living magazine april/may 2016

ProPerty ~ reciPes ~ gardening ~ nature ~ local news

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apRil | may 2016

April/May 2016

Spring is finally here so this issue is bursting with new features and great offers. When we ask what the largest challenge is for our readers living here in France, one thing always tops the list - the language! So, starting with this edition, as well as our popular page ‘Pardon!’, we are adding French to one of our main features so you can read it side-by-side with the English version. We have also teamed up with top online French course provider Frantastique to offer a whole month of FREE French lessons to every Living reader. Learn French daily with an e-mail, a story, and a personalized correction. The courses are humorous, practical and include a wide variety of accents. Importantly, they are for post-beginners over the age of 15 and so perfect for Living readers. I’ve tried them and love them! Finally, we’d like to warmly welcome TV presenter and chef Alan Coxon to our team as he explores our local specialities over the coming months. We’re looking forward to discovering the tastes of the region with him.

À bientôt!

55-63 Business DirectoryThe best services & suppliers across the region

64 Places to goaround the region

4SnippetsNews from around the region

17River Dance Explore the beautiful town of Amboise in both English and French!

21FREE French LessonsClaim your month of FREE French (or English) lessons courtesy of Living Magazine

22Almost an Island The peninsular location of Fouras-les-Bains gives it an away-from-it-all feel as Roger Moss finds out

28Star PerformersClassic cars in the spotlight that starred in post-war cinema

31Pardon!Our regular look at fun French expressions with Emma Lee

32Meadow LifeChris Luck discusses the role of wild flower meadows with Professor Dave Goulson

36Tastes of the Region TV presenter and international chef Alan Coxon joins the Living team to introducethe region’s delicacies

38Nikki Legon’s Cuisine Get ready for summer with these health boosting recipes

42Living Property Pages We visit Saint-Jean-d’Angély in Charente-Maritime

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28

36

47The Wheelbarrow Gardener Summer and autumn bulbs with Trevor Bridge

52Hook, Line and Sinker Ron Cousins prepares for the fishing season ahead

65UpbeatOur regular look at live music

66 Book Review with Sandie George

1722

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News from arouNd the regioN... chareNte

Rouillac

Ruffec

JarnacCognac

Barbezieux

Aubeterre-

sur-Dronne

ANGOULEME

CHARENTE

(16)

CONFOLENS

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French MaydayBuilding upon her many years of experi-ence developing and managing support teams in the UK, Angela Mison recent-ly opened French Mayday where her hand-picked bilingual team provide a professional, trusted and personalised assistance service. Should you need help or if you have a problem, Angela’s Mont-bron-based team can find you a timely solution. Currently they cover French lan-guage, bureaucracy, practicalities, looking after your home and social care, and addi-tional services can be added as required. But that’s not all, they don’t just solve problems, they also host social events

Plants galore Adding to the successful September event, a spring Fêtes des Plantes will be held in the Priory grounds at Marcillac Lanville near Aigre on Sunday, 3 April from 10am to 6pm. Entry costs 1€ for adults/children free. For information email [email protected]. This year, the Ruffecois floral exhibition tradi-tionally held over Whit weekend (13-15 May) has moved to the Abbaye at Saint-Amant-de-Boixe. Celebrating its 25th year, more than 100 exhibitors are expected to support the conferences and events.

Photo exhibitionsThe association ‘Emoi Photographique’ has organized its eponymous festival from 29 March to 30 April in Angoulême and its surrounding area, bringing together 30 photographers for an eclectic presentation on landscapes. As with each edition, there will be famous guests, Martin Becka and Yann Arthus Bertrand, some alternatives processes, African photography, a collaboration with lycée students, and above all, many surprises. The festival was created to defend the art of pho-

tography built around a subject, exhibitions which tell stories as well as to showcase little known photographers. This year’s theme, ‘Landscapes and stories of landscapes’, aims to explore our relationships with our environment. For information, contact Peggy Calvez-Allaire on 06 34 25 48 42; [email protected]; www.emoiphotographique.fr

Salon des Mètiers d’artThe historic Abbaye at Nanteuil-en-Vallée will once more be the setting for the 20th art exhibition hosted by the Ruffec Rotary Club. Some fifty crafts people and artists will present their work and demonstrate their skills, plus there will be games and amusements for children making it a day out for all the family. Open from 10am to 6pm on 28 and 29 May, entrance costs 2€ with profits going to the Research Centre of Bordeaux to help with its research into brain diseases. www.rotary-ruffec.com

10th British Film FestivalBased in Rouillac, this year’s Anna Searle Festival will run over the weekend of 29 April – 1 May. Seven different films will be shown including Spectre, 45 Years, Still Life, The Lobster and Suffragette. There will be art exhibitions in the Vingt Sept foyer and additional events including a classic car display on Saturday. Refreshments will be on sale throughout. A pass

for all seven films costs 30€ or entry to each film is 5€ (tickets on the door only). Find the full programme on our website at bit.ly/BFFRouillac +

Medical EmergenciesIn times of stress, the language barrier can slow down a patient’s access to care or be the cause of a mistake. A Charentaise initiative has been launched to help non-native French speakers in such times. Working with Dr. Jean-Bruno Martin and Dr. Rémy Loyant, both from SAMU 16, Sharon Millward has translated the vocabulary required in an emergency in a new booklet. Each sentence or phrase is numbered and is in both languages. In a situation where someone does not know how to say the words correctly, just the number can be used which the Charente Emergency Services can then understand. You can print off a copy of the document to have near the phone at www.paysduruffecois.com/rubrique/sante/guide-sante.

News from

arouNd the

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Spring openingBoutique HannaLy owners Johanna and Lynet are back from their sourcing trip to Holland with plenty of treats for your home. Each year they carefully choose a new theme they know their customers will love. “This year we have been inspired by going back to nature – back to the wild, working outdoors, the earth, and life in the garden,” explains Johanna. “We have chosen to feature a new supplier, Still Collec-tion, as they have an amazing range of pottery, lamps and bowls for both indoors and out.” But don’t worry if your passion is for bright colours, they have something for all tastes and a knack for finding the item that will complete your interior. Lynet adds: “We have new prod-ucts arriving all the time, so keep an eye on our Facebook pages for the latest additions to our range.” The shop in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is now open every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm plus bank holidays. See www.hannaly.com or on FB: boutique HannaLy.

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to help you build your own community. Members benefit from a 24hr/7 day ded-icated hotline or you can pay per hour for the services you require. For more infor-mation, visit their office at Place de l’Ho-tel de Ville, 16220 Montbron for a coffee and a chat, Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. They are even open over lunchtime! Alternatively, call 05 45 25 46 16 or visit frenchmayday.com.

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© Séba

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Hermione visitsThere’s still time to visit Hermione before she sets sail in June, this time for the maritime festival at Brest. Open every day, you can explore the exhibitions, workshops and quayside before climbing aboard where you can talk to some of the crew that sailed on her maiden voyage. For French speakers there are also tours below decks and costumed guides (on reservation). Visits cost 9€ for adults, 5€ for 5-16s and free for the under-6s. See www.hermione.com

Free Wi FiLa Rochelle has introduced two areas of free wifi in the city centre. The first is outside the Musée Maritime and the second is at Esplanade parking du Vieux Port. Simply select the free network, click on ‘Obtenir un accès’, put in your email address, agree to the terms and conditions and surf away. But remember that this is a public network so be careful about sharing personal information.

Meet the artistafter retiring to the Charente-Maritime with dreams of improving his jazz guitar playing, shoulder problems led

David Smith to try his hand at art. thirteen years on, David is now a regular on the arts circuit and exhibits across the département and further afield. He regularly meets with

local artists of all nationalities to share ideas and techniques working himself in oils, pastel and watercolour depending on the subject. “i enjoy the challenge of painting portraits

and nudes, but i paint any subject and style which can evoke emotion, by the beauty of the subject or the effect of light and colour. For me the joy of art is the freedom to interpret an image not simply to record it,” says David. He is keen to encourage others to start painting. Come along

to his next exhibition at the Saintes offices of SMaM, 38 cours national, open on weekdays throughout June. email

[email protected] for details.

latestAdDITIONThe Zoo de Palmyre is celebrating the birth of a baby gorilla after the 8-month pregnancy of 18 year-old Ybana. The male is their third birth and both mother and baby are doing well. For the first six months, he will stay close to his mother, clinging onto the fur around her stomach before he becomes more adventurous and begins to ride on her back. He will gain his full independence between three and six years. Visitors to the zoo will be able to watch his progress over the coming months as he starts to interact with the other members of the group of gorillas. www.zoo-palmyre.fr

Festival Butin’Art The association ‘Retour aux

Sources’ is holding its first

ever festival on Sunday

24 April in the hamlet of

Bourdérat in the commune

of Ecoyeux.To help celebrate

the beauty and complexity

of nature, they have chosen

the bee to help us understand

more about our environment.

Join in the programme of

events or visit the various

exhibitions.You are welcome

to bring a picnic which

can be complemented by

purchases from the local

producers’ stands. Entry

costs 2€. See FB: AssoRetour

AuxSourcesDeBourderat

charente-maritime

Île de

Oléron

LA ROCHELLE

Royan

Marennes

Rochefort

Surgeres

Île de Ré

CHARENTE-MARITIME

(17)

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Saint Jean d’Angély Hotel service from the comfort of your home....Le Clos des Grangesis a life concept developed for over 60s in an environment ideal for a serene retirement

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©ESAFlying high

The European Space Agency (ESA), an international organisation with 22 Member States, sent satellite Sentinel-2A into orbit on 23 June, 2015. Launched from French Guiana, this polar-orbiting, high-resolution satellite for land monitoring, provides imagery of vegetation, soil and water cover, inland waterways and coastal areas. It has recently passed over the Atlantic coast taking this spectacular photo of the Ile de Ré and La Rochelle. Sentinel-3 launched recently and is now in the commissioning phase before it settles into its long term mission to monitor ocean ecosystems. www.esa.int

Toll bridge to OléronBuilt in 1966, the bridge to the Ile d’Oléron was made free for users in 1992. Following the implementation of an eco-tax on the bridge to the Ile de Ré in 2012, the question has been raised about a similar tax being applied to Oléron. With the Ré bridge raking in 12 million euros it is easy to see why. Of the money raised, 5 million goes towards the upkeep and management of the bridge while 7 million is passed onto the island. Half of this is managed by the département on projects benefiting the island such as the preservation of natural spaces while the remainder passes to the Communautés de commune where it is used for environmental projects. The 20,000-strong local community is now being asked for their opinion before a decision is made, although a petition against the toll has already received over 26,000 signatures. If it goes ahead, residents will be exempt but tourists will pay 12€ in the summer or 6€ out of season to travel by car, or 2€ by motorbike.

Lion RougeIn the summer of 2015, Lindsey and Carl Hewson moved to Vanzac after 15 years’ experience in the window industry in the UK. They soon realised that this ex-perience would prove valu-able to house-owners here in France and so opened their company Lion Rouge. Carl explains: “We know excellent suppliers so are

able to source high quality, affordable UK specification windows that are specifically designed for French houses in that they open inwards.” Their windows come with tough-ened glass as standard for safety. “We’re happy to come and give you a no-obligation quote, and you can see our sample windows and doors.” To arrange a meeting, tel: 05 46 70 25 87; email [email protected]; www.lionrouge.eu

©W

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charente-maritime

Île de

Oléron

LA ROCHELLE

Royan

Marennes

Rochefort

Surgeres

Île de Ré

CHARENTE-MARITIME

(17)

Saintes

news from around the region...


PÉRIGUEUX

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Nontron

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The Mas de Montet, a delightful 18th century private chateau, is located at Petit Bersac not far from Riberac and Aubeterre.

It is ideal for business or private events, a wedding, or just to relax.If you are looking for an exceptional venue, the charm emanating

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Living

Treasures

Dordogne photographer Jérôme

Hutin has travelled the world

searching out historic trees to

capture for perpetuity. Having

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published ‘Arbres trésors vivants

du Périgord’ featuring local trees.

The project took over three years

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Mathusalem Dordogne in 1989.

Written in both French and English,

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Weekend of ARTfor forty years, Bussière-Badil has been welcoming ceramicists from across france to their annual Foire des Potiers, this year being held from the 5-8 May. 44 artists will be exhibiting varying technniques and substrates including porcelain decoration, earthenware and raku. Admire sculptures, take part in workshops, and enjoy an evening of concerts all organised by the association Quatre à Quatre. entrance is free, see the website www.foiredepotiers.com for full details.fifty local artists will also be displaying their wares over the same weekend at the Salon Métiers et Arts at Château de Monbazillac with free demonstrations and workshops. See chateau-monbazillac.com.

Something fishyJust over the border in Charente, family run Café Fransons near Angoulême has become a hit with both French and British clientele for their authentic, traditionally cooked fish & chips. They are now spreading their wings with two mobile vans. These open every Tuesday evening throughout the summer at Le Relais de la Dronne Café Bar at 24300 St Front la Rivière, and the Manoir de Longeveau near Aubeterre (16). Open from 6 to 8.30pm you can eat there or takeaway. As one recent 5-star review on Facebook declares: “Friendly and clean, and the fish and chips are the best in the Dordogne.” See www.fransons.fr or find them on FB.

ConneCt Straddling the border between the Dordogne and Haute-Vienne, Connect87 aims to help people in and around St-Yrieix-la-Perche meet others and make friends in the area. There are get-togethers on the first Friday of each month between 10am and noon in the

town as well as a series of clubs encompassing interests from playing poker to singing in their choir. Fun events are regularly organised including race nights and an annual garden party. Connect87 has also been collecting aid for refugees in both Europe and Syria under the umbrella of ‘France and Beyond’ with more collections in the pipeline. If you would like to find out about the activities on offer, see www.connect87.info.

News from arouNd the regioN... dordogNe

PÉRIGUEUX

DORDOGNE

(24)

Nontron

Sarlat-la-

Canéda

Montignac

Riberac

Brantôme

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BREXITThe debate is hotting up ahead of the referendum on 23 June and all British citizens who have been abroad for less than fifteen years are being encouraged to register to vote. Living

here in France, the in/out vote has increased significance as, should the vote be to leave the EU, the future of agreements between France or the EU and the UK is uncertain. Healthcare and pension provision are just two areas of particular interest to many of us resident here. To register to vote, simply visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote where you will need your NI number and date of birth. If you turned 18 while living in France, you too can register to vote but you will need to provide a copy of your birth certificate. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shape the future EU.

Strawberry FieldsThe third Sunday in May is a highlight for strawberry lovers who flock to Vergt in their thousands to indulge in a day devoted to this local speciality. Discover the many different varieties grown by the 200 strawberry growers in the département who harvest 5-6,000 tonnes per year from their poly tunnels. Since 2004 the qualities of eight specific types of Périgord strawberry have been recognised by the award of a protected geographical indication (PGI) and the ‘Confrérie de la Fraise du Périgord’, presided over by their Grand Maître, uphold the standards. As well as admiring the giant strawberry tart, local amateurs compete for the title of the best strawberry tart alongside the professionals, the artisans boulangers pâtissiers. This year, the Fête de la Fraise et des Fleurs will take place on 15 May, entrance is free.

Val NaturaOver four days from the 17-20 May, take part in three different walking challenges around Sarlat and enjoy convivial evenings with other participants. In teams of two, set out on the courses, each from 12-14km, passing by local sites of interest with prizes for the winners. Between times, join in additional activities such as archery and potholing, and explore the beautiful town of Sarlat. There’s only one rule, you have to be over 55 years old to enter! Tickets cost 90€ per person before 6 May, reserve your place on www.dordogne.fr.

Salon de l’Agriculture AquitaineTo see all the latest innovationsin agriculture, take a trip to Bordeaux between the 14-22 May. Celebrating 20 years of ‘Aquitanima’, over 400 bovines from across the new super-region will be shown in the various competitions between 14-16 May only. ‘Equitaine’ will bring together all aspects of the horse world and include the Horse-ball championships and the Challenge du Jeune Cavalier d’Aquitaine. Families will enjoy visiting ‘La Ferme’ where children can learn about all areas of agriculture and explore recent innovations, while the ‘Gastronomie et Vin’ hall will tempt everyone to try local specialities. See www.salon-agriculture.fr for ticket prices and opening times.

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Let ’s celebrate!

What to do

Where to shop

Who to call!

market place

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We need your help!As Living grows, we need your help to ensure the magazine remains free and widely avail-able. If you enjoy the magazine and would like to help keep Living in stock in your area, we would love to hear from you. Perhaps you would be happy to deliver a few packets of the magazine every other month to local businesses and associations as you pass them? We are particularly looking for volun-teers in the east and south of Dordogne. Call Jon on 05 49 87 29 71 or email [email protected] to find out more.

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Arc's ringA medieval ring widely believed to have been Jeanne d’Arc’s last worldly possession is finally back in France courtesy of local theme park Le Puy de Fou (85). At an auction in the UK, the ring was purchased for 385,000€ and it will go on public display from mid-April. The park believes the ring was confiscated by pro-English Bishop Pierre Cauchon during the heroine’s heresy trial and, despite pleas for its return, the ring was given to English cardinal Henry Beaufort as a ‘symbolic spoil of war’. The ring remained in England for 600 years until the park’s founder, Philippe de Villiers, decided to purchase the long lost treasure, stating that it had finally been “restored to the French people”. The ring is said to have been a communion gift from her parents and is inscribed with the inscriptions IHS and MAR as abbreviations for Jesus and Mary.

Musiques en Gâtine In an early start to the festival season, the 5th Musiques en Gâtine has a packed programme of concerts from 20-29 May. Played in historic settings around the Pays de Gâtine (79), the concerts feature accomplished classical musicians including the young English tenor Thomas Hobbs and Persian singer Taghi Akhbari. Each year, the musicians work with local school children, running workshops between February and May culminating with a concert on the 20 May where 300 students will take part. Tickets cost from 10€, see musiques-gatine.com for full details.

Vendéspace Since it opened in September 2012, Vendéspace has welcomed more the 500,000 people through its doors with over 175,000 in 2015 alone. 75 per cent of the visitors have watched sporting events with the World Championships of Rink Hockey (hockey on roller skates) and International Tennis attracting the largest crowds with 30,000 and 22,000 respectively. Of the cultural offerings, the Dirty Dancing musical was enjoyed by an audience of 10,000 while La Traviata drew 4,000 people. For 2016, Flashdance at the beginning of April and the Verdi Requiem with 200 choristers in June are expected to sell well while the European Badminton championships and basketball’s Match of Champions will thrill sports fans. Le Cadre Noir de Saumur will be performing four shows at Christmas which are expected to be popular with all the family. www.vendespace.vendee.fr

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Segora International Writing Competitions 2016

Celebrating 10 years

Results an-nounced in

Closing date: 15th June 2016

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Thouars

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Le Beugnon (79) are holding their third Fete des Plantes on 1 May. Entry is free and doors open from 9.30am to 6pm. Refreshments are also available at nearby La Bonne Vie in-cluding Sunday lunch (reservation recommended, see pg 64).

HOPE spring booksale will take place from 13-15 May at Clussais-La-Pommeraie (79). There will be thousands of books on sale for 1€ each as well as other attrac-tions. Entry is free with doors open from 10am to 4pm. www.hopeassoc.org

DIARY DATEs!

Work is almost complete at the O’Gliss Park in the commune of Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits, between La Tranche-sur-mer and La Roche-sur-Yon (85). Billed as one of the largest three water parks in France (with Splashworld, Provence and Aqualand, Fréjus), the doors will open on the 25 June. 200 people are currently on site to finish the building on the 6ha site just 3km from the Indian Forest park adventure, with 125,000 visitors expected this summer alone. The park consists of four areas;

Délir’Space with 12 unique fast and furious slides; Exploral’O with its 400 metres of natural wooded rivers; Sunset’Playa offering a wave pool, beach and palm trees, and finally Ludo’Park for the little ones with games, jets and slides. The park has cost 12 million euros to build and will employ 130 staff. Tickets cost 29€ for over 11s (or 1.5m), and 19.50€ for 5-10 years with a 10% discount if you book on line. The doors open from 10am to 7pm daily until 4 September. www.oglisspark.fr

Spring ConcertAfter a year of searching, Just Brass 79 have found a new conductor, Fran Kelly, and will be celebrating with a Concert de Printemps on 23 April when they will be joined by the Orchestre d’Harmonie de Lezay. Fran is an experienced musician who was deputy conductor of the Royal British Legion Victory Band in Portsmouth before his move to France. The cornet section has also been strengthened with the arrival of two long-time players, Steve Brodie and Claude Benoist. New players are always welcome and the band rehearses every Tuesday from 8-10pm at Limalonges (79). The concert will be held in the Limalonges Salle de Fêtes, starting at 8.30pm and entry is free. www.justbrass79.fr

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Mortemart Fête des PlantesOn Sunday, 24 April, the association Découverte du Patrimoine Paysager et Botanique will be hosting their 7th Fête des Plantes, at the Château des Ducs at Mortemart (87). Set at the heart of one of the most beautiful villages in France on a site which belongs to one of the most historic French families, the Rochechouart-Mortemart, this event brings together over forty stand holders from across France. Discover plant experts showing everything from roses to vegetables and saffron to aquatic plants. Alongside, browse amongst the garden brocante, be inspired by the ‘art des jardins’, admire the artisanal producers or pause to enjoy a light refreshment. Organised every two years, this event draws gardeners from the Vienne, Charente and Haute-Vienne. Tickets cost 3€ (children free) and gates open from 9am to 7pm. For more information, call 05 55 32 24 79 or email [email protected].

