This French Life

Boules and Buddhism go hand in hand

A BUDDHIST master, based in the Dordogne, has written a book saying la pétanque, or boules, helps in the art of meditation.

The Times newspaper reports on a book by Maître Kaisen called L’Esprit de la Pétanque where he says that similar skills are required when playing the game to those in Buddhist meditation.

Maître Kaisen set up the Ho Sho Ji temple, near Larzac with the website featuring some of his writing, as well as a link to an audio section with some extracts.

Is France on the slide thanks to supermarkets and DIY stores?

HAS France gone to the dogs and 'sold her soul on the altar of globalism and Americanisation'.

Well that’s what journalist Peter Millar believes writing in the Daily Mail as he explains why he has sold his holiday home in the Dordogne.

He fell in love with France during a holiday in the region and 12 years ago bought a house near the town of Mussidan, found to the north west of Bergerac.

Electrosensitive refuge in France

FOR some modern life really gets them down as they believe modern wireless devices such as mobile phones and wifi connections impact upon their health.

The Times newspaper takes a look at a group who have set up a refuge in the Drôme, in the south east of France, offering protection from these electromagnetic forces.

Sufferers believe that their ill health is due to wireless technology and they have to resort to wearing blankets woven with metal fibres to help protect them or travel at night.

The association overseeing the refuge is called Next-Up, and their website offers news updates and campaign literature.

LD Lines offer Rosslare to Cherbourg service

FERRY firm LD Lines has announced the launch of a new service between Rosslare, in southern Ireland, and Cherbourg.

The service will start on September 19 and offer six return sailings each week with a crossing time of 17 hours, with the Norman Voyager operating on the route.

Catch up with news headlines from France

IF you have been out and about over the past few days then get up to speed with what has been happening in France.

Here are a selection of recent headlines, and if you want to stay up to date with things thoughout the week drop in on the French news and blogs section.

DNA tests begin on Fromelles war dead

Heart-shaped leather pouch contained solid gold cross. Photo: Oxford Archaeology via MoD

WORK has started to perform DNA tests on the remains of hundreds of British and Australian soldiers buried in mass graves during World War One near Fromelles in northern France.

Brits head back to UK, leaving their animals behind

IT must take a particularly cold heart to leave your animals behind and return to the UK, hoping that someone else will pick up the pieces.

But that was the reason why Lynn Stone, of the charity Les Amis des Chats, took a call from a French family looking for a home for the animals.

"We took a couple of cats in the other day through some French people whose English neighbours had just upped and left their horses, their dogs and their cats behind," Lynn said.

Le Grand Meaulnes, by Alain-Fournier

JUST before I set off for my return to France a friend said I should read Le Grand Meaulnes, by Alain-Fournier.

He gave me his copy to pack away in one of the boxes I loaded up into the car and once I’d arrived in the Dordogne countryside I started reading it.

It is a simple story about the transition into adulthood, first love, leaving behind youthful promises, but also captures French village life in the early 1900s.

English language business fair in Riberac

THE next English speaking business fair, organised by Angel Traders, takes place in Riberac on Saturday, September 19.

And the Chateau Le Mas De Montet will be the grand setting for a variety of trades who are expected to attend, including translators, financial advisers and property services.

Seminars will take place throughout the day, plus general questions about French life will be answered by those with plenty of experience, as well as offering business to business networking opportunities.

Entrance to the fair is free, but to have a stall on the days costs €150, more details on the Angel Traders website.

Related article: Getting down to business in Eymet

Schools face closure if swine flu outbreak

THE education minister, Luc Chatel, has said that if three children in the same class suffer from swine flu, or Grippe A, in the same week then the school will be closed down for at least six days.

The reopening of the school would only take place if there was no risk of further illness and following a full cleansing of the establishment.

As school children head back to class at the end of the month it is feared the number of people suffering from Grippe A will increase.