L i ving magazine
Spring is in the air!
Business Directory
Find the best local companies!
april may
2020
Time to Relax Fabulous features & inspiration from around the region
Passionate about life in south west France
16 April/May 2020
44
AS WE GO TO PRINT the coronavirus is taking hold and we are all concerned by the possible impact. When you read this edition, more will be understood but we all know that this is going to be a bumpy year for everyone. For once, all talk of Brexit has been knocked from the headlines, something we didn’t think possible. Living in a tourism hotspot, where so many businesses and employers rely on tourists arriving, we cannot help but be anxious. But one thing we can all do is support the local businesses around us when the worst is past and help them to get back on to their feet, especially those hit hard by both Brexit and the arrival of COVID-19. They’ll need us more than ever. Looking for the silver lining of the recommended social distancing, it will at least give you plenty of time to read this issue! As always, we have packed it full of informative features, fabulous photos and great ideas of things to see and do. Of course, do double-check that any events are still on or that attractions are open before you leave home. Other than the obvious concerns we all have with the virus, here at LIVING, one of our worries is whether you, our readers, will be able to go out and pick up our next edition from our usual stockists. So, we’ve pulled out all the stops and have put together a very special subscription offer. Have LIVING delivered directly to your door in France for a year and save one third on our normal postage price! See page 31 for details. À bientôt!
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27
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Snippets News from around the region
16
Guiding Lights Roger Moss discovers some of the slender sentinels found around our Atlantic coastline
22
The Big Reveal In a rural setting on the outskirts of Chassenon archaeologists are piecing together the story of a miraculous survivor from galloRoman times
27
Bathed in Colour We preview the opening of Les Bassins de Lumières in Bordeaux
28
31
SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL OFFER
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Practical Advice We put your questions to our professional experts
34
Citizens’ Rights Kathryn Dobson explains what the transition period means for British nationals
36
May Musings Susan Hays reflects on the arrival of spring
37
Puzzle Break Our unique crossword by Mike Morris
“Boudu! C’est gavé de patois par ici!”
38
Jessica Knipe explores the rich and varied network of local dialects (and helps to decipher them)
Bundles of fresh asparagus are arriving - it’s a surprisingly versatile vegetable
Nikki Legon’s Cuisine
42
White Wines An overview of the white wine regions in France by Caro Feely
44
Living Property Pages A profile of La Roque-Gageac in Dordogne
50
Into the Light Vegetables under cover!
65
Call it Cajun! How local music has kept French spoken in the USA.
66
Pardon! More French language fun with expert Emma-Jane Lee
54-63
Business Directory The best local services & suppliers
64 Places To Go around the region
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regional
The pick of the news that will affect you wherever you live in south west France…
News round up
High-Speed to London
COVID-19
As LIVING goes to press the COVID-19 situation is worsening and France is beginning to put stronger measures in place to stop its spread. In this fastmoving situation, whatever we write today will most likely be out of date tomorrow, so we recommend that you check the official sites for information.The regional health organisations (Agence Régionale de Santé or ARS) give regular local updates. Visit: www.nouvelle-aquitaine.ars.sante.fr and www.paysde-la-loire.ars.sante.fr. These updates are in French and we aim to translate the key notices into English on our Facebook page: LivingMagazine.fr. Government issued information can be found at: www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus, and on the national health service site: www.santepubliquefrance.fr. For non-French speakers, we recommend that you use Google Translate or DeepL to translate directly into English.
Driving Licences
Finally, the new site for exchanging European licences (including British) for French ones has been launched after a stressful couple of years for many, when backlogs and lost applications caused a lot of worry as Brexit was happening. As of now, no more postal applications to CERT in Nantes will be accepted; all must go through the new ANTS website. To access the site you need to already have a FranceConnect account or to create a new one directly on the site, but once there the process appears straightforward to use. To apply, visit permisdeconduire. ants.gouv.fr and choose Demander un permis de conduire.
