers heading to Brittany
pressitt.com - A new club is being launched for motorists travelling to Brittany - providing roadside breakdown cover and a host of other benefits. More Information The Brittany Motoring Club is the brainchild of...

Women in Business, interview with Peta Morton of France Equestre
tint-network.co.uk - Peta Morgan lives in France with her husband and two daughters. Horses have always been a long standing passion and is the driving force behind her endeavors. Once established in France, she starte...

France Holiday Guide - France Travel Guide
holidaycarhire.weebly.com - Limoges is a city and commune, the capital of the Haute-Vienne department and the administrative capital of the Limousin région in west-central France. Limoges is known for its medieval enamels on ...

More stories on France Update Daily

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Satisfying Great Tasting Diet Shake Recipes that Help You Lose Weight

Satisfying,great tasting can help you lose weight, especially in the hot weather months that we will soon be “enjoying.” Whether you choose to go to the mall and visit a nutritional supplement shop, so you can add supplements to your diet shake recipes or whether you prefer your diet shake recipes to contain just what you can get at the farm stand or grocery store; there are hundred's of diet shake recipes out there.One of my favorite ingredients to add to any diet shake recipes is low

Mediterranean Diet Plan

Monday 11 July 2011

Triactol the no. 1 natural breast enhancement product today

Women have always wanted to have larger breasts and they want it to happen pretty fast that is definitely why they were not very enthusiastic about natural breast enhancements.Most women have preferred to have breast implants instead to acquire the larger breasts they wanted.It had never occurred to them that by going through cosmetic plastic surgery, they had put themselves through great dangers.Many people refuse to acknowledge the risks on bre

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Popular Lille - Video

Lille is a popular destination with its easy access with Eurostar.

Everything you want to see is within walking distance of Lille Europe station, from where it's an easy stroll into the city.

En route you might want to drop in to Les Trois Brasseurs opposite Lille's other railway station, and taste one of the rather good beers that this friendly micro-brewery has to offer.

With fountains splashing at her feet, the Goddess atop her column reigns over the busy shops and pavement cafés of the Grand' Place -- official title Place du Général de Gaulle. Lille was the General's birthplace.

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Friday 8 July 2011

French Property of the Week: Brittany Lake - Just Back on the Market

image.php?Id=675653&image_table=tbl_files

Surprisingly just back on the market - so act quickly if you are interested.

Town: Morbihan, Near Malestroit
Department: Morbihan
Region: Brittany
Price: € 630,000

Possible carp fishing business plus potential to develop further, possible equestrian. Stunning location, 45 acres of sheer landscaped beauty including a lake.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to purchase a magnificent private lake of over 30 acres with serviced lakeside cabins and chalets and very large, prestigious lakeside house, architect designed and presently under construction. Set within its own secluded 45 acres of parkland and forest, close to the village of St Martin.

Many more photos and further details: Brittany Lake

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Thursday 7 July 2011

Provence Property Market

Provence has been the #1 destination for holiday makers in France - and it is not surprising that property here is more expensive than the rest of France - especially on the Cote d'Azur.

1st for French Property MD Howard Farmer says that "Provence has been our strongest market in 2011. We have seen an increase in sales in the first 6 months of the year for this region."

Here is a American perspective on the Provence Market:

The real estate market in Provence is healthy this year, according to Antoine Reguis, owner of Your Provence, a real estate company based in Goult. Well-priced homes sell in four to six months, “which is a normal delay for this rural market,” Mr. Reguis said. Andrea Bichi, a property consultant for Your Provence and the listing agent for this property, said that in the current market homes often sell for 10 to 15 percent below the asking price.

“The prices are still high, in spite of a slight decrease in 2010,” said Marie-Madeleine Nelson, managing director of the real estate company Un Mas en Provence. She added that sales prices spiked 40 percent just before the economic downturn in 2008, and that the 2010 decrease was part of a market correction.

Village houses in Provence with no outdoor space cost about 300,000 euros ($425,000 at .71 euros to the dollar), Mr. Reguis said, while village houses with gardens or terraces can command as much as 800,000 euros. Farmhouses with a bit of land start at 700,000 to 800,000 euros, but Mr. Reguis said most farmhouses in good condition cost 1 million to 2 million euros. It would be rare, he added, for a country house in Provence to sell for more than 7 million euros.

Read the complete article on NY Times.
 
There is still room for negotiation on prices but the market is beginning to improve. For a selection of over 1400 Provence Property discover 1st-for-French-Property.co.uk

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Wednesday 6 July 2011

Some Snippets of News from Quirky France!

Of course, French News is dominated by Tour de France and the antics of Dominique Strauss-Kahn - but there are other quirky snippets of news! Extracts taken from the daily France Update. You can subscribe to receive a copy every day.

Living in (or moving to) France - some tax tips to consider

cognacproperty.blogspot.com - French taxation policies seem to dominate headlines at home and abroad lately.  Thankfully President Sarkozy has scrapped his daft idea of taxing second homes but nobody really knows what he will c...

The unsung museums of Paris - travel tips and articles

lonelyplanet.com - Jul 20, 2010 1:30:55 AM Chris Pitts Lonely Planet AuthorPass through La Pinacothèque during the weekday lunch hour, and you’ll soon realise that if there’s one thing that rivals a Parisian’s obsess...

Avaaz - France: save the internet

avaaz.org - Posted: 29 June 2011Sarkozy's government wants to censor the internet with a decree that could block sites and web searches we use everyday. But, a national outcry can stop this attack on free spee...

Why half of France wants Dominique Strauss-Kahn back

guardian.co.uk - Dominique Strauss-Kahn with his wife, Anne Sinclair. Photograph: Curtis Means/Rex Features "We will have to keep an eye on him. But not in his bedroom." On 13 May, I wrote those words about Dominiq...

French company fined 25,000 euros for altering a Wikipedia entry

thenextweb.com - A court decision issued last week fined French company Hi-Media €25,000 (US$36,000) for damages and interest after it was proven that the company removed the mention of competitor Rentabiliweb from...

Holiday Destinations in France

holidayshub.com - France, the land of Eiffel Tower, is among the top rated holiday destinations in Europe. The exotic French culture, architecture, wide selection of cuisine and ofcourse the French wine will definit..

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Tuesday 5 July 2011

New Solar Power Station in France

Despite France's reliance on Nuclear Power (over 75% of energy is generated by nuclear), it is committed to more Solar projects.

For example, in the Midi-Pyrenees, a new solar power station has just opened in Avignonet-Lauragais in the Haute-Garonne, covering an area of thirteen hectares and generating around 4.5 Mw.  This should be enough to supply the electricity needs of around 1750 homes in the area, excluding electric heating.

It does not have massive capability but at least the Midi-Pyrenees does seem committed to more solar energy generation - there are new projects in schools to generate electricity within the school campus.

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Monday 4 July 2011

Applying for a Job in France?

If you are a foreigner looking for a job in France, there are are may obstacles especially when the unemployment rate is so high.

So Expatica have an interesting article explaining the process, and how to improve your chances. For example, how should you construct your CV?


The standard French CV is either in a reversed chronological order or clustered by function. The CV, often with a photograph attached, is brief, two pages at a maximum. The personal details include; the candidate’s name, their address and telephone number, their nationality, civil status, age and place of birth.

Usually only the highest education is mentioned. Job-experience and responsibilities are described in detail along with language skills.

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Friday 1 July 2011

Driving Holiday in France? Video

Ever thought of taking a family driving holiday in France touring around the french countryside? Take a sample tour ..

More Videos: PlacesInFrance.com - mainly about Paris but other specialist interests (for example, Fishing)

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