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?]
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?]
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?]
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?]
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?]
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]
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?]
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?]
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?]
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?]
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]
