THE DORDOGNE
ADVERTISER 95c
ISSUE 38
APRIL 2012
PUBLISHERS OF
News and What’s On information for the Dordogne and surrounding area
Woman wins fight to keep wild boar
PAGE 5
TGV must link with Dordogne, say mayors
€2m test to check out faster internet service A €2 MILLION project to connect a whole commune to a fibre optic internet service is to be carried out at Fougueyrolles in Bergerac. The pilot scheme will cover 240 households and will be used to gain experience with a view to connecting the whole of the Dordogne to fibre optics. Work will start at the end of this year and should be completed by the end of 2013. It has been made possible by a grant from Europe aimed at helping rural areas upgrade their internet connections. Serge Foucaud, the president of the Pays du Grand Bergeracois, responsible for launching the scheme, says it is important to make sure that a rural area like the Dordogne is kept up to date with the latest technology. “Good internet connections are now as important as a rail, road or air infrastructure. We want everybody to have good internet access. “We have a good quality of life here. If we also have excellent internet connections we can continue to attract businesses and new residents to the area.”
by JANE HANKS
EASTER DAYS OUT Four pages of events in What’s On – Pages 8-11
THE MAYORS of Périgueux and Bergerac have joined forces to demand improved TGV rail links to Paris, which will give a huge boost to the Dordogne economy. They want the journey time to the capital to be cut to three hours from both cities. At present the journey from Périgueux to Paris takes around four a half hours and it is just possible to get from Bergerac to Paris in the same amount of time. Mayors Michel Moyrand, of Périgueux, and Bergerac’s Dominique Rousseau say threehour times are possible through improved rail links with Limoges and Bordeaux to join up with the proposed new LGV line (ligne à grande vitesse) planned for the west of France. Périgueux would need a new electrified line to Limoges to join the planned Paris-PoitiersLimoges TGV service, while Bergerac needs a faster connection to Bordeaux to access the Bordeaux-Tours-Paris TGV line. The Dordogne is the only department in
Aquitaine without direct access to the proposed new TGV lines. Mr Moyrand has made the TGV link one of his main priorities, with the motto Le TGV: un avenir pour la Dordogne (the TGV: the future of the Dordogne). Meanwhile, Mr Rousseau is closely watching a study by SNCF and RFF (Réseau Ferré de France which is responsible for the rail network) on ways to cut the journey time between Bordeaux and Bergerac from one hour 20 minutes to one hour. At a packed meeting recently Mr Moyrand explained the plans in front of leading supporters and said: “It is a historic opportunity for Périgueux and the Dordogne: the capital of the Dordogne must be linked to this strategic line, by modernising the 99km which separate Périgueux from Limoges.” Î Turn to P2
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Contents News What’s On Feature Business
2-7 8-11 12-13 14
Food Directory Property Profile
15 16-21 22-23 24
Useful Numbers 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 24 for the Dordogne): 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: 50 Rue Claude Bernard, 24011 PERIGUEUX CEDEX; Tel: 08 10 25 24 10. L’ASSURANCE MALADIE (AMELI, formerly known as CPAM – the health service): www.ameli.fr, Tel: 36 46 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm) English spoken. URSSAF: English-language website: www.anglais.urssaf.fr, Périgueux, 50 rue Claude-Bernard, 24022 Périgueux Cedex; Tel: 05 53 45 69 00. PREFECTURE: Services de l'Etat-préfecture, Cité administrative 24024 PERIGUEUX CEDEX Tel: 05 53 02 24 24; Email: prefecture@dordogne.gouv.fr 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 anxi-
ety disorders; Tel: 02 51 28 80 25; www.nopanic.org.uk ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: www.aafrancesud-ouest.com or call Ewen on 05 53 05 76 62 or Christine on 05 45 98 11 05. 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. CSF DORDOGNE EST/LOT: Margaret York: 05 65 22 96 37 or 06 35 90 03 41 (24 hrs); csfdoedognelot@yahoo.com CSF RIBERAC (CHARENTE SOUTH AND DORDOGNE WEST): Valerie Wareham: 06 43 67 86 11; Email: csfriberac@gmail.com 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 ASSOCIATION FRANÇAISE DES SOLOS: Monthly meetings after divorce, bereavement or separation. Social events for members. Corinne: 05 53 22 68 52 (evenings); or Claire: 05 53 08 55 13 (evenings); Email: afs.bergerac@orange.fr; www.asso-des-solos.fr BRITISH CONSULATE Address: 353 Boulevard du President Wilson 33073, Bordeaux Cedex; Tel + 33 5 57 22 21 10; www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en ENGLISH-LANGUAGE RADIO Radio Liberté 91.6 Mhz, based in Riberac, Dordogne, broadcasts an English-language radio show with news in English from Monday to Friday at 12:15 and at 19:30. It also airs a live English program every Friday from 12:30 to 14:30. Online streaming available. 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. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THIS MONTH April 9 - Easter Monday
Dordogne Clubs and Associations Anglican Church of Aquitaine Services: Bertric Burée, Chancelade, Limeuil Haut, Ste Nathalène and Sorges, also in 47, 33. Chaplain Revd Dr Paul Vrolijk 05 53 23 40 73 aquitainechaplain@gmail.com
Bibliothèque Anglaise Meyrals English books and DVDs. Mon 14.00 to 16.00 and Wed 10.00 to noon in 24220 Meyrals. Em Boiling: 05 53 30 30 23 bibliotheque.anglaise@gmail.com
Association Culturelle Franco-Anglaise Aquitaine From French lessons to bridge, plus monthly social get-togethers. www.acfaa.com
Chabrelle Computer Club Charlie Nott: La Roche Chabrelle 24320 St Just Tel: 05 53 90 50 39
Association Culturelle Internationale du Périgord ACIP aims to promote integration. Lycette Schouten Hoogendyk: 05 53 29 27 96 louisa.schoutenhoogendyk@orange.fr www.acip24.com Bergerac Photo Club Meets Wed at 20.30, Maison des Associations, Place Jules Ferry, Bergerac. photoclub-bergerac@orange.fr www.photoclub-bergerac.com
Centre de Golf Bergeracois Philippa Thornton: 05 53 58 87 18 centredegolfbergeracois@orange.fr Golf Public de Périgueux 05 53 53 02 35 golfpgx@wanadoo.fr www.golfdeperigueux.com The Interesting Gardening Club Jane Evans: 05 53 91 34 96 carolawt@aol.com www.theinterestinggardeningclub.org Maquiz'Art 05 53 23 82 37 maquizart@maquizart.com
April 2012
TGV vital if Dordogne is to flourish, say mayors Chamber of Commerce backs calls for improved rail links to put Paris just three hours from both Périgueux and Bergerac Î Turn
from P1
Posters promoting the rail improvements are to be seen across Périgueux and Mr Moyrand is confident that the plans will go ahead. Already a €200,000 study has been carried out, with the preferred option being to electrify the link between Périgueux and Limoges. This would let TGVs carry on to Périgueux – although not at top speed – so passengers do not have to change trains. Costing €176 milllion, it could give 10 trains a day, and a Paris round trip would be feasible within 24 hours. At Bergerac, Mr Rousseau has put deputy mayor Pascal Tabanou in charge of the project to cut the journey time from the town to Bordeaux 1hr20min to one hour. Mr Tabanou said: “At Bergerac we can offer a quality of life which is attractive not only to the British, but also to Parisians and people working in Bordeaux. To attract them we must have a decent form of train transport which is clearly not the case at present. “We need a faster connection with Bordeaux and the TGV which will arrive there in 2017, and we need more comfortable and more modern trains.” However, there is also a solid dose of reality in the politicians’ thoughts and Mr Rousseau does not think that
a TGV will ever come right in to Bergerac or that the line will be electrified. He says full electrification would be too expensive for the public purse, but improvements are “essential for the future of the town and its surroundings”. The Chamber of Commerce backs the project and François Gaumet, responsible for the rail plans, says it is vital for the Dordogne: “If we don’t manage to improve our rail links we will not be able to keep manufacturing alive in the department, which is essential for our local economy. “If we only rely on tourism we will not be able to weather the economic storm.” He added: “We must make sure that new businesses are confident enough in the transport system to want to set up in the Dordogne.” Mr Gaumet said the chamber was doing everything it could to keep up the pressure
for Paris to be just three hours away: “It will make a huge difference. It will mean a day trip for a meeting will be possible. “Trains are more widely accessible than planes, which, though very important, are really only used by the industry bosses. Potential clients are more likely to use rail.” However, Dordogne rail consumer group Périgord Rail Plus sounded a note of caution on the cost and viability of the project. While it welcomed renewed interest in the plans – which they support wholeheartedly – president and ex-train driver Jean-François Martinet said he was not sure they would happen in the near future, especially in Périgueux. “Sadly, in the present economic climate I am not sure the government can fund the LGV link between Poitiers and Limoges, however strong the political will – 2030 may be more realistic than 2020.
Mayor of Perigueux Michel “Maybe they should look at other solutions, such as improving links to Bordeaux, as plans to get the TGV there are more advanced, meaning Bergerac may be more likely to reach the three-hour target than Périgueux.” Having the rail plans once more at the top of the political agenda has excited the group and he said: “We do feel rail improvements are the key to economic development in the department. Faster links to Paris would bring more business and more tourists.” Their doubts on the timing are shared by others, including Charles Gillooley, Dordogne president of real estate
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It is a historic opportunity for Périgueux and the Dordogne: the capital of the Dordogne must be linked to this strategic line, by modernising the 99km which separate Périgueux from Limoges
Photo: Ville de Périgueux
THE DORDOGNE
Dordogne Advertiser
Michel Moyrand – Périgueux mayor
Railway line is reopened AS pressure grows on improving rail links between Périgueux, Bergerac and Paris, there has been some improvement to the infrastructure within the department. The line between Sarlat and Bergerac has just been reopened after more than a year of renovation works when passengers had to take a bus for part of the journey.
Work has been carried out to upgrade 60 kilometres of track. The old line dated from the 19th century, and trains between Siorac and Sarlat couldn’t go any faster than 50 kph and in some places had to reduce speed to 30 km per hour. Trains can now travel up to 90kph, and as a result, the journey time has been
shortened by between 10 and 15 minutes. The works complete the second phase of a four-point programme costing €70million in all. The railway stations at Bergerac and Le Buisson have also been given a facelift. The Bordeaux-BergeracSarlat line is the fifth most used line in the Aquitaine,
with 2,500 travellers using it every day. However it remains a single track - so train speed will always be slow and the number of trains is restricted. The only double track in the department is between Bordeaux and Périgueux where trains can reach up to 160kph. Mr Patrick du Fau de Lamothe from the Aquitaine Conseil Régional
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April 2012
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Major road ‘should be upgraded’
Photo: ©PHOTOPQR-SUD OUEST-Sounalet Jean Christophe
Moyrand held a public meeting to present the case for bringing the TGV to Dordogne, which his one of his top priorities association FNAIM. He fears the improved links will not come as quickly as hoped and would be unlikely to boost house prices at present: “These changes will come, eventually, and it will be good news in the very long term. But not for another 20 years. “So, for the present it won’t affect the property market one little bit. Really, I think that even mayor Michel Moyrand must be aware of that.”
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Meanwhile, Aquitaine regional council has severely criticised the standard of the present-day rail service – and will take court action if things don’t improve. The Conseil Régional has a contract with SNCF to run the TER (Train Express Régional) which make up the vast majority of trains in the Dordogne. It says the number of cancellations, late arrivals and poor maintenance mean the contract is not being met. Patrick du Fau de Lamothe, the delegate responsible for the trains, said: “Take an example: on one day, February 13, 13 trains were cancelled because of prob-
lems with the rolling stock. “Often these cancellations are not anticipated, so people turn up at the station for a train which simply isn’t there because it’s being repaired. “Often its carriages are in the garage, which means the train turns up, but is shorter than it should be.” He added: “In January, just 82% of trains on the Périgueux-Bordeaux line arrived on time; yet it is the third most important route in the region. Over Christmas, SNCF were 15 drivers down because their holiday rotas hadn’t been drawn up correctly. It’s extremely serious.” The region has started a
In January just 82% of PérigueuxBordeaux trains arrived on time Patrick du Fau de Lamothe
Progress Plan and said: “We don’t like to have to do this, but we are having to keep an extremely close watch on the SNCF to make sure things run better. The region spends €160m on the trains a year and we must ensure it’s money well spent.” There have been a number of meetings between the two sides and an SNCF spokesman said they weren’t going to hide the fact there had been problems, but things were already improving. “We now have a mobile team who can go out to do repairs – before we had to bring the trains back to Bordeaux. We have also introduced teams who work through the night, and we are establishing better communications with RFF (Réseau Ferré de France responsible for the rail network) so we know how long work will take. As a result we can inform passengers of delays. “We have had to contend with far more works on the lines than normal recently, and bad weather didn’t help improve our record at the beginning of the year.”
after renovations was doubtful about the ease of improving train speed between Bergerac and Bordeaux, as it too is only single track. Details for changes in timetables due to the reopening of the line can be found at stations, on the website www.tersncf.com and by telephone: 0 800 872 872 (Monday to Friday 06.30-19.30).
Aquitaine regional president Alain Rousset visits Bergerac station for the opening of the Sarlat line following renovations
THE Chamber of Commerce in the Dordogne is also pressing for important improvements to road links which it says are also vital to the economy of the department. Together with four other departments and three regions in an association known as Euro 21, it wants to see the RN21 from Limoges to Tarbes in the Pyrénées developed into a modern dual carriageway. François Gaumet, from the Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is very important to make sure that all forms of communication are good – air, rail and road. “Studies have shown that the public everywhere prefer the car for journeys of up to 150km, the train from 150km to 800km and after that they prefer to take a plane. “So while we are calling for improved rail links we think better roads on the RN21 are equally important.
“It passes through Périgueux, Bergerac, Villeneuvesur-Lot and Agen. Euro 21 president JeanClaude Pouxviel is also a member of the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce and said: “An enclosed department like ours risks losing its competitive edge by being cut off from important communication networks. “To have a major axis which crosses the motorways, the A89, the A64 and the A62 is vital to give industry the chance to develop in all directions.” Euro 21 says improvements are also necessary because the road is dangerous, with the number and severity of accidents being above the national average. It is now waiting to see whether the government will provide the funding for improvements to the 385 kilometres of road between Limoges and Tarbes.
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April 2012
Now all your Follow in the historic cycle plastic waste tracks of Lawrence of Arabia is recyclable
Thomas Edward Lawrence and Puy L’Evêque, which he visited on his travels best friend in England, which give a picture of the area at the turn of the century. “There are many anecdotes. For example, he couldn’t understand why all the French had dogs – because they constantly ran after him and his bicycle. “And for the local people he was a bit of a curiosity because, being an ascetic, he only drank water and refused offers of wine.” His trip was at the very beginning of tourism and cyclotourism in the area but there were already cycling
guides with rules of conduct. You were advised not to cycle more than 15km an hour. It also gives an insight into the state of the medieval sites at the time. The cycle tour is due to be opened in September and will use new technology so that cyclists can download information about the route on to their computers or on to their phones as they travel. So now modern adventurers can learn about the historical trip of Lawrence of Arabia by modern methods.
