Moving to Montpellier

We've just had a bunch of nice people say nice things about us...

2012-01-27T15:07:00.002+01:00

"I'm a French expat in England and I couldn't do without Francis, Lulu & Wendy help. They looked after my flat in Montpellier from A to Z, including marketing for rental, dealing with the tenants and all the issues related to renting a furnished flat on short / medium periods. Leaving me with complete peace of mind."

Benoit Ivernel

"We have been incredibly impressed by Moving to Montpellier and
Montpellier holiday home services since we started using their
services since 2010 to let out our apartment. The team are
consistently professional, friendly and helpful. Frankly, I am not
sure what we would have done without them."
Bernie and Charlie Davie

Lulu and Francis I want to thank you for locating the apartment in such a nice area of Montpellier. The contract period will provide the right degree of flexibility to look at a purchase in the course of the next year.

The requirement was to find a flat with security,parking and near a tram. You met the specification very very well and against a tight time frame. Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf. I will be in touch for the next step.

Ronald Begley

Lulu has been invaluable in helping me manage a maison secondaire from
Australia - I was struggling to manage a 500 year house with all the leaks,
breakages, wear and tear. Lulu came along and took a real genuine personal
interest in getting to know and then locally managing the cleaners,
caretakers and tradesmen to ensure our home is now safe and well cared for.

Rebecca Pearse

The service and support we received from you was exceptional. You did a
superior job in finding us and apartment rental in the old part of the city
and we greatly appreciated your taking an hour to meet with us and discuss
the challenges and requirements of moving to Montpellier.
Beanie and Gary Archie
Durango, Colorado US

Bonjour Lulu, It would be our pleasure to both take the opportunity to thank you and to say what a pleasure it was to work with you! You turned what could have been a very frustrating and daunting experience into one which proved to be very smooth - at least for us! You answered all our questions and concerns quickly and efficiently and helped us to negotiate uncharted international waters. We look forward to meeting and thanking you in person when we arrive to Montpellier.

Kathryn and Stephen Ferguson, London, ON, Canada

We used the services of Lulu and Francis Laporte, Moving to Montpellier, during the spring and summer of 2010. There were lots of hurdles to overcome, and the tenacity and persistence of Lulu and Francis, together with their own expertise as an Anglo-French couple who have relacated internationally themselves, proved invaluable. We have no hesitation in recommending them.
Paula and Andrew Jefford.

What a world of difference Lulu and Françis have made to my long stay in Montpellier. As someone with a major illness, my needs go beyond the usual relocation challenges. Lulu and Françis have not only helped me locate such things as housing and shopping resources, but also with finding healthcare and helping me move my flotilla of luggage around. Their knowledge of Montpellier and relocations needs, combined with their quick response time, has saved me so much work and stress. Several years ago when I began living part-time in Paris, I faced all of these challenges alone. How I wish that I could have had such capable assistance there. I consider hiring Moving to Montpellier to be money well spent.
Annie Lipscomb

Thank you both for the invaluable help launching our business in Montpellier. Who knew a few strategically-placed blogs could so dramatically increase awareness of our business, and link us to so many other business owners here? How better to let families know where we are than to invite them for scones (baked by Lulu) with clotted cream and jam right in the shop? And let's not overlook Axel's emergency saves when the modem, our lifeline, went down. Add to that the continued help with bureaucracy, like finding that document translator for our marriage license. And let's not forget the education about British foods. High Tea really is a delightful social event as well as a light meal. Thank you both so much for all of the help.
Judi and Chuck at the English Corner Shop

Lulu and Francis have been terrific at managing our apartment and dealing with the French Internet providers who seem incapable of providing customer service. We are thrilled to have them manage our apartment and take care of our guests. Offering their pick up service has also been a major benefit for our guests. I highly recommend their services.

Suzanne Saxe-Roux (apartment owner) currently living in San Francisco, CA

Apartment for sale in Montpellier, Antigone area

2012-01-11T12:14:00.002+01:00

Two bedroomed penthouse apartment with views to the river and over green area for sale Euro275,000

Excellent condition, very light and airy. Owner moving abroad.

