The Bugle Dordogne - Mar 2020 by The Bugle

France may phase out one and two-cent coins The government is looking at plans to phase out the smallest coins, with cash payments rounded to the nearest five cents. >> Page 10

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Dordogne

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Britain leaves the EU... what next?

>> continued on page 6

Warnings over the 2020 date scam - pg 5

London to be awarded Légion d'honneur - pg 9

The Bugle Business Directory - pg 15-18 © Semnoz (WikiCommons)

Wales and Northern Ireland - who still feel deeply attached to the European Union. I am thinking of the hundreds of thousands of French citizens in the UK and British citizens in France who are wondering about their rights and their future: I assure them that we will protect them. “The British government wishes to move swiftly forward; we are ready for this. It is in our common interest to define as close and deep a partnership as possible. “Dear British friends, you are leaving the European Union but you are not leaving Europe. Nor are you becoming detached from France

Ridley Scott films in the Dordogne - pg 3

Government creates reserve to protect Mont Blanc - pg 11

On 31st January, Britain officially left the EU. Whilst a transition phase is in place until the end of the year, some things are already changing for expats. t 23:00 on 31st January, Britain officially left the EU, ending a 47-year membership. Although the transition period - currently due to last until the end of this year - will see life continue as normal for most of us, there was widespread sadness across the country and the inevitable question of what happens next? Addressing British people all across Europe, President Emmanuel Macron wrote: “I must tell you, as an ally and, even more, as a friend and true European, how deeply sad I am at this departure. And I am thinking, today, of the millions of Britons - from England, Scotland,

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2 ♦ IN THIS EDITION

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2020

C H ÂT E AU L E S T E V É N I E

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o, we have finally left the EU. I know that many people are worried what the future now holds and, as you will see if you read our lead article, some things are already changing. Quite a few people have been in touch with individual concerns and so I thought I would begin by urging, in the words of the inimitable Clive Dunn: “Don’t panic Mr Mainwaring!” It is true that a major concern for many are the minimum income requirements to qualify for residency that are being written about and there have indeed been a few high-profile cases of people being denied the right to stay on these grounds. All I would say is stay informed and above all, don’t panic. Much water will pass under the bridge before the transition period and the subsequent grace period expire. This is currently due to be the end of this year and the end of June 2021 respectively, but both of these dates could change, and many would say they are very likely to. I personally do not believe that the French government is chomping at the bit to kick us all out and even if you are worried

that you do not currently qualify for the right to stay in France, the rules are not hard and fast. The authorities have said that they will deal with applications on a case by case basis and there are a number of factors that will be taken into account, not just income and savings. I’m sure that the waters will clear over the coming months and I promise to keep you informed as best I can. It is natural to fear change and I am certainly no different. I was recently listening to a debate about the UK government’s plans to ban households from burning coal and unseasoned logs over air quality fears - something that has already been introduced in parts of the Alps. I must admit that my initial response to topics like this is to revert to the familiar “nanny state” and “political correctness gone mad” arguments, but the more I learned, the more I realised that it is an eminently sensible move and my reaction had been a knee-jerk one. Yes, people have been sitting around open fires for centuries and the image of the roaring fire is certainly a familiar, cosy one. But the long and short of it is that burning unseasoned wood does chuck out large quantities of particulates that cause all sorts of

for Easter www.chateau-lestevenie.com 06 48 62 23 73 health problems. It’s also not that efficient and there are many better ways to heat your home, but anger is a natural reaction to being told that you can’t do something. People fear change, but if things didn’t change, we would still be sending children up chimneys and insisting that seatbelts are optional. As an aside, someone told me recently that young Italian men are dying in large numbers because wearing a seatbelt is considered an admission that you don’t trust yourself not to crash... I hope that is apocryphal. Most people will remember the outrage in the lead up to the smoking ban, but who honestly now looks back fondly on the halcyon days of smoke-filled pubs and train carriages? Some change is for the better. That said, this might not be the best analogy, as some (myself included) would argue that we are not necessarily headed for the promised sunlit uplands of Brexit! On a lighter note, one recent change that I am a big fan of is the advent of the gourmet burger. Personally I love a burger, but am not a fan of the big burger chains, both for nutritional and ethical reasons. My head was fully turned in this direction when I first went to Jean Burger in Limoges in 2017 following their burgers being voted the best in France. I went with my eldest daughter as a treat and to say we were both blown away is an understatement. There is an upcoming street food festival in Limoges and if I am free I will definitely be going along (see our sister Limousin edition for details). I regularly hunt down gourmet

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email: mr-piano-man@hotmail.com burger bars these days and there are more and more popping up all the time across the region, but Jean Burger remains top of the tree for me. As a general rule, I steer well clear of recommendations in these pages and always turn down offers to review restaurants, but if you do not walk away from Jean Burger happy with life, then burgers simply aren’t for you. They are living proof that you can make good food, locally and at a more than reasonable price. If you fly in or out of Limoges airport, I would heartily advise a detour! I’m not a smoker, but with a packet of cigarettes now costing the same as a gourmet lunch (see page 9), the choice between a juicy burger at midday or twenty fags would probably be enough to get me to quit! I will leave you with one final piece of advice: never write about your favourite food when you are hungry and the fridge is empty! Until next month! Steve Martindale, Editor

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INSIDE this edition 3-12 French News 13-14 French Life 15-18 Directory 19-20 What’s On Copy deadline:

15th March for April’s print edition

FRENCH NEWS ♦ 3

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ore than 40 years after filming his debut feature film The Duellists in Sarlat-la-Canéda, British director Ridley Scott was back in the department in February and causing quite a stir among locals and film fans. The director of such classics as Alien, Blade Runner and Gladiator was in the area under heavy security and much secrecy to shoot his latest blockbuster, The Last Duel. The Dordogne is no stranger to film crews - its stunning scenery and historic locations translating perfectly onto the big screen - but this is one of the biggest budget productions ever to descend on the department. The film also has an A-list cast, with Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Adam Driver among those spotted in the streets and restaurants across the region. The Last Duel also stars Liverpool’s Jodie Comer who became a huge star across the world for her turn as Villanelle in the BBC thriller series Killing Eve. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon also helped write the screenplay for the film which is based on Eric Jager’s book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France and follows the story of the last ever officially sanctioned trial by combat to take place in France. In 1386, Jean

de Carrouges, played in the most recent adaptation by Matt Damon, accused fellow knight Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) of raping his wife (Jodie Comer). Because the only evidence was the testimony of his wife, which as a woman would most likely be ignored, Carrouges instead challenged Le Gris to a judicial duel, the survivor of which would have been deemed by God to have been the rightful claimant. With the agreement of King Charles VI, if Jean de Carrouges lost the duel, his wife would be burned at the stake as punishment for her false accusation. The production was planned amid much secrecy and the first knowledge most locals had of the Hollywood stars in their midsts was long after shooting had begun. Extras, catering crews and others involved on set were made to sign confidentiality agreements and largely remained tight-lipped, but there were soon numerous sightings of the stars across the department. Filming began at Château Beynac before moving on to Montpazier and the cast and crew were spotted enjoying the Dordogne’s culinary delights in nearby Sarlat. One evening, local restaurateur Stéphanie Lebon received a call to book a table for the production team. “They didn’t tell me

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who it was for and I joked with my sister that it might be for Matt Damon,” explained the owner of La Couleuvrine. Little did she know that not only was she right, but that Ridley Scott would later also be joining his lead actor for dinner. “I recognised Matt Damon straight away, there was absolutely no doubt when he arrived. He came alone and we showed him to his table. He was

polite, normal and not at all look-at-me... a very nice man.” Matt Damon did not appear to be tempted by the local cuisine, opting for a burger, but Ridley Scott did apparently order a trufflebased dish. The Last Duel is scheduled for a limited release on December 25 this year, before opening further afield on January 8, 2021. ■

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New law stops reimbursement of €135 fine for more expensive branded drugs owners of

wide range of drugs are fully reimbursed by the French healthcare system when prescribed by a doctor, but it is often the case that identical drugs have very different price tags. When faced with the choice of the two, but knowing that both will be fully reimbursed, many people will choose the more expensive option, believing that if it is more expensive, it must be better. This is not the case and choosing the branded options ultimately costs the healthcare system hundreds of millions of euros every year – branded drugs are typically 30-40% more expensive than their generic equivalents. The government has been putting increasing pressure on doctors and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense generic drugs, but this has never been backed up by legislation. Currently, the rate of generic medicine use in France is around 80%. Until recently, if the prescribing doctor wrote “NS” (non substituable, or non-substitutable) next to the drug, the pharmacist was required to dispense that particular brand, but under new rules which came into force in January this will no longer be the case. If a patient insists on receiving the more expensive branded drug, the healthcare system will only reimburse the value of the generic equivalent. This move alone is expected to save €100 million annually.