THE Dordogne has become the first department in France where you can put all your household plastic packaging into the yellow bags. Yoghurt pots, ham wrappings, toothpaste tubes, plastic bags can all go in the recycling bin. Until now only certain plastics, mostly from bottles, were allowed. Damien Peyruchaud , a technician from the SMD3 which is responsible for the recycling programme in the Dordogne, says by making the change across the whole of the department in one go, he hopes it will be easier for people to decide what to put in the yellow sack and so increase the amount of recycling. He added: “This has been made possible by improvements in technology. We now have machines which can detect different types of plastic – and there are now the possibilities of recycling the different types. Before we
couldn’t do anything with the type of plastic used to make a yoghurt pot – now we can.” He stresses though, that only household packaging is acceptable – no toys for example. And you don’t have to wash them first: “There is a myth that everything in the bags must be clean, but above all we don’t want to encourage wasting water, which is such a precious resource. Yes, scrape your pots and tins out – but no to running them under the tap.” Along with plastics you can put cardboard, aluminium and steel packaging in the yellow bags, and in most areas, but not all, paper. Some communes still have separate bins for paper. The aim is to achieve the government’s recycling objectives so that 75% of household waste will be recycled in 2012, and that in the next five years there will be less than 25 kilos per resident in the black bin bag.
A SPOT OF HISTORY
Tragic story behind chapel
Photo: FLORENCE VIGIER
THE name Lawrence of Arabia is not usually associated with the Dordogne, but he did make a journey here – not on a camel but on a bike. This year the route he took is to become a 300km trail for cyclists. Thomas Edward Lawrence was a 19year-old history student at Oxford when he came to France to study the chateaux connected with the Crusades and Richard Lionheart. He arrived at Le Havre on July 15, 1908, and in the next two months travelled 4,500km through France on his bicycle. The rich history between the English and the French in the Périgord was of particular interest to him. He arrived at Monpazier from where his journey took him to Castillon-laBataille, just over the border in the Gironde, Montpon, up to Périgueux where he was not impressed by the recent renovations of the cathedral, then to Hautefort, which was the chateau of Bertrand de Born, the troubadour friend of Richard Lionheart, and on to Chalus, in the Limousin, where he celebrated his 20th birthday at the site where King Richard I of England was killed. Paul Debet, from the tourist services of the Conseil Général, says that Lawrence’s journey is fascinating for many reasons – particularly because he sent regular letters to his mother and
Photo: Jimjag - Fotolia.com
Did you know?
AFTER the Hundred Years War, the Périgord gradually enjoyed a minor Golden Age. Small manor-houses were built throughout the Sarlat region, principally for the local noblesse de la robe (people who owed their promotion to the nobility to the legal or administrative posts they or their ancestors had purchased). The CarsacAillac commune had no fewer than four such manor-houses, a prime example being the Manoir de Lascours (15th-16th century), whose owner had extensive lands throughout the area. Just to its south is a medieval chapel with a poignant story. It was built to receive the remains of Mahaudé, daughter of the powerful Lord of Lascours. There are two versions of what happened. One is that she was killed accidentally by a sling-shot from a somewhat simple shepherd who was besotted with her and sought to eliminate her fiancé, but hit her instead. The other is that Mahaudé herself, still in her early 20s, put an end to her life after her
two suitors fought a duel and killed each other. This last version might explain why her father had the private chapel built – it was never owned by the Church. Towards the end of the 18th century, however, it served as a public oratory dedicated to St Laurent… and then finally as a grain store Its roof is composed entirely of lauzes; traditional throughout the Périgord, these natural rock slabs weigh almost two hundred weight per sq ft. The lauzes on this little chapel weigh near enough 60 tons! This extract is from the newly-published guide to Carsac-Aillac, latest in the series of bilingual guides to beautiful local villages produced by the Périgord Heritage association. Copies, costing only €5, can be obtained from: Mairie, La Tavernerie, 24200 CarsacAillac.
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Hornet traps setting Trélissac abuzz A SCHEME introduced by the commune of Trélissac to give free hornet traps to residents has been hailed a huge success. More than 300 traps have been distributed and the mairie has had to order more to meet the demand. It is hoped that the traps will catch as many queens as possible as they emerge from hibernation to slow the spread of the incomer, which is destroying the bee population and can attack humans.
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April 2012
Court backs woman who saved wild boar Evelyne Cornu has had Mimine living on her farm for the past 12 years
Airport on schedule after runway success BERGERAC Airport is open once again after being closed for three months for runway repairs. The €3.5million works means that Bergerac now has a runway conforming to international airport regulations, said airport director Olivier Gribelin. The summer schedule is now up and running, with flights to eight destinations in the UK, as well as flights to Rotterdam and Paris.
Bovine TB outbreak spreads to 15 farms FIFTEEN farms have been affected by an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis among cattle in the department. Fifteen farms are reported to have been affected since January - more than the total for all of 2011 and the affected animals will have to be slaughtered. Nobody is certain how the disease is transmitted to cattle. There is no danger to the public, but the Chamber of Agriculture has said tuberculosis is a serious problem for farmers.
She said it had been a huge worry and cost a lot of money in legal fees: “I feel it has got out of proportion. “I found myself in court yet I haven’t done anyone any harm – just saved an animal which would probably have died if I hadn’t rescued it.” She says she has been amazed at the support she has received. “I’ve had letters from all over France and from as far away as England and Belgium and there have been petitions on the internet. I think it’s really kind of people to take the time to get in touch with me.” While she agrees taking animals from the wild should be controlled, she says people like herself who are just looking after one animal with no intention of breeding or selling should be left alone. She is now registering Mimine with the authorities.
Decent offer accepted A VERY public offer of marriage could be seen recently at Saint-Antoine-de-Breuilh on the Bergerac to Bordeaux road. “KARINE VEUX TU ETRE MA FEMME?” was written on a barn owned by Thierry. A date has now been set for July.
Greenhouse gas talks WORKSHOPS promoting the use of renewable energy will be held this month in the department with the aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The workshops will focus on wind and solar power, geothermal systems and methane generators.
‘Bistro’ wins Michelin star
Lizard stops road plan in its tracks
Owner and chef Gilles Gourvat serves fine food in a relaxed setting at La Table du Pouyaud
Photo: Arturo Nikolai - wikipedia.org
The ocellated lizard may have to find a new home
Photo: PHOTOPQR-SUD OUEST-Sounalet Jean Christophe
A NEW star is born in the Dordogne - La Table du Pouyaud in Champcevinel owned by chef Gilles Gourvat has been awarded a Michelin star in this year’s prestigious Michelin Guide to France. There are now nine Michelin-starred restaurants in the department. Three are close to Périgueux – La Table du Pouyaud, L’Essentiel in Périgueux and the Château des Reynats at Chancelade, where Mr Gourvat worked for six years before taking over his restaurant in December 2010. Mr Gourvat, 48, was born in the Dordogne, but travelled and worked all over the world, before coming back to Périgueux. But Mr Gourvat’s reaction to receiving the reward was slightly mixed. He said: “It is recognition of our work here, but it is also an extra worry. I now have a certain reputation to keep. I’m not sure that my style of restaurant reflects a true Michelinstarred premises. “I want to serve good food, but in a relaxed atmosphere we don’t have tablecloths. It’s more of a bistro with jazz music, rather than a high-class restaurant.”
A WOMAN who saved an orphan baby wild boar 12 years ago and who has looked after it on her farm at Veyrines- de-Vergt ever since has escaped with a suspended sentence after she was taken to court for illegal possession of a wild animal. Evelyne Cornu was first fined €200 and ordered to give up the wild boar that she calls Mimine but she refused to hand the animal over and so found herself again in court at Périgueux – and walked out happy after hearing she could keep Mimine after all. Ms Cornu was given a suspended fine of €100 and said: “I am very, very happy and so relieved. It couldn't have had a better ending. I can keep Mimine and now we can get back to our normal life without having the worry of these court cases. “It's finished."
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It is recognition of our work, but it’s a worry. I now have a certain reputation to keep
He did, however, accept that the judges must have appreciated the quality of his cooking: “Yes, they must have liked my food. You can choose either classic, haute cuisine or simple food. “You can have a carpaccio, but you can also have kidneys or calf ’s head, or even steak and chips – but the steak will
be of a high quality and the chips fried in goose fat.” He also thought that the criteria for Michelin stars might be changing. “I did think that if they chose me, perhaps it meant that they were looking for a less formal style in a restaurant, which may be a good thing,” he said.
A PROTECTED species of lizard is blocking plans to develop a business zone near Saint-Geniès, not far from Sarlat. A study of the 10-hectare site has discovered the presence of the ocellated lizard, which is one of Europe’s largest, capable of growing to a length of 90cm. In recent years its numbers have declined and the species is now protected under a National Action Plan until 2015. The director of the mayor’s office at Sarlat, Franck Duval, said it would be
a shame if the scheme couldn’t go ahead because of the lizard: “It’s an important project and we have some attractive proposals for the site. It seems that there are very few lizards and we hope we can continue our work and make sure the lizard is looked after.” Researchers are trying to find ways of protecting the lizard that meet the terms of the National Action Plan. “Maybe we can create a special area, or put it elsewhere,” said Mr Duval, “we hope to find an answer within the next few weeks.”
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Dordogne Advertiser April 2012
Charmed by area’s châteaux by JANE HANKS One historic château is set for a grand opening this summer, while the owners of another seek a buyer to continue restoration work A CHATEAU and well-known tourist site in the Dordogne is up for sale. Château de l’Herm near Rouffignac has been part of Dordogne’s history for centuries, even inspiring a 19th-century novel, Jacquou le Croquant, by Eugène Le Roy - the tale of a peasant uprising, which was made into a film in 2005. Its owners, Marie and Dominique Palué, have dedicated the past 24 years to restoring it, but upon reaching retirement age they feel it is time to pass it on to someone younger who has the energy to continue their good work. So, if you have €980,000 to spare, now is the chance to own a part of the Dordogne’s heritage. The couple bought the 15thcentury château after a holiday in the area. They fell in love with the building and decided to save it: “It has been a labour of love. Most of
Château de Bridoire
the money from the 3,000 annual visitors has been put back into the building. But we don’t regret a moment of it. Our aim was to protect this magnificent site and keep it authentic. We are not business people - just passionate about the history of this site.” Inside it lie treasures - a spiral stone staircase, judged by the Historic Monuments of France to be the finest of its kind in Aquitaine, and, three magnificent fireplaces, acting as reminders that this was once owned by the nobility. So will Marie and Dominique feel sad to leave? “We believe we have given our best to the château. We came here because we were attracted by the beauty of the architecture, the area and our passion for history. We have done our work, now it’s time to hand over the keys to someone else.” And another château, whose future was uncertain has now been sold and is due to open this summer. The 15th-century Château de Bridoire near Bergerac was abandoned after it was sold to a Senegalese company in 1978. The water and electricity was cut off and the deserted building became easy
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prey for burglars and squatters. The Association de Sauvegarde du Château de Bridoire was formed to save the building, which is in the commune of Ribagnac. It was expropriated by the state and after pressure from politicians the château was put up for sale. It was eventually bought by a family who have made looking after châteaux their life’s work. Since 1987, Catherine and Jacques Guyot and their four children have lived in and worked on an 18th-century château in the Loire. Now they have taken on the Château de Bridoire and they aim to draw 25,000 visitors. Their son, Edouard, lives there permanently and is overseeing the work. He says: “We intend to open in July. There will be traditional and historic games for all in the courtyard and in the house.” Meanwhile, there is a lot of work to be done. “We have a lot of craftsmen working for us. But about 40 local people who are passionate about the château are helping us, cleaning the stonework, for example. We want to heal the wounds of the past, restore historic places and bring them back to life.” Visit www.chateaudebridoire.com. Marie and Dominique Palué are seeking a buyer for Château de l’Herm
We have done our work, now it’s time to hand over the keys to someone else
Dordogne Advertiser April 2012
New jobless figures showing slight fall THE number of people seeking work in the Dordogne has fallen for the third consecutive month, with the latest figures showing a drop of 0.5%. But unemployment in the department still remains high - 10.1% compared to 9.2% for Aquitaine and the 9.3% figure nationally.
Truffle trade at a 25-year peak THE most well known truffle market in the Dordogne - at Sainte Alvère - has had a record year selling the greatest number of truffles since it was established 25 years ago. Some 540kg were sold - compared to 340kg last year. A spokesperson put the boom down to the market’s growing reputation.
Dordogne’s leading role in film success FOR the first time the number of days spent making films in the Aquitaine has reached third place out of 27 French regions. With 740 days for 25 films it almost doubled its results for 2010. Dordogne’s unspoilt countryside and historic buildings have been a vital factor in Aquitaine’s success.
CAF able to deliver NEARLY all people receiving child benefit in the department have said they are satisfied with the services they receive from the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales (CAF) in the Dordogne. A study found that 98% of those questioned said they were satisfied - more than the national average which was 94%.
Sarlat given a lift by glass elevator
Sainte-Marie’s bell tower houses the lift THE latest tourist attraction in Sarlat - a glass panoramic lift from which you have views over the rooftops of the historic city - is set to open its doors this month for its first summer season. Dreamed up by the eminent architect Jean Nouvel, who is himself a Sarladais, the project has been dogged by technical and bureaucratic problems and was due to have opened on June 1 last year. The lift is in the deconsecrated Sainte Marie Church and, in true Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator style rises above the top of the tower. The church has already been turned into an indoor market and has huge metal doors designed by Jean Nouvel - liked by some loathed by others. The jury is out on whether the lift will be a success - but tourists who tried it out during the February holidays seemed to like it: “vraiment chouette” - “really amazing” was one comment from a visitor.
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Bergerac wine producers
taste victory at Paris show BERGERAC wine producers are celebrating after being awarded a record number of medals at the Paris Agricultural Show. Overall, they won 148 medals 56 gold, 49 silver and 43 bronze. Serge Fourloubey from the Chamber of Agriculture in Bergerac said that it was a welldeserved reward for the hard work that has been put into improving the local wines in the past few years: “The Salon International de l’Agriculture in Paris is the most important competition of its kind in France and this year 30% of the wines which were represented from our region gained an award. It’s very encouraging for our wine growers.” More medals were won than ever - but also more wines were presented this year. “It means that producers are becoming more and more confident in their wines and feel they can show them in Paris,” said Mr Fourloubey. Each wine has a blind tasting by four or five tasters. This year, 453 wines from the Bergerac area were presented. “They come from 126 producers, but since many are co-operatives, what that actually means is that 700 growers out of a total of 1,000 in the Dordogne were represented at the show.”
