NORMANDY
ADVERTISER February 2012 - Issue 26 FREE www.normandyadvertiser.com GRATUIT
publishers of
NEW STADIUM AND TRAMS TAKE SHAPE IN LE HAVRE
PAGES 4-5
gossips make life hell for Calvados couple by SAMANTHA DAVID
Ne pas jeter sur la voie publique
A SPECIAL announcement the first ever of its kind - from lottery organisers Française des Jeux means millions to one Calvados couple – because it said they had definitely NOT won €162 million in last year’s September rollover. Christine and Richard Leconte’s life has been a nightmare after false rumours started that they were the secretive winners of the record Euro Millions prize. The real winner had asked to stay anonymous so that he could “contemplate his win in serenity” – which sparked a mad race to identify anyone who was showing signs of being better off. Unfortunately, that shattered the serenity of Christine and Richard as it happened that they revealed they were looking at starting a new life
abroad – and put their hair salon in Argences near Caen up for sale. “At first we just laughed,” said Christine, “but then it stopped being funny.” The couple realised their family and friends had heard the rumours but did not dare ask them for the truth Then salon clients thought they were being greedy for opening on December 31 Other clients arrived wanting to get their hair done by the secret celebrities And people came into their salon to ask for help in funding business projects When Française des Jeux confirmed the couple were not the winners Christine and Richard added: “We’ve never even entered the lottery – and we’ve certainly never won anything!” However, that means that the real winner of the €162m Î Turn to Page 2
Photo: ©PHOTOPQR/OUEST FRANCE/Jean-Luc Loury
Leave us alone – we did NOT win €162m
Christine and Richard Leconte are delighted that Française des Jeux agreed to help them out
Send international money transfers the easy way. Your high street bank offers foreign exchange as part of its service. At HiFX, foreign exchange is our business.
¸ Bank beating exchange rates online or over the phone ¸ Track payments 24 hours a day ¸ Transfer from as little as £50 ¸ VeriSign security used by 97 of the World’s top 100 banks
Don’t let the banks cash in. www.hifx.co.uk
ADVERTISER
Contact us With a story, email: normandynews@ 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. Directrice de la publication: Sarah Smith. Printed at Nice-M Matin, 214 Route de Grenoble, 06290 Nice Cedex 3. Environmental policy The Advertiser is printed on recycled newspaper, using a printing company which adheres to stringent regulations to reduce pollution.
Mensuel Depôt légal – à parution ISSN: 2106 - 7902 Find out more: www.normandyadvertiser.com
Mystery still over €162m winner Î Turn from Page 1
cagnotte is still keeping mum – as are the winners of two other recent big-money payouts in Calvados. Just a week after the €162m win another department player scooped €4m in the Loto draw – and kept their
name out of the headlines. Then, last month, another resident won a half share of a €73m Euro Millions jackpot – scooping €36,556,783. Again, the winner’s name and precise location have not been revealed, except that the winning ticket was bought in Calvados.
Normandy Advertiser
February 2012
Photo: maxppp.com
NORMANDY
www.normandyadvertiser.com
Richard and Christine’s experience will not persuade them to come forward. Their nightmare started after the €162m win and French TV stations set up a battery of cameras in Argences where the couple live to talk about the hunt for the mystery winner. At the time TV staff said that they had stopped just outside Caen because they were coming up to their deadline for a filmed report from Calvados and it was a village near the main road. However, since the press seemed to be convinced the winner lived in Argences, the townspeople started to wonder which of them had anonymously scooped the jackpot... just as Christine and Richard Leconte were finalising long-standing plans to try life abroad. They put their hairdressing salon on sale – and triggered the rumours. Word flew around the town
that the couple were opening a chain of hairdressing shops in China, the biggest salon in New York... and when Christine bought a Dacia Duster (from Renault’s budget range) it was being said that she had treated herself to a top end Audi A8. The stress began to tell. Christine and Richard found they were sleeping badly, waking up at the slightest noise, nervously taking their son to school rather than letting him go on his own. But there was nothing they
could do until they thought of contacting Euro Millions organisers Française des Jeux. The FDJ public statement confirming that Christine and Richard had won absolutely nothing made them feel that they had won the lottery. FDJ official Brigitte Roth, works with the new winners to ease them into the new life that has landed in their laps and said that she had never before had to step in to help people who had not won. Her efforts to help Christine and
Blow for workers by SAMANTHA DAVID SWISS oil refining firm Petroplus says it plans to sell its refinery in Petit-Couronne near Rouen after its lenders refused any further credit, leading to what was hoped to be a temporary shutdown. Some 550 jobs are at stake as struggles continue to save the refinery, one of five owned by the firm. PetitCouronne and two others in Belgium and Switzerland are closed while the firm managed to keep others at Coryton, Britain, and Ingolstadt, Germany, still working. Petroplus chief executive officer Jean-Paul Vettier said at the turn of the year he was talking to an unnamed oil company (widely assumed to be Total) to secure new credit and crude oil but that seemed to have fallen through with the news of the sale plan.
Photo: zigazou76/Frédéric Bisson
2 News
Thirteen lenders had refused to extend the group’s US$1 billion credit facility after it lost $415 million in
the first nine months of 2011. It had been hit by the slowdown of the European economy and cheaper products
Normandy Advertiser
February 2012
www.normandyadvertiser.com
News 3
Evreux mosque plans get a warm welcome proposals, AME ex-president TWO Muslim organisations Mustapha M’Bodji said: “It’s planning to build mosques in up to the community to Evreux have received support judge; to tell us we support from the Catholic church and this or that project, or want other local groups. both projects to be merged.” The UCME (Union CulturAME hopes to apply for a elle Musulmane d’Evreux), a building permit this year, and newly-formed group of open the mosque in 2015. smaller associations, is raisReactions have been posiing funds for its as-yet unveiled project while the AME (Association des Musulmans d’Evreux) has presented its own plans for a fourstorey cube. The €3.5 million AME plan is on a 5,000m² AME project has a cultural centre plus plot, housing worship space, library and crèche places for worship, a cultural tive with the Catholic church centre, library, crèche, multisaying it would make collabouse spaces and offices. There ration easier. Other groups is no minaret. say it is normal for Muslims It is designed by Seineto want their own place of Saint-Denis architect Krime worship. Ali Hadjour, who designed The National Front’s Emmosques in Créteil and manuel Camoin said resiRosny-sur-Bois. Public donadents feared their taxes were tions will pay the costs. being used to fund a mosque. Asked about the UCME
Richard were a first: “That’s the first time we have done that. I can assure you that these people have not won Euro Millions.” The real winners of the massive jackpot – the largest in France and the second largest in the history of the game – instantly became the 246th richest people in the country and, if they invested it well, would be able to sit back and enjoy the €18,000 it would earn each day. However, they will not need to declare their winnings
with their May income tax declaration ... they will wait until June to declare their fortune so that they can pay the Impôt de Solidarité sur la Fortune. Despite having three major winners in four months, organisers at Française des Jeux say there is no point in a exodus to Calvados to increase the chances of a win in Lucky 14 – and that the recent jackpots do not reduce the chances of another win. “It really is complete luck. We don’t know where or who
the next winner is. It could be anyone.” Being in France is lucky enough as there have been 261 jackpot-winning draws since Euro Millions started in 2004 and 65 of them have been French. Each Euro Millions player has a one in 116,531,800 chance of picking the correct numbers and is joined by 40 million in nine countries across Europe trying their hands. The target is the minimum jackpot of €15m or a possible rollover.
in refinery sale bid Petroplus refinery outside Rouen is up for sale
coming from the Far East. Petroplus PR Catherine Desgrandchamps said: “Naturally, Petroplus is still
hoping for a positive outcome to this crisis." However, union leaders are losing faith in the management and are pegging their hopes on the government to save the day. “We want them to take over the refinery and get some other company to run it,” said Yvon Scornet, a spokesperson for the unions representing Petit-Couronne workers. Speaking after the announcement of the sale plan, he said: “For those who still believed in Petroplus this is a blow – for those of us who stopped believing it is rather good news as it gives us a free hand to find a buyer.” Just four months before a general election he said they would be a “stone in the shoe” of presidential candidates to remind them of the need to save French jobs. Analysts speculate that with
President Sarkozy keen to avoid large-scale industrial redundancies he may be encouraging Total to help Petroplus. Total boss Christophe de Margerie has not flatly denied the rumours but says that Total is supplying French customers of Petroplus “rather than assisting” the group. Industry observers say, however, that there is no reason for Total to assist Petroplus, and that an Asian or Russian bid would be more likely. ING analyst Jason Kenney said the European refining industry suffers from overcapacity as it concentrates mainly on gasoline rather than the diesel which most European motorists prefer. He added: “It’s obvious that (refining) capacity has to be shut in Europe. One way or the other, it’s got to happen.”
Seabirds badly hit by storms VIOLENT storms have taken their toll on seabirds, especially guillemots, and Nicole Girard, of the Centre de Sauvetage des Oiseaux Marins, in Gonneville, near Cherbourg, said they were working flat out to cope. Diving birds like guillemots are badly affected as the fish head into deeper waters in bad weather. The storms make it difficult to float on the sea and rest and the birds become hungry and exhausted, and their feathers lose waterproofing. Fatigued birds have been found on beaches and Nicole said that although they could only collect birds found in Manche, people can bring birds in or phone 02 33 22 93 02 for advice.
4 News
www.normandyadvertiser.com
Dr Pierre Duval won’t leave patients in the lurch because generally it means regular hours in a large hospital or clinic. Even more want to live in urban areas and fewer than 10% want to be GPs – and very few aim to work in the country. But it’s not a new problem. The poster in the waiting room, warning about a lack of doctors, dates from 1998. Rural practices, he says,
have to offer new doctors better working conditions. Group practices are one way but he says employing foreign doctors isn’t a long-term solution. He suggests all new doctors should have to spend a fixed term – between two and five years – in rural general practice before moving on to either a new practice or to specialist medicine.
