Brittany Pages - August 2012 by English Language Media Sarl

95c | ISSUE 13 | AUGUST 2012

PUBLISHERS OF

News and What’s On for Côtes d’Armor, Finistère, Ille-et-Vilaine and Morbihan

New cycle route links UK, Brittany and Spain

Wine stored at sea sold for charity ONE of the strangest wine auctions in the world has taken place on the quayside in Saint-Quay-Portrieux (Côtes d’Armor) – 100 bottles of red wine which had all spent a year in the sea. The bottles of Fitou and Corbières were stored at the bottom of the bay at Saint Brieuc and were put up for sale with a reserve price of €10, raising cash for charity. The scheme was the brainchild of leading chefs, Mathieu Aumont from the Aux Pesked restaurant at St Brieuc and Christophe Le Fur from the Auberge Grand’Maison restaurant in Mur-de-Bretagne. They had heard that wine which has been found on the seafloor or rescued from a sunken ship had, in many cases, aged very well and they wanted to experiment with the idea. They also wanted to help a local charity which is doing work with autistic children in the Brittany region. Î Turn to page 2

by RAY CLANCY

HE PROMISED TO COME IF PRESIDENT - AND HE DID!

PAGE 24

THE Brittany section of France’s longest cycle route has been officially launched – and Breton tourist chiefs are keen to attract more cyclists from the UK with an extension into Devon and Cornwall. The Vélodyssée follows easy routes that are designed to attract families with plenty of signs to make it easier to follow. It holds the French national Accueil Vélo quality label which guarantees that the needs of cyclists are met along the route, including accommodation, bike hire and repair services. Running from Roscoff down the Atlantic coast to the Spanish border, there is also an extension into Normandy and a ferry link joining up with more cycle paths in south-west England. The UK route runs from Plymouth to

Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast with a detour along the Camel estuary in Cornwall. The Brittany section is 500km long and 80% of the route is along smaller country roads without heavy traffic. Maria Vadillo, president of the Brittany Tourist Board, said: “It is not just a cycle route, it is a complete package holiday on wheels. “The route has been selected with versatility and userfriendliness in mind. It allows people to discover parts of our extraordinary countryside on the coast and inland that they may not have seen before.” Î Turn to page 3

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Underwater lab captures sea sounds

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Contents News What’s On Feature Leisure Time

1-5 6-11 12-13, 24 14

Food and Pets 15 Directory 16-17 Home and Garden 18-19 Property and Finance 20-23

Useful Numbers 02 98 76 29 29 | Côtes d’Armor - 1 place du Général de Gaulle, BP 2370, 22023 ST BRIEUC CEDEX 1, Tel: 02 96 62 44 22 | Morbihan - 24 place de la République, 56019 VANNES CEDEX, Tel: 02 97 54 84 00 | Ille et Vilaine - 3 avenue de la Préfecture 35026 RENNES CEDEX 9 Tel: 02 99 02 10 35 OTHER HELP IN ENGLISH COUNSELLING IN FRANCE: for a qualified therapist near you or counselling over the telephone; www.counsellinginfrance.com SOS HELP: similar to the Samaritans, listeners who are professionally trained, Tel 01 46 21 46 46; www.soshelpline.org NO PANIC FRANCE: for help with anxiety disorders; Tel: 02 51 28 80 25, www.nopanic.org.uk ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: An English-speaking Alcoholics Anonymous group meet at the Mairie at Paule, 10 Km from Carhaix in Finisterre (29). The open meetings are weekly on Tuesdays at 14:00; there is wheelchair access. CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE: for advice and someone to talk to: www.cancersupportfrance.info National Office Email: cancersupportfrance@orange.fr, Tel: 05 45 89 30 05 SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION FORCES (SSAFA): In France: 05 53 01 64 54, Email: france@ssafa.org.uk AVF: help with integration into French life; www.avf.asso.fr OTHER INFO YELLOW PAGES: www.pagesjaunes.fr SPEAKING CLOCK: 3699. WEATHER: 08 92 68 02 + dept. number. LAST INCOMING CALL ON YOUR PHONE: 3131, then ‘5’ if you wish to connect. BRITISH CONSULATE British Consular Services, Paris: Postal address: British Embassy, BP111-08, 75363 Paris Cedex 08. Tel: 01 44 51 31 00 Tel (after hours Emergency Service only): 01 44 51 31 00 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THIS MONTH August 15 - Assumption Day

Brittany Clubs and Associations Association Dis-Want Scrignac Meeting Monday evenings during school term times at Scrignac school, a mixed French and English discussion group. Informal atmosphere and special events including excursions. Pauline Bruce: 02 98 78 20 02. www.diswantscrignac.blogspot.com Association Giroulis: Jeu de Peindre Play of Painting: A different approach to painting (using the Arno Stern method), open to all giving the opportunity to paint as freely as possible, for oneself with natural colours. Maryse Prat: 02 98 93 90 60 www.giroulisatelierpeinturebretagne.overblog.com Cine Club Part of the Franco-American Institute in Rennes: free and open to members of the institute. English language films once a month on a Thursday (details are on the website, which is always kept up to date). At 7, Quai Chateaubriand, Rennes (35). Marie de la Villebrunes: 02 99 79 89 23

www.ifa-rennes.org Club Cricket de l’Oust Cricket Club based in Serent (56). Friendly games of cricket throughout the summer against other teams based in north-west France and also against UK touring teams. Jon Ward: 02 97 70 61 38 www.brittanycricket.com brittanycricket@wanadoo.fr Compagnie Legitime Folie Drama club for all ages. Situated at 135bis boulevard Jacques Cartier, Rennes (35). Blandine Jet: 02 99 51 99 29 www.legitime-folie.fr legitime-folie@wanadoo.fr Kora Cantas The adults’ choir at the Carhaix Music School. All welcome, whatever your experience, but basses are urgently needed! Practices on Monday evenings from 19:30 - 21:30. Elizabeth Conan: 02 98 93 08 20

Mathieu Aumont and Christophe Le Fur retrieve their wine

‘The wine has aged very well in the sea’ Î From

page 1 The two chefs buried the wine at sea last year (being careful to ensure that it went down into the water lying down) and retrieved it in time for the auction this year. The money raised from the auction will help the work of a local charity, Autisme Espoir Vers l'Ecole, which works with 200 autistic children, teaching them to communicate using a series of games. Charity representative Eric de Labarthe said: “I tasted the wine myself both before and after it was submerged and it’s true that the wine which had

spent a year under water had progressed very well indeed.” He said the autism charity was “tailored to each individual child and aims to teach them to interpret the world in such a way that they can understand the world around them, wherever they are on the autistic spectrum”. Although the reasons are not understood, numbers of children with autism are increasing all across the world. Mr de Labarthe added: “Never has our work been so vital, so we’re very grateful for the money raised through this wine auction.”

Lorient zoo has new star attraction Photo: Zoo Pont-Scorff

EMERGENCY NUMBERS 18: Emergencies: Calls the fire brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers), but they deal with medical emergencies and are usually the first port of call in rural areas. 112: Emergency calls from your mobile: Be ready with your name and where you are calling from and do not hang up until told to do so. 17: Police (gendarmes). 119: Child abuse. 1616: Sea and lake rescue. 01 40 05 48 48: Anti-poison centre (Paris) 08 10 33 30 + your department number (eg 76 for Seine-Maritime): Gas & electricity emergencies UTILITIES FRANCE TELECOM Website in English: www.francetelecom.com To report a fault online: www.1013.fr (click on the UK flag). English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00 (from France); + 33 1 55 78 60 56 (outside France). ORANGE: English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00. SFR: 1023 (+ 33 6 10 00 10 23 from outside France). FREE: 1044. BOUYGUES: 1034. EDF: 24 hour breakdown line: 08 10 33 30 87; Helpline in English: 05 62 16 49 08; From outside France: + 33 5 62 16 49 08; Email: simpleenergywithedf@edf.fr GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS CAISSE D’ALLOCATIONS FAMILIALES CAF: www.caf.fr; Tel: 08 10 25 14 10. L’ASSURANCE MALADIE (AMELI, formerly known as CPAM – the health service): www.ameli.fr; Tel: 36 46 (MonFri, 8am-5pm) English spoken. URSSAF: English-language website: www.anglais.urssaf.fr - Finistère - 29455 Brest Cedex, Tel: 02 98 76 42 42 | Côtes d’Armor - Saint-Brieuc, 53, boulevard Clémenceau, 22093 Saint-Brieuc Cedex 9, Tel: 02 96 77 47 01 | Morbihan - Vannes, Zone d’activité de Laroiseau, 2 rue Anita Conti B.P.10323, 56018 Vannes Cedex, Tel: 02 56 56 25 25 | Ille et Vilaine Rennes, 6, rue d’Arbrissel, Quartier Beauregard, 35052 Rennes Cedex 9, Tel: 02 23 46 82 00 PREFECTURE: Finistère - 42 boulevard Dupleix, 29320 QUIMPER CEDEX, Tel:

August 2012

A BABY elephant, the first to be born in Brittany, is set to be the star attraction at PontScorff Zoo near Lorient this summer. The Asian baby elephant, which weighed 70kg when born at the end of May, is now on view to the public at the zoo alongside its mother Homaline and is putting on 1kg a day. Zoo chief Véronique Thomas said: “She is the first female elephant to be born in Europe this year. We have received messages from around the continent. It is a rare and precious event for a zoo. The last elephant to be born in France was four years ago.” The zoo’s elephant breeding programme is part of a Europe-wide conservation project to help save endangered species. It is quite hard to breed elephants in captivity as the gestation is a long 641 days. The zoo added that it is pleased the birth went so well and hopes Homaline and her male companion Ant Bwé Lay will have more babies in the future.

SCIENTISTS have begun a project off the coast of Brest listening to dolphins and other creatures living on the sea floor to monitor their activity and presence in the sea as well as compiling data about underwater sound pollution from fishing boats. The project, called MeDON (Marine e-Data Observatory Network) uses the most advanced technology to power a “complete sub-marine observatory” on the seabed. MeDON was set up by Plymouth Marine Laboratory in partnership with French scientists from sea research body Ifremer and Ensta (École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées). The underwater lab is situated in the Iroise Natural Marine Park – an environment which will challenge the technology to the limits with strong currents and wave action. Part of the research is in fact to see how the technology performs in such waters.

The lab is connected to the land via a 2.5km long cable, linking the high definition cameras, acoustic arrays and instrument nodes to the French mainland where scientists can monitor the data in real time. Researchers aim to identify creatures such as clams on the seabed or whales passing above them, by the sounds they make. This will help decision-makers making legislation about acceptable noise levels in coastal waters to comply with EU directives on protecting the marine environment. Researchers are also collecting data on temperature, salinity, fluorescence, turbidity and oxygen levels in the sea. This is partly in order to understand local conditions, but also to see how these factors might be affected by climate change and human activities. The MeDON project is due to run for between three and four years.

Brittany Pages

News 3

August 2012

Cycle path is full of sights Î From

The Vélodysée route takes in some stunning Breton views, including medieval Josselin

Ille-et-Vilaine burglaries up POLICE are urging homeowners to be extra vigilant after a 25% rise in burglaries in the Ille-et-Vilaine. Some 1,500 break-ins have been reported since January. If you are leaving your home empty this summer, ask your local police to check on it.

page 1 Examples include a three-day itinerary in the Pays du Léon which has some of the prettiest villages in the region with bed and breakfast in a two star hotel, bikes provided and use of the thalassothérapie spa at Roscoff. From Roscoff, the heart of what is known as the Pink Granite Coast, with its cobbled streets and 16th century belfry of Notre-Dame de Kroaz-Baz, the trail goes east, on to Morlaix which is known for its granite viaduct, unspoilt medieval streets and half-timbered houses, and the Phare de L’Île Vierge lighthouse. It then passes through the Armorique regional nature park, which stretches from the Atlantic ocean to hilly inland countryside with views of the Monts d’Arrée before meandering to Carhaix and the Nantes canal with its picturesque locks and barges and the pretty towns

of Pontivy with its 15th century moated castle and Josselin whose renowned castle garden has 40 varieties of roses. Along the way is Lake Guerlédan, Brittany’s largest lake with water sports and woodland trails. The Brittany section finishes at Nantes, home to the Jules Verne Museum and the Château des Ducs de Bretagne. During the summer months there are a number of special events along the route including a theatrical trail at Redon on Tuesday evenings and sporting, food and art activities. Those wishing to take part are advised to check with local tourist boards for details. After Brittany, the route carries on along the Atlantic coast to La Rochelle, Royan, Biarritz, Bayonne and ends in Hendaye before crossing the border into Spain. www.lavelodyssee.co

Brest stages big party to welcome new tram

Photo: Dominique Le Roux. Inset: COHEN Simon

More teachers for the rentrée AN extra 65 teaching jobs are being created in Brittany primary schools for this September, part of President Hollande’s pledge to reinstate 1,000 posts around France.

