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NewsletterMay 2012

Visit to a Ferme Bressane

This photo is of a Poulet de Bresse on a Ferme Bressane - Bresse farm during an Easter visit. The Bresse region is best known for its chickens - Poulets de Bresse. Poulets de Bresse are raised free range on a diet of corn, flour and dry milk. They are considered to be the best chickens in France. The farm I visited, Earl du Moulin de Montjay, also raise Charollais Cattle. I took more photos and made a short video of my visit.

Breath Test

A new law goes into effect this July requiring all cars in France to be equipped with a breathalyzer test kit, including rental cars. Look for kit in your rental vehicle. If your rental car doesn't have a kit, don't worry. The law won't be enforced until November, when a €11 fine will be imposed on drivers without kits. Here's what a kit looks like.

France in May

Spend any time in France during May and there's one phrase you'll be sure to hear - faire le pont, literally to make a bridge. It means to make a long weekend out of a weekday holiday. This May has three holidays: May 1st - Labor Day, May 8th - Victory in WWII and May 17th – Ascension, that let the French 'faire le pont.'
May is also Lily of the Valley time in France.

Podcast

In my latest podcast I talk with Robyn Vogel, who lives in Isle sur la Sorgue, near Avignon. She and her husband own and operate a bakery. Robyn discusses the bakery business in France and the book Bringing Up Bebe.

Election

As expected François Hollande (Political Platform) and Nicolas Sarkozy (Political Platform) finished 1-2 in the first round of the 2012 French Presidential Election. Hollande received 28.6% and Nicolas Sarkozy 27.2%. Full results. The big surprise was the 17.9% that Marine Le Pen (Political Platform) received. Le Pen ended up getting a better percentage of the vote than her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2002, when he received 16.8% and made it to the second round.
Le Pen is the leader of the far right National Front, Jean-Marie Le Pen is the founder. The National Front is law and order, anti-emigrant, France for the French. The party does live up to its far right classification in most ways. But to illustrate how different politics is in France, compared to the US: Le Pen ran on an anti-globalization (and anti EU) platform. The platform included support of the 35 work week, retirement at 60 and an active government, restricted for only French citizens of course. Some of her biggest support came from the countryside, which has suffer a loss of public services ( post offices and hospitals) in recent years.
The National Front also has strong working class support. A group that once voted regularly for the French Communist Party. The Communist Party backed candidate, Jean-Luc Mélenchon (Political Platform)came in at 11.1%. Mélenchon had hoped to come in third, above Le Pen. Nevertheless Melenchon had the highest score for a Communist Party backed candidate in 30 years.
You can vote too! I'm conducting an informal poll until May 6th at 8pm, when polls close in France. Vote here.

Election II

Presidential elections in France are very much about personalities. This is something I never really understood until this year. Both Hollande and Sarkozy are an example of contrasts; on the one hand is the energetic and omnipresent Sarkozy and on the other the calm but uninspiring Hollande. Sarkozy started his campaign, his own advisers boasted by a nuclear strike of ideas, rallies and media attention. Hollande’s running a steady campaign, whose rhythm has largely remained the same over the last year.
Sarkozy's in your face style is great for a campaign but contrasts to the stately roll of French president. Sarkozy is of course being dragged down by the ongoing recession but also just as much by his style. When Sarkozy was a minister he seemed to be everywhere and used his omnipresence to his advantage: being elected president. He continued this as president but with much less success, if not harm.
Hollande was recently asked to give his 7 greatest sports moments. Most were what you would expect: Yannick Noah's French Open victory or the 1982 European championship. Another was Mohammed Ali's victory over George Foreman in 1974. Ali used the rope-a-dope strategy: letting Foreman hit him endlessly, tiring Foreman out. That's exactly what happened and Ali knocked Foreman out in the 8th round.
To a certain degree that's what Hollande has done with Nicolas Sarkozy. The idea hasn't been so much to tire Sarkozy out, as to let him punch away looking less and less presidential and more and more like a challenger that can't seem to find his footing. Polls suggest that Hollande will win the run off May 6th. In fact no poll has suggested a Sarkozy win in well over a year.

Mail Box

OutbackRiviera.com: Independent traveler's source for holiday villas, outdoor activities, cultural events, workshops in the "back country" of the French Riviera.
Kemtro: iOS app of the Paris metro. Interactive map of Paris and its subway, down to the location of the entrances and exits of each metro station.
A Year in Burgundy: A year in the life of seven wine makers in Burgundy. This film is coming summer 2012.
Voulez-vous Dîner.com: Connects visitors to France with host wanting to welcome them for a typical french dinner.

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Cote d'Azur Antibes: This beautiful apartment built in 1880 is 32 square meters or 220 sq.ft. and has been renovated with a full size bathroom, it is located in the old town district of Antibes. The apartment includes bedroom and living room with a sofa bed (sleep 3-4 people), air conditioning, cable TV, video, kitchen, large bathroom and three large closets, also the kitchen has double burner stove top, sink, under counter fridge/freezer, dishwasher, coffee maker, microwave, along with a washer/dryer.
The location is on the main street Rue de la Republique and Avenue du 24 Aout, within walking distance to stores, restaurants, beach, supermarket, antiques shops, restaurants, fine bakery, post office and main square. The 'Provençal Market' is just 3 minutes away and you can buy organic fresh fruit, farm products or eat a piece of the best French cheese produced locally with the best wines of the “Provence of France”. Other attractions: Picasso museum, Antibes theater, cinema, Cathedral, Juan les Pins, and beautiful beaches.
The nearest airport is in Nice 15 kilometers away (a bus from the Nice airport to Antibes cost only 8 euros), the train station is only 1 kilometer, and the nearest cities you also will enjoy visiting are Cannes, Nice, Montecarlo, Monaco and Biot, are less than an hour distance by b us from the apartment.

Hameau BASSINAUD: Relax in the Charente countryside in a family-friendly ambience. Charentaise stone cottages and rooms for rent in our tiny hamlet just outside Juignac. Old world charm with new, modern comforts - swimming pool, wi-fi, kitchenettes, etc. Two cottage apartments (each sleeps 3-4), or 3 B&B-style single/double rooms in our “main house.” Patios offer quiet views of the countryside. French-American hospitality, with informal French conversation classes by request.
Enjoy leisurely walks and bike rides, rolling hills and sunflowers. A few minutes by car, shop or stroll in nearbv Montmoreau-St.-Cybard, Chalais, Villebois-Lavalette, or (our favorite) beautiful Aubeterre sur Dronne, the home of a 12th c. subterranean monolith church. Savor fine wines at the source in Cognac, Bordeaux, and St.-Emilion, all within an hour’s drive.
We're 25 minutes south of Angoulême by car. (Get to Angoulême from Paris by TGV in 3 hours.) Bordeaux airport is a 75- minute drive. Driving directions on request.

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