Joël RobuchonThe chef with most Michelin stars worldwide, Joël Robuchon, is returning to his roots to create an Institut International in Montmorillon’s Maison-Dieu seminary (86) where he once almost became a priest. The 65-million-euro culinary school is expected to open in the summer of 2018 and will welcome up to 1,200 students per annum. Courses will last from 2 months to 3 years and cover a range of subjects being taught in both French and English. And while French gastronomy will form the basis of the school’s teaching, other great cuisines will also be included. Students will be able to practice their art using the finest local ingredients in a restaurant to be created in the Eglise Saint-Laurent with a wine cellar in the octagonal-shaped chapel. A 2,000 square metre hotel will also be built. The Maison-Dieu, a historical monument, will remain identical on the outside with the interiors being entrusted to Pierre-Yves Rochon, the designer of the Shangri-La and Georges V hotels in Paris as well as the Savoy in London. However, before work can begin, the necessary administration needs to be completed with the architects working with Bâtiments de France to obtain the permis de construire while the purchase from the CHU in Poitiers is finalised. Meanwhile the Chinese investors behind the scheme will be counting out their euros...

Elephant newsExciting times are ahead for Elephant Haven as they sign the papers to purchase their 29 hectare domaine located at Bussière Galant (87) at the end of May. Phase 1 then begins with research and the inevitable administration, before the conversion will begin of the open stable to a barn suitable for two elephants. Four hectares of land will be fenced in so that at the beginning of 2017, retirement places for two elephants can be offered. Phase 2 begins in 2018 with the opening of the haven to visitors with a walking path and lookout platform before construction of a second elephant barn in Phase 3. Fundraising now begins for the first barn. See www.elephanthaven.com for more information.

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Time for tea at Edna’sKatie and Lewis have launched their new tearoom at Edna’s in Voulême (86) this year to mark their 4th anniversary. They wish to further celebrate by offering readers of Living Magazine a 5% discount on their food bills in April & May - simply mention this article. Customers can now enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the newly refurbished restaurant come tearoom, which has been created in collaboration with Alison Evans of Delicut.co.uk, designer of the new logo and whose beautiful papercut works, or ‘Scherenshnitte’, can be admired and purchased at Edna’s. “We’re truly blessed to have friends like Alison and husband Graham supporting our Edna’s journey,” Katie adds. “Graham is Lewis’ band mate in the ‘Fake Raccoons’ as well as master of picture hanging!” Call 05 49 87 19 20, visit www.ednas.eu, or like Edna’s at www.facebook.com/Ednas86.

The 77th Foire de Limoges, with the theme of ‘The Farm’,will run from 30 April to 9 May at the Parc des Expositions. For the full programme

of events, see www.foire-limoges.com

DIARY DATEs!

Jardins OuvertsNow in its fourth year, the Open Gardens project is going from strength to strength. Last year 75 gardens opened their gates in 13 départements raising over 13,000€. With this, the association was able to support five different charities. This year, with the help of Living readers, the aim is to open 120 gardens and raise 25,000€. The team is now looking for local volunteer coordinators to help spread the word and support local gardens. Contact Mick Moat at [email protected] if you are interested in finding out more. To see which gardens are opening near you, visit their website at www.opengardens.eu. An annual visitors’ card costs 10€ (or 11€ via the website) and many gardens have refreshments for sale on the day.

HD televisionon the 5 April, as part of the modernisation of digital terrestrial television platforms here in France, all French broadcasters will complete their switch over to MPeG-4 and HD. since the end of 2015, the country’s frequency authority AnFR (l’Agence nationale des fréquences) has been advertising the changes which will only impact those with televisions over ten years old that receive the

signal via an antenna. to see if your television will be affected, visit the website diagnostic.recevoirlatnt.fr which also offers advice on whether you can claim financial aid to help with the costs of the switch over.

The 6th Fête des Plantes at Magnac Laval organised by les Amis des Fleurs et des Jardins will be held on Sunday, 10 April, in the grounds of the chateau at the Agricultural College. Entry is free, gates open from 10am to 6pm.

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www.livingmagazine.fr | 32

living places to visit | 17


The mighty Loire flows from the Ardèche all the way to the Atlantic coast, some of its better known stretches being

listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Exploring everything would take weeks, but a short break in the historic town of Amboise will get you started and inspire you to make further visits to discover more of the Loire Valley whenever you feel like a break.

The Château d’Amboise rises like a slumbering giant from a rocky promontory, convincingly dominating the stone-and-slate skyline huddled beside it. To see what lies within climb the shallow steps of the mighty western ramparts, pass through a dark archway and soon you’ll reach a broad, grassy plateau. Nearby, poised dramatically on a sheer stone pillar clinging to the ramparts, is the long departed Royal family’s private chapel.

The Gothic Chapelle Saint-Hubert is dedicated to the patron saint of hunting, confirmed by carved imagery above the doorway and a spire adorned with copper antlers. In the haunt-ingly beautiful interior you’ll discover something even more surprising: the simple tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. Further along the ramparts the Tour des Garçonnets offers panoramic views of the town and its river crossing. Keep walking and you’ll reach the Gothic Logis Royal, begun by Charles VIII and enlarged by Louis XII and finally François I (who intro-duced France to the Renaissance style right here). The interior preserves many features reflecting the chateau’s evolution from fortress to palace, including an elegant vaulted open gallery overlooking the Loire.

After visiting the Royal apartments stand on the roof of the mighty Tour des Minimes, some 40m above the

Le Val de Loire est célèbre dans le monde entier, et à cette période, avant l’arrivée des touristes, c’est le moment idéal pour découvrir l’un de ses monuments phares: la remar-quable cité royale d’Amboise.

La Loire coule majestueuse depuis l’Ardèche jusqu’à la côte atlantique, et certaines parties du fleuve bien connues sont classées au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Les explorer sous tous leurs aspects prendrait des semaines, mais une petite halte dans la ville historique d’Amboise constituera un bon point de départ, et vous motivera à réaliser d’autres visites à la découverte du Val de Loire dès que vous aurez besoin de vous changer les idées.

Le château d’Amboise se dresse sur un éperon rocheux à la manière d’un géant endormi, dominant avec autorité

river dance

The Loire Valley is world famous, and now, before the tourists arrive, is the perfect time to discover one of its star sights – the remarkable chateau town of Amboise.

wOrdS & phOtOS: roger moss

trANSLAtION: Yoann peYron

+articleFrançaisen

www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr

18 | living places to visit

les silhouettes de pierres et d’ardoises blotties contre ses flancs. Pour voir ce qui se cache à l’intérieur, escaladez les marches en pente douce des grands remparts ouest, franchissez une arche obscure et vous atteindrez bientôt un large plateau verdoyant. Près de là, posée de façon spectaculaire sur un pilier en pierre naturelle accroché aux remparts, siège la chapelle privée de la famille royale, disparue depuis bien longtemps. La chapelle Saint-Hubert, relevant du style gothique, est dédiée au saint patron de la chasse, ce que confirment les motifs sculptés sur le linteau de l’entrée et sa flèche ornée de bois de cerf cuivrés. L’intérieur d’une beauté envoûtante vous réserve quelque chose de plus surprenant encore : la tombe de Léonard de Vinci. Plus loin en longeant les remparts, la tour des Garçonnets offre une vue panora-mique sur la ville et le franchissement du fleuve. Faites quelques pas de plus et vous voici au logis Royal, commencé par Charles VIII dans le style gothique, agrandi par Louis XII et achevé par François Ier, qui, ici-même, familiarisa la

riverbank, and peer through a central iron grille to reveal the tower’s dark secret. Falling away far below is a huge spiral ramp conceived to permit Charles VII’s cavalry and carriages to reach the upper terraces (the descent was by a second tower on the opposite side of the plateau). Further surprises include the Mediterranean-style Terrasse de Naples, the Loire Valley’s very first Renaissance garden. Now there’s also a contemporary Tuscan-style area planted with Cypresses, Muscat vines and hundreds of clipped box spheres, while underlining the site’s antiquity is a raised terrace nearby overlooking the remains of defensive ditches created by the Romans.

At the end of your visit, rather than retracing your steps I’d recommend the more atmospheric option of descending via the spiral ramp of the dimly lit Tour Heurtault, accessible from inside the château gift shop.

To discover how Leonardo da Vinci came to be buried here take a few minutes to stroll from the heart of Amboise to the 15th century brick and limestone manoir of Clos-Lucé, where he spent his final years as the honoured guest of King François I. You can visit Leonardo’s bedroom (with richly carved dark oak furnishings of fitting grandeur), the kitchen in which his vegetarian meals were prepared, the

“Le château d’Amboise

se dresse sur un

éperon rocheux à la

manière d’un géant

endormi...”

Château du Clos Luce

La Pagode de Chanteloup

Renaissance rose garden & restaurant



study where he refined his inventions, Renaissance-style rooms hung with vast Aubusson tapestries, plus an Italianate loggia-style gallery.

Below is a Gothic chapel, whose vaults are decorated with frescoes by his companion and pupil Francesco di Melzi, large cellars displaying models of his most important inventions and the entrance to a mysterious tunnel believed to have connected to the

de fer pour en percer le secret bien gardé. Bien en contrebas, vous pouvez voir s’échapper une énorme rampe en forme d’hélice, conçue pour permettre aux chevaux et aux carrosses d’accéder aux terrasses supérieures (la descente se faisant par une seconde tour de l’autre côté du plateau). Et ce n’est pas tout : d’autres surprises vous attendent, comme la terrasse de Naples au style méditer-ranéen, le tout premier jardin Renais-sance du Val de Loire. Vous y trouverez également aujourd’hui, planté de cyprès, de vignes de muscat et de centaines de boules de buis, un jardin contemporain rappelant la campagne toscane, tandis qu’à proximité, une terrasse surélevée et surplombant ce qu’il reste des fossés de défense creusés par les Romains souligne l’ancienneté du site.

Au terme de votre visite, plutôt que de revenir sur vos pas, je vous recommande l’option plus poétique de descendre par la tour Heurtault, dans la lumière feutrée de sa rampe en hélice, accessible depuis l’intérieur de la boutique cadeaux du château.

Découvrez comment Léonard de Vinci s’est retrouvé enterré ici en prenant quelques minutes pour vous promener

France avec le style Renaissance. À l’inté-rieur sont conservées de nombreuses spécificités témoignant de l’évolution du château, transformé de forteresse en palais, notamment une élégante galerie ouverte et voûtée surplombant la Loire.

Après la visite des appartements royaux, tenez-vous sur le toit de l’impo-sante tour des Minimes, à environ 40m au-dessus de la berge, et en son centre, glissez votre regard à travers une grille

Château Royal logisand Tuscan garden

Parc Leonardo da Vinci,Château du Clos Luce


20 | living places to see


chateau. Outside Leonardo loved to observe nature while walking around private parkland, now adorned with giant canvasses of his drawings and full-size replicas of some of his inven-tions. Overlooking the park is a terrace with Renaissance gardens and shaded tables for crêperie-style dining.

If, however, you’re looking for a less visited attraction then you’ll find it just a couple of km away in a vast clearing bounded by dense woodland. Constructed in 1775, the Pagode de Chanteloup sits beside a huge, semi-circular lake and rises through seven storeys to 44m. Climb to the top and you’ll be rewarded with sensational

au cœur de la ville d’Amboise jusqu’au manoir du Clos-Lucé, dont l’architecture de brique et de tuffeau date du XVe siècle, et où il passa les dernières années de sa vie en tant qu’hôte de marque du roi François Ier. Il vous est possible de visiter la chambre de Léonard (au mobilier en chêne foncé richement sculpté et à la splendeur accordée), la cuisine où l’on préparait ses repas végétariens, le cabinet de travail où il peaufinait ses inventions, les salles de style Renaissance recouvertes d’immenses tapisseries d’Aubusson, et une galerie du type loge à l’italienne.

Vous trouverez, plus bas, une chapelle gothique dont les fresques des voûtes sont l’œuvre de son compagnon et

élève Francesco di Melzi, avec de grands plafonds exposant les modèles de ses principales inventions ainsi que l’entrée d’un souterrain secret qui aurait rejoint le château. A l’extérieur, Léonard aimait observer la nature tout en marchant dans le parc privé, désormais habillé de toiles géantes de ses dessins et de répliques grandeur nature de certaines de ses inventions. Une terrasse donnant sur le parc abrite des jardins Renaissance et une crêperie vous y accueille avec des tables ombragées.

Si, toutefois, vous désirez visiter un lieu moins fréquenté, vous en trouverez un à seulement quelques kilomètres de là, dans une vaste clairière à la lisière d’une

Visitors on the Tour des Minimes, Château Royal

Café culture, Amboise style

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views of the lake and 4,000ha of surrounding forest, all that now remain of once-grandiose landscaped parkland laid-out in 1762. On the way back down you can compare the present scenery with displayed archive images, which include heroic early-20th century restoration to save the pagoda from imminent collapse. In a nearby gatehouse is a small museum detailing the estate’s history, while beside the lake are a Chinese garden, some tradi-tional games plus a good quality gift shop and a café with shaded tables.

Back in Amboise, you’ll find that the old streets retain a great deal of charm, with specialist boutiques and a selection of popular bars and restaurants. To understand why people continue to fall in love with this place, take a relaxed evening stroll across the Pont Maréchal Leclerc to the Ile d’Or to witness the setting sun slowly transforming the pale stone of the chateau, reflected in the shimmering waters of the Loire, to fiery gold. Such pure alchemy would no doubt have pleased Leonardo.

+INFOChâteau d’Amboise: www.chateau-amboise.comLeonardo da Vinci’s home: www.vinci-closluce.comPagode de Chanteloup: www.pagode-chanteloup.com

grande partie de leur charme, avec des boutiques spécialisées et une sélection de bars et de restaurants très appréciés. Afin de comprendre pourquoi les gens conti-nuent de s’éprendre pour cet endroit, faites une petite promenade du soir entre le Pont Maréchal Leclerc et l’Île d’Or, puis admirez le soleil couchant recouvrir d’or flamboyant les pierres blanches du château, se reflétant dans les eaux chatoyantes de la Loire. Une alchimie d’une telle pureté aurait sûrement plu à Léonard.

épaisse forêt. Construite en 1775, la Pagode de Chanteloup est située sur les bords d’une grande pièce d’eau en forme de demi-lune et s’élève à une hauteur de 44 m sur sept étages. Montez au sommet et vous serez récompensé par une vue imprenable sur la pièce d’eau et ses 4 000 ha de forêt environnante, dernier vestige de l’ancien grand parc aménagé en 1762. En descendant, vous pourrez comparer le paysage actuel avec les images d’archives exposées, incluant notamment la restau-ration épique du début du XXe siècle qui eut pour but de sauver la pagode d’un effondrement certain. Dans un pavillon tout proche se trouve un petit musée retraçant l’histoire du domaine, tandis que les abords de la pièce d’eau abritent un jardin chinois, des jeux traditionnels ainsi qu’une boutique cadeaux de qualité avec un café et des tables à l’ombre.

De retour à Amboise, vous consta-terez que les vieilles rues ont gardé une

Café culture, Amboise style


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There’s something irresistible about the Atlantic Coastline, partic-ularly in springtime, when there’s an uplifting sense

of renewal in the air. Everything looks pristine, and being there ‘hors saison’, before the return of the summer visitors means you’ll have it virtually to yourself. At times like this you can really get to know a place.

Despite being less than 10km from bustling Rochefort, Fouras looks and feels a world apart. Here the Atlantic is a constant companion to a town which is all but cast adrift between the mouth of the Charente and the Pertuis d’Antioch (the sheltered straits between the Île de Ré and the Île d’Oléron). This obviously endeared it to the Romans, who established a fortified encampment or ‘castrum’,

evidence of whose long period of occupation still comes to light from time to time. When they finally departed, the Roman legions never returned. By the middle ages this lawless stretch of the Atlantic coastline had grown accustomed to repeated attacks by pirates and Viking raiders, who were brazen enough to navigate up the Charente to raid unsuspecting inland settlements. The location meant that Fouras would have witnessed it all, of course, so it soon took on a vital defensive role, constructing a succession of ever more sophisticated military installations, culminating in the Fort de Fouras, or ‘Fort Vauban’, as it’s known locally.

Gazing out to sea from a grassy headland (a convenient parking spot), it also keeps a watchful eye on the sandy expanse of Grande Plage, which

in summer is much loved by swimmers and sunbathers. Out of season, though, anyone hoping to rediscover the simple pleasures of a leisurely seaside stroll can do just that on a classic wide promenade whose very gentlest of descents eventually brings it almost level with the beach, at which point the sun terraces of assorted bars and restaurants beckon and make the most of the hypnotic views.

Away from the seafront there remain numerous signs that you’re on the Atlantic coast. Rue de la Halle, a good access point from behind the Fort Vauban, leads to the heart of the town via a succession of bars, restaurants, boulangeries and other local businesses. On a sunny day the cheerful, relaxed mood is not unlike that found on the nearby Île d’Oléron, so it’s a good idea to explore with a

Grande Plage& Fort Vauban

Fouras - Île d’Aix ferry

Exploring en vélo

AlmosT An islAnd

We look at a remarkable coastal resort which enjoys an away-

from-it-all, peninsular location. Welcome to Fouras-les-Bains...

Fort Vaubanwith Île de Réon the horizon



Fouras - Île d’Aix ferry

Exploring en vélo

“Despite being less than 10km from bustling Rochefort, Fouras looks and feels a world apart.

Here the Atlantic is a constant companion...”

Fort Vaubanwith Île de Réon the horizon

bike. If you decide to do so, heading north on the aptly named Boulevard des Deux Ports will eventually bring you to the Boulevard de l’Océan and another magnificent sandy beach, la Plage Nord, also referred to as ‘la Plage de la Garenne’. Its appealingly subtle charm is complemented by elegant early-20th century coastal villas (built as discrete hideaways by wealthy families from La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Paris) rubbing shoulders with a straggle of traditional carrelets extending

from the modest headland nearest the mainland.

Continue west from either of the main north or south beaches and you’ll find that their respective coastal roads soon unite beside the Fort de l’Aiguille to form le Boulevard de la Fumée - a long, slender arm of sand extending almost 2km into the Pertuis d’Antioch. The route passes oyster farms before reaching the Pointe de la Fumée where a long, curving jetty serves as a boarding point for ferries to the Île d’Aix



whose summer journeys often add a circumnavigation of the world famous Fort Boyard. The island itself is around 4km offshore, but low tides reveal a causeway which extends for 1.6km from the Pointe de la Fumée almost to the half-way point. Take it (allowing plenty of time for your safe return before the sea reclaims the route) and you’ll be following in the footsteps of the garrisons who manned the Fort d’Enet, constructed in 1810 by Napoléon I as part of a new strengthening of coastal defences around Rochefort. Over the years the fort also served as a place of

internment. In 1871, for example, it received several hundred communards destined for deportation to New Caledonia. In a bitter twist of fate, the Pointe de la Fumée would also be the last piece of mainland France trodden by the Emperor before passing into exile on St Helena in 1815. Today the Fort d’Enet is privately owned, but may be visited from time to time, including Journées du Patrimoine.

