This French Life

Deauville American Film Festival welcomes fans

FILM fans are sure to have an eye on Deauville, in northern France, when the town hosts its annual festival showcasing the best of American cinema.

The Deauville American Film Festival has been showcasing the American cinematographic diversity since 1975, taking in both the established Hollywood circuit as well as independents.

The festival takes place from Friday, September 3 to Sunday, September 12, 2010 and more than 100 films will be presented to the public on three sites.

The festival is an event open to all, professionals as well as cinema fans.

Photographs from a Dordogne summer

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HERE are some photographs from around the southern corner of the Dordogne, taking in the still morning air, mushrooms under the chestnut trees and a musical concert in the historic church of Besse.

Add your photos to the Flickr group

Morning raindrops on flower stem in the Dordogne

IF you have been taking a stroll around the streets and countryside of France with your camera, don't forget you can add them to the This French Life Flickr group.

There are more than 1,300 photographs in the group and even if you can't get to France this year, why not click through and take a virtual stroll alongside the photographers themselves.

Actor who played Inspector Maigret has died

FRENCH actor Bruno Cremer, best known for playing the role of Inspector Jules Maigret, died in a Paris hospital on Saturday at the age of 80, his agent France Degand told AFP on Sunday.

President Sarkozy expressed his sadness at the news, and it has been confirmed that Bruno Cramer will be buried on Friday.

September reopening for LaM Lille Museum

Ultimes préparatifs au LaM (April 2010)

AFTER just over four years' renovation the Lille Métropole museum of modern art is to reopen on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

It will open with a new name, the LaM – Lille Métropole Musée, and on display will be more then 4,500 works, somw of which have never been on display before.

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.

Impressionist Normandy Festival offers artistic delights

FROM now until September 2010, the Impressionist Normandy Festival, will celebrate Impressionism throughout Upper and Lower Normandy.

Cow Parade drops in on Bordeaux

THE colourful Cow Parade is to visit Bordeaux this summer with the statues set to pop up in a variety of places.

The parade will begin on June 7 and run until September 14, after which the cows will be auctioned off for charity.

Winners of 24 Hours Paris competition

THE two winning entries have been drawn in the 24 Hours Paris competition, and the messages picked out by the random number generator were from Ciara and Becky, I hope they enjoy finding out more about Parisian life.

And look out for the next This French Life competition that is coming soon, this one is for those who enjoy exploring the flea markets of France.

French film - funding the Seventh Art

Beynac castle towers over the river Dordogne attracting film directors and tourists

MANY locations in France places hold an unquestionable charm that attracts the interest of film directors.

But nowhere perhaps can feed one's spirit quite as much as the castle towers and streets of Beynac.

In its cobbles, steps and angles, recesses and arches, there are unexpected combinations of stones and curves, giving a symmetry that's pleasing to the eye. Who wouldn't swap modern life for this?

Competition to win a copy of 24 Hours Paris book

HERE is your chance to win a copy of 24 Hours Paris, by author Marsha Moore, about the best places to visit in the capital.

Marsha takes you on a tour of the most interesting and intriguing spots to add to your 'to do' list whether it is five in the morning or close to the witching hour.

As always competitions on This French Life just require you to leave a comment, no tricky questions here, so try your luck at winning a copy of 24 Hours Paris.

Centre Pompidou Metz set to open its doors

PRESIDENT Nicolas Sarkozy is to officially open the new Pompidou Centre, in Metz, the first time the iconic museum has moved beyond Paris.

The centre will host work by Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Joan Miro and others, with the hope that tourism numbers will be boosted and help the region.

To celebrate its opening the Centre Pompidou-Metz (@PompidouMetz) is hosting open days from Wednesday, May 12 until Sunday, May 16.

There will be many artistic events and on Saturday, May 15, the Centre Pompidou-Metz will take part in the Nuit des Musées when it will be open until 1am.

Photographs from around Loubejac

A COLLECTION of photographs from when I take the dog for a walk every morning around Loubejac, in the south of the Dordogne (map).

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Turner and the Masters exhibition in Paris

THE landscapes, and other works, of Turner are predicted to draw the crowds to Le Grand Palais, in Paris.

