Living Magazine Oct/Nov 2023

Gorgeously Golden Autumn

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to our October / November issue

Well, what a year it has been so far! We seem to have passed through so many unusual weather patterns and heatwaves that we have lost where we are! As this edition goes to press, we have just experienced another week of historically high temperatures and I am really hoping for a cool autumn so we are ready for winter to arrive. Weather events through this year have underlined why we all need to get involved in preventing a climate catastrophe while we can. Meanwhile, here at LIVING, we have some rather momentous news (well for us at least!). Now that LIVING is celebrating its 15th anniversary, we have decided that it is time to pass the baton to a new team. Building LIVING into the magazine it is today allowed us the freedom and flexibility to be around our children as they grew and to share some amazing adventures with them. Like all families, though, our situation has evolved over the years. Our UKbased parents increasingly need our ongoing support while our children have flown the nest settling, for the moment, in Paris, Berlin and Canada. Therefore, it is now time for a new team to take the reins while we move forwards to a new chapter in our lives which allows us to spend longer periods outside our region. If you would like to find out more about the opportunity being offered, just turn to page 34.

With two months until the next issue, this, my 75th Ed’s letter, may or may not be my last one. In case it is, Jon and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made our time at LIVING so memorable: our advertisers, contributors and you, our readers. We have loved every minute of it, even during the challenging times of first Brexit, then Covid and latterly the paper shortages. We will still be living and working in the region once LIVING is sold so this is very much au revoir rather than goodbye. Do come over to our Facebook page (LivingMagazine.fr ) if you want to keep in touch between issues - we’d love to hear from you.

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EDITOR: Kathryn Dobson

SALES: Jon Dobson

LAYOUT & GRAPHICS: DM Design

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS:

Caro Feely, Gillian Harvey, Jessica Knipe, Emma-Jane Lee, Nikki Legon, Mike Morris, Roger Moss and Rosie Neave

PHOTOGRAPHY: Roger Moss or Shutterstock unless indicated

COVER IMAGE: Close-up of a red deer stag © Giedriius/Shutterstock

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ISSUE: 91 ISSN: 2270-2709

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NEWS ROUND UP

Vaccination Campaign

As the number of Covid-19 cases are reportedly rising across the country, a new variant BA.2.86, a sub-variant of the Omicron family which has been nicknamed ‘Pirola’ has been identified. A vaccination campaign to protect those most at risk has been planned to begin on 17 October on mainland France although there is a discussion underway whether this date will be brought forward. This campaign is a joint one with flu with one vaccination being given in each arm. People at risk are defined as over-65s, people with comorbidities or who are immunocomprimised, pregnant women and residents in care environments, along with all those regularly in contact with people at risk. Anyone who wishes to have a booster can have one so long as their last Covid-19 infection or vaccination was over 6 months ago. These vaccinations are free of charge.

Holiday Time

We’re entering a bumper season for holidays and ponts (the days between holidays and weekends). By taking only a few days off, you can stretch between jour fériés and weekends to create longer holiday periods from November through to May. Toussaint (1 November) falls on a Wednesday so only two days of holiday are required to get a 5-day break. Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on Mondays making long weekends two weeks in a row. In May, all four bank holidays fall on workdays so only six days from your holiday allowance are required to make a two-week break.

Octobre Rose

October has long been established as the month to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Around the region there will be many events, with one of the largest being the 7km fun run in Bordeaux. You can take part Saturday 21 October (running) or Sunday 22 October (walking) and the hope is to exceed the amount raised in 2022 of €280,000 as well as have over 20,000 participants for the first time.

One-Price Trains

The introduction in Germany of a ‘Deutschlandticket’ costing €49 per month has led to a 25% rise in the use of the national railway company Deutsche Bahn’s regional services. Hailed as a major step in tackling emissions through promoting public transport, France’s administration has taken note and is now hoping to introduce a similar scheme next summer on TER regional services and intercity trains. Transport minister Clément Beaune revealed details of the plan recently: “It will be simple. French people – irrespective of their age – can buy this pass and have unlimited travel on an intercity or TER for a flat, inexpensive price,” he told France 2. The pass will also cover local bus, metro, and tram travel, “if possible,” he added. The scheme has the support of President Macron and will help to close the gap left after the ban of short-haul flights lasting less than 2.5 hours. Negotiations are required across the country since all regions have the power to set their own prices and there are challenging questions about how such a generous scheme would be paid for. TGV and international services are unlikely to be included although there are already schemes that help reduce fares under certain circumstances like the SNCF Avantage card (although these cards are not accepted in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region).

Poppies are available from the Bordeaux and South West branch of the Royal British Legion for Remembrance Day (11 November). Email rblbx.assistance@gmail.com with your requirements for details on how to donate and receive poppies. Beaux Villages Immobilier offices will also be stocking poppies this year.

The pick of the news that will affect you wherever

you live in south west France…

Olympic Flame

As the countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics gets underway, the Olympic torch relay route has been unveiled. Arriving in Marseille on 8 May, the torch will cross the country to arrive in Paris on 26 July for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. Many départements have decided that the participation fees to welcome the relay were too high in light of the other priorities they face, but you will still have several opportunities to see the relay runners as they pass through north Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Vendée. The torch arrives in Périgueux (24) on 22 May and moves on to Bordeaux (33) on 23 May before traveling north to Angoulême (16) on 24 May. Poitiers (86) welcomes the relay on 25 May from where it heads to Châteauroux (36) and on to Angers (49). After a trip to the Normandy coast, it returns to Niort (79) on the 2 June before a trip up the Atlantic coastline beginning in Les Sables d’Olonne (85) on 4 June. The torchbearers will be chosen from nominations received earlier in 2023 with the final list being revealed in January 2024. 11,000 individuals will be chosen based upon their actions embodying at least one of the three ‘energies’ of Paris 2024: sport, the territories (those who undertake, innovate, create and embody French style excellence) and the collective (those who act daily to build a more united, inclusive, sustainable and fairer society). The torch has been created by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur who drew inspiration from the three themes of Paris 2024: equality, water and peacefulness. 2,000 steel torches have been produced.

Distillation Date

Grand Cognac (16) has announced a new event to celebrate their most famous export. Le Ban de la Distillation will take place over the weekend of 3-4 November when the town will pay tribute to the world of distillation and those that make the magic happen. The final programme will be unveiled in October but concerts, banquets, shows, tours and more are promised throughout this inaugural weekend. Already confirmed is the pyrotechnic evening show by Imoogi which will take place at 7pm on Saturday (free) while during the day, you can test your logic and observation skills at the Musée des Savoir-Faire du Cognac by solving puzzles to reveal La Recette Mystère. Check for full details nearer the time on the Grand Cognac website.

Rallying Call

Charente-Maritime hosts two popular rallies in October. The all-terrain DUNES ET MARAIS rally, part of the French national championships, departs from Royan (17) from 8am on Saturday 6 October with the return leg on Sunday. Festivities begin on Friday with the teams arriving from around Europe to take part. For full details see www.dunesetmarais.com

The 65th edition of the RALLYE D’AUTOMNE with classes for both modern and older vehicles takes place on 20-21 October. The race will again be based around ChâtelaillonPlage and pass through Aigrefeuille-d’Aunis, Vouhé, Surgères and Genouillé. The Sainte-Soulle stage is not on the programme this year. The rally covers 472km divided into two stages and four sections with teams departing from 5pm on Friday and 8am on Saturday.

Boat Life

Rochefort (17) Marina has reported a sharp increase in the number of people living on their boats all year round. Between 2019 and 2023 the number has almost doubled to 40 of the 300 moorings. With the smallest studio in the city costing around €600 per month to rent, a berth in the marina for only €250 is appealing to those on lower incomes. Fees depend on the size of the boat and electricity is currently a flat fee on top, although the introduction of metering will lead to the boat owners paying for what they use going forward. But while this idea may sound romantic to some, with heatwaves in the summer and the cold in the winter, it is not an easy life, especially on smaller boats which may only have seven square meters of living space.

La Semaine Bleue

Now in its 72nd year, the Semaine Bleue is a week dedicated to raising awareness of the contribution made by retired individuals to all aspects of our lives, as well as sharing the concerns and difficulties they face. It takes place from 2-8 October and details of local activities can be found on semaine-bleue.org.

Photo Exhibition

Head to the Carré Amelot gallery in La Rochelle (17) to see the work of Muriel Bordier, photographer in residence over the summer as part of the ‘Entre les images’ project, a national programme developed by the Digital Network with support from the Ministry of Culture. Bordier worked with the Cyclo Rochelais association to produce a series of images full of humour. The subject was chosen as La Rochelle has long been a leader in cycling and alternative transport having introduced Yélo self-service bicycles in 1976. The exibition runs until 22 December.

DIARY DATEs!

The 40th Mineral and Fossil Exhibition at Chaniers (17) will be held on 7-8 October Entry is free with doors opening from 9.30am-6.30pm.

The Piano en Valois festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary from 6-21 October with a series of concerts in and around Angoulême (16). Find the full programme and purchase tickets on their website.

The food festival Gastronomades will take over the centre of Angoulême (16) from 21-27 November. Keep an eye on their website for the full programme nearer the time.

All Terrain

If you are looking to try something a little different in the great outdoors this autumn then consider hiring a mountain bike with the added benefit of electric assistance. Several businesses offer both hire-only or guided rides in and around the Base VTT Naturellement Périgord which is approved by the French Cycling Federation. With over 350km of marked trails in 14 loops and difficulty ranging from green to black, there is something for everyone. And with the electric assistance, you will be able to go further and faster! Maps for all the routes can be picked up free of charge at both Excideuil and Lanouaille tourist offices while you can download both pdfs and gpx versions from the website of Naturellement Périgord at bit.ly/lmvtt23 and find details of local hire shops and qualified guides.

