Dordogne Advertiser - June 2012

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ISSUE 40

JUNE 2012

PUBLISHERS OF

News and What’s On information for the Dordogne and surrounding area

Speed trap warnings removed this month SIGNS warning drivers of an imminent speed trap will be removed by the end of this month, replaced by new “educational radars” telling them how fast they are travelling.

There will be 16 of them in the department, near existing speed cameras, plus an extra five that are not near an actual radar.

The director of the Dordogne’s road safety watchdog, Alain Bordes, said the effectiveness of the new displays would not be known for some time. He said their aim was to do everything possible to prevent more accidents and deaths on the department’s roads.

Mr Bordes said the idea was to encourage drivers to take responsibility and slow down.

“A lot of people don’t look regularly at their speedometer and are not always aware that they’re driving faster than the limit,” he said.

So far this year, 17 people have died in car accidents in the Dordogne, a figure described by the préfecture as “extremely high”. Gendarmes have been carrying out more speed and drink-driving checks on main roads.

Deputy prefect Hélène Geronimi said alcohol, speed and night driving were all main causes of accidents. She urged people to adapt their driving to the conditions.

€40 million plan to reduce power cuts

by JANE HANKS THE Dordogne’s sub-standard electricity supply is to benefit from a €40m investment aimed at bringing it up to national standards within five years and reducing power cuts.

The supply is currently one of the worst in the country.

ERDF, the body responsible for the distribution of electricity in France, aims to upgrade the grid and reduce the length of power cuts for each customer to the national average of 70 minutes per year per customer. Last year, the average time was 126 minutes.

The Dordogne poses a particular challenge because of its size and its trees. It is the third largest and third most densely forested department in France and a quarter of the mediumvoltage lines are situated in woodland. There are 11 customers per kilometre of grid, compared to 27 nationally.

This means it is one of the most difficult and expensive areas in the country for distributing electricity.

The Dordogne direcM tor of ERDF, Eric Mariaud, said: “Luckily, we are still a public service, which means that

we can put extra money into the Dordogne which wouldn’t be worthwhile if we were solely a commercial organisation.

“Every customer in the country pays a fixed sum towards distribution, but in the Dordogne the amount spent per customer is €68 and that will increase to €95 over the next five years, compared to €40 on average nationally.”

The work will include laying underground cables in wooded areas, modernising and repairing overhead lines, improving the system so that a power cut will affect the smallest part of the grid possible and maintaining the areas through which lines go – for example cutting overhead branches.

Mr Mariaud said: “If all the electricity cables in the Dordogne were laid end-toend, they would go more than half way round the world.

That is the challenge we face.

“We have put in extra resources since 2007, but now we are going to put in much more. By 2017, the service will match the rest of France.”

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2 News

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With a story, email: dordogne@connexionfrance.com (please include a daytime contact number) With a subscription or advert query call:

From France: 0800 91 77 56 (freephone) From UK: 0844 256 9881 (4p per minute)

or by email: sales@connexionfrance.com The Advertiser is published by: English Language Media Sarl, Le Vedra, 38 rue Grimaldi, 98000 Monaco.

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Read the Advertiser online at www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Contents 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 (MonFri, 8am-5pm) English spoken. URSSAF: English-language site: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 anxiety 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): Teresa Rekowska: 06 82 72 68 58; 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 None

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 Association Culturelle Franco-Anglaise Aquitaine From French lessons to bridge, plus monthly social get-togethers. www.acfaa.com

June 2012

Teacher goes on hunger strike over class closure

THE DORDOGNE

News What’s On Feature Coffee Break

Dordogne Advertiser

www.photoclub-bergerac.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 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

Centre de Golf Bergeracois Philippa Thornton: 05 53 58 87 18 centredegolfbergeracois@orange.fr

Bergerac Photo Club Meets Wed at 20.30, Maison des Associations, Place Jules Ferry, Bergerac. photoclub-bergerac@orange.fr

The Interesting Gardening Club Jane Evans: 05 53 91 34 96 carolawt@aol.com www.theinterestinggardeningclub.org

Golf Public de Périgueux 05 53 53 02 35 golfpgx@wanadoo.fr www.golfdeperigueux.com

A TEACHER in the Dordogne was so angry at the decision to close a class in her school that she went on hunger strike for a month.

Isabelle Capmas-Faure, the headmistress of the nursery school in Montignac, said that although some people might find her actions excessive, she felt it was the only way to show how serious the situation was.

“There are four classes in my school. Next year, there will be three which means there will be about 30 children per teacher. In those conditions we cannot do our best for the pupils – we cannot help those in difficulty. We can be little more than an after-school club.

“As well as losing a teacher, we have already lost an administrative position and a special needs post. I have a replacement teacher once a week so that I can fulfill my headteacher duties – that too is going next year. The young children of today are our future and they must be given the best start in life.”

From April 10 to May 11, Ms Capmas-Faure ate nothing – and drank tisane herb infusions to keep her going. By the

fourth week she said she was very tired and had lost 11kg – but she still taught.

“I was in contact with my doctor and had decided that I would stop when I needed hospitalisation,” she said.

“I have four sons and they need their mother. So I had limits from the start. But I wanted the authorities to sit up and listen.”

She had support from parents, local politicians and even François Hollande during his election campaign.

The education ministry’s director for the Dordogne, Jacqueline Orlay, said she met Ms Capmas-Faure to discuss the situation and to make sure she was healthy enough to teach.

She said that the closure was justified because of the decrease in the number of pupils at the school and that according to the figures there would be 26.3 children per class next year – less than the average in the department.

However she said that if a sufficient number of parents signed up their children in the meantime, the class would be kept open in September.

In the Dordogne, 17 classes are to be closed and 25 special needs teachers’ posts are to go next year.

Nursery school head Isabelle Capmas-Faure: ‘I wanted the authorities to sit up and listen’

Praise for local retirement homes A NATIONAL survey of homes for the elderly has ranked the Dordogne as the ninth best department in France – up from 18th last year. Researchers from France Info visited 10,000 homes in the country. Four homes in the department were given 9.5 out of 10. The criteria included the quality of the environment, meals, bedrooms, care and value for money.

theme park

Harvest worries for Bergerac THE GRAPE harvest in Bergerac will be reduced this year, and quality affected, after a severe frost in mid-April wiped out as much as half of the buds in some vineyards.

Fédération des Vins director Pierre-Henri Cougnaud said the damage was still being assessed and although it did not affect the whole area it had been particularly vicious in the Pécharment and Monbazillac areas. The last heavy frosts in April, in 1991, were so bad that the harvest was between a third and a half of the normal amount. This year was less devastating.

Lascaux founder dies at 88 ONE of four men who found the Lascaux caves, Georges Agniel, has died at the age of 88. In October 2010, he told the Dordogne Advertiser: “We knew it was prehistoric, something special [but] we never received a penny for our discovery, not really any recognition by anyone and certainly no reward.”

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The voucher is valid for adult, senior citizen (aged 60 and over) and child (aged 5 to 16) for 1 day or 2 day dated-entry tickets and must be handed in at the Futuroscope ticket booths between the 1st April 2012 to the 6th January 2013* (1 to 5 visitors per voucher). Discount does not apply to packages, group tickets, and undated entry tickets (visa/ season). Offer may not be combined with other offers and backdated. *Please check the opening date’s calendar on futuroscope.com

Dordogne Advertiser

News 3

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June 2012

Olympic hope for summer tourism Tourist body expects more Britons to visit the Dordogne this summer to escape the games – but campsite and bed-and-breakfast owners are among the least optimistic for the season.

JANE HANKS looks at the forecasts

Photo: ©PHOTOPQR/SUD OUEST/Carrizey-Jasick Titia

TOURISM leaders in the Dordogne have mixed feelings on the prospects for the summer season, with bookings for gîtes and activity holidays up, but hotels, campsites and B&Bs faring less well.

The director of the department’s tourism body, Christophe Gravier, said he was optimistic for the coming months and he thinks the Olympic Games in London will give a boost to tourism in the department.

Mr Gravier said: “I think that those who aren’t interested in the games will want to avoid the hustle and bustle of England and its capital and get away from it all. I think that could mean more English here – and I think Americans might well prefer France to London this year for the same reasons.”

The department launched a campaign on the London Underground, with 200 advertising panels promoting the area since March. Mr Gravier said early results suggested the publicity efforts were paying off.

The department’s tourism body (CDT) spent €220,000 on the campaign and the largest portion of the European budget has been directed towards the UK. The CDT is also promoting the English-language part of their site, enjoydordogne.co.uk, and have had articles in national UK newspapers.

Mr Gravier added: “So far, for the gîtes that are booked through our central reservation system, bookings are up by 7% compared to last year and the number of people booking themed holidays either as individuals or groups has almost doubled.

“We are definitely seeing an increase in the number of French holidaymakers who are staying at home rather than going abroad – perhaps because of the economic crisis. Many of them come from the surrounding areas: the Limousin, the rest of the Aquitaine and the Poitou-Charentes. We just hope now that the weather will be kind to us.”

However, his enthusiasm is not shared byAlain Lebon, president of a chambre d’hôtes (bed-and-breakfast) association in the Périgord Noir. Mr

Lebon, whose group represents 50 establishments, said: “The season is not looking good.

“April and May have already seen poor results – the weather and the elections have not been helping things. For us, the bookings for the summer are not very good.

“Until five years ago, business was booming, but since then we have seen a regression in the number of visitors in our chambres d’hôtes.”

On the potential reasons for this, he said: “There is the economic climate, but I think also that there are more and more chambres d’hôtes in the area and that we have perhaps reached saturation point.

“The number of visitors remains more or less the same, but they are spread more thinly. It wouldn’t be a good moment to set up a bed-andbreakfast.”

The forecast for campsites is not positive either. Local trade body SDHPA (Syndicat Départemental de l’Hôtellerie de Plein-air), which represents 75% of the 212 campsites in the Dordogne, found in a survey of its members that 35% thought the coming season would be worse than 2011, 29% felt that 2012 would be the same and 13% felt they couldn’t answer. Only 23% thought it would be better.

The group’s president, Gé Kusters, said that the wet May weather had not helped bookings. He said: “When the weather is bad, people aren’t in the mood to think about summer holidays, so it hasn’t helped the beginning of the season.”

In France as a whole, campsites are seeing an increase in business — there was a 2.7% increase last year with some areas such as the

Campaign trail ends with surprise hotel visit FOR one Dordogne hotel, the summer season got off to a good start with a surprise visitor.

François Hollande spent the last night of his election campaign at the Manoir d’Hautegente at Coly before returning to his home at Tulle in the Corrèze the next day.

His visit was kept a secret and the owner, Marie Josée Hamelin only told staff about their prestigious visitor as his car drew up to the building.

Champagne-Ardenne seeing a rise of as much as 8.5%. For the Dordogne, it was 1.1%.

Mr Kusters added: “I would say that was good – but not great. I think the image of camping for the

“

I think that those who aren’t interested in the games will want to avoid the hustle and bustle of England and get away from it all Christophe Gravier Comité départemental du tourisme

She said: “We were absolutely delighted by his visit.

He was exceptional – charming, agreeable, a gentleman. He spoke to all the staff and to the children and on the Saturday morning he took the time to have a photograph taken with us.

“He seemed very relaxed for someone in his position. He said he would come back one day. We were truly impressed by his kindness and down-to-earth nature.”

French is changing and they are beginning to see it as a desirable kind of holiday, just as the British and the Dutch do.

“But in our area I think we have perhaps reached capacity – particularly in the Périgord Noir where there isn’t room for any new campsites. It isn’t easy for the campsites at the moment – and in the summer it’s very hard work – seven days a week.

“But it remains a good way to earn a living. There’s a good, relaxed atmosphere and it’s satisfying to see people arrive tired and in need of a holiday going home refreshed.”

Hotel owners are also wary about the summer to come. Jacqueline

Leymarie, vice-president of the UMIH, the body representing hoteliers’ interests and president of the 50 prestigious Logis hotels in the department, said the atmosphere was one of uncertainty.

She said: “Everything is becoming more difficult and we can’t be sure of the future. Visitors make lastminute reservations and they are also far more cautious – ringing several times and several establishments before making their decisions. So it is very time-consuming.

“We are seeing the results of the recession and it is unsettling. It is very difficult to predict what July and August will be like.”

Massive setback as flood wrecks popular riverside restaurant TWO restaurant owners who had everything ready for the summer season, have lost an estimated €120,000 worth of material after they were hit by extreme flooding.

L’Hostellerie Maleville on the banks of the Dordogne at Beynac has been in the family for more than 100 years. Pascal and Catherine Maleville said: “In all that time we have never had such a disaster.

“We expect floods in the winter and all our furniture and kitchen equipment can be removed after the summer season, but this time the flood waters rose so high and so quickly that we didn’t have time to move anything.

“Our insurance won’t cover the damage. Our only hope is that the area is designated a disaster zone by the authorities [making the couple eligible for compensation], but we’re not at all sure that will happen.

“We are angry that nobody was able to warn us that it was coming. Now we’ve had to close the restaurant and lay off our seven staff for the moment. All our furniture on the terraces was new and everything was ready for the season. We just hope that we’ll be able to open again after everything is cleaned up. But first we’ve got to find the money to restock.”

4 News

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Did you know?

The Périgord man who was crowned king of Patagonia

A NEW museum opens this month in Tourtoirac, near Hautefort, in honour of a man from the Dordogne who became king.

Antoine de Tounens was born in 1825 in the hamlet of Chèze near Chourgnacd’Ans and in 1860 he was crowned king of Araucania and Patagonia, which is now part of Chile.

His descendant, who lives in the house in Tourtoirac where the king died, is still fighting for his subjects, the Mapuche Indians who want independence and calls himself their prince. Visitors from Chile come to the village to pay homage to the tomb of their monarch.

The extraordinary story began when Antoine de Tounens left his legal career in Périgueux and in the spirit of the colonists of the time went to South America.

There he had many adventures before meeting the Mapuche Indians, who made him their king in the region of Araucania, which is situated half way up the long

Antoine de Tounens: represented the Mapuche Indians coastal strip which makes up Chile. There is a continuing debate as to whether he imposed himself on the Indians or whether he was welcomed by them as their long-awaited white saviour.

He made several visits back

and forth, but always ended up being thrown out by the Chilean authorities. Ill and exhausted, he died at Tourtoirac in 1878.

But he has a descendant – 86-year-old Philippe Boiry, who has spent the past 60

years of his life fighting the cause of Antoine de Tounen’s subjects. He is convinced that he was a legitimate king and that the Mapuche Indians have a right to an independent state.

Mr Boiry said: “Some people say Antoine de Tounen was a mad man, but he wasn’t. There is a lot of ongoing research about his story and many books have been written about him.

“Many, but not all the one and a half million Indians see me as their prince and I have almost daily contact with them. They are an oppressed minority and about 50 of them are in prison in Chile. I am doing all that I can to help them.”