Château Moulin Caresse run by the Desfargues family since 1749 won one gold and two silver medals
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Producers are becoming more confident in their wines
Hospital in Sarlat gets new scanner AN ultra-modern MRI scanner costing €2 million is to be brought into service at Sarlat Hospital this month. It will reduce waiting times for local people which can be up to two months - and brings the number of MRI scanners in the department to four - allowing one per 100,000 people. There are already two at Périgueux and one at Bergerac. The director of the hospital, Christophe Marillesse, said it is very good news for Sarlat: “This machine is particularly useful for brain, heart and spinal column examinations. It has a very high resolution and a short, wide tunnel, which means it can be used for claustrophobic and overweight patients. It means that Sarlat has a fully equipped structure for all radiological examinations.” The scanner arrives at a time when the future of the hospital is uncertain. Renovation works had been planned, but funding has not been given due to a fall in patient numbers. The money will not be released unless the hospital can prove it can attract adequate numbers. Mr Marillesse said that the scanner would help bring in new patients and that talks between the hospital and local doctors were under way to encourage GPs to refer patients to Sarlat, rather than send them elsewhere.
Amsterdam flight added by Cityjet THERE’S good news for the Brive Dordogne Valley Airport after it lost its Jet2.com summer service to Manchester. Cityjet has decided to open a second service from the airport - a weekly, Saturday service to Amsterdam in July and August. The airport says it will not only be attractive to the local Dutch population, but also that it will offer a connection via Amsterdam to more than 300 destinations worldwide. Cityjet will also add another day to its London summer timetable so that there will be five weekly flights in July and August. An airport spokesperson said it is still looking for other destinations in the UK, but doubted whether any further ones would be added this year.
One of the winners awarded a gold and two silvers was the family-run Château Moulin Caresse situated to the east of Saint-Emilion. The estate, owned by the Desfargues family since 1749 this year won a gold medal for its Haut Montravel sweet white wine, and two silvers for its red wine and its dry white Montravel. The château is no stranger to prizes
but Quentin Desfargues said winning is always very important for the success of the business: “It means we become well known and our wine sells more easily. It is also a reward for our team’s work. It is good that more wine growers are taking their produce to the Paris show. Even though Bergerac is a small appellation it is one of quality.”
8 What’s On
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April 2012
Bergerac Area SPORT
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Spring into action with boots or skates SPRING has come and it is tempting to get out the walking boots and explore the by-ways and paths of Dordogne. The department is rich in opportunities, with vast areas of countryside accessible to walkers. Several clubs organise walks throughout Dordogne. The Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (FRR) alone has 33 clubs, with more than 1,600 signed-up members in the Dordogne. Membership costs on average between €30 and €50 a year and you can join at any time. Secretary Annie Maren says the advantages of walking with an organised group are many: “You meet new people, events are organised between clubs, and you can choose between lots of different walking events and its very sociable. “Walkers can also benefit from the help of a trained monitor who has learned how to read maps to find the best walking routes,” Annie adds, “which means you don’t always need to stay on the sign-posted paths. The monitor also has a good working knowledge of the area.” Annie suggests that anyone interested in walking visits the website www.rando24.com to find the club nearest to them listed in the “clubs” section. New members are always welcome. If you prefer not to take part in a group, you can always pick up a guide to the yellow waymarked walks in your area from your local tourist office for €2.30 or €2.50. There are 24 guides almost covering the whole department. The Conseil Général of Dordogne also has a website dedicated to
les randonnées (walks), www. randonnee-dordogne.com, which gives information about forthcoming organised walks. Maps are also available to download from the website and details of directions published for some walks. Overall, this website, which is in French, is very informative. In-line skating: If you are feeling really fit and ready for action, the rollerblading club at Bergerac opens its doors to all – young and old, members and non-members, on Tuesday and Friday evenings every week from 08.00 to 10.30 in a hall just next to the Intermarché in Rue Saint-Martin. For non-members it costs €2 a session, plus €1 if you want to hire rollerskates. Drama: The next show for the amateur dramatic group MADS is Spygame at the Château Issigeac on April 12, 13 and 14, starting at 20.00 on Thursday and Friday, and 19.30 on Saturday with aperitifs. Tickets are €8 (€10 non-members) for Thursday and Friday and €10 on Saturday (€12 for non-members). To book, call 05 53 24 56 11 or email jill.goodwin@wanadoo.fr. The Phoenix Animal Welfare Association is holding its twice yearly book sale on May 5 at Campsegret and if you have any books, CDs or DVDs to give away they will be more than happy if you can bring them along on the day. Proceeds will support the association’s work to re-home stray and abandoned animals. For details, visit www.phoenixasso.com.
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Spring is the perfect time to step out with a local walking group
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April 6-8 Grappe de Cyrano bike trials – Hundreds of bikes will arrive in the Bergerac area for the trials, named after the original course, which resembled a bunch of grapes. Now with an impressive 500km of cross-country tracks through the Périgourdin countryside, motorcyclists from all over Europe gather in the normally quiet area to compete in a unique off-track bike race, whose route includes castles, vineyards and villages.The Grappe de Cyrano is one of the most prestigious races in Europe and attracts about 25,000 spectators, which means that by the end of the weekend 200 gallons of coffee will have been consumed and 6,000 meals will have been served. For details of the full programme visit www.grappedecyrano.com
Eymet FAMILY April 13-15 Gala events in aid of cystic fibrosis charities, Salle des Fêtes, April 13 and 14, 20.00, April 15, 14.30 – Grégory Lemarchal rose to fame when he won the fourth series of Star Academy in France in 2004 and went on to sell more than one million albums in France.Tragically, he died from cystic fibrosis in 2007.The gala evening follows his career and is presented by Mathieu Johann and Bryan Simoni, participants of Star Academy 4.There will also be a dance display given by local dance clubs. Prices: €7 or €20 for a family ticket for four people. Call 06 23 34 17 83 or email eymetdanser@gmail.com
Les-Eyzies
ART All month Exhibition Signes et Traces at the Pôle International de la Préhistoire by the artist Daniel Faure, 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-17.00 – Using Indian ink, Faure is showing 15 paintings and 10 drawings that document how his art has evolved over the years as well as its links to prehistoric art. It is part of the school project Signs and Traces of Prehistory. FREE. Call 05 53 06 06 97
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What’s On 9
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Salignac-Eyvigues OUT AND ABOUT
April
April 28-May 1 Exotic Orchid Exhibition, Manoir d’Eyrignac from 10.00 to 19.00 – The beautiful Manoir d’Eyrignac will once again open its doors to orchid and plant lovers.This year, the special attraction is the orchids from the Luxembourg Gardens. Saturday is dedicated to orchid collectors, on Monday the focus is on children and seniors, while the two other days are open to everyone. There will be workshops, conferences and guided walks to discover the wild orchids in the area, making it a weekend with something to suit gardeners of all ages. Orchids will also be exhibited and available to buy in the orangery. Some 5,500 bulbs are planted each year from October to November and visitors will be able to see tulips, hyacinths and daffodils coming into bloom in the woods and gardens. At the first hint of spring you can see the flowering of 2,000 white tulips (fleur de lys and triomphe blanche) 500 white hyacinths, 3,000 white narcissi and dahlias. One of the best ways to see the gardens is to follow the botanical paths, which were designed to complement the formal gardens.There are two botanical paths (2.5km and 4.5 km) around the 200-hectare gardens, which you can use to discover the region’s plants, their characteristics and how extracts from the plants can be used in a variety of ways. The paths, which are accessible to all, will also lead you to a viewing point overlooking the garden, from where you can contemplate the surrounding valleys. Prices: €3 for 12-year-olds and upwards.Visitors to the orchid festival will be offered a reduced rate for entry to the gardens (€9.50 instead of €12) upon presentation of a valid ticket. Call 05 53 28 81 93, or visit www.eyrignac.com
Sarlat
Photo: © www.eyrignac.com
Périgord Noir
Photo: © www.eyrignac.com
CONCERT
Photo: © Pavel Losevsky - Fotolia.com
April 13 Bordeaux National Orchestra, Cultural Centre, 21.00 – Bordeaux National Orchestra play Hector Berlioz’s four-movement work for solo viola Harold en Italie, with Nicolas Mouret on viola under the artistic and musical directorship of Pieter Jelle de Boer.The music is a reflection on Berlioz’s stay in Italy in 1831-32, and is one of his most relaxed and poetic works. Prices: €30 and €28, Call 05 53 31 09 49, www.sarlat-tourisme.com
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10 What’s On
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Miallet FAMILY
April 28 Bison farm tour, Bisons du Périgord – Go back in time and come face to face with a prehistoric survivor the bison.The Bisons du Périgord in the Périgord Limousin Regional Natural Park are offering a guided visit around their domain. And once you’ve met these impressive animals, which once provided food for our prehistoric ancestors, you can visit the farm’s shop, where you can buy bison meat, skin and even teeth! For further information, Call 05 53 52 63 03 or visit www.bisons-duperigord.com
Photo: © Andrew Dunn - wikipedia.org
April 15-21 Sculpture course, Camping du Petit Lion – Run by Jean-Louis Boistel who has been a sculptor and a stone mason since 1972, the course shows how to understand shapes by observing the stone, understanding volume, proportion and sketching designs.The students can choose what they want to sculpt; faces, heads, nature, geometric shapes and so on. Jean-Louis has been involved in the restoration of the Cathedrals of Bourges, Nantes, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and Gascherie on the banks of the Erdre.The week-long course costs €400, and accomodation is available at the site. Call 05 53 91 00 74, www.camping-petit-lion.com
April 2012
Villars MUSIC
Photo: © wikipedia.org
edia.org Photo: © Patche99z - wikip
Périgord Vert
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April 28 Classical music with violins and guitar,Villars church, 20.00 – Eric Sobczyk and Alexandre Benderski will be interpreting Gragnani, Giuliani, Kreisler, Ravel and Pleyera. Guitarist Eric Sobczyk, pictured below, studied at the Ecole Normale Superieure de Musique in Paris and has won national and international competitions (Espalion, Paris, UFAM, Montélimar, a finalist in Alessandria). Founder and artistic director of the Soloists Orchestra of Europe, violinist Alexander Benderski also teaches at the Municipal Conservatory of La Grande Motte. Call 05 53 03 41 58
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April 2012
Périgord Blanc
Boulazac CONCERT
April 5 The Wackids World Tour, Centre Culturel Agora, 20.00 – armed with instruments stolen from their little brothers The Wackids take you on a journey through the history of rock in just 50 minutes. Playing hits by Ray Charles, White Stripes,The Beatles and Rolling Stones amongst others, this is less of a concert and more of a conference about rock music peppered with anecdotes.With “Blowmaster” Nicolas Auger on vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, “Bongostar” Cyril Bardinet on drums, and “Speedfinger” Youssef Abado on guitar and Stylophone, this a night out that the whole family will enjoy. Call 05 53 35 59 65
English-language Easter Church Services SUNDAY APRIL 1 10:30 Service of the Word - Bertric Burée 10:30 Holy Communion - Bordeaux 10:30 Morning Worship - Limeuil 10:30 Morning Worship - Monteton 11:00 Holy Communion - Doudrac 11:00 Holy Communion - Sainte Nathalène 18:00 Evensong - Bertric Burée
10:30 10:30 10:30 10:30 11:00
THURSDAY APRIL 5 18:30 Holy Communion - Bordeaux 18:30 Holy Communion - Monteton
SATURDAY APRIL 21 14:30 Holy Communion - Negrondes
FRIDAY APRIL 6 15:30 Stations of the Cross - Bertric Burée 14:00 Prayers at the Cross - Allez 14:00 Prayers at the Cross - Dondas 14:00 Prayers at the Cross - Doudrac 14:00 Stations of the Cross - Sainte Nathalène SUNDAY APRIL 9 10:30 Holy Communion - Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion - Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion - Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion - Saint Médard 11:00 Holy Communion - Doudrac 11:00 Holy Communion - Negrondes 11:00 Holy Communion - Sainte Nathalène
Saint-Astier and Ribérac
MUSIC
Holy Communion - Chancelade Holy Communion - Dondas Morning Worship - Limeuil Prayer and Praise - Monteton Morning Worship - Sainte Nathalène
THURSDAY APRIL 19 10:30 Holy Communion - Limeuil
SUNDAY APRIL 22 10:30 Holy Communion - Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion - Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion - Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion + Licensing Monteton TUESDAY APRIL 24 11:00 Holy Communion - Negrondes SUNDAY APRIL 29 10:30 Special Service - Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion - Bordeaux 10:30 BCP Holy Communion - Limeuil 16:00 Evening Prayer - Monteton
TUESDAY APRIL 10 18:30 Easter Lessons and Carols - Allez WEDNESDAY APRIL 11 11:00 BCP Holy Communion - Bertric Burée SUNDAY APRIL 15 10:30 All Age Worship - Bertric Burée 10:30 Morning Prayer - Bordeaux
Pick of the rest in the Dordogne FAMILY: Périgord Vert Mareuil April 7 Easter Egg Hunt, Saint Pardoux de Mareuil – Bring the whole family along to hunt for some chocolate treats! Call 05 53 60 96 04
April 13, 14 Variations Easter Concert – The Ribérac-based choral group will be performing pieces including Handel’s The King Shall Rejoice, Bach’s Cantata 67, an organ solo by Naomi Gregory and the main work of the evening will be Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis.The concerts will take place April 13 – 20.00, Church Saint- Astier, April 14 – 20.00, Church Notre-Dame de la Paix in Ribérac. Call 05 53 90 62 03 or email variationsfrance@gmail.com
SPORT: Périgord Noir Belves April 14 100km de Belves, starts 0800 – This ultramarathon is part of Périgord heritage, and runners are cheered on by spectators who line the length of the route, sometimes setting up picnic tables complete with tablecloths, flowers and wine.The route takes runners to Sarlat and back, via Beynac and Carsac.There’s also a 50km race on the same day, which ends in Sarlat. If you want to take part, register at the website below.
If you just want to go along and support the runners, don’t forget your wine and flowers. Registration costs €33 in advance, or €45 on the day. Watching is free! www.clubathletiquebelvesois.fr Call: 05 53 28 87 54 FAIR: Périgord Vert St-Aulaye April 30 La Foire de le Latière – This creamery fair is a huge celebration bringing together hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of visitors. Exhibitors from all over France show off their produce, and farmers and sightseers enjoy the traditional agricultural fair. New this year are cookery demonstrations. www.saint-aulaye.com
At the time of going to press The Dordogne Advertiser checked, to the best of its ability, that the details of events listed on these pages are correct. However, as such information can change, please always check with organisers beforehand that there are no changes to the programme.
