This French Life

Author: Craig McGinty

  • Nightjars in Loubéjac

    AROUND ten o’clock on a summer evening the nightjars take flight to feast on the passing insects.

  • Soldiers to patrol Dordogne towns and attractions this summer

    Operation-sentinelle-france
    SOLDIERS are to be deployed to tourist attractions and towns in the Dordogne as security measures are maintained as part of the Opération Sentinelle plan to protect against terrorist acts.

    France Bleu Périgord reports that 26 military personnel, alongside additional gendarmes, will patrol popular tourist areas and events over the next couple of months.

    This is the third year that additional security measures have been undertaken in the Dordogne, and the troops are expected to be on patrol until 2 September.

  • Local farmers markets open for summer season

    Loubejac farmers market
    EVERY Thursday the popular night market beneath Loubejac’s church tower takes place and runs throughout July and August.

    The first one takes place on 5 July, starting at 18h30, and remember to bring along your plates, as well as glasses for a dash of wine and knives and forks.

    Local food and drink producers offer duck, breads, soups, salads, wine, fruits of all types and you can sit down with friends to enjoy a leisurely evening.

    There will be live music on 2 and 9 August, with the last night market taking place on 30 August.

    This southern corner of the Dordogne will host similar events, sometimes featuring live music, but always offering a slice of real French life.

    There is a farmers market every Tuesday during the summer season in Villefranche-du-Périgord, it takes place under the village halle and starts at 18h30. On Friday there is a farmers market in Besse this one starting at 19h.

    Summer 2022 farmers’ markets will be taking place, find out opening dates and information.

  • France will bring in new speed limits from 1 July

    A red Citroen car
    DESPITE protests from many, the legislation covering the reduction in the speed limit from 90 km/h to 80 km/h on routes départementales in France has been published and will come into force from 1 July, 2018.

    Work is already underway to change the 11,000 road signs that will have to be replaced at a cost of around €12 million, with the the road safety department of the interior ministry claiming the measure should save between 300 and 400 lives every year.

    Opponents say that the lower speed limit is unnecessary, based on incorrect analysis, and will make day-to-day life more difficult, others believe it is just a way for the government to raise more money through fines.

    What are the speed limits in France?

    Speed limits are clearly signposted at the roadside and they are:
    · Built-up areas 50kph (possibly even 30kph)
    · Ordinary roads 80kph
    · Dual carriageways 90kph
    · Toll autoroutes 130kph

    Driving in France can be an enjoyable experience, with roads usually quiet in the countryside, but speeding and dangerous road conditions can cause accidents.

    In 2017 there were 3,684 lives lost on French roads.

  • A guide to Église Saint-Martin church in Besse

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    THERE have been human settlements in Besse dating back possibly as far as the Prehistoric age, writes Carol Miers.

    With iron ore in the ground and wood for charcoal from the nearby forests it later became important for the Celts. The history is partial but certainly when the Romans arrived, they built a road from Cahor to Perigueux. It is believed that a route went from Besse to meet it.

    During the XI century a Benedictine Priory was built, as well as a castle which protected the Priory. The castle has gone, and only a small part of the nave of the original church remains and the west wall with its porch.

    (more…)

  • Number of sanglier and deer that can be hunted in Dordogne agreed

    Cartridges shooting france
    THE Dordogne authorities and local hunting associations have agreed on the number of larger wild animals that can be hunted for the 2018/19 season.

    Sud Ouest reports that a minimum of 12,250 sangliers and a maximum of 18,200 can be killed. While for deer the number is a minimum of 16,600 and a maximum of 18,300.

    Notice has also been given for the actual chasse period for the winter with the main season opening on 9 September and closing on 28 February 2019.

    The reason given by the authorities for requiring such large numbers of animals to be killed is that they damage local crops and woodland.

  • Tour du Périgord cycle race around the bastides

    Tour du Périgord cycle race
    CYCLING fans should head to Villefranche-du-Périgord on Sunday 10 June, when a race through the bastides and woods of the area takes place.

    The 22nd Tour du Périgord will see 150 cyclists take on a 154 km course around the local villages of Villefranche and Besse, as well as the challenging hills and sweeping bends of the area, giving you a chance to experience an afternoon of cycling action.

    Teams from across France will be in competition and the last race in 2016 was undertaken in a strong wind, that saw the field stretched out as the battle for first place came to a climax.

    This year’s race starts at 13h15 from Villefranche-du-Périgord, with the finish expected to be around 17h and it forms part of the Coupe de France, Division Nationale 3 competition.

    Here is a short video from 2016’s race.

    Tour-perigord


  • Changes to Ryanair check-in could see you have to pay £55/seat

    Aircraft on Stand
    RYANAIR has said that it will be reducing the time allowed for checking-in should you not book a reserved seat from four days down to just 48 hours.

    If you do buy a seat reservation, which can cost anything from £4 upwards, you’ll be able to check-in from 60 days before departure.

    In a short statement the airline said: “Online check-in (for those customers who don’t choose reserved seats) will be available from 48 hours to 2 hours pre-departure for all flights from Wednesday, 13th June.”

    This means you will have to find a place to print off your boarding pass whilst on holiday should you not have the Ryanair app on your iPhone or Android mobile phone.

    Fail to do this and you will have to check-in at the airport where a fee of £55-per-person will be charged and the change applies to ALL flights from 13 June – both new bookings and existing reservations.

    Ryanair also said that the available time is double the 24 hour check-in period operated by Aer Lingus, British Airways, Lufthansa, Norwegian and Iberia, although these airlines don’t charge a fee for check-in at the airport. (via Norm at LFN Digestive)

  • Five deaths in a week, 19 already this year, on Dordogne roads

    Dordogne-roads
    WITH five deaths in a week, and 19 since the turn of the year, the Dordogne authorities are warning drivers to take care on the roads and stressing that gendarmes will be out on patrol.

    A series of accidents in the past few days has prompted the préfète of the Dordogne, Anne-Gaëlle Baudouin Clerc, to advise people to take responsibility on the roads and that during this period of public holidays gendarmes will out on the roadside. (photo SDIS 24)

  • Warning over the presence of tiger mosquito

    Aedes_Albopictus - Edited
    THE recent warm weather across France has sparked into life the tiger mosquito, or moustique tigre, which can carry diseases such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.

    The website Vigilance-Moustique warns that 42 départements are currently in the red zone for the presence of the mosquito, with the Dordogne amongst them.

    The tiger mosquito was first spotted in the Dordogne in 2015 and homeowners can reduce the risk of its spread by ensuring stagnant water is not left standing as it provides a breeding ground for the insect.

    Top image by James Gathany/CDC – This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #4487.

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