Mr Boiry says he has represented the Indians at the United Nations and he has been to court several times for their cause. He is happy to see the museum open in Tourtoirac, which will recount the story of his ancestor and give information about the Mapuche Indians. It opens on June 27.

Dordogne Advertiser

June 2012

More Périgueux residents alone and in poverty ALMOST a third of Périgueux residents live under the poverty line and more than half live on their own, a new study has claimed.

The director of the town’s social aid centre (Centre Communal d’Action Sociale), Jacques Demarq, said he was aware that poverty was growing and the figures confirm that the situation is serious.

He said: “The centre can give financial aid to those in real difficulties and for some time we have seen an increase in the number of people needing help with their food, gas, electricity and rent bills.

But the proportions revealed in the study are higher than we’d expected.”

The study showed that 30% of those living in Périgueux have an income of less than €956 per month and 10% earnt less than €410. The town’s mean income was €1,420 – lower than the national average of €1,511 per month.

The study also reveals that 55% of inhabitants live alone – presenting the danger that some of these people are iso-

lated and lonely.

Mr Demarq said his office would now make further studies to understand in more detail the profile of the people needing help.

He said: “We think that higher unemployment is the cause and we cannot see any chance of the situation improving in the near future.

“There are a number of things we can do. We can give financial aid but we also think it is important to give advice as to how to manage a reduced budget and sort out priorities.

“We live in a consumer society which tempts people to spend money on items which are not always necessary. We feel there is a real danger of an increase in the number of homeless people and a priority is to make sure that people can continue to pay their rent.

“Another concern is the number of elderly people living alone. We want to keep them in their own homes for as long as possible, so we need to make sure there are opportunities for them to have social contact.”

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June 2012

Concern over shale gas permit ASSOCIATIONS fighting to prevent the exploration of shale gas in the Dordogne are on alert after being told that a licence to drill has been approved by one authorising body and now awaits signature in the prime minister’s office in Paris.

The Isle of Man company 3 Legs Oil and Gas wants to make tests in an area which covers 7,510km2 and includes parts of the Dordogne and some of its tourist highspots such as Domme, La Roque Gageac and Sarlat.

Last year there were huge protests against the procedure, which is said to cause earth tremors and to contaminate water supplies. A law was passed to outlaw the “fracking” procedure – but protestors have always been worried that it could easily be sidestepped.

Although the latest news, released by the anti-shale gas association, Vigilance Périgord, has not been confirmed, protestors are on stand-by to see what the next step might be.

Only one town votes for Sarkozy THE DORDOGNE voted overwhelmingly in favour of François Hollande in the presidential elections, with a score significantly higher than the national average. Hollande received 59% of votes in the department, versus 41% for Nicolas Sarkozy. Nationally, the figures were 51.6% and 48.4%.

Only one canton voted in favour of Sarkozy – Eymet with 51.5%. The highest score for Hollande was in Terrasson, where he gained 66%. Even Bergerac, which is traditionally to the right, voted for Hollande with 55.2% of the vote. Turnout in the Dordogne was at 87.1%.

Architects vie for Lascaux project A SHORTLIST of five architects has been drawn up to produce plans for the €50m project to create a new pre-historic art centre in Montignac, called Lascaux 4. They include Jean Nouvel who is based in Paris but comes from Sarlat and designed the controversial huge metal doors in the town square, and four other international architects.

Some 88 architects, including the UK’s Norman Foster who created the Pont de Millau, had applied for the job of making a replica of the world famous caves plus a virtual tour and a museum. The final choice will be made in October.

Hospital staff protest cutbacks STAFF at Sarlat hospital have taken strike action in protest against a costcutting plan which has been introduced after a deficit of €2m was announced for 2011. Workers say they will lose two days of holiday a year.

Hospital director Christopher Marilesse said the hospital’s governing body had told him to find €1.5m over the next two years and this measure will make up a tenth of that amount.

He said staff would not be working any more hours, but they will be allocated differently.

Mr Marilesse added that the number of patients in the first four months of this year is up – after a severe drop in the second half of last year. He said his surgeons had met doctors in the town to restore confidence in the hospital.

News 5

Bergerac sees passenger boost – and 78% are Brits

by JANE HANKS BERGERAC Airport has announced its best passenger figures in three years, with 289,000 passengers using the base in 2011 – nearing the record of 295,000 set in 2008.

The president of the Dordogne chamber of commerce, Christophe Fauvel, said it had been a “big year” for the airport, which is making an important contribution to the local economy, estimated at €169,000 last year.

The latest results suggest that 78% of passengers were British, 10% French, 7% Dutch and 5% Belgian.

About 80% of foreign travellers were passing through the airport on their way to a short-stay holiday, mostly in the Dordogne. Most stayed with friends or family, but almost a third went to gîtes, campsites and hotels.

Those who live in the Dordogne caught a plane on average three times a year and had guests arriving via the airport three times a year. Some 80% of airport users were over 50 years old, 62% were retired and 33% worked here.

The latest study also includes a poll of 400 local businesspeople, of

Bergerac airport: Spending by British visitors has fallen by 5%

whom 54% said they had a regular British customer base.

However, despite the increase in the number of passengers in comparison to last year, spending by those arriving here on holiday was down by 5% for the British visitors.

Meanwhile, the Brive Vallée de la Dordogne Airport has celebrated its 100,000th passenger since it opened in June 2010.

A surprised Catherine Leignac from Seilhac in the Corrèze was presented with two return BriveParis tickets plus tickets for a Brive rugby match, just before she boarded her flight to Ajaccio in Corsica. The airport’s president, Jean-Louis Nesti, said summer season flights to Corsica were 90% booked.

Destinations from Brive now include London City Airport, Paris Orly, Ajaccio and from July there will be flights to Amsterdam for the summer.

However, the airport suffered a blow when Jet2 chose not to renew its Manchester flights and Airlinair also cut its flights to Nice from Brive.

The airport has said it is still hoping to find other airlines to fly to the UK – but it is highly unlikely for this year.

Swallow count begins in five Dordogne communes A STUDY is under way to count the swallows in five communes in the Dordogne, following an estimated drop of between 20% and 30% of swallows (hirondelle rustique) and housemartins (hirondelle de fenêtre) in the past 20 years.

The study has been set up by the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux and member Jean-Claude Bonnet has undertaken to monitor the swallows in Saint Mayme de Péreyrol, near Vergt. The other communes taking part in the swallow count are Lalinde, Lembras, Razac d’Eymet and Saint Joryde-Chalais.

Mr Bonnet said there are two reasons why the population is threatened: “One reason is that there are fewer insects because of the use of insecticides and the other is that people no longer want swallows nesting in their buildings or under their eaves because of the mess they make with their droppings.

“That is a shame and I’ve shown many people that you can avoid this problem by putting a plank about 20cm under the nest to catch the droppings.

Do keep the doors of barns and garages open so they can fly in and out.”

Swallows often come back to the same nest – and Mr Bonnet has urged people not to destroy them during the winter.

He said: “Swallows and housemartins are attractive birds that are well-liked by people. They are very close to man and they herald the arrival of spring. This year, though, they have come very late.

“Often we see the first ones in March, but this year they arrived over a month later due to the weather conditions.”

The study is to last two years throughout France, with the aim of getting a real idea of the scale of the problem.

However, there is one bit of good news for this species in the Dordogne. A third type, l’hirondelle de rocher or crag martin in English, arrived in the department between 15 and 20 years ago and their population is on the increase. They can be found nesting in the cliffs by the Dordogne and the Vézère.

Photo: © gareth63 - Fotolia.com

Dordogne Advertiser

Little England is back!

The popular TV series Little England is returning to ITV1 in the UK for a second series - and once again we're looking for those brave British people who left everything behind to start a new life in the Dordogne.

We'd like to hear from Brits with interesting stories to tell about the trials and tribulations of uprooting themselves and their families to make the big leap across the channel and how they have immersed themselves in "la vie Française".

The series will follow British people living and working in the South West region of France and will reflect the wide variety of people who make the move, from old hands who've become part of the scenery to the new arrivals who are facing the daunting prospect of building their lives from scratch.

We'll be filming in the Dordogne during June and July 2012 and we're looking for Brits to feature in the new series. We'd particularly like to hear from you if you have an unusual job, are celebrating a big event, providing a uniquely British service or have an interesting story you'd like to tell.

Send an email to little.england@itv.com explaining a bit about you and your story, and your contact details or give us a ring on 0044 207 157 3736.

6 National News

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June 2012

News from across France A BRITISH man who commuted to Paris twice a month for theft sprees at Charles de Gaulle Airport has been jailed for a year. “John”, in his 40s, targeted luggage, mainly in terminal 2C. He took valuables and cash, such as €70,000 in cash from the baggage of the Prime Minister of Chad, as well as mobile phones or laptops. He would stay in an airport hotel before flying back with his haul, reports said. He was arrested after being found with a suitcase belonging to a Cameroon traveller.

Air France will cut up to 5,000 jobs

Photo: ©Samuel Dietz / Maxppp

Airport thief’s London ‘commute’

Ayrault re-named to spare Arab blushes

Spectacles discount for the over-60s OLDER people on low incomes are to get a special pass that will give them cheaper spectacles and eye tests. Opticians, health insurers, spectacle manufacturers and glass-

maker Essilor have banded together to offer the pass-lunettes as they say older people have more need of eyecare, more expensive prescriptions and they are not well covered by social security or health insurance.

The pass will be available to any over-60s eligible for the Aide à la Complémentaire Santé (a benefit partially covering costs of buying top-up healthcare insurance).

Details will be posted to those who are already claiming the benefit.

Eurostar plan to add new destinations CHANNEL Tunnel train operator Eurostar wants to add around 10 new destinations to its service.

At present it serves just Paris, London and Brussels, but is looking to travel to cities such as

Montpellier are French champions MONTPELLIER football club have become French champions for the first time in the club’s history.

The victory – pipping Paris Saint-Germain – is yet another sporting success for the city whose handball team are French champions for the 14th time. Its rugby team are again for the Top 14 finals.

Montpellier won a nerve-wracking final game against newly-relegated Auxerre 2-1 – with the Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Geneva, Marseille and Lyon, boss Nicolas Petrovic told the Financial Times. Its plans come as German operator Deutsche Bahn said it will offer Chunnel services from late in 2015.

Club red-faced over spelling mistake A SPELLING mistake has left Olympique de Marseille football club with red faces, as they got the word orange wrong on their strips.

The reversible jerseys carry a quote from a song by Marseille rapper Akhenaton, but it is grammatically incorrect. It reads: Et nos cœurs sont oranges, comme au couchant sont les flots” but the word orange does not need the “s”, which makes it read “And our hearts are oranges, like the waves at sunset”. Sports shops across France have the strips on sale now at €150 for the Techfit version and €90 for the ordinary one. OM will wear them for the first time in a league match at Sochaux.

Orange is used as part of the club’s fight against racism, echoing fans who turn their bomber jackets inside out to show the orange lining.

Economy stagnates in first quarter THE French economy showed zero growth in the first quarter of 2012, official Insee figures show.

On top of this, the body has now revised down its growth calculation for the last quarter of 2011, to 0.1% instead of 0.2%. However an overall figure of 1.7% has been maintained for last year.

French national debt is now calculated to have reached 86% of GDP

match being interrupted three times by angry rival supporters. It did not finish until 23.30.

The win is even more special as their €36 million budget is a fraction of other teams – and especially Qatar-owned PSG who spent €42m on one player.

Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud also took the top goal-scorer title – he and PSG’s Brazilian Nenê both had 21 goals but Giroud scored fewer penalties.

(the market value of all goods and services produced in France in the year) by the end of last year, slightly up on the 85.8% announced before.

At the end of last year the government predicted there would be 1% growth in 2012, a figure it had revised down from a previous 1.75%.

Security stepped up for ‘normal’ Hollande SCORES of specialised police are being reassigned to the protection of François Hollande and others close to him. The new president, who has said he wants to be seen as “normal”, is now having to adjust to the hyperprotected life of a head of state.

Hollande benefited from 15 bodyguards during the elections – they are expected to form the nucleus of his Groupe de Sécurité de la Présidence de la République (GSPR).

President Sarkozy’s GSPR consisted of 80 officers, who will shortly be reassigned to other jobs. The armed, plain-clothes officers consist of three teams who divide their time between protection, training and rest.

It is not known if Hollande’s protection will be similar. Until now he has preferred minimal security, with no bodyguard at the primaries and just four at the start of his campaign.

Court rejects café smoking appeal SMOKERS can continue to smoke in café terraces that are enclosed by plastic sheeting, the Paris appeal court has ruled.

The court rejected an appeal by anti-smoking group Droits des Nonfumeurs (DNF) who wanted to strike out a lower court ruling allow-

ing five Parisian cafés to permit smoking on their terraces.

DNF had said the lightweight plastic enclosures were just a way for the cafés to get around the law banning smoking in enclosed public places.

It said the air inside them was more polluted than the Périphérique and president Gérard Audureau now plans to petition the new health minister for the law to be clarified.

Racers quizzed after two die in rally crash POLICE are still trying to work out the cause of a rally car crash that killed two people and injured 19 spectators at the Riviera village of Plan-de-la-Tour.

They questioned the driver and navigator, who are both long-time competitors, and are also examining the car for any mechanical failure.

The VW Golf ploughed into spectators after running straight-on at a corner. A 20-year-old man and a 50year-old steward were killed. Five people were seriously hurt, with two youths fighting for their lives.

Photo: © Kzenon - Fotolia.com

NEW prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault is causing blushes in many Arab countries – especially for journalists – as his surname sounds the same as a colloquial word for penis.

The French Foreign Ministry has now put out a new version of the pronunciation, saying it is permissible to pronounce the normally silent L and T letters.

A similar problem arose in France for Russian president Vladimir Putin, whose name sounds similar to putain, a French slang word for prostitute and a common swear word.

AIR France is set to cut 5,000 jobs over the next three years as part of a new business plan aimed to get it back into the black.

Le Figaro said the airline aimed to cut its non-fuel costs by 20% and would transfer some leisure flights to its low-cost carrier Transavia, cut costs in economy class and improve comfort in business class. The number of freight planes would be reduced as would maintenance costs.

However, news site La Tribune said only up to 3,000 employees would go – and an Air France spokesman denied any figures had been agreed.

Le Figaro said voluntary redundancy would be open to all staff: ground crew, cabin crew and, for the first time, pilots. The company has 4,000 pilots, including 590 over-55s but the retirement age is 65.

Air France says at least 500 pilots have more than 25 years' service – who will benefit from the maximum redundancy pay-out.

Schools go back to five-day week PRIMARY schools are going back to a five-day week, new education minister Vincent Peillon has said. He wants a return to the pre-2008 system by next year’s rentrée (September 2013) but said local mairies could whether to open school on Wednesdays or Saturdays.

Ending Saturday morning school in 2008 led to longer school days on the remaining days and this was criticised as tiring for the children by leading parents’ association FCPE, the national Academy of Medicine and a parliamentary report.

However, a government poll of 5,000 parents and school staff last year found just 33% wanted to change the four-day week.