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Wise plant and pool choices will keep garden in top form Past years have been difficult for gardeners with dry hot springtimes followed by wet and windy summers, but using the right plants will help keep the garden looking good so you can enjoy it. And, if it still needs a little something, then RAY CLANCY looks at what needs to be done with pools THERE are a number of tasks that can be done this month to make sure your garden looks its best over the summer. Gite and second home-owners in particular can harness a wide range of new products to keep flowers blooming. Now is the time to be planting hanging baskets, boxes and pots. Heather Verard, a Chelsea exhibitor and garden designer who now runs her own garden centre, A Propos du Jardin in Villedieu-les-Poêles in Normandy, recommends using a
slow-release fertiliser and buying good quality compost. “It is a false economy to scrimp and save when it comes to compost,” she said. “All plants need to be nourished – feeding is terribly important. If you use a slow-release fertiliser, they will look good without you having to be there to tend to them constantly. It doesn’t need to be expensive. Slow-release cones work out at about 20 cents each,” she explained. She also recommends mulching flower beds. “This has two benefits. It keeps the moisture in the soil and
Pruning and feeding is vital if you are hoping for a colourful display throughout the summer it helps to keep the weeds at bay. A product like ecorce de pin also looks natural and pretty. The chunkier varieties won’t get scrapped around so much by the birds,” she added. Feeding is vital at this time of the year. Roses need a good fertiliser if they haven’t already been given one, and lawns will also benefit from weeding and feeding. New for 2012 is Bacteriosol, an eco-friendly prod-
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Dordogne Adver
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12 Blooming good
A simple wood or iron bench with a few cushions can really lift a drab corner of a garden
uct that feeds and airs the soil. “Moss grows on hard compacted soil, so it is important to aerate your lawn. If we get a dry spell, don’t cut your lawn too short,” said Mrs Verard. She also recommends using your bath and dish water in the garden. “As long as there is no bleach in it, it will not harm your plants.” Her top plants to try this year all cope well with varying weather conditions. Nepeta (cat mint) is great for attracting bees for pollination if you have fruit trees in your garden, and copes well with most weather conditions. Agastache is her favourite plant, as it flowers non-stop for four months. It is tall, but does not need staking. Prostanthera (Australian mint) is an evergreen with small leaves, aromatic foliage, gives good ground cover and has a mass of blue, white or pink flowers. It needs welldrained soil, but is hardy and drought-tolerant. Her final recommendation is dahlias. “People think they are too much hard work and that you have to lift them in the autumn and store them in a shed over the winter. That
is all nonsense. In France they will live happily without being lifted as long as they are planted deep enough. They give you a riot of colour well into October,” she said. She also believes that good quality garden furniture can help to make a garden look extra special. “I would advise people to buy the best quality they can afford. A simple wood or iron bench with a few cushions or some plants can really lift a drab corner of a garden,” she explained. Other good props include arbours for roses, trellis for sweet-smelling plants like honeysuckle, and summery tables and chairs, again with cushions or pots with colourful plants. April is a good time to sort out your swimming pool, if you have one in your garden. Brian McHale, of Vendée Pools, said automatic covers are becoming cheaper and therefore more popular. They also have the advantage that they fulfill France’s strict pool security regulations, which means you don’t need a security fence as well. “They look better and work all year
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April 2012
Blooming good 13
Build your own pool but let the experts help Photo: © narumolpug - Fotolia.com
Photo: © FC Photography - Fotolia.com
It’s time to plant up hanging baskets and window boxes for a colourful display above, buy the best quality garden furniture you can afford to enhance your garden
round, so there is no need to have a summer and a winter cover. They are so easy to operate and are not heavy, like some of the winter covers,” Mr McHale said. If budget is not a problem, there are some exciting new products on the market this year. They include pool-cleaning robots and an automatic self-cleaning pool where the water is recirculated into the pool via
jets on the bottom instead of on the side. This means that any dirt in the water falls into a drain underneath. Mr McHale also pointed out that pool owners often leave it too late to sort out their pool and he often gets panicky phone calls from gite owners whose pools have gone green. “Now is the time to make sure your cleaning system is working and to make sure you have enough chemi-
“ Photo: © Paul Maguire - Fotolia.com
Moss grows on hard compacted soil so it is important to aerate your lawn
cals. You can’t sort out a green pool overnight, and just flinging in extra chemicals is not going to work.” Each pool is different and with a little practice, some technical help and a thorough cleaning regime, you will be able to stay on top of your pool and get full pleasure from it for many years to come. The key component in your armoury against an unsafe pool is the filtration system. Another key element in keeping your pool clean is to keep the dirt out of it in the first place, so it is advisable not to have any loose material like sand or gravel near the pool, to keep potted plants well away from the water and to try to site your pool away from trees and shrubs, especially pine trees, advises Mr McHale. It is also worth considering a poolside shower to rinse dirty feet and suntanned bodies before entering the pool. Also, keep the pool covered when not in use. If you are heating your pool, don’t make it too warm as anything over 28C invites algae growth, can damage the liner and make the job of the pool chemicals more difficult.
So how did he know how to do it? DARRYL SMITH runs a property man“I did a lot of research on the interagement business near Sarlat in the net and then we got a book with the Dordogne. He has built his own salt water pool pool kit. It was in French, but luckily from a kit and looks after others. He my wife is fluent. I have a lot of friends who have either built or had says that if you’ve got the time and are willing to do quite a bit of labour- pools installed and we exchanged a lot of information – maybe a bit ing, it is a good and cheaper option. nerdy, but good for the pool.” “If you bring in a swimming pool Darryl’s pool is a salt one, but he company they will usually do a very also looks after chlorine ones: “I pergood job and have it done within two sonally like the salt pool because it weeks at a cost of about €25,000. is eco-friendly, the water is softer to But you musn’t forget that you will then have to put in the surround and either an alarm or a fence. I have friends who have budgeted for their pool but then had to add another €15,000 to finish it off. When I built my pool five years ago, the total cost with surround and fencing was between €15,000 and €16,000. But you need to have time – it took me about three months.” Putting in the concrete is a heavy job However, Darryl suggests you should bring in swim in and it’s easier to look after – experts to do some of the work. important if you’re renting out your “I got a man with a digger to make house. But don’t be fooled about the the hole for the pool. That initial cost advantages. Although you don’t work must be perfect. I then meashave to buy and put in the chlorine ured it for the liner – always do it tablets, the electrolyser which turns that way round, because it’s virtually the salt into chlorine is very expenimpossible for the hole to be exactly sive – between €500 and €1,000 to as you want it to be to the centimereplace. They don’t last forever – 10 tre. I chose a liner because it’s years if you’re lucky. I have friends cheaper and easier than concrete who started off with a salt pool, but and tiling. There was then a lot of once the electrolyser broke down heavy labouring putting the concrete they changed to chlorine.” in to build the pool.” Another decision is pool security – alarm or fence: “An alarm is much cheaper, but there is more security with a fence. If somebody forgets to switch on the alarm and your neighbour’s child falls in your pool, that would be terrible and you may well be liable. “If you have a proper fence, accidents are less likely to happen.” A fence provides the best security option
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Make your pool a no-fly zone and relax Keeping swimming pools clear of flies, wasps, leaves and other floating debris is a never-ending chore during the summer, but Jan van Gils explains how PoolGobbler can do all the hard work for you
Not easy to believe that such small and simple tool could do such a great job
THREE YEARS ago Jan van Gils’s company PoolGoods introduced PoolGobbler Pro into the French market. Since then it has found its place in many pools, keeping the top surface clean of all floating debris. However, Jan says it is not always easy to convince people that PoolGobbler Pro really does the job. “This is quite understandable because it is so small and simple, it doesn’t look like it can work so hard,” said Jan. “However, seeing is believing and once people watch the demo video they then usually have to order PoolGobbler right away.” You can watch this video at www.purepiscines.com. The PoolGobbler connects to an inlet jet or a pipe where the water from the
pump returns into the swimming pool. It does not need any electricity as it is the force of the streaming water that makes it work, pulling all floating debris, such as flies, wasps and leaves, towards it like a magnet. It creates a circular flow that results in all the floating debris collecting in its filter bag. This clever use of fluid mechanics turns the pool into a no-fly zone and works continuously when the pump is running. Installation of the PoolGobbler is straightforward and a one-off job. It has been made even easier as a result of customer feedback over the last three years, which has helped create a comprehensive user guide. “This document is now so easy to
understand that you could almost do the installation blindfolded,” said Jan. “Once PoolGobbler is installed you can immediately enjoy watching all the flies, leaves and so on disappear into its filter bag and you can leave it connected all the time, for the whole season." PoolGobbler Pro works on the principle that the pressure of streaming water decreases when the speed of flow increases. Water streaming into your pool is much faster than the surrounding water in the pool. This creates a low pressure area that pulls the surrounding water towards itself. This water in turn pulls surrounding water - and debris - towards itself and so the pool’s surface water starts to circulate. DO THE TEST: You can create this effect in your own pool with a garden hose. Connect it to a tap and put the
other end in your pool. Hold it just below the water level, and just watch the surface water being pulled towards it. Squeeze the end to increase the speed (and so decrease the pressure) and you will see the pulling effect get stronger. PoolGobbler Pro’s Venturi nozzle considerable increases the speed of instreaming water and creates an area of considerable low pressure. On the website www.pure-piscines.com the product can be ordered directly. Customers can pay securely online by credit card (Carte Bleue) or PayPal, place an order over the phone or pay by cheque to the following address: Pure-Piscines, Le Bourg, 46700, Sérignac. info@pure-piscines.com 05 65 31 96 23 or 06 34 05 67 30 www.pure-piscines.com
14 Business
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
JUDY MANSFIELD has lived and worked in France for nearly nine years. She is an agent commercial, and worked at an estate agency for several years before branching out into business development, primarily for currency specialists First Rate FX and latterly for small businesses.
Leap forward this spring with a marketing strategy THOSE of us in the tourism business will be dusting off the garden furniture, giving the gîte a spruce-up, deciding on menus… The estate agents among us are taking viewing bookings, and there is nothing nicer than taking people to look at houses in the spring sunshine, cheered by the sight of daffodils and primroses. How can your business benefit from the end of winter? Are you looking out for opportunities to do some marketing? Watch out for holidays and calendar events that you can adapt into your marketing plan. In February, there is St Valentine’s Day and
“
Tell people about your special offers - get vocal and talk about what you are doing
Shrove Tuesday; March has St Patrick’s Day and, this year, Mothering Sunday (UK). The French elections will be held in April and May, and of course, Easter lends itself to some great marketing opportunities. Can you offer Mother’s Day Gift Vouchers, or even vouchers as an alternative to the Easter chocolates? Use these opportunities to contact
clients listed in your database - perhaps you could also include a special offer or a competition. Try to think creatively to make sure your business stands out from the crowd. If you do not yet have a blog, consider starting one. You can find a free version on both WordPress and Google. If you already have a blog, and a Facebook Business Page, write about current topics to draw attention to your brand, such as the forthcoming breathalyser kits that everyone will have to have in their car. What about you garage owners, mechanics, cider makers or wine experts? Even gîte or B&B owners and estate agents who have visitors from overseas who may not know about the new law can use this to talk about their product or service. And of course, you could even buy the kits to give away free as a special offer for people as an incentive to buy your beer or book your gîte. But make sure you tell people about your special offers - get vocal and talk about what you are doing. Use these free channels: LinkedIn Facebook Google+ YouTube Audioboo Twitter
April 2012
FINANCE How to break into the French tax system Photo: © Pixel & Création - Fotolia.com
March was a busy month for many small business owners and after a bitterly cold winter, the arrival of spring at last seems to be lifting everyone’s spirits
Dordogne Advertiser
WE came to live in Paris last July after a job transfer by my UK bank employer. We loved French life but wanted to move to the countryside, so we bought a home near Bergerac and my husband now commutes three days a week. It is good because he gets more time with the kids. I know that the tax year ended in December, but I am not sure how to go about getting into the French tax system - can you advise? P.T.
or Photo: © queidea - Fotolia.com
Sabrina Lorkin’s logo is great for marketing tips Pinterest Blogging on WordPress For this month, my recommended reading is Nikki Pilkington. Nikki lived in France for many years, and has considerable knowledge on all aspects of social networking. She has a page on Facebook, as well as an informative blog at Nikkipilkington.com. I can also recommend her 30 Day Challenge series. Each course is on a different aspect of social networking and takes you from zero to hero, with a new task every day for 30 days. They are available on Kindle, as an eBook you can download to your pc,
even via email each day. I have followed several of them already and learned loads of helpful stuff. They cost about £5 per course. Check them out on Amazon or via www.30daychallenges. nikkipilkington.com. Jelly update! Jelly is a casual coworking network where freelancers, home-workers and people running small businesses meet to get out of their normal homeworking space, meet people and work together. Bring your laptop and enjoy the buzz of working with others. See www.dordognejelly.org
Judy can be contacted through The Advertiser or by email: normandybizgroup@orange.fr She is on Twitter at @NormandyBizGp
AS NEW arrivals you will be first-time declarers and, although have now bought in France, your tax office will probably not have fully updated their records. It is up to you to organise your affairs and make your first income tax declaration in France. The deadline is May 31. You can either visit the tax office or look on www.impots.gouv.fr for more information. An English-speaking accountant would also be useful, and your employer’s human resources department may also be able to give you some help. When you declare in France as a tax resident it is your worldwide income which gets declared - so even though your husband’s salary is still paid from the UK it is still declarable in France. The good news is that you get a 10% deduction off the gross salary for expenses (which will, in effect, help towards the cost of train tickets to Paris) and the taxable amount is after employees’ national insurance. You also get personal allowances for you and the children. All other UK income would be declarable from July onwards (split-year treatment), although you may have already paid income tax at source, for example on bank interest. Which you would need to go back to the UK tax office for to claim any refund. Your foreign income gets declared on a separate form (form 2047) and there is also an important requirement to declare the details of any foreign bank accounts. Every entry then gets brought forward to the main declaration (form 2042). Your husband should be exonerated from French social security on his salary under the EU secondment rules and this also allows you to continue to claim UK family allowance. The exonerations certificate can be extended but his employer will need to ask Newcastle Social Security Office to complete this process. This exemption certificate also gives you the right to French healthcare for you and the family. You can apply for his carte vitale if you have not already done so. This should also cover you and the family as dependants (unless you are working too, in which case you would make your own application and obtain your own social security number). The children can be added to either card.
Dordogne Advertiser
Food/Pets 15
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
April 2012
The buffet staple that stands the test of time
Traditional Quiche Lorraine
CUT OUT & KEEP!
language often – German, French, German and most recently French again. Perhaps one constant is their quiches. These possibly graced the tables of the court in Nancy as far back as 1550, but they were flat and made of bread, rather like a pizza. Gradually the bases changed to pastry and a variety of mixtures used to fill them. In Lorraine quetches and mirabelles were the most common sweet versions, while savoury ones had cream, onions, or even chopped veal and pork. The one we know as the quiche Lorraine, probably the original 16th century version, contains only eggs, cream and bacon, though elsewhere in France, Gruyère cheese is added. This, say regional experts, is simply not right. It might be a quiche, but not a quiche Lorraine.