Full details here: http://flatforsalemontpellierantigone.blogspot.com/2012/01/view-from-lounge-flat-is-facing-south.html

Furnished apartment in Montpellier for medium to long term rental

2012-01-10T16:04:00.001+01:00

2 bedroomed apartment in Montpellier - close to the railway station and 2 tram lines. Walk-able to the Comedie, shops, restaurants etc.

Full details and photos here: http://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/OfferedDetails.aspx?id=66522

English schooling in Montpellier

2011-12-14T05:18:00.000+01:00

Come over to Kids & Montpellier for full info on everything for English speaking children in the Montpellier area - but a taster is here:

Children's extra curriculum English courses and activities

http://www.lepetithome.com/

enjoy english http://www.enjoy-english.fr/

outbound http://www.ieam.info/

petits bilingues http://www.lespetitsbilingues.com/

Schools ( fee paying)

Ecole antonia http://www.ecoleantonia-montpellier.com/ Maternelle

Montessori http://asso.montessori.free.fr/ Maternelle

Eridan http://www.ecole-eridan.com/ Maternelle- Secondary school

Baillargues http://www.ecole-privee-bilingue.fr/ Maternelle- Secondary school

Schools(Non fee paying)

École Sibelius-Pottier Primary school 6-10

College Camille Claudel Secondary school 11-16

Lycee Jules Guesde http://www.julesguesde.fr/ Secondary school 15-17

	Year of Birth	English	American	French
Kindergarten	2009			Nursery School
	2008			Petite section
	2007			Moyenne section
	2006	Year 1	Kindergarten	Grande section
Primaire (Primary School)	2005	Year 2	1st grade	Cours préparatoire
	2004	Year 3	2nd grade	Cours élémentaire 1ère année
	2003	Year 4	3rd grade	Cours élémentaire 2année
	2002	Year 5	4th grade	Cours moyen 1ère année
	2001	Year 6	5th grade	Cours moyen 2ème année
Collège (Middle School)	2000	Year 7	6th grade	6ème
	1999	Year 8	7th grade	5ème
	1998	Year 9	8th grade	4ème
	1997	Year 10	9th grade	3ème
Lycée (Secondary School)	1996	Year 11	10th grade	Seconde
	1995	Year 12	11th grade	Première
	1994	Year 13	12th grade	Terminale

Recommended language schools

MILI http://www.mili-fr.com/

http://www.ila-france.com/

Christmas market in Montpellier

2011-11-30T17:38:00.002+01:00

C’est parti pour les Hivernales 2011 organisées par la Ville de Montpellier !

La 9ème édition des Hivernales-Marché de Noël, organisées à l’initiative de la Ville de Montpellier débutera le vendredi 2décembre 2011, et se poursuivra jusqu’au samedi 31 décembre 2011.

Durant cette période, plus de 100 commerçants seront présents sur la Place de la Comédie et sur l’esplanade Charles de Gaulle, tous les jours de 10h à 20h, pour le plaisir des yeux, des papilles et le plaisir d’offrir.

Read more: http://www.montpellier.fr/TPL_CODE/TPL_ESPACEPRESSE/PAR_TPL_IDENTIFIANT/3433/1-montpellier-fr-site-de-la-mairie-de-montpellier.htm

48 hrs in Nimes

2011-11-21T12:32:00.000+01:00

WHY GO NOW?

To see Nîmes in festive mood with food, drink and dancing on the streets during theferias of 17-19 September and 9-10 October. Much is based on the local tradition of bullfighting, but in the courses camarguaises (tests of skill between bull and man), the bull is not killed and often ends up as the victor. The main focus of activity is the Arènes, the 1st-century amphitheatre, reckoned to be the best preserved of the Roman world. Now is a good time to see it in all its 60-arched glory, before the winter canopy is installed in late October.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/48-hours-in-nimes-6161463.html

Le Bookshop Montpellier Newsletter November 2011

2011-11-14T09:12:00.001+01:00

Programme novembre 2011

Vendredi 25 novembre dans le cadre des « Escapades en Librairies »
lecture de poésies bilingue avec Jean Gelbseiden à 14h30
Venez profiter d’une lecture de poésie des plus grands poètes anglais lus par Jean Gelbseiden de l’association « Les Mots Passants » Pour présenter les librairies indépendantes de Montpellier l’association Cœur de Livre vous invite à nombreuses manifestations littéraires dans toutes les librairies du 25 à 27 novembre.
(Pour le programme regardez au http://www.montpellier.fr/573-agenda-de-montpellier-pour-savoir-ou-sortir.htm/viewFileIdtf/14064/v/f/libelle/dossier+parcours+en+librairie.pdf)