Reminder over lifejacket use COASTGUARDS have launched a campaign to remind Brittany boat owners of the need to carry a lifejacket. The SNSM wants to warn professionals and pleasure boat owners heading out to sea over the peak summer period. Some 80 people die at sea in France each year.

Figaro drops teacher law suit LE Figaro has dropped plans to take legal action against a Côtes-d’Armor schoolteacher called Mme Figaro. The woman kept a blog in her name, which contained teaching material and videos. The newspaper, which publishes a supplement under the same name, threatened taking her to court for using their brand name, prompting a widespread public campaign.

Wettest town in all of France BREST was officially the wettest town in France last year, with 1,006mm and 160 days of rainfall, according to new data from Météo France.

Seaweed claim is thrown out A HORSERIDER whose animal died on the beach at Saint-Michel-en-Grève in 2009 from breathing seaweed fumes has lost a legal bid for €31,600 compensation from the State.

Brest put on a three-day festival of street parties and artistic events for the inauguration of its new tram network, which was free to use over the weekend THE inauguration of the new tramway in Brest was welcomed by huge crowds over three days of celebrations. It was estimated that around 200,000 passengers took their first ride on the new trains over the first two days alone, which included street theatre and musical performances to celebrate the inauguration. An accurate headcount was impossible because the tram was free for the first three days but the tramway has been constructed for an estimated 50,000 passengers to use per day. A tram spokesman said: “From a technical point of view the whole construction process was a huge success and it was 100% finished by the opening. There were no little bits to finish off or clear up. It was all completely finished. Quite a rare feat, with this sort of project.” Boat and car horns and the bells at all 30 of the city’s churches sounded in unison as the first tram set off. The project has taken five years to plan and build, and the public were con-

Brest tram facts and figures Construction: Planning started in 2007 (consultations, route planning, financing, design) and construction started in 2009. Route: The single 14.3km east/west line has 27 stations along the way, approximately 500m apart. It runs from Porte de Plouzané in the west and splits to serve two terminus stations in the east; Porte de Gouesnou and Porte de Guipavas. Cost: €383m Capacity: There are 20 trains on the tramway. Each train can carry the same number of passengers as four buses (about 200 people), replacing on average 177 cars. Timetable: The tram operates from 5.00 to 1.00

Park and ride locations: Kergaradec, Place de Strasbourg, Technopôle and Froutven. Tickets: Single tickets cost €1.35 and are valid on all buses and trams for 1 hour 15 minutes. An adult monthly season ticket giving unlimited travel on all buses and trams is €35.10. First accident: On June 9, as the tram was being tested with no passengers on board, it was in collision with a 21-year-old man on a scooter who had neither seen nor heard the tram coming. The incident happened at around 16.00 in Rue Saint-Exupéry, near the Recouvrance area. The man’s leg was trapped underneath the tram and he was cut free by the emergency services, but it appears that his injuries were minor.

sulted on many elements, including the names of the stops and even the colour of the trams. July was a bumper month for the city which hosted the tall ships festival Les Tonnerres de Brest which attracted a million visitors and tested the tramway to its limits. Alongside the new tram service is a new network of cycle paths in the city, but not everyone is celebrating. Claire Jusseau from the Association Brest à Pied et à Vélo, which was involved in the consultation process of building the tramway, has certain reservations. She said: “It’s not really coherent. It’s like they built the cycle paths, just so they could say they’ve done it. They haven’t really studied what is needed.” Signposts have been put up right in the middle of the new cycle paths and anyone using the them is constantly forced to cross the road, or cross the tram tracks to get to the next section. The association is already having talks with the council on ways to improve the situation.

4 National News FRANCE’S No1 car-maker, Peugeot Citroën wants to cut 8,000 jobs across the company and close its factory at Aulnay-sous-Bois in 2014. More than 3,000 jobs will go at Aulnay, 1,400 from its factory at Rennes in Brittany and another 3,600 – including 1,400 from research and development of new models – from various administrative, research and sales functions. Social Affairs Minister Marisol Touraine said she could “not accept something like this” and added that the firm had received €4billion in state aid in the past few years. Union leader Bernard Thibault of the CGT said the union would take action, as the real impact in terms of jobs in the rest of the country could “triple or quadruple” the job losses. Peugeot Citroën said sales had fallen 15% across Europe in the first three months of the year meaning operational losses of €700million.

Bac exam results are down – and up OVERALL results in this year’s Baccalauréat are down – due entirely to a large drop in the pass rate for the vocational Bac Professionnel. However, despite this, pass rates were up in most other exam types, with a 90.8% pass in the scientific strand and 89.1% for the economic and social sector. The overall rate fell from 85.6% to 84.5% but the rate for the general Bac was up 1.4% to 89.6% and the technological Bac was up 1%. However, the professional Bac fell 5.6% to hit 78.2%.

‘Stop and question’ police rules to stay PLANS to reform the way police stop and question people in the street are to be dropped. It had been planned for police to give receipts to the people they stop as a way of avoiding abuses where people are stopped and possibly searched because of their race. However, police unions were said to be “strongly opposed” to the move and the data watchdog Cnil was worried about potential data collection if police kept a record of who had been given receipts. Interior Minister Manuel Valls does

August 2012

Paris police reveal Vel d’Hiv shame

Photo: ©PHOTOPQR/SUD OUEST / XAVIER LEOTY

Peugeot Citroën to cut 8,000 jobs

Brittany Pages

PARIS police has opened its archives on one of the darkest periods of its history – the “Vel d’Hiv Roundup” in July 1942, when the Vichy regime mobilised police and gendarmerie to round up Jews on behalf of the Nazi occupiers. In all, 13,152 men, women and children were picked up and held in the Vélodrome d’Hiver cycling stadium before being shipped to German camps, from where, it thought, fewer than 100 returned. The exhibition – The Vel d’Hiv Roundup: the police archives – runs until September 15 in the mairie of the 3rd arrondissement and includes lists of arrested Jews, accounts of goods seized, intelligence service notes on their state of mind etc.

New laws and rates come into force

Three down, one to go for quadruple amputee swimmer QUADRUPLE amputee Philippe Croizon has swum across the Strait of Gibraltar, the third stage of his bid to swim between the five continents. He and his able-bodied swimming partner Arnaud Chassery took five hours and 20 minutes to swim the 16km between Europe and Africa, swimming from Tarifa on the southern tip of Spain to Ciress on the Moroccan coast near Tangier. Philippe, using not favour the change, according to RTL radio station. Other proposals are still being looked at as the plan was an election promise by President François Hollande. These could include a return to police having numbers on uniforms or having cameras fitted on uniforms or on a neckband.

Legal bid to restrict Livret A accounts PEOPLE will be stopped from opening more than one Livret A savings accounts under a decree proposed by the Conseil d’Etat. The practice of having more than one of the non-tax-paying accounts is already illegal, but is widespread due to weak penalties. Now the Conseil d’Etat wants to

prosthetic limbs with flippers attached, and Arnaud have already swum from Australasia to Asia (crossing from Papua New Guinea to Indonesia) and from Africa to Asia (from Taba in Egypt across the Red Sea to Aqaba in Jordan). Next month they plan to complete the project by swimming across the Bering Strait from a Russian island to a US island in Alaska and may meet President Obama.

oblige banks to consult tax authorities before allowing someone to open an account, which has a savings ceiling of €15,300 and currently an interest rate of 2.25%.

the new Ayrault government’s plans for gas prices to be limited to the rate of inflation – or 2% – as opposed to the 4.1% which GDF has said that it needs.

Retrospective price increase for millions

France borrows at a negative interest rate

LAST year’s gas price freeze by the Fillon government has been ruled as unlawful – and millions using gas face a retrospective price increase for fuel they have already paid for. France’s top administrative body, the Conseil d’Etat, annulled the freeze, which lasted from October to the start of January, which means the average household will have to pay an extra €40 for last year’s gas. The ruling, after a plea by gas supplier GDF, has now cast doubt over

FOR the first time ever France has been able to borrow at a negative rate – that is, it will pay back less than it borrows – and joins a select group of countries, including Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, which have been able to do so this year. The feat comes as investors seek safe places for their money, worried about instability in southern Europe. France had only intended to borrow €7.7billion but was offered nearly three times as much and Agence France Trésor was able to negotiate the lower rate. Threemonth bonds are at -0.005% and six-month ones at -0.006%.

Unesco hails the Dordogne heritage UNESCO has named the Dordogne river basin a biosphere reserve and added it to the list of natural heritage sites in France. There are 10 other labelled sites in France and the 24,000 km2 basin joins Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse, the Cévennes and the Camargue. Unesco recognised the river, which rises at Puy de Sancy and crosses six departments, as being remarkable for its well-preserved natural setting and the exceptional cultural heritage and art de vivre linked to it.

California bans sale of foie gras PRODUCTION and sale of foie gras was banned in California on July 1 but it has not affected French-based suppliers too much as they already find it hard to sell in the US due to tough import rules. Restaurants risk fines of $1,000 a day if they serve the delicacy, as California’s politicians say the forcefeeding with grain – gavage – required is cruel.

NEW decrees came into force last month that see, amongst other things, the minimum wage rise 2%, social charges on dividends and interest rise from 13.5% to 15.5% and a ban on outdoor advertising signs to be lit at night. Speeding car drivers will also now face a fine if flashed in Belgium after a reciprocal agreement on crossborder offences – and must now carry a breathalyser kit in the car. It is also now cheaper to make or receive mobile phone calls in other EU countries, with a new limit of 29 centimes a minute for making calls (down from 35) and 8 centimes for receiving them (as opposed to 11).

Police told to stop using Tu and Toi INTERIOR Minister Manuel Valls has told senior police to call a halt to the use of “tu” and “toi” when officers address people, even those who are insulting or abusing them. Using tu/toi (called tutoiement) can be seen as a way of speaking down to people and he told the new promotion of commissaires at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Police near Lyon: “I ask that police retain a certain professional distance in keeping a cool head in every circumstance and avoiding the use of tu/toi.”

Métro and RER will get internet access SOME smartphone users will be able to access the internet in the Paris Métro after a deal between transport authority RATP and phone operator SFR. RATP is looking to install new technology to make the internet accessible throughout the network by the end of 2015, including the RER A and B local train network. From October SFR users will be able to connect in the areas around two key stations in central Paris – Châtelet and the Gare de Lyon. RATP hopes that it can come to agreements with the other major mobile operators and last month it installed free wi-fi in 48 stations.

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Brittany Pages

News 5

August 2012

New TGV service for Rennes will revolutionise the region MUSICIANS from Brittany have broken the record for the world’s biggest rock band – previously held by a group from Aix-enProvence. Musiques d’Aujourd'hui Pays de Lorient Association (MAPL) assembled 413 performers for the record attempt, beating the previous record of 227. MAPL spokesman Thierry Houal said: “It was great. Loads of people turned up, including 35 drummers and 100 guitarists.” He said sorting out the sound systems so that the audience could hear everyone properly and so that the musicians could all hear each other was tricky. Mr Houal added: “I rang the organiser[of the previous record] and he took it in a very good spirit. He congratulated us and said he’d be looking to break the record again in Avignon next summer. So there’ll be a bit of a competition going and I think Rennes is going to have a go, too.” He was particularly pleased because the event involved a huge range of people from a three-year old playing a tambourine to a 75year-old singer: “So many people told me that they hadn’t played for 15-20 years. I love the idea that we got them all back into playing music. You’re never too old for rock and roll.”