INGREDIENTS Pastry: 250g plain flour 150g unsalted butter, softened 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp water
BELOVED of fundraising dos, bring-a-dish events and buffets, the quiche these days has migrated all over the world and boasts a mindboggling variety of fillings. Food snobs deride it and hearts may sink on hearing the words “I’ll bring a quiche”, but it is here to stay. In France, ingredients, dishes and tastes express the history of the people and colour the country’s many regional identities. The word quiche comes from the German word “kuchen”, or cake. The German-influenced Lorraine gives us, of course, the best-known quiche of all, although these days it is much altered and tweaked. As with most culinary traditions, the nearer one gets to the origins of a dish the more “authentic” it is likely to be. The people of Lorraine have changed nationality and even
Photo:© hazel proudlove - Fotolia.com
After winning the first BBC MasterChef in 1990, JOAN BUNTING was soon writing a food column and doing local radio for the BBC. Now the former teacher has retired and moved permanently to her home in France, but she is still keen to tell readers about good food
Filling: 200g lean smoked lardons 15g butter 3 egg yolks and 1 whole egg, beaten 375ml of crème fraiche épaisse Salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg
METHOD Sift the flour on to a cool work surface and put the butter in the centre. Bring the flour over the butter and squeeze them together, then rub the flour into the butter until you have particles like peas. Make a well in the centre of this mixture and add the salt and water and, using your fingertips, draw the butter and flour into the well and mix together quickly and lightly until smooth. Wrap and then chill for 30 minutes. Pre-heat the oven to 190C and put a baking sheet in the oven to heat.
Line a 25cm flan tin or ring with the pastry, and bake blind for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, leaving baking sheet in oven. Sauté the lardons in the butter until golden, sprinkle on the base of the flan. Mix the eggs and cream together and season to taste. Put the tin on the baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes until the filling is set and golden brown. Don’t over-cook. Note: To avoid the dreaded soggy bottom, this is better not made in a ceramic flan dish. Of course, you can take a short cut and use ready-made pastry.
Tried and tested by us A member of the Dordogne Advertiser team tested out the recipe and said: I had only a ceramic flan dish so I baked the pastry blind – using some chickpeas to weigh it down – and let it cool before adding the filling. Although a simple recipe, I found only using lardons very plain therefore would like to experiment adding more ingredients. I also found the 190C temperature to be too hot for my fan-assisted oven so would recommend using a lower temperature.
PET CARE
Keep your animal on right side of law THERE are numerous legal obligations to familiarise yourself with when you own a pet or animal de compagnie in France. The responsibilities of animal ownership are taken seriously; your mairie will have exact information on guidelines relating to your commune. These are drawn up according to whether you live in a town, village or rural environment. You will be expected to be in control of your animal at all times. Be aware of your environment throughout the year. A busy road, sheep in the field, building construction work – take on board what this means for you and your pet. Pets are generally adored in France, but persistent nuisances are not tolerated. From dealing with unrelenting yapping to physically restraining over-enthusiastic animals, the French attitude is somewhat different. Contentious measures are frequently in use: electronic anti-barking devices, dogs chained
pixphoto - Fotolia.comPhoto:
By Samantha Brick
Pet Care up for hours on end and muzzles are all the norm in French pet culture. If you cannot control your pet, expect to be advised to use such measures. For your animal’s safety (and that of others if you live near a road or pathway), securely fence the perimeter of your grounds, restrict your animal to an outbuilding or your house. You are liable for any damage caused by your pets if they have escaped or strayed from your property. You are only allowed to keep a
This column is sponsored by
maximum of nine domestic animals – above this, welfare, sanitation and the animals’ environment falls under the strict control of your departmental DDSV (Direction Départemental des Services Vétérinaires). They will want to ensure that your animals’ wellbeing complies with their regulations, and will make regular visits to ensure this is the case. This is regardless of whether your animals are a commercial proposition or pets.
If you arrived in France with your pet signed up to the UK microchip registration scheme, don’t forget to register his or her identity on the French National Register. Your vet will have the necessary paperwork to complete and send off on your behalf. Get into the habit of asking your vet to scan your pet’s microchip when you have a consultation. It’s not unheard of for the chip to move underneath the animal’s skin or to be registered under
someone else’s name (mistakes do happen!). If you’ve recently bought a pet in France, it is a legal requirement that the pet – this includes dogs, cats, and ferrets – is microchipped. Until July 2011, a tattoo was another form of identification accepted. There is a €135 fine for any animals found without either form of identification. While vaccinations are not compulsory for a domestic animal in a French household, if you intend to travel around France with your pet (visit Corsica or campsites, for example) or board it while you are away, you will need an up-to-date pet passport and vaccinations. In French law, abandonment of a pet is a crime punishable by a €30,000 fine and up to two years’ imprisonment. There are also heavy penalties for cruelty to an animal. For example, the police or other animal officials have the right to enter your car or your property if they suspect that an animal is in distress. It goes without saying – never leave your animal unattended in your car!
Tel. 06 58 01 82 76 Web. www.seulementnaturel.eu Email. marc.somsen@chardeyre.com
16 Directory
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
DORDOGNE
ADVERTISER
Dordogne Advertiser
April 2012
Advertise here ALL YEAR from just €75HT Call free on 0800 91 77 56 or email directory@connexionfrance.com
DORDOGNE 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 By advertising in our directory you get the chance to run advertorials (the articles you see on these pages). We are currently offering these at a two for one price, so two x 1/4 page advertorials, maximum 400 words plus photo, costs just €200HT. A minimum two month break between publishing applies and the second advertorial is a repeat of the first. If you wish to change the second there is a €25 fee together with a €15 fee if you want us to provide a photo.
Directory adverts are available in 3 sizes and in colour or black and white.
Colour
€225HT €339HT
THE DORDOGNE CATTERY Ad No. 10862
PENSION POUR CHATS NEAR SARLAT, OPEN-AIR, INSULATED AND HEATED CONTACT ANNA MASLEN 05 53 31 95 88 / 06 86 94 85 78 p.maslen@wanadoo.fr www.dordognecattery.com
Chenil Les Mille Calins English Run
5 Star accommodation for Dogs/Cats Underfloor heated kennels Qualified staff Top Quality food and exercise Only 45 minutes south of Caen Convenient Ferry Access
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES Small or large projects. Applications for building permits. Friendly,professional service.
ABP SASU
Tel: 05 45 78 36 63 Siret: 48157998500021
British owned boarding kennels and cattery 35 years experience
Renovation and construction of buildings and swimming pools. New timber framed constructions. Negotiation of diverse products
Tel: 05 65 35 46 51 www.wagsandwhiskerskennels.co.uk
Tel Alan Fisk: 05 53 56 68 87 Email: abp.sasu@orange.fr
The Cats Inn
Architect
Tel: Paula 05 53 24 14 42 www.thecatsinncattery.com paulaL24150@aol.com Siret No.520 980 269 00010
DG
LG
DP
LP
R
O
Y
De Ryck Elisabeth Interior Architect Renovation or New Construction * Private Homes * Shops * Offices *
20 years experience Tel: 06 30 63 20 40 deryck.interiors@gmail.com
Le Colombié, 46600 Montvalent
WAGS AND WHISKERS
Luxury Cattery - Cales near Lalinde - Very Spacious - Lots of Love and Attention
LB
Languages spoken: English, French, Dutch
mcdonaldritchie@hotmail.com
SIRET: 500607858
DB
Depts 19,24,46,47,82
www.goldenwaypets.com Telephone 02 33 37 49 19 Emergency 02 33 38 41 32 Fax 02 33 38 44 16
Dept 46, near Cazals
Yellow
B&W
Orange
47mm x 75mm
(31-45 words)
call 0800 91 77 56
Red
Treble
Colour
€150HT €225HT
Light Purple
47mm x 50mm
B&W
Dark Purple
Double
Renovation - new construction. Projects, all phases of construction. Sarl d'Architecture David Besse Architecte dplg Grange Neuve 24140 Saint Martin des Combes.
05 53 82 44 75 - 06 17 51 26 00 besse_archi@yahoo.fr
Rounded
Light Green
(16-30 words)
Dark Green
Colour
Light Blue
} }
€75HT €114HT
Standard
Dark Blue
47mm x 25mm
B&W
HOW TO BOOK AN ADVERT Choose the size of your advert from the examples on the left. You can have a black and white advert; or you can choose a colour from the list below. Finally, you can choose to have rounded corners to the box to help make your advert stand out (See right). Then, when you have made your choice,
Choose from these colours:
Single
(1-15 words)
We will keep you up to date with features and special events in your area of France in all our publications which could help to boost your business. We include the text from your advertisement in our online directory for no extra charge. Want to advertise in our national paper The Connexion or sister papers in other regions? Call our sales team for more information.
PARKES et DUCELIER
Architectes
UK and French Registered Architects Dossiers for Permis de Construire Interior and Landscape design Ordre des Architectes No. 1867 Tel: 05 53 09 33 45 E: mail@parkes-ducellier.com W: www.parkes-ducellier.com Depts: 16,19,24,33,87 Siret: 488 165 564 00011
GB Builders Extensions - Renovations
Pointing - Roofing Rendering - Plasterwork Decking - Carpentry Bespoke Kitchens / Bathrooms All work carried out by experienced tradesmen with a personal touch.
Paul Gent Fully Qualified & Insured Builder including:
• Renovation • Masonry • Plastering • Plus Hard Landscaping Tel: 05 53 29 08 86 Mob: 07 60 52 43 40
email: barbgent@gmail.com 30km radius Sarlat ( 24 ) Siret : 513 209 189
RON HARRISON
General Builder
Siret in Progress
City & Guilds qualified, 35yrs experience, reliable, ALL WORK GUARANTEED Tel: 05 53 80 42 91 Mob: +44 759 286 5010 Email: angelaharrisson@orange.fr
Hopkins Renovations
C&C CONSTRUCTION SARL
Ask to see our References
Tel: 06 04 14 52 77 email: micgorst@hotmail.com
General building work. 20 years building experience in France. Based in Castelnaud de Gratecambe 47.
05 53 36 34 59/ 06 08 71 53 49 jameshopkins@orange.fr www.hopkinsrenovations.com Siret number: 417 916 574 00011
BOIS D'ARBRE CONSTRUCTION Specialists in Oak frames, Timber houses and carpentry Tel: 06 72 01 11 06 web: www.boisdarbreconstruction.com email: info@boisdarbreconstruction.com Siret 4899 5394 30011
PLASTERING POINTING RENDERING & GENERAL BUILDING “Quality & Reliability” 35 Years Experience Tel : 05 57 47 48 19 Email : pessacweb@yahoo.co.uk
Areas 24,33 Other areas Considered. Based St Foy La Grande Siret: 482 710 175
Dept 24, close to Mussidan Siret: 51352715000017
Qualified Builder 15 Years Experience 10 Years Insurance Guarantee All Building/Groundworks undertaken Tel: 05 53 62 13 38 / 06 63 84 79 99 Email: cc-construction@orange.fr www.cc-construction.fr
Bergerac Renovation & Building From groundwork, fosse septiques, masonary, interiors, to rooves. Free estimates & advice
Tel: 05 53 81 60 73 christopher.jarrett@wanadoo.fr
BÂTI-TOP SARL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION MEDIUM/LARGE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN 10 YEAR INSURED GUARANTEE
www.bati-top.com 05 53 73 02 88 - Siret: 9868562700016
Dordogne Advertiser
Directory 17
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
April 2012
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Foreign buyers are searching French properties HOUSES on Internet - the marketing and internet company that helps private owners sell their French property without using an estate agent - has been so successful during the past few months that it now desperately needs more houses in order to meet the growing demand from abroad. Richard Kroon, director and founder, said: “It is a bit frustrating to be honest. After a year with new sales records in 2011, the trend continued this year, which means that more houses from our portfolio have now been sold than ‘new’ ones coming in for sale.” The boost in sales is due to the company’s continuous global advertising on Google and the leading French property websites. As a result of the company’s success in sales, Houses on Internet has been
3D CONSTRUCTION Family run building company with over 30 yrs experience
All construction works undertaken large or small incl. masonry, carpentry and roofing
forced, in a number of cases, to disappoint prospective buyers. “While we currently have about 325 properties for sale throughout the country, there are also over 100,000 visitors, literally, from around the world, who browse our website on a daily basis - and most of them are looking to buy within four to six months,” said Richard. “More than half of those visitors live in countries other than the ‘traditional’ ones: France, UK, Holland and Belgium.” Over 50% of people who bought a house through Houses on Internet were either non-European (from countries such as Canada, Australia, Russia and China), or came from parts of Europe that have in the past been less active on the French property market. Examples of those are Finland, Switzerland and Germany.
The group of potential buyers is large and diverse. “They are constantly checking our website for houses that have recently been put on the market - and many of them also contact us directly to tell us what they are looking for, so we have a pretty good idea of what it is they want,” said Richard. According to Richard demand is currently high for relatively new bungalows (for people wanting to downsize), renovated country houses, villas and large properties and estates suitable for keeping horses. Many also want a house to renovate, in any region, that is under €100,000. “What these people search for is, in fact, not so much different from what was sold through us over the past 12 months, when we sold houses from €60,000 to €1.9 million,” he added.
“The most popular areas for foreign buyers currently are Normandy, Brittany, Poitou-Charentes, Limousin, the northeast of Aquitaine and the whole Mediterranean area.” Houses on Internet can have a customer’s property profile online in three
WEBSITES
Tailor Made French Lessons In Your Home
Kennedy Electricite Services
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Tel: 06 83 48 82 05 Siret : 530585181
French Without Tears
Based nr. Sarlat Free estimates - References available
One to One Language Course. Tuition with Accomodation www.cours-a-cucugnan.com Tel: 06 78 15 19 29
Tel: 06 31 21 32 04 Email: simon.dobson@neuf.fr siret: 505 346 676 00016
Siret: 521701474 - Ad No. 17685
Chris Danaher
Internet by satellite, Streamed and satellite TV on computer, Networking and network streaming, Cloud computing.
Tel: 05 53 05 80 17 Mobile: 06 71 40 35 39 danaherone@aol.com Siret:51064303400018
Tel: +33 (0) 5 53 51 87 53 / +33 (0) 9 70 40 82 31
GENERAL BUILDER 20 Years Experience FREE ESTIMATES
Mob: +33 (0) 6 44 01 70 63
E-mail: John@JohnAin.org
Repointing, Plasterboarding, windows, doors installed. Translations, planning permissions. Tel: 05 53 56 36 89 Email: daveindordogne@sfr.fr www.dordognedave.webs.com Regions Covered 24,16,87 - Siret: 51913926500010
Ceilings, walls, floors Time served tradesman
24, 33, 47, other regions possible Contact Mike Tel: 05 53 58 17 19 Mob: 06 67 03 30 48 Email: thewebbsonweb@free.fr Siret no: 42424381400011
MGF Counselling Services English Speaking Counselor. M. Glenys Forrester (B.Sc.psych.) (M.Sc. psych.)
Offering individual / couples counselling.
CARPENTRY - BUILDING - RENOVATION
(Depression, Stress, illness, bereavement etc).
