NewsletterMarch 2007

Upcoming:

• It's the time for traditional France to shine: the 27th Salon International de l'Agriculture (International Agricultural Show) takes place from March 3rd to March 11th. For more info there is a site in English - Salon Agriculture.

Presidential Election

The French Presidential election is in full swing. At the moment Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy (UMP - Union for a Popular Movement) is leading in the polls followed by Segolene Royal (PS - Parti Socialistes), who if elected would become France’s first female President, then comes François Bayrou (UDF - United for French Democracy) and finally Jean-Marie Le Pen (Front National – National Front). All other candidates are far behind in the polls.
France has a two round voting system where if no candidate receives more than 50% in the first round there is a second between the top two vote getters. At the moment it appears to be Sarkozy and Royal. Going into January it was neck and neck between Sarkozy and Royal, but Royal suffered a few bad weeks. Royal made a few verbal blunders and fell back, 10% in some polls behind Sarkozy. She seems to have stabilized and has closed the gap but still trails Sarkozy head to head in second round polls.
Five hundred elected official signatures are required to place a candidate on the ballot in France. Qualified elected officials are members of parliament, senators and so on. This also includes mayors. There are some 36,000 towns in France, resulting in many requests. Many smaller candidates or in the case of Le Pen, those on the extremes (Le Pen is on the extreme right) have trouble obtaining the magic 500.
The last Presidential election in 2002 listed 16 official candidates. This fractured vote, in the first round resulted in no candidate receiving more than 20% of the vote. The feeling is that this year there will be less than 16 candidates running for the presidency...

Newsletter

I’d like to tell everyone about Paris In Sites Newsletter edited by Linda Thalman an American in Paris, who has lived and worked in the Paris region since 1980.
Paris In Sites provides travel and tourism information from and about Paris and France.
You will find travel resources on museums, restaurants, castles, apartment and home rentals, hotels, weather, public holidays, Paris travel, transportation and museum tips and more... not forgetting her travel stories from around the world in her web site.

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Relaxing Vacation Locations

Cabries Apartment – The village of Cabries is a 15 minute drive from Aix en Provence. Its two bedrooms and two baths are in typical Provencal style and offer splendid views of the surrounding countryside. A fully equipped kitchen is at your disposal along with dining room, fireplace, living room, terrace and private parking. This apartment is ideal for a quiet and relaxing vacation. Upon request, the Franco-American owner will delight you with his cooking and hospitably and make your time in Cabries unforgettable. You might - if you are good, be taken on a tour of a typical Provencal market and cook with him.

Le Canard au Parapluie Rouge - Is a comfortable cozy country home and B&B. You will immediately feel welcomed and right at home. It is surrounded by fantastic medieval villages, stunning countryside, rivers & lakes, fishing, hiking trails, antique & ‘brocante’ shopping, chateaux and much more! You can fill every moment with these delights or by relaxing, reading, snoozing and just enjoying the sounds of country life. The location is perfect! Located in the Limousin with easy access from the A20 – Exit 19, it is right in the heart of Centre France. A perfect spot for a good night’s rest during your travels in France or stay awhile and explore this undiscovered gem of an area!

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