This French Life

New advertising service available on This French Life

FOR some time now I have been keen to offer an advertising service that allows business owners the chance to promote their products to readers of This French Life, which is simple, transparent and not too expensive.

So as you will see in the right hand column there is now the option to create your own text adverts featuring a short headline and paragraph describing your product or service, which appears on more than 3,000 pages across the whole site.

What's On in the early autumn in France

EXPLORE events and festivals across France with the famous night market in Paris, a major exhibition of the work of Picasso and a celebration of the best of British cinema.

Don't forget if something is taking place close to your home, or you are involved in promoting an event, please add a comment to the foot of the article.

More trains running through Channel Tunnel

EUROTUNNEL has said it will be increasing the number of trains operating through the Channel Tunnel from 170 trains a day to 210.

The increased capacity will be made available from October 1, and also means that Eurostar will be able to offer an almost complete timetable.

While Eurotunnel passenger shuttles will increase to 30 per day during the week and 52 per day at weekends.

Record spike in number of French unemployed

THE number of people unemployed in France rose by 41,300 in August compared to the previous month, the largest increase in the figures since 1993.

The Guardian reports that the figures were expected, but that with around two million people looking for work it is feared that any holding back on consumer spending will have a severe impact on the economy.

Economy Minister Christine Lagarde held an emergency meeting with the main job agency, ANPE, but with little financial muscle to promote job creation the government has few options available.

Celebrating Bonfire Night in the Lot

IT'S not often you see Bonfire Night celebrated in France, but that's what the village of Le Boulvé, in the Lot, will be doing on November 7.

Le Grand Feu de Guy Fawkes has been organised by the newly-formed local association, Le Boulvé International, where a bonfire, traditional foods (pumpkin soup, jacket potatoes and parkin) and fireworks will be the highlights of the evening.

The evening’s entertainment starts at 7.30pm and will be held in the car park near the centre of Le Boulve – between Caumon Grillage and the Mairie, where there is also a shelter should there be any rain.

US Navy honoured for role at D-Day landings

A MEMORIAL has been unveiled at Utah Beach, in Normandy, marking the role the US Navy played in the D-Day landings of June 1944.

The statue features three servicemen and was commissioned by the Naval Order of the United States, recognising for the first time the deaths and bravery of US sailors.

At the unveiling of the statue US servicemen were joined by local French people and dignitaries to inaugurate the 12-foot bronze statue of a Navy captain and two sailors overlooking the beach.

Website: United States Navy Monument at Normandy

Pedal powered crossing of Channel fails

I AM sad to report that Stephane Rousson's attempt to cross the Channel slung beneath a pedal-powered helium balloon has failed - just 11 miles from his landing spot in France.

A change in the direction of the wind meant he was not able to continue and he was eventually brought ashore by one of his support ships.

Stephane Rousson set off this morning from Kent after waiting for the perfect weather conditions, only to be thwarted three-quarters of the way through the trip.

He said that he was unsure if he would be able to attempt another crossing but was confident in his machinery as it had not malfunctioned and it was just the wind that blocked a successful trip.

A week of French news

A French fashion student talks about her studies in Dubai - France 24

HERE is a look back over the past week at some of the headlines covering what has been happening in France.

And there is plenty to discover from the woman who thought it a good idea to take a World War Two bomb on an flight from Bergerac, to a Frenchman who has his eye on tracking down the Loch Ness Monster.

Fusion Man crosses Channel strapped to jetpack

HE did it! Swiss adventurer Yves Rossy has flown across the Channel strapped to a small wing made from carbon fibre featuring four kerosene-burning jet turbines.

The BBC reports that he jumped out of a plane at 8,200ft and took less than 10 minutes to cross the 22-mile gap between Calais and Dover.

Rossy, who refers to himself as Fusion Man because he says he represents a true fusion between pilot and plane, had been delayed in the past couple of days due to poor weather conditions.

Many regret stopping language studies

TODAY marks the European Day of Languages, which features a programme of events backed by the Council of Europe to promote linguistic diversity and learning.

And it would appear the Council has got its work cut out in the UK as a recent survey found that half of adults had forgotten the languages they'd learnt at school.

For some time now the number of pupils in UK schools learning French has been on the decline, with other languages fairing little better.

The BBC website reports that the survey, undertaken on behalf of language software firm Rosetta Stone, also found that most people agreed languages were important, while 69 per cent said they were jealous of people who were able to speak another language fluently.