Get your local news online

AS broadband use expands it is getting easier to stay in touch with local news whether you live in France, or have a second home there.

Not only can you keep up to date with what is happening in the area, for example new building projects or cultural events, you will improve your language skills at the same time.

The television news channels have been quick to offer their bulletins online, but they haven't stopped at just the national programmes you can now easily tune into the local news.

You can check all the channels from across the country on the France 3 website, with news available from individual cities and areas.

I often watch the news bulletins from Périgords, but you can also see what's going on from Berry to Poitou-Charentes; Grenoble to Toulouse and if you are really brave, why not watch the news in Occitan or Breton?

The online radio service from France BLEU is also a site you may want to explore as again you can pick and choose stations, although it is noticeable that Midi Pyrénées doesn't have a service, not sure why.

And recently I was reading on the Guardian website that the Brittany-based newspaper Le Télégramme had launched its own regular video news service, offering a seven minute round up that is posted on their website at 5pm each week day.

With internet access speeds getting quicker more websites are likely to offer video, giving you a chance to stay informed about what is happening local to you.

Comments

[Ségolène Royal]

Vive la France, vive la République, vive Nicolas Sarkozy!... and long live "The French Life".

[Craig McGinty]

Why, I never realised that This French Life was followed by the powers that be. I hope you've cast your vote in the site poll Ségo, even if it might be for Sarko ;-)

[Mrs. G. Bush]

BIG Merci for Le Télégramme videos!
Though my husband refuses to listen or read the news, I enjoy the ocassional shot of Frensh!
Viva Sarko