Subscribe NORMANDY ADVERTISER Packed with local news, features & events
The Connexion
France, in English News, interviews, practical info & more
3 ways to subscribe Online www.normandyadvertiser.fr www.connexionfrance.com Call FREE from France 0800 91 77 56 Or for just 4p/min from the UK 0844 256 9881 Lines are open between 9am - 1pm
Post this coupon to Subscription Services, BP 61096, 06002 Nice Cedex 1 Payment must be by euro cheque (from a French bank) or sterling cheque (from a UK bank). Cheques should be made payable to English Language Media
Fill in your details (in capitals please): Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________ Town: ________________________________________Postcode: ____________________ Country : ____________________________________Telephone: ____________________ Email: ____________________________________________________________________ Normandy Advertiser ONE YEAR (12 EDITIONS) To a French address: €12 To a UK or other EU address: €24
The Connexion ONE YEAR (12 EDITIONS) To a French address: €33 (£30 by UK cheque) To a UK or other EU address: €44 (£40) Other addresses: €126 (£115)
Please note: Subscriptions must reach us by the 16th of the month to ensure delivery of the next issue. We would like to send you a weekly email with news and practical information about life in France. You can unsubscribe at any time. We will never pass your details on to a third party. If you do NOT want this please tick here NO THANKS!
The tramway
Dynamic plans TWO major civic projects in Le Havre are on schedule for completion this year. The Grand Stade will open on July 12 and the long-awaited tramway on December 12, although it is expected to start running unofficially in midAugust. The two projects are costing the region about half a billion euros. Mayor Edouard Philippe said that the projects were “new signs of the dynamism of our city”. The tramway is a major advance and it will run its 13km route seven days a week from 5.30am to midnight. It serves 23 stations and links the beach to the city centre. Unusually, cyclists can take bikes on board. The Y-shaped line has endstations at Grand Hameau, Porte Océane and Caucriauville and the three arms meet at Place Jenner. A range of sporting and cultural events are planned at the Grand Stade and it will have 25,000 seats for football matches and accommodation for a further 3,000 VIPs. It replaces the current Stadium Deschaseaux. With solar panels covering 1,500m of the site, the stadium is designed to produce more energy than it uses. Other projects include a pleasure port at Vauban, which is almost ready for the first vessels to drop anchor. In the centre of town, the old prison is finally being demolished although as yet, it is unclear exactly what will replace it and a consultation with residents in the Danton area, which is in need of major renovation, is planned before
Photos: Ville du Havre
AT the age of 65, Dr Pierre Duval should be enjoying the start of his well-earned retirement, but instead he’s still working full-time. “I do 70 hours a week,” he says, “and I can’t retire because there’s no-one to replace me”. The idea of simply leaving his patients in the lurch isn’t one that he will consider for even a minute. Dr Duval has been a GP in Ecouché, with its population of 1,400, for 38 years and, with a large number of patients on his books, feels responsible for their health. He works in a group practice with two other doctors, but in a rural area not everyone has a car (or convenient public transport) so house calls are a large part of his time. When he’s finished, his waiting room is often full of waiting patients. Not that he minds. There’s no point, he says, in a country GP dreaming about a 40hour week. Either you’re passionate about the job, or you shouldn’t be doing it. Dr Duval said increasing numbers of newly-qualified doctors wanted to work in specialised areas of medicine,
Photo: Ville du Havre
I can’t retire, says GP –I’ve no replacement
Normandy Advertiser February 2012
The Grand Stade
Railway station making any solid decisions. Mr Philippe said that the completion of a new building to house the departments of the National Institute of Applied Sciences and prestigious grande école Sciences-Po will add to the higher educa-
tion facilities in the city. Both are set to be finished for the start of the academic year in September. Elsewhere, and showing a different side to city life, a triathlon is being organised at the end of June involving a
Normandy Advertiser
February 2012
www.normandyadvertiser.com
News 5
Did you know?
Photo: wikimanche
The old sacristy – and the mairie – of Reigneville
boost Le Havre
Did you know that the smallest village in the département of La Manche has only 29 inhabitants, and the mairie at Reigneville Bocage is housed in the sacristy of the ruined church? There is precious little else in the diminutive commune; no church, no cemetery, no school or war memorial... there certainly isn’t a village square. Nor are there any shops; you won’t find a baker, a butcher or a café selling beers in Reigneville Bocage. There’s just a farm yard and the remains of the church where the mayor,
Have a query about healthcare in France?
ONLY
€PLUS 7.50 P&P This 20-page guide explains clearly a vast range of issues surrounding French healthcare, including: Why you have to pay your doctor Getting a carte vitale Hospital stays Top up health insurance Moving over from UK to France How reimbursements work Pharmacies Mental health
Port Vauban swimming event in the Bassine Vatine, a cycling race to Etretat and a walking event in the Docks area. Other ongoing projects include Tetris at the Fort de Tourneville, which will house performance spaces for mod-
ern music of all sorts, as well as studios and rehearsal space. It will open in autumn 2013. A record number of cruise liners are also set to depart from Le Havre in 2012; with the first being Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth which set off
Dentists, eye and ear care Cancer
for Florida as part of a roundthe-world cruise on January 6. A Le Havre town councillor said: “This will certainly be a year full of great changes for Le Havre. There may be an economic crisis, but it’s time to get positive!”
For more information visit www.connexionfrance.com
or order by calling (free from France)
0800 91 77 56
Dominique Lemenuel, meets with the eight members of the village’s council once a month. All the practical details of daily life happen at the neighbouring village of Orglandes, where the commune’s five children go to school and where their dead are buried and their war heroes remembered. Orglandes is also home to a war cemetery containing more than 10,000 Second World War graves, including 22 German prisoners of war, who were killed in an accident while clearing mines.
6 What’s On
www.normandyadvertiser.com
Normandy Advertiser
Seine-Maritime
February 2012
Saint-Pierre-le-Viger
CULTURE
noticeboard Photo: © Florian Gerlach-wikimedia.org
Get Involved!
February 16 Guided Tour of Linen Cooperative 14.30 - Upper Normandy produces more linen than any other region of France; the soil and climate are just right for flax.This co-operative grows, prepares and combs linen, as well as doing research into breeding and new varieties.The visit includes fields, factory and laboratories, as well as showing the process of weaving. Price €4 Call 02 35 84 19 55
Seine-Maritime
Featured group: The Anglophone Association of Coutances gestions people may have for encouraging French people of a similar age to try out, and hopefully join, our association.
How can people get in touch if they would like to get involved? The organisation certainly gives an opportunity for people of different ages and backgrounds to make new friends and have access to informal help and advice. Anyone who would like to join can get more information at www.anglophones.fr
RBL’s work is more than D-Day THE ROYAL British Legion’s Normandy branch is active from February to November every year. Based in Ranville, a village well known for the famous Pegasus Bridge, where the first gliders landed on D-Day, the branch’s office window at rue des Airbornes looks out to the Ranville British War Graves Cemetery and is a permanent reminder of those who gave their lives and what the British Legion is all about. The branch provides assistance to exservicemen and women and their
dependants throughout Normandyand ex-service branch members, no matter where they are. The group’s welfare assistance covers a very wide area in Haute- and BasseNormandie. There are 27 war cemeteries in Normandy. Those that cannot be visited around June 6, for the D-Day commemorations, have ceremonies at other times of the year. To find out more about the group, and how you can lend your support, visit http://rblnormandy.wordpress.com
Promote your community event, send details to eventsnormandy@connexionfrance.com
Photo: © Opéra de Rouen Haute Normandie
Eure Evreux BALLET February 3 Cadran Palais des Congrès - Swan Lake 20.30 A rare chance to experience Tchaikovsky's most famous ballet interpreted by the Moscow Ballet. One of the jewels of the classical repertoire, choreographed by Petipa in 1895, it includes the Venetian Dance, the Mazurka and, of course, the Dance of the Swans. Tickets €42 Call 02 32 29 63 00
Calvados
Lisieux
FAMILY
Photo: © Ville de Lisieux
What events do you organise? We hold monthly events throughout the year. These have included such things as a quiz evening, a fish and chips and train ride lunch, mix and match events such as a visit to the bell foundry and a copper workshop in Villedieu, a Chinese meal and a visit to a chocolate maker. We also have an annual summer event, such as a hog roast, in July. For those who enjoy some outdoor exercise, a series of walks in a variety of settings are organised. These all end with lunch at a local restaurant and people can just turn up for one or both things. We intend for these to be repeated this year, as they were quite successful.
Photo: © Paata Vardanashvili-wikimedia.org
How many members are there? At the present time, the association has 65 members and the membership is mostly British. This is something that we have been trying to change, and we are very keen to attract French members who speak some English. This also has the potential benefit of improving each others’ language skills. A difficulty seems to be that the majority of our members are over the age of 60 and so have more freedom to be able to come to daytime or weekday events. We would love to hear of any sug-
CONCERT
February 24 Théâtre des Arts Vivaldi 'Four Seasons' 20.00 - Vivaldi's best-loved work performed by an eight-piece ensemble led by Kenneth Weiss, preceded by Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No.5; Tickets €10-€30 Call 0810 811 116 www.operaderouen.fr
Goal to improve links with French When did the group start up and what are its goals? The Anglophone Association of Coutances came into existence, in its current format, in 1994. The organisation was created with the aim of providing a social network that could offer help and support to those Brits recently arrived to the area, in an as yet unfamiliar country. In addition to being a social network, each year we support a chosen charity and raise money during some of our events. Over the past year we have supported two charities: Handi’Chiens and Cancer Support France.
