Much as in other countries, the choice of schools in France occupies a great deal of time and effort. It is currently occupying our household although I think we are over the worst of it now!
Broadly speaking, primary school (ages 4 - 11) and college (11 - 14 years old) are not a big issue, [...]
The region around us in the valley of the Dropt River was little developed during centuries gone by, which helps explain its natural beauty. This lack of development was in part because of the natural character of the soil - there is typically a 30 centimetre layer of soil on top of a dense thick [...]
I love this time of year in the south of France. Apart from the occasional storm, the weather is usually bright and sunny, the countryside is looking at its best, there are flowers everywhere, and the roads haven’t yet been taken over by tourists.
It’s warm enough to enjoy cycling or walking, but not so hot [...]
OK it’s not just a France problem, it’s everyone, but I thought I’d grumble about the price of petrol.
I have every sympathy with people in the USA who complain that they are paying $4 a gallon - about 50 euro cents a litre. Well, we are paying 1.45 euros a litre, three times as much [...]
In France the first important school exam is the brevet, which takes place at the end of years in college - that is, when children are about 14 years old.
As part of the run-up to the actual exam, which is in June, two ‘brevet blancs’ are held - essentially practice runs at the exam. Our [...]
Are you thinking of returning to the UK? I’ve got just the thing for you! You can get a ‘free trial’ return to see if all is as rosy as you remember it.
I’m tempted to apply myself, just to get a free holiday, but a free holiday in the UK with a television crew wasn’t [...]
This is part 2 of the not entirely serious look at the important things to know about France. (See HERE for part 1)
N is for…Napoloen Bonaparte. What is there to say about the most famous French leader in the history of the Republic that has not already been said? Born in Ajjacio,Corsica in 1769 he [...]
For those of you who have never visited France, or are planning a first trip, here is a light-hearted but handy alphabetical run-down of trivia that it might be useful to know.
A is for….Asterix the Gaul, a pugnacious little fellow who completely encapsulates the French personality. Created as a cartoon character [...]
Every year the gite business brings new challenges, and staying ahead of the game is not always easy. This becomes especially apparent in a year like this one where some potential holidaymakers are having financial difficulties and the overall level of holidays being booked is down.
I don’t know if there is over-supply of gites, perhaps [...]
