NewsletterApril 2013

American Football

In the French Alps. The above photo is from a match between the Red Wolves du Faucigny and Condors de Saint-Etienne. The Condors won 14-6. Our local team is the Red Wolves who play in Bonneville.
I had no idea that there was organized American Football in France. The Red Wolves have three teams - juniors (16-18), seniors (19-50) and flag. There is even a semi professional league in France - Ligue Élite de Football Américain and a local team - Black Panthers de Thonon.

Legal Problems

It hasn't been a good month for French politicians. It started when budget minister Jérôme Cahuzac, officially came under police investigation. Previously the muckraking web site, Mediapart, had published an article accusing Cahuzac of having a Swiss bank account, and using it to evade French taxes. A recording was posted on Mediapart, allegedly of Cahuzac tallking about his account. This was all rather embarrassing as Cahuzac had rallied against tax evasion. Once Cahuzac came under investigation he was asked to resign. Cahuzac has proclaimed his innocent.
Just hours later, Christine Lagarde, Minister of Finance 2007-2012 and now Managing Director of the IMF, Paris apartment was raided. Reason: connection with an on going investigation of possible embezzlement. This raid is part of the 'Tapie Affair' that's been going on for over 20 years and centers around Bernard Tapie's fight with bank Crédit Lyonnais. This article does a good job of summarizing.
The final French pol who's experienced turbulence lately is ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy. He's come under police investigation for supposedly taking money from Liliane Bettencourt, France's richest woman and L'Oréal heiress. These accusations date to the 2007 presidential election that Sarkozy won. The claim is Sarkozy used Bettencourt's money to finance his campaign. Bettencourt is 90 and Sarkozy is accused of 'abus de faiblesse', taking advantage of someone. Sarkozy vehemently denies the charge and has accused the judge investigating the case of overreaching. Mediapart has also been running stories on this.

Podcast

In my latest podcasts I spoke with Adrian Leeds and David Tolman. Adrian has lived in Paris for over 18 years and has many activities including helping Americans buy property in France and publishing a newsletter. She can be found at www.AdrianLeeds.com.
David has lived in France for about 10 years. We talked a lot about finding work in France and getting the skills to be employable here.
David also has a web site for learning French.

We Go

SNCF - French train company has launched a low cost version of it's TGVs - high speed trains. It's called Ouigo, sounds like 'we go'. This is a response to low cost airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair. Taking a page from their book, Ouigo TGVs aren't using any stations in Paris. Ouigo trains will leave from Marne-la-Vallée, stop for Disneyland, near Paris. Prices start at €10 - one way for Marne-la-Vallée to Marseille. When I looked the lowest I found was €20. Still a good deal.

Spring Ski

Good friend Mike Beaudet is organizing spring skiing between April 15th and May 3rd in Zermatt, Switzerland and Cervinia, Italy. Anyone who's been to the original Disneyland has seen a replica of Zermatt's most famous mountain - the Matterhorn.
Say Jeff Steiner sent you and get €20 off per day for lessons.

From my Mailbox

Youth Interrupted: By Karl Lindquist (kindle or paperback), French Legion of Honor winner. This memoir begins with Lindquist's childhood on Nantucket Island and moves on to his serving in WWII and earning a Bronze and a Silver Star.
Americans in the Lot: First annual Independence Day barbecue.
Rachel Michel: Real estate agent and relocation services in and around Montpellier.
Concert in Paris: Friday April 5th, 2013 at 4:30pm.
Book Launch: Quiet Paris - Tuesday 9th April at WH Smith's in Paris, 248 rue de Rivoli, 6-8pm.

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