This French Life

Fingerprint reader installed at Charles de Gaulle Airport

FINGERPRINT reading equipment has been installed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which it is claimed will speed up travel times for passengers.

The equipment, which was unveiled by immigration minister Eric Besson, will allow quicker travel for passengers who live in countries that are part of the Schengen Area as long as they have registered in advance.

The system records finger prints and passport details (registration can be undertaken at Terminal 2E of Paris Charles de Gaulle) with 15 terminals expected to be installed by the end of the year, and 12 more in airports across France by 2011.

A view of French life from the TweetDeck

IF you are a regular internet user then there is a good chance you will have heard of Twitter.

Even if you are not then it made the headlines recently in helping The Guardian break a gagging order that restricted it reporting on a parliamentary question.

One of the most popular ways that people use Twitter is through a piece of software called TweetDeck as it makes it easier to follow the messages of friends and keep up to date with news stories.

Changes to number plates, tax and heating oil

SOME recent changes to rules and regulations have come into force, or been outlined, in the past few weeks that you may want to read more about.

New style number plates have been introduced for second-hand cars, while budget proposals from the French government will see an end to the support offered for those with oil heating and tax changes.

French language letter templates for common problems

IF you need to end an internet contract or maybe write a letter of complaint about a service, then more than 100 letter templates are available on the Institut national de la consommation website.

The letters will help you resolve disputes and are grouped by topics such as insurance, banking, internet and money, they are free to download and the majority are available in Word format.

Each letter provides an explanation of how it can be used, then you need to update name and date fields and it is usually wise to send correspondence by registered post, or lettre recommandée.

Catch up with news headlines from France

HERE is a quick catch up on the news headlines from France over the past couple of days.

Business fair in St Jean D'Angely, Poitou-Charentes

THE next English speaking business fair, organised by Angel Traders, takes place in St Jean D'Angely (map) on Saturday, October 31.

A variety of trades who are expected to attend the event in St Jean D'Angely, which is found between Cahors and La Rochelle in Poitou-Charentes, including translators, financial advisers and property services.

Entrance to the fair is free, but to have a stall on the days costs €120, more details on the Angel Traders website.

Tous au Numérique website for digital TV advice

YOU may have spotted advertisements on French television highlighting the website Tous au Numérique, offering advice on the switch over to digital television.

The advert features red and blue television shaped characters who help people discover if their TV equipment is able to receive digital services.

The coverage offered by the digital service, called TNT and which is similar to the UK's Freeview, will eventually be the only way to receive television channels.

Route for the Tour de France 2010 laid out

THE mountains of the Pyrenées dominate the Tour de France 2010 route with the Col du Tourmalet set to be climbed twice from both directions.

Capturing the flight of the cranes across France

AT this time of year people living in France roughly from the north east corner to the south west will spot a real wonder of nature.

The migratory route of the crane (la grue) from northern Europe to Spain sees the birds cross over France, and the massive flocks high in the sky are a real sight to see.

It is estimated that there are around 160,000 birds in the west of Europe and when migrating they fly at an altitude of between 200m and 1km.

For more details take a look at the European Crane Working Group.

A road that leads to France, interview with Greg Mose

Author Greg Mose has travelled widely but is now settled in the Lot

MANY people dream of moving to France and writing a book, Greg Mose has done just that.

Whilst starting and running a gite business, near Montcabrier in the Lot, with his wife, he also worked on weaving a tale of profit driven spirituality in his book Stunt Road.