Rouen
February 11-26 Skating rink 'Lisieux sur Glace' 10.00-12.00. 14.00-19.00 - The annual visit of the portable rink to the centre of Lisieux, right in front of the Cathedral. 375 square metres of space, fun for all the family. Don't forget your gloves, they won't let you on the ice without them. Adults €4, under-12s €2 Call 02 31 48 41 50
Normandy Advertiser
What’s On 7
www.normandyadvertiser.com
February 2012
Manche
Granville
CARNIVAL
February 17-21 Join the 120,000 people who come every year for this, the 138th Granville Carnival. It began in the 19th century as a send-off for the fishing fleet departing for six months off Newfoundland. You will find a fairground with 85 different attractions, a concert on the beach, a fancy dress ball, a battle of flowers (well, confetti), a children's parade and on the last day a real Mardi Gras party experience with 38 floats and 15 bands in the parade. For a few days in February, Granville goes wild! Price: MOSTLY FREE Call 02 33 91 30 03
February
Manche
Condé-sur-Vire
Photo: © brocollection.com
ART
February 26 Salle Condé-Espace - Sewing and Fashion Market 09.00-18.00 - Yes, another flea market, but a rather special one, with 60 stalls selling clothes, shoes, accessories and jewellery from the 70s, 60s, 50s and earlier, as well as everything a needleperson needs; fabric, buttons, lace, embroidery, old linen, patchwork and notions of all sorts. Entrance FREE Call 02 31 22 94 64
Orne
Alençon
Photo: © Carnaval de Granville
Orne
FOOD
CULTURE
February 11 to March 3 Exhibition: Pottery and Ceramics from Le Perche 21.00 - One of the best things about country France is the chain of little local museums; the Écomusée du Perche is a very fine example, encouraging country crafts and offering a glimpse of the history of the ordinary people of the region.This exhibition, entitled 'Yesterday's Artisans, today's creators' concentrates on local pottery from the rope moulds of the ancient potters to the art potters of today. Adults €4.40, under-18s FREE Call 02 33 73 48 06
Photos: © Écomusée du Perche
February 1 and 22 Visit to Chocolate workshop 14.15 - Alençon has been a centre for chocolate for a century, and there has been a Glatigny chocolate shop there for 35 years, but now they also have a small factory in the ZI Nord. With any luck, you'll get to try a 'Sieur d'Alençon', hazelnut paste flavoured with Calvados and covered in dark chocolate and icing sugar. €2 including tasting. Call 02 33 26 18 23 or OT Pays d'Alençon 02 33 80 66 33
Saint-Cyr-la-Rosière
Photo: © photoCD - Fotolia.com
Calvados Caen CONCERT
Calvados
Honfleur
FAMILY
Photo: © Spiritartists
Photo: © ho visto nina volare-flickr.com
February 7 Arctic Monkeys in Concert 21.00 - A group which any teenager will tell you needs no introduction, performing at the Zénith.Tickets available at the door (if you're very lucky) or from ticket agencies such as www.fnac.com or www.premierrang.trium.fr All tickets €32.50 Call Fnac 08 92 68 36 22, Premier Rang 02 31 50 32 30
February every Wednesday Guided Tour in English 15.00 - Discover the picturesque old streets of Honfleur and its monuments including the salt store and the unique church of St. Catherine; a superb chance to get a guided tour in English of one of the loveliest old ports in France, organised by the Office de Tourisme. Adults €6, children €4, families €20, under-10s FREE Call 02 31 89 23 30
www.normandyadvertiser.com Photo: © Alena Ozerova - Fotolia.com
Lo e and marriage in France
Normandy Advert
Photo: © Monkey Business - Fotolia.com
8 Valentine’s Day
France has a reputation for romance, so where better to tie the knot, renew your vows or just celebrate Valentine’s Day? ELEANOR FULLALOVE looks at what is involved
“
ities required, but a British person wishing to marry under French law must seek advice from the mairie where the marriage is to take place. Beth Stretton, a wedding planner who works in the Dordogne area, said that by law in France you have to marry in the mairie and you can then go on to have a religious blessing, often on an entirely different day. In spite of the paperwork involved, residents have every reason to say “I do” in France. Mrs Stretton believes good food and wine play a
part in the decision for many, while others cite “more chance of sun and something more relaxed and less formulaic” as having helped them decide to marry abroad. But beware. “Being married under French law is not advisable if you do not live here full
Photo: © C.J.C. - Fotolia.com
WHAT could be more romantic than getting married in a medieval hilltop village, by the Mediterranean or in an ancient château? There is no shortage of beautiful wedding venues in France and you will find bilingual wedding planners on hand to help English-speaking couples find everything they need. The legal ceremony is conducted by the mayor at the mairie closest to where either the bride or groom will reside for at least 40 consecutive days before the main event. I fell in love This should allow time for with the marriage banns to be published beautiful and put on display for 10 days. scenery and Residents will the weather need to provide proof of was likely domicile along with their birth to be good certificates and passports and Thalia Douglin various other documents, such as a Certificate of Celibacy, or Certificat de célibat, and a Certificate of Law, or Certificat de coutume. Official translations of all documents must also be certified. The British Embassy website is a good place to start for general information on the formal-
The legal marriage ceremony is carried out in the mairie
time,” says Mrs Stretton. A better idea may be to hold the legal ceremony at home and then travel to France for a religious or humanist blessing. “Options vary depending on the region,” she says. Mrs Stretton sees an increasing number of people who wish to renew their vows. These couples tend to opt for simpler ceremonies: “The older we get the more we forget about the smaller details. A focus on the key things in life is most important when planning a celebratory event.” Thalia and Jason Douglin traded Coventry for Languedoc when they married in summer 2011. “I always wanted to get married abroad,” says Mrs Douglin, who had first considered the Caribbean but thought family members would find the long journey a struggle for financial or medical reasons. “My husband has an aunt who lives in France and he used to vacation there when he was younger,” she says. “After looking into France as a destination, I fell in love with the beautiful scenery and it seemed the weather was likely to be good,” she explains. “Another big advantage was that we got four days to spend with everyone.” Mrs Douglin found her venue, the Château du Puits es Pratx in Ginestas, Languedoc, on
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Save money on international payments When sending money in and out of France you may wish to consider using the services of a specialist non-bank provider which can often save you money. Currencies Direct has been helping expats in France do just this for the past 16 years. CURRENCIES DIRECT offer a fee-free service and commercial exchanges rates which can often save you as much as 3% compared to using the service of a high street bank. We also offer a regular transfers service for those sending money to France every month or every quarter. You will not pay
HOW YOU SAVE: Selling your home valued at €250,000? High street bank HSBC premier banking Rate* 1.2416 Fee £25 Sale price £201,353 Number direct to a call centre Takes a number of people to get the right expertise needed Unable to trade over the phone - in branch only for large amounts Indicative rate only, final sterling price not known until delivery of statement
Currencies Direct Rate* 1.2012 Fee £0 Sale price £208,125 Direct line to your currency dealer Fast online registration within 2 minutes (no obligation) Rate available instantly with verbal agreement over the phone No fees, no commission
fees, no matter how small the transactions and you can set up a direct debit so you need never worry about your funds being transferred again. On average those purchasing a property in France also save around 3% of the property price compared to using a high street bank. Currencies Direct have a
network of professional partners all over France who recommend our services. “I use Currencies Direct privately and commercially as I am both a home owner and estate agent in France. I am confident with the service provided and happily recommend them to my clients, based on my own good experience. As some clients pur-
* Example rates 20 January 2012. You earn an additional £6k on the sale of your property with Currencies Direct
With Currencies Direct you can speak to your dealer directly chase their properties in one lump cash sum I need to be completely confident that their money is safe and that my clients are well looked after - Currencies Direct fulfill both requirements.” - Heather BYRNE Area Manager for Leggett Immobilier Alps
To find out more contact Currencies Direct at connexion@currenciesdirect.com or call on our French Freephone 0800 907 568 or UK 0845 389 3000. Quote THE CONNEXION to get the best rate.
www.normandyadvertiser.com
February 2012 Photo: © Vely - Fotolia.com
tiser
Valentine’s Day 9
Wedding traditions across the country < French wedding costume During the medieval and renaissance periods, wedding dresses were basically more elaborate versions of contemporary dresses and did not require any distinctive colouring. The bride’s best dress was transformed into a wedding dress, embellished by jewellery, embroidery, laces and small bits of finery, such as ornamental tags, bows, tassels, ribbons, beading etc. In fact, up until the late 19th century, brides wore just about any colour for their wedding, including black if the intended bridegroom was a widower. The white wedding dress as a token of the bride’s purity and innocence, is a relatively new concept. In biblical tradition, white symbolised joy, whereas blue represented purity. < Wedding ceremony In a church filled with incense and flowers, the couple stand beneath a silk canopy. A predecessor of the veil, a square of silk fabric or carré, is held over the head of the bride and groom as the couple receive the priest’s final blessing. The carré was believed to protect the couple from descending malice. The same veil is used for the baptism of their new born child. < Wedding reception During the Middle Ages, wedding guests would bring small cakes which would be stacked in a pile, as high as possible, in the centre of a table. If the bride and groom could kiss over them without knocking them over, it was thought to symbolise a lifetime of prosperity. The traditional French wedding celebration cake, known as croquembouche or today’s common term, la pièce montée, was invented by a French chef at the end of 17th century. The cake is made of small, creme-filled pastry puffs piled in a pyramid and covered in a caramel glaze and spun sugar. < Garter - La jarretière
the internet. She did point out one drawback to this, however: “The flowers, decorations and food were arranged by the venue and I did not get to see them before the wedding day.” As non-residents, the couple were not able to have a legal ceremony in France, but Mrs Douglin was determined to celebrate their wedding across the Channel: “We loved the idea of a French wedding so much that we went to the register office the day before we left and made it official.” If you would like to celebrate your nuptials à la française, here are some of the traditions observed across the country to give some inspiration:
“
The French prefer a croquembouche or pièce montée to a three-tier cake
< In France it is not only usual for the bride to be walked down the aisle by her father but the groom may also be accompanied by his mother, or the couple can make their entrance together with any children they may have. < After the ceremony is over and before the wedding reception, guests will be invited to raise a toast to the happy couple in a ritual known as the vin d’honneur, where a regional aperitif or Champagne may be served. < Cars driving to the reception venue are
decorated with ribbons and driven through the streets honking their horns. < Because of the costs involved, some guests may be asked to join the newlyweds for dessert rather than attend the full celebration. < The French prefer a croquembouche (also known as a pièce montée) instead of a threetier wedding cake. Profiteroles are piled high and held in place by spun sugar. < At the reception it is usual for games to be played. Jeu de la jarretière sees the bride’s garter auctioned off to guests who bid to help the newlyweds cover the cost of their wedding. < Once in their bedroom, husband and wife may be interrupted by friends wielding a chamber-pot filled with a suggestive “energy drink” containing chocolate, champagne and whole bananas. Known as la rôtie, it is a tradition that is being revived. < Before the happy couple set off on honeymoon, friends will decorate their car and prepare a panier des mariés — a basket of silly presents, such as a gnome for the garden, to equip them for married life.
