Oh dear same old problems across the channel for Hollande - delicate balance needed between growth and austerity.
France risks missing 2013 deficit goal, EU Commission saysReuters "By Robin Emmott | BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission warned France's new Socialist government on Wednesday it was on track to miss next year's deficit goal, prompting Paris to insist its drive for a growth agenda in Europe would not stop it ..." http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/30/us-eu-economy-france-idUSBRE84T0UT20120530
But is there a magic wand to get Europe out of this pickle?
Photo by DaveOnFlickr The Provence Post: LOCAL MARKETS theprovencepost.blogspot.fr - LOCAL MARKETS With few exceptions, outdoor markets in Provence happen in the morning, ending around noon or 1 p.m. Some markets are year-round while others shut down in the winter. It's always best...
Provence Property Ever since Peter Mayle's Rich evocations of the area, Provence has become a favourite spot for visitors and Provence property buyers. Unfortunately, the area is very expensive but the charms of Provence can coax the cheque-book out. From the Alps mountains to the beaches on the French Riviera and the chic resorts of Cannes, Nice, St Tropez and Aix en Provence!
Cannes city break guide telegraph.co.uk - Cannes: a film festival with a town attached? This is nearer the mark than the tourism people would like, yet far enough away to make the jibe seem a bit harsh. Much smaller and less substantial th...
Provence is a popular destination for holiday makers and buyers looking to buy a property in Provence. We have many articles on Provence as it is loved by all - if you want to read more about Provence - got to our Provence section on the site.Here is an extract from article by Sophie Young in My French Life. Festival d’Avignon By serendipity and lack of research, our visit to Avignon coincided with the Festival d’Avignon, a famous annual performing arts festival. The town was buzzing as we walked up the main street from the train station into the walled city. Posters plastered every vertical surface, advertising an array of shows en français. Le Pont du Gard The grand and impressive bridge is part of a 50km-long Roman aqueduct running through the south of France, built in the first century AD. It was a scorching morning so,we took a plunge off the base of the ancient bridge into the freezing river below. Refreshed, we set off towards Gordes. The winding road to Gordes turns a corner and suddenly reveals a stunning stone village piled into the hill across the valley. Gordes By its own admission Gordes is ‘one of the most beautiful villages of France’. In this case the self-proclaimed accolade is spot on. Set on a plateau, the village really is spectacular. We did a little shopping in the village, poked our heads into a beautiful church and climbed crumbling stone steps up to a panorama of the Provençal countryside. More details - read the complete article: French weekends: Swimming & dancing under bridges in ProvenceVideo: Gordes and other Provence Highlights
You can take a ferry to France everyday with DFDS Seaways.
With 2 ferry routes to choose from we now offer more flexibility and choice than ever before, meaning you can travel to the destination that best suits your journey.
Dunkirk is located in the North of France and provides fantastic access to France, Belgium and Holland and Calais is a 20 minute drive from Dunkirk and is popular for travel into the central and southern regions of France.
How does Brittany rate with you? Certainly one of the most popular places with Brits for Vacations. 1st for French Property tell us that over 24,000 people visited their Brittany properties; the next most popular region is Provence with 22,000 visitors. Within the region, the departments (areas of Brittany): the order of popularity buyers is Morbihan, Cotes-d'Armor, Finistere, Ille-et-Vilaine. The Celtic traditions, quaint, ports and river estuaries, sandy beaches, wild and rocky peninsulas, rugged hinterland are popular with visitors.This new video illustrates the charms of Brittany: Brittany is home to many megalithic monuments which are scattered across the peninsula. The largest alignments are near Karnag/Carnac. Brittany also has several old fortified towns. The walled city of Saint-Malo, a popular tourist attraction, is also an important port linking Brittany with England and the Channel Islands. Further east, Mont St Michel attracts hoards of vistiors.