Fouras began to embrace tourism long before the arrival of the railway at Saint-Laurent-de-la-Prée in 1873, having already successfully transformed itself from a humble

fishing port to a newly-fashionable ‘station balnéaire’. The suffix ‘les-Bains’ was added in 1897, by which time the town had acquired the inevitable Casino de Fouras (you’ll find it tucked away discretely among the pines at the western end of Grande Plage). Happily, times have changed and after centuries of doing its best to dissuade visitors, Fouras is today more than happy to welcome them in increasing numbers. Those who fall under the spell clearly like what they’ve chanced upon, not least some charming touches of retro chic. www.rochefort-ocean.com

Traditional carrelets

The Fort d’Enet

Aerial view of the peninsular



Today the fort has all the innocent appeal of a giant sand-castle, complete with flags fluttering cheerfully at the summit. Don’t be fooled by appearances, however. The 30m-high, four-storey donjon dates from the 15th century, and during the Wars of Religion witnessed the brutal siege of La Rochelle from a distance considered safe enough to spare it the wholesale destruction of the latter’s defences by the Cardinal de Richelieu on behalf of Louis XIII. When Rochefort was chosen as France’s most important naval base in 1666 military engineer Vauban strengthened its fortifications, creating a citadel around the donjon at Fouras, at the mouth of the Charente (the Fort de Lapointe), on the seaward side of the town (the Fort de l’Aiguille) and finally at the Pointe de la Fumée (the Fort d’Enet). Little more than 20 years later Louis XIV commanded Vauban’s successor François Ferry to update the Fort de Fouras to counter advances in artillery firepower. The walls of the donjon were thickened and raised to support a firing platform of 9 guns 36m

above the sea level. The ramparts were also doubled, to create three separate levels of artillery. Later the topmost platform served as a semaphore signalling point, transmitting details of maritime activity to the Arsenal de Rochefort’s Tour des Signaux. The network fortifications around Fouras (plus those on the Île d’Aix, Île Madame and Fort Boyard) continued to defend the Arsenal until its closure in 1927. Given Monument Historique status in 1937, the Fort Vauban now contains a regional history museum.Visitors have free access to the fort from 9am–7pm each day. Guided tours of the fort include the crypt (dating from the 12th century) plus museum admission: 2pm daily (except Mon), June–Sept. During your visit look carefully at the pair of stubby mortars outside the fort entrance. You’ll see an inscription stating that they were produced in 1856 by the Fonderie National in Ruelle sur Touvre (N of Angoulême). In 2015 the very same foundry was responsible for casting reproduction canons for Rochefort’s celebrated replica sailing frigate Hermione.

The ForT de Fouras

www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32

26 | living motoring


Renault 4CV

Star PerformersI nnovation is nothing new to the French mo-

tor industry. After all, it has long traded amid the kind of savage taxation which not so very long ago found UK visitors looking at pump prices of essence in near disbelief. How, we

wondered, could French drivers ever afford to run a car, let alone contemplate the long journeys which kept far-flung families in touch with their roots and conducted them on their annual mass migration to the sun during les grandes va-

cances? As if this weren’t bad enough, vehicles were taxed ac-cording to their engine size, expressed in horsepower or ‘CV’ (still the case when you apply for a Carte Grise). Faced with this kind of challenge any French car worth its salt would clearly need to be quite something, in terms of fuel economy or fun factor. We’ll take a look at some of the industry’s best loved post-war products – the cars which enabled an entire generation leaving the land for city life to discover the plea-sures of the open road.

It’s often said that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, which probably goes some way to explaining why it’s the commonplace which seems to disappear first. Take our old friend the Citroën 2CV or deux-chevaux, for example. Un-til a few years ago they were everywhere, yet already they’re becoming a rarity as everyday transport, displaced by sexier (and infinitely more sophisticated) modern day counter-parts like Peugeot 108s and Renault Twingos. Minimalism, though, shouldn’t be underestimated, for the plucky little ‘Deuche’ was designed to transport four people and 50 kilos of luggage at 60 km/h, whilst consuming just 3 litres of fuel every 100km – or cross a ploughed field without breaking a tray of eggs placed on the passenger seat. Appearances, too, can be deceptive. Despite eternal tedious jokes about tôle

ondulée (corrugated iron) the styling followed sound Bauhaus principles (look at the seats if you don’t believe me) and the cars also proved to be remarkably rugged. Ironically, though, they were never cheap to produce but served the company

For a generation they were familiar sights on the roads of France – now their spirit lives on in the hands of enthusiasts, and in

post-war classics of French cinema. Words: RogeR Moss

www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

living motoring | 27

Renault 4CV

Delahaye 135, Isle Jourdain (86)

well, both as entry level models and progenitors of a string of useful vari-ants which looked very different but were essentially reclothed 2CVs. Dyane, Ami, Méhari, Acadiane... they came and they went, while the humble 2CV puttered on and outlived them all. The final one slipped quietly out of the Levallois plant by the side door in 1990 after a record-breaking production run of some 42 years.

Meanwhile, for something a little more upmarket and a lot more mile hungry, Peugeot came up with a strong contender in the shape of its 203. The first models were unveiled in October 1948 (the same year as the 2CV) in competition with the Simca 8 and the Citroen 7CV Traction-Avant. Tak-ing its styling cues from the more aerodynamic models from the USA, the 1290cc newcomer appeared pretty advanced at the time, but got off to a disappointing start, sales-wise. Soon, however, a reputation for reliability (plus a sun-roof option and a four-speed gearbox whose top gear was effectively an overdrive ratio) won over

the buying public, over half a million of whom eventually bought 203s. That’s impressive, considering the surprising fact that there were no major revisions during an epic production run which finally ended in 1960. Unsurprisingly, most were saloons but the range did include a découvrable (roll-back soft-top), just 1,000 coupés and even a cab-riolet, which sported a leather interior.

Not that all French petrol-heads were staunch patriots when it came to their choice of vehicle. Whatever the economic ups and downs, there have always been confirmed eccentrics eager to buy into Uncle Sam’s products in a big way by running a big, brash Buick,

Chrysler or even a Cadillac. Getting their hands on them was no problem. In fact, since the prolonged and size-able US military presence in post-war Europe produced a steady supply of tempting vehicles, as servicemen who had shipped them over decided to forego the cost of having them shipped back again. Braver French buyers were seduced by the fact that Detroit’s thirsty giants came relatively cheap, but soon discovered that subsequent running costs did not. Meanwhile, French man-ufacturers carried on doing what they did best, concentrating on pursuing the eternal goal of maximum comfort and performance at minimum cost to both themselves and their loyal customers.

They still kept one eye on their counterparts across the Atlantic, however, a policy which had proved its worth when André Citroën returned from a visit to Henry Ford’s produc-tion lines with a vision of introducing monocoque (chassis-less) construc-tion to Europe. Development costs turned out to be near-crippling, but his front-wheel-drive 7CV received 20,000

“...the cars which enabled an entire generation leav-ing the land for city life to discover the pleasures

of the open road.”

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Peugeot 203 Cabriolets inAngoulême (16)

Citroën Type C. Civray (86)gathering to promote Sport & Collection, Val de Vienne

Renault Dauphine

advance orders when it was launched at the 1934 Paris Motor Show. Looking back, it’s not hard to see why. Until the coming of the Autoroutes the average French motor-ist was habitually covering long distances on long, straight, yet often roughly surfaced Routes-Nationales. The driving style which this engendered called for a vehicle capable of combining impeccable straight-line control with the ability to soak up the bumps while travelling flat out – all with reasonable fuel economy, of course. The Traction fulfilled its remit so well that it was subsequently produced for a quarter of a century, eventually providing a public foretaste of the world-famous hydraulic suspension of its successor, the sensational DS (Déesse, or goddess). Between them, these models occupy more French cinema screen-time than almost all others put together, with a particular talent for police or detective roles. Their rallying success also boosted

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Cars in French cinema classicsFor an atmospheric black-and-white glimpse of classic-era French motoring I’d recom-mend the ‘nouvelle vague’ and later products of French cinema, where cars played many a key supporting role. A good starting point is Louis Malle’s second feature film ‘Les Amants’. When Jeanne Moreau’s rakish Peugeot 203 Cabriolet breaks down, she’s rescued (and ultimately swept off her feet after a night of passion) by a mysterious stranger with little more than two cylinders and 425cc to his name. Peugeot 203s fig-ure among the mobile scenery in Jean-Luc Goddard’s 1959 classic ‘A Bout de Souffle’ (a.k.a. Breathless) in which Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg chance their love and luck among the bright lights of Paris. The cult status of Citroën’s Traction and DS elevated them to ever bigger roles, notably in later film classics such as ‘Les Valeuses’ (Bertrand Blier, 1974), ‘Diva’ (whose hero Richard Bohringer had not one but two pure white Tractions) and Jean-Jacques Beineix’s ‘37.2° le Matin’ (a.k.a. Betty Blue), where a manipulative boss’s prized DS has a bucket of paint poured over it in a fit of rage. Strong stuff. Look carefully at virtually anything filmed in Paris during the 1950s or ‘60s and among the sea of native products cramming the boulevards you’ll also notice the unmistakable signs of an enduring fascination with US popular culture. US imports appear in Louis Malle’s 1957 classic tense thriller ‘Ascenseur Pour l’Echafaud’ (also celebrated for a haunting improvised soundtrack by Miles Davis).

Citroën Tranction Avant, Talmont (17)

Renault 4CV, Verteuil-sur-

Charente (16)



Angoulême’s annual CirCuit des remparts takes place on 16-18 September. On Friday the Concours d’Elegance starts at 8.45pm. Saturday sees the Rallye International de Charente leave the Chais Magelis at 8-10am for a scenic itinerary around the département, returning to the Champ de Mars between 4.45 & 6pm. Sunday finds the heart of the town filled with displays of classic vehicles, while the street-circuit events begin with practise sessions prior to full-blooded historic racing in the afternoon. www.circuit-des-remparts.com.

For those in the north of the region, the 5th Vendée ClassiC on the 28-29 May

features parades along the seafront at St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie before the rally heads inland. www.bsracing.fr

In Deux-Sèvres don’t miss the 2016 edition of Bressuire’s annual historiC street CirCuit eVent on 25-26 June. This colourful event upholds the authentic spirit of its 1950s origins, with Tourisme, Sport and Racer classes on track. In addition to Ferraris, MGs, Bugattis etc., the event generally brings together ’50s-era F1 cars, to recreate the stirring sights, sounds and excitement which make historic racing a crowd- pleaser. http://auto-retro-bressuirais.wifeo.com

Also in Northern Deux-Sèvres, the 11th rallye ClassiC Val de sèVre takes place on 30 April & 1 May. Details: www.classicvaldesevre.fr

Further south, the 4th Bordeaux aquitaine ClassiC rally takes place on July 1, 2 & 3 starting from Caserne Lamarque, among the vineyards around Libourne. The 140km course is open to historic vehicles only, and promises hotly-contested sessions which count towards the FFSA French Championship 2016. http://rallyebordeauxaquit.free.fr.

For more local events see www.passionautomobile.com

See them today: some key motoring events

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sales figures considerably, which is just as well, for Citroën needed to recoup its investments and fund the development of new models (in fact, for several years after the demise of the Traction the company’s model range consisted of just the 2CV and Déesse).

In both cinema and in real life rather less high-profile roles have been played by such worthy but forgotten gems as Simca’s Aronde (which provided styl-ing cues for 1960s Skodas) and Ariane (which looked suspiciously like a Ger-man Opel) along with the odd cameo appearance by apparent oddballs such as Panhard’s underrated Dynas and Tigres. They’re all eclipsed, of course, by the incredible numbers of Renaults which have now also quietly faded into memory, including the incredibly suc-cessful 4CV models, developed covertly during the war and launched two years ahead of Citroën’s 2CV. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that 750cc and a three-speed gearbox were considered perfectly acceptable back then, but by the time production ceased on July 6, 1961 well over a million 4CVs had been sold. In fact, Renault’s engine, in later 845cc guise, was so flexible that three

speeds were also the norm for its larger successor the Dauphine (including souped-up Gordini models) which did so well in the UK, plus the more exotic Floride Coupé (which would become the Caravelle) and even the larger Fré-gate saloons and Domaine estates.

Somehow an ever-resourceful French car industry managed not merely to sur-vive in the face of fiscal adversity, but

actually produced a host of surprisingly capable vehicles with an endearingly Gallic character. Happily, it’s still doing just that, at a time in which the tables have well and truly turned in terms of UK fuel prices. So, sit back download a French cinema classic and immerse yourself in a different world of motor-ing. “Ooh look, there’s a 203 — or is it a Frégate…?”


living Language | 31


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Emma is a jack-of-all-language-trades, writing

English textbooks, translating, marking exam

scripts and teaching languages. She lives near

La Rochefoucauld with her growing menagerie.

See www.english-tuition.weebly.com

The English language is rich with expressions about all things precious, be they metals or jewels. Hopefully this article

will be worth its weight in gold if you are trying to find the silver lining in the spring clouds. If not, well, it’ll proba-bly go down like a lead balloon. Just as these expressions can be a little difficult to understand literally in English, the same is true of French. You may be left scratching your head wondering what someone means if they offer to make you a golden bridge, if they throw silver from the windows or if they want butter and the silver from the butter as well.

Many French expressions are very sim-ilar to their British equivalents: you can be worth your weight in gold, or valoir

son pesant d’or and you can have a heart of gold. Avoir un cœur d’or doesn’t just mean you are a decent soul, though. In French, it can mean that you are generous. One expression I come across frequently on French websites that isn’t so obvious is the term livre d’or or golden book. It’s a term that usually refers to a guest book or website testimonial page. It’s a phrase that covers a wide number of ways of leaving a comment at a wedding, a hotel or for a business. Where we might say ‘for all the tea in China’, the French say ‘for all the gold in the world’ or pour tout

l’or du monde.

Gold is often used in the business world in France, just as it is in English-speaking countries. In French, if you make some-one a golden bridge or faire un pont d’or, you aren’t taking them to San Francisco, you are offering them a job that has a bigger salary or bonus packet than usual.

In English, we’ve started using terms like ‘Golden Hello’ as well as other terms you don’t find in French, like a ‘Golden Handshake’ or ‘Golden Handcuffs’. You might find you’re offered these things if you have golden hands. Avoir des mains en

or means to be very skilled at something. Gold’s not the only metal of interest as

far as language is concerned. Whenever I am paying in cash, I usually say en espèces rather than en argent as ‘paying in silver’ sounds a little pirate-like to me. I’m not sure paying in pieces sounds much less pirate-like but it is definitely more com-mon. If gold is used in both languages to express wealth and quality, in French argent or silver is often used in expres-sions about money. If someone can make silver out of everything, or faire argent

de tout it means they’re very good at turning every situation to their financial advantage. If you drink your silver, boire

son argent or throw your silver out of the window, jeter l’argent par les fênetres

it means you’re going through money quickly, burning money. And if you are close to your silver, près de son argent, it means you’re a bit of a tightfist, a miser.

A friend recently introduced me to a great English expression for someone who is very demanding. “They want the moon on a stick,” she says. “Dipped in chocolate.” In French you can say that someone wants butter and the silver from the butter, vouloir le beurre et l’argent

du beurre. This refers to someone who wants butter but doesn’t want to pay for it. Often it’s used to mean that someone wants two incompatible or impossible things, like the moon on a stick. If they’re really being ridiculous in their demands, you can add that they want the smile of the milkmaid as well. Il veut le beurre,

l’argent du beurre et le sourire de la crémière.

Finally, there are also lots of expres-sions with lead, just as there are in English. One of my French friends’ most frequently used expressions is ‘to fart a lead’. Péter un plomb or péter les plombs is a slang expression meaning that someone really lost their temper. It’s a current expression that’s similar to “blowing a fuse” in English.

Another expression we use in English, ‘putting lead in your pencil’ is one that suggests being reinvigorated and re-en-ergised. In French, it works the other way. If you have lead in your wings, avoir

du plomb dans l’aile, it means that you are feeling weak and feeble.

If you’re going for gold in French, why not try some of these expressions and idioms to see if they will give you a silver tongue?

Pardon?

Emma Lee, our language expert,

unearths some more precious

French expressions…

www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr

32 | living WILDLIFE

Meadow life

O ver the last century (and particularly during the last 50 years) France, along with countries such as the UK, has lost

some 80 to 90 per cent of its wild flower meadows. This shouldn’t be confused with intensively managed or so-called ‘improved pasture’, which has little value to anything other than the animals it’s grown to feed. This dramatic loss of habitat has played a major role in the decline of a vast range of insect species including what are now popularly termed ‘pollinators’, an extensive range of insects which between them provide the means by which most of our flowers and many of our crops are fertilised.

Apart from butterflies and bees, insects aren’t generally at the top of

people’s considerations, unless they are a source of irritation or fear. Dave Goulson, however, considers them among the most fascinating creatures in the world. In his popular book ‘A Buzz In The Meadow’ he tells the story of how he bought a run-down farmhouse in Charente and turned its attached land into a meadow full of wildflowers, brimming with life. A biology professor at Sussex University in the UK, he studies bumblebees, which he regards as intellectual giants of the insect world. Sadly, they are in crisis, as are many of the planet’s natural pollinators, and although reported issues with honey bees aren’t really understood, there are enough commercial keepers to maintain populations. What we do know for a fact, based on research

into their ecology and foraging preferences, is that one of the big drivers of the bumblebee decline has been the conversion of flower-rich grasslands (hay meadows, prairie, chalk downlands and so on) to flower-free farm monocultures. The fragments which remain are often degraded, polluted or simply too small to support viable populations.

With this in mind, in 2003 he purchased Chez Nauche, deep in the heart of rural France, together with

Wildflower meadows play an essential role in our ecosystem. To find out more Chris Luck talked to Professor Dave Goulson, who for 12 years has nurtured and studied a Charente flower meadow.

“In 2003 he purchased Chez Nauche, deep in the heart of rural France, together with thirteen hectares of surrounding land.”


www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr www.livingmagazine.fr

Meadow lifeliving WILDLIFE | 33

thirteen hectares of surrounding land. His aim was to create a wildlife sanctuary, a place where butterflies, dragonflies, voles and newts could thrive free from the pressures of modern agriculture. In particular he was keen to create a place for his beloved bumblebees, the creatures which he’d spent the past twenty years studying and attempting to conserve.

As anyone that has tried it will know, it isn’t easy restoring floral diversity to arable land previously treated with fertilizers, since unnaturally high fertility promotes growth of coarse grasses which out-compete the flowers. Dave therefore enlisted the help of a local farmer, one M. Fontaneau, to cut and remove hay (which he feeds to his goats) each year, thus slowly sapping nutrients from the soil. As the grass weakened flowers started to creep back, regenerating from the seed-bank in the soil, others blown in on the wind or carried in the guts of birds. Dave has experimented with sowing his own mixes and using ‘hemiparasitic’ plants such as yellow rattle, which parasitise grasses. M. Fontaneau often stops by on the way to one of his fields to watch Dave and his graduate students on their spring and summer visits carefully marking out squares with string then stamping flower seeds in with their feet

in what probably appears to be some sort of peculiar English fertility ritual.

Hay meadows can take a huge time to really establish (perhaps 100 years of continuous management to achieve maturity) but in recent years he has counted in excess of 100 flower species overall. He nevertheless has a long way to go to rival an ancient hay meadow, where up to 30 species can be found in just one square metre. Most exciting is that in summer the meadow is now alive with insects. Each new plant species which arrives supports several new insect species: leaf miners which

burrow in the leaves, aphids which suck the sap, predators which chomp down the aphids, pollinators to visit the flowers, tiny weevils which eat the seeds. He has dozens of species of butterflies, dragonflies, crickets, hoverflies, beetles and mantises, a seething, chirping, hopping, buzzing network of life which has returned all on its own. There are 16 species of bumblebee alone, including very rare examples such as the short-haired bumblebee, plus honeybees and more than 50 other bee species.

With almost as many species of butterflies in his meadow now as have been recorded in the whole of the British Isles, it’s worth taking a look at one of them. On a steep south-facing slope at the southern end of his field ribwort plantain is common underfoot. This is an unspectacular little plant which many will recognise, with inconspicuous brown flowers from which dangle a fringe of yellow anthers and leaves which are the favoured food plant of the lovely Glanville fritillary. This butterfly is named after Lady Eleanor Glanville, one of the very few female lepidopterists of the 18th century and the first to describe this pretty species, which she found near her home in Lincolnshire. Glanville fritillaries have long since disappeared

CloCkwise from top left: the delightfully named Hairy-footed flower Bee, Anthophora Plumipes; six-spot burnet, Zygaena filipendulae; longhorn beetle, Sticto-leptura cordigera; Glan-ville fritillary, Melitaea cinxia; stag beetles.



Chris Luck runs two websites, www.wildlifeinfrance.com and www.planetepassion.eu, packed with information about animal and plant species in France, plus a blog about wildlife and bee-keeping in a natural, non-intrusive manner.

from most of the UK (they are now found only on the south coast of the Isle of Wight) but are among the most common butterflies at this time of year at Chez Nauche, where we disturb dozens from the grass as we walk. The caterpillars are unusual in that they are gregarious; the female lays large mounds of yellow eggs, which hatch into velvet-black caterpillars destined to live together on plantain in silken webs which they spin. Once they have consumed the plant on which they were laid they somehow agree that it’s time to depart, and set off in a convoy to the next one.

