The Bilingual and Audio Online Magazine for Expatriates in France, French Students and Francophiles
February-March 2008
6â‚Ź
Issue Number 11
Page 2
French Accent, February-March 2008
Soon in Dordogne French Accent & Learn French at Home will also be present at the exhibition “Success in Dordogne”, which will be held in Périgueux (Esplanade du Théâtre) on 4 and 5 April! The first of its kind in southern France, the exhibition will bring together a wide variety of exhibitors and experts on every aspect of expatriate life in France: banking, insurance, housing, language schools, French administrative problems, education, etc., etc.
For free admission and a chance on a drawing, check out the web site of the event at: www.successindordogne .com/visiteurs.php?lang =en
Issue Number 11
From the Editors - Bonjour, auriez-vous un peu de temps à m’accorder ? (“Good afternoon, do you have a little time for me?”). When this slight, elderly gentleman came to our stand, it was Sunday afternoon, the last day of The France Show in London, in January, where, during the three days of the show, we presented French Accent magazine and the French language program Learn French at Home to potential expatriates. We were impressed by his excellent French, and he told us afterwards that if he were not 89 years old, he himself would envisage moving to France. He said he had travelled many times all over the country and gave us names of villages and cities that we ourselves don’t know quite as well as he did. “But now I am too old to travel, I just came to see you because I wanted to practice my French with French people,” he added. Of course, we spent some time chatting and talking about France together. He was one of the 30,000 Brits who have a fondness for France and who came to the show to learn more about several aspects of our country. Many hundreds of them were retired persons, or about to retire, who were seriously thinking about spending their retirement in France. The good food, the better climate, the slower pace of life and the quiet ambiance in the villages, the way all seniors are well accepted and integrated, the many activities in which they can participate, and the cost of living – much cheaper, especially in the countryside, than in the UK – are some of the reasons for considering a move to France. However, changing countries is not always easy and, at the very least, requires a great deal of preparation. This is why we have devoted the main feature of this issue to retirement in France. We asked several retired Brits who have already lived there for a while to recount their experiences. And we provide a good number of tips and information, the most positive one being that, even if you are not fluent yet, it is never too late to learn French. Learning a foreign language is an excellent exercise for the brain — to the point that it can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease! Since February is also Valentine’s Day month, the “Real life” section of the magazine contains an article about the origins and history of the event and how the French celebrate La fête de Saint Valentin. You will also find, as usual, lots of practical details on many aspects of life, culture, the environment and politics in France, together with useful vocabulary for the various items. Along with a more lengthy literary selection, the dictations and cross-word puzzle, there is a very useful grammar point and exercises. Have a very good spring, and don’t hesitate to send e-mails, even if you just want to chat, as was the case with our charming visitor at The France Show!
French Accent Magazine E-magazine, published every two months. Educational purposes. Printable. Editorial team: Céline and Vincent Anthonioz, Annick and Roger Stevenson. Copyright: Reprints of the articles are permitted only with full mention of the title, the date and the web site address.
Contacts Questions to the editor: editor@frenchaccentmagazine.com Subscriptions: admin@frenchaccentmagazine.com Advertisement: ad@frenchaccentmagazine.com Tél.: +33 (0)870.46 .77.81. Web site: www.frenchaccentmagazine.com Cover photo: © Ville de Meudon (Hauts-de-Seine).
Subscriptions One issue (2 months) : 6 € Three issues (6 months) : 15 € Six issues (12 months) : 28 €
To subscribe: click HERE When you see this symbol: click on it to print a full column, pdf format, without colours or pictures.
Printable version
When you see this symbol: click on it to access the web page with the audio file
To download all the audio files of the magazine: click HERE
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Sommaire Interactive French Savoir vs connaître: grammar and scenarios Two dictées Le coin des branchés: A few useful & interesting expressions
Page 5 Page 9 Page 9
Interview Jill Randall
Page 10
Real Life Saint Valentine’s Day: the Myths and Traditions Tips & Traps: EDF-GDF, Health Insurance, etc.
Page 13 Page 16
This is France Retiring in France - Retirement in France: How is it? Four Testimonies - Discounts for Senior Citizens - It is never too late to learn French - Administrative Matters
Page 18 Page 19 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25
French Politics Municipal Elections
Page 26
Our Planet Le Grenelle de l’environnement
Page 31
The French Scene Yves Lecoq Les Guignols de l’info A Song: Les vieux, Jacques Brel A Children’s Story A Selection of Books A Literary Text: Le père Achille, First Instalment
Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38
Our Participation at The France Show, London, January 2008 Mots croisés Oh la la la la!... Unbelievable but True Stories from France Une recette de cuisine: la fondue suisse au fromage
Page 4 Page 8 Page 30 Page 39
Page 3
Page 4
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
French Accent and Learn French at Home at The France Show, London, 18-20 January 2008
A
s this was our first experience at a trade show, we were a bit apprehensive beforehand. However, the show was a success for us personally, especially in terms of having a chance to meet British individuals who are considering moving to France, and understanding even better their needs and hopes. According to the organizers, almost 30,000 people attended the three-day event. Some of them, of course, were mainly interested in the French food stalls – the French cheese stands did a brisk business –, others in the property section. But a lot of visitors, and many of them stopped at our stand, were very much interested in learning or improving their French and knowing more about the various tools available to help them. Even if it did become apparent to us that our two special show offers for expatriates, Learn French at Home 30,000 visitors in three days, most of them Brits hoping to move to France soon.
and French Accent Magazine, were presented a little too discreetly, they attracted, nevertheless, a lot of attention. As we commented in a press release issued on Saturday morning, we noticed that most of the potential expatriates who came to our stand “understand that their main problem will be to communicate in French.”
for one to four months of free French lessons — lessons that the winners were very happy to take and have started already!
And the number of subscribers to French Accent has increased in an important way, both during the show and immediately after. If you are one of those new subscribers, we hope that this issue will meet your expectations. As always, we welcome any comments, questions or opinions, so please don’t hesitate to contact* us. We will try our Specially for the Exhibit, we best to answer any questions held a drawing by which new as best we can. subscribers to French Accent The editors could have a chance to qualify We also had the nice surprise of the visit of a few students who travelled great distances to be there, such as Shelly and Nadia (both on the left in the photo at the bottom left of this page), who travelled from as far away as the Lot et Garonne region, south-west of France!
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 5
Interactive French — Savoir vs connaître
A
s a French teacher, I hear my students making the same common mistake when expressing I know… Of course, it is quite confusing, as the French language has two verbs that can be translated into English by to know! Therefore, you have to choose between savoir or connaître; and you have 50% chance of getting it right. I hope I can help you understand how to decide which one to use through the following explanation and role plays: Savoir and connaître are used in different contexts and can describe different aspects of knowing. Let’s start with Savoir: We use it mostly to express something that we know how to do. For example, I know how to speak French = Je sais parler français. Savoir is nor-
mally followed with another Note: Usually when the verb verb in the infinitive form. connaître or savoir is used in a question, you can reply with Savez-vous faire du ski ? the same verb. Elle sait faire la cuisine. ExamWe also use savoir to say that ple: Estyou know something, a fact: I ce que know where Juliette is = Je sais v o u s où se trouve Juliette. savez Je ne savais pas ça = I didn’t faire des know that. crêpes? = Nous savons ce que nous devons Do you faire = We know what we know how to make crêpes? should do. Oui, je sais!= Yes, I know how Qu’est-ce vous en savez ? = to! What do you know about it? Est-ce que vous connaissez le livre “Le Petit Prince”? = do Connaître: you know the book “Le Petit Prince”? It is mostly used to express that Oui je le connais bien ! = Yes, I you know someone, some- know it well! thing, a place… Something that might help Ex: I know France = Je connais you to keep these 2 verbs la France. straight: you will notice that I know geography = Je connais most of the time savoir will be la géographie. followed by another verb in Do you know Alain? = Con- the sentence (the 2nd verb can nais-tu Alain ? be placed right after savoir or
Printable version
later in the sentence): Vous savez conduire un camion ? Whereas connaître is just followed by a noun: Tu ne connais pas Marie ? More examples: Je sais que vous ne pouvez pas venir aujourd’hui = I know that you cannot come today. Je sais que votre femme ne mange pas de viande = I know that your wife doesn’t eat meat. Je connais la situation. Ne vous inquiétez pas ! = I know the situation. Don’t worry! Je connais votre idée. Venez me voir ! = I know your idea. Come and see me! Let’s place these two verbs into context through the following scenarios. Please listen to them after you have read them carefully. Céline Anthonioz
1st Role Play—Beginner Level: Je suis perdu! Aidez moi ! Jim est perdu dans le 6ème arrondissement à Paris – il cherche la Jim is lost in the 6th district of Paris – he’s looking for La Fnac. He asks a passer-by for help Fnac. Il demande de l’aide à une passante : Jim : Excusez-moi Madame ! Est-ce que je peux vous poser une question ? Je suis perdu ! La femme : Oui, vous voulez aller où ? Jim : Est-ce que vous connaissez la Fnac ? La femme : Oui, bien sûr ! Jim : Ah ! Vous savez comment y aller ? La femme : Oui, vous connaissez la grande Tour Montparnasse ? Jim : Le grand immeuble – oui je (le) connais ! La femme : Le mieux est de prendre le métro – vous savez où prendre le métro ? Jim : Non, je ne sais pas ! La femme : Hmm, vous savez quoi ? Ce sera plus simple si je vais avec vous jusqu’au métro ! Jim : Oh, vous savez, je peux trouver tout seul… La femme : Ne vous inquiétez pas. Je sais que Paris est une grande ville. Je connais bien cet arrondissement. Je vis ici et j’ai le temps maintenant. Je vais vous montrer le chemin. Jim : Oui, il est vrai que je ne connais pas du tout la ville ! Vous êtes gentille. Merci beaucoup Madame !
Jim: Excuse-me, Madam ! May I ask you a question? I’m lost. The woman: Yes, where would you like to go? Jim: Do you know La Fnac? The woman: Yes, of course! Jim: Ah! Do you know to get there? The woman: Yes, do you know the big Montparnasse Tower? Jim: The big building – yes I know (it)! The woman: The best thing to do is to take the metro – Do you know where to get the metro? Jim: No, I don’t know! The woman: Hmm, you know what? It will be easier if I go with you to the metro! Jim: Oh, you know – I can find it alone… The woman: Don’t worry. I know that Paris is a big city! I know this district well. I live here and I have the time. I’m going to show you the way. Jim: Yes, it’s true that I don’t know this city at all ! You’re very kind. Thank you very much Madam !
Page 6
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
2nd Role Play—Intermediate Level: Tu connais les Guignols ? Juliette : Dis Marc, est ce que tu as regardé les Guignols hier ? Marc : Les quoi ? Juliette : Les Guignols, tu ne connais pas ? Les marionnettes satiriques sur Canal plus ? Marc : Si, je les connais, mais pas très bien. Juliette : Pourtant ils sont très connus en France. Marc : Ah bon ! Je ne savais pas ! Juliette : Tu sais, ils existent depuis 20 ans ! Marc : Eh ben, j’ai un peu honte. Finalement, je ne connais pas grand-chose à la télé française ! Juliette : Sais-tu que c’est Yves Lecoq qui fait la plupart des voix des marionnettes ? Marc : Ah non, je ne savais pas. Juliette : C’est lui qui fait les voix de Sarkozy, de Chirac, de Johnny, de Philippe Lucas… Marc : Je ne connais pas Philippe Lucas… Juliette : Tu ne le connais pas ? C’est l’ancien entraîneur de Laure Manaudou. Marc : Ah oui, je sais qui c’est. Juliette : Et tu sais qui est la marionnette principale ? Marc : Non, je ne sais pas. C’est qui ? Juliette : C’est PPDA. Marc : Je ne le connais pas. Jamais entendu parler de lui ! Juliette : Mais bien sûr que tu le connais, c’est Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, le présentateur du journal de 20 heures sur TF1 ! Marc : Ah, oui, je le connais très bien ! Je regarde les infos souvent. Mais je ne savais pas que PPDA étaient les initiales de son nom. Juliette : Bon, alors est-ce que tu vas regarder l’émission ce soir ? Marc : Je ne sais pas encore, mais je pense que oui. Tu sais, ce programme a l’air d’être le même que celui qu’on avait en Angleterre qui s’appelait Spitting Image. Juliette : Ah oui, j’en ai déjà entendu parler.
Juliette: Hey, Marc did you watch the Guignols yesterday? Marc: The what? Juliette: The Guignols, don’t you know them? The satirical puppets on Canal Plus? Marc: Yes, I know them, but not very well. Juliette: Yet they’re very popular in France. Marc: Oh really! I didn’t know! Juliette: You know, they’ve been on for 20 years! Marc: Wow, I’m a bit embarrassed. After all, I don’t know much about French TV! Juliette: Do you know that Yves Lecoq does most of puppets’ voices? Marc: Oh no, I didn’t know. Juliette: It’s he who does the voices of Sarkozy, of Chirac, of Johnny, of Philippe Lucas.. Marc: I don’t know Philippe Lucas! Juliette: You don’t know him? He’s Laure Manaudou’s ex coach. Marc: Oh yes, I know who he is. Juliette: And do you know who the main puppet is? Marc: No, I don’t know. Who is it? Juliette: It’s PPDA. Marc: I don’t know him. Never heard of him! Juliette: But, of course, you know him, it’s Patrick Poivre D’Arvor, the news anchorman for the 8pm news on TF1! Marc: Oh yes, I know him well! I often watch the news. But I didn’t know that PPDA were the initials of his name. Juliette: So, are you going to watch the show this evening? Marc: I don’t know yet, but I think so. You know this show sounds like one we used to have in England called Spitting Image. Juliette: Ah yes, I’ve heard of it!
Try this exercise! Note: Conjugation of the verb connaître : Je connais, tu connais, il/elle/on connaît, nous connaissons, vous connaissez, ils/elles connaissent. (Notice the circumflex accent in the ‘i’ whenever it isn’t followed by an ‘s’). Note : Conjugation of the verb savoir : Je sais, tu sais, il/elle/on sait, nous savons, vous savez, ils/elles savent. Fill in the blanks with the correct conjugation of the appropriate verb: -Est-ce que vous ________ où est le restaurant La Boussole ? Je ________ qu’il n’est pas loin d’ici. -Est-ce que vous ________ Robert ? Il m’a dit qu’il vous ________.
- Je ________ cuisiner beaucoup de plats mais je ne ________ pas la cuisine Bretonne. - ________-tu dire le mot “attic” en français ? ________-tu par quelle lettre le mot commence ? - ________-tu le village de Vinezac ? Non, je ne ________ pas ! - Est-ce que Patrick ________ la tradition du village ? Est-ce qu’il ________ qu’il doit inviter tout le village à boire un verre ? Ça s’appelle le verre de l’amitié. - Nous ________ qu’il est parti ce matin de bonne heure, mais ________-vous où il est allé ? - On ne ________ pas quoi faire ce soir. ________-tu un bon pub irlandais où on peut boire une bière ? - ________-tu son papy ? Il est très sympa, mais il ne ________ même pas faire une omelette. (Solution page 36)
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 7
At Le Poiron Bonjour our courses are specifically designed to cover many aspects of French life including language, cultural and social differences.
