NewsletterFebruary 2006

Up Coming French Events:

• February 2nd is the Fête de la Chandeleur. On this day Crêpes are traditionally eaten.

Apartment Buying

We are in the process of buying an apartment in the nearby town of La Roche sur Foron. The apartment is a newly constructed T4 rez de jardin, or three bedroom apartment with a yard. If all goes well we will move in around the first of April. At the moment we are shopping around for a loan. My wife works in Switzerland, allowing us to apply for a loan in Swiss Francs. Such a loan has a cheaper rate than one in Euros, by about 1.5%. So even though the purchase price is high our monthly payments will not be excessive.

Outreau

France's judicial system is in deep reflection over what is called the Affaire d'Outreau in France. In short seventeen people were accused of child molestation and thirteen went to prison; one committed suicide. A grave miscarriage of justice was committed; all were innocent. The French Minister of Justice personally apologized to the innocent who had spent up to four years in prison. At present there is a parliamentary investigation taking place with public hearings. This blog - Rue Rude: The Affaire d'Outreau, "judicial shipwreck": France in an uproar over its legal system presents a through overview of the case.

Prix d'Amérique

For the second year in a row Jag de Bellouet won France’s premier horse races the Prix d'Amérique, winning half of the one million euro purse.

The Da Vinci Code

I have created a new site - Da Vinci Code Paris about Paris locations mentioned in The Da Vinci Code. Currently the site covers nine locations including the Louvre Museum, Jardins des Tuileries and Palais Royal. I did not find the Holy Grail but I sure took a lot of photos!

Château de Servigny

This historical Château in Normandy has just been added to Americans in France’s B & B's/Rental Homes list. This 16th century Château set in 14 acres of beautiful parkland is where The Treaty of Cherbourg was signed on June 26th 1944.

Living and Investing in France Conferences

Anyone thinking of moving to France should consider the Living and Investing in France Conferences organized by expat Adrian Leeds. There are two action packed conferences coming up: Paris March 17 - 19, 2006 and New Orleans May 26 - 28, 2006. Each will cover everything you need to get you on your way to living in France.

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