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Following the success of the direct service from London to Amsterdam, direct high-speed trains from Bordeaux to London have come a step closer. The trains would run from Bordeaux using the new LGV line, travelling past Paris and through the Channel Tunnel to London St Pancras. The overall journey time is expected to be around 5 hours. The owners of High Speed 1, the line from London through the Tunnel, recently published research suggesting that international rail services with journey times under 5 hours can capture around a third of the market share from short-haul flights, and possibly more with the focus on climate change. The hope is that the route could open within the next two years.
2020 Calendar
The next two months are packed with bank holida ys: Lundi de Pâques - Mon 13 April Fête du Travail - Fri 1 May Victoire 1945 - Fri 8 May Ascension - Thu 21 May (there is a pont on Fri 22 May) Lundi de Pentecôte - Mon 1 June School spring holidays for Bordeaux Academy run from 18 Apr il - 4 May while those for Nantes Aca demy run from 11 - 27 April.
Île de Ré
News from around the region...
LA ROCHELLE Surgeres Rochefort
CHARENTE-MARITIME (17) Marennes Saintes Cognac Royan
Ruffec
Rouillac
CONFOLENS
CHARENTE (16)
Jarnac
les charentes Regional Delights ANGOULEME
Barbezieux
Aubeterresur-Dronne
Beauvais-sur-Matha (17) is the archetypal Charentais village, set on a hill overlooking vineyards and cereal crops. The traditional houses are clustered around a square lined with linden trees and which hosts an annual wine and regional produce market, an ideal opportunity to discover the uniqueness of the local terroir. Taste wines and foods from around France including cheeses, delicatessen and much more. Talk directly to the producers, who will explain their traditions and offer tastings – and if you purchase from three stands, you will be entered into the competition to win a weekend at a luxurious ‘Relais & Châteaux’ hotel. This year’s market takes place on Sunday, 24 May – refreshments are available all day and entry is free.
© Nikolaj Lund
Île de Oléron
Classical Tradition
The month of May (and early June) is festival time as Chalais (16) reverberates to the sound of classical music, welcoming musicians and music-lovers from across Europe. A reputation for dynamic international artists, together with fresh and exciting programming, have made the Festival International de Musique de Chambre en Charente one of the most renowned of its kind in recent years, establishing an annual tradition in the heart of the Charentais countryside. The everpopular festival celebrates its 12th anniversary this year with a particular nod to Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Receptions, exhibitions, musician meets, tastings of local food & wine after each concert and, of course, the legendary Concert de Gala followed by a Champagne reception. Concerts take place at Chalais, Baignes, and Châteaubernard from 9 May to 7 June and advance booking is recommended. Full details and tickets on www.chalaismusique.com and also from Pôle Touristique in Aubeterre: 05 45 98 57 18; chalaismusique@gmail.com.
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News from around the region...
Dordogne
Easter Egg hunts
The Dordogne has some spectacular settings for les chasses aux œufs on Easter Sunday and Monday (12/13 April). Here are just a few of the ones planned, but do check nearer the time in case of changes.: Château de Commarque: Help find the Knight’s golden eggs, which have been lost in the Château grounds. Open Sun & Mon from 11am-7pm. Chateau de Hautefort: Treasure hunt with chocolate surprises from 2pm on Monday.
Grand Site
For ten years, 35 communes in the Vézère valley have been working towards achieving the coveted Grand Site label and joining a network which brings together exceptional, fragile, protected and listed cultural landscapes, with a focus on sustainable development. It was finally agreed at the end of last year when it became the 20th member, joining the Marais Poitevin in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Rocamadour, the Dune du Pilat and Rochefort are all hoping to join the network soon. The area will benefit from additional promotion and support from 2020, all aimed at protecting this unique landscape for future generations – already an important task given that the valley attracts a million visitors each year. One of the more immediate challenges is how to keep the valley sides clear of vegetation which masks the prehistoric heritage underground. Urbanisation will also be strictly controlled through the site, which covers 72,000ha.