IMPROVING YOUR FRENCH We welcome anyone who wishes to improve his or her French language skills and have courses to cater to all levels.
MOVING TO FRANCE
If you are considering a move to France, or have a second or holiday home, we can even provide a course that is particularly suited to you. Your teacher and hosts are Françoise and Mark Duffell.
Their home is the beautiful ‘ Le Château du Poiron’ in the department of the Vendee. You can be assured of a very warm welcome. Included in price: Full board en suite accommodation All lessons, activities and lectures Information pack
For further information please contact Lorna Ditchburn (UK)
Françoise Duffell (FRANCE)
Tel: 01494 529152
Tel: 0033 251 69 20 27
or 07742 967775 Email: Lorna@france4life.co.uk Or visit our website:
www.france4life.co.uk
Page 8
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
Mots croisés
Click HERE for a more readable version: Printable version
The words for the Crossword Puzzle are taken from the articles in the current issue.
Vertical 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 8. 11. 13. 15. 17. 18.
19. 21. 22. Created with ElipseCrossword—www.elipsecrossword.com
Horizontal 6. 7. 9. 10. 12. 14. 16.
celui qui est inscrit pour voter C'est simple comme __________. acquérir des connaissances présentateur des infos le soir sur TF1 Tu __________ Marie-Claire ? ce qu'on paie chaque année au gouvernement abrév. du système de sécurité sociale en France
25. 26.
19. 20. 23. 24. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.
un grand magasin qui vend des livres le contraire de demain Les ________ = une émission satyrique à la télé traduction française de "to know" marque de la montre de Sarkozy nom de famille d'un chanteur belge Tu ________ faire une fondue ? énumération de tous les candidats du même parti ou groupement politique le principal élu qui gère les affaires d'une ville ou commune plus nom d'un important rassemblement de personnes et d'associations pour discuter de l'environnement une personne de plus de 50-55 ans les élections en France se déroulent sur deux _______. récipient pour les ordures ménagères fou le contraire de jeune
_________-vous parler espagnol ? cesser de travailler, partir à la __________. compagne d'Adam appellation familière pour grand-père machin un champignon qui va très bien dans une fondue sorte de poupée manipulée par une personne un fromage suisse pour voyager moins cher, la _______ senior donne des réductions
Solution on page 32
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Le coin des branchés N’être plus tout jeune = to be not so young any more. Je ne suis plus tout jeune, tu sais ! Prendre de l’âge = to get older, to age. Prendre de la graine = to learn from experience, usually with age. Prendre de la bouteille = to gain experience while aging. Je crois qu’on commence à prendre de la bouteille ! Le doyen/la doyenne = the oldest in a group/an association/a village. Se faire vieux = to become or look old. Prendre un sacré coup de vieux = to look much older, usually over a short period of time. Vieillir mal = to change in the wrong way when growing old. Je crois qu’on commence Literally, to age poorly. Il vieillit mal = he is not aging well, is à prendre de la bouteille ! not changing for the best. Un homme/une femme d’un certain âge = a relatively old person Un homme/une femme d’un grand âge = an elderly person Les personnes âgées = old people. Les anciens = old persons, but a bit old fashioned, mainly used as: les anciens combattants (war veterans). Les aînés = the oldest. Usually used to designate a group of retired persons. Some social clubs call themselves “club des aînés”. Les vieux = old persons (more pejorative than personnes âgées). Mes vieux = my folks (parents). Salut mon vieux/ma vieille ! = Hello my buddy! (a very common term of friendship, paradoxically, usually used for younger persons). Une vieille branche = an old friend. Comment elle va, ma vieille branche? Un vieux con = a stupid old man. Can also mean a dirty old man. It is quite pejorative. Les vieux de la vieille = always the same (and not necessary old people). Chaque samedi au bistrot se retrouvent les vieux de la vieille. Une vieille fille/un vieux garcon = an old maid/old bachelor. Etre vieux jeu = to be old-fashioned. Le bon vieux temps = the good times from the past/the good old times (often used by older persons). Les vieillards = very old persons (not very commonly used, a bit pejorative). Le troisième âge = the retirement time of life, usually starting around 65. Le quatrième âge = the oldest part of life, usually starting around 80. Les ancêtres = ancestors; mainly used when one refers to one’s family genealogy. Les seniors = a modern expression used (mainly for marketing purposes) for every person older than 50-55.
Page 9
Book: Radio FRANGLAIS A fun reading experience for teenagers who want to improve their French Nancy Boulicault, an American writer living in London whom we met at The France Show, has published an amusing and intriguing book of fiction. The plot is about schoolmates who, as a team of a radio programme called Radio Franglais, are trying to win the prestigious SPIE prize (Spirit of Integration in Europe) which would make them Euroteens Ambassadors to the world. But what is really special about this book is that one goes from French to English and vice versa from one chapter to the next! An excellent and fun way, for readers (young or less young), with good French skills, to improve their French. At the end of the book, there is a glossary and a quiz to test one’s comprehension.
Deux dictées au choix We provide two dictées to chose from, according to your level in French: one for beginners, and another one for intermediate level French. Click on the link below to listen to each of them. Then try and write it without making any mistakes. You can compare it to the original text on page 36. N.B.: It would be a good idea to read all the articles of this issue of French Accent before doing the dictation, as you will recognize many expressions.
Beginner level:
Intermediate level:
Radio Franglais, by Nancy Boulicault, Middlesex University Press, One Plot Two Language Series. 2007. £ 7.99 www.mupress.co.uk
Page 10
French Accent, February-March 2008
Interview — Jill Randall
A
fter having experienced life in Spain, Jill Randall and her husband Terry, settled in a small village close to the city of Narbonne. Find out how they have adopted French culture and the pace of life and why they chose France over Spain. Céline Anthonioz: Where are you originally from and where were you living before moving to France? Jill Randall: I spent the first 21 years of my life in St.Albans in Hertfordshire and the next 27 years in the village of Redbourn about five miles from St.Albans. For the last eight years of that time, I was the managing director of the UK subsidiary of a German electronics company.
When I married for the second time, I gave up my very demanding job and joined Terry, my new husband. He had retired to Javea on the Costa Blanca in Spain We stayed in Javea for a couple of years, but Spain did not really suit us and we decided to return to the UK. We bought a beautiful thatched cottage near Cambridge, and for five or six years we spent summers in England and winters in Sarasota, Florida, where we had a house.
“The new house had to be a stone-built, restored, period house with some original features and spacious rooms. There should be a garden with trees and a pool, covered outside terraces and a barn or large garage...”
However, after suffering a stroke, my husband found that the hassle of transatlantic flight was too traumatic for him and we decided to have just one home, but that home had to be in the sun. C.A.: What attracted you to the small village Argeliers in the Narbonne area? J.R.: Luckily, over the years, we had both spent many holidays with our families in France. As many other English people, we were captivated by the country and its people. So France it was to be. In May 2001, having sold our properties in the UK and Florida, we
Issue Number 11
Printable version
started looking for a house in Provence. We viewed over 60 houses, but nothing appealed and we felt that the Mistral (wind) was also a negative factor for the area. By chance, an agent sent us details and many pictures of a house in the Languedoc region. I fell in love with the house immediately and I got no sleep that night thinking about it. High property prices in the UK mean that the English can buy much grander houses in France than they expect - and we did! It was a mini stately home! Absolutely beautiful, but as we gradually realised it was not practical for just the two of us. After four years we decided
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 11
Interview (cont’d) that we needed to move on and drew up a wish list. The new house had to be a stone-built, restored, period house with some original features and spacious rooms. There should be a garden with trees and a pool, covered outside terraces and a barn or large garage. It should have the possibility of high speed internet access. But most importantly, it should be in a village within walking distance of all amenities and within 20 kilometers of a sizable town. After look“We love to go out to a restaurant for lunch. We do our homework and find a good ing in places as far afield as restaurant in a beautiful place, on the coast or in the mountains, and we incorporate Pezenas, Montaban and Cara walk as well if we can. We love to invite friends for apéros, and we love to just sit cassonne, we found our house in a cafe and watch the world go by.” in Argeliers, 18 kilometers from Narbonne, 30 minutes from the Mediterranean and in C.A.: Did you encounter any courteous. The fact that the we arrived with hardly any the wine growing region of obstacles when you moved to shops close for lunch took plants. However, designing some getting used to but now and planting it has been very France? Minervois in the Aude. we like the rhythm it gives to interesting and rewarding. the day. Everything stops for J.R.: No, I do not think we It was perfect! Well, nearly lunch! I also enjoy interior design and have run into any obstacles. perfect. Of course, we wanted we have made some major some modifications – quite ma- You have to make sure that jor modifications. They took you have all the appropriate C.A.: You are retired and you changes to the house. I am nearly 18 months, but we have paperwork when you deal seem to keep very busy. teaching myself to paint, in been very pleased with the with bureaucracy, but we have What activities occupy your oils and acrylics on canvas, although I am pretty experiwork, and we used French found that all our experiences time in France? enced in painting on walls tradesmen mainly from the vil- with the fonctionnaires have J.R.: I love gardening, and here with a roller! I read a lot too, been pleasant and efficient. lage for everything. in the south where we get even books in French, and, of hardly any rain for more than course, I have my French lesC.A.: How is your overall C.A.: When you first moved four months in the summer, it son once a week with Celine experience of living in to this village, how did the is a challenge. But if you resist and the inevitable homework! France? locals welcome you? buying the plants already in J.R.: The people immediately J.R.: We are very happy here. bloom in the garden centres C.A.: Have you acquired any local to us were very welcom- We love the less frenetic way and do your homework, you new habits since you’ve lived ing despite our less than fluent of life, the cafe society and the can create a beautiful garden us- in France? Which ones? French. However, it is quite a enthusiasm for good food, ing plants that are indigenous slow process to get to know which mirrors our own. The to this climate zone. After the J.R.: We love to go out to a people. I think that for retired lack of traffic in this area is a first year of planting they re- restaurant for lunch. We do people this is a problem when- particular bonus. We are also quire hardly any watering. We our homework and find a ever you move. It is a much impressed by the children and have a walled garden with a good restaurant in a beautiful easier process if you have chil- young people who are gener- pool and a large courtyard. It place, on the coast or in the ally very well behaved and was in a very sorry state when mountains, and we incorpodren at school.
Click here!
Page 12
Interview (cont’d) rate a walk as well if we can. It seems that most of our new habits include food or drink. We love to invite friends for apéros, and we love to just sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. Recently a friend who is also a Learn French at Home student invited me to join her and two French ladies, one a retired English teacher and the other an aspiring English teacher, each Wednesday in a cafe in Narbonne for mutually beneficial French/English conversation. The small group has turned out to be a very successful format. The conversation ranges widely for about two hours; cultural things are explained, faults are corrected and vocabulary exchanged. A glass of wine in the hand helps too.
French Accent, February-March 2008
non-holiday area. We began to learn Spanish but were very surprised to find that some of our English neighbours who had lived in Spain for many years, spoke almost no Spanish and had no intention of learning. We learned Castilian Spanish which helped enormously when we were travelling in the country, but the local people spoke a form of Catalan called Valenciana, which was a problem. The Spanish people we did come into contact with were very warm and friendly, and, in contrast to the reputation they have, we found the Spanish workmen to be extremely hardworking and well organized. The thing I missed most in Spain was to be able to go into a bookshop and buy books in the English language. There were plenty of English secondhand paperback bookshops, of course, but they were full of ‘airport’ fiction. This was the late eighties, the internet had yet to make an impact on our lives, and Amazon.co.uk had not been thought of.
C.A.: You’ve lived in Spain and in France and you’ve chosen France as your home. Could you explain briefly your experience in Spain, the things that influenced you to settle in France, and the main differences between the The weather was better in winter than it is in Argeliers, two countries? but the summers were unbeJ.R.: I was a little disappointed lievable hot and air conditionwith my life in Spain. I went ing was not readily available. expecting to be able to integrate with the local Spanish Because of some of these reapeople and enjoy and under- sons, when we decided to have stand their culture. Unfortu- only one home in the sun, it nately, we moved to the had to be in France. wrong place for that. Because the population was dominated In Argeliers we have to speak by northern Europeans, Eng- French because the people of lish, Dutch, Swedish and Ger- the village do not in general man. Apart from the house- speak English. Because of this, keeper, the gardener and vari- I feel that I am part of the ous workmen, we had no real community and not living in a contact with ordinary Spanish bubble, as I felt in Spain, havpeople. We had no Spanish ing nothing to do with the local people. Even in restauneighbours. rants where we are known and I think that our enjoyment of where the waiters do have life would have been much bet- some English, we speak in ter had we lived in an inland, French now.
I love the attitude to life here. The French are more interested in enjoying life with friends and family than in having the latest car and the biggest house.
