This French Life

Soirée du vin in Roquecor for Les amis des chats

CAT welfare charity Les amis des chats is to taste a tipple or two to help raise money towards its day to day running costs.

The soirée du vin is being held in the hall next to the Salle de Fetes in Roquecor (map), offering people the chance to sample some of the wines of the region.

There will also be an auction of lots on the night including a real collector’s item of 007 James Bond crew jackets, signed by Pierce Brosnan himself.

The event takes place on Wednesday, April 8 with the doors opening at 6pm and entry priced at €10.

Business advice website from EU Commission

STARTING a business is challenging enough, but getting one off the ground in another country opens up a whole new bunch of questions.

The European Commission's Your Europe - Business website provides access to information on doing business in other EU states.

The site is aimed at smaller businesses and offers direct access to e-government services such as VAT refund procedures, and a run-down of the business support services in a chosen country.

Paris Magazine takes to the streets

APPEARING on the streets of Paris tomorrow will be a new magazine aimed at English language speakers living in the capital.

Paris Magazine will come out every two months and features , interviews, news and practical information tailored to adults and their children in and around the city.

It will be available on news stands and in book stores in Paris and the surrounding area priced €4, or for more information call 01 53 45 70 10.

Unions prepare for protest on May 1

THE pressure is being increased on the French government as union bosses prepare for a massive show of solidarity on May 1.

The CGT and seven other unions have said that a day of protest will take place on la Fête du travail, the symbolism of which won't go unnoticed.

In a statement the unions said they would spend the coming month preparing marches and protests that would take place across France.

London link to Nantes from VLM Airlines

A NEW service between London City Airport and Nantes is to start on April 27, 2009 operated by VLM Airlines.

Flights from London City depart at 8.25am arriving at 11.10am on weekdays and Saturday, and 5.45pm arriving 8.30pm on weekday and Sunday.

Return flights from Nantes depart at 7.45am arriving at 8.30m on weekdays and Saturday, and 5.30pm arriving at 6.15pm on weekdays and Sunday.

Cycling around the treasures of France

I’M not the only one who’s dreamt of cycling through the French backroads, writes Christopher Strong. And, I know I’m not the only one who’s done it spontaneously, with no fixed itinerary.

But, in all modesty, I may be the only one who’s done it five months a year for five years to produce a television series and, as a result, now lives in the country of my dreams.

Normandie Express on Portsmouth to Cherbourg route

BRITTANY Ferries is to fire up the engines of the Normandie Express from April 1 as the company commences its daily Portsmouth to Cherbourg route.

The high speed Normandie Express departs Portsmouth each morning from Monday to Thursday at 8.00 am, arriving in France after a three hour journey, with the return from Cherbourg setting off at 5.30pm.

Mayotte votes to become département 101

THE process of absorbing into Frnace the island of Mayotte , found in the Indian Ocean, is set to begin as it voted to become the 101st département of France.

The result of a referendum over the weekend saw around 95 per cent of the island's inhabitants vote to become an overseas département.

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, welcomed the result describing it as an 'historic' moment for Mayotte, but stressing that the constitutional process has to be followed.

Offering chambres d’hôtes in Paris

THE Paris authorities are keen to see more local people offer chambres d’hôtes, or B&B, facilities in their homes.

A series of open days have taken place across the capital, with others available in the coming weeks including at the mairie of the 9ème on April 2, and the 12ème on April 29.

To find out how you can register to offer B&B in Paris check out the English language section of the official Chambres d’Hôtes in Paris website.

A Place in the Sun show at Earls Court

YOU are sure to have a few questions if you are planning a move to France, so here is an opportunity to quiz a few experts during the A Place in the Sun property show.

The exhibition features hundreds of exhibitors, thousands of properties from more than 40 countries, free seminars, celebrity guests and a line-up of features designed to inspire on all aspects of buying property abroad.

A Place in the Sun offers advice on property in France as well as elsewhere and runs from April 3 to 5 at London's Earls Court, with a pair of tickets costing £11.