Photo: AREP/FGP

A rock record

RENNES is to get a brand new railway station for 2020 as part of a bigger plan to slash the journey time to Paris from 2 hours 14 minutes to just 1 hour 27 minutes, the SNCF has announced. The budget for the EuroRennes project is €107million and the station is designed to be intermodal, providing infrastructure for underground trains and local trains as well as a new TGV service to Paris. Some 20 million travellers a year are expected to use the new station. SNCF spokeswoman Isabel Camillerapp said: “It’s going to be a very exciting development, not just for the SNCF but for Rennes and the whole of Brittany. “Rennes is something of a gateway to the region, so this development will also benefit other towns like Brest, Lorient and Saint-Malo.” With travel time to Paris cut, day-trips between the two cities will obviously become easier and therefore more frequent. However, Ms Camillerapp added: “We’re already looking at ways of preventing Rennes turning into a dormitory town. We want to ensure that Rennes maintains its own life, its own culture.” The new station will be a whole new start for the centre of Rennes, as the plans include three tower

The new station in Rennes will be a gateway to the rest of the region and offer fast links to the capital blocks providing accommodation and office space: “It’s going to change that part of the city completely. There is an exhibition in the old station showing all the plans, and there’s a model of the new station too, so everyone can see what it will look like.” The finance is in place and the contracts signed: “Obviously a project on this scale will take time. Especially as we need to do it without disrupting the trains.

They have to stay running the whole time, and that’s quite an art. In fact we have a specialist firm advising us on this.” The SNCF is also looking at other issues raised by the new development. Security is one possible issue. Brittany currently enjoys very low crime levels, which cannot be said for all parts of Paris and the SNCF wants to ensure that transport crime does not rise as a result of the faster

links with the capital. The rail operator is also keen to avoid the phenomenon of what are called “turbo-profs” – teachers “who just zoom into a city, teach and leave rather than being available to help students on a more full-time basis”. Ms Camillerapp said: “We want to avoid the new transport links having these sorts of undesirable effects." To find out more, see www.eurorennes.fr

Patience pays off for gâteau breton winner A bakery in Laillé (Ille et Vilaine) has won this year’s gold medal for the region’s best gâteau breton. Winner Laurence Guillemin said: “It’s very exciting, because it’s not easy to make a really good gâteau breton. The secret is to make it two or three days in advance. You shouldn’t eat it the same day it’s baked.” The competition was organised by the Fédération des Pâtissiers de Bretagne and 43 pastry chefs entered. Her recipe is naturally top secret, but her top tip for success is kneading: “It’s very important to get this right. Not too little, not too much.” She also says it is important not to add the ingredients too fast, and to leave plenty of time between each addition: “It takes patience to make a good gâteau breton.” The history of the Gâteau Breton is unknown although it appears to date from the second half of the 19th century. Its particularity is that it is made with salted rather than fresh butter.

Worried about the Euro debt crisis? Talk to Siddalls about how to structure your ﬁnances in these diﬃcult times Larence Guillemin and husband Loïc with the winning cake

Gâteau Breton For 8 servings: 8 egg yolks (and one for brushing over top) 450g of plain flour 280g sugar Quarter of a teaspoon of baking powder (levure chimique) 320g of salted butter Pre-heat the oven to 220ºC. Beat the egg yolks and the sugar together and beat until

completely smooth. Add the flour and the baking powder and incorporate. Butter and flour a cake tin (preferably with a removable base, otherwise line the tin with greaseproof paper), and then pour the cake mixture into the tin. Brush the top with egg yolk and make decorative patterns with a fork. Bake at 220°C for 20 minutes, then turn the oven down to 180°C for a further 35 minutes. Turn the cake out while hot and leave to cool on a rack.

Jennie Poate, Regional Manager French Head Office: 05 56 34 75 51 Email: northwest.office@siddalls.net

www.siddalls.fr French ﬁnance in plain English Siddalls France SASU, Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, 33700 Mérignac - RCS BX 498 800 465. C.I.F. No E001669 auprès de ANACOFI-CIF association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers et Courtier d’Assurances, Catégorie B - ORIAS 07 027 475. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier et L 512-6 et 512-7 du Code des Assurances.

6 What’s On

Brittany Pages

August 2012

70 ways to make the most Discover hidden Brest Finistère, Brest

This guided visit will take you to the secret quarters of Recouvrance, the area that tourists do not always discover. Ask the Tourist Office for details, meet at 15.00 Tour Tanguy. €5 adults 02.98.44.24.96 www.brest-metropole-tourisme.fr

Seaweed discovery day Côtes d’Armor, Plouha

One for the whole family: discover how seaweed used to provide an income for locals, how it is used for beauty products and even cookery. The outing includes an outdoor exploration for 90 minutes then 2½ hours for a cookery workshop. Bring your boots. Book online or at the tourist office. Entry from €8 For details call 02.96.20.24.73 or www.algues-armorique.com

August LISTINGS

August 3-5

Festival du Bout du Monde Finistère, Crozon August 1-4

Jazz à Vannes Morbihan, Vannes

An internationally-renowned jazz festival at various sites throughout the city offering all types of jazz from Dixieland to modern. €150 full festival pass, some events FREE www.jazzavannes.fr August 2

Cathedral concert Côtes d’Armor, Dol-de-Bretagne Come along to enjoy a concert in the wonderful and restful setting of the Cathédrale Saint Samson, starting 20.00. No entry fee, only a voluntary donation. FREE www.pays-de-dol.com 02.99.48.15.37

Boat Trip to Île de Bréhat Côtes d’Armor, Binic

Enjoy a return day trip to discover this beautiful floral island, leaving at 8.00 and returning at 19.00, with a day to explore. Tickets must be booked in advance (deadline 16.00 the day before). Crossings: €28 adults, €20.50 children 4-11 years, €5 infants 0-3 years For details call 02.96.73.60.12 or see www.ville-binic.fr August 3

Festival of lanterns Ille-et-Vilaine, Combourg

Open to everyone, this event includes a lantern-lit procession, live music, aperitifs, craft market and a grand Fest Noz for everyone to round off the night dancing and singing. Great fun. FREE 02.99.73.13.93 www.bretagne35.com

Night market and Fest Noz Morbihan, Pluvigner

The evening kicks off at 19.30 with oysters and seafood, continues with the market at 20.00 and a Fest Noz with live music, dancing and refreshments. Pay for food 02.97.24.79.18 www.auray-tourisme.com

Chopin concert Finistère, Brélès

On the very edge of the world, the Crozon Peninsula has a naturally-formed venue that creates a fabulous festival atmosphere over three stages. Always popular and always lively, this year’s event welcomes Zebda, Salvatore Adamo and The Waterboys. 1-day pass €30, 2-day pass €50, 3-day pass €64 www.festivalduboutdumonde.com

Fête des Vieux Gréements Côtes d’Armor, Paimpol This festival of traditional tall ships includes sea shanties, concerts and family activities, and this year's event is also joined by the festival of the local Paimpol bean so the usual 35,000 visitors will have plenty to do. Best of all, the whole event is completely FREE. www.cotesdarmor.com August 3-9

Festival l’Opéra de Poche Morbihan, Carnac

A great way to dip into operatic favourites and discover new delights, from the comic opera of Bizet to Haydn’s Deserted Isle, featuring the Comic Opera of Peking. €10 (single show) to €110 (six shows) for adults www.operadepoche.fr 09.60.06.79.55 August 3-12

Festival Interceltique Morbihan, Lorient

One of Brittany's biggest musical events this summer, with more than 800,000 visitors over the 10 days.The event has an ecological approach and a global reputation, attracting some of the biggest acts in Europe. See Page 10. From €6.50 (one event) to €48 (Forfait Découverte) www.festival-interceltique.com August 4

Repas du Soldat Finistère, Camaret-sur-Mer

The historic and picturesque setting of Camaret Port, at the Tour Vauban is the place to be this evening. At 17.30 there’s a theatre group in period costume giving a special family show, followed by a meal around the tower. Bring your camera and your appetite. Modest price for meal www.finisterebrittany.com August 5 The main hall of the beautiful Château de Kergroadez is the venue for this unique concert at 20.30, performed by the winner of the Concours Chopin. €15 or €10 adults, FREE for 0-14 years 06.59.26.51.67 www.kergroadez.fr

Grandes Régates de Port Navalo

Morbihan, Port Navalo August 5 Come with your camera, you’ll love these traditional boats gathered in the bay, near the beach and on the wide blue horizon. FREE www.ycca.net

Brittany Pages

What’s On 7

August 2012

of summer time in Brittany Fête de la mer Finistère, Landunvez

A sea festival with a difference, as it includes a rather unusual competition: spitting the winkles. If you want to witness that curiosity, be sure to arrive before 17.00.There’s also plenty of food, drink, music and fun, including a full-on bal populaire from 19.00. Modest price for meals www.finisterebrittany.com August 4-5

Festival des 4 Clochers Finistère, Confort-Meilars For two days, the normally sleepy town of Confort springs into life, animated with the sound of bell-ringers, live bands, convivial meals and spontaneous dancing. €12 or €10 adults 02.98.74.5276 August 5

Rural horse racing Morbihan, Questembert

One of the loveliest settings of its kind, this Course Hippique starts off at 14.00 so you could take advantage of the panoramic restaurant. Great afternoon out for the family. €6 adults including a programme, FREE for under 16 years 02.97.26.56.00 http://rochefortenterre-tourisme.com August 7

Twilight walk Finistère, Pointe St Mathieu

The edges of the world – this coastal point is stunning, breathtaking and other-worldly, so it’s a perfect place for a twilight walk, especially with a guide. Meet at the car park at 21.00, in front of the lighthouse, and enjoy a pleasant couple of hours plus a snack to keep you going. €8 adults, €5 children FREE 0-5 years. 02.98.48.30.18 www.finisterebrittany.com

Musiciennes à Ouessant Finistère, Île Ouessant August 5-9 Chamber music event on the beautiful Ouessant island, with special attention to female composers and performers. Ouessant was nicknamed île aux femmes, probably because the men often went on long fishing trips, leaving the island to the women, so it is a fitting celebration.

August 8

Sacred music Ille-et-Vilaine, Saint-Malo

Members of the International Bach Ensemble are the top singers from the Vocal Academy in Paris and their weekly concerts in Paris give them an incredible repertoire from Gregorian chants to the 20th century.Tickets from the cathedral or online. €26 reserved seats, €21 non-reserved €10 for under 18 years. www.festivaldemusiquesacree-stmalo.com

Around €18 per concert or €80 5-concert pass Reduced prices for younger audiences, FREE for 0-11 years www.musiciennesaouessant.com 02.98.48.85.83

Brocante and antiques Finistère, Locronan

A suitably historic setting for an antiques fair, Locronan welcomes 60 or more professional stall-holders so you can be sure of a good day's perusing. Modest entry fee www.locronan-tourisme.com 02.98.91.70.14

Concert on the water Finistère, Camaret-sur-Mer Photo: M.studio - Fotolia.com

A lovely setting, a concert with the Symphonie de Breizh, a night market plus fireworks once the skies are dark. Sounds like a great night out. FREE www.camaretsurmer-tourisme.fr

Morbihan, Plouharnel

Starting with Breton song in the chapel on Wednesday through to a huge community feast and party on the last night, this festival has a Fest Noz every night, groups and singers, dancers, French bowls and every type of traditional Breton event. Some events FREE 02.96.43.46.03 August 9

Cathedral Concert Côtes d’Armor, Dol-de-Bretagne Come along to enjoy a concert in the wonderful and restful setting of the Cathédrale Saint Samson, starting 20.00. No entry fee, only a voluntary donation. FREE www.pays-de-dol.com 02.99.48.15.37

Mozart Concert Finistère, Douarnenez

The Magic Flute comes to Finistère, to the Chapelle St Jean, thanks to the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra.This version, for flutes and strings, will be magical in the chapel setting. www.douarnenez-tourisme.com August 10

