This French Life

Catching up on headlines from France

HERE is a quick look over some of the headlines that have been making the news in France in recent days.

One for the bug hunters

I HAD to slowly back away from the computer screen after opening an email from reader Steve Pritchard with a photograph of this bug attached.

He is hoping that other readers of the site will be able to identify what type of beetle it is, he saw it whilst out walking near a vineyard at Peyriac de Mer just west of Narbonne (map).

Click on the thumbnail image to get a better view of the beast, and if you know what it is please leave a comment below.

British man Peter Fuller murdered at Dordogne home

BRITISH businessman, Peter Fuller, was found bludgeoned to death in his Dordogne home on Saturday, the media has already been busy covering the story.

Murder inquiry after golf course designer Peter Fuller is found dead - The Times
Peter Fuller, 67, who built a golf course by his property when he moved to France, had been beaten over the head repeatedly with a blunt instrument, according to a French state prosecution source.

Catching up on French news headlines

WITH dial-up internet connection now operating, as well as the This French Life website itself, I've been catching up on the news headlines from the past few days, here's what I've been reading.

Dates for summer sales in France

THE summer sales date has been published by départements in France, which free up regulations on the discounting of stock for businesses.

The sale period is limited to twice a year and can only run for a maximum of five weeks, most regions open their sales on June 24, but some like the Alpes-Maritimes has decided to open theirs later on July 8.

Anything that you buy in the sales has exactly the same guarantee as a normal item and the previous price must be clearly marked.

Enjoy Space from the Cite de l'espace

THE Cité de l'espace theme park in Toulouse has launched a new website for people interested in all things space.

Périgord life. Je t’adore, 24

Large round hay bales scattered across the fields of Loubejac

WHEN I moved to a small house in sight of the church tower at Loubejac in the south of the Dordogne, one of the first people I met was Roger Clifford-Banks.

He first arrived in the Périgord region in 1972, and over the years has lived on and off in Loubejac with his wife and three children.

New Fromelles cemetery begins to take shape

Computer visualisation of how the cemetery will look once completed later this year

WORK has started on the new cemetery at Fromelles, in northern France, which will provide a final resting place for around 400 British and Australian soldiers.

Thanks to advertisers who help the site

I HOPE you enjoy exploring the corners of France that I point to through the site, and it is thanks to the support of advertisers that I am able to continue to do so.

Each week I highlight the businesses who help keep the This French Life website up and running, and I hope you will drop in on their sites to see if they can help out.

You can find out more about advertising on This French Life, but first check out the websites below:

Marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day

NOW that the diplomatic row over whether the Queen should have been invited to the 65th anniversary of D-Day is at an end, the servicemen themselves can finally be honoured.

Prince Charles will be representing the Royal family, while a number of events are taking place in Normandy on June 5 and 6 to mark the date Allied Forces invaded occupied France.

Training French dogs and their owners

A DOG’S life in France can very often be spent at the end of a chain in a dusty courtyard, with their owner seeing them more as a guard dog than a pet.

But James Conroy sees such dogs as an opportunity to help them have a better life, as long as their owners are willing to understand the psychology of owning a dog.

James has completed a course in Avignon, overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, which aims to help people with dangerous dogs control their animal so that both the dog and others are safe.

First days back in the Dordogne

I HAVE already had to make my apologies a couple of times for completely misjudging the distances involved and dropping in on friends 15 to 20 minutes late.

If there is one thing I had forgotten about driving around the twisting, turning roads of the Dordogne it’s that what looks a short hop on a map, turns into quite a drive once en route.

Making plans for a new French life

DOES travel and living overseas broaden the mind? I hope so as in just over a week I will be heading back to France on a permanent basis.

It is nearly four years since I packed up the car and headed out of the small Dordogne village of Loubejac, but I don't think I ever really left the place behind as This French Life took up more and more of my time.

French inflation at lowest level since 1957

THE French national statistics office, INSEE, has said that inflation currently stands at its lowest level since 1957.

Figures from April show the prices rose on a monthly basis by 0.2 per cent, but in comparison to April 2008 the year-on-year increase was just 0.1 per cent.

Increases in transport costs over the spring holiday period, as well as communication costs, have been highlighted as one of the reasons behind the slight increase, but manufactured goods feel in price.

Related article: The cost of living in France

Questions over African leaders' wealth in France

WHILE a light is being shone on the amount of taxpayers' money being received by MPs in the UK to cover their expenses, the French government is trying to dodge accusations of corruption in African states.