In an ideal world at least ten per cent of our land would be managed this way, but with the best will in the world this isn’t going to happen, as more and more land is either ploughed up or ‘improved’ for livestock, whether that be cattle, sheep or horses. However, the nice thing with bees and pollinators is that everyone can do something to help, especially those who have some land, although even if you have a tiny garden or just a window box you can plant a few bee-friendly flowers. Dave’s university website has a long list which includes things like garden herbs which are also useful for cooking, like thyme, marjoram and rosemary. If you plant a few of them, even in the middle of a city, bees will turn up and start feeding. One of the bees’ big problems

today is that there just isn’t enough food. If everyone around the world planted a few bee-friendly plants in their gardens the cumulative effect would be massive. The second thing he would urge is not to use pesticides in your garden. There’s a big debate about pesticide use in farming, but neither he nor I think the same applies to their use in gardens. You don’t need them. You can grow fruit, vegetables and flowers really well without blitzing them with pesticides. Don’t buy them, don’t spray them, and you’ll be doing a little thing to help – once again, if everyone did a little thing it would become a big thing, and we could all feel good about it.

As Dave explains: “We often focus our conservation attention on large, charismatic animals: whales, pandas, tigers and the like. But our own survival is linked far more tightly to the fate of insects and their kin than to the last of the few large mammals, magnificent as they are.” www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/goulsonlab/resources/flowers

Professor Dave Goulson was brought up in rural Shropshire, where he developed an early obsession with wildlife. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Oxford University, followed by a doctorate on butterfly ecology at Oxford Brookes University. He lectured in biology for 11 years at the University of Southampton, and it was here that he began to study bumblebees in earnest. He subsequently moved to Stirling University in 2006, and then to Sussex in 2013. He has published more than 240 scientific articles on the ecology and conservation of bumblebees and other insects. He is the author of Bumblebees; Their Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation, published in 2010 by Oxford University Press, and of the Sunday Times bestseller A Sting in the Tale, a popular science book about bumble bees, published in 2013 by Jonathan Cape, and now translated into German, Dutch, Swedish, Korean, Chinese and Danish. This was followed by A Buzz in the Meadow in 2014. Goulson founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in 2006, a charity which has grown to 8,000 members. In 2015 he was named number 8 in BBC Wildlife Magazine’s list of the top 50 most influential people in conservation.

THIS PHOTO: Ribwort Plantain

RIGHT: Yellow Rattle

Foraging bumblebee

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36 | living food


Most people choosing to either live or visit this wonderfully diverse country, where regional seasonalities tempt you

at every visit to the market (supermarkets included), find that food is naturally high on the agenda. Britain might be surrounded by water, yet the British love of fish – with the exception of cod and haddock – is poor to say the least, so discovering vast shoals of flat and round varieties accompanied by an

army of crustaceans and bivalves stacked on a bed of ice is a joy.

Very few people can resist a large stea-ming bowl of moules while seated outdoors at one of the many restaurants dotted along the coast north of La Rochelle, where an estuary, harbour or seafront creates the per-fect location and backdrop. Our senses are further stimulated by fresh, clean seaside aromas and underlying hints of onion and wine wafting through the air. Finally, there’s the pleasure of knowing that the air miles for your lunch amount to 2km at most!

The area around Aiguillon (just a short drive from La Rochelle) is the birthplace of mussel farming, and it’s all thanks to a Scottish sailor called Patrick Walton, who was shipwrecked just offshore back in 1235. According to a text published in the 16th century he was rescued by the local people and decided to stay. He began hunting seabirds (an activity he’d practised in his own country) by making and stretching nets between wooden poles driven into the beach. His success at bird catching was soon eclipsed, however, by the profusion of mussels which readily attached themselves to his poles. Now Patrick is immortalised as the founder of the Bouchot mussel farming method.

In fact, there are two stories as to the en-tomology of the word ‘Bouchot‘: some say that it derives from a Scottish word ‘bout chaout’ which he named his traps, while the other, possibly more plausible meaning credits a local dialect word for a submerged trap used to catch eels in the Poitevin

Fresh Mussels with Tomato and Basil30ml olive oil4 shallots, finely diced2 cloves garlic, crushed300ml dry white wine2kg fresh mussels (beards removed, and scrubbed) – remove any which are open and do not close when gently tapped.560g (approx. 5) medium vine- ripened tomatoes cut into small pieces (alternatively a tin of chopped tomatoes may be used)15ml white wine vinegarFreshly-ground black pepper1 small bunch fresh basil

MeTHOd1 Heat the olive oil in a large wide pan.2 Add the shallots and garlic and cook slowly and gently for 3-4 mins, softening and cooking without colouring (‘sweating off’, as it’s known in the trade).3 Turn the heat to high, add the white wine and bring to the boil.4 Keeping the pan over a fierce heat, add the mussels, cover the pan and cook for a further 3-4 min, stirring occasionally until the mussels have opened. 5 When ready, remove the mussels with a slotted spoon and keep warm (discard any which have not fully or properly opened).6 Add the tomatoes, vinegar and pepper to the pan and bring back to the boil, cooking for a couple of minutes before returning the mussels back to the pan and stirring them in the sauce – and at this point check the seasoning. 7 divide the mussels into 4 warm serving bowls and scatter with fresh basil leaves.

Tastesregionof the

In the first part of our new series exploring the region’s gastronomy, international chef and TV presenter Alan Coxon discovers the origins of the mussel beds along the Atlantic coast…

Mad about moules

Award-winning chef Alan Coxon has recently moved to the Vendée

www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

living food | 37

marshland. This in turn derives from the French verb boucher, meaning to obstruct. Today one-third of all mus-sels harvested in France come from Aigullion and the Vendée, whose mussel beds stretch for more than 150kms along a coastline of sandy beaches edged with dunes and pine woods.

It’s not surprising then to find a recipe which combines the treasures of land and sea. Eclade is a perfect dish for summer, when local mussels are at their best and outdoor cooking is a must. To make an éclade de moules, place a thin plank of wood on the BBQ

and cover with fresh mussels. In turn, cover these with a thick layer of pine needles. Light the wood at all four corners - the entire cooking process takes around 4 minutes. It can be a bit smokey, but the smells are wonderful.

An alternative recipe is Mouclade, another Vendéen classic incorporating local wine, butter, saffron and crème fraîche, served with fresh, crispy bread and Vendée butter. Delicious!

I’ll leave you with one of my favou-rite recipes, fresh mussels with tomato and basil, which I hope you enjoy. Until next time, bon appétit! www.alancoxon.com

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Tel. + 33 (0)5 46 42 86 70www.larochelle.aeroport.fr

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38 | living nikki legon’s cuisine


cuisineGet ready for summer with these health boosting recipes from Nikki…

Cinnamon waffles served with blueberries Cinnamon is not only delicious but it can improve some key risk factors for heart disease including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.

250g plain flour1½ tsp baking powder1 tsp ground cinnamon (the best to use is from Ceylon)2½ tbsp caster sugar¼ tsp salt2 eggs30ml vegetable or sunflower oil475ml milk

MethodPlace all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Break the eggs into the milk and beat together. Add the egg and milk mixture to the dry ingredients along with the oil. Mix all ingredients together until all the large lumps have broken up. take care not to over mix otherwise the waffles will be heavy when cooked.Preheat the waffle maker, spray with oil - using a 1 cal spray works well. Pour the mixture into your waffle maker and cook until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup, blueberries, or any fruits you have available.

Nikki’s tip: these are ideal for breakfast or a quick dessert. the same recipe also makes delicious crêpes.

NikkiLegon’s

Cinnamon

waffles

Hot ginger, lemon

and honey drink

Spiced beef

casserole


living nikki legon’s cuisine | 39

cuisineSpicy

vegetable rice

Sweet potato

curry

Hot ginger, lemon and honey drinkStart your day with this drink packed full of vitamins, as well as powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral agents.

peeled ginger to tastelemon to taste1 tbsp honey 1 tsp ground turmeric or curcuma 1 tsp cider vinegar¼ tsp black pepper 500ml boiling water

MethodAdd the boiling water to the turmeric, cider vinegar and honey, then grate in the ginger and lemon to taste. I keep whole lemons and peeled ginger in the freezer then you just grate what you need and put them back in the freezer for the next time you make the drink.

Sweet potato curry Sweet potatoes are rich in iron, vitamin B, C and D, and have many health benefits.

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite sized cubes2 tbsp sunflower oil1 onion, sliced and diced1 tbsp grated fresh ginger2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp ground cumin2 tbsp medium or hot curry powder1 tsp ground cinnamon½ tsp ground turmeric

Methodheat 2 tbsp of oil in a large frying pan and cook the onions for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and all the spices, stir, and cook for a further 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and stir to coat in the spices. Cover with water and bring to a simmer on a low heat, stirring gently. Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 min-utes or until the potatoes are soft and the sauce has thickened. taste the cur-ry and adjust the seasoning as required.

Spiced beef casserole ServeS 61 tbsp sunflower oil1kg braising steak, cut into cubes1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped2 carrots peeled and chopped2 onions, peeled and chopped100g button mushrooms2 tbsp medium or hot curry powder2 tsp ground cumin1 tsp ground turmeric2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce25g plain flour600ml beef stock or 2 pot au feu beef stock cubes, dissolvedsalt and pepper

MethodPreheat the oven to 160°C.heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the flour to the meat and toss to coat. Fry quickly until golden brown all over. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in an ovenproof casserole. Add the sweet potato, carrots, onions and mushrooms to the frying pan. Fry for 3 minutes and add to the meat in the casserole. In a small bowl mix the spices and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk with a ladleful of hot stock before adding the rest of the stock. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Add this mixture to the casserole and cook in the oven for 2 hours or until the meat is tender.

Spicy vegetable riceServeS 2 1 tbsp sunflower oil1 tsp sesame seed oil2 shallots, sliced1 garlic clove, crushed1 red chilli, diced1 tsp ground cumin1 tsp ground coriander½ tsp ground turmeric2 large whole cardamom pods, seeds removed1 tbsp soy sauce¼ Chinese cabbage, finely sliced6 mushrooms, finely sliced100g frozen peas

40 | living nikki legon’s cuisine


½ red and yellow pepper, finely slicedsmall tin of sweetcorn150g basmati rice, cooked2 tbsp sesame seeds

METHODHeat the sunflower and sesame oil in a wok, add the shallots and cook for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, chilli, cumin, coriander, turmeric, the seeds from the cardamom and the soy sauce, cook for a further minute. Add all the vegetables and toss to coat in the spices. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring, add the rice and stir to combine. Season and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. For non-vegetarians, you can add cooked chicken, prawns, scallops or pork.

Cauliflower steaks with ginger, turmeric and cumin Roast the humble cauliflower with health boosting spices as a main meal or side dish. Serve with salad or place it on top of the spicy rice.

1 cauliflowera little oil for frying1 tbsp olive oil2 tsp grated ginger1 tsp ground cumin½ tsp ground turmeric

METHODPreheat the oven to 200°C.Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and trim the stem. Cutting from the top either side of the middle, cut out 2 thick steaks and season each steak with salt and pepper. Heat a little oil and a knob of butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Sear the cauliflow-er steaks for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Gently remove the steaks to a baking sheet. Whisk together 1 tbsp of olive oil with the ginger, cumin and turmeric and brush this onto the steaks. Roast in the oven for about 10 minutes until tender.

Singapore-style stir fry noodles A low fat, low calorie Asian-style stir fry.

SeRveS 2125g rice vermicelli2½ tbsp soy sauce2 tbsp rice wine vinegar4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce2 peeled and diced shallots1 garlic clove, crushed1 tbsp peeled and grated ginger root1 green bird’s eye chilli, finely chopped3 tbsp mild or hot madras curry powder1 red pepper, finely sliced6 mushrooms, finely sliced12 mangetout, finely sliced

1 carrot, peeled and grated2 eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt and a splash of sesame oil

METHODPut the vermicelli in a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave until softened. Drain and place into a large bowl. Add the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and sweet chilli sauce, toss together until the noodles are well coated.Heat a wok, add a little sunflower oil and tip in the shallots. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, chilli and curry powder, and stir to combine. Add the vegetables. Stir fry for a couple of minutes. Push the vegetables to the side and pour in the beaten egg, cook then stir into the vegetables. Add the noodles and toss everything for a couple of minutes so it is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.Heap onto serving plates and top with fresh coriander if liked. For non-vegetarians you can add chicken, prawns, or pork.

Moroccan lamb koftas SeRveS 4500g minced lean lamb2 tsp ground cumin3 tsp ground coriander½ tsp ground chillilarge onion. grated

Cauliflower

steaks

Singapore-style

stir fry noodles

living nikki legon’s cuisine | 41


A warm welcome awaits you …….Come and discover the Hotel Restaurant Karina, set in a haven of greenery, just 3km from Jarnac in the

beautiful Charentaise countryside.Enjoy dining by the open fire in winter or on the terrace in fine weather with a choice of à la carte or fixed menus. In our bar, you will find the original copper alembic and here you can relax with an aperitif or choose something

from our new bar menu.Menu du Jour (Tuesday – Friday midday): 15€

www.hotelkarina.net | [email protected] | 05 45 36 26 26

Opening HoursThurs, Fri & Sat

10-12 & 2-5

Something Moore-ishSalon de Thé anglaise

Rue des Bouffanais, 16170 Auge-Saint-Medard

(near Rouillac)Tel: 06 42 12 03 96

A quiet spot to take a breath, relax with a cup of organic tea or coffee and a slice of gluten-free cake.

Also serving soup & bread and hot crumpets.

Something Mooreish

2 large garlic cloves, crushed1 tbsp of chopped fresh corianderzest of 1 lemonoil to fry

METHODIf using wooden skewers, soak them in water before using. In a large bowl combine the meat and all of the dry in-gredients, mix well. Add the onion and garlic and mix again, it should remain sticky - like the texture of a sausage - add a little oil if it is very dry. Take a palmful of meat and press it around the middle of the skewer. Roll it lightly be-tween your palms to form an even sau-sage around the skewer about 6 inches long. Repeat with the remaining meat. Heat a griddle pan on a medium heat

and spray with oil. Griddle for 6 to 8 minutes, turning regularly, until golden brown. Serve with tzatziki and salad.

Tex Mex vegetable chilli 1 large onion, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed3 tsp ground cuminchilli powder to taste3 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp ground cinnamon1 or 2 red chillies, deseeded and diced2 large carrots, peeled and diced1 red pepper, deseeded and diced1 green pepper, deseeded and diced2 courgettes, halved, deseeded and dicedflorets from ½ cauliflower, diced

400g tin chopped tomatoes1 tbsp tomato paste1 tbsp brown sugar200g tin sweetcorn400g tin kidney beans400g tin pinto beans

METHODIn a large saucepan, add a little oil and fry the onions on a medium heat for around 6 minutes. Add the garlic and spices, cook for a further 2 minutes. Add all of the finely chopped vegeta-bles and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and brown sugar, and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the beans and sweetcorn, stir and cook for a further 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with rice and top with guacamole or sour cream.

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

Tex Mex

vegetable

chilli

Moroccan

lamb koftas

PRACTICAL livingLiving ProPerty

41 avenue de la Gare - 87210 LE DORATTel. : 05 55 68 31 37 [email protected]

Immobilière du Haut Limousin

www.agenceimmo-ihl.com

232 100€ - BELLACElevated 2 bedroom house with pretty view over the Vincou river.

Garden on several levels.DPE: D 5.5% fees Ref 639

168 800€ - CHATEAUPONSAC 4 bedroom house with barns,

garden, outbuildings and 6ha of land including wood.

DPE: en cours 5.5% fees Ref 631

64 900€ - LA BAZEUGEHouse in a hamlet with 3 bed-rooms. 700m2 garden, electric

and wood heating. DPE: en cours 10% fees Ref 626

180 405€ - BELLACCharming house in wooded,

enclosed garden. 4 bedrooms, office, basement, garage.

DPE: E 5.5% fees Ref 642

195 175€ - ORADOUR ST GENEST 6 bed family house on 3.5ha with 2 outbuildings with potential for

gites. 2400m2 carp lake. DPE: en cours 5.5% fees Ref 642-3

198 943€ - BELLAC Modern bungalow with views, 2 terraces, close to amenities in a

quiet location. 3 beds plus office. DPE: C 5.5% fees Ref 644

www.agence-eleonor.comAgence Eleonor Estate Agency

36-38 rue du Temple, 24500 EYMETTél. : 05 53 27 83 45

[email protected]

Other offices at : Beynac, Monpazier and Villeréal

Ref: 4125-EY. €267,500 FAI DPE: D At the end of a quiet lane and sitting on nearly 2.5 acres of land this charming group

of buildings comprises: an old farmhouse with 3 bedrooms and planning permission to enlarge, a one bedroom chalet, a further building with planning permission to create 3 gites, a barn, a large hangar and a pretty garden with a swimming pool. (Fees 7% included)

Ref: 4521-VI. €175,000 FAI DPE: Vierge Bastide town in walking distance to facilities. With light, bright rooms and high ceilings, this home offers 3 beds, bathroom, a spacious kitchen and a superb sitting room. Many fea-

tures include oak flooring, grand staircase, stone and timber-framed walls and oak beams.(Fees 8% included)

Ref: 4494-EY. €252,625 FAI DPE: C Situated on a hill, a 2 bedroom main

house, an adorable 19th century renovated mill used as a one bed guest house, an

outbuildings, 3.6 acres of land and superb views. (Fees 7.5% included)

Ref: 4413-EY. €215,000 FAI DPE: Vierge6 bedroom main house in a rural

location, several outbuildings including a tobacco barn. All set in over

2.4 acres of land. (Fees 7.5% included)

Ref 22773. 159 000€ FAI Limalonges (79). Lovely longère with

3 reception rooms & 3 bedrooms. Various outbuildings suitable to convert.

Good location. DPE: D (6% Fees included)

Ref 22778. 199 000€ FAI Caunay (79). Wooden bungalow, low

consumption norms. 120m² living space, 3 bedrooms, 48m² lounge. Double garage.

Over 1 acre of garden.DPE: A (5.29% Fees included)

Ref 22757. 149 000€ FAI Romagne. Attractive country house with garden & pool. 3 downstairs bedrooms, 2 upstairs. Various small outbuildings. Ideal

holiday home, quiet location.DPE: n/a (6.43% Fee included)

Ref 22794. 550 000€ FAI Confolens. Unique château & Guest

house. Stunning views over valley. B & B activity, 9 beds mostly ensuite, garages.

Mature garden of 1,34 hectares with pool. DPE: en cours (5.77% Fee included)

Ref 22792. 49 500€ FAI Champniers. Old village house to restore. 3 rooms downstairs, attic

suitable to convert. Various outbuildings. Courtyard, field & wood land in total 1,1

hectares. DPE: n/a (10% Fee included)

Ref 22790. 99 000€ FAI St Romain. Country house on edge of

village. Kitchen, lounge, 2 bedrooms, large garden & field, total 7400m².

Scope for extension. DPE: G (10% Fee included)

9 place Gambetta 86400 CIVRAY

Tél : 05 49 97 11 30 [email protected]

www.agencemercure.fr

Ref 32471. 345 600€ FAI Antigny. 4 independent lodgments, run as successful gite business. Restored to

high standard. Close to numerous tourist sights of interest. Garden 4960m² with

large pool. DPE: n/a (8% Fees included)

Ref 32436. 481 500€ FAI Close to Magnac Laval. Fully restored water mill with private fishing. 4 beds,

3 baths, living space 265m². Gite with 3 beds (to finish). Set in 6750m² garden.

DPE: n/a (8% Fees included)

Ref 32413. 168 800€ FAI Close to Montmorillon. 18th C pretty

village house completely restored. 3 bed, 2 bath, attic for conversion. Large barn,

hangar, and pool set in large garden.DPE: n/a (5.5% Fees included)

Ref 32481. 49 500€ FAI Montmorillon. Charming townhouse with garden & patio. Kitchen, shower, bed/dressing, sitting room, balcony,

great town view. New elecs, decoration, insulation. DPE: n/a (10% Fees included)

Ref 32435. 39 600€ FAI Adriers. In a hamlet, pretty village house

immediately habitable. 2 bedrooms. Attic isolated with space for 2 bedrooms.

Large barn and garden. DPE: n/a (10% Fees included)

Ref 32454. 183 600€ FAI Azat-le-Ris. In a small hamlet, fantastic

barn conversion. Sitting room 63m², kitchen, 3 beds, 2 showers. 1st floor fully

isolated for conversion. 2 barns, lovely large garden. DPE: E (8% Fees included)

5, place Maréchal Leclerc86500 MONTMORILLON

Tél : 05 49 84 08 88 [email protected]

www.agencemercure.fr


LEGGETTLOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST

Time for a new career ? We are currently looking for independent sales agents in Deux Sèvres, Vendée and Maine et Loire. For more information about joining our dynamic team contact

Maxine Enderby: Email: [email protected] or call 06 77 35 91 79.

