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NewsletterJanuary 2013

Très bonne année à tous!

The Village with Two Mairies

This is Place de l'Église in the Alpine village of Megève. Megève is one of only two villages in France that is home to two Mairies - village halls (seat of local government). In the photo above, the building on the left with the tower, is the Mairie of the Demi-Quartier. The village next to Megève and the building on the right with three arches is the Mairie of Megève. I'm not sure why Demi-Quartier's Mairie is in Megève, but it might have something to do with the fact that the Demi-Quartier was once a
lieu-dit - hamlet of Megève. This may also explain why Demi-Quartier has no church or school.
I discovered Megève's uniqueness during my visit in early December. I had lunch with Mike Beaudet of Ski Pros Megève. During our lunch we observed a cable car practice rescue. This was just before the resort's slopes open to skiers. The slopes were all ready to go with, what locals are calling the best snow in fifteen years. After lunch we walked around the snow covered village. In the center of the village, across from the Mairies, and next to the church was the village Christmas tree, covered with 3,000 crystals.

Unfair

In yet another blow to President François Hollande, France’s constitutional court - similar to the US supreme court in terms of constitutional issues, declared the 75% two year super tax on income above one million euros to be unconstitutional. The court found unconstitutional how the tax was to be calculated, not the rate. The super tax was to be calculated on individual and not household income. Thus a couple where each person made €900,000 and had a total combined income of €1,800,000 wouldn't pay the tax. A couple with one person making over €1,000,000 would pay, even if the other person made little or nothing. Therefore the household with more total income wouldn't pay the tax but the household with less would. Unfair in the court’s opinion.
I believe it comes down to the French idea of égalité: the law can't treat two households (or people) differently. Social equality - égalité would seem to be strong part of French law.

Taxes & Expats Radio

In my monthly visit on Expats Radio, along with speaking about an igloo I made, food traditions - Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) and Galette des Rois, also Taxe d’Habitation and the redevance audio-visuelle tax were discussed. Please know that if you rent (and own) in France you'll be responsible for paying both these taxes. There are a few exceptions: the redevance audio-visuelle, TV tax used to fund public TV in France is only paid if you own a TV. In 2012 the tax was €125. The Taxe d’Habitation isn't payed by the renter for leases less than one year. Taxe d’Habitation varies greatly in France as the rate is set locally and is in part based on income.

Énigme

Château X has a semicircular portico that looks very much like the South Portico of the White House. Château X was inspired by Château Y that also has a striking resemblance to the White House. It's not clear how much Châteaux X and Y directly influenced the design of the White House or if it's all just a coincidence. One theory has it that Thomas Jefferson saw the plans for Château X decades before it was built and that then influenced the White House design. It's all an enigma - énigme.
Now your enigma is: what are the real names of Châteaux X and Y and what is the alias of Château Y? Answer next month...

Podcast

In my most recent podcast I talk with Harriet Welty Rochefort, long time resident of Paris. Harriet is the author of three books. Her latest book is Joie de Vivre: Secrets of Wining, Dining, and Romancing. Her attempt to see if the French are really as pessimistic as they seem on the surface.
Harriet's other two books are: French Fried: The Culinary Capers Of An American In Paris and French Toast: An American in Paris Celebrates the Maddening Mysteries of the French.

Real Estate

If you're looking for some, well unique real estate in France a great place to look is http://www2.budget.gouv.fr/cessions/. It's a list of government buildings for sale. Some of what's on offer includes a château style house on 2.3 acres, military barracks, and a rather isolated customs house. It 's also possible to buy a lighthouse, here's one that was recently sold.
SNCF - French train company also has been known to sell unused train stations. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a main web site with listings. But if you search for 'gare à vendre' you'll come up with a few listings.

Sales in France

Winter sales in France - Soldes d'Hiver start Wednesday January 9th and run for five weeks. If you're in the Lorraine Region they start on Wednesday January 2nd and again run for five weeks.

Mail Box

Les Soeurs Anglaises: Residential workshops and courses in South West France. Learn textile sculpture, knitting, stitched calligraphy and much more!
Paris Murder Mysteries: A website dedicated to mysteries/thrillers in or around Paris.
Teresa Kaufman Photo Walks: Here's a great way to discover La France profonde and get off the beaten track in and around the Alpine village of Chamonix. Teresa's walks will take you places few tourist ever go and along the way you'll be taking great photos. You can find the latest schedule here.

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