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June 2012

Image device may save lives A MEDICAL kit which can send images direct from the scene of an accident to a hospital has been tested by the emergency services in the Dordogne.

Michel Gautron, the director of the department’s paramedics (Samu), said that trials over several months have convinced him that this will be widely used in the future and be of particular use for saving lives in a large, rural area such as the Dordogne.

The €1,500 portable kit, which is carried in a small case, includes a computer with a camera, hard-drive, screen, telephone links and connections for various medical equipment.

Mr Gautron said: “It means that images of a person’s injuries can be sent directly to the doctors at the control centre who can then decide which hospital to send the patient to and prepare for his arrival.

“It will never replace the expertise of the doctors on the scene, but it can give vital additional information and save time by getting the person to the right centre of care straight away.”

Mr Gautron said the kit would have other uses as well: “For example, it could be used for an elderly person with a skin complaint who cannot easily travel to see a specialist.

Instead, a doctor could visit the person at home and transmit the images to the dermatologist who would be able to give a diagnosis without any transport involved.

“It could also be a life saver in a rural area such as the outlying countryside around Domme where volunteers make up part of the emergency services. In the case of a heart attack they could send images of the patient so that a doctor would be able to give on the spot advice as to procedure, essential when every minute is vital.”

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Campaigners fight to protect local farmland

Children’s play area from old tennis balls

A BODY representing traditional farmers in the Périgord is urging local government to put a halt to the practice of diminishing the land set aside for agricultural use and turning it over to building, urbanisation and light industry.

Fanny La Brousse from the Conféderation Paysanne said that 1,000 hectares are being removed from agricultural use every year.

She said: “That is land that will never again be used to produce food and it is often good land. For example, Périgueux is expanding into the plains and valleys around it, which could also be used by farmers.”

She said that agriculture was no longer seen by many as an important economic sector for the future, but it is vital for this area.

Ms La Brousse said: “A quarter of farmers have disappeared in recent years and most of those are from the smaller farms which make up the landscape of the Dordogne.

“Our countryside is beautiful and it attracts tourists and it’s the farmers who look after it and keep it attractive. There is a real problem with the reduction in agricultural land. We have people wanting to come and set up market gardens here – but they can’t find three hectares of land to do it on.”

OLD tennis balls are being turned into supple sports floors for a disabled children’s centre, under a new initiative undertaken in the Dordogne.

So far, 14,000 balls have been collected in the department in a scheme known as Operation Balle Jaune. They will be used to make surfaces that are safer and softer to land on, around the slides and swings at Les Vergnes centre for disabled children in Antonne, near Périgueux.

The collection has been organised by the French Tennis Federation and anyone with old tennis balls can participate by taking them along to their nearest club.

The group’s secretary general for the Dordogne, Gilbert Coudassot, said: “In France as a whole we use 15 million tennis balls a year – at present just five million of those are recycled.

“They are collected in a lorry and taken to a centre where they are transformed into rubber granules which can then be made into sports surfaces.

We are then able to offer the result to an organisation which can benefit from it.”

16% of Aquitaine farmland could change hands in the coming years Her worries are confirmed by a report by the agriculture ministry looking at the whole of the Aquitaine, which concludes that the rate of loss of farming land has been a hectare an hour over the past 10 years. That is twice as much as in the rest of France.

The main reason seems to be an increase in population and the desirability of a house in the countryside. By 2030, it is estimated that the Aquitaine will have 400,000 more inhabitants needing 150,000

hectares of land to live in.

A second reason is the ageing farming population. Two thirds of farmers over 55 do not know who will take over their land when they retire – and the problem is greatest in the Dordogne and the Lot-etGaronne.

If it is not taken on by someone working in agriculture, the surrounding land could be lost to housing. Some 16% of agricultural land in the Aquitaine could change hands in the next few years.

Come Racing at Pompadour!!

Organised by the Société des Courses de Pompadour Once again the racing season is upon us. Since 1837, Pompadour has offered the best of racing in the one of the most beautiful racecourses in France, situated below the château walls.

Initially the Hippodrome was a training ground for the French cavalry and later a National Stud, breeding the first Anglo-Arab horse. Replete with history the extensive stables and riding rings ordered by Napoleon, are now used for a long summer programme of dressage, show jumping and eventing competitions, many at a French national level.

The first race, of seven or eight, at most meetings is at 14:30 hrs. Each meeting comprises a mix of races; flat, steeple and cross-country. The flat is on 2 Km sand course whilst the other races take advantage of the undulating nature of the terrain of the Hippodrome.The last race is always a spectacular long cross-country event, but in full view of the stand.

Entry is 6 and race cards are free. Lunch time dining is available in a panoramic restaurant above the stand with a full view of the course. At course level there are several bars and snack outlets. Local course betting facilities are present and on some meetings there is a full PMU service.

Highlights of the season are as follows: • The Sunday 15th July meeting for Amateurs and Lady Riders follows the day of the Fête Nationale which will have culminated in a fabulous firework display from the terrace of the château. From the twinning of the racecourses of Pompadour and Folkestone a 3-Nations race for Amateurs has developed with participants from Ireland, the UK and France.

• Family Day is on Sunday 22nd July with a pre-race grand picnic organised in the Hippodrome with vendors for all your food and drink needs.

• On Saturday 4th August there is an 'Old Days' theme.The first race is at 15:30 hrs, and in the evening there is an al fresco dinner in the Hippdrome..

• A major day in the calendar is Wednesday 15th August, the Festival of Assumption.

But also the Fête de Cheval. In the morning there is an open air mass in the Hippodrome, followed by a parade of the carriages and stallions of the Stud.The afternoon meeting includes the Grand Steeple which counts towards the national jockeys' championship.Throughout the day there is also the climax of a high level show jumping competition in the château grounds.

• Sunday 19th August, 'Ascot day', is one of the most popular days including the Grand Prix de Pompadour and also a grand picnic.

July/September 2012 Sunday 8 July

3 Flat, 4 Steeple and Cross Country 'Exhibition of Classic Cars'

Sunday 15 July

Gentlemen and Lady Riders' Day 4 Flat, 3 Steeple and Cross Country,

Including the 3-Nations Championship (France, UK, Ireland)

Sunday 22 July

Family Day with Pre-Race Picnic, 4 Flat, 3 Steeple and Cross Country, PMU

Sunday 29 July

4 Flat, 3 Steeple and Cross Country:

Saturday 4 August

Racing in the Good Old Days 3 Flat, 4 Steeple and Cross Country

Wednesday 15 August Grand Fête of the Horse 'Festival of Assumption' 4 Flat, 4 Steeple & Cross Country, PMU Sunday 19 August

Elegance Day: Ascot Style with the Grand Prix de Pompadour 4 Flat, 3 Steeple and Cross Country

Sunday 26 August

4 Flat, 3 Steeple and Cross Country

Sunday 2 September 4 Flat, 3 Steeple and Cross Country Sunday 9 September 4 Flat, 3 Steeple and Cross Country

Entry to the Racecourse on Race Day is 6 For Further Details: www.courses-pompadour.com Or telephone the Pompadour Tourist Office: 0555 98 55 47 To book the Panoramic Restaurant for lunch on race days: Tel: 06 70 03 63 18

8 What’s On

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Piegut-Pluviers FAMILY

Périgord Vert June 30 - July 1 Felibree – This year it is Piégut-Pluviers’ turn to hold one of the most important events in the Occitan calendar that attracts up to 30,000 people of all ages.

Called Felibrejada in the Occitan language, this festival not only celebrates the language but also regional traditions and costumes. Organised by the Lo Bornat dau Perigord association, the festival travels from year to year to different villages in the Dordogne. All year round, volunteers prepare paper flowers to decorate the whole village in an array of colours, costumes are made, shop windows are dressed and gates to the commune constructed, illustrating the specialities of the area. On the big day, thousands of people come from all over the department, dressed in traditional costumes, and are greeted at the gates, where the elected queen receives the key to the town.Then the festivities can commence.

Throughout the day, visitors can discover traditional construction methods, watch artisans at work, listen to troubadours singing traditional songs, join in the massive banquet at lunchtime and soak up the joyous and relaxed atmosphere which is particular to this festival.

For more information visit www.felibree2012.comli.com

June

Périgord Pourpre

Photo: © Tourisme Vézère Photo: © Tourisme Vézère

can learn crafts including weaving, using vegetable dyes, and making felt.

Another popular garden is Les Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac (www.eyrignac .com) near Sarlat, which has a full programme of free activities and events over the weekend.

On offer are workshops on hand-trimming topiary, lawn maintenance, and garden presentation. The house's team of gardeners will also be on hand all weekend to give advice and share know-how.

Those with a more artistic bent will enjoy Les Jardins de l’Imaginaire in TerrassonLavilledieu (www.jardinsimaginaire.com), a perfect combination of creation and nature. Artists will paint pictures and make pottery leaves in response to their interaction with the public. The grounds have a great variety of water features and a large rose garden.

Photo: © Tourisme Vézère

Gates open at best gardens MANY gardens and parks will open to the public, some for the first time, during the Rendez-vous aux Jardins weekend on June 1-3, which is themed on Gardens and Their Images – whether figurative, literary, poetic, musical, film or even imaginary.

The Ministry of Culture leads the event nationally and, in Aquitaine, it is organised by the Association des Parcs et Jardins d'Aquitaine (www.apja.info).

Visits to green spaces, all sort of readings, film shows, talks and other events are organised and there is a list of the participating gardens at www.rendezvousauxjardins. culture.fr.

One highlight in the Dordogne is Les Jardins Panoramiques in Limeuil (www.jardins-panoramiqueslimeuil.com) which boasts a maze, a “witches’ garden” and a water garden as well as workshops where children

Photo: © Tourisme Vézère

Monbazillac ART June 8-10 Art exhibition, Château de Monbazillac, 10.0019.00 – Over 40 artists and artisans from the Bergerac area will show their work in the magnificent setting of the château.There will be demonstrations throughout the three days. FREE entrance.

Mouleydier ART

June 2012

Photo: © Kirsten Stroud

Photo: © AndyLawson - flickr.com

Festivals happening in the Dordogne

Photo: © Zigou

All month Zigou, Château Merles – The artist Zigou, who has a background in fashion design, will be showing her work on the theme Belles de jour, Belles de nuit (Beauties of the Day, Beauties of the Night).The exhibition is open to all and entrance is FREE. Call 05 53 63 13 42 or email info@lesmerles.com

All of the Dordogne - Fête de la musique - Fête de la musique is open to both amateur and professional musicians.

Created in 1982 by the French Ministry of Culture, each year villages and towns all over France come alive with concerts, from classical to rock.This festival also offers people the chance to perform in more unusual locations, as well as the opportunity to discover new talents.

Here is a list of places celebrating the festival June 21 - 23: Périgord Blanc - Leguillac-de-l’Auche, Mussidan, Périgueux, Saint- Asiter,Vergt, Saint-Aquilan.

Périgord Noir - Belvès, Campagne, Coux-et-Bigaroque, Montignac, Plazac, Saint-Cyprien, Siorac-en-Périgord,TerrassonLavilledieu.

Périgord Poupre - Bergerac, Eymet, Limeuil, Sainte-Sabine-Born.

Périgord Vert - Jumilhac-le-Grand, La-Chapelle-Gresignac, Saint-Jean-de-Cole, Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière,Thiviers.

All of the Dordogne Fête de la Saint Jean – Traditionally celebrated on June 24, the Fête de la Saint-Jean is the day of Saint John the Baptist and is traditionally accompanied by huge bonfires. It is thought that the act of lighting fires was taken from Celtic and Germanic rites which were closely linked with the summer solstice. Although the reason behind the fête has

been forgotten it is still celebrated throughout the Dordogne around this time of year and is usually accompanied by a meal and fireworks, giving the perfect excuse for a party.

Here are some dates for St Jean celebrations near you: Périgord Blanc June 23 - Coulaures, Manzac-sur-Vern, Saint-Léon-sur-L’Isle June 24 - Mensignac, Montpon-Ménestérol June 30 - Echourganc Périgord Noir June 22 - Le Bugue June 23 - La-Chapelle-Aubareil, Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil June 24 - Journac, La-Chapelle-Saint-Jean, Villefranche-du-Périgord Périgord Poupre June 23 - Alles-sur-Dordogne, Gageac-et-Rouillac , Paleyrac, Pezuls, Saint-Caprise-de-Lalinde,Vergt-de-Biron, June 24 - Montcaret Périgord Vert June 22 - Saint-Victor June 23 - Agognac, Anlhiac, Comberanche-et-Epeluche, Condat-sur-Trincou, L’Isle, Saint-Front-d’Alemps, Saint-Martin-de-Ribérac,Vieux-Mareuil June 24 - Valeuil June 30 - Saint-Jean-de-Cole, Saint-Priest-les-Fougeres

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June 2012

Boulazac MUSIC

Périgord Blanc

Saint-Léon-sur-l'Isle FAMILY

June 1 Thriller Live, Palio, 20.30 – This show premiered in London three years ago, and since then it has attracted more than a million spectators. It is coming to the Dordogne for one night only.The life story of the legend Michael Jackson is told over more than two hours of dancing and singing.

Prices from €40 to €71. www.palio-boulazac.fr/

Périgord Noir

What’s On 9

June 30 - July 1 Horse fair.

Saturday morning: horse trek, Saturday afternoon: horse show. Sunday parade through the streets of Saint Astier and shows again in the afternoon.

FREE entrance.

For further information Call 05 53 54 53 78

Le Bugue FAMILY

MontponMénestérol CULTURE

June 2-3 Lace makers’ open day, 09.00-18.00, old gymnasium, Rue Foix de Candalle – Local lace makers get together to demonstrate this ancient and fascinating craft to the public. FREE entrance.

Sarlat MUSIC

Photo: © www.fortbendstar.com

June 17 Concert by the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, Saint Sacerdos cathedral, 17.00 – Founded in 1982, the choir has grown from 45 to 200 members. For more information about the choir and their music, visit www.fbbctx.org FREE entrance.

Call 05 53 59 46 10

All of the Dordogne Once again the Chantemonde choir and its international members will be holding a series of concerts all over the Dordogne, from June to October.The choir was formed six years ago with the express idea of welcoming anyone who wanted to sing, experienced or completely inexperienced, and that system still continues.

They have now attained levels they never dreamed possible, thanks to their chef Michèle Lhopiteau, an acknowledged expert on the life and works of Mozart as an author and also as a lecturer.

Tickets cost €8 in advance and €10 at the door. For more information call David on 05 53 82 90 07

MUSIC

Concert Dates:

June 16 - 21:00 church at Sourzac June 17 - 16:00 church at Villamblard September 29 - 21:00 church at Eymet September 30 - 16:00 church at St Astier October 6 - 21:00 Temple at Bergerac October 7- 16:00 church at Vergt

At the time of going to press The Dordogne Advertiser team checked, to the best of its ability, that the details of events listed here are correct. However, we recommend that you check with organisers before setting out to see there have not been any last minute changes to programmes.