Glorious Chestnuts

One of the highlights of the Dordogne gastronomic calendar celebrates the arrival of local chestnuts and mushrooms. The third weekend in October (21/22) welcomes the Fête de la Châtaigne to the bastide town of Villefranche-du-Périgord in the Périgord Noir when, for two days, the smell of roasted chestnuts, apple juice and a giant mushroom omelette fill the air. Tastings, markets, competitions and a parade of the confréries régionales are a few of the activities on offer. There is even a concours de craché de châtaignes or chestnut spitting competition. These prickly treasures have contributed an important part to the area’s economy as well as its gastronomy, and feature in recipes from mash to flour and jams. The two main varieties grown commercially are the reddishbrown Marigoule and the brilliant red, disease-resistant Bouche de Bétizac. If one chestnut-themed gathering is not enough, then warm up with a visit to Beynat (19) on Sunday 15 October for their annual chestnut and conker festival.

Robert Doisneau

Born in 1912, Doisneau became one of France’s foremost humanist photographers and a pioneer of photojournalism. Based in Paris, he is remembered for his modest, playful and ironic images of contemporary Paris streets and cafés. In more than 20 books, he presented a charming view of human frailty and life, returning time and again to the theme of city children at play. When WWII broke out, Doisneau enlisted in the army until 1940 when he turned his draughtsmanship and engraving skills to forging passports and identification papers for the French Resistance. His most recognisable photographic work was produced for Life magazine in 1950 –Le Baiser de l’hôtel de ville (Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville) – and he went on to be awarded the Légion d’honneur by François Mitterand in 1984. He died in 1994. Throughout his life he holidayed in the area around Carlux, near Sarlat, and so a project was born to renovate the obsolete gare into an gallery dedicated to his work. The gallery opened in 2018 and features a permanent exhibition of his work as well as temporary exhibitions. ‘Les murs parlent aussi’ (The walls speak too) runs until 1 December as part of the Résurgence Festival in partnership with the FRAC Aquitaine. For full details see the website at www.lagare-robertdoisneau.com.

La Ronde des Villages

Expect to see plenty of ramblers over the weekend of 14/15 October as over 4,000 people take part in the annual randonnée around 20 Périgord Noir villages organised by the local tourist board. In each village, local delicacies are offered for tasting and 600 volunteers help marshall the circular 135km course. Reservation is required and amazingly, all the places were snapped up in only 12 days when bookings opened in April so mark your diaries now if you would like to take part in 2024.

Caviar d’Aquitaine

Founded in 2011, Caviar de Neuvic quickly became a Dordogne success story, selling caviar around the world from its 30-hectare base which employs 60 staff and welcomes 10,000 visitors each year. The company has recently merged with the long-established group Caviar House and Prunier which markets caviar produced at three farms (including one at Montpon-Ménestérol) to form Groupe Prunier. Combined, their five sturgeon farms yield 25 tonnes of caviar each year which will be marketed under their existing brands as they focus their attention on tackling the lucrative Asian and American markets. Prunier Group is also lobbying for the creation of a Protected Geographical Indication for Caviar d’Aquitaine.

Cancer Support France

Cancer can strike anyone at any time and when it does, we are often looking for personal support. Doctors and specialists provide the essential medical help but there is frequently a need for a friend that you can call to ask important non-medical questions and to discuss daily problems and other things in your life. The 17 Cancer Support Associations throughout France are here to give you and your family this extra support, when you need it. They are a telephone call away to help answer those questions that sometimes make you feel overwhelmed, or simply just to chat. All calls are confidential, you can share your concerns and be offered emotional support and advice. The team includes French speakers who can help with advice on French medical systems and provide guidance on where to go for the best help. Call the national helpline 0800 240200 to reach the CSF Association nearest to you. In Dordogne, the Dordogne Sud branch are holding a quiz night on 11 October. Ring Andrew on 05 53 58 29 10 to reserve tickets which cost 25€ and include a meal of Thai curry with crumble for dessert.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION...

Bird Watching

With our long Atlantic Coast and vast wetlands, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to watching a hug variety of birds. If you are wondering where to start, try the Cité des Oiseaux at Les Landes-Genusson, in the north east Vendée. This 56-hectare ornithological reserve with two lakes is situated on one of the busiest north-south migratory routes. It is close to the region’s largest wetlands (the Lac de Grand Lieu, the Marais Breton, the Baie de Bourgneuf, the Marais Poitevin and the Baie de l’Aiguillon) with over 210 species recorded. On site there is a Discovery Centre which is open until 5 November and which hosts exhibitions and activities, while the reserve is accessible all year round. Telescopes, observation platforms and signposted trails help to make the site suitable for all the family. In the south of the department, there are several protected sites around the Baie de l’Aiguillon which welcomes thousands of waders and migratory birds each autumn. Reflecting the importance of this area, from September to November the LPO (Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux) establishes a ‘migration camp’ to count the birds in transit over the Pointe de l’Aiguillon. Since 1993 sixty dedicated volunteers have come from across France to take turns monitoring the numbers and species of birds. Out in all weathers from sunrise to noon, the volunteers record on average 400,000 individuals across 70-80 species. For a more sheltered location, visit the Réserve Naturelle Michel Brosselin at nearby Saint-Denis-du-Payré which is managed by the LPO and the French Biodiversity Office. Access is only with a guide due to the sensitivity of the reserve so you will need to first visit the Pôle des Espaces Naturels in the village before driving the 2km to the reserve. The equipped hide is accessed by a 400m pathway on stilts. Check the website at bit.ly/lmsdp for days and times before setting out.

DEUX-SÈVRES & VENDÉE

Film Festival

From 16-22 October La Roche-sur-Yon will screen a selection of contemporary works premiering in France before awarding prizes in number of categories. Keep an eye on their website and social media channels for the full programme nearer the time.

WILDLIFE SHOWCASE

For six days each year, the sleepy town of Ménigoute (79) becomes the centre of the wildlife documentary world as some 40 films are screened alongside workshops, exhibitions and markets. This year the festival begins on 27 October.

AROUND THE REGION...

Vendée Globe

The countdown for the 2024 non-stop, non-assisted, single-handed round-the-world race has begun. In preparation for the main race departing on 10 November 2024, the New York Vendée-Les Sables d’Olonne will be held for the second time on 29 May 2024. Around 40 skippers will compete and the record time for the race, set by Jérémie Beyou in 2016 (9d 16h 57min 52s) is expected to be beaten with the boats arriving to the Vendée shore in early June. Before setting off on this demanding 3,200-mile course, the sailors will treat the New York public to a show in Manhattan Bay, organised on 24 May 2024 at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. This Atlantic crossing will be the last qualifying race for the 2024 Vendée Globe after the Transat CIC which departs on 28 April from Lorient (56) and ends in New York. To qualify, skippers must take part in two qualifying races: one in 2022 or 2023 and one in 2024, plus they must have applied to compete in the Vendée Globe by 2 October 2023. They must finish one of the races in a time that cannot exceed the winner’s time plus 50%. After crossing the Atlantic and heading up the legendary channel in Les Sables d’Olonne, 40 competitors will pick up their precious pass: their entry ticket to the next Vendée Globe. The 2020 race was won by La Rochelle-based skipper Yannick Bestaven who hopes to take part in his fourth Vendée Globe, this time in a new boat, after signing to continue his partnership with the Vendée poultry producer Maître CoQ until 2025.

Le Palais

Poitiers city hall has launched a call for tenders to operate a café-restaurant and a hotel in the historic Palais des Comtes de Poitou et des Ducs d’Aquitaine, which latterly became the Palais de Justice. The Palais dates back to the 9th century and is itself built on Gallo-Roman ruins. William the Conqueror, Aliénor d’Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart all walked through its Grande Salle which today welcomes 700 visitors daily each summer. Built in the 12th century, the vast hall is one of the largest of its type in Europe and now hosts exhibitions and concerts. The café-restaurant will be in an area alongside the Grande Salle where once the offices of the court were located (which moved to the recently renovated Palais des Feuillants beside the river). The remainder of the offices will become a hotel, with more modern additions being demolished to provide outside space for terraces. A full archaelogical survey has already taken place. The closing date for applications is midNovember and it is expected that the new facilities will open in 2028.

LES EXPRESSIFS

Running from 6-8 October, this year’s street festival is moving from the city centre to the campus of Poitiers University where the big top of Cirque Octave Singulier will host street artists, musicians and dancers. The move is a response to the reduction in grants from the city which led to a similar reduction from the region with the overall budget being cut from €412,000 to €372,000. This has coincided with increasing costs but it is hoped that the festival will be able to return to the city centre in 2024.

Frairie des Petits Ventres

If our article over the page rekindles your love of halftimbered houses then one occasion where you can immerse yourself in the historic city centre of Limoges surrounded by some of the finest examples in our region is almost here. And even better, it revolves around food and drink! On the third Friday of October (this year falling on 20 October) wind your way into the Quartier de la Boucherie to Place SaintAurélien and Place de la Barreyrrette for a celebration of tripe and boudin with 40,000 others. Some forty butchers and restaurants are ready to serve you with their delicacies, all 100% Limousin. Enjoy andouilles, andouillettes, boudins noirs, boudins blancs, rognons, tripes, panses d’agneaux farcies, nez de cochons or têtes de veau. Translating as The Brotherhood of Small Bellies, the festival was inaugurated in 1973 to commemorate the Limoges butchers corporation founded in 930, once a powerful force within the city and surrounding areas. Opened by the mayor of Limoges at 6pm, the statue of Notre-Dame-de-Pitié, also known as Notre-Dame-des-PetitsVentres, is carried through the streets. For those who are not tripe lovers, there will be other local dishes on offer and you won’t want to miss out on the slices of Limousin clafoutis.

Saimiri Twins

Vallée des Singes at Romagne (86) welcomed two special babies this summer, twin squirrel monkeys. Normally, these small monkeys only give birth to one infant weighing around 15% of the mothers weight (roughly equivalent to a whopping 9kg baby for a human). This twin birth is the first in Europe. The 14-yearold mother, Kili, has already given birth and lives in a matriachal group with two of her daughters (one of whom also gave birth over the summer). Life expectancy is 20 years for these agile monkeys who are native to Peru and Brazil.

You may have seen this sign appearing across the motorway network and other multi-lane roads. It indicates the presence of a co-voiturage lane for cars with more than one occupant. The lane can also be used by taxis and electric cars with a zero Crit’Air sticker. Misuse can result in a fine of €135. It is currently a test which will be reviewed next summer.