Saturday November 26^th at 2 PM Book Club:
“Behind the Scenes at the Museum” by Kate AtkinsonCome and join the discussion (in English) at our monthly book club!
“Behind the Scenes at the Museum is the first novel of Kate Atkinson and covers -with a lot of humor- the experiences of Ruby Lennox from a middle-class English family living in York. By interspersing flashbacks with the narrative of Ruby's own life, the book chronicles the lives of four generations of women from Ruby's great-grandmother Alice to Ruby's mother's failed dreams. The story of Ruby's own life is told in thirteen chapters, all written in the first person, documenting key periods in Ruby's life from 1951 ("Conception" beginning with the words "I exist!") to 1992. In between each chapter are flashbacks that tell the story from the point of view of one of the other (mostly female) members of Ruby's family—including her great-grandmother Alice, her grandmother Nell and her mother Bunty.”

Lecture pour enfants
Tous les mercredis il est possible de réserver une lecture pour enfants avec un lecteur anglophone. Entre 16h et 17h votre enfant peut écouter des histoires et apprendre l’anglais en s’amusant. Cette activité est uniquement sur réservation, contactez nous au 04.67.66.22.90 ou par e-mail contact@lebookshop.com

Conversation exchanges 5-7 PM – Échanges linguistiques 17h00 – 19h00
Anglais/français le lundi - 7, 14, 21 + 28 novembre 17h à 19h
Anglais/français le vendredi 4, 11 + 18 novembre de 17h à 19h
Allemand/français le vendredi 25 novembre de 17h à 19h

Commandez vos Christmas crackers ! 4 Coloris possibles (« Red Ribbons and Holly » « Rainbow –red, blue, orange, purple, metallic» « Jazz Glitter - white-gold » ou “silver with images of 12 Days of Christmas”
Chaque ensemble est vendu dans une boite de 10 crackers de 21cm (8.5”) à 15,90 €.

Le Bookshop – librairie anglophone / café
8 rue du Bras de Fer
34000 Montpellier
Tel. 04.67.66.22.90
e-mail : contact@lebookshop.com

English classes for children in Montpellier

2011-10-16T08:43:00.001+01:00

Hello there,

Just a quick message to let you know that Outbound has got past the madness of ‘la rentrée’ and once again, our usual activities are now up and running.

Club & Discovery

The Outbound Classes for bilingual children started up again on the 17^th September at the Maison Pour Tous - Mélina Mercouri. We have on average 2 workshops a month on Saturday mornings :

· 9h30-11h : Club 1 (6-8 years) taught by Rosie BEVIS

· 9h30-11h : Club 2 (8-11 years) and 11h-12h30 : Discovery (12-16 years) taught by Christine STROUD

Due to many requests from bilingual families with younger children, we’ve also opened a new class this year on Saturday mornings : 11-12h : Mini-club (5-6 years) run by Paula GRECH.

Paula uses her skills and experience as a trained dance therapist to bring a creative approach to developing self expression with this younger age group. Paula is also a former member of PIG so we’re pleased to have bridged a gap between the activities offered for this age group.

Chatterbox

Despite some major changes this year at the Maison Pour Tous Mélina Mercouri (no longer a centre aéré, so fewer children), we’ve nevertheless been able to open 2 classes on Wednesday mornings for French speaking children, run again this year by Chris BUTLER :

- 9-10h (GS/CP/CE1)

- 10-11h (CE2, CM1,CM2)

PIG

The Parent-Infant group “PIG” for Anglophone parents and small children, coordinated by Lulu Laporte, has already picked up again. Lulu has some much needed help this year from fellow PIG members Fiona & Emer. Check out the Pig blogwww.piglanguedoc.blogspot.com to know when and where they meet next.

Family membership

Please remember even if your children are now too old or simply aren’t attending OUTBOUND classes this year, your family membership (25€) helps tremendously in supporting our actions (promotion of bilingual education and the new International Sections in Montpellier schools).

