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Everything you always wanted to know about France |
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France Voila - Newsletter #71
Pezenas - France - November 29, 2002 1. Word of the Week - Propre 2. Reader Restaurant Review 3. Air monster set to wreck peace of wine valley 4. Web Hosting and other services 5. Christmas in Paris 6. New French High-Speed Rail Line Wins Award 7. How to Book 8. Discounts and Coupons from Us 9. Nizas - the House Hunting season Plus answers to some of your questions and a new regular series of restaurant reviews starts at... http://francevoila.com/ The archives with over 650 features and articles are at... http://francevoila.com/archives/ ====== Sent from France by.. http://francevoila.com/ All you need to know to visit - or live - in France. Full details to subscribe, change address and unsubscribe are at the end of this newsletter. Write to me at... mailto:tony@nizas.com I really do try to answer all letters - if you don't hear from me in a few days - write louder. Tony ===== Accommodation in France From one day - to a Lifetime http://rentalsfrance.com/ ===== 1. Word of the Week - "Propre" I found myself sitting in a very official manner behind a long table facing 40 of my neighbors arranged in rows of chairs. I wasn’t alone. All 8 of the committee planning the Adult English Classes were there. Mr. Vice-President of the Conseil Generale hosted, and the importance of the occasion saw 3 Mayors in attendance. I listened as the committee explained that the lessons would be very practical and to be taken seriously. We were not there to faire du bricolage (do something half-hazard). As the objectives of the classes were laid out, the faces of the crowd were changing from curiosity to worry. Of the 40 people present, 24 have never before studied English, or only had the basics- over 20 years ago. I could see the thoughts racing through their minds- memories of a teacher making them repeat “The Jones family went on holiday to the seaside. In a case of the worst timing imaginable, someone suggested it would be necessary to set up a language lab in the mayor’s office so people could practice between lessons with computer programs. A look of horror spread throughout the 24 debutantes! That was it. I spoke up. We must not complicate the issue. We’re here to take petits pats little steps. The first relief showed itself. We are going to learn practical words for adults to be friendly to your English neighbors and visitors. No one expects you to speak fluent English. Smiles reappeared with slight nods of the head. It took me years to learn to speak French as badly as I do and I came here as a teen and lived with a French family! Laughter now erupted as I used the wrong word- I of course intended to say as well as I do! Point received. After the most people had left, I was taken to the side and told in misplaced English, but beautiful French translation that my remarks were propre. Normally propre means clean, but in this instance it is to say, smooth, well-placed a remark with good effect and timing! Dawn Eleanor Ramsay ===== FRENCH FOR ADULTS Dear Tony, I love your newsletter. Do you have suggestions or recommendations concerning schools where adults might improve their French? Pam == Hello Pam It depends on where you are in France - I found the Alliance Francaise in the big cities is great for help like this - there are commercial courses, but they vary a lot. I am always looking for a site which can list this sort of thing honestly and objectively. When we have time we will do it ourselves (one day) Best wishes Tony == Pam- You may also check the non-profit organizations (under the loi 1901) in France that are set up for training and post-school activities. In my area they seem to be called Centres Culturels or Maison de Jeunes. They often offer French for English speakers, and if they don’t, they might start if you can get a few friends together to go with you. Also, there are some specialists like En Famille Overseas that run affordable programs. Dawn ===== EN FAMILLE OVERSEAS En Famille Overseas is an agency, established for over fifty years, which specialises in sending people of all ages to France, Spain and Italy to stay with specially chosen families, so that they can use and improve their language skills, and also experience the life style of the country first hand. An important feature of En Famille holidays is the totally inclusive family environment. Guests are made to feel part of the family, and are looked after and included in everything that happens. Every care is taken to match traveller and host family as closely as possible. En Famille Overseas travellers can also receive structured tuition during their stay, either within the host family or by attending a carefully selected local language school. The cost of these holidays ranges from about £240 a week full board. Second and subsequent weeks are discounted. This kind of total immersion holiday results not only in a rapid improvement in language skills, but also in the forging of some long term friendships and understanding between our countries. Life from the inside! For further details on these holidays, and also for details of how to come to England to learn English, or just for advice on language learning, au pairing or work experience with language learning contact Mary-Lou Toms on marylou_toms@btinternet.com or visit the website