This French Life

Eurostar drivers to strike on Friday and Saturday

TRAIN drivers on the Eurostar service to France are to go on strike this Friday and Saturday.

The Aslef union says drivers' international allowances have declined as the value of pound sterling has dropped compared with the euro.

Eurostar has said it will be able to handle any disruption, which is set to impact services from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet and Ashford to France and Belgium.

This weekend's strike could be followed by further action on Boxing Day and December 27, unless the dispute is settled.

Siblu's currency vouchers for holidays in France

SIBLU Holidays is offering its EuroVoucher scheme to customers to use in their holiday parks across France.

For bookings made before February 1, 2010 holidaymakers will receive a guaranteed rate of €1.25 to £1, enabling them to pick up a deal in Siblu's on-parc shops, sit down to a meal in a Siblu restaurant or enjoy an aperitif.

The EuroVouchers are available in €5 denominations, and if you have one or two left in your pocket at the end of your holiday, Siblu will swap back your pounds for no cost and at the same rate of 1.25€ to £1.

A winter chill grips the Dordogne

WITH the temperature hovering around 0°C, and a few flakes of snow drifting on the northerly breeze, this was the scene this morning in the south of the Dordogne (map).

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 

And if you are keen to take a few photographs of winter scenes check out this recent article on Landscape Juice that looks at making use of winter when photographing in the garden.

BA cabin crew vote for Christmas strike action

FLIGHTS operated by British Airways (BA) face disruption following a vote for strike action by cabin crew.

The Unite union and BA management may yet come to a deal before the threatened action begins over 12 days from December 22 to January 2.

BA has yet to work out which flights will be affected and is urging passengers to ensure their contact details are up to date so that they can be notified.

Passengers with flights booked during the planned strikes, or 48 hours either side of it, can change it now for another leaving any time in the next 12 months at no extra charge.

Past strike action has seen British Airways cancel domestic flights first in an attempt to keep international services operating, but much will depend upon the number of cabin crew who join the protest.

Drop in on Deux-Sèvres Life

IF you live in the Deux-Sèvres the you may want to drop in on a new site being written by Beryl Brennan, occasional contributor to this site.

Beryl's new site, which I've had a hand in putting together, will offer news, interviews and what's on information, providing an insight into Deux-Sèvres life.

If you have news of events you are involved with, or have an organisation that needs a little more publicity, you can email Beryl direct.

And whilst you are on the site subscribe to the free newsletter, or RSS feed, in the right hand column and keep up to date with the latest articles on the site.

Website: Deux-Sèvres Life

Christmas floral art exhibition at Revel

CHRISTMAS and the festive season will be at the heart of a floral art exhibition in Revel, in the Haute-Garonne.

The exhibition takes place on December 19 and 20, and is being staged by Monique Gimenez who runs an organisation called MG Fleurs et Creation, which is devoted to the teaching of modern flower arranging.

Monique has been teaching for many years now and is also an international judge at competitions.

The exhibition, which is being supported by the mairie at Revel, will showcase the talent of Monique's students, and includes themes such as snowstorm, frost and ice, Christmas gifts, stars and many more.

Entry is free and opening hours are from 9.30am until noon, and 2pm until 7pm, at the Salle du Conseil Municipal, Rue Jean Moulin, Revel (map).

New routes to France from easyJet

A NUMBER of new routes have been announced by easyJet from French cities, including a link between London Gatwick and Bordeaux.

The daily service to Bordeaux will start on March 28, 2010, and offers a Monday to Friday departure time from London of 6.10pm, arriving in France at 8.50pm, with the return flight setting off at 9.15pm and arriving in the UK at 9.55pm.

French taste for Scotch whisky on the rise

THE demand for Scotch whisky in France is on the rise according to recent figures, as drinkers look to enjoy a wee dram.

Figures from the Scotch Whisky Association show that the value of exports to France has increased, as well as to South Africa and Venezuela.

France is the number one market for Scotch whisky, with almost 127 million bottles sent across the Channel this year, a nine per cent increase on 2008.

Travel tips for getting through airports at Christmas

WITH the Christmas festivities just around the corner people are likely to be travelling to visit friends and family, with many set to be flying either to or from France.

But it is also one of the busiest times of the year for airports, so with tight baggage restrictions and increased security checks, being prepared in advance is sure to help.

One of the first things you can do is arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, most airlines will recommend two hours, so make sure there are no traffic problems or check public transport options.

Bust of Julius Caesar and other Rhône findings on display

LAST year a life size bust of Julius Caesar, thought to date back to 46 BC, was dragged out of the River Rhône near Arles.

It joins a collection of other items, including a six-foot high marble statue of Neptune, in an exhibition titled César à Arles, le Rhône pour mémoire.

The exhibition features finds from 20 years of exploration undertaken by divers and provides evidence that the area around Arles was extremely important during Roman times.

The Musée Départemental Arles Antique is hosting the exhibition which runs until September 2010

Private landlords in Paris face threat

PROPERTY owners in Paris who offer short term lets face a crackdown from the local authorities as they look to free up housing in the city.

Here property specialist, Susie Hollands of Bonapart Paris, explains what the moves by the Paris prefecture could mean for owners and the ongoing fight being undertaken by her and others.

The recent moves made by the City of Paris to apply laws restricting the rental of apartments in central Paris may have significant effects for thousands of private owners in Paris and abroad.

LD Lines early booking offer on Dover - Boulogne

BOOK ahead and save some pennies on the LD Lines service between Dover and Boulogne with their early booking offer starting at £18 each way.

The offer is valid for a car and two passengers for any duration of travel throughout 2010, and some sailings for the remainder of 2009 are also available at this same lead-in fare.

LD Lines' conventional ferry Norman Spirit operates four return sailings daily on the Dover to Boulogne route, providing a crossing time of one hour 45 minutes.

Related article: LD Lines annouce fleet switch on Channel crossings