Nuit des Etoiles Morbihan, Bangor

On the offshore haven of Belle Île, the stars should be sparkling.The Astronomy association has organised a collection of 10 telescopes and plenty of knowledgeable people to help people of all ages discover and enjoy the night sky. From 21.00 until 3.00 near the village of Herlin. FREE www.tourismebretagne.com

Nuit des Etoiles Côtes d’Armor, Pleumeur-Bodou

The astronomy club has gathered telescopes and astronomers at the Planétarium de Bretagne to help people of all ages enjoy the night sky. From 22.30. €3.50 per person www.tourismebretagne.com August 10-12

Route du Rock Ille-et-Vilaine, Saint Malo

Renowned saxophonist Colin Stetson, psychedelic soul masters Spiritualized and The XX are already confirmed; more acts to follow at this famous music festival based in two venues. €79 for 3-day pass, €35 1 day at Fort St-Père, €17 1 day at Grand Large. www.laroutedurock.com August 11

Fête de la Langoustine Finistère, Plobannalec-Lesconil

Here at the harbour, the fun begins at 8.00, there will be painting competitions, live music, free activities all day plus fireworks and – most importantly – plenty of fresh langoustines, which we call Dublin Bay Prawns or giant scampi. One of the world’s best flavours. FREE to attend 02.98.87.86.99 www.plobannalec-Lesconil.com

August 6 Anywhere you see 'Place aux Mômes' you know it’ll be fun for the family, and free.This event at Penestin is at 17.00 in the Complexe Polyvalent every Monday and is perfect for children aged 4+ years as it is street theatre, mime and spectacle so no need to understand French to enjoy it. FREE 02.98.69.62.18 Photo: Andrey Kiselev - Fotolia.com

€7.50 adults FREE for under 12s www.plouharnel.fr 02.97.52.32.93

Festival de Danse Plinn Côtes d’Armor, Bourbriac

Place aux Mômes: for children MorPebinehastin,n

All about oysters

August 8, 15, 22, 29 Come and learn how oysters are raised here, with a short film, a visit and a tasting session of 6 oysters with a glass of white wine. Please book in advance – it’s likely to be popular.

August 8-15

8 What’s On

Brittany Pages

August 2012

Puces de Mer

Finistère, Kerlouan

Mondial Folk

August 15 Not only a chance to browse and buy anything to do with maritime and nautical hobbies, this is also a chance to see fish being smoked, bread baked in wood ovens, and watch traditional seaweed-burning ceremony. Fireworks at night fall. FREE entry 02.98.25.78.75

Finistère, Plozévet

August 16-21 A famous folk festival that has been running for decades, now attracting nearly 1,000 artists from across 10 nations. Music, dance and entertainment from start to finish. www.mondialfolk.org

August 11

Brocante Morbihan, La Trinité sur Mer

Professional stalls are setting up to tempt you into taking home a precious antique or an old item that might be salvaged. Come and treasure-hunt. FREE www.ot-trinite-sur-mer.fr 02.97.55.72.21

Welcome all Côtes d'Armor

This summer aperitif, Apéro d'été is open to everyone, especially newcomers to the area and holidaymakers. Come to the Esplanade du Casino and you will find local businesses and producers have set out aperitifs and local goodies to get you in the holiday mood – all for free. FREE www.tourismebretagne.com 06.70.21.60.28 August 12

Fête des Moules Ille-et-Vilaine, Vivier-sur-Mer

Between Cancale and the Mont-Saint-Michel, this coastal spot is a perfect place to celebrate the start of the mussel season – and today, over four tonnes of mussels will be enjoyed by the visitors.The day’s celebrations are completed by dancing, music, kids' activities and a firework display. FREE www.bretagne35.com

Lifeboats and more Finistère, Camaret-sur-Mer

To raise funds for the local SNSM lifeboat crews, this event includes demonstrations of rescues at sea, sea shanty concerts, lunches and dinners plus helicopter rescue. Family entertainment. FREE www.camaretsurmer-tourisme.fr

Fête de la Mer Côtes d’Armor, Pléneuf-Val-André

At the Port de Dahoët, this all-day event includes all manner of nautical fun, refreshments and family entertainment, concluding with a Fest Noz in the evening. Open to everyone, and totally free. FREE www.val-andre.org

Painting in colours Côtes d’Armor, Binic

The Couleurs de Bretagne is coming to Binic today. Amateur painters of all styles try to capture local scenes on canvas – have a go yourself (all welcome aged 2+) or admire everyone else’s art. FREE 02.96.73.60.12

Foire aux Puces Finistère, Carhaix-Plouguer

A large annual event with over 150 stalls, refreshments and entertainment – mostly for you to come and rummage for hidden gems but you might end up staying all day. 9.00-19.00. FREE 02.96.43.39.57

Agricultural machinery festival Côtes d’Armor, Plénée-Jugon

This Fête de la Mécanisation Agricole will be adored by tractor fans of all ages; it includes a process of over 150 tractors ad old machines, family entertainment, live music and a hog roast, plus an evening meal of mussels and chips. FREE entry 06.64.61.92.88 August 13

Place aux Mômes Morbihan, Penestin

Anywhere you see ‘Place aux Mômes’ you know it will be fun for the family, and free.This event at Penestin is at 17.00 in the Complexe Polyvalent every Monday and is perfect for children aged 4+ years as it is street theatre, mime and spectacle so no need to understand French to enjoy it. FREE 02.98.69.62.18

Place aux Mômes Finistère, Plouescat

These events are always fun for the family, and completely free. Head to the Place des Halles for 18.00 where the whole family can enjoy the show – it is a visual theatre act, so there is no need to understand French to enjoy it. FREE 02.98.69.62.18 August 14

Grand Fest Noz Côtes d’Armor, Carnoët

At the Ferme du Cosquer, this large Fest Noz is one to remember: live bands, informal dancing and a convivial atmosphere. Minimal entry fee 02.96.21.57.42 August 15

Fête du Pain Morbihan, Pluherin

A day-long event for the whole family starting at 10.30.Watch the wheat being cut and threshed, see how traditional tools were used, how bread is made (and cider) and, if you choose, enjoy a harvest lunch and stay for the free music and dancing at night. Entry €3, FREE under 12 years Lunch €12 adults €8 children www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.com 02.97.26.56.00

Reposoirs processions Ille-et-Vilaine, Cancale

In memory of those who have perished at sea, this evening procession from the church to the Port de la Houle stops regularly for songs and prayer. Begins at 20.00 at the Eglise Saint Méen. FREE www.bretagne35.com

Vide Grenier de l’été

Morbihan, St Gildas de Rhuys

Always pleasant to spend a day browsing the stalls to see if you can find hidden gems, especially as the setting is coastal and picturesque. FREE to attend www.tourismebretagne.com August 16

Fête des Mouettes Finistère, Douarnenez

Running since 1908 this is a traditional event that includes plenty of local costume, Breton music, a parade with horsedrawn carriages and live music from Breton bands, and dancing on the harbours. FREE to participate www.douarnenez-tourisme.com 02.98.92.13.35

Boat trip to Île de Bréhat Côtes d'Armor, Binic

Enjoy a return day-trip to discover this beautiful floral island, leaving at 8.00 and returning at 19.00, with a day to explore. Tickets must be booked in advance (deadline 16.00 the day before). Crossings: €28 adults €20.50 children 4-11 years €5 infants 0-3 years For details call 02.96.73.60.12 or see www.ville-binic.fr

Sacred music Ille-et-Vilaine, Saint-Malo

The choir and orchestra from the ducal Chapel of Düsseldorf are performing Puccini's Messa di Gloria and Schumann's Rhine Symphony.Tickets from the cathedral or online. €26 reserved seats, €21 non-reserved €10 for under 18 years www.festivaldemusiquesacree-stmalo.com

Sea shanty evening Côtes d’Armor, Plérin

Head to the Café Les Mouettes on the harbour where, from 20.00, you can sit and enjoy traditional Breton Sea Shanties played by local enthusiasts. For details call 06.78.20.68.76

Festival des Filets Bleus Finistère, Concarneau

August 15-19 One of Brittany’s most iconic festivals, this celebrates the blue netting used by fishermen at sea. Over the last century it has become a celebration of Breton culture and attracts thousands of visitors, not least because nearly all its events are free of charge. Dance, costume, music and more. Most events FREE www.festivaldesfiletsbleus.fr 02.98.97.09.09

Brittany Pages

What’s On 9

August 2012

Fête de l’Oignon de Roscoff Finistère, Roscoff

August 18-19 You might not have realised but Roscoff is one of the few areas in Europe where the Pink Onion can flourish – and it is the source of our French-man stereotype of a man with inions around his neck.This fête celebrates the harvest, the produce and the flavour of this fabulous produce, including old farm machinery, cider-making and bread-making as well as demonstrations of how to plait onions. FREE entry 02.98.61.12.13 www.roscoff-tourisme.com

August 17-25

Festival du Cinéma Finistère, Douarnenez

An event popular with film fans and serious film critics alike, the Douarnenez Film Festival always puts an accent on works that are lesser-known by the wide public, and on world cinema: this year, Spain is the focus. Over 80 films will be screened, including short films and documentaries, there are debates, conferences, celebrities and a grand Fest Noz and concert. A meeting of minds. FREE to participate 02.98.92.13.35 www.douarnenez-tourisme.com

Discover hidden Brest Finistère, Brest

Painting in colours Ille-et-Vilaine, Combourg

Festival des Galettes

Morbihan, Ste Anne d’Auray August 25-26 Come with an appetite and a camera: this festival celebrates the Breton galette alongside equivalent specialities from several countries around the world including Mali, Madagascar, Peru and Haïti. Plenty of visitors in national costume, music, dancing and up to 8,000 visitors. FREE entry http://galettesdumonde.free.fr 02.97.57.75.82

The Couleurs de Bretagne is a regional event, coming to Combourg today. Amateur painters of all styles try to capture local scenes on canvas FREE 02.99.73.13.93 www.combourg.org

Fest Noz de la Saint-Loup Côtes d’Armor, Guingamp Head for the Place du Vally for live music, barbecue, crêpes, hot dogs and cider as well as Breton dancing for all ages and abilities. Starts at 10.00. FREE entry 02.96.43.73.89

Camaret en Scène Finistère, Camaret-sur-Mer

An evening of live music with bars, snacks and meals, stalls to browse and children's activities including a bouncy castle. Starts at 19.00, likely to continue until 2.00. €12 on the night, €10 in advance www.camaretsurmer-tourisme.fr August 19

Craft market Morbihan, Auray

In an idyllic harbour setting, come and browse the stalls: sculpture, ceramics, textiles and jewellery, leather goods, hand-made items and finely crafted pieces to adorn your home. FREE 02.97.24.09.75 www.auray-tourisme.com

Vide Grenier Morbihan, Baden

Head for the Stade de Toulbroche for a happy couple of hours browsing the stalls to see what people are clearing out. FREE entry August 20

Place aux Mômes Morbihan, Penestin

August 22

Place aux Mômes Morbihan, Arzon

Anywhere you see ‘Place aux Mômes’ it means fun for the family, and free.This event at Arzon is an impressive audio visual show including pop and rock from the 1960s to 1970s so it entertains older audiences as well. All welcome, and there is no need to understand French to enjoy it. FREE 02.97.53.69.69 www.crouesty.fr August 23

Sailing excursion Côtes d’Armor, Lézardrieux

This unique excursion on a traditional sailing ship departs from Lézardrieux, on one of three beautiful vessels.Take a packed lunch with you and follow in the footsteps of Henri Rivière, local painter inspired by these seascapes. €45 for adults, €40 children under 14 02.96.22.16.45 or www.paimpol-goelo.com

Cathedral concert Côtes d'Armor, Dol-de-Bretagne

Come along to enjoy a concert in the wonderful and restful setting of the Cathédrale Saint Samson, starting 8pm. No entry fee, only a voluntary donation. FREE www.pays-de-dol.com 02.99.48.15.37 August 25

Brocante Morbihan, La Trinité sur Mer

Professional stalls are setting up to tempt you into taking home a precious antique or an old item that might be salvaged. Come and treasure-hunt. FREE 02.97.55.72.21 www.ot-trinite-sur-mer.fr August 25-26