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C Generic drugs face exactly the same strict regulations and contain exactly the same active ingredient and dosage as their branded equivalents. Repeated studies have shown that they are equally effective, but many people have more “trust” in the brands they recognise. Nurofen and ibuprofen is a good example: the active ingredient in a standard Nurofen tablet is 200mg of ibuprofen, exactly the same as any generic ibuprofen tablet. Taking the same dose of either tablet will have exactly the same effect on your pain, but one will be significantly more expensive. When faced with a crippling headache,

however, many will reach for Nurofen on the shelf, believing the boxes' claims of being “targeted” and “fast-acting”. Furthermore, ibuprofen doesn’t target just one area of pain, but rather works by dampening pain no matter where it is in the body, although some branded products will claim to be able to “target” specific areas. Nurofen have faced lawsuits in the past for marketing different brands aimed specifically at joint pain, headaches, period pain, etc., at different prices. In reality, each box contains exactly the same drug that works in exactly the same way... as does its cheaper, generic equivalent. ■

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at owners are being warned that they may soon face a fine if their feline friends are not correctly registered and chipped. Current rules require all dogs to have either a microchip or tattoo allowing them to be identified, and the agriculture minister Didier Guillaume has said that he would like to see this mandatory identification extended to cats. Microchipping or tattoo identification allows pets to be traced should they become lost, as shelters and veterinary surgeries can scan the lost or abandoned animal and identify the owner. In an interview in January, Mr Guillaume highlighted the problem of abandoned pets and said that owners who fail to correctly register their cats will soon face a €135 fine, with heavier sanctions possible for repeat offenders. “You don’t buy a cat or a dog in the same way as you would buy an ice cream,” said the minister, who also suggested that the sales of cats and dogs may be restricted to registered, professional breeders in the future. Abandoned pets are a huge problem in France; a shocking report from October last year suggested that there are more animals abandoned in France over 100,000 each year - than any other country in Europe. When asked at the time whether those who abandon pets should be fined, the minister replied: “Yes. We don’t get a pet to have fun, and then when we go on holiday, abandon it. All the people that I meet who love their animals would not abandon them. I don’t want to stigmatise the huge majority of people who have pets who treat them well and love them. I have always had a dog at home, and it has been fine.” ■

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FRENCH NEWS ♦ 5

MARCH 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Eco label introduced for fashion Warnings over 2020 date scam

rance has introduced a new ecolabelling system for clothing that it is hoped will become compulsory in the coming years. The textile industry is one of the most polluting in the world, producing 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. The trend towards cheap, disposable fashion has exacerbated the problem and environmentally conscious fashionistas are starting to give more thought to where what they wear comes from. Not only do many of our garments come from the opposite side of the world, producing textiles uses vast amounts of water: making a shirt uses the same amount of water as taking 70 showers and a pair of jeans represents over nine months of daily showering. The new labelling system takes all of this into account, as well as the toxicity of dyes and recyclability - cotton can be recy-

cled, polyester can not - to give each garment a rating from A down to E. Many retailers have already adopted the system on a voluntary basis, but the government is planning to make it compulsory within the next two years. “The system forces us to think differently, to think more about the style of the product, avoid waste, to transport differently, maybe using shipping by

sea instead of planes,” explained Séverine Mareels, sustainable development director at children’s clothing brand Okaïdi, where 10% of products carry the new label. One major sports brand in France has labelled more than 60% of its products with the new scores. While the labelling system has been welcomed by many, others are campaigning for it to be expanded

to include social as well as environmental factors. “We would like it to factor in more than environmental criteria,” explained Eléonore Kubik from the campaign group France Nature Environnement. “We would like to see the social impact considered as well as the rights of the company's workers, and the factory workers who made it, their health, and their quality of life.” ■

recent report has revealed that more than half of all households have been the victim of financial fraud, and experts are now warning that the new decade has brought with it a whole new threat due to the way many of us write the date on forms and contracts. A large number of us will write the date as the day, followed by the month, followed by the year, all usually as two digit numbers. So 21 March 2020 would be written as 21/03/20 and it is this contraction of the year that creates opportunities for the less scrupulous. Because every year this century starts with “20”, dates written like this can very easily be post or pre-dated. For example, if you sign a one-year rental contract beginning in June this year, you may well pop your signature next to the date 01/06/20. An unscrupulous landlord could then amend this to 01/06/2019, take the signed contract to the authorities and claim that you are behind with your rent. Officially notarised documents are protected from this kind of scam, thanks to a 1971 law which requires the date to be written “entirely in letters”, but the advice for the rest of this year when signing cheques and contracts is to always use the full four-digit year 2020. ■

6 ♦ FRENCH NEWS

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2020

What next after Britain leaves the EU? >> continued from pg 1 or the friendship of its people. The Channel has never managed to separate our destinies; Brexit will not do so, either.” There were equally conciliatory words from Alain Rousset, President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, who wrote an open letter to British expats: “Let me be crystal clear, Brexit doesn’t change a thing between Nouvelle-Aquitaine and its British residents. On the contrary, I firmly believe that it will make us more aware of all that we share, as well as cherish it more. In the words of Winston Churchill: ‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’ More than ever, let us all be optimists! “Be sure that the Nouvelle-Aquitaine - your region - will always lend you a helpful hand along the way. In this matter, ‘Remain’ is not an option. It’s a heartfelt appeal: my own, because you are here to stay.” Despite this widespread support for British expats, which anecdotally descends right down to the lower administrative levels, things will change... and indeed some things already have. Many expats who are members of their local conseil municipal have been told they may not stand in this month’s mayoral elections, and expats can no longer vote for their municipal council either. One important change that many have already addressed is the need to apply for a residency permit. The French government launched a website in October last year allowing expats to apply for a carte de séjour, which would have been needed in the event of a no-deal at the end of January this year. This site has now closed as - at this stage - Britain has left the EU with a deal. According to a message on the website’s holding page, however, a new site is to be launched this summer: “For this purpose, a new website adapted to the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement will be opened, anticipated in early July Managing Editor: Steve Martindale Editor-in-Chief: Steve Martindale Registered Address: 19, route de Champagnac 17500 MEUX SIRET: 514 989 748 00025 Printed by: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Monthly circulation: 12,000 copies All copyright, unless stated otherwise, is reserved to The Bugle. Reproduction in whole or part of any text without permission is prohibited. Dépôt légal à parution.

2020.” Officially, under the terms of Britain’s withdrawal, expats will need to be in possession of a residency permit, that specifically states they are protected by the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, by 31st December in order to become legally resident in France. In reality, a sixmonth grace period has already been announced, giving British people living in France until at least the end of June 2021 to complete the application process. You only need proof you have applied by this date, not the actual card itself. Those who have already applied via the government’s previous no-deal website will not need to reapply. “If you are a British citizen or a family member of a British citizen and you have already applied for a residence permit on the no-deal Brexit website, you do not need to make another online application,” the French government confirmed in a statement. “Your application has been taken into account and will be processed by the local préfecture before the obligation to hold a residence permit becomes enforceable.” The new website due to be launched in the summer is very likely to be similar to the one which went live last year. This allowed applicants to upload all supporting documentation online, did not require a visit to the local prefecture and received widespread praise for its ease of use. One issue that has caused much confusion, however, are the minimum financial requirements that expats must meet in order to qualify for a residency permit. There have been several high-profile cases involving people being refused a carte de séjour due to insufficient income. This has led many to hold off from applying through fear they may not be accepted and therefore told they must leave. Whilst it is true that the Withdrawal Agreement gives all British people living here the right to remain, this is not unconditional and in fact, never has been. Until now, France and the UK were the only two countries in the Directeur: Steve Martindale Rédacteur-en-chef: Steve Martindale Siège: 19, route de Champagnac 17500 MEUX SIRET: 514 989 748 00025 Imprimé par: Charente Libre 16340, L’Isle d’Espagnac Tirage mensuel: 12,000 copies Tous droits réservés. Toute reproduction, totale ou partielle, des articles et illustrations du présent numéro est strictement interdite. Dépôt légal à parution.

The Bugle cannot accept responsibility for the claims of advertisers or their professionalism. We strongly advise readers to verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France or elsewhere in the world.

