This French Life

EUJet budget airline gets off ground

TWO new routes from southern England to France have been launched by newly formed airline, EUJet.

Unions may take strike action

UK airports could grind to a halt this summer as union members have voted for strike action over pay deals.

Waterford to Brittany link

AER Arann has announced it is to operate a new air link between Ireland and the west of France.

Gated properties in France

WHAT options are open to you if your break out in a sweat at the sight of a screwdriver, never mind a run down farmhouse that needs complete renovation?

High speed trains ban smoking

ALL French high-speed train services will be no smoking by the end of the year said national rail operator SNCF.

From December all routes on the TGV network will ban smoking and force those who smoke to abstain for the duration of the journey.

Currently all first class sections are no smoking as well as those trains that serve the west of France and the Eurostar service.

Officials at SNCF said the move was taken to bring the TGV trains in line with airlines and other European train companies.

But also noted that fewer passengers requested smoking areas and that other travellers were increasingly sensitive to tobacco smoke.

Field of French poppies stretching far

AT this time of year in south west France the roadside verges are dotted with clusters of poppies.

But in a field beside a road to Cahors, the blood red poppies have thrown a veil over the tall grass.

Click on the thumbnail, right, to view the full size photograph.

French truckers threaten roadblocks

THE head of the French haulage association said his members are struggling with rising fuel prices and claimed the possibility of industrial action this summer could not be ruled out.

All aboard the tooth ferry

A PLYMOUTH councillor is hoping to bring French and Spanish dentists to Devon and Cornwall on a ‘tooth ferry’ to take the pressure off the current system.
During the meeting of Plymouth City Council's health overview and scrutiny panel Dr David Salter outlined the proposed plans.
He hoped to bring dentists to the area on scheduled ferries so that they could treat patients in the south west and ease the problems affecting dental services.
Cllr Salter said no timescale for the proposed scheme had been set down yet, but that the councillors were hoping to investigate it 'within a matter of weeks'.
Dr Salter was inspired by similar plans, announced last month, to organise a ‘tooth ferry’ to carry patients from the Isle of Wight to Normandy for dental treatment.

Dordogne house deals may please

THE Dordogne is home to some of the most idyllic French villages and is a popular place for many people to head to in search of their dream home.

Cote d’Azur sunshine: check-in to best deals

IS it possible to pick-up some Cote d’Azur sunshine later this year by picking up a cheap flight and jetting off?