Les Jardins de Marqueyssac: 6,000 eggs are scattered throughout the grounds for this hunt for 2-12 year-olds, with added entertainment. Open Sun & Mon.
Many villages will also hold events, so check local press for details
Château de Duras
Each year this popular Lot-et-Garonne landmark, with panoramic views over the Dropt Valley, offers a calendar of family activities. Built during the 12th century, the Château became an impregnable fortress in the 14th century, thanks to the money of Pope Clement V, before passing into the hands of the Durfort family. After surviving the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion, the Château was transformed into a Renaissance hunting lodge. Don’t miss the refurbished wing with 30 restored rooms leading to the courtyard balconies for which the Château is famous. At Easter join in the egg hunt to win a chocolate prize (11-13 April) before discovering the Château with the help of an English-language audio-guide. There are children’s games and an adult treasure hunt throughout the spring holidays. See the website at chateau-deduras.com for all the events including a 4D light show throughout the summer season.
Every day at 10am, 3pm and 5pm. Have a real immersion in the World of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes. Reserve your tour : tel : + 33 6 62 38 37 06 / + 33 6 80 41 87 34 contact@contefilles.com Chez Grimaud - 16480 Chillac www.contefilles.com
Sarlat: Join in the popular family egg hunt through the streets of this medieval town to find 2,000 hidden eggs. The gold and silver ones win you a free trip in the panoramic lift. From 9.30am on Monday.
Les Jardins d’Eyrignac: Join in the race to solve the mystery of the egg thief! Solve the clues to pick up your prize on Sun and Mon.
Visit Blandine and Anne-Laure at their family’s domaine.
www.livingmagazine.fr @VignobleConteFilles
Domme: Find the eggs in the Jardins Publique from 2.30pm on Monday.
News from around the region...
Music Maestros
Voies Vertes
Just over the border in the Lot a new project has been approved to develop 219km of greenways, to encourage walking and cycling. Three sections of disused railways in the Lot valley will be developed, not just to appeal to tourists but to improve mobility between towns and across Cahors itself. The cost of 28.8 million euros will be partly funded by the département. A fourth section in the Dordogne valley between Souillac and Gagnac-sur-Cère will be developed at a cost 16.5 million euros. With a length of 97km, this will probably be the first to be completed. So what is a greenway or voie verte? According to the highway code, a greenway is a lane reserved for non-motorized traffic: pedestrians, cyclists (including electric bikes), rollerblades etc. They are built on towpaths, old railways, forest roads, etc. and are bi-directional; emergency service vehicles are, however, authorised to use them. They are distinct from cycle routes, which may also incorporate small roads with little traffic.
DIARY DATEs!
Building upon the success of 2019, the Issigeac International Music Academy (IIMA) will be adding to the courses available this year. Brian Kay, leading choirmaster and a regular presenter on BBC Radio and TV, is teaming up with international opera singer Dame Ann Murray to host a vocal course from 18-24 May. One stream will focus on choral singing with Brian Kay while Dame Ann Murray will coach advanced soloists and offer master classes which are open to the public at 4pm each day. The soloists’ concert is on 22 May and all participants will come together to sing the Fauré Requiem. But the closing date for course bookings is 1 April, so act quickly! From 16-21 June the world-famous Tippett String Quartet returns to join international violinist Ishani Bhoola in coaching the Chamber Music course. They will also be performing three concerts on 17, 19 and 20 June - a rare opportunity to hear them in such an intimate setting. Tickets for all concerts and course bookings are available at: iimusicacademy.com.
Bergerac is holding the 6th Bande Dessinée Festival from 25-26 April – free entry. Phoenix Association Book Fair will be held on 2 May at Campsegret.
Sadly, there will be no Fête de la Fraise et des Fleurs at Vergt this year due to a lack of volunteers.