The tradition of a garter originates from the ancient Jewish society where fidelity was symbolised by the ribbon worn by the bride on her wedding day. Tossing of the bride’s garter became popular in the 14th century. In France, the best man was in charge of stealing it from the bride or the groom, who would take off the garter and sell it in small pieces to wedding guests. Alternatively it is said to be the bride who would throw her garter to the guests before a sometimes unruly drunken mob tore it off her. It was believed that pieces of the bride’s attire would bring good luck to whoever caught them. There is no such tradition in the Maritime Provinces. Today, the bride throws her bouquet to the guests instead. < Chiverie - Le Charivari Chiverie was the practice of interrupting the wedding couple at night by a crowd clanging pots and pans, ringing bells and horns. The bride and groom were then expected to appear in their wedding clothes and provide treats for their tormentors. According to French tradition, a variation of this is practiced for widows or widowers who were getting remarried or for grooms coming from another village. The groom had to pay fines, by inviting all the young men from the bride’s village for refreshments. The tradition became widespread in Europe and later in the New World. In rough pioneer settlements, the shivaree, as it came to be called, was very popular and often elaborated into a ritual humiliation of the bride and groom.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Love is the word at the Auberge du Lac Business boomed over Christmas for recently-opened Auberge du Lac and owners Amanda Fleay and Marcus Gledhill say it is fast becoming the hub of the community again THE Auberge du Lac bar and restaurant in Vezins, Normandy, has now been open since 15 December and enjoyed a gourmet Christmas day followed by a successful New Year’s party. Marcus and Amanda are pleased to have already picked up bookings for Christmas and New Year 2012. January has so far exceeded expectations and word appears to be spreading. There has been much excitement among the locals surrounding the reopening, which is not surprising given the new menus, theme nights and plans that Marcus and Amanda have put together. “We are offering a special Valentine’s menu so you can show that
special someone that you care,” said Amanda. “The menu will be three courses, including a ‘strawberry fizz’ cocktail, for €20 per person and is available on both Saturday 11 February and Tuesday 14 February.” Starters include smoked duck salad with caramelised oranges, quails’ eggs and juniper dressing and main courses include sirloin steak, Breton bacon and green peppercorn crust, with port wine jus. The Auberge offers a menu du jour consisting of three courses for €11 with wine and traditional Sunday roasts. Vegetarians are well catered for with a daily dish on the specials board so they
do not have to eat the same thing each time they dine. The unique selling point of the new and improved Auberge du Lac is that unlike many bars in France, it offers a warm cosy atmosphere with a roaring fire in which to have a drink. There is also a bar menu that serves up British favourites such as homemade pies and chunky chips; perfect food to accompany to a drink while enjoying the Six Nations Rugby tournament which will be shown in February and March. As the warmer weather approaches you can enjoy a drink and bar food in the beer garden, which overlooks the lake. “We will be hosting children’s fun days, BBQs, a Paella night and even a beer
festival during the summer months. Summer is such a lovely time at the Auberge,” Amanda said. Marcus and Amanda are currently looking forward to their wedding day on 31 January. “We are travelling to Las Vegas to get married by Elvis,” said Amanda. This longstanding commitment will mean that the Auberge will be closing for two weeks from 23 January to 7 Amanda and Marcus run the Auberge du Lac February inclusive. “We don’t want to disappoint anyone, 02 33 48 03 48 but we are sure that all the romantics aubergedulac@ymail.com out there will understand,” she added. www.aubergedulacvezins.com
10 Food
www.normandyadvertiser.com
Normandy Advertiser
Italy is the basis for French gastronomy
ANYONE living in or visiting southern France will quickly become aware of the Italian influence on the regional cuisine. The most obvious being such things as the ubiquitous pizza and pesto, that appear in Provence as the onion pissaladière and (minus pine nuts and cheese) pistou respectively. However, these are dishes which have now spread throughout the world. If you were to suggest to a French gourmet that much of what they would consider to be French haute cuisine originated in Italy, you would be considered stupid. If such people knew about history as well as food they would know that in the 16th century Catherine de' Médici arrived in France to be married to the boy who was to become Henry II. The 14-year-old was accompanied on the journey from Florence by cooks, trained in the elegance of Renaissance cooking. It was a far cry from the heavy, almost peasant, food enjoyed by the men of the French
court with ladies only being invited to the royal table on special occasions. Two centuries earlier, in Avignon, there had been a lesser Italian influence when Pope Clement V took up residence. Lesser because, in fact, he and his successors for the next 67 years were French. However, many of their retinue including the cooks came from Rome and were said not to appreciate much of the local cuisine. This month's recipe for Papeton is but one example of how they adapted and refined the produce they found. The undoubted influence of Catherine's cooks may have been predated by an even earlier Italian connection. French king Charles VIII had, a century before, brought Italian gardeners to recreate in the Loire Valley the gardens he had admired in their native land. They introduced peas, cauliflowers, spinach and perhaps even artichokes. On the other hand, Catherine's cooks brought rather more sophistication in the form of things like aspics, truffles, ice cream and macaroons. In 1652, during the reign of Henry IV and his Italian wife (Marie de' Medici, Catherine's cousin), a very important cookery book appeared. Le Cuisinier François was written by La Varenne, the famous chef who had learnt his craft in Marie de’ Médici's kitchens. From this began what we now know as French gastronomy: that the ingredients be allowed to speak for themselves, and seasoning and flavouring should enhance rather than disguise the taste.
Tried and tested by us – Papeton A member of the Normandy Advertiser team tested out the recipe and reports: Be prepared for a lot of vegetable chopping – I found the easiest way was to cut the aubergines into thick slices, then cut the skin off those. You will also need a very large pan with a lid to cook all the ingredients. I blended the mixture rather than pressing it through a sieve and ended up with a slightly coarse-textured terrine a bit like a vegetarian meat loaf. From start to putting it in the oven took about 45 minutes. There is plenty of mixture so allow quite a big dish for cooking. Sitting it in water kept the terrine underneath moist while it browned on top. With sauce made by heating concassée de tomates with some seasoning and olive oil, it made a tasty meat-free option – but you need to really like aubergines!
Papeton
Photo:© Joan Bunting
After winning the first BBC MasterChef in 1990 JOAN BUNTING was soon writing a food column and doing local radio for the BBC. Now the former teacher has retired and moved permanently to her home in France but she is still keen to tell readers about good food
February 2012
Delicious hot or cold, the Papeton is an aubergine mousse
CUT OUT & KEEP!
INGREDIENTS 6 large aubergines – peeled and sliced 6 tbsp olive oil 3 shallots – chopped 2 cloves garlic – crushed
Sprig thyme 1 bay leaf 1 tbsp crème fraîche 3 eggs – beaten
METHOD Butter a terrine or rectangular tin.
Preheat the oven to 180C. Heat the oil in a pan and add the aubergines, shallots, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and salt and pepper. Cover and simmer until the aubergines are very soft. Push the mixture through a sieve using a wooden spoon, or for speed, though slightly less smooth, whizz in a blender or processor.
Stir the eggs and cream into the mixture and pour into the terrine. Put the terrine in a roasting tin and pour in enough boiling water to come ¼ of the way up. Bake in the pre-heated oven Serve hot or cold with a fresh tomato sauce.
Which wine should I drink with this? Caline Montfort, of Julien de Savignac wine merchants (www.julien-de-savignac.com), says: Cotes du Rhône red from the highly reputed property Chateau Mont 2010. €7.80. This wine is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The Mediterranean flavours of red fruits, spices and herbs will enhance the delicate flavours of the papeton and bring you a summer and southern atmosphere!
When you arrive in France with your family – plus four-legged friends – you should register with a médecin traitant for your family’s healthcare, but you also need to register pets with a vétérinaire, says SAMANTHA BRICK HOW do you find a vet? Most people turn to the phone book – or more likely the internet – but if you are new to your area, you should ask around. Who are neighbours, friends and work colleagues registered with and why? Do not be afraid to ask questions about why they recommend (or don’t) their vet. Also ask whom to avoid! Remember when your pet is ill the availability, proximity and the aptitude of the vet you are registered with can make all the difference when dealing with a life-threatening situation. Indeed, many existing pet owners will travel to a nearby department for a preferred vet.
Pet Care Once you have some recommendations of vets who see the species of animals that you have, the next step is to call or stop by at their surgery – which will have a blue cross on display outside. The following are some points to think about: are the reception staff friendly,
This column is sponsored by
Photo:© Alexander Raths - Fotolia.com
Ask around to find best vet for your pet
You can ask the vet for a devis for typical treatments helpful, and knowledgeable? If your ability to communicate in French is limited, do they speak English? Will their appointment hours work with your timetable and life? What is the after-hours, holiday and emergency coverage? Are the veterinary staff
(doctors, technicians, assistants) professional and knowledgeable? Do they have a good “bedside manner” when relating to you and your pet? Are they a healthy blend of old-fashioned country vet and hi-tech modern vet? If your pet has “special
needs” do they seem confident to be able to deal with on-going ailments? Don’t be afraid to ask if they have any other pets registered with the same condition. Finally, take a look at their tariffs. Prices can vary from vet to vet as there is no set scale of charges that they must adhere to; but they must display fees for consultations and the routine vaccines they normally give. These tariffs are usually on display in the reception or waiting area. You can ask for a devis for treatment or a surgical procedure and should, for example, confirm that this includes the cost of ongoing pain relief and other medication such as antibiotics. If none of the veterinary practices you have visited meet these criteria, you may want to keep looking until you can be assured your pet is receiving the best possible care.
