NewsletterApril 2010

Burgundy Sunrise

This photo was taken in Southern Burgundy on a hill overlooking the hamlet of Charcuble. Charcuble is home to a chapel built in a day.

Cantonal Elections

The Cantonal Elections didn’t go well for President Nicolas Sarkozy’s ruling party, the UMP. But it wasn’t a complete rout; the losses could have been greater. The left ended up winning a few more departments to make their total 60 out of 100. But it’s difficult to decipher much from an election where 55% of the people didn’t vote.
The departments loses weren’t really the story. What was the story? The fact that the far right Front National (FN) seems to now be taking votes away from the UMP. Sarkozy was elected in 2007 largely because he was able to marginalize the FN. Now it’s almost the reverse with FN leader, Marine Le Pen, who has declared for next year’s Presidential election polling better than Sarkozy. In a number of recent polls Le Pen was second (and in one poll, Le Pen came in first) meaning that Sarkozy would be eliminated in the first round of voting. In French Presidential elections the top two vote getters make it to the second round, if none receive more than 50% in the first round.
These polls resulted in fighting in the UMP, something that hasn’t happened to the right in a while. Normally the left beats itself up in France. The left must be smiling and can only hope for a reverse repeat of 2002, when Marine Le Pen’s father Jean-Marie Le Pen knocked out its main candidate, Lionel Jospin. The resulting shockwaves echoed throughout the French political establishment. Jacques Chirac coasted to an easy second round win, receiving 82% of the vote.

Food Video

Here is a video of Beignets being prepared and cooked by my wife for Mardi Gras. From the dough being cut and fried to sugar being put on the Beignets.

Webinars

For anyone who missed the three webinars I did, each – France 101, French Real Estate 101 and Burgundy 101 has a page on my site and can be listened to.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

I was on the Amateur Traveler Podcast a few months ago talking about my summer vacation on the Island of Corsica. You can listen to the Podcast.

Renault Eurodrive

I am working with Renault Eurodrive. Renault Eurodrive is similar to a ‘buy back’ program where you buy a new car in France and then sell it back. Renault Eurodrive can be cheaper than regular car rental if you need a car for two weeks or longer. Renault Eurodrive is only open to Americans and others who don’t live in an EU country.

Taxes - Again

I work with two American accountants who can help you with your tax returns. They are Barron Harper from Barron's International Tax Service, able to help you with your American and French tax returns and IJ Zemelman, EA of Taxes for Expats LLP.
If you need to figure out your euro income in dollars, the 2010 yearly average euro/dollars was 0.755.

Taxes II

The Connexion newspaper is putting together a French tax guide for Americans living in France or needing to file a French tax return. This guide will be available starting in the middle of April.

Plug

American College of Sports Medicine a qualified health and fitness specialist that offers fitness breaks on the Ariege/Aude border (near the Pyrenees).

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Artémis en Provence: In the heart of Provence and the ochre that gives its name to the village of Roussillon, Artemis en Provence is an environmentally-friendly solar house with two self-catering rental units designed to also welcome visitors with physical and visual handicaps. The two apartments of 40m2 are entirely equipped.
Dine or have drinks on your shaded terrace. Contemplate the stars. Tinkle the ivories, jump on the trampoline. Guidebooks and maps suggest sites and trails. Four bikes are available for guests’ use. The enclosed swimming pool measures 12 by 5 meters. There is a floatation device for physically challenged guests. You may arrange for guide service as well as for meals to be delivered.
Apt with its Saturday market and Lacoste, where Pierre Cardin has succeeded to the Marquis de Sade, are fifteen minutes away, Avignon and La Roque d’Anthéron within an hour, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, and Marseille an hour and a half, making Artemis en Provence convenient for the summer festivals and for seasoned cyclists to ascend the Mt. Ventoux (1909 m.) Golf, horseback riding, acro-branch, observatory, and hot-air balloon ascension, pottery, and painting nearby. Gay friendly. Open year ‘round.

Domaine la Fontaine: B&B and cottages in the beautiful Charente-Maritime. Domaine la Fontaine is situated at the edge of the small village of Soubran in Southwest France. Domaine la Fontaine is in a peaceful area, with an impressive view over a large valley, where one can enjoy the things that make life worthwhile.
Five fully renovated rooms, each with individual bathroom (1 with bath), tasteful furnishings, in a charming 19th century Charentaise House. Cosy salon (TV, fireplace, piano etc.) for common use. Four comfortable and cosy gîtes (cottages).
For all guests there is a large garden, a heated swimming pool, parking and free WiFi.
A few times a week we offer dinner and you are more than welcome to join us. Dinner is of course accompanied by a good glass of wine. Domaine la Fontaine is in the Charente-Maritime department, a beautiful region with a wide range of activities (Atlantic coast, Bordeaux, famous wineries, nature, village markets, golf courses, etc).
We speak your language.
Come and see for yourself, it's worth a visit.

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