Killed for a digicam
The bad reputation of French suburbs (the so called banlieue) was strongly confirmed during the last day. Riots made world press after two young guys were electrocuted in a transformer building while on the run for the police. By the way, the police denies the youngsters were chased at all.
With riots going on, the police succeeded in solving a murder case. Three young man were arrested after killing a 46 year old man in front of his wive and his daughter. They wanted to have his digital camera, but had no idea they were taped by surveillance cameras themselves.
Posted by Peter at 11:18 PM [What do you think?]
Le Corbusier in Rézé: 50 years
The village of Rézé near Nantes had a party this year to celibrate a young monument. The Maison Radieuse by the famous architect Le Corbusier exists 50 years.
The Maison Radieuse is a huge appartment building, completed with shops and a school, a city on its own surrounded by a spacious park. It was the same idea he applied in 1952 in Marseille.
The buildings are compulsory stuff for student architects. If if you don't like a concrete colossus, you still can enjoy the view from the roof. In Rézé you have to participate in a guided tour, in Marseille you may go to the roof whenever you like it.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
A travelling cat
Emily may have had the time of her live, while travelling to France. Meanwhile, her owners in Appleton (Wisconsin, USA), were desperate after searching the local animal shelter, Associated Press reports.
A month later, Emily was discovered by workmen in the French town of Nancy who opened a container from America. They found her owner by a label at Emely's necklace. All's wel, that ends well? May be. Getting an airplane ticket back to the States is rather difficult.
Posted by Peter at 11:44 AM [What do you think?]
New motorway to the south
Between Rouen and Alençon 125 kilometres of motorway (the A28) has been opened this week. You may even explore the new ghighway in advance while playing a game.
In decembre the last piece of the same motorway A28 between Le Mans and the A10 near Tours will be opened.
For many British, Belgians and Dutch the A28 will be a great way to go south while avoiding Paris. The only problem is still in Rouen, where all national traffic still has to go trough the city. A decision about the construction of a highway around the town may be taken this year, but it will take several years to build this road.
Posted by Peter at 12:08 PM [What do you think?]
More english pages to come
The english section of this site about France has been extended with two more pages this week: one about the Notre Dame and other churches in Paris and another about the noble game of petanque (boules). I will translate some more pages, though it may take some time before all pages are translated.
I do apologize sicerely for language errors. Since English is not my mother tongue, I guess mistakes will be make. Suggestions to improve my texts are welcome. Of cause, I will translate this last page too sometime, but I think you will understand what you need to do even when this page is in (Double) Dutch.
Posted by Peter at 10:18 PM [What do you think?]
Tour de France 2006: Dutch Alps.
Cycle fans and haters can now make their holiday plans: the program of the Tour de France 2006 has been announced today. After a short stop in Holland ('The Dutch Alps, according to the organisation), the real work starts july 12th as the racers get the smell of the Pyrenees while driving to Pau. The next day, between between Tarbes and Pla-de-Beret (Spain), over the notorius Col du Tourmalet is waiting.
After a day of rest on july 17th three impressive stages through the Alps are programs. July 18th: from Gap over the cols of the Izoard and the Lautaret to Alpe d'Huez. July 19th: from Le Bourg d'Oisans over the Galibier and the Col de la Croix-de-Fer to La Toussuire. On july 18th finally: from Saint-Jean de Maurienne to Morzine over the Col des Saisies and the Colombière.
The remaining stages of the Tour, till the finish on july 23th at the Champs-Elysées, will be formalities.
Posted by Peter at 12:58 AM [What do you think?]
Offe piste, but safe
This time of the year all ski resorts promote their new lifts and slopes. More and more ski riders however want to go off slope (off piste) because it's more challengging. It's more risky, also.
French ski resorts now make lots of efforts to make their guests aware of the huge risks butr without encouraging them. On the contrary, they even seem to encourage them.
Les 2 Alpes for exemple welcomes you at the Free Respect Club. Starting the 3 of januar, every monday and tuesday you can learn about the right material (like an Arva avalanche sonde) end descend with trained ski riders for free. All you need, except of cause being able to ski and the materials, is respect for nature.
On the picture (by J.P. Noisillier, courtesy Office de Tourisme des Deux Alpes)an Arva avalanche sonde to search for buried skiers. They only work if the victim is carrying one too...
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Orphan seal is a spy
French nature researchers have given fredom to an orphan seal after they cared for it for three months. They did attach a radiotransmitter to the animal though. The spy seal will tell them where the seals are for the next six months. According to Associated Press this knowledge will help to preserve the species. The amount of seals in France decreases. In Holland and Denmark, the seal populations have suffered severely from diseases.
Who wants to spot seals in France, has most chance at the Somme Bay Reserve. Kind request to keep a distance of 300 metres to the animals.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Wine? Cognac!