Be honest; explain to the veterinary staff you are searching for a vet, and specifically what you are looking for. Never be afraid to ask questions. Work with your veterinarian; ask about routine care and about diseases or issues that you need to be aware of in France. Different practices specialise in different animals so, for example, if you own a dog and live in the countryside it is worth finding out who the local hunt uses when dogs are injured. Similarly, if you have cats or horses ask cat breeders or friends with horses for advice. Finally your local SPA (Société Protectrice des Animaux) can recommend a vet if you genuinely do not know whom to approach. For information in your area also try: www.veterinaire.fr and www.spa.asso.fr
Tel. 06 58 01 82 76 Web. www.seulementnaturel.eu Email. marc.somsen@chardeyre.com
Normandy Advertiser
www.normandyadvertiser.com
February 2012
FINANCE
RUNNING a B&B is a great business to make use of your home but it is important to be aware of the legal requirements, security and other issues before you get started. You will need to decide whether you intend to offer evening or other meals, as this will determine what kind of licence you need; licensing rules for B&Bs have recently been relaxed, but those concerned with the preparation of food for an evening meal have been tightened up and include a course which explains rules and requirements about kitchen hygiene etc. An “English” style breakfast, for example, includes cooking eggs, and there are very strict hygiene rules on this. A declaration at your mairie will be required, which will also register your business for the cotisation foncière des entreprises (replacement for the taxe professionnelle), get you set up for taxe de séjour if applicable for your area and also provide a classification of your B&B. This is not a bad thing, as getting to know your mairie could also provide local bookings from French clients for weddings, family gatherings and musical festivals etc. There is a significant lack of accommodation available in country locations following the demise of the many small hotels which could not upgrade to new security and property standards (“normes”) The registration process will normally be through the chambre de commerce if you plan to advertise - this is not too complicated, but you do need to factor in paying social charges on your earnings which could eat into your profit margin if you do not build these in from the start. You also need to consider whether you need to be registered for TVA – there is still a reduced rate for accommodation which could help if you have expenses to get set up – you can recover the TVA on your expenses, but will need to account for TVA due on your sales. Other tax issues that you need to consider include whether you want to be taxed on the micro regime (you get a fixed deduction of 50% from your sales income) or whether you declare on the “réel” basis (actual income less actual expenses). Your business will also be subject to "taxe foncière pour les entreprises" which is worked out on the basis of the split between business and personal use of your property. The tax office will ask you to complete forms to enable them to calculate this. Your annual income declaration will normally be made in April/May. If you have opted for the “réel” there will also be a separate business declaration to make. You also need to make sure that your insurance covers you for public use, and check with your local préfecture for pool operating rules (there are national security rules for fencing etc, but water hygiene is controlled at a local level). Information on grants can be obtained from your local mairie or tourist board office – EU funding has however largely been withdrawn in this area.
JUDY MANSFIELD has lived and worked in Calvados for
nearly nine years. She is an agent commercial, and worked at an estate agency in Lisieux for several years before branching out into business development, primarily for currency specialists First Rate FX and latterly for small businesses in Normandy.
Without passion your business will suffer Passion is the theme as St Valentine prepares his arrows. As Charles M. Schwab said: “The person who does not work for the love of work but only for money is not likely to make money nor to find much fun in life.”
Photo: © Trifonov Igor - Shutterstock.com
Photo: © Elenathewise - Fotolia.com
My wife and I bought a beautiful vicarage in a hamlet in the Cotentin peninsula a few years ago and have often thought about opening a B&B for the summer. What are the rules and regulations and what business model would most suit us? Are there any French bodies we could turn to for advice or possible grants? P.T.
Business 11
ARE YOU passionate about your business? Do you let that show? You should, because it demonstrates to present and future clients how much you care about what you do. That instills confidence in them that you will provide a great product or service as accommodation... it’s boring out-of-office message on your well as giving them enthusiand can take the best part of phone and email with a date asm to buy from you and to a day to fix a two-day trip. when you will be back, or recommend you to others. While doing that, I am not people will imagine you have Shyness and Laissez Faire spending time in my busigone for good! have no place in business, nor ness: where I earn my money. Use the time to switch off does appearing laid-back or Now I use a Virtual Assistcompletely and recharge your too ‘cool’… unless of course ant (VA) to do this. I tell her batteries. Go for walks, catch you are a fashion model, pop where and when I need to go up on films, spend time with star or club DJ! Assuming and my budget, then voila! It the family, enjoy your garden. you’re not, you will need to is all done and sent to me – Stepping back from your work at what you enjoy, not all while I have been concenrelationship with your busithat which you find tedious, trating on my main role. ness can often help you see it boring, irritating, annoying... I get invoiced and can claim more clearly. You will return Passion also translates into it as a business motivation. If it expense. I’m conisn’t there, it Judy can be contacted through The sidering finding shows. It Advertiser or by email: becomes very normandybizgroup@orange.fr She is on someone to organise my paperwork difficult to do Twitter at @NormandyBizGp and invoicing as it what you should is something I probe doing if the crastinate on. I’d be better with renewed vigour. thrill has gone. paying someone as it costs But if business still isn’t givTake a hard look at your me less per hour than I can ing you the same buzz, it may relationship with your busiearn doing my own job! need a tweak – could you ness. Do you sigh when you If you are stuck, perhaps change direction slightly? switch on the PC or when call in a business coach to What part of your job do you see what you have to do help you clarify where you you really enjoy? Can you that day? Do your customers are stuck and why, and how make more of that? Don’t be irritate you just by being to get your mojo back and swayed by what brings in the there? Is everything a chore? most money, because if it It may be you have fallen doesn’t ease the irritation, out of love – but there are eventually the income will several things you can do. dry up too. Follow the pasFirst, decide if this state of sion not the pension! affairs is temporary. Maybe Could you collaborate with all that is needed is a bit of someone in a similar or comTLC! If you are feeling jaded, plementary business to share then maybe it is because you that part of your workload have been working too hard. which doesn’t turn you on? Try a short holiday. Too Perhaps it’s admin? So, pay many people work too long someone else to do it. Yes hours and don’t take a holithere is a cost, but it can not day, feeling they should be only save you money, but available every second of help you make more money. every day “just in case”. Even Think about it. I travel a lot if you don’t actually go away, with my job, so I must check factor in some real time off. websites for transport or Turn off the PC! Leave an
Recommended Reading My recommended reading this month is Robert Clay’s www.marketingwizdom.com Robert is one of the foremost marketing experts around, and gives very generously of his time and knowledge. You can sign up to receive his free eBook, Learn how to grow your business…in just 2 hours. I’ll be discussing Robert’s approach in next month’s column.
your business moving again. I make no apologies for bringing you this extract from one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. It worked for him! “Ideally, since 80% of your life is spent working, you should start your business around something that is a passion of yours. If you’re into kite-surfing and you want to become an entrepreneur, do it with kite-surfing. “Look, if you can indulge in your passion, life will be far more interesting than if you’re just working. You’ll work harder at it, and you’ll know more about it. “But first you must go out and educate yourself on whatever it is that you’ve decided to do – know more about kite-surfing than anyone else. That’s where the work comes in. But if you’re doing things you’re passionate about, that will come naturally.” - Richard Branson
12 Directory
www.normandyadvertiser.com
ADVERTISER Specializing in Installation of Fosse Toutes Eaux - Mini Digger/Dumper Hire Email: david.pickering@wanadoo.fr Tel: 02 33 17 24 82 Mobile: 06 20 14 73 69 Siret: 481 189 991
Chenil Les Mille Calins English Run
5 Star accommodation for Dogs/Cats Underfloor heated kennels Qualified staff Top Quality food and exercise Only 45 minutes south of Caen Convenient Ferry Access
www.goldenwaypets.com Telephone 02 33 37 49 19 Emergency 02 33 38 41 32 Fax 02 33 38 44 16
ANIMAL COURIERS
Experienced couriers specialising in pet travel between France / UK / Spain or within France. Pet passport advice. Tel: 0044 (0) 1483200123 Email: animals@animalcouriers.com Web: www.animalcouriers.com
SW COMPUTERS PC repairs,upgrades, sales.help with internet connections, call out or bring to us.
