The Bugle Dordogne - Feb 2018 by The Bugle

The most French of job applications

One enterprising Dordogne student, looking for a job, has placed her CV... >> Page 3 on the side of a 2CV November 2016 - Issue #85

Dordogne

Your local newspaper for life in France

February 2018 - Issue 56 - FREE!

Bayeux Tapestry heading to the UK The bone-eaters are back in town - page 11

President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to lend the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK at

a recent Franco-British summit. It will be the first time the tapestry has left France

in nearly 1,000 years Bayeux Museum in Normandy, which currently houses the 68-metre-long tapestry, has confirmed preparations are under way for it to be moved, although tests will first be carried out to ensure the delicate artwork can be transported without damaging it. It could be as long as five years before it arrives in the UK, a timeframe that would coincide with the planned closure of the Bayeux Museum for refurbishment. “At the moment we need to remain calm over the situation because no one knows if it’s possible to send the embroidery to the UK,” said a spokesperson

>> continued on page 8

David Suchet stars in Dordogne drama - pg 3

Cross-Channel takeaway curry - pg 7

Nutella discount sparks riots - pg 10

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 15-17

he Bayeux Ta p e s t r y c o u l d be about to leave France for the first time in 950 years after an agreement was made between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Theresa May to loan the iconic artwork to the UK. The agreement was made after “months of talks between culture department officials in London and Paris”, but it has not yet been decided where in the UK the tapestry will be displayed. Possible locations include the British Museum, Westminster Abbey or Canterbury Cathedral. The director of the

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

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Welcome to

The Bugle

don’t know if there is an equivalent in the print publication world of a telegram from the Queen, but if there is, one should be heading this way as we speak as this month we printed the 100th edition of our sister edition The Bugle Limousin! It doesn’t get any easier pressing the Big Red Button each month and sending the files on their merry electronic way to our print shop in Angoulême. With that click of the mouse, any mistake, omission or inaccuracy is trapped in electronic amber and can not be undone. I remember the first time I hit the BRB on our first ever edition in late October 2009. There was pressure, to be sure, but no one knew what The Bugle was, no one was waiting for it to be printed and our lead headline (“2,000-yearold sausage rediscovered in Creuse”) hopefully nodded towards us not taking ourselves too seriously. The real pressure came in the following months when it looked like my madcap idea might actually work, advertisers had invested cold hard cash, readers began expectantly enquiring

when the next one would be out and I didn’t have all summer to prepare each edition. After graduating, I deliberately chose a profession that did not require any qualifications, as I always hated exams and the huge amounts of pressure and adrenaline that accompanied them. (Before that momentous day in 2009 - and for about a year afterwards as well - I was a computer programmer, in case you’re interested! A science geek with less than zero journalistic experience!!) Pushing the BRB is probably the worst thing about this job. The cycle of relief, catching up with life (and sleep), then the gradual ratcheting up of pressure in the build-up to the next print day... I can only compare it to sitting a big, scary exam every 30 days!! There are around 15,000 words in each edition to first write, then edit and fit on the page. Along with that, each paper contains numerous ads and countless other images, graphics and snippets of text. That’s a lot of opportunities to get something wrong! But then again, pushing the BRB is also the best bit. Anyone who went through

further education will probably remember that feeling when you wake up the day after your last exam: the sun is shining, the pubs are open and the day is yours to do with as you will. At that moment, the hardships you have had to endure previously are all worth it for the euphoric sense of relief at it all being behind you. OK, so three children have put pay to lie-ins, all day breakfasts and lazy days in my local’s beer garden, but I get to do the middle aged Dad equivalent. Getting up 10 minutes before the school bus leaves, not even thinking about checking my phone, before pulling on jeans over pyjamas for the short drive to the bus stop. Then it’s jeans off, a cup of tea on the sofa and a few hours of whatever minority sport is on Sky Sports 7... heaven!! When you’ve worked that hard, there is zero guilt attached to doing whatever the heck you like for a little while!! On those days, I wouldn’t have it any other way... but right now, with hours to go and panic setting in, I do feel myself questioning my sanity! Despite all that, it is incredibly rewarding and I am extremely proud of what I have achieved over the years and I’m very much looking forward to celebrating the 100th edition of The Bugle Dordogne... we’re over half way there already! I have some big plans for 2018, so watch this space!! As I have said many times in the past, a massive thank you should go here to everyone who helps to get this paper put

together and distributed each month and for the continued support of our hard-working advertisers. Make sure to let them know you saw their advert in these pages and we can continue to bring you breaking news of 2000-year-old sausage discoveries for many years to come!! Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

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INSIDE this edition

3-5 Local News

6-11 National News 12-14 French Life 15-17 Directory 18 Community 19-20 What’s On

General: editor@thebugle.eu Advertising (EN): sales24@thebugle.eu Publicité (FR): publicite@thebugle.eu Subscriptions: subscriptions24@thebugle.eu

Copy deadline:

15th February for March’s print edition

LOCAL NEWS ♦ 3

FEBRUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Student’s CV on a 2CV David Suchet stars in Dordogne drama

inding a good work experience placement can be a nightmare for many students, but one Dordogne resident has come up with a clever way to show what she can do. Jeanne Théry, a marketing student from Périgueux, has turned her father’s car into a travelling billboard in the hope of finding an internship. Jeanne’s choice of vehicle is itself clever marketing, using an iconic 2CV to carry her CV. The ambitious 22-year-old spent 100 euros on three magnetic panels bearing her contact details and even a QR-code and stuck them on the front doors and boot of the car. The 2CV (“deux chevaux-vapeur”, literally “two steam horses”) was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1948 and was in production until 1990. As iconic as the beret and the baguette, the

concept for the original 2CV was a low-priced vehicle that “can carry four people and 50 kg of potatoes or a keg, at a maximum speed of 60 km/h”, if necessary across muddy, unpaved roads. Another design requirement was that the driver should be able to drive eggs across a freshly ploughed field without breaking them. The outbreak of World War II caused the launch of the vehicle to be abandoned, but when it was finally unveiled after the war, the result was a design classic that would become as recognisable as the Eiffel Tower. Before production finally stopped more than four decades later, 3.8 million classic 2CVs had been built, although, in all its variants, Citroën manufactured more than 9 million 2CVs. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

anuary saw another coup for the Dordogne film-making industry with the preview of an episode of a French blockbusting TV series set in and around Monpazier. In the latest instalment of the “Capitaine Marleau” series, the feisty, eccentric detective from the Gendarmerie Nationale solves a tricky local crime, this time with the help of Poirot. Not actually Hercule Poirot, the eccentric Belgian detective, but rather the British actor David Suchet who played the famous sleuth on so many occasions. In the episode, Suchet stars as a retired English detective, as he trades sharp words with the hard-bitten captain of the Gendarmerie, played by Corinne Masiero. Co-starring with Suchet and Masiero is the Dordogne itself, as director Josée Dayan moves to locations across the department, including Cénac, Domme and Beynac - a real treat for fans of fine scenery. The 90-minute shows, made by Passionfilms, have been delighting audiences, not only in France but also Belgium and Switzerland, since the first episode was screened in 2015. Capitaine Marleau is a

straight-talking detective, rough round the edges, full of black humour, and is rarely seen without her iconic Russian ushanka fur hat. Fans of Vera may well think this sounds a familiar set-up. Channeling his inner Poirot, David Suchet has called the show “a treat for the brain, the little grey cells”. It is not yet known when this episode, entitled “Sang et lumière” will be screened on TV. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

4 ♦ LOCAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2018

he barmaid with a heart of gold is an old and tired cliché, but is entirely true at one most unusual bar in Périgueux. Landlady Zaza (short for Isabelle) Murat first opened her bar in SaintGeorges a dozen years ago. “Chez Zaza” soon became a popular watering hole on the route de Bergerac until Zaza became seriously ill and the bar closed. It was after her recovery that Zaza decided to change the course of her life. The bar was re-invented and Zaza changed its name to Bar Solidaire Au Sourire; it has now become an extraordinary venue offering a warm welcome to people down on their luck. “I came to realise that giving donations is great up to a point. To hand out clothes and tins of food is a short-term help,” Zaza explained. “But ultimately, when people find themselves in a corner, the problem is most often a shortage of cash. I decided to provide a place where locals can come and make some money from

their own events.” As well as a cosy barroom with a gleaming counter, Zaza offers a fully equipped kitchen, a comfy lounge and even a retro pinball machine... and it is free! “People book in to come and sell artwork and things they have made, to hold classes, demonstrations and workshops. Locals come and have a birthday party or a wedding reception. Anybody can book in, as long as it is legal. Neighbourhood clubs and associations meet here, too. To hire the municipal salle des fêtes can cost over €100 and not all small organisations, individuals or sole traders can afford that.” Zaza has been accurately described in the local press as a “high voltage woman” for her enthusiasm and tireless dedication to helping other people. When not at the bar, Zaza works for the French Red Cross, looking after people in a jam. “There are a lot of poor, lonely, penniless, hungry, homeless folk out there. Even people in work

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need a hand sometimes,” she explained. “It’s important not to judge a person by the scrape they are in. I just try to do what I can. Everybody needs a bit of contact, someone to listen. That’s what I do.” To book the Bar Solidaire Au Sourire, there are only two rules. Rule 1: All drinks must be bought at the bar; everything is either €1 or €2 and “goes to-

wards the lighting, heating and the cost of the drinks themselves”. Rule 2: Everybody must bring a donation, for example a packet or can of food, toiletries, household supplies or similar. These donations go into the Solidaire’s foodbank, open in the bar every Saturday. The bar also provides clothes, free books and toys, all donated by well-

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wishers. If all this were not enough, Zaza also works at the ASD, the Dordogne volunteer Reception Centre for homeless of all ages and nationalities and in her “spare” time Zaza is also one of the Maraudeuses Périgourdines, a women’s outreach group looking after people who live on the streets of the capital of the Dordogne.