Parachute Competition Morbihan, Quibéron

On the main beach you’ll get a great view of this incredible event: the Coupe de Parachutisme.The competitors have to leave a plane at 1000m altitude and guide themselves to land on a 35cm mat on the beach. Over 200 parachutists will compete and there are plenty of activities – bring your camera. FREE entry http://breizhpara-sky.com August 26

Fête de l’Andouille Morbihan, Guéméné-sur-Scorff

Here is part of French cuisine that has not been embraced by many other nationalities: Andouille for us is chitterlings, which this event celebrates in all its glory.Try some, you might be converted. FREE entry 02.97.39.33.47 www.tourismepaysroimorvan.com August 30

Boat trip to Île de Bréhat Côtes d'Armor, Binic

Sacred music Ille-et-Vilaine, Saint-Malo

It is the turn of Cambridge University and the choir of King’s College to bring their world-renowned talents to the sacred music festival.Tickets from the cathedral or online. €26 reserved seats, €21 non-reserved, €10 for under 18 years www.festivaldemusiquesacree-stmalo.com

Coupe Florio Classic cars Côtes d’Armor, Saint-Brieuc

This event, which continues all weekend, begins with the parade on August 31, so be sure to come along with your camera. FREE access www.lacoupeflorio.fr

10 What’s On

Brittany Pages

August 2012

Vast celebration of Celtic culture

Photo: Michel Renac

Lorient’s streets and performance venues come to life in August with 10 days and 10 nights of music, dance and art entirely on a Celtic theme

Photo: Jack Fossard

MORE than 800,000 visitors will flock to Lorient in the Morbihan for this year’s Festival Interceltique – one of Brittany’s biggest events and a celebration of global Celtic heritage. As well as local Breton acts, the event, from August 3-12, opens up to performers and visitors from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and more. This year’s theme is Acadia, the former French colony on the east Canadian coastline, and performers from the area will travel to Brittany to take a starring role in many of the events. Some 4,500 artists from all corners of the world are expected for 10 days and 10 nights of concerts and parades, including a guest appearance from the Buena Vista Social Club orchestra and a lively night of music on August 10 with Scotland’s Treacherous Orchestra and Irish trio Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle. The two biggest events are the Nuit Interceltique, a large night-time concert on August 4 featuring more than 500 artists, and the big street parade on August 5 with pipe bands and dancers. Both events are broadcast on France 3 if you cannot attend. Ticket prices vary, but a €48 “discovery pass” is available, giving access to three concerts of your choice. There will also be plenty of free events around the town, including art, sport and exhibitions of Celtic costumes. See the programme at www.festival-interceltique.com

Brittany Pages

What’s On 11

August 2012

What’s On in the capital

See Richter through the years

Babar celebrates his 80th

Weekend of live music August 24-26 – Rock en Seine is one of Paris’s biggest live music events and, despite the name, it covers a broad range of contemporary French and international

MUSIC

music genres, over three days at the Domaine de SaintCloud, west of the city. More than 50 acts will play, including the Waterboys, Sigur Ros and Noel Gallagher. www.rockenseine.com

Still time to enjoy Paris beach OUTDOORS Until August 19 – Visitors to Paris in the first half of the month can still catch the city’s urban beach, back for its 11th year on the right

bank of the Seine, from Pont Neuf to the Pont de Sully, with sunloungers, ice-cream, restaurants, children’s activity areas and much more. Entry is free, open 8.00 to 0.00. www.paris.fr/parisplages

Bring a picnic to the cinema

Photo: Nathalie Prebende

Until August 5 – Curated by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, this wideranging exhibition is more than just a chance to remember some of Tim Burton’s best-loved films – from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Wonderland to Sleepy Hollow and Sweeney Todd. It is also an opportunity to discover Burton’s talents as a painter, photographer and inventor of colourful, amazing sculptures. La Cinémathèque Française, 51 rue de Bercy (12e). M° Bercy. Open daily (except Tuesday) 10.00-20.00, late night Thursday until 22.00. Entry €11, under-18s €5.50. www.cinematheque.fr

Garden gigs all over city MUSIC All summer – The bandstands in Paris’s parks and gardens host more than 200 free open-air concerts this month and next. Performers range from local conservatoire music students to the official Paris metro staff choir, and a number of UK schools and youth bands who have been invited over to perform to a Parisian audience. The full programme is online at tinyurl.com/ ParisBandstands

OUTDOORS August 1-12 – The Cinéma au Clair de Lune festival brings French and foreign films (in version originale) to screens in iconic locations including Montmartre and the Place des Vosges. Entry is free – just turn up with a blanket, chair and a picnic.This year’s selection of nine films includes Blake Edwards’ 1958 romantic comedy The Perfect Furlough, based in Paris, and the 1967 musical classic Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. Films start at 21.30. www.forumdesimages.fr Meanwhile, the Parc de la Villette has an open-air cinema festival of its own until August 26. Screenings include Good Bye, Lenin, Virgin Suicides, Superman and Hair – and they are all free, but if you want to hire a chair it costs €7 for the evening. See the full programme online at www.villette.com

FAMILY Until September 2 – To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the popular French cartoon elephant, created by Jean de Brunhoff, the Musée des Décoratifs has an exhibition of 100 original sketches and a range of Babar-themed toys from the 1930s to today. Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli (1er). M° Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre or Pyramides. Open Tuesday-Sunday 11.00-18.00 (late opening until 21.00 on Thursdays). Entry €9.50, under-18s go free. www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr

Admire palace’s dancing fountains

Until September 1 – The gardens at Versailles are the setting for another season of sound, light and water shows in August. Watch the fountains dance as night falls, accompanied by music and lasers.The show ends with a firework display. Every Saturday, 21.00-23.20. €23, under-18s €19. www.chateauversailles -spectacles.fr

Photo: Mat’s Eye/Flickr

Until September 2 – From historic wartime broadcasts and the pirate era to today’s broad spectrum of styles and tastes, radio in all its forms and the French public’s long-lasting attachment to the medium is the focus of this exhibition. The show includes plenty of archive audio, guided visits each day at 15.30 and a discovery trail for children. Musée des Arts et Métiers, 60 rue Réaumur (3e). M° Arts et Métiers. Entry €5.50. www.arts-et-metiers.net

Photo: Romain DUBOIS/Wikimedia

EXHIBITION

CINEMA Photo: Gerhard Richter

Until September 24 – The work of leading German artist Gerhard Richter, whose creations last year achieved higher prices than those of any other living artist, is celebrated with a retrospective exhibition at the Pompidou Centre to coincide with his 80th birthday. Richter’s work was first exhibited at the centre in 1977 when the museum opened. The exhibition is arranged chronologically, from his early 1960s photography to the abstract digital works of today, made using computer software.Tickets giving full access to the Pompidou Centre and all its exhibitions cost €13. Open daily except Tuesday, 11.00-21.00, late on Thursdays until 23.00. Pompidou Centre m° Hôtel de Ville or Rambuteau. www.centrepompidou.fr

ART

Making waves

In the mind of Tim Burton

12 Education

Brittany Pages

Find your way through the French education system French schooling is often of good quality but the system is different in almost every respect to what expats may have been used to in countries like the UK. Here we look at some of the key elements parents and young people should be familiar with. school or an international school in France are among other alternatives. State education State education is under the control of the Ministre de l’Education (presently Vincent Peillon) and is open to everybody. It is a highly centralised system under which, at least in theory, every pupil at a state school should be following the same curriculum from the same textbooks and be at the same place in the curriculum as those at the same level in every other school in France on a given day. The reality, however, may differ from this aim (not least, due to individual teachers’ whims). French schools generally place less emphasis on extra-curricular activities than British ones do, and these are often done outside of school. Physical education is nonetheless part of the curriculum (at both primary and secondary levels) and bodies called associations sportives scolaires may work in partnership with schools to introduce children to certain sports and organise local, regional and national sporting competitions. France being a secular state, there is no religious education in state schools. It is actually illegal for pupils to exhibit any religious symbol (such as a crucifix) or to wear anything that

The baccalauréat Education leads to a nationally organised exam at the end of the school career, the baccalauréat. This is essential in moving on to higher education or to many careers. It can be a major hurdle. The pass rate varies, but there is always a percentage of those who fail and have to redoubler (repeat the last year’s classes.) Redoublement can happen at any stage of a child’s school career and its usefulness is the subject of much debate School holidays The academic year starts in September and continues until after the summer exams, which finish around mid-June. Apart from public holidays, there are breaks of a few days around All Saints Day (Toussaint) and over Christmas and New Year, with a mid-term break in February, the peak time for winter sports, and two weeks around Easter. Until a few years ago all schools took their holidays simultaneously, causing traffic jams and crowded ski and beach resorts. The country is now divided into three

regions for the winter and spring holidays, the dates being staggered between the regions. Many schools offer breaks at state or departmentally run hostels (colonies de vacances) in holiday areas. A child progresses through three obligatory stages: école maternelle and école élémentaire, which make up French primary school (l’école primaire) and then collège. Where l’école is referred to, this often means primary school. The three-year “sixth form” equivalent is called lycée. Boarding schools Boarding schools (internats) exist at all levels in both public and private sectors and a directory can be found online at www.tinyurl.com/Find-A-Boarding-School It can be a practical choice where, for example, parents are often absent. Private schools There are some 9,000 private schools, the large majority of which are Catholic. More than two million children attend these, or 17% of the total in schooling. Listings can be found at: www.enseignement-prive.fr They fall into several categories: Those operated under a “contract of association” with the state are by far the most numerous. They are staffed by the state, follow the state system and receive a local authority running costs contribution – from the mairie for primary school, department for collège and region for lycée. Par-

Photo: PICTURE-FACTORY - FOTOLIACOM

FRANCE has a sophisticated education system that has often been admired by its neighbours and is internationally recognised as being of a high standard. Nonetheless, in recent years, it has faced difficulties in maintaining these standards. As elsewhere there are problems of funding and, in certain areas, of discipline and violence in schools. As a generalisation, teachers and pupils have tended to become more militant and less motivated, though of course this is not universally true. In these respects France is no different from Britain. There are both private and state schools and it is usual to put your child into the free state system unless there is a particular reason not to do so, such as when the child has special needs or the parents are absent and a boarding school is necessary (though boarding is also available at some state schools). Religion is another factor, with most private schools being Catholic-run, whereas state ones have a secular ethos. University education is heavily subsidised and available to those living in the university’s catchment area and who have the necessary entry qualifications (baccalauréat). This has tended to cause overcrowding. Above the universities in status and reputation are the grandes écoles. These are outside the main university system and entry is by competition, which is fierce. These produce most of France’s leaders, especially military and political. Bear in mind that the environment and education within the French system are usually entirely in French. Children of primary school age usually adapt well and become bilingual. Older ones may find it more difficult if they are not already competent in French. Certain French schools have “international sections” where part of the teaching is in English (see later). Alternatively, a crash course in French before your move should help. You might also look at ongoing extra sessions with a home tutor (which attract an income tax credit if done by an accredited firm). If your finances stretch to it, a UK boarding

has a religious significance (for example, a headscarf).

Expat children of primary school age usually adapt well and quickly become bilingual, but teenagers might find it harder to adjust

ADVERTISIN

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demand) and regular transfer plans to accommodate overseas payments and transfers for your children's international education. Currencies Direct has been meeting client requirements in the UK and France for the past 16 years, consistently achieving an average 3% better rate than any bank for international bank to bank transfers. Operating on 5 continents, Currencies Direct makes an average of 220,000 transactions per year for its extensive clientele base of over 200,000 registered clients and 3,000 partners worldwide. As a fully FSA registered organisa-

tion and with an average growth of 20% per year since its creation, the credit agency D&B has given Currencies Direct a #1 rating for its reliability and security. Ask your son or daughter to start honing their research skills and investigate how much your family will save by using Currencies Direct over the bank! To ask for a no obligation comparative rate and learn more about our money-saving services please email france@currenciesdirect.com

Education 13

August 2012 Photo: lightpoet - Fotolia.com

Lycée studies are towards the baccalauréat, necessary for university entry and many careers

“

It is a highly centralised system under which, in theory, every pupil at every state school should be following the same curriculum and be at the same level as every school in France on a given day. The reality may differ from this aim

ents contribute between €400 and €750 per child per year, included in which is payment for such elements not included in the national curriculum, such as religious instruction. Those operating under a “simple contract”. A similar arrangement to the above, this concerns fewer schools and only applies in the primary sector. In some respects it is less bound to the state system (teachers are paid as private workers as opposed to state civil servants) but they are nevertheless supervised and inspected and follow the state curriculum. Non-contracted schools. These have much more freedom and their fees are paid by parents in full. There are fewer of them and they include the private international schools (see below).