Tel: Mark 02 33 90 64 93 Mob: 06 72 66 61 51 www.swcomputers.eu Siret: 48397386300028
BUILDER
Roofs, Loft conversions, Plumbing & Electrical, Groundworks. Experienced team for all renovation work. __________________________
TIMBER PRESERVATION Eradication of rot and woodboring insects 20 year certificated guarantee covering all France Tel: Jim +33 (0) 679274563 Email: jimdanmoto@aol.co.uk
englishspokenlecluze.e-monsite.com
Stuart Upton CARPENTRY & ROOFING Full 10 year Insurance Backed Guarantee Tel: 02 33 64 89 28 / 06 06 43 52 28 Email: upton_stuart@hotmail.com Regions Covered 61, 14, 50 Siret 48036552700013
World Wide Pet Relocator Ministry approved No. 61195004 – 61195001 Offices CDG Airport Paris Offices and Kennels Normandy
John Shipton - 02 14 16 14 47
Carpenter/Joiner All kinds of handmade furniture and carpentry work. From door fittings to kitchens.
email: jshippo1962@gmail.com siret 499 313 658
Tel: 01 48 62 87 25 CDG Paris Tel: 02 33 38 41 32 Normandy www.goldenwaypets.com Siret: 397549551
Chenil du Val Kennels Small, friendly, professional kennel Special care/attention for your pets. Quarantine alternative
Contact Angie: Tel 02 33 17 17 61 Between Periers/Coutances/St Lo
Email: angie.clarke@wanadoo.fr Siret 50993743900016
Large or Small Projects ( Many can be Viewed ) Backed up by 10 year Insurance 14 years working in France
Tel: 02 31 67 62 51 Mob: 06 19 91 29 48
Email: ave.goosey@wanadoo.fr Siret: 48877612100011 Ad No. 18516
Christophe Marie, Vire - Tel: 02 31 68 01 96 Email: christophe.marie@agents.allianz.fr Siret N° ORIAS 07/022 348
HOUSES ON INTERNET Do you want to sell your house quickly? Our fee is only 2.5%
bml angloagence.com
English registered cars House insurance - Health cover 1700 British clients trust us 02 96 87 21 21 contact@angloagence.com Dinan, Brittany
Tel: 05 55 65 12 19
FRENCH TUITION
LE BREWERY
by phone & Skype with Sylvie Tel: 02 31 32 28 83 sylaine@laposte.net www.frenchtutor.sylvielaine.fr
10 years of brewing in Normandy
Art is an Ale
Mascha Tania
Siret: 451 736 318 00010
Sworn Translations Help with the French system Interpreting, phonecalls Admin & paperwork Call Hilary on 00 33 (0) 6 10 69 05 53
www.leapfrogservices.net
Crafts at Les Landes Spinning and other crafts. Half, Full day tuition or residential B&B www.crafts-at-leslandes.com tel: 00 33 (0)2 33 960904 SIRET No 489 459 438 00011
WWW.BOCAGE RENOVATIONS.COM For All Your Building & Renovations Works
Insurance in Lower Normandy
WWW. HOUSESONINTERNET.COM
DEVILLE PROPERTY SERVICES
www.devilleservices.com
AllianZ Insurance
CAR HOME HEALTH
Find out how on:
Translation-Administrative Help Lifetime experience of the French system. Privacy Guaranteed Tel: 02 31 67 60 55 / 06 79 86 22 69
Areas: 14 , 50 , 61 Siret: 5026366000018
info@normandyandbrittanyhousesforsale.com TEL FR: +33 (0) 6 19 17 34 61 TEL UK: +44 (0) 7880 501 116 www.NormandyandBrittanyhousesforsale.com
JS Menuiserie
Ad No. 12902
TEL: 02 31 67 76 90
English and Fluent French speaking agent, always needing more houses for sale, 8 years experience
Siret: 519 751 465
Siret 48423125300010
Barn & attic conversion specialists. We undertake all aspects of renovation & improvement projects. We legally employ English speaking staff & do not sub-contract. Full 10 year insurance backed guarantee.
J. LECLUZE ST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET - 50600
ENGLISH SPOKEN (call Angeline) - 02 33 49 12 34
Siret 488081233
www.buildersnormandy.com Tel. 02 31 09 26 54
AXA INSURANCE We insure UK registered cars
Tel: 02 33 61 72 90 - Email: lizrom@sfr.fr Area: Near St Hilaire - Siret: 499 532 059 00015
Full / Part Renovations, carpentry, masonry, plastering, tiling, kitchens, replacement windows and doors.
& LIVE ANIMALS
Regions Covered: 50,61,and 14 - Siret: 49427469900011
All building works undertaken. Mini digger, Full Registered, 10 year decennale insurance.
Areas 14/50/61
INTERNATIONAL PETS
Electrician
All works guaranteed and carried out to French regulations standard. Tel: 02 31 67 34 40 Email: morbox@orange.fr
HOME - CAR - HEALTH
Mesnil Renovation
GOLDENWAY
Andrew Morgan
Andrew Hadfield
GENERAL BUILDER
February 2012
Advertise here ALL YEAR from just €165HT Call free on 0800 91 77 56 or email: directory@connexionfrance.com
NORMANDY David Pickering Complete Building Services
Normandy Advertiser
NORMANDY FRENCH TUITION Qualified bilingual teacher
Small groups, 1 to 1 online, intensive courses, translation Tél: 02 33 65 39 73 Mob: 06 15 76 37 34 www.normandyfrenchtuition.com Ad No. 19261
French Without Tears
One to One Language Course. Tuition with Accomodation www.cours-a-cucugnan.com Tel: 06 78 15 19 29 Siret: 521701474 - Ad No. 17685
Great beer for all occasions
€ 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
€ 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
www.le-brewery.com Tel: 02 33 37 77 26 61320 Joue-du-Bois
Le Chateau de Crosville sur Douve Welcomes you to our new restaurant Varied menu each week Open Thurs, Fri & Sat evenings Sunday lunchtimes Tel: 02 33 41 67 25 / 06 98 76 60 60 Photos on www.chateaucrosville.com email: chateaucrosville@orange.fr
Landscape Gardener (est 1994)
*Maintenance *Patios & Decking *Fencing & Walling *Shrubs & Grasses stocked *Mini digger work
Tel: 02 33 90 92 28 Mob: 06 68 74 83 41 markdupee@hotmail.com Siret: 495 098 428 000 16 Ad No. 19187
Normandy Advertiser
February 2012
Directory 13
www.normandyadvertiser.com
ADVERTISING FEATURES
Good value glasses provided by online retailer As the cost of living continues to rise, affording basic essentials is more expensive than ever before. But when it comes to sourcing high quality, sensibly-priced eyewear, UK online company Spex4Less has glasses for all budgets
IT IS currently not unusual for the price of a pair of bog standard varifocal glasses to top the €500 mark and with the cost of living increasing daily that figure is not likely to decrease in the near future. Fortunately high quality spectacles can be purchased online, and one UK firm, Spex4Less, has developed a way of providing a quality optical service to expats in France. Slightly different to many online retailers of cheap glasses, Spex4less offers the best of both worlds, with glasses from
just £19.95 and high quality designer brands, such as Gucci, Dior and Prada. In addition to this, all of the company’s varifocal lenses are manufactured within the UK by Hoya and most of the designer frames are handmade in Italy. Spex4Less not only supplies prescription glasses worldwide, but also offers a wide range of sunglasses, prescription sunglasses, prescription sportswear and optical accessories, from prescription ski goggles down to prescription diving masks, as well as a service for utilising
old frames. All of the company’s optical staff are highly qualified and can assist you with any query, whether by telephone, email or an online chat session. It is comforting to know that the team has over one hundred years of combined optical experience in total. Managing Director John Styles has spoken about the cost of glasses abroad and feels Spex4Less can help provide a good balance of price and quality while ensuring customers still receive the very best solution for their visual needs. “We have striven to achieve a balance between the expensive high street chain prices and the bargain basement prices found all over the internet,” said John. “Our ethos is such that we treat all our customers with respect and communicate with them on a personal basis. Our experience is that customers are sick of being on an anonymous conveyor belt when buying on the internet. We stick to the old-fashioned values of great customer service and empathy with our customers’ needs. “We’re always contactable and you can speak to a familiar voice on the end of the phone. We serve thousands of British expats worldwide and many live in France where I have personally seen the exorbitant cost of eyewear throughout the country.
“ Online, UK-based Spex4Less aims to provide a high standard of customer service as well as affordable, quality eyewear
We have striven to achieve a balance between the expensive high street chain prices and the bargain basement prices found all over the internet.
“Spex4less helps out many of our expat customers by providing a timely, friendly and cost-effective way of buying reasonably-priced eyewear direct from the UK. In fact, it has proven so popular that word has got around and native French speakers are now buying directly from us - I think that speaks volumes.” A simple look at testimonials left on review sites and forums highlights the level of service that every customer receives - and it is something that has not gone unnoticed. A recent customer, Mr J Lakin from Minzac, France, said: “Spex4Less has provided a fantastic service. We live in France and while everyday living and understanding the French language is no problem, for expats the technical ‘stuff ’ is often beyond us - and buying glasses is no exception. Because of this it is easy to go to the opticians and spend a fortune. “Online glasses retailers are starting to appear, but to the uninitiated they can be hard work and full of potential hazards. Although they can be offset against CPAM and assurances, the amounts are small. “Our entire customer journey, from the initial phone call down to receiving six pairs of glasses that are of the highest quality, makes the service and pricing at Spex4Less impossible to beat.” It is quite clear to see that the company has all bases covered, and that the team has invested a lot of time into ensuring that international service levels are the same as are currently provided in the United Kingdom. Spex4Less has ensured that it is fully capable of translating and interpreting any foreign prescription and European postage is priced at a sensible £7.95. With the price of eyewear in France constantly rocketing, it makes perfect sense to give Spex4Less a try. +44 (0) 151 632 6611 info@spex4less.co.uk www.spex4less.com
New sales record for Houses on Internet in 2011 Despite the struggling economy, Houses on Internet managed to increase the number of sold properties by 25% in the past year - and the company’s turnover rose by 27% RICHARD Kroon, founder and director of Houses on Internet, an internet-marketing company that helps private owners of French properties to sell without using an agent, is obviously very pleased with this ongoing success of his company. Based in the Creuse, Limousin, Houses on Internet covers all of France with a full-time staff of four and 69 local freelancers throughout the country. They now have properties for sale in 19 of the 22 regions. The difference in sales between the regions are huge though, Richard says. In 2011 the Limousin was the best per-
Seans Garden Services Lawns – Hedges – Trees Overgrown plots cleared. Free quotes for one-off jobs. Call Sean 02 31 09 27 00 Email: sean.melanaphy@wanadoo.fr Siret: 50139841600013
GARDEN MAINTENANCE
Garden Clearance - Grass Cutting Hedge Cutting - Strimming and Weed Killing Tel: Charlie 02 33 91 78 05 Email: charlie.habin@gmail.com St Sever Area Siret 49763502900018
forming region, followed by Normandy and then Languedoc-Roussillon. Traditional buyers of French property have always been French, British, Dutch and Belgian, but the number of nationalities is rapidly increasing. The key is how to reach those people and for Houses on Internet the answer is simple: continuous global advertising. “An excellent Google ranking is crucial and so we keep optimising our website and advertise all over the internet, literally worldwide,” said Richard. Over the past six months more than 110,000 people each month, on average, have visited the company’s website from
Exclusive Healthcare
26 different countries. Last year over 1.2 million people visited the site. Richard added: “That is where it starts: first you advertise and then you keep advertising until traffic to the website increases. As a result sales also increase, even in a shrinking market, as most of these visitors are potential buyers of French property.” In 2011, all of this resulted in sales to people from countries like Finland, Sweden, Russia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. “This is why we have managed to keep growing,” said Richard. “The ‘traditional’ buyers are more careful now and in many cases have to sell their own house first to be able to buy another. So we have to look for ‘new’ buyers a little bit further away. That is why global
Bar/Restaurant, Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Roast Our contact details are:
Barrage de Vezins, 50540 Tel: 02 33 48 03 48 www.aubergedulacvezins.com email: aubergedulac@ymail.com
freephone in France 0800 91 77 56 / from UK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)
ALL ASPECTS OF PERSONAL & PROPERTY SECURITY EVENT SECURITY MANAGEMENT STUD FARMS
Ad No. 17730
Your Helping Hand to the French Health System
CHIMNEY SWEEP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DEPTS 50 & 14
Stephen Ramsbottom - 0233172361
+33 (0) 4 94 40 31 45
e-mail: manchepropertyservices@hotmail.com
www.exclusivehealthcare.com
05 55 65 12 19 www.housesoninternet.com
TEMPLIERS SECURITE PROTECTION PRIVEE
"Where friends meet"
152 Ave de Flandre 75019 Paris Tel: 09 81 72 17 02 Mobile : 06 61 32 77 91 Email : templierblanc@hotmail.fr www.templierssecuriteprotectionprivee.com
siret: 51114827200012
A large selection of European copy deadline 5th February - call
advertising, something we did from the day we started, is crucial.”
