This French Life

France will bring in new speed limits from 1 July

DESPITE protests from many, the legislation covering the reduction in the speed limit from 90 km/h to 80 km/h on routes départementales in France has been published and will come into force from 1 July.

Work is already underway to change the 11,000 road signs that will have to be replaced at a cost of around €12 million, with the the road safety department of the interior ministry claiming the measure should save between 300 and 400 lives every year.

Opponents say that the lower speed limit is unnecessary, based on incorrect analysis, and will make day-to-day life more difficult, others believe it is just a way for the government to raise more money through fines.

In 2017 there were 3,684 lives lost on French roads.

Amoureux de Ma Femme showing in Villefranche-du-Périgord: 29 June

A MAN fantasies about his best friend's new girlfriend. He is willing to throw caution to the wind to fulfill his wildest dreams.

The film showing, in French, takes place in the foyer rural of Villefranche-du-Périgord on Friday 29 June from 20h30, with tickets priced 6€.

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Daniel est très amoureux de sa femme, mais il a beaucoup d'imagination et un meilleur ami parfois encombrant.

Lorsque celui-ci insiste pour un diner "entre couples" afin de lui présenter sa toute nouvelle, et très belle, amie, Daniel se retrouve coincé entre son épouse qui le connaît par coeur et des rêves qui le surprennent lui-même.

Fête Nationale celebrations Villefranche-du-Périgord: 13 July

TO mark the Fête Nationale across France, Villefranche-du-Périgord is hosting a meal, music and a firework display on Friday 13 July.

The meal, starting at 20h, is organised by the local rugby club and includes magret de canard and is priced 17€ for adults and 10€ for children.

The disco music will spring into life from around 22h and a firework display that lights up the church is set to start at 23h.

On the 14 July there will be a disco organised by the local fire service, ensuring two days of fun and music in the village.

Bal des Pompiers in Villefranche-du-Périgord: 14 July

EXPECT a night of loud music and dancing into the early hours as the Villefranche-du-Périgord Bal des Pompiers takes place on Saturday 14 July.

Taking place at the fire station in the village, the evening starts at 19h with the chance to enjoy a beer and drinks, as well as a bite to eat.

The disco will be starting around 22h and you can be assured of an entertaining evening where the volunteer firemen and women of Villefranche-du-Périgord let their hair down.

On the 13 July there is a meal and disco organised by the village rugby club, as well as firework display, taking place in the village.

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Le Club de l'USV Rugby & les Pompiers de Villefranche du Périgord vous donnent RDV vendredi 13 et samedi 14 juillet pour 2 soirées très festives !

** Au programme : **

VENDREDI 13 JUILLET "FÊTE DU RUGBY" // sous la Halle

- Repas Magret à 20h00, 17€ pour les adultes, 10€ pour les enfants de moins de 10 ans.
- Soirée dansante avec "CRISTAL DISCO"
- Feu d'artifice (embrasement de l'Église) à 23h00
- Buvette

SAMEDI 14 JUILLET "BAL DES POMPIERS" // au centre des secours

- Repas Cochon à la broche à 20h00 (frites + glace + 1 boisson) , 12€ .
- Début de soirée animé par "SENSATION MUSETTE"
- Bal des Pompiers avec "DISCOMOBILE LA NUIT"
- Buvette

Réservations repas "Fête du Rugby" du 13 juillet : 06.83.93.72.31
Réservations repas "Bal des Pompiers" du 14 juillet : 06.83.43.47.96

Display of artists' work and salon des livres in Villefranche: 15 July

A NUMBER artists will be displaying their work on Sunday 15 July in the foyer rural of Villefranche-du-Périgord, here in the southern tip of the Dordogne.

Potters, painters and many other artists will be showing off their passion for their work, and explaining to visitors how they make what they make.

Also on the same day under the halle from 9h will be the popular salon des livres with a fine collection of antique books on display, but there will also be a chance to find more common titles and bandes dessinées.

Tap your toes at the Fête de la Musique in Villefranche-du-Périgord: 22 June

WORLD music, jazz and Blues are on the menu for the Fête de la Musique in Villefranche-du-Périgord on Friday 22 June.

The Blues trio Vanguy Terra will be playing outside the Café de la Poste at the top of la rue Notre Dame, a little further down close to the chestnut museum, Issijaz (pictured) will be playing and at the Café du Commerce in the Place de la Halle you can listen to the group Mehaye.

It is free entry, and should the weather turn wet then the groups will play indoors, and the evening starts at 19h with the fête coming to a close around 22h.

Debate: The legal fight against ‘fake news’ must not veer into censorship

The French National Assembly, which is debating a law that would allow “fake news” to be banned in the pre-election period. (Richard Ying et Tangui Morlier/Wikimedia)

By Matthew Fraser, American University of Paris

France’s parliament is debating a law that would give the state the power to censor “fake news”. If the law is passed, the French state will have the powers to ban, through a court order, the publication of any news considered false in run-up period before elections.

French MPs are sharply divided over this proposed law, and French media squarely oppose it. But it has a powerful supporter: President Emmanuel Macron. He has spoken out publicly against the toxic influence of “fake news” (the English term is used in France). During the presidential election campaign last year, Macron was angered by attacks that targeted him personally, notably stories alleging offshore bank accounts. He also accused Russia of spreading “deceitful propaganda” through the Kremlin-controlled Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik sites. Macron believes a law is needed to “protect our democracy from these false stories”. Macron believes a law is needed to “protect our democracy from these false stories”.

Weekend thunderstorms see many homes flooded

TORRENTIAL rain and thunderstorms have caused flooding across many areas of the Dordogne, with the region to the west of Périgueux taking a real battering.

Homes and other buildings have been flooded, with some properties seeing water levels of 1.5 metres cascading through rooms, whilst roads have been washed away and as the video above shows, the river Isle has burst its banks near Razac-sur-l'Isle.

CANCELLED - Saint Cernin de l'Herm enjoys musical talents: 15 June

DON'T forget to bring along your musical talent for the Fête de la Musique celebrations in Saint Cernin de l'Herm later this week.

Musicians of all types and abilities are invited to attend the get-together being held in the school courtyard in the centre of the village on Friday 15 June from 19h.

It is always a pleasant, easy going atmosphere, with musicians of all ages taking part and getting the chance to take to the stage as soloists or to share the spotlight with others.

Free entrance, with drinks and light meals also available.

Help and advice on adapting your home as you get older

HOME owners around Villefranche-du-Périgord who are looking to adapt their properties with new features that will help those experiencing reduced mobility or health difficulties can receive some free advice next week.

A truck from SOLIHA Dordogne-Périgord will be parked up by La Poste in Villefranche-du-Périgord on Thursday 14 June between 9h and noon.

On it will be specialists in providing advice on how to adapt your home as you get older, covering things such as heating options and insulation, but also simple tips and tools to help in the bathroom or kitchen.

SOLIHA staff can also help provide information on financial support that might be available to help with the cost of renovations.

Entry and the advice on offer is free.