What do Zaza’s grownup children think of all this? Son Charly, based in Tasmania, says, “She’s a great planner and organiser and very dynamic. My sister and I are so proud of what she does.” ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe To find out more visit her Facebook page: Bar Solidaire Au Sourire

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LOCAL NEWS ♦ 5

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New drop-in centre in Brantôme for Cancer Support France

f you stroll down rue Victor Hugo in the heart of the picturesque riverside town of Brantôme in northern Dordogne, you will find ‘Bookstop’, established by Howard McCann in 2015. Howard has a wide-ranging selection of second-hand books for sale, all in good condition and covering a very wide range of genres both in English and in French. Bookstop is also a salon de thé and in the height of the tourist season is a very pleasant place to relax, browse, chat, and have a coffee in the garden which runs down to the river Dronne. Since Bookstop opened, it has become a hub for the local community, hosting exhibitions of paintings, photographs, pottery and recitals ranging from Bach to folk/pop. It is also the venue for discussion on films (see the What’s On pages for this month’s screening) and the meeting place for a local writing group. All in all, a very busy place.

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and we anticipate that this will be a warm and welcoming venue for anyone seeking help, advice, practical information or simply a place to find a sympathetic and understanding ear. For more information, call 06 43 67 86 11. ■ by Brian Hinchcliffe

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Local TNT frequencies set to change this year For many expats, the first step to take when arriving in France is to make a call to the local Sky installer. On the other hand, if you are serious about improving your language skills, one of the best things you can do is to tune in to French radio and watch French television... at least some of the time! If you are a fan of interminable advert breaks and “humorous” round table discussion programmes, however, you may need to retune your television at some point in the near future. In order to facilitate the introduction of new highspeed mobile networks, the frequencies of the country's TNT (télévision numérique terrestre) service are being changed, region by region, over the coming months. Paris and parts of southern France have already made the switch, and January saw the turn of western France, including the Charente and Vienne departments. For the rest of central France, things are not scheduled to change until November 2018. Only those who receive their French television through an antennae will be affected; anyone watching TV via an internet enabled device will not have to take any action. Simply retuning your TNT box via your remote control should be enough, but further information is available at www.recevoirlatnt.fr. ■

6 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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National speed limit reduced to 80 km/h

rime Minister Edouard Philippe has confirmed that the speed limit on the country's roads will decrease from 90 km/h to 80 km/h from July, much to the anger of motoring organisations. Successive governments have been battling to reduce the number of roads deaths in France. “If I have to be unpopular to save lives, then I accept that,” conceded the prime minister ahead of the official announcement. The new rules will come into force on 1st July and will apply to all secondary roads with no central reservation. An estimated 400,000 kilometres of road will be affected. Compared to other road safety measures, the reduction in the speed limit is relatively inexpensive; the cost to replace road signs across the country is estimated at between €5-10 million. Much more may need to be spent on public awareness campaigns, however. A recent opinion poll shows

that six out of ten members of the public are against the changes, with 83% believing the move is an attempt to make more money from speeding fines. The idea has been around for a long time, but the decision to finally reduce the speed limit comes off the back of a twoyear trial on three dangerous stretches of road. The study, performed over a total of 86 kilometres of roads, showed that there were 20 accidents during the trial resulting in 42 injuries and 3 deaths. “In the 5 years prior to the trial, 67 accidents resulted in 108 injuries and 15 deaths,” explained Prime Minister Edouard. “When this is scaled back to two years we would have expected 27 accidents, 43 injuries and 6 deaths.” The prime minister also highlighted that the slower speed limit did not result in any increase in traffic or congestion. “If we can reduce the average speed by 10 per cent, we get a

4.6 per cent drop in the number of deaths,” insisted Emmanuel Barbe, France's commissioner for road safety. “This is according to scientific data that has been measured by many studies across the world.” Road safety campaigners are understandably delighted, but others believe that slower speeds will simply result

in more dangerous overtaking manoeuvres. The motorists' lobby group 40 millions d’automobilistes pointed to an experiment conducted in Denmark which showed that when the speed limit was increased from 80 km/h to 90 km/h on a portion of the secondary network, road deaths were actually cut by 13% over two years.

The law change comes at a time when road deaths have been steadily on the rise since 2014, the longest period of sustained increase since 1972. In 2016 there were 3,469 deaths, with 55 per cent of these fatal accidents taking place on twoway roads outside urban areas, mostly with speed limits of 90 km/h. ■

Mobile operators to invest €3 bn France retains tourism crown

n what could provide a major boost to rural communes across France, the four main telecoms operators have pledged to invest a massive €3 billion to bring a high-speed mobile internet signal to even the darkest corners of la France profonde. It has been promised many times before, but after 6 months of negotiations with the largest network providers, the government has won a major victory and ensured a huge infrastructure investment in the country's mobile network. Nothing comes for free, however, and in return the State has pledged to forego the auction process that makes new frequencies available to operators. The last such time frequencies were put up for auction in 2015, the State netted a whopping €2.8 billion. “It's a paradigm shift. These frequencies will be put at the service of the everyday life of the French people,” explained Julien Denormandie, the Secretary of State for Territorial Cohesion. “That's what makes this deal binding. We are no longer just talking about good intentions. The promised investment will be higher than auctioning the frequencies would have yielded. It was never about giving a gift to operators.” Despite this, the networks also appear to be happy with the deal. “For the first time, the public authorities of a major European

country are giving up auction rights in order to bring a major infrastructure project to life,” said Maxime Lombardini, the CEO of Free. “Five years from now, France will be the most advanced digital country.” It is believed that the investment will involve the four telecoms operators - Orange, SFR, Free and Bouyges - installing 5,000 new antennas across France and equipping 30,000 km of railway tracks over the next three years. The agreement also includes sanctions for non-compliance and missed targets. If the promises are met, the 500-or-so communes across France which currently have little or no mobile or internet coverage will finally have a high-speed connection to the digital world. The news comes in the wake of a separate government pledge to put aside €100 million to make highspeed internet available to house-

holds in the most isolated parts of the country by 2022, as part of its “High Speed France” project. A recent survey published by French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir revealed a huge divide between France's rural and urban areas and claimed the government's internet project was failing miserably. The highest internet speeds are currently available to 90% of Parisians, but only 1% of residents in the Creuse and Dordogne departments. According to the organisation, 7.5 million households do not have “good internet access” - defined as at least 8 Mbps - and a further 500,000 have no internet access at all. This is at a time when more and more government services are only available online. The government has pledged to provide “good” internet access to every household by 2020, and “very high-speed access” - at least 30 Mbps - just two years later. ■

rance looks on course to reach its ambitious target of 100 million visitors per year by 2020 after figures released by the UN show that a record 89 million tourists visited these shores in 2017 - an increase of six million on 2016. Visitor numbers had suffered in recent years following a series of terror attacks in Paris and elsewhere across France in 2015 and 2016, but holidaymakers are now returning in their droves. The report from the UN's World Tourism Organisation shows that global tourism jumped 7% last year, with France well ahead of second-placed Spain. With 82.3 million tourists in 2017, Spain overtook the USA as the world's second most popular destination, despite terror attacks of its own and independence demonstrations in Catalonia. In 2016, America welcomed 75.6 million visitors - 300,000 more than Spain. Currently, tourism generates 7% of France's GDP although the government hopes to increase that figure to 10%. In further good news, British magazine The Economist has voted France as its “country of the year” for 2017. The centre-left leaning political magazine gave particular praise to France for the voting in of Macron and his party La République en marche. They judged that the president, despite coming from a “party full of political novices”, had “crushed the old guard”, “swept aside the ancien régime” and “transformed the national political debate”. According to The Economist's website: “Rogue nations are not eligible, no matter how much they frighten people. (Sorry, North Korea). Nor do we plump for the places that exert the most influence through sheer size or economic muscle - otherwise China and America would be hard to beat. Rather, we look for a country, of any size, that has changed notably for the better in the past 12 months, or made the world brighter.” ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 7

FEBRUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

he British government was forced to issue a statement in January claiming there were “no specific plans” for a cross-Channel bridge after foreign secretary Boris Johnson brought up the idea of a “fixed link” from Britain to France at a recent summit between the two countries. Johnson is believed to have made the suggestion to French President Emmanuel Macron at the summit while discussing other major infrastructure projects around the world, including a bridge in Japan. A source close to the foreign secretary said he also thought it was “crazy” that the two countries were only connected by one railway line when they were a mere 30 kilometres apart and Mr Johnson said in a subsequent tweet that the UK and France had agreed that a panel of experts should be assigned to look at “major projects”. Downing Street said he had been referring more generally to joint AngloFrench projects and not specifically a bridge. “What was agreed at the summit and what the foreign secretary tweeted about as well is a panel of experts who will look at major projects together, including infrastructure. And we want to work very closely with our French colleagues on building a shared, prosperous future.” A spokesman for the French president confirmed he had indeed had a conversation with Mr Johnson about a bridge and said Mr Macron had told

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him that “The issue of access is an important one”, but denied reports the president had responded with “I agree, let's do it”. Former Lib Dem leader Sir Nick Clegg told the BBC he thought the idea was “a masterstroke in diversion”. “It's all very well talking about a bridge that may or may not be built in decades to come. The thing that worries me much more is he wants to pull up the drawbridge to the economic relationship which has served us so well over such a long period of time.” Others were quick with the tonguein-cheek suggestion that the project could be funded by the money saved through Brexit: “Let’s use the £350 million we give the EU weekly to build a monstrous vanity project for #Boris” tweeted @Michael_PLawson. Another Twitter user managed to have a dig at both Mr Johnson's idea and US President Donald Trump: “Boris Johnson: ‘we’re going to build a beautiful bridge, it’s gonna be beautiful folks. And France is gonna pay for it! #BorisBridge”. Although the idea sounds far fetched, it wouldn’t be the longest sea bridge ever built - that honour goes to the 41-kilometre Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in China that opened in 2011. The UK Chamber of Shipping did suggest, however, that building a massive bridge in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes could pose a few difficulties. ■

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UK curry house delivers takeaway to Bordeaux

or many expats, moving to France means leaving behind certain creature comforts that you can't always find abroad, but just how far would you go for a good pint of bitter, vinegar-soaked fish and chips or an authentic Indian takeaway? The answer for one group of curry lovers in south-west France in January was all the way to their favourite curry house in England! The idea was the brainchild of James Emery, a British expat and pilot, who decided to charter a plane to bring food from his favourite takeaway, The Akash Indian Restaurant in Southsea, just outside Portsmouth, to a group of hungry Brits near Bordeaux. When the 6-seater Socata TBM700 aircraft touched down at Solent Airport in Lee-on-the-Solent - formerly known as HMS Daedalus naval air station - it was loaded up with a total of 89 meals, 70 side dishes, 75 portions of rice, 100 poppadoms and 10 servings of mango chutney, as well as Faz Ahmed, the restaurant's manager. After making the return journey and landing in Saucats Airfield, south of Bordeaux, the meals were reheated and served to the group of 89 diners. “I am a chilli addict and an

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Boris Johnson proposes crossChannel bridge

aviation geek so I thought I would combine my two hobbies to get my favourite meal delivered to me in France,” explained Mr Emery, an assessor for French trainee pilots, who revealed he went for his favourite curry, a chicken phall. “I have been getting withdrawal symptoms... they do lots of good things in France but you just can't get a good curry. I have been a loyal customer of The Akash for close to 20 years. Every time I popped in for a meal, I would complain about the bland and uninspiring version of Indian food we get in France. It was on one of these visits that Faz first float-

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ed the idea of delivering one to me at home in Bordeaux.” “We have done nothing like this before,” confirmed Faz Ahmed. “Our delivery radius is three to four miles and here we are doing 500 miles so it is something to be proud of.” Not only that, but the restaurant honoured its “free delivery over £12” deal and the expat curry lovers paid just £32 per person for their Indian feast, although much of the cost of the charter plane was met by local sponsors. One happy diner summed up the evening, saying: “Proper poppadoms... mango chutney... my mouth's been on fire!!” ■

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Ref: 6897-EY €151,200 HAI DPE: E Well-appointed 3 bedroom village house situated in walking distance to amenities. The property is split over 2 levels and has a cellar, double glazing, central heating, 2 garages and a garden. Taux d’honoraires

11,000€ (8%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur.

Ref: 6883-EY €399,620 HAI DPE: D Fabulous stone property just a couple of mins from Eymet with 4 bedrooms, a separate one bed guest apartment, heated swimming pool, games room, a large barn and just under an acre of garden with lovely views. Taux d’honoraires 28,200€ (6%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur.

Ref: 6850-BGC €225,750 HAI DPE: D A comfortable single storey house, located in a quiet hamlet with panoramic view, that is well presented throughout and has a mixture of modern and traditional, 2 bedrooms, a garage and just under an acre of garden. Taux d’honoraires 15,750€ (7.5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur.

Ref: 6833-EY €236,500 HAI DPE: Vierge Great location for this 3 bedroom village property that has been renovated throughout, has 2 bathrooms, open plan living, a garden and just a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre of Eymet. Taux d’honoraires 16,500€ (7.5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur.

8 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

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Bayeux Tapestry to be loaned to the UK >> continued from pg 1 for the museum. “We must first conduct analyses to see if it’s capable of making the trip and there will be a lot of conditions before it goes ahead. That said, we are very open to working with heritage organisations in the UK and are already very linked with the British Museum.” “This would be a major loan, probably the most significant ever from France to the UK,” explained the director of the British Museum, Hartwig Fischer. “It is a gesture of extraordinary generosity and proof of the deep ties that link our countries. The Bayeux Tapestry is of huge importance, as it recounts a crucial moment in British and French history, 1066.” If the tapestry does return to the UK, many are asking what reciprocal loan could be made to France. Top of the list is probably the Rosetta Stone, which was originally in French hands until Napoleon was defeated by the British in Egypt in 1801, shortly after its discovery. For the British, the Bayeux Tapestry holds a powerful allure, since the Norman Conquest represented not just a tragedy and a defeat, but also a pivotal moment in history that essentially transformed Anglo-Saxon society into the Britain of today. A descendant of William the Conqueror sits on the British throne to this very day. The tapestry is thought to have been made shortly after the Battle of Hastings in the 11th century, but the first written record of its existence

comes in 1476 when it was recorded in the Bayeux Cathedral treasury as “a very long and narrow hanging on which are embroidered figures and inscriptions comprising a representation of the conquest of England”. The embroidery - the “tapestry” is in fact a work of embroidery made from wool stitched on to linen - is split into 32 scenes that chronicle the Norman invasion of Britain led by William the Conqueror. The centre piece is the Battle of Hastings, which shows a field littered with corpses, and the famous image of King Harold being killed by an arrow through the eye. This is likely to be French propaganda, however, as contemporary accounts suggest that Harold died from a lance through his chest before being hacked

to death. The more famous version of his death is believed to have originated from the Bayeux Tapestry itself. History is, after all, often written by the victors! Not only is the tapestry extraordinary, so is its mere survival. The delicate wool and linen have resisted the dangers of time - and moths! - but also French revolutionaries and the invading Nazis, who coveted the tapestry as Aryan propaganda, depicting as it did the conquest of Britain by the descendants of Norsemen and Vikings. During the French Revolution, the panels were due to be confiscated and used to cover military wagons, but they were rescued by a local lawyer. Before the Allied invasion of France in World War II, the Germans moved the tapestry to occupied Paris

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to safeguard it in the Louvre museum along with their other loot. The SS chief, Heinrich Himmler, planned to use it to decorate his medieval castle in Germany. Just hours before the Allies swept into Paris, however, British code-breakers intercepted a signal from Himmler ordering his troops to snatch the tapestry, but they were repelled by French Resistance fighters who took up positions at the Louvre to protect it. Given its delicate nature, many French experts are outraged that the tapestry will be moved across the Channel. Isabelle Attard, a former director of the Bayeux Museum, said moving “a fragile, near-1,000-year-old roll of wool and linen” even a few metres was risky, never mind transporting it overseas. “If you were to ask my advice,

despite the regard I have for my English colleagues who I have worked with for many years, I would say no,” agreed the artwork’s current curator Pierre Bouet. To add to the controversy, there are also those who believe that if the tapestry does eventually arrive in the UK, it will in fact be a homecoming. Despite being one of France’s pride and joys, a book published in 2006 suggested that it was probably created by English nuns, citing the distinctive Anglo-Saxon style as proof. “There is a reasonable case that it could have been made in Canterbury in southern England,” argues British historian David Musgrove, who authored a book on the subject. “There are a lot of stylistic elements in the tapestry which would suggest it.” ■