LES BASSINS DE FAYOLLES

POOLS - SPAS - WATER TREATMENT FURNITURE - DECORATION

Plant Fair

The 7th edition of the Saint-Junien ‘Fête des Plantes, du Jardin et de la Nature’ will take place on 22 October, and with over 140 exhibitors. Forty nurseries offer everything from seeds and bulbs to fruit trees, while other specialists and artisans will share their knowledge and wares. Throughout the day there are free events from 15 associations including conferences on soil treatments, interactive workshops, a fauna/flora hike at 10am and exhibitions about biodiversity, birdlife and more. Snacks are available all day with a communal lunch for €14. Entry to Le Châtelard de Saint-Junien costs €2 and includes a free tombola ticket (free for under-16s).

In the Frame

Throughout France countless medieval buildings suggest that sometimes beauty can be skin-deep. Roger Moss celebrates our half-timbered architecture.

Many years have now passed since the autoroute network began transforming the experience of driving through the vastness of France, often almost halving longer journey times. Less obvious, though, was one of the downsides to that kind of efficiency, namely that bypassing the countless towns and villages means you’ll miss seeing much of the regional character of the areas through which you’re passing. That includes the traditional architecture, of course, whose styles combine local materials with methods

of construction established many centuries ago – and sometimes much longer, in fact.

One which must have outlived all others is the half-timbered ‘maison à colombages’. Believed to have been introduced around 1st century BC during the Roman Occupation of Gaul, the style (known to the Romans as ‘opus craticium’) proved so successful that today we find much-loved examples surviving throughout much of France. That’s hardly surprising, since the techniques employed would already have been familiar to any carpenter, joiner or even a boat-builder used to

working with timbers held together by mortise-and-tenon joints. There’s a world of difference in scale, however, between crafting furniture or a boat and manhandling the hefty, wellseasoned oak timbers – ‘pans de bois’ –needed to construct a house, so a whole façade would often be assembled flat on the ground then hoisted into position with ropes and pulleys. Once it had been secured upright with props the remaining façades could be assembled in the same way and joined together to form the skeletal structure – ‘l’ossature’ – which would then be stabilised still further by adding joists and floor boards for each level. Next would come staircases, the lighter timberwork

needed for dividing walls to define the various internal spaces and finally the roof timbers, or ‘charpente’ – whose complexity in larger structures led to this area being referred to, perhaps not surprisingly, as ‘la forêt ’.

At this point the building would be structurally complete, although there remained the small matter of wind whistling unimpeded through the numerous spaces between the timbers. Internal walls would not be exposed to the elements, so could simply have screens of light timber battens nailed onto them to support a layer of lime plaster, a system whose roots lay in primitive ‘wattle-and-daub’ structures familiar to archeologists, and which

would still be in use as ‘lath-andplaster’ walls and ceilings until the 19th century.

External walls, on the other hand, were a different matter. Even wellseasoned timber will have an inherent degree of flexibility, in response to seasonal variations in temperature and humidity, so any infill areas (‘hourdages’) would need to resist the elements while absorbing some movement of the surrounding timbers. That’s why so many examples we see today employed wattle (woven like hurdle fencing) and finished with cob (‘torchis’) or clay (‘pisé’). This had the added benefit of being fire-resistant, a quality which led to the upper

storeys of some half-timbered façades being entirely finished with a layer of cob or clay to protect their timbers from fire damage, the great enemy of medieval buildings. Similar concerns also account for the gradual move away from the use of long horizontal timbers, which could transmit fire rapidly to adjoining buildings and which were also unsuited to the narrow, winding streets found in the tightly-packed medieval hearts of towns and cities.

The move in the 16th/17th centuries towards shorter timbers (‘bois courts’) the width of just a single dwelling was accompanied by a similar approach to vertical timbers. Employing one per floor opened up the possibility of extending upper storeys outwards,

creating the overhang effect we often associate with medieval streets. The resulting technique of ‘l’encorbelment’ derives from the architectural device extending from a wall and known as a corbel or ‘corbeau’, whose more decoratively carved examples are often confused with gargoyles.

Here and there additional timbers would be added to increase support for the floor(s) stepped out above them. Extending upper stages successively brought certain advantages to owners, creating useful extra space and providing weather protection for the floors below, without incurring increased property taxes levied according to the ground level footprint of the structure. Inevitably, things eventually got out of hand as opposing

properties grew ever closer to one another and the results of emptying the contents of chamber pots from upper storey windows were exacerbated by sunlight being prevented from reaching the streets below, which had become little more than covered passageways. Fearful of the spread of disease and fire, local authorities eventually responded by outlawing the practice of ‘l’encorbellement ’.

Here and there, in areas with more moderate seasonal variations in climate, you’ll often find brick and lime mortar infill areas, although in many cases the original bricks will have been replaced long ago to repair the ravages of time, not least frost damage. More ornate examples are highly prized today and contribute in no small part

Detours of Discovery...

You’ll come across medieval façades, often where you least expect to see them, in numerous towns and villages – particularly if you look up from time to time, since modernisation tends to focus on appearances at street level.

Well-known starting points in Nouvelle-Aquitaine include: Bayonne (64), Beaulieu-surDordogne (19), Bergerac (24),

Bordeaux (33), Confolens (16), Limoges (87), Niort (79), Parthenay (79), Périgueux (24), Poitiers (86), La Rochelle (17), Saint-Jeand’Angély (17) and Tulle (19).

Further afield: Albi (81), Angers (49), Bourges (18), Dieppe (76), Dinan (22), Honfleur (14), Le Mans (72), Orléans (45), Quimper (29), Rennes (35), Sarlat (24), Strasbourg (67), Thiers (63),

Toulouse (31), Tours (37), Tréguier (22), Troyes (10), Vannes (56) and Vézelay (89).

Medieval-inspired balnéaire architecture: Arcachon (33), Châtelaillon-Plage (17), Ciboure (64), Deauville (14), Hendaye (64), Lacanau (33), Mers-les-Bains (80), La Rochelle (17), Royan (17), Soulac-sur-Mer (33) and Le Touquet (62).

to the photogenic appearance of many popular tourism destinations. For traditionalists the sight of whole streets lined with medieval façades brings a sensation of stepping back in time, while others will admire the altogether bolder decorative qualities of structures whose timbers are highlighted with pastel and in some cases vibrant colours. Somewhere between the two extremes are the results of protecting otherwise exposed timbers with timber shingles or slates, a technique known as ‘bardage’ – also referred to in western France as ‘l’essentage’.

During your travels around France you might chance upon examples of any of those we’ve described in countless towns and villages, not to mention the historic quarters of otherwise bustling cities, where they bring a welcome sense of continuity. Traditional half-timbered architecture also contributes to the cultural identity of whole regions, from Brittany and Normandy to Alsace and of course Basque country.

It’s hardly surprising, then, that the look should have undergone something of a revival during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in much the same way that the UK embraced the Arts & Crafts-inspired ‘mock Tudor’ style for middle class suburban residential developments. Meanwhile, here in France the Belle-Époque appearance of many of our more stylish coastal resorts just wouldn’t be the same without what we now refer to as ‘l’architecture balnéaire’. What’s more, elements of the ancient halftimbered look continue to underpin the visual styling of many upmarket new residential and even commercial developments.

Hope Association Charity Shops - Helping animals in need

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Our Hope shop is a very important source of income and all the proceeds go to Hope, helping animals in need. We sell good quality clothes, shoes, bric-a-brac, books, jewellery, ornaments, dinnerware, pots and pans, furniture, artwork etc, all at low prices. Come along and grab a bargain and stop for a cuppa and a piece of cake. We are always looking for support as volunteers and cake bakers as well as shoppers, so please send us an email if you feel able to help out at our shop in Confolens.

Hope 16 Confolens

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Join the Science Party!

In France, nationwide celebrations are part of everyday life covering subjects from history and culture to science. We sent Jessica Knipe to discover the origins of the upcoming science week...

There ain’t no party like a French official cultural party, or so anyone who has taken part in the week-long food celebration that is France’s Semaine du Goût, or the lucky few who have visited a highly private monument during the Journées du Patrimoine, will be able to tell you. These occasions are well-planned, all-inclusive and don’t hesitate to take their time to get the job done properly. In October, it’s science’s turn to join in, with a ten-day fact-fest called the Fête de la Science.

The nationwide event was first created in 1991 by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Its main goal, since day one, has been to allow actors of the scientific fields to meet with the general public, bringing them information, demystifying the sciences and engaging their curiosity

through different events, workshops and ‘science villages’.

This year, activities will take place from 6-16 October in mainland France (there’s another, separate schedule for overseas French-speaking countries), and will revolve around a central theme of ‘Sport and physical activity’ – a nod to the fact that this is also the year that France hosted the Rugby World Cup and other events in the build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Human biology, the universe, ecology and biotechnology… the experts of their fields will all be on hand to discuss and exchange thoughts and ideas through scientific Escape Games, astronomical observations, nature walks and more.

“Science is usually a very technical field, with a lot of jargon, and it was important to build bridges with the general public to stop it from

“The Fête de la Science has also become an opportunity for scientists to dispel any prejudice that isn’t founded in science”

becoming elitist,” explains Mélissa Charrier who is in charge of events for Récréasciences, the science hub for Haute-Vienne, Corrèze and Creuse. In the spirit of this demystification, all the events are absolutely free, open to all, and don’t include any impenetrable theoretical lessons.

The Fête’s mission has also evolved to take into account more modern preoccupations: “The blight of fake news is causing a real prejudice against science today,” says Mélissa. “Information spreads fast and wide, and dialogue becomes increasingly difficult as people who really aren’t experts in any sense of the word read clickbait headlines and share information quickly without researching any of the facts.” The effects of 5G, vaccinations, Artificial Intelligence… the Fête de la Science has also become an opportunity for scientists to address all of these burning topics directly and dispel any prejudice that isn’t founded in science.

Of course, another added benefit of a ten-day nationwide science party is to spark scientific vocations among any young visitors to the events. Especially little girls. “The exact sciences tend to mainly attract men, or if women do get involved, they lean mostly towards biology,” says Mélissa. “We need to break those barriers and direct women towards more technical domains.”

As well as age, occupational and gender barriers, any language obstacles are also being smashed by the organising committees: some tours and interactions will be held alongside a live sign-language translator, and although most events are in held in French, generally researchers conduct a lot of their work in English and are more than capable of conversing around their subjects in another language.