Issue Number 11
cult to explain and it has captivated me since I was a child. Is it the landscape? Is it the French people? Is it the culture? I don’t really know. But it is special and it does attract The seasons are more distinct an entirely different type of here. The weather is not so hot person to France than to and we like that. We can get Spain. frosts in winter, and when it is cold and wet and the wind C.A.: What suggestions or blows, I sometimes think a advice would you give to month in Florida might be a someone who is contemplatvery good idea. But for months ing moving to France? and months the weather is perfect. All our meals are taken J.R.: For people of retirement outside. We live outside! age thinking of coming to France, I would say: “Do your homework thoroughly”. Do you really want to be isolated in that large house 5 kilome“Learn French! Your tres from the nearest shop? life will be fuller It’s great for a holiday home and happier if you but not so convenient on a understand what cold winter’s night when you is going on around have run out of milk. Can you cope with all the land that you.” you are buying with the house you have in mind? Can you afford to employ a gardener? France appears a cleaner and ti- Know that if you stay in dier country and the coastal de- France for a total of more than velopment is generally more at- 183 days per calendar year you tractive than in Spain. The must declare your worldwide scenery in the Languedoc re- income to the tax authorities gion is green with plenty of here and pay tax here, if approtrees and forests. This contrasts priate. This can be very good with the much more arid scen- news for many. We have ery of the Costas in Spain. We found the French tax offices to love to eat out and we have be very helpful. many excellent restaurants to choose from. The cuisine is If you are under the state remuch more sophisticated here. tirement age (60 for women, Life is much more convenient 65 for men) you should refor me in France than in Spain, search your position regarding not due to the culture of the admission to the French health country, but because of the system. Rules have changed huge technological advances recently. For a stress-free life, made in the last 15 years. Com- sell your English car in Engmunicating with relations and land and buy a French car friends in the UK is easy now when you arrive. with e-mail and cheap telephone calls. A satellite receiver C.A.: Anything else you provides me with BBC Radio 4. would like to add? I can even buy my books in English from Amazon.fr. J.R.: Learn French! Your life will be fuller and happier if For me the biggest difference you understand what is going between Spain and France is on around you. the atmosphere. It is very diffi-
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Real Life — Saint Valentine’s Day: the Myths and Traditions
A
s is most often the case, the origins and manifestations of certain quasi religious celebrations are often shrouded in rather obscure historical events, myths, embellishments and commercial interests. That is certainly true of Saint Valentine’s Day. The annual celebration of love on February 14th that has become such a widespread phenomenon in European countries and particularly in the United States is supposedly based on the lives of Christian martyrs who, at the time of their death, had nothing at all to do with acts of professions of love. But that is the nature of such celebrations, especially when groups like the U.S. Greeting Card Association or florists organizations seize the opportunity to increase sales and, in the process, perpetuate the many historically inaccurate legends concerning the origins of the day. The event indeed owes its name to one or several Christian martyrs who were persecuted dur-
ing the Roman Empire. There are three such Saint Valentines, although very little is known about the third: Valentine of Rome, Valentine of Terni and a Valentine who was supposedly martyred in Africa. Both Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were put to death in Rome and buried in separate places on the Via Flaminia, and their respective relics are to be found in various churches in Italy, France and Ireland. The legends have it that they were killed on February 14th, but there is no historical record that proves that fact. They were also put to death because they refused to renounce their Christian faith and not because of any exchange of love notes, although stories of such abound in Saint Valentine’s Day mythology. In fact, the first known reference in literature to an expression of love and Valentine is found in Chaucer. And it was at the time a common practise to exchange love notes on February 14th, which
Page 13
Printable version
was considered to be the date when birds began their spring migrations and mating periods. Many of the legends surrounding the origins of Saint Valentine’s Day are thought to have originated during this time. Some historians feel that the celebration of Saint Valentine’s Day was the Catholic Church’s way of replacing an archaic and rather crude rite known as Lupercalia which was connected to ensuring the fertility of the young women in a village. In ancient Rome, Lupercalia took place on Febuary 15. Pope Gelasius abolished Lupercalia in the fifth century and an increased emphasis was placed on the 14th, La Fête de Saint Valentin – an effective replacement of a pagan rite with a Christian celebration, and Saint Valentine became the protector of couples. It really wasn’t until the 19th century that Valentine’s Day was “reinvented”. In 1936, relics of Valentine of Rome An illustration by French artist Raymond Peynet (1908-1999) who married Denise ‘Damour’ in 1930. Was it the name of his wife that inspired him? Probably not, as he later fell in love with a young woman who became the female model for his famous couple of “lovers”. For years, you could see “Les amoureux de Peynet” on thousands of porcelain plates, scarves, book illustrations, statues, etc., in France and in other countries (there is a Peynet lovers statue in Hiroshima ...), and this was the typical symbol used to illustrate Valentine’s Day in France. There are two Peynet Museums in France: Antibes (Var) and Brassacles-Mines (Puy-de-Dôme).
Page 14
A few websites of villages where special celebrations take place: Saint-Amour (Jura): www.saint-amour-jura.fr Saint-Amour-Bellevue (Beaujolais), where the SaintAmour wine is produced (web site special Valentine): www.rhonealpestourisme.fr/articles/ beaujolais/st-amour/sejourweek-end/saint-amourtoujours-110-2.html Saint-Valentin (Indre): www.village-saintvalentin.com www.festimariage.com/page10592-connaissez-vousvillage-saint-valentin Roquemaure (Gard): www.saintvalentin.org
French Accent, February-March 2008
Valentine (cont'd) were donated to a church in Dublin by Pope Gregory XVI and at roughly the same time the first mass-produced Valentine’s Day greeting cards were produced in Massachusetts in the US. That was really the beginning of the modern day celebration that we now so fondly refer to as Saint Valentine’s Day. Since that time roughly one billion Valentines are sent each year worldwide, and various other commercial interests have jumped on the bandwagon to encourage lovers to exchange not just cards but roses, chocolates and even jewellery. While the day is not really a national holiday in any country in Europe, the French do celebrate Saint Valentin with a card, a small gift or a bouquet of flowers, but only between husbands and wives and lovers. In fact, the celebration of Valentine’s Day in France is a recent phenomenon of the past twenty years
Issue Number 11
or so. American style marketing practises are largely responsible for the current increase in interest in Valentine’s Day. The sending of Valentines, particularly by children to all their friends, is not done at all in France, as is the case in the United States. In fact, many school children in the United States bring a Valentine for each member of their class and expressions such as “Won’t you be my Valentine?” are to be found everywhere.
Le village des amoureux And there are several small villages in France where the day is celebrated in very special ways: the small village of SaintAmour in the Beaujolais region (one of the better Beaujolais wines is from the village), SaintValentin in the department of Indre (the very centre of France) and Roquemaure (Gard), where relics from Saint Valentine were purchased in 1868 from Rome by a wealthy wine maker in the area in an attempt to protect his vines from phylloxera. The small village of Saint-Valentin, Le village des amoureux, has really capitalized on its name to promote the event and schedules three full days of celebrations each year. Roquemaure, which also bills itself as the Village des amoureux, has an extensive celebration of the event complete with a re-enactment of the arrival of Saint Valentine’s remains in 1868.
In France, for the couples who celebrate Valentine Day (and many don’t), a man would offer a card and a few roses (red, usually), or some lingerie, or a small piece of jewellery with a heart to his wife or lover, and/ or would invite her for a romantic diner in a restaurant, or would organize a candle-light diner at home (especially as more and more restaurants propose rather expensive special Valentine diners…). A wife or girlfriend might offer a card and sometimes a small gift such as a tie, a book or a CD. Roger Stevenson
Vocabulaire — Comment lui dire son amour ? Je t’aime = I love you. Je t’aime beaucoup = I like you a lot (you would say that to your best friend but not to your lover). Je t’adore = I adore you. Je t’aime passionnément/ profondément = I love you passionately/deeply. Je t’aime de tout mon cœur = I love you with all my heart. Je suis fou(folle) de toi = I am crazy about you. Je suis dingue de toi = idem, but more familiar. Je t’aime tant = I love you so much. Je suis amoureux(se) de toi = I am in love with you. Je suis tombé(e) amoureux (se) de toi = I have fallen in love with you.
Je suis épris(e) de toi = I am in love with you (out of fashion today, or used in a literary text or poem). Je t’ai dans la peau = I have you under my skin / You are an integral part of me (less used today). Je te kiffe/kiff = I love you (used by young people, and not only descendents from Arab origin any more; comes from the Arabic word “kef” which means to please). Je te kiffe/kiff grave = I love you a lot. Je te kiffe/kiff mortel = I am crazy about you. Je te love = I love you (another new fashioned word used by young people).
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 15
They said it so well Many French writers have written about love! Below, a few quotes from some of them – with our translation — and an audio link to help you understand better how to pronounce such beautiful phrases. Just in case… Plaisir d’amour ne dure qu’un moment, chagrin d’amour dure toute une vie = The pleasure of love lasts for but a brief moment, the sorrow of love lasts for a lifetime. Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian (1755-1794), in Célestine. This expression was also used in a popular song, more than 200 years ago, and is still well known by some older French people. Chaque jour je t’aime davantage, aujourd’hui plus qu’hier et bien moins que demain = Everyday I love you more, today more than yesterday and much less than tomorrow. Rosemonde Gérard (1871-1953), French novelist, in Les Pipeaux. This expression has become a popular one and is well known by the French. Quand je suis triste, je pense à vous, comme l’hiver on pense au soleil = When I am sad, I think of you, just as in winter one thinks of the sun. Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885), in a letter to his mistress Juliette Drouet. Un seul être vous manque, et tout est dépeuplé = When you miss but one human being, the whole world seems vacant. Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), in Méditations poétiques. Je ne sais pas où je vais ; mais je marche mieux quand ma main serre la tienne = I don’t know where I’m going; but I walk better with your hand in mine. Alfred de Musset (1810-1857), in Poésies nouvelles. Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne comprend pas=The heart has its reasons, that reason doesn’t understand. Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662) in Pensées. This quote has become a very popular expression in France. L'amour est clair comme le jour, l'amour est simple comme le bonjour… = Love is as clear as the day, love is as simple as saying good morning… Jacques Prévert (1900-1977), from a poem in Soleil de nuit. Aimer, ce n’est pas se regarder l’un l’autre, c’est regarder ensemble dans la même direction = To love is not to look at each other, it is to look together in the same direction. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), in Terre des hommes. Le cœur n’a pas de rides = The heart has no wrinkles. Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné (1626-1695), in one of her thousands of letters, which made up her main literary expression. Most of her letters, many of which were written to her daughter, were composed in the Château de Grignan, in the south of France (Drôme), where many literary events take place every summer. More info on Grignan, in English: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/jane/GrignanEnglish.html
Click here
Page 16
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
Tips & Traps EDF-GDF: watch out for errors! Some of the expatriates who have lived in France for some time may certainly have noticed that effective and satisfactory communication is often very difficult with big companies or institutions such as the Electricité de France (EDF) or Gaz de France (GDF), and that also they are not always very well organised. It is even worse when they make a mistake, especially when the civil servant working there is reluctant to accept responsibility and does not respond quickly to fix the problem! Below is Peta’s sad experience with EDF: “We moved to Brittany on 1st September 2007, and the previous owner kindly left us a form to fill in and send to EDF, establishing us as the new owners (the form was an official EDF form). I completed it and sent it with our RIB, as requested. The last owner had also written his meter readings on the form. After we sent it in, we never received a bill, or an acknowledgement. I did not take much notice of this, as I was too busy with the house move. But to our surprise, an EDF employee came to the house in our absence and cut the supply on December 4, exactly 12 weeks after our move! We had not received any warning, or previous phone calls. When I called them, they said that we had not established a contract with them! I told them I had and asked them to establish the power immediately and the lady on the phone responded that they did not have a technician available for 4 days! I had to insist, beg and cry for them to send someone immediately!
It was rather harsh and I would advise people to check with their local branch if they hear nothing. I think that the fault lies in the multitude of offices – EDF and GDF have combined – watch out for errors!!”
moving to France after that date will not qualify and will be required to seek private health insurance coverage. French Health Issues, a lobby group, declared the announcement a “great victory” for expatriates.
We would, therefore, advise that when sending a contract by the post, you send it registered with notice of receipt (recommandé avec accusé de reception, also called avis de réception) and follow it with a telephone call to make sure everything is in order!
A letter to the group from the British Embassy in Paris stated: “The new rules requiring inactive EU nationals from other countries living in France after November 23, 2007 to seek private cover still apply, but will now not retrospectively affect people already resident in France before that date.”
Health insurance: OK, finally, for previous residents A bit of good news, for once: the French government has finally, on 23rd January 2008, backed down over its decision to deny British expatriates living in France access to state health insurance (assurance maladie universelle by the Sécurité sociale). This announcement follows a letter which had been sent by the French authorities to early retired expatriates last September, in which they informed them that they would no longer qualify for government health insurance. And then, in November, the government softened its approach by stating that those already in receipt of state health insurance before November 23 rd would not be affected. Now it has now announced that all the Brits who were legal residents in France on or before November 23, 2007 – whether or not they were in the French health system before that date – will still be able to join it. Only those
All details and replies to the questions you may have about this regulation in the website of French entrée: www.frenchentree.com/ retiring-to-france
SNCF: In case of a strike This is not a hot news item, but we can confirm that it remains very difficult to get a refund if your train has been cancelled by one of the frequent strikes by workers in the French railroad system (SNCF). We had a personal experience with a strikerelated cancellation during the last nation-wide strikes of No-
It is quicker to visit one’s local train station than trying to communicate by e-mail.
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Tips & Traps (cont'd)
tience to continue visiting our local train station after it reopened, and negotiate with the person there — which, as we vember 2007. After trying already knew, takes time and twice to visit the nearest train patience too… stations, all closed without notice, we tried to get reimAnd the SNCF recently anbursed by sending an e-mail to nounced that they will no the SNCF (as there is no way longer reimburse a portion of to talk to a “real” person on travellers’ tickets because of the phone). Finally, we were delays in case of a strike. Nortold to send a letter requesting mally, according to the regulaa reimbursement (we sent a tion called engagement réguregistered letter, as always for larité, horaire garanti such things), and after a rather (regularity commitment, guarridiculous and unnecessary anteed timetables), if your exchange of letters, we finally train arrives more than 30 got reimbursed by credit card minutes late, you can request a three months later, with anreimbursement of 1/3 of the other letter mentioning that it ticket price. was “an exceptional case” even though all the trains had been cancelled by the strike for sev- Banks & Consumers eral days for the planned trip. We understood later that it The daily French newspaper would have been much Le Monde has recently pubquicker if we had had the pa- lished a list of Consumer or-
ganizations that can help if you have any problem with your French bank. Here is the list: 1) Specialized in banks and other financial problems: Association française des usagers des banques (AFUB) www.afub.org Testé pour vous www.testepourvous.com 2) For banks and any other consumer problem: Consommation logement et cadre de vie (CLCV) www.clcv.org UFC-Que Choisir www.quechoisir.org Idem
An Essential Book for Expatriates During The France Show in London, we met Geneviève Brame, a French author and consultant in international human relations, whose work, and personal motivation, consists mainly in helping expatriates to integrate better in France. Among her other publications, she issued last year a highly informative and interesting book: Chez vous en France*, with the selfexplained subtitle: Mille et une clés pour faciliter la vie (1001 keys to facilitate life). La Documentation française, 24 €. This book is full of information on so many general subjects such as history, economics, geographical and administrative subdivisions, but also on daily life in France, cultural and etiquette aspects, French language tips, fashion,
your copy, as an essential tool for a better integration — and all in French! Geneviève Brame is also the author and animator of a web site for teenagers made in cooperation with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in London: www.asapfrance.info art de vivre, art, gardens, holidays, consuming, etc. And, even more important, every administrative and legal question you may need to know when moving to France: the education system, every aspect of professional life and regulations, health and social security, taxes, and many other legal questions, all explained in a very simple and straightforward way, with many graphs, boxes, etc. We can only encourage you to get
* There is also an English version, but slightly different: Living and Working in France. Kogan Page Ltd. (Paperback). Last Edition: 2004.
Page 17
Page 18
French Accent, February-March 2008
This is France — Retiring in France
M
any of the numerous visitors to our booth at The France Show were English people who were considering retiring to France. Most of them had already travelled to France for holidays, and they commented that the pace of life is more relaxed than in the UK, and also that retirees are more integrated among the younger population, and contribute more to the life of the community and to cultural, leisure or sports activities. One must say that in our day and age, retired people have a much longer life span than those of the previous generations, and most of them hope to have a more active retirement than in former times. The grand-parents of today are often “young” seniors who are
In this issue’s feature, we first of all focus on four retired Brits who have settled in France and who relate their experiences. Following which, we present a few practical and administrative aspects of the life of retired expats in France, and we also provide a non-exhaustive list of the advantages reserved for those over 60 or 65. And Céline will explain that not only is one never too old to learn French, but that learning a language is even recommended as one of the prevention measures which can reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease!