Auberge du Lac
Kilrush Cars Ltd
Book now for the March issue -
Richard Kroon is the founder and director of Houses on Internet
Left Hand Drive
Dr Groundworks
Groundworks including gravel drives, septic tanks, drainage, footings, concrete bases and landscaping. Based near Carentan (50)
Tel: 09 54 61 28 51 / 06 71 28 00 66 www.dr-groundworks.com dr.groundworks@yahoo.com
Chris Hutt
Cars
ENGLISH TV INSTALLER
Tel: 00 44 (0) 1252 782883
Tel: 02 33 91 69 29 Email: chrishutt@wanadoo.fr
One owner - FSH - C.O.C www.kilrushcars.com
TV & Internet - all works guaranteed
www.ashnormandie.com Siret: 491 624 367
CHIMNEY SWEEP Black Cat Services Expert English Sweep, Mess Free Registered, Insured. Certificate de Ramonage Issued
Tel : 02 33 50 84 91 Email: steve@baintons.com
Directories continue on page 15
14 Property
www.normandyadvertiser.com
Normandy Advertiser
February 2012
For a taste of France D I Y t i p s grow a herb garden Sponsored by
Photos: © Carly Hennigan – Fotolia.com
oregano – l’origan sage – la sauge rosemary – le romarin thyme – le thyme parsley – le persil mint – la menthe chives – la ciboulette bay – le laurier rosemary – le romarin basil – le basilic compost – le compost soil – la terre to prune – tailler to trim – tailler (légèrement)
A sunny spot near to a kitchen window can make an ideal spot for growing herbs, where sunlight, a supply of fresh air and good drainage will help them to thrive Herbs with a tendency to be sure to leave windows spread, such as oregano and open slightly for an hour or mint, can be grown in conso each day as the herbs will tainers and need their own need fresh air. pots. These As for where should rest in to plant them, saucers and there are many have drainage options, from M ost herbs holes. hanging bas“Humidity kets, to window don’t like to be is important, so boxes, wooden overwatered, put containers containers and on a tray with clay pots. which is shown gravel or small Most herbs by yellowing stones that is will grow well kept damp to in containers leaves, but they allow water to and indoors, don’t like being evaporate and but the size of humidify the the plant needs dried out, either plants above. to be consid“It is essential ered. “The to have free–draining potting herbs will get trimmed for medium – a good compost or use in the kitchen so pruning a mix of compost and soil.” is not really a problem.”
“
To keep the plants healthy, Jayne says to pick a fertiliser that has a low level of phosphorous, as you are growing herbs for their leaves, not flowers. “We use organic plant feed made from nettles or comfrey, but a liquid feed or long–lasting pellets will do. They should be fed when potted up and then every couple of months, as the compost loses its nutrients. “Most herbs don’t like to be overwatered, which is shown by yellowing leaves, but they don’t like being dried out, either “If the grower has house plants, they can generally treat herbs in much the same way. In general, annual herbs taste best before they flower.”
Photo: © evangelo66 - Fotolia.com
Useful Translations
Keep gutters clear of the leaves that cause leaks
Photo: © Valda – Fotolia.com
WHEN choosing which herbs to plant, go for the most versatile ones and those that are easiest to look after. First, check that the plants are healthy to avoid bringing unwanted pests into the house. “Most people prefer to grow culinary herbs indoors for use throughout the winter months and in general, these herbs are small and ideal for indoor containers,” says Jayne Watkins, of Penstemon and Herb nursery in Indre (www. penstemonsandherbs.com). Common indoor herbs include oregano, thyme, parsley, mint, chives, bay and rosemary. Basil is a favourite for use in cooking but is not easy to grow. “If you’ve got an established plant, then it will do OK on a windowsill, but you do need the right conditions and it might not be sunny enough in winter,” said Jayne. Light is the most important factor when it comes to growing herbs indoors. Some herbs in particular are sun–worshippers, especially thyme, sage, rosemary and oregano. “Optimum conditions needed for herbs to grow are a sunny windowsill, providing at least five hours a day of sunlight, good humidity and room temperature. The plants can be placed outside to grab a bit of sun when possible throughout the winter if the light is a problem.” If there is not enough sunlight in the final winter months, you could also use clamp–on reflector lights which have compact fluorescent bulbs. Rotating your plants every week will stop them leaning to one side, and
Fix leaky gutters to protect house Photo:© rekemp – Fotolia.com
Herbs are often used to add piquancy to French food, and growing a herb garden in your kitchen means that you can have a sprig of thyme or leaf of basil at your fingertips and bring some herbal fragrance indoors. REBECCA LAWN shows you the basics.
LEAKING gutters may seem harmless but if left they can be the cause of damp inside your house which can result in severe damage such as rot in timbers. Checking them regularly and making repairs if necessary should be an essential part of your house upkeep. Metal gutters These are difficult to take apart due to corrosion of the joint bolts, so it is best to try to seal leaks with a sealant. It is important to clean the section first by scraping it and then drying it. Next inject the sealant using an applicator gun. Leave to harden then test that it is watertight by pouring water into the gutter. If this has not worked then the section will need to be dismantled. To do this: using a hack saw, cut through the bolt so that it is flush with the bottom of the gutter. Next gently tap the joint with a hammer to separate the sections. Be careful not to damage anything. Clean the inside of the joint using a wire brush to take off rust and a flat-headed screwdriver if need be to gently chisel away any old sealant. Apply a layer of metal primer to the cleaned parts; once this is dry apply a thick layer of gutter sealant on both the joint piece and the gutter section, fit them together and bolt firmly together with a new bolt. Plastic gutters Leaks in plastic gutters are usually due to a fault with the rubber gasket that the section sits on in the union piece and then forms the seal. Either dirt has accumulated and is forcing the seal open or the gasket is worn. In many cases leaks can be fixed by simply cleaning out the guttering. If the gasket is worn then it obviously needs to be replaced. To check what the problem is squeeze the sides of the gutter section to release it from the union piece. If there is dirt simply clean it out and replace the section. If the gasket is damaged then peel it off and fit a new one. If you cannot find a new gasket to fit then another solution is to fill the space left by the old gasket with gutter or silicone sealant. To put back into place squeeze the section of guttering and gently slide back into the union piece. If sealant has been used instead of a new gasket then it is advisable to apply a layer of sealant on the outside of the guttering as well just under where the union piece and gutter section meet. Gutter maintenance You should check your guttering annually and have a good clean out of any leaves and natural debris. A good tip is to cover the opening of the down pipe before clearing anything so that nothing dislodges and gets washed down the pipe potentially causing a blockage.
TOLLEVAST
QUERQUEVILLE
02.33.88.54.54
02.33.01.88.00
www.mr–bricolage.fr Herbs thrive in decent pots and kept humid – but over-watering turns leaves yellow
Normandy Advertiser
February 2012
Gardening Facts
Matt Gilks
Sponsored by
Landscape Gardening Service
Houses for sale in and around Normandy Buying or selling a property in or around Normandy? We can help.
New Consumption and Emission Chart
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.
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.
