This French Life

Warning over Rugby World Cup tickets

JUST a week before the start of the Rugby World Cup a warning has been issued about the dangers of buying tickets from unofficial websites after people have paid for non-existent seats.

With many matches already sold out the BBC website reports that Cardiff trading standards has said people should only buy tickets from the official World Cup website.

If you are still keen to savour the special atmosphere of the competition but can't get hold of a ticket don't forget that the host towns and cities are staging events throughout the month of the tournament.

Blogger websites hacked

I KNOW a number of readers have their own blogs running on the Blogger service from Google, but the BBC is reporting that some sites have been hacked.

Entries are made to infected sites that include a link to a download that can take over Windows based PCs, there is no official word from Google but examples of the entries can be seen on the SunbeltBlog.

The mystic world of gemstones and wine

AS we are all aware this summer hasn’t been the best on record.

But if you are visiting Dijon up until December 9, whether it be warm or chilly, sunny or raining do take the time to visit a fascinating exhibition at Dijon’s Natural History Museum; Jardin des Sciences.

You will be introduced to a magical world which brings together stone and wine.

Éclats de Couleurs – Pierres et Vins de Légende (Flashes of Colour – Stones and Wines of Legend). This is a surprising and unusual exhibition which sheds light on the link between precious stones and wine.

French property prices weaken

PROPERTY prices in France fell by 1.5 per cent in July according to figures from the estate agency association FNAIM (Federation Nationale des Agents Immobiliers et Mandataires).

The annual change in house prices now stands at five per cent, slipping further back when compared to April this year which showed an annual change of 6.5 per cent.

In comparison the rate of change in England and Wales for the past 12 months was 8.8 per cent.

Holy water barred from Vatican flights

THE Vatican's first flight for pilgrims to Lourdes hit a bit of a problem when security personal confiscated bottles of holy water, saying they broke strict rules on the carriage of liquids on European aircraft.

The restrictions, which limit passengers to carrying bottles of no more than 100ml, meant people had to give up their holy water and forced one man to drink it on the spot.

But newspapers report that the Vatican planned ahead and placed a small complimentary bottle of holy water on the seat of passengers.

Related article: Vatican to offer flights to Lourdes

On yer bike!

WHETHER it is the influence of the Tour de France, the cost of petrol or the urge to get fit, it seems that Britons are becoming a nation of cycling fanatics.

There was a 30% increase in bookings for cycling holidays last year and the trend looks set to rise.

In recent years cycling has come out of the shadows and received a new lease of life. Issues such as carbon emissions, eco travel and sustainable transport as well as an increase in health and fitness have seen Britons take to the saddle.

Get French classics delivered to you

LITTLE and often is usually the best way to pick up a language, so how about reading a few paragraphs from a French classic every day to help you polish up your understanding?

That's the idea behind the DailyLit website which offers you the chance to receive bite sized chunks of a variety of titles either via email or in your RSS reader.

The site features a selection of French titles from the likes of Baudelaire and de la Fontaine, just take your pick and start receiving the words.

Related article: Online French classics

Autumn events in France

MANY people will say that the best time to visit France is in September and October, when the tourists have gone home but the weather is still lovely and warm.

You will also have the chance to enjoy a number of festivals and events celebrating the harvesting of the crops, as well as discover the work of artists and savour the talents of musicians.

Here is a quick selection of what's on across France.

A quick collection of links

HERE is a round up of websites and stories that may prove interesting, including news about an increase in the price of bread and a connection dating back more than 60 years.

Pays de l'Ours: A website that follows the latest news about the bears in the Pyrenees (via).

Cost of bread to rise: An increase in grain costs will mean a rise in the price of bread from next month.

How Le Bugue and Marckolsheim came to be twinned: An incredible story of links stretching back to the second Word War.

Say cheese and you'll be cooking with a smile: Enjoying a life of cheese in the heart of Normandy.

Pics and posts on the site

Photo: Friday market by Macfourie

IT has been a wee while since I pointed you to the This French Life Flickr album, but there has been some new additions recently.

The photo to the right is just one of the new arrivals in the album, and don't forget you can add your own pics to the album - it would be great to see some from people who have recently spent time in France.

Elsewhere on the site there has been a number of new comments added to a post about looking for a long term rental, as the end of the season approaches it might be something to consider.

And as ever if you can help out on the forum please feel free to leave a message, for example, does anyone know anything about buying a spa in France?