Périgueux FILMS, OPERA

Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Photo: © Les Blérots de R.A.V.E.L

June 2 Les blérots de R.A.V.E.L, 21.00 Centre culturel, rue Gaubert – This group from the Paris area were first influenced by Eastern European music.They have taken this style of music and added a touch of rock and jazz which together makes for a very lively show! They sing in English, Japanese as well as other languages whilst bringing laughter and emotions to the stage. Price €25 and €15. Call 05 53 31 09 49

Throughout June Broadway in Périgueux/ Opera and Ballet – Cap-Cinéma – Film classics Saturday Night Fever and Grease, on various dates until June 15.Also, New York Metropolitan Opera with replay of Wagner’s Ring Cycle (Das Rheingold June 5, Die Walküre 7, Siegfried 12, Götterdämmerung 14). Plus Bolshoi at the Opéra in Paris with Raymonda, June 24

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Get Involved!

Dordogne Advertiser

June 2012

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Singing their praises

Promote your club or community event - email news@connexionfrance.com

IF YOU live in the Eymet area, are keen to meet French and British people and take part in a wide choice of activities, the Franco-British Cultural Association, may well be for you.

This thriving organisation has more than 350 members and its activities include gardening, line-dancing, genealogy, French, English, art, cookery, bridge and a choir. It costs €10 a year to join and its teachers are all dedicated volunteers.

The mayor of Eymet, Jerôme Betaille backs the association and allows it to use the Centre de Loisirs.

The Association Culturelle FrancoAnglaise d’Aquitaine (ACFAA) was set up to encourage cultural and social ties between the Francophone and Anglophone communities, with an accent on learning languages.

Gill Nurse is an enthusiastic member.

She said: “I just love it. I take part in the choir, I do art lessons and am thrilled to have been able to put up some of my paintings in my new house.

I’ve started teaching English and enjoyed the lessons so much they now last two hours instead of one. I have a wonderful pupil who is a French lady, aged 87, and is still keen on learning. I have also met another French woman and we spend an hour together each week to improve our languages – we do half an hour in French and half an hour in English.”

The choir, pictured, meets on Wednesdays and new members are welcome. They are putting on a concert on National Music Day, June 21, in Eymet Church. The programme will include The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins together with popular songs such as Strawberry Fair, Amazing Grace and Plaisir d’Amour.

Choir leader, Philippa Taylor chose The Armed Man after being moved by its beauty when she heard it on Classic FM eight years ago. The concert is free.

For further information about the Franco-British Cultural Association go to www.acfaa.com

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What’s On 11

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June 2012

What’s On in the capital

Photo: Chris Killip

British season at Le Bal

Weekend of art workshops June 8-9 – A network of fine arts workshops, backed by the Mairie de Paris, are opening their doors to the public for a series of free workshops over this weekend. Students’ work will be on display and there is a range of talks and demonstrations from the artists – covering everything from painting and fabricwork to engraving, sketching, photography, cartoons, film-making, modelling and architecture.

Open 15.00-21.00 on Friday and 15.00-19.00 on Saturday.

The venues are as follows: 48 rue de Sévigné (M° St Paul or Chemin-Vert) 80 Boulevard du Montparnasse (M° Montparnasse-Bienvenüe) 28/30 rue Gauthey (M° Brochant) 158 rue Legendre (M° Guy Mocquet) 5 Place Marc Bloch (M° Buzenval) http://ateliers-beauxarts.activites.paris.fr

ARTS

EXHIBITION All summer, until August 19 – The work of two critically acclaimed chroniclers of everyday British life – photographer Chris Killip and film-maker John Smith – go on display as part of a special UK-themed season of events at Le Bal, the cultural space tucked behind the Place de Clichy (18e). Killip was a prolific photographer in the north of England in the 1970s, witnessing the social upheaval and conflict between the working class and politicians during the collapse of the industrial era.

Smith’s short documentary, The Girl Chewing Gum, is based on the comings and goings in a busy London street. A number of associated talks and screenings are planned, on Wednesday evenings in June at 20.00. www.le-bal.fr

Paris pride New film festival on Champs-Elysées Rocker Johnny set to fill

FAMILY Jazz and

June 7-10 – The Cité Internationale, Paris’s international student campus near the Porte d’Orléans, hosts a major marionnette festival, Les Scènes Ouvertes à l’Insolite, for the ninth year running.

A generation of young puppet-makers and performers, from Israel to Quebec, will be putting on a series of 15 shows over four evenings, including two open-air performances. M° Cité Universitaire (RER B) www.theatredelamarionnette.com

flowers for a summer afternoon

June 9 - July 29 – Every summer, the vast Bois de Vincennes park holds a series of mostly free jazz concerts in the Parc Floral gardens on weekend afternoons.

Spanning seven weeks, the Paris Jazz Festival sees talented jazz performers take to the open-air stage. Most performances are at 15.00 and 16.30 and it is an ideal opportunity for a picnic.

M° Château de Vincennes (1) or Vincennes (RER A). Open daily 9.30-21.00. Entry to park is €5 or €2.50 for young people aged seven to 25.A pass for the whole festival costs €20.The full programme will be online shortly at www.parisjazzfestival.fr

Photo: ktylerconk/Flickr

MUSIC

June 15-17 – French rock legend Johnny Hallyday plays three nights at the Stade de France as part of his latest tour. Doors open at 18.00 and the support act (to be confirmed) will take to the stage at 19.30.Tickets range from €35 to €140.The Stade de France will also host the Red Hot Chili Peppers on June 30.

MUSIC

Photo: alainalele/Flickr

Puppet talent put on a show

stadium three times over Photo: Georges Biard/Wikimedia

June 30 – One of the city’s most vibrant and colourful festivals, attracting locals and visitors alike, Paris Pride takes to the streets on the last Saturday in June, setting off as usual at 14.00 from Montparnasse and winding through the city to the Place de la Bastille. marche.inter-lgbt.org

June 6-12 – A new addition this year to Paris’s cultural calendar, the inaugural Champs-Elysées Film Festival features 100 screenings and special events in the half-a-dozen cinemas that line the famous avenue.

The guest of honour is American producer Harvey Weinstein (pictured), who will be discussing his work, with retrospective screenings of Chicago, Gangs of New York, Kill Bill,The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love. Canadian actor Donald Sutherland – star of the Dirty Dozen, MASH and the Hunger Games – will also be speaking.The packed programme also includes independent productions, shorts, exclusive preview screenings of forthcoming releases and international films from Iran, Croatia, Estonia and Iceland among others. www.parisfilmfest.fr

CINEMA

Photo: David Shankbone/Wikimedia

OUTDOORS

12 Living

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House guests from hell? How Having a home in France often means there is no shortage of friends and relatives wanting to visit – but entertaining can be stressful. Second home owner SALLY ANN VOAK provides advice for a tranquil summer WHY is it that the most charming people turn into absolute horrors when they are invited (or invite themselves) to spend a few days in France?

As owners of a cottage in rural Normandy, my husband and I have been amazed at just how unthinking some visitors can be: demanding cooked English breakfasts every day, loading our fridge with their cans of beer, complaining about the farm smells, the flies, the lack of bus services, hogging our small bathroom, or, worst of all, being rude to our wonderful neighbours and local restaurant owners.

After 20 years, we have at last learned that many disasters are our own fault: we did not prepare our guests properly, were too anxious to please them, reluctant to set sensible limits on the visit and far too keen to rabbit on about the delights of our rural lifestyle, making it sound like a glossy magazine fantasy instead of the sometimes gritty reality.

Here are some useful tips: PRE-VISIT: Stipulate length of stay, and set an arrival time where possible.

Do not leave the departure date open.

Suggest they bring a car or hire one at the airport, otherwise you will do all the driving.

Tell them in advance if the power cuts out when overloaded: do not wait until they plug in two hairdryers and a computer. If there is no internet connection or wi-fi, it is sensible to mention it.

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We have learnt that many disasters are our own fault: we did not prepare our guests properly, were too anxious to please them and reluctant to set sensible limits on the visit

‘It’s not for people who like being waited on’ If you only have one small bathroom, be honest. Daily jobs like visiting the déchetterie or bottle bank are good to mention, too.

Ask about dietary problems/requirements.

Keep a couple of good local gîte numbers by the phone (together with medical contacts). If they begin to sound less enthusiastic, you can gently suggest alternative accommodation.

If your house is a second home, make sure you arrive at least a day before your guests, to check for dead mice, spiders, flies, cobwebs.

Put clean towels and sheets in their room, plus tissues, waste basket, insect repellent, spare quilt in case of chills, books about France and local magazines.

Do not go overboard on food preparation –

PAT WARD-LEE (pictured far left) is a retired engineer who owns a second home with his wife, Sally Ann (pictured right), near Neufchâtel-en-Bray in the SeineMaritime.

The couple find that relatives are often more demanding than friends: “Twenty years ago, just after we bought our Normandy cottage, we received regular phone calls from relatives who thought they ought to come over and check it out –

as if they were doing us a favour.

“It is very simple and quite remote, so not suitable for people who spend their holidays being waited on at posh hotels, or have young children who could fall down the narrow stairs or the well.”

The couple’s favourite guests bring casual clothes and walking shoes, are polite to the local people and restaurateurs, help with household chores and stay for just a couple of days.

just have one hearty casserole dish ready plus your usual groceries and plenty of fruit.

Planning meals together (and sending the guests to explore the shops) will be part of the fun. If they ask about bringing gifts, spirits are useful, maybe some English marmalade, cheese or tea if you live in France all year round. Champagne is always a winner.

crasies. If they ask how they can help, suggest they prepare a meal or barbecue. French shop opening hours are a mystery to most non-residents, so explain these as well. Encourage them to sleep in late, so you can have your shower in peace and tidy up.

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ON ARRIVAL: Have a simple supper together and discuss their stay. Tell them if there will be half-days or evenings when you will be out and recommend any local sites or trips (with brochures and local chateaux/exhibition details to hand).

Explain plumbing/power/safety idiosyn-

‘ o i y

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MEALS: Go out for breakfast if possible: croissants and coffee at the local village café would be a treat. Fetch baguettes for lunch, use paper or oilcloth tablecloths to save on washing.

Accept a paid-for night at a restaurant, graciously, but check the bill. We once let a friend pay for 22 armagnacs – he did not notice the mistake (our group consumed two), and was

ADVERTISIN

Demand for French family breaks remains strong Final 2011 sales figures from The Hoseasons Group reveal bookings for France finished at three times the volume they were 10 years ago.

ACCORDING to those 2011 sales, Brittany, Normandy and the Dordogne are the most popular regions for UK holidaymakers; with families, by a ratio of 3:1, the biggest fans. And it is therefore no surprise to learn that three per cent of breaks included a pet, and longer durations of 14 nights+ accounted for 40% of all bookings. The final statistics also show that UK holidaymakers to France don't plan too far ahead with 36 per cent of them making a booking within three months of arrival at their chosen holiday property.

France has been a popular choice for British family holidays for gener-

ations due to its accessibility, alluring culture, world beating wines and sublime food. And a self-catering holiday in France still represents great value for holidaymakers as well as fantastic opportunity for holiday home owners.

Simon Law, VP Property at The Hoseasons Group, commented: "Our booking figures for renowned brands like cottages4you and French Country Cottages clearly show that France continues to be one of the most popular European destinations, particularly with our database of holidaymakers which is one of the largest in the industry.

"For property owners, these figures underline the importance of choosing the right partner to market your holiday home and our owners are secure from the start knowing that they are working with a British holiday letting agency that is fully licenced and bonded to operate in France.

"In addition, owners have access to a full agency service from our Head Office on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales as well as support from a team of 15 bilingual regional managers based across France. And of course, superb marketing underwritten by a group budget of

£27million is what drives the allimportant bookings".

Gerald and Victoire de Maleville are a great example of owners working very successfully with the Hoseasons Group. In 2010, they secured 34 weeks of bookings and in 2011 sales were up by as much as 18 per cent.

Husband and wife team Gerald and Victoire started renting out holiday cottages as a way to restore some of the beautiful buildings inherited from Gerald's parents and for him, the properties have become a business. In 2007 he decided to take a three year break from his job as commercial development director at Moet and Chandon to concentrate on the renovation project and has big plans for self-catering in the

Dordogne. Gerald was the architect behind the renovations and personally oversaw the building work, whilst his wife Victoire, who has an excellent eye for colour and design, took care of the decoration and furnishings as well as adding the final touches to ensure perfection.

To date, the couple have renovated four properties within the Sarlat area of the Dordogne and each has been beautifully restored, combining classic architectural features with modern fittings and quality furnishings.

Gerald said: "The general standard of the properties has to be high for today's holidaymaker. They are looking for a home from home, with the facilities they would expect in their own residence. We take great

rtiser

w to deal with visitors

Visitors will often think of t as a gîte, not your home’

PATRICIA STOUGHTON (above), a journalist who writes about French life, culture and history, has learned how to cope with guests the hard way. With her husband Nigel, she has owned a holiday house near Quimper, Brittany for 30 years.

She says: “Of course, you want to welcome your friends, but visitors will often think of it as a gîte, not your home. Our first guests stayed for 10 days, which was unexpected.

“One of our worst experiences was when a

too embarrassed to query the total.

If your friends are unfamiliar with French menus, start by discussing the desserts and work back. They can then choose a plain meat or fish dish and salad if they are reluctant to try local delicacies. If your guests have a horror of eating live crustaceans, do not order fruits de mer for yourself. Seeing you tucking in could make them sick.

TRIPS: Do not take all your visitors to the same châteaux, museum or gardens: before long, you will be bored.

Try somewhere new, and make sure there is not too much driving. Your guests may not be as good at walking as you (they probably

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Living 13

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June 2012

packed the wrong shoes), so do not embark on a long randonnée unless specifically requested.

Markets are magic – you cannot go wrong.

Explain how important they are to your local economy. Local veteran car rallies, races, canal or boat trips go down well, but do your homework first. As we know, in France, opening times can change.

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LANGUAGE PROBLEMS: If your guests have little or no French, do not invite the neighbours for dinner. By the end of the meal, you will be exhausted.

Once the wine starts flowing, anything could happen. You have got to live here, remember.

Instead, have a few close friends round for

guest invited five of his friends, unknown to us, for dinner, while we were out. Another time, one harangued a waiter in our local restaurant. We had to go back and apologise.

“You must set limits: be firm when people try to take over the kitchen or speak critically about the French. Our best guests are those who go straight to our big map of Brittany in the kitchen and tell us how much they are looking forward to learning more about this wonderful place.” pre-dinner drinks and plan some subjects for discussion in advance. The royal family, food, sport and the economy are fairly safe. Avoid farming topics, as translating these subjects delicately is very difficult.

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CHILDREN: Set boundaries. Farming and fishing localities can be full of danger for city kids. Find out their interests: boats, exciting museums and seaside, ruins, plant and animal spotting, canoeing. At night, star-gazing is awesome in France. Make a point of mentioning the "Green" aspects of your area: no litter, not too much noise, good behaviour in restaurants. Make it general though, so their parents do not take umbrage.