Campaign group, Transparency International, has brought a case questioning how a large amount of expensive real estate and other assets in France were acquired by three African presidents.

Charles Bremner, of The Times, highlights how President Sarkozy is trying to block the case as it would appear he needs his friends in France-Afrique.

French news round up

Télézapping : Roquefort vs hormones, la trêve by lemondefr

CATCH up with what has been happening in France over the past few days and for more stories check out the French news headlines section.

Below you can find out more on the return of Roquefort to the US, trouble by prison staff as they protest over working conditions and how a World War Two pilot is being remembered.

More protest days announced by unions

LOOK out for more days of protest organised by unions in the next month or so as they keep up the pressure on the French government.

Following joint protests from the eight leading unions on May 1, the group has said that more protests are planned for Tuesday, May 26 and Saturday, June 13, 2009.

Unions are pressing for the government to do more for workers and the unemployed, instead of as they see it support being focussed on big business.

Following the protests marking the Fête du Travail, the employment ministry issued a notice saying the government was supporting the people of France as well as businesses.

Blog for the Fromelles website

THE task of exhuming the bodies of around 400 Australian and British soldiers from pits dug during World War One near Fromelles in northern France will soon start.

Whilst the Fromelles website offers details of the battle and also the work being done to trace the families of those soldiers buried, there is also an often updated blog following the progress of the exhumation.

Recent stories mention the installation of temporary buildings and power cables so that work can be undertaken on site, and how media relations are being handled by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Related article: Website for Fromelles war dead

France's forgotten concentration camps on Radio 4

A VERY interesting half hour of radio about the concentration camps built in the Pyrénées-Orientales during the Spanish Civil War is to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

France's Forgotten Concentration Camps will look at what was called La Retirada which saw thousands of people kept in make shift camps on the beaches of southern France.

At first Spaniards were kept locked up but then Jews, gypsies, Algerians and other groups were forced to live in shelters, with some living in holes dug in the sand.

The programme will be broadcast on Monday, May 4 at 8pm UK time.

Round up of news stories from France

Hadopi à l'Assemblée: une vraie pièce de théâtre! by LePostfr

IF you have had a busy week then catch up with some of the main news headlines from France over the past few days.

The battle over internet snooping by the authorities to catch illegal downloading is back in Parliament, plus more bad news for car manufacturers and has the father of Rachida Dati's baby been named?

Conservative party target UK expats

ON June 4 European Elections will be held in the UK and the Conservative party is looking to target the UK's five million expats in an attempt to ensure they cast their vote.

It will be the first time that Gordon Brown has faced the ballot box, and considering recent events things could get pretty interesting.

The Conservatives Abroad website is currently pressing people to ensure that registration forms to vote are in by Tuesday, May 19.

Events marking D-Day in Normandy

THE Royal British Legion is to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings with a commemorative service at the majestic Bayeux Cathedral in Normandy on June 6.

Numerous dignitaries from both sides of the channel, including the British Ambassador to France, will attend along with WWII veterans, many who have not been back to Normandy for 65 years.

Nicolas Sarkozy lays out plans for Grand Paris

Le Grand Paris, dans les coulisses by LEXPRESS

NICOLAS Sarkozy has launched an exhibition of projects produced by 10 architects from around the world to create a Grand Paris.

Unions get ready for protests on May 1

A DAY of protest is set to take place on May 1 as unions voice their anger over Nicolas Sarkozy's plans for the economy.

The symbolic Fête du Travail is a public holiday in France so disruption should be minimal, but unions hope because people will be off work many will join the protest.

Suspected cases of swine flu in France

Update 27/04/09: A group of four people tested for swine flu in France have come up negative, despite concerns that one of those patients had contracted the virus.
Reported case in France was false alarm, says health minister - France 24

The French health authorities have said that two people who recently visited Mexico are suspected to be suffering from swine flu.

An AFP report is quoting health officials as saying they have their suspicions about two cases, but are yet to confirm them.

The Ministère de la Santé et des Sports has issued a notice about travel to Mexico, whilst the World Health Organization has a section covering the worldwide outbreak of swine flu. (via france_normandy)

ANZAC day in France

TODAY, April 25, is ANZAC day in Australia and New Zealand, it is a public holiday allowing people to remember those lost in battle.

The presence of Australian, and other Commonwealth nations, in France during the two world wars is recognised each year on Armistice Day, but today is when many from Down Under make a pilgrimage to the fields of northern France.

A number of news website in Australia have followed families to the fields of the Somme, see The Age newspaper and ABC's AM radio show.