For general enquiries: +33 05 53 60 84 88 [email protected] www.leggettfrance.com

Thinking of buying or selling a property?

Ref: 49945 House with a gite, an acre & river access.Deux Sevres €197,950

Ref: 56123 Sweet 3 bedroom village property 40 mins from the beach. Vendee €130,800

Ref: 56664 3 bed / 3 bath house with a cottage to renovate and a barn. Charente €210,000

Ref: 29222 A lovely traditional 3 bed cottage in an elevated hamlet location. Vienne €149,330

Then get in touch with Leggett, the ‘Best Estate Agency in France.’

APS2847 – Stunning country house with pigeonnier & guest cottage, outbuildings

with pool, in a fabulous position with stunning views. Close to Bergerac.

€795,000 FAI (DPE: C)

APS2846 – Fabulous restored stone farmhouse with gites and pool in idyllic rural location, 10 minutes from a pictur-esque village with schools and amenities.

€550,000 FAI (DPE: D)

APS2821– Large 6 bedroom house, including self-contained 2 bedroom apartment in village with amenities,

great income potential or family home. €180,000 FAI (DPE: en cours)

APS2845 - Beautiful family home with 7 beds and 228m2 of habitable space in total, with a beautiful pool and gardens of 1 hectare set in stunning countryside.

€375,000 FAI (DPE: en cours)

7 rue du Temple 24500 Eymet T: 05 53 63 22 27

www.guyenneimmobilier.co.uk

ProPertyLiving

Abbaye Royale

Centreville

[email protected] +33 05 53 60 84 88 www.frenchestateagents.com

pho

to

s: ©

CM

t17

C. t

RIB

ALL

IER

€1,260,000 (FAI)Stunning 9 bed/9 bath detached stone property set in 2 acres, 15kms from

Saintes. Voted one of the best 25 villas in Europe by Condé Naste in 2011 and currently running as a wedding venue.

DPE: D Ref: 43394

Reduced from €413,400 to €392,200 (FAI)Comfortable three/four bedroom main property with separate one bedroom

guesthouse and a large garden with pool, lawn, mature trees and a stable block near

Saint-Jean-d’Angély.DPE: C Ref: 43679

€593,600 (FAI)Beautiful 7-bedroom/3 bathroom well- proportioned property in the heart of

the historic quarter of Saint-Jean-d’Angély. Separate annex ideal for business or guest

accommodation.DPE: E Ref: 42798

ProPErtiES NEAr SAiNt-JEAN-d’ANgély

tAlk of thE towN is brought to you by

lEggEtt immoBiliEr

In each issue we highlight a town in the region to help you get to know the area. Here we visit Saint-Jean-d’Angély in Charente-Maritime…

TAlk of thE town

Rich in heritage and situated between Cognac and La Rochelle, Saint-Jean- d’Angély has long been a popular house hunting centre

for those wishing to combine close prox-imity to the Atlantic coast with easy access to major routes north.

Built on the site of a Gallo-Roman villa, the Angeriacum, on the banks of the river Boutonne, the town became an important stop on the Compostela pilgrim route. In 817, Pepin, the Duke of Aquitaine and grandson of Charlemagne, received a relic of Saint John the Baptist and founded an abbey in which to house it. Plundered many times, the abbey was rebuilt in the 14th, 17th and 18th centuries and later aban-doned before becoming a listed building and now a UNESCO heritage site. The abbey gained its royal status after hosting Louis XIV when he attended a nearby marriage, and today the twin Royal Towers are a local landmark which can be climbed to enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside.

Stroll through the partly-pedestrianised town centre with its half-timbered houses standing alongside the region’s tradi-tional white stone houses to visit the imposing 15th century clock tower. Built over a stone arch on the site of one of the original 12th century gateways into the town, it later became a military prison. Further along the road is the decorative Renaissance-style fountain, the Fontaine du Pilori, while the 19th century market halls continue to house the town’s twice weekly market. The nearby Salle Alienor d’Aquitaine is now the Salle des Fêtes for the town and incorporates the arches from the cloisters of the Abbaye Royale.

The town is home to the Cordeliers

Museum in an imposing 19th century mansion that was the town hall until the current, grander Hôtel de Ville was constructed. The museum contains an eclectic collection of artefacts but is best known for its exhibits relating to the Croisière Noire, the crossing of the Sahara by Citroën in 1923.

Saint-Jean-d’Angély is at the heart of the Pays des Vals de Saintonge with 56,000 residents, of which just over 8,000 live in the town.

MARkeTsThere are two markets each week on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the covered market hall from 8am. The monthly foire takes place on the 3rd Saturday of the month also beginning at 8am. Every 5th Sunday, there is a large brocante in Place du Champ de Foire from 8am-6pm.

AMenITIesThe town has a selection of both private and public schools with one lycée offering post-Bac courses. Families will enjoy the Centre Aquatic Atlantys with its swim-ming pools and 54m toboggan slide and there are also walks, cycle routes and recreation areas along the Boutonne river.

TRAnspoRTSaint-Jean-d’Angély is well placed for travelling to and from the UK. The nearby airports of La Rochelle and Poitiers offer a good choice of low cost flights to the UK and further afield. Limoges, Bergerac and Nantes airports are also within reach, extending the flight opportunities. The Paris to La Rochelle TGV line stops in Surgères while the nearby A10 is ideal for travelling north and south.

loCAl kNowlEdgE you CAN truSt


235 900€ FAI (6.82% fees included) Civray 86). Town centre with rental/

gite potential. 7-bed character house on 3 levels and 5-room professional

offices. Terrace, garages, mains drains, adjoining garden, all set on 1575m2.

52 000€ FAI (9.47% fees included)Confolens area (16). Semi-detached village house, 2 bedrooms, balcony,

attic, main drains, courtyard and garden, shed, well with pump.

All set on 330m2.

131 500€ FAI (9.6% fees included)Alloue area (16). Charming &

comfortable pretty stone cottage, 2 beds, heating, workshop, covered terrace, mains drains, greenhouse, adjoining land. All set on 3825m2.

131 500€ FAI (9.6% fees included)Alloue area (16). Countryside hous-ing development, 2004 detached

bungalow, 4 beds, oil heating, garage/boiler room, mains drains,

adjoining land, set on 1396m2.

205 200€ FAI (8% fees included)Confolens area (16). Detached

renovated cottage set on approx 4 acres, 4 bedrooms, oil heating,

detached barn with stable, outbuildings, old septic tank.

38 400 € FAI (9.7% fees included)Chabanais area (16). Semi-detached, habitable 2-bed cottage, old septic tank, opposite garden with garage set on 237m2. Separate outbuilding

with garden set on 180m2.

3, place de la Liberté, 16500 ConfolensTel: 05 45 85 45 65 [email protected]

www.sovimo.com

Sovimo immobiLier

Ref. 33605 Ref. 33617

Ref. 33616 Ref. 33621

Ref. 33628Ref. 33625

DPE: n/a DPE: n/a

DPE: n/a DPE: C

DPE: C DPE: D

€280 000 FAIPretty townhouse in the heart of St Jean d’Angely. Light and airy rooms, beautiful

living room and large fitted kitchen, 4 beds, bathroom, shower room. A private courtyard with heated pool and access to an old barn

now used as a garage with large room (studio) for friends or family.

DPE in progress Ref: idiade 2215

€345 000 FAIContemporary property in the heart of St Jean

d’Angély. 220m2 habitable area offering the benefits of space and comfort. Bright living

rooms on the ground floor, spacious entrance hall, kitchen, living room, dining room, office and 3 beds (one en-suite). Terrace. Large, functional

basement has 28m2 office/bedroom, 19m2

bedroom, 29m2 summer kitchen, wine cave, boiler room and large

garage. Enclosed, well established garden has small outbuilding.

DPE: F Ref: idiade 1875

€450 000 FAIThis pretty hamlet is straight from days gone

by...but with all the comforts of the modern age! Main house, 3 gites (2 x 3-beds and 1 x 2-beds),

bread oven, large 270m2 barn, a building for renovation and other small outbuildings. A charming building with exposed beams is home to the superb interior pool, sauna,

jacuzzi and gym complex. A small equestrian centre is situated

behind the ‘village’ pond which completes the hamlet.

DPE: Vierge Ref: idiade 2184

€235 500 FAIThoughtfully renovated 5-bed farmhouse in

village centre with many original features. Spacious dining kitchen, dining room, living

room and a further room. Upstairs are 5 good size bedrooms and 3 bath/shower rooms.

Enclosed garden with covered terrace and small house in need of renovation.

DPE in progress Ref: idiade 2217

Laurence, Daniel and Carolyn

Idimmo, Prestige & Châteaux

42 Rue Grosse Horloge, 17400 St Jean D’Angély.

Tel: +33 (0)5 16 51 90 52http://adeline.idimmo.net/

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Designing with bulbsLarge, bold masses of bulbs in count-less colours are popular in parks and botanical gardens yet it can be chal-lenging to recreate that look at home on a smaller scale. Mixed colours make a small area look even smaller but an excellent compromise is to simplify things by using drifts of just two or three colours to provide visual strength through uniformity of colour. In very small spaces plant bulbs of one colour for impact and to make the space appear larger.

This tip applies to just about any bulb, large or small.

Conversely, small groups of mixed bulb colours set amongst peren-nials or shrubs create bright accents. Make strong statements by grouping together several large flowered types such as daffodils, tulips or alliums. Also, the foliage of perennials helps to conceal the bulbs’ foliage as it fades. Brunnera is good at concealing daffodil foliage, and Peony and Geranium are great at covering Allium leaves. Don’t plant bulbs under dense evergreens though; they will not get enough

living gardening | 47

In the second of our two-part feature on bulbs,

Trevor Bridge recom-mends those that will add

interest to the garden in summer, autumn

and winter. He starts by describing many striking

ways to use bulbs…

Choosingthe

Wheelbarrow Gardener part

two

SuMMer & AuTuMn buLbS

48 | living gardening


light. However, early bulbs obtain enough light before deciduous shrubs and trees come into leaf. Crocus, snow-drop, bluebell, winter aconite, grape hyacinth and early daffodils perform well in these situations.

There is nothing wrong in combining colours and the results can be breath-taking. An easy way is to obtain pre-selected combinations from garden centres. Mixed day lilies are sold as Hémérocalles en mélange, and anemone, montbretia, freesia and dwarf iris en

mélange are available.Spring bulbs often appear lost in bare

soil. Plant pansies, Ajuga, Hellebore, Vinca or creeping Phlox in autumn to provide colourful accompaniments. Spring bulbs are also useful for early colour in perennial beds, providing interest before the perennials bloom. Add splashes of colour to flower beds or potagers with borders of low-growing bulbs such as grape hyacinths or small daffodils.

Daffodils, snowdrops, bluebells, crocuses, fritillaries and winter aconites are good naturalising in grass; a great way to brighten up lawns and wild-flower areas in spring. Scatter bulbs randomly, planting where they land unless they are very close to each other. Foliage cannot be mown until it dies down naturally; daffodils foliage can linger until June so only plant where this is acceptable.

Summer flowering bulbSmontbretia Crocosmia (crocosmia in French) take me back to my child-hood when they were a favourite in our garden and we now have them growing at Le Fayard, a cadeau from a dear French friend. They are easy, fast growing hardy corms that will quickly multiply and wander through your garden. I love plants that do this;

Begonia

Alstroemeria

Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’

Bowden lily Nerine

bowdenii

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covering bare patches, eliminating the need to weed. They have sword-shaped leaves and bear vibrant exotic-looking red, orange or yellow flowers and are sold in mixed colours (en mélange) or in individual colours. C. ‘Lucifer’ has vivid red flowers reaching 120cm high and the compact C. ‘Emily McKenzie’ reaches 60cm with bright orange blooms. Crocosmias make excellent cut flowers. Plant 15cm apart, 10cm deep in sun or partial shade.

African lilies Agapanthus (agapanthe) are grown for their striking balls of flowers in blue, purple and white on statuesque stems. Bold and architectural, they thrive in well drained sunny situations and are increasing in popularity. Plant 8cm deep with 10-15cm between bulbs. A.

‘Northern Star’ is a classic Agapanthus with dark violet-blue blooms in July and August, reaching 90cm. A. ‘Blue Storm’ produces masses of starry balls of soft-blue flowers over a long period from June to September, attaining 75cm. A. ‘Double Diamond’, a compact plant reaching 30cm, has attractive globes of white trumpet blooms from July to August.

Ranunculus Ranunculus aconiti-folius (renoncule) grows to 45cm and produces large fragrant ruffled peony-shaped blooms ideal for borders and cut flowers, especially popular in bouquets. It is thought to have been taken to Britain by Huguenot refugees fleeing France; the naturally occurring double-form is called ‘Fair Maids of France’. R. ‘Purple Sensation’ is deep-purple, R.

‘Flore Plena’ has double white blooms and Ranunculus are popularly sold en

mélange. Plant in sun or partial shade, 5cm deep, 15cm apart.

Sicilian honey garlic Nectaro-scordum siculum (ail d’ornement) has

unusual and very attractive umbrellas of 1.2m high bell-shaped, creamy-green lilac-flushed flowers on stiff stems that form shuttlecock-like seed-heads. They are wonderful in dried flower arrange-ments. Plant 15cm deep, 15cm apart in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil.

Begonia Begonia (begonia). Tuberous begonias have glamorous, colourful flowers over a long period through to the first frosts and are superb in borders and containers. Place fragrant varieties such as the trailing B. ‘Fragrant Falls’ in a hanging basket close to a doorway to appreciate them. Suppliers in France provide varieties in single shades of red, pink, yellow, orange and white. They are also avail-able en mélange, some have marbled flowers whilst others have contrasting margins, such as B. ‘Crispa Marginata White-Red’ which has white flowers with frilly red edged petals. Begonias are half-hardy so unless you live in a frost-free area replace them each year, treating them as bedding plants. Alter-natively lift them with a ball of soil before the first frost, leave in a shed or similar, then when the stems dry shake off excess soil and store in sand in a cool, dry place until after the last frost then replant.

Allium Allium (ail d’ornament) are also known as ornamental onions. A favourite of mine, they are grown for their showy globe-shaped flower heads which come in a range of sizes and shades of blue, purple, white and yellow in May and June. When they die back their dried flowers are attrac-tive outdoors or cut for indoor display. They prefer sheltered, sunny, well-drained sites. Plant 8cm deep. Tall ones need a minimum of 20cm between bulbs whilst low-growing ones are planted 8-10cm apart. A. ‘Globemaster’

Daffodil & grape hyacinths

Iris sibirica

Sicilian honey garlic Nectaroscordum

siculum

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50 | living gardening


has large deep-violet heads reaching 80cm in height. A. hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ has small umbels of vivid rose-purple flowers on stems up to 1m high. A. karataviense is low-growing, reaching 10-25cm, and good for the front of the border with its small pale pink star-shaped blooms and grey-purple leaves.

Iris Iris (iris) are classic cottage garden rhizomes with beautiful ruffled blooms in just about every colour. Popular in France, they are easy to grow, sturdy, and many have lovely light fragrance making them ideal for flower arrangements. Bearded iris are popular and vary in size. Tall-bearded iris are over 70cm high; intermedi-ates are under 70cm and dwarfs are up to 30cm. Taller ones flower from May to July and smaller ones flower earlier. I. germanica ‘Black Dragon’ is a tall-bearded with deep purple, almost black, blooms. I. ‘Harvest of Memories’ is a bearded-intermediate with large yellow flowers and I. ‘Seafire’ is a deli-cate blue dwarf-bearded. Iris sibirica are tall-beardless delicate looking but hardy natives of central Europe with attractive grassy foliage. I. sibirica ‘Ever Again’ has beautiful true blue flowers whilst I.sibirica ‘Dance Ballerina Dance’ is a pretty pale-lilac with rusty-red and orange margins. Iris prefer full sun and good drainage and are planted at or just below ground level with their rhizomes poking just above the soil and roots pointing downwards. They are easily divided by just pulling apart by hand or with a sharp knife. At Le Fayard we often just push them into gravel and they thrive, even surviving being dug up repeatedly by our dogs and cats!

Alstroemeria Alstroemeria

(alstroemère) or Lily of the Incas is a well known florist’s flower and impres-sive garden plant providing copious splashes of colour with their lily-like blooms over long periods, sometimes flowering from June to November. They are good cottage garden plants. Plant 15cm deep at 20cm spacing in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. A. ‘Sirius’ provides a profusion of soft-pink flowers with a golden throat and red freckles and looks good when planted in large clumps. A. ‘Sweet Laura’ has sweetly fragrant and exotic looking golden petals, with stunning looks.

Autumn & wInter flowerIng bulbsIvy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium (cyclamen neopolitanum) grows abundantly at Le Fayard and sprouts up quite unexpectedly all over the place to form wonderful carpets of foliage and flowers, particularly where there is a little shade such as in our orchard, next to hedgerows and on the north side of the house. Its startling delicate pink flowers appear just before its marbled-silver ivy-like leaves during September to October. Plant 5cm deep in partial shade.

eastern cyclamen Cyclamen coum (cyclamen coum) are stalwart plants bearing pink or magenta flowers during the depths of winter from January to March, lighting up the dullest months in the severest of weather. Their green leaves are often marked silver and white. They natu-ralise well in grass or under deciduous trees and shrubs. Plant 5cm deep in partial shade.

winter daffodils Sternbergia lutea (vendangeuse/crocus jaune d’automne) despite their English name, have stun-ning crocus-like yellow flowers on leaf-less stems in autumn and are excellent for end-of-year colour. They prefer full sun and are good for naturalising to provide big impact. Plant 15cm apart in well-drained soil.

bowden lilies Nerine bowdenii (lis de Guernesey) are perfect for a bold end of season show with their lily-like pink flowers in late September and October. They are hardy, summer-dormant bulbs and their leaves appear after the flowers, remaining throughout winter. They attain 50cm in height and establish easily. They can be bought here as Nerine mélange de coloris with a mix of light pink, strong pink, red and white flowers. Opinion varies about planting depth. Some say plant 5cm deep but most advise to plant with the bulbs half emerging from the soil. They grow naturally at surface level so perhaps that’s the clue. Plant 10cm apart in full sun.

Autumn crocus Crocus speciosus (crocus d’automne bleu), with their beau-tiful blue-violet goblet flowers from

Colourfultulips

Montbretia Crocosmia

‘Lucifer’

Saffron crocus



Trevor is a landscape architect who ran a busy practice in the UK for 20 years. He and his wife Jocelyn moved to an ancient fermette in Poitou-Charentes in 2004 where they garden organically and keep bees and hens.

September to November, are popular for naturalising in sunny borders; quickly forming large colonies. Plant 10cm deep in drifts in well-drained soil. In lawns do not cut the grass until their leaves have died back. Also worth planting is the saffron crocus, Crocus sativus

(safran), cultivated since antiquity for its red stigmas; reputedly worth their weight in gold as a spice. They are cultivated commercially in the Charente near Parzac (16450) and the producers regularly sell bulbs at local markets. This is how we obtained ours, but they are also available from garden centres. In October you will get one flower per bulb and three stigmas per flower, so if you want to make your fortune plant in abundance! Plant 5-10cm deep, 15cm apart.

Winter aconite Eranthis hyemalis (éranthe d’hiver) is a favourite native plant of mine that produces masses of bright, cheerful, yellow cup-shaped flowers in late winter and early spring in woodland edges and hedge-rows around Le Fayard. They love shade, although they tolerate full sun provided they are in moist soil, and are perfect left to fend for themselves in bold, natural drifts and benefit from being planted amongst woodland trees. Plant 5cm deep, 5cm apart.

Cylamen hederifolium

Sternbergia lutea

www.livingmagazine.fr | 32www.livingmagazine.fr

52 | living Angling


pushed in from above.”Celluloid floats were all the rage in the

1920s and 30s and are now collector’s pieces. However, 21st century float makers use plastic, balsa and nylon to provide a vast range to cater for every species and every form of fishing. The assertion that floats catch more anglers than fish really is true because we all have more than we need yet find it almost impossible to pass the rows of fluorescent painted temptation in the tackle shop without adding to the collection. All floats should be examined for damage and any chipped paint touched up and also make sure there are sufficient numbers of float adaptors and silicone rubber float sleeves to attach the floats to the line.

Boxes holding split shot and leger leads should all be opened to make sure the contents are sufficient and also make sure the disgorger, scissors and shot pliers are there.

Little goes wrong with modern landing nets and keepnets but look carefully for any damage to the nylon netting and make sure that handles and bank sticks fit correctly.

Check the hook supply and make sure there is a wide range of sizes and a sufficient number to deal with those days when sunken weed and snags in the water take their toll. The hook is the vital point of contact between the angler and the fish and has been that way since Neolithic man put his bait on one made from bone.