EU that did not require people arriving under Freedom of Movement to register for a residency card, leading many to wrongly believe that the right is unconditional. It is not, and one condition is being able to prove that you are financially self-sufficient and will not be a burden on the French State. This rule has nothing to do with Brexit, but Brexit marks the first time that many British people will have had to apply to the residency system and therefore be subjected to the test. For people in work this is relatively straightforward, but for people living off low incomes, those with small pensions, early retirees or the selfemployed it can be more complicated. There are no fixed rules and in theory cases should be dealt with on a case by case basis. Owning your house outright, for example, should mean that you need less income to qualify. Savings should also be taken into account. One figure that is generally used as a benchmark is the Revenu de solidarité active (RSA). This is the minimum monthly income level beneath which households receive benefits to bring their income back up to the threshold. If your household (not necessarily you as an individual) has an income above this level, then you will almost certainly meet the financial requirements for a residency permit. If your income is less than this, however, other factors may still come into play, such as age (for retired people, the Allocation de solidarité aux personnes âgées - ASPA - can also be used). For a single adult, the monthly RSA amounts are currently: no children €559.74 1 child €839.62 2 children €1,007.55 3 children €1,231.44 For

a couple living no children 1 child 2 children 3 children

together: €839.62 €1,007.55 €1,175.47 €1,399.36

(Source: service-publique.fr) Anyone who has not applied for

a permit to stay by the end of June 2021 will in theory become an undocumented migrant and as such would not eligible for healthcare or social security and would not be allowed re-entry into France should they travel abroad. You would also risk deportation. Elsewhere, an alert on the British government’s Brexit advice page recently informed all EU residents that they would need to swap their driving licence for an EU one before the end of December this year in order to continue to drive legally. Whilst this is broadly true across the bloc, the situation in France is, in fact, different. The French authorities have said that the majority of British people who are already resident in France, or who move here before the end of the transition period, will not need to exchange their licences and can continue to drive on a British one, unless: • The licence has been lost or stolen • You have added a new driving category to your licence • You are specifically instructed to exchange it by the authorities (this usually happens if you have committed a driving offence) • Your licence is due to expire within six months - anyone turning 70 must exchange their licence and photo card licences need renewing every 10 years for most categories If you do need to change your driving licence, however, be prepared for a lengthy wait as, following a raft of applications since Brexit began, authorities now say that the wait time for exchanging a foreign licence is at least three or four months. “Come to us either if you have lost points on your licence, if your licence is about to expire or if you have added a qualification on your licence,” explained Baptiste Mandard from the Centre d’Expertises et des Ressources des Titres - Echange des Permis Étrangers (CERT). “Otherwise you do not need a French driving licence. Right now we just really would like to reassure your readers: you can still use your British driving licence after January 31st.” ■

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FRENCH NEWS ♦ 7

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Detached 3-bed stone house. Large living room, ﬁreplace & open kitchen, 3 ensuites. Countryside setting surrounded by several terraces and magniﬁcent views, plus swimming pool. A must see! DPE: E

Spacious 5 bedroom house plus playroom/ study of 35 m2 surrounded by a 3,700 m2 garden & pool. Plus a cottage with a kitchen / living room & bedroom. 15 min from Bergerac on the Dordogne River. DPE: C

Wooden house, to ﬁnish on the edge of a quiet village. 170 m² on two levels (14m x 6m) On 3,304 m² of land. Also has a building permit for an extension of 80 m2, a 36 m2 garage and a swimming pool. DPE: Vierge.

FULLY RENOVATED Stone townhouse, semi-detached, next to a good baker! 2 bedrooms, double glazing, well insulated roof. House in excellent condition, 17 min from Bergerac airport. MUST SEE! DPE: vierge

Taux d’honoraires 18,550€ (7%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 21,600€ (6%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 7,407€ (8%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 5,000€ (6.76%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Ref: 8421-BGC €247,250 HAI

Ref: 8160-BGC €335,475 HAI

Ref: 7839-BGC €283,550 HAI

Ref: 8486-LA €183,700 HAI

Ref: 8527-LA €183,600 HAI

170 m2 3-bed stone farm house from 1871 on 1 acre. New roof and insulation, double glazing throughout. Countryside views, quiet neighborhood. 20 mins from Bergerac, close to village with all amenities. DPE: E

Riverside property: main house, guest house, + a small house to renovate. Pool and terraced area, garage & workshop. 3 acres of land with private access to the Dordogne River. 15 mins from Bergerac centre. DPE: G

EXCELLENT PANORAMIC VIEW. To renovate: 18th century farmhouse, 80 m² bungalow with 4 bedrooms, kitchen, wc, a 300 m² barn and 2 tobacco barns. 3,240 m² land. DPE: Vierge

TOWN CENTRE. Two old houses, joined to create one large 4 bedroomed house. 160 m² with 2 cellars and a terraced garden. Double glazed, mains gas and drainage. Perfect holiday home. DPE: Vierge

Taux d’honoraires 17,250 (7.5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 20,475€ (6.5%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

Taux d’honoraires 13,600€ (8%) inclus à la charge de l’acquéreur

8 ♦ FRENCH NEWS

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FRENCH NEWS ♦ 9

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nvironmental campaigners were outraged recently when it emerged that a ski resort in the Pyrenees had used helicopters to fly in snow from higher up the mountain after warm weather left some slopes bare. Officials at Luchon-Superbagnères authorised the “exceptional” emergency operation which saw the helicopter spend two hours transporting 50 tonnes of snow to drop on the lower slopes used by beginners and ski schools. Much of the Pyrenees has seen lower levels of snowfall than usual this winter and following a period of warm weather in early February, which saw temperatures rise by more than 10 degrees, many of the lower slopes were left devoid of snow. “We're not going to cover the entire ski station in snow,” explained Hervé Pounau, director of the local council, who said the operation was a worthwhile investment for the local economy. “Without it we would have had to close a huge part of the ski domain, and it's during the holidays that we have the most activity for beginners and the ski schools. It cost us between €5,000 and €6,000, in the knowledge that over the long term we will get at least 10 times’ return on that investment.” The school holidays in February and March are typically the busiest time of year for ski resorts in France. “Keeping the station open safeguarded 50 to 80 jobs, including lift operators, ski school teachers, child-

screenshot: France3

Anger as ski resort flies France to award Legion of Honour to the city of London in snow by helicopter

minders, ski equipment rental shop staff and restaurant owners,” the local official added. The operation unsurprisingly angered ecologists. Bastien Ho, the secretary of the political party Europe Écologie Les Verts, said the snow transfer operation was evidence of an “upside-down world”. “Instead of adapting to global warming we’re going to end up with a double problem: something that costs a lot of energy, that contributes heavily to global warming and that in addition is only for an elite group of people who can afford it. It is the world upside down.” Following widespread outrage, the country's Minister of Ecological Transition, Elisabeth Borne, announced that she would chair a meeting to address the situation and action would be taken. “Using helicopters to bring snow to ski resorts is not an option,” the minister said in a tweet, later adding: “The images of this helicopter are an electric shock to everyone. You can see that these are really anti-ecological practices. The stations, which are victims of global warming, are aggravating the situation by doing this. This is representative of the need for a cultural revolution. We cannot play against nature.” Areas such as Luchon-Superbagnères rely on the early year school holidays - known as the “winter sport holidays” - for as much as 60% of their income, but this year saw the mildest January in France in over a century, according to France Météo. ■

President Emmanuel Macron, has announced that he will be awarding the city of London the Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honour) during a trip later this year to mark 80 years since General Charles de Gaulle's famous radio address calling on French citizens to resist the Nazi invaders. As leader of the Free French Forces, de Gaulle made his famous speech on BBC radio from London on 18 June 1940, calling on the French people to rise up against the German occupation. “The French know what they owe the British, who allowed our Republic to live. I am coming to London in June to award the city the Légion d'honneur, in tribute to the immense courage of a whole country and people,” Macron wrote. The Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte as an institution that was open to all men, although initially only for Frenchmen, who had either acted bravely on the battlefield or had served civil France in some exemplary way. Whilst many commentators highlighted the positive message the award carries in the month that Britain exited the EU, others were less impressed. “Napoleon must be turning in his grave,” read one message on the website of Le Figaro, which broke the news. “He created the medal and was then exiled to Saint Helena by none other than the English!” Every year a maximum of 2,800 French citizens can be given the award, whether members of the military or civilians. A further 320 foreigners can also receive the honour, but they do not become members of the Legion. ■

Most popular cigarettes reach €10 The most commonly smoked brand of cigarettes in France has this month passed the symbolic price of €10 per pack. The cost of tobacco has been steadily increasing over the years as successive governments have tried to wean people off smoking, and a new 50-cent tax due to come into force on 1st March will see a packet of 20 Marlboro cigarettes reach the €10 mark. Marlboro are far from the most expensive cigarettes, however. Brown Gauloises, which have been priced at 10 euros since the last tax rise in November, will now cost €10.60 and Brown Gitanes are rising to €11 a pack. Increasing prices and better public health awareness has seen smoking rates decline steadily in recent years; sales fell by 9.3% in 2018, and by 7.2% in 2019. While these figures have been celebrated by health authorities and anti-tobacco campaigners, pro-smoking groups claim the price hikes have simply strengthened the black market, pointing to the increasing numbers of cigarettes being seized by customs officials at the country's borders. ■