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16 | living places to visit Phare de Vallières, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne
19th century light & filter towers, île d’Aix
Gu ding Lights “To The Lighthouse” has a romantic ring to it, so we discover some of the slender sentinels found around our coastline. Words & photos: Roger Moss
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living places to visit | 17
Phare de Chassiron, Île d’Oléron
T
he wayward coastline of Nouvelle-Aquitaine extends for several hundred kilometres, so it’s hardly surprising that along the way lie all manner of potential hazards for mariners. Local fishermen obviously know exactly where perils lurk beneath the Atlantic waves, while others seeking safe passage look to a succession of day-marks and lighthouses to aid their coastal navigation. In fact, no two lighthouses are quite alike, since their individuality is what enables mariners in unfamiliar waters to identify them rapidly and accurately. Their respective paint schemes, for example, are chosen specifically to help mariners recognise them during daylight. An all-white lighthouse
Phare de la Coubre, La Tremblade
will stand out clearly against dark surroundings or a background of fields or woodland, while bold red and white stripes will help identify a lighthouse with a light background such as cliffs. See our factfile panel for examples of how variations in beams, etc., aid navigation during darkness hours. Regardless of whether you’re at sea or on land, you’ll notice some pretty extreme variations in height, a key factor designed to take into account the curvature of the earth. Obviously, the higher the beam is projected above mean high water, the greater the distance from which it will be visible to mariners. On the other hand, if the light is too high it’s possible that someone passing just a kilometre or two offshore
might not be able to see it at all. This explains why we frequently come across shorter lighthouses on cliff-top locations, while taller lighthouses can be seen rising defiantly from among the waves. Some of the installations have been braving the elements on their wild, exposed sites for centuries, and many have something in common: they’re fascinating places to visit. With that in mind, we decided to look at some of the more impressive and accessible examples in Charente-Maritime. Perhaps the most familiar of our lighthouses are those sited around La Rochelle’s Vieux Port. The tallest is the Phare du Quai Valin (or ‘le phare Blanc’) a pure white octagonal creation rising from among the facades lining
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The scale of the baths shows the importance of the Roman complex
22 | living days out
Early excavations on this scale were labour-intensive
The Big In a rural setting on the outskirts of Chassenon (16) archaeologists are piecing together the story of a miraculous survivor from gallo-Roman times. What was revealed below ground surprised everyone
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living days out | 23 Informative guided tours (or a multilingual audio guide) explain everything
g
Reveal
PHOTOS TOP: s.laval; PHOTOS BELOW: Fond Moreau - ADC
O
ne of the best-preserved gallo-Roman sites in all France was constructed beside the Via Agrippa connecting Lugdunum (now Lyon) with Augustoritum (Limoges) and Mediolanum Santonum (Saintes). The walled settlement of Cassinomagus was substantial, boasting a large villa, three temples, an amphitheatre and what researchers have identified as a thermal bath complex supplied with fresh spring water by an aqueduct. Baths were central to Roman life, and the examples at Chassenon replicate those of the Emperor Nero in Rome. They were in use for at least two centuries, but with the fall of the Empire the legions departed and their once-magnificent showpiece at Chassenon was left to degenerate, a process hastened by being plundered to provide construction materials for the village developing nearby. As the centuries passed the site was otherwise ignored, its former