In keeping with the 2023 Sports theme, the regional ambassador for the event this year is Bernard Crepel, an award-winning skier and snowboarding brand manager who founded an association dedicated to protecting the environment (see right). “Making science more accessible for us mere mortals… the task is huge,” says Bernard. “But after reports from the GIEC (the intergovernmental panel on climate change), glaciologists, hydrologists and many others, it’s obvious that it’s more necessary than ever to demonstrate – as one of the

Bernard Crepel - Regional Ambassador for the 2023 Fête de la Science

Biarritz-based Bernard Crepel was at the forefront of acrobatic skiing in the 1980s, leading the French Mogul Skiing Olympic team and bringing his knowledge and experience to the Quicksilver brand, where he stills works as a Snow Brand Manager today.

In 2010, Bernard co-founded the Water Family foundation, an association dedicated to educating children and their families around the ecology of water – the foundation’s initial event, sponsored by huge sporting celebrities like fencing’s Jeannet or football’s Lizarazu, followed a drop of water from its source in the mountains, at the Pic du Midi, all the way to a tap in Biarritz.

“Our goal is to demonstrate the impact we have as humans on water, especially ‘invisible water’,” explains Water Family’s communications director Marion Sadi. “Of course, saving water at home is a great thing to do, but that consumption only represents about 150 litres per day per person. We are more interested in the invisible water we use every day in the production of consumer goods, which represents a whopping 4,000 litres per person per day in Europe – it’s almost better to take a bath using homemade soap that costs less water to produce, than a shower with plastic-ridden products imported from faraway places.”

You can catch Bernard and his son Mathieu at the Village Sports et Sciences in Bordeaux on 14-15 October.

Find Out More

There are more than 400 projects are taking place across the region this year. The State pilots the programme on the national level, but local Centres de Culture Scientifique, Technique et Industriel (or CCSTI) organise the events on the ground. To find yours, search for Cap Sciences, Récréasciences or Espace Mendès France. Or, for the full list of events with a nifty interactive map, check out www.fetedelascience.fr.

most charismatic scientists, Gilles Boeuf, would have it – that ecology is more than a word or a political party, it’s first and foremost a science.”

Bernard’s son Mathieu, a three-time snowboarding world champion and a young father himself, will also take part in the Fête de la Science this year to show his involvement in environmental sciences, and to support his father in his project. “It’s about saving our future, that’s why I asked my son to come and help me talk about transmission,” explains Bernard. “But the key will be for mankind to adapt to Earth’s evolution, much more than trying to ‘save’ it. That would just be presumptuous of us after already causing so much damage.”

Alright, so it’s not at the rosiest of times in the planet’s history that this Fête is taking place, but if anyone can help us adapt and evolve with our planet, it’s science. And while we figure it all out, why not come together to celebrate how far science has got us already?

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AGAIN

Once they were everywhere, and 50 years on the plucky Renault 5 still remains a familiar sight on the roads of France.

Remember the stylish and much-loved ‘Nicole and Papa’ TV ads which introduced the Clio to UK viewers? The year was 1991. It now seems a lifetime ago, but the campaign became a huge success and needed to be, for Renault’s new model had a tough act to follow, in the shape of what had for some years been France’s best-selling car: the Renault 5. Now we’re midway between the 50th anniversary of the 5’s appearance in 1972 and the eagerly-anticipated arrival of its all-electric

reincarnation in 2024, so it’s the perfect time to take a fresh look at a French design classic. Style, as we know, never goes out of fashion, but not all of its creators are rewarded with mainstream celebrity status. That was certainly the case with the original 5, many of whose most innovative and unmistakable design features were already present in early sketches by young stylist Michel Boué in response to a conviction held by Renault’s Président-Directeur Général Pierre Dreyfus that the

time had come for something faster, more comfortable and altogether more elegant than Renault’s R4 and Citroën’s 2CV. In 1967, however, his design department was too preoccupied by models like the Renault 15 and 17 (not to mention the Alpine A310) to devote the necessary resources to focus fully on the proposed new small car, known as “Projet 122”.

Everything changed, though, when Renault’s Design Department Director Gaston Juchet received Boué’s sketches.

From the first glance it was obvious that the junior designer had somehow managed to bring together a somewhat vague set of basic requirements in an eye-catching package which would appeal to all kinds of buyers. In short, Juchet knew instinctively that he had before him exactly what he was looking for. Two years later the design was finalised, and preparations began for production tooling, a painstaking process which was speeded-up considerably with the aid of pioneering

computer-aided digital technology. Another innovation for the company was the incorporation of its first robots on the 5’s assembly line, installed at Flins-sur-Seine (78), 40km NW of Paris. Soon Renault’s largest French site was producing Renault 5s in just 25 hours – a figure which would fall to 20 hours with the introduction in 1984 of the second-generation ‘Supercinq’, and which was assembled by no fewer than 134 robots.

As these figures suggest, the cars

Hot Tubs and Saunas in France

themselves were hugely successful, effectively establishing what became the ‘supermini’ sector. The formula, defined with the help of extensive market research, now sounds familiar but at the time was actually a radical combination of features which had previously been available separately in other model ranges. For the first time buyers could enjoy a quiet, comfortable ride, sharp handling, spirited performance and remarkable fuel economy – all in an affordable compact package. The cherry on top was flexible load-carrying, accessed by a one-piece

MICHEL BOUÉ: FATHER OF THE 5

A disciple of celebrated US designer Raymond Loewy, Boué joined Renault in the late 1950s as the design team’s youngest member. He was regarded as reserved and even nonchalant, but his grasp of automotive culture was impressive, and he was quick to see the design potential of newly-developed composite materials. He also had an occasionally unconventional way of working. For example, after his first gouache sketches for the 5 were seen as inspired but more of a sporty coupé, he presented his design again in the form of a 1/5th scale model and immediately got the green light. Sadly the father of the Renault 5 design would not know his creation for long, for he died at the end of 1972 from bone cancer. A few months after his death, his colleagues presented Mme Boué with a Renault 5 as a tribute to her brilliant designer husband who contributed to automotive history.

FACTS & FIGURES

Š Between 1972 and 1996 the Renault 5 became France’s biggest-selling car, clocking up global sales of over nine million, including well over five million original models and almost three and a half million Supercinqs.

Š The 5 was launched with a choice of 782cc or 956cc engines, while April 1974 saw the introduction of the 5TS/5LS models using the 1,289cc engine from the Renault 12. In 1976 engines of entry-level 5s increased to 845cc, and later premium models offered a 1,397cc option.

Š The use of chassis-less monocoque construction boosted performance by contributing to the original 5’s modest kerb weight of just 730–810kg.

Š Despite appearances, the Supercinq shared no body panels with those of the 5, and was the work of Italian designer Marcello Gandini, who also styled the Lamborghini Countach.

tailgate. Welcome to the small hatchback; brilliant.

Under the bonnet, though, things would have looked reassuringly familiar to potential French buyers. Unlike small cars in the UK based around the space-saving transverse engine layout introduced for the Mini back in 1959, the 5’s power unit (borrowed from Renault’s R4 and R8) was mounted conventionally ‘in-line’, behind the gearbox. That arrangement would remain unchanged until the introduction in 1984 of the Supercinq, whose engine finally turned sideways like those of its competitors.

Talking of which, sales of the original 5 were undoubtedly boosted by a string of competition successes, which in turn inspired a succession of more sporting models, starting with the 175km/h R5 Alpine (sold in the UK as the Gordini) unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1976. Developed and assembled at the Alpine plant in Dieppe and equipped with a 5-speed gearbox, the cars achieved numerous successes in major European rallying and rallycross events. They were followed first by the 185 km/h+ 5 Alpine Turbo, and then by the similarsounding but radically different Renault 5 Turbo. This time the engine was mounted not under the bonnet but centrally behind the driver and drove the rear wheels, whose arches were now widened significantly to accommodate them. These wild two-seater cars’ competition successes included the 1981 Rallye Monte Carlo, plus the Championnat de France des Rallyes in 1981, 1982 and 1984.

As for the Supercinq, its high-performance Super 5 GT Turbo had Peugeot’s 205GTi for company in the marketplace, but nevertheless enjoyed a respectable competition record during its six-year career, until the launch of the Clio in 1990.

Over the years Renault’s supermini spawned automatic and dieselpowered versions, Renault Express vans and a few cabriolets. For a

while the cars were also exported to Canada (‘La Cinq’ grabbing 50% of all small car sales in Quebec) and the USA, where ‘Le Car’ even made a few film appearances. The cars were also produced and sold in Iran, South Africa and Yugoslavia.

Perhaps even more surprising is the fact that back in 1971 EDF developed an electric R5, seven examples of which were produced by Renault’s research facility to explore their feasibility for city use. Eight years later US company Electricar produced the R5-based ‘Lectric Leopard’, whose engine bay contained six lead-acid batteries powering a 48V electric motor. The 4-speed gearbox remained, though, and

contributed to a 50mph top speed and a range of 50 miles. Once back home recharging took 6-12 hours, depending on the distance travelled. It didn’t exactly catch on, but was clearly ahead of its time. Today electric and hybrid vehicles represent over 50% of new car sales in France, and Renault is poised to replace its all-electric Zoe with a full production version of the sensational Renault 5 Prototype concept car shown at this year’s Roland-Garros international tennis tournament. The styling is both strikingly futuristic, and an unmistakable hommage to the classic first-generation 5, the concealed rear passenger doors, for example, recalling

the fact that original 5s had only two. Beneath the skin, however, the 2024 model will incorporate at least as many innovations as its ancestor, including an on-board bi-directional charger. Partnered with a Mobilize Powerbox bidirectional charging station and the Mobilize V2G (‘Vehicle-to-Grid’) service, Renault 5 drivers can charge when electricity is at its cheapest and reduce their overall electricity bill by selling electricity back to the power grid at times when power is more expensive. In addition, power supplied to recharge the vehicle batteries via the service will be carbon neutral – all of which brings a whole new dimension to “Gimme five!”.

Passing the Baton

The search is on for a new team to take over running the region’s leading English-language magazine.

Are you looking for a new challenge, one that opens doors across NouvelleAquitaine as well as gives back to the community that we live in?

