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NewsletterMay 2013

Play it again Jacques

This piano is in the TGV train station at Lyon Airport, for anyone who wants to play it. You can see two other photos.

When It Rains it Pours

Last month I wrote about Jérôme Cahuzac and his alleged Swiss bank account. Well it turns out it was all true. Cahuzac admitted in early April he had a Swiss bank account for a number of years. And still had money hidden overseas in Singapore. In short, the man whose job was to lead the fight against tax fraud, was in fact a fraudster. Needless to say this hasn't helped an already very weak President Hollande. Hollande's approval ratings are now in the high 20s. No other French President in modern times has become so unpopular so fast.
After the Cahuzac bomb, Hollande rushed into damage control mode, announcing a number of measures, including ordering all government ministers to disclose their personal wealth. See Déclarations de situation patrimoniale France is one of the few countries in Europe that doesn't require government members to release tax returns or wealth statements. A law will soon be introduced in parliament requiring all members to publicly state their wealth. Currently only the President has to make a wealth declaration. Ministers were not required to disclose their tax returns.
Wealth is a touchy subject in France and in general the French are uncomfortable talking about it. In France wealth can be viewed with suspicion: "How did they get so rich!" And not "Look at how successful they are!" This is of course changing as the number of BMWs sold in France will attest, some owned by ministers.

Marriage for All

On April 23 the French Parliament approved the bill dubbed 'Mariage pour Tous' - Marriage for All. This was one of Hollande's campaign promises and to date his biggest legislative success. But even this victory didn't bring much relief. Those opposed to the law stated they will continue to protest against it. The opposition is bigger than anticipated and to a certain degree has more to do with the general state of affairs in France: record unemployment and a recession, than being against same sex marriage. The French usually are: let live and don't care much about people's personal lives.

Podcast

My latest Podcast was a little different. It was focused on tax issues for American expats. I spoke with Barron Harper of Barron's International Tax Service. We covered many subjects such as: who has to file a US tax return, deadlines, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, FBAR and FATCA.

ACA

The subject of tax issues for Expat Americans leads right to the ACA - American Citizens Abroad, the premier advocacy organization for Americans overseas. If you live overseas or would like to, you need to be a member of the ACA!

Expat Radio

In my monthly visit to Expats Radio I talked about Burgundy. I talked about why you should visit Burgundy and mentioned five places to see. The show is online here - http://expatsradio.com/area-guides-travel/jeff-steiner-takes-us-burgundy

From Mailbox

The Auburn University Singers: Friday 17th of May, 2013 - Le Palais de la Femme Paris.
move2france: Info and guidance for Expats living in, traveling or moving to France. Is looking for motivational stories from Americans who made the move to France, and how they are sustaining a living, etc.
The Bleiberg Project by David Khara: New from Le French Book is this bestselling, prize-winning espionage novel about a Wall Street trader who finds himself thrown into a race to save the world from a horrific conspiracy straight out of the darkest hours of history.

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Hameau BASSINAUD: Relax in the Charente countryside in a family-friendly ambience. Charentaise stone cottages and rooms for rent in our tiny hamlet just outside Juignac. Old world charm with new, modern comforts-swimming pool, wi-fi, kitchenettes, etc. Two cottage apartments (each sleeps 3-4), or 3 B&B-style single/double rooms in our "main house." Patios offer quiet views of the countryside. French-American hospitality, with informal French conversation classes by request.
Enjoy leisurely walks and bike rides, rolling hills and sunflowers. A few minutes by car, shop or stroll in nearbv Montmoreau-St.-Cybard, Chalais, Villebois-Lavalette, or (our favorite) beautiful Aubeterre sur Dronne, the home of a 12th c. subterranean monolith church. Savor fine wines at the source in Cognac, Bordeaux, and St.-Emilion, all within an hour's drive.
We,re 25 minutes south of Angoulême by car. (Get to Angoulême from Paris by TGV in 3 hours.) Bordeaux airport is a 75- minute drive. Driving directions on request.

Cote d'Azur Antibes: This beautiful apartment built in 1880 is 32 square meters or 220 sq.ft. and has been renovated with a full size bathroom, it is located in the old town district of Antibes. The apartment includes bedroom and living room with a sofa bed (sleep 3-4 people), air conditioning, cable TV, video, kitchen, large bathroom and three large closets, also the kitchen has double burner stove top, sink, under counter fridge/freezer, dishwasher, coffee maker, microwave, along with a washer/dryer.
The location is on the main street Rue de la Republique and Avenue du 24 Aout, within walking distance to stores, restaurants, beach, supermarket, antiques shops, restaurants, fine bakery, post office and main square. The "Provençal Market" is just 3 minutes away and you can buy organic fresh fruit, farm products or eat a piece of the best French cheese produced locally with the best wines of the "Provence of France". Other attractions: Picasso museum, Antibes theater, cinema, Cathedral, Juan les Pins, and beautiful beaches.
The nearest airport is in Nice 15 kilometers away (a bus from the Nice airport to Antibes cost only 8 euros), the train station is only 1 kilometer, and the nearest cities you also will enjoy visiting are Cannes, Nice, Montecarlo, Monaco and Biot, are less than an hour distance by b us from the apartment.

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