We do speak sometimes about the vintage while we should speak about the grape harvest. You can make more juices out of grapes then just ordinary or expensive wine. Or you can destillate the white wine.
In the coastal region of Poitou-Charentes lies a tiny village that gave its name to this process: Cognac. France would'nt be France if it didn't take profit of this fact to attract tourists. On Cognac Etapes guests have an easy task. They find several touristical routes, by several cognac-related themes. But the curiositys and traditions of the region can be selected on an individual basis too.
Posted by Peter at 07:41 AM [What do you think?]
Don't wait for the Beaujolais Primeur
Sure, you can wait for your licensed victualler to import the Beaujolais Primeur. You gan go there to import it your self too. Not only because you will be the first to taste this succes of marketing, but also because around the introduction it's party time in Beaujeu. Be there on wednesday, novembre 16, and participate in the vine-tendril event.
Anyway, whether you drink the wine over there ore at home, drink it at a temparature of 10 degrees celsius.
Posted by Peter at 07:54 AM [What do you think?]
The weather has gone
The weather has 'disappaered', sorry. The region pages of this web site do have local weather forecasts, provided by Wunderground. Unfortunately, their server seems to be down.
Update 24-10, 04.07 PM: the weather forecasts are appaering again. It's a nice 21 degrees Celsius now, in Nice.
Posted by Peter at 05:39 PM [What do you think?]
Star Wars in Paris
Fanatic fans of Star Wars just must visit Paris. The Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie has build an extensive exhibition about this famous story.
It has gathered 150 objects from the original movie on 1.500 square metres, to start with. But above all, is pays attention to the numerous special effects that made the war of the worlds believable on the white screen.
The exhibiton can be visited till the end of august. For those who can't wait till their next visit to Paris, they can make a space trip on the web site.
Posted by Peter at 04:31 PM [1 reaction]
Saint-Tropez expensive? Not Now!
Saint-Tropez expensive? Not now! Till october 24 you can visit the Grande Braderie. Clothe boutique owners sell the latest 'haute couture' for dump prices. Trousers of Versace, from 310 euro's, now 40 euro's.
Just don't drink at the harbour to celibrate your bargains. You will loose every profit...
Posted by Peter at 12:58 AM [What do you think?]
Old mills, new mills...
In France too some people are against windmills for electricity because they destroy the horizon. Not so in the tiny Auvergne village of Ally (Haute-Loire). A windpark with 26 mills, each 120 metres high, will be opened over there next week.
Le Monde reports there is hardly any resistance. The journal isn't even surprised. Both farmers and municipality get paid good money for their cooperation.
The municipality is really proud of the new mills. Its website shows them fitting well in the ancient tradition of the village. It used to have lots of mills. Still, one old mill can be visited. Now tourists can admire both old and new mills. That's great, says the mair.
Oh, by the way, did he mention there's an old silver mine to visit too? Everything for the good cause, of cause. The exodus of the French countryside, that will not happen to Ally with its 220 inhabitants.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [1 reaction]
Paris has a tramway
Paris is a subway-city. However, nowadays Paris is prowd of its tram. Along the southern part of the Boulevard Périphérique, a tramway line filled with grass has been build. Recently, the mair was on the first test drive. ,,The tram is driving'', tv-station TF1 cheers.
By the way, real passengers will have to wait untill the end of 2006 to make use of the tram. The city of Paris hopes the tram will attract people who are driving cars now.
Posted by Peter at 02:10 PM [What do you think?]
French not weird enough?
Those who think the French language is weird should not read this. Those who do speak French might have noticed some signs with strange words in the south of France. Not really French, sounds more like Spanish, but it's not real Spanish either.
Good chance the words are in Occitan. Occitan speakers claim their language one was the main language of minstrels and other artists. However, since the middle ages the language was suppressed by French government.
Still, according to tv station France 3 Insee, the official bureau of statistics, estimates about a million people can speak the language. So there's every reason for a massive manifestation next saturday in Carcassonne. The least the participants go for is a tv-station in their own language.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Oops, I made this picture in Versailles, but what is it?
Of cause, a palace like the one in Versailles must be visited to have any idea of its grandiose richess. But having been there, you will have forgotten what you exactly took on your holiday pictures
That's no problem anymore, at least not for the outside of the palace. Everything sculptured at the walls, on the roofs and in the parks is now documented at Versailles décor sculpté exterieur. Artist names, descriptions of the art works and even restauration histories can be found, e.g. with the help of small maps.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Even the name 'hover' disappaers
The name of the notorious hovercrafts still lives on in the name of ferry company Hoverspeed, but not for long anymore. The hovercrafts themselves were replaced five years ago by slower but more economical ships. But they are not economical enough, according to Reuters. The company will close its only line, Dover-Calais. In spite of a fare of only 29 British pounds (43 euro, 55 USD), fuel prices are to high and competition is to heavy.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Hiking on bare feet
It sounds like nudism fo starters: barefooting. However, according to the Volgens Libération newspaper, barefooting is a real movemen in the tradition op the hippies. Walking bare footed is really Zen, you know.