http://www.enfamilleoverseas.co.uk ===== Tony I've been getting your newsletters regularly since we bought our home in Port Vendres (August 2002). We are now contemplating leaving London to move there (already!). My daughters are aged 14 and 10 and schools are a first priority. Can you advise how I can find out about local schools, what to expect etc. My eldest daughter has completed 2 years of French language studies, whereas my youngest has no French. Many thanks for any help many thanks for any help Karla == Hello Karla When we moved here over 12 years ago our daughters were then just 4 years and 18 months old. A prime reason for moving to France was our (confirmed) belief that the education here is far superior to that in the UK. Our son Jack, now nearly 8, was born here. They are all in the French education system and fully integrated in the life and culture of France, yet maintain their British heritage and language. However, I would be concerned at bringing a family of 10 and 14 years old into the French education system. These are both critical ages in the French system and the standards, curriculum and shear volume of work are radically different to the UK. Our daughters start at 7:00 and get home at 5:30 and these are local schools. Teaching is only in French. Even with perfect fluency in French it would be very difficult for someone in the UK educational system to be able to integrate into the French curriculum and, in my estimation, they would both lose at least two years in the equivalent levels here and be in classes with children two to three years younger than themselves. The only viable alternative would be an International School, these are in most major cities in France. These are fee paying only and the fees are much lower than the equivalent in the UK, but there is no subsidy or support. There is a school in Perpignan, a useful link for this school: http://www.worldwide.edu/ci/france/fschools_k12.html This is about 40 minutes drive from Port Vendres. We have absolutely no doubts that our children have received a far superior education to anything we could have offered in the UK. I hope this helps Tony ===== 2. Reader Restaurant Review This week is brought to us by Amanda! Thank you! LE VIEUX MOULIN, 38570 THEYS. Telephone: 04 76 71 02 59. Closed Mondays. Although there are many very good restaurants around the Grenoble area, most are well known. However, tucked away in the beautiful mountains of the Belledonne range is a lovely restaurant in the pretty village of THEYS, (38570). It is run by a young couple who can speak English well. The food is of a very high standard and always excellent. The atmosphere in the restaurant is lovely all seasons with a log fire in the winter and pretty terrace garden in the summer. Full menu typically costs around 14 euro. Theys is also a wonderful walking area with nearby ski stations. Directions from Grenoble: About half hour journey in the car. Take A41 Autoroute towards Chambery and leave at the exit for Brignoud/Froges. After crossing the bridge come to a roundabout and take the left exit following signs toward Albertville/Pontcharra. At next roundabout do the same. Carry on for about 5km until you see a sign for Theys on the right. Go up the hill into the centre of Theys. Park in the centre of Theys. The restaurant is in the old mill-- just ask. ===== If you want to know more about Theys- I found this French website that tells about the area. http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ciage/territoire/communes/theys.htm Dawn ===== 3. Air Monster Set To Wreck Peace of Wine Valley One of the quietest regions of rural France is fighting to save its bucolic lifestyle as the world's biggest engineering project threatens to end centuries of peace among its vineyards. Hailed by European governments as a transport revolution that will crush its American rival Boeing, the new Airbus-380, capable of carrying more than 800 passengers, will be built in four countries, including Wales. But to bring its massive wings, fuselage and other parts to the assembly point near Toulouse, preliminary work has begun on a massive sea and land transport project costing billions of euro. Full story at http://francevoila.com/features/airmonster.html ===== Hi Tony, I have checked a number of websites and all offer me insurance but not with a pre-existing condition. They will cover me 1 year after insurance issued for preexisting condition. As I told you, my wife has M.S. and is a diabetic. Medical supplies for insulin pump, which she has, are very expensive. Now, they are all covered by insurance. Is there a site where I can obtain of list of medical doctors (Nice, France) and a rate chart. I want to get an idea what it would cost for visits if insurance is not in place the first year. I would be interested in purchasing any books or pamphlets you may have that would be helpful in a move from the USA to France for a retired couple. There must be hundreds of questions I will have and need a good resource source. Again thanks, Roy == Hi Roy The best list of doctors is from the yellow pages, you can access this from our site at http://goto-france.com/phone/ Charges are fixed, a consultation is usually around 20 euro. Some American friends have been amazed at the realistic charges made by the medical profession here. This page will give you the charges in the South of France for all the medical professions http://www.cmr-cote-azur.canam.fr/rps/tarifs/tarifs.htm