French Life

With the days slowly lengthening, the garden will soon be springing to life. Snowdrops (and even primroses in my Normandy garden) are appearing and daffodils are showing leaf. So, there’s no time... Read More

We associate March with spring – which has definitely not sprung this year. The bitter north-easterlies are wreaking havoc with any desire to get out and garden. But it just means that when... Read More

Paul Nethercott Read More

The French, of course, are famous for their sense of style, whether it is the haut-bourgeois with their designer clothes, or the teenage girls in the cafe. For many, the ability to choose stylish... Read More

Terminales who plan to go to university in France this autumn can now apply for student grants and accommodation. Completed dossiers must be in by April 30 so it’s a good idea to start the... Read More

Another typical weekend in our house was approaching when, on the Friday night, I noticed that our male semi feral killer cat Opus looked a bit peaky. He sauntered into the cat litter tray and... Read More

South comes North Just south of Granville adjacent to a stunning 4-kilometre sandy beach to the east of the Bay of Mont St Michel lies St Pair sur Mer. Known also for the Casino which graces its... Read More

Increased pension contributions for self-employed people Contribution rates of the different schemes for basic retirement are subject to increases phased in over time. These increases were... Read More

Epiphany was yesterday, Sunday 6th January, in France which means another celebration in France after the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Now is the time that you will see les... Read More

I will most probably get a few punches in the ribs for this? but here goes. For the carp angler fishing abroad seems to be somewhere on the list of to do's. France being the main destination. ... Read More

Checking into a French hospital is initially a bit like checking into a budget hotel. Find the reception desk and there the similarity ends. Read More

Although originally known in Roman times ( Balneleum) it’s fame as a thermal spa developed from the middle ages. Local folklore tells of how Lord Hugues of Tesse found that his favourite horse,... Read More

Twenty years ago, Christmas did not mean that much to the French. Of course, the church made a lot of the religious aspect, but celebrations were much more limited than in the UK. Where there... Read More

Living semi bankrupt in France wasn't the dream I'd fantasied about. Homesick and disillusioned, I knew something had to change, but what? Read More

As it happens, this was the first year that I was in Normandy on the 11 November (Armisitice Day 1918). In the UK, although the main Armistice ceremony, with the Queen and government a... Read More

As a retailer, maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I really do struggle with this business of putting Chrysanthemums on graves, to the exclusion of all else – like growing them in the garden. It... Read More

Inspired A century ago there was a railway from Granville to Avranches, close to the coast, taking holiday makers (particularly Parisians) to some stunning beaches. One of the longest, flattest... Read More

New Presidents of France love to overhaul the education system and Francois Hollande is no exception. He has his sights set on primary schools and the changes he wants to introduce include... Read More

Just published, “Tales from across La Manche” is a prize collection of humorous anecdotes from journalist, travel writer and self confessed “Channel-hopping cynic”, Peter Clayton. During the many... Read More

What is the difference between information and advice? An accountant’s point of view… We all receive new “information” each day. Information is beyond abundant. It’s all over the internet. It’s... Read More

In the last week of October in Normandy you will see an extraordinary profusion of pots of flowers, almost all chrysanthemums, in all the markets, supermarkets and other shops. It seems that... Read More

First the bad news: one of the first measures taken by the new Government in France was to reduce inheritance allowances for your children, so French inheritance rules and taxes remain at the... Read More

Increasing numbers of families in Britain are struggling to feed and clothe their children, according to Save the Children fund. Parents are often going without themselves in order to ensure... Read More