As a member, you’ll also receive our newsletters and be invited to join in our annual events (hikes, picnics, Christmas & Halloween parties, pub evenings, book sales…).

If you haven’t already joined and would like to, just complete and return to the treasurer the attached membership form.

Many thanks for your continued support!

Outbound

www.ieam.info

Rooms for rent in Nimes - by the week / month

2011-09-14T10:41:00.000+01:00

Rooms to rent by the week or the month in Nimes with good transport connections. Internet connection.

Bathroom and fully equipped kitchen are shared.

More information: http://fr.welchome.com/chambre-a-louer/landlord/ad_detail.php?code=12086&preview

Children's English speaking classes in Montpellier

2011-09-11T16:30:00.000+01:00

Hello,

Re: www.ieam.info

The English classes we organise at IEAM-Outbound will be starting up again very soon in Montpellier (Maison Pour Tous,opposite IBM).

This year we are starting an exciting new mini-club on Saturday mornings for English speaking 5-6 year olds - getting them to speaking out in English!

As you probably know, Outbound’s main focus since it started up back in 2003 was attaining an Anglophone section to the International Option of the Baccalaureate and then English sections right through from primary to secondary level in the Montpellier school district. Since this ‘rentrée’ - this has finally been achieved! (see details below).

Now we aim to reinforce our English classes and to further encourage and support English speaking children (and also French) who could potentially join these state school programmes in Montpellier.

Attached is our 2011-2012 programme for English speaking children on Saturday mornings (we also run English classes for French children on a Wednesday morning) at the Maison Pour Tous Mélina Mercouri.

Please pass on the news of our programmes and also the state school information below to any English speaking families you know who may be interested.

Many thanks!

Outbound

Promoting multilingual education for children

IEAM-Outbound classes and activities for English speaking children are starting up again soon at the Maison Pour Tous “Mélina Mercouri” (opposite IBM) in Montpellier…

Come and meet us at the Montpellier Associations Fair, on the 11th of September 2011.

Class information for English speaking children: 1^st classes : Saturday A.M. - 17 September 2011

· Mini-Club : developing language skills (5/6 years)

· Club 1 : learning to write in English (6-8 years)

· Club 2 : learning to read in English (9-11 years)

· Discovery : developing self-expression (11-16)

· PIG : a Parent-Infant group (0-5 years) that meet regularly at the Montessori school in Montpellier www.piglanguedoc.blogspot.com

· Family membership : you can also just join as a family member (25€) and help support our actions (promotion of bilingual education and the new International Sections in Montpellier schools), receive our newsletter and take part in our annual events (hikes, picnics, Christmas & Halloween parties, pub evenings, book sales…).

English lessons for French speaking children: 1^st classes: Wednesday A.M. - 21 September 2011

· Maternelle GS-CP : 9h-10h

· CEI-CE2 : 10h-11h

· CM1-CM2 : 11h-12h

For more information: www.ieam.info or contact us contact@ieam.info. Tel : 06 21 76 90 32

IEAM Outbound (International Education Association of Montpellier) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2003 by a group of families wishing to promote access to multilingual education in and around Montpellier. Today we have around 40 member families.

Our association aims to promote multilingual education for children and develop language skills that can enable access to the International programmes now run from primary to secondary levels in the Montpellier school district.

International school programmes in Montpellier 2011-2012

It’s taken a while, almost 10 years, but the goal IEAM-Outbound set itself – first the creation of an Anglophone section to the International Option of the Baccalaureate and then English sections right through from primary to secondary level in the Montpellier school district - has finally been achieved! Outbound has also always wished for as many international sections as possible and in as many languages as possible and so are extremely happy that from September 2011, there will not only be Anglo-American sections but also two new sections in Arabic and Chinese.

2011: Anglo-American sections in Montpellier school from primary through to secondary

PRIMARY: at the Sibelius Pottier primary school (St Eloi/la Jalade, Montpellier) a mixed level class (CE2, CM1 and CM2) is set to open in September 2011.

COLLEGE : As from September 2011, 2 classes will be offered : 6^ème and 5^èmeat collège Camille Claudel (rue d’Assas, Montpellier).