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NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 9

10 ♦ NATIONAL NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2018

Calls for the baguette to Nutella discount riots be recognised by Unesco

resident Emmanuel Macron is backing industry calls for the humble French baguette to be recognised as one of the world's cultural treasures. The nation's bakers have long campaigned to have the traditional baguette acknowledged by Unesco, but with the president publicly lending his support, this may now be closer to becoming a reality. The baguette de tradition is already protected in France by a 1993 law which restricts the bread to being made from just four ingredients: wheat flour, water, yeast and salt. It cannot be frozen or contain added preservatives and bears little resemblance to many of the mass-produced “baguettes” you find in many supermarkets. “When I see the quality of bread in supermarkets, it is impossible not to be indignant. The bread is frozen, it comes from who knows where... nothing is done according to the rules of the art,” complained Dominique Anract, head of the national federation of baking and pastry. “A baguette is the symbol of France, like the Eiffel Tower. I want to fight for world heritage status to protect the quality of the traditional baguette. When I see the the growing dominance of French supermarkets and convenience stores in the sale of bread, I say to myself that we must act. Hence my desire to push for the addition of the traditional French baguette to Unesco's list of Intangible World Heritage. Today, there are 33,000 artisan bakeries, employing 180,000 people, who serve bread all over France. This territorial network is unique, we must not lose it.” Dominique Anract was one of the first to call for Unesco recognition and has now managed to persuade President Macron to back the campaign. “Excellence and expertise must be preserved, and that is why it should be heritage-listed,” President Macron told reporters

after receiving a group of master bakers at the Elysée presidential palace in January. “France is a country of excellence in bread, because the baguette is envied worldwide. To include it is not simply to register the name ‘baguette’, but to register the quality of ingredients and the know-how. The baguette is part of the daily life of the French people, in the morning, midday and evening. There is no history of religion associated with it, everyone eats it and it has been part of our humanity since the beginning.” Campaigners will be encouraged by the inclusion of the pizza traditions of Naples on Unesco's list of Intangible World Heritage at their most recent meeting. Unesco added the art of “pizzaiuolo”, which has been handed down for generations in the southern Italian city. It includes recognition not only for the flamboyant style in which the pizza dough bases are “spun” in the air by hand, but also includes the associated songs and stories that have turned pizza-making into a time-honoured social ritual. France has also received previous culinary recognition from Unesco, with “the gastronomic meal of the French” - defined as “a customary social practice designed to celebrate the most important moments in life” - having been awarded world heritage status in 2010. The UK does not have any entries on the list. It is one of few countries in the world not to have signed up to the “safeguarding intangible heritage” convention, which was established in 2003. A century ago, the baguette was a staple of every Frenchman's diet, with every person eating on average three a day. By 1970 this had dropped to just one baguette and today the average person eats just 120 grammes of bread per day - less than half of a standard 250g baguette. ■

uring the French Revolution people fought in the streets over bread, but in modern France it would appear they are more likely to fight over their favourite topping... Nutella. As part of a recent promotion, supermarket chain Intermarché slashed the price of a standard jar of the hazelnut cocoa spread by 70 per cent, to just €1.40. The scenes that followed in aisles across the country would put fear into the heart of the most hardened Black Friday bargain-hunter. Videos on social media showed shoppers stamping on each other and shouting as they tried to bag the bargains. Some stores resorted to restricting sales to one jar per person, with several quickly running out of stock and having to turn away customers. Elsewhere, police had to be called when over-eager shoppers turned on each other and the safety of staff was put at risk. “They were like animals. A woman had her hair pulled, an elderly lady took a box on her head, another had a bloody hand. It was horrible,” one customer at a central France supermarket told Le Progrès newspaper.

“People were running everywhere, shouting: ‘That’s my Nutella, it’s mine, stop it, you’re hurting me…’. The security guard was on his own so it quickly got difficult, because there were nearly 200 people jumping on top of each other. It was crazy,” said an Intermarché employee in the Nord department. Another employee from a store in Saint-Chamond said that she had “never seen anything like it, in 16 years of working at the supermarket”. With details of the planned promotion emerging the day before the sale began, one Intermarché manager explained how some customers had come up with inventive ways to make sure they didn't miss out. “Customers came the night before the promotions to stash the Nutella pots around the store, and thus

prevent others from taking them,” explained Jean-Marie Daragon from the Intermarché in Montbrison, central France. “I tried to solve the problem by limiting the number of pots to three per person, but they just went back and forth.” The supermarkets ultimately sold as many pots in one day as they would usually sell in three months. The French have long had a love affair with Nutella, which is the breakfast of choice for many school children and around 100 million pots are devoured in France each year. They are second only to the Germans as the world's top consumers of the spread. In 2016, a couple were banned from calling their daughter Nutella, with judges saying the child would be mocked as she grew up. ■

NATIONAL NEWS ♦ 11

FEBRUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Bone-eaters are back in France

f you happen to have elderly female relatives living in the Alps, you may want to warn them to take extra care when wandering around outside. That is because, after a 30-year campaign by conservationists, the bearded vulture - otherwise known as the “bone-eater” – has made a successful return to France. For generations, the bearded vulture inspired fear among the local population and legend held it was responsible for kidnapping old ladies and killing flocks of sheep. It was hunted to extinction in the region in the early 20th century, but now, after a single breeding pair were reintroduced from Afghanistan and Russia in 1987, there are 13 pairs in France and 39 birds in total living in the Alps mountain range. Despite their gruesome reputation - and an impressive 3-metre wingspan - the vultures live almost entirely on carcasses and do not prey on any living animals. In fact, Europe's

largest vulture takes the scavenging lifestyle one step further and is the only bird in the world known to live off bones. It prefers to eat the bones of small mammals whole, and with a stomach pH of just 1, these can be fully dissolved within 24 hours. A fully grown adult can gobble down a sheep's thigh bone in one gulp. The bone-eater does

not pass up larger bones, however, and will carry these into the sky before dropping them onto the rocks below to break them into smaller pieces... so maybe you really should tell granny to keep her eye to the sky! The unusual step of surviving off the bones of dead animals means that the bearded vulture can wait until other scavengers have picked

a corpse clean, before strolling in to feast at its own leisure. The birds do not have to compete with any other predator for the fatty, energyrich marrow contained within. In further good news for conservationists, evidence from hunters in the Haute-Savoie suggests that golden jackals are now also living and hunting in the mountains of east-

ern France. The predators are usually found in North Africa, Asia and south-east Europe, but have been making their way west via the Balkans since the 1980s. Experts say that the images, taken by automated cameras set up to track wolves and lynx, are inconclusive, but if proved correct, would represent the first sightings of golden jackals in France. ■

Driving bans for phone users

As the speed limit on the country's roads is set to drop this summer as part of the government's crackdown on road deaths (see pg 6), new rules could also see drivers have their licences removed for using their mobile phone at the wheel. Using a mobile phone while driving is already illegal in France and those caught are currently subject to fines of €135 and three penalty points. Under the new proposals, drivers who are also considered to have caused danger to others, for example using their phone whilst approaching a pedestrian crossing or a school, could have their driving licence removed. Telephones are believed to be a contributing factor in ten per cent of road accidents in France, according to figures published in October last year by the country's road safety organisation Sécurité Routière. Despite this, a recent survey revealed that nine out of ten motorists admit to using their phones while driving. ■