Outside the national education system there are a number of private international schools, often working towards the International Baccalaureate (IB). An international school in Paris, for example, has pupils of 50 nationalities (the majority being British) and prepares pupils for GCSEs. English-language schools can be found at www.france.english-schools.org Note that some schools in the French system have an international “section”, leading to the taking of the international option of the baccalauréat (OIB), a French bilingual and bi-cultural examination which should not be confused with the IB. There is also a “European school” in Strasbourg, which is a French state school and allows pupils whose mother tongue is English to study mainly in that language and to take a “European” baccalauréat version, alongside pupils whose main language is German or French. The International baccalauréate This is an exam run by the International Baccalaureate organisation, based in Geneva, founded in 1948. The IB diploma is not offered by French state schools. Strong commitment is required to take and succeed in the full course and it is possible to take just certain parts of it, although pupils who do so do not receive the full diploma. The full course involves taking six subjects, one from each of five subject groups and one from group six or from a permitted substitute from another group.The IB is accepted for entry into universities in most countries. The papers may be taken in a variety (or a mixture) of languages. It covers a wide spectrum, which has led to criticism in the UK that it is too broad and insufficiently specialised as an introduction to further studies.

Education in France helpguide – new this year The Connexion newspaper publishes a helpguide to education in France, covering the whole system from maternelle to university and the grandes écoles plus continuing education for adults. School meals and transport and assurance scolaire (school insurance) are among other topics discussed.

Download a copy for €5 at www.connexionfrance.com or call 0800 91 77 56 to have a printed version sent to you

NG FEATURE

“

We live in the UK and my daughter decided she wanted to go on a University exchange in France for a special program. A friend of mine suggested I try an FX company to pay her tuition and send her money and I was pleasantly surprised when I did. I usually use my bank because I thought it was easier but this way I can transfer money into my daughter's account equally quickly and save money in the process. M. Barnes

Lessons learnt from having three boys in French school

Natalie and Mike Strange with sons Sebastian, Toby and Rufus NATALIE Strange moved to France from East Sussex in 2005 with her husband Mike and three boys Sebastian (now 15), Toby (13) and Rufus (eight), settling near Limoux in the Aude. Rufus settled into school the easiest, starting at the very beginning of the cycle. Ms Strange says: “I’ve had to help him the least with the homework. He seems to grasp things quickly.” But Sebastian and Toby found it much more difficult at first, and homework time involved re-teaching what had been covered in class. “I used to dread weekends,” she says. “I spent hours and hours going over it with them. They’re at collège now and I’ve let go.” Toby is dyslexic and the family invested in home tuition, which attracts a 50% income tax credit, which has paid off: “It was really helpful and it gave him a confidence boost. Having two languages is a mountain for a dyslexic person.” They also took him to see a speech therapist, and this was fully reimbursed by social security. Toby has not had to repeat a year, which Ms Strange believes would have been detrimental to him. However, she feels she had to do a lot of work herself to get help for Toby, which she thinks would have been better handled by school staff in the UK. When Sebastian, the eldest, started school he was placed one year lower than the rest of his age to compensate for the language problems (he was born in November and the school admissions year runs from January to

December). “I sometimes regret that,” says Ms Strange. “I should have pushed. I think for him socially it feels difficult.” However, he sat his brevet last month and is looking forward to lycée in September. He is becoming bilingual and bicultural, surpassing his mother’s level of French. “Sebastian is very conscious of me speaking English to him in a shop, about being more French when we are out in the open,” she says. “He corrects me on my French. I just don’t think he should be embarrassed about it. French kids are intrigued about England and the English.” On a general note, she says: “I feel that French teaching isn’t as creative as English, even in secondary school.” There are fewer experiments in science and creative areas, such as art, are underexplored, prompting Sebastian to pursue his photography hobby elsewhere. Contact with other parents is limited – there is less of a culture of chattering at the school gate: “That’s something I felt was quite sad. There was a strong community with the parents and here I feel it’s very much just collect the kids and go.” However, there are regular parent-teacher evenings every term and she says parents are strongly encouraged to have a role in their children’s education and check they are not slipping. She is also impressed with the number of tests pupils are given – one or two every week – and the ability to check the marks online.

14 Leisure Time

Brittany Pages

August 2012

BRITTANY FOR EVERYONE

PROMOTING BRITTANY - www.brittanyforeveryone.com French-themed crossword

by John Foley

Across

Down

2. In French as in English, sport for two teams of seven swimmers (5-4) 8. Franc portion (7) 9. Organ of the body, le siège des émotions et sentiments (5) 10. Wise shrub whose aromatic leaves are used for seasoning (4) 11. Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest (7) 13. Spa city in North Rhine-Westphalia otherwise known as Aix-la-Chapelle (6) 15. Octogenarian Vichy France chief of state (6) 18. Useful outil for stargazing in France (7) 20. Long dress for formal occasions (4) 23. A legal right (5) 24. Monmartre-born artist Maurice _______, who specialised in cityscapes (7) 25. Gas providing a very hot flame discovered by Edmund Davy, then rediscovered and named by French chemist Marcellin Berthelot (9)

1. French Mediterranean city named after the Greek goddess of victory (4) 2. Eponymous fish in 1988 film starring John Cleese and Kevin Kline (5) 3 and 22. Fabric with a repeated pattern, often of a pastoral scene (5,2,4) 4. City in Champagne-Ardennes region which was the traditional scene of the coronation of the kings of France (English spelling, with an H) (6) 5 and 21. Irish playwright and poet buried in the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in Paris (5,5) 6. Geographical area encompassing islands and seas in the Pacific (7) 7. “Of all the crosses I have to bear,” said Churchill of his relationship with de Gaulle, “the heaviest is the Cross of ________” (8) 12. Singer Johnny who co-starred with Jean Rochefort in L'homme du train (8) 14. Marseilles-born former Manchester United star Eric _______ (7) 16. Fencing term adopted from French (2,5) 17. “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to ______”, Proverbs 14:23 (6) 19. Qualification honorifique given to a person (5) 21. See 5 22. See 3

Most answers are in French, with the exceptions of Across: 11 and 20 and Down: 2, 4, 6, 17 and 5/21. Answers can be found at the bottom of page

What’s in a word? .com - Fotolia

Sudoku

Easy

machine-gun. However it had more to do with a change in the law. In October 1920 the French government passed a law which prevented bakers from starting work before 4.00, no longer leaving them enough time to prepare the standard round loaf, called a boule, in time for breakfast. The slender baguette solved the problem because it could be prepared and baked much more rapidly. Nor is the baguette even a French invention, unfortunately. Like so much else in the baker’s window, from the croissant to the pain au chocolat, the baguette first made its appearance in Austria, which is why so many such delicacies are still referred to as viennoiseries. At least the baker’s shop itself still retains the original French name of boulangerie, even if it does now produce far more than just the traditional round loaf, or boule, which gave it its name.

Intermediate

6 FRANCE’S youngest MP, aged 22, belongs to which famous family of politicians?

2 WHO said they would “roll out the red carpet” to wealthy French people and businesses put off by high tax rates in France? 3 WHICH town in the Corrèze is putting on tours allowing visitors to "follow in the footsteps of François Hollande"?

7 WHICH travel operator has bought ferries from collapsed firm SeaFrance and is returning them to regular service on the Channel?

4 THE WORLD of French sport paid tribute to Thierry Roland recently, who died at the age of 76. For what job was he famous?

Difficult

Photo: Dave Hamster/Flickr

IF YOU go into a boulangerie and ask for a baguette, you would know exactly what to expect – one of those wonderful long, French loaves that are known the world over. But less than a couple of hundred years ago, when Napoleon’s armies were rampaging through Europe, from Spain to Egypt and northwards to Russia, a baguette meant something quite different. It was the ramrod used to pack the charge into a musket, ready for firing in battle. It also doubled as a cane for whipping unfortunate soldiers, who were punished by running the gauntlet between two lines of infantry-men. Recalcitrant soldiers carried the scars of such beatings until their dying day. So when did the military ramrod change into a harmless and delicious loaf of bread? It must have had something to do with advances in military technology, which made the muzzle-loaded musket redundant in the face of the carbine, the rifle and the

baguette

Photo: Jessica Genetel/Wikimedia

lubashi

5 LONDON is hosting this summer’s Olympics. Which city came second in the bidding process?

1 WHICH celebrity couple, who had a home in Plan-de-la-Tour (Var) have split up after 14 years together?

CROSSWORD ANSWERS. Across: 2 water-polo; 8 centime; 9 coeur; 10 sage; 11 Miranda; 13 Aachen; 15 Pétain; 18 lunette; 20 gown; 23 droit; 24 Utrillo; 25 acétylène Down: 1 Nice; 2 Wanda; 3&22 toile de Jouy; 4 Rheims; 5&21 Oscar Wilde; 6 Oceania; 7 Lorraine; 12 Hallyday; 14 Cantona; 16 en garde; 17 penury; 19 titre (or title) FRANCE QUIZ ANSWERS: 1 Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis; 2 David Cameron; 3 Tulle; 4 TV football commentator; 5 Paris; 6 Le Pen; 7 Eurotunnel

Photo:

The France quiz

by Paul Masters

Brittany Pages

Food and Pets 15

August 2012

Fresh tuna for a light summer’s lunchtime

Medium-cooked tuna, peppers confit and balsamic caramel

CUT OUT & KEEP!

INGREDIENTS

50ml groundnut oil (huile d’arachide) 4 fresh tuna steaks

Freshly caught from the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, tuna is in plentiful supply at markets – and there is much more to it than just an ingredient in a traditional salade niçoise ance and is fished all year round in tropical waters, mainly for canned products. Like salmon, tuna is rich in omega 3 (which is good for the cardio-vascular system) and contains vitamin B3, which helps the nervous system. Serving possibilities are endless: whether grilled or pan-fried with vegetables, baked in a gratin or lasagne with some spinach and ricotta, shaped into balls with pasta and a tomato sauce, or of course the traditional salade niçoise and the sandwich equivalent, pain bagnat, with olive oil, olives, eggs and anchovies. Alternatively, pick up some brightly coloured peppers from your garden or the market, and a chilled white or rosé wine, and try this recipe for a light al-fresco lunch or dinner.

For the peppers confit: 80ml extra-virgin olive oil 2 yellow peppers, de-seeded and chopped 2 red peppers, de-seeded and chopped a few spring onions salt and pepper For the balsamic caramel: 200ml balsamic vinegar 30g caster sugar

METHOD

FORGET the tins from the Seychelles available all year round – this time of year is ideal for buying freshly caught tuna steaks in France. Market traders sell tuna from the Gulf of Gascony or the Mediterranean from June until November and most commonly thon blanc, with its light pink flesh Other varieties exist, most notably thon rouge or bluefin tuna which is very popular for sushi and has been the subject of much controversy. Bluefin tuna is an endangered species and has been over-fished in recent years – prompting protests from Greenpeace including a 2006 blockade of Marseille port. France banned bluefin tuna fishing very early this season when quotas were reached. There is also tuna albacore, which has a yellowy appear-

Serves: 4 Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking: 25-30 minutes

Prepare the balsamic caramel by combining the balsamic vinegar and caster sugar together in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over a moderate heat. Continue to simmer until it has reduced by half and thickened. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C (gas mark 6). Arrange the peppers and spring onions in a roasting tray. Season and drizzle over half of the extra-virgin olive oil. Roast for 10-15 minutes until soft.