And learn more about the work of The War Graves Photographic Project in a piece titled 'Over the top... and down under' on the Days on the Claise website.

Minister outlines plans for migrant squat in Calais

THE French immigration minister, Eric Besson, has said during a speech in Calais that steps will be taken to close down a migrant squatter camp known as 'the jungle'.

Eric Besson outlined the French government's plans to clean away the camp, which it is estimated are home to around 1,000 people.

In place of the camps would be a temporary facility that would provide shelter and advice, although not overnight accommodation, and Eric Besson hoped that the UK Border Agency would look to work alongside French authorities.

Website for Fromelles war dead

THE Commonwealth War Graves Commission has launched a website to trace the families of men who died at the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916.

The Remembering Fromelles site will follow the work being undertaken to recover the remains of up to 400 Australian and British soldiers.

The remains currently lie in a number of newly-discovered mass graves at Pheasant Wood, in the village of Fromelles, where they had been buried by the Germans after the battle.

News headlines from France

60 secondes : Défilé, dialogue et microbes by lemondefr

CATCH up with the news headlines from the past few days, including talk of an MP for French people living in the UK, the return of internet snooping laws and the death of eminent author, Maurice Druon.

'Deluded' French Muslim charged with starving children - Telegraph
A delusional French father has been charged with starving and beating his eight children in the belief that it would make them good Muslims.

We quite like France actually, say folks in US

SOME sections of the media in the US have long held the belief that little of value comes out of France, with Freedom Fries being one manifestation of this attitude.

But one of the leading progressive blogs, the Daily Kos, conducted research and asked 2,000 people via telephone interviews for their attitude towards San Francisco and New York, as well as France and Europe.

The Daily Kos: Sate of the Nation poll found the 61 per cent of people had a favourable opinion of France, with the only real dissenting voices coming from the southern US states (via French Politics).

French news headlines from the past week

Ultimatum posée par la ronde infinie des obstinés by DynamiteCanal

CATCH up on what has been happening in France over the past few days, drawing in protests in the universities, Concorde's 40th anniversary and another first for a French hospital.

Loi HADOPI rejected by French parliament

THE French loer house of parliament, the Assemblée Nationale, has rejected controversial plans that would have seen people lose internet access for illegally downloading copyrighted material.

The loi HADOPI had already progressed through the Senate and was expected to be passed by the Assemblée, but the legislation has been rejected.

People accused of illegally downloading files would have faced a graduated response, with emails and a letter sent before ISPs would be asked to cut an individual's internet connection.

After NATO summit, Strasbourg faces clean up

Retour au Port-du-Rhin by dna_web

THE residents of Strasbourg are wondering where the police were as rioters left parts of the city looking like a battle zone.

While the NATO summit took place in the city over the weekend, violent protests saw around 3,000 hard-line anarchists set alight a hotel, petrol station and other buildings.

French news round up

Barrack, Michèle, Carla et Nicolas à Strasbourg OTAN 09 by StrasTv

HERE is a look over the news headlines from France - it has been a busy old week.

Tax havens targeted by authorities

THE tax inspector is often made out in French film and on television as the bad guy and someone to avoid at all costs.

But one of the key demands of Nicolas Sarkozy at today's G20 summit in London is to tighten the rules on tax avoidance and put the squeeze on tax havens.

Police brutality allegations not investigated, says Amnesty

A REPORT from Amnesty International says that police brutality, racial abuse, excessive force and even unlawful killings by French police are rarely investigated.

The 46-page report, Public Outrage: police officers above the law in France, details numerous cases, predominantly of ethnic minorities and foreign nationals living in France, who allege police brutality and other human rights violations.

Sarkozy outlines his ideas for G20 summit

IF you are keen to read the 'official' line from France alongside the many news sources covering the G20 summit in London take a browse over the French Embassy in London website.

Today it features an article that President Sarkozy wrote for international news organisations outlining his aims and plans for the summit, he writes:

The world expects that we speed up the reform of the international financial system. The world expects that we build, together, a new form of capitalism, better regulated, with a greater sense of morality and solidarity. This is a precondition for mobilizing the economy and achieving sustainable growth.

Paris Magazine takes to the streets

APPEARING on the streets of Paris tomorrow will be a new magazine aimed at English language speakers living in the capital.

Paris Magazine will come out every two months and features , interviews, news and practical information tailored to adults and their children in and around the city.

It will be available on news stands and in book stores in Paris and the surrounding area priced €4, or for more information call 01 53 45 70 10.

Unions prepare for protest on May 1

THE pressure is being increased on the French government as union bosses prepare for a massive show of solidarity on May 1.