CompleteFrance.com report on Changes to furnished holiday lets criteria, set out in last year’s Finance Bill have now come into force.The eligibility thresholds to qualify for furnished holiday letting tax (FHL) reliefs have increased, with the annual minimum that owners of holiday lets in the UK and EEA needing to let their property increasing from 10 weeks (70 days) to 15 weeks (105 days). Furthermore, whereas previously a property had to be available to let for an annual minimum of 20 weeks to qualify, it must now be available for 30 weeks (210 days). Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, of holidaylettings.co.uk says: ”Filling the additional five weeks a year may seem daunting, but demand for holiday villas and cottages continues its growth in popularity and is currently tracking at 20% ahead year to date. The growth in demand, along with improved marketing, should help owners achieve the extra weeks’ rental they need to continue claiming the FHL tax benefits.” Complete article: Owners of French holiday lets primed for changeBrowse some holiday lets in France: Video
Do you need a reason to visit Provence? No, I would go immediately perhaps avoiding July and August though!Anyhow if you need a little persuasion, then here are 5 reasons to go courtesy of My Melange. 1. To experience art come alive. 2. The color purple. 3. Outdoor markets. 4. Hidden treasures. 5. Something original.The scent of lavender along with honey, ripe fresh produce (whatever’s in season), and fresh baguette swirls together in the air of Markets in Provence. Each day brings with it an outdoor market in a different region. Vendors typically open around eight and end their day at one. This not only provides you with delicious food, but a perfect setting for people watching and truly immersing yourself in a culture. Any trip would not be complete, in my opinion, without a memento representing my time there or just something that captures the character and culture of a place. Provence provides ample opportunity for finding just such a treasure with its many antique shops and flea markets. Some particularly well-known are the Marché à la Brocante in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and L’ Isle-sur-la-Sorge in Vaucluse. Whether your treasure be an 18th century armoire or for those more budget conscious a vintage straw hat, you can find it here along with an authentic piece of provincial pottery. For more details and photos: 5 Reasons to Visit ProvenceEnjoy the sights and scenes of Provence - video:
Photo by Peter Curbishley The Guardian has published a list of summer treats to visit in France. Here are some of our highlights.Bouzigues, Languedoc-Roussillon Bouzigues, half an hour west of Montpellier, offers a real taste of the seaside, French-style, with gorgeous oysters and sea urchins (oursins) plucked from the lagoon. At Chez La Tchèpe (+33 4 6778 3319) on the seafront, you pick your shellfish at the counter and it is cooked and delivered to your table with, say, a bottle of Picpoul de Pinet. The area around is a wildfowl paradise, with flamingo-intensive lagoons within easy walking distance. Les Sables d'Olonne This resort south of the Loire has a 12km stretch of golden sand. The vast expanse of sea, sky and sand has inspired many an artist. It's a great place for swimming, surfing and sailing (the Vendée Globe yacht race starts and ends here). Visit the seashell museum and the museum of contemporary art and local traditions. The covered market has an array of attractively arranged fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. Salt marshes a few miles out of town can be toured by boat. Bay of Agay To enjoy the Côte d'Azur without crowds, tourist-trap beaches or bling, head to Agay, 40km east of Fréjus/St Raphaël on the D559. The town sits on the bay, with turquoise shallows and viridian pines complementing the gold-red volcanic rock of the last range of the Massif de l'Estérel. The Vallée du Paradis campsite, in a quiet location at the back of the town, bordering the river Agay, is conducive to chilling out in the evenings with a glass of rosé. Agay has a year-round temperate climate, so you can enjoy all its attributes early in the season. For the complete list, read: Readers' travel tips: the best of coastal France
Paris is NOT the only place to visit in France. It may be your number 1 location but Paris is not typical France - you need explore to get a true flavour of France. On the EconomyCarHire blog they suggest 5 Must-See Places Outside of Paris 1) Normandy 2) Lourdes 3) French Rivera 4) Disneyland Paris 5) VineyardsHere are some excerpts:Normandy: The historical region of Normandy in the north-west corner combines wondrous and dramatic coastline with evocative ties with World War II. Away from the shores, lush farmland, quaint French villages and friendly market towns lay in wait, as do the large bustling cities of Rouen and Caen. In addition, there’s a spattering of other things to see and do. Take a trip to the Caen War Memorial or the picturesque village of Giverny which lies on the banks of the River Seine, which is the home of Claude Monet. The garden of his home is said to be the inspiration of his famous water lily pieces, so naturally it proves popular with visitors. The Abbey of Mont Saint Michel, perched atop a 264ft high rocky inlet is another unmissable sight and the second most visited attraction in the country! Vineyards: Last but not least, you can’t forget the country’s best produce; the famously delicious wine. A visit and tour of one or two vineyards, if not more, is pretty much an essential item on any itinerary. Wine tasting of course goes hand in hand, and if you time your visit right, you may stumble across wine festivals and have a go at squashing some grapes for the next seasons production. Read the full article: 5 Must-See Places Outside of Paris Video: Celebrity Vineyards