12 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2018

Pink Grapefruit and Smoked Salmon

by Julia Watson

ebruary really doesn’t have much going for it, culinarily or otherwise, so isn’t it fortunate that Saint Valentine was martyred this month. The 14th gives us something to look forward to. Possibly the most loving action you can take to celebrate his feast day is to establish rules to follow for the rest of the year when feeding your loved ones. Avoid being too frequently seduced by the kitchen shortcuts supermarkets offer us, so handy in these months of shortages in the farmers’ markets: processed foods are stacked with chemicals and preservatives your loved ones’ bodies would do better not to adapt to. Valentine’s Day itself focuses our attention on aphrodisiacal food, about which a lot of tosh is written. What are really the prime ingredients to best provide a romantic meal, and heighten the chances of an amorous outcome besides? While it's true that chocolate and chilli both contain natural stimulants that trigger the ‘feel good’ factor in the brain, you are unlikely to feel at ease or seductive with a burning tongue and a mouth that has been glued together by the contents of a heartshaped box of chocolates. Equally, many ‘romantic’ dishes have a soporific action. Those menus of the 1960s that somehow rise from the dead each Valentine's Day - foie gras followed by any excuse to flambé everything from seafood to meat swimming in cream and alcohol sauces, Grand Marnier Soufflé or Crèpes Suzette - are meals to send you to sleep. You should also take care with that champagne bottle. If you haven't eaten all day before the romantic dinner, your blood-sugar levels will be low. A couple of glasses of any alcohol on an empty stomach will lower them further, making you feel at best depressed and at worst drunk. A low libido, it might be handy to know, can be caused by a deficiency of zinc. This may be a reason - aside from the fact that winter is one of the best seasons of the year to eat them - that Valentine's Day is associated with oysters. It's not just the hopelessly slender but nonetheless enticing chance of finding a pearl in one you've shucked yourself, nor the salacious manner you can adopt in slurping them down. It's the fact that they are one of nature's richest sources of zinc. So it's worth developing a taste for them, if only on February 14th. If you really can't stand the thought of a food that some associate with a heavy cold, turn to cheese also a good conveyor of zinc. As are eggs. (It doesn’t need saying this is not the occasion for knocking out cheese-and-egg-salad sandwiches.) Boiled quails' eggs with a bowl of celery salt to dip them into can become a sensuous starter, particularly if you make a seductive performance in your manner of peeling them. Surprisingly, quails’ eggs have higher nutrition values than regular hens’ eggs. A 100g serving of both produces 143 calories in hens’ eggs and 158 in quails’, with 281% of your daily cholesterol consumption coming from quails’ eggs, against 124% from hens’. Still, Valentine’s Day is not a day for

counting percentages. To cook quails’ eggs, fill a saucepan with enough water to cover eggs by 2.5 cm. Bring the water to a full boil. Gently lower in the eggs with a slotted spoon. Maintain a light boil and cook for 3-4 minutes. Carefully drain out the hot water and replace it with ice cold water and peel the eggs fast, or pass them round for peeling as soon as possible, as hardboiled quail eggs are best served warm. The following refreshing salad is elegant yet casual enough to eat away from the table (in the boudoir,

perhaps, if you own one...though is a boudoir meant for two? And what is one anyway?). It takes no time to prepare. The Valentine element is in its pinkness, and the fact that you will be able to function after digesting it. It’s light enough that you can afford to follow it with a petit pot de chocolat or the Chocolate Sabayon whose recipe I gave last year that I’m positive you kept, and not come an amatory cropper. ■ Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Pink Grapefruit and Smoked Salmon Salad Shake the last five ingredients in a lidded jar until the sugar has dissolved. Take a sharp knife and, holding the grapefruit in the other hand, peel it like you would an apple, turning it all the while, taking the pith away with the peel. Slide the knife between each segment to cut it away from the membrane.

1 pink or red grapefruit ½ a heart of Cos lettuce Small bunch of rocket 250g best smoked salmon ½ teaspoon peeled and grated fresh ginger ½ teaspoon icing sugar 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons sesame oil Salt to taste

In a bowl, toss together the grapefruit sections with the lettuce, roughly torn in strips, and arugula, then add the dressing and toss again till the greenery is well coated. Arrange on a plate, then lay the smoked salmon informally over all.

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FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

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Changes to French taxation in 2018 - Blevins Franks

From 2018, French residents no longer need to pay wealth tax on savings and investments, and investment income benefits from a new tax rate.

he French tax reforms which were first announced in September came into effect on 1st January 2018. The main measures remain unchanged from the initial draft budget, which is good news as it included significant tax cuts for investment assets and income. Here is a summary of the key changes affecting expatriates living in France. Income tax rates There are no changes to French income tax rates for 2018 (payable on 2017 income). The income tax bands for each rate have, however, been indexed for inflation. For example, last year’s €9,710 nil rate band has increased by €97, and the income threshold for the top 45% rate is up €1,523 to €153,783. The ‘exceptional tax’ remains in place for 2017 income. This charges an extra 3% or 4% for income over €250,000 and €500,000 respectively, with higher thresholds for families. Income tax is payable on salaries, selfemployment income, pensions and rental income (see below for investment income) and you are taxed as a household rather than as an individual. Take advice to make sure you are taking advantage of available tax-efficient

Assurance-vie policies

structures in France. Social charges All income is subject to social charges as well as income tax. The contribution sociale généralisée (CSG) part of social charges increases by 1.7% this year for all types of income, so the rates for 2018 are: 9.7% for employment income; 9.1% for pension income and 17.2% for investment income (including rental income). You do not need to pay social charges on your pension income, including lump sums, if you have EU Form S1 and/or do not have access to the French healthcare system. Flat tax on investment income Over recent years, investment income was subject to the income tax scale rates, but this has now changed. From 1st January 2018, investment income is liable to one fixed rate of 30%, regardless of the amount earned. This 30% flat rate includes both the income tax and the social charges – so the income tax part is equal to 12.8%. This new flat rate applies to investments over €150,000 per individual (i.e. €300,000 for a joint investment for married/PACS couples). Households in low-income brackets will keep the option for progressive income tax rates (otherwise they would pay more tax with the new system). The current abatements on dividend income and gains on share sales (only for small and medium-sized companies) remain in place if the taxpayer opts for the scale rates.

This new system also applies to assurancevie, but note that in this case, it applies to all policies set up on or after 27th September 2017, although the flat rate only applies for withdrawals made after 1st January 2018. This can actually be more beneficial for individuals with a higher marginal rate of tax. For policies set up before 27th September 2017 the old fixed rate system will still be available. If you top it up after this date, the proportion of the gain element relating to the top-up will be subject to the new flat rate of tax. The allowance for policies held for more than eight years stays in place for all policies (€4,600 for individuals and €9,200 for married/PACS couples). Wealth tax This is perhaps the biggest tax reform President Macron has made so far. From 1st January 2018, the scope of wealth tax is limited to real estate assets. Therefore, any savings and investments, including assurance-vie policies, are now exempt from wealth tax. The previous threshold of €1,300,000 stays in place and the scale rates of wealth tax remain the same as before. The 75% limitation will also stay in place.

(including income from gîtes) has increased to €170,000 from €82,800. For income taxed under the BNC-regime (unfurnished rental income, etc.) the limit has increased to €70,000 from €33,200. Changes to the calculation of taxe d’habitation will mean that, from 2020, 80% of French households will be exempt from this tax. The changes are being phased in gradually so that in 2018 30% of households will be exempt, increasing to 65% in 2019. The main corporation tax rate remains 33.33% for 2018, but will reduce to 31% in 2019 and then reduce further to reach 25% by 2022. These reforms make this an excellent time to review your tax planning. Establish exactly what the changes mean for you, and whether you need to consider re-structuring your assets so that you can take full advantage. Seek personalised, specialist advice, so you can ensure your tax planning is designed around your circumstances and objectives, and you are not paying any more tax than necessary. ■ Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com Web: www.blevinsfranks.com

Other measures

The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

The limits for the micro-regimes for business income have increased significantly. The limit for income taxed under the BIC-regime

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com

The Grumpy Granny Guide - Buried Treasure

he Dordogne and adjacent areas provide a multitude of interesting visits and are a feast for the eye with a castle on every promontory and mystery in every valley. But of course the real treasure and specific attraction is what lies underground, comprising the old favourites along with newly discovered, or newly opened, prehistoric and archeological sites. Although we know the difference between a rock shelter and a cave painting, we may be more hazy on the Upper Paleolithic era and the characteristics of the Pleistocene age. Our real challenge, however, is deciding which are the ‘must do’ sites, which are fine to visit if you happen to be nearby but not worth a long detour, and those which are better left off your programme altogether. Like any other visit, your enjoyment hinges on the site meeting your expectations, so having some idea of what awaits you is vital. It’s no good promising the family stalactites only to find that the site is an archeological dig. But where to begin? Firstly, all underground visits involve some degree of walking, can be slippery underfoot and since they remain cool (1216º C) often involve a temperature change which, guides tell me, some people find quite uncomfortable. They are not for anyone scared of the dark or restricted spaces. Prehistoric cave sites being the focus of so much academic study, specialist commentary there can be daunting and younger children may find it tedious trying to make out the vague outlines of a bison with pinpoint torch lighting, in which case you can opt for the grottos and crystal formations. Prehistory - If this is your choice, the best place to begin, for the uninitiated, is definitely the Abri Cro-magnon in Les Eyzies, a small but very user-friendly museum which sets the scene and explains things in a way none of the bigger and more commercial sites do. Setting out very clearly the difference between Neanderthal and Homo Sapiens, it is an excellent starting point for the exploration of prehistory elsewhere in greater detail.