importance long forgotten, until 1748, when one Abbé Nadaud visited and sensed that he had chanced upon a long-lost treasure of some kind. But what, exactly? He wasn’t sure, but it was certainly big, sections of enclosing walls measuring “738 pieds”. Some years later Parisian actor and amateur archaeologist Pierre Beaumesnil sketched the site, but it wasn’t until 1844 that initial excavations would be carried out and plans prepared by Abbé Jean-Hyppolyte Michon, who was alarmed to discover that the previously recorded sections of wall had been destroyed by ploughing. Fearing for what else might be lost, he published his site data and communicated his findings to the Congrès Archéologique de France. Official recognition for historic sites moved a little closer in 1858
Jean-Henri Moreau first identified the thermal baths at Chassenon
when Napoleon III created the Commission Topographie des Gaules. It stopped short of offering actual protection, however, so faced with the ever-present threat of further destruction, the Société Historique et Archéologique du Limousin decided to carry out further excavations. At the time the archaeologically important thermal baths had yet to be identified, so agricultural activity continued
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38 | living nikki legon’s cuisine Bundles of locally grown asparagus spears on market stalls are a welcome sign that spring is here. Nikki shows us how versatile this delicious vegetable is with menus for all occasions…
Nikki Legon's
cuisine
Asparagus Omelette
Breakfast greens
Breakfast Greens 2 slices of toast 2 cups frozen peas 1 garlic clove 1 tbsp butter 1½ tbsp crème fraîche salt and pepper 6 asparagus spears 2 eggs
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Method Peel the garlic clove and slice into quarters. Cook the frozen peas with the garlic in boiling salted water for 2 minutes, drain well. Keep a spoonful of whole peas aside. Tip the remaining peas and garlic into a food processor and blitz to combine adding the crème fraîche and butter - it should be thick and creamy. Season to taste.
Boil a saucepan of salted water and cook the asparagus for 2 to 3 minutes depending on the thickness. Make and butter the toast, and fry the eggs. Place the pea purée onto the buttered toast, sprinkle the whole peas over, top with the asparagus and the fried eggs. Season and serve.
Asparagus Baked in Puff Pastry
living nikki legon’s cuisine | 39
MENU 1 Method Arrange your salad leaves on a serving plate and add the tomatoes and croutons with the asparagus. When ready to serve, pour over the balsamic vinegar then the olive oil season to taste.
Asparagus Omelette Makes 2
Simple Asparagus Salad Serve with the asparagus omelette for a spring lunch Two handfuls of your favourite salad leaves 6 cooked asparagus spears 2 tbsp fried bread croutons 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp olive oil
MENU 2 Seared Scallops with Asparagus 4 scallops removed from their shells and cleaned (wash the shells to use for serving) olive oil for frying juice of half a lemon 1 clove of garlic, crushed 12 thin asparagus spears, cooked 15g butter
4 large eggs salt and pepper 15g butter 12 asparagus spears, cooked grated vegetarian Parmesan or a hard cheese of your choice Method Beat the eggs adding salt and pepper. Place half the butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium to low heat until the butter has melted. Chop the cooked asparagus, keeping the best tips for decoration. Pour half the egg mixture in and tilt the pan ever so slightly from one side to the other to allow the eggs to cover the
Simple Asparagus Salad surface. Let the mixture cook for about 30 seconds then scrape a line from the edge into the middle using a spatula, do this several times. Add half of the chopped asparagus with a grating of cheese then tilt the pan and, using the spatula, gently fold the omelette over. Place onto a hot plate and repeat this with the remaining eggs. Lie the asparagus tips on top of the omelette and sprinkle with more cheese. Place under the grill and cook until the cheese melts and serve with the asparagus salad.
Method Pan fry the scallops in olive oil for 2 minutes each side. Season with salt and pepper. In butter, pan fry the cooked asparagus with the garlic and lemon juice until just heated through. Place the asparagus onto the shells and the scallops on top. Drizzle with the lemon butter.
Asparagus Baked in Puff Pastry 1 puff pastry sheet 12 asparagus spears 1 egg, beaten 1 tbsp grated Parmesan or vegetarian alternative Method Cut the pastry into 4 strips. Wrap one strip around three asparagus spears and repeat to make four bundles. Brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Cook in the oven at 170°C for 15 to 20 minutes until golden.