An exhibition brings together a hundred paintings as well as studies and engravings from major British and American collections, the Louvre, the Prado and the Tate Britain.

Turner and the Masters, runs in Paris from February 24 to May 24, 2010, after its inauguration at Tate Britain last autumn and before moving on to Madrid this summer.

Fight to save Anglophone Library in Montpellier

THE campaign is growing to save the Anglophone Library of Montpellier (Bibliothèque Anglophone Montpellier) which was abruptly closed by the University Paul Valéry at the beginning of the year.

A petition with more than 1,000 signatures has already been compiled in an attempt to reopen the library which is home to a collection of over 30,000 books, films and magazines.

Campaign updates, and future plans, are being posted to the What's on Where in Herault website, with volunteers looking to make the library a cultural centre.

January date for comic strip festival in Angoulême

Concert de dessins de Blutch en ouverture de la Conférence de Presse

IF you are a fan of comic strips, or bande dessinée, then the place to be next week is Angoulême for an international festival.

Christmas floral art exhibition at Revel

CHRISTMAS and the festive season will be at the heart of a floral art exhibition in Revel, in the Haute-Garonne.

The exhibition takes place on December 19 and 20, and is being staged by Monique Gimenez who runs an organisation called MG Fleurs et Creation, which is devoted to the teaching of modern flower arranging.

Monique has been teaching for many years now and is also an international judge at competitions.

The exhibition, which is being supported by the mairie at Revel, will showcase the talent of Monique's students, and includes themes such as snowstorm, frost and ice, Christmas gifts, stars and many more.

Entry is free and opening hours are from 9.30am until noon, and 2pm until 7pm, at the Salle du Conseil Municipal, Rue Jean Moulin, Revel (map).

Bust of Julius Caesar and other Rhône findings on display

LAST year a life size bust of Julius Caesar, thought to date back to 46 BC, was dragged out of the River Rhône near Arles.

It joins a collection of other items, including a six-foot high marble statue of Neptune, in an exhibition titled César à Arles, le Rhône pour mémoire.

The exhibition features finds from 20 years of exploration undertaken by divers and provides evidence that the area around Arles was extremely important during Roman times.

The Musée Départemental Arles Antique is hosting the exhibition which runs until September 2010

A road that leads to France, interview with Greg Mose

Author Greg Mose has travelled widely but is now settled in the Lot

MANY people dream of moving to France and writing a book, Greg Mose has done just that.

Whilst starting and running a gite business, near Montcabrier in the Lot, with his wife, he also worked on weaving a tale of profit driven spirituality in his book Stunt Road.

Autumn morning in the Dordogne

SEPTEMBER and October really are beautiful months to be in France, with the morning mists in the valley adding a magical touch to the day.

The rolling hillsides here in the south of the Dordogne (map), with their deep forests, produce glorious muted colours, with splashes of early morning sunshine in between.

The forests are busy with wildlife, many deer, a couple of foxes and rattling woodpeckers have been ticked off the list, whilst spider's webs are heavy with dew.

This morning was another of sunlight slowly breaking down the mists, while the horse in the field strode up the hill to meet the others. Click on the thumbnail right to see the full size image.

Le Grand Meaulnes, by Alain-Fournier

JUST before I set off for my return to France a friend said I should read Le Grand Meaulnes, by Alain-Fournier.

He gave me his copy to pack away in one of the boxes I loaded up into the car and once I’d arrived in the Dordogne countryside I started reading it.

It is a simple story about the transition into adulthood, first love, leaving behind youthful promises, but also captures French village life in the early 1900s.

Bergerac film festival takes centre stage

FILMS from the UK and France will take centre stage during a cinema festival in Bergerac that starts on Wednesday, July 22.

My Beautiful Festival 2009 offers the chance to see a number of recent films as well as meet film makers Stephen Frears and Jacques Audiard.

The majority of the films will be shown at Bergerac's Cinéma Cyrano Grand Ecran, tickets cost €5.50, while open air showings of two films will take place as well as the discussions and a musical end to the festival which closes on Saturday, July 25.