Remove from the oven and pour over the rest of the olive oil. Cover and leave to cool to room temperature. Rub the tuna steaks with the groundnut oil and season with salt and pepper. Heat a cast iron frying pan over a high heat until hot. Sear the tuna steaks for 1-2 minutes on all sides, then transfer to the oven to

finish cooking for 4-6 minutes. Transfer the peppers and spring onion to the oven at the same time as the tuna steaks go in to reheat. Reheat the balsamic caramel at the same time over a low heat. Spoon the peppers and spring onions on to serving plates. Top with the tuna steaks and spoon the balsamic caramel on top.

Time to ramp up the flea prevention

SCRATCHING is generally the first sign that your pet is infested with fleas. Use Betadine to clean any small bites, cuts or sore patches on your pet’s skin. Bites on humans tend to come in little rows of three small, flat, incredibly itchy red spots. Check for fleas around the eyes and ears of your pet and underneath the tail. If your pet has dark fur, use a flea comb to search for what looks like fine black grit but which is in fact, flea droppings. If your pet is clear, then your prevention plan is working and should be continued. If not, you need to ramp up the action. The best known and most effective treatment on the market is probably Frontline, a small tube of liquid which you buy from

Photo: TheSupe87 - Fotolia.com

August is prime time for fleas, so treatment and prevention should continue at full strength until at least the end of November, says SAMANTHA DAVID

Pet Care the pharmacy and apply to the nape of your pet’s neck. If it does not seem to be working, try applying half to the nape of the neck and half between the shoulder blades, and increase frequency to two rather than three weeks. If your pet is allergic to Frontline, try Stronghold which is more expensive but better tolerated by animals with sensitive skins. These treatments take two to three days to work and in the meantime, flea powder can be a useful instant treatment, but wear an overall and

This column is sponsored by

Insecticide shampoos are instantly effective, but not long-lasting apply it outside well away from the house, or the fleas will simply jump off your pet on to the sofa and live there until they can move back home at a later date. Insecticide shampoos are instantly effective on dogs but only last until the dog meets a new flea. Collars are vital and effective against the sand

flies which carry leichmaniose but alone will not protect against fleas. If despite all this, your pets still have fleas and humans in the household are also being bitten, it is possible that your furnishings and carpets are harbouring a reservoir of them which is constantly re-infesting your pets. Remove loose covers

from sofas and armchairs and check the seams for flea eggs. They will look like fluff but be harder to pull away from the stitching. If you are not sure, get all loose covers, cushion covers and other soft furnishings dry cleaned or put them through the washing machine at 60°C. Then sprinkle specialised insecticide powder (from the pet section of DIY shops) over your carpets and furniture, paying attention to the sides of the arms and the divisions between the backs and bases of sofas where fleas could hide. Leave the powder for a day and then go to war with your vacuum. You will need a flattened furniture attachment to get into all recesses. Vacuum all curtains, carpets (on both sides) and furniture (inside and out, underneath and round the back) and when you have finished, take the vacuum outside and change the bag immediately. Throw it straight into the dustbin. Chickens are commonly infested with fleas, so try to keep cats and dogs away from chicken runs and if you or your children handle chickens, wash your hands afterwards.

Tel. 06 58 01 82 76 Web. www.seulementnaturel.eu Email. marc.somsen@chardeyre.com

16 Directory

Brittany Pages

August 2012

Advertise here ALL YEAR from just €75HT Call free on 0800 91 77 56 or email directory@connexionfrance.com

BRITTANY DIRECTORY

English-speaking firms near you For your security, we check that the French businesses in this section are officially registered with the authorities

Find registered tradespeople quickly and easily ANIMALS

IN THE DOG HOUSE

Small established family run KENNELS & CATTERY - COLLOREC

Quality care for your pet

02 98 73 91 10 - 06 33 44 71 17 collorec@me.com Siret: 492 349 931 00013

Canine Behaviourist

Solving your dog and puppy problems using calm, assertive and positive reinforcement methods Tel: 02 96 36 65 61 Mob: 06 45 79 01 67 Email: locarn1@yahoo.co.uk Siret. 481 238 483 00012

CHARITY FIELDS

Breeder of Dutch Sheep, Ouissant sheep and Kune Kune Pigs Call Carole on 02 97 34 70 44 carole.williams@orange.fr

Fabrick 22

Solving all your Building Needs www.fabrick22.com info@fabrick22.com Tel: 02 96 39 27 67 Siret: 519 572 135 00019

J. S. H. Easy Access specialist in Ramps, Handrails, Door Frames, Non-Slip Surfaces, Wet rooms Free Quotes, Dep 22/29

Tel: 02 96 23 97 58 - Mob: 06 26 53 91 03 Email: spencer91122@hotmail.co.uk Siret : 519 571 392

Getting it right first time Danish workmanship built to last

If your job is worth doing It's worth doing well ANDREW ALLEN - ARCHITECT

www.architectbrittany.com

02 96 83 47 25 JEREMY SMITH

www.artisancarpenter.com email : info@peterjensen.fr Tel : 02 96 29 51 66 Mob: 06 30 24 55 29 Siret : 489651976

Building Renovation & Property Maintenance Covering all of Brittany Shaun Lake

Tel: 06 31 26 16 21 / 02 97 43 57 81 Web: www.artisanmultiservice.com Email: shaunlake@hotmail.com Siret no: 500405089

FRENCH REGISTERED ARCHITECT Design - Planning permissions Project management - All building types and sizes

Tel: 02 96 21 23 67 Mob: 06 43 79 37 54 Email: mail@jeremysmitharchitects.com www.jeremysmitharchitects.com Siret: 512004024300014

Stairs2measure.com Made to measure wooden staircases

Thistle Renovations Ltd

Timber Treatment, Preventative & Remedial Woodworm & Dry Rot, Plastering, Pointing

SARL Steve & Wendy Foster Renovations Electrical - Plumbing - Tiling Doors & Windows - Stud-walls Insulation www.renov8it4u.com Tel: 02 98 26 43 95 Mobile: 06 68 25 46 54 Email: steve.wendy.foster@orange.fr

St Malo, Dinard, Dinan

SARL BCBP Stonework, Renovation Groundwork, Gardening Full and Part Renovations & Conversions Connection to Main Drain and Septic Tank From Mini-Diggers to 20t Diggers Paving & Decking Perfect English Spoken

Bruno Bonnier Tel: 06 71 05 60 82 www.bcbp.fr Siret : 47942748600010

Covering Depts 22 & 29

Tel: 02 96 44 26 20 Email: charleshaigh@orange.fr

Wellesley House Surveying

BRETON BUILD Carpenter, roofer and general builder specialising in the renovation of traditional Breton Properties.

info@bretonbuild.com 02 97 38 57 61 www.bretonbuild.com Regions 29/56/35/22 Siret: 489 314 278 00032

Siret: 453 231 920 00019

Registered and Based in Brittany

Property Surveys Brittany/Normandy/Loire - English Style Contact: Nick Warner Tel: (France) +33 (0)296 31 83 30 Email: info@french-property-survey.com Web page: www.french-property-survey.com SIRET No. 452 539 273 00014

BUILDERS & RENOVATION

Ed Chalkley: Maitre Artisan Complete Interior Renovation with all trades undertaken. Registered Carpenter.

View work at edwardchalkley@blogspot.com Tel: 02.96.82.72.91(evenings)

Portable: 06.70.54.13.76 Siret number: 513 187 153 00012

Stuart Barker Plastering 35 years experience:

Boarding Insulation Floors Tiling Painting Block Laying Digger Works Tel: +33 (0) 2 98 93 87 43 Mobile: +33 (0) 6 23 67 84 17 Email: platrier.homeservice@hotmail.com

Jon Oram

Plastering Rendering Pointing Limework Tiling Decorating Renovation Restoration All Aspects of Work Undertaken

Tel: 02 98 99 77 46 Mobile: 06 25 78 93 63 E-mail: Jonandorice@wanadoo.fr

All types of work, Exterior-Interior, New - Renovation-Repair. Entreprise Bown Robert

Tel/Fax: 02 97 51 10 11 - Mob: 06 38 34 20 78 Email: robert.bown@orange.fr Siret: 424 531 069 00013

A PROPERTY TO SELL

COMPUTERS, TV, PHONE,

Computer Help & Repair Linux • MS • OsX Tel: 09 66 40 09 87

sostoolbox.com Infortech PC & Mac Computer Engineer From teething troubles to total trauma We Can Help! Tel: 02 98 71 14 91 / 06 32 30 70 54 Email: dale@infortechfrance.com www.infortechfrance.com Siret: 489 684 696 00011

EDUCATION / LANGUAGE PENELOPE GRAHAM-HELWIG TRADUCTRICE ASSERMENTÉE SWORN TRANSLATOR

Legal - Property - Birth Certificates - Driving Licenses

Tel: 02 99 20 26 86 Mobile: 06 89 89 75 81

Email: pennyhelwig@hotmail.com

ESTATE AGENTS Property for sale in Brittany Buying / Selling property in Morbihan Translation - Negotiation - Advertising Currency Exchange

Tel: 02 97 67 17 93 Mob: 06 27 14 51 14

info@propertyforsaleinbrittany.co.uk www.propertyforsaleinbrittany.co.uk

English and Fluent French speaking agent, always needing more houses for sale, 8 years experience info@normandyandbrittanyhousesforsale.com TEL FR: +33 (0) 6 19 17 34 61 TEL UK: +44 (0) 7880 501 116 www.NormandyandBrittanyhousesforsale.com Siret: 519 751 465

HOUSES ON INTERNET

Stonework z Block work z Plastering z Plasterboarding z Roofing

Sell your property to a worldwide audience using our global network. Our fees are the lowest in France, our results are the best. WWW. HOUSESONINTERNET.COM

Ad No. 17612

Tel: 05 55 65 12 19

Siret No.: 511 627 341 00015

56 MORBIHAN 56

A BUSINESS TO PROMOTE

www.brittanyforeveryone.com

Web: www.stairs2measure.com

Mike Welby 0296875737 www.welby.fr

Mobile: 06 28 11 31 60 Evening: 02 96 13 14 48

Siret 503 281 438

Email: quote@stairs2measure.com

Renovations - Extensions Alterations - Dry Lining Excavations - Fosse Septiques

Mobile PC repairs

ADVERTISE FOR FREE

Email: bonnier.cleran@orange.fr

CHARLES HAIGH CONSTRUCTION

www.PCBREAKDOWNSOS.com

02 96 29 59 41 Thistle22@orange.fr

Tel: 02 56 33 50 11 Mob: 06 04 17 26 65

Plans Planning Permisions

BUSINESS & WEBSITES

Contact Paul - Operating Dept22 Radius 30km Corlay

Office in Dinan Centre

Newbuilds - Extentions - Repairs - Carpentry - Roofing

ARCHITECTS

LA CASSIERE Installer of all types of sewerage systems, agent for BIOROCK. All groundworks undertaken. Tel: 02 96 26 22 56 Mobile: 06 11 18 22 19 Email: lacassieretp@free.fr

CLC

Building & Property Maintenance Renovations, Repairs, Conversions, Extensions Tel: 06 59 71 50 29 or 02 98 86 95 37 Troleron 29530 Plonevez du Faou

Email: clc-chrislynn@hotmail.com

GARDENS & POOLS

Tree Surgeon Stuart Lee

Qualified, Insured, Equipped Stump grinder and Woodchipper

02 99 68 43 46

www.lejardinieranglais.com Highest Quality Handmade Sheds

Outbuildings, Animal Houses, All Garden Furniture Made to your specifications www.shedsfrance.com shedsfrance@yahoo.co.uk 02 97 70 68 83 06 04 16 58 05

JARDINERIE HOLLANDAISE

Garden Centre and Garden Maintenance Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday or on 'RDV' Le Garly 56480 Ste. Brigitte Tel/Fax: 02 97 27 62 19 - Mobile : 06 75 39 25 79 Email: contact@jardinerie-hollandaise.com Web: www.jardinerie-hollandaise.com Siret: 40029026800020