Hook making on a commercial scale started in London in the 17C; pioneered by Charles Kirby whose name is immortalised in the popular Kirby Bend hook pattern that still sells well today. Following the Great Fire of London hook making and the associated trade of needle making moved to the Worcester town of Redditch, which grew to become the world centre for fishing tackle for the next three centuries. Today Weihai City in the Shandong Province of China holds the title and a decade has passed since the last English hook maker shut shop. If history is correct, supplying the needs of the world’s biggest participant sport has gone full circle and it is back where it started over 4,000 years ago.

Fishing in this

year’s floods

CatchingBarbel

Fishing expert Ron Cousins prepares his tackle for the busy fishing season ahead…

Hook, line & sinker…

Shakespeare’s claim that “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything” is certainly true where angling is concerned. Rivers, often high and coloured during

the winter months, have come back to life and fish rising, swirling and splashing on the surface are a tantalising reminder of what great sport is ahead of us as the days lengthen. Novices and veterans alike feel the excitement and the urge to hasten to the waterside; but first it is vital to make sure that the fishing tackle is in perfect order to deal with all the fish that will surely come our way during the halcyon days ahead.

This isn’t the chore it might seem because most of us thoroughly enjoy the checking, cleaning and tidying up - it’s necessary but also therapeutic. Let’s start with the rod.

The fishing rod has been around a long time. Stone inscriptions dating back to 2,000BC indicate that they go back to ancient Egypt and China. In Britain fishing with one-piece rods made from English wood really took off after the Civil War, with leading Roundhead officer Robert Venables describing how to use them in his ‘The Experienced Angler’ published in 1662. By the end of the 18th century lighter foreign woods such as bamboo and Indian or Spanish reed allowed longer, jointed rods to be made and whale bone was often chosen for the flexible top section. In the 1950s glass fibre rods were on the market; boron made an appearance in the 1960s and a decade later came the graphite rods used today. Fortunately, the straightening and varnishing required to keep old time wooden rods in good order doesn’t apply to the space-age material in our rod bags. Scrub any ingrained dirt off the handle, check the reel fitting and look carefully at the rings to check for wear or damage and the job is done.

The long carbon poles favoured by French anglers are equally easy to maintain. Each section can be cleaned by passing a soft cloth through it or using one of the cleaning kits sold in tackle shops.

Clean and check all the joints and if any show signs of wear they can be restored with a canister of carbon spray.

Reels have also been around a long time and a Chinese painting by the artist Ma Yuan from around 1200AD entitled ‘Angler on a Wintry Lake’ clearly shows a reel attached to the rod. Reels - known then as ‘winds’ - appeared in Britain in 1650 and geared reels a decade later. The Mitchell Reel Company, based at Cluses in the Haute Savoie, started making reels in 1948 and dominated the world market for the next 40 years with products of such high quality that many of the early models are still in regular use today. Now Japanese or Chinese manufacturers make most of the reels and routine maintenance simply involves cleaning and greasing or oiling at points indicated in the instruction booklet.

Problems with gears or the line pick up system are best left to a specialist reel engineer such as www.jimsreelshop.co.uk as casually dismantling a reel is often far, far easier that putting it back together in working order.

The line on the reel certainly needs careful attention. Horsehair was the first material used for lines and then came plaited silk that was really high maintenance, requiring drying out after fishing trips and regular treatment with special line floatant to stop it sinking. In the 1950s nylon monofilament became available and in various forms makes up all lines now in use. This material requires no special attention other than to make sure it hasn’t weakened. Over time strong sunlight can affect the breaking strain and it is far better to discover the reduced strength by testing it yourself rather than have it pointed out by the fish of a lifetime snapping the line.

Commercial float making started around 1800. Before that various bird quills were used and in the first book written about fishing - Dame Julia Berners’s 1496 ‘Treatys of Ffysynge’ - instructions are given to “bore a hole through a cork with a heated iron and trap the horse hair with a quill

PRACTICAL living54 | living PRomoTIon

<<

So what is the problem?Growth of use of wood pellets has been affected by the recent falling costs of oil. Oil is presently the cheapest heating fuel (as long as you have an efficient boiler) but not so long ago it was nearly as expensive as heating with electricity and twice the cost of using pellets. That said the cost of oil is unpredictable whereas the cost of pellets is relatively stable. The industry has concentrated on large commercial and industrial plants so the residential sector has been neglected. Poor sales information and the need for pellet storage space has probably all played a part in holding back sales but possibly the biggest barrier is the cost of pellet boilers.So the challenge was to seek

out a pellet boiler that was compact, simple to load, with a modern thermostat and controls. But most of all it needed to be affordable without compromising on quality. It took some time but we have sourced a super pellet boiler range starting at 12KW (up to 100KW) output with an integral hopper. The integral hopper can be sized to contain an average of a weeks’ worth of pellets so no need for a separate hopper if there is limited space. “I am so excited about this product,” says Paul. “These boilers can also be controlled wirelessly using your phone but the best thing is the price. We have managed to source a pellet boiler that is affordable to such an extent that we can also see it used as part of a dual system alongside other heating systems to make the best use of all technologies.”

If you have been thinking of ditching your existing boiler, contact Paul for a chat on 05 45 32 65 57 or [email protected].

PRACTICAL RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS – HELPING YOU TOWARDS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

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ENERGY advice By Paul Elliott from Ecopower

The pellet boiler challengeIt was predicted the demand for wood pellets would treble by 2020 and even though pellets are still the fastest growing energy source in the EU, domestic sales of pellet system boilers should be better. Burning pellets delivers a serious C02 reduction and good quality pellets are now widely available. Pellets are less hassle than burning logs and an obvious advantage is the ability to easily mix with other renewables such as solar and heat pump technology.

If you are trying to sell or promote a property or business, it is important to ensure your marketing reaches its full potential. After years of relying on still photography alone, now with the fast growing influence of social media and the ease at which information can be shared via the internet, videography is becoming an indispensable marketing tool.

By having a high quality video produced which can include both aerial and ground shots, you can offer prospective buyers an attractive, commented tour of your property or business with an impact that photographs and written words just cannot provide. A ‘walk-through’ gives viewers a real feel of both the interior and exterior of your property or business.

The production team at Air au Sol can provide solutions for all scenarios from the air to the ground. Their aim is to produce videos that will save time, energy and money for both seller and buyer. “It’s in the sellers’ best

interest to receive prospective buyers who have seen the ins and outs of the property or business and, importantly, its surroundings so they will be less likely to be disappointed,” explains Dara Ó Baoill who founded the business with partner Tony Wherrett.

“Videography is the solution. At Air au Sol, we have worked across Europe and beyond,” adds Tony. They are equipped with Full HD and 4k cameras as well as the latest drone technology.

Not only do they produce videos for selling properties, but they can help you showcase your tourism business (gîtes, hotels, restaurants etc.), make corporate videos, or cover sporting events. What is more, they have introduced a special service for weddings so you can capture every aspect of the day (see www.weddingfilmsfrance.com).

To find out more email [email protected] or telephone 05 45 64 47 30.

are you trying to sell or promote a property or business? We talk to Air au Sol about the use of videography…

mARkETING YOUR PROPERTY

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slices and chicken curry pasties. These are on offer alongside their dry cured bacon, homemade sausages and other pork products. Plus now you can order catering packs of pies and pasties for all your events and parties. The popular sausage range has both

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Courses, rentals, watches, websites, pet services, book-keeping

Stained Glass

Traditional, leaded, stained glassDesigned and crafted for you by a skilled artist with over

20 years experienceTransform your vision into reality

Commissions ~ Restoration

T: +33 (0)5 45 98 44 04 E: [email protected]

www.glassaspire.co.uk

Based on 24/16 border

- happy to travel

Open Thurs, Fri & Sat: 6pm - 9pm

Telephone Orders Welcome 05 49 87 86 62

Between Ruffec & Civray

La SiréneTraditional Fish & Chips LIZANT (86)

Frying Icelandic Cod & Haddock

PLUSPukka Pies, Hamburgers etc.

Children’s Menu, Homemade Specials & Desserts

Enjoy a glass of wine with your mealEAT-IN OR TAKE-AWAY

Regular temperature controlled deliveries

from the UK of frozen, chilled and

grocery Iceland products

Domaine de la Goujonne 17270, MONTGUYON 05 46 48 32 44

www.anglofoods.com

LUXURY WINE/COGNAC TOUR PACKAGESecluded setting in Charente (16) only 3 mins from nearest town.Yoga/retreat groups welcome.

Beautiful Manor House, perfect for family/group holidays or celebrations

+33 (0)545 252132 +44 (0)7786 [email protected]

Sleeps 12 in 3 luxurious bedroom suites & 3 ensuite bedrooms.

6x12 pool, tennis court, exterior kitchen, poolside shower room & toilets.

Beautiful grounds.

www.lemanoircharente.com

Food, shops, paint, well-being, arts

www.kitchensfrance.com

Your dream bespoke kitchen in France

Telephone: 05 65 41 04 86 / 06 71 45 93 01 or email: [email protected]

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM OR CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULATIONFREEBosch Dishwasherwith every kitchen order

56

Visit Alison Barker & Julie Cooke at...

Civray (86400)26 rue du Commerce

Tel: 05 49 87 16 33 06 82 59 76 87

[email protected] Siret: 509 861 902 00013

RENAISSANCE hair, beauty, nails

YOGA & WELLBEING AT THE FRENCH YOGA GARDEN

HATHA YOGA Tues 19.30-20.45 / Weds 10.15-11.30RESTORATIVE YOGA

Thurs 10.30-11.45YIN / BEGINNERS

Thurs 13.30-14.45

ContaCt LuCy thompson for bookings:

[email protected] 49 87 36 26

Facebook: frenchyogagarden

NEW! HATHA CLASS CONFOLENS

Thurs 10.30-11.45 (Mid March)

Eileen Horton: 17 Grand Rue, 86160 Sommières-du-Clain

Hundreds of English products at great pricesNow stockists of Crown & Sandtex Paint Homemade food & cakes served All day

Latté - Cappuccino - Draught BeerFull English Breakfast

Fresh Battered Cod & Chips Please refer to our website for opening times

Fresh deliveries every 3 weeks

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com

Claude’s Cat Hotel

Our small purpose built cattery offers heated

accommodation with outdoor space in a rural setting.

Les Chaillauds 16220 MONTBRONTel: 05 45 24 01 45

E:[email protected] www.claudescathotel.com

By appointment Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

www.livingmagazine.frwww.livingmagazine.fr

AccentsMake sure your children keep up to speed with their

English Literacy while living in France...Weekly classes held in Civray (86400)

Experienced, qualified UK teachers using the latest UK materials

www.accents-asso.fr [email protected] ages 4+ Established 2007

Association Loi 1901

Starting Sept 2016 - iGCSE in English Language

U.P.V.C. Double GlazingHigh quality U.P.V.C. windows & doors

UK Manufactured, specifically made in French style

Wide choice of colours availableProfessionally surveyed, measured and installed

25+ years experienceReferences available, fully insured and registered

Haynes Carpentry Call Keith on 05 49 63 97 80 or 07 80 06 26 45 (mobile)


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All areas

covered

BikeHireDirectQuality bike hire across

16, 17, 24, 33, 79, 85, 86 & 87

FREE delivery & collection

Gite Owner? Earn money with us!


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On YourMortgagePayments

We supply, digitise and embroider all types of

Team, Leisure, Corporate, and Work Wear to promote

your image/business.Personalised gift items for

all ages and occasions.For anything embroidered, please call: 05 55 48 83 21 e-mail: [email protected]

Siret: 798 577 064 000014

Jane Wherrett ACCAUK Quali� ed Chartered Accountant• Bookkeeping to Trial Balance• Bank Reconciliations and

Cash Flow Forecasts• Aged Debtors and Creditors• VAT/TVA returns• Monthly Management

Accounts • Profi t & Loss

and Balance Sheet

Accounting and Bookkeeping Services to suit your business

requirements

Contact JaneTel: 05 45 64 47 30 E: [email protected]

Profi t & Loss and Balance

Courses, rentals, watches, websites, pet services, book-keeping

Stained Glass

Traditional, leaded, stained glassDesigned and crafted for you by a skilled artist with over

20 years experienceTransform your vision into reality

Commissions ~ Restoration

T: +33 (0)5 45 98 44 04 E: [email protected]

www.glassaspire.co.uk

Based on 24/16 border

- happy to travel

Food, shops, paint, well-being, arts

www.kitchensfrance.com

Your dream bespoke kitchen in France

Telephone: 05 65 41 04 86 / 06 71 45 93 01 or email: [email protected]

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM OR CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULATIONFREEBosch Dishwasherwith every kitchen order

Hundreds of English products at great pricesNow stockists of Crown & Sandtex Paint Homemade food & cakes served All day

Latté - Cappuccino - Draught BeerFull English Breakfast

Fresh Battered Cod & Chips Please refer to our website for opening times

Fresh deliveries every 3 weeks

Watch RepairRobert Horan, MBHI

certified by the British Horological Institute

visit us atwww.roberthoran.eu

Siret 80955021300015 Horan EIRL

Michael & WendyLe Baillat

16220 Rouzede CharenteT: 05 45 66 14 62

Cats and Dogs Boarding Kennels

Siret: 494 030 919 00018

Established for 9 years. Family run, purpose built Kennels.Fully insured, registered and veterinary approved. 45 years of animal care qualifications.

Caringly walked individually

4 times a day under

supervision.

ALL VIEWINGS WELCOME

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com

Claude’s Cat Hotel

Our small purpose built cattery offers heated

accommodation with outdoor space in a rural setting.

Les Chaillauds 16220 MONTBRONTel: 05 45 24 01 45

E:[email protected] www.claudescathotel.com

By appointment Mon-Sat 9am-6pm


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The UK’s Premium Pet Transport Company

Regular trips throughout EuropeServices tailored to your needs

DEFRA Type 2 licensed, custom built vans

www.gofetch-ltd.com [email protected]: +44 (0)7855 401 102T: +44 (0)1656 670 856

AccentsMake sure your children keep up to speed with their

English Literacy while living in France...Weekly classes held in Civray (86400)

Experienced, qualified UK teachers using the latest UK materials

www.accents-asso.fr [email protected] ages 4+ Established 2007

Association Loi 1901

Starting Sept 2016 - iGCSE in English Language

where music& learning play!

Nurture their Englishthrough play & music

With ALICIA MORRISTeacher & Licensed Educator

Music & Movement classes in English for both English & French

children aged 0-7

Classes in Poitiers & CivrayCall Alicia : 06 73 17 69 30kindermusikwithaliciamorris@

gmail.com Also on Facebook!

La Cure du Maine Charles

B&B6 rooms

16120 Birac | Tel: 06 17 15 18 94www.logislacure.fr

For groups, families & individuals.En-suite rooms, breakfast included.Free bikes available plus nature

walks in the donkey park. Free wifi, pets welcome.

Dinner available - bio-Italian- vegetarian.

LUXURY WINE/COGNAC TOUR PACKAGESecluded setting in Charente (16) only 3 mins from nearest town.Yoga/retreat groups welcome.

Beautiful Manor House, perfect for family/group holidays or celebrations

+33 (0)545 252132 +44 (0)7786 [email protected]

Sleeps 12 in 3 luxurious bedroom suites & 3 ensuite bedrooms.

6x12 pool, tennis court, exterior kitchen, poolside shower room & toilets.

Beautiful grounds.

www.lemanoircharente.com

U.P.V.C. Double GlazingHigh quality U.P.V.C. windows & doors

UK Manufactured, specifically made in French style

Wide choice of colours availableProfessionally surveyed, measured and installed

25+ years experienceReferences available, fully insured and registered

Haynes Carpentry Call Keith on 05 49 63 97 80 or 07 80 06 26 45 (mobile)


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Cachette du chatSmall friendly cattery

Condac, Ruffec.Purpose-built heated

Chambers for your catwith its own outdoor run

Each chamber is well equipped to give your cat

all the comforts.Open all year.Visits welcome.

Reg DSV – Certifi cateof capacity

Tel 0545 29 01 310615 66 38 92

[email protected]

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LION ROUGELION ROUGESuppliers and installers of UPVCwindows, doors and conservatories

Covering departments 16, 17 & 33

www.lionrouge.eu

Call today on05 46 70 25 87

Jonzac, Charente-Maritime

Ask about our promotionsMotor, House and Contents,

Health, Business, LifeInsurance and Savings

For all your insurance

needs

AGENCES PHILIPPE BOURDIN3 Place d’Armes, 16700 RUFFEC

Tel: 05 45 31 01 51or

Commercial site at SuperU, 79190 SAUZE VAUSSAIS

Tel: 05 49 07 61 10

Free, no obligation quotes.Ask for Samantha

No ORIAS: 07009808

E: bourdin-ru� [email protected]

Tel: 05 55 09 15 73

L’Atelier de FerFraser W. Eade

General EngineeringTurning, Milling, Welding

Quality & Precision Guaranteed

Forgeix, 87200 Saint Junien05 55 71 41 75

[email protected]

www.latelierdefer.com

Siret: 512 945 874 00018

Car, House, Health, Travel, Business, Life insurances… Investments.

SANDRINE TUYERASINSURANCE & INVESTMENT

[email protected]° ORIAS 14001253

2 Offices: 87300 BELLAC / 87140 NANTIAT – Tel. 05 55 68 11 80

Satellites, motoring, engineering, furniture, windows Help & advice, insurance, satellites

Valérie PATARD1, rue Basse 85370 Mouzeuil-Saint-MartinTel: +33 (0)6 84 78 21 57Email: [email protected] out more: www.valassist.com

Val AssistTranslation Services

Professional Administrative HelpI can help with Translations, Health, Tax, Legal Paperwork,

Telephone Calls, Property, Banking, Business Services

Call now for help filling in your 2016 Tax returns

Val Assist provides clear explanations about the French system, advice on the best way to sort out problems and

generally acts for people on their behalf in French.

Siret N°48825664500018

[email protected]

Kate Sevoz - 06 73 56 81 20

PROFESSIONAL ADMIN HELP & ADVICE

Greatsuccess onall subjects

treated

Siret N°80513433500019

Business set-up (Micro Entreprise etc...), CFE, Tax returnHealth matters, Family benefits, Insurance

Utilities, Banking, Tradesmen, Schooling, Notaires, etc...Translation (inc Websites), Calls, Emails, Letters


Hello, my name is Isabelle Want. For the past 5 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager. Being mar-ried 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 follow-ing 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, unfortu-nately!- TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE - why you need it and how much it is- INSURANCES - get a free quote to see if you can save moneyWe 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.

Insurance and asset management advice in English

BH Assurances22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffectel : 05 45 31 01 61

10 bld du 8 mai 1945 16110 La Rochefoucauld tel : 05 45 63 54 31

102 ave de la République16260 Chasseneuil sur Bonnieuretel : 05 45 39 51 47

Contact Isabelle directly Mobile: 06 17 30 39 11 Email: [email protected] www.info-bhc.comN° ORIAS : 07020908

FURNITURE for France is now in its thirteenth year of supplying quality furniture to properties in France. The company specialises in providing clients with a service that offers good

quality UK-sourced furniture, delivered direct to your property in France from just £99 .Liaising with its customers from the initial enquiry through to furniture installation, ensures they are kept informed every step of the way. “With 12 years’ experience and thousands of deliveries under our belts throughout France, we have encountered almost everything and put that to good use when helping customers find the

right furniture for their property,” said Brian Muir, the company’s managing director.Potential customers can view and discuss all the sofa, mattress and furniture options at the Meubles New Ideas showroom based near Brive, 19350. Rendez-vous by appoint-ment at your convenience. Furniture delivered throughout France as well as, of course, locally to the Dordogne, Charente, Lot and Limousin.

Quality Furniture - Convenient Delivery

T: 06 46 49 73 45 E: [email protected] www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

FEaTURED BUsINEss58

English SpeakingAsk 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 MichallonTel: 05.49.25.87.06

[email protected]

Orias: 07007057

BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARES?

Prompt and practical help with all your administrative problems:

tax returns, healthcare cover, family benefi ts, insurance claims, auto entreprises, notaires, banks, utilities, social security, mairies & more.

Call Alison on 05 49 87 17 60

alison@affi xe.comwww.affi xe.com


Sarl AUVIN Fabrication

Stairs & windowsAll carpentry

Manufacture & renovation in and around Charente (16)

Le Bourg à Moutardon 16700 Nanteuil-en-ValléeTel. 05 45 31 03 05

www.auvin-fabrication.com

LION ROUGELION ROUGESuppliers and installers of UPVCwindows, doors and conservatories

Covering departments 16, 17 & 33

www.lionrouge.eu

Call today on05 46 70 25 87

Jonzac, Charente-Maritime

' The major stockist and distributor in south west France of parts for Land Rover, Jaguar, MG, Mini, Triumph, Rover and other classic British vehicles.