The climate, the slow pace of life and the quiet ambiance in the villages, the way all seniors are well accepted and integrated, the many activities in which they can participate, and the lower cost of living, are most of the reasons why many Brits decide to retire in France. Photos: “Club des aînés”, La Faye, Charente¨, (left);
A.G.A.S.M. (Association générale amicable des sous-mariniers), Section Rubis, Toulon, Var (right).
Issue Number 11
Prendre sa retraite en France
P
armi les nombreux visiteurs de notre stand à The France Show, beaucoup étaient des Anglais qui envisagent de venir prendre leur retraite en France. La plupart y sont déjà venus en vacances, et ils ont constaté que le rythme de vie était plus paisible qu’en Angleterre, et aussi que les seniors sont mieux intégrés parmi la population plus jeune, participent davantage à la vie de la commune et aux activités culturelles, de loisirs ou sportives. Il faut dire qu’à notre époque les retraités ont une espérance de vie bien plus longue que ceux des précédentes générations, et la plupart ont envie de mener une retraite plus active qu’autrefois. Les grands-parents d’au-
Printable version
jourd’hui sont souvent de “jeunes seniors” encore très dynamiques ! Dans ce dossier, nous avons choisi de vous donner d’abord l’exemple de quatre retraités anglais qui sont venus s’établir en France et nous racontent leur expérience. Puis nous vous présentons certains des aspects pratiques de la vie des expatriés retraités en France, et nous vous donnons aussi une liste non exhaustive des avantages réservés aux plus de 60 ou 65 ans. Et Céline vous expliquera que non seulement on n’est jamais trop vieux pour apprendre le français, mais qu’apprendre une langue est même recommandé parmi les mesures de prévention pour éviter d’attraper la maladie d’Alzheimer !
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 19
Retirement in France, How is it? — 4 Testimonies
W
e have asked four British expatriates who have retired and live in France to tell us how it feels. To each of them we have asked the same questions: Can you briefly explain your typical day in France? What are some of the problems you have encountered regarding French administrative rules and procedures? Do you feel that you’ve made the right choice to retire in France? And what are some of the benefits and disadvantages of living as a retiree in France in comparison to living in England? Their replies are below.
Roger Donaldson, in the Aude There is no typical day for the expatriate in France. If there were, then life would become routine. That is why so many of us have come here, to escape the drudgery of life in England. For me life begins around 5.30 am with the arrival of the refuse collectors to empty the poubelles. The clatter of the poubelles and the men’s voices are sufficient to waken the dead in the nearby cemetery. Breakfast! Much as I enjoy the produce of the boulangerie, it does nothing for the waistline, so bread is reserved for Sundays or when family or friends come to stay. Breakfast
is fresh fruit or compote with cereal, and currently porridge for the cold mornings (there are very few). The beverage is tea with a slice of lemon and a spoonful of local honey. Then a walk to the newspaper shop for the English newspaper (Daily Telegraph). After a quick scan of the paper, it is time for some administrative work; letters to write, emails to check, bills to attend to, workmen to chase. Living alone, the housework is neverending, as every housewife will attest to. Situated on three levels, there is a constant round of cleaning, washing and ironing. Lunch around 12.30pm is usually a melange of fresh vegetables with
chicken or fish or pasta. Occasionally I’ll treat myself to a little siesta, then at least four times a week a walk in the area. It is good walking country. It is either in the garrigue, around the lake or seashore or along the falaise. The other three days I go for a swim at the local pool. The evening meal is usually a salad whilst I watch the evening news and Météo. That is the skeleton. You can add into that, visits to friends in and around the area, supermarkets, local markets, banks, the offices of various utilities, garages and notaires. I also have
“Life in my village is similar to that in England many, many years ago”.
an apartment nearby, and that, too, requires maintenance before the locataires season commences. And I am a member of a Masonic Lodge in Narbonne and a supporter of the Leucatois Local History Society. The bureaucracy in France is what I think drives every expatriate to distraction. There is no need for bureaucrats to work at speed to complete the job because the quicker they do, then another one will be waiting. My own situation is illustrative. Three years to get a permis de construire! Others in the village seemed to receive them within months. The plans are submitted and rejected with directions to amend them. They are resubmitted and again rejected after many months with further directions to amend. Even my architect was tearing his hair. Why were these not requested in the first instance? No response. Eventually after 2 years I request an interview with a local representative at the mairie and I’m assured there is no problem. Six
Vocabulary of Retirement L’âge de la retraite = retirement age (usually 60 years old in France) La retraite = pension. La pension (de retraite) = pension (but less used than retraite). La retraite de la Sécu / Sécurité sociale = the basic retirement pension, from the Social Security. La retraite de base = idem. La retraite complémentaire = complementary pension. Le plafond de retraite = the maximum pension one can receive (for example for the retraite de la sécu one cannot get more than 50% of an amount determined by the Social Security). Un régime de retraite = a retirement scheme. Toucher sa retraite = to receive one’s pension. Avoir une petite retraite = to get a small pension. Le départ en retraite = retirering – the point that one actually retires Prendre sa retraite = To retire.
Un(e) retraité(e) = A retired person La pré-retraite = an early retirement possibility offered by French companies and Social Security, that many French people use (usually at around 52-55 years old, sometimes even earlier). Une maison de retraite = a retirement home. Un club de retraités = a private leisure, social, sports or activities club whose members are retired persons. Communities usually make their municipal meeting halls available for meetings/ activities. Un club du 3e âge = idem. Un club des aînés = idem.
Page 20
Testimonies (cont'd) months and no further progress was being made. I requested an interview with the maire and asked if the problem was because I was English? One week later the permis was granted. The Utilities, especially France Telecom and EDF/GDF, do not respond to letters even if you supply a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Loose electrical cables have been exposed at my home for 5 years, but despite repeated requests to EDF/GDF no one comes. No one seems to care. Générale des Eaux seems to be better prepared and they even have an English desk. I paid in advance for my water meter to be moved, but 6 weeks later nothing had been done and other enterprises were having to wait. After a call to the Desk the work was done within 48 hours. Apparently authorisations for such work could only be dealt with by a certain fonctionnaire, and he only visited his office once or twice per week. This seems to be endemic. The work ethic also frustrates the nestbuilder. Workmen appear and then vanish for weeks at a time only to suddenly reappear without warning. Supplies only seem to be ordered at the last minute, and then the homeowner has to wait a further week or two for delivery so that work can then continue. But when you have been here for sometime you recall, C’est le Sud! Things are done and move a little more slowly here. Have I made the right choice? Undoubtedly, although the choice was not mine alone. My wife and I had bought this cave to renovate when she became terminally ill, but we agreed that I would carry out the original plan and I have not regretted it for one moment, although there have
French Accent, February-March 2008
been times of great frustration. I have a good quality of life. I eat well; plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Life is lived at a much slower pace, and it is generally a pleasure to drive one’s car. That is something that was lost a long time ago in England. It is almost gridlocked. In France, the rules generally are ignored. A oneway street means the way that the French driver is travelling. No dogs allowed on the beach means every other dog except mine, especially if it is not the same shape as the silhouette displayed. At my base in Leeds I constantly hear the sirens of emergency vehicles. It is a rare event here. I will keep advantages and disadvantages to a minimum. Life in my village is similar to that in England many, many years ago. The England that I knew has vanished under a tide of reckless immigration and political correctness. There is now “white flight”, a term from the USA indicating that the more affluent are leaving the cities to the underclass so that they are turning into “no go areas”. As I grew up people knew each other, especially their neighbours. Teachers would stop and speak to parents and tell them how good or bad their children were. The doctors had treated grand parents, parents and now grandchildren. Their family history was known. There was a communal spirit. That communal and family spirit still seems to exist in France. I know my neighbours. They know me and they speak to me. The shopkeepers ask after my health and when I will be next in England? There is genuine friendliness. I do not fear to walk the streets. I do not have to lock the doors of my car as I do when I drive through certain parts of Leeds. The alcohol fuelled violence is absent in this part of the
world. I cannot say that I have ever seen public drunkenness in France, except my own countrymen at airports. I find that a disgrace. The advantage, and it is a big one, is that I am at ease and there is a minimum of 300 days of sunshine. The disadvantage is that I am apart from the lady in my life and at times it can be quite lonely, but the situation seems to work for us. Perhaps one day we can share the good life together down here. I love my country of birth, but if I am to live for the remainder of my days in comfort then it has to be in France.
Denise Baldwin, in the Lot
Issue Number 11
Before I moved to France, I did a great deal of research on the internet with regard to the various administration departments I would need to deal with, the paperwork I would need for a carte de séjour and a carte vitale, and so I came prepared and had very few problems registering with these departments. In fact, the only problem I had was with France Telecom – which I hear is very common. I have made many friends here, both French and English. I joined the France/Grande Bretagne Association in Cahors where I attended social functions and also language classes. I also belong to a book group. We meet once a month to discuss and swap various English books, which is an excellent way of keeping down expenses with Amazon! For the last year I have been involved with refurbishing a small gîte in the garden which has kept me busy. It has been an experience I have never tackled before, and I have learnt quite a few DIY skills. It will be ready for the coming summer season.
“I love the pace of life here… and the empty roads”
I live in Sauzet, 23 kms from Cahors in this beautiful Department of Lot in south-west France. I moved here in September 2004 at the age of 62, following retirement. During my working life I was a career woman and spent a great deal of time travelling the world, so I never married. These travels also took me to Europe and in particular to France. I have loved France for many years as I came here for family holidays from a very young age and I could speak a little of the language.
I have no regrets regarding the decision to retire to France. I lived in the busy south-east of England where everybody seems to be in a constant hurry. I love the pace of life here and the weather – most of the time – and the empty roads. I have good neighbours and I could never afford to buy a property anywhere in the UK the size I have retired to here in Sauzet.
Sarah Rundle, in Gironde I don’t think we have a typical day! We live in a very rural area in Gascony in south-west France. If we are shopping in
Issue Number 11
Testimonies (cont'd) the local supermarket or going to a market, it means an early start as all the shops close for at least two hours every day at lunchtime, and by midday the markets are all packing up. Banks and many shops are also closed on Mondays. Lunch in this part of France is extremely important. If local artisans are working in the house, in our experience, they will arrive early, refuse a cup of coffee while they are working, leave for their lunch at noon on the dot return at 2.00 p.m. and work through until early evening. We had a wonderful experience with the lovely men putting in our central heating. On the first day I made the mistake of offering them a coffee when they arrived, this was refused as was the coffee offered when they returned from their lunch at 2.00 p.m. They were here to work not drink coffee! However, the next day they arrived back from lunch at 1.50 p.m. for coffee and insisted that we sit with them for ten minutes to drink our coffee and chat with them. This became a daily occurrence all the time they were with us. We finished up firm friends. We have two lively golden retrievers who make sure that we walk every day, usually in the afternoon by the river where we often meet local people walking or cycling and who always stop for a handshake and a chat. We both have French lessons once a week. We have recently joined a local group called Café Matin. The group consists of both English and French speakers of different nationalities who meet together regularly to exchange experiences and help each other out over any problems. Everyone is keen to improve both their French and their
French Accent, February-March 2008
English. We have also joined a gardening club, which again consists of both English and French speakers. The club organises many events during the year, which include visiting gardens, plant sales and local walks. We often go to concerts either in the open air in the summer months or in local churches. We have English television but also make sure we watch French television and listen to French radio as well. We enjoy using the internet and Skype. We learnt the hard way and very quickly that the way to deal with French administration is to find out exactly what paperwork is needed before you start and make sure that you take it with you, in duplicate, to whichever office you are going to, together with everything that you think you don’t need but just might do! Whatever you are trying to do, whether it be buying a house, registering an English car, changing your driving licence or joining the health system, if you are lacking any piece of relevant information or do not have something stamped and dated in the correct place, you will be sent away! Having been married for 40 years, I have almost forgotten my maiden name, but in France a married woman’s maiden name is extremely important, and for some reason mine was spelt incorrectly on the computer when we first registered with CPAM (Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie), which meant that my husband’s Carte Vitale duly turned up but mine did not! The misspelling of my maiden name never occurred to me as the problem until we finally visited the local CPAM office to ask where my card was and the lady there, also mystified, showed me what was on her
Page 21
computer. Once the mistake heard of and children and teenhad been rectified, the card agers are generally well beduly arrived! haved and polite. One thing that is missing in the large We had to fight France Tele- towns in France is customer com for ADSL as we live in service in the shops; it leaves a such a rural area, but we did lot to be desired. The English win that one in the end and are much better at that! now have good access to the internet. Something that perhaps we should have done differently is Do we feel that we’ve made the the choice of where to live. right choice to retire in We chose to live ‘in the middle France?... The answer to that of nowhere’ and consequently question is yes, but we do ad- it has taken longer, and been mit to missing the countryside harder, to integrate than it and sea in Cornwall, where we would have done if we lived used to live. We find the closer to neighbours and French way of life and values shops. very similar to those in England twenty years ago. Had A benefit to us personally, these values and way of life not compare to England, is the changed so dramatically in the French tax system. However, past few years in England, it that, of course, depends on would never have occurred to personal circumstances. The us to retire to France. Our health system in France is exexperience in this part of cellent and very different to France is of extremely friendly the NHS. It is not totally free, people, always willing to stop but it is fast with hardly any for a chat or to help. Crime waiting lists and is of enorrates are low, traffic jams un- mous benefit to us. Our GP
“We feel more valued as older people in France than we do in England”
Page 22
Testimonies (cont'd) knows us as people, and remembers our problems as do the owners of the local pharmacy. We also feel more valued as older people in France than we do in England. And the dryer climate is of great benefit.
French Accent, February-March 2008
French, also lives in south-west France.
Diane Reeves, in Dordogne I'm 48 and live with my husband. We have a daughter who, having gone through the French education system, is now in the UK for 4 years to study be an osteopath. We moved to France in 1991 and spent most of our time restoring and building our houses. We have not worked in France, although we did rent our house for a few years in the summer months. At the moment, most of our days are spent working on a new house, so we leave our house at about 8:30 to go to the building plot till late afternoon, so there is not much of a link to being in France, now that we have passed the planning stage.