Excideuil - Hautefort - Terrasson Rob Hayward
Tel: 05 53 50 07 28 Mob: 06 47 17 60 78
Tel: 05 53 51 90 80 Mob: 06 70 89 72 06 hayward.artisan@gmail.com
Email: mglenys.forrester@gmail.com Web: www.mgfcounselling.com
Regions 87/24 Siret 503 417 04000014
Brian Macey - Electrician maintenance, breakdowns, renovations, rewires, new build, interior & exterior 30 years experience
Tel: 05 55 97 18 10 Email: brimacelectrical@supanet.com Siret: 517 566 196 00013 Regions Covered: 19,24,87
All legal translations by FrenchEnglish speaking sworn translator
Property-legal-birth cert., driving licences, traductions assermentées Valid everywhere with 25 years of experience Regions : All FRANCE Karen RENEL-KING Tel: 06 18 03 18 38 Email: karen.king@wanadoo.fr Web: www.certifiedfrenchtranslation.com Fast and affordable
05 55 65 12 19 www.housesoninternet.com
€ U R R E N C Y
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PIONEER FRANCE Best rates from the market leader info@pioneerfrance.com www.pioneerfrance.com/currency Tel: 05 53 07 06 27
38, rue Jean Jaurès, 24800 THIVIERS Tel: 05 53 52 49 91 E: lapetitemaisondeslangues@orange.fr W: www.lapetitemaisondeslangues.com Learn French and feel at home again ! Small groups, 1to1, weekly or intensive courses and translations
HOUSES ON INTERNET 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
Tel: 05 55 65 12 19
€ U R R E N C Y
£ R A N S F E R
PIONEER FRANCE Best rates from the market leader info@pioneerfrance.com www.pioneerfrance.com/currency Tel: 05 53 07 06 27
Siret: 38058374000028
LE FRANCAIS CHEZ VOUS Tailor made tuition in French at your home or Castel-Merle, 24290 Sergeac. Amanda and Emilie Millinship
Tel: 05 53 50 04 68 www.lefrancaischezvous.com Dordogne
Interior and Exterior Cherrypicker assisted for speedy and cost saving service
HOME - CAR - HEALTH We insure UK registered cars
Tel: 05 53 62 81 40 Email: craig.harriss@orange.fr Web: www.lasimpode.com/cherrypicker
ENGLISH SPOKEN (call Angeline) - 02 33 49 12 34
englishspokenlecluze.e-monsite.com
Siret 520 298 217 00016
alan keenan
tiling
all wall & floor tiling, pool surrounds, terraces, concrete & sand / cement work, plasterboarding
Tel: 06 19 50 34 28 or 05 53 23 24 54 Email: alankeenano@gmail.com Regions Covered: 24,47 Siret: 47794615600015
AXA INSURANCE J. LECLUZE ST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET - 50600
Painter and Decorator
Exclusive multilingual websites competitively priced. Personalised Facebook, Twitter and blogs part of a complete service to make your business highly visible on the Internet. www.voilawebsolutions.com info@voilawebsolutions.com Tel: Harvey 05 53 81 03 78
Contact Justin or Melissa Kennedy. Tel: 05 55 56 37 36 Email: justin.kennedy@orange.fr
languages in just a few weeks. Interested prospective sellers can visit the website for more information and to sign-on directly.
Regions Covered: All - Siret: 520 314 824
Siret: 45340867600022
Voilà! Web Solutions
Installation, rewires and repairs. 20+ years experience. Fully insured. No job too small.
La Petite Maison des Langues
CERTIFIED TRANSLATIONS
SMALL BUILDING WORKS
JUST PLASTERING
Richard Kroon is looking for more properties to sell for the Houses on Internet website so he can keep with demand for French property
FRENCH INSURANCE IN ENGLISH For people who live in / own property in France Straight-forward, honest advice on the best house, car, life & health insurance policies for you Over 15 years experience in French insurance markets English, Dutch & German spoken.
For all your electrical requirements contact
EXECO PARTNERS
Philippe Schreinemachers
30 years experience/Fully insured
Certified Accountants (FR) Serving English Clients in France
www.insurance.fr Tel: 05 62 29 20 00 Email: cover@insurance.fr
AK Electrical
ak-electrical@hotmail.co.uk
Tel 06 32 31 61 85 siret: 494 064 322 00014
ALL ELECTRICAL/ PLUMBING WORK Underfloor Heating/ Aerothermie Premiere service guaranteed St Yrieux / Brive / Perigueux / Sarlat
Tel: 06 37 09 55 13 Website: http://eurolec24.com/ Email: james.gunn@club-internet.fr Siret: 489 542 589 00010
Accounting, Payroll, Business Setup and registration, Individual & Business Taxation and more... Please feel welcome to contact:
Mr Pierre CHERON (Expert-Comptable) on Tél: 05.53.54.48.91 Email: contact@execopartners.com www.execopartners.eu
RCS Auch B479 400 657 - Regions: All France
To advertise here call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)
18 Directory
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
Dordogne Advertiser
April 2012
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Dordogne company celebrates best year on record Whether you need plumbing, electrical or heating services, or even a new kitchen designing and installing, Eurolec’s James Gunn will be able to offer a top quality solution FOR James Gunn, who runs Dordognebased Eurolec, the last twelve months have been his most successful yet, so much so that even with two tradesmen working for him full-time he is booked up for the next five months. It is the company’s 18 years of experience and wide range of complementary services in electrics and plumbing, heating design and consultation, kitchen and bathroom design and installation, and painting and decorating, that makes it so invaluable to customers. Over the past year the kitchen and bathroom design service, along with the painting and decorating, have really
SAPEG expertise et conseil Registered Chartered Accountants
- Business set up and registration - Business accountancy - Income tax,Wealth tax - Payroll and legal services Contact Alain: 05 53 92 50 00 Email: a.clisson@sapeg.expertscomptables.fr www.sapeg.experts-comptables.fr
taken off. “My two workers have been solidly painting and decorating for the last three months,” said James. “I’ve just done my third kitchen of the year and last month I completed four bathrooms.” All materials for kitchen installations are sourced from the UK, which is where James also does a lot of trade bulk buying. This means that all the paint used by Eurolec is from the UK, high quality and at lower prices than in France these savings are then passed on to the customer. For the electrical and plumbing side of the business the company serves both domestic and commercial dwellings,
TIP TOP Garden & Property Services
Garden Maintenance Hedge Trimming - Strimming Groundworks / Diggerworks General Property Maintenance Property checks/Keyholding Photo updates Contact Barry On Tel: 05 53 29 03 52 Mobile: 06 24 07 31 14 E: paula.grainger@wanadoo.fr Dept 24 - Radius 50 kms Sarlat Siret: 49372365400015
Prêt à Plonger
Piscine installation, repairs & maintenance. Bespoke pools, no project too big or small.
MOLE CATCHER NO MOLE - NO FEE! Call johnthemoleman
tel 05 53 22 07 32 mob 06 06 40 92 97 e-mail johnthemoleman@aol.com
Complete package including groundwork, terracing/decking and pool security.
IN DEEP PISCINES Maintenance, leak detection,
Garden Design Service by professional Landscape Architect/Garden Designer
Tel: 05 53 22 79 18 / 06 84 68 84 92 Web: www.indeeppiscines.com Email: sean@indeeppiscines.com
Regions: 24, 33, 46, 47, 82 - Siret: 504 576 802 00038
James Gunn can recommend the Bosky heat woodburner as an efficient way of heating your water tank
Café Church Bergerac An English speaking approach to contemporary Christianity
EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Tea and Cake from 5pm
Cafe Church from 5.30pm - 6.30pm Sponsored by and held at L'Eglise Evangelique Libre de Bergerac, 5 Rue Durou
Reverend Derek & Pam Cook derekcook3@sky.com or Peter Shire 05 53 22 74 08 www.christiansindordogne.com Ad No. 2467
from conception to supervision of installation Virginia Fletcher BA, Dip (Hons) LA, MLA
Tel: 05 53 62 51 94 Mob: 06 24 92 82 57 E-mail: virginia.fletcher@aliceadsl.fr Siret: 44943716900013 - Ad No. 17855
GARDEN SERVICES Creation of Garden Maintenance & Tree surgery High quality in respect with nature Philippe Brulé -30 years experience
Discover all 7 Golf Courses
Reduced fares between 20 - 30%
Golf Pass Dordogne Available on line
www.golf-dordogneperigord.com
06 37 09 55 13 james.gunn@club-internet.fr www.eurolec24.com
STAR SATELLITE British TV in France
BskyB Qualified - For All Your Satellite Needs
Tel: 05 53 80 63 93 Email: contact @starsatellite.fr Web: www.starsatellite.fr
Regions: Dordogne and surrounding Departments Siret: 50196266600019
Dordogne-Correze-Properties Property Finder Service helping the buyer find their dream home. Telephone: 06 45 10 21 54 john@dordogne-correze-properties.com www.dordogne-correze-properties.com Siret 508 891 983 00019
'Massages and well being at Castelnaud la Chapelle' With
ASBESTOS ROOFING ALERT! Act before EU forces removal and bans DIY disposal Save up to 75% contractor costs
- Relaxing massage with organic oils - Wave and vibration massage techniques - Energising massage - Shiatsu Amma Assis
Contact SiteClear for Cheap, Safe, Legal Solution FREE CONSULTATION
Tel: 06 79 67 38 06
Tel: 09 62 27 94 39 email info@siteclear.eu Siret no. 51438447800012
Signs, vehicle lettering etc.
G. W.
Free advice and quotes, based in the Dordogne, covering all of France. Tel: 05 53 52 45 82 or 06 32 83 35 97
Makeovers & Design English Kitchens/ Bathrooms/appliances direct from UK manufacturers Full range of French kitchens supplied Free design/planning service Installations/Makeovers/ Installations Only/Tiling Granite and Stone worksurfaces available Areas: 24 33 47 Call 05 53 58 09 32 or 06 58 92 09 97
Tel. 05 65 34 09 91 Working dept: south 19, 46 Email: brule.philippe0346@orange.fr
ranging from new builds to renovations, as well as simple jobs such as installing a light fitting or changing a tap. Eurolec’s heating design and advisory service includes the installation of under floor heating, aerothermal systems, electric radiators, Agas and wood burning stoves. For the latter, James’s favourite product at the moment is the Bosky heat wood burner. “It has an output of 20kw output and heats a the hot water tank - it is a very efficient wood burner,” said James who has installed three so far this year. The company also installs ventilation and extract systems to homes, restau-
Sophie NALIN, massage practitioner
simon.holt@wanadoo.fr www.pretaplongerpools.com Siret: 49397835700017
servicing, repairs
I only fit the best quality products so there are fewer call backs and repairs
Simon & Julia Holt 0619 071121 or 0553 620152 or Julia: 06 32 10 39 92
siret 51249460000012
“
rants and commercial properties, including the combined VMC and hot water production system, whereby the energy from the kitchen and bathrooms are recycled to heat the hot water tank, which produces savings of up to 75%. “I only fit the best quality products, mainly Schneider, as there are fewer faults and therefore fewer call backs or repairs,” said James. “Customer satisfaction and my professional reputation are the two most important factors that dictate the way I run my business. Without these I wouldn’t have a successful company.” Eurolec is situated in Saint Rabier, close to the N89 motorway. This enables James to cover the areas surrounding Brive, Sarlat, Perigueux, Brantome, Saint Yrieix la Perche and Lubersac.
siret: 510 011 554 00019
Email: mark@signsetc.fr Web: www.signsetc.fr Siret: 491205035 00026 - Ad No. 17751
LANDROVER*MG* ROVER*JAGUAR* AUSTIN-MORRIS PARTS ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS & GEARBOX REPAIRS
WWW.LANDYPOINT.NET
0545622720
St Pool Piscines
www.swansolar.eu Supply & Installation of :
• Solar domestic hot water systems • Solar swimming pool systems • Wood boiler stoves • Plumbing services Tel : 05 53 63 43 87 / 06 06 41 08 85 Email : maswan@live.co.uk All depts covered Siret 50406233200011
Phil B Entreprise
Concrete pools, reinforced liners. No expensive over design, expertly constructed
All Building Works Undertaken
www.aquapierre.com stpoolsfrance@gmail.com 05 53 91 45 18
Email: enquiries@stoves.fr Tel: 05 53 84 36 81 Mobile: 06 72 02 88 29
Inc Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Based 47, 24
Roots & Shoots
Souillac Golf & Country Club
Professional tree surgery Call Mark for a free quote 05 53 75 05 48 - 06 89 79 05 02 rootsandshoots.fr@gmail.com. www.roots-shoots.fr
Play golf all year round in the Dordogne Valley.
Siret number 452-803-539-00017
Jardins du Périgord - Design - Creation - Garden management High quality work by qualified gardeners
www.jardinsduperigord.com
24 SERVICES Complete Home and Garden Maintenance
Bourdeilles 24310
Exclusive Healthcare Your Helping Hand to the French Health System
Tel: 06 02 34 85 38
+33 (0) 4 94 40 31 45
Siret: 52841725600013
www.exclusivehealthcare.com
www.24services.fr
PLUMBING & HEATING INSTALLATIONS SERVICING & REPAIRS
RENOVATIONS, AIR-CONDITIONING SOLAR SYSTEMS - TOTALGAZ APPROVED INSTALLER Contact: Wayne Merry Mob: 06 85 58 64 65 Tel: 05 53 64 34 05 Email:wayne.merry@sfr.fr
Challenging 18-hole course, driving range, pools, tennis, bar, restaurant, accommodation
Experienced and registered
Ceramic floor and wall tiler For a professional Service / Quotation Contact 2447 Carrelage Tel: 05 53 57 12 19 Email: occitane6@orange.fr Regions 24/47 and surrounding SIRET: 4844699200014
SAND AND BLAST
Sandblasting service for Wood, Metal and Stone. Floor sanding service / hire available.
www.souillaccountryclub.com
Tel: 05 55 78 43 71 / 06 67 81 63 46 www.sandandblast.com
Tel : 05 65 27 56 00
Areas: 87, 16, 24 Siret: 48852292100037
To advertise here call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)
<< L'ATELIER >>
Carpentry - Roofing - Insulation - Wood frames and houses - Decks - Porches - Floors Free Estimates - Depts: Dordogne - Gironde
Web: latelierdecharpente.fr Mob: 06 02 50 11 56 Email: latelier.construction@gmail.com English spoken
SURFACES Polished Concrete Floors, Walls, Worktops Sinks & Furniture
STONE & TILE Restoration, Colouring, Sealing. Web: www.surfaces24.com Email: info@surfaces24.com
Tel: 06 82 38 21 12
Siret 51500573400014
Dordogne Advertiser
Mini digger hire from 100 Euros per day HT Hammer, auger, dumper, roller etc available
Sarlat, Gourdon and Souillac areas
SARL Maxima Tel April on 0631110202 or 0553312115 see rates at
www.maximalocation.com Siret no. 498 524 032 00022
Hautefort Renovation Professional Building &
Accommodation Management Services Services Include:
• Complete property management • Change overs • Professional laundry services • Gardening/Pool Services • Keyholding • Security checks
www.accmonline.com Tel: +33 (0)553793564
REFLEX MOODYS LTD SALISBURY
REMOVALS UK - FRANCE - UK
• Weekly Service • Full & Part Loads • Container Storage • BAR Members • On-line Quotation • Internet Shopping Deliveries
European transport & storage
Murray Harper
DIGITAL INSTALLATIONS
activated. NO ANNUAL CONTRACTS OR MONTHLY PAYMENTS. Wireless or wired. Cameras with 24/7 recording + Internet access. Security lighting.