As you are on AOL you may have problems reading these links - if so let me know. We will soon be putting this on our information pages for subscribers. Best wishes Tony == Hi Roy- I searched for 6 months and never found an insurance that will cover a pre-existing condition in or out of America. However, if you have Medicare and a Medicare supplement, you can maintain them while living outside the U.S. You can also continue to collect any social security payments due to you, the same as if you were in the US. For more information, make an appointment at the local Social Security office. DO NOT cancel your US insurance under any circumstances. Even if you intend to move to France permanently, until you are certain of your residency and French coverage maintain your US insurance and if necessary keep a permanent address in the US. I caution you strongly, because Medicare is NOT sufficient in the US to cover medical expenses AND, there is no current US law requiring any company to issue you a policy if you have a pre-existing condition. There are non-insurance solutions that provide for emergency repatriation to the US, in case of needing major treatment. (if you get to that point, I have a source that is affordable- I subscribe). And there is a hospital in Paris that will accept US insurance issued by Blue Cross or an affiliate. In the meanwhile, buy an additional insurance policy to cover yourself in France. Consider it a fixed, necessary expense to have both. After the year has passed, verify they will cover your wife's supplies. If you are certain at that point that you want to stay here FOREVER, then cancel your US insurance. Beware that as Americans to get a carte de sejour, you are required to have a medical exam. If you have pre-existing conditions, I am told you have to prove adequate cover. I hope that helped. Dawn Eleanor Ramsay ===== THE CANAL DU MIDI We are busy making a site showing the wonderful cruise boats on the canal du Midi and other French rivers - at the end of this summer the Carole and I, with our energetic family were lucky enough to spend a few days on the Berendina - you can read about this in http://francevoila.com/archives/65.html We have put a few photos on a simple page at http://nizas.com/berendina/photos.html Boats are booking up quickly for Spring and Summer cruising... Enjoy wine tasting, bike rides through nearby villages, sun bathing on deck or just plain fun with your companions! Retire to the cool shade of your private cabin for a tranquil nap, or lay back and watch the countryside flow by. Prepare your own meals in your fully-equipped kitchen or try out some nearby restaurants. Luxury boats are still available! You can choose boats to accommodate up to 12. http://frenchcanalvacations.com/ ===== The AOVP Setting the Standards for Quality and Value for Vacation Rentals = Renting a private home can be a dream - or a nightmare - until now there has been no standard for comfort, value or service. Now the Association of Owners of Vacation Properties (AOVP) provides advice and support to owners and managers of properties rented as vacation accommodation and protects both the interests of owners and, most importantly, the rights of renters. The association's objectives are · To create a high level of trust in world-wide property rental relationships · To guarantee the standards and services of members' rental properties · To assure the quality of vacation services Members of AOVP confirm that they comply with the association's standards and code of ethics. Consumers will have high confidence in AOVP approval as an indication of dedicated, reliable professional management. For further details and to apply for membership, go the association's website at http://aovp.com/ We are encouraging everyone, owner or renter to join. This is a big step towards protecting both the consumer and the owner. ===== DRIVING IN FRANCE AND VOLUNTEERS FOR PEACE Hello Tony, I don't know if you'll remember us, but we stayed in your apartment Oct. 2000. We are from NJ/USA. Anyway, I just had to comment on the driving situation. When we were there, yes, it is different, but certainly no more dangerous than it is near Metropolitan areas here in the states. Also, even my kids noticed that although it was much more of an adventure to drive in France and other parts of Europe, it was certainly safer as you folks don't seem to be obsessed w/ the gas guzzling killing machines we have over here, known as SUV's. ;) You drive small efficient cars that adequately transport your families... they can get quickly in and out of traffic. We have so many safety features forced on us, our cars & roads, drivers here feel that they can drive like maniacs and have no concern for their lives because they drive tanks! Who cares about those of us who drive smaller cars, we are just in their way anyway! I say, live for the moment and that part of the memory should be the adventurous parts of your trip as well...we had a few white knuckle moments too, but it is one of the things we can laugh about now and tell very tall tales about! HA! Debi Oh, yes, I wondered if anyone on this list or anyone you may know has had experiences with Volunteers for Peace. My daughter is planning on coming to France and Germany and working with their organization. She will be joining up with them for a portion of her whirlwind trip to Europe this spring. She has been saving since we got back 2 years ago