The TravelAfterKids Blog (my kind of life!) have an interesting article (and lovely photos) about the splendid city of Montpellier in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Many fly into the airport at Montpellier but how many take the time to explore the city? Don't miss the opportunity. Here is an extract from their article about the Top 5 locations in Montpellier: 1. Montpellier Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier) is a Roman Catholic cathedral, and a national monument of France. It is the seat of the Archbishops, previously Bishops, of Montpellier. Originally a church attached to the monastery of Saint-Benoît (founded in 1364), the building was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1536, when the see of Maguelonne was transferred to Montpellier. It suffered extensive damage during the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants in the 16th century, and was subsequently rebuilt in the 17th. 2. The Musée Fabre: The museum was founded by François-Xavier Fabre, a Montpellier painter, in 1825. Beginning in 2003, the museum underwent a 61.2 million euro renovation, which was completed in January 2007. It is one of the main sights of Montpellier and close to the city's main square, the Place de la Comédie. The museum's national importance is recognised by it being classified as a Musée de France by the French Ministry of Culture. On display are ceramics from Greece and the rest of Europe. Furthermore, the museum has a large collection of paintings from the 17th until the 19th century, with a large representation of the luminophiles movement. There are also sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle, Jean-Antoine Houdon and René Iché. 3. The Porte du Peyrou is a triumphal arch in Montpellier. It is situated at the eastern end of the Jardin de Peyrou, a park near the center of the city. The arch was designed by François Dorbay, after the model of the Porte Saint-Denis in Paris. Its construction was completed in 1693. Its rusticated surface is crowned by a Doric entablature, suitable to a martial monument. Its later panels in bas-relief and inscriptions glorifying King Louis XIV of France were added in 1715. 4. Tour de la Babote. A large medieval corner tower. In occitan, babota means an insect larvae or a silk worm chrysalis. The name is deemed to have unappealing connotations which some people believe is in keeping with the tower's appearance. Was it considered somehow more impregnable and threatening than the others. In 1739 the Sociate Royale des Sciences constructed an observatory. 5. The Place de la Comédie is the main focal point of the city of Montpellier. It is located at the south-east point of the city centre where in previous times the fortifications of the city were located. The square is first mentioned in 1755 and is named after the theatre located there, which burned down in 1785 and 1855. The Place became the main focal point of the city when, in the mid-19th century the main railway station was built some 200 metres south of it. At that time, a smaller train going to the nearby beach at Palavas-les-Flots also had its provenance on the Place. Read the complete article and admire the photos: MontpellierMontpellier Video: Explore Montpellier
It is that time of the year and the sun has come out! MyFrenchLife reports on its 65th Birthday - read on:The first Festival de Cannes was held in 1946. The old winter casino in Southern France played host to proceedings, with father of French cinema Louis Lumière as its inaugural judge. Amongst the films on display were Walt Disney’s ‘Make Mine Music’, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Notorious’, and Jean Cocteau’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’.¹ Over the next 65 years, the Cannes Film Festival would become synonymous with glamour, controversy, and some of the biggest stars and films ever made.For many francophiles and French people, Cannes is a representation of old world elegance; the sort that Hollywood is desperately trying to recreate. Each year, American film festivals try to dig up a more antique ambience, but revellers often find it lacking. With so much focus on box-office numbers, big budgets and wild special effects, the true essence of film can often be lost. The stars of France and beyondThe red carpets of Cannes have played host to more than a few iconic pairs of shoes. In 1949, the A-List began to arrive, with Errol Flynn and Orson Welles among the attendees. Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, and Grace Kelly followed amongst a sea of equally famous French and foreign faces. Read the complete article with photos of past stars: 65 years of a French icon: The Cannes Film FestivalEnjoy the 2012 Cannes Festival Video:
Where does France rank in the Top 10 countries to visit? Clue: France beats Britain! Enjoy the countdown! Sorry Alan Freeman no longer available with the countdown.