LYCEE: At the lycée Jules Guesde (Avenue de Lodève, Montpellier), the American section will be offered at all 3 levels : 2^nde, 1^ère and Terminale. It will also be the first year that the International American Option will be offered in

Montpellier.

For more information and for the list of all the schools running the international language programmes in Montpellier: http://www.ac-montpellier.fr/ia34/pdf/file/pedagogie/elv/plaquette_Formations_Internationales.pdf

Tax Changes

2011-09-11T16:05:00.001+01:00

Here are the recent tax changes: http://www.spectrum-ifa.com/Frenchtaxupdate.shtml

The Montpellier tram system as at 2012 !

2011-09-08T14:13:00.000+01:00

http://www.midilibre.com/downloads/fichiers/ldjnprmnfk/trace%20lignes%20tram.png

Click on the link to see the map.

Renting a house or apartment in the Montpellier area.

2011-09-08T12:54:00.000+01:00

Or otherwise titled 'What the estate agents won't tell you'.

We do a lot of property searches for our clients, some medium term (mostly for 2 or 3 months furnished) and some long term 1 to 3 years unfurnished.)

If the properties we already have on our books are full for your dates, we can do an individual search for you for which we charge an hourly rate. This charge will stand, even if we are unable to find something suitable - please be advised of this.

These are some of the things we'd like to know about before we start our property search for you.

Quite frankly be warned from the start it's a nightmare to do: Envisage estate agents not turning up for pre-arranged appointments. Appointments being cancelled at the last minute, the property not being even nearly suitable. Agencies don't call you back. There is no such thing as a mailing list (so no point in leaving your name, phone number or wish list for them to call you.)

Don't expect replies by email from an agent - even if there is a contact list on the website. You will always have to call.

For a long term rental – Ideally you need 1 to 2 months to actually do the search, then often it's a 2 months notice for the previous occupants to leave. If you are looking for a long term (1-3 years rental / non furnished) we recommend you take a short stay furnished rental for the initial look around. You will NEVER be able to rent a property over a week or a weekend's stay.
If you don't have a salary IN FRANCE (no matter if you are earning millions elsewhere)... landlords won't accept your request to rent – in which case we set up, using an English speaking local banker: A Bank Bond: typically holding a 3 months rent along with a contract.
Just because you've fallen in love with a property there is no guarantee the landlord will let you have it: they construct a 'dossier' on you and then decide who to rent to.
Lower your expectations – houses / apartments in France can be of all standards – you will never get 'exactly' what you want! Take this as friendly advice.
Consider where you are going to work / take kids to school with regards to where you want your property to be. Montpellier is a big city to cross at rush hour.
A lot of the time for unfurnished rentals there will be no kitchen installed on the property (apart from a kitchen sink – think Ikea 'unfitted / fitted' kitchens as an easy solution.
You will be required to have a renter's insurance and quite often too a maintenance contract for the boiler. We can set you up with an English speaking insurance agent.
You pay tax d'habitation on long term rentals if you stay there over the 1^st January – you will pay for the whole year.
Agency fees will normally be up to 1 months rental. Check out also 'charges' for apartment rentals (rubbish, cleaning and so on...)
NB There always seems to be more clients than apartments / houses......
Also note in France, it's not what you know, it's who you know... always get a recommendation.
Don't forget you'll have to pay for electricity / water / phone / internet and maybe gas supplies to be set up.
Set up a bank account as soon as you can in France... it is indispensible. We can recommend a local English speaking bank who is excellent.

Here at Moving to Montpellier, we can call around for you. Set you up with google maps and spreadsheets of appointments for you to independently visit. Or we can visit with you and translate and give our own opinions. A second visit with one of us in tow would be the ideal solution.

TEA POTES NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

2011-09-02T11:07:00.000+01:00

Place Notre Dame,

30140 Anduze

Tel : 04 66 56 57 62

teapotes@gmail.com www.tea-potes.com

Welcome to our new programme for October, we can’t wait to be up and running with it! We are starting with a double bill of Verdi’s operas La Traviata and La Travatori. We are changing our policy with tickets this year.