Living Magazine has been informing residents and second-home owners for over 15 years and is now looking for a new team to take the helm. This is a turnkey operation, an opportunity to take over a market-leading brand which offers consistent profitability, flexible working and oodles of potential.

Training is offered to get the new team up and running as quickly as possible and the current team will be available to support as necessary.

WHY NOW?

Owners Kathryn and Jon Dobson have steered Living Magazine through several tumultuous years including Brexit, Covid lockdowns and paper shortages. The business is now back on solid ground and for personal reasons, it is time for a new chapter in their lives.

“We’ve had 13 amazing years with Living Magazine which we’ve built alongside our family growing up. But now our children have left home and we have to regularly return to the UK to look after elderly parents, it is time to pass Living onto a younger team who have all the passion and motivation that we had when we moved into the area. We truly hope that it will give another team the joy and freedom it has given us so they can thrive in Nouvelle-Aquitaine as we have.”

Changing Seasons

Watching the seasons pass is one of the delights of living where we do. Autumn brings a multitude of treats for all the senses, as Rosie Neave explains

The cooler air of the autumn months is a great time to soak up the outdoors before the winter chill kicks in. It’s a time of seasonal change which brings with it a naturally slower rhythm and it’s the perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at the natural world surrounding us. At this time of year, I like to pause for

a few moments and use my senses to really notice what’s around me. Autumn is perhaps the most visually dramatic season and there’s lots to discover simply by looking closely. As well as the beauty of leaves changing colour, the Hunter’s Moon at the end of October is something to look out for, as it lights up the sky with an ethereal glow. The name originates from indigenous Americans, as its light allowed long days of hunting in the postharvest, prewinter days.

In English folklore it was often known as the Blood Moon, because its position in relation to the Earth at this time of year can make it appear redder and more prominent than usual. Something worth getting up early for at this time of year is the brame du cerf. These are the powerful, evocative calls that male red deer (Cervus elaphus) make during the mating season to intimidate rival stags. It’s a deep, resonant howl that reverberates through the trees like no other sound. The best time to hear it is dawn or dusk, either at the edge of a forest or in a clearing. A word of warning, though,

Red Deer

The largest mammals found in our territory, European red deer, live in herds of up to 40 females accompanied by their offspring from the current year alongside those from the previous year. Young males form separate groups while the older stags remain on the edge of these herds. The deer live for up to 18 years, standing up to 1.4m at the shoulder with the largest stags weighing as much as 200kg.

Gestation lasts 8 months with fawns born in spring. During summer, the males prepare for the most important part of their year when they battle rivals to gain access to a harem of fertile females. From mid-September to mid-October the deep throaty rutting calls (brame du cerf) ring out twice a day to ward off competitors. If this does not work, rivals parallel-walk before locking antlers to fight.

take care in woodland at this time of year as red deer are more aggressive than normal during the mating season. However, if you’re quiet, stick to trails and paths and keep your distance from any deer you see, you may be rewarded with an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of wild treats to tickle your taste buds throughout the autumn. Although the time for blackberry picking is over (folklore cautions against eating brambles after Michaelmas on 29 September because that’s when the devil spits on them them!), there are plenty of delicious walnuts, chestnuts and sloes to be found around now.

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Huge selection of herbaceous, annuals, fruit, shrubs, trees, climbers and roses (including David Austin). We o er competitive prices as well as our knowledge from more than 40 years in horticulture.

There’s something incredibly pleasing about walking along a path and feeling the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot. When you’re tapping into your senses, look out for different natural textures around you and take a few moments to hold them in your hands. It’s a good opportunity to explore the feel of different tree barks. For example, oaks (Quercus) will be rough and ridged whereas birches (Betula) will be smoother and more paper-like. Finally, the scent I look forward to most in the autumn months is the damp smell of rain on dry earth. It’s known as petrichor, which was coined by two Australian researchers in the

Other sensory experiences to look for this autumn

SEE: It’s hard not to be moved by the blazing, fiery sunsets at this time of year, especially in the wide-open skies of the region.

SMELL: Deeply inhaling crisp, invigorating air on a chilly autumn morning is a brilliant start to the day.

HEAR: The haunting call of grue cendrées (Grus grus) as they migrate from northern Europe to the warmth of Spain and North Africa for the winter is unmistakeable.

TASTE: Did you know you can make a highly nutritious and delicious flour from acorns? Look online for tutorials on how to process them.

TOUCH: Who can resist the cool, smooth feel of a conker pulled straight from its spiky casing?

1960s from the Greek word ‘petros’, meaning ‘stone’, and ‘ichor’, meaning ‘the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods’. The warm, comforting, earthy fragrance that’s produced when water hits dry ground is actually the scent of a molecule being made by bacteria in the soil and its elusive odour has been chased by perfume makers and scientists for decades.

Exploring the outdoors by consciously tapping into your senses opens up many wonderful experiences which it’s easy to miss in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Who knows what nature might have in store for you if you stop for a few moments to soak it all in?

HELP&MONEY

When is a Gift Taxable?

QI've read that monetary gifts between parents and children may be taxable. Is there a lower limit below which you do not need to declare them?

AThere are published tax thresholds for gifts which are set for a 15-year period. The current limit is €100,000 between each parent and each child with an additional €31,865 cash gift amount if the parent is less than 80 years old. If the donor dies during this period, the gift may be considered part of the estate and taxed. Similar limits are set for gifts between spouses, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, as well as aunts and uncles and their nephews and nieces. The details can for all be found on the government's website.

However, it is quite common to give a sum of money to your children, friends or family as an impromptu gift, a birthday present or at Christmas. In the light of the recent legislation, an ordinary gift, known as a présent d’usage would not be considered as taxable, providing that it does not impoverish the donor.

In a recent court case in France dated 11 May 2023, the court needed to consider the notion of a présent d'usage A woman died leaving her two children to inherit her estate. The deceased had granted one son, A, who in this case lived under the same roof as his mother, several bank transfers, cheques and cash remittances. Son A did not report the sums received to his mother's estate, probably believing that the transactions in question had the status of customary gifts.

www.francetaxlaw.com; tel: +44 (0)20 8115 7914; email: info@francetaxlaw.com

In light of this, son B took legal action, demanding that his brother A return the sums he had received to their mother's estate, and that, furthermore, he be recognized as having received stolen inheritance.

The judges rejected son B's claim, limiting their examination of the facts to the question of whether the sums in dispute were compatible with the financial capacities of the beneficiary. Thus, the judges considered that the deceased had made "these payments as customary gifts,

since she lived with her son, who was responsible for her daily upkeep".

However, this decision was appealed and the Court of Appeal logically pointed out that the original judgment had failed to provide a legal basis for its decision by neglecting to determine the actual events on which the deceased had made said gifts to son A.

Both courts agreed that one thing is certain: a présent d'usage must not lead to the impoverishment of the grantor to avoid any risk of it being reclassified as a gift.

What is a Risk Profile?

QAfter my last annual review with my financial adviser, they spoke about my risk profile, and I did not really understand the jargon used. Could you explain what a risk profile is and why it is important?

AUnderstanding your risk profile is crucial for ensuring that your investments align with your comfort level. Your risk profile assesses how willing and able you are to take on financial risk.

1. ASSESS YOUR RISK TOLERANCE

Evaluate how comfortable you

are with the possibility of losing money in your investments. Consider your financial goals, how long you can invest, and your personal situation to determine your risk tolerance.

2. DEFINE YOUR INVESTMENT GOALS

Clearly state your short-term and long-term investment objectives. This will help you choose the right investment strategy that matches your risk profile.

3. DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO

Spread your investments across several types of assets and locations. Diversification

reduces the impact of any single investment's performance on your overall portfolio.

4. CONSIDER YOUR INVESTMENT HORIZON

Think about how long you plan to hold your investments. Longer investment horizons allow for a higher tolerance for risk.

5. REGULARLY REVIEW AND ADJUST

Periodically review your investment portfolio to ensure it matches your risk profile and goals. Adjust as needed based on changes in your circumstances.

To register for their newsletter, attend a roadshow event or speak directly to Amanda, call or email her. There is no charge for their financial planning reviews, reports or recommendations.

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Wine Documentaries

Have you wondered what it is like to be immersed in the world of wine? Caro Feely recommends several documentaries which will give you an insight...

As we head into cooler temperatures, the idea of cosying up with a glass of your favourite wine and an entertaining wine documentary takes on a special allure. While I joke that this is the wine geek selection, all wine lovers will appreciate these films.

Mondovino (2004)

Despite being made nearly 20 years ago, ‘Mondovino’ by Jonathan Nossiter (below) continues to offer insight into the globalisation of wine. It explores the contrasts between the big Bordeaux vineyards and the small, family-run Burgundy vineyards, the newly minted billionaires in Napa Valley and the ancient Italian wine dynasties in Florence. It features

icons of the world of wine like Robert Mondavi who died in 2008.

Natural Resistance (2014)

A decade later, Jonathan Nossiter released ‘Natural Resistance’, this time exploring natural wine in Italy. Both lovers of Italy and natural wine will enjoy this documentary.

Somm (2012)

‘Somm’ follows four candidates preparing for the exam that leads to the coveted Master Sommelier qualification. Sommeliers are wine specialists who work in restaurants, offering advice on the best wine to pair with the food. They are often responsible for creating the restaurant’s wine list, a task which requires a deep wine knowledge. The film is intense and shows how much study and dedication is needed to become a Master Sommelier.

Viewers are transported across continents, countries and wine regions and it soon becomes clear that no matter how much you study, there will always be something more to learn about wine.

The same filmmakers created ‘Somm: Into the Bottle’ in 2015, an exploration of ten different bottles to better understand what makes a wine, and then ‘Somm 3’ in 2018 which delves into the world of blind tastings.

Drops of Gods (2023)

While not strictly a documentary ‘Drops of Gods’ is based on the manga series ‘Les Gouttes des Dieux’ which features many famous wines, regions, and tastings. While the story is fictional, the wines and wine regions explored are real.

In the original manga, a famous œnologist’s estranged son has to compete against the œnologist’s apprentice to win the inheritance of his exceptional wine collection (valued at over 100 million dollars). In the television series the son is transformed into a daughter, but it follows the story as she competes against his male apprentice for the world’s greatest wine collection left by her estranged

father. I loved the mangas and am looking forward to watching this series this winter.