The journal even participated in a hike through Paris. This was not really a pleasure: ,,At the end of the day, my black feet backed for mercy.''
If you want try for your self, the community of bare foot hikers has good tips. O the other hand, it has a serious warning: barefooters are refused hospitality sometimes.
Posted by Peter at 02:43 PM [51 reactions]
The archeodrome is nearly history
Millions of people had an educational stop during their trip to the south of France, thanks to the Archeodrome at a parking lot along the Autoroute du Soleil near Beaune. Over here, they learned about the Gaulish history until the year 1.000 a.C.
Nevertheless, the Archeodrome is nearly history. The nomber of visitors dropped from 250.000 a year way back in 1978 to no more than 40.000 a year. Now, autoroute owner SAPRR, who owns the Archeodrome too, wants to close it by october 31. Officially it is a temporary closing, according to tv-station France 3. However, the archeodrome is oldish, the staff is leaving and there's no one to buy it...
Posted by Peter at 11:55 AM [2 reactions]
Party of the poor
October is harvest time in France. Harvest time is party time. If they don't have a wine festival, there are, for exemple, apple festivals in the cider county of Normandy. However, in the southeastern parts of France they weren't that rich.
They just had chestnuts to make whatever they wanted. One could make bread of them, but one could also cook them and combine them with sprouts.
Most chestnut trees have disappaered now. Today, some people are even proud of this ancient habit. The medieval city of Saint-Pons la Thomiere in the Languedoc even celebrates a chestnut festival on october 29 and 30.. A chestnut breakfast, a medieval choral, it's all folkore between the city walls.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Strike on Corsican ferries come to an end.
After 24 days, the strikes at SNCM ferries come to an end. The company claims all unions have agreed to get back to work.
The strikers didn't get what they wanted. Libération reports the ships will only sail out because the SNCM managent threatened with bankruptcy.
Posted by Peter at 10:43 PM [What do you think?]
Paris for free
Paris has a reputation for being expensive. Nevertheless, even stingy Dutch- or Scotchman might enjoy a visit to the city of light. Kelby Carr, French correspondent for About.com, is generous enough to mention five options.
True, some of them are pretty obvious. We figured out oureselves that looking at the Eiffel Tower is free. Churches are free to visit everywhere, so the free visit of the Notre Dame is not really a surprise.
But some possibilities are eye-openers. A free visit of a perfume museum might come as a good idea for lots of people. And I always thougtht one should visit the Galeries Lafayette at the Boulevard Haussmann for its marvelous architecture. Turns out they give free fashion shows too...
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [2 reactions]
Buy a bag at the Champs Elysées
You've waited long enough. After Catherine Deneuve was the first visitor, according to Bloomberg as of tomorrow everybody is welcome to buy bags and other haute couture accessoires at the Champs Elysées. The famous designer Louis Vuitton reopens his shop after a renovation of 20 months. Just bring your credit card, because Vuitton thinks it's quite normal to pay thousands of euros for a tiny bag. But hey, you might adress the staff in Chinese if that's easier than French.
Posted by Peter at 11:24 AM [3 reactions]
Eat a charnel-house
Nothing is weird enough to boost sales, Fench perfectioners must have thought. They had a marvelous idea: make chocolate versions of ancient monuments of France. So far so good, but in the Meuse county they choose the charnel-house of Douaumont. In there lay the bones and skulls of 130.000 anonymous soldiers, who died during the Battle of Verdun in World War I.
Reactions were predictable. ,,The artists of taste prove to have a bad taste'', the mair of Douaumont oomplains in Le Monde.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Gathering mushrooms
Gathering mushrooms is a national sport in France. Eating the toad-stools you gathered your self is a bit risky though... However, this week you can gather mushrooms without any risk at the Domaine du Ciran nature park south of Orléans, where a pro is ready to check your harvest.
You want to gather some mushrooms after this week, or in another area? Don't hesitate. It's just normal to show your toad-stools at the local pharmacist. He knows if you can eat them.
Nevertheless it's good to have some idea about the toad-stools you can eat. Tachenon is an good picture guide. The last line of the descriptions states if the toad-stool is eatable (comestible) or not.
Posted by Peter at 11:55 AM [What do you think?]
Disneyland? Parc Asterix! Or just stay home...