The end of paper till receipts

From 2023, paper receipts will not automatically be printed off under a new “anti-waste law” aimed at saving paper and other resources. The new rule will apply to nearly all transactions in which a paper receipt would currently be issued, including all supermarkets, shops, car parks, and cash points. It had initially been thought that the law would be phased in gradually, applying to payments under €10 from later this year, those under €20 next year before reaching a threshold of €30, but this has been rejected in favour of a complete removal of paper receipts at the end of 2022. After the changes, customers will still be able to request a paper receipt if they wish. ■

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rights France considers phasing out Animal activists force one and two-cent coins abattoir to close

he French Treasury is again considering phasing out one and twocentime coins after the issue was included in the European Commission's new work programme for 2020. The idea was first put forward in 2013 and a French think tank also called for the change in 2018 as part of plans to save €60 billion domestically in the presidential five-year cycle. It has now hit the headlines once again after incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen scheduled the proposals for consideration later this year. France would not be the first country to phase out the smallest denominations: Ireland, the Neth-

erlands, Finland, Belgium and Italy have already passed rules that require - or encourage - the rounding of cash payments in an attempt to reduce the use of the two smallest coins. In Ireland, rounding occurs on the total of a bill when paying in cash. If, for example, the total of your bill comes to €5.37, you pay €5.35 in cash. If your bill is €5.38 you pay €5.40. The result is that, on average, no one is out of pocket and it has proved a huge success in the Emerald Isle. Removing the one and two-cent coins from circulation has widespread support across the Eurozone and would in fact save a significant amount of money. There are around 36 billion of the two

smallest coins in circulation, and manufacturing a one-cent coin costs 1.2 cents! When the idea was first put forward, it was estimated that taking the coins out of circulation would save €1.4 billion across the EU in manufacture, transportation and accounting costs. If the changes do go ahead across the bloc, it is not yet known how this would be implemented in practice. Rounding would likely be the first step before outright withdrawal of the coins, as it would make them gradually fall out of use; they would remain legal tender in the short term, but would stop being issued by the central bank or given in change by retailers. ■

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Dordogne abattoir has found itself at the centre of a nationwide controversy after its licence was temporarily suspended in February. The decision was taken by the Minister for Agriculture, Didier Guillaume, following the release of a video by the animal rights group L214 which claimed that the Sobeval facility in Boulazac was breaking the rules and should be shut down. “I have announced not the closure, but the suspension of the operating licence for this abattoir, so that full light can be shone on operating practices and so that appropriate corrective measures can be implemented as soon as possible,” the minister announced on RTL radio, pointing to a lack of adequate training for employees. “Once these measures have been put in place, the abattoir can continue to operate.” The decision was denounced by management of the abattoir as well as other industry members, who argue that the government is simply caving in to pressure from activists. They point to the fact that the abattoir has never failed an inspection in forty years, nor have any concerns been raised by the team of veterinarians and government inspectors permanently present at the facility. In the video, which makes for a difficult watch, some animals can be seen struggling long after they should have died and others are shown having their throats cut without first being stunned, although this is not against the rules for kosher and halal slaughter. The Sobeval abattoir is the fifth to be closed following intervention from L214 and in previous cases, facilities have remained shut for several months, something which is a cause for concern among employees and other businesses in the local economy. The abattoir currently employs 400 staff who process 3,400 veal calves each week from 600 local farmers. ■

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resident Emmanuel Macron has pledged to create a new reserve around Mont Blanc as part of a raft of environmental policies announced during a recent visit to western Europe's tallest mountain. The president hailed 2020 as a “decisive” year for the environment and said that the fight to maintain biodiversity was “a fight for our own survival”. During his trip, Macron also visited the famous Mer de Glace (sea of ice) glacier which has lost 65 metres in height and 300 metres in length over the last 25 years. “What we see with this glacier melting is irrefutable evidence of global warming,” Macron said from the ski resort of Chamonix after visiting the 7.5 kilometre long glacier. The trip came as the government announced a number of environmental initiatives, including the creation of a new agency, the French Office of Biodiversity (OFB), which will monitor and restore the French environment. Ecology Minister Elisabeth Borne also revealed that from July this year, civil servants will get an annual bonus of €200 for car-pooling or cycling on their commute. The government also said it will stop buying single-use plastics from the summer, ministers will be encouraged

to use trains for non-emergency trips, and all ministerial cars will switch to electric or hybrid power - including an armoured hybrid vehicle for Mr Macron. The creation of a reserve around Mont Blanc follows a scathing letter sent in September to the president by Jean-Marc Peillex, mayor of the nearby commune of SaintGervais. “Mr President, it is all well and good to worry about the Amazonian rainforest. But to ignore what is happening on Mont Blanc, and allowing this disrespect to continue, is unacceptable,” wrote the mayor who has been campaigning on the issue for more than 15 years. As many as 30,000 people - of wildly differing levels of skill and preparedness - attempt to scale the 4,810-metre summit each year and many of them leave their rubbish behind on the descent. The local mayor welcomed the president's intervention, whilst highlighting the difficulties in legislating what visitors to the mountain can or can't do. “I am happy because he is the only political leader since 2003 to take this problem seriously and bring solutions. Of course, it is not going to be magic, and there will always be people who are not happy, but there is a real willingness from the

Reserve created to protect Mont Blanc

president and his government to change things. The difficulty is that if we start listing everyone’s mad schemes, then we will end up with an endless list. There will always be someone willing to do something new or original, that the text will not have imagined. We will be respecting people’s freedom to climb Mont Blanc and to ski down it all winter, while also banning all other forms of disrespect or commercial use.”

The mayor was referring to a number of recent high-profile incidents that saw a group of Latvian tourists attempt to raise a 10-metre mast on the slope from which to fly their national flag, two Swiss tourists who were flown to the top of the mountain before “climbing” the final few metres, and a former British commando who was forced to abandon a rowing machine that he had been attempting to carry to the top.

As well as limiting the numbers of visitors in the future, climbers will be asked for proof they have planned their ascent, that they have confirmed refuge reservations en route - to prevent illegal wild camping and that they are carrying specified equipment. Climbers will also be required to use different coloured beacons depending on whether they are ascending or descending, to improve safety and organisation. ■

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sites and movement corridors; the loss of permanent pastures for finding food; and the widespread use of pesticides, which are killing the invertebrates they feed off. Hedgehogs need a relatively large area to forage across - they can travel well over a kilometre each night - but for those that live in built-up areas, the increased use of solid fencing obstructs their movement between gardens and some wire fencing traps them, because once they are half way through they get stuck and cannot go backwards because of their spikes. “Whilst it is certain that nature can live without humans, humans cannot live without nature. Ensuring hedgehog survival should not be viewed as a luxury but as an urgent necessity,” explained Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). Small steps have been taken in recent years with increased public awareness and town planners encouraged to factor the movement of hedgehogs into their designs. Numbers continue to decline, however, a situation that has led

or years, experts have been warning that the once common sight of a hedgehog in your garden could soon be a thing of the past as numbers of the nocturnal mammal continue to plummet across Europe. As recently as 1950, the UK had an estimated 50 million hedgehogs waddling, huffing and puffing through gardens at night, but today that figure is thought to be fewer than one million. In France, it is feared the species could even become extinct in the next 10-15 years! As any gardener will tell you, the presence of a hedgehog indicates a healthy garden and their rate of decline highlights wider concerns about the state of the country’s ecosystem. They are seen as an indicator species for the overall state of the natural world because they feed on soil invertebrates, so a big decline in hedgehogs implies the quality of the environment has significantly decreased. The reasons behind hedgehogs’ precipitous decline are varied and complex, but are undoubtedly largely down to human behaviour: the loss of hedgerows as nesting

Hedgehogs - how healthy is your garden?

one Dordogne local to get involved and establish GAÏA, a hedgehog health centre based in Bergerac. “It all began when a hedgehog came waddling into my kitchen to eat from my cat’s food bowl,” explained Isabelle Rousseau, who founded GAÏA. “I quickly fell in love with this wonderful animal and got in touch with Le Sanctuaire des hérissons to learn more. I became a volunteer in health centres and realised the urgency of helping hedgehogs after being confronted with the suffering of these innocent little beings who are the direct victims of our modern lifestyles.” Establishing the centre de soins in Bergerac was no easy feat, not least the process of acquiring a certificat de capacité, without which her project would never have seen the light of day. This step alone required Isabelle to submit a dissertation on the European hedgehog and pass an interview in front of a panel of experts.