Seared Scallops with Asparagus
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50 | living in the garden
in the garden
Radicchio, or ‘Italian chicory’
Into the light In this issue we look at a group of vegetables whose eating qualities actually improve when deprived of daylight
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living in the garden | 51
W
Tender asparagus shoots
When the Romans occupied much of western Europe around the 1st century BC a whole lot of things changed forever. During the process of making themselves at home in Gaul they lost no time establishing many of their most favoured plants, both for their decorative qualities and as crops for consumption. Centuries later, the empire collapsed and legions returned to Rome but the greater part of their horticultural legacy remained, not least in the vegetable garden. This prompts a tantalising thought: could it be that the asparagus, long considered a quintessentially French delicacy, actually originated in Italy? That’s the theory, and while it has yet to be proven conclusively, wild asparagus does seem to have come from around and beyond the Mediterranean. The Greeks are known to have cultivated it, while in Egypt a mosaic which has
survived from the 3rd century BC has an unmistakable depiction of bundles of asparagus. Oh, and they’re also found in North Africa plus Central and Western Asia. Perhaps that’s why, when grown in our climate, they’re such timid souls. For one thing you’ll need free-draining soil, or their fleshy roots are likely to rot (there again, you don’t want to let them dry out). You’ll need a sunny spot, too, yet protected from strong winds. Then there’s the need for careful soil preparation, removing any perennial weed roots in springtime then digging in a generous amount of compost, general fertiliser or well-rotted manure. As for the plants, while it’s obviously possible to raise them from seed, it’s much quicker and more convenient to buy one year-old ‘crowns’ with an established root ball. To plant them dig a trench around
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20cm deep and 30cm wide, incorporate some well-rotted manure into the bottom, then cover it with a 5cm layer of the soil you’ve excavated. The next step is to make a 10cm high ridge of soil along the centre of the trench. The crowns can now be placed on top of the ridge, spaced 30-45cm apart. After spreading the roots evenly replace the remaining soil, leaving the bud tips just barely visible. After all this preparation, you might as well plant several rows, 45cm apart, with plants staggered in between them. Once that’s accomplished, water in the rows and round off with a 5cm mulch of well-rotted manure or other weed-free compost. Finally, if you find the prospect of preparing your garden soil particularly off-putting then you might instead create a raised bed or two. As far as onward care is concerned, we should first mention that asparagus
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26 rue du Commerce, 86400 CIVRAY Renaissance - hair, beauty, nails Tel: 05 49 87 16 33 Orias: 07007057
English Speaking Motor, House and Contents, Health, Business, Life Insurance and Savings
AGENCES PHILIPPE BOURDIN 3 Place d’Armes, 16700 RUFFEC Tel: 05 45 31 01 51 or Commercial site at SuperU, 79190 SAUZE VAUSSAIS Tel: 05 49 07 61 10 E: bourdin-ruffec@aviva-assurances.com No ORIAS: 07009808
Free, no obligation quotes. Ask for Samantha, our English member of staff, with over 25 years’ experience in insurance.
For all your insurance needs in France
Special discount for new owners - 50% off the first 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. Offices at Champdeniers and St Pardoux (79). Come and visit us.
