Life in France

I intend to post useful infomation on this thread regards life in France, for those members that may be intrested, also I will try to answer any quires you may have.

Here is a bit of a Introduction to France

Metropolitan France

In French, metropolitan France is sometimes referred to as the Hexagon because of its six-sided shape. Starting in the Middle Ages, it took over a thousand years and the stubborn determination of her kings, and then of the Republic, to unify her. She has three sea and three land frontiers and her present territorial boundaries were shaped by the outcomes of the Franco-German wars of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

In the south, the Pyrenees, rising to the 3,404 metres high Pic Aneto (in Spain), form the frontier with Spain and, to the east, the Alps and Jura those with Italy and Switzerland, whilst the middle reaches of the Rhine separate France from Germany. These are "natural" frontiers, long impenetrable, and there are still serious problems crossing them through passes, bridges, road and rail tunnels given the increase in European traffic. The Pyrenees, Alps and Jura give France mountainous areas shared with her neighbours. The French Alps to the north form the most extensive ski slopes in Europe and most mountain sports originated there. Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain, rises to 4,807 metres.

In the north, by contrast, the border with Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium is much more open. It cuts across the ancient massif of the Ardennes at fairly low altitudes, and across the great north European plain. It was for a long time the most threatened border, that of conflicts, battles and invasions. Now, at many points, it sees intense cross-border activity between the Lille region and Belgium, between Lorraine, Luxembourg and the Saar. But, boosted by European agreements, other transborder regions are taking shape elsewhere, around the middle reaches of the Rhine between Alsace and Baden-Württemberg, in the areas around Basle-Mulhouse and Geneva, in the Nice region, in Catalonia and the Basque country.

France has the exceptional privilege of having three seaboards, if not four. To the south lies the Mediterranean, with a very sunny coast, sheer cliffs and picturesque shores in Provence and on the Côte d'Azur, and long sandy beaches in the Languedoc. South-western France borders the Atlantic, with a more humid but mild and sunny climate and many sandy beaches rimmed by marshes and dunes. In the north-west, France faces the Channel and the North Sea, the world's busiest stretch of water, linking the Atlantic and the great Belgian, Dutch, British, and German North Sea ports. France has two port complexes of European standing: Le Havre/Rouen on the Seine, serving Paris and the surrounding area, and Marseille on the Mediterranean at the mouth of the Rhône. She has, however, never been - and this is even more the case today - the great maritime power she could have been. The main activity of France's coastal regions is now tourism, which has developed everywhere, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. The quality of her coastline helps make France, with her mountains, countryside and historic towns, the leading tourist destination in Europe and indeed the world.

Somthing for thought when venturing South!


Here are a few difference in France from the UK firstly shops they have a different attitude to customers in France you are not always boss, for instance if you wish to return goods you will most probably not get your money refunded more that likely you will be allowed a voucher which permits you to purchase another item from that store.

The shop hours are very different the close from 12.30 – 2.30 daily for a standard french lunch break except for the large Hyper markets, most store do not open on a Monday and no one opens on a Sunday.

Road Charges as there is no road tax as it was abolished in 2000 they regain road charges via tax on fuel “ordinary routes ”and tolls “motorways” controlled by each region so if you leave the Charante and enter the Girond you will come across another toll the cost vary from as low as 5 Euro or up to 28 Euro they take credit card as well as cash this lane is marked CB “Cart Bleu”., these are Motorways only as there is no charge for the green national routes.


Fuel Petrol is known as Essence and Diesel is Known as Gas Oil, quite often small garages are still attendant manned.


Speed Limits can vary and in small towns and villages are set by the Marie and the council the police whom control these limits can vary from Police National in the large towns & City’s the Gendarme whom control the Villages & Countryside and the Municipal whom are a sort of local B special whom work under the local Marie.

Speed Cameras the are not so much static cameras about but plenty of the hand held versions and the Gendarme are quite active in areas of confusion? The company that supply the cameras and their is only one is owned by the brother of a government minister.

OK that’s enough for this edition, if there are any questions regards a specific subject please ask? I will endeavour to find the answer!