A visit to the prestigious Font-de-Gaume is amazing, if you can get tickets, which is a real ordeal and most of the time you just can’t overcome the hurdles. But there are other options and the Grotte des 100 Mammouths in Rouffignac is fun for all the family, visited in a little train, great for smaller children and those who are mobility restricted. The Grotte de Villars is also an excellent visit. It caters well for every age (and dogs!) and combines both prehistory and crystallisations which is rare. Pech Merle is certainly one of the best all-round sites and a visit there, although further afield in the Lot, takes you through the breathtaking Célé Valley which is an added bonus. For a taste of authenticity Bernifal is unique, a visit which takes you back to the era of exploration before electric lighting and esoteric commentary. This is an experience which will end when the owner/guide, now around 90, decides to retire! But definitely not for the claustrophobic among you. There are many other smaller prehistoric caves, e.g. Maxange, La Grotte du Sorcier and Les Combarelles, which are fine to visit if you happen to be nearby but Bara-Bahau and the Grotte de Domme are both disappointing and not really worth the price of the ticket. Among the many rock shelters, the most comprehensive are La Madeleine in Le Moustier, Le Cap Blanc and the the biggest, La Roque St-Christophe. They are well organised, informative and enjoy lovely views but they do involve a lot of walking. For stalactites and stalagmites the Grand Roc has incredible crystallisations and so too does the Gouffre de Proumeyssac which offers a more all-round visit. But the most exciting new arrival is the Grotte de Tourtoirac which is low-key, easy to access and navigate and which has made brilliant use of modern lighting techniques. If it is archeology rather than prehistory which interests you, the Abri Pataud is great if you want to delve, literally, into prehistory and the Roman remains at the Vesunna Museum in Périgueux and the

Villa Montcaret near Bergerac are both well presented and very interesting from an excavation point of view. For historical interest the subterranean dwellings in Belvès (under the market place) are literally buried treasure but not for anyone uncomfortable underground. You will note that I have not mentioned Lascaux IV which I leave to Grouchy Grandpa to discuss.

its endless rows of artefacts, it harks back to the days when more meant better. No doubt excellent for the academic, well informed or passionate prehistorian but not much fun nor a learning experience for anyone else.

Grouchy Grandpa

Hard to know which tourist sites to visit?

Lascaux IV has dominated the headlines for some time now and a massive budget has gone into promoting and marketing it. To my mind it epitomises the more controversial aspects of how local tourism is being promoted at present and I can’t for the life of me understand why it was built in Montignac which is surrounded by authentic, albeit smaller, sites. If you are visiting an area so rich in the genuine article why go to see a facsimile? A virtual visit on the internet would give you much the same experience. Lascaux IV has been created to attract as many visitors as possible and the result is a Disney-like ‘visitor experience’. The reproduction of the original Lascaux cave, even though technically quite brilliant, is only part of a series of rooms through which the visitor is propelled at top speed with very little time to contemplate the paintings or absorb what is being presented, even in the low season (I have been there in February). Sadder still, the visit is devoid of that sense of awe and wonder which you get immediately even from the very small sites such as the Grotte du Sorcier and which even the now defunct Lascaux II inspired. If you are genuinely interested in prehistory, this is not the place to go. Visit any one of the smaller sites and see the real thing. A quick word on the Museum of Prehistory in les Eyzies, Beware! Already out of date from a museum-science standpoint when it opened in 2004 it is a series of showcases with very little interaction or explanation for the average visitor. With

This is part of a series of features devoted to the tourist experience in the Dordogne provided by the website grumpygranny-guides.com which highlights those sites which are comfortable and pleasant to visit and which offer a warm welcome.

Grumpy Granny Guide

The Grumpy Granny Guide® will help you choose if you:

Need practial information Are with young children or a pushchair Are elderly Hate standing in the sun Tire easily and need to sit down Can’t manage any steps or stairs Are with your dog The Grumpy Granny website provides all the information you need to make the right choice for a comfortable experience in the Dordogne Visit us on:

www.GRUMPYGRANNY-GUIDES.com

14 ♦ FRENCH LIFE

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2018

Madame Guillotine - the terror of France

he guillotine is an iconic execution device that made its name during the French Revolution. In reality, beheading machines had existed since the 13th century, but they were not as efficient - or feared - as the guillotine. The most famous predecessor was the Halifax Gibbet, which is officially documented as having performed a total of 52 executions in Yorkshire. The guillotine regularly performed that many a day in Paris! The guillotine was the creation of Dr Joseph-Ignace Guillotin who, perhaps surprisingly, was not a fan of capital punishment. In pre-revolutionary France, executions were often public, lengthy and gruesome affairs; grotesque public spectacles where the victim was cruelly tortured to death. Executions were designed to deliver both public entertainment and a warning for those present. During the Enlightenment, however, a growing number of French philosophers called for a more humane form of execution. They argued that capital punishment should not inflict pain, but simply end life. Previously, beheading had been seen as a merciful death, one which was reserved for the upper classes. The social changes taking place in France during the infamous Reign of Terror demanded equality between all classes and many believed this equality should apply to criminals as well. Dr Guillotin was of this opinion, and proposed the

principle of his machine during the early months of the French Revolution in 1789, along with a few sketches. It was designed as a universal method of execution to be used across France. It would be performed in private, would be used irrespective of class or wealth and would involve no torture. Despite initial concerns, his proposals were eventually accepted a few years later. The design of the machine was given to Tobias Schmidt, a German engineer and harpsichord maker, who completed the first prototype in 1792. Executions would continue to be public affairs, however, and the first use of the guillotine took place on 25 April 1792, when a convicted highwayman, Nicolas Jacques Pelletier, was executed in Paris. At some point in the following years the machine came to be called a Guillotine, even though Dr Guillotin had very little input in its actual design after his initial proposals. The blueprints were sent to all parts of France where exact replicas were created and before long all public executions were being performed by Madame Guillotine. By the end of the Revolution in 1799, the guillotine had executed as many as 45,000 people! The history of the guillotine does not end with the French Revolution, however, and it continued to be used in France for a further 150 years, as well as elsewhere across Europe. The German criminal

and serial murderer, Eugen Weidmann, became the last person to be publicly executed using the guillotine in 1939 and on 10th September 1977 it was used for the last time in France when Hamida Djandoubi was executed in Marseille. Four years later the death penalty was abolished in France. Contrary to popular belief, Dr Joseph-Ignace Guillotin did not fall foul of his own creation and lived on to die a natural death in 1814. ■

a guillotine est un dispositif d’exécution emblématique dont la réputation s’est faite pendant la Révolution Française. En réalité, les machines de décapitation existaient depuis le 13ème siècle, mais elles n’étaient pas aussi efficaces, ni aussi redoutées, que la guillotine. L’ancêtre le plus connu fut le gibet d’Halifax, qui est officiellement crédité d’un total de 52 exécutions dans le Yorkshire. La guillotine assurait régulièrement autant d’exécutions à Paris… tous les jours !

The wines of Bergerac

by Martin Walker t 58 hectares, nearly 150 acres, Château Court les Mûts is one of the largest vineyards in the Bergerac and one of the most highly regarded. Two gold medals at each of the big three Concours of wine, at Paris, Bordeaux and Mâcon, testify to that. Since 2016 the Guide Hachette has awarded its wines four of the prestigious Coup de Coeur listings and this year has made Pierre Sadoux one of its winemakers of the year. Most of the vineyard is in a large, shallow bowl on the slopes that lead down from Saussignac to the south bank of the Dordogne. They also have 16 hectares higher up in the Saussignac, which was a blessing last year when most of the vines in the lower vineyards succumbed to the lethal frosts of April. Pierre, who trained at Lafite Rothschild, and his father who is also named Pierre, are the second and third generations of this family at the vineyard. While proud of its history and traditions, they are some of the most innovative winemakers of the region, using much more Malbec than usual and experimenting with Syrah and even Riesling. “Malbec need not be dry in the mouth and full of tannins like so many of the Cahors wines,” says Pierre. “It depends how you use it, how you blend it and how you make the wine.” He uses 40 to 60 per cent Malbec in his two red wines, the excellent Côtes de Bergerac at 9.30 euros and the sensational Cuvée Oracle at 15.30 euros. The Oracle 2015 that I tasted (and went on to buy) has 60 per cent Malbec, 20 per cent Merlot and 20 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon. It spent 22 months in oak barrels, maturing on the lees with the barrels turned every few days. At first, it reminded me of some of the powerful Languedoc wines but then the real profundity of the wine began to make me think of a Pomerol.

