This French Life

Author: Craig McGinty

  • Look out for ‘full-to-empty’ car hire policy

    Car_ren_1402KEEP an eye out for a particularly sneaky trick from car hire companies that could see you pay for fuel you will never use.

    The Guardian highlights the ‘full-to-empty’ fuel policy where you are forced to pay for a full tank of petrol before setting off, usually at a price per litre above the going rate.

    But upon the return of your car you are asked not to fill it up, like used to be the case, but instead just drop the car off, either forcing you to use as much petrol as possible or to lose out on what is left in the tank.

    Some firms now insist on full-to-empty on all rentals, while others only apply it to hires of four days or more. What’s more, holidaymakers often have to pay an inflated price for the tank of petrol. Some are reporting being asked to hand over €90 (£77) to cover a tank of petrol on a small car, which if bought at a local garage would cost only €50 (£43).

    The piece says that it is an increasingly common practice in Spain, although one of the comments mentions the technique being used at Bordeaux airport.

    Some car hire companies are making it a feature of the booking process to mention which firms adopt the ‘full-to-empty’ policy or the expected requirement of full-to-full.

    Otherwise it is something that you will have to look out for in the terms and conditions – whoever said the customer is king?

  • How the ‘museum’ that is France is slowly changing

    Mf-paris
    WHEN you watch a city, and country, long enough you begin to recognise its idiosyncrasies; its swings and its roundabouts.

    And it is these traits that the writing and observations of Matthew Fraser reveal, as he offers up views of life in Paris but also an insight into what lies beneath the French people.

    His latest book, Home Again in Paris: Oscar, Leo and Me, tells of his return to the French capital, much changed from when he left it 25 years earlier, with two bichon dogs in tow.

    (more…)

  • Hop on the bus for a movie tour of Paris

    Set-in-paris
    THE French cinema industry is great export for the country, but also a real draw for lovers of the ‘seventh art’.

    Rolling countryside scenes, dramatic coastal views and the streets of Paris have formed the backdrop of many cinema classics.

    Such scenes lie at the heart of Abigail de Bruyne’s business idea, Le Movie Tour- Set in Paris, which promises to take film fans to hidden corners of the capital and shine a light on the stories within.

    Here Abigail answers a few questions about the business, but also highlights some of her favourite Paris film scenes and why the silver screen has such an appeal to many.

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  • A woodland tale from the journée champêtre


    AT the Journée Champêtre à Loubejac, Simone and I had set up the table for the snacks, or the casse-croûtes, as they are called for both the horses and their riders, writes Carol Miers.

    A month earlier, the discussion around the choice of casse-croûte had taken a good twenty minutes at the commitée de fête meeting. Its English translation is explicit meaning broken crust, and not grimy crust as I had thought, as in ‘crasse-croûte’.

    Before long, under chestnuts beside the chevaux and pedestrian route the tables were set up and people trickled in, lashing their horses on one of two ropes hitched between trees at the back of the glade.

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  • That was the chilly spring that was

    Spring-france
    JUST a day or two ago there was a frost on the roadside verges and in the valley hollows when I was out on an early morning walk with the dog.

    So it should not come as any surprise to read that spring 2013 is set to be the coldest for 26 years and the wettest in five years.

    The Côte d’Azur has experienced its highest amount of rainfall since records began, while temperatures last week in Paris were a chilly 3.7°C, the lowest since 1887 and the national average is 5.0°C lower than normal, 10.0°C lower in some areas.

  • Rules eased on cross-border pet travel in Europe

    New legislation on the "non-commercial transport" of pets, already informally agreed with EU ministers, was approved by Parliament on Thursday. Taking pets abroad will be easier, but pet health requirements will be stricter. Online information for pet owners will also be made clearer.

    Before taking their pets across borders, owners should check that their anti-rabies vaccinations are still valid. Young animals between 12 and 16 weeks that have been vaccinated against rabies – but have yet to achieve immunity – should still be allowed to travel.

    "There are 64 million cats and 66 million dogs in the EU. One household in four has a pet. In future, travelling across borders with pets will involve far less administrative hassle. We have eased the rules, and this should have a direct impact on citizens" said rapporteur Horst Schnellhardt (EPP, DE) after his resolution was adopted by 592 votes to 7 with 4 abstentions. The legislation will be applicable 18 months after it is published in the EU Official Journal.

    via www.europarl.europa.eu

  • What does Microsoft have to say about ‘tech support’ scam calls?

    The phone rings and there’s a voice on the line telling you they’re aware you’re having computer problems, but not to worry – they’re with Microsoft, and they’re here to help. It’s a complete lie, and the opening gambit of an all-too-successful scam.

    via conversation.which.co.uk

    I HAVE had to pass on tips and warnings to a number of people here in France about these so-called tech support calls from Microsoft.

    Consumer association Which? offers a detailed look at the scam and what to look out for so that you can put the telephone down on these thieves.

    A recent scam is one that asks for your Carte Vitale information via SMS message to your mobile phone, often you are redirected to a copycat website that will ask for log-in details and bank account numbers.

  • Check bathing water quality in France

    Bathing-water-franceTHE European Environment Agency (EEA) has released detailed findings on the quality of EU bathing water, with 93% of sites meeting the minimum standards.

    In France, 87.1 % of the coastal bathing waters met the mandatory water quality in 2012, an increase of 1.4 % compared to the previous year.

    While for inland bathing water 87.1% of locations met the mandatory water quality standards for 2012, a decrease of 5.7% compared to the previous year.

    A total of 34 bathing waters (2.6 %) were non-compliant with the mandatory value for Escherichia coli compared to 23 in 2011, which is an increase of 0.8 %.

    The EEA collects samples before the start of the holiday season and monthly during the summer, from May to September.

    Laboratory tests are carried out which look for certain types of bacteria that could indicate the presence of pollution, primarily from sewerage or livestock waste.

    The EEA data is extensive, covering more than 22,000 sites, but a table is available online that enables you to drill down to individual locations.

  • France legalises same-sex marriage

    France became the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage Saturday after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law following months of bitter political debate.

    Hollande acted a day after the Constitutional Council threw out a legal challenge by the right-wing opposition, which had been the last obstacle to passing the bill into law. The legislation also legalises gay adoption.

    via www.france24.com

  • WWII veteran loses ruling on expats voting in UK elections

    A 91-year old British man who has fought a campaign for long-term expats to be able to vote in British general elections has lost a ruling at the European Court of Human Rights.

    via www.bbc.co.uk