This French Life

A bicycling tour of French treasures

I AM sure there are many people who would like to check the tyres on their racing bike and head off around the back roads of France.

Well US-born video film maker Christopher Strong has done just that with his Bicycle Gourmet's Treasures of France tour, which fulfilled his dream of cycling around the country visiting interesting places and meeting entertaining characters.

Here Christopher writes a Q&A style piece outlining the travels he undertook around France, which took in total just over two years.

Air France and SNCF set for strike action

UNIONS representing workers at Air France and SNCF have outlined planned disruption to services set to take place in the coming week.

Air France has called for national strikes from November 4 until November 8 after changes to retirement ages were announced.

While rail workers at SNCF say stoppages will take place on November 6 against changes to employment contracts, although the strike runs officially from 8pm on November 5 until 8am on November 7 and disruption is likely to last longer.

The union representing the works, the CGT, said the changes would reduce working conditions and they also raised safety fears.

Update 01/11/08: Planned Air France cabin crew strike delayed

Pick up French news from the kids

I HAVE always thought that one of the best ways to learn French is to follow news stories as you can gain a quick understanding either from the images or by reading full sentences.

The correct use of grammar is also usually high up on the agenda, and so you would expect the same from les Clés de l'Actualité Junior, which provides news stories for children.

The site offers quick and simple updates from France and overseas on what's happening, written in easy to understand French that will also help you pick up some new vocabulary.

Any advice on treatment for osteoporosis in France?

A COMMENT has been left on the site asking for the experiences of those who have received treatment for osteoporosis and what medical support is available in the French system.

If people are able to pass on any advice you can either leave a message via the comment form below, or contact me directly and I will draw together the different threads.

Sarko - the King of Bling Bling

SURE to be doing the rounds of many an inbox is this cartoon character of Nicolas Sarkozy, whose supposed love of all things US, fat cigars and flash jewellery is expertly mocked.

And if you want to join the King of Bling Bling then drop in on the official site for the video.

Things to do in France over the coming weeks

AS the chill of winter begins to take hold now is the time to head indoors to visit museums and shows, but this being France there is still plenty to see outdoors.

Here is a selection of events from across France that may appeal, and if you are organising an event or show please feel free to add details via the comment form below.

Departément can feature on number plates

THE French government has given the green light to drivers to continue to display where they live on car number plates.

New rules set to come into force on January 1 would have seen the popular departément codes replaced with an administrative number, but many drivers were unhappy at losing the local reference.

Now the interior minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie, has said that cars which require new plates can display a small badge and the departément number of the driver's choice.

The main element of the change, which is to assign a number to a car for its working life, will still come into force at the beginning of the year for new cars and for second hand cars from March 1, 2009 where changes to the carte grise are required.

Website: French number plate regulations

New routes to France

ALTHOUGH the number of announcements of new flights to France has dropped off in recent months a couple have recently passed across the radar.

Ryanair will start flights next month on November 3 between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Paris Beauvais, which is about a 75 minute drive to the north west of the capital.

And Aer Lingus has said it will begin a service between Cork and Renne, which is set to operate during the summer 2009.

Drop in on a blog or two

WITH the chill of winter outside it is time to load up the wood burner, put on an extra layer and discover a few new blogs from the comfort of home.

Here are a some websites I've recently crossed, as well as one or two old favourites, that you might enjoy reading and don't forget to leave a comment or two on the sites, as there is nothing more that a blogger enjoys.

Stephen Roach back on his bike to help leukaemia research

PAST winner of the Tour de France, Stephen Roach, is to jump back on his bike to raise money for leukaemia research in next summer's London-Paris Cycle Tour.

The 1987 winner of le Tour will be joining former England and Crystal Palace footballer, Geoff Thomas, whose charitable foundation has raised money in the past via following the route of the race around France.

As a warm up Stephen Roach will be joining Geoff Thomas and a team of 20 for the New York Marathon on November 2.

And Stephen Roach has special reason to raise funds as his eight-year-old son, Florian, was diagnosed with leukaemia last year and is now recovering at home in France after a seven-month stay in hospital.

Website: The Geoff Thomas Foundation