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French Life
Controls on Wind Turbines in France to be Tightened
With growing unease amongst politicians and local communities about the development of wind turbines in the countryside, the Government have decided to act by proposing tough new planning controls.
02 Sep 2008
Grants for Return to School in France
Many children who attend school in France can obtain a grant towards the cost of school materials, but the rules have been changed this year.
02 Sep 2008
Carla Bruni Tops the Charts Amid Controversy Over Album
Carla Bruni last week knocked Coldplay off the top of the album charts in France, with 65,000 sales of her album Comme si de rien n’était in 10 days.
01 Aug 2008
Nudist Resort in France Creates Blacklist
A leading French nudist resort in Languedoc has been given approval to hold a ‘blacklist’ of banned bathers from its beach.
01 Aug 2008
Sun, Sex and Socrates on the Beach in France
A light-hearted revision guide for adults on sex and erotica has been the surprise big hit on the French booksellers list of best holiday reads for 2008.
01 Aug 2008
France Champion of Annual Holidays
The French take more annual leave than any other country on the planet, but a new law, effectively abolishing the 35-hour week, now threatens that crown.
01 Aug 2008
Best Summer Festivals in France
Leave the mud and the rain of Glastonbury and go to one of France’s great summer festivals.
15 Jul 2008
French Vineyard Prices Up by 11% in 2007
The price of vineyards in France rose by 11% in 2007, to average €95,000 per hectare, but this figure masks big disparities between regions.
01 Jul 2008
Sarkozy Grabs the TV Remote
President Sarkozy has caused uproar in France by announcing radical changes to the operation of the French public TV channels.
01 Jul 2008
France Increases its Population Forecast
France will see strong demographic growth to the period 2050, with over 9 million new residents, most heading south and west, and one in three likely to be over 60 years of age.
16 Jun 2008
New Baccalaureate Planned for French Schools from 2009
President Sarkozy has announced a radical reform of the baccalaureate qualification, bringing to an end the current streaming of pupils into different disciplines.
16 Jun 2008
France Tough Immigration Policies
A recent study points to the restrictive nature of French immigration policy, making it one of the toughest amongst the countries of ‘Old Europe’.
01 May 2008
New Road Signs Lead to Confusion
Well, they say a picture paints a thousand words, and we suspect that is very likely to be the case with the new road signs the Government has introduced, as drivers try to work out what they mean.
15 Apr 2008
Blowing in the Wind - Wind Turbines in France
The French Government have set a target of 10% of electricity consumption from wind turbines by 2020, but with growing opposition to the plans there are many who are sceptical the target will be achieved.
15 Apr 2008
French Small Producers Win ‘Camembert War’
Small producers seeking to retain the use of unpasteurised milk in the production of authentic Camembert have won a significant victory.
01 Apr 2008
Resurrection of Whit Monday Public Holiday
The French day of solidarity for the elderly has proved to be not so solid, so the Government has decided to return to the traditional the Whitsun public holiday.
04 Mar 2008
French Foie Gras To Be World Heritage Food?
France is to make application to UNESCO for French gastronomy to be placed on the World Heritage List.
04 Mar 2008
French School Reforms – Vive La France et Le Français
The French Minister of Education has announced new primary school reforms, with a heavy emphasis on a return to basics and moral education.
04 Mar 2008
Brits Show Reserve Over Local Elections in France
The local elections take place in France on 9th March, and whilst Brits have the right to vote, few seem to have taken up the opportunity to do so.
04 Mar 2008
Tough New Measures on Drink and Driving in France
The Government has announced a number of tough new measures in the battle against drink-driving, including impoundment of the vehicle and compulsory installation of an ‘alcolock’ immobilisation system.
15 Feb 2008