With her qualifications in place, the facility inspected and with the help of a team of volunteers, GAÏA officially opened at the end of 2019, becoming the department’s only centre de soins dedicated to hedgehogs. “Our patients are welcomed in a space adapted to their needs, with maximum comfort and respect: day/night cycle, suitable quality food, individual boxes for adults, heating, hygiene, peace, space. The GAÏA treatment centre has 25 indoor spaces, divided between the infirmary and the quarantine room for potentially contagious individuals. A space

in the infirmary is dedicated only to juveniles and each animal has its own heating mat and special growth food. Each outdoor enclosure includes a nesting cabin and a ‘restaurant’ where food can be placed.” The ultimate goal of GAÏA is to rehabilitate the hedgehogs and release them back into the wild and to this end the centre has a transitional area where the patients can hone their instincts to forage and nest build. This step is especially important for long-term residents who arrived at the centre as juveniles. ■

For more information on the hedgehog healthcare centre, to volunteer to help or to make a much needed donation, search for @gaia.erinaceus on Facebook or visit www.facebook.com/gaia.erinaceus or in case of emergency in the Dordogne send an SMS (in French) to Isabelle on +33 (0)6 26 55 67 90. www.helloasso.com/associations/association-gaia/formulaires/1/en You can also send a donation by cheque to: Association GAÏA, Maison des Associations 5 place Jules Ferry, 24100 BERGERAC

What can you do to create a hedgehog friendly garden? 1) Hedgehog highways – Cutting a hole the size of a CD (13 cm) in your fences or digging a channel or tunnel underneath walls, allows hedgehogs to roam for food and mates. 2) Make, build or buy a home - The simplest way to make a habitat is to create a natural feature out of a compost heap or pile of logs or leaves in a quiet, undisturbed corner of your garden. You can also buy or build a hedgehog house (hibernaculum) which should be around 40 cm wide, 30 cm tall and 26 cm deep. Ideally, use untreated wood and no paint, and add a tunnel 13 cm wide to make your house predator proof. 3) Make your garden safe - Avoid the use of slug pellets, cover drains and gullies and add a ramp or steps at the edges of ponds for them to climb out. 4) Fire - If you’re building or lighting a bonfire, spare a thought for hedgehogs. Don’t build a bonfire on top of a log or leaf pile where hedgehogs like to build their nests and always check it before lighting.

6) Feeding stations - You can set up a DIY feeding station by cutting a hedgehog-sized hole in a plastic storage box and weighing the lid down with bricks to stop larger wildlife from getting at it. Inside, put some chicken cat and dog food, *shop-bought hedgehog food or occasionally a cracked raw or chopped boiled egg, apples, pears, prunes, goat’s cheese. Also, put down a bowl of water, but don’t feed them milk and bread (they are lactose and gluten intolerant) or fish. A hedgehog will eat around 100 g of pet food per night. 7) Rescue & care - If you see a hedgehog out in the daytime or during winter it’s probably in distress. If you find a sick or injured hedgehog, gently place it in a high-sided cardboard box - wearing gardening gloves - lined with newspaper or a towel (so it can hide). They also need a source of warmth such as a hot water bottle and keep it in a quiet, warm place. You can provide water and preferably good quality dried cat food with a high chicken/protein content. If necessary, get in touch with a local sanctuary/shelter. * Note: shop-bought hedgehog food is generally not as good as cat food

Pinterest / hedgehogstreet.org

5) Wildlife likes it wild - Growing a wide variety of plants, and letting your garden grow wild, are the best ways to help lots of wildlife. For hedgehogs, it’s about creating homes for their prey, so make sure your garden has lots of mulch beds, wood piles and/or leaf litter to encourage the presence of earthworms, woodlice, earwigs, centipedes and beetles.

FRENCH LIFE ♦ 13

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Mad as a March hare

by Julia Watson

arch is the month of mad hares when Lepus europaeus, the European hare, dazzled by the excitement of the breeding season at its peak, behaves in a bizarre and unpredictable fashion. Sneak quietly into an early morning or early evening field and stand stock still and you might catch them leaping vertically in a triumphal jump, or boxing at other hares. Not unlike some of our own mates’ behaviour, really. The English may have ceded the hare as a cooking ingredient to the French, focusing Anglo-Saxon attention on the more commonly available rabbit, but they are just as fond of the hare and use the same approach to the cooking of them. Civet de lièvre, menu mainstay of Paris’ most popular brasseries and named for the ‘civette’ - chives - that were originally part of its preparation, is no more than the jugged hare from over the Channel. The recipes and methods are almost mirror images the one of the other. Hannah Glasse, venerable author of The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy, the seminal English cookbook published in 1747, is credited with opening her recipe for jugged hare with the memorable instruction: “First catch your hare.” This, though, is thought to be inaccurate. What she is actually believed to have written is, “First case your hare”, ‘to case’ meaning to slit the skin of the creature and separate it from it in one piece, much like rolling your sock down your leg. Her cookbook went into 20 editions during the remainder of the 18th century alone (and included what is

thought to be the first English recipe for a curry). Glasse was a plagiarist, as later cookery writers became of her work, and pinched her recipes from all manner of sources. This might explain why her jugged hare recipe runs so closely to civet de lièvre. Jugging a hare is an English method, not a French one, ‘to jug’ meaning to set jointed and marinated pieces of meat in a jug into a bath of boiling water and leaving it to cook slowly for three hours. French records show the hare being hunted for food back in the Middle Ages when it was cooked with spices, verjus, onions and wine, burnt toast being incorporated at the end of the cooking to induce the rich black colour of the gravy. These days, the toast has been lost along with the most of the spices, and the gravy of the civet often made with white wine and stock so that its gravy is clear not opaque. Only at the beginning of the 20th century was blood added to the gravy - if it was added at all. Spoiler alert (in the sense of the detail possibly spoiling your appetite): To prepare a hare for jugging or for a civet, its entrails having been removed, it is hung in a cool place by its legs until its blood has gathered in its chest cavity. This blood is drawn off and mixed with red wine or red wine vinegar to prevent it from coagulating, then added last thing to the cooked dish before serving. Jugging, like any slow cooking, is a good cooking method when a hare might have passed the pinnacle of its youth. Julia Watson has been a long-time Food Writer for newspapers and magazines in the US and the UK.

Jugged hare/ Civet de lièvre Ingredients (serves 8):

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

For the marinade 2.5/3kg hare, jointed 1 bottle of robust red wine 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 1 carrot peeled and chopped 3 sprigs thyme 6 juniper berries, lightly crushed 1 bay leaf 4 large fresh sage leaves Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

For the casserole Olive oil to sauté the onion 1 large onion, peeled and sliced 150g lardons 25g butter 2 tablespoons plain flour Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed 1 bouquet garni 300 ml hare blood (optional) or stock

Put the hare into a china or glass bowl. Add all the marinade ingredients. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 24-48 hours. Drain the hare in a colander over a bowl, discard the vegetables and pat the hare dry with kitchen towel. Season the hare. Add oil to a heavy bottomed sauté pan and brown the onions, lardons and pieces of hare. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Wipe the pan clean of oil and add the butter to melt over a low heat. Add the flour and stir till it turns gold. Pour in the marinade wine and bring to the boil. Return the hare and onions to the pan and add the bouquet garni, reserving the lardons Season to taste, cover and simmer over low heat for 2.5 hours. 10 minutes before the end of cooking, add the lardons. If you are using the hare blood, pour it into a warmed bowl. Add several tablespoons of the hot sauce from the sauté pan, beating all the while, then whisk the contents of the bowl back into the sauté pan and simmer until thickened a little. If adding stock, before returning the hare to the pan, bring the liquid to the boil and boil fast to reduce and thicken it a little. Serve with potato purée or buttered tagliatelle.

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Countdown on to review UK pension options before Brexit - Blevins Franks

fter four years of uncertainty, we can now expect Brexit to start taking effect after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. While nothing should change for UK nationals living in France until then, the countdown is on to prepare. Once the UK sheds its EU obligations – including freedom of movement for capital – the government gains more scope to tax UK nationals abroad. Pensions are a particularly likely target. With only months to go until things change, there is increasing urgency to review your pension options and take advantage of current opportunities before it is potentially too late. Although the clock is ticking, take care to consider what would work for your circumstances, plans and retirement goals, as well as the tax implications in both countries. Transferring your pension abroad Residents in France can currently move UK pensions to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) free of any personal tax. Doing this can unlock several advantages, such as consolidating several pensions under one roof, gaining flexibility to take your pension in the currency you need, and freedom to pass benefits to heirs other than your spouse. Once transferred, funds would also be protected from UK lifetime allowance charges, as well as future changes to UK pension rules that may adversely affect you – an increasing possibility after Brexit. However, the UK imposes tax pen-

alties of 25% on transfers to a QROPS outside the EU/European Economic Area (EEA). There are expectations that the UK may widen this taxation net to include EU/EEA-based QROPS once the transition period ends in December. This could be easily done since the UK legislation is already drafted to catch all pension transfers; the government would just need to remove the EU/EEA exclusion to make this happen. As such, time may be limited to transfer without tax penalties. Pension transfers can take several months to process, so if you decide that transferring is right for you, act soon – well before the December deadline – to lock in current benefits and avoid unnecessary taxation. The benefits of a QROPS can vary greatly between providers and jurisdictions, however, so take specialist advice to navigate the complex options and determine the most suitable solution for you. Leaving your pensions in the UK Of course, you could do nothing and access your UK pension from France. If you have a ‘defined contribution’ (‘money purchase’) pension, current options include taking cash, receiving a regular income (drawdown) or purchasing a lifetime income (annuity). You cannot usually access ‘defined benefit’ (‘final salary’) pensions as cash; instead you receive a regular income throughout retirement. While you could transfer to a defined contribution scheme for more flexible access, this is likely to be less beneficial than receiving a guaranteed income for life.

