Bank holidays

Bank holidays

The Month of May in France is famous for bank holidays!! So what a good oportunity for me to enumerate them all and how they work compare to Great Britain. First of all, we have more than you BUT if it falls on a Sunday, tough luck!! We don’t have “in lieu”. And in...
Le Panthéon

Le Panthéon

One of the news of this Month is the entry of Josephine Baker in the Panthéon, which gives me the opportunity to explain what is the Panthéon. It is a monument  based in the 5th arondissement of Paris which was originally built as a church in the 18 century but was...
Sport Tourism in the Charente

Sport Tourism in the Charente

As it is July and the weather is great, why not make the most of our wonderful department and try some rambling, climbing, archery, horse riding, sailing, paddle, mountain biking or canoeing!! There is a special site https://sportsdenature16.lacharente.fr/presentation...
Respecting your neighbours

Respecting your neighbours

I am sure it does not come as a surprise to you that we have laws in France to help maintain peace in villages between neigbours. And it won’t surprise you either that most French people do not respect it!! Or choose to ignore it!! For instance, each Mairie will have...
Pineau des Charentes

Pineau des Charentes

This is a aperitif wine which has been invented by mistake in 1589 (according to the legend!). A vineyard worker had poured some grape juice inside a barrel that already contained some eau de vie (the liquid to make Cognac).  When they opened the barrel a few years...
List of documents for applying for french residency

List of documents for applying for french residency

You have been living in France for more than 5 years: Your situation: Documents you need : You already have or had a carte or titre de séjour (even expired) Your carte or titre de séjour even if expired I never had a carte or titre de séjour Your passport (valid) A...