We will be charging €10 (with a Tea Potes Membership Card) which will entitle you to 3 events at Tea Potes any time during the Season 2011/2012

Friday 30th September La Traviata (Royal Opera House with Renee Fleming )rapturous applause greeted the return of Renée Fleming to Covent Garden for a revival of Verdi's La traviata – and with good reason. The cast was unusually consistent from top to bottom, with strong leading performances by Thomas Hampson as Germont and Joseph Calleja as Alfredo, while Antonio Pappano's meticulous conducting and the return of Sir Richard Eyre to revive his production for the first time since it was unveiled in 1994 made for a richly engaging experience.

Thursday 6th October 14.30-15.30 and 16.00-17.00

French/English conversation

PLEASE PHONE TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE!

Friday 7^th October 14.30-16.00 Tea Potes Knitting Group

Thursday 13th October 14.30-15.30 French/English conversation

16.00-17.00 French/English conversation

Saturday 15th October Ian Marsden’s workshop. Internationally published cartoonist and illustrator, Ian Marsden, will be doing an informal workshop during which time each participant can ask advice and questions and will create a cartoon of their own. Look at his fantastic website (www.marsdencartoons.com)

Thursday 20th October 14.30-15.30 French/English conversation

16.00-17.00 French/English conversation

Friday 21st October 14.30 TEA POTES Book Club will be discussing ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett . ‘Travels with My Aunt’ by Graham Greene is our November choice.

16.30 for 17.00 Opera: La Travatori – Verdi

José Cura and Dmitri Hvorostovsky lead the star cast of Verdi’s blazingly passionate opera, in Elijah Moshinsky’s Royal Opera House production co-produced with Teatro Real Madrid, with sets by the noted Italian film designer Dante Ferretti.

Saturday 22nd October 10.30-12.00 Isabel Huggan Reading from her books

ISABEL HUGGAN is a Canadian author who has been living in Tornac since 1998. Internationally acclaimed for her short stories (THE ELIZABETH STORIES and YOU NEVER KNOW), in 2004 she received a prestigious Canadian prize for literary non-fiction for her memoir BELONGING : HOME AWAY FROM HOME, much of which concerns her life in France as a "foreigner" trying to integrate herself into a new culture and landscape . A teacher of creative writing for nearly 40 years, Isabel will talk about how realistic fiction springs from experience, using examples from her own work to illustrate the process. She will have copies of her books for sale.

14.30-16.00

“Exploring the Past “ The changing life of an Archaeologist
DAVID MILES, who lives in the Cevennes, was Director of Oxford Archaeology and has worked all over the world. in 1999 he became chief archaeologist at English Heritage and his talk will look at how archaeology has been transformed during his long and distinguished career. He is the author of ‘Tribes of Britain’

Thursday 27th October 14.30-15.30 French/English conversation

16.00-17.00 French/English conversation

Friday 28th October 14.30-16.00 Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 29th October Kate Falgade Lecture ‘From Cannibals to Croissants’

Kate Fagalde spent thirty years in southern Africa, largely by mistake. A two year sojourn turned into a 23 year stay in Lesotho where she discovered how to run a trading station, fly a plane with a pig in it and look down the wrong end of an AK47. She and her French husband then bought a derelict farm across the border in South Africa where she learned to live through drought conditions and bake croissants. Her presentation "From Cannibals to Croissants" has been shown on several occasions when she lectured aboard the QE2. She supports the Mantsase Children's Home in Lesotho.

Village house for sale St Genies des Mourges

2011-08-04T15:37:00.002+01:00

Lovely restored village house - 120m2 for sale.

All information and photos here: http://www.maison.bajana.com/Presentation.html

48 hours in Montpellier

2011-08-04T15:28:00.000+01:00

Whether you call in en route to Spain, or make a special trip, this cultured and historic city in southern France delivers a memorable stay....

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/48-hours-in-montpellier-16027654.html#ixzz1U4QkDuMM

Private Friendly Tours of Paris

2011-08-04T14:59:00.001+01:00

A friend of mine is starting this:

http://bentravelservicesinparis.blogspot.com/

What a fab. idea...

Le Globe Bookshop, Montpellier

2011-06-27T12:54:00.000+01:00

“Unless a miracle occurs, the current incarnation of Le Globe, our bookshop, on 2 Rue Carbonnerie will be closing this week. The dream will be put in storage and will reappear again, maybe in Montpellier, maybe in Paris, maybe in Brussels, maybe in an undisclosed location. If you want to help out, if Le Globe has helped you out, come and buy a book or two this week. Thanks! »

4th July party in Montpellier

2011-06-20T11:43:00.000+01:00

We are having a 4th of July party in Montpellier at the Trinque Fougasse (on Mnday the 4th of July).