Agence Michallon Tel: 05.49.25.87.06 Corinne.michallon@mutpoitiers.fr
HATHA YOGA
Tues 19.30-20.45 / Weds 10.15-11.30
RESTORATIVE YOGA
10 bld du 8 mai 1945 16110 La Rochefoucauld tel : 05 45 63 54 31 102 ave de la République 16260 Chasseneuil sur Bonnieure tel : 05 45 39 51 47 N° ORIAS : 07020908
www.bh-assurances.fr
Home Satellite Services • Satellite dishes, Sky/Freesat • Dish realignment/upgrades • Sky & Freesat TV boxes • A reliable service at sensible rates serving several departments
Thurs 10.30-11.45
YIN / BEGINNERS Thurs 13.30-14.45
Regular Sunday yoga brunches www.frenchyogagarden.com
ContaCt LuCy thompson for bookings: lucyyoga86@gmail.com 05 49 87 36 26 Facebook: French Yoga Garden
Your Local Sky Expert Contact Steve for a free, no-obligation quotation on: 07 80 03 25 64 or 05 49 48 18 44 E: homesatservices032@gmail.com
@homesatservices Siret: 841733769 00019
INDEPENDENT BROKERS
Insurance, Business advice
Ask for Corinne
YOGA & WELLBEING AT THE FRENCH YOGA GARDEN
22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffec tel : 05 45 31 01 61
We find the best insurer for your needs at competitive rates
MOTOR, HOUSE, MEDICAL, TRAVEL, BUSINESS For information and quotes contact Penny G.S.A.R. 05 53 40 15 71 pennym.gsar@orange.fr
C H A R E N T E OA K
...making an entrance
100% QUALITY OAK GATES Offering a truly bespoke service, all our gates are made-to-measure to your requirements in our own workshop A single 3m* oak 5-bar gate including galvanised fixings and oak posts. Supplied & installed for only €699
Total installation package from initial survey through to completion All departments covered - distance restrictions apply * variations in size available as all gates made-to-measure
www.charenteoak.fr
E: mark@charenteoak.fr or Tel: 05 45 78 66 95
Wellbeing, Home services
Siret: 509 861 902 00013
Visit Alison, Stephanie, Laura & Julie at...
Email: isabelle.want@bh-assurances.fr
BH Assurances
A pair of 2m* oak 5-bar gates including galvanised fixings and oak posts. Supplied & installed for only 799€
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SPRING HAS SPRUNG & SUMMER IS HERE! Although it was cold long into Spring (minus temperatures and snow in the Limousin into May), things are now looking up, including the thermometer! So it’s a good time to get on with some work in the house and garden. While gardens begin to bloom into Summer colours, why not bring some colour indoors with a bright new carpet or flooring! Beige and grey may have been the predominant ‘colours’ for home decor for the past few years, perhaps now is the time to be bold! For example, look at the colours within the ranges from Adam Carpets (www.adamcarpets.com) especially their Fine Worcester Twist and Castlemead Twist which between them have 125 colours, all in both 4 & 5 metre widths. If you want to see the samples of these or any other carpets give Jon a call or arrange a visit to the showroom!
SHOWROOM ADDRESS
Help & advice, Financial planning Insurance, Help & Advice
The Fixer
Experience you need....Results you want Fluent French speaker with over 15 years professional ‘hands on’ experience assisting expats in France
HELP & ADVICE FRENCH COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Personal Taxation – Carte Vitale – Carte de Séjour Business set ups - CPAM – French Administration Tax regularisation and much much more….
Comprehensive admin & translation support services for your home, business, health, education, residence, legal & taxation needs... to make life easier.
Call Rick Denton now on 06 46 25 30 87 or Email: mailthefixer@gmail.com www.corporateandlegal.org
Call Jenny on 06 79 85 58 84 jenifer@wordsmithcoms.com FB: frenchwordsmith
Based in Charente and covering 86, 79, 16, 17, 24 & 33
Available across 86, 87, 19, 36 & 37
Siren: 818 390 916
SIRET 504 587 924 00011 MMA Professional liability insurance
Long established service at reasonable rates Depts 16 & 17 Expert in French Administration Business set-up Personal taxation Legal matters Phone calls & meetings Andrew Harrison
Tel: 05 46 96 44 11 askandrewnow@hotmail.com www.askandrewnow.com SIRET 453 520 298 00010
KAREN JONES Chemin des Gordins, 16700 Ruffec
M: 07 80 44 37 00 T: 05 45 71 04 93 karen.solutions@outlook.com
solutions16700
Comprehensive administration services for individuals and businesses • • • •
2020 tax returns - completion & submission Business set up Book keeping courses - learn to do it yourself Translations SIRET/SIREN 510046261 00010
Contact me by email & Skype, or visit my office, location is not a problem
BRICO16 TRADE PAINTS
Official Crown Paints distributor South West France • • • • •
colour matching and mixing trade & DIY products and decorating sundries exterior paints - masonry, shutters, windows... interior paints - emulsions, satin, gloss... specialist primers & complete technical advice
Open Mon-Fri: 08h30 - 12h00 & 14h00 - 17h30
Brico16 Trade Paints, Chez Maugarny, 16460 VENTOUSE T: 05 45 95 45 36 M: 06 16 25 30 55 E: martin@brico16.com btpcrownpaints www.btpcrownpaints.com
These local businesses are waiting for your call!
