NewsletterJune 2012

Wild Flowers in the French Alps

I discovered these flowers during a hike to Col du Jaillet, above Megeve in the French Alps. You can see some closeups and another type of flower. I also took photos and made a video showing scenic views along the way.

Podcast

Talking about Megeve, my latest podcast is with Mike Beaudet, aka Megeve Mike, who owns and operates a ski school in Megeve. Mike talks about skiing in Megeve and the Vallée Blanche, favorite recipes, likes/dislikes about France and cultural differences between France and the US.

Presidential Election

On May 6th François Hollande was elected President of France. This was the result all polls had pointed to. The final results were closer than expected: 51.6% -48.4%. Almost no sooner had Hollande been elected, than he became President nine days later. It may be slow to get some things done in France but a change of power isn't one of them.
Hollande wasn't sworn in a la the US. In France one President hands power over to the next. The ceremony is incredibility solemn and not a family affair. Believe it or not, none of Hollande's four children attended!
The next step for Hollande are legislative elections on June 10th and 17th. Polls show that Hollande's Socialist Party and its allies will win a majority in France's 577 seat parliament. This follows tradition, as the French have always given a newly elected President a legislative majority after being elected. New for these legislative elections: French expats will have the right to vote for their own representatives. Eleven overseas constituencies were created with full voting rights in parliament. You can see who is running to represent North America (US and Canada) here.
Hollande already appointed a prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, who then formed a government. A government for the first time equally divided between women and men. But most of the senior ministries went to men.
I put together a video explaining what happens after the presidential election.

What's in a Name?

The recent change of government has brought out how the French nickname ministries. Just as the French Open is known as Roland Garros, because it’s played at Stade Roland Garros, French ministries are often nicknamed after their location.
The prime minister's office is known as Matignon because the official residence is in Hôtel Matignon. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is known for the street it's on in Paris - Quai d'Orsay. The Minister of the Interior is known as Place Beauvau also for its location in Paris. The official residence is at Hôtel de Beauvau. Lastly there is the Minister of Finance known as Bercy, for its location in the Paris neighborhood of the same name. Not to be forgotten is the French White House - Élysée Palace, known mostly in France as l'Élysée.
The one odd ball is the Ministry of Justice known in France as Garde des Sceaux - Keeper of the Seals. As it is the Ministry of Justice that keeps the Great Seal of France.

Mail Box

Thirty-five minutes from St Tropez: Contemporary, fictional story set in Provence, London and Italy spanning three generations of a close-knit family. Incorporates tales about the main characters’ four dogs, a classic sports car and a teenager’s life on a super yacht.
Travels With Tinkerbelle - 6,000 Miles Around France In A Mechanical Wreck: The adventures of a couple traveling the perimeter of France in a camper. Kindle or paperback.
Charente Book Sale: All Books only 1€ !!! There will also be a brocante, tombola and refreshments Saturday 16 June 2012 10 am and 2.30 pm.

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Check out their 'Experience Provence' tour this summer.

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