Note that UK pension payments are usually only paid in Sterling. If you are living in France and your spending is in Euros, you could find that conversion fees and the variable exchange rate reduces the value of your pension income. Remember also that UK pensions remain subject to UK rules, which can change at any time. UK funds are also vulnerable to lifetime allowance penalties of 25%/55% when combined pension benefits exceed £1.055 million. Tax on UK pensions and QROPS in France If you are French resident, UK pensions (excluding UK government service pensions) are generally only taxable there, not the UK. So, while 25% of cash withdrawals can be taken tax-free in the UK, they are taxable in France. When taking lump sums, cash or income from a UK pension or QROPS, the general French income tax rates apply. For income earned in 2019, this ranges from 14% (over €10,064) to 45% (over €157,806). The starting rate for 2020 income is lower at 11% (over €9,964), with the highest rate remaining at 45% (over €156,244). There is a capped 10% allowance on gross pension income. If you meet certain conditions, however, it is currently possible to take your entire UK pension as a lump sum and pay just 7.5% French income tax. Pension income and lump sums are also subject to annual French social charges of 9.1%, unless you hold Form S1 (available at UK State Pension age) or are not registered for French healthcare.

The wines of Bergerac

pring is almost here and a glass of sparkling wine is an excellent way to welcome its coming. But which one? The best way to find out is to recruit the wisdom of friends and fellow-imbibers and there are few happier ways than to organize a blind tasting. Most countries now make sparkling wine so we are no longer locked into the overpriced and over-hyped grip of champagne, a region which threatens to produce more champers than it can justify. In 1850, the champagne region produced 20 million bottles a year. By the 1960s they were approaching ten times that output. These days the total is closer to 400 million bottles a year thanks to to some spiffing wheezes concocted a dozen years ago, when the area of the champagne appellation as defined in 1927 was so fully exploited that they could hardly squeeze out another drop. One such wheeze raised the maximum yield of grapes to an eyewatering 15,500 kilos per hectare and another enlarged the appellation area by 40 villages and their surroundings. That may explain the flood of cheap-ish champers in supermarkets, priced at around

by Martin Walker

fifteen euros a bottle. Leave this stuff on the shelf, I suggest, and explore the alternatives. But make a party of it. Gather half a dozen chums and suggest each one brings a different fizz. Provide lots of clean glasses and some thick woollen socks. Use sticky tape to secure the socks around the bottles so that the labels are hidden. Get someone else to stick a number on each disguised bottle, offer pens and paper, and then start tasting. A good way to do this is to suggest that one guest brings a bottle of Italian Prosecco and another a bottle of Spanish cava. A third brings a Crémant from Alsace, a fourth a Blanquette de Limoux, a fifth a German sekt and a sixth brings a good Bergerac fizz. If there are more guests you ask them to bring Crémants from the Bourgogne, the Loire and from the Bordeaux regions, or even a bottle of cheap champers. Then taste, give a mark to each of the numbered wines and tot up the results to find the favourite. You could give X marks for appearance in the glass, Y marks for the initial taste in the mouth and Z marks for the aftertaste. A Parisian friend of mine says her only way

to judge sparkling wine is to measure its gaiety effect - ‘It is supposed to bring joy, non?’ So you might want to add a section for that. I guarantee a jolly evening. The first time I ran one of these, the winner was a Bergerac Blanc de Blancs from Château de Fayolle. (Blanc de Blancs means it is made only from white wine gapes, which in champagne means Chardonnay but in the Bergerac is usually Semillon but can include Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadet. A Blanc de Noirs includes red wines like Pinot Noir and Pinot, which are gently pressed to release the juice and the skins then discarded to prevent their colouring the wine - unless you want a pink champagne). The runners-up were another very good Bergerac fizz from Château Cluzeau, and a slightly less gay one from Château les Marnières. Then I discovered the two glorious examples of Bergerac fizz which are now my favourites: the gaiety-packed Brut made by Humphrey Temperley at Château Lestevenie, which is a real bargain at 9 euros; and the sublime pink fizz from Caro and Sean Feely at Château Feely at 16 euros. This is stunningly good

Establishing the best pension strategy for you Depending on your situation, it may be more beneficial to reinvest your UK pension funds into an alternative taxefficient structure that is compliant in France, so make sure you explore your options. Your pension is likely to be central to your long-term financial security, so it is crucial to proceed with care and take regulated advice to protect against pension scams. An adviser with cross-border expertise is best placed to help you establish the best approach for you and your family’s particular situation in France. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer for what to do with your pension, everyone can benefit from reviewing their arrangements as early as possible in 2020, before Brexit reshapes the landscape. ■ 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; individuals should seek personalised advice.. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at: www.blevinsfranks.com Tel: 05 53 63 49 19 Email: bergerac@blevinsfranks.com

value, since their rosé fizz can hold its head up in a blind tasting of pink champagnes that cost twice the price and more. Each of these two vineyards makes fizz in the classic way; the secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle as the sugar and yeast interact. By contrast, most of the cheap Vin Mousseux sold in supermarkets, like Italian Prosecco or German Sekt are made in giant metal vats and the wine is then bottled without further fermentation. That classic way (known somewhat unfairly as méthode champenoise) was developed in the year 1531 at the Abbey of St Hilaire at Limoux in the Languedoc, where they also pioneered the use of corks. This Abbey was where Dom Pérignon himself learned his trade and took it up to the champagne region. Their Blanquette de Limoux (it means ‘little white’) uses the local Mauzac grape, which gives a charming touch of apple to the flavour. Their Crémant de Limoux, which is also good, uses mainly Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc grapes. (The non-Chardonnays of Limoux, by the way, are excellent, worthy rivals of the more fancied and far more costly Burgundy whites.) After more research, I’ll be holding another blind tasting of some Bergerac fizzes that have been recommended to me by my

chum Marie-Pierre Tamagnon who runs the excellent magazine on Bergerac wines 24/7 (available at the Maison des Vins in Bergerac). They include Château Barouillet, Les Hauts de Caillevel, a bio from Grande Maison and one from the ever-reliable Domaine de l’Ancienne Cure, where Christian Roche is using Chenin and Sauvignon Gris grapes. And I can’t wait to try a fizz from Bruno Bilancini, the master of Monbazillac at Château Tirecul La Gravière. Let me stress that I adore a good champagne like a Krug, Veuve Clicquot or Gosset, but I find an extra pleasure in seeking out good wines at modest prices from this under-appreciated Bergerac region. And there are few better ways to convince yourself that you can drink cheaply and well in the Bergerac than by hosting a blind tasting party of your own.■ 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

MARCH 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

Business Directory

Your indispensable guide to finding local businesses & artisans Auto Services

NEU DplG ARCHITECTURE Member

MOTOR PARTS CHARENTE

Suppliers of Car & Van Spares & LHD headlights, anywhere in France JOHN SOWERSBY

Chamber

Architects

P r o v i d i n g A L L architectural services V e ry s m all to v ery b i g projects welcome Pre - pu rc h as e a s s i s ta n c e Feel welcome to ask for a non-binding meeting

+44 (0)7830 170761

05 53 56 52 27 a@mon.archi 06 42 86 59 12 (www)mon.archi

www.motorpartscharente.com

Based in Périgord vert 24340 A ll o f F ran c e c over ed

motorptscharente@aol.com

Building Services Architects/Surveyors Architectural DRAWING SERVICE Renovating your French property? New build? Dossiers prepared Permis de Construire Déclarations Préalables

Tel: 05 53 52 36 05 lavieilleabbaye@orange.fr www.latuspeter-architecturaldrawings-24.com SIRET: 493 770 358 00015

CHARTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

Pre-purchase & Structural Surveys. Verbal & written reports. Structural calculations & drawings. Redevelopment ideas & solutions. Tim Haw B.Eng C.Eng M.I.Struct.E

FR: 0033 (0)6 52 06 22 79 UK: 0044 (0)7448 466 662

Web: www.versineer.com Email: enquiries@versineer.com Siret: 498 843 051 00018

At Masterplans.eu we can help guide you through your planning application in France. From initial feasibility to completed dossiers. We will compile all the relevant drawings and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure your application proceeds smoothly. We are equally at home working with clients here in France or those living abroad.