The big disadvantage to us personally is that we do not speak fluent French, and this can, on occasion, lead to a feeling of isolation and extreme frustration. We have found it much harder to learn the language than we anticipated. Progress is a little slow and memory retention is far slower than it was when we were younger. However, we really enjoy the stimulation of learning French and understanding the differences between the two cultures. Although, again, on a more personal note, we Our problems with the French are lucky in that one of our administration began when daughters, who speaks fluent we applied to get our visas to
“France still has space and lots of small country areas which have not been spoiled”. be able to come to France, it took us months to get the documents to prove we had a house, and then several trips to the London French Embassy. This took about 18 months or more, and then we had to repeat everything again once in France. I think the most annoying thing is the amount of times you have to supply the same documents in triplicate. But one soon learns to be persistent and then wait. We have always enjoyed living here and have no regrets at
Issue Number 11
making the move, although the pace of life here has changed rapidly in the last few years and I expect before long everyone one will be as busy as it appears they are in the UK. But at the moment, the locals at least still have time for their families and friends, and life is not all about making money. As to benefits & disadvantages of France vs. England, I'm not sure that having lived here for so long I can say. One of the things we like is that France at the moment still has space and lots of small country areas which have not been spoiled by over building, unlike the south of England. House prices are still lower, but everyday living costs are about the same. The biggest disadvantage is the language, unless one is fluent. Interviews by Céline Anthonioz
Vocabulary of grand-parents Grand-père = grand-father. Grand-mère = grand-mother. Grand-père paternel/maternel = grand-father, on father/mother’s side. Pépé/mémé = grand-dad/grand-ma (an old-fashioned term in France, still common in some places, such as Switzerland, but that some young grand-parents might find pejorative). Papy/papi et mamy/mammy/mamie = grand-dad and grand-ma (more modern terms, that each family spells as they wish). Pépère/mémère = grand-dad/grand-ma (a very old fashioned term, still used in some villages, but that we won’t recommend you use). Bonne maman = grand-ma (an affectionate term used by grand-children when talking to/about their grand-mother, also a bit old-fashioned but more appreciated). Petit-fils/petite-fille = grand-son, granddaughter. Les petits-enfants = grand-children. (Note : un petit enfant, without a dash between petit & enfant, only means a small child).
In March: grand-mother’s day! Every year in March, the first Sunday of the month (2 March this year), is la fête des grand-mères, created in 1985. Of course, it is another commercial event but some French celebrate it, mainly by offering the grand-mother a bouquet of daffodils or a children’s drawing, or by paying a special visit to older ones.
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 23
Discounts for Senior Citizens in France
T
here are some interesting and not always welladvertised reductions in price for seniors in France, which can be somewhat of a help to the pocketbook of those living on a retirement income. It pays to be aware of these discounts and to assert oneself and ask for them if you think it might be a possibility. Most commercial outlets do not offer anything in the way of a reduced price for retirees, but you will find reductions in prices for:
Movies
and
Theatres:
most cinemas and some theatres offer reduced rates for people over 60. Some for only certain showings and on certain days, but it pays to ask, and the conditions are normally posted at the box office.
Museums and Expositions: again, as with films and plays, some museums offer reduced admission prices for those over 60. Some larger cities (Paris and Lille, for example) offer what is called a Pass Senior for residents over 60 which gives them reductions in the entree fees at municipal sports facilities, museums, expositions, and discounts on municipal rapid transit systems. Check with your local city hall for possibilities where you live.
Ski Resorts: most offer a fairly substantial reduction for those over 60, and many offer free lift tickets for those over 70 or 72. Check the websites of the resorts.
Travel: - The SNCF offers the carte senior for reduced prices for train travel. The card costs 55
price, and you earn 1.5 S-Miles for every euro spent on tickets. You can also earn S-Miles through purchases at participating stores, including the Casino supermarket chains. Additional information is available on the following link: euros per year and is a very http://www.senior-sncf.com convenient way to save money if you travel frequently by - Air France advertises special train. With the advent of the prices for seniors over 60, and relatively cheap Prems tickets Anyway.com has a link for for the TGV, the carte senior people over 60 when you do a does not always guarantee you search for flights, but several the lowest prices. However, tests of this feature didn’t rethere are a limited number of turn any difference in ticket Prems seats on any given train, prices. However, you can alyou must reserve well in ad- most always find much cheaper vance to be sure and get one travel on low-cost airlines such AND those tickets are non- as Ryanair and EasyJet. refundable and nonexchangeable, unless there is a - Travel agents and large-scale railroad strike and you can’t tour operators, as they are possibly use them. With a sen- called in France, offer reduced ior discount ticket with the prices for seniors on holiday carte senior, the price is only packages: FNAC, Access Voyjust slightly more than for a ages, Go Voyages, LastminPrems, but, and this is a big ute.com, Jet Tours, Nouvelles advantage, the tickets are ex- Frontières, le Club Mediterchangeable and refundable free ranée. of any fees if changed before the scheduled departure day, - Avis car rentals has a and for a fee of 3 euros if Carte Avis Club Senior that changed or returned on the day provides up to a 30% reof departure (prior to the depar- duction for those over 60. ture time). The card guarantees a 25-50% reduction for TGV - Europcar offers 15% off its trains and 50% for Corail and rentals for those over 55. TER trains. For someone who travels four or five times per - Mercure hotels (Accor year, the carte senior makes a lot Group) are supposed to offer a double room for the price of a of sense. single for anyone over 55 and a The SNCF has also just begun a second buffet breakfast free for series of various incentive cards the second person. However, I (cartes de fidelité) that offer S- was unable to find any mention Miles for travel that work just of this on their web site. It like the airline frequent flyer would be worth while asking miles programs. It is possible when booking a reservation. to get a senior card in this cateRoger Stevenson gory for the same 55 euros/year
Click here
Page 24
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
It is never too late to learn French!
A
s a French teacher, I often hear people say, “I am too old to learn French now”! After three years of teaching French at Learn French at Home to English expatriates with different French levels and of varying ages, I can testify that age is not necessarily a factor (unless you’re a small child) in one’s ability to acquire a second language. Motivation is the key! I’ll never forget the time when one of my current students called me two years ago, a man in his sixties who lives in the South of France, and said to me: “I have been living in France for three years and can-
At a mature age, people are more prone to be much more serious about learning a language.
not put a sentence togetherand to top it off, I am clueless about grammar, even in the English language!”. Being a man of communication, he was feeling a sense of frustration. I suggested that he take one lesson per week followed by some homework. He took the learning process seriously, and today this same man speaks about most subjects to everyone in his village and is very excited about grammar! Motivation enabled him to break through this psychological barrier to language learning. Many others have experienced the same thing. At a mature age, people are more prone to be much more serious about learning a language, and most of the time the person will diligently devote the necessary study time for the task. On the other hand, you cannot force a younger person to learn if he or she is not motivated. I’ve seen better and more consistent results with the more mature people than with some younger adults (who many times don’t have time to allocate to learning French).
mental health effects of learning a second language. Dr Andrew Weil, the author of Healthy Aging*, states that learning a foreign language can reduce the risk of age related symptoms such as “memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s”. Dr. Weil wrote: “You don't have to master it. Just the attempt to learn a language is like running different software through the brain. You're exercising more communication channels in the brain.” In his blog**, Dr. Weil also said in reply to a question: “Learning a language is another perfect challenge to take on now that you've retired. Some people have a natural ear for language and learn quickly, but anyone who can hear and imitate sounds can learn a new language at any age. And you don't have to master it; it's the attempt to learn that gives the benefit… Learning another language should be more protective than any supplements or smart drugs designed to stave off cognitive decline.” Céline Anthonioz www.learnfrenchathome.com
Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease!
* Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Another factor concerning Guide to Your Physical and people of a certain age and lan- Spiritual Well-Being: Knopf. guage learning is that more and 2005. more doctors stress the positive ** www.drweil.com
A Few Useful Websites Useful information on health, insurance, social assistance, practical life, retirement, activities, etc. can be found in several websites, such as the one of the well-done magazine dedicated to senior, Notre Temps: www.notretemps.com Other websites: www.seniorplanet.fr www.senioractu.com www.seniorplus.fr www.clubseniors.com www.fiftiz.fr
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Questions about the French Administrative System
B
efore making the big decision to move to France, there are a lot of things to consider, questions to ask, and investigations to make. As you can see from the testimonials above, you may need some time to deal with administrative matters, and frustrations can occur from delays or unexpected and complicated formalities. Among the questions you will have to ask yourself: will it be difficult to have your monthly pension payments transferred to a bank in France? Will it be subject to UK or French taxes? What about other French taxes, such as housing taxes, TVA…? What to do with
your investments? The French health care system is said to be much better than in the UK, but what steps must you take enrol in it? How does the French insurance system work, and what kind of insurance will you need? What about inheritance laws, which are very different from the UK’s? How to chose a removal firm to ship your belongings?...
advice on pensions, investments and taxation, and have offices in the UK and France, and a team of regional advisers based across France. The first interview is free, you pay only for the written report they send you after having assessed your situation. Several users have made positive comments on forums about their competence.
Most of these important administrative and practical matters have been listed, and presented in a very simplified way, on the French Entrée website* that we can only encourage you to visit. It is very upto-date. All articles in the “Retiring to France section” are written by specialists from a specialized firm that they recommend to consult for more professional and specific advice: Siddalls**. Independent financial advisers for the British in France, they provide
And please don’t hesitate to write to us with your own experiences or adventure on a specific difficulty you have encountered and how you dealt with it. These may be of help to other expatriates, and we will, as much as possible, help you find the right reply to your questions. Contributions should not exceed 300500 words. * www.frenchentree.com/ retiring-to-france ** www.siddalls.com
A Senior Fair in March The 10th annual Salon des seniors will take place in Paris (Porte de Versailles), from 27 to 29 March 2008 (10:00 am to 6:00 pm). The show was created in 1998 by the most important French magazine for seniors, Notre Temps. More than 230 exhibitors will put information on many aspects of life at the disposal of an expected 30,000 visitors: employment, health and staying in good shape, quality of life, legal and financial matters, new technologies and tourism. Seniors, who usually have more money than young people and more time to spend it, are increasingly becoming the target of marketing strategies. According to figures given by the organizers of this event, people 50 years and older represent 60% of the French national wealth with 132 billion € of buying power, and that those above 50 have incomes that are 20% higher than those under 50! Therefore, one can expect to be bombarded by commercial offers, but visitors to the show will certainly also find a lot of practical and administrative information which might be useful. For more information: www.salondesseniors.com
Click here
Page 25
Advertise with us: Click HERE
Page 26
French Accent, February-March 2008
Les élections municipales
French Politics — Municipal Elections
T
he municipal elections in France scheduled for March 9 and 16 will again bring the voters to the polling booths. While these local elections are undoubtedly more personal and touch the lives of the inhabitants of France’s cities and villages in a more direct way, the voter turn out is, nevertheless, somewhat lower than for presidential elections (close to 70% for the 2001 municipal elections compared to nearly 84% participation for the 2007 presidential elections). Municipal elections are also potentially the most complicated and difficult to understand of all the elections held in France because of the proportional system used and the different methods of attributing seats on the municipal councils according to the size of the community. All of France’s local municipal counsellors, are elected by universal suffrage to six-year terms of office. The mayors and adjunct mayors are elected in turn by the newly elected municipal counsellors. (Those currently holding such positions have, however, served for seven years, since the munici-
pal elections that should have been held in 2007 were postponed for a year in order not to burden French voters with too many elections in a year of both presidential and legislative elections). Contrary to the procedure in other countries, the United States, for example, the mayor is not elected directly by the residents of the community. He or she runs as a candidate for the position of municipal counsellor, and is also usually the head of his party’s list of candidates (see below). Once the municipal counsellors have been elected, they in turn meet within the week following the election to elect the mayor and the adjunct mayors from among themselves.
D
e nouveau en 2008 les électeurs vont se retrouver dans les bureaux de vote dans toute la France, cette fois pour les élections municipales, qui se tiendront les 9 et 16 mars. Bien que ces élections touchent et concernent sans nul doute bien plus directement les habitants des villes et villages de tout le pays, la participation est généralement un peu plus faible que pour les élections présidentielles (près de 70% lors des municipales de 2001 contre presque 84% pour les présidentielles de 2007). Et elles sont aussi probablement les plus compliquées et les plus difficiles à comprendre de toutes les élections françaises, à cause du système proportionnel utilisé, et des différentes méthodes d’attribution des In most cases, depending on sièges dans les conseils municipopulation size, the municipal paux selon la taille de la comelections are proportional elec- mune. tions where the various political parties or coalitions present En France, tous les conseillers lists of candidates. The distri- municipaux sont élus par sufbution of the seats on the mu- frage universel, et pour six ans, nicipal council will be deter- puis ils désignent à leur tour les mined by the percentage of maires et leurs adjoints (ceux votes each list obtains. Each qui occupent actuellement ces list has a head of list designated fonctions sont toutefois restés who, logically, will be elected en poste durant sept ans, car les the mayor should his or her élections municipales, qui aulist obtain a majority of the raient dû se tenir en 2007, ont
On March 9 and 16, the French will elect the municipal councellors, who in turn will elect the mayors, of every village and city of France. Even in Saint-Germain-de-Pasquier, a village of 90 inhabitants in Normandy, which has the smallest Mairie of France (2,7 x 3 m)! © Pierre Sbasnik
Issue Number 11
Printable version
été repoussées d’un an pour ne pas imposer trop de votes aux électeurs la même année que les présidentielles et les législatives). Contrairement à la procédure utilisée dans d’autres pays, aux Etats-Unis par exemple, le maire n’est donc pas élu directement par les résidents de la commune. Il est d’abord candidat à un poste de conseiller municipal, et est en général la tête de liste des candidats d’un parti (voir ci-dessous). Une fois que les conseillers municipaux ont été élus, ils se réunissent au plus tard une semaine après pour élire, parmi eux, le maire et ses adjoints. Dans la plupart des cas, selon la taille de la population, les élections municipales sont à la proportionnelle, et les différents partis ou groupements politiques présentent leur propre liste de candidats. La répartition des sièges au conseil municipal est déterminé par le pourcentage de voix obtenu par chaque liste. Et c’est, logiquement, celui qui figure en tête de la liste ayant obtenu la majorité des sièges qui sera élu maire. Selon le nombre d’habitants, ces listes sont soit complètes (c’est-à-dire avec le même nombre de candidats
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 27
In Paris, the very popular Socialist Bertrand Delanoë, the current mayor, is challenged by the pro-Sarkozy Françoise de Panafieu...
Politics (cont'd) seats. Again, depending on the size of the community, those lists are either complete lists, i.e. the same number of candidates as there are seats on the council, or partial lists, which is the case for smaller communities. Beginning with the municipal elections of 2001, French electoral law also required gender parity in the establishment of the lists, a requirement that will be enforced even more rigidly for the 2008 elections. As a result, the number of women elected to municipal councils nearly doubled in 2001 over the previous elections.