' Technical support and electronic diagnostic equipment are available.

' Buy on-line via our website.

82 rue Jean Ducongé16410 Garat

Tel: 05 17 20 34 84Email: [email protected]

www.landypoint.fr

Famous Furniture in France

A large range of fabulous high back G Plan sofas, chairs and

3-piece suites always available from stock.

Plus a range of quality pocket sprung UK mattresses.

Delivered direct to your door in France - Pay in £’s or Euros.

www.famousfurnitureinfrance.com

Call us on 05 49 83 03 71 or 06 06 86 50 07 Based near Montmorillon (86)

R.S.M. Distribution

Famous named brands in stockSilentnight - Airsprung

MATTRESSES all sizes

By appointment only email: [email protected] Tel. 05 49 87 67 34

www.fudgejj.com

Siret: 531 167 443 00013

UK Mattresses now available in France

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WANTEDOLD MOPEDS

& MOTORCYCLESAny condition Pre 1985

I am a collectornot a dealer.

Tel Stewart on: 0549 870114

email [email protected]

LeftHandDrivePlace

We buy and sell left hand drive cars, French

& British registered.Delivery and collection across Europe - regular trips throughout France.New and used, tax paid

and tax [email protected]+44 (0) 1256 461173

L’Atelier de FerFraser W. Eade

General EngineeringTurning, Milling, Welding

Quality & Precision Guaranteed

Forgeix, 87200 Saint Junien05 55 71 41 75

[email protected]

www.latelierdefer.com

Siret: 512 945 874 00018

Car, House, Health, Travel, Business, Life insurances… Investments.

SANDRINE TUYERASINSURANCE & INVESTMENT

[email protected]° ORIAS 14001253

2 Offices: 87300 BELLAC / 87140 NANTIAT – Tel. 05 55 68 11 80

MORE€€€

FOR THESAME₤₤₤

Satellites, motoring, engineering, furniture, windows Help & advice, insurance, satellites

[email protected]

Kate Sevoz - 06 73 56 81 20

PROFESSIONAL ADMIN HELP & ADVICE

Greatsuccess onall subjects

treated

Siret N°80513433500019

Business set-up (Micro Entreprise etc...), CFE, Tax returnHealth matters, Family benefits, Insurance

Utilities, Banking, Tradesmen, Schooling, Notaires, etc...Translation (inc Websites), Calls, Emails, Letters


Hello, my name is Isabelle Want. For the past 5 years, I have been working for Allianz as an asset manager. Being mar-ried 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 follow-ing 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, unfortu-nately!- TOP UP HEALTH INSURANCE - why you need it and how much it is- INSURANCES - get a free quote to see if you can save moneyWe 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.

Insurance and asset management advice in English

BH Assurances22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffectel : 05 45 31 01 61

10 bld du 8 mai 1945 16110 La Rochefoucauld tel : 05 45 63 54 31

102 ave de la République16260 Chasseneuil sur Bonnieuretel : 05 45 39 51 47

Contact Isabelle directly Mobile: 06 17 30 39 11 Email: [email protected] www.info-bhc.comN° ORIAS : 07020908

FURNITURE for France is now in its thirteenth year of supplying quality furniture to properties in France. The company specialises in providing clients with a service that offers good

quality UK-sourced furniture, delivered direct to your property in France from just £99 .Liaising with its customers from the initial enquiry through to furniture installation, ensures they are kept informed every step of the way. “With 12 years’ experience and thousands of deliveries under our belts throughout France, we have encountered almost everything and put that to good use when helping customers find the

right furniture for their property,” said Brian Muir, the company’s managing director.Potential customers can view and discuss all the sofa, mattress and furniture options at the Meubles New Ideas showroom based near Brive, 19350. Rendez-vous by appoint-ment at your convenience. Furniture delivered throughout France as well as, of course, locally to the Dordogne, Charente, Lot and Limousin.

Quality Furniture - Convenient Delivery

T: 06 46 49 73 45 E: [email protected] www.furnitureforfrance.co.uk

FEaTURED BUsINEss 59

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REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICESPAIN - UK - FRANCE

1 cubic metre to full trailer loads - Dedicated express loadsWarehouse drop-off service - Single box, part load specialist

Professional export packing service

REMOVALS - STORAGE - GENERAL TRANSPORT - EXPRESS SERVICE

For a free quotation, call or visit our website:+34 952 79 34 22 +34 952 80 76 92

www.murrayharper.com [email protected]

PMCARPETS &FLOORING

For all your flooring needs • We supply and fit a range of carpets to suit all budgets • We also fit amtico, vinyl, wood and ceramic tile • Over 25 years experience, 100% customer satisfaction• Now selling a selection of wool and mixed fibre rugs Contact Paul on 06 60 07 54 78 or 05 45 84 27 75 www.pmcarpetsandflooring.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 8501 2069E: [email protected]

www.europeremove.com

UK-France Removals

FREE, no obligation quotationsFREE advice & support

We offer punctuality & reliabilityUp to 2 weeks free storage for all our clients

Packing services & materials availableSave time & money

WEEKLY TRIPS - FULL/PART LOADS - DOOR TO DOORWeekly trips between UK and FranceEverything from part loads to full house removalsFully insured and registeredOver 25 years experience in transport and removalsUK depot available for deliveries

Phone David on 05 49 87 15 06e-mail [email protected]

www.buzz-transport.com

Weekly services to & from SW FranceInternal moves within France

Containerised StorageRange of Packing services available

Over 30 Years’ Experience

Full or Part Load Removals To & From France Tel: 0044 1622 690653


www.anglofrenchremovals.co.uk UK Registration 543 77 60 UK

‘Your French Connection’EURO REMOVALS

ANGLO FRENCH

A family business for 30 years, offering a professional service

Packing servicesFull/part loads to and

from the UKVehicles transported

Containerised storageCompetitive prices

Transit liability included

Contact; Stephen Franklin 0044 (0)1283 792838

[email protected]

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

FRANKLINS REMOVALS LTD

www.frenchvanman.eu

Man & Van Transport

Genuine, Reliable & HonestLocal + Europe + UK runs

14m3 capacity 4.2m load length

English & French spoken“extremely professional,

reliable and very good value for money”

09 82 12 69 73 87150 Oradour-sur-Vayres

Siret: 530 213 644 00012

Le ParqueteurSAS

Suppliers and Fitters of traditional wood flooringSanding, restoration and finishing of wood floors

and staircasesFree quotation - Devis gratuit

www.leparqueteur.fr E: [email protected] 55 89 55 12 - 06 30 66 84 51

George WhiteEuropean Transport

Special rates to SW France13.6m / 45ft trailer

Full/Part loadsRemovals - Vehicles - Materials

Owner DriverRHA member

Tel: +44 (0)7768 867 360Fax +44 (0)1773 570 090

Fr Mobile: +33 (0)6 23 03 85 59

www.georgewhiteeuropean.co.uk

Carpets, flooring, removals, deliveries, pools

A wool carpet is made from the most renewable and eco-friendly material. It is a naturally renew-able resource, with the production of it being both ecologically & environmentally friendly.

What makes wool the best possible fibre for carpets?

It is naturally resistant to pressure, thus main-taining its shape and appearance for longer, even in high traffic areas. In fact wool fibres are likes coiled springs that bounce back into shape – after all have you ever seen a flat sheep?

It is a naturally fire retardant material without

the need of additional chemical treatments.

It is sound absorbing, helping to dampen noise levels within the home.

It can reduce heating bills due to its naturally thermic properties, therefore warmer in winter, cooler in summer and naturally helping moderate temperatures and humidity.

So if you are planning on going green this spring, give Jon the Carpet Man a call!

CARPETS – ANY COLOUR YOU WANT, SO LONG AS IT’S GREEN!

T: 05 55 73 63 16 E: [email protected] www.jon-thecarpetman.com jonthecarpetman

FEATURED BUSINESS60

The Natural Way To Flow...

All our systems are fully approved for use in France and we will not be beaten on price

For a professional and friendly service,contact Clint: Tel: 05 45 85 47 40

[email protected] www.fossefrancesolutions.com

Independent supplier of a� ordable, reliable, high quality, environmentally friendly micro-stations and sewage

treatment systems for both new builds and properties with a non-conforming fosse.

FOSSE FRANCE SOLUTIONSFosse and Micro-station suppliers

UK registration 07 15 72 91

DOWN TO EARTH POOL DESIGN

Sarl

All work completed by us,design, excavation, construction & landscaping on completion.

All work guaranteed.Testimonials available on request.

www.DownToEarthPoolDesign.com Email: [email protected]

Prices from €17,597 for 8x4m

05 49 87 04 13Siret 4933703570011

Renovating your next property?

Dreaming of a new build?Let me help you.

• Dossiers prepared• Permis de construire• Déclaration préalables

Architectural Drawing Service

05 53 52 36 [email protected]

Peter Latus BA(Hons)

Siret: 49377035800015

Pools, architectural design, building services, artisans

Are you looking for an inexpensive and effective way to brighten up your tired pool? Paul and Guido from Borderchoice-europe.com have the answer!Get rid of those unsightly suntan lotion and oil marks that have become ingrained above the waterline by applying one of Border Choice’s self-fit pool borders. Designed to be applied quickly and easily, the border’s specially formu-lated coating means they can then be wiped clean using only a sponge while staying bright

for years to come.Each border comes with simple step-by-step fitting instructions, helpful hints and tips. Just lower the water level, clean the top of the liner, fit the pool border and your pool will be ready for the summer ahead.Visit Borderchoice-europe.com to see the full range of patterns on offer, or use the bespoke design service to make your pool unique. Borders are manufactured in the company’s UK factory and delivered direct to the customer.

Make a splash with easy-to-fit pool borders

Paul: 06 76 46 62 83 | Guido: 06 83 08 69 64 | www.borderchoice-europe.com | [email protected]

FEATURED BUSINESS

Before and after application

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Weekly trips between UK and FranceEverything from part loads to full house removalsFully insured and registeredOver 25 years experience in transport and removalsUK depot available for deliveries

Phone David on 05 49 87 15 06e-mail [email protected]

www.buzz-transport.com

A family business for 30 years, offering a professional service

Packing servicesFull/part loads to and

from the UKVehicles transported

Containerised storageCompetitive prices

Transit liability included

Contact; Stephen Franklin 0044 (0)1283 792838

[email protected]

www.franklinsremovals.co.uk

FRANKLINS REMOVALS LTD

Carpets, flooring, removals, deliveries, pools

A wool carpet is made from the most renewable and eco-friendly material. It is a naturally renew-able resource, with the production of it being both ecologically & environmentally friendly.

What makes wool the best possible fibre for carpets?

It is naturally resistant to pressure, thus main-taining its shape and appearance for longer, even in high traffic areas. In fact wool fibres are likes coiled springs that bounce back into shape – after all have you ever seen a flat sheep?

It is a naturally fire retardant material without

the need of additional chemical treatments.

It is sound absorbing, helping to dampen noise levels within the home.

It can reduce heating bills due to its naturally thermic properties, therefore warmer in winter, cooler in summer and naturally helping moderate temperatures and humidity.

So if you are planning on going green this spring, give Jon the Carpet Man a call!

CARPETS – ANY COLOUR YOU WANT, SO LONG AS IT’S GREEN!

T: 05 55 73 63 16 E: [email protected] www.jon-thecarpetman.com jonthecarpetman

FEATURED BUSINESS

E: [email protected] Tel: 05 49 07 62 71 Mob: 06 47 67 57 49

www.apsmultiservices.fr

• Stone• Wood• Metal

A.P.S. MULTI SERVICES Siret: 517 487310 00015

• Wood-fi redcentral heating

• Bathrooms• Kitchens

• Renovations• All interior

& exterior work

• CAD drawings

SAND BLASTING PLUMBING GENERAL

BUILDINGThe Natural Way To Flow...

All our systems are fully approved for use in France and we will not be beaten on price

For a professional and friendly service,contact Clint: Tel: 05 45 85 47 40

[email protected] www.fossefrancesolutions.com

Independent supplier of a� ordable, reliable, high quality, environmentally friendly micro-stations and sewage

treatment systems for both new builds and properties with a non-conforming fosse.

FOSSE FRANCE SOLUTIONSFosse and Micro-station suppliers

UK registration 07 15 72 91

Pools from 12,400€ ttc - installed in 2 weeks,

free planningCelebrating 20 years of installing pools in France - genuine reas-

surance for the future. We will beat any like for like

quote - just call us.Main agents for Christal Pools

+33 (0)5 65 37 79 647, Ave Georges Pompidou 46300 Gourdon

[email protected] - www.piscine-plus.com

piscine-plus.compools - spas - security - chemicals - accessories

Architectural designs, planning applications & project management for extensions, renovations,

conversions and new build.

Ian DickinsonBSc (Hons)

Tel/Fax: 05.46.98.22.01e-mail: [email protected]

ArchitecturalDesigner

Departments covered 16, 17, 79, 86

DOWN TO EARTH POOL DESIGN

Sarl

All work completed by us,design, excavation, construction & landscaping on completion.

All work guaranteed.Testimonials available on request.

www.DownToEarthPoolDesign.com Email: [email protected]

Prices from €17,597 for 8x4m

05 49 87 04 13Siret 4933703570011

POOLS BY JONATHANAgent and installer for several

rectangular & shaped pools including Seablue & Astral Pools

FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Competitive prices, try me for a quote

Terracing and landscaping service also available

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

www.poolsbyjonathan.com phone 0549840362 mobile 0622361056

SIRE

T 47994761600021

[email protected]

Siren: 478 608 185 00011

Renovating your next property?

Dreaming of a new build?Let me help you.

• Dossiers prepared• Permis de construire• Déclaration préalables

Architectural Drawing Service


Peter Latus BA(Hons)

Siret: 49377035800015

SAND AND BLAST

www.sandandblast.com

We provide a fully operated Sandblasting Service for Stone, Wood and Metal

Perfect for stripping away years of grime & paint

Contact us for a free quote or visit:

Tel: 05 55 76 31 59Mob: 06 77 40 95 92

[email protected]@sand-and-blast.comCovering 87, 36 & 23 but other

depts considered

Siret: 81272725300013

+44 (0) 207 220 1746

[email protected]

Authorised by the FCA

CONTACTVIRGINIE AT

PDQFX

Pools, architectural design, building services, artisans

Are you looking for an inexpensive and effective way to brighten up your tired pool? Paul and Guido from Borderchoice-europe.com have the answer!Get rid of those unsightly suntan lotion and oil marks that have become ingrained above the waterline by applying one of Border Choice’s self-fit pool borders. Designed to be applied quickly and easily, the border’s specially formu-lated coating means they can then be wiped clean using only a sponge while staying bright

for years to come.Each border comes with simple step-by-step fitting instructions, helpful hints and tips. Just lower the water level, clean the top of the liner, fit the pool border and your pool will be ready for the summer ahead.Visit Borderchoice-europe.com to see the full range of patterns on offer, or use the bespoke design service to make your pool unique. Borders are manufactured in the company’s UK factory and delivered direct to the customer.

Make a splash with easy-to-fit pool borders

Paul: 06 76 46 62 83 | Guido: 06 83 08 69 64 | www.borderchoice-europe.com | [email protected]

FEATURED BUSINESS

Before and after application

61

Antony WherrettElectrical InstallationsGarden and Home Lighting DesignsIntegrated Security AlarmsFire Detection & Entry SystemsPlumbing and Heating

Total Project Management

With 30 years experience I will see your project through from start to fi nish

Contact Tony to discuss your requirementsTel - [email protected]

ANDY MSKitchens & Bathrooms

from A-ZAll leading Brands

All associated minor works, modifications and repairs

also undertaken e.g.. replace Kitchen worktops,

taps, toilets etc.Dept. 16, 17

05 46 49 78 30 / 06 70 40 66 01

website: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]

siret:50263448800014

Bus

ines

s D

irec

tory

ANDY MSMulti ServicesPlumbingElectricityPlasterboardingTilingSatellite 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: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]:50263448800014

PAINTER & DECORATOR

Interior and exterior painting

Paper hanging, tiling, flooring & dry lining

Areas 16, 17, 24, 33, 79, 86

ADAM BLACKABYArtisan PeintreT: 05 45 98 07 25M: 06 23 18 30 95

[email protected]

Siret: 441 490 992 00027

Carpenter ~ JoinerRenovation

Tiling ~ Drylining

79190 Clussais La Pommeraie E: [email protected]

Siret: 509 487 534 00018

Carpenter Specialising in Kitchens, Bathrooms,

Renovations & Building Works

R.S.PAMPHILION05.49.29.58.22

Registered Artisan with Décennale InsuranceReferences available

Building services, artisans, recruitment

www.LBVfrance.com e:[email protected] t:+33 (0)5 45 70 20 98

Les Bons VoisinsLes Bons Voisinsproperty management throughout france . no job too small, no project too large

key holding . caretaking . maintenance . supervision . admin helpchangeovers . cleaning . gardening . mail forwarding . translation

friendly people providing professional help to home owners in france

exceptional service at competitive prices

Career opportunities with excellent earning potentialWE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING INDEPENDENT SALES AGENTS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:-

LEGGETTRECRUITMENT

CHARENTE • CHARENTE MARITIME • DORDOGNE • DEUX SEVRES VIENNE • VENDEE • HAUTE VIENNE

FULL TRAINING PROVIDED

For more information contact our recruitment team: 0800 2534 4388 Email: [email protected] www.leggettfrance.com


DOWN TO EARTHConstruction

Sarl

Fosse septique and accredited Micro station installerProfessional, friendly reliable service

with competitive prices.From conception to completion, we will

even do the paperwork.All drainage problems, groundworks patios & driveways.

Established 10 years, french registered & insuredAll work guaranteed - Testimonials available on request

www.downtoearthvienne.com Email: [email protected]

05 49 87 04 13Siret 4933703570011

CesarConstructions BTP

Tel: 05.45.30.69.2816420 Saint Christophe

Stuart NichollsPort: 06.82.10.45.65

3New Builds 3 Renovations 3 Approved fosse septiques 3 Ground works

3Driveways 3Windows and Doors

Insurance DécennaleSiret: 517 604 997 00018

100% client satisfaction to date - references available on request

Artisan Fully Insured Décennale

Roofing

Specialist

Adrian direct: 06 10 89 49 16Office: 05 45 61 40 15

email: [email protected]

www.robinsbuilders.comSiret N°: 4880506750013

Call now for a free quote.Over 25 years

experience

EU validated Heritage Construction CompanyTel: 06 32 19 50 53 E: [email protected]

www.strictlyroofing.fr

SIRET: 789 956 125 00015

SLATE SPECIALISTRoof repairs both large & small

Roof replacementRoof renovations

Roofing surveys for house purchase

Chimney Removals Insurance claims

Décennale (10 year) Insurance

the roof, the whole roof and nothing but the roof

Based near Civray (86)

Rendering, Pointing, Full and Part Renovations,

[email protected]

05 49 27 22 67depts 79, 86 & 16

www.building-services-france.com

Roofing - Traditional, Interlocking and Slate

Established, registered artisan with Décennale & Civile Responsabilité Insurance

Siret: 499 474 302 00035

The Roofing & Renovation Company

Andy Quick

JAMES RICHARDSON

Imajica JoineryESTABLISHED COMPANY,

CONSCIENTIOUS & RELIABLE SERVICEFor a superior finish

in wood, tile, plasterboard and general restorationSpecialising in kitchen

fitting & creative challenges

Siret: 4811558850001705 49 87 09 63

Keith Bassett

Part or full renovationsRoo� ng

Plaster boardingAll building works

undertakenTel: 05 49 27 52 99

Mob: 06 74 95 21 00E: [email protected]

Based 79190

GENERAL BUILDING SERVICES

Siret 487 581 209 00011

Building services, artisans

GARY MOORE HEATING20 YEARS IN HEATING, 10 YEARS IN FRANCE

Ò Installation, servicing, repairs - oil, gas, solar, solid fuel Ò Fully qualified, fully registered, 10 year décennale insurance Ò Currently offering FREE supply & installation of bulk propane gas tanks

Sire

t: 49

1827

705

0002

2

Tel: 05 45 29 68 73 | Mobile: 06 30 11 86 84 | Email: [email protected]

62

Andy CoopeGENERAL HANDYMAN05 49 87 20 76 / 06 95 41 78 [email protected]

Anything you cannot do, or do not wish to do, please give me a call.

Specializing in Gardening, Strimming, Hedge Trimming etc.,

Painting & Decorating, Building Works,

Fencing.

