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DAILY Telegraph columnist Michael Wright left behind his career as a theatre critic in London to head to the Limousin, deep in the heart of France.
In this podcast Michael tells us about the pleasures of life in France, why he left the media world behind and gives us a sneaky peek into the book he has written that is due out next year.
FLU vaccines have been made available in chemists across France and they will be free to those over 65 years old, and for people who suffer certain other illnesses, such as diabetes.
Each year the health service promotes an advertising campaign to ensure people susceptible to le grippe receive a vaccination.
Further details can be found on the l’Assurance Maladie website.
THE French government has announced a number of new measures which it hopes will encourage working women to have more babies.
Prime Minister Dominic de Villepin said at a conference hosted by the Union Nationale des Associations Familiales (UNAF) more will be done to help growing families.
THE last French factory to make Gauloises and Gitanes cigarettes has closed its doors bringing an end to the favourite smoke of Aznavour, Camus and pétanque players.
The factory’s passing features on the BBC site and despite the lung cancer and other illnesses smoking brings, there is something sad in the passing of a feature of French life.
IT was the first mild day of spring after the long cold spell, when we drove round the lane, up to the Trappist community of nuns, Notre Dame de Bonne Espérance (Our Lady of Good Hope), writes Gemma Driver.
The sun was shining, the sky bright blue, and the impressive buildings of the Abbey shone white.
THE French government is set to announce a number of incentives to encourage more women to have babies, in particular those who have pursued a career.
Plans to offer payments of up to €1,000 a month to mothers and other benefits are to be discussed at a conference.
HERE are a couple of quick links to interesting stories on the internet the first of which looks at the problems faced by minorities in France.
Many people find it hard to find jobs and finance to start their own business and the French system of not noting the ethnicity of a person in statistics appears to be a hindrance.
And Jacques Chirac is angry that computer manufacturer Hewlett Packard is set to shed more than 1,200 jobs in France so he is calling in the European Commission.
IF you have ever stood in front of a row of wine bottles and wondered how to read the different labels, then today's podcast is for you.
Listen to Jean-Marc's hints and tips on what to look out for and please feel free to leave any comments at the end of this article.
ONE of the best ways to get a taste of real French life is to spend an evening in a small restaurant.
You can’t beat trying out something new and different alongside a glass or two of wine, but some people may feel a little uncomfortable about visiting a place.
NEW research says that Christian missionaries are no longer heading to the far-flung corners of the world, but France instead.
Figures from the Christian Research group claim that missionary groups want to work amongst the French, knocking Kenya from the top spot.
Despite the fact that France is closer to home one of the main reasons given for the change is that Europeans in particular are in need of spiritual help.
But there is also a growing church community amongst Brits in France, bucking the trend seen in the UK.