GENERAL

Exclusive Healthcare Your Helping Hand to the French Health System

+33 (0) 4 94 40 31 45 www.exclusivehealthcare.com

Anna Pathfinder Your life coach in Brittany www.annapathfinder.com

Tel. 02 99 44 38 09 HEALTH & BEAUTY

Liana

Mobile Hairdresser Huelgoat and its surrounding areas

Discounts available for group bookings

02 98 99 90 51 - 06 66 38 31 11 Email: l.wheaton@laposte.net INSURANCE & FINANCE

bml angloagence.com

English registered cars House insurance - Health cover 1700 British clients trust us 02 96 87 21 21 contact@angloagence.com Dinan, Brittany

AXA INSURANCE

Guillaume POISSANT

EXPERT INSURANCE & FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ENGLISH

02 97 60 08 23

Home Car Health Business Banking Locminé, Morbihan 56500

agence.poissant@axa.fr www.axapoissantinsurance.com

MOTORING

Brittany Pages

Directory 17

August 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURES

Turnkey renovation solutions at your fingertips Renovator and landscaper Bruno Bonnier has come a long way with his English customers since they first started seeking his advice five years ago AFTER a career spent in the electrics and computing industry, Bruno Bonnier has been running his own building company since 2003. Since his first English client came to him five years ago he has steadily built up a regular clientele mainly hailing from Jersey, Guernsey, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. “My English was quite rusty then, but I have improved a lot and really enjoy meeting people from other cultures and helping them achieve what they want; acting as their interpreter if you like.” He works in the Côtes-d’Armor covering the area between Dinan, Dinard and

Saint-Malo and offers a turnkey service so there is no need for the client to make all the contacts. “They don’t have to worry about organising all the different people and materials needed for a project, that is done by me. They just discuss what work they want completing and I can advise them,” said Bruno. “What I love doing is renovation: I don’t start anything new, I prefer to work to improve and build on what is there already.” Among the many types of jobs he offers is kitchen and bathroom renovation, garden landscaping – he has several diggers

to tackle the big jobs – stonework, paving and decking. He fully exploits his knowledge of local traders and artisans to pick the appropriate people to finish the job to a high standard – all fully insured. His company Sarl BCBP is based at Plouër-sur-Rance and he offers free estimations for jobs. Other projects he carries out include repairing, installing and connecting septic tanks, and connecting houses up to the main sewage network, where possible. Bruno Bonnier 06 71 05 60 82 bonnier.cleran@orange.fr

Builder Bruno Bonnier runs Sarl BCBP and is based in Plouër-sur-Rance

Economise on the use of oil with a Mistral boiler VB Plombier is the only agent in Brittany able to supply and fully install Mistral boilers which are the most reliable and efficient on the market, says Vince Boon

Mistral boilers are very reliable

AS A TIME served heating engineer who has lived in France for five years, Vince Boon of VB Plombier has a lot of knowledge and experience in oil fuelled boilers. He always chooses to install boilers manufactured by Mistral, as time and time again they have proved to be the most dependable. “I have installed these boilers for many years and they have always been 100% reliable and efficient,” said Vince. “These boilers run whisper quiet and can be fitted into any situation - whether it’s a kitchen, utility room, basement or garage. They come with either a discreet balanced flue

or a conventional chimney flue liner.” VB Plombier is the only agent in Brittany that offers the supply and full installation of these boilers, and they are competitively priced compared to the French models. “I can provide two boiler options: standard efficiency - our lowest priced choice - which returns an efficiency of 93%, or our condensing model which provides an efficiency of 97%,” said Vince. Given the increasing price of oil, everyone needs to economise to make their fuel go further. Existing boilers can

Property sales are up thanks to the web Forming partnerships and implementing new marketing strategies have proved to be the keys to success during these difficult times, says Philippa Weitz DELAMARCHE Immobilier, an estate agency situated in the Gavray, has bucked the recent trend of poor property sales by recording excellent results across the market. Based in lower Normandy, but with a territory that covers much of Brittany, the company has been innovative in the way it operates, working in partnership with vendors and making many preparations via email. “The recent investment in new internetbased software has enabled us to work from anywhere,” said Philippa. “From both a marketing and sales point of view the software is in no way geographically limiting, meaning that we can supply an

Ian Torode Servicing / repairs for most makes of vehicle / garden machinery. Car Help - Advice - Parts. Web: www.mowermaninbrittany.net e-mail: admin@partsbroker.net Tel: 02 56 22 90 12

PLUMBERS

Fabrick Dinan Septic Tank Installations Including Pre-installation Surveys Based Dinan Centre

02 96 27 16 53 fabrickdinan@gmail.com

VALOMET

Plumbing Heating & Sanitary Renewable Energy - Electricity Security Checks - Rewiring - Quotes in English

Tel: 02 97 23 42 15 or English: 06 71 78 71 74 Email: societevalomet@orange.fr Siret: 417535572

equally good service in Brittany as in Normandy.” With four English- and French-speaking negotiators within the company, an excellent service is provided across all areas. In Brittany, a specialist agent is based in the Bay of Le Mont St Michel, covering a territory that stretches from Saint Malo to Avranches and southwards. “The other great news is that we have combined forces informally with two high performing Brittany agencies to create an informal North Brittany network,” said Philippa. “So if we do not have the right house for a client, we immediately pass them on - a win-win for everyone.”

PROPERTY SERVICES

Prestige Painting & Decorating Services Every aspect of Decorating, Interior & Exterior, Wall Papering, Tiling, Sealants Work, Power Washing, Wood Treatments Contact Adrian or Lena Baker

Tel: 02 96 83 97 49

Mob: 06 58 04 51 46 adrian.Lenabaker@hotmail.fr Siret 51442634500013

BRETON COUNTRY COTTAGES

Property Management and Holiday Letting Services We will take care of your second home or holiday property leaving you free to enjoy it.

Tel: 0297398742

www.bretoncountrycottages.com

wilkinson.bcc@wanadoo.fr

Delamarche Immobilier has partner agencies in France, Jersey, the UK and Holland, all of whom have given very positive feedback about the new software and the quality of information provided to customers. With three websites in total, the main one - delamarcheimmobilier.com - is only in French but features all of the properties. The other two English and French sites have the majority of houses on them and are in both languages. “When it comes to property sales, it is usually the price that dictates how many online hits a house gets, so we do encourage vendors to think very seriously about their sale price from the outset,” said Philippa. Delamarche Immobilier would like to hear from anyone who has a house for sale in Normandy or Brittany.

To advertise here call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

The Holiday Exchange Home Exchange without the need to find a direct exchange partner.

Email: info@theholidayexchange.com Tel: 02 97 93 91 56 Web: www.theholidayexchange.com Siret: 53015743700019

eco-nett Home Services OVEN DEEP CLEAN SPECIALIST PAINTING, DECORATING, TILING, LAMBRIS CENTRAL BRITTANY AREA (22)

Tel: 06 04 49 83 70 email: eco-nett@hotmail.com website: www.eco-nett.webs.com SIRET 528 090 152 00018

REMOVALS

prove to be grossly inefficient, sending wasted heat into the atmosphere. The Mistral boilers extract the maximum, giving lower heating bills. VB Plombier now has a large client base in Brittany and covers an extensive area as word of mouth has continued to spread about its efficient and reliable service. As a fully qualified plumber Vince is able to offer a variety of different servic-

“

These boilers run whisper quiet and can be fitted into any situation - whether it’s a kitchen or basement

Light Removals to and from Northern France. Best prices, best service.

T: + 44 (0) 079705 30723 E: classicalternatives@msn.com Ad No. 18589

02 96 24 78 11 vince@vbplombier.fr www.vbplombier.fr

“

The recent investment in new internet-based software has enabled us to work from anywhere

“We take on houses from Dieppe to Roscoff, so please do think of approaching us to market and sell your property,” added Philippa. +33 (0)2 33 61 40 40 +33 (0)6 19 17 34 61 +44 (0)7880 501116 delamarche@normandylife.com www.delamarcheimmobilier.com Philippa provides an excellent service www.normandypropertyforsale.com across both Normandy and Brittany www.normandyandbrittanylife.com www.normandyandbrittanyhousesforsale.com

REDCLIFFE are a reliable Bristol based Remover and Storer with weekly trips to Brittany Credit crunch specials

Contact Andrew +44 (0) 7976 702 241 andrew@redclifferemovals.co.uk www.redclifferemovals.co.uk

Spex4less.Com High Quality Prescription Glasses Online Save Money On All Your Prescription Eyewear www.spex4less.com

WOODBURNERS

RETAIL

Kitchens & Furniture

www.rustique-revival.com Siret: 497 736 272 Ad No. 18809

Villager, Hunter, Aarrow & Stratford Stoves Esse Cooking Ranges Quality Stoves Delivered throughout France

www.woodburningstovesandcookers.com

Tel: 02 97 74 73 48 Based in Josselin 56

FIVE STAR REMOVALS

es, including bathroom installations, new or replacement radiators, complete central heating installations and system fault findings, newly laid water mains, home renovations, and chimney and flues sweeping. VB Plombier also installs solar panels, and can offer competitive rates on any of the work they complete. “If you require any further knowledge on these boilers, please feel free to take a look at Mistral’s website or contact us directly. We will be happy to answer any questions,” added Vince. For a no obligation quote, more information on boiler installation or details of any other service that VB Plombier can provide, contact the company via telephone or email.

To advertise here call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

Ash Grove Stoves Supplier of Hunter - Villager -

Clean Burn - Fire Visible Boiler versions available Deliveries all over France Prices on our website Lowest Prices Guaranteed Tel: 00 44 (0) 1392 861579 www.ashgrovestoves.com sales@ashgrovestoves.com

TOURISM

Guided walks in English

Discover the Monts d'Arrée in all their beauty!

kelly@walkandtalk.fr www.walkandtalk.fr 02 98 81 12 41

18 DIY

Brittany Pages

2012 Helpguide to Healthcare in France INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST ON LIFE IN FRANCE O

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Explains how Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s healthcare system works and gives a breakdown of the reimbursement system covering doctors, dentists, opticians and mental health specialists. Explains how to register with a GP and other practical information including pregnancy, cancer screening, disabilities and pharmacies. Especially written for Britons living in France. Published July 2, 2012

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Outdoor kitchens: more than a BBQ MAKING an outdoor kitchen can be fairly straightforward. First, decide where to locate it. Choose a flat space, not too far from the water supply with no branches which could overhang a barbecue. An area of hard standing or concrete is useful but not essential. It simply depends on whether style-wise you are aiming for Robinson Crusoe or Saint-Tropez. Installing a kitchen sink is easy, especially if you already have a water supply or, at least, a rainwater butt in your garden. Cheap, second-hand stainless-steel sink tops are easy to find at places like EmmaĂźs (find a local one online at pagesjaunes.fr) and very often come with the taps still attached. Once you have got one, you need to build a support for it; out of bricks and mortar if you want it to last but there is no reason why it should not sit on two dry stone end walls or even two trestles if it is only designed to be there for the summer and you do not mind it being a bit rickety. Stake trestles for extra stability using washing line and tent pegs. Otherwise cut a hole in an old table and sit your sink top into that. You will then need to cap off the hot water supply and rig a hosepipe to supply the cold tap. For the outflow, think about your garden and either run the used water into an irrigation system or a water butt for later use. Supply a sink plug to prevent water being wasted and tie it to the tap so it does not get lost. If hot water seems like a must, investigate the systems sold in camping shops. They are inexpensive and essentially consist of a plastic bag of water which you hang up in the sun each morning so that it is hot by the end of the day. Once you get this far, it is not complicated to add a work surface and if you want to keep it clean, tiles might be a good idea but make sure they are safe to be frozen; normal decorating tiles for indoor use will crack at the first frost. A very slight slope forwards will help prevent puddles of rainwater forming and make your tiles last longer. Installing a barbecue can also be as complex or simple as you chose. At its most basic, it could be a hollow in the ground surrounded by large stones, but of course the most fun project is to build the base from bricks and mortar, topping it off with a fireproof slab and adding a work top to one side. When installing firebricks, remember to use fireproof cement as well. You can also buy fireproof sealing mastic. The barbecues you buy from DIY stores including a chimney may need planning permission and even if they do not, in the interest of world peace it may be a good idea to consult your neighbours before building one right beside a boundary fence.

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