Reader tip

Lay down a few ground rules

BRIAN and Jane Allender have lived in France for several years and have had their fare share of visitors. They say they like to see friends and show them around the area but over time have learnt that a few ground rules from the start help to make the visit more pleasurable.

Brian said: "I would say - first of all - know your airports. People say they'll come into Bordeaux but don’t realise that from where we are in the east of the Dordogne it’s a long way away and that we have to pay to go on the motorway. Our family's nearest airport in the UK is Gatwick (with flights to Bordeaux) but it is much easier if they catch the train to London City Airport and fly into Brive.

“Also make sure that people tell you if they change their dates. We had one couple who didn't tell us and as we had other guests arriving at a different airport on the same day we had to leave them to stay in a hotel at the first airport so we could drive to the second one.

“We’ve also learnt that it is best not to be backward in coming forward when asking for a contribution for their stay. Our worst experience was when friends came and didn't give us a penny but did offer to buy us lunch when we drove them to the airport. On the way we decided to go to St. Emilion and take them to a château for a wine tasting, only to find that they didn't like French wine and so I felt duty bound to spend a fair bit buying a few bottles.

To top it all they split the lunch two ways!

Funnily enough we haven't seen them since.

“We've found the best solution is to have a kitty. It is difficult to ask people but they usually don't mind. In this day and age no-one's got bottomless pockets. We go out of our way to entertain guests but there's a point after which we begin to feel we're being taken for a ride. So it's best to nip it in the bud early or it might mean a friendship going sour. Often the guests don't realise because they are on holiday and forget that you live here and that in actual fact you are not on permanent holiday.

“Another tip is to get hold of a lot of leaflets with ideas for you and them about what you're going to do while they're with you. That makes it easier to decide on activities.

“And, finally, I can say from experience that after the first few years visitors do begin to tail off. When you are first here everyone - even people you haven't seen for ages - seem to turn up on the doorstep but now it's really only family and real friends who come.”

NG FEATURE pride in making sure we fit the best quality bathrooms, kitchens and decorate the properties to be modern, comfortable and welcoming, whilst retaining the relaxing atmosphere and traditional features of these wonderful buildings.

Victoire added: "The Dordogne has good summer weather and offers holidaymakers many activities. As Francophiles will know, there are lots of historical places to visit nearby including the medieval city of Sarlat with its famous twiceweekly market, many ancient châteaux including Castelnaud, Beynac and the ancient town of Domme known as the 'Acropolis of the Dordogne' with its quaint streets, boutiques and restaurants.

There are also lots of places for walking and cycling but it is especially good fun to hire a canoe at nearby Vitrac and drift gently down the river stopping off at one of the

many pebble beaches to enjoy a lazy picnic or to swim in the Dordogne’s clear and unpolluted waters.

"We chose French Country Cottages when they were recommended to us by a satisfied owner.

The Dordogne is very popular with English visitors, so it seemed sensible to choose a company that could market our properties to such a wide audience and secure bookings on our behalf. We've had some great photography taken to show the properties at their best both online and through the brochures, which are great for getting our properties seen by thousands of potential customers."

Simon continued, "Like Gerald and Victoire, those who travel to the country regularly or who already own a property there are always so passionate about what it has to offer and we are actively encouraging Francophiles to share their experi-

ences via the France Fan Club blog.

Launched in February 2012, we hope this will provide a forum for fans of France to exchange tips and share their fondest family holiday memories, inspiring more families to enjoy all that France has to offer."

With a major property recruitment programme underway, the 2012 portfolio is the strongest yet, carefully selected by a skilled team of holiday letting specialists.

Property owners considering letting their holiday home can find more information at www.rentmycottage.com or www.je-loue-ma-maison.com; if you prefer to call then dial (+ 44) (0) 1282 845541 and ask for either David or James who will be happy to chat through your options in either English or French!

To get involved in the France Fan Club, simply send your tips and memories to blogmaster@cottages4you.co.uk

14 Mind Matters

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June 2012

Sponsored by French-themed crossword

What’s in a word?

kir

Across

Down

2. Walled city in Brittany whose inhabitants are Malouins (5-4) 8. Medieval philosopher and theologian whose romance with Héloïse has become legendary (7) 9. Oiseau for foie gras (3) 10. Go cycling – faire du ____ (4) 11. Mythical creature with a spiralled horn (7) 13. Transfer data from a digital device to a computer (6) 15. Copenhagen’s amusement park and pleasure garden (6) 18. Post-Impressionist painter whose works include The Card Players and Les Grandes Baigneuses (7) 20. Widely-used abbreviation for broadband technology (1,1,1,1) 23. As Simone de Beauvoir once wrote, “___ travail, de mourir, quand on aime si fort la vie” (3) 24. Letter sometimes highly decorated at the beginning of a chapter (7) 25. In English, a street like this is often a cul de sac (4,5)

1. Legendary chanteuse born in Paris in 1915 (4) 2. Useful unit of volume when ordering for a wood-burning stove (5) 3. American dancer _______ Duncan, strangled by her own scarf in a motoring accident in Nice (7) 4. Latin hymn sung at matins or at a thanksgiving service (2,4) 5. Mayonnaise made with garlic (5) 6. Dark, nutty variety of sherry (7) 7. Outside, en _____ ___ (5-3) 12. White wine made near Nantes in the Pays de la Loire (8) 14. Beggar in the parable about a rich man in St Luke’s Gospel (7) 16. Printed type slanting to the right (7) 17. This month’s Zodiac sign (6) 19. English film actor David _____, captured by Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther (5) 21. River rising near Dijon and flowing through Paris to the Channel (5) 22. Mediterranean island to which Napoleon was exiled in 1814 (4)

The France quiz

by Paul Masters

in the escape of 5,000 French prisoners of war from the nearby camp at Longvic. This led to his arrest by the Germans, and he was condemned to death for resistance activities.

The death sentence was laid aside, however, and he immediately resumed his secret activities. He managed to conceal himself until the war in Europe ended.

Public recognition followed, after the war.

Canon Kir was elected both as mayor of Dijon and also as MP for the Côtes d’Or for more than 20 years.

It was Canon Kir’s internationalism which lead to the twinning of Dijon with over 20 foreign cities, and at receptions for his international guests he was in the habit of offering the local white wine, an acidic Bourgogne Aligoté, sweetened with crème de cassis, thus promoting two local products.

Although he did not invent the drink, he popularised what was previously known simply as blanccass, and was honoured by having it renamed after him.

1 WHICH tax-exiled French rock star is reportedly facing a €9m demand from the fisc?

2 DISNEYLAND Paris celebrated a milestone anniversary recently. How old is it?

Photo: monregard - Fotolia.com

IF YOU go to an event in the Salle des Fêtes, the chances are that if you are offered a drink before the meal, kir will be on the list. First a glug of crème de cassis in the bottom of the glass, and then white wine to top it up. It is such a popular drink, but what is the significance of the name?

Félix Kir was born in 1876, and was ordained as a priest in 1901. His talents did not pass unnoticed and he quickly achieved promotion within the church.

But it was in politics that he really made his name. In 1940, this charismatic and at times pugnacious character entered the vacuum of local politics in Dijon, and the manner in which he stood up to the German occupying forces won him considerable popularity. He helped, among other things, ensure the supply of food into the city during the war years, and, more dramatically, played an important role

5 CYCLISTS in which French city have been given permission to ignore certain red lights if they are turning right, as part of an experiment?

6 WHICH French presidential candidate received the lowest score in the first round of the elections?

7 WHICH celebrity got into a spot of bother on a trip to Paris recently, when a friend she was travelling with pointed a gun at a photographer?

3 WHICH Hollywood celebrity couple are reportedly planning to get married in their home town of Correns in the Var? 4 WHICH stretch of coast in the south of France has recently been awarded national park status?

8 FRANCOIS Hollande was previously the partner of (and has four children with) which other leading Socialist politician?

Sudoku

Puzzles by websudoku.com

Intermediate

Difficult

CROSSWORD ANSWERS. Across: 2 Saint-Malo; 8 Abelard; 9 oie; 10 vélo; 11 unicorn; 13 upload; 15 Tivoli; 18 Cézanne; 20 ADSL; 23 dur; 24 initial; 25 sans issue Down: 1 Piaf; 2 stère; 3 Isadora; 4 Te Deum; 5 aïoli; 6 oloroso; 7 plein air; 12 muscadet; 14 Lazarus; 16 italics; 17 Gemini; 19 Niven; 21 Seine; 22 Elba FRANCE QUIZ ANSWERS. 1. Johnny Hallyday. 2 20 years. 3 Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. 4 The Calanques. 5 Paris. 6 Jacques Cheminade. 7 Pippa Middleton. 8 Ségolène Royal

Easy

by John Foley

Dordogne Advertiser

Food/Pets 15

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June 2012

Now is the time for cherries

Duck breast with cherries

CUT OUT & KEEP!

After winning the first BBC MasterChef in 1990, JOAN BUNTING was soon writing a food column and doing local radio for the BBC. Now she has retired and moved permanently to her home in France, but she is still keen to tell readers about good food

INGREDIENTS 2 large or 4 small duck breasts (magrets de canard) 300g morello cherries (griottes) washed and stoned. You can use other cherries but make sure they are not too sweet.

2 tbsp cherry liqueur 100ml chicken stock 300ml port (no need to spend a lot, cheap works fine) 3 tbsp sherry vinegar (vinaigre de xérès) 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp runny honey salt and pepper

varieties evolved goes back to Lucullus in 72BC, it appears that most regions of France have their own favourite varieties and their own recipes.

Clafoutis in the Limousin area, liqueurs and other spirits in the east, candied in Provence.

There are, though, certain things that can be made anywhere from June’s ruby harvest. Jam, for example, can be made from any variety. I also bottle the dark cherries from the orchard and pickle the light coloured Napoleon ones.

I am glad that some years ago I invested in a cherry stoner. Though a bit messy to use, it is far less fiddly than any other method.

For this month’s recipe I have gone for a savoury dish – I believe it is a marriage made in heaven.

Photo: Joan Bunting

I SWEAR the cherry orchards surrounding our hamlet are fitted with timers. On one day in spring, every single tree bursts into bloom and we find ourselves floating on a fragrant ocean of pale pink and white. It is equally amazing to me that after what seems like a very few weeks later I can pick the fruit. The only problem then is what to do with the buckets full that I pick or am given.

I never tasted cherries picked from the tree until I was well past childhood, but even then, nothing compared to the summer we visited a friend in Lorraine. We sat in her garden and were invited to help ourselves. I do not recall the variety but I do remember the sweet/acid sensation that hit my tastebuds.

Because the way cherry

METHOD Slash the skin of the duck diagonally, season well on both sides.

Bring the port, liqueur and the honey to the boil, lower the heat and add the cherries.

Cover and leave to simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the cherries with a slotted spoon and reserve.

Reduce the syrup to about 20ml by continuing to bubble it in the pan.

Heat a heavy frying pan until very hot. Cook the duck skinside down for 7-8 minutes.

Discard the resulting fat, then turn the duck and cook on the flesh side for 5-7 minutes according to your taste. Wrap in foil and rest in a warm place.

Wipe out the pan, then allow the sugar to caramelise over a medium heat, add the vinegar to de-glaze. then add the stock and the cherry syrup. Reduce to about 200ml, check the seasoning, then add the cherries to warm through.

Slice the duck breasts and arrange on four warm plates.

Spoon over the sauce and add the cherries.

WHICH WINE SHOULD I DRINK WITH THIS? Caline Montfort, of Julien de Savignac wine merchants (julien-de-savignac.com), says: I would recommend Château Thénac rouge 2008 (retail price €17) Côtes de Bergerac. A superb and very elegant red wine, full of black and red fruits (red cherries, prunes, blackberry and strawberries).

Soft and mature tannins.

A complex wine which marries beautifully duck with red fruits.

Summer hazards for pets in France With summer finally here, SAMANTHA BRICK looks at the dangers posed by other animals to your pet’s wellbeing IN FRANCE, there are certain wild animals, insects and snakes that can pose a genuine threat to your animal’s life. While some of these animals tend to live in the southern part of France, it is prudent to make yourself familiar with species known to pose local health risks via your veterinary clinic or mairie.

The processionary pine caterpillar (chenille processionnaire) is one animal found across France that can potentially kill your pet. At the start of spring these caterpillars come out of round, white, fuzzy nests built in pine trees and travel across the ground in single file, frequently stopping in writhing circles. Usually brown, hairy and about three centimetres long; their procession continues throughout the summer.

They should be avoided at all times as their fibres can “burn” the skin of any animal (or person) that

Pet Care touches them. Small animals have been known to die from such an injury. If your pet comes into contact with these caterpillars, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

In many areas of France, there are poisonous snakes, including vipers, which are lured out by the hot weather to bask in the sun. Vets recommend that you always keep your dog on a leash. Even at home, pay attention around log piles, swimming pool terraces and children’s play areas.

Across France, the wild boar (sanglier) dominate the countryside and,

This column is sponsored by

Wild boar are known to attack dogs – you should never approach one in recent years, have taken to foraging closer to towns and villages. The wild boar is normally nocturnal, and usually scavenges in groups. In the summer months, female boar are extremely protective of their young. A boar – these animals can weigh up to 120 kilos – will usually run away from humans on sight, but some will become aggressive if approached. Dogs may be attacked; male boar have tusks which can

seriously wound a dog. Never approach one; veterinary advice is to make loud noises which will usually scare the boar off.

Leishmaniasis is a disease that mainly affects domestic dogs. It is carried by a small, yellow sand fly that resembles a mosquito. It is in the south of France that vets warn of this fly. The mosquito bite will typically occur on the dog’s nose or ears and the disease can incubate for a

year. Symptoms include hair around a dog’s eyes falling out, unusual claw growth and weight loss. The disease is fatal if left untreated. Products are available from vets which should be used to protect against this disease from spring to autumn. It is advisable to keep your dog inside from dusk until dawn, when the flies are most active.

Heartworm disease is another risk associated with southern areas of France. It is caused by a parasite transmitted in its larvae stage by mosquitoes. Once the larva matures the adult worms reside in – and cause blockages, inflammation and damage to – blood vessels. While most commonly found in cats and dogs, other animals can be infected.

The infection is undetectable during the six first months. Symptoms include coughing, exhaustion, severe weight loss and fainting. Cats may show pneumonia-like symptoms, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The disease, while fatal, is treatable; early diagnosis can result in full recovery. Pets can be protected from infection with anti-mosquito drops and collar treatments.

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

16 Directory

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June 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.