HELP WITH ALL FRENCH ADMINISTRATION MATTERS Administrative Assistance & Solutions Private Individuals & Small Businesses English / Français / Português & Espagnol
Siren No 520 382 805
Help & advice, Translations
Les Rivières, 19260 TREIGNAC 09 63 56 23 10 / 06 42 19 82 12
E: jonthecarpetman@gmail.com www.jon-thecarpetman.com jonthecarpetman
Same road, new number!
30 rue du commerce, 86400 CIVRAY M: 06 33 11 64 05 eloisa@efficientranslations.fr www.efficientranslations.fr
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Charente Assistance Garden Maintenance | Pool Care | Gîte Services | Home Maintenance 05.45.25.05.37 | www.charenteassistance.fr Claude’s Cat Hotel
LIME TREE KENNELS
Regular trips throughout Europe DEFRA Type 2 licensed, custom built vans
05 45 36 19 09 www.gofetch-ltd.com gofetchltd@hotmail.co.uk T: +44 (0)7855 401 102 T: +44 (0)1656 670 856
In a rural setting, Claude’s offers guests a calm, safe and caring environment. Heated accommodation with private outside space.
Les Chaillauds 16220 MONTBRON Tel: 05 45 24 01 45 claudescathotel@gmail.com www.claudescathotel.com
 Authorised suppliers of Crown Trade and Sandtex Trade paint based in Charente-Maritime (17)  Colour matching service available  Free Technical advice and support  Tester pots available The paint the professionals use
Brico17paintsupplies 09 61 62 46 15
www.nettoyage-services-dordogne.fr PROFESSIONAL CLEANING & HYGIENE SERVICES Key holding / conciergerie. Cleaning of commercial and domestic premises and window cleaning. Rugs, carpet & upholstery steam shampoo extraction. Hard floors / surfaces treatment: marble, granite, terracotta etc & wood floor parquet. Swimming pool & garden maintenance. Office: 05 53 07 52 71 (9 to 18.00) Mobile: 06 31 31 06 76 / 06 70 39 83 96 arcencielnettoyage24@gmail.com
Siret: 813 442 860 00017
For those of you that don't already know us, we are a purpose-built kennels with a large secure paddock area where dogs can run free and play while having their 2 walks per day on or off the lead. Large family kennels are available. You are welcome to call if you have any questions or would like to visit the kennels. Lime Tree Kennels 15 mins from La Rochefoucauld & 20 mins from Rochechouart
C J Logistics Full or part loads undertaken a box to a full removal Cars, Boats and caravans a speciality Full European coverage Secure storage available in France and UK UK depot available for deliveries Every item is covered by GIT and CMR insurances Full trade references available
Tel: 09 83 70 01 33 Mob: 06 61 25 41 09 E: john.louch@orange.fr or cjlogistics8@gmail.com
YOUR ONE-STOP TRANSPORT SERVICE
Quote 'Living' to help keep this magazine free for readers
Paint, Cleaning, Transport
ARC EN CIEL Nettoyage Professionnel
Siret: 822 175 527 0016
Services tailored to your needs
Bike hire, Animal care
Anita Frayling - Le Baillat, 16220 Rouzede T: 05 45 66 14 62 E: anita.limetreekennels@gmail.com
The UK’s Premium Pet Transport Company