Barry Au Revoir

Couldnt live in France.....too mnay French there:wink:

Was never a fan of "Hello.Hello"
BTB

Buyer Beware

Recently whilst my wife was working in a British/French Estate Agents a women placed her French property on the market it was a small property with land in the Gironde region close to St Terre.

It was a barn structure, which had been partly converted to a small dwelling within part of the barn, a kitchen bedroom living area and toilet.

The price I believe was quite fair so it did attract a few viewers in particular a French family was quite keen, and inquired into the planning permission, but thought that would be just a formality as it had already been converted in part?

Further inquires revealed that the conversion had not had planning permission so was illegal and in fact the land was still listed as agricultural and no one could reside there.

It was also established that the permission had never been granted, but her husband had served as the Marie at one time???

The outcome was that the property was not sold needless to say the seller was annoyed having been tumbled and was heard to say never mind I will sell it to the English, which quite annoyed my wife.

So never be to keen to buy! and insure that the contact list "pending on planning permission being granted"

More on French Property’s soon!

Au revoir Barry

Some Things to think about before you plan to leave the UK

Pets

If you got a pet and wish to take them with you then it will need a passport ID Chip and a Rabies Jab, if you do not intend to bring them back to the UK the do not require the blood test which can cost around £80 - £100 and some Vets may not mention this and try to give it your pet, when there is no need, advice I received from DEFRA, whom are on line for advise.

Medical

Medical well in France they pay their own cover either through the social and private insurance or social & Cash, now Medical insurance is advisable once settled but until then make use of E111 which willcover you for thee months I believe an I think the document has been renamed, you will pay for treatment for some things but will then be refunded part or all of the costs.

Further advise on Medical Cover on request!

Eyes & Teeth

I would however advise you to change your Glasses prior to moving and also if possible get your Teeth done, as in France that cost, an example I had an eye test cost E 80 refundable through insurance but my glasses will cost me E700 = £500 one pair they are progressive “Verifocals” and only E140 is refundable, I know eat more carrots but hey that’s steep.

Dental just had a quote for a crown & a implant E 1500 = £ 950 so yes arrive fully MOT’Ed


Your Car

Do you change to a L Hand Drive prior to arrival as it will be easier to re-register as it already conforms and a British Car is harder to reregister, or buy a French car here there are dealers whom will take your R Hand drive off you if you have all the service history.


Car Insurance, make sure you have a copy of your proof of no claims as you will need that here!


Income Tax

Tax on your pension ensure Cardiff the tax office for pensions is aware of your move and that they change your details as you will eventually get a reduction in Tax in line with permitted income/earnings before tax.


British Food

Well don’t despair as well as friend being giving get me list prior to coming to visit you most items can be got on the net via britishcornershop.com and also in Eymet a village in the Dordogne there is a British Shop.


TV systems

If you have a UK TV and its your pride and joy bring it as it will serve as a monitor as most do these day as it’s the decoder that receive the channel you just view it on the TV, now if you want UK TV its not a problem there are systems out there that will work here, you just need to buy a card, not a Sky Card “No revenue for you PB” unless you want sky, but a ITV Ch 4 card as BBC is free, at a one of cost of around £20 your dealer will advise you, but it does work I have got one.

With the above system which cost around £200 including Dish 60cm you also get local radio stations so you can keep in touch with the UK, now some people may not want to, but its all about choice.


I think that will do for now but if there are any questions please feel free to ask

Au revoir Barry


Now if you are not interested in France you are advised to stop reading at the word "some" as it may not be for you? sorry

Update on

Sunday Opening “The Rules” wef March 2007

The Conseil Economique et Sociale (CES) has issued a report on Sunday opening for shops. The council wishes to maintain the concept of Sunday as a day of rest but suggest that the rules be made simpler. In principle, the law forbids all opening on a Sunday but certain sectors like hotels restaurants and florists have a permanent opt-out.

Food Shops can open up to midday. Tourist businesses can get permission from the prefecture to open. A Marie can authorise a particular sector of the business to open up to five Sundays a year in his commune.

The CES suggests all business should be allowed to open for up to five Sundays without asking for special permission providing they give advance notice to the prefecture.

