IT has taken some time in coming, but the French tax authorities have finally agreed to treat same-sex couples who have entered into civil partnerships in the same way as French PACS couples.
Until recently the French system did not recognise couples who had registered under civil partnership arrangements in their own countries; so on the death of one, the surviving partner was treated as a third party and charged inheritance tax.
I KNOW I have a number of readers who are involved in the French property business, either as estate agents or home finders.
So a series of articles by Martin Belham, who works as an information architect on The Guardian site, about search engines on property websites is sure to prove enlightening.
His research took place during a house hunt in London and whilst he was searching he kept notes about the experience, unfortunately it seems property firms have a lot to learn.
IF you are looking forward to the new year and are keen to offer your time to a charity in France then here are a few to explore.
There is a mix of both French and English groups, and if you are a member of an association please feel free to add contact details via the comment form below:
I WANT to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and hope you have a happy and healthy New Year.
So I’ll say Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!!!
Many thanks for continuing to drop in on This French Life.
THE internet has changed the way many people do business on the web, but what abut the traditional trade of vineyards and wine suppliers?
Here Ryan O’Connell explains how he has used the internet and tools such as online video, blogs and photography to promote his parents’ vineyard in Languedoc, Ryan writes:
I’m only 24 so all this interactive communications technology has been a part of my life since the first time I saw my friends playing Doom II against EACH OTHER on different computers miles apart from each other using a mysterious process that involved plugging their computers into fax machines.
My six year old mine was blown.
WITH the temperature hovering around 0°C, and a few flakes of snow drifting on the northerly breeze, this was the scene this morning in the south of the Dordogne (map).
And if you are keen to take a few photographs of winter scenes check out this recent article on Landscape Juice that looks at making use of winter when photographing in the garden.
IF you live in the Deux-Sèvres the you may want to drop in on a new site being written by Beryl Brennan, occasional contributor to this site.
Beryl’s new site, which I’ve had a hand in putting together, will offer news, interviews and what’s on information, providing an insight into Deux-Sèvres life.
If you have news of events you are involved with, or have an organisation that needs a little more publicity, you can email Beryl direct.
And whilst you are on the site subscribe to the free newsletter, or RSS feed, in the right hand column and keep up to date with the latest articles on the site.
Website: Deux-Sèvres Life
SHE was beyond elegant. Immaculately coiffed, exquisitely tailored, equally prêt for shopping on the Champs Elysee, or a stroll through the Bois du Bologne, writes Christopher Strong.
Her dancer’s body arcing delicate, repetitive motions with effortless grace. As I crossed the courtyard, our eyes met.
IF you enjoy a crossword and want to improve your French vocabulary skills, then here is another chance to try out your skills.
The latest French language crossword, created by Beverley Dinerstein, is based on words relating to the family and hopefully will offer up a challenge.
You can download a two page .pdf file offering up the quiz and with the answers at the foot of page two.
THE weather here in the Dordogne has taken a real wintery turn in the past couple of days, so the wood burners are fired up and smoke is rising from many chimneys.
Stocks of logs are being whittled away and the job of keeping the home fires burning falls upon the shoulders of who ever is nearest the fire.