Different systems depending on the population In communities with over 3,500 inhabitants, voters are given complete lists of candidates on voting day and they must vote for a single list and cannot make any changes or additions to the list. If one list obtains an absolute majority of the votes cast on the first
round, that list will be awarded 50% + 1 seats on the council and the remainder of the seats will be divided among all the lists, including the winning list, that had at least 5% of the votes according to the percentage of votes the list received. If no list receives an absolute majority on the first round, a second round is held one week later and those lists that had at least 10% of the votes in the first round will still be in the running. In the second round a relative majority is all that is necessary for a list to win. Also on the second round, any list that had at least 5% of the votes in the first round is allowed to form an alliance with another list that had more than 10% and to present a modified list of candidates for the second round. In those communities with fewer than 3,500 inhabitants, the procedure is largely the same with the exception that voters can vote for candidates from different lists and the seats on the council will be awarded according to the votes
Politique (suite) que de sièges au conseil municipal), soit partielles, ce qui est le cas dans les petites communes. Et depuis les municipales de 2001, la loi électorale française exige aussi que la parité homme-femme soit respectée lors de l’établissement des listes, une exigence qui sera encore davantage renforcée lors des élections de 2008. C’est ainsi qu’en 2001, le nombre de femmes élues conseillères municipales a pratiquement doublé par rapport aux élections précédentes. Dans les communes de plus de 3500 habitants, les électeurs reçoivent des listes complètes de candidats et doivent glisser une seule liste dans l’urne sans pouvoir y faire le moindre changement ou addition. Si une liste obtient une majorité absolue de voix au premier tour, elle se verra attribuer 50% des sièges + un, les autres étant divisés parmi toutes les listes (y compris la liste majoritaire) qui ont obtenu au moins 5% des voix, et la répartition se fait selon le pourcentage de voix obtenues par
chacune. Si aucune liste n’a la majorité absolue au premier tour, un second tour se tient une semaine plus tard, et les listes qui ont eu au moins 10% des voix seront de nouveaux soumises aux électeurs. Au second tour, seule une majorité relative est nécessaire pour gagner. Egalement au second tour, toute liste qui a eu au moins 5% des votes au premier vote est autorisée à former une alliance avec une autre ayant obtenu plus de 10%, et à constituer une liste modifiée de candidats pour le second tour.
Dans les petits villages, les listes peuvent être incomplètes Dans les villages de moins de 3500 habitants, la procédure est pratiquement la même, avec l’exception que les électeurs peuvent voter pour des candidats de listes différentes, et que les sièges au conseil sont attribués aux candidats ayant obtenu le plus de votes, et non à la proportionnelle. Et dans les villages de moins de 2500 habitants, les listes incomplètes et les candidats indépen-
Page 28
French Accent, February-March 2008
she die while in office or re- Politique (suite) tire, new elections are not individual candidates receive held, but rather a new mayor dants qui ne figurent sur aurather than on a proportional will be elected from the re- cune liste sont autorisés. Les électeurs ont même le droit de basis. If a community has maining city counsellors. rajouter des noms sur les bullefewer than 2,500 inhabitants, incomplete lists and individual In the three largest cities in tins. candidates who are not on any France, Paris, Marseilles and list are permitted. Voters are Lyon, the city council mem- Le maire est élu par vote also allowed to write in candi- bers are elected according to secret par les conseillers the number of arrondissements dates names on their ballots. in the city, with each arron- Une fois que les conseillers Once the city councils have dissement assigned a number municipaux ont été élus, ils been elected, they must meet of seats on the council accord- doivent se rencontrer dans le within the week after the elec- ing to its population. Actu- délai d’une semaine après les tions to elect the mayor by ally, each arrondissement elects élections pour choisir leur secret ballot. His or her elec- in the two rounds of the mu- maire par vote secret, et celui-ci tion must be by an absolute nicipal elections a certain num- est élu à la majorité absolue. Si, majority. If after two rounds ber of counsellors of the arron- après deux tours, aucun n’obof voting there is no winner, a dissement depending on the tient la majorité, un troisième third round is held and a rela- population of the arrondisse- tour se tient, et seule une majotive majority is all that is nec- ment. A predetermined num- rité relative est alors nécessaire. essary to win. The adjuncts to ber of these counsellors, again Les adjoints au maire sont élus the mayor are also elected at according to demographics, are en même temps et de la même this time and in the same man- also designated as municipal manière. Le maire nouvellener. The newly elected mayor counsellors for the overall city ment élu est aussi le président also serves as the president of council. Paris with its 20 ar- du conseil municipal. S’il/elle the city council. Should he or rondissements, for example, has décède en cours de mandat ou
Politics (cont'd)
Issue Number 11
quitte ses fonctions, il n’y a pas de nouvelles élections municipales. Le maire qui lui succède est élu parmi les conseillers restants. Dans les trois plus grandes villes de France, Paris, Marseille et Lyon, les conseillers municipaux sont élus selon le nombre d’arrondissements de la ville, chacun se voyant attribuer un nombre de sièges selon sa population. Plus précisément, chaque arrondissement élit durant les deux tours des élections des conseillers d’arrondissement dont le nombre dépend de celui des habitants. Certains de ces conseillers, dont le nombre est également prédéterminé par la démographie, sont aussi désignés comme membres du conseil municipal principal de la ville. Le conseil municipal de Paris par exemple, avec ses 20 arrondissements, a 163 sièges. Après
… while in Lyon , the current mayor, the Socialist Gérard Collomb (left) will have to confront the rightist Dominique Perben.
Issue Number 11
Politics (cont'd) 163 seats on the municipal council. The newly elected municipal counsellors of the city of Paris then elect the overall mayor. A week following the election of the mayor of Paris, all the counsellors of the respective arrondissements, including those who have been designated counsellors of the Paris municipal council, meet to elect the mayor and adjuncts of the arrondissement. The end result is that, again taking Paris as an example, there is one overall city council for the entire city of Paris and a mayor. Each arrondissement has its own municipal council and mayor. Jean Tiberi, for example, was the mayor of Paris prior to the 2001 election when he was unseated by Bertrand Delanoë. Tiberi is, however, the current mayor of the 5th arrondissement.
Any citizen of an EU country residing in France can be eligible to vote, and be a candidate.
The interesting thing about municipal elections is that not only French citizens, but any citizen of an EU country residing in France is not only eligible to vote in municipal elections but can also be a candidate provided that they are tax payers in the community, have registered at their city hall for inclusion on the voter lists (listes électorales) and have received a carte d’électeur. The deadline for signing up to vote for the upcoming municipal elections was December 31, 2007. There are, however, exceptions: residents who ob-
French Accent, February-March 2008
tain their French citizenship (naturalisation) after Jan 1st or young people who turn 18 after Jan 1st can register to vote after the December 31st deadline. There will be some fascinating battles to watch in both some smaller local communities as well as the larger metropolitan cities. The current mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë is being challenged by a candidate from the right, Françoise de Panafieu of Sarkozy’s UMP party. She is also a deputy in the National Assembly and the mayor of the 17th arrondissement. It is, however, unlikely that the right will be able to unseat the popular socialist mayor, who is also a potential presidential candidate for the 2012 elections. The city of Lyon will also be the site of a no-holds-barred battle between the right and the left. Current mayor, Gérard Collomb, a Socialist, will face a stiff challenge from Dominique Perben (UMP) in an attempt to win back the city hall from the left. The current mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppé, who was defeated as a candidate for the National Assembly in the last legislative elections, is on shaky ground in his attempt to retain his seat as mayor. The voters in the city voted largely for Ségolène Royal in the presidential elections and could well turn against Juppé in the municipal elections. Although sometimes confusing and difficult to understand (and the French think the American system of choosing it’s presidential candidates is confusing), the March elections will be hotly contested as both the right and the left seek to outdo the other in the fight for control of municipal councils and France’s major cities. Roger Stevenson
Politique (suite)
Page 29
Sarkozy. Elle est également députée à l’Assemblée natioe les municipales, les conseillers nale et maire du 17 arrondissement. Il semble toutefois peu nouvellement élus désignent, par vote, le maire de la ville. Puis une semaine suivant l’élection du maire de Paris, tous les Tant la droite que conseillers de chaque arrondissement (y compris ceux qui ont la gauche cherchera été désignés membres du conseil à combattre l’autre municipal de Paris), se renpour tenter d’exercer contrent pour élire leurs maires un contrôle politique et adjoints respectifs. Il en rédans les principales sulte donc, toujours en prenant villes. l’exemple de Paris, que pour l’ensemble de la ville il y a un conseil municipal et un maire, et que chaque arrondissement a probable que la droite parégalement son propre conseil et vienne à déloger le maire sociason maire. Jean Tiberi, par liste très populaire, qui est exemple, qui était le maire de aussi un candidat potentiel aux Paris avant les élections de 2001 élections présidentielles de (lorsqu’il a été remplacé par 2012. La ville de Lyon sera Bertrand Delanoë), est toujours, aussi le siège d’une compétiaujourd’hui, le maire du 5e ar- tion sans merci entre la droite et la gauche. Le maire actuel, rondissement. le socialiste Gérard Collomb, Un aspect particulier des élec- se trouvera face à face avec tions municipales est que non Dominique Perben, de l’UMP, seulement les Français, mais qui cherchera à faire basculer aussi les citoyens de pays de la ville vers la droite. Tandis l’Union européenne résidant en que le maire de Bordeaux, France, sont éligibles à partici- Alain Juppé, qui s’était vu per au vote, et peuvent même écarter de l’Assemblée natioêtre candidats, pourvu qu’ils nale lors des dernières élechabitent et paient leurs impôts tions législatives, aurait des dans la commune, se soient problèmes pour conserver son inscrits sur les listes d’électeurs, poste de maire. Les électeurs et aient reçu une carte d’élec- de la ville avaient largement teur. La date limite pour s’ins- voté en faveur de Ségolène crire était le 31 décembre 2007. Royal lors des présidentielles, Il y a toutefois des exceptions : et pourraient très bien se reles résidents qui obtiennent leur tourner contre Alain Juppé c i t o y e n n e t é f r a n ç a i s e durant les municipales. (naturalisation) après le 1er janvier, ou les jeunes qui ont 18 Bien qu’elles semblent très ans après cette date, peuvent confuses et souvent difficiles à s’inscrire après le 31 décembre comprendre (alors que les Français trouvent le système afin de voter. de sélection des candidats des Il sera intéressant d’observer élections américaines très nécertaines batailles passionnan- buleux), les élections de mars tes, aussi bien dans certains seront fortement contestées, villages que dans de grandes car tant la droite que la gauche métropoles. Le maire actuel de cherchera à combattre l’autre Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, se pour tenter de pouvoir exercer retrouve confronté à une candi- un contrôle politique sur les date de la droite, Françoise de conseils municipaux des prinPanafieu, de l’UMP, parti de cipales villes.
Page 30
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
Oh la la la la ! ! ! … Unbelievable but True Stories from France… SPEEDY SARKO — Who said that French administrative procedures were slow? Just take our president as an example: very much in love with Cécilia in May 2007, they were divorced on 18 October (something that usually takes six months to a year with a normal waiting period of 3 months), he then married Carla, with whom he is very much in love, on 2 February! But we must say that his campaign promise to simplify the French administration was put into place very quickly.
SPEEDY SARKO — Qui a dit qu’en France les démarches administratives étaient très longues ? Regardez notre Président: très amoureux de Cécilia en mai 2007, il divorce le 18 octobre (ce qui prend souvent de 6 mois à 1 an, surtout que la durée légale d’attente après la 1ère conciliation est de 3 mois) et se remarie avec Carla, dont il est très amoureux, le 2 février suivant! Mais il faut dire qu’il avait promis en étant élu qu’il simplifierait l’Administration, et ferait tout très vite.
HATS OFF! — While Sarkozy was dressed to the hilt for his third marriage, Mitterand’s wardrobe was being sold at auction. It was the Socialist Party that bought the former president`s hat for 7,800 €. Perhaps they hoped to be able to pull out a magic formula after their defeat in the presidential elections.
CHAPEAU! — Tandis que Sarkozy se mettait sur son 31 pour célébrer son 3e mariage, la garde-robe de Mitterrand était mise en vente aux enchères. C’est le Parti socialiste qui, pour 7800 €, a acheté le chapeau de l’ancien Président. Peut-être dans l’espoir d’y trouver une formule magique après l’échec du PS aux présidentielles?
FIGURES — Strange goings on for the municipal elections: Mont St-Michel (Manche) has 99 voters on its voter list, while there are only 43 inhabitants. But, to be able to vote, one must pay taxes in the community. 54 business people who don’t live there but who pay taxes there are eligible to vote. But not the 3 million tourists who visit the site each year.
CHIFFRES — Bizarrerie des prochaines élections municipales: la cité du Mont St-Michel (Manche) compte 99 électeurs, alors qu’elle n’a que 43 habitants. Car pour voter, il faut payer ses impôts dans la commune. Or 54 commerçants, qui n’y vivent pas, y paient leurs impôts, et peuvent voter. Mais pas les 3 millions de touristes par an qui la visitent.
LICENCE PLATES — Licence plates are scheduled to be standardized throughout Europe on 1 January 2009, which doesn’t make the French very happy, since they will no longer have the number of their department on their plates. 30 different general councils have begun a campaign to retain the numbers, such as the Ardèche (07) a lucky number for the department according to the council president.
PLAQUES — Au 1er janvier 2009 les plaques numérologiques des voitures vont être uniformisées en Europe, ce qui ne plaît pas du tout aux Français car ils ne seront plus identifiés par le numéro de leur département. 30 Conseils généraux ont lancé une campagne de mobilisation pour le maintien de ces numéros. Tels l’Ardèche, 07, chiffre qui porte bonheur au département selon le Président du Conseil.
French lessons for children! “Learn French at Home” has recently started special lessons for children (6-12 years old)! Children learn quickly and are generally attracted and motivated to learn if the lesson is performed in a relaxing and fun atmosphere. Taking lessons via Skype is exciting because kids love to use the computer and appreciate the real time interaction! The teacher targets the lesson's objective towards comprehension. Through games, pictures, drawings, short role plays, songs and more, he/she keeps the student's attention in a fun and relaxing atmosphere during the entire lesson. Only needed: a pair of earphones, a webcam and some visual teaching materials. Every lesson lasts for 30 minutes and after the lesson, the child will receive the vocabulary learned during the lesson via email as well as one or two exercises to do as homework. Lessons can be taken on a weekday or on a week-end at a suitable time for your child.
Each lesson with the homework preparation and corrections costs 27 €. 4 lessons minimum sign-ups.
www.learnfrenchathome.com
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 31
Our Planet — Le Grenelle de l’environnement
W
hat Steps has the French Government Taken to Protect the Environment? To show the French people that the government is doing something positive to protect the environment, Nicolas Sarkozy, Jean-Louis Borloo (Minister of Environment) and the French government organized an impressive gathering last October bringing together many international environmental groups, such as Greenpeace, WWF… Al Gore and Wangari Maathaï, both Nobel Peace Prize laureates, were also invited. The Grenelle* de l’environnement took place in Paris on October 24th and 25th, 2007. The three priorities discussed during this convention were: the fight against global warming, the protection of biodiversity and the reduction of pollution. After three months, what are the lasting results and conclusions of these discussions? Which actions will be taken and are they really going to change anything? During the Grenelle, the following recommendations were approved:
- to reduce the use of pesticides by half, but no definitive deadlines were established (at first, they mentioned that this action would take place over a 10-year period!); - to suspend the growing of GMO (Genetically modified organisms) crops. An official government moratorium on GMO crops was put in place in January 2008; - to create a windscreen sticker (écopastille) for newlypurchased cars where those with CO² emissions below a certain level will receive a government rebate (from 200 to 1000 euros), and buyers of those vehicles that don’t meet emissions levels will have to pay an additional fee (from 200 to 2,600 euros) to register their car; - to create 1500 kms of new tramway lines in several French cities; - to triple the organic agriculture output over the next 5 years; - to reject the decision to reduce the speed limit by 10 kms/hour (which would have been quite positive not only for the environment but also for road safety, health and traffic noise!)
