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TAKE a stroll around many of the websites written by people living in France as they offer a glimpse into the day-to-day challenges and experiences they have.
So you can found out more on the horrors of the grease trap, the terrors of ironing boxer shorts and even some tips on picking the best campsite - told you there was plenty to explore.
IF you are away from your home in France visiting friends, or even taking a holiday, many areas will operate Operation Tranquillité Vacances which is overseen by the local police or gendarmerie.
The Connexion newspaper highlights the service and it is designed to provide homeowners with added security as police officers will be aware the property is empty and so be vigilant during patrols.
Continue reading "Operation Tranquillité Vacances to protect your home" »
EACH year the Les Azuriales Opera Festival is held against the backdrop of St Jean-Cap Ferrat, the unspoilt peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea from the corniches of the Côte d'Azur between Nice and Monaco.
Performances take place in the covered cloister of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a fairytale Belle Époque mansion built by the Rothschild family, surrounded by magnificent mature gardens where up to 200 people dine under the stars after an evening of opera.
Continue reading "Fairytale sounds of Les Azuriales Opera Festival" »
SOME might say that selling English cheese in France is a bit like sending coals to Newcastle, but for Adrian Perryman it's a chance to show off the rich tastes the UK has to offer.
Since moving to France in 2003 with his partner Jannie, the former chef and builder has become a regular at village markets around the Creuse offering up a cheeseboard bearing some of the most famous names from England.
Continue reading "Bringing English cheese to the dinner tables of France" »
YOU might not think water runs uphill, but in France it does, writes Beryl Brennan.
The source of the River Thouet in Deux-Sevres is at Le Beugnon, near Secondigny, and it runs uphill to join the mighty Loire at Saumur.
It is a particularly attractive river, meandering through the picturesque and varied countryside via Parthenay, Airvault (birthplace of Voltaire) and Thouars, in a route known as the Vallee du Thouet.
Continue reading "Cycle the trail of the Vallee du Thouet " »
THERE is an intriguing tale on The Independent website about a French woman called Marie-Pierre Manet-Beauzac, who believes she is one of the few Cagot in France.
The Cagot people can be traced back through the centuries, but despite a rich history they were seen as 'untouchables' and faced discrimination throughout their life.
IF you have ever wondered what the postal code for a village or region is, then drop in on La Poste's trouvez un code postal section of its website.
You have a choice of either typing in the name of a village or town which then returns the post code, or you can do it in reverse and enter the postal code to produce a list of locations.
On the same page you will also find in the right hand column a few other useful tools such as a calculator for pricing parcel deliveries and a way to check that your address is being displayed in a format that suits La Poste.
FRANCE in the summer months is a time of music festivals, street art and gastronomy.
Dotted across the country are events that will give you the chance to discover something that little bit different, including delights such as Celtic music, the sounds of the Deep South and even the pleasures of the prune.
Below is a quick guide to some of the festivals coming up over the coming weeks.
IF you have been out and about with your camera don't forget to add some of your pics to the This French Life Flickr group so others can enjoy them.
A basic account with Flickr is free, and it's an easy way to display your favourite photographs to friends and family, but if you explore some of the photos posted by others you can discover many hidden corners of France.
Or if you can't get to France this year take a digital walk around the villages, fields and buildings others have added to the group.
A SHIPMENT of wines from Languedoc-Roussillon arrived in Dublin on Friday, delivered by the 108 year-old, triple-masted Kathleen & May tall ship.
Continue reading "Tall ship brings French wines to Dublin" »