It ain’t easy is it will it be open when you arrive hungry at 9am on a Sunday morning who knows aye what 5 Sundays will they open?

It’s the same all story the bigger the town and the closest to tourism then the chance of a shop being open is greater? Or is it!


Prefecture is the area Council the link from Government to the localMarie’s

Anyone interested in Wine, I have worked the harvest twice and just attended a 2 day Wine tasting in St Emillion "Top Stuff" and I am doing a tour of vineyards of the Dordogne on Thursday with a professor of the Terre - earth a Viticulture, so should be intresting !

Questions welcomed!

From his last post:

"Anyone interested in Wine (IS THE POPE A CATHOLIC?), I have worked the harvest twice and just attended a 2 day Wine tasting in St Emillion "Top Stuff" and I am doing a tour of vineyards of the Dordogne on Thursday with a professor of the Terre - earth a Viticulture, so should be intresting !"

Rough life for some, eh Barry?

The wines of the Bordeaux Region

There are 119.000 hectares (294,000 acres) of vineyards in the Gironde department, producing 6.3 million hl of wine a year. Around 80% is red, but before 1970 there was more white than red in the Bordeaux region

Wines from the left bank (sounds like the Lebanon) of the river Garonne & Gironde:
Medoc (Medoc, St Estephe, Pauillac, St Julien, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux Haut-Medoc); Graves (Pessac-Leognan, Graves); Sauternes (Cerons, Barsac, Sauterns).

Wines from Entre-Deux-Mers, between the rivers Garonne and Gironde; Entre-deux-Mers (Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, Cadillac, Loupiac, Ste-Croix-du-Mont, Cotes de Bordeaux-St Macaire, Haut-Benauge, Entre-Deux-Mers, St-Foy-Bordeaux,Graves-deVayres).

Wines from the right bank of the rivers Dordogne & Gironde:
Libournais (Fronsac,Canon-Fronsac,Pomrol,Lalande-de-Pomerol,St-Emilion,Montagne-St-Emilion,Lussac-St-Emilion,St George-St-Emilion, Puisseguin-St-Emilion,Bordeaux Cotes de Francs,Cotes de Castion); Blayais-Bourgeais(Cotes de Blaye, Cotes de Burg).

Appellations

There are a total of 50

Regional – Bordeaux, e.g.Bordeaux Superieur (slightly higher in alcohol), Bordeaux Clairet, Cremant de Bordeaux).

Sub Regional (e.g. Medoc, Haut -Medoc, Graves,Sauternes, Entre-Deux-Mers, St Emilion, Pomerol, Cotes de Bourge).

Parish Appellations (e.g. St-Estephe, Pauillac, St-Julien, Margaux, Pessac-Leognan).


Grape varieties

Most all Bordeaux wines are a blend of two or more grape varieties.

Red & Rose wines

50% of the vines grown for red wine are Merlot some Pomerol wines contain over 95% Merlot, Flavours plums,blackcurrants,spices

They are blended with either Cabernet Sauvignon which has a more fruitier flavour than Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Franc I worked in St Emilion there mix was 60% - 40% but depends on the flavour you wish to achieve and also the type of soil your vine is grown in.

White Wine

Semillon accounts for 53% of white wine grapes, flavours lime-flowers aromas. lanolin, honey, apricots.

Sauvignon Blanc acidic variety flavours gooseberries, freshly cut grass, nettles.

Muscadelle in the blend of both dry and sweet wine

Lesser Known varieties Ugni Blanc, Colombard & Merlot Blanc

Some of the best know sweet white wines are Monbazillac & Sauternes


(I have been told a glass should never be more than ½ filled in order to allow for the aromas to be develop)

Wine

Red Wine gets its colour from the pigments in the grapes skins and sometimes from the tannins in the pips and stalks of the grapes, unlike white wine the skins remain longer to allow colour.

White wine can be made from either white or black grapes; the grapes are crushed and pressed to separate the juices from the skins and seeds.

Rose is made by various methods either by making red wine from lightly coloured grapes; making white wine from very dark-skinned grapes (often known as vin gris) and the bleeding method, in which the juice and skins macerate for a shorter time than for red wines. When the desired pale pink colour occurs the juice is then drawn off the skins.