Centenary of Blériot’s Channel crossing

TO mark the centenary of Blériot’s Channel crossing a series of events will take place along both the French and English coasts in the area.

A website, called The Channel Hop, has been set up by the councils of Kent, Dover and Calais, with support from the likes of Eurotunnel and the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace.

Blériot took just over half an hour to cross the Channel on July 25, 1909, and he was paraded around London as a hero after landing near Dover Castle.

Roll up for the Fête du Cinéma

FANS of the silver screen should take a look over the Fête du Cinéma website as tomorrow (June 27) marks the launch of a seven day festival of film.

The festival is marking its 25th anniversary and is to be extended to a week of special showings, in which people are able 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 Kevin Macdonald’s Jeux de Pouvoir and even Transformers 2, whilst others will use the festival as a opportunity to show some French cinema classics.

French museum of photography opens online archive

THE online home of the French Photography Museum has received a new look and opened up around 7,000 items for you to discover.

From photographs to cameras, as well as glass plates of images, there is plenty of explore with just a quick search of the site.

There are a number of photographs from the early 20th century, but also more modern pieces, and all are catalogued with explanations in French as well as technical details.

Choral concert in the Dordogne

THE ChanteMonde choir will be performing two concerts this weekend, the first at Villamblard on June 13, the second at Neuvic on June 14, both villages are found to the north of Bergerac.

The choir features members from a number of countries, including the UK, Holland and Germany, and performs pieces from composers including Bach, Mozart, Fauré.

French films at the Cornerhouse in Manchester

THIS weekend sees the opening of two French language films, both of which have received nominations for the César Awards, at the Cornerhouse cinema in Manchester.

Modern Life takes filmgoers into the homes of farmers who live in the south of France, showing the challenges they face but also the laughs they enjoy.

While thriller Anything for Her tells the story of a man whose wife has been found guilty of the murder her boss, and he plans to mastermind her escape from prison.

Both films are in French with full English subtitles, with showings available in the afternoon and evening.

Fight to save Marcel Marceau memorabilia

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise the funds to buy the treasures of Marcel Marceau, as his estate is set to be sold at bargain prices to pay off his debts.

The master of mime, who died in September 2007 aged 84, spent much of his earnings on helping theatrical productions and left debts behind which will be paid off through the sale of items such as costumes, photographs and texts.

But this means that much of Marcel Marceau's affairs will just be sold at the going rate, something that has annoyed many in French theatre who believe a place should be found for many of his items so that people can see them.

Winner of Eiffel's Tower book

A BIG thank you to everyone who entered the competition to win a copy of Eiffel's Tower by historian Jill Jonnes.

It proved a popular prize but unfortunately there could only be one winner and that was Samantha, who was picked out by the random number generator.

And look out for more competition prizes in the coming weeks.

The artistic world of Joe Downing

ONLY a handful of American artists have appeared in the Louvre, one of them was Joe Downing. Although he passed away in 2007, film maker Chistopher Strong met him whilst filming his Treasures of France tour, here he writes about their meeting.

You don’t get to have tea with Picasso by being an ordinary Joe, and Joe Downing is far from being ordinary.

He’s an exceptional artist with an incredible story. An honest to goodness country gentleman from Horsecave, Kentucky. Joe’s love affair with France began more than fifty years ago, when he stood on the banks of the Seine, gazing at Notre Dame.

Showtime from Théâtre Tricolore in Charente-Maritime

THE first production by Théâtre Tricolore, based in the Charente-Maritime, takes to the boards later this month.

The theatre group will be showcasing the work of its members with two one-act comedies; Holmes Sweet Holmes that deals with the woes of the people who live in the apartment below Sherlock Holmes, and Last Respects, a comedy set in a funeral parlour.

Younger members of Théâtre Tricolore will also be putting on a short dinner-table sketch and the entertainment will end with a homage to Cole Porter.

New cartoon museum to open in Angoulême

MENTION cartoon characters in France and Angoulême, with its Festival International de la Bande Dessinée is sure to feature in the conversation.

In June the town will open a new museum that will cover many of the famous characters of the French industry such as Asterix, but also those from overseas such as Garfield and Japanese Anime characters.