It’s a complex wine, rich and deep, a hint of pepper in the bouquet and an aftertaste of dark chocolate. They also use a lot of Muscadelle, usually found in sweet wines, in their Cuvée Annabelle, a terrific dry white wine which is a real find at 9.60 euros. The grapes are picked by hand just a day or two after they achieve full ripeness and they don’t make this cuvée every year if they think the quality is not quite up to it. The wine has all the freshness and fruit of a good Bergerac sec but a real depth and an elegance that lingers in the mouth. They only made 3,000 bottles so grab it while stocks last. They also make a charming Côtes de Bergerac moelleux at 7.10 euros, a Sauvignon-Semillon mix which is splendidly juicy and fresh with a sweetness that is gentle rather than overpowering. It is just the drink for an aperitif on a summer evening. But then they make something special called Des pieds et des mains at 27 euros. It means ‘of hands and feet’ and, yes, this wine is made by treading the grapes with feet in the old-fashioned way. In the old days, they used to reckon that the annual crop of babies always peaked just nine months after the young folk had been admiring one another’s legs in the treading of the grapes. But this wine is unusual since the grapes are not just picked by hand; the grapes are picked individually from the bunch over a period of six weeks. The Sadoux family hail originally from the Savoy, moved to Algeria where they made wine and came back to France shortly before independence and bought what was then the small vineyard of Court les Mûts. It was already over two hundred years old, having been built as the winemaking chai for the lord of Saussignac at his Chateau de Fayolle.

La guillotine était la création du docteur Joseph-Ignace Guillotin qui, de manière peut-être surprenante, n’était pas un tenant de la peine capitale. Dans la France prérévolutionnaire, les exécutions étaient souvent des événements publics, interminables et horribles ; des spectacles publics grotesques, durant lesquels la victime était cruellement torturée jusqu’à ce que mort s’ensuive. Les exécutions étaient conçues pour prodiguer à la fois un divertissement public et un avertissement pour ceux qui y assistaient. Pendant le siècle des Lumières cependant, un nombre grandissant de philosophes français en appelait à une forme plus humaine d’exécution. Ils arguaient que la peine capitale ne devait pas infliger de douleur, mais simplement mettre fin à la vie. Jusqu’alors, la décapitation avait été considérée comme une mort clémente, réservée aux classes supérieures de la société. Les changements sociaux intervenus en France pendant le règne tristement célèbre de la Terreur réclamaient l’égalité entre toutes les classes et beaucoup pensaient que cette égalité devait s’appliquer aussi aux criminels. Le Docteur Guillotin était de cet avis, et il proposa le principe de sa machine dès les premiers mois de la Révolution Française en 1789, appuyé par quelques croquis. Elle était conçue comme un moyen universel d’exécution, pour un usage dans toute la France. Elle serait utilisée en privé, indépendamment des classes ou de la richesse, et n’impliquerait aucune torture. Malgré quelques réticences au début, ses propositions furent finalement

acceptées quelques années plus tard. La conception de la machine fut confiée à Tobias Schmidt, ingénieur et facteur de clavecins allemand, qui acheva le premier prototype en 1792. Les exécutions allaient cependant continuer à être publiques, et la première utilisation de la guillotine eut lieu le 25 avril 1792, quand un bandit de grand chemin reconnu coupable, Nicolas Jacques Pelletier, fut exécuté à Paris. Dans les années qui suivirent, la machine finit par être appelée une guillotine, même si le dispositif final n’avait que très peu à voir avec le projet initial du Docteur Guillotin. Les plans en furent envoyés aux quatre coins de la France, où des répliques exactes furent construites, et, bientôt toutes les exécutions capitales publiques furent réalisées par Madame Guillotine. A la fin de la Révolution en 1799, la guillotine avait exécuté jusqu’à 45 000 personnes ! L’histoire de la guillotine ne s’arrêta pas avec la fin de la Révolution Française, et elle continua à être utilisée en France et dans d’autres pays d’Europe pendant encore 150 années. Le tueur en série allemand Eugen Weidmann fut la dernière personne à être guillotinée publiquement en 1939, et le 10 septembre 1977, la guillotine fut utilisée pour la dernière fois en France pour exécuter Hamida Djandoubi à Marseille. Quatre ans plus tard, la peine de mort fut abolie en France. Contrairement à la croyance populaire, le Docteur JosephIgnace Guillotin ne fut pas la victime de sa propre création et mourut de sa bonne mort en 1814. ■

Late in the 19th century, it was taken over by the National Society for the Struggle Against Phylloxera, which experimented with various ways of protecting vines against the blight which destroyed three-quarters of France’s vineyards. Caused by tiny North American aphids, phylloxera was eventually defeated by grafting European vines onto rootstocks from the Americas which had developed resistance to the bugs. But thanks to prodigious efforts by the society’s researchers, using various chemicals and flooding to drown the bugs, Court les Mûts is one of the very few French vineyards to have avoided the catastrophe. Visitors can see some of the tools and methods that were used in the small wine museum on the property. It also contains an impressive collection of traditional barrel-making tools, including some that belonged to great-grandpa Sadoux, himself a compagnon tonnelier, a master barrel-maker. The family brought one of the Algerian traditions with them, putting underground the huge vats in which the wine is made. In Algeria, it protected the wine from the heat and here in the Bergerac it allows them to keep the wine at a constant 15 degrees as it develops. They have their own wine lab at the chai and most impressive, they don’t buy in cloned stock like most winemakers when they want to replant. Their vines are massale, which means that they graft on a cutting of their favourite individual vines. Like so much else about this great vineyard, it is a blend of the best of the old ways with the new in a commitment to excellence. ■ Martin Walker, author of the best-selling ‘Bruno, chief of police’ novels, is a Grand Consul de la Vinée de Bergerac. Formerly a journalist, he spent 25 years as foreign correspondent for The Guardian and then became editor-in-chief of United Press International. He and his wife Julia have had a home in the Périgord since 1999 and one of his great hobbies is visiting the vineyards of Bergerac.

DIRECTORY ♦ 15

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Business Directory

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Animals & Pets

Top Dog

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Spring Clean your Finances!

t’s that funny time of year when we are a month into the New Year, all the celebrations are truly behind us and normal service has resumed, or at least it should have! Now is also the time that many of us take stock – some decide to move house, some just spruce up and get that DIY or painting done that you’ve been staring at for the past few months, but how many of us take the opportunity to take stock of our finances and get that annual review done? All too sadly, I am speaking to people that have either inadvertently left their finances to ‘sort themselves out’ or taken the time to do it, but have been subsequently left to their own

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and in the ever-changing environment that we currently find ourselves in this could have disastrous consequences meaning that your ‘safe’ investment has underperformed the marketplace and in the medium/long term this can have huge consequences on their performance and growth. Even just leaving your savings in your UK bank, whether it be an ISA or otherwise, if it is not achieving interest at the current rate of inflation, i.e. above 3% the real value of your savings is being eroded. Add to that constant changes made by the government and your savings, investments and pensions could be a massive disadvantage to you without you even knowing. Despite Brexit people are still moving around the world, whether it be for work, sun, a happy retirement or even love and we work with some of the world’s largest institutions that recognise that and offer solutions that can consolidate your investments into one safe location, in a fully French tax compliant way, allowing you to also easily access and easily transfer them

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devices and not reviewed in a long time. Some things are changing constantly, both locally and globally that can have consequences on our situations and that we maybe don’t truly understand and then other things remain constant. In this sense I can’t stress enough how important it is to regularly review your life from a financial perspective. Our all too busy lifestyles mean that time is a precious thing and when you do sit back and take time to look at your finances you may have pensions that may be in several places and investments and savings that may be in more than one country it seems like a daunting task to begin. However, this is possibly one of the most important things in your life – your future, that you are neglecting and the reality of leaving them in a ‘safe’ place may have disastrous consequences when you reach an age when you actually need to rely on these, if you haven’t already. The harsh reality is that most investments are not actively managed

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05 55 41 17 76 back to the UK if that is your next destination. Whether in retirement, or still aiming that way, our hard earned savings need to work harder than ever for you now and not against you, to help you enjoy the life in France that you moved here for. Not everyone has a huge amount of savings, but whatever you have needs protecting, so please do not hesitate to get in touch to see if I can help you do that and give you some straight forward advice to get that ‘Spring clean’ sorted and move forward for a positive year ahead. All initial consultations are without obligation or cost.. If you would like to arrange an independent, professional and impartial consultation, please contact me by email: Rosemary. sheppard@blacktowerfm.com or call me on 06 38 86 99 70. Blacktower Financial Management has over 30 years’ experience helping expats to make sure that their money works for them. The above information was correct

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CONTINUED NEXT PAGE...

at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) through whom we have a registered branch and passport for financial services in France. License number 00805B.

16 ♦ DIRECTORY

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ADVERTORIAL

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- if the property is unoccupied during the hot summer months, then it can be left running at low speeds for ventilation and dehumidification purposes or simply switched off. With a range of panel sizes, and the option for wall or roof mounting, Solarventi is suitable for all types of buildings, caravans or even boats!! Following the patenting of its design in 2001, Solarventi has only recently been actively commercialized. Over the last six years, Solarventi units have been installed in more than 24 countries and demand is increasing rapidly. From Greenland to Australia, Solarventi is finally getting the recognition it deserves. ■

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DIRECTORY ♦ 17

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Would you like to receive an electronic copy of The Bugle each month? We can deliver a copy to your inbox, hot off the press

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smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)1253 725 414

Central France Pest Control 02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38

Removals

www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk

European Removals Full or part load, French registered. We offer: Removals, Storage, House Clearance, also Car, Caravan, Plant Transport. Offices in UK and France.

