This French Life

Summer festivals to enjoy across France

WITH the summer sunshine here there is plenty of opportunity to get and about to visit festivals and events across France.

Here are just a few things taking place across France and if you know of any others please feel free to add them via the comment section.

Les Eurockéennes, Belfort, July 2 to 4
Les Eurockéennes is one of the liveliest events of the summer in France Comté, with bands from all over the continent playing in a lively programme that runs from hip-hop to reggae, classic rock to heavy metal.

Day of strike action set for September

LEADING unions in France have announced a new day of strike action and protest planned for September 7, 2010.

Unions representing workers from many industries, including the CGT union, have called on both public and private sector staff, as well as young people, the unemployed and retirees, to join the day of protest.

One of the reasons for the protest are government plans to increase the retirement age, and unions say not enough is being done to help people find employment.

Ryanair cuts number of UK flights over winter

RYANAIR has said it will cut UK winter capacity by 16 per cent from November with the loss of over two million passengers at UK airports this winter, in comparison to last year.

In a statement, the airline has blamed the UK government's £11 tourist tax, which it claims is damaging British air traffic, tourism and jobs.

London Stansted will see a 17 per cent cut in capacity while Ryanair will also cut winter flights at most of its other UK bases, except Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford.

Brittany Ferries offer £99 early summer ticket deal

BRITTANY Ferries is offering a low fare of £99 per person return for mid-week travel to Caen, Cherbourg and Roscoff if booked between now and July 22 for a stay of up to 7 days.

The fare is available on departures Monday to Thursday for the services between Portsmouth-Caen, Portsmouth-Cherbourg, Poole-Cherbourg and Plymouth-Roscoff, and tickets can be booked for both cruise-ferry and high-speed crossings.

Fares can be booked online at Brittany Ferries or by calling reservations on 0871 244 1400.

Sarkozy outlines cost cutting measures

PRESIDENT Sarkozy has outlined how his government will cut costs in a letter to Prime minister François Fillon.

Fees paid to consultants, staff levels enjoyed by ministers and the use of a vast limousine service paid for by the state will all be restricted.

Around 10,000 vehicles and 7,000 state buildings will be sold off, while cabinet ministers are to have no more than 20 staff members, and secretaries of state no more than four.

Armstrong says this will be his last Tour de France

And yes, this will be final Tour de France. It's been a great ride. Looking forward to 3 great weeks.less than a minute ago via UberTwitterLance Armstrong
lancearmstrong

LANCE Armstrong has used Twitter to say that this year's Tour de France, which starts on Saturday, July 3 will be his last.

An iPhone jog around the streets of Paris

Paris in 94 minutes: A running tour from Paul Buchheit on Vimeo.

TAKE an iPhone, a pair of running shoes and a jog around the streets of Paris to get a unique view of the city.

Online anti-censorship 'shelter' opens in Paris

REPORTERS Sans Frontières has opened the world’s first Anti-Censorship Shelter in Paris for use by foreign journalists, bloggers and dissidents.

The press freedom organisation has worked alongside the communications security firm XeroBank to make high-speed anonymity services, including encrypted email and web access, available free of charge to those who user the shelter.

Take your seat for the Fête du Cinéma

FANS of the silver screen have until the end of the week to enjoy cut-price cinema tickets during the Fête du Cinéma.

The festival opened on Saturday and runs until Friday, July 2 and it enables people to buy a normal priced ticket and receive a passport that enables them to see future films for €3 each.

Many cinemas across France will be taking part offering people the chance to see new films such as Hachi featuring Richard Gere and French comedy Les Meilleurs Amis Du Monde, whilst others will use the festival as a opportunity to show films from around the world.

Drop in on a farmers market in France

THE popular farmers' market returns to Loubejac, in the Dordogne (map), later this week where visitors get the chance to try products straight from the farm.

Every Thursday, from around 6.30pm, chairs and long tables are laid out close to the small church and people arrive with their knives and forks, paper plates and cups for a glass of red.

There is the chance to try different locally produced food, often featuring duck, chips and thick slices of bread.

During the summer season markets around this southern corner of the Dordogne will host similar events, sometimes featuring live music, but always offering a slice of real French life.

There is a Marchés des Producteurs website which looks to promote some of the events taking place across France.

Unfortunately it is not the most complete site, for example I struggled to find anything in the Lot, hopefully it will be updated soon.