Feel free to visit Disneyland Paris during your autumn holidays. It's fun, it's just not French. Disneyland fits in the American culture, so if you're ever going to cross the ocean, wait till you're there.
Meanwhile, really French is Parc Asterix, just north of Paris. No Disney figures between the rollercoasters here, just our famous Gallic friends de rollercoasters door.
To bad most of october it's open just a few days per week and during the last week of october, being the French All Saints Holidays. Disneyland on the contrary opens every day this month. By the way, please state your experiences in these parks below.
For those who stay home: Play Asterix and Obelix your self. Some knowledge of the French language is needed.
Posted by Peter at 12:55 PM [What do you think?]
Situation on strikes
Sometimes, I get the mood to make a weekly message, electing the French strike of the week. I will resist this urge for the moment. However, there is a need to give an update on the current situation.
After tuesdays national strikes, some strikes are still going on. At Roissy airport, according to L'Express luggage handlers are still striking for better salaries. There are no signs of any solution coming up.
Same thing in Marseille. Nearly a hundred vessels are waiting there because the port is blocked.
On Corsica too, ports are closed due to strikes. According toNouvel Observateur truckers will also stop working, if only for not having anything to transport.
The good news is coming from the Midi-Pyrenées, where trains progressibvely will start driving. Associated Press says only a small, local union wants to continue the strike.
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Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Autumn: time to hike through the woods of Brittany
Autumn is the best time to hike through endless woods. French Brittany is one of the best places to do that.
Over here, the colours of autumn mix with ancient legends. In the county of Brocéliande, one should visit it if only for its name, many histories of King Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table and, not to forget, Merlin the Magician took place.
For example, in the Valley without Return, the fairy Morgane, half sister of Arthur, made prisoners of soldiers. Only Lancelot should be able to get them back.
Posted by Peter at 07:50 AM [1 reaction]
Jews and muslims: the peaceful way
While France is busy with nationwide strikes, for jews and muslims it was party time yesterday. The jewish newyear coincided with the start of the ramadan. So, the muslim mother of a child at a schol in Paris wished the jewish school manager Chana Tova (Hebrew for a happy new year). On his turn, he wished her Ramadan Karim (Arab for Good Ramadan). The occasion was special enough to Agence France Presse to mention.
By the way, as of yesterday jewish people live in the year 5766.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
50th anniversary for the Citroën DS
The legendary Citroën DS is 50 years old. This has to be celebrated. Prowd owners of this once spectacular vehicle with its hydraulic systems will do that. Next weekend it's party time in Paris.
Most impressing moment of this party will be a march-past on sunday. No less then 1.600 DS cars wil drive from the Arc de Triomph to the Eiffel Tower. Joining is prohibited, since 1.600 is the maximum the organisation can handle..
Till the end of the month there is an exhibition at the Cité des sciences in Paris, dedicated to design, technics and succes of the Citroën DS.
Posted by Peter at 07:55 AM [What do you think?]
Squat toilets for disabled people
One might argue about pros and cons of squat toilets. However, one thing is for sure: they're just not suitable for disabled people. Lucky thing some disabled try to make the best of it.
Dutch artrosist patient M.F.A Tromp for example could not make use of these french toilets. His solution is brilliant. Take a folding-chair, remove the seat and replace it by a toilet seat.
You don't need to be disabled to see the use of this chair. Why should you do it the difficult way?
Posted by Peter at 07:50 AM [37 reactions]
Dada to the max...
Sure, Dada artist did not take anything very serious. As a matter of fact, they dnied anything established being wearth something. Long fefore pc and mac, not to mention Photoshop, they made their own Mona Lisa. They collected useless things, put them together and said it was art. In a period when humanity was shocked by the violence of World War I, they reduced the importance of art to something more reasonable.
Anno 2005, the Centre Pompidou organises a huge expositoon about this important group. Their website about this group, however, is meaningless. A press communique without any fantasy, made by someone who doesn't take any interest. Dada to the max...
But when you're in the neighbourhood between ocobre 5th and january 9th, you might want to enjoy to visit the exposition. If only to judge for yourself how important these works of art are.
Posted by Peter at 11:55 AM [What do you think?]
Corsica isolated
After nine days of strike at ferry company SNCM, the isle of Corsica is isolated, according to the Reuters Press Agency. The last three days, no boats have entered any Corsican port: nor any SNCM-ferry, nor any other ferry. Even the ferries of other companies, operating from Italy are cancelledBastia airport is closed for reasons of solidarity. Hardly any plane can reach or leave from Ajaccio. Fuel is scarce. Some 4.000 tourists do stay at Corsica at the moment.
After French soldiers liberated a hijacked SNCM ferrie, a missile was launched at a gouvernment building in Ajaccio. There were only slight damages.
Posted by Peter at 12:35 PM [1 reaction]