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THE DORDOGNE CATTERY

Yellow

47mm x 75mm

(31-45 words)

call 0800 91 77 56 Orange

Treble

Colour

€150HT €225HT

Red

47mm x 50mm

B&W

Light Purple

Double

DB

LB

DG

LG

DP

LP

R

O

Y

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

Underfloor heated kennels Qualified staff Top Quality food and exercise Only 45 minutes south of Caen Convenient Ferry Access

www.goldenwaypets.com Telephone 02 33 37 49 19 Emergency 02 33 38 41 32 Fax 02 33 38 44 16

WAGS AND WHISKERS British owned boarding kennels and cattery 35 years experience Tel: 05 65 35 46 51 www.wagsandwhiskerskennels.co.uk

Dept 46, near Cazals

SIRET: 500607858

The Cats Inn Luxury Cattery - Cales near Lalinde - Very Spacious - Lots of Love and Attention Tel: Paula 05 53 24 14 42 www.thecatsinncattery.com paulaL24150@aol.com Siret No.520 980 269 00010

RON HARRISON

PARKES et DUCELIER

General Builder

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

5 Star accommodation for Dogs/Cats

Siret: 488 165 564 00011

City & Guilds qualified, 35yrs experience, reliable, ALL WORK GUARANTEED Tel: 05 53 80 42 91 Mob: +44 759 286 5010 Email: angelaharrisson@orange.fr Dept 24, close to Mussidan Siret: 51352715000017

SMALL BUILDING WORKS Odd jobs by experienced builder.

Dordogne/Charentes Border.

Tel: 05 53 56 19 86 Email: dordognedave62@orange.fr www.dordognedave.webs.com Siret: 51913926500010

Justine Joseph

Renovation Architect 06 79 92 95 88 33580 Monségur - 24590 Salignac-Eyvigues

www.justinejoseph.com

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 Depts 19,24,46,47,82 Languages spoken: English, French, Dutch Le Colombié, 46600 Montvalent

Rounded

Dark Purple

(16-30 words)

Light Green

Colour

Dark Green

} }

€75HT €114HT

Light Blue

47mm x 25mm

B&W

Standard

Dark Blue

Single

(1-15 words)

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:

Directory adverts are available in 3 sizes and in colour or black and white.

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.

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES Small or large projects.

Applications for building permits.

Friendly,professional service.

Tel: 05 45 78 36 63 mcdonaldritchie@hotmail.com Siret: 48157998500021

ABP SASU

Hopkins Renovations

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

Tel Alan Fisk: 05 53 56 68 87 Email: abp.sasu@orange.fr

Specialists in Oak frames, Timber houses and carpentry Tel: 06 72 01 11 06 web: www.boisdarbreconstruction.com email: info@boisdarbreconstruction.com

Architect

Fully Qualified & Insured Builder

Renovation and construction of buildings and swimming pools. New timber framed constructions. Negotiation of diverse products

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

Siret 4899 5394 30011

Paul Gent

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

GENERAL BUILDER Chris Danaher

20 Years Experience FREE ESTIMATES

Tel: 05 53 05 80 17 Mobile: 06 71 40 35 39 danaherone@aol.com Siret:51064303400018

SMALL BUILDING WORKS

email: barbgent@gmail.com

Repointing, Plasterboarding, windows, doors installed.

Translations, planning permissions.

Tel: 05 53 56 36 89 Email: daveindordogne@sfr.fr www.dordognedave.webs.com

30km radius Sarlat ( 24 ) Siret : 513 209 189

Regions Covered 24,16,87 - Siret: 51913926500010

including:

• Renovation • Masonry • Plastering • Plus Hard Landscaping Tel: 05 53 29 08 86 Mob: 07 60 52 43 40

Dordogne Advertiser

Directory 17

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

June 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

New video service to increase private house sales Houses on Internet, the company that helps private home owners to sell their French properties without using an agent, is expanding its services - and taking property selling to a whole new level RICHARD Kroon, director and founder of Houses on Internet, is responsible for the innovative and pro-active way that distinguishes his company from the competition.

Supplying prospective buyers with all the information on a house you can think of (along with, on average, 50 good-sized photos) and advertising each property worldwide is a standard service for Houses on Internet.

However, the company is now adding custom-made videos of the houses on sale to the services that it offers.

There are two reasons for the company

adding videos when it already shows so many photos. “The first is that seeing a video you can play over and over again is much closer to the experience of an actual viewing than looking at static photos,” said Richard.

The other reason is more technical, but just as important, explained Richard.

The videos produced will be visible from the Houses on Internet site, but will actually be stored on the global video platform YouTube.

A couple of years ago YouTube was bought by Google and following this the powerful Google search engine was

implemented into YouTube, which is why it is now the most visited video platform worldwide.

“Houses on Internet has been an official partner of Google for a couple of years now, and has recently also teamed up with YouTube,” said Richard.

“This means that the combination of these two search engines will increase the already impressive number of visi-

“

These two search engines will increase the already impressive number of visitors of 100,000 each month

tors, of about 100,000 each month, to the Houses on Internet website as well as the number of prospective buyers our clients reach. Now clients can bring the marketing of their property to the next level too.”

In terms of opportunities to gain a French mortgage, a recent article in the Financial Times states that three leading French banks have now reduced the interest rates they charge British people who want to buy a house in France. Ever since the financial crisis started, the lending criteria have been, and still are, strict.

“It is harder than it used to be to get a loan approved, yet these banks are still willing to lend and now at very attractive rates,” said Richard. “You can download the article in full from the homepage of the Houses on Internet website.”

05 55 65 12 19 www.housesoninternet.com

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

Voilà!

Web Solutions 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

WEBSITES

Boost your business with an affordable, high-performance website that you can edit yourself

www.rob-tomlinson.com Tel: 05 62 67 39 98 rt@rob-tomlinson.com

Regions: All France Siret: 419 490 297 00027

MGF Counselling Services

FRENCH INSURANCE IN ENGLISH

English Speaking Counselor.

M. Glenys Forrester (B.Sc.psych.) (M.Sc. psych.)

Offering individual / couples counselling.

For people who live in / own property in France

(Depression, Stress, illness, bereavement etc).

Tel: 05 53 50 07 28 Mob: 06 47 17 60 78

For all your electrical requirements contact

Regions Covered: All - Siret: 520 314 824

30 years experience/Fully insured

Email: mglenys.forrester@gmail.com Web: www.mgfcounselling.com

AK Electrical

Straight-forward, honest advice on the best house, car, life & health insurance policies for you

ak-electrical@hotmail.co.uk

Over 15 years experience in French insurance markets

siret: 494 064 322 00014

English, Dutch & German spoken.

Tel 06 32 31 61 85

Philippe Schreinemachers

ALL ELECTRICAL/ PLUMBING WORK Underfloor Heating/ Aerothermie Premiere service guaranteed St Yrieux / Brive / Perigueux / Sarlat

Painter and Decorator Interior and Exterior Cherrypicker assisted for speedy and cost saving service

Tel: 05 53 62 81 40 Email: craig.harriss@orange.fr Web: www.lasimpode.com/cherrypicker Siret 520 298 217 00016

Tel: 06 37 09 55 13 Website: http://eurolec24.com/ Email: james.gunn@club-internet.fr Siret: 489 542 589 00010

Kennedy Electricite Services Installation, rewires and repairs.

20+ years experience.

Fully insured. No job too small.

Contact Justin or Melissa Kennedy.

Tel: 05 55 56 37 36 Email: justin.kennedy@orange.fr Regions 87/24 Siret 503 417 04000014

Brian Macey - Electrician

OAKWOOD FLOORING Wide boards Large stocks available Prime & Character grades Oiled & waxed finishes Contact us for special offers

www.oakwood-import.fr email: franceoak@gmail.com tel: 06 80 33 93 57 Siret 409 972 056

CERTIFIED TRANSLATIONS All legal translations by FrenchEnglish speaking sworn translator

Siret: 38058374000028

Mob: +33 (0) 6 44 01 70 63 Tel: +33 (0) 5 53 51 87 53 / +33 (0) 9 70 40 82 31

E-mail: John@JohnAin.org

Tel: 05 55 97 18 10 Email: brimacelectrical@supanet.com Siret: 517 566 196 00013 Regions Covered: 19,24,87

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

Internet by satellite, Streamed and satellite TV on computer, Networking and network streaming, Cloud computing.

maintenance, breakdowns, renovations, rewires, new build, interior & exterior 30 years experience

Tailor Made French Lessons In Your Home By an experienced French teacher ALL LEVELS Group, Individual or Conversation

Tel: 06 83 48 82 05 Siret : 530585181

www.insurance.fr Tel: 05 62 29 20 00 Email: cover@insurance.fr RCS Auch B479 400 657 - Regions: All France

AXA INSURANCE J. LECLUZE ST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET - 50600

HOME - CAR - HEALTH We insure UK registered cars ENGLISH SPOKEN (call Angeline) - 02 33 49 12 34

PIONEER FRANCE Best rates from the market leader info@pioneerfrance.com www.pioneerfrance.com/currency Tel: 05 53 07 06 27

€ 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

Certified Accountants (FR) Serving English Clients in France

Accounting, Payroll, Business Setup and registration, Individual & Business Taxation and more...

on Tél: 05.53.54.48.91 Email: contact@execopartners.com www.execopartners.eu

Tel: 05 55 65 12 19

£ R A N S F E R

EXECO PARTNERS

Mr Pierre CHERON (Expert-Comptable)

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

€ U R R E N C Y

englishspokenlecluze.e-monsite.com

Please feel welcome to contact:

HOUSES ON INTERNET

Richard Kroon owns Houses on Internet

DEMPSEY TREE SURGERY CONTRACTORS British trained & qualified tree surgeon All tree work undertaken.

Tel: 05 45 65 96 86 Mob: 06 61 90 04 92 enquiries@dempseytreesurgery.com www.dempseytreesurgery.com Working in dept: 16, 17, 24, 87 Siret: 48930027700014

Plant Nursery le Lac des Joncs

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

Unusual hardy perennials, ornamental grasses, hemerocallis Ivy, hosta, succulents

Tel: 05 53 46 78 18 - 06 84 83 70 38 24580 Rouffignac - St Cernin Email: contact@pepilacdesjoncs.com

Roots & Shoots

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 Siret number 452-803-539-00017

18 Directory

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

Dordogne Advertiser

June 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Dordogne company celebrates record year Eurolec now offers an even greater range of services, from heating design to bathroom installation and decoration

The Bosky heat wood burner is the most efficient that Eurolec’s James Gunn has ever seen

l‘Ecrin de Verdure

A Garden Design and Build Company “Full service” from sketch schemes to finished garden with integrated systems (lighting/watering/mowing)

24 Sarlat - 33 Monségur - 47 Duras

UK 06 79 92 95 88 FR 06 42 85 53 60 www.lecrindeverdure.com

FOR James Gunn, who runs Dordognebased Eurolec, the last twelve months have been his most successful yet due to expanding the services he offers.

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 taken off. “My two workers have been solidly painting and decorating for the

Siret: 44943716900013 - Ad No. 17855

GARDEN SERVICES Creation of Garden Maintenance & Tree surgery High quality in respect with nature Philippe Brulé -30 years experience

Tel. 05 65 34 09 91 Working dept: south 19, 46 Email: brule.philippe0346@orange.fr

St Pool Piscines

Concrete pools, reinforced liners.

No expensive over design, expertly constructed

www.aquapierre.com stpoolsfrance@gmail.com 05 53 91 45 18

STAR SATELLITE British TV in France

Complete package including groundwork, terracing/decking and pool security.

Regions: Dordogne and surrounding Departments Siret: 50196266600019

Simon & Julia Holt 0619 071121 or 0553 620152 or Julia: 06 32 10 39 92 simon.holt@wanadoo.fr www.pretaplongerpools.com Siret: 49397835700017

Tel: 05 53 80 63 93 Email: contact @starsatellite.fr Web: www.starsatellite.fr

G. W.

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

LANDROVER*MG* ROVER*JAGUAR* AUSTIN-MORRIS PARTS ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS & GEARBOX REPAIRS

WWW.LANDYPOINT.NET

0545622720

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY Tea and Cake from 5pm

Cafe Church from 5.30pm - 6.45pm Sponsored by and held at L'Eglise Evangelique Libre de Bergerac, 5 Rue Durou

For details of other meetings brian@lincolns.me.uk or Peter Shire 05 53 22 74 08 www.christiansindordogne.com Ad No. 2467

Jardins du Périgord

Discover all 7 Golf Courses

Reduced fares between 20 - 30%

Golf Pass Dordogne Available on line

www.golf-dordogneperigord.com

Souillac Golf & Country Club

- Design - Creation - Garden management High quality work by qualified gardeners

www.jardinsduperigord.com

Play golf all year round in the Dordogne Valley.

24 SERVICES Property Maintenance - Pools & Gardens

Challenging 18-hole course, driving range, pools, tennis, bar, restaurant, accommodation

Changeovers - Keyholding

N. Dordogne

www.souillaccountryclub.com

Tel: + 33 (0)5 24 17 60 29 contact@24services.fr

Tel : 05 65 27 56 00

Siret 508 891 983 00019

For the best deals on your kitchens and bathrooms Call us on 05 53 09 37 98 for a FREE home visit.

We offer a full planning and design service...all under one roof!

Visit our showroom in Perigueux.

Covering Depts 24,16,17,33,47,46,19 & 87

www.bathroomsinfrance.com Email: info@salon2bains.fr Tel: 05 53 09 37 98 Fax: 05 53 09 21 04

Everything Dordogne

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

Exclusive Healthcare Your Helping Hand to the French Health System

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

'Massages and well being at Castelnaud la Chapelle' With

Tel: 06 79 67 38 06

Act before EU forces removal and bans DIY disposal Save up to 75% contractor costs

Contact SiteClear for Cheap, Safe, Legal Solution FREE CONSULTATION

Tel: 09 62 27 94 39 email info@siteclear.eu Siret no. 51438447800012

Signs, vehicle lettering etc.

Free advice and quotes, based in the Dordogne, covering all of France.

Tel: 05 53 52 45 82 or 06 32 83 35 97

Email: mark@signsetc.fr Web: www.signsetc.fr Siret: 491205035 00026 - Ad No. 17751

www.swansolar.eu Supply & Installation of :

• Solar domestic hot water systems • Solar swimming pool systems • Wood boiler stoves • Plumbing services

Property Owners Advertise with us for FREE info@everythingdordogne.net www.everythingdordogne.net

All Building Works Undertaken

24 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 Inc Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Based 47, 24

Email: enquiries@stoves.fr Tel: 05 53 84 36 81 Mobile: 06 72 02 88 29

SAND AND BLAST

Property Maintenance – Pools & Gardens

Sandblasting service for Wood, Metal and Stone. Floor sanding service / hire available.

Tel: 00 33 (0) 5 24 17 60 29 contact@24services.fr

Tel: 05 55 78 43 71 / 06 67 81 63 46 www.sandandblast.com

Key holding – Changeovers N.Dordogne “Bonjour from 24”

Sophie NALIN, massage practitioner - Relaxing massage with organic oils - Wave and vibration massage techniques - Energising massage - Shiatsu Amma Assis

ASBESTOS ROOFING ALERT!