Note one vine will give one bottle of wine as a general rule, there are areas in the France that differ but very few.

Recommendations “Guide only”

Rose is excellent served chilled during the summer months with either a Barbecue or Salad, a young Red can be consumed at room temp without the accompaniment of food.

A mature Red from a recognised Chateau they say should be consumed with food to really enjoy its quality in line with the wine food guide, but taste is a personal thing so you will know best.

A sweet white wine is better been served chilled with desert.

The basic of the shelf young wine should be consumed within 5yrs the better classed red wines need longer to mature 7 – 15 years some even longer

Controls

In France the wine production controlling body only allows vine yard owners to produce 50 hl of class A wine anything over this amount must be sold as a second wine at a much cheaper price, so it is possible to obtain a really nice second wine at a much more reasonable price, but not all vineyards produce more than 50hl

In Search of a good Wine

Finding a good wine is again a personnel thing and even when you remember the name a different year can change the whole taste, but there are many good wines and some bad, I find it easier to remember the bad and avoid them.

I have my favourites too I am a great fan of the Medoc wines grown on a very sandy soil gives it the taste I appreciate, but I also like some of the wines from the Roussillon region which come out a lot more reasonably priced.

Remember the box wines of Germany well they have boxed wines here too, and they taste really nice but not so attractive for the table, but having lived here a while and the fact I drink wine every day and having served my probationary period of wine searching and tasting, now days I buy a 5 or 10lt box of Bordeaux Superior or Medoc for general use and save the bottled good stuff for visitors.

Classifications of Wines Drawn up in 1855 & 1959 & 1973

This can be confusing because each area has a different system; i.e. Bordeaux has Premiers crus (first Growth) Deuxiemes crus (second growth and so on up to 5th).

The Graves has Premiers Grand crus (First great growth)

St Emilion has Premiers Grand crus classes (First great classed growth), Grand crus classes (Great classed growths) and a Grand cru which is a lesser class in this region.

Pomerol – Cru hors classe (above classification), Premiers grands cru (First great growths) and a Grand cru (Great growths)

The is relationship between different areas of the wine industry is quite poor, hence no standardisation of classes

As the smoking Ban has just arrived in England and the fact it has been in Wales since the 2nd on April I thought I would update you with regards to France?

Well as of the 1st April 2007 smoking is banned in Public places within government buildings only and not until April 2008 will it effect other establishments such as Bars & Restaurants.

When it does come into force it will have devastating effects on this laid back community, although it will not be a total exclusion it is more a separate controlled facility (They must isolate smokers) from the none smokers and provide suitable ventilation for smokers.

But I can see this working in the City's but the out of the way little Bar in the cuds (Country) well I am not so confident of as em they cant afford too and with nearly 70-80% of all punters in the cuds been smokers, well we none smokers will be outside?

What it will manage to do is initiate Social exclusion, so in future if you meet someone and they smoke don't become friends/ what happens if your partner is a smoker though?

Why France:cool:

An Average Summers Saturday in France

We rise around 8am to the sound of next doors cockerel and with Sun shining through our bedroom window The wife makes a cuppa while I collect the bread from the front gate, On return to the house I feed the Chickens & Geese then its my run and back in time for my breakfast.

Around 9.30am my son rises and then at 1130 my stepdaughter rises, We generally shoot off to a car boot sale or the garden center or something like that then return for Lunch in the Garden between 1 – 2pm.

Collect the chicken eggs with my boy around 3pm

We then spent the afternoon in the garden, a little gardening and a lot of swimming pool & Hammock?

Later around 6pm we will have aperitif (Snackies & Alcohol Refreshment) then 7pm its dinner could be in garden) then if we are not out for the evening around friends or neighbors then it’s a walk down the old disused railway track (now a Cycle Path) then water the garden TV and Bonne Nuit.

Murder is it not

Although this will change slightly in September?