The CGT and seven other unions have said that a day of protest will take place on la Fête du travail, the symbolism of which won't go unnoticed.

In a statement the unions said they would spend the coming month preparing marches and protests that would take place across France.

Mayotte votes to become département 101

THE process of absorbing into Frnace the island of Mayotte , found in the Indian Ocean, is set to begin as it voted to become the 101st département of France.

The result of a referendum over the weekend saw around 95 per cent of the island's inhabitants vote to become an overseas département.

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, welcomed the result describing it as an 'historic' moment for Mayotte, but stressing that the constitutional process has to be followed.

Strasbourg faces lock down during NATO meeting

IF you were hoping to take in the delights of Strasbourg this week then you might be out of luck.

As host of a summit marking 60 years of NATO on April 3 and 4, world leaders including Barack Obama will be attendance, along with thousands of security personnel.

A ring of steel has been placed around the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès and the Palais Rohan, meaning only residents and local workers who have passes will be able to access the area.

The Strasbourg Tourist Office is warning that many monuments and visitor attractions will be closed and has made available .pdf maps of the restricted areas.

News stories from France

IF your week has passed as quickly as mine, here is a chance to catch up on the headlines from France over the past few days.

There is a new face in Sarkozy's cabinet, as well as many of the leading figures in French banks feeling the squeeze, and there is even a tale of kangaroos being released from a zoo near Carcassonne.

And if you want to follow the news updates I add to the site throughout the day there is a standalone section, as well as an RSS feed.

Obama to attend D-Day events in Normandy

BARACK Obama has confirmed that he will be attending the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

The US president will visit the beaches on June 6, 2009, as a series of events mark the occasion and draw veterans from around the world to the region.

Warning over equine flu outbreak

OWNERS of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules are being warned that an outbreak of equine flu has occurred in France.

Equine Rescue France are advising owners to be on the look out for tell-tale signs such as coughing, a high temperature and a clear, watery discharge from the nose of animals.

The virus is spread by coughing by equines, so if they have been in contact with others in the past few months then they may be at risk.

The video features an example of the harsh coughing horses suffer from with equine flu as a guide to what to look out for.

Related article:
Fighting for the care of horses in France

French PM outlines plans before G20 meeting

FOR the politics and world economics fans out there, you may be interested to get up to speed on a speech by French prime minister François Fillon.

Delivered in the US a few days ago it outlines the French perspective on the world economy ahead of the G20 meeting being hosted by Gordon Brown in London.

François Fillon says that the meeting, which takes place on April 2, needs to focus on 'a more ethical capitalism' and that France has different needs than other countries, which require different measures.

Bossnapping is the new game in the workplace

WHO would be a boss in France at the moment?

What with tumbling sales, banks closing their doors, now they have got to deal with the possibility of being kidnapped by their employees.

The number of headlines I've been seeing recently where disgruntled staff members have resorted to barricading their bosses into offices has rocketed.

Mayotte, an island paradise heading for France

IT may soon be necessary to redraw the map of départements in France, as the small island of Mayotte, found in the Indian Ocean, wants to become number 101.

The Guardian reports on a referendum taking place this Sunday that is expected to see around 70 per cent of the islanders vote to join France as an overseas département.

Mayotte is part of the Comoros archipelago of four islands just off the north coast of Mozambique, which gained independence from France in 1975.

Images of France from space

THERE is a great photograph on the environment pages of the Guardian featuring the south of France from space.

You can clearly see the snow capped mountains of the Alps, Jura, Massif Central and Pyrenees, as well as the Etang de Thau, at Sète, on the Mediterranean coast.

The photograph came from the European Space Agency, and there are many more images of France taken from space to explore.

Showing your support during Earth Hour

THE French office of the WWF is urging people to turn off their lights for an hour as part of the organisation's demands for more to be done to help the plant.

Earth Hour takes place on Saturday, March 28 from 8.30pm and will see individuals, as well as businesses and some of the world's most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, turn their lights off.

The special WWF in France website created for Earth Hour features a range of videos, with musicians, artists and politicians voicing their support for the campaign.

Support to be offered to D-Day veterans

SUPPORT will be offered to war veterans who want to attend ceremonies in Normandy to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the BBC reports.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), and prime minister Gordon Brown, were criticised by the Normandy Veterans Association who said that government representatives should be present and help should be available to those who wanted to visit the region.

The MoD said in a statement that Veterans Minister Kevan Jones will meet with the Normandy Veterans Association next week.