Resignation of environment associations Nevertheless, on December 7th, many environmental associations decided to end their participation because they were not happy about different points such as: the nuclear debate where the government stated that even if they develop renewable energy resources, they could not do without nuclear energy. The refusal to reduce the speed limit on the highways and the subject of pesticides were the other main subjects of disagreement.
Printable version
for the French population to give the impression that the government is very concerned about the environment and is willing to do something about all the problems, but, in reality, it seems to be more a façade than a real plan of action. Vincent Anthonioz * From the name which had been given to the agreements (les Accords de Grenelle), that were negotiated during the May 1968 student-led riots, which were held at the French Ministry of Labour on the Rue de Grenelle in Paris.
The Grenelle de l’environnement has also been criticised by many observers and journalists because the decisions were made by Nicolas Sarkozy together with the nine main organisations chosen by the Government, while many other organizations were excluded from the decision making process. Some are saying that the Grenelle is “sarkocomptatible mais le sarkozysme is not écolo-comptatible”. In conclusion, it seems that this event was created as a government-sponsored showpiece
Al Gore was invited to the discussion.
Environment Fairs in Paris: Vivre autrement & Ecobat Like every year, two joint exhibits will take place in Paris, but this time in two different locations: - 13-16 March: Vivre autrement (Live differently), on environmental protection, organic food, clothing and other products, gardening, etc. Parc floral de Vincennes, Metro: Château de Vincennes + free shuttle. - 14-16 March: Ecobat: environmentally-oriented habitat and house building and equipment, such as heating through solar systems or other renewable energy sources, treatment and catching of rain water, etc. Hall 5,1. Porte de Versailles. www.salon-vivreautrement.com www.salon-ecobat.com
Page 32
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
Click here! Click here
Solution from page 8
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
The French Scene — Yves Lecoq & Les Guignols de l’Info
Y
ves Lecoq, whose real name is Yves Lecoquierre Duboys de la Vigerie, was born in 1946. He has a singular passion in his life: castles. This passion has led him to purchase several of them, most of the time with the intention of restoring them, but also to live in them, as he cannot imagine living elsewhere than in an old stone house in which he has invested heart and soul – and he is spending every cent that his career as actor and humorist brings in. And indeed he is mainly known for his amazing talent as an imitator of the voices of well known personalities, a talent that can be fully appreciated when one watches the satirical puppet show on Canal +, Les Guignols de l’info (broadcast each weekday evening from 19:58 to 20:07 on Canal + and repeated at 20:35 on Canal + Décalé). Lecoq does the voices for several of the most popular puppets on the show. Created in 1988, Les Guignols is a wonderful and extremely funny parody of life in France in which every political personality, show business celebrity, minister, etc., has his/her own latex puppet and are introduced and interviewed by the TF1 TV news anchor Patrick Poivre d’Arvor (usually called PPDA). The most famous puppets are Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, George Bush, and, of course, PPD (his abbreviation on Les Guignols) himself. In a recently published autobiography*, Yves Lecoq reflects on his life (with, of course, a lot of stories about his castlemania), and on the many shows on which he has appeared. But the most interest-
ing are probably the many anecdotes he cites about his imitations of a Guignol puppet – one should say puppets in the plural as, indeed, for the past 20 years he has been the voice of more than 150 different characters appearing in the daily show! Not only is he the voice of PPD who appears on every show, but also of Chirac, Sarkozy (and every previous French President such as Giscard d’Estaing or even Charles de Gaulle), both Presidents Bush, Sylvester Stallone (see below), Le Pen, former minister Jack Lang, etc., and many famous singers, male and female, such as Johnny Hallyday or the famous couple of the 1970s Serge Gainsbourg and British actress Jane Birkin… as he also imitates women.
Page 33
Printable version
vote for Chirac on the 2nd round). The evening the results of the first round were to be announced, the staff of Les Guignols, as did all journalists, knew already in the afternoon the results of the voting. In a naïve attempt to change the course of history, Yves Lecoq and his friends decided to do something which is strictly forbidden by French law: they announced the results before the fixed time of 8:00pm (the closing time of the last polling places). As Les Guignols are broadcast three minutes before 8:00pm, their initiative should have resulted in a cancellation of the 1st round of the elections. Unfortunately, said Lecoq, “Les Guignols are not considered to be a news broadcast but rather an entertainment programme. The elections were not invalidated”…
*Mémoires d’un Guignol, Robert Laffont, 20 €.
Among the anecdotes he tells, he remembers that when NicoAnnick Stevenson las Sarkozy, then a minister, complained to President Les Guignols’website, on which the last shows are accessible: Jacques Chirac that Les www.canalplus.fr/index.php?pid=1784 Guignols were never very kind to him, Chirac replied: “Just leave them be; they are only kids!” And indeed, there is in France a kind of complicity which, over time, was created between Les Guignols and Jacques Chirac, whose puppet was particularly well done, and which the sketches in the show portrayed in a rather positive light. Lecoq recalls another anecdote involving Chirac. It took place the evening of 21 April 2002, the presidential election day that remains a nightmare to all French people, when Chirac found himself face to face with Le Pen instead of Socialist Lionel Jospin at the end of the 1st round (a situation which “forced” 82.21% of the electors, including all Socialists, to Yves Lecoq surrounded by PPD and Jacques Chirac’s puppets.
Page 34
French Accent, February-March 2008
Advertise with us: Click HERE
Issue Number 11
Les Guignols: Two Examples of Sketches 1) With the puppet of Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy : Alors là, laissez-moi vous dire que nous serons intraitables avec les propriétaires de chiens méchants. Et je fais confiance à la ministre de la Justice, Rachida Dati, qui fait un travail remarquable pour s’occuper de ce dossier. PPD : Evidemment…
Français, nous reviendrons sur l’attribution des droits de la Ligue 1 qui n’ont toujours pas trouvé preneur*. Zinédine, vous nous ferez part de votre expertise : est-ce que la Ligue 1 vaut 650 millions d’euros ? Zidane : Non, pardon… avant de parler, c’est dans mon contrat, pardon, je dois citer mes sponsors. PPD : Bon, ben... allez-y, oui ! Zidane : Si je suis là ce soir c’est grâce à Canal Satellite, Orange, Ford, Vêtements Z, Yves Rocher, Suchard, Nestlé, Danone, Apple, Brandt, Rowenta, Vélux, Jardiland, Eurodisney, McDonald, Sony, Benenuts, Apéricube… PPD : Ouh la ! Il n’en est qu’à l’apéritif. Eh bien le mieux c’est d’y revenir !...
PPD : Monsieur le Président, l’affaire EADS* rebondit, avec ce rapport de l’autorité des marchés financiers qui parle d’un délit d’initiés (insider trading) massif de la part des actionnaires et des patrons * A scandal in which Daimlerd’EADS. Chrysler and Lagardère, Sarkozy : Vous avez vu ma among other senior executives Rolex ? and shareholders of EADS, the PPD : Euh, non… Airbus consortium, are susSarkozy : Quoi ? Elle est pas pected of massive insider tradbelle ? J’ai fait changer le braing of their shares in 2006 celet à New York, ça m’a rien while Airbus was facing a ficoûté. Ils sont bien Rolex, asco. According to the Socialhein ? Bon ça paie cash au déists, the previous French Govpart mais sur le service après ernment (of which Sarkozy vente ça coûte zéro, y a rien à was a member as Minister of dire. Interior and of Finance) must PPD : Oui, mais je voulais share the blame for the scandal parler d’EADS et du délit d’ibecause of political interfernitiés qui semble avéré * The Ligue 1 de football ence. (acknowledged). (French soccer championship) Sarkozy : Et ma ceinture ? was discussing bids for the 2) With the puppet Vous l’avez vue ma ceinture ? rights to its television’s broadPPD : Non, mais… of Zinédine Zidane casts, but the quality of the Sarkozy : C’est une Gucci, elle Ligue is not that good, and the tape (shows it), hein ? C’est PPD : Aujourd’hui c’est Ziné- TV channels wanted to pay less tout en croco (crocodile). Et le dine Zidane qui nous accompa- than before for such rights. pire c’est que j’en ai même pas gnera tout au long de ce jourbesoin pour tenir mon panta- nal. Avec le sportif préféré des lon parce que je suis très sportif. Mais bon, ça en jette (that’s obvious) alors je la mets quand même. Elle est classe (looks classy) non ? J’en ai 4 comme celle-là. PPD : OK, oui. Mais quand on pense aux employés d’EADS qui sont en plein plan de licenciement, c’est d’un cynisme ! Sarkozy : Vous savez où je vais ce week-end ? Je vais à Monaco. Je dors sur un yacht. 33 mètres ils m’ont dit. Cinq cabines, jacuzzi, salle de cinéma et tout ; ça ira super bien avec ma Gucci. Yves Lecoq (left) with the main character he imitates, TF1 TV news PPD : Oui… Autre sujet anchor Patrick Poivre d’Arvor (usually called PPDA, PPD scandaleux : les chiens for the Guignols) who has become his friend. méchants. The picture has been taken in Courchevel (Savoie).
Issue Number 11
L
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 35
Les vieux, Jacques Brel
es vieux ne parlent plus ou alors seulement parfois du bout des yeux Même riches ils sont pauvres, ils n'ont plus d'illusions et n'ont qu'un cœur pour deux Chez eux ça sent le thym, le propre, la lavande et le verbe d'antan Que l'on vive à Paris on vit tous en province quand on vit trop longtemps Est-ce d'avoir trop ri que leur voix se lézarde quand ils parlent d'hier Et d'avoir trop pleuré que des larmes encore leur perlent aux paupières Et s'ils tremblent un peu est-ce de voir vieillir la pendule d'argent Qui ronronne au salon, qui dit oui qui dit non, qui dit : je vous attends Les vieux ne rêvent plus, leurs livres s'ensommeillent, leurs pianos sont fermés Le petit chat est mort, le muscat du dimanche ne les fait plus chanter Les vieux ne bougent plus leurs gestes ont trop de rides leur monde est trop petit Du lit à la fenêtre, puis du lit au fauteuil et puis du lit au lit Et s'ils sortent encore bras dessus bras dessous tout habillés de raide C'est pour suivre au soleil l'enterrement d'un plus vieux, l'enterrement d'une plus laide Et le temps d'un sanglot, oublier toute une heure la pendule d'argent Qui ronronne au salon, qui dit oui qui dit non, et puis qui les attend
deux qui reste se retrouve en enfer Vous le verrez peut-être, vous la verrez parfois en pluie et en chagrin Traverser le présent en s'excusant déjà de n'être pas plus loin
humour and sadness. On the stage he was extremely expressive and frequently brought his Et fuir devant vous une dernière audiences to fois la pendule d'argent tears or had Qui ronronne au salon, qui dit them laughing. oui qui dit non, qui leur dit : je An acute and sensitive eye to observe t'attends An excellent the world and the people around him. Qui ronronne au salon, qui dit film actor oui qui dit non et puis qui nous attend. He was also an excellent film actor and played in many great Paroles: Jacques Brel. Musique: movies, such as Mon oncle BenJacques Brel, Gérard Jouannest & jamin by Edouard Molinaro or Jean Corti, 1964. L’aventure c’est l’aventure, by © Editions Musicales Pouchenel. Claude Lelouch. It was during the shooting of this last movie Le Grand Jacques that he met his second wife, was a real poet Madly Bamy, and decided to leave Paris to settle in the MarOf course, Jacques Brel is not quises Islands, where he spent French, but like so many Bel- the final years of his life before gian artists and singers, he is an returning to Paris for a last integral part of French culture, stay in hospital. He is buried and his voice has accompanied in the Marquises, close to the many French people for several French painter Paul Gauguin generations. The famous song, (1848-1903), whom he admired Les vieux, was even taught at immensely. school more than 25 years ago, as our co-editor Vincent re- Ne me quitte pas... members. Born in Brussels in 1929, raised in a modest and Among his other very welltraditional family, Jacques Brel known songs: Ne me quitte pas, died of cancer in Bobigny (a Quand on n’a que l’amour, Le suburb of Paris) in 1978, at plat pays, La valse à mille temps, only 49 years of age. Les bourgeois, Amsterdam, or Le grand Jacques, as he was often called, was not only a composer of hundreds of songs and a singer with a very strong and captivating voice, he was a real poet and a man full of passion, and he also had an acute and sensitive eye to observe the world and the people around him. He was known as being both full of generosity and heart, while his songs combine
Les bonbons. Last December, a British actor, Anthony Cable, played Jacques Brel in a musical entitled, The Rage to Live, shown in London (New End Theatre) and directed by Judith Paris. Cable sang several of Brel’s songs in English.
Les vieux ne meurent pas, ils s'endorment un jour et dorment trop longtemps Ils se tiennent par la main, ils Annick Stevenson ont peur de se perdre et se perdent pourtant Et l'autre reste là, le meilleur ou To listen to Les Vieux: le pire, le doux ou le sévère www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZjDjdTxpaM Cela n'importe pas, celui des
Page 36
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
Deux dictées Beginner Level
Translate into 50 languages
Savez-vous à quel âge on peut partir à la retraite en France ? Normalement, à soixante ans. Pour certaines professions difficiles, c’est entre cinquante-six et cinquante-neuf ans. Mais le gouvernement veut augmenter l’âge du départ en retraite à soixante-cinq ans. Je ne connais pas beaucoup de Français qui travaillent jusqu’à soixante-cinq ans.
in 1 click: here!
Intermediate Level Le climat nous inquiète, et sur plusieurs plans. Le climat politique, social, moral de la France pose déjà bien des problèmes, et voici que le climat physique de notre planète manifeste des sautes d’humeur inquiétantes. Le réchauffement climatique est clairement l’effet d’un développement industriel hâtif, incontrôlé, irresponsable, mais nécessaire. La pollution est humaine, mais sûrement pas humaniste, ni humanitaire.
Exercise on savoir and connaître: Solutions from page 6 -Est-ce que vous savez où est le restaurant La Boussole ? Je sais qu’il n’est pas loin d’ici. -Est-ce que vous connaissez Robert ? Il m’a dit qu’il vous connaît. - Je sais cuisiner beaucoup de plats mais je ne connais pas la cuisine Bretonne. - Sais-tu dire le mot “attic” en français ? Sais-tu par quelle lettre le mot commence ? - Connais-tu le village de Vinezac ? Non, je ne connais pas ! - Est-ce que Patrick connaît la tradition du vil-
lage ? Est-ce qu’il sait qu’il doit inviter tout le village à boire un verre ? Ça s’appelle le verre de l’amitié. - Nous savons qu’il est parti ce matin de bonne heure, mais savez-vous où il est allé ? - On ne sait pas quoi faire ce soir. Connaistu un bon pub irlandais où on peut boire une bière ? - Connais-tu son papy ? Il est très sympa, mais il ne sait même pas faire une omelette.
