This French Life

France is in denial as fragile banks add to economic woes

The second biggest economy in the eurozone is grappling with public debt, stalled growth and high unemployment

via www.guardian.co.uk

Peel garlic cloves with two bowls, in ten seconds

How to Peel a Head of Garlic in Less Than 10 Seconds from SAVEUR.com on Vimeo.

FRANCE garlic, garlic France, the two go hand-in-hand but if there is one thing that trips people up its the task of peeling garlic cloves.

But here is a very simple solution from the culinary website, Saveur, who show how to peel garlic gloves with the help of two large bowls and ten seconds of your time.

SNCF warn of major rail disruption when work begins

A NEW section has been added to the SNCF website enabling travellers to see changes to train times set to come into effect from 11 December, 2011.

Horaires 2012 has been created as major works are set to take place on the French railway system until 2015.

Approximately 85% of services will see changes and on the webpage you can enter departure and arrival points, as well as your travel date, to see if your journey times will change.

French left captures Senate in setback for Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative government has lost its majority in the Senate for the first time in recent French history.

The Socialist Party and its Communist and Green allies have won enough seats to gain control of the upper house.

Their victory comes just seven months before the country's presidential election in April.

via www.bbc.co.uk

News round up: French economy still stagnant

CAST an eye over the headlines from France with this quick round up, and if you want to read more then drop in on the French news headlines section of the site.

French woman sues Opus Dei for enslavement - Telegraph
A French woman is suing two followers of Opus Dei for enslavement, saying she was trapped for a decade working without pay at a school with ties to the powerful conservative Roman Catholic group.

Pacitel promises to put a stop to marketing calls

A NEW website has been launched which promises to put a stop to the majority of cold calls from French companies.

Pacitel is backed by major telephone marketing companies and so should put an end to those annoying calls you receive when in the bath, making dinner or just winding down after a busy day.

But, there is one small point to consider. The service doesn't come into effect until 1 December, 2011 although you can register your details in advance.

Registering your telephone number is a simple task, requiring a couple of security measures to ensure you are the one responsible for the number, and once Pacitel is up and running you should be saved from unsolicited marketing calls.

Dordogne Jelly offers inspiration and ideas

IF you work from home and need a burst of inspiration then the very first Dordogne Jelly co-working event may have arrived just in time.

Taking place at Château des Vigiers, Monestier, on Tuesday October 4, 2011 it will offer freelancers, home workers or those running small businesses an opportunity to meet new, like-minded people in a social environment.

Dordogne Jelly joins a number of similar groups across France and organiser Kirsten Stroud is looking forward to welcoming people to the Château des Vigiers at a special opening day.

French pub quiz in London for Doctors of the World UK

RECKON you know all there is to know about France? Then drop in on a fund raising French pub quiz in London next month.

Organised by Doctors of the World UK, the UK division of Médecins du Monde, the quiz will take place on Thursday 13 October, 2011 at The George Pub, 213 The Strand in London.

A maximum of six people per quiz team is allowed, and there will be plenty of prizes to win as well as much French merriment and mirth.

With all the money raised going towards Doctors of the World UK, whose work currently involves 90 projects in 50 countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Update on changes to CGT on second homes in France

CAPITAL gains tax (CGT) when selling property excluding main residences was a central element of the debates of the Additional Finance Bill for 2011, writes Guillaume Barlet.

And it undergone rearrangements between the moment the new regime was announced on 24 August, 2011 by the French prime minister François Fillon and the date it was finally voted on 8 September.

Despite being less penalising than first announced, this change still means that CGT on second homes will be significantly increased.

Looking back, and lessons learnt, of Le Cuvage project

BRIAN Franklin continues his story of how he and his wife, Lucy, slowly and sympathetically returned a collection of outbuildings found in the grounds of the Chateau des Cresses, in the Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France.

Here he looks back on the work involved, and some of the lessons learnt, as well as the advantages of moving to France.

At last. The work is over, the spending has slowed down, and the results of all our efforts can be clearly seen and appreciated.