28 December 2011

French Public Holidays 2012

French Public Holidays 2012


New Year's Day (Jour de l'An)Sunday 1 Janaury
Easter Sunday (Pâques)Monday 9 April
May Day (Fête du Travail)Tuesday 1 May
Victory in Europe Day (Fête de la Victoire)Tuesday 8 May
AscensionThursday 17 May
Pentecost (Lundi de Pentecôte)Monday 28 May
Bastille Day (Fête nationale)Saturday 14 July
Assumption (l'Assomption)Wednesday 15 August
All Saints' Day (Toussaint)Thursday 1 November
Armistice Day (Jour de l'Armistice de 1918)Sunday 11 November
Christmas Day (Jour de Noël)Tuesday 25 December

16 November 2011

Christmas Markets 2011

Christmas Markets 2011

19 November

Monteton

20 November

Pomerol

25 November – 30 December

Bordeaux
26 November

Chateauu de Vigiers,

Petit Nivelle,

St Avit de Soulege
Dordogne Ladies Club at Salle de l'Orangerie, Bergerac

27 November

Saint Andre et Appelles

St Magne de Castillon

3 December

Chateau de Sanse, Saint Radegonde

Saint Emilion

4 December

Eynesse

Saint Emilion
Sainte-Foy-la-Grande

10-11 December

Pineuil

Saint Antoine de Breuil

Libourne (Croix Rouge)

Creon
Saussignac

17 December

Porte-Sainte-Foy-et-Ponchapt

Cadillac

18 December

Eymet

9 November 2011

Bergerac airport closure Jan - March 2012 - Flight Alternative

AIRLINE CityJet has been quick to offer travellers flights to the Dordogne region after the announcement of the closure of Bergerac Airport for three months.

CityJet are to offer two flights a week, operating Friday and Sunday, between Brive Airport - Vallée de la Dordogne and London City Airport starting on January 6 until March 23, 2012.

The news comes after Bergerac Airport announced all flights will be stopped between January 9 and March 23, 2012 as work is undertaken on the runway.

CityJet are also offering a number of flights over the Christmas period.
Flight times:London City Airport to Brive AirportFriday: 11:45 - 14:20Sunday: 16:55 - 19:30
Brive Airport to London City AirportFriday: 15:00 - 15:35Sunday: 20:00 - 20:35

5 October 2011

Bordeaux: itineraries





Thought that this article that appeared in the Telegraph maybe interesting fror those of you planning a trip to Bordeaux.....






Bordeaux: itineraries

First-timers




Morning
Kick off at the Tourist Office (12 Cours du XXX-Juillet) - an early coffee at the Café Napoleon III almost next door will put you in the right, wood-panelled frame-of-mind to tackle the Triangle-d’Or, Bordeaux’s show-piece centre. Here, colonial trading wealth ripped out medieval squalor to replace it with avenues, stately open space and neo-classical declarations of Bordeaux’s belief in the rightness of riches. It’s a stunning 18th-century ensemble which compels decorous behaviour. This is also where the posh shops cluster, so keep a tight grip on wife and credit card. And so, via the Place-des-Quinconces, to the riverfront, now a breathing space of greensward, promenades, rescued warehouses and conviviality. Walk upstream to the Palais-de-la-Bourse, the stock exchange in the days when merchants had wigs and standards, and expected splendour.

Lunch
Lunch right here, at Le Gabriel (10 Place de la Bourse; 0556 300080, www.bordeaux-gabriel.fr). A two-course bistro midday meal costs €21.

Afternoon
Plunge into the ancient urban tangle of the St Pierre district directly behind. The message of fine old churches dissipates fast amid a throbbing warren of medieval streets and comely little squares, fringed with bars, restaurants and (especially on Rue Ste Cathérine) shops which normal people can afford.

Evening
You deserve dinner at Le Chapon Fin (5, Rue Montesquieu; 0556 791010, www.chapon-fin.com, menus from €60). The extraordinary interior-rockery décor has hosted presidents and divas and so is clearly right for you. Then wander back to the St Pierre district for a nightcap at any of several zillion bars. The baroque décor of La Comtesse (25 Rue-du-Parlement-St-Pierre) always suits me, though I’m twice the age of other customers.





Old hands



Morning
Start south of the centre, before the 12th-century façade of Ste Croix church, on Place Renaudel. It’s a most pleasingly peaceful spot. There’s something medieval in the way flea markets, bric-à-brac and hallal butchers gather round the flamboyant Gothic church of St Michel and its free-standing spire.
Continue to Rue Rousselle, hub of the salt-fish trade. Sixteenth-century philosopher Montaigne lived at N°25. His dad was in pickled herring. Now up Cours Alsace-et-Lorraine to the magnificent St André cathedral and its independent tower, both built when the English ran Bordeaux (though we didn’t put the golden Virgin on top). The nearby Musée d’Aquitaine (20 Cours Pasteur, www.bordeaux.fr, free) has a superb historical collection, from the Romans through to today. If you visit only one museum in Bordeaux, this is it.

Lunch
At the Bistro-du-Musée opposite the cathedral (37 Place Pey-Berland; 0556 529969, www.lebistrodumusee.com, two-course menu of the day, €13.50).