and is hoping to stay for at least 6 weeks. == Debi, Thanks for your comments- I think that driving in the States is more dangerous too. But, the death toll on the roads per number of users tells a different story. I prescribe to the “you only live once” theory. As for Volunteers for Peace: I have asked for information from them and they have offered a complete list of their past workgroup volunteers for me to write to directly for references. They boast letters from George W., and won an award for their US charity work. My concern is two-fold. 1) their non-US programs are administered by the charity in the country of the program and they take no responsibility for its quality. You therefore need to find out who is running the group and check their references for your daughter’s program, and 2) They don’t provide medical insurance and accident insurance for US or Canadian participants, so you need to make sure your daughter is covered while she is volunteering. I would suggest a supplemental travel policy, but you should check that she is covered during participation in a work group. Good luck and Thanks for the question. Dawn Eleanor Ramsay ===== TRAVEL INSURANCE You can get travel insurance through links on our site. It is recommended for anyone and everyone. Did you know for example, that if you miss your flight, the airlines are not required to place you on another one? They can insist you buy a new ticket at the current selling price- that is to say no advance purchase- thereby sometimes quadrupling the cost. (Call a major airline and ask their policy- you may get a surprise!) http://rentalsfrance.com/insurance/ ===== CAR HIRE If you are venturing out of Paris, you will probably want a car. You get the best prices available and also help support us if you use the links from our site. They don't pay us much, but every little bit helps. Plus, all these companies come recommended from us or our readers! http://rentalsfrance.com/carhire/ ===== CURRENCY LISTINGS ON OUR SITES Tony- Are the prices you are quoting for your rental properties in US dollars? I am from Australia and it makes a huge difference. == Hello Yes if the price listed in dollars these are US dollars, we usually state this carefully on the relevant page - if this is missing I would be most appreciative if you could tell me which page - and you can get a (small, but very useful) discount voucher from our site at http://rentalsfrance.com/coupon/ ===== 4. WEB-HOSTING AND OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER To get the quality and reliability we demand for our websites, we found the only way was to start our own web-hosting company 23333.com.(33 is Frances' country code!) Our hosting packages are more than competitive with an unequalled range of reliable, proven services to make your website count. Enjoy the same service we get for our sites like RentalsFrance.com and 1stVacations.com. We have a range of services which specialize in the needs of home rental sites. * free on-line availability calendar with direct access for updates *free on-line guest books * free on-line news page * free members forum * discounts and special offers on other travel services * web design and promotion Service starts at $10 a month, write to Kevin at.. mailto:hosting@23333.com ===== 5. Christmas In Paris T’is the season to shop! Holiday cheer, lights and season-end sales Scheduling a shopping trip to Paris between November and February—well... it’s reason alone to go. The Christmas shopping season starts early November when Paris’s two chic department stores, the Printemps and the Galeries Lafayette, have dressed their windows, facades and elegant interiors in distinctive and festive holiday attire. The perfect place for all your Christmas shopping, both stores offer discounts to int'l shoppers, VAT tax refunds, weekly fashion shows, plus a variety of services to maximize your shopping experience, and extended hours and Sunday openings in December. Late November and through early January, Paris’s avenues, streets and historic squares become a Christmas wonderland. High points include the illuminations of the Champs-Elysées, the nativity scene in front of Notre Dame and the huge ice-skating rink on the esplanade of Paris City Hall. For all holiday do's (including Christmas markets) and illuminations, click here. Finally, cure those pesky post-holiday blues by coming for the great annual winter sale, starting Jan. 8 through mid-February in stores throughout Paris and France. http://fe0.com/news1/ ===== For Paris Apartments- some are still available for Christmas- http://rentalsfrance.com/paris/ ===== 6. New French High-Speed Rail Line Wins Environmental Award and Large Share of Market. (11/8/2002) Travelers whisked at 186 mph from Paris to the Mediterranean in just 3 hours aren't the only ones who have benefited from TGV Mediterranee, France's newest high-speed rail line which began commercial operation in the June 2001 and carries 60,000 passengers daily. The French National Railroads or SNCF (Societe des Chemins de fer Francais) was honored with the American Society of Travel Agents' (ASTA) 2002 Environmental Award for its efforts in preserving and protecting the environment during the creation of the new line. "The new TGV Med line illustrates how business and environmental interests can, in fact, complement and support each other. It is a success not only from an environmental protection standpoint, but also