Tel: 05 55 80 72 83 Mob: 06 33 07 29 72 Email: info@masterplans.eu www.masterplans.eu Siret: 790 016 984 00011

Building Services Carpenters/Joiners Darren Piper

Carpentry &

Building Services

CHARKER DAVID

Building Services Electricians

Electrician

All types of electrical work New builds, renovations, rewires. French registered Artisan with 10 year guarantee. Working alongside registered: Masons, Plumbers, Painters, Tilers and Plaquistes. All jobs considered.

Specialist in the renovation and restoration of period and contemporary buildings All small works undertaken

Entreprise Electricité Générale All aspects of electrical works undertaken Departments 36, 23 and 87 Contact us:

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GMS Electrical 40 years’ experience

French registered - French insured 10 year décennale insurance French consuel certificates obtained Any job, small or large Full re-wires, extra sockets, industrial/commericial installations... Pool heat pumps, external lighting, emergency lighting, electric gates... Contact Gary Sear:

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Building Services General

ANGLO SCAFFOLDING HIRE UK scaffolding supplied and erected here in France Qualified and fully insured FREE no obligation quotes Call Ian on

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KP RENOVATIONS DORDOGNE Tiling, plumbing, decorating, flooring and plasterboarding.

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Specialising in kitchens and bathrooms.

SIRET: 799 067 939 00014

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or see

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Chantilly Properties

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e: darren.piper@hotmail.com

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Based near Belvès (24170). Contact: Dave Hirons

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Tel: 05 53 30 28 84 or 06 37 32 19 94 Fully Registered SIRET: 522 951 318 00024 / 512 253 931 00012

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www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2020

Computers, Harlequin & Developments Internet Satellites

Food & Drink

est. 2007

Health & Beauty

Pest Control

All aspects of renovation and

refurbishment, big or small.

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M : 06 72 47 88 00 T: 05 53 20 64 02 E : wellers@orange.fr Registered Artisan - Siret No: 480 857 853 00018

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Building Services Sandblasting Sand and Blast We provide a fully operated

sandblasting

service for wood, stone and metal. Perfect for stripping away years of grime or paint. Contact us for a free quote, or see our website:

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Or Liam: 06 01 10 19 75 Email: LAsurveillancefr@gmail.com Siret: 880 473 525 00017

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06 42 14 26 56 siret: 827 791 054 00014

Stephen Wisedale

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SIRET: 812 727 253 00013

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All venues are in the evening between 6pm & 8.30 pm Wednesday: Mauzac, Le Barrage Thursday: Eymet 1st & 3rd Friday: Lauzun 2nd Friday: Ste-Alvère Last Friday: Campagnac-lès-Quercy See our website for full details:

siret: 444 925 630 00014

CCTV

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Traditional Fish & Chips in a town near you

www.thedordognechippy.com 05 53 74 01 91 or 06 19 99 25 62

siret: 794 461 293 00019

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Handholding & Language Services FRENCH LESSONS Via Skype

with a native French speaker Why commute? Long distance learning is the answer! C’est simple, call Sophie...

06 61 56 47 17 scarolinea@yahoo.fr

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Central France Pest Control Dératisation, Déinsectisation, Désinfection

02 48 60 83 72 / 06 74 33 02 38 www.applicateur3d.com Email: info@applicateur3d.com Curative and preventative rats, mice, moles, flies, woodworm, bed bugs, fleas, wasps, hornets

La Petite Barre, 18210 Bessais Le Fromental SIRET No. 498 544 741 00024

SIRET 830 715 785 00010

FRENCH HEALTHCARE ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW Access, guidance & support for the French healthcare system in the Dordogne Have everything explained by

EVELYNE DROUIN

(fully bilingual) Healthcare specialist: Carte Vitale and Mutuelle cover for individuals and businesses Free quote, direct contact Get in touch for more information or a free appointment: email: evelyne.drouin@axa.fr tel : 06 76 46 13 43

Cabinet d’Ostéopathie Lederman UK Trained Osteopath

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sales24@thebugle.eu

06 04 17 80 93

Pools & Spas Limousin Spas

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NEDWA - North Eastern Dordogne Women’s Association Come along and meet us on Tuesday 24th March from 10:30 am to 12 noon at our next Coffee Morning at Auberge du Pont in Cherveix Cubas. Always be sure of a warm welcome, good company and genuine friendship. For more information and details of upcoming events, see:

www.nedwa.com

NEDWA is a dynamic, multi-national group of around 100 women of all ages... Whether you are retired and feel like meeting some friendly faces, work from home and want to network, or just need to get out and attend some good monthly events, NEDWA fills the gap. Activities include a book club, sewing circle, coffee mornings, walks, lunches, speakers on topics which relate to you and much more.

DIRECTORY ♦ 17

MARCH 2020 ○ THE BUGLE ○ www.thebugle.eu

ADVERTORIAL

Did you know...?

Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser

... that in December 2019, the French Tax Authorities were granted permission under a three-year project, to search social media postings for evidence of French residents’ undeclared income? However, the authorities must not attempt to gain access to passwordprotected content. Only information posted by a tax payer can be used and not by a third party. Almost 3 years ago now I wrote an article on the upcoming changes involved in respect of Automatic Exchange of Information (AEoI) and Common Reporting Standards. More

than ever, tax authorities in different countries are communicating and co-operating between each other. As quoted from HMRC www.gov.uk : “These agreements allow the exchange of information between tax authorities of different countries about financial accounts and investments to help stop tax evasion. Financial institutions, for example banks, building societies, insurance companies, investment companies, will provide information on non-UK residents with financial accounts and investments in the UK to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). HMRC will share this information with the relevant countries.” There are also many incorrect “myths” about your “tax-free” lump sum, but in very simple terms once you are a French resident a “tax-free” lump sum does not exist because you should be declaring this as income on your tax return. Technically, a “taxfree” lump sum from your pension is

only tax-free when taken as a UK tax resident. You may also have heard that you can take this lump sum under a special tax rule of 7.5%. However, to quote from the Bulletin Officiel des Finances Publiques issued by Direction générale des Finances Publiques: "In order to avoid the partial redemption in instalments of the savings constituted within the framework of a pension scheme or contract,…. while benefiting from taxation at the reduced rate of 7.5%, the benefit of this scheme is reserved for non-fragmentary payments... The taxpayer who wishes to opt for the 7.5% levy must therefore normally liquidate all the rights acquired under the pension scheme or contract concerned and the capital must be paid in a single instalment. Thus, a taxpayer who applies for payment of part of his pension benefit in the form of a lump sum but retains the option to apply for a lump sum

payment supplement at a later date or a taxpayer who opts for a staggered payment of his lump sum benefit cannot benefit from the 7.5% levy." Whilst I must highlight that I am not a tax expert, I am quoting from the official sites and sources, so now is a very good time to review your pension and investment funds, so that we can make sure you are tax compliant and that your portfolio is performing in line with market conditions. An initial consultation is free of charge and gives you the opportunity to get your questions answered. Call me now on 06 38 86 99 70, email: rosemary. sheppard@blacktowerfm.com or visit www.theblacktowergroup.com. This article is based on the opinion of the financial adviser and author, and does not reflect the views of Blacktower. The above information was correct 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.

ADVERTORIAL

“SolarVenti”- the solar solution to damp and humidity

simple solar energy system that runs on its own, even when you are not there! – And provides a free heat supplement in winter. The Solarventi air panel was invented more than 20 years ago by Hans Jørgen Christensen, from Aidt Miljø, with the backing of the Danish government. He wanted to use the sun’s energy for airing and ventilation of the thousands of holiday homes on the West coast of Jutland, - houses that were left empty and unheated for long periods - houses with damp problems, mould and bad odours - houses that left their owners with discomfort, lots of work and expense. He wanted a system that would be safe, simple, without the need for radiators, water and/or mains electricity. Slowly but surely, the first Solarventi model came

together.

