This French Life

TGV route between Marseille and Nice decided

THE route of a new high-speed rail link between Marseille, Toulon and Nice has been agreed, although the first trains are not expected to run until around 2022.

The line will run along the Mediterranean coast, although many had feared another route to the north would be chosen threatening vineyards and landscapes made famous by Cezanne.

Taking the rental route on Zilok

NOW we have all heard of eBay, but what about the French website Zilok which lets you rent items that you are likely to only need to use once or twice?

Conversely if you have pieces of equipment that hang in the shed or barn for the majority of the year, then you can start earning a little money from letting items to other users of the site.

Photos of Euroferries ship, but no website update

THE saga of whether Euroferries will actually operate a service between Ramsgate and Boulogne could be easily turned into a sea shanty the way things are going.

The Euroferries website still features the minimum of information, despite it once talking of launching the route in March, and now photographs of a catamaran bearing the logo and colours of the company have emerged.

Pictures of a catamaran, currently berthed in Gran Canaria, showing the words Euroferries Express down the side have been posted online, whilst Kent based website The Big Blog is wondering if the route will ever materialise.

I will just keep on dropping in on the Euroferries website to see if you can ever buy a ticket.

Update (13/10/09): Bookings open for Euroferries route Ramsgate to Boulogne

British man Peter Fuller murdered at Dordogne home

BRITISH businessman, Peter Fuller, was found bludgeoned to death in his Dordogne home on Saturday, the media has already been busy covering the story.

Murder inquiry after golf course designer Peter Fuller is found dead - The Times
Peter Fuller, 67, who built a golf course by his property when he moved to France, had been beaten over the head repeatedly with a blunt instrument, according to a French state prosecution source.

Motor rally race at Sauveterre-la-Lémance

WHAT should be a quiet Sunday morning as the sun beats down on the French countryside is anything but as the turbo on a Renault 5 GT rattles my ribcage.

LD Lines drops Dover to Dieppe route

FERRY firm LD Lines has withdrawn its service between Dover and Dieppe, just a few months since it was launched in February.

In a short message on its website, the company has said the route will stop on Monday, June 29 and if passengers require further information or wish to make alternative bookings, they should email lehavretourisme@ldlines.fr.

LD Lines recently launched a new fast ferry service between Dover and Boulogne, offering a journey time of an hour on its Norman Arrow catamaran.

Félibrée celebrations at Beaumont du Périgord

IF you want to experience the true music and traditions of the Occitan language then this year's félibrée celebrations take place in Beaumont du Périgord (map).

The village is hosting this year's event which recognises the history of the region through music and song, but also sees the streets and shops festooned in flowers.

Events take place on the weekend of July 4 and 5, 2009, with parades through the village, traditional dress on show and an opportunity to learn more about the rural traditions of the area.

Related article: Rain doesn't dampen Périgord spirit

EDF bond scheme proves popular

A SHORT term loan scheme designed to boost the investment funds of electricity firm EDF has proven to be a massive success.

The company promised returns of 4.5 per cent paid annually for a loan period of five years to individuals who were able to buy blocks worth €1,000 each.

Centenary of Blériot’s Channel crossing

TO mark the centenary of Blériot’s Channel crossing a series of events will take place along both the French and English coasts in the area.

A website, called The Channel Hop, has been set up by the councils of Kent, Dover and Calais, with support from the likes of Eurotunnel and the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace.

Blériot took just over half an hour to cross the Channel on July 25, 1909, and he was paraded around London as a hero after landing near Dover Castle.

Home protection with Operation Tranquillité Vacances

AS the long summer holidays approach maybe you are planning on going away or your business premises will be left empty, if so then many areas will operate Operation Tranquillité Vacances which is overseen by the local police or gendarmerie.

The service operates between July and August and is designed to provide property owners with added security as police officers will be aware that a building is empty and so be vigilant during patrols.