commercially: because of TGV Med, rail has captured 60% of the combined air-rail traffic on the Paris-Marseille route, compared to the 40% share it held before the new line opened," noted Bernard Frelat, President and CEO of the Rail Europe Group, White Plains, NY-based subsidiary of SNCF and largest North American distributor of European rail products. "While this gain in market share was hoped for, it has come much faster than anyone imagined." It is projected that by the end of 2002, some 30 million passengers will have traveled along the new TGV Med line. According to Frelat, occupancy of trains operating on the new line is 80% and on-time performance is 92% -- considerably higher than expected. TGV Med reduced travel times between 140 cities along its route by an hour or more, e.g. Paris-Avignon now 2 hours, 38 min vs. the previous 3 hours, 30 min, Paris-Marseille 3 hours, down from 4 hours 20 min, Paris-Nice, 5 hours, 36 minutes, 1 hour shorter than before. SNCF had an environmental goal in mind when it proposed the TGV Med line in the late 1980s. According to the railroads' own environmental scientists: "For every market share point in passenger traffic that rail wins away from the road, the equivalent of approximately 37,000 tons of oil are saved annually. When that increase is won at the expense of air, the savings are 60,000 tons. Less oil burned means less carbon dioxide generated, which helps reduce the greenhouse effect. It is estimated that in a full year of operation, TGV Med will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half a million tons, as a result of travelers who switch from air and road transportation to rail." http://www.raileurope.com/ ===== RAIL CARD FOR SENIORS Hi, Tony Would you please let us know where and how we may obtain a RAIL CARD (for Seniors) to use while we're in France? Thanks. Ruth and Phil == Ruth and Phil- There are multiple rail cards for Seniors over 60 in France. However, the availability depends on how long you are here, where you live permanently, etc. go to: www.sncf.com to see what is available. It is a terrible web site, but persistence prevails! For sure, it is much less expensive to book travel and collect the tickets in France than to purchase them in advance from outside the EC. Hope that helps. Dawn Eleanor Ramsay ===== 7. BUYING A RENTAL PROPERTY IN FRANCE? If you dream of financing a move to France by renting your property out to visitors you need our upcoming E-book. We are consolidating, updating and verifying all the information in our archives, plus adding new information on taxes, resources for owners and live links in the text. From the basics of buying to government resources, from details such as how to communicate charm through your web page to marketing techniques and how to register with the authorities and operate legally in France- It’s all in one spot with live links to resources you’ll need and an index for reference. We’re progressing quickly, reserve your copy now and pass along any specific questions you want to see answered in the Q&A section. mailto:howto@francevoila.com We'll reserve you a copy and keep you posted on the progress-- available as a printable e-book hot off the presses. ===== 8. Pricing and Coupons We occasionally find a property we list with different prices on other sites. I will repeat: WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD. If you find any property rental we are showing on any of our sites listed at a lower price somewhere else, we will always make sure you get that property at the best price available. All new subscribers get a free coupon. If you have not claimed yours, claim it now (only one per e-mail/surface-mail address). If you spot an error or omission in our sites, we will also send you a coupon. http://rentalsfrance.com/coupon/ The database will tell me if you are printing out more than one - so no cheating. Look for the upcoming Tour De France Coupons to be posted on properties near the 2003 route! ===== 9. Nizas - The House Hunting Season Late Autumn and the house hunting season is in full swing around us. Recognisable from their dress of casual clothes to blend in with the natives and their earnest expressions as they clutch maps and notebooks, these tenacious hunters can be seen peering over walls and fences in pursuit of the classic ruin or perfect cottage. Recent over hunting has reduced the local population of - "domus maximus bellus" - to near extinction. However, the occasional sighting of the - "lesser tiled hovel" -, or the extremely rare - "pile of interesting stones in the middle of a field" - will be heralded by the legion of estate agents here and a flurry of tweeds and corduroys will be seen chasing through local villages waving chequebooks followed by the agents with their hunting cry of "gimmythemandat". In spite of the scarcity, many hunters are found in bars and cafes telling their tales late into the night of the bargain they bagged under the nose of a rival hunter. If someone could find a way of building new 18th century ruins which need ten times more spending on them than they cost, they are onto a winner. I must rush - there is a report of a new McDonalds being built in Montpellier - I need a reality fix. ===== We love to receive your letters and comments and we really try to answer all mail but it does get lost, filtered or vanishes somewhere. So, if you write and don't hear from me, please write again. mailto:tony@nizas.com |