Herbier de souvenirs Entre dans les poèmes, lis doucement, accueille les phrases et les mots. Furtivement, avec ton crayon, copie tes mots préférés. Choisi celui que tu aimes, écris ce que tu ressens et, à ton tour, deviens poète. Ecris tes impressions, tes émotions, compose ton poème. From: Couleurs, lumières et reflets By Rolande Causse Editions Actes Sud Junior Chosen and read by Alexandra
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
A Selection of books L’art d’être grand-mère Every letter of the word grandmère reflects a quality of what a perfect grandmother is, or should be: G as in generous (généreuse) R as in reassuring (rassurante) A as in adorable (adorable) N as in necessary (nécessaire) D as in delicious (délicieuse) M as in magnificent (magnifique) E as in energetic (énergique) R as in rare (rare) E as in efficient (efficace). This most interesting book begins with this example of an acrostic (acrostiche). The book presents a wide variety of games, recipes, funny ideas and children’s songs that a normal grand-mother would enjoy teaching to her grandchildren, and it is extremely well illustrated with old images, paintings and ads from the past. A good way to become more familiar with French culture and to be ready to play with French children. By Claude Aubry & Claire Laroche, Ed. Horay, 2007, 27 €. Published in 2005, but still available on the Amazon website (www-amazon.fr): L’art d’être grand-père, is the grandfather version of the same book, in the same collection. Authors: Claude Aubry & Eugène Collilieux, 22 €.
Anticancer This book has quickly become a major and serious analysis of the fight against cancer. The author describes in many clear details and examples all the natural ways which can prevent cancer or help to cure it. The recipes are simple, he explains: we should try to protect ourselves against the aggressions of the environment such as the many products that increase pollution or cigarettes; change our diet, heal our psychological problems by becoming more serene and master one’s life; and take better care of one’s body, mainly by being more adaptable and through regular exercise. The author himself is a cancer survivor, and tells through his own experience how he confronted the disease and cured himself. The book is accompanied by a 16-page illustrated guide, very easy-toread, on daily habits to adopt. David Servan-Schreiber, the oldest son of Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber, a famous, late French journalist and politician, is a researcher, writer and a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also the co-founder of the Centre for Complementary Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and one of the cofounders of the US branch of Doctors Without Borders. It was also in the United States that he wrote his doctoral thesis under the direction of Nobel Prize winner Herbert Simon. His latest book,
Guérir (“Healing without Freud or Prozac”), which has been translated into 28 languages, sold more than a million copies in French. More on the website: www.anticancer.fr By David Servan-Schreiber, Robert Laffont, 2007, 21 €.
Ni d’Eve ni d’Adam A very funny book by a Belgian novelist who is extremely popular among the French public, especially the young. Born in Japan in 1967 to a family whose head, a diplomat, had travelled the world over, she left Japan when she was 5 years old but still retains a lot of nostalgia for this country. She returned to Japan for about a year when she was a student and worked in a Japanese firm. In her first book about this experience published in 1999, Stupeurs et tremblements, which quickly became a bestseller and was also adapted for the cinema, she recounts the awful experience she had working for a tyrannical Japanese boss in a traditional company where her misunderstanding and/or ignorance of many aspects of Japanese culture caused her untold grief. This latest book is a totally different story, much more positive about Japan and very funny. It is all about her relationship with a Japanese student, Rinri, to whom she teaches French, and who eventually becomes her boyfriend. Full of hilarious anecdotes, it is written, as usual for this author (who has a very original and personal style), in a very direct and quite simple language. It should be relatively easy to understand for Anglophone readers who are able to read French novels. By Amélie Nothomb, Albin Michel, 2007, 17,90 €.
Page 37
Page 38
French Accent, February-March 2008
Issue Number 11
Le père Achille — First Instalment In this issue we present the first of two parts of a short tale by Alphonse Daudet, a 19thCentury writer who is best known for his short stories. He was born in Nîmes and went to school in Lyon. After an unsuccessful start as a school teacher in Alès in the south of France, he devoted himself to letters. His most well-known collection of short stories is called Lettres de mon moulin and his account of the last class session before the occupation of Alsace-Lorraine at the end of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870, La dernière leçon, has become a classic. The following story details a startling revelation for a working-class and childless couple who are nearing the end of their active lives.
M
idi sonne aux cloches des fabriques ; les grandes cours silencieuses s'emplissent de bruit et de mouvement.
A portrait of Alphonse Daudet.
Le Père Achille, Alphonse Daudet. In: Contes choisis: la fantaisie et l'histoire, G. Charpentier, 1882.
La mère Achille quitte son ouvrage, la fenêtre où elle était assise, et se dispose à mettre son couvert. L'homme va monter pour déjeuner. Il travaille là tout près dans ces grands ateliers vitrés qu'on aperçoit encombrés de pièces de bois, et où grincent du matin au soir les instruments des scieurs de long... La femme va et vient de la chambre à la cuisine. Tout est soigné, tout reluit dans cet intérieur d'ouvrier. Seulement la nudité des deux petites pièces est plus frappante à ce jour éclatant du cinquième étage. On voit des cimes d'arbres, les buttes Chaumont tout en haut, et çà et là de longues cheminées de briques noircies au bord, toujours actives. Les meubles sont cirés, frottés. Ils datent du mariage, comme ces deux bouquets de fruits en verre qui ornent la cheminée. On n'a rien acheté depuis, parce que, pendant que la femme tirait courageusement son aiguille, l'homme dépensait ses journées dehors. Tout ce qu'elle a pu faire, ç'a été de soigner, d'entretenir le peu qu'ils avaient. Pauvre mère Achille ! encore une qui en a eu des tristesses dans son ménage. Les premières années surtout ont été bien dures. Un mari coureur,
ivrogne, pas d'enfants, obligée par son métier de couturière à vivre toujours enfermée, toujours seule dans le silence et l'ordre monotone d'une maison sans enfants où il n'y a pas de petites mains pour brouiller les pelotons, ni de ces petits pieds qui font tant de poussière et de joli train. C'est cela surtout qui l'ennuyait ; mais, comme elle était très courageuse, elle s'est consolée en travaillant. Peu à peu le mouvement régulier de l'aiguille a calmé son chagrin, et l'intime contentement du travail fini, d'une minute de repos au bout d'une journée de peine, lui a tenu lieu de bonheur. D'ailleurs, en vieillissant, le père Achille a bien changé. Il boit tout de même toujours plus que sa soif ; mais après il se reprend mieux à son travail. On sent qu'il commence à la craindre un peu, cette brave femme qui a pour lui des tendresses et des sévérités de mère. Quand il est ivre, il ne la bat plus jamais ; et même de temps en temps, honteux de lui avoir fait une jeunesse si triste, il l'emmène promener le dimanche aux Lilas ou à Saint-Mandé. Le couvert est mis, la chambre en ordre. On frappe. “Entre donc !... La clef est sur la porte”. On entre, mais ce n'est pas lui. C'est un grand beau garçon d'une vingtaine d'années, en bourgeron d'ouvrier. La mère Achille ne l'a jamais vu ; pourtant il y a pour elle dans l'expression de ce jeune et franc visage quel-
que chose d'intimement connu, et qui la trouble : - Qu'est-ce que vous demandez ? - Le père Achille n'est pas là ? - Non, mon garçon, mais il va rentrer bientôt. Si vous avez quelque chose à lui dire, vous pouvez l'attendre. Elle avance une chaise ; puis, comme il lui est impossible de rester inactive, elle se remet à coudre dans l'embrasure de la croisée. Celui qui vient d'entrer regarde curieusement tout autour de la chambre. Il voit une photographie au mur, s'approche et l'examine avec attention : - C'est le père Achille, ça ?... La femme est très étonnée : - Vous ne le connaissez donc pas ? - Non, mais ce n'est pas l'envie qui m'en manque. - Mais, enfin, qu'est-ce que vous lui voulez ? Est-ce pour de l'argent que vous venez ? Il me semblait pourtant qu'il ne devait plus rien à personne, nous avons tout payé. - Non, non, il ne me doit rien. C'est même assez singulier qu'il ne me doive rien, puisque c'est mon père. - Votre père ? Elle se lève toute pâle, son ouvrage lui glisse des mains. - Oh ! vous savez, madame Achille, ce n'est pas pour vous faire affront, ce que je vous dis là... Je suis d'avant votre mariage. C'est moi le fils de Sidonie ; vous avez peut-être entendu parler de ma mère ? (à suivre)
Issue Number 11
French Accent, February-March 2008
Page 39 Printable version
Une recette de cuisine : La fondue suisse au fromage et bolets
L
C
heese fondue is a specialty of both Savoie and Haute-Savoie (fondue savoyarde) in the Alps and of Switzerland. However, the recipe we present in this article calls for Swiss cheeses. Fondue is most often made from cheese alone, but adding some boletus (or any other mushroom) makes it even more delicious. Ingredients for 4 800 g cheese. Several possibilities for this Swiss fondue: - 400 g Swiss gruyère, 400 g vacherin de Fribourg - or 400 g Swiss gruyère, 400 g Appenzeller - or approx. 1/3 Swiss gruyère, 1/3 vacherin de Fribourg, and 1/3 Appenzeller. 3 glasses white wine (dry) 3 garlic gloves 2 tablespoons Kirsch 10 to 15 g corn starch 15 g dried boletus 1 large loaf of bread (or 2 baguettes), cut in small cubes an hour beforehand. It is best to use bread from the day before that has dried out a bit, because bread that is too fresh might disintegrate too easily in the hot cheese.
a fondue au fromage est une spécialité à la fois de Savoie et Haute-Savoie (fondue savoyarde) dans les Alpes, et de Suisse. Celle que nous vous proposons dans cet article est faite à partir de fromages suisses. Le plus souvent, on utilise seulement du fromage, mais y rajouter quelques bolets (ou autres champignons) lui donne un goût encore plus savoureux.
Once all ingredients are ready, cut the three cheeses in slices and put them in the fondue pot.
Add the Kirsch and corn starch mixture...
Utensils 1 earthenware fondue pot (or a saucepan with thick bottom) 1 fondue set with either an alcohol, electric or gas burner Preparation 1 hour before, soak the dry boletus in a bowl with water and a little bit of milk. Peel the garlic and rub the inside of the fondue pot with a garlic glove. Remove the rind and cut the cheese in slices (or grate with a coarse grater) and put it in the fondue pot. Chop the garlic and add it. Add the white wine. In a small cup, mix corn starch and Kirsch with a small spoon and set aside. Place the fondue pot on the stove and melt everything at a medium heat while stirring it continuously with a wooden spatula. Once the fondue starts to boil, add the drained boletus and then the Kirsch and corn starch mixture. Let it cook for another 1 or 2 minutes, light the alcohol burner and serve it. Bon appétit !
Ready to start!
Ingrédients pour 4 personnes 800 g de fromage. Plusieurs possibilités pour cette fondue suisse : - 400g de gruyère Suisse, 400 g de vacherin de Fribourg - ou 400 g de gruyère Suisse, 400g d’Appenzeller - ou environ 1/3 de gruyère Suisse, 1/3 de vacherin de Fribourg, 1/3 d’Appenzeller. 3 verres de vin blanc sec 3 gousses d’ail 2 cuillères à soupe de Kirsch 10 à 15 g de fécule de maïs (Maïzena) 15 g de bolets séchés 1 gros pain (ou 2 baguettes) coupé en cubes 1 heure avant. De préférence choisir du pain de la veille, légèrement rassis, car le pain trop frais se désintègre trop facilement dans le fromage. Ustensiles 1 caquelon à fondue (ou une casserole à fond épais) 1 réchaud Préparation 1 heure avant, faire tremper les bolets dans de l’eau avec un peu de lait. Eplucher l’ail et frotter le caquelon avec une gousse. Eplucher et couper le fromage en lamelles et mettre dans le caquelon. Hacher l’ail grossièrement et l’ajouter. Verser le vin blanc. Préparer une petit tasse dans laquelle on mélange la Maïzena et le Kirsch avec une petite cuillère. Faire fondre le tout sur la cuisinière à feu moyen en mélangeant continuellement avec une spatule en bois. Dès que la fondue bout, ajouter les bolets égouttés, puis le mélange Kirsch et Maïzena. Laisser cuire en mélangeant bien pendant 1 à 2 minutes, allumer le réchaud et servir la fondue. Bon appétit ! Vincent Anthonioz
No one can fully enjoy life in a foreign country without speaking and understanding the language! You are an expatriate in France or you are thinking of moving to France. You need to learn the language to benefit fully your daily life in France. You are planning on doing business in France or you are learning the French language for pleasure, but… you are tired of learning French on your own with CDs and books. From the comfort of your home, we offer “one-to-one lessons” with a French teacher, a real person on the Internet via Skype or on the telephone! An extremely efficient and comfortable way of learning!
What are the main benefits of the “Learn French at Home Programme”? Flexibility - We offer time flexibility – you can change your lesson date and time on a weekly basis! Personalisation - Each lesson is personalised to your current French level and to your goals. You will gain true confidence in speaking! Results - Personalised French lessons and homework will get you positive results on a weekly basis! Read what the students are saying. Credibility - Our French teachers are experienced, patient and friendly. Every lesson is backed up with notes and homework. The teacher communicates with the student closely at all time and gives continuous feed-back. Motivation - The homework deadlines, the corrections of the teacher and the "question du jour" in our forum will continuously motivate you to learn French and to progress outside of your French classes! Commitment - We ask you to commit to only 4 weeks of French lessons at one time! The time and financial risks are minimal. Recording - For a small fee, you are able to download a recorder which enables you to record the entire lesson on Skype and to listen to it as many times as you wish. You can also download your lesson on a mp3 file or copy it onto a CD.
3 French Learning Programmes to choose from! If you are connected to the internet, Click here Or send us an email at : contact@learnfrenchathome.com Learn French at Home
+33 (0)8 70 40 81 17 (local call cost in France) www.learnfrenchathome.com
TESTIMONIALS "I like the flexibility of learning this way because I can have weekly lessons regardless of where I am in the world. I am also learning French quicker than other methods or lessons." Paul in Daglan, Dordogne, France. "I really enjoy the lessons and my neighbours and friends in my village comment on my progress, so it's great." Alana in Aude, France. "Learning French at home, is a brilliant concept… Every time I visit France now my friends and relations remark on how my French is improving and I am amazed at myself sometimes just how much I have learnt." Marian in Backhurst Hill Essex, UK. "Since starting with Learn French at Home last March 06, my confidence on the phone and face to face conversation has increased incredibly..." Shelley in Lot et Garonne, France. "...When I visited France this summer I was very confident to speak French and found that I was well understood, and didn't revert to english at all." Joanne in Birmingham, UK. "The teacher's answers to my questions and explanations of concepts are very clear and I feel like I'm getting a good vocabulary in each lesson. Julie in New York, USA. "...Tailored to suit my own needs, it is fun, interesting and, most of all, it's working!!"... Tricia in Dordogne, France.