Seeking Holiday Rentals for Australian Travellers Working in conjunction with Seek Travel Australia We advertise in Major Australian Newspapers

Siret: 52841725600013

TIP TOP

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

Telephone: 06 45 10 21 54 john@dordogne-correze-properties.com www.dordogne-correze-properties.com

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS IN FRANCE

An English speaking approach to contemporary Christianity

Digger / driver hire Fosse septiques

Property Finder Service helping the buyer find their dream home.

siret: 510 011 554 00019

Café Church Bergerac

LOCKES GROUNDWORKS & LANDSCAPING

Dordogne-Correze-Properties

Areas: 24 33 47 Call 05 53 58 09 32 or 06 58 92 09 97

Regions: 24, 33, 46, 47, 82 - Siret: 504 576 802 00038

E-mail: virginia.fletcher@aliceadsl.fr

06 37 09 55 13 james.gunn@club-internet.fr www.eurolec24.com

BskyB Qualified - For All Your Satellite Needs

Tel: 05 53 22 79 18 / 06 84 68 84 92 Web: www.indeeppiscines.com Email: sean@indeeppiscines.com

Tel: 05 53 62 51 94 Mob: 06 24 92 82 57

I only fit the best quality products, mainly Schneider, as there are fewer faults and therefore fewer call backs or repairs

Prêt à Plonger

servicing, repairs

from conception to supervision of installation Virginia Fletcher BA, Dip (Hons) LA, MLA

“

restaurants 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 most important factors for 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, Périgueux, Brantôme, Saint Yrieix la Perche and Lubersac.

Piscine installation, repairs & maintenance. Bespoke pools, no project too big or small.

IN DEEP PISCINES Maintenance, leak detection,

Garden Design Service by professional Landscape Architect/Garden Designer

last three months, and last month I completed four bathrooms,” said James.

All materials for decoration are sourced from the UK, which is where James also does a lot of trade bulk buying. This means that all paint used by Eurolec is from the UK, high quality and at lower prices than in France - these savings are passed on to the customer.

For the electrical and plumbing side of the business the company serves both domestic and commercial dwellings, ranging from new builds to renovations, as well as more simple jobs such as light fittings or changing a tap.

Eurolec’s heating design and advisory service includes the installation of under floor heating, aero thermal 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 a single oven, a triple hotplate, 20kw output for radiators and will heat the hot water tank - it is the most efficient wood burner that I have ever seen,” said James.

The company also installs ventilation and extraction systems to homes,

<< 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

Areas: 87, 16, 24 Siret: 48852292100037

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

Directory 19

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

June 2012

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Use free energy from the sun to heat your water Whether it is to heat your hot water or extend your swimming season, investing in a solar thermal system from Swan Solar could improve your lifestyle and your finances HARNESSING energy from the sun the only “free” source of energy - can not only save on fuel and heating costs, it can also help protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

“Solar thermal can be used to heat your domestic hot water,” said Michael Swan, owner of renewables energy company Swan Solar.

“It is a good feeling having a hot shower, knowing that it has been heated for free. You can also heat your swimming pool and extend your swimming season,” he added. When the swimming season is over, the energy generated from the pan-

els can be used to contribute to heating the home, thus reducing fuel costs - and for unoccupied properties it will reduce the risk of frozen pipes, internal dampness and so on.

Swan Solar specialises in wood and solar thermal installations and while it is based in the Dordogne it covers all areas of France. The company is registered with QualiSol and QualiBois (www.quality-enr.org), which ensures that companies are registered, insured and audited, giving clients added confidence in their choice of installer.

All of the solar products supplied by

Mini digger hire from 100 Euros per day HT

Accommodation Management Services

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

Services Include:

• Complete property management • Change overs • Professional laundry services • Gardening/Pool Services • Keyholding • Security checks

www.accmonline.com Tel: +33 (0)553793564

Hautefort Renovation Professional Building & Renovation Services NE24 & bordering 87,19 & 46

Charles Fleming 0553501239 or 0684530839

hautefortrenovation.com

DIGITAL INSTALLATIONS We do not only sell & install We also repair digiboxes NOW!! All freesat systems available WITHOUT CARD

For more information call 00 33 (0)5 45 98 25 37 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 Siret: 400 415 246 00026

SECURITY SYSTEMS Alarm calls up to 4 numbers if 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

Swan Solar hold the Solar Keymark and are eligible for crédit d’impôts (www.ademe.fr). Whether the property in question is a chateau or a gite, Swan Solar will design a system that works in harmony with the property and its existing heating systems.

Solar thermal systems are very flexible and can be combined with other heat sources - such as wood-fired or pelletburning boilers and air source heat pumps - that can be connected into the system via an accumulation tank. This provides a cost effective and efficient allyear-round heating solution.

“Once the solar thermal system is installed the running costs are virtually nil and the only power required is to run the solar circulation pump,” said Michael. “All the heat is generated from the sun and is free.”

REFLEX MOODYS LTD SALISBURY

REMOVALS UK - FRANCE - UK

• Weekly Service • Full & Part Loads • Container Storage • BAR Members • On-line Quotation • Internet Shopping Deliveries

00 44 1722 414350 info@reflexmoodys.com www.reflexmoodys.com Company Regn No: UK 5186435 TVA / VAT No: UK 864 7217 04

George White European Transport Special rates to S/W France 13.6m/45ft trailer - Full/Part loads Removals/materials/vehicles Owner driver. RHA member

05 53 63 43 87 info@swansolar.eu www.swansolar.eu

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

Furniture for France

A wide range of quality indoor furniture and sofas supplied and delivered direct to your French property saving you time and money.

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

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

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 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

REMOVALS & STORAGE Murray Harper

European transport & storage ENGLAND, FRANCE, SPAIN Scheduled collection and delivery service guaranteed Established 30 years in the industry

www.murrayharper.com Tel: (0034) 952 793 422 or (0034) 952 807 692 info@murrayharper.com

New showroom "Meubles New Ideas" near Brive(19) now open.

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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

SIMPLY BRITISH

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

INDEPENDENT BRITISH GROCERS Large range of food - fresh and frozen, books, greetings cards and gifts

Tel: 05 61 64 98 89 Email: simplybritfoix@aol.com Web: simplybritish.fr REGION: Shop 09, mail order throughout France

www.woodburners.fr Tel/fax or Email 05 53 84 36 81 Mob 06 72 02 88 29 enq@woodburners.fr Siret no 45204687300017

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

Anglo Foods Agreed distributor of Iceland Frozen food 17270 Montguyon

Tel: 05 46 48 32 44 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

Like to live in a Castle ?

100m2 appartment looking into a listed garden in return for some small services. Would suit retired/employed person around Sarlat.

Tel : 06 70 58 52 96

Book your advert now for

English butchers and farmers in France.

the July issue -

A LA FERME

Beef, Lamb, Pork Pasties, steak pies, pork pies. Bacon, gammon, sausages.

Bespoke insulated packaging used for delivery throughout France.

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WOODBURNERS.FR

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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.

Swan Solar installs solar thermal heating systems that can be combined with existing heat sources

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copy deadline June 5

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from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

20 DIY

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Dordogne Advertiser

June 2012

2012 Income Tax Helpguide D I Y t i p s INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST ON LIFE IN FRANCE O

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Explains how France's tax system works and how your income is assessed and charged

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Published April 1, 2012, to include the latest information

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Choose between PDF digital edition or paper copy posted to your French home

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Septic tanks need careful attention Photo: gozzoli - Fotolia.com

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Shows how to declare your income such as pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest with a visual guide to the French tax forms

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Fosses septiques should be checked at regular intervals MANY houses in rural France are still equipped with septic tanks for drains waste disposal. Correct maintenance of the septic tank system is essential to prevent it failing. If there is a problem with the tank, you will soon know about it thanks to the foul smells that will creep back up the pipes and generally linger around the area where the tank is installed.

The first thing to remember is that even if the system seems to be working well it is essential to have the tank pumped out every two to four years depending on amount of use. Under the new French regulations, it has to be emptied at least every four years.

If the tank gets too full, the solid waste will get into the drainage pipes causing them to clog and subsequently for the system to fail. In France it has to be a professional that carries out the emptying of the tank – you could face a fine if you use an unauthorised company.

Septic tanks have their own little ecosystem, so it is very important to pay attention to what is sent down the pipes to the tank. Do not wash solids down the kitchen sink such as ground coffee. Do not pour fats and oils down the sink either, as they will clog up the pipes.

Never flush kitchen towels, tissues, disposable nappies, sanitary towels, tampons or such material down the toilet.

Do not pour solvents such as pesticides, chemicals, white spirit or other such toxic products down the drain. You can use bleach, detergents and other household cleaning products but try to use a minimal dosage.

Outside, near the actual tank, make sure not to plant trees or plants with large roots as these could break the pipe and even the tank. Do not compact the soils over the top of the infiltration area. Make sure it is away from where you are likely to park cars or want to put a shed. It is a good idea to visually check your tank twice a year.

If the system is working correctly there should be no odours. If there are, it could be a sign that there is a problem.

However, if there are foul smells coming up the drains in rooms that are not used often, do not panic. It is probably just a case of the water has dried up in the U pipe and therefore the gases are able to escape. Simply run water down the drain regularly to stop this from happening.

The French government now carries out controls on septic tank installations. If you are contacted for such a visit you will need to make sure that the inspector has access to the tank. He will then check its condition and location, the ventilation, volume and sludge level of the tank.

He will look at the drains, the filtration system, the soil around and proximity of any water sources. You will also be required to show proof of maintenance. If the system does not pass the control, the inspector will inform you of what changes need to be made.

The great outdoors

Gardening Facts

Sponsored by Photo: skampixel - Fotolia.com

Gifts from the garden

by SAMANTHA DAVID AS WE speed towards the midsummer night, the longest day of the year, the main tasks are watering, dead-heading and harvesting from the vegetable garden.

To check that you are not over-watering, stick your finger into the ground. If it is still damp an inch under the surface, you do not need to water. To save water and ensure that it soaks right into the earth rather than evaporates off it, water late at night or very early in the morning and do not forget to keep feeding if you want the very best crops and blooms.

Keep a beady eye on squashes like courgettes and melons as they will explode into giant specimens almost overnight if not picked while still small and tasty. Salad crops should be nicely established and there is still time to plant one or two more rows of lettuce for cropping in August. If anything does escape and manage to bolt or explode and you do not have chickens, do not forget the compost heap.

Carrots and potatoes should be starting this month, and when picked the same day both can be cooked for just a few minutes in butter, a splash of water and a sprinkle of salt. Peas can be blanched and thrown into mixed salads still warm.

If you water judiciously, weeds should not be too much of a problem, but taking a hoe over your vegetable garden will do more good than extra fertiliser. Just break the dry surface, hack out any weeds that have established themselves and re-form watering trenches to prevent any leaks.

There are two schools of thought on tomatoes. You can either take out side shoots and just retain one main stem firmly tied to a stake, or let nature take its course but keep the plant low. Whichever you choose, they will appreciate a souvenir from the local horse riding stables.

If you have not already got brassicas planted out, now is the last chance. Do not forget the brussel sprouts for Christmas lunch. Leaks should also be planted out and do not bother trimming the tops or the roots, it does not have the slightest effect.

If anything in the garden shows signs of infestation, aphids, whitefly, red spider mites etc, try a biological spray or even just spray with soapy water. Marigolds planted in the vegetable garden are also said to discourage these pests.

Slugs and snails can be caught in beer traps, and don't forget to net fruit plants and strawberries against the birds.

House plants like yukkas, rubber plants, weeping figs and small potted citrus trees can be safely brought outside to decorate balconies and terraces, but be careful not to leave them in direct sunlight. Most of them will prefer dappled light or only morning sun. If you re-pot and feed them, you will be amazed at how much they will have grown by the time you take them in again after the summer.

Reductions, Felling, Hedge cutting, Planting. Experienced tree climbers fully trained and insured.

Contact Mark Wilson 0553750548 / 0689790502 O O

Home & Garden 21

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June 2012

www.roots-shoots.fr info@roots-shoots.fr

It is time to get your patio and decking ready for those long summer evenings.

REBECCA LAWN looks at what is involved SUMMER is the time for relaxing with a book outdoors or enjoying a barbecue with family and friends. Cleaning, decorating and renovating your patio and garden this month will help you make the most of the nice weather to come.

The good news is that as long as you maintain your patio (by pulling out weeds and sweeping off any dust or dry leaves), it will not need to be properly cleaned very often. Investing in a pressure washer could be a good move as they are more powerful than garden hoses and use less water.

Landscape gardener Jonathan Broad, who is based in Languedoc-Roussillon (www.abroadhorizon.com), says: “With decking or a patio that’s well-built, you don’t need to do much.”

However, you will need to check that none of the bricks or stones have come loose due to rain seeping in through cracks. Mr Broad says: “For patios of stone or paving slabs, I will lay them on to sand, not mortar or concrete, as it’s flexible. If you lay it onto concrete and it cracks, the patio will also crack.”

If you have noticed serious cracks in your patio, the worst-case scenario is to have to replace it. Mr Broad adds: “With ones made of tiles, some can come loose in winter, so you can just replace a few tiles, rather than the whole thing.”

As for furniture, if it has not been used in a while, it might also need cleaning or repainting. If you have a swing, make sure to grease the hinges.

Compared to patios, wooden decking tends to need more care – make sure to clean it after summer and again after winter. If you are unable to do it yourself, you could contact a gardening professional. You may also need to treat the wood if necessary. As some parts of the country can get very hot in summer and very cold in winter, this can have an effect on wooden decking.

Mr Broad says: “Cheap wood can crack and split as it will expand and contract due to the weather, so you have to consider that. I’d really advise using good quality material. Joints in patios can also be broken up by frost.”

Once you have taken care of the cleaning side, you can look at surrounding your patio with plants and even decorate with candles and chimes.

As for hedges, the Royal Horticultural

Photo: CandyBox Images - Fotolia.com

Dordogne Advertiser

Decking and patio that has been well-built should require minimal maintenance

“

Trim hedges whenever they look like they need it. In fact, the more often the better. If you leave it, it’s a false economy as you might have to pay someone to do it Jonathan Broad Landscape gardener

A collection of restaurants

Society advises pruning them at least once a year to maintain them. You can use hand-held hedge shears for small hedges, but the job will be much easier with an electronic one for larger hedges.

Mr Broad adds: “Most hedges will be evergreen as opposed to deciduous as you don’t want to lose the green in winter. You can trim hedges whenever they look like they need it. In fact, the more often, the better, as the denser it will get. You’ll get more small shoots which will fill the hedge out. If you leave it, it’s a false economy as you might have to pay someone to do it. If you can only do it twice a year, prune them in autumn and spring as that’s when they grow the fastest.”

It is also a good time to rake up any remaining leaves in your garden and collect them for compost.

in Dordogne

To advertise your restaurant with us call 0800 91 77 56

22 Property

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Dordogne Advertiser

June 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-

www.connexionfrance.com

Simply enter the code under each home to find out more PROPERTIES IN DORDOGNE

€99,000

€107,000

€117,000

Near La Tour Blanche This house has many original features including ‘pierres apparentes’ stone walls, stone staircase, beams, and 2 lovely fireplaces.

There is plenty of room in the attic to add bedrooms.