Gastronomy in France is a big thing! And at the top of the list is the nation's cheeses - just so many to choose from. The Carter Blog lists their top 5 cheeses - do you agree or do you have your own favourites?
France is a country with a fierce and iconic reputation for fine food. It has long been the breeding ground for some of the world’s top chefs, and constantly raises the bar when it comes to gastronomy and culinary innovation. One of Frances most famous and exquisite exports is its French Cheese. This article will at five of Frances finest cheese, so pour yourself a glass of wine and prepare to have your taste buds teased.
First up we have Bleu du Bocage, a wonderful blue cheese made from goats milk. Each wheel is aged for about three months before it is ready for consumption. It has a moist and creamy texture, and the blue/grey veins that run through it give this cheese a beautiful appearance. This is a cheese that perfectly combines the grassy flavours of the rind with sweet fruity flavours and a peppery kick. The Bleu du Bocage is best served with preserved walnuts and a glass of fine port.
Next up we have a fine Brie, Brillat Savarin. Be warned, this is not the healthiest of cheeses, but it is the most delicious Brie available. Brillat Savarin is a Brie with cream added to it, this gives it the most rich and creamy texture you could imagine. For the best tasting Brillat Savarin, look for the ones aged by Maison Mons.
Top 10 Paris Attractions: Enjoy the view of:Arc de Triomphe Pont Alexandre III Seine La Tour Eiffel Musée du Louvre Notre Dame Sacre Coeur Moulin Rouge Champs-Élysées Grand Palais More enjoy our selection of Top 10 Places in FranceDid you know we have over 100 Videos of France on this site? Check out our Videos of France
Jean-Charles Rochoux, Chocolatier francetoday.com - Jean-Charles Rochoux with his Maker's Mark chocolatesJean-Charles Rochoux opened his charming shop on the rue d'Assas in 2004 after working for years with master chocolatier Michel Chaudun and othe...
Inland Side Trips from Nice blog.bookingchannels.com - May 14, 2012 Inland Side Trips from Nice – France Although the Cote d'Azur region in France is known for its stunning coastal resorts, it is also home to picture-perfect hilltop destinations that a...
In The Limousin Forest – A Meeting With a French Resistance Fighter this-is-france.com - Stories of The French Resistnce are often shrouded in romance, lanterns swinging on bicycles pushed by young men and women in dark trench coats wearing berets, with a half-smoked Gitanes hanging fr...
Bagnères-de-Luchon in the French Pyrénées technosyncratic.com - by Christy on May 11, 2012 Bagnères-de-Luchon is a remarkably quaint and photogenic town; snow-capped mountains peek out from between the buildings, the doughy scent of fresh bread wafts from corne...
Typical Les Landes style at a very attractive price! Lovely summers and mild winters make this area popular. Snap up this bargain! Town: Moustey Department: Landes Region: Aquitaine Price: € 187,200 Chalet wood types including Landes entrance covered wooden terrace overlooking vast peasant living room with fireplace, the kitchen is open plan.More Photos and Details: Les Landes Property
The video is in French but it easy to get the gist of the script, and you will discover some new places to visit. Hey you might learn some French!The following video is a presentation on tourism in France. It includes descriptions of French festivals, historical monuments, theme parks, gardens, Perpignan and more!
Join Rick Steves on a journey through the delightful region of Burgundy. Not just vineyards as you will see!
My favorite corner of France is Burgundy, a region overflowing with edible, drinkable, scenic, and floatable delights. Its rolling hills and a handful of sleepy villages have given birth to the superior wines and fine cuisine that say "French."
The city of Beaune, snug within its medieval walls, makes a handy base for exploring the region. You'll feel comfortable right away in this prosperous and popular town, where life centers on the prestigious wines grown in the picturesque vineyards all around. Medieval monks and the powerful dukes of Burgundy laid the groundwork that established this town's prosperity. The monks cultivated wine, while the dukes cultivated wealth.
