This French Life

Ski war over EU law rages on French slopes

Ski war over EU law rages on French slopes (via AFP)

On the slopes of one of France's swankiest ski resorts, a bureaucratic battle is raging between local authorities and British ski instructors that goes to the heart of Europe's labour laws. The latest shot was fired on February 18, at the height of…

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French property prices decrease year-on-year (-1.4 %)

After having slipped during two years, prices of second-hand dwellings seemed to level off in the fourth quarter 2013 according to provisional results (+0.3%, s.a. data, of which +0.6% for houses and -0.2% for flats).

Year-on-year, prices decreased : -1.4%, including -1.4% for flats as for houses.

via www.insee.fr

Three Asiatic lion cubs born in a French zoo

French zoo triplets boost for endangered Asiatic lions (via AFP)

Three Asiatic lion cubs have been born in a French zoo in a major boost for the critically endangered species. The cubs were born on December 30 in a zoo attached to the natural history museum in Besancon, eastern France. "These births raise hopes for…

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Stena Line takes over Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry link

FERRY company Stena Line has acquired the Irish-owned Celtic Link ferry service which operates between Rosslare and Cherbourg.

Celtic Link currently provides a three times weekly service between Ireland and France with the Mv Celtic Horizon, which can accommodate 1,000 passengers, 200 cars and 120 freight units.

Ian Davies, of Stena Line, said: "The acquisition of the Rosslare-Cherbourg route is a key strategic investment for Stena Line and one which will help stimulate and strengthen new and existing opportunities for trade and tourism between Ireland, France and beyond.

"With confidence in the Irish economy strengthening, we see positive long term growth in tourist and freight traffic from the Continent as a real opportunity to help strengthen this economic growth further.

"The Celtic Horizon will continue to operate a year- round service and we look forward to introducing the Stena Line experience to the vessel for our customers to enjoy."

The all year round service currently operates three weekly sailings from Rosslare at 21.30 on Tuesday and Thursday with a Saturday sailing at 16.00.

From Cherbourg the schedule is 21.00 on Wednesday and Friday with a Sunday sailing at 16.00 with a journey time of approx 17 hrs. Final details are currently being concluded around the acquisition and Stena Line hopes to be in a position to take over the running of the service with effect from Monday 31 March 2014.

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Storms have killed more than 21,000 sea birds on French coast

Storms 'slaughter' kills over 21,000 birds on French coast (via AFP)

More than 21,000 sea birds have died since the end of January on France's Atlantic coast due to storms in the worst "slaughter" in a century, the national Bird Protection League (LPO) said Wednesday. A total of 21,341 dead birds had been counted up…

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Flybe offers new flight options between Exeter and Paris

FLYBE has boosted its summer services from Exeter Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle by adding a second weekday flight in the early evening.

Passengers now have the choice of up to eight Flybe flights a week to Paris for travel between April 14 and September 30, 2014 with one way fares from £48.99 inclusive of taxes and charges.

Exeter (EXT) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Between 30 March and 25 October 2014
Monday to Friday:
Dep EXT 1015, Arr CDG 1245
Dep CDG 1330, Arr EXT 1400

Extra evening flight effective 14 April to 30 Sep 2014
Dep EXT 1810 Arr CDG 2040 Dep CDG 2120 Arr EXT 2150

Saturday
Dep EXT 0845, Arr CXDG 1115
Dep CDG 1200, Arr EXT 1230

Sunday
Dep EXT 1430, Arr CDG 1700
Dep CDG 1745, Arr EXT 1815

Bouygues reports big loss, but mobile-phone unit rallies

Bouygues reports big loss, but mobile-phone unit rallies (via AFP)

Construction and telecom group Bouygues reported on Wednesday a big loss for 2013 after a writedown for shares in Alstom, but its mobile-phone division switched back into profit. The net loss was 757 million euros ($1.04 billion), but investors focused…

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France extends CAR mission as UN warns of new bloodbath

France extends CAR mission as UN warns of new bloodbath (via AFP)

French lawmakers on Tuesday approved an extension of the country's military operation in the Central African Republic as the UN warned of a potential new bloodbath in the troubled African state. Despite misgivings among some that French troops have…

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Paparazzi become artists in new France exhibition

Paparazzi become artists in new France exhibition (via AFP)

Normally relegated to the bottom of the artistic heap, paparazzi are getting their own French art exhibition, just weeks after one of them exposed the president's secret affair. By turns populist and subversive, the controversial exhibition at the Centre…

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France passes law punishing hasty factory closures

France passes law punishing hasty plant closures (via AFP)

The French parliament on Monday definitively passed a law slapping tough penalties on firms who shut down without looking for a buyer in three months' time. The so-called "Florange law" is named after a steelworks in northern France where Socialist…

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