Eymet This 2 bedroom house, built in 1906, is superbly situated just a few minutes drive from Eymet and just 25 minutes from Bergerac with its International airport.

La Tour Blanche This is a great opportunity to own a detached, 2 bedroom bungalow with garage and gardens laid to lawn. The property is fully-double glazed with gas central heating throughout.

REF: BVI0005006

ENERGY RATING = G

REF: APS2015

ENERGY RATING = F

REF: RKP115

€137,500

€172,000

€180,000

Saint-Michel-de-Double Situated in a one-acre plot, this house has its own well, small orchard, mature trees and hedges that provide complete privacy. The centrepiece of the house is a huge kitchen diner.

Ribérac Charming 2 bedroom house with independent 1 bedroom studio, wonderful original stone fireplace, double glazing throughout, small manageable garden with swimming pool.

Belvès Nice typical house with 2 bedrooms, large living room, cave and open barn on 672m² of garden. In a quiet hamlet 5km from all services.

REF: IFPC19305

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: RJF586

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: 3302

€203,000

€204,000

€225,000

Monpazier Beautiful stone house with garden. The house has a veranda, living room with insert, kitchen, bathroom with shower and WC, hall. 3 bedrooms and workshop.

Saint-Vincent-Jalmoutiers Charming 5 bedroom village house in excellent condition, benefiting from a sitting room with fireplace and an additional reception room leading to the beautiful flower-filled garden.

Périgueux Pretty Perigordian house with integrated garage. Well-equipped kitchen and access to garden.

Exposed beams. 2 bedrooms, terrace.

REF: FPBB2340M

ENERGY RATING = F

REF: n-RJF164

ENERGY RATING = G

REF: IFPC21600

€249,000

€286,200

€299,000

Bergerac Located in a hamlet, this lovely villa has been the subject of modernisation works over the last few years. Fully-renovated spacious accommodation is now on 2 levels.

Grand Brassac This stone 4 bedroom house is set on the edge of a small hamlet enjoying views across the surrounding fields and woodland. Includes a large farmhouse-style kitchen

Le Buisson-de-Cadouin This spacious house was constructed circa 1979/80 and is situated just a few minutes from both the town with all amenities, and surrounding countryside and forests.

REF: APS1802

ENERGY RATING = C

REF: BVIAI05805

ENERGY RATING = C

REF: IFPC22255

€320,000

€349,800

€385,000

Brantôme Unique, south-facing 5 bedroom country house with courtyard swimming pool and manageable garden. The house has been fully renovated using top quality materials.

Eymet The property in situated in a small hamlet. It is a haven of peace and tranquillity. The house and its separate gîtes overlook its own land and a stream.

Léguillac-de-Cercles This is a beautiful, spacious and completely-renovated country house with swimming pool, stone barn and carport.

Renovated with great taste whilst maintaining original features.

REF: RKP259

ENERGY RATING = B

REF: APS1955

ENERGY RATING = G

REF: AQU-653

€400,000

€413,400

€420,000

Rudeau-Ladosse A gorgeous country residence with spectacular views over the forest. Set on 2 floors with a mezzanine in one part of the building. 2 bedrooms with shower rooms.

Montpon-Ménestérol This property is simply outstanding and must tick all the boxes.

Backing onto open farmland, this Périgordine-style home, which is in excellent condition, is set in magnificent private grounds.

Sarlat-la-Canéda Situated in a very peaceful location but close to Sarlat and all major tourist attractions, is this very nice Périgordine-style house with a pond of about 1000m² on land of 5500m².

REF: RLA509

ENERGY RATING = B

REF: BVI0004464

ENERGY RATING = C

REF: FPBR3348C

€435,000

€465,000

€498,000

Neuvic-sur-l'Isle The property is a spacious detached maison de maître, built in the mid-19th century, with an impressive double-fronted front elevation and the main accommodation on 2 floors.

Le Bugue Beautiful old farmhouse, about 200 years old, in a small hamlet within walking distance of a tourist town. 4 bedrooms.

Swimming pool.

Beaumont-du-Périgord Large 7 bedroom stone-built house situated in the centre of a lovely old village. The property has been lovingly renovated to a high standard, keeping it's character intact.

REF: IFPC22159

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: FPBC1510L

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: BVI0006847

ENERGY RATING = D

ENERGY RATING = E

ENERGY RATING = E

ENERGY RATING = C

ENERGY RATING = C

ENERGY RATING = D

ENERGY RATING = C

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

www.dordogneadvertiser.com

June 2012

PROPERTIES AROUND FRANCE

€96,300

€140,000

Finistère Originally a village bar, this stone built, semi detached property has been cleverly renovated to provide a spacious, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, house. It still retains many original features.

Colombières-sur-Orb, Hérault Set in a small hamlet under Le Carroux, stone house of 82m² in 2 parts, with a nice terrace of 60m². Vaulted cave at garden Level

REF: KPS 1805

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: 5533VM

€165,000 Clamecy, Nièvre Recently-renovated farmhouse comprising of 2 separate living areas, one being the main house with independent attached apartment, suitable as a large family house or run as a gîte.

REF: JAB123995

ENERGY RATING = C

REF: IFPC20001

€233,200

€259,000

Saint-Jean-de-Daye, Manche Two fully-renovated, beautifullypresented houses on 4000m² of land with further scope for increase in living space. Set in a lovely location with far-reaching views over the marais.

Elbes, Aveyron Detached stone and slate property, built in the 14th century and located in the countryside, with a large garden bordering a stream. 3 barns.

REF: 13527scb

ENERGY RATING = E

REF: ELBES5613MM

€278,250

€280,000

L'Absie, Deux-Sèvres Traditionally built, spacious and well-presented bungalow with complete basement apartment, situated within its own enclosed grounds on the edge of a little village.

Samatan, Gers On a 4800m2 land, the house is composed of an entrance, a kitchen (+storeroom), dining room opening onto terraces, a sitting room, a shower room, and 3 bedrooms (1 en-suite).

REF: HF326

ENERGY RATING = C

REF: 3822

€330,000

€335,000

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence In Pierrevert, a 122m² villa on two levels with large garage and 31m² independent studio flat on top of the garage. High standard, beautiful amenities.

Vayres, Haute-Vienne Accommodation comprises 4/5 double bedrooms, 3 with en-suite. Fully-fitted modern kitchen, office, large lounge, utility room, cloakroom, linen room and 2 separate WCs.

REF: 151227

ENERGY RATING = C

REF: IFPC21175

€355,000

€381,500

Chauffailles, Saône-et-Loire Old house built in 1889, consisting of cellar, garage, entrance hall, kitchen, WC, laundry, office, living room, 4 bedrooms.

Near Pertuis, Vaucluse Once a stable, this stone building has been delicately transformed into a spacious ‘maison de village’ of character.

It has 2 double bedrooms, 1 single and 2 bathrooms.

REF: JEAM

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: IFPC21832

€428,000

€447,300

Near Béziers, Hérault Lovely villa including 2 apartments with pool and views.

The home is in perfect condition.

Very interesting for regular summer rental incomes.

Merdrignac, Côtes-d'Armor The property consists of, on ground floor, a hall, dining room, fitted kitchen, 2 caves and shower room. The first floor has sitting room, dining room, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, WC.

REF: 10765-PU449500E

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: M2024

€472,500 Vouvant, Vendée Substantial 15th century house and gîte business swimming pool, mini golf and tennis court offering generous income from both the French and UK market.

REF: dp765

ENERGY RATING = F

REF: HF607

€488,000

€490,000

Near Saintes, Charente-Maritime Recently-updated, architecturallymagnificent house dating from 1820, set amongst vines. This impressive house with 285m² accommodation over 3 floors.

Le Bec Hellouin, Eure The properties are situated in a pretty wooded hamlet immediately above Le Bec Hellouin, officially recognised as one of the prettiest villages in France.

REF: IFPC20376

ENERGY RATING = C

REF: IFPC16232

€495,000

€556,400

Madiran, Gers Spacious, well-renovated Gascon country house, together with a 2 bedroomed gîte, pool and additional outbuildings, tucked away in Madiran wine country.

Morbihan Beautiful and very rare 5 bedroom mill house with swimming pool and 2 bedroom cottage. The main house is set over 4 floors with wonderful views and its own weir.

REF: GD4154

ENERGY RATING = D

REF: KPS 1071

Sponsored by ENERGY RATING = G

Our tax bill was a big surprise ENERGY RATING = E

ENERGY RATING = C

ENERGY RATING = C

Check your expenses for running internet business

ENERGY RATING = C

ENERGY RATING = D

ENERGY RATING = F

WE HAVE been resident in France for a couple of years and we are a bit shocked by our 2010 tax bill.

We have a small internet business which is on the micro regime and have investment and property income. What should we expect to pay for our 2011 tax bill in September (€38,000 annual income of which €10,000 relates to the internet business)? Is there anything we should be looking out for when we complete our tax return? The children are grown up and independent, but we support my mother who lives close by. J.J. YOUR internet business will be declared on the complementary pages of the income tax return, and you will be taxed on your total receipts less a 34% deduction. It is a good idea to check your actual expenses, to see whether a change to the “réel” regime will be beneficial for 2013.

Your investment income will need to be declared on the main part of the 2042 return, but also on the 2047 (income from foreign sources), if any of the income arises outside France. Dividend income from EU companies should be split out as there is a 40% abatement, although the tax credit of €230 per couple is long gone (that is part of what would have pushed up your 2010 tax bill). Gains on the sale of shares are still partially exonerated, but now fully subject to CSG social charges– whereas, in effect, previously gains below the exoneration limit were not reported.

Any French tax-free funds will not need to be reported, and your tax form should reflect what has been reported by your bank already – check that any products where you pay CSG at source are also entered in a box.

Photo: © Louis Renaud - Fotolia.com

€465,000 Verchaix, Haute-Savoie Cottage of traditional construction and clad wood floors. Living room/dining room, kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms or shower, balcony, land, garage and cellar.

FINANCE Photo: © drubig-photo - Fotolia.com

€157,500 Chantonnay, Vendée Modernised and detached 5 bedroom family home. Spacious accommodation throughout, newly installed eco reverse air heating system installed, double glazed throughout.

Property / Money 23

ENERGY RATING = D

ENERGY RATING = D

Why take a chance with your French tax affairs?

Tax & leaseback returns S.A.R.L & S.C.I registrations

ENERGY RATING = D

T.V.A. Returns Dual taxation advice General Accountancy

enquiries@moneybureau.co.uk 00 44 18 27 70 39 76 Money-bureau

24 People

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Dordogne Advertiser

June 2012

From the Dragons’ Den to Bergerac Many British families have come to the Dordogne to restore an old farmhouse into their dream home. But one couple has taken it a step further. Abigail Yeates and Paul Cockle have transformed an old Périgordian house near Le Buisson into the base for their international dance and circus company, complete with a purposebuilt studio high enough and strong enough to support their trapezes, ropes and highwire equipment.

JANE HANKS went to meet them.

WHEN Paul Cockle and Abigail Yeates were looking for somewhere to base their global business, Dordogne seemed a natural choice.

Paul and Abigail run The Generating Company, a visual performance group which was formed in 2000 after they put on a show at the Millennium Dome in London.

Since then they have performed in front of Prince Charles at Highgrove, masterminded the 40th anniversary celebrations of the United Arabs Emirate with 3,000 performers, put on the biggest water show in the world in southern China with a cast of 580 and have a continuing performance in a casino resort in Singapore.

In 2005 they persuaded the formidable business tycoons in the television show, Dragons’ Den, to back their business.

So why choose the Dordogne when they could be almost anywhere in the world?

Paul explained: “The property prices were affordable – a big factor, it’s much cheaper than renting rehearsal premises in London – and we’re here for the environment.”

Yes, confirms Abigail. “It’s a very beautiful place, in the middle of nature, and in that respect it’s very creative. We chose this house because we could move straight in – other beautiful places we saw didn’t

have any electricity or water – and we also chose it because it’s near to Bergerac airport and so to London.”

Like many other people, they sold their properties in the UK to fund the purchase and restoration project.

Paul said: “For two years we lived in a 20-foot shipping container in what’s known as Container City, opposite the Dome, in London. It’s mostly offices. We had to go outside to the loo, which isn’t much fun in the middle of the night in February.

It was hell.”

They have now turned the original farmhouse, barns and outbuildings at their home in Dordogne into accommodation for performers, a house for themselves, rehearsal studios and offices. They have also erected a purpose-built, 11-metre

“

We travel a lot and when I’m away, I can’t wait to get back – it’s just the quiet, the silence.

It’s a delight.

Paul Cockle and Abigail Yeates at their home in Bergerac, and below left, a scene from one of their shows high studio with a steel structure to support the cross struts for their circus acts. When they are working on a show, the artists, who come from all over the world, live at the farm.

They’ve recently had a six-week rehearsal for a new show, No Sweat, which premiered at Sarlat before it goes on tour in Canada in the autumn.

Abigail says it becomes very intensive: “It’s a bit like living in a bubble here, especially in creation. But we work better here. We’re more focused and there aren’t any distractions. We haven’t had time to visit

the area. We haven’t been canoeing.

We’re always working.

“But when we can sit down for two seconds, its brilliant, its idyllic. We do a bit of gardening, potter about.

And yesterday we went for our first real walk.”

Paul added: “We were very pleased with the show in Sarlat. We’d been working really hard on it. The people at the theatre were very supportive. Suddenly we had 600 people waiting to see what we’d created. It was an astounding sense of relief when people liked it.”

One of the elements that helped them get their company off the ground was Paul’s appearance on the Dragons’ Den in 2005.

“After the Millennium Dome show we were living from hand to mouth, living off an overdraft and not being able to pay ourselves. We wanted to be supported by the Arts Council and be an avant garde, not-for-profit company, but they weren’t interested, so to get funding we decided to have a go on the television series.”

He said: “The Dragons’ Den is aptly named. It was very good that we got the investment but it’s not a particularly nice experience. You have to put yourself on television and get interrogated by some very astute businessmen who are looking for publicity and say some pretty horrible things.

“Whether you look stupid or not depends on whether or not the editor likes you. We got away relatively unscathed and they liked our idea.

Since then they’ve been very supportive, although they don’t get involved in the day-to-day running of the company. What was important for us was getting that initial investment so we could go on to do the creative work we are interested in.”

Now they are in the Dordogne they have many plans for the future.

Eventually they would like to run a permanent training school and hope to do summer schools. In August they are running two courses: an introductory one for 12- to 16-yearolds, and a master class for professionals and students, both from August 6-10.

They certainly feel that coming here was the right decision. But do they miss London?

Abigail confessed: “I like going back to see a show and friends, but I like going as a visitor, rather than living there. I much prefer living here. We have to travel a lot and when you’re away, it’s really nice thinking I can’t wait to get back – it’s just the quiet, the silence, it’s a delight.”

For details of courses ring 05 53 24 04 85, go to www.generatingcompany.co.uk or email them at creativecentre@generatingcompany.co.uk s.a.r.l.

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