Tel: 06 27 76 95 91
E: contact@aquitainealarmes.com W: www.aquitainealarmes.com Regions Covered: 24, 33, 17, 16 SIRET 50793843900019
EcoPower The World's Leading Solar Systems Tel: 05 53 62 31 35 www.ecopower.eu.com
A wide range of quality indoor furniture and sofas supplied and delivered direct to your French property saving you time and money.
A LA FERME
Beef, Lamb, Pork Pasties, steak pies, pork pies. Bacon, gammon, sausages. Bespoke insulated packaging used for delivery throughout France. Raymond&Sophie Hicks www.boucheriealaferme.com Tel: 05 55 97 95 66 Mob: 06 45 51 34 58
New showroom "Meubles New Ideas" near Brive(19) now open. For full colour brochure please e-mail info@furnitureforfrance.co.uk or call 0033 (0) 6 46 49 73 45 or 0033 (0) 5 55 25 02 68 www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk
WOODBURNERS
ENGLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN
www.murrayharper.com Tel: (0034) 952 793 422 or (0034) 952 807 692 info@murrayharper.com
SECURITY SYSTEMS Alarm calls up to 4 numbers if
Furniture for France
Siret: 509 528 014 00012
hautefortrenovation.com
Siret: 400 415 246 00026
Tel: 05 61 64 98 89 Email: simplybritfoix@aol.com Web: simplybritish.fr REGION: Shop 09, mail order throughout France
English butchers and farmers in France.
Scheduled collection and delivery service guaranteed Established 30 years in the industry
FINNINGER & HELBACH Gmbh Le Petit Fouine, 16210 Curac Tel/Fax: 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37 email: FinnHans@aol.com www.digitalsatellitefrance.com
Large range of food - fresh and frozen, books, greetings cards and gifts
BOUCHERIE
Excavations, Building, Renovations Driveways, Fencing, Decking, Pergolas Tel: 05 53 79 77 61 or 06 42 86 85 31 Email: lockes@orange.fr Website: www.lockes47.com
Charles Fleming 0553501239 or 0684530839
For more information call 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37
INDEPENDENT BRITISH GROCERS
Company Regn No: UK 5186435 TVA / VAT No: UK 864 7217 04
Digger / driver hire Fosse septiques
NE24 & bordering 87,19 & 46
WITHOUT CARD
SIMPLY BRITISH
00 44 1722 414350 info@reflexmoodys.com www.reflexmoodys.com
REMOVALS & STORAGE
LOCKES GROUNDWORKS & LANDSCAPING
Renovation Services
We do not only sell & install We also repair digiboxes NOW!! All freesat systems available
Directory 19
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
April 2012
REDCLIFFE are a reliable
Bristol based Remover and Storer with weekly trips to the Dordogne Credit crunch specials
Contact Andrew +44 (0) 7976 702 241 andrew@redclifferemovals.co.uk www.redclifferemovals.co.uk
MOVE IN EUROPE
George White European Transport Special rates to S/W France 13.6m/45ft trailer - Full/Part loads Removals/materials/vehicles Owner driver. RHA member
Tel: +44 (0)7768 867 360 Fax: +44 (0)1773 570 090 Fr Mobile: +33 (0)6 23 03 85 59 www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk
The removal company even the furniture recommends UK - Europe - Europe - UK
www.moveineurope.com contact@moveineurope.com Tel: +44 121 3503111 Home Tel: 05 53 93 75 52
Anglo Foods Agreed distributor of Iceland Frozen food 17270 Montguyon
Tel: 05 46 48 32 44 WOODBURNERS.FR Traditional cast iron multifuel and woodburning stoves. Option for fire back boilers on most models. Delivered to your door or installed. Also coal now available. Contact us for (solar) renewable energy air source pumps to replace your gas or oil fired systems. See our website on
MOVING TO OR FROM FRANCE? Weekly services to & from France
Full or part loads, 4 wks free storage, 30 Years experience Bar & Guild Member Contact: Anglo French Removals Tel: +44 (0) 1622 690 653 Email: info@anglofrench.co.uk
www.anglofrench.co.uk
SELF STORAGE DOVER Convenient Flexible Consolidation Point Working with the Movers Tel: +44(0) 1304 822844 doverinfo@aandsselfstorage.co.uk www.doverstorage.co.uk All France
Spex4less.Com High Quality Prescription Glasses Online Save Money On All Your Prescription Eyewear www.spex4less.com
PAINT - BRAND NAME Top Quality Uk Emulsion White & Magnolia 10LTS - Unbeatable Price Local Drop Off Points - Dept 24 Ring or Email for Further Details & Prices - Tel: 09 62 21 46 27/ 06 78 17 47 53 Email:paint4less@me.com
Loca Plastow Trading Since 2005
Tool & Plant Hire From Diggers, Dumpers Rollers To Small DIY Projects Floor Sanders - Rotavators Scaffolding towers - Mixers Tel: 05 53 83 40 67 Email: loca.plastow@wanadoo.fr D933 Between Eymet & Miramont Siret 483 433 264
www.woodburners.fr Tel/fax or Email 05 53 84 36 81 Mob 06 72 02 88 29 enq@woodburners.fr Siret no 45204687300017
KANGAROO KARDS Leaps Ahead!
High Quality Greeting Cards 300+ Designs FREE DELIVERY in Europe *Award Winning Website* *Pay Securely Online* *Outstanding Service* *Money Back Guarantee* *Many Exclusive Designs*
kangarookards.co.uk
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
OAKWOOD FLOORING Wide boards
Large stocks available Prime & Character grades Oiled & waxed finishes Special offers from 12 € / m² www.oakwood-import.fr email: franceoak@gmail.com tel: 06 80 33 93 57 siret 49426348
U.K. WOODBURNERS
AARROW YEOMAN STOVAX VILLAGER France Agent - P.E.P Leisure Ltd UK 08717174097 FR 0553732521 www.pepleisure.com email: fires@pepleisure.com Regions All France
CLASSIFIEDS
BACCHUS IMMOBILIER recruits France-based estate agency seeks representatives for ALL regions of France. Carte Blanche Agent Commercial Immobilier and generous (up to 70%) commission rates offered. Contact Ivan Tredinnick.
Tel: 00 33 (0)5 45 82 42 93 Fax: 00 33 (0)5 45 36 27 95 E: property@bacchus-french-property.com W: www.bacchus-french-property.com Siret: 48034462100010
Book your ad now for the May issue - copy deadline April 5 - call freephone in France 0800 91 77 56, from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)
Car boot sales around the area this month April 1 - Allemans, Annesse-et-Beaulieu, Beaumont-du-Périgord, Bergerac, Lacropte, Manzac-sur-Vern, Saint-Pierre-d'Eyraud, Sarlat-la-Canéda, Verteillac April 2 - Hautefort April 8 - Bergerac, La Force, Saint-Astier, Saint-Michel-de-Rivière, Sergeac April 9 - Beaumont-du-Périgord, Coulounieix-Chamiers, Le Change, Limeuil, Neuvic-sur-l'Isle, Piégut-Pluviers, Vaunac
April 15 - Bergerac, Champagnac-de-Bélair, Faux, La Force, Lavalade, Montpon-Ménestérol, Nastringues, Neuvic-sur-l'Isle, Saint Jean d'Ataux April 21 - Monpazier, Saint-Cyprien April 22 - Monpazier, Saint-Cyprien, Vieux-Mareuil April 28 - Montignac April 29 - Léguillac-de-Cercles, Mussidan, Sarlat-la-Canéda, Soudat
20 Home and Garden
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
Dordogne Advertiser
April 2012
Show your metal and Gardening enhance your garden Facts
Check your soil to ensure good hydrangea colour
Get ready for a summer display
If Simon’s stainless steel work is not what you want in the garden, simple steel arches can transform the look of your outside space and separate different garden themes slight change in a curve or a line can make it look much better,” he explained. As proportion is key, you will also need to bear in mind the size of the room or garden. Blacksmiths will often want to meet you in person, see the area that you have in mind for the piece and take measurements if needed. As for the materials, artistic metalwork can be created using steel, stainless steel, bronze or copper. While steel is cheaper, maintaining it can up the price – it will have to be galvanised and painted, and if water gets in, it can
Simon Robinson produced this stunning gate in Dublin
rust. To protect his stainless steel creations from the elements, Simon has them electro-polished, a process which takes off molecules of metal from the surface. “If a job is done properly, then that’s it – it will remain like that,” Simon said. After that, maintaining the creations means simply getting the hose out to wash exterior pieces and a dust cloth for ones in the home. The whole process of creating a piece can be very personal. For larger pieces, blacksmiths will often take into account the client’s life and work closely with them. “I’m sensitive to their surroundings. I put as much of that person into the piece as I can. When you’re working, how you’re thinking and feeling comes through into the work, otherwise it hasn’t got any soul in it. When someone really puts themselves into the work, it comes alive.” When Simon came to France, he already had a full portfolio of work from a successful career in the UK, but he was still pleasantly surprised with the welcome that he received. “I’ve found that, when it comes to the work I do, I’m treated as an artist in France, and given a certain amount of respect. For the French, there is the notion that arts and culture is the mainstay of their country.” Contact Simon Robinson: www.forgerobinson.com
Photo: © PITRS - Fotolia.com
ONE-OFF artistic metalwork designed by a blacksmith can be a focal point for your garden or home, and a timeless piece to pass down to future generations. It is not often that you can create a design, discuss it with a professional, and see it come to life chez vous. Whether you are looking for practical pieces such as garden gates, metalwork for the patio, banisters and balustrades, or if you want to mark a special occasion or anniversary with a sculpture or gift, going to a blacksmith could be the answer. Simon Robinson, an expert in hand-forging stainless steel, at Flers in Normandy (www.forgerobinson.com), said: “Everything I make is different – the commission could be absolutely anything. “What I make is to go in a house, on a house, in a garden or in a public space. “It can be domestic, sculptural or even monumental,” he added. “It depends what the person wants – for the home or garden, it could be a seat or a fountain. I’ve even made small pieces of jewellery in the past.” The first step is to come up with an idea of what you might like, or explain that you are interested in a certain type of piece. “Sometimes clients will show me a photograph or a sketch,” said Simon. In some cases, he will then work on the design to make it aesthetically more appealing. “Just a
Photo: toraya - Fotolia.com
If your garden needs sprucing up, simple art and decoration techniques can work wonders. And you don’t have to go for intricate items and designs. REBECCA LAWN reports.
Photo: © JElenathewise - Fotolia.com
Sponsored by
Above: Give your garden a touch of elegance with a chair that uses your own ideas on decoration or, below, one of Simon Robinson’s creations for a garden statue feature
AS THE warm weather arrives, there is plenty to do in the garden. Any remaining winter covers and protections should be cleaned and packed away for next year, and all your pots and containers prepared for this season’s planting. Use rainy days to go through your shed and check tools; clean, repair and replace whatever is necessary so that you are ready for the summer. Roses should be well fertilised with manure and sprayed with an anti-fungicide to protect them against blackspot, mildew and rust. This is especially important during a wet April. Inspect rambling and climbing roses, and tie up any stray stems. For others, trim off any frost-damaged parts. If you favour an organic approach, you could think of using tea leaves around the base of the plant for fertiliser. Planting lavender near roses will keep aphids at bay, because they do not like the pungent smell. If you have a lawn, this is the month to tackle moss and other weeds. If you don’t fancy going down the chemical route, a good going-over with a rake will also work wonders. To get a truly lush lawn this summer, you will also need to start fertilising now, and as long is it is not too wet, mowing. If there are any bare patches, this month is also, once you have dealt with any moss, the time to re-seed – an ideal task for a wet day! If you don’t have a lawn but are yearning for a stretch of British greensward, now is the time to plant one. It is much cheaper to grow from scratch than buy in turf, and is not that hard. Prepare the ground thoroughly; remove all weeds and roots, break up all clods and rake in some fertiliser before sowing your seeds. Keep the birds off with a good old-fashioned scarecrow. Weed flowerbeds thoroughly, and cut back old growth. Prune shrubs taking out any old wood in the centre and encouraging a pleasing shape. If you are nervous about how far to go, take some cuttings just in case! Sow hardy annuals directly into the earth with a good scattering of manure. If you have blue hydrangeas and want to intensify their colour, increase the acidity of the soil by adding aluminium sulphate to the soil. Don’t overdo it however, as in large doses it can be toxic. The best approach is to add small quantities at regular intervals until you get the colour you want. (Pink hydrangeas prefer an alkaline or neutral soil.) In the kitchen garden, turn the soil and add manure. Check all your hosepipes and watering arrangements to ensure they haven’t been frost-damaged. Pre-warm soil by covering it with gardener’s fleece or black plastic sheeting for a week or 10 days before sowing broad beans, beetroot, carrots, parsnips, peas, radish, spinach and turnips. You can also plant asparagus, onion sets, potatoes and shallots. You can get a head start with everything else by planting in seed trays. Inside, don’t forget to start fertilising your indoor plants and move tender souls into their summer positions so that their leaves don’t get scorched through windows.
Reductions, Felling, Hedge cutting, Planting. Experienced tree climbers fully trained and insured. Contact Mark Wilson 0553750548 / 0689790502 O O
www.roots-shoots.fr info@roots-shoots.fr
Dordogne Advertiser
DIY 21
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
April 2012
D I Y tips
2012 Income Tax Helpguide INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST ON LIFE IN FRANCE
Sponsored by
Shows how to declare your income such as pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest with a visual guide to the French tax forms
Take good care of wood burners Photo: Rubber Dragon - flickr.com
Explains how France's tax system works and how your income is assessed and charged Published April 1, 2012, to include the latest information Choose between PDF digital edition or paper copy posted to your French home
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Checks to be made: The baffle plate The baffle is the plate suspended above the flame and can be made of steel or cast iron. Check it has no cracks, if it does it needs replacing as they are there to protect the burner. If the baffle is easy to remove then it is worth taking it out and cleaning away any deposits that might have built up on it. Fire bricks As for the baffle plate, check the fire brick walls on the inside of the burner are intact and not warped or cracked. Leaving damaged bricks in will reduce the effectiveness of your burner and could lead to the outer shell overheating and then having to replace the whole burner if it gets damaged. Seals Make sure the rope seals around the fire door are sealing correctly. Sweep the flue It is very important to keep the flue pipes swept. If they are not kept clear and there is a fire, you may not be covered by insurance. You must have proof of having had your chimney swept, so make sure that once a year you get it professionally done and obtain a dated receipt from the company. Wood burners are a lovely feature and economical way of heating your home. Follow these simple tips to get the most out of yours.
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WITH the cold months finally over it is easy to give your wood burner a quick clean and then forget about it until the autumn, but do not leave it until the last minute to take care of it. Here are some tips on how to keep to your wood burner in tip-top condition and get the best results from it when in use. Cleaning the glass door. You can buy special products for cleaning the glass, but nothing beats using an old newspaper, ash and some vinegar. It is best to clean it whilst the door is still slightly warm. Brush off any loose residue and, with a damp piece of newspaper, rub ash from the fire in small circular motions on to the glass. Keep doing this, renewing the piece of paper if necessary, until the door is clear of residue. Wipe the door clean with a mix of warm water and white vinegar and dry with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.
