This French Life

  • The rights of the disabled in the workplace

    Cfdt employmentIN May 1881 Engels wrote in the Labour Standard: “A fair day’s wages for a fair day’s work? But what is a fair day’s wages, and what is a fair day’s work?”

    Over a hundred years later no one can expect a job for life. In the current financial and economic climate people are unsure of job security and this becomes even more of a problem if you are disabled.

    Over two days the Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail (CFDT) held a conference with almost 200 members to discuss the the inclusion of disabled people in ‘the right to work’ and ‘the rights of man.’

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  • Inheritance tax fight taken to Europe

    Elspeth AttwoollTHE inheritance tax problems faced by same-sex couples registered in a civil partnership from outside France are to be raised in the European Parliament.

    Scottish Liberal Democrat MEP Elspeth Attwooll has joined a number of colleagues in launching a Written Declaration (number 0076/2008) in the European Parliament to urge the Commission to draw up guidelines for mutual recognition between Member States.

    While the UK recognises the French equivalent of its own civil partnership, the pacte civil de solidarité (PACS), the reverse is not the case.

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  • Discovering Burgundy the ABC way

    Asso bourguignonne culturelFOLLOWING the end of World War Two the Association Bourguignonne Culturelle (ABC) was established and has ever since been involved in promoting and developing cultural activity, not only in Dijon itself, but throughout the region.

    Based in Dijon there are now 1,300 members and in the 2007-2008 season 50,000 spectators attended 40 of their productions.

    ABC is classified as one of the leading contributors of cultural entertainment in the Burgundy region and they are rightfully proud that they bring together a programme rich in a diverse sphere of entertainment.

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  • Possible tax changes for gite owners

    Coins1803A CHANGE to the way tax is calculated on those running a gite accommodation business is slowly progressing through the French parliament.

    Here regular contributor to the site, lawyer Guillaume Barlet, takes a look at the possible implications for those who are considered to operate a location en meublé professionnel or non professionnel.

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  • When Paris flat hunting drives you ‘in Seine’

    Going in SeinePARIS, the City of Lights, can inspire and thrill, as well as make people do the craziest of things at the drop of a hat.

    And Maria Anton is one such person, as she was inspired to write a book about her adventures in buying a small flat that all started during a mobile phone conversation whilst in the toilet.

    “I was in Paris visiting my daughter, Nikki, walking around the shops when I just had to go to the toilet, so we dived into a small bar and I rushed off to the smallest room,” Maria said.

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  • The danger of ticks and Lyme disease

    Bluefrenchlifeblock03040IF there is one thing that will make your skin crawl it’s discovering a tick either on yourself or your pets.

    The BBC website highlights the experiences of one man who turned to the internet to find out why he was feeling unwell, and after asking for tests it turned out he had the tick borne Lyme disease.

    For people living in the French countryside for the first time, learning how to stay clear of ticks and safely unhook them from your skin is an important skill to have.

    Because not only can they pass on Lyme disease, which can see people suffer flu-like symptoms for a long period of time, tick bites can lead to the death of your pets if not treated.

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  • A bicycling tour of French treasures

    Bike FranceI AM sure there are many people who would like to check the tyres on their racing bike and head off around the back roads of France.

    Well US-born video film maker Christopher Strong has done just that with his Bicycle Gourmet’s Treasures of France tour, which fulfilled his dream of cycling around the country visiting interesting places and meeting entertaining characters.

    Here Christopher writes a Q&A style piece outlining the travels he undertook around France, which took in total just over two years.

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  • Any advice on treatment for osteoporosis in France?

    A COMMENT has been left on the site asking for the experiences of those who have received treatment for osteoporosis and what medical support is available in the French system.

    If people are able to pass on any advice you can either leave a message via the comment form below, or contact me directly and I will draw together the different threads.

  • Advice page in English on electricity in France

    English electricity FranceTHANKS to a comment on the forum an advice page in English about electricity in France was highlighted that features some useful basic information.

    The page is part of the EDF website and provides a quick overview of payment methods, meter readings and a couple of pointers about different voltages.

    And whilst other pages linked to are in French, the English language page may prove helpful for people who are planning a move.

    Related article: Electricity tariffs in France

  • Autumn snapshots to explore

    Autumn chestnutsYOU can tell that autumn hangs heavy in the French air when wood smoke drifts through villages and chestnuts are in abundance.

    And as Clare, of Dordogne Quilter fame, spotted in a shop window those chestnuts pop up everywhere and even have their own special kitchen equipment.

    If you have any photographs you want to share with readers of This French Life then just pop them in the Flickr photo pool.

    Or if you are a little shy, why not spend some time browsing around the work of others and explore France with them.