This French Life

VTT mountain bike championships Saint-Pompont (24)

IF you enjoy mountain biking, or just like to take your bike out for a spin, then Saint-Pompont in the Dordogne hosts the VTT Coupe de France championships later this month.

From 25 to 27 May, 2012 the small village found in the east of the Dordogne (map) will play host to a weekend of competition and all things cycling.

All levels of competitors will be taking part from juniors to those expected to represent France at this year's Olympic Games in London.

And there will be plenty for cycling fans in general to enjoy with the chance to try out tracks in the surrounding hills, as well as visit sponsors and enjoy a taste of the local hospitality.

US people living overseas urged to register to vote

PEOPLE from the US living overseas are being urged to register to vote, with those living in France being offered a helping hand from a Paris-based organisation.

The Union of Overseas Voters is looking to ensure US citizens get the chance to vote in the forthcoming presidential and congressional elections.

So much so that they they have set up a presence at the famous Shakespeare and Company book shop in Paris with volunteers on hand to pass on advice on the first and third Saturday of every month, from 2 to 5pm.

Tony Paschall, of the Union of Overseas Voters, said: "Of the 6.32 million American voters overseas, more than 30,000 reside in France and that number does not include dual nationals.

"Our efforts to empower voters will be ongoing, and include civic education and voting rights advocacy. At the same time, we will be training like-minded citizens as Voting Assistant Officers to help assure that no American voter is disenfranchised."

The Union of Overseas Voters says people should file a request for absentee ballots every year to ensure they receive ballots for all elections in which they are eligible to vote.

In 2010 it was found that almost a third of overseas ballots were never mailed back to US election officials for counting, and the group hopes that by offering advice more people will have an input into the voting process.

The Union of Overseas Voters was founded in 2011 and is a non-partisan non-profit association registered under French law.

Ryanair website closing over weekend

JUST a quick heads-up that the Ryanair.com website will be closed from 10pm on Friday 18 May until midnight Saturday 19 May, 2012.

Flights will be unaffected and Ryanair has already advised passengers due to travel over the weekend (Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May) to make sure they check-in online before 4pm on Friday May 18.

Mobile roaming charges to get cheaper

IF you are heading to France, and elsewhere in the EU, this summer and want to keep in touch with friends and family you'll be pleased to know mobile roaming charges are to be cut.

Users of mobile phones, smartphones and tablet devices will from July 1, 2012 see the cost of making calls, sending text messages and using the internet fall after a vote in the EU parliament.

The agreement will come into force across EU member states in time for the busy summer holiday period and over the next few years we will see prices cut further, as well as measures to increase competition between mobile phone operators.

For example, from July 2014 customers will be able to buy their domestic and roaming services separately, from different operators, whilst keeping the same phone number.

So from July 1 this year those travelling in France and in other EU countries will pay no more than (prices exclude VAT):

• 29 euro cents a minute to make a call

• 8 cents a minute to receive a call

• 9 cents to send a text message

• 70 cents a megabyte to download data or browse the internet, charged by the kilobyte used

Drop in on the rural fair at Loubejac (24)

THE Journée Champêtre, or rural fair, here in Loubejac (map) takes place on Sunday May 20, 2012.

The day starts at 9am with a seven and 12 km walk for the active, who will be heading out at around the same time as horse riders and cyclists who have their own routes through the countryside.

The fair is held beneath the church spire in Loubejac where stalls offering up flowers and plants, as well as an animal fair and wild bird exhibition will be on display.

The Journée Champêtre marks the start of a number of events in Loubejac including a vide-grenier, farmers markets and a weekend fête featuring live music and fireworks.

Taking in the view from the forest path

A RECENT house move has necessitated a new route for the daily dog walks, but there is a reward half way along the forest path.

This is the view looking west from one of the higher points in Loubejac, taking in the Lot-et-Garonne and, beyond the horses, there is a quarry found just outside the village of Sauveterre La Lemance.

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News round up: Hollande faces tough start

Herman Von Rompuy, President of the European Council, in talks with François Hollande on May 9, 2012
THE French economy looks set to give the new president a real headache as forecasters believe there will be zero second quarter growth this year.

François Hollande stood on a platform of anti-austerity and said growth was the only way for France, and Europe, to beat rising unemployment and political extremism.

But the Banque de France has said in a statement that it expects gross domestic product to remain stable in the second quarter compared to the first quarter, which also saw zero growth.

Most probably not the best news the new president wanted to hear before he takes up office next week.

But things don't look too rosy for the departing president either, as Nicolas Sarkozy faces questions over the way his party was funded and whether contracts were eased through with the help of bribes.

The questions have risen now because Nicolas Sarkozy will lose his presidential immunity in a little over a month, and so like former president Jacques Chirac, the legal system has started to turn and some would like to place its cross-hairs on Sarko.

Ironically, soon after his defeat in the presidential elections Nicolas Sarkozy said he was looking to return to his old job as a lawyer, so he could be quite busy.

More legal moves, this time for those who survived the capsizing of the Costa Concordia cruise ship in January off the Italian coast.

Around $2 million has been paid to French survivors in a settlement, but it seems this is only the start of what is set to be a long drawn out legal process.

Finally, if you were seduced into the French way of life by author Joanne Harris and her best-seller Chocolat , then look out for her return to the village of its setting.

Joanne Harris writes about her latest book, Peaches for Monsieur le Curé which is out later this month, and how the characters and setting have captured the imagination of both her fans and herself.

Titanic: Return to Cherbourg exhibition

A €3.3 MILLION permanent exhibition has recently opened at La Cité de la Mer maritime museum in the port of Cherbourg.

The exhibition, Titanic: Return to Cherbourg, is housed in a 2500m² space, encompassing the site of the baggage hall of the original terminal building from where 281 passengers boarded the ship during its penultimate stop on route to New York.

There are three themed sections for visitors to explore. The first section guides visitors through the baggage hall where interactive displays echo the hope and excitement of those about to board.

Visitors then learn what life would have been like on board as they walk the length of the reconstructed hull of the vessel, from the luxury cabins and grand entrance hall of 1st class accommodation to the sparse and confined corridors of 3rd class.

A 24m long screen projects a film documenting the Titanic’s journey from the crossing to the collision and finally the sinking. The final section focuses on the investigation into the tragedy and the way in which the story was reported by the press.

The exhibition uses film, photography and reconstructions to tell the story of the famous ship and its passengers.

Evening surprises on La Nuit des Musées

La Nuit européenne des musées 2012 from Nuit des musées 2012 on Vimeo.
THE annual Nuit des Musées takes place on Saturday, May 19 with the promise of light shows, theatrical performances and public readings bringing a whole new life to exhibits.

Public buildings, museums and other institutions will be open to the public free of charge for an occasion that has gained a presence in many other European cities, but France will host the largest number of events.

The Nuit des Musées website allows you to search what's on by theme or by location, with all the regions offering something for interested visitors.

Collections of historical, artistic, literary and scientific objects will be on display at a wide variety of events which will include appearances by artists, unusual ways of viewing collections, with visits often lit by lanterns, as well as concerts and readings.