This French Life

Tips on schooling in France

ALTHOUGH retirement is the usual reason behind a move to France, there are increasing numbers of young families heading across the Channel.

Some may be taking up a new posting with work, while others are looking to set up a new outpost completely and move across lock, stock and barrel.

Running battles at Gare de Nord

Création d' émeutes à Gare du Nord Uploaded by Az24

VIOLENCE broke out on Tuesday afternoon at the Gard du Nord in Paris, which the Daily Telegraph covers, but above is a video from within the station showing the growing tension (see also Violence flares in Toulouse).

A look at French youth unemployment

THE BBC's Crossing Continents takes an in-depth look at the difficulties faced by young French people in both higher education as well as finding a job.

The radio interview mentions Vladimir Cordier, who wrote a book advising his peers to head to the UK, and highlights the gap between the elite higher education system and ordinary universities, as well as the difficulties thrown up by strict employment regulations.

Phoenix Association book sale

THE popular Phoenix Association book sale takes place on April 21, with all proceeds going to the animal rescue service.

The sale will feature many titles and each book, whether hardback or paperback, will cost just one euro and people can bring any of their own books they have finished with so that the selection is constantly fresh.

A breath of fresh air for Paris?

If you are in Paris on 15th July you will find thousands of low cost rental bikes available at bicycle stations which will be scattered around the capitol.

This new programme is set to cut traffic congestion, reduce pollution, improve parking, improve the city's image as a greener, quieter and less stressful place.

Manchester to Lyon flights

A DAILY service between Manchester and Lyon is to be operated by bmi from May 25, with return tickets starting from £95 inclusive of fees and charges.

The flights will replace the service operated by BA Connect, which was cancelled after its merger with Flybe, flight times are available on the Cheapflights article I've written.

EU banking rules reformed

HERE'S hoping that new rules to be introduced by the EU in 2009 will make it easier to pay household bills with any credit or debit card.

The BBC reports that agreement has been reached that will let EU citizens pay for items using the services of a foreign bank.

Violence flares in Toulouse

JOURNALIST Graham Holliday has written about the outbreak of violence in Toulouse during a Jean Marie le Pen rally, highlighting both the story and the techniques he used.

Worryingly he also writes about how police officers asked for proof that he was a journalist in light of recent rules introduced to supposedly restrict the filming of "happy slapping" attacks.

At the time it was highlighted by France's leading blogger Loic le Meur, who is a strong supporter of interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy, that the new rules were introduced to stop the filming and publication of violent acts.

Edinburgh to Avignon from Jet2.com

BUDGET airline Jet2.com is to begin a weekly service between Edinburgh and Avignon from June 23.

Flights will operate each Saturday, with one way tickets starting from £34.99 including taxes, and it is the first ever link from Scotland to Avignon, the gateway to Provence.

Pick up your euros from Tesco

TESCO has enabled four cash machines in the UK to dispense euro notes in a trial that may see the service available at other supermarkets.

The Manchester Evening News reports that a Tesco Express, in Altrincham, near Manchester Airport as well as stores near the Eurotunnel station in Kent, and Gatwick and East Midlands airports, have had machines installed.