Photo: © Monkey Business – Fotolia.com
Property 15
www.normandyadvertiser.com
For sellers, the adverts are also displayed across a range of popular English–language websites and are seen by thousands of potential buyers EVERY day. Our 3+3 package costs just €200TTC
– 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
www.connexionfrance.com Simply enter the code under each home to find out more PROPERTIES IN NORMANDY
Younger gardeners can help out with winter tasks
€262,150
€278,200
Mauny, Seine–Maritime Lovely character property with 130m2 of living space set in a mature enclosed garden of 659m2 and situated on the banks of the river Seine. The property is near the popular tourist village of Bouille. ENERGY RATING = Not given REF: FP–24014GCB76
Gathemo, Manche In a little hamlet at the end of a quiet lane, both the house and the well established gite are finished to a high standard. The gite is already fully booked until mid September, with many repeat visits. REF: 11402
Advertise here ALL YEAR from just €165HT Call free on 0800 91 77 56
Keep active with those winter jobs FEBRUARY can be the coldest of the winter months even though spring is just around the corner. How much you are able to do in the garden this month will depend on the temperature and the weather conditions. It would be better to put off sowing seeds if the ground is waterlogged, as seeds will rot rather than germinate but if the ground is not waterlogged or frozen, the soil will retain some warmth, so now is a good time to plant a new hedge, shrubs and trees. You can also replace roses as the warm soil will encourage root growth. Draw up a list of hardier species to replace those lost during the winter. At this time of year, moss will grow at a faster rate than grass. However, you can kill it with ferrous sulphate (le sulfate ferreux) which allows grass to grow in its place. If you have a snowdrop display, clear away any dead leaves, so that you can enjoy the first signs of spring. Draw up plans for your summer garden, taking into consideration your view from different angles in the house. During a season when the garden is not full of colour, you can better assess the structure of the garden. Trees with attractive bark – such as birch – draw the eye naturally all year round. On your patio, protect any less hardy shrubs and climbers with hessian or straw during cold patches and force any potted spring bulbs such as tuberous begonias, hyacinths and Achimenes planted during the autumn. Prune winter jasmine once it has finished flowering, and wisteria. In the greenhouse, sow cucumbers and tomatoes and prune climbers around your conservatory, but try to avoid overwatering in cold weather. Outside, it is time to plant trees and shrubs and lay lawns when conditions are favourable. Prepare vegetable seed beds and cut back deciduous grasses. If you have been dreaming about a pond in the garden to sit around during the summer, now would be a good time to dig it and allow it to fill with spring rain. The deepest section should be at least 60cm (2ft) deep to reduce the risk of the pond freezing entirely. Gentle gradients between the bank and pool, and shallow and deep sections will encourage wildlife and make shallow water plants look more natural. A grille over the pool is a good idea if you have young children. Judge the size of the mesh to prevent accidents, while allowing access to wildlife and do ensure that the mesh does not detract from the natural beauty of the pool.
Matt Gilks Landscape Gardening Service Landscaping Service O Garden Products O Plants & Trees O Spring Bulbs O Reclamation and scrap metal service
POWER & LIGHT SERVICES ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SERVICES ALL WORK FULLY INSURED. Tel: 02 33 70 88 24 Email: john.hipwell@orange.fr Regions Covered: 50,14,61,22 Siret: 515 210 847 00015
MOVING TO OR FROM FRANCE?
SARL QUESNEE
Weekly services to & from France
HOME & PROPERTY SECURITY SOLUTIONS
Full or part loads, 4 wks free storage, 30 Years experience
COMPLETE RANGE OF ALARMS GATES- GARAGE DOORS -CCTV FREE ADVICE & QUOTES
VIRE - 02 31 68 95 00 CAEN - 02 31 85 27 62
Bar & Guild Member Contact: Anglo French Removals Tel: +44 (0) 1622 690 653 Email: info@anglofrench.co.uk
www.anglofrench.co.uk
Chimney Sweep Wood Stove Installer Property Management
FIVE STAR REMOVALS
Iain Davison
REMOVALS
www.propertycarepeople.com Tel: 02 33 14 09 55 Email: property.care@orange.fr Siret: 494799968 Ad No. 19022
Light Removals to and from Northern France. Best prices, best service.
T: + 44 (0) 079705 30723 E: classicalternatives@msn.com
REFLEX MOODYS LTD SALISBURY
UK - FRANCE - UK
• Weekly Service • Full & Part Loads • Container Storage • BAR Members • On-line Quotation • Internet Shopping Deliveries
Company Regn No: UK 5186435 TVA / VAT No: UK 864 7217 04
FISHFACE REMOVALS
www.mayenne53.com Tel 02 43 13 06 56 O info@mayenne53.com
Email: invicta@invicta-international.com
Tel: 02 33 64 99 31
SIRET Number 51407345.1-0001.5
DIRECT LOISIRS N°1 in all of France for direct sale of mobile homes and chalets. Looking for a plot by the sea?
DIRECT LOISIRS can offer sites to rent or buy in small residential parks. Visit our permanent display in Gavray.
ZA Route de Coutances 50450 Gavray
tel: 02 33 91 16 80 www.directloisirs.com WOOD STOVE STUDIO Wood burning stoves and Cuisinieres from
Cashin Camina Cleanburn Esse Hunter Parkray Stovax on display at our dept 61 showroom
Selkirk chimney and flexible liner Full installation service www.woodstovestudio.com info@woodstovestudio.com Tel 02 33 12 57 26 Siret 498 597 632 00013
WOODBURNERS
UK - FRANCE - UK Full and part loads You pack, we move, you save! 0044 (0)1327 264627 UK Email: info@fishfaceremovals.com www.fishfaceremovals.com
Store Collections, General Removals, Motorcycle Recovery. France, UK, Europe.
The Stove Shack regrets to inform that due to the death of John on the 20th of December 2011 the company will cease trading. Jill would like to thank customers past and present for their business and support during the years.
Ad No. 18445
00 44 1722 414350 info@reflexmoodys.com www.reflexmoodys.com
INVICTA INTERNATIONAL LIGHT HAULAGE SERVICES
WOODBURNERS BY THE STOVE SHACK
Ash Grove Stoves Supplier of Hunter - Villager
S
- Clean Burn - Fire Visible - Boiler versions available - Deliveries all over France - Prices on our website
BERTIN COUVERTURE
Lowest Prices Guaranteed
New and restauration / Chimney Sweep
Tel: 00 44 (0) 1392 861579 www.ashgrovestoves.com sales@ashgrovestoves.com
15 Years experience in roofing and zinc
02 33 38 28 86
With 10 years insurance - Siret: 50792761400010
or email: directory@connexionfrance.com
by STAFF REPORTER
ENERGY RATING = Not given
16 People
www.normandyadvertiser.com
Photographer Stéphane Janou talks to SAMANTHA DAVID about his book, Vivre a Vire, which was inspired by residents STÉPHANE Janou loves Normandy. “I arrived here as a biology teacher 20 years ago and fell in love with the place,” he says. “Now I feel I’ve completely absorbed the local culture, the way of life, everything. It’s beautiful here – so full of different scenery. You drive just 15 or 20 kilometres and the countryside changes.” In fact, it was the scenery which led him away from teaching biology and into photography. He explained: “I started taking photos of rocks, and then one thing led to another and I started photographing people.” His book Vivre à Vire is a collection of portraits resulting from his work with the association Labomylette, which he set up in 1998. “I had been working as an independent photographer for five or six years and I just wanted more contact with people,” he said. The association has grown and now includes about a dozen artists who each spend a month implanted somewhere in the region. At a roundabout, for example, or in a park or outside a factory. The idea is that the artist produces whatever is inspired by the location; a poem, a sculpture, a painting, a photograph, and displays it at the site. Rather than displaying all the work at
the end of the month, it is posted on an ongoing basis, so that local people can see what is happening and comment on it if they want to. Janou said: “Some people join in quite simply by commenting on the work, others will give suggestions of things to look out for, but sometimes the interaction goes deeper than that and they invite the artist to see their homes or
“
It’s beautiful here – so full of different scenery. You drive just 15 or 20 kilometres and the countryside changes.” - Photographer Stéphane Janou
workplaces. Sometimes, in my own case, people have even wanted to take the photos themselves.” The idea, says Janou, is not particularly to encourage people to become artists, but to facilitate contact between people and bring communities together by presenting them with an artist’s view of their daily routines. “I did seven projects in seven different areas over a period of four years, and the book is a resumé of those
installations really. The idea is to give the inhabitants back the art that was inspired by them. Dominique Bussillet wrote the text to accompany the photographs.” Janou says the name Labomylette comes from “labo” from laboratory. “And then it’s sort of scrambled from mobylette – it’s such a very French thing, a mobylette. Not a scooter, not a motorbike, not an electric bicycle ... a thing that gives you mobility without cutting you off from your surroundings like a car does. “You can stop anywhere with a mobylette. And the artists from Labomylette go anywhere, stop and look at anything interesting, interact with their inspiration.” Born in Paris, Janou says he remains a traveller at heart. “I’ve lived in Canada and would love to see Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. “My work with Labomylette is really only half of what I do.” He is also what might be called an industrial photographer. “I photograph people at work, cement-makers for example. To show their lives, their savoir-faire, their jobs... I get commissioned by a company, for example to mark a 50th anniversary, and I photograph the workers, their products and then hold an exhibition either at their workplace or somewhere locally.” Vivre à Vire can be bought at cahiers dutemps.com/f-vivre-a-vivre.php
February 2012
Photo: Stephane Janou
Photographer puts focus on residents
Normandy Advertiser
One of the portraits in Stéphane Janou’s book, Vivre a Vire
BROADBAND NEW! ANYWHERE via Satellite
Yes, anywhere. Yes, 10Mb guaranteed. Yes, technical support is free.
tooway
TM
Satellite Details Choose from 6, 8 or 10Mb packages Special deal for 2nd home owners
Our Best Seller Fixed Broadband for only 29.50€ 18.95€ for your first 6 months
Inheritance Solutions
No line rental & great call packages
French inheritance rules may mean that your worldwide estate will not be distributed according to your wishes.
Quick & easy install
1 hours of free calls to 101+ landline destinations & UK & French mobiles
From just 29.95€
Free UK TV
Look after those that matter. Jennie Poate, Regional Manager Tel French Head Office: 05 56 34 75 51 Email: northwest.office@siddalls.net
www.siddalls.fr French finance in plain English Siddalls France SASU, Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, 33700 Mérignac - RCS BX 498 800 465. C.I.F. No E001669 auprès de ANACOFI-CIF association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers et Courtier d’Assurances, Catégorie B - ORIAS 07 027 475. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier et L 512-6 et 512-7 du Code des Assurances.
Offered only by UKtelecom
tooway
TM
Freephone 0805 631 632 from France Or +44 (0) 1483 833 795 from the UK
SPECIAL
First for Expats in France
enquiries@uktelecom.uk.net www.uktelecom.net