How it works The principle behind Solarventi is simple: a small, builtin, solar cell powers a 12V fan that is connected to an air vent, a control unit and an on/ off switch. Whenever the sun shines, the air in the solar panel is heated and the fan, receiving power from the solar cell, introduces warm, dry air into your home at the rate of 20 to 100 cubic metres per hour. The initial models were more than capable of keeping the cottages dry (and ventilated), even with the limited sunshine hours available in Denmark during the winter season. Since that time, the technology has really come along in leaps and bounds. Now, more than 20 years later, the 3rd and 4th generation Solarventi have exceed-

ed all expectations. In Southern Europe, Solarventi is not only used for ventilation/dehumidification purposes; with far more winter sunshine hours, it also provides a substantial heating supplement. Several technical and governmental studies show that incoming air temperature can be increased by as much as 40°C. A DIY Solution? The installation process is very straightforward and should only take two or three hours. All that is needed is a drill, hammer and chisel to make a hole in the wall. Roof installations are also possible. In fact, the Solarventi was originally designed to be a DIY product - in Scandinavia it still is. There are no electrical or water connections and it can be safely left running, even when

the property is empty. Solarventi requires no maintenance - 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. ■ Units start from €490 TTC.

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18 ♦ DIRECTORY Property Maintenance

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La Conciergerie Taking care of your home all year round providing you with a wintering service, managing your summer rentals or organising a happy holiday for you.

www.laconciergerie-housekeeping.com

24600 Villetoureix laconciergerie24@orange.fr Tel: 06 42 67 94 50 siret: 840 556 228 00010 - APE 9609Z

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Dementia Support

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Périgord Noir, will travel up to 45 mins from 24170.

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bookstop English second-hand books Tea room Art exhibitions

09 51 45 57 49

bookstop24@gmail.com facebook.com/bookstop24 19 rue Victor Hugo, 24310 Brantôme

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anxious? stressed? feeling down? call us up!

01 46 21 46 46 3 - 11pm daily Confidential & Non-profit

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+44 (0)1253 725 414

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France to France, Spain, Portugal, Italy etc We Offer: Removals, Storage, House Clearance, also Car, Caravan, Plant Transport. French Registered Business. Local Friendly Service. www.dordognestoragesolutions.com

Siret 530 213 644 00012

A family business offering a quality, professional service since 1985

Contact Stephen or Ben: 0044 121 353 7263 sales@franklinsremovals.co.uk www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

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06 04 17 80 93

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Local and European Removals

+33 (0)6 73 96 38 39

www.frenchvanman.eu

Franklins Removals

Transport, Removals & Storage

siret: 841 001 456 00018

Man & Van Transport

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Handsome Arnou and his friends are waiting for you at Acorn Cat Rescue.

For its 2020 season, the choir “Cantabile d’Eymet” is looking for a number of extra choristers in all the voice sections. A good ear, a right voice and the desire to sing in a sympathetic atmosphere some jewels of English music of the 21st century - the “Requiem” and four “Songs of Sanctuary” by Karl Jenkins - are all we require, the administrative team of the choir will take care of the rest.

Like all Acorn cats, Arnou is microchipped, vaccinated, de-parasited and sterilised.

Rehearsals are in French and English and take place in Eymet on Wednesday evenings from 8 pm to 10 pm.

www.associationacorn.com

For more information, please contact our English president - pippacogulot@gmail.com - or our French choirmaster on 06 43 10 63 52 or at the following address: lhopiteaumichele@gmail.com

Facebook & Instagram: Acorn Cat Rescue

To advertise in The Bugle Business Directory, call 06 04 17 80 93 or email sales24@thebugle.eu

Buying or Selling French Property? Legal advice from English-speaking lawyers Also the #1 portal for property auctions

www.frenchpropertylawyer.fr

05 55 82 18 99

Worship services in English held throughout the Dordogne: Bertric Burée, Chancelade, Eymet Temple, Limeuil, Négrondes, Sainte Nathalène (near Sarlat). All are welcome!! Please visit our website for more information: www.churchinaquitaine.org Find us on Facebook: English Church Aquitaine

WHAT’S ON ♦ 19

MARCH 2020 ○ 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 as a meeting ground for the French and international communities of the Dordogne, including ACIP and La Tulipe.

Venue - Le Buisson de Cadouin, salle des fêtes, avenue Aquitaine

For more info, tel 06 31 61 81 68 or 05 53 23 86 22 or visit http://www.arcadesinfo.com/

Sunday 29th March at 5 pm Recital by Pianist Natasa Lipovsek

SATURDAY 2nd MAY 2020 As the days become longer, it’s time to spring clean your book shelves and clear out all the books you’ve read over the winter, ready to restock them for those long, luxurious days of summer! And what better opportunity than the next Great Phoenix Book Fair on Saturday 2nd May. The Book Fair will take place, as usual, at Campsegret on the N21 just north of Bergerac.

Programme: Mozart - Sonata in C major, KV 330; Schubert - Impromptu in A flat minor D899/0p.90 No.4; Beethoven - « Appassionata » Sonata in F minor, 0p.57; Chopin - Nocturne in D flat major, 0p.27 No.2, Prelude in A flat major, 0p.28 No.17, Scherzo in B flat minor, 0p.31; Rachmaninov - « Coffin » Prelude in C sharp minor, 0p.3 No.2; Ravel - « Ondine » from ‘Gaspard de la Nuit’; Debussy - « Jardins sous la Pluie » from ‘Estampes’ Nataša Lipovšek, born in London to Yugoslav parents, started her piano studies in Slovenia and then continued at the Royal College in London with Kendall Taylor and John Barstow. She won many prestigious awards, notably the Myra Hess and the Countess of Munster Awards and toured the country in a violin/piano duo with her sister Tatjana, performing in many London venues including St. John’s Smith Square, the Purcell Room and the Royal Festival Hall. She has performed all over Europe to glowing reviews.

You will find over 20,000 used books in excellent condition – fiction, non-fiction, children’s, French, Dutch, antiquarian, collectibles, cookery, history and many more. You’ll also find thousands of DVDs and CDs, jigsaws, children’s games, bric-a-brac, plants and cards. Prices start at just one euro! The Phoenix Catering Team will be serving their usual, delicious homemade goodies, both sweet and savoury. The items are all donated by Phoenix Members and animal lovers from the area. There will also be a chance to see some of the dogs who are available for adoption. They are adorable and looking for a fresh start and a new home. Doors open at 9.30 am (9.00 am for those with limited mobility) and close at 3.00 pm. Free parking is available. Children and dogs are very welcome. All donations of money, food, books, plants, bric-a-brac, etc. are welcome on the day. All the proceeds will go to the Phoenix Association to continue the work of caring for, healing and rehoming abandoned, abused and unwanted animals. PLEASE COME AND JOIN US! PS If you interested in helping at the Fair or sorting books throughout the year, please contact Sandra Hall at sand.hall@orange.fr.

The Great Easter Egg Hunt – Jardins de Marqueyssac Sunday 12th and Monday 13th April This special event is reserved for the delight of children on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday afternoons. Great Easter egg hunt plus workshops for decorating eggs, making an Easter basket, crafting wooden eggs with the wood turner and introductory rock climbing. As there are more and more participants every year, please be aware that participation is limited to those who have signed up in advance! Entrance: Adults €9.90; 0-17 yrs €5; free for Under 10s. Event without extra charge. Visit www.marqueyssac.com for more information and to reserve.

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To place a Classified, simply email details of your item for sale to notices@thebugle.eu

20 ♦ WHAT’S ON

www.thebugle.eu ○ THE BUGLE ○ MARCH 2020

SALON DU CHOCOLAT

et de la bière 21st & 22nd March 2020

LALINDE

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

Got an event for The Bugle?

notices@thebugle.eu

Variations Easter Concerts 28th & 29th March Variations will be performing their 2020 Easter concerts just a little ahead of Easter this year. There will be two dazzling performances, under the expertise and direction of conductor John Jenkins, Variations’ philharmonic orchestra and professional soloists.

On 7th and 8th 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 bandas, workshops and demonstrations by farmers and artisans, and free entertainment for the children, there is something for everyone! Not to mention the great banquet.

The first musical work, Schubert’s Mass in G, is one of the composer’s best-known sacred pieces, written allegedly, in a week, when he was only 19 years of age. In total contrast, the concert bursts forth in the 2nd half of the programme with Handel’s Acis & Galatea. This is a ‘pastoral opera’ based on classical mythology, written to provide musical and humorous entertainment at court, and being written about 100 years before Schubert’s Mass in G.

Not to be missed, this gastronomic feast offers foie gras in abundance, prepared by the best sarladais chefs.

Don’t miss either of these entertaining performances from Variations: Saturday 28th March at 20h in the beautiful 12th century Eglise Notre-Dame de Vanxains, and Sunday 29th March at 17h in the historic Augustine Abbey of Chancelade. Tickets €20; free for children.

To reserve contact the Sarlat tourist office tel 05 53 31 45 45.

For further information, please contact 06 85 86 73 33.

For more information about the festival visit www.sarlat-tourisme.com/festoie

Website: www.variationsfrance.com