A Year in Burgundy (2013)

The film follows seven wine-making families in Burgundy for a year. It explores the cultural and creative processes of making wine, and its strong connection to the land. The film is in four season-sections. Each vintage is the bottled history of a specific year,

with its weather, its crises, dramas, and triumphs. Winegrowers experience the seasons intensely, as you will know if you have read my books about our vineyard in Saussignac, near Bergerac. The same writer created ‘A year in Champagne’ in a similar vein a year later. They make a great combination to understand two of the most revered wine regions in France.

Red Obsession (2013)

‘Red Obsession’ is a documentary, narrated by Russell Crowe, that charts red wine across the globe from Bordeaux to China. A core part of the story is the massive appetite for the great Châteaux of Bordeaux, that havebecome a status symbol in China. This demand has dropped off significantly since the film was made.

Autumn and winter offer a great opportunity to explore the wine regions via films and documentaries but also via wine shows and visiting vineyards when they are not as busy with high season visitors. If you are

Château Feely vineyard shares or gift certificates for courses and tours make great presents for wine lovers (both can be purchased online or via email). You can also purchase Feely organic, biodynamic and no-sulfiteadded wines online. Read the full story of the creation of the Feely organic biodynamic vineyard in Caro’s book series. See www.chateaufeely.com.

planning to be here this winter, look out for the list of wine shows you can attend across France which will be published in October on frenchwineadventures.com.

Grab a coffee, it’s time for your grey cells to get to work solving our latest crossword set by Mike Morris. If you need a helping hand, take a peek at page 47.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Overwhelming amount of anger, evidently in the pub? (7)

5. Crop limits of subtotal to safeguard savings. (5)

8. Calling for Panini cheese filling. (5)

9. No problem with letters on the radio? (7)

10. In gear, starting engine, could be a way to fly? (4)

11. Isolate composition of rat genes. (8)

14. Took part in children’s test? (3)

16. Coach or several coaches? (5)

17. Lose this and you will not be happy! (3)

19. Chaotic company finally driven and put together. (8)

20. Space originally accessible

round Earth’s atmosphere. (4)

23. Pull up in Scottish mountain enclosure. (7)

25. A way to get off when bail is reset for first person. (5)

26. Check it is replacing filler of pens for poet. (5)

27. Zap tree construction for swing. (7)

CLUES DOWN

1. Dead certs to be financiers? (7)

2. Has a great time seeing the Stones? (5)

3. It’s oddly mean to say “so be it”. (4)

4. ‘Ear about a certain period? (3)

5. Raps about scene of boxing repeatedly? (8)

6. Flier article on Roman road leading to 14A? (7)

7. Coffee, not tea, getting hot on the workbench? (5)

12. Intense gaze at the set of risers, we hear? (5)

13. Caught out with street replacement making a tart from savoury cake. (8)

15. Granted, changing sides and fiddling, got in a mess. (7)

18. Rock old relation with drug for sex. (6)

19. Legless creature responsible for crashing bar. (5)

21. Wage increase for article written in high ground? (5)

22. Celebration finally getting arena full on 1st of April. (4)

24. Catch ten, but put them back. (3)

Our potagers and orchards seemed to have gone into overdrive this year, filling our freezers, so Nikki shares some of her favourite recipes to make delicious preserves and jams.

Nikki Legon's cuisine

Gooseberry Chutney

This chutney goes very well with smoked fish and fresh mackerel

450g onions, chopped finely 1kg gooseberries, washed, topped and tailed

300ml malt vinegar

450g brown sugar

100g sultanas

1 tbsp fine salt

1 tbsp ground ginger

1 tsp cayenne pepper

METHOD

Place all the ingredients into a large heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved.

Bring to a slow simmer and cook for up to 2 hours or until thickened. Pour into sterilised jars, seal with vinegar proof lid.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Sterilising Jars

Hot preserves should be placed in hot, sterile jars, so start preparing about 20 minutes before the preserve is ready. Wash the jars in hot, soapy water, then rinse well and dry in an oven preheated to 140°C.

Peach Marmalade

Lovely on ice cream or as a filling for a sponge cake

4 small or 2 large oranges, peeled with pith removed, flesh and zest chopped fine or chunky

800g granulated sugar

2.6kg peaches, peeled, stoned and chopped

2 lemons, juiced

METHOD

In a large heavy-based saucepan, cook the orange zest and flesh with 400g of sugar and 230ml of water until they are soft. Add the peaches with the rest of the sugar and the lemon juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. If tart, add more sugar. Bring to the boil and boil for about 15 minutes or until the setting point is reached.

Remove any scum and pour immediately into sterilised jars.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Cherry Jam

Delicious served on pancakes or with baked Camembert

2kg cherries, pitted and roughly chopped

1.2kg sugar with added pectin

2 lemons, juiced

METHOD

Put two saucers in the freezer to test the jam on later.

Add the cherries, lemon juice and sugar into a heavy-based saucepan. Simmer, uncovered, on a medium heat for 35-40 minutes, stirring frequently until thick and glossy. To check if it has cooked enough, place a teaspoon of jam onto the cold saucer, leave for 1 minute, then press your fingertip into the jam. If it starts to wrinkle it’s ready, but if it slides about continue to cook a further 10 minutes. Test again on the second saucer. Spoon the jam into sterilised jars, clean and seal.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Plum and Apple Chutney

Great with boiled ham

2kg of plums, pitted and chopped

4 Granny Smith apples

1kg of onions, finely chopped

6 garlic cloves, crushed thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

800ml of red wine vinegar

1kg of brown sugar

2 tsp dried chilli flakes

2 tsp Chinese five spice

1 tsp salt

METHOD

Place all the ingredients in a large heavy-based saucepan. Heat the contents slowly until boiling point is reached. Turn the heat down to a slow simmer. Cook for 2 hours, checking regularly and stirring occasionally. Stir more regularly towards the end of the cooking time to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom. Once you are happy it has reached the desired thickness pour into sterilised jars, seal with vinegarproof lids and label.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Tomato and Celery Chutney

The perfect accompaniment to your cheese platter

1kg of finely chopped onions

2 large heads of celery, trimmed and chopped finely

1l malt vinegar

2kg ripe tomatoes

1kg Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

4 tsp salt

1 tsp cayenne pepper

800g light brown sugar

500g sultanas, roughly chopped

100g whole pickling spices, tied in muslin, or make your own:

2 tbsp black peppercorns

2 tbsp mustard seeds

2 tbsp coriander seeds

2 tbsp dill seeds

1 tbsp all spice berries

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

12 dried bay leaves, crumbled

Add the pickling spice ingredients to a small airtight jar until needed

METHOD

Place the onions, celery, half the vinegar and the spice bag to a large heavy-based saucepan. Bring to the boil slowly, stirring

frequently and reduce to a simmer. Continue to cook slowly for 2 hours or until the chutney is thick with no liquid left on the surface. Stir from time to time to prevent sticking. Remove the bag of spices and spoon into sterilised jars, seal with a vinegar-proof lid and leave for 2 to 3 weeks before using.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 9 months.

Beetroot and Ginger Chutney

A tangy chutney to serve with cold roast meats or as a topping for pork pies

3kg beetroot, cooked, peeled, and chopped

500g finely chopped onions

2l red wine vinegar

1kg Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped

500g seedless raisins, chopped

500g dates, pitted and chopped

6 tbsp ground ginger

1 tsp fine salt

2kg granulated sugar

METHOD

Place the onions into a heavy based saucepan with a little vinegar and cook for a few minutes to soften.

Add the apples, raisins and dates and continue to cook until pulpy. Add the beetroot, ginger, salt and half the remaining vinegar. Simmer gently until thick. Stir in the sugar and remaining vinegar, and continue cooking until the mixture is thick again. Place into sterilised jars, seal with vinegar-proof lids and label.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

Red Onion Marmalade

I love this on bruschetta with grilled goats cheese or filling my beef burger with it until it’s overflowing.

4 tbsp salted butter

4 tbsp light olive oil

1kg of red onions, thinly sliced

12 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tsp salt

2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp red pepper flakes

220g of brown sugar

500ml of apple juice

120ml red wine vinegar

METHOD

Heat the butter and oil in a pan over a medium heat. Once melted, add the onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring all the time. Add salt, pepper, red chilli flakes, and brown sugar. Mix well and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and cook for 30 minutes, stirring a few times while it is cooking. Add the apple juice and red wine vinegar, stir to combine. Cover the pan again and cook for another 30 minutes on a low heat, stirring a few times to stop it sticking.

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Remove the lid and turn up to a high heat for 4 minutes or until the liquid is reduced. Do not overcook or the marmalade will be dry; it will thicken as it cools down.

Remove the pan from the hob and let it cool down to room temperature. Place into sterilised jars and seal with a vinegar-proof lid.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Cranberry Chutney

Get ahead for Christmasthis is ideal for gifting or enjoying yourself!

50g unsalted butter

700g onions, finely chopped

1kg Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped

2 tsp ground mixed spice

700g fresh or frozen cranberries

1kg light brown sugar

900ml white malt vinegar

METHOD

Melt the butter in a large heavy-based saucepan. Add the onions, apples and mixed spice and cook for about 20 minutes until the onions are soft. Add the cranberries and sugar, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the vinegar and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally.

Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 hours until the chutney is reduced to a thick, pulpy consistency. Place into sterilised jars, seal with vinegar-proof lids and label.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Nikki Legon is the chef and owner of the Hotel Restaurant Karina in Les Métairies, just outside Jarnac in Charente, which has been transformed from an old cognac distillery into a luxury 10-bedroom hotel and restaurant. For more information: www.hotelkarina.net

Caramelised Balsamic Onion and Fig Chutney

Delicious with cheese, ideal for a ploughman's lunch

4 tbsp olive oil

4 large red onions, finely sliced

250ml balsamic vinegar

200ml red wine vinegar

500g brown sugar

4 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and grated

2 lemons juiced and zested

2 tsp ground mixed spice

2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 cinnamon sticks

½ tsp black pepper

2kg fresh figs, cut into chunks

METHOD

In a heavy-based saucepan gently heat the olive oil and add the onions.

Cook, stirring, for around 10 minutes until softened. Add in the remaining ingredients apart from the figs.