Summer weekend in Wrexham

Wake up Saturday morning about 1130hrs with a banging headache brought on by the ritual visit to Chicago Rock the previous night with Paul Gough and Den Morris.
They then usually turn up begging for food at about 1200hrs (single soldier’s usual weekend routine at the pads).
Then the evening’s activity are planned (we’ll just have a quiet one in town no clubs agreed)………….. We then usually leave the Rock again at about 0230hrs laughing at Den Morris who has yet again pulled something that is baffling science because, she should be dead at her age……….Again the hangover and the consistent begging for food from the body guards……….sleep all day work on Monday……Barry you gave this life up for France???????

The sum total of my French .......

"Aperitif" = "A set of dentures"

"Coup de gras" = "Mow the lawn"

My Saturday - nope - fast forward to Sunday

Insert aperitif and then coup de gras!

Maybe wash the car - like all the good people of the world.

Saturday morning in Baghdad, this time Nxt Wk it's Sat morning in Fallujah

Thinking of Barry and life in France as i lay here, where did it all go wrong for me lol.

Thinking of Sid an the lads in Wrexham, so jelous, was i also listening to the music of Ting Tang Walla walla bing bang at Chicago Rock, no just the whistle and usual bangs of IDF, fanatic suicide bombers deciding to blow themselves up at the usual market place's, personelly think it ruins a good day shopping, no way to haggle on prices.

As i look around me there's 7 other x hairy ass squadies all sleeping, drooling and snoring, can't wait for the banter to begin again. Ex Paras, Marines. Civi copper Alvin use to work on the football violence teams in London, employed as G2 here, hangin out of his **** on the physical stuff lol, mind u at 100+ i was creased as well, Oh nearly 4 got Stu, Ex Green Jkt in desperate need of a hair cut, reminds me of Mike Owen 72, the camp tramp, but Stu has got more hair in the right place, and dosn't look like Bat Fink .

2 Apache Med chopppers just takin off, some lads would of been hit somewhere, u just hope it's not serious or no one you know. Bloody hell Rod has just come back in, reminds me of the silver Fox Steve Beale, combing his hair as i look at him, like a silver back, he's going to G6 and just arrived 2 days ago, bit older and will DEF melt on the square lol, funny bloke though.

Few lads have asked me what it's like here an who they get in touch with etc, if you have any questions just e mail me, there are quite a few Ex Bn lads working on the circuit, and with more experience an time served than me, they will speak for themselves. They all have there own stories and information to pass on some funny, sad, and experiences that they never saw in the Army, and don't wish to experience again. And B4 any 1 jumps on the high horse we are not recruiting, and i wouldn't recommend it to any 1, it's my choice that i'm here, and the other lads.

So Back to France it is, Are Deb an the kids are of to Nice, wish i was going, nice beaches especially Antibes and great sun with a little bit of wine, every year they go. Mind it's greart as her uncle puts on shows in Monte Carlo being a coreographer, that is a nice trip, her in her Dorothy Perkins dress an me in my Top shop suit lol, and it's ok put everything on my bill Barry says, are u sure Deb says, shut up i say lol.

Sid hope u an the lads have got a hangover from hell, mind u was Paul on TV last night, and was his sun tan still looking good, and no grey hairs, nudge nudge wink wink. Right the big voice has just sounded the compound is clear and Lockdown has ceased, im of for a shower an to the pool, Ltr's

Well Sid & Rob thank you for your comments, life ain't bad but I do miss that good old British Pub atmosphere, not quite the same out here, but not sure hooked up with oldest swingers in town being much of a attraction, but yer both Den & Paul could talk the hind legs of a donkey and storys?

Now Rob if its danger your up for try refereeing a Per-tonk Match (That game with metal balls) can be quite doggy after a few 1664s no but seriously I do hope you and all the lads ex 1RWF earn your bucks and get back safe, & say hello to your good lady "Debs" Nice em Cote D Azur now thats cooking on Gas.

Take Care All

Barry en France

PS JT you lost me in the first sentence Please send SLIDEX settings soonest!:wacko:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Barry69

JT you lost me in the first sentence Please send SLIDEX settings soonest!:wacko:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by JOHNTURNER

The sum total of my French .......