3 WAYS TO
Take time to ensure your wood burner is in good shape
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22 Property
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
Dordogne Advertiser
April 2012
Houses for sale across France Buying or selling a property? We can help. Our website www.connexionfrance.com carries details of more than 14,000 homes for sale across France. We also feature properties for sale in this dedicated section of the paper each month. To find out more about any particular property, go to www.connexionfrance.com and enter the ref: code shown under the property.
age costs just €200TTC and gives you three months online advertising as well as a print advert in three editions of The Advertiser. Our 6+6 package is best value at €330TTC and provides the same, but for six months via each channel.
New Consumption and Emission Chart - e.g. Energy rating C & F refers to C for Consumption and F for Emissions
Contact us on 0800 91 77 56 (freephone in France) or email sales@connexionfrance.com
More details on all these properties - and how to contact the seller directly - can be found in the property for sale section of
For sellers, the adverts are also displayed across a range of popular English- speaking websites and are seen by thousands of potential buyers EVERY day. Our 3+3 pack-
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Simply enter the code under each home to find out more PROPERTIES IN DORDOGNE
€99,000
€100,000
€106,300
Piégut-Pluviers This pretty hamlet house comes with a garden and 2 small barns. The property offers a living room with a fireplace and woodburning stove, a kitchen-diner, shower room with wc.
Saint-Paul-la-Roche This pretty stone house is set in 700m2 of land. The house comprises a fitted and equipped kitchen, a living room (29m2), 2 bedrooms (2 x 11m2), a shower room and a wc.
Nontron This cottage is set in 285m2 of land and comes with a garage and a well. It has a large living room with fireplace, a fitted kitchen, a bedroom, a shower room and a separate wc.
REF: 33517
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 38723
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 38497
€115,000
€125,000
€133,750
Cherval This ancient stone house is set on 1 acre of land and comes with excellent views. It comprising a fitted kitchen, a living room with a character fireplace, a bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
Monestier A beautifully-restored 2 bedroomed village house in a small village amongst the Saussignac vineyards, between Sainte-Foyla-Grande and Eymet .
Labey Stone and tiled property situated in a hamlet in a peaceful setting, with an enclosed garden area of 345 sqm. Workshop/shed. Well. Septic tank. Electric and wood heating.
REF: 41746
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: BVI0006695
ENERGY RATING = E & F
REF: LABEY9087
€139,100
€148,000
€152,900
Saint-Pantaly-d'Ans This lovely Perigourdine is set in 0.36 acres of land and comes with a separate garage and a gîte. The house comprises a fitted kitchen, living/sitting room with fireplace and a shower room.
Sarrazac This lovely Maison Bourgeoise is set in 700 sqm of land with plenty of character, and a garage. The property offers a living room, kitchen, 5 bedrooms, two bathrooms and an attic.
Ribérac This 1530 hamlet is set in a 0.58 acre of land and comes with a cottage and a private well. The property offers 132m2 of living space
REF: 39570
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 34650
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 41817
€160,000
€175,000
€181,900
Excideuil This charming farmhouse is set in 810 sqm of garden and comes with a little chalet and lovely views. The property has been renovated to a very tasteful standard.
Jumilhac-le-Grand This 3 bedroomed, 1 bathroomed home with great equine possibilities, is nestled in a hamlet in the beautiful countryside of the Perigord Vert. Very well presented throughout.
Eymet This nice cottage is set in 1.15 acres of land and comes with a garage and a workshop. The house comprises a lounge, an equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a shower room.
REF: 40442
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: BVI0005627
ENERGY RATING = C
REF: 37450
€185,000
€189,900
€190,000
Brantôme Pretty 3 bedroomed character stone property close to river. The property has a small manageable garden and rooftop terrace.
Dussac Stone and tiled property (206 sqm), situated in a village close to the shops, with a garden area of 2,319 sqm. Oil central heating. Terrace. Septic tank. Well. Conservatory.
Montpon-Ménestérol Situated to the south of Montpon and in a well-maintained condition. Easy access to shops and supermarkets in Montpon and Junction 12 of the A89.
REF: RKP395
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: DUSSAC7931
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: DT045
€194,400
€196,000
€198,875
Saint-Astier Spacious house, single storey and in immaculate condition throughout with a swimming pool. This delightful property is ready to move into without the need for any renovation.
Siorac-en-Périgord This charming stone house was completely restored in 1990 and comprises a living room with fireplace, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, opening on to a terrace.
Sarlat This quaint stone house is set on 0.99 acre of land and comes with a swimming pool and outbuildings. The property offers a kitchen, living room with a fireplace, a landing and a wc.
REF: 12611
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: FPBH3011C
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 41699
€203,300
€214,000
€222,600
Eymet Beautiful, modern 3 bedroomed house with attached garage, garden and nice view over the countryside. Within 10mins of a bastide town with all shops, and 15 minutes from Bergerac.
Monpazier This restored stone house is in a tranquil location with lovely views over the surrounding countryside. The property comprises a living room with fireplace and fitted kitchen.
Thenon A typical perigourdine ensemble is situated within a traditional hamlet, retaining original feature, including fireplaces, beams, stone sinks and exposed stone walls.
REF: APS2104
ENERGY RATING = D
REF: FPBH2196M
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: BVI0006458
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = F
The adverts above cost from just €200TTC for three months of web advertising and three months of print advertising.
Let our distribution get you a sale. Contact our sales team on 0800 91 77 56 (freephone in France) or email sales@connexionfrance.com
Dordogne Advertiser
April 2012
Property 23
www.dordogneadvertiser.com PROPERTIES AROUND FRANCE
€275,000
€278,100
€280,000
Trun, Orne Imposing house built in 1850, in excellent condition. Walk to pretty market town. Beautiful gardens 7.910m2 (1.95 acres). Barn to convert. 4 bedrooms and 3 shower rooms.
Bever, Morbihan Detached stone and slate water mill, built in 1750, lies in the countryside, 5 kms from the shops, with a garden/land and a river running through. There is also some woodland.
Hérault Pretty recent villa with pool, offering 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Located in a quiet and nice residential area, just a few minutes walk of all shops and restaurants.
REF: DOM1331
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: BEVER374
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 10765-M332000E
€283,550
€295,000
€299,000
Finistère This well established and profitable gîte complex consists of owner’s accommodation, 3 letting gîtes plus a below-ground swimming pool that meets all French regulations.
Caveirac, Gard Set over 2 levels with a southern aspect and having views over the garden, this house includes living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, all on wooded land.
Bolbec, Seine-Maritime A delightful 1898 detached “Maison de Maître”, built from traditional red brick and firestone under a new slate roof. Original features retained. Positioned in a quiet rural area.
REF: KPS 1174
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 318V
ENERGY RATING = D
REF: DOM1289
€300,000
€315,000
€316,500
Near Carcassonne, Aude This beautiful detached villa, situated in a village on the edge of Carcassonne, is within walking distance of all amenities. In good condition throughout. Lovely views. Garage.
Pont-Audemer, Eure Spacious `colombage` house under a slate tiled roof in good condition set in 2200m2 (0.54acres). 6/7 rooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 wcs, kitchen, 2 reception rooms, cave and garage.
Dinan, Côtes-d'Armor Hamlet near village and close to the river Rance. Renovated longère in beautiful garden of +3438m². Large reception rooms with super fireplaces. Equipped kitchen. 5 bedrooms. Garage.
REF: 1175
ENERGY RATING = B
REF: DOM1293
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 11159
€324,000
€325,000
€327,000
Avranches, Manche A very charming Normandy house full of character dating from the 18th century located in a magnificent setting. 5 bedrooms, 7 rooms. Possibility to obtain extra 10 hectares.
Redon, Ille-et-Vilaine This gorgeous property was fully renovated in 2004. It still maintains authentic features and the warm atmosphere of days gone by. Inside are oak floors, stone walls and a spiral staircase.
Near Carcassonne, Aude Beautifully renovated 300 year old farmhouse situated in a peaceful haven just 10mins from Revel. Main 2 bedroom property plus 2 bedroom gîte and possibility of further expansion.
REF: DOM1377
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: BRE-411
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 748
€328,600
€330,000
€336,000
Ruffiac, Morbihan Built in 2007 this detached 3 bedroomed bungalow has been constructed using some of the latest technologies in energy efficiency, including geothermal under floor heating.
Nîmes, Gard This villa has 3 bedrooms, kitchen with access to living room with a fireplace. Possibility to enlarge the living space. Pleasant environment with a large, wooded garden.
Valognes, Manche Elegant detached house built in 1973 in very good condition. Set in landscaped gardens. Delightful views. 5/6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double garage. 1km to town centre.
REF: 12270
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: H178
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: DOM1319
€340,000
€349,950
€358,700
Lodève, Hérault In a lovely location, in the beautiful hills, 5 minutes from Lodève, a new villa (2005) of about 160m² habitable space on a plot of land of 4541m². Stunning views over the hills.
Avranches, Manche Stone-built house dating back to 1750 with extensive renovations and building work most recently carried out in 1997, this spacious house is set on an elevated position with extensive views.
Cléguérec, Morbihan In the countryside in a superb undulating and green setting, you will be surprised by the character of this property comprising of a renovated stone longère with authentic features.
REF: MLP322
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: DOM1303
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 218
€364,000
€366,750
€378,000
Sourdeval, Manche Superb 19th century villa with entry into large living room, open-plan kitchen, wc, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, convertible attic, cellar, cave, garage and workshop.
Dinan, Côtes-d'Armor On the outskirts of a village with easy access to the Rennes/St Malo motorway. Large character property (±370m² floor area) divided over 4 levels. Several reception rooms with fireplaces.
Hérault Traditional villa with 130 m2 living space, a garage, a superb equipped summer kitchen and a pool, on 1520 m2 of land including a buildable section with independent access.
REF: 81
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 11313
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 10765-AM432000E
€388,125
€399,000
€405,000
Iffendic, Ille-et-Vilaine, A spacious traditional stone property with over400m² of habitable living space in the centre of the community.
Carcassonne, Aude Beautiful detached stone pigeonnier dating back to the 18th century, renovated throughout whilst maintaining original features. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, immense fireplace.
Montebourg, Manche This beautifully-appointed 6 bedroomed house has panoramic views over the landscaped gardens to the Abbey, countryside and coastline beyond.
REF: 146067
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 595
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: 11952
€417,000
€429,000
€449,400
Langlade, Gard Very quiet and residential place for this nice recent villa. 3 bedrooms, bathroom. Large terrace with view over the Vaunage Valley. Charming garden with swimming pool and spa.
Domfront, Orne Charming 17th century château decorated to a good standard. Some further work required. 7 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 wcs, kitchen, 2 large reception rooms and loft.
Morbihan This is a delightfully-restored 19th century granite longère comprising of a main house, plus 2 gîtes and an outbuilding to convert to create a further 2 gîtes.
REF: 484v
ENERGY RATING = C
REF: DOM1398
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: KPS 1778
€462,000
€472,500
€480,000
Barneville-Carteret, Manche An historic manor house, complete with the original stone spiral staircase, in need of internal renovation. The majority of the external renovation has been completed.
Pontivy, Morbihan Two charming stone-built cottages (cir 1610/1732) in the heart of Brittany. In pristine condition with swimming pool and tennis court. Substantial income.
Montauriol, Pyrénées-Orientales Offering stunning views over the Roussillon plain, vineyards and up to the sea, beautiful villa with a main living room, dining area, separate kitchen, conservatory, 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
REF: 11991
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: DOM1160
ENERGY RATING = Not given
REF: DH602
ENERGY RATING = B & C
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = D
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = C
ENERGY RATING = Not given
ENERGY RATING = D
ENERGY RATING = Not given
24 People
www.dordogneadvertiser.com
April 2012
Photo: Rémy MASSEGLIA - Fotolia.com
Photo: Jacques PALUT - Fotolia.com
Dordogne Advertiser
A fine trout but those less than 25cm must be put back
Going fishing FISHING on French rivers is strictly controlled with restrictions on the season, the times of day, the numbers of fish, the bait or lures and the sizes that can be caught. A fishing permit or carte de pêche, is needed and is available from tackle shops or local tabacs for €85 (for all France) or €65 for the Dordogne. A special women’s permit gives country-wide access for just €30. Under-12s get an annual permit for €4 and over-12s for €20. Gendarmes and garde-pêche make regular checks. The card can also be bought online and downloaded from www.cartedepeche.fr Only six trout can be caught per day but if you catch a black bullhead (poisson-chat – which is not the same as the catfish silure) or a brightly coloured pond perch (perche-soleil) do not return to the water as they are nuisance fish.
End of the line for fishermen by JANE HANKS
Patrick Ceccheto says that some days he catches nothing at all – but he still loves to be on the river
ONE OF the few professional fishermen left on the Dordogne says it is a lifestyle that is dying out – and that he expects to be among the last to enjoy what, he admits, is no longer a lucrative way of life. And enjoy it he does. Patrick Ceccheto says: “Fishing on the Dordogne is my passion. It’s why I remain one of the few remaining professional fisherman on the river – because you have to do it for love and not for money.” He is one of only about 10 men left with the right to fish the Dordogne and sell what they catch. He takes his boat out twice a week, lays his nets and waits to see what the river will give him. “A lot less than it used to,” he says, “I don’t always catch anything. But I love it on the river. It’s always different, always something new. “You can get away from everything else and discover the secrets of the Dorodgne.” Patrick, 44, has fished the river since he was a boy and was shown the ways of the river by an older man he called “Papi” though he wasn’t his real grandfather. He came from a period when it wasn’t unusual to have this job. Indeed, up until the 1950s, professional fishermen were a
common sight and every town market had its fresh river fish stall. When the migrating species – such as salmon, eels and lamprey – came up river in those days their nets were often overflowing and bulging with fish. But times have changed for many reasons, Patrick says. “There are certainly fewer fish despite a relatively low level of pollution. “Perhaps it can be blamed on the introduction of the ‘silure’ giant cat fish about 15 years ago and the increasing numbers of cormorants, both of which eat the fish. “And, although we work together with EDF now, the dams did at first do a great deal of damage when they raised and lowered the water levels with disregard to the
“
I don’t always catch anything. But I love it on the river ... you can get away from everything Patrick Ceccheto
young fish that were either left high and dry to die or washed away. “But the way people eat has changed too – and river fish is less appealing. I have to admit they are more difficult to prepare than other fish as they are very boney – and people don’t have time anymore.” So what does he do with his catch: “I cook it and prepare it myself and serve it at my restaurant where it makes a change from the usual local duck produce. “The small fish I fry and the bigger ones I generally make into terrines. “People like it – especially the older, local generation as it reminds them of what life used to be like.” Will his profession die out: “Sadly, yes. I have to be realistic and recognise that I really am one of the last to work like this. “It’s not easy – there’s a massive amount of paperwork and as the river belongs to the State I have to pay a rent on the sections of river that I am authorised to fish in. This gives me the right to use nets and other equipment that the amateur fisherman might not have access to. “But I can’t make much money out of it. “It’s not very attractive to any newcomer. But at present I’m not willing to give up my licence – it’s part of my life and I love it.”