Siret: 752 604 256 00012

Bus

ines

s D

irec

tory

Peter AmorElectrician

Large or small projects, from new builds, total

rewires (including 3 phase) to

Having additionalsockets/lights installed

to

Conformity Inspections

Tel: 05 49 91 85 54 [email protected]

All departments covered

SIRET: 480 026 560 00012

Jb PlumbingKitchen & Bathroom

installationTiling

Plumbing Repairs

Tel: 06 29 90 24 89E: [email protected]

Based in dept 79 near Sauzé-Vaussais

Fully insured

Siret: 804 390 862 000 14

ANDY MSMulti ServicesPlumbingElectricityPlasterboardingTilingSatellite 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: andyms.free.fr email: [email protected]:50263448800014

L.D Plastering & BuildingTop quality professional

plastering & building works.All aspects of plastering and

building work undertaken to the highest standard.

Specialising in all aspects of plastering, building and ground works from full renovations/

barn conversions to any small alterations or repairs etc.

Siret: 80254172200012

Call Luke:mob: 07 83 49 49 34

land: 05 49 83 08 60l.dplastering-building

@outlook.com

Call for free advice or quotes.We cover 150km from Confolens (16)

Tel: 05 49 50 09 06Mob: 06 70 97 59 56

Email: [email protected]: 45275539000013 RM8601

Ellis Electrique

EXPERIENCED QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN

REWIRES, NEW BUILD,ELECTRIC HEATING,

HOME SECURITY, LIGHTNING PROTECTION,

TV & AUDIO. WORK GUARANTEED &

INSUREDAreas: 16, 36, 37, 79, 86, 87

Carpenter ~ JoinerRenovation

Tiling ~ Drylining

79190 Clussais La Pommeraie E: [email protected]

Siret: 509 487 534 00018

Carpenter Specialising in Kitchens, Bathrooms,

Renovations & Building Works

R.S.PAMPHILION05.49.29.58.22

Registered Artisan with Décennale InsuranceReferences available

Robert Walker PLOMBERIE

Chauffage, Climatisation, SanitaireCentral Heating Installations Boiler ServicingBathroom, Kitchen InstallationsTiling, Solar Powered Hot WaterUnderfloor Heating & Heat Pumps

ROBERT WALKER Tel: 05 49 27 36 98Based South 79All work is fully insured,references can be provided

SIRET: 502 497 365 00010

ELECTRICIAN

Experienced,French Registered

ElectricianAvailable for all types

of electrical workrenovations, small works,

gate automations etc.Insured and guaranteed

Areas 16, 17, 24, 47


Siret 49376573200015

The Flying Scotsman

Multi-TradesGeneral Building workPlumbingHoliday & Home maintenanceHouse Clearances internal/external

Free Quotes And Advice Please Call

05 45 71 16 2107 87 66 95 87

[email protected]

Building services, artisans, recruitment

www.LBVfrance.com e:[email protected] t:+33 (0)5 45 70 20 98

Les Bons VoisinsLes Bons Voisinsproperty management throughout france . no job too small, no project too large

key holding . caretaking . maintenance . supervision . admin helpchangeovers . cleaning . gardening . mail forwarding . translation

friendly people providing professional help to home owners in france

exceptional service at competitive prices

Career opportunities with excellent earning potentialWE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING INDEPENDENT SALES AGENTS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:-

LEGGETTRECRUITMENT

CHARENTE • CHARENTE MARITIME • DORDOGNE • DEUX SEVRES VIENNE • VENDEE • HAUTE VIENNE

FULL TRAINING PROVIDED

For more information contact our recruitment team: 0800 2534 4388 Email: [email protected] www.leggettfrance.com

63


EU validated Heritage Construction CompanyTel: 06 32 19 50 53 E: [email protected]

www.strictlyroofing.fr

SIRET: 789 956 125 00015

SLATE SPECIALISTRoof repairs both large & small

Roof replacementRoof renovations

Roofing surveys for house purchase

Chimney Removals Insurance claims

Décennale (10 year) Insurance

the roof, the whole roof and nothing but the roof

Based near Civray (86)

JAMES RICHARDSON

Imajica JoineryESTABLISHED COMPANY,

CONSCIENTIOUS & RELIABLE SERVICEFor a superior finish

in wood, tile, plasterboard and general restorationSpecialising in kitchen

fitting & creative challenges

Siret: 4811558850001705 49 87 09 63

Building services, artisans

GARY MOORE HEATING20 YEARS IN HEATING, 10 YEARS IN FRANCE

Ò Installation, servicing, repairs - oil, gas, solar, solid fuel Ò Fully qualified, fully registered, 10 year décennale insurance Ò Currently offering FREE supply & installation of bulk propane gas tanks

Sire

t: 49

1827

705

0002

2

Tel: 05 45 29 68 73 | Mobile: 06 30 11 86 84 | Email: [email protected]

Andy CoopeGENERAL HANDYMAN05 49 87 20 76 / 06 95 41 78 [email protected]

Anything you cannot do, or do not wish to do, please give me a call.

Specializing in Gardening, Strimming, Hedge Trimming etc.,

Painting & Decorating, Building Works,

Fencing.

Siret: 752 604 256 00012

P

lace

s to

go

Places to go


64


Mad Hatter’s KitchenMad Hatters Kitchen serving freshly

made good food just for you!Thurs & Fri lunches: 3 courses, wine included €15

Fri & Sat evening menu €25 3-course Sunday lunch €18All by reservation

FULLY LICENSED BAR | BED & BREAKFAST

Fri 1 April Curry Night Fri 15 April Music, Bistro and Tapas Bar (band tbc)

Sat 30 April Music Bistro and Tapas Bar with ‘Coffees and Cigarettes’

Fri 20 May Music Bistro and Tapas Bar with ‘3 Daft Monkeys’ and ‘Itch’

Please ring or e mail for more info 0549 27 67 29 [email protected] / www.madhattersfrance.eu

Le Logis, Le Breuillac, 79190 Caunay

Save the Date! Mad Hatter’s Festival: 12-14th August

Freshly cooked food, Menu du jour,Daily specials, A la carte,

& live music

La Brousse, 16700 Londignytel; 05 45 29 05 07

www.aubergedunoyer.com www.facebook.com/aubergedunoyer

Auberge du noyerBar & Restaurant

Open daily except Sun eve, Tues &,Weds

le soleil couchantPlan d’eau, Verneuil 16310www.lesoleilcouchant.eu

05 45 65 23 67 / 06 81 23 14 [email protected]

Friendly lakeside bar Open 6 days a week

(closed Mon)Food served all day

Pool table, dartboard, free Wi-Fi, children’s play area

LeSoleilCouchant

Siren 498 551 498

7 Place André Bujeaud, 85210 Saint Hermine

Tel: 02 51 30 23 95 E: [email protected]

Traditional English FoodLarge choice of beersQuizzes and Events

Closed Wednesday

lepubdeshalles

The Irish BelleTea Rooms Confolens Food served all day including

bacon sandwiches, all-day-breakfast, baked potato with

toppings, a side salad and more.Also selling Irish/English pro-duce & Gluten-free products.

Come and enjoy the cosy country ambience.

Tuesday to Saturday 10h till 17h

21 Rue du Maquis Foch, 16500 Confolens

06 14 12 54 61 / 05 45 31 23 31FB: Mary Burke(Theirishbelle)

Alcoholics AnonymousIf you, or someone you know, has a drinking problem, join one of the English-speaking

AA meetings across the south west of France.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women

who share their experience, strength and hope with each

other so that they may solve their common problem and help

others recover from alcoholism.Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others achieve

sobriety.

Tel: Angela on 05 49 87 79 09 or Ben on 06 75 70 89 31

www.aafrancesud-ouest.com

Café des Belles Fleurs

Open Mon - Sat for mealsMeal formula starts at 7.80€

Large choice of spirits & winesSee website and FB for Events

Place d’Eglise, 79160 FeniouxTel: 05 49 28 12 39

[email protected]

Cafe Cour du MiracleVouvant

Come along for a beer, a glass of wine, a cup of

English tea and a slice of homemade cake, or a

delicious home-cooked lunch.

Open 11.00am to 6.00pm - until 10.00pm Friday evening

Tel: 02 51 00 54 93

www.cafecourdumiracle.com

Closed Monday & Tuesday

www.rblpoitou- charentes.fr

2 rue de la Panique, 79130 Le Beugnon

Siret: 50089497700015

Don’t missLe Beugnon

Fetes des PLantes1 May 9.30am - 6pmWe will be open for

Sunday lunch, reservation recommended

Please see our website for opening hours

www.alabonnevie.com05 49 95 91 60

Equine Rescue FranceThe very handsome

Corran Ard is still look-ing for his forever home.

Returned to us due to guardian’s circumstances,

he’s dreadfully missing a one to one relationship. His story after racing is on

the website. He is a beautiful, easy and gentle boy, who would love to be pandered to. Can you help?

Please take a look at our websitewww.EquineRescueFrance.org

Reg: 862000830

Fish & Chips - Curry Nights Snack Menu - Cream Tea & Treats For further information on all our events, please see our website or

facebook page for full details

26 Rue Clemenceau, 85390 Mouilleron en Pareds

02 51 69 75 81

www.leclemenceau.net

SPRING ConcertTaizé-Aizie Church (16)

Saturday 21st May 5.00pm

Followed by a Vin d’Honneur

The Phoenix Chorale

Restaurants & bars, Events, Associations and Clubs.

living music | 65

been lost in the conversion from ana-logue to digital. Fast forward to a time when the ‘digital generation’ suddenly hears vinyl for the first time (and older music fans dig out their long neglected LP collections) and you make sense of a remarkable counter revolution. Vinyl is once again seriously cool, with growing numbers of people scouring the small ads to find classic turntable designs from the ’60s and ’70s specifically to bring their cherished vinyl collections back to life. They’re also buying new vinyl, which currently accounts for around 10% of physical album sales – and grow-ing. The second-hand LP and single market is also booming, not least since the original releases of countless classic titles were entirely analogue creations, since they predated digital recording. So, sit back and enjoy the music. After all, it’s never sounded better.

After having written them off years ago as ‘old technology’, serious music lovers are now taking a fresh look at vinyl albums. Roger Moss looks at an unlikely comeback.

Groove thing

The phrase ‘What goes around comes around..’ could have been coined for our old friend the record, which despite the

so-called digital revolution just keeps right on spinning. Needles have been following grooves ever since Thomas Edison patented his first phonograph around 1877, although Edison’s pro-totype machines were actually re-corders, using a stylus responding to sound waves to indent a groove in tin foil wrapped around a rotating metal cylinder. Tracking the same groove would then reproduce what had been recorded, albeit approximately.

Refining his phonographs involved abandoning foil in favour of hollow, wax-coated cylinders, whose dramat-ically-improved sound quality stimu-lated a brand new market for sound recordings, which the Edison cylinder phonograph had all to itself until it was eclipsed by disc-based systems pioneered by Emile Berliner. The lim-ited running time of early 5” discs was gradually extended by moving to 7, 10 and eventually 12” discs, manufactured by pressing a shellac-based compound in metal masters. The industry also set-tled on a speed of 78 rpm.

The ‘78s’ proved durable enough for use in early juke-boxes, and their limit-ed running time meant that multi-disc collections were soon issued in boxed ‘albums’ – a term carried over to vinyl discs, launched in 1931 by RCA Victor

Records. Spinning at 33 (and a third) rpm they offered longer playing times, but arrived just as the Great Depres-sion was devastating North America. The newcomers therefore failed to find buyers, leaving the 78 to soldier on unchallenged. Meanwhile, developers worked on a ‘microgroove’ system. Ini-tially delayed by WWII, it finally bore fruit in 1948 when Columbia Records released the first 12” long-play 33rpm disc, to which RCA responded the fol-lowing year with the 45rpm 7” ‘single’. The 45’s theoretical 8-minute maxi-mum playing time eventually spawned the EP with two tracks per side and up to 15 min running time. The last mass market 78s were dropped by RCA in 1960 and vinyl 45s and 33s began to divide up the spoils of a seemingly infi-nite demand for recorded music.

Just when buyers thought they’d heard it all, along came stereo record-ings, using a groove which the stylus tracked both laterally and vertically. Later refinements like quadraphonic sound and direct-to-disc recording (designed to cut out the magnetic tape stage of production) achieved only niche take-up, most buyers being per-fectly happy with classic vinyl LPs until Sony’s Walkman diverted attention to cassette tapes and the Discman to ‘fu-ture proof’ CDs.

While countless buyers eagerly re-purchased their favourite vinyl albums on CD, more discerning audiophiles argued that something important had

MUpBeat

Stewart HullHaving a party?

Music from rock ‘n’ roll, 60s, swing, ballads and

much more...

Check out my website:www.stewart-hull.com

or call 06 32 07 16 53email:

[email protected]

Café de la Gare

Bar ~ Snacks ~ Music ~ Poolopen till midnight

Weekends 12-12, Lunch Tue-Fri

Sunday Lunch ~ ExhibitionsGourville (16170)

Between Aigre & RouillacTel: 0545 622516

FB: le bourg aka cafe de la gare

St George’s Day (23 April) - Jazz à la Carte and pie & mash dinner

Pentecost Monday (16 May) - market


66 | living books

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****

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LivingRecommended Bestsellers:

Six Tudor Queens by Alison Weir, publisher Headline

Broken Vows by Tony Blair, publisher Faber & Faber

Deep South by Paul Theroux, publisher Penguin

Gardening and Planting by the Moon 2016 by Nick Kollerstrom, publisher W Foulsham

Food and Wine Annual 2016 by Dana Cowin, publisher Times Inc. Books

EDiTor: Kathryn Dobson FEATUrES EDiTor: roger Moss ADVErTiSinG: Jon Dobson ArT EDiTor: nadia Van den rym ProDUcTion MAnAGEr: Justin Silvester rEGUlAr conTriBUTorS: Trevor Bridge, Ron Cousins, Alan Coxon, Sandie George, Emma-Jane Lee, Nikki Legon, Chris Luck and Stig Tomas.

WiTH THAnKS To: John and Gill Bowler, Julia Moss. PHoToGrAPHy: Shutterstock or Roger Moss unless indicated. coVEr iMAGE: Château Royal logis and Tuscan garden © Roger Moss PUBliSHED By: SARL AMM, 2 Rue Buffefeu, 86400 Linazay FRANCE. Poitiers: 533 624 128. PrinTED By: Rotimpres S.A., Pla De L’estany S/N,17181 Aiguaviva, Espagne. Dépôt légal: A parution. iSSn: 0753-3454. Living Magazine is free. Living Magazine est disponible gratuitement. All material may not be reproduced without the written permission of SARL AMM. Toute reproduction même partielle du contenu est interdit sans l’accord écrit du magazine. Please ensure you verify that the company you are dealing with is a registered trading company in France and/or elsewhere around the world. Articles in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine.

magazineLiving


MArcEl ProUST: in SEArcH oF loST TiME: SWAnn’S WAy Translated by ArTHUr GolDHAMMEr, publisher Gallic Books

An interesting attempt to enter the Bande Dessinée graphic novel sector by trying to interpret the first three volumes of ‘À La Recherche du Temps Perdu’ by Marcel Proust. It does not have the flow of the original prose which, in this novel, is cut into chunks creating a rather depressing comic-strip. Expressed in the introduction is the hope that this novel will bring more people to read Proust…

i’ll AlWAyS HAVE PAriS by EMMA BEDDinGTon publisher Macmillan

During her Yorkshire schooldays, the authoress came

across a copy of ‘Elle’ and immediately fell in love with France, deciding she had to live in Paris. She did a French exchange, albeit in Casablanca; studied French at university; found herself a French boyfriend and moved to Paris. Her dream came true but was it what she wanted? A witty and sensitive book explores the realities of living ‘la vie Parisienne’.

THE SEcrETS oF HAPPinESS by lUcy DiAMonD publisher Macmillan

Rachel and Becca are stepsisters, now adult and rarely in contact, living some two hours from each other. Rachel is deemed the successful one with a happy marriage, two children and a good career when she suddenly disappears. Becca is an artist with a boring job who is contacted to come and look after the children as Rachel’s husband is away. This is a well devised, enigmatic plot and an excellent holiday read.

AT THE EXiSTEnTiAliST cAFÉ by SArAH BAKEWEll publisher chatto & Windus

The action takes place in Paris starting in the thirties, in a café on rue Montparnasse where philosophers were glamorous and the initial core was Sartre, de Beauvoir and their friend Raymond Aron. This study picks out some overlooked figures and exposes the sexual hypocrisies relating to this new and radical way of thinking. Camus, Heidegger and Iris Murdoch make appearances in this enjoyable discourse of a captivating, intellectual movement.

THoSE WErE THE DAyS by TErry WoGAn publisher Macmillan

This was Terry Wogan’s first venture into fiction, published shortly before his sad demise. Tommy was the junior bank clerk in the Cattle Market bank branch who furthered his career in other branches. Now he returns as Tom, the branch manager, and the staff have thrown a party at the newly refurbished bank. This is a collection of short stories featuring Tom’s reminiscences about the foibles of many of his customers.

Former BBC books reviewer, Sandie George, takes a look at the latest French and English bestsellers.

Book reviews

QUEDUBOIS10, rue de Panama, 79240 LA CHAPELLE ST ETIENNE

E-mAIL: [email protected] - Tel: 05 49 72 01 34

www.quedubois.com Twitter: @quedubois

WOODEn WInDOWS anD DOOrSSliding sash / Casement / Reversible

Tilt and turn windows Folding Sliding doors / Entrance doors

Totally bespokeDouble and triple glazing

Full finishWe can install everywhere in Poitou-Charentes

English spokEn

Open 6 days a week inc. SundaysRoute de l’Isle Jourdain87320 Bussière-PoitevineJust off the RN147 on D107, direction l’Isle JourdainGPS: Long: 0° 53’ 33” E Lat: 46° 13’ 45” 10N

Opening HoursTues-Sat: 9h-12h, 14h-18h (Oct 1 - April 30)

Tues-Sat: 9h-12h, 14h30-18h30 (May 1 - Sept 30)Sun: 9h30-12h00, 14h30-18h00 Mon: CLOSED

T: 05 55 68 74 73 E: [email protected]

www-eco-entrepot.fr

We specialise in buying surplus,discontinued and clearance stock and periodically have end of lines from well known French and English supermarket chains.

Massive warehouse! 32,000 ft2 filled with your favourite products.YOUR ONE STOP SHOP - COME & VISIT ‘THE SHED’

HUGE SELECTION OF TIMBER AND DIY PRODUCTS AT GREAT PRICESDecking ~ Skirting boards ~ Flooring ~ Tongue & Groove ~ Plywood & OSB and much more

Thistle plaster ~ PVA ~ Tested French brands ~ Technic paints

ALL YOUR FAVOURITE GROCERY BRANDS AND PRODUCTS UNDER ONE ROOFBaked Beans ~ Curry pastes & Sauces ~ Biscuits ~ Flour ~ Teabags ~ Crisps ~ Chocolate

Chutneys ~ Gluten-free and sugar-free snacks ~ Sugars ~ Baking powdersPLUS: Wide selection of wine ~ Furniture ~ Clothing ~ Pet accessories

Beds & mattresses ~ Toys ~ Storage and much more

Eco Entrepot

Open Sundays!

Get away to one of France’s most popular amusement parks

and the only one of its kind in Europe!Absorb the fantastic, fun and fairy-tale Futuroscope atmosphere

with over 25 original experiences waiting for you in our stunning attraction theatres, as heart-thumping adventures, outrageous

thrills, mind-blowing journeys, the fairy-tale evening show and fascinating attractions deliver delights to suit all tastes and ages!

New surprises for 2016 include: getting in touch with your inner animal for totally cool 4D family fun and adventure with the characters of

Ice Age, the Attraction, followed after dark by the new aquatic fairytale fantasy La Forge aux Etoiles from Cirque du Soleil.

Remember to check out Futuroscope’s star attractions: The Time Machine with the Raving Rabbids, Arthur, the 4D Adventure, both

THEA* «Outstanding Achievement» award winners, Dances with Robots, and the dizzying mid-air experience of the Aerobar …

*Awarded by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) (organization of amusement-park industry professionals from across the globe).

Ideally located near the Atlantic coast between Loire Valley, La Rochelle, Cognac and Bordeaux.

Easy access by road, train or plane .

Direct flights from London, Edinburgh to Poitiers.

Expect theunexpected.

futuroscope.com

-5€per person

The voucher is valid for Adults (aged 17 and over), and children (aged 5 to 16) for 1-day dated-entry tickets(Classic Rate basis) and must be handed in at the Futuroscope ticket booths between the 6th Feb 2016 and the 2nd Jan 2017* (1 to 5 visitors only per voucher, for a visit on the same day). Discount does not apply to other ticket types, Smart Rate, Special 1- day offer “4 people or more”, breaks, other packages, undated tickets, and bookings made online or by telephone. Offer cannot be applied retroactively or combined with other offers.*Please check the opening dates calendar on futuroscope.com*R00158LGFP*

*R00158BFUK*

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living magazine april/may 2016

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