"Aperitif" = "A set of dentures"

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A Pair of teeth - Aperitif - get it????

Quote:

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"Coup de gras" = "Mow the lawn"

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Cut the grass - Coup de gras ...... never mind!

Chill John just joking, m8 we are all entitled to have a laugh, but seriously can I have the SLIDEX Settings? "Leave it out! OK

Had any more thought on the Labels thing?

Barry

Equipment a Driver Needs when driving in France!


Beware the following companies are likely to mislead you a recent survey carried out by Connextion French British Newspaper dated August 2007 found that P&O Ferries, Speed Ferries, Brittany Ferries, Halfords & the RAC indicated that the following items where required by Law in France:

1. Warning Triangle
2. Flurescent Jacket
3. Fire extinguisher
4. Spare Bulbs
5. GB Sticker
6. Headlight adaptors

The only items required in France by Law are GB Sticker & Headlight adaptors

Yes if you intend to venture further into Europe then you may need some of the above but not in France as confirmed with the AA & Seafrance.



Further information on driving in France can be found at www.connexionfrance.com
note there is 5 Euro charge for the helpsheet.

Thanks for that Barry. Can I interest anyone with a Warning Triangle, a Flur.. Fleur.. SHINY JACKET a fire estinguisher and a set of Bulbs, as new , one duped owner!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gwyn Nicholas

Thanks for that Barry. Can I interest anyone with a Warning Triangle, a Flur.. Fleur.. SHINY JACKET a fire estinguisher and a set of Bulbs, as new , one duped owner!

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Well it made me laugh. Thanks Gwyn.

Nice one Cid, will you give Den and Paul my best please mate.

rog

Life is just the same here in good old Berlin, Taxes 4 everything ,smoking ban starts in August
politicians still finding some excuse to tax u. petrol gone up.did the french prime minister pass on the ideas 2 the german side.

Big Changes a foot for none French Nationals

President Sarkozy has implemented changes to the state health care system which come into effect next year

Thousands of Britons in France whom are none working and under 65 or 60 for women are to lose affiliation to the state health care system from April 2008, it does not effect persons of retirement age whom will still be eligible.

to avoid this action you need to work at least 60hrs per month or 120hrs in three months over wise as from the 1st April next year your card vital (Medical Card) will be recalled.

No new applications will not be excepted wef 1st Oct 2007

Private cover can be bought but age and current illnesses will affect acceptance and premiums

Some British nationals will be heading back to the UK the report indicated

Send Health Questions to health@connexionfrance.com


Reported in the Connexion News Paper Oct 2007

Barry, I heard this guy was a radical and it has come to pass. I also heard that he was doing something with tax reliefs on mortgages which will encourage the French to get involved with the property market. Well with all the Brits packing up and going home there should be no shortage of properties up for sale. I personally think he has shot himself in the foot here though. Firstly, the British Government will be under pressure to do the same to any French/Euro Nationals in this country which no doubt will be continued throughout the European Union . Secondly a whole heap of money will be leaving france in the form of house sales . And last but not least, the ammount of money that is fed into the local economies by Ex-pats whose money comes from incomes elsewhere. From what I can see, he is batting on a sticky wicket. Has this been confirmed as happening as i havn't read anything about it here and our Euro sceptics are normally on the ball with this sort of action. Anyway, seems my dream is over! Good thing about dreams is, you can always change them so, back to the drawing board I guess. Nick (now searching for a home in Portugal)
I have just been on the Connexion site and see that it is in fact being fought by Euro MEP's on the grounds that any member of the Euro states who has the right to live anywhere within the community should have the right to expect the same medical treatment that they would get in their own country. This will be an interesting subject to follow if only to see if France once again get their own way, and possibly even some money out of Europe to finance the changes.

Yes mate he is going all the way on this one, As the railway workers are going on strike on the 18th that is not new but on this occasion its because they will no longer be allowed to retire at 50 as previously allowed for some reason?

So its all part of the plan, no state medical care for early retirees!

Well yes it will be interesting but I do believe he will get his way, Sorry to hear France may be off but If you do change your move plans, your still always welcome at our place mate.

That if I can still stay here too?