British retirees, the gravy train is over.

From The Telegraph

“Thousands of Britons who have taken early retirement and moved to France are to lose free health care under radical reforms introduced by France’s new president.

In his drive to kick-start the French economy by creating a culture of hard work, Nicolas Sarkozy believes those who chose to retire early – under 65 – should not benefit from free health care.

During his election campaign earlier this year Mr Sarkozy said: “If you think 53 makes you old enough to retire, then fine, go ahead and retire. But don’t expect the state to pay for it.”

As a result, thousands of Britons living across France were sent “brutal” letters last week from the department of social security informing them that they would no longer be welcomed as non-paying customers of France’s hugely efficient – and traditionally extremely generous – national health service.

The letter stated that, under a change of rules which is due to…”

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If you’ve been in France a while, I’m sure you’ve heard the saying about pigs: Dans le cochon, tout est bon. It translates as, “All of the pig is good” (to eat or use), I don’t agree with this but that’s not the point. I was recently reminded of this saying after reading foodie blogger in Japan, Kat, mention what they say in Okinawa: They eat every part of the pig, except its squeal. Which is a much cuter, btw.

In France, they really aren’t kidding. Nothing goes to waste; all the parts are eaten even the –you fill in the blank here with something gross–. Ick? You’ve probably eaten those icky parts: noses, ears, organs, testicles, whatever – in a pâte, sausage or hotdog somewhere (Do you even KNOW what’s in a hotdog?!). They say they even use the pig’s hair to make shaving lather brushes. Of course I don’t know ANYONE who uses these brushes. But, somebody must be using them with all that pig hair NOT going to waste. I saw some of these brushes in a store and noticed that they came from GERMANY. Did the French export the hair so Germany could make these brushes for France? Anyway, people who’ve reminded me of this saying in France are so proud of the fact that even the hair is recycled into these brushes – but seriously, is that true? Are they really using this hair? Now I’m beginning to wonder if that’s just an urban myth.

Then they say, “Oh! But we never eat the tail.” And say it as if just the tail is gross.

france french sayings pigs pork

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“For seventy years, a prayer book moldered in the closet of a family in France, passed down from one generation to the next. Its mildewed parchment pages were stiff and contorted, tarnished by burn marks and waxy smudges. Behind the text of the prayers, faint Greek letters marched in lines up the page, with an occasional diagram disappearing into the spine.

The owners wondered if the strange book might have some value, so they took it to Christie’s Auction House of London. And in 1998, Christie’s auctioned it off—for two million dollars.

For this was not just a prayer book. The faint Greek inscriptions and accompanying diagrams were, in fact, the only surviving copies of several works by the great Greek mathematician Archimedes…”

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In conjunction with the French October 26 release of Harry Potter et les Reliques de la Mort (Deathly Hallows), the publisher, Gallimard, is organizing la Tournée du MagicoBus Harry Potter, a Magic bus tour that will stop by major cities in France to meet young Harry Potter fans. From October 17th through the 26th, fans will be able to take part in magical activities and games inside the bus. All participants will receive a poster. Three big winners per city will receive a diploma from Gallimard jeunesse and a collection of novels including the 7th Harry Potter tome. You must have a ticket to enter the Magicobus (Available at participating bookstores). Here’s the bus schedule:

Oct 17 – Lille – place Rihour
Oct 18 – Nancy – porte Desilles
Oct 19 – Lyon – place Louis-Pradel
Oct 20 – Aix-en-Provence – place Batard (Cité du Livre)
Oct 21 – Montpellier – esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle
Oct 22 – Toulouse – rue de Metz /rue des Arts
Oct 23 – Bordeaux – place dal Victoire
Oct 24 – Nantes – place de Bretagne
Oct 25 – Paris – rue Sébastien-Bottin
Oct 26 – Paris – parvis Montparnasse 9am / place du Châtelet 3pm

[via Univers HP]

Links: Gallimard, Official Press Release

Here’s a fun and silly reading by David Sedaris talking about
the French healthcare system. Click here to listen

“For 40 years, the French government has been fighting a secret war in Africa, hidden not only from its people, but from the world. It has led the French to slaughter democrats, install dictator after dictator – and to fund and fuel the most vicious genocide since the Nazis. Today, this war is so violent that thousands are fleeing across the border from the Central African Republic into Darfur – seeking sanctuary in the world’s most notorious killing fields.

I first heard whispers of this war in March, when newspapers reported in passing that the French military was bombing the remote city of Birao, in the far north-east of the CAR. Why were French soldiers fighting there, thousands of miles from home? Why had they been intervening in Central Africa this way for so many decades? I could find no answers here – so I decided to travel there, into the belly of France’s forgotten war…”

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They need more of these messages in France. LOTS more.

Free Burma

“Earthships have been around for some time. While some comments on our first post suggested there is something a little cult-like about the movement, they still seem to be cropping up everywhere, having now crossed the Atlantic to Brighton, UK. But the spread doesn’t end there – reading the latest newsletter of the Permaculture Association UK we learned that there is now an Earth Ship Normandy project, taking the concept to the northern shores of mainland Europe too. The Earthship, which by the sounds of things is nearing completion, will be available soon for vacation rentals (the site says September, but no rates or availability info is posted just yet):

‘The French earthship will be a fully furnished, 3 bedroomed gite with a kitchen and bathroom. It will have the fixtures and fittings of any other more conventionally designed house, but with an eco-twist. For those interested in Permaculture, the planters inside the earthship will have this design system in mind to encompass the design of the physical structure. This rental offers the opportunity of experiencing earthship living first-hand and the viability of making this a blue print for large-scale sustainable developments in the future. Ger is a charming rural village in the heart of Normandy only 1 ½ hours drive from the Ports. There are extensive forests in the area and endless walking and cycling routes nearby through the beautiful Normandy countryside. This is an extremely unspoilt corner of Europe and one which guarantees a peaceful holiday break.’”

From Unusual Vacation Rental in Northern France at Treehugger

Seriously, there are some very powerful camera lenses out there. The story

Nuit Blanche / White Night
October 6 – 7, 2007
The night Paris does not go to sleep is coming up in a few days! Grab a zillion cups of coffee or get some great guarana so you can stay up all night for Paris’ humungous block party. (Read about Nuit Blanche here)

Website: Paris Nuit Blanche (For more information and a schedule)

Fête des Vendages de Montmartre / Montmartre Harvest Festival
Oct 12, 13, 14, 2007
Website: Fête des Vendages de Montmartre
Surprisingly, there’s some wine growing and making in Paris in the Montmartre area and every year there’s a 3-day harvest festival celebrating with live entertainment (Carla Bruni, Olivia Ruiz, etc.) focusing on a special homage to Brassens; There’ll be lots of stands, food and of course, wine.

Salon Zen
Oct 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 2007
Paris Expo Espace Champerret
6, rue Jean-Oestreicher 75017 Paris
Website: Salon Rentrez Zen
Discover ways to stay Zen in this increasingly hectic world. Find the best spas, relaxation equipment, reflexology or yoga classes to keep yourself well and stress-free.

Fête de la Bande Dessinée / Comic Book Festival
Oct 13-14, 2007
Hôtel de Ville
25405 Audincourt
Website: Fête de la Bande Dessinée
The 25th Comic Book Festival! No one loves comics better than the French and every year thousands gather to meet their favorite illustrators and artists and attend workshops, films and generally have a great time at this favorite yearly event.

Lire en Fête / Reading Festival
Oct 19, 20, 21, 2007
Website: Lire en Fête
This year’s theme, “One City, One Masterpiece,” expresses itself all over France with a variety of events as they relate to the appreciation of literature and reading, in general. Search for events in your area here.

Le Salon du Chocolat / Paris Chocolate Expo
Oct 19, 20, 21, 2007
Porte de Versailles, Hall 5, Paris
Website: Le Salon du Chocolat
If you’re a true chocolate lover, you already know about this event. This is a good time to grab lots and lots of chocolate, and to gorge yourself on the best chocolate around. There’ll be 130 chocolate makers so you’ll have a myriad of choices.

Cuisinez! Expo / Cooking Expo
Oct 26, 27, 28, 2007
Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
Website: Cuisinez! Expo
Dedicated to all the people passionate about cooking, this will be heaven for you! Take cooking workshops, meet famous chefs and stock up on kitchen supplies and appliances.

Old Man: I bought bread in the supermarket bakery and gave it to my rabbits. But they wouldn’t touch it!

Baker: I don’t blame them.

Old Man: I wonder why they didn’t eat it.

Baker: That stuff is filled with chemical sh*t and other unnatural ingredients. I wouldn’t even call it bread.

Old Man: Many people eat that chemical sh*t. It’s a shame.

Baker: Well, they shouldn’t. They should come to my bakery. (wink!)

“French government ministers faced embarrassment yesterday from their own children whose entries on Facebook, were aired to the public. French prime minister, François Fillon will be interested know that his son, Antoine, 22, is a member of several “high-brow” chat groups. One, entitled “I am too proud of my poo,” boasts 93 members who spend entire nights digressing about the “16 different types of turd.”

Antoine Fillon, an economics student whose mother Penny is Welsh, is also part of the “legless friendship circle,” which includes 650 fellow binge drinkers.

Financial weekly magazine Capital, released photos of Antoine’s Facebook page in this week’s edition, including one of…”

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“The entryway to this former hunting lodge in the heart of the Loire Valley is a large pond with floating swans. The 33 rooms have 19th century furnishings, marble baths and flat screen televisions. The on-site garden reaps the vegetables and herbs for the property’s restaurant. Visit dozens of fairytale castles, including Chateau de Chaumont, Henry II’s residence, and the 440-room Chateau de Chambord, the summer home of Louis XIV…”

[from Forbes: Wallet Friendly Luxury Hotels]

Hotel Information
Domaine Des Hauts De Loire
Route de Herbault – 41150 Onzain France
Tel : + 33 (0) 2 54 20 72 57
email : hauts-loire@relaischateaux.com