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NewsletterJanuary 2013 Très bonne année à tous!The Village with Two MairiesThis 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 UnfairIn 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. Taxes & Expats RadioIn 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. ÉnigmeChâteau 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. PodcastIn 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. Real EstateIf 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. Sales in FranceWinter 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 BoxLes Soeurs Anglaises: Residential workshops and courses in South West France. Learn textile sculpture, knitting, stitched calligraphy and much more!
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