Browse, or bid, on photographs of Paris

NOW you don't need to make a bid to browse around, but the work of some of the most famous photographers who captured Paris has been put up for auction.

ArtNet Auctions is featuring a special sale titled April in Paris, which shows 100 photographs by 50 renowned artists including Brassaï, Henri Cartier-Bresson, André Kertész and Man Ray.

Some of the photographs are expected to sell for around $20,000, with some featuring famous Paris landmarks but also residents including Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Pablo Picasso.

London Welsh Male Voice Choir sing for Secours Populaire

THE world famous London Welsh Male Voice Choir are to give three concerts in south west France in aid of the Secours Populaire, a French charity that supports children and families.

Explore Jacques Tati's la Villa Arpel in Paris

IF you have ever wanted to take a stroll around the famous Villa Arpel from the Jacques Tati film, Mon Oncle, here is your chance.

The Centquatre gallery in Paris has a model of the villa, which was depicted as the epitome of modernity in the film but drove Jacques Tati's character M. Hulot mad with frustration.

The exhibition also features clips from the film and promotional material and runs until May 3, 2009.

Musical sounds from le Printemps de Bourges

ONE of the most popular music festivals outside of Paris is the Printemps de Bourges, which draws musicians from France and around the world.

The host town of Bourges is found almost slap bang in the middle of France, and this year's festival runs from April 21 to 26.

If you enjoy discovering new sounds, as well as music from more famous names, then the Printemps de Bourges may just be worth a visit.

Rodin and his models exhibition

THE Musée Rodin is hosting a special exhibition of the artist's portraiture work, featuring rarely seen models of famous names from the late 19th century.

Rodin modelled the faces of Baudelaire, Clemenceau and Balzac (right), as well as those of less well known names of the French bourgeoisie.

Basing his work on his own sketches or photographs, Rodin used marble, plaster, bronze or baked clay to create deformed necks and large foreheads, searching to capture the essence of his subjects.

La fabrique du portrait, Rodin face à ses modèles runs from April 10 to August 23 at the Musée Rodin.

William Blake at the Petit Palais, Paris

THE work of visionary artist and writer William Blake is on show in the Petit Palais museum, Paris, until the end of June.

The exhibition features over a hundred of Blake's drawings and engravings, many of which have been borrowed from museums in the UK.

And if it is similar to the exhibition of Blake's work I saw in Manchester last year, then I would highly recommend a visit if you can make it.

The exhibition opened on April 2 and runs until June 28, 2009.

Chance to win city-lit Paris book

HERE is a chance to explore the streets of Paris with another ever so easy competition on This French Life.

city-lit Paris is the first in a new series of destination anthologies from publisher Oxygen Books taking in the writing of Gertrude Stein and the origins of the croissant, Joanne Harris on chocolate in Montmartre, plus much more.

All you need to do is leave a short comment, as well as your email address, so click on through to the competition page now.

Baroque opulence on display in London

IF you want to take a peek into what life was like in Versailles during the time of Louis XIV then head to London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

Opening on April 4 is Baroque 1620-1800: Style in the Age of Magnificence that will draw together around 200 pieces including religious paintings by Rubens, silver furniture, a regal bed and court tapestries.

You will be able to enter a depiction of the Palace of Versailles from the 17th and 18th centuries, including the Hall of Mirrors and designs for the gardens.

The exhibition runs from April 4 to July 19, tickets are priced £11 and concessions are available.

Bringing comedy laughs to the Riviera

SOME of the world's newest stand-up comedians will soon be cracking gags, and raising a laugh, all the way along the French Riviera.

Award winning comedians will be part of The Riviera Comedy Club that will be rolling into Monaco, Cannes, Antibes and Nice over the coming months.

And there will be a family touch to the comedy nights as Paul Osborne, who lives in Nice, has been helping his two sons get the show on the road.

Financial crisis? No such thing in Paris art world

NOW what would you pay for this rather distinctive Art Deco armchair created by Eileen Gray in the early 20th century?

Try €21,905,000.

That was the rarefied atmosphere which people were dabbling in during the sale of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé's collection of items at Christie's in Paris this week.

In total over €374 million was generated from the sale with the money going towards Aids research and other charities.

To see the full list of sale items, and the prices the lots raised, drop in on the Yves Saint Laurent page on Christie's.

Discover Le Corbusier in London

A MAJOR exhibition of the work of architect Le Corbusier is to take place in London at the Barbican, called the Art of Architecture.

Le Corbusier was the man behind the Unité d'Habitation building, in Marseille, and the exhibition, which opens on February 19 and runs until May 24, will feature many of his drawings, models, paintings and furniture.

Sharing ideas on the Riviera

THE Riviera Woman website is taking time out from the online world to dip a toe into the real world with a get together later this month.

The event marks the first anniversary of the website which looks to offer ways for people on the Mediterranean coast to link up, share ideas and network.

Site editor Anna Fill said: "We have some brilliant and talented women living along the Rivieras of France and Italy and I am looking forward to meeting more. And the event is open to men too, I wouldn't like anyone to think I am on a single mission."

The meet-up takes place on Thursday, February 26 at the Capocaccia Bar, Monte Carlo.

Related article: Bringing together Riviera women

Robert Louis Stevenson group on Flickr

ONE of the most intriguing literary tales about France has to be Robert Louis Stevenson's trek around the Cévennes accompanied by a donkey.

His Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes tells of his 12 day hike around the region, which has now spawned a tourist trail and regular celebrations of his work.

Lesley Graham, who is originally from Scotland but now lives near Bordeaux, is a fan of Robert Louis Stevenson and has put together a Flickr group for people to share their photographs about the author.

Lesley has been busy searching through Flickr for images and there are already a number featuring points on the walk through the Cévennes, so if you have a few of your own I'm sure you'll be welcomed with open arms.

Angoulême cartoon strip festival

IF you are a fan of comic strips, or bande dessinée, then the place to be next week is Angoulême for an international festival.

Although describing the work on display as 'comic strips' is a grave injustice, because the images that many of the artists produce are quite stunning.

And the festival at Angoulême is extremely popular with over 200,000 visitors expected and artists from around the world jetting in, who will be showing off their artwork and meeting fans.

There are several prizes awarded during the festival, which runs from January 29 to February 1, more from the 36th Festival International de la Bande Dessinée website.

Win a copy of Sorbonne Confidential

HERE is your chance to win a copy of Sorbonne Confidential, by American author Laurel Zuckerman, about life learning to teach English in France.

Drawing on her own experience of the Sorbonne, Laurel tells the story of Alice Wonderland who hopes a job in education will offer security - unfortunately things don't go so swimmingly.

As always competitions on This French Life just require you to leave a comment, no tricky questions here, so try your luck at winning a copy of Sorbonne Confidential.

Free entrance to French museums for under-25s

PRESIDENT Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that the country's official museums and monuments will offer free entrance to people aged under-25.

During a speech in Nîmes he said that the measure would be brought in from April 4, unfortunately he didn't provide any further detail and the Ministère de la Culture website doesn't currently have any mention of the plan.

At the same event Nicolas Sarkozy said that he wanted to see the creation of a Musée de l'Histoire de France that would chart the history of the country.

Is interesting to see Sarkozy follow in the footsteps of Jacques Chirac, who backed the building of the Musée du quai Branly, which people said was a way for him to mark his time as President.

English language films in Poitou-Charentes

Australia, starring Nicole Kidman, is set to be screened early next month

ONE of the entertainments which many expats miss is settling in to a cinema seat to watch a blockbuster en version originale, writes Beryl Brennan.

Tucked away behind the College Pierre Mendes-France in the centre of Parthenay, found to the west of Poitiers, the cinema Le Foyer is built on land given to the town in 1875 by Paul Coutant for after-school activities.

Author Polly Platt dies aged 81

I AM sure many readers will be sad to see that author Polly Platt has died, aged 81.

Her book French or Foe was extremely popular and her writing gained a strong audience amongst many Francophiles in the US.

In a post today Polly-Vous Francais writes about the time she spent with Polly just a few weeks ago and the emails they exchanged.

And France Today takes a look at the books Polly Platt wrote, highlighting that her work became required reading 'for executives of Franco-American companies, travellers, and students of French at U.S. universities'.