This French Life

Music and film festivals in France during February

MAKE the most of the fresh winter air by enjoying song and dance on the Mediterranean, the music of Schubert and two film festivals in the north and south of France.

Tous au Numérique for digital TV switchover

IF you live in Nord Pas de Calais, Haute Normandie or Picardie then the start of February sees the analogue television signal for those regions turned off, and you won't be able to pick up any programmes.

The Aquitaine region sees its analogue signal turned off on March 29, and in their place will be the digital service TNT, which is similar to the UK's Freeview.

Most modern television sets will be able to receive TNT signals directly, as well as those receiving programmes via cable or satellite, but if your TV is quite old then you will have to buy a set-top box that plugs into the back of your television and aerial.

Blog stops: Hopital Lariboisière, beyond the buzz of Paris

OVER the past few days I've enjoyed some interesting articles and blog posts so instead of keeping them to myself I thought I would point them out so you can follow the authors and their experiences of French life.

Remember if you enjoy the websites a short comment to add to a piece or just to say thanks will always bring a smile to a blogger's heart.

News round up: Sarkozy told it's time to grow up

CATCH up with some of the news headlines from France over the past few days, taking in stories such as a saving the Breton language, the skull of Henri IV and oyster beds.

Review of Je t'aime à La Folie, by Michael Wright

WELCOME back to the French life of Daily Telegraph columnist Michael Wright in his latest book, Je t'aime à La Folie.

After his first book, C'est La Folie, which told us of Michael's move to France, this time we are taken further into his local village community and how he looks to put down some roots.

All the regular characters are in the book, his always helpful neighbours, the foraging chickens and rastafarian sheep.

But there is one character missing from Richard's life and that is someone to share the rest of his life with, as well as the taste of his first home grown potato.

Babylon offers up quick Q&A translation

IF you are struggling with a language question then a new website from translation software company, Babylon, may prove helpful.

Its Babylon Community site lets people post quick language questions and have them answered by other members of the site.

And the quality of answers has the potential to be high due to the fact that many of those answering the questions already offer translation services through Babylon.

Drop in on the Most Beautiful Villages of France

FRANCE is so proud of its atmospheric villages and towns that there is an association to ensure that standards do not slip.

The group Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, France’s Most Beautiful Villages, works to preserve the character of the villages.

And the 155 villages that are members can be found across the whole of France, from Alsace to Provence.

SNCF and Bobigny sign agreement over deportation station

AN agreement has been signed between SNCF and the town of Bobigny to convert its old train station into a memorial to the 20,000 Jews deported to their deaths during World War Two.

The station, which is found in north west Paris, was used as a transfer point during the war and the agreement means SNCF has handed over the building with plans to build a memorial centre on the site.

SNCF has been criticised in the past for failing to recognise the role it played during World War Two when it is estimated it was involved in the transportation of around 75,000 Jews to concentration camps.

A PR battle is being fought by SNCF as it looks to establish a presence in the US, where criticism has been harsh, and which has seen the train operator create a website explaining its role during the war and the work it is currently undertaking alongside Shoah Memorial in Paris.

Related website: Ancienne Gare de déportation de Bobigny

Sarkozy, DSK and other celebrities go 'blind'

AS part of a campaign to raise awareness of the difficulties blind people experience in day-to-day life, President Sarkozy has been 'photoshoped' wearing dark glasses.

The Fédération des Aveugles de France (FAF) has also placed a white stick in Sarkozy's hand, as he walks alongside Carla Bruni.

The campaign features other celebrities, including Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Zinédine Zidane and Gérard Depardieu.

FAF say that just 15 per cent of public areas in France are suitable for blind people, with government plans to make all public places available to those with disabilities by 2015 looking unlikely to be met.

Turn a spare room in France into a tourist crash pad

IF you are feeling the squeeze financially, but are rattling around a large house with some spare rooms, why not take a look at short term lets?

A couple of online services make it very easy to promote your spare rooms and take enquires from interested visitors and holidaymakers.

The US based Airbnb is one such website that lets you describe your property, upload photographs and take secure online payments.