Bring to the boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Leave for 30 minutes until the chutney turns syrupy.

Add the figs to the mixture and stir well. Cook for a further 30 minutes when the figs should be pulpy.

Place into sterilised jars, seal with vinegar-proof lids and label.

STORAGE: Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Andrew Portsmouth Sue Lake Nathalie

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CHANGING PLACES

Every now and then you’ll chance upon the kind of place that whoever coined the expression ‘la France profonde’ must have had in mind. The Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin is such a place, and set among its fragile, protected landscapes is the commune of Saint-Mathieu: population 1080.

The town’s oldest surviving structure is the Église Saint-Mathieu, built in Romanesque style during the 12th century and enlarged around 1486 by the Vigier family. Their coat of arms still adorns the flamboyant Gothic portal added to the western façade below an early example of a wheel window (ancestor of the lighter, more complex rose window). Unlike the surrounding buildings, the façade was constructed in precisely cut granite blocks, with massive buttresses to support the striking octagonal clocher (belltower) poised above.

Today all trace of the Vigier family’s 14th century fortified château which once stood behind the church has vanished, having been largely dismantled after the Révolution. A single tower was somehow spared until 1927, when it too was demolished. There’s conspicuous elegance,

though, in much of the surrounding architecture, whose scale and proportions suggest that Saint-Mathieu must once have been a town of prosperity and influence. Sure enough, with extensive chestnut forests for charcoal and significant iron ore deposits virtually on its doorstep, the town was well-placed to supply a steady demand for the chain mail which had been adopted by military forces during the early middle ages. The downside was that for centuries rural communities would have endured smoke and fumes from blast furnaces, and the heavy metallic clang of drop hammers powered (like the giant forge bellows) by waterwheels sited on the banks of rivers like the Tardoire.

When demand eventually declined (and coal from elsewhere provided a more efficient fuel than charcoal) the local mills responded by producing other forged items. The mills survived until the late 1930s, as would annual September markets selling locally produced haricot-blanc beans, known as ‘mongetas’, to traders from Charente and Dordogne.

In recent years, however, the local economy has benefited from the upsurge in back-to-nature tourism. Popular with

We visit a peaceful spot in Haute-Vienne beside the Dordogne border

families and walkers, for example, is the 14 hectare Lac de Saint-Mathieu, set among 22 hectares of landscaped parkland east of the town, with water sports, gîtes, a campsite, a restaurant and 130km of marked footpaths. Meanwhile, in the opposite direction, the 15/16th century Château Rocher, now offers a fairytale setting for weddings and special events.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

DISTANCES/DRIVE-TIMES BY ROAD FROM 87440 SAINT-MATHIEU

Massignac: 14 km/14 min

Rochechouart: 17 km/16 min

Montbron: 24 km/25 min

Saint-Junien: 28 km/29 min

Limoges: 51 km/53 min

Angoulême: 58 km/58 min

Périgueux: 70 km/1hr 14 min

Bordeaux: 176 km/2hr 16 min

TGV & TER RAIL & BUS SERVICES:

Saint-Junien’s Gare SNCF is served by TER

Nouvelle-Aquitaine Ligne Régionale 18 services between Saillat-Chassenon (with TER bus link to Angoulème) & Limoges, for connections (including TGV) to Brive-laGaillarde, Niort, Poitiers, Bordeaux, Royan, Paris, etc.

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Turning Autumn Golden

As the evenings begin to draw in, the weather begins to cool and coats once again become a must-wear item, it’s common to feel a little bit blue. The loss of light, the return to school and work, the end to summer can sap energy and leave us feeling depleted.

But instead of mourning the loss of summer, why not turn things around by celebrating this beautiful season? We look at great ways to make the most of autumn and keep yourself smiling.

Celebrate in Style

While harvest festival in the UK may be more associated with giving tinned food from the back of the cupboard to your local church collection, in France the freshly harvested foods are celebrated in style.

Several festivals and celebrations are held at this time of year in different regions of the country, marking everything from the apple or grape harvest to the Beaujolais Nouveau –celebrating the first Beaujolais made from this year’s crop.

Check out your commune’s website

or local flyers to see what celebrations are happening in your area – or, if you can’t find one to suit – why not have your own celebration with friends and raise a glass of wine or apple juice to see in the autumn?

Halloween and All-Saints

While France might not go all-in for Halloween, you will find some shops

pulling out the stops with decorations, and other small towns and villages holding small events for local children. However, Toussaint (All-Saints’ Day) on 1 November is a jour férié and is marked by families coming together, often visiting graves of deceased relatives and decorating them with heather, chrysanthemums or wreaths. It’s seen as a time for family to gather and remember loved ones.

While many of us may be far from all but immediate family, why not use Toussaint as a time to connect with relatives, giving your elderly aunt a longoverdue phone call, or coming together as a household for a family meal.

Fireworks Night

‘Remember, remember, the fifth of November’ is a celebration of a foiled plot to blow up London’s parliament, it’s not commonly celebrated in France. However, some British folk do decide to hold their own firework night with friends. If you miss the festivities back home and want to have your own ‘bonfire night’ event, make sure you

Summer may be over but there are plenty of things to look forward to as Gillian Harvey discovers

check with your local Mairie first. If permission is given, fireworks can be bought year-round from various stores. If fireworks prove a no-no, why not simply have a winter bonfire in the back garden and invite friends of all nationalities over to roast potatoes and marshmallows and learn a little about the much-maligned Guy Fawkes.

Thanksgiving

While we’re considering celebrations from elsewhere that can bring cheer at this time of year, Thanksgiving arrives on 23 November. If you or your friends herald from over the Atlantic this offers another opportunity to share different cultures and celebrate together.

Embrace the Season

While the shortening days and changes in weather might not be welcome to everyone, most of us can appreciate the

riot of colour that comes our way in autumn. In order to really appreciate the beauty of this time of year, why not capture some colourful views with your camera, and share online with friends. Taking photographs can be a mindful experience, helping you to centre yourself and really appreciate the beauty all around.

If you’re not a fan of photography, why not go for autumn walks to trudge through the crunchy leaves, picking up beautiful examples to scrap book or create art-work with your finds.

Join the Club

Many clubs and associations start anew each September in France, but even if you’ve missed the first few weeks, it’s not too late to join in. Gathering together and making new friends, or trying your hand at a new sport or craft can help to lift spirits and give

you something to work on over the winter months. Ask at your local Mairie for details of clubs and associations to see whether there’s one that tickles your fancy.

Crack out the Crockpot

After months of barbecues and summer salads, the cooler weather can mean a change in menu. Autumn soups made with freshly sourced vegetables can take the edge of the colder days, as well as make the most of seasonal veg grown locally to top up your vitamin levels. Why not invest in a slowcooker and let it do the hard work for you, and enjoy hot, autumn soup with your lunchtime baguette?

Forage

Finally, have you tried your hand at foraging? France is famed for its mushroom foraging and autumn’s a great time to give this a go. Pop your wellies on and take a walk in local mushroom hot-spots. But be warned, not all mushrooms are fit for consumption – most pharmacies will double-check your finds to make sure they’re safe to eat, and it’s better safe than sorry.

While autumn can be a melancholy time for some, when summer guests have departed and the weather cools, celebrating the season can help us to look at it in a whole new light.

Gardening in Autumn

Now summer is behind us, what should we be doing in our gardens before the door to the potting shed is shut for winter?

Autumn is here and it is time to tidy up the garden, sweep up leaves and dig over bare ground. October is a great harvesting month when a wide variety of fruits, nuts and vegetables will grace our tables.

When rain rules out working in the garden, it’s time to plan your year ahead and peruse seed catalogues and websites. But, when the days are dry, there are still plenty of jobs to be getting on with before winter sets in.

Vegetables

�� It is pumpkin and winter squash time and runner beans, main crop potatoes, carrots and beetroot can be harvested. Early Brussels sprouts could be ready and you may be cutting winter cabbages, cauliflowers and leeks. Finish

picking tomatoes and beans but leave parsnips in the ground as they taste sweeter after a frost.

�� Winter lettuce such as laitue Merveille d’ hiver, Grosse Blonde and the lovely red-tinged Brune d’hiver can be sown directly into the ground until the end of October for harvesting in the spring.

�� Lamb’s lettuce, mâche, a very popular salad leaf here in France, is hardy and can be sown for cropping throughout autumn and winter.

�� Sow broad bean, or fève, d’Aguadulce directly into the ground from mid-October to mid-December in south west France for an early crop next year. It is sown throughout France from February to March.

�� Peas can be sown now for a June crop. Look for winter hardy roundseeded varieties such as pois nain ‘Douce Provence’, pois nain ‘Petit Provençal’ and pois nain ‘Utrillo’.

�� Put new rhubarb sets in, and it is also the time to divide and replant existing rhubarb crowns.

�� Clear crop remains and put them on the compost heap. Wrap up compost bins with old carpet or blankets to retain warmth so that they will remain active over winter.

Flowers

�� Tidy up in your borders and keep weeding, but resist the temptation of a thorough spring clean. If you don’t want to collect them for seeds, leave

seed heads for the birds - they also look attractive on a frosty morning. Cut back herbaceous perennials that have died down, but leave some for wildlife. Ladybirds especially will appreciate winter quarters and will repay you later by devouring aphids. Also, don’t cut them back too far – leave some foliage as natural protection for the plant from winter elements. Now is also the time to divide herbaceous perennials and to plant new perennials and biennials.

�� Hardy annuals such as cornflowers, poppies, poached egg plant and larkspur can be sown in October so that they will flower earlier next year. Wallflowers and forget-me-nots can also be sown.

�� Tulip bulbs can be planted in November to provide a display next spring, and winter bedding can be situated to provide a more immediate show in your borders.

�� Prune roses reducing stems by about a third to half of their height to prevent wind-rock. It’s also the time to prune climbing roses.