Tel: 05.55.80.29.98

MICHAELS MOVERS

Man & Van Transport

Genuine/Reliable/Honest Local + Europe + UK runs Now also available for House/Barn clearances! 14m3 capacity 4.2m load length English & French Spoken

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

www.frenchvanman.eu Siret 530 213 644 00012

For more information on advertising in the Bugle Business Directory, give us a call or send us an email: sales24@thebugle.eu

05 55 41 17 76

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 05 55 41 17 76 or email: sales24@thebugle.eu

18 ♦ COMMUNITY

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ FEBRUARY 2018

Advertising in The Bugle Business Directory Advertising your business couldn’t be easier. Text only, boxed listings are available in our Business Directory from just €12.50/month. Alternatively, why not spotlight your business with an Advertorial, available from 1/6 Page (€50 HT) up to Full Page (€300 HT). Both Directory Adverts and Advertorials represent a cost effective way to put your brand in front of more than 25,000 pairs of eyes each month!!

For more information on any of our advertising options, please feel free to give us a call on 05 55 41 17 76 or send an email to sales24@thebugle.eu

6-Month Contract

12-Month Contract

Small b&w Directory Ad

€100

€150

Large b&w Directory Ad

€130

€195

Small Colour Directory Ad

€140

€210

Large Colour Directory Ad

€180

€270

All prices exclude TVA (20%)

Large Directory Ad 46mm x 71mm (Actual Size) 45 words max Small Directory Ad 46mm x 46mm (Actual Size)

30 words max

Directory Advertising is available either in black and white or colour, and in either small (30 words max) or large (45 words max) format. Directory adverts may only contain text (small logos may be allowed when supplied). The minimum contract length is 6 months. Advertising is payable on publication. All prices are HT.

Maximus - DOB 12/06/2017

Maximus was found abandoned as a young kitten along with his brother and sister. This affectionate and playful boy has now been in foster care for most of his life and deserves to find a very special home of his own. With his beautiful tabby markings and mesmerising eyes, that shouldn’t be too hard, should it! We know that Maximus is fine living with other cats and, because of his loving nature and affectionate ways we think he would be fine to live with children of any age and possibly even dogs. As a Phoenix cat he has been vaccinated, microchipped, castrated and regularly treated for worms, fleas and ticks, in other words he is good to go. Maximus is in dept. 33 near Monségur. If you would like further information please contact: Craig and Nadia Rea: email nadia.rea@orange.fr or Jenny: tel 05 53 89 59 35 / 07 81 27 86 51 www.phoenixasso.com www.facebook.com/PhoenixAssociationFrance

Oreo is one of the many gorgeous, happy and healthy cats looking for homes with Association Acorn Cat Rescue, based in 24400 Eglise-Neuved’Issac, Dordogne. All Acorn cats and kittens are microchipped, vaccinated and sterilised where age appropriate. www.associationacorn.com Facebook: Acorn Cat Rescue

UPCOMING AQUITAINE CHURCH SERVICES

The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine covers the Dordogne, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, and Condom (Gers). All services are held in English. For further details, please see our website: www.churchinaquitaine.org or contact Chaplaincy Administration: Amy Owensmith, +33 (0) 607 04 07 77 chapaq.office@gmail.com

SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Tourist Office (45 rue Gambetta) 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 BCP Morning Prayer – Monteton 10:30 Family Service – Négrondes 15:00 French-Madagascan Communion – Bordeaux Tuesday 13 February 11:30 Holy Communion – Envals Ash Wednesday 14 February 11:00 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 16:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 18:00 Holy Communion - Limeuil Thursday 15 February 10:30 BCP Holy Communion - Limeuil SUNDAY 18 FEBRUARY 10:30 Family Service – Bertric Burée

0:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion – Chancelade 10:30 Holy Communion – Dondas 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Tourist Office (45 rue Gambetta) 10:30 Morning Worship – Limeuil 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Monteton Thursday 22 February 11:00 Holy Communion – Condom

SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY 10:30 Holy Communion – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Tourist Office (45 rue Gambetta) 10:30 Holy Communion – Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion - Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion – Négrondes Friday 02 March 20:30 World Day of Prayer – Villeneuve sur Lot (Protestant Temple) Saturday 03 March 18:00 World Day of Prayer – Bergerac (La Force), Protestant Temple SUNDAY 04 MARCH 10:30 Service of the Word – Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion – Bordeaux 10:30 The Gathering meeting – Le Mouret, Condom 10:30 Fresh Expressions – Eymet Temple 10:30 Prayer & Praise – Limeuil 11:00 Holy Communion – Doudrac 16:00 Evensong – Bertric Burée

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

FEBRUARY 2018 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Music in the Dordogne sponsored by ARCADES Join us for concerts in the air conditioned new hall in Le Buisson, mostly of classical music, with top class French, English, Russian and other international performers. Concert tickets cost €15 including wine in the interval. All events are organised by volunteers and serve also as a meeting ground for the French and international communities of the Dordogne, including ACIP and La Tulipe.

Venue - Le Buisson de Cadouin, Nouvelle Salle des Fêtes, Avenue Aquitaine

For more info, tel 06 87 88 15 33 or 05 53 23 86 22 or visit http://www.arcadesinfo.com/

Sunday 18th February at 4 pm Trio Aréthuse from Lyon: Roger Sala (piano), Raphaëlle Leclerc (violin) and Nicholas Hartmann (cello)

Programme: Beethoven Trio in Eb Op. 1 no. 1;

Schubert Trio in Bb Op. 99

Sunday 4th March at 5 pm Piano and Cello Recital Marie Martine Bollmann (piano) and

Mark Drobinsky (cello)

Programme: Schumann Op. 73 Fantasiestucke;

RachmaninovVocalise, Elégie, Sérénade and Polka; Franck Sonata in A

BOOKSTOP screenings Dan Bessie’s 2018 season in UNDERSTANDING FILM

On 3rd and 4th March, Sarlat once again celebrates its favourite animal. With its noisy flocks of geese honking their way through the medieval town, countless stands offering regional produce, carcass soup (a local tradition) to warm visitors up, music from the banda, workshops and demonstrations by farmers and artisans, and free entertainment for the children, there is something for everyone! Not to mention the great banquet. Not to be missed, this gastronomic feast offers foie gras in abundance, prepared by the best sarladais chefs. To reserve contact the Sarlat tourist office tel 05 53 31 45 45. For more information about the festival visit www.sarlat-tourisme.com/festoie

WHEN: Sunday 25th February at 2:30 pm. With discussion and a refreshment break. WHERE: Bookstop, 19 rue Victor Hugo, Brantôme RESERVATIONS: Please contact Howard on 09 51 45 57 49 or via email at bookstop24@gmail.com We have room for up to 20. FEE: €7.50 - Includes tea or coffee(maybe popcorn too!) Cake and other items will be available for purchase. This month’s screening is BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN (1925). This

classic silent masterpiece of early Soviet film-making by director Serge Eisenstein, and regarded as a “must see” for fans and students of film alike, brings the 1905 revolt of Russian sailors against their tyrannical officers to poignant life. The pioneering cinematographic techniques developed by Eisenstein - particularly in the famous assault by Czarist troops against hundreds of the sailor’s supporters who mass on the Odessa steps - is one of the most famous sequences in film history.

17th & 18th March 2018

LALINDE

FREE ENTRY ESPACE J. BREL 10h-12h45 & 14h15-18h Organised by the association Kamalalinda

This very funny and modern play was made into a popular film starring Burt Lancaster and Imelda Staunton. However, in a new venture for Issigeac based MADS Theatre Group, they will be offering the stage play in two new venues: the Salle François Mitterrand in Villeréal, on 16th and 17th March at 7.30 pm, repeated the following week for one night only on 23rd March at 7.30 pm, at the Espace Culturel in Eymet with its well equipped and comfortable facilities. Tickets are priced at a very reasonable 10 euros and are bookable in advance at mads.bookings@gmail.com The story is that of ‘washed-up’ Hollywood star Jefferson Steel who is deceived by his agent into playing King Lear in an amateur community production in a small English town of Stratford St John. Expecting a suite at a fancy hotel, the actor finds himself lodging in a bed and breakfast. Steel’s arrogance and pretensions barely allow him to conform to such indignities as rehearsing Shakespeare in an old theatre. But, among the enthusiastic locals, he slowly comes to rethink some of his assumptions and look at life in a whole new way. Several new actors are involved including Adam Lewis playing the lead role, who met the director, Philippa Tillyer, when he purchased her house in December! The cast have already started work and look forward to performing to new and old audiences in two new venues. Keep theatre live!

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON