This French Life

Travel to the Dordogne in summer 2020

TRAVELLING to the Dordogne this summer is sure to feel a little different to other times as we are all being tasked with reducing the infection potential of Covid-19.

The lifting of the 14-day quarantine restrictions on the 10 July from travellers from France arriving in England will make it easier for people to travel between the two countries.

But with both countries requiring people to wear a face mask when using public transport, the ferry companies and airlines have put in place strict requirements for passengers.

Here is a look over the steps being taken by travel companies that you may use when travelling to the Dordogne by car or plane.

Eurotunnel
Shuttles are being operated by Eurotunnel with two departures an hour and as you are required to stay in your vehicle during the crossing you can safely keep your social distance.

Eurotunnel has stressed that it is important that you check in between 45min and 2hrs before your allocated shuttle time - not earlier.

If you are more than two hours early you will be obliged to pay a supplement of up to £120 and take an earlier shuttle if there are spaces available.

The company says its sites are not large enough to allow people to wait for a significant amount of time given the new Covid-19 measures in place.

Booking online is proving difficult due to the number of website visitors.

P&O Ferries
A service between Dover and Calais is being operated by P&O with boarding commencing 30 minutes before departure.

You will have to wear a face mask and be aware of social distancing rules onboard, and notices will be present reminding you to regularly wash your hands.

Brittany Ferries
A key change made by the ferry firm is that boarding and disembarkation is now staggered to avoid queues on stairs and on car decks.

When travelling a cabin or reserved seat is compulsory on all sailings and in an attempt to minimise contact with others you are asked to remain in this personal space as much as possible.

Again masks must be worn at all times when in public areas of the ports and ships, something that ferry staff will be doing as well.

DFDS
All passengers have to have face masks prior to arriving at check-in, with some onboard shops open but with social distancing measures in place.

Ryanair
Flight from the UK to Bergerac Airport have re-started with links to London Stansted, Liverpool, Bristol and East Midlands available this summer.

It is mandatory to wear a face mask/covering at all times in the airport and on board your flight.

Jet2.com
With flights between Bergerac and Leeds - Bradford, Manchester and Birmingham, Jet2.com will be serving the Dordogne with heightened measures against Covid-19.

Be prepared to put your face mask on before you enter the airport and keep it on while you’re there, onboard the plane and at your destination airport.

British Airways
A service is being offered by BA this summer between Bergerac Airport and London City and like all travel providers you are required to wear a face mask.

All travel firms are saying that if you feel unwell and show Covid-19 symptoms before travelling then you should seek medical advice and not travel.

Face masks are a key tool in the fight against the virus so you will be required to wear one and also remember to regularly clean your hands and keep your distance to others.

Most companies are asking you to check-in via their mobile phone app or online to reduce interactions at departure points.

It is important to keep up-to-date with the different rules and measures being introduced by ferry firms and airlines so make sure you read all the ticket details and regularly check their websites for the latest information.

This summer season is likely to be different to past ones in the Dordogne, but hopefully everyone can enjoy their time in France and relax a little after the recent stressful times.

Related: Bergerac Airport brings in Covid-19 measures

Raising awareness of risk of forest fires

WITH 90% of forest fires in France caused by human activity, the pompiers of the Dordogne have asked people to take care in the woods to cut the risk of accidentally starting a fire.

The Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours de la Dordogne dealt with around 100 forest fires in 2019, which burnt 142 hectares in total, and these statistics were up on the previous year.

And for 2020 the pompiers will also be able to use high performance drones to help in the spotting of fires with the new equipment able to reach an altitude of 100 metres and the high-tech kit also carries a heat detector.

But despite the new gadgets being at their disposal, the authorities say that it is the general public that can ensure fires do not start by accident, be that by not taking care when using a BBQ or by creating sparks when working with small machinery and tools in the forest.

Related: Rules tightened on burning of garden waste in the Dorodgne

Bergerac Airport brings in Covid-19 measures

AS the fight continues against coronavirus, Bergerac Airport has put a number of measures in place to help reduce the risk of transmission between passengers, as well as protect its staff.

With the requirement being to wear a face mask on all public transport in France, the airport has said that anyone entering the terminal buildings will have to wear a mask as well.

Hand disinfectant points will be placed at all entrances and a series of floor markings have been placed to reduce the crossing of passengers who are either departing or arriving at Bergerac.

Ground stickers have been placed on the outside forecourt area, as well as inside the terminal, with clear signage on entry and exit doorways.

Bergerac Airport has stressed that the wearing of a mask is compulsory for anyone transiting through the terminal, and you will see all staff wearing face masks whilst at work.

One metre distance

Keeping a physical distance of one metre between each other in all queues is also required, this includes check-in, passenger screening, luggage collection at arrivals and the payment stations for airport car parking.

Washing and sanitising your hands will also be made easy with six disinfectant points, as well as soap dispensers in the toilets, which will be cleaned on a regular basis.

And you can also expect to see an increase in the amount of cleaning being done around the airport terminal building as a team will be wiping down kiosks, check-in desks and surfaces.

You will also see plexiglass protection panels at the check-in desks and kiosks, with a small gap below them to allow the checking of flight details, preferably by the scanning of a mobile phone as well as the display of passport details.

Flights to Bergerac

With the collapse of Flybe earlier this year, Bergerac Airport will see regular passenger flights this summer operated by:

* British Airways to London City
* Jet2.com to Leeds - Bradford, Manchester and Birmingham
* Ryanair to Charleroi, London Stansted, Liverpool, Bristol and East Midlands
* Transavia to Rotterdam

As the summer tourist season picks up in the Dordogne many businesses will be keen to see holiday makers arriving at Bergerac Airport, but with Covid-19 precautions in place it will feel very different to past years.

Dordogne towns and attractions to see military patrols this summer

SOLDIERS are to be deployed to tourist attractions and towns in the Dordogne as security measures are maintained as part of the Opération Sentinelle plan to protect against terrorist acts.

The Préfet de la Dordogne has announced that 27 military personnel from the 94ème régiment d'infanterie de Sissonne, will patrol popular tourist areas and events over the next couple of months.

For the past few years additional security measures have been undertaken in the Dordogne, and across France, with the troops expected to be on patrol until the end of August.

Related: Travel to the Dordogne in summer 2020

Launch of residency permit website for British citizens delayed

THE French Ministry of the Interior has announced that it is postponing the re-launching of their residency permit portal from July to 1 October because of the impact of covid-19.

You can read their update here: https://brexit.gouv.fr/…/brexit/…/vous-etes-britannique.html

British citizens will not require a residency permit until 1 July 2021.

Roger Haigh, President of The Franco British Network, said: “Despite the delay in the opening of the online site for submitting residency applications we recommend that UK nationals begin to collect all the necessary documentation, in anticipation of the new date for the opening of the online site on 1 October 2020.”

The Franco British Network believes that UK nationals currently living in France will be required to submit five documents to support their applications:

1) Valid passport

2) Birth certificate

3) Proof of living permanently in France

4) Proof of income

5) Proof of healthcare

The Franco British Network is set to help UK nationals living in the Dordogne enabling them to take advantage of free assistance and directly ask questions.

You are able to ring 05 19 88 01 09 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9am to 1pm, and on Thursday and Friday between 1pm and 5pm.

Loubéjac and other farmers markets open for summer

EVERY Thursday the popular night market beneath Loubéjac's church tower takes place and runs throughout July and August.

The first one takes place on 2 July, running through to 27 August, and starts at 18h30, and remember to bring along your plates, as well as glasses for a dash of wine and knives and forks.

You will also be asked to conform to any social distancing requirements and to be aware of keeping your hands clean before and after touching surfaces.

Local food and drink producers offer duck, breads, soups, salads, wine, fruits of all types and you can sit down with friends to enjoy a leisurely evening.

This southern corner of the Dordogne will host similar events, always offering a slice of real French life.

There is a farmers market every Tuesday during the summer season in Villefranche-du-Périgord, it takes place under the village halle from 7 July through to the 1 September and starts at 18h30.

On Fridays there is a farmers market in Besse from 19h, starting on the 10 July until the end of August.

French to English translation of Covid-19 form to complete and notes

THE French government has issued a decree on 16 March, 2020 with further measures to try to contain the spread of the Covid-19 Corona virus, writes Sharon Rees-Williams.

The main measure is to prevent people circulating and meeting, so that the contamination chain might be broken.

This measure came into force at noon on the 17 March, operating until at least the 31 March, 2020.

Local authorities (that is : the Préfet) can take more restrictive measures if needed (it is not the case in Dordogne at the current time but this could change).

The idea is to ask people to stay home, that is in their house, including terrace and garden, and avoid any contact with other people (including close friends and family), and circulating on public places (even in open air spaces).

There are exceptions aimed to allow people mostly to buy food and to have health care.

This is in addition to the previous instructions: washing hands very often, stay at a distance of at least 1 meter from other people, and protect your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing either with a disposable tissue (and then dispose) or with your elbow.

The fine for not following these rules will start at 38€, extending over time to 138€ if necessary. But of course, who wants to feel that they may have contributed to the spread of this virus, as people can host the virus and transmit it without presenting any symptoms at all.

The document below is intended to help you understand the restriction measures, and help assist you in completing the form you will need to take out with you every time you go outside.

This form can be printed, you can find it on the government site, whilst here is a copy of a French to English translation of the form for guidance (produced voluntarily).

Download Attestation déplacement COVID-19 french to english

Fire up your taste buds for the Salon du Chocolat in Villefranche-du-Périgord

INDULGE your sweet tooth at the sixth Salon du Chocolat in Villefranche-du-Périgord on Sunday 28 October.

Chocolatiers and cake chefs will be displaying their talents throughout the day, while you can also marvel, and enjoy, some of the chocolate creations on display.

The fair takes place in the foyer rural, from 10h to 18h, and entry is just one euro and free for the under-12s, with the ticket price also entering you into a prize draw.

INDULGE your sweet tooth at the sixth Salon du Chocolat in Villefranche-du-Périgord on Sunday 28 October.

Chocolatiers and cake chefs will be displaying their talents throughout the day, while you can also marvel, and enjoy, some of the chocolate creations on display.

The fair takes place in the foyer rural, from 10h to 18h, and entry is just one euro and free for the under-12s, with the ticket price also entering you into a prize draw.

J'ai perdu Albert in Villefranche-du-Périgord: 24 October

 

CHLOE has been living a successful life thanks to one trick: Albert Einstein is in her mind. But one day, he decides to move and chooses another body: Zac, a depressive beekeeper.

 

The film showing, in French, takes place in the foyer rural of Villefranche-du-Périgord on Wednesday 24 October from 20h30, with tickets priced 6€.

 

***

 

Chloé, jeune médium que s'arrachent les grands chefs d'entreprises, les hommes politiques et la jet set, abrite en elle depuis l'enfance l'esprit d'Albert Einstein. Mais, prise au piège de son succès, elle en fait trop ! Surmenée, les informations ne « passent » plus. Alors Albert décide de déménager.

 

Pour le meilleur et pour le pire, il s'installe dans Zac, un dépressif cartésien, apiculteur en déroute et garçon de café. Devenus indissociables et complémentaires, parce que l'un détient le « génie » et l'autre son mode d'emploi, Zac et Chloé, ces deux êtres que tout oppose, vont vivre en 48 heures le plus hallucinant des «ménages à trois».

 

An evening of baroque music in Orliac, Loubéjac and Campagnac-Les-Quercy

Jean-Pierre Menuge will host three evenings of baroque music in this southern corner of the Dordogne

THE villages of Orliac, Loubéjac and Campagnac-Les-Quercy will each play host to an evening of baroque music later this month.

Hosted by Jean-Pierre Menuge, he will bring two young musicians to offer up a selection of work from Bach, Handel, Telemann and others.

Orliac will host the first concert on Monday 27 August, starting at 21h, and Loubejac will play host on Tuesday 28 August, again starting at 21h.

With Campagnac-Les-Quercy being the setting for the final concert on Wednesday 29 August, again with a 21h start time.

Tickets are priced 12 euros, with student tickets priced 8 euros and free entry for under-16s, and tickets can be bought on the door half-an-hour before the concert starts.

For more information call: 05 53 29 98 37.