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14, rue de l’hôtel de ville, 17400 Saint-Jean d’Angély Beside the market square. Phone: 09-83-72-34-90

Boucherie Calluaud

Personalised quality treatments with Alicia of

Hair Removal with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) similar to laser for long-lasting hair reduction

Waxing hair removal - Hot wax and Strip

Manicures and Pedicures inc Gel Polish

Lash and brows tint and enhancement

Radiofrequency skin tightening facials

Treaments for veins and pigments

Microdermabrasion Facials

Hydro facial with LED light

Traditional Facials

A half hectare fenced eld with dog play platforms, picnic benches, wet weather viewing cabin, changing rooms, bubble entry… and more! 4 play sessions per week. Behaviour, agility & hoopers training. We are a super friendly canine community.

Suaux 16260

www.caniparc16.com

Caniparc16

Located in the village centre of Chatain, between Ru ec and Confolens, just south of Civray

The property is the old Boulangerie and is situated to the left of the church

Hello, my name is Isabelle Want. For the past 9 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager. Being married to an Englishman and having lived in the UK for 8 years gives me a better insight into what British people are experiencing and what they need. Being French and born in the Charente has enabled me to offer some answers. I am, as always, available for any free advice on the following subjects:

- INHERITANCE LAW - who inherits, how much are death duties, what solutions exist

- TAXES - everybody’s fear! Annual tax forms in May, etc.

- INVESTMENTS - what is available, what rate, etc.

- LIFE INSURANCE - how to protect your loved ones

- FUNERAL COVER - preparing for the inevitable, unfortunately!

- TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE - why you need it and how much it is

- INSURANCES - get a free quote to see if you can save money

We also have a dedicated bilingual person to deal with claims. And, finally, we have an English website with all sorts of useful information and tips on all of the above subjects.

INDEPENDENT BROKERS

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MEDICAL insurance: top up and for Residency Permits

For information and quotes contact Penny pennym.gsar@orange.fr

G.S.A.R. 05 53 40 15 71

Orias: 07007057

English Speaking Ask for Corinne

For all your insurance needs in France

Special discount for new owners - 50% o the rst year

Fully comprehensive covers at competitive prices and all explained in ENGLISH. We respond quickly to enquiries and in the case of accidents or claims, we are here to help.

O ces at Champdeniers and St Pardoux (79). Come and visit us.

Agence Michallon

Tel: 05.49.25.87.06

Corinne.michallon@mutpoitiers.fr

There’s really only one way to choose a carpet - that’s to see it and touch it! - the way it feels plays a very important part when you’re selecting what suits you. While we still make free home visits (over 200 during 2022) with plenty of samples, you can come to our showroom and see the thousands of options we offer, whether you’re looking for carpets, vinyl, LVT ...... or anything flooring! As we go into Spring, why not come and see us at our showroom in Treignac (19260)there’s a couple of decent restaurants nearby or at the very least come in and have a coffee with us!

Obviously things have changed over the past few years and since Brexit we source a large part of our ranges directly from European manufacturers, which negates

any import or customs duties. In fact many Belgian companies, for example, send half their manufacturing output to the UK so they are the type and style we are used to seeing. This doesn’t mean we don’t still import from the UK - some of the best carpets in the world are manufactured in Britain, especially good quality wool materials - and we still have direct accounts with many of the more important UK suppliers.

So, we can offer the best that both the UK and European manufacturers offer with a huge range of samples here for you to see and feel!

As we are a small family business, please let us know if you are making a special journey to see us - we’d hate to miss you!

Enershop – renewable energy heating systems for your property

Enershop have been installing renewable energy systems in France since 2008. Each system designed and installed is specifically for your needs, whether your property is a new

build, extension or a renovation, whether it is a cottage, chalet or château - the flexibility of our systems means there is a solution for all. We offer a free devis, with no obligation and no hard sell. Now is the time to consider a renewable heating system. There are reduced rates of TVA available and significant incentives for systems installed by Enershop as we

hold the QualiSol and QualiBois accreditation. Our website www.enershop.eu has lots of information on our services which include :

• Solar thermal domestic hot water

• Wood gasification boilers

• Wood / Pellet boiler stoves

• Pellet boilers

• Accumulation tanks

• Air source heat pumps

• Central and underfloor heating systems

• Swimming pool / hot tub heating

Tel: 07 67 04 07 53 Email: info@enershop.eu Website: www.enershop.eu Enershop

Architect & Interior Designer ShinYeon Kang: Architect DE (B.ARCH,MA)

0619213608 racine16700@gmail.com

Louis Pacault: Architect DPLG & Conservation

N°072543

Over

All areas covered

House survey, historical building, renovation, interior design, New building, extension

WINDOWS

Over 20 years’ trade experience in both the UK & France with a dedicated British team, here to help your dream project become a reality

Aluminium,

(ROOFING SERVICES)

A1SL COUVERTURE is a new French based company serving dept. 79, 86, 16, 17, 87, 85, 24 & 33 with well-established roofing experience previously based in the UK. We pride ourselves on top quality workmanship and excellent customer service. We have built a solid reputation over 25 years in the UK and receive most of our work from customer recommendations.

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Plasterboarding Tiling Satellite dishes and Systems for the reception of UK and French TV No Job too Small Dept. 16,17 05 46 49 78 30 / 06 70 40 66 01 website:

Pard on?

One thing I love about language is finding words with multiple meanings, or meanings that have shifted over time. I also love words that we use in one language, thinking they mean exactly the same in the language we’ve taken them from, only to realise they don’t exist.

One of my favourite faux-Frenchisms has to be double entendre. We Anglophones happily use a ‘double entendre’ complete with faux-French accent to mean a word or phrase with a double meaning, particularly one that’s rather saucy in nature. In French, we’d probably say à double sens, not un double entendre.

Smutty innuendo aside, plenty of words in French and English are polysemic, having more than one meaning. In fact, they’ve been the mainstay of my articles over the last twelve years or so. I remember the first article I wrote, enjoying the way early online translations had transcribed une fraise as ‘a strawberry’ when I was looking at machinery. High school French definitely hadn’t taught me that la fraise could also be a drillbit in dentistry, a reamer, a tiller or rotavator blade, a milling cutter or even the ruff on an Elizabethan outfit. I’m not sure online translators have improved in that time!

Worse still, despite being English, I had no idea that ‘fraise’ is also used in English for many of those things. Who knew! In English, fraise can even mean a type of spiky palisade that I’ve seen a half-dozen times in zombie movies and war films, which the French call un cheval-de-frise. I’m guessing the cheval is the bit all the frises are attached to, which phrase we Anglophones just took as is and didn’t even bother coming up with a translation for. In fact, we see

these still at work on the tops of walls, into which wary factory or property owners might have set glass or spikes to stop trespassers or birds.

I think I’ve learned as much English as I’ve learned French in the last twelve years. I’ve never really had the occasion to use ‘fraise’ in English in that way, even though I know exactly what it means. I guess if pushed, I’d say: “oh, you know, one of those big spiky cross-shaped things that they use to stop troops advancing… you know…. sometimes wrapped in barbed wire.” Wikipedia kindly put me out of my misery with a clear definition: a static anti-cavalry obstacle often used to close breaches.

But why might a military historian in English call it a ‘fraise’ when the French say ‘frise’? Is it just another version of ‘double-entendre’ where whoever was responsible for bringing the word into English misheard what the French said? Worse still, I can see sensible reasons for why we might have called it ‘a fraise’ in English, because those spiky palisades really do look a little like a rotavator blade. I can quite understand that une fraise might generally mean some roughly circular shape with blades attached to it so it would have made sense if the French for a ‘fraise’ in English would be. But the French got

Is it time that you improved your French?

The joy of double entendres with language expert

it right with a cheval-de-frise meaning some kind of portable spiky palisade named after Friesland, and some English speaker somewhere heard ‘fraise’ instead of ‘frise’. Dutch troops had used them against Spanish forces, apparently. I think we can be forgiven for thinking that learning another language is complicated when there are so many terms in our own tongue that only a specialist would know. But our English fraise is probably just another misheard French word that has now become part of English… no wonder we’re all confused!

That’s not to say there aren’t other meanings for la fraise… the wattle on a turkey for instance. If you ramener ta fraise or bring back your strawberry, it means you get your two cents’ worth or stick your oar in - giving your opinion unsolicited.

And, if you want the cherry on the cake, if you’re offered fraise de veau, it’s the part of a cow around the intestines known in English as the mesentery, not a cow strawberry. One final very fun fact for you: the ruff worn by historical figures may well be known as a ‘fraise’ because it resembles the fraise de veau. This is why I love languages. You start at school certain that a word means one thing, and that alone. Then, you start learning more and you realise that it’s perhaps more complicated than you thought. When you really start exploring, that’s when you realise that there aren’t just one or two meanings, but many more. Now you really know your strawberries!

Emmaisajack-of-all-language-trades, writingEnglishtextbooks,translating, markingexamscriptsandteaching languages.Seeenglish-tuition.weebly.com

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EXCLUSIVE

HAUTE-VIENNE €345,000

REF: BVI69858 Stunning country house in idyllic location with gîte potential

Energy class : E Climate class : B

Fees: paid by the vendor

EXCLUSIVE

CHARENTE €299,600 HAI

REF: BVI71034 Beautiful 3-bed longère with 1.4 hectares of garden and woodland

Energy class : D Climate class : B

Fees: 7% paid by the buyer Net price: €280,000

EXCLUSIVE

CHARENTE €235,400 HAI

REF: BVI71019 Charming 4-bed, 2-bath town property with panoramic views

Energy class : D Climate class : E

Fees: 7% paid by the buyer Net price: €220,000

DORDOGNE €350,000

REF: BVI66083 Charming farmhouse with spacious gîte and pool close to Verteillac

Energy class : G Climate class : C

Fees: paid by the vendor

VIENNE €575,950

REF: BVI65731 Beautiful logis with 3-bed gîte, pool and 3 hectares of land

Energy class : F Climate class : D

Fees: paid by the vendor

EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE

DEUX-SEVRES €172,800 HAI

REF: BVI70297 Pretty country home with large garden walking distance to amenities

Energy class : D Climate class : B

Fees: 8% paid by the buyer Net price: €160,000

VIENNE €79,500

REF: BVI70004 3-bed renovation project to finish with courtyard and plunge pool

Energy / Climate class : Not applicable

Fees: paid by the vendor

VENDEE €599,000 HAI

REF: BVI69419 6-bed, 5-bath Maison de Maître with heated pool and large garden

Energy class : G Climate class : C

Fees: 6% paid by the buyer Net price: €565,095