Afternoon
Amble to the riverfront and hop a tram downriver to the Chartrons district. First job: get the shopping out of your system in former riverside warehouses converted to shiny factory shops (www.quaidesmarques.com/bordeaux). Then explore the Chartrons. Seventeenth-century English, Irish and Flemish wine-merchants set up business here, outside the city walls, because city-fathers wouldn’t tolerate them in the centre. The district is now a mix of fine wine houses, narrow workers’ streets and bohemian overtones. Meanwhile, the Musée d’Art Contemporain (7 Rue Ferrère, www.capc-bordeaux.fr, €5) has everything, from the terrific to the incomprehensible, which you expect from good contemporary art museums.

Dinner
Dine back towards the Ste Croix church in the tiny Rue Porte-de-la-Monnaie where chef Jean-Pierre Xiradikis has established an empire of five eateries, from a simple café-bar to top-of the range La Tupina. The latter has been bringing south-west farmhouse cooking into town for years (0556 491555, www.leportdelalune.com, dinner from €60). Then nip to the Quai-de-Paludate. At N°58, the Comptoir-de-Jazz is the mature choice for live music and a glass or two

25 July 2011

Fabulous French Farm House for sale....

Fabulous Romantic Farm House with Barn for sale




Who would not fall in love with this fabulous farmhouse, which has been so carefully restored and has many original features.









Lovely french country style kitchen







Gorgeous lounge area....







Lots of original features...







Beautiful well established garden complete with dovecote











The house simply oozes chracter and would make for the perfect French country retreat yet is minutes away from a charming medieval village with all amenities including one of the best markets in the area, held on a Saturday morning.








Details of room sizes are as follows:

bedroom 1 14 x 2 m french doors to terrace and garden
bedroom 2 13 x 2 m windows over looking garden
bedroom 3 21 x 2 m with bathroom wc
bureau 8 x 2 m 1st floor
kitchen 25 x 2 m tiled floor fully equiped
reception 40 x 2 m wood burner bibliotec abbey tiled floor
reception 25 x 2 m wood burner
bathroom 9 x 2 m with hand tiled walk in shower and wc
terrace and pool 4.66 x 9 m l salt pool with latest filter system and solar shower







Region: Aquitaine
Sub Region: Lot-et-Garonne


Nearest village: Villereal


Location Summary
There are a a large choice of shops and super markets and local cafes.There are a few local bars and restaurants, more can be found in neighbouring villages, all of which are a short distance drive away as are a couple of local golf courses.


In the closest village there is a doctors surgery, large pharmacy, dentist, nursery school, schools,
banks, post office, internet café, cash machine, petrol station, garage, large garden centre and hardware store. There is an active community association.


There are very good travel links to nearby towns and cities and the house is a 30 minute drive from an ever expanding local airport served by year round low cost airlines.


Asking price 425,000 euros

26 June 2011

Marche de Producteurs Soumensac


Just a quick reminder that the Marche de Producteurs held in Soumensac under the trees, begins again next Sunday; 3 July and runs through until the last Sunday in August.


It commences at 9am and finishes at 3pm and is a great place for Sunday lunch.



Lieu
Chemin de ronde
47120 Soumensac



Dates

Tous les dimanches du 3 juillet au 28 août

De 9 h à 15 h


( 03/07/2011 - 10/07/2011 - 17/07/2011 - 24/07/2011 - 31/07/2011 - 07/08/2011 - 14/08/2011 - 21/08/2011 - 28/08/2011

31 May 2011

June Dates for the Diary.....


Thurs 2nd June Fête au Château de Monbazillac Monbazillac 9.00-22.00- walk starting at 9.00. Day of activities, meals available.


Sat 4th June MEXICAN CUISINE at "LE PUB GAMBETTA" EYMET 18:30
This food event will be every Saturday


Sun 5th June Vide grenier Sigoules

Sun 5th June Vide grenier Bergerac

Thurs 9th June Marche de l'Art Eymet exposition of paintings in parc Gabriel Forestier 8.00-19.00

Sat 11th June Concert by choir ACFAA Church at Eymet 20.30
with Richard Errington Songs in French, English, Latin. Russian and Italian

Sat 11th & Sun 12th June Les Fêtes de Bergerac Quay side, Bergerac
Bodega, music.

Sun 12th June Tractor Pulling Levignac de Guyenne

Sun 12th June Vide grenier Monpazier

Sun 12th June Vide grenier Eymet

Sun 12th June Dance Gala Eymet by Beatrix Hibert 17.00 salle des fetes


Fri 24th June Feu de la St Jean St Sernin

Fri 24th June Feu de la St Jean Duras



Sun 26th June Vide grenier Castillonnes

Sun 26th June Grande Vide grenier Bergerac

Tues 28th June First evening market Eymet

18 May 2011

Flower and bee Festival


Just a reminder re the Fetes de fleurs et des abeilles (Flower and bee festival) which is taking place this Sunday in Eymet.


The forecast is for plenty of sunshine so it promises to be a fabulous day.


28 April 2011

Fabulous jazz festival




Spring is in the air in SW France and the festivals are about to begin.....first up is the 8th Spring Festival in Bergerac which runs from the 7th to the 15th May 2011.


For further details please contact or visit their website



29 March 2011

Video of Eymet village square

If you would like to see a video of the village square in Eymet please click here.