Beaune's real charm is the town itself, which is especially vibrant on Saturday, the market day, when colorful stands fill the square. There is one must-see sight in town, the Hospice de Beaune, a medieval hospital. Six hundred years ago, concerned about the destiny of his soul, one of Burgundy's wealthy sons attempted to buy a ticket to heaven by building this charity hospital. Rich and poor alike came here to die (or occasionally get better). The colorful glazed tiles on its roof established the classic style repeated on ancient buildings all throughout Burgundy.
Another professional video from Rick Steves! Enjoy this striking area in SW France. The land where Spain and France meet the Atlantic is Basque Country. Compared to their more stridently Basque neighbors across the border in Spain, Basques living in France seem more integrated into French culture. Nestled in the Pyrenees, St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port has an endearing energy, with its mix of day tripping families and determined pilgrims using the town as a springboard for the time honored pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in NW Spain, 500 miles away. Visit Bayonne on the coast to feel the region's urban pulse. The cathedral marks the town's old center where tall, slender buildings, decorated with typically Basque green-and-red shutters, tower above narrow streets Check out some Basque properties in Pyrenees Atlantiques and Gascony
Dramatic views across to the Pyrenees whilst you contemplate a swim in your pool!Spacious villa with pool set in 2400 m2 of attractive garden.In beautiful calm spot with marvellous views on edge of village.
All for just 295,000 euros!Town: Quillan area Department: Aude Region: Languedoc - RoussillonLots more photos and further details: Aude Villa
Great New Find: 3D Travel Tours at PanoramicEarth.com. If you go to this location: http://www.panoramicearth.com/Europe/France you can view all the 3D Panoramic Tours in France. At the last count over 20 tours to enjoy.
Saint-Paul or Saint-Paul-de-Vence is located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur in southeastern France. One of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, it is well-known for its modern and contemporary art museums and galleries.
It seems a shame that the French Authorities are making a visit to a major attraction so difficuly!Cars have been banned from the foot of Mont-Saint-Michel in northwest France. People coming to the country's most visited tourist site now have to park their vehicles three kilometres from the historic mount, walk one kilometre, then take a shuttle bus to the entrance. It's the latest stage in a long-running project to turn Mont-Saint-Michel into an island once more. But it's getting a mixed response from tourists!
Surprise, surprise! No restaurants from France feature in the World Top 10. A bad day for Gastronomy in France! A post in Paris By Mouth reveals: Last year’s highest ranked Paris restaurant Le Chateaubriand, which fell this year from #9 to #15, was surpassed by L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joël Robuchon (now #12). While Alain Passard, Pierre Gagnaire and Pascal Barbot continue to jockey for position at the far end of the Top 20, Alain Ducasse was kicked off the list entirely, not even making the Top 100. Among the younger Paris chefs, Bertrand Grébaut and his restaurant Septime snuck onto the extended list at #87, but there was no love for David Toutain, Daniel Rose or Gregory Marchand.This Year's Top 10
Kerascoet,photos and guide,village in Brittany,hotel and cottages
a-taste-of-france.com - Kerascoet in Brittany photos and guide to our visit to this hidden village. The village is about about 7 miles from Pont Aven and a couple of miles from Nevez The sign for Kerascoet Kerascoet is a ...
Where to Ski and Snowboard in Morzine, France
expertscolumn.com - Morzine may look like a sleepy ski resort village, but there's plenty going on under the surface. Morzine is a truly residential ski resort, and its several chalets and restaurants are often family...
Vineyards you must visit
blog.mytravelanswers.com - You can never call yourself an expert on wine if you haven't visited the best vineyards of the world. A fine wine grows with age and it is only once you come to these long established vineyard retr...
Chateau de Maintenon - Near Chartres
discover-chartres.com - My first impression of Chateau de Maintenon is, it reminds me of one of Walt Disney's... with round keep that fortified the castle… it resemble so much to Snow White's!!The very first time I visit ...
The French elections at the weekend could have a big effect on the French moving to London according to a report in Euronews - extract here:Some wealthy French citizens may be preparing to swap croissants for full English breakfasts with a move to London if Socialist candidate Francois Hollande becomes the next president of France. It is less than a week to go until the election, and one of Hollande’s proposals is more tax on annual incomes over one million euros.There are already around 300,000 French citizens living in England’s capital, but some of those who decide to leave France if Hollande wins may go to Brussels or Switzerland instead. Read the full story here: Wealth tax could cause exodus from France to London