Good food (traditional), great music (traditional songs and other Americana sung by me with help from Gilles Marschall, Trinque Fougasse's New Orleans piano player). 4 Languedoc domaines with Americans behind the wheel will be pouring. (Gravillas, o'Vineyards, Daumas Gassac, Paul Reder)

More details here:

http://www.trinquefougasse.com/agenda/evenement/july-4th-independance-day.html
http://www.trinquefougasse.com/agenda/artiste/gilles-marschall.html

Penthouse Apartment for Sale: Centre Nimes

2011-05-26T14:03:00.000+01:00

Beautiful light and airy apartment of 67m2 flat on
3rd (and last floor - private staircase from 2nd floor)

9m2 private terrace with pergola
2 bedrooms 15m2 each
1 bathroom & separate loo
Living-dining room about 50m2
Fully equipped kitchen
Private wine cellar 3m2 in the basement
Pedestrianised area. Cars can only access at certain times
Price: 150 000 Euros

Taxes Foncières : 972 Euros
Charges : 85 euros monthly

Included : dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, air conditioning
Central heating with mains gas: Electric boiler

DPE details via email.

Beachfront Apartment near Montpellier

2011-05-23T12:34:00.000+01:00

Check out Tots to Travel's new property on the beach...

Walking distance to several bars, cafes and restaurants in buzzing beach resort
Right on golden sandy beach
Close to the lakes of the Petite Camargue: lovely walks to see the flamingos
Playground right outside on the beach
Safe swimming, lifeguards right outside
Village with lovely old centre & lots of character
Hire bikes locally: lots of cycle paths
No steps: ideal for wobbly walkers
Fabulous views
No car needed: less than 15 mins taxi from airport and all amenities close by

Ideal for... a family of four plus a baby. Sleeps 4 / 6 (using sofa bed in lounge) plus 1 baby in a cot in two bedrooms.

http://www.totstotravel.co.uk/properties.php?prop_id=388

English bookshop newsletter June 2011

2011-05-23T08:59:00.002+01:00

Maison Camarguaise

2011-05-16T15:29:00.000+01:00

We've got a fabulous new property at www.TotstoTravel.co.uk

Take a look at Maison Camarguaise, between Nimes and Montpellier - click on the link to discover more.

Lots of baby equipment to make a really #FamilyFriendlyHoliday - and meals can be provided for you - ask for details on booking.

A French prepaid SIM card to save big on your calls!

2011-04-15T15:07:00.004+01:00

A French prepaid SIM card to save big time on your calls!

English speakers are used to having limited options available for staying in touch with relatives when in France. At the moment you often have to face one of two scenarios:

Keeping your actual mobile and having the surprise of a huge bill at the end of your holidays or,
Buying a French prepaid SIM card with which you do not understand anything because it is all in French and the calls are still expensive.

That has now changed as the mobile operator Transatel has launched a service called LeFrenchMobile. This French prepaid SIM card is entirely in English and dedicated to English people coming to France for a short stay, enabling them to benefit from the best tariffs:

Call UK, all Europe, USA, Canada & Asia at local rates
Call other LeFrenchMobile users at -50%

LeFrenchMobile prepaid SIM card is offering you to call at the lowest rates no matter your destination:

Besides attractive tariffs on national and international calls, LeFrenchMobile offers loads of other advantages for English speakers in France:

Free incoming calls in France
Free voicemail
All services in English
Prepaid à no contract / no commitment
Network covering 99% of France
Worldwide roaming capabilities
Free incoming text messages all over the world
Free voicemail
Buy your SIM directly online – Free EU delivery
Reload online
Refer your friend and get free airtime credit
Ready to use, no activation procedure
Works with any unlocked phone

Choose either a SIM only, a mobile pack or a 3G dongle (low data rates) to stay connected while in France!

Moving-to-Montpellier readers get a €5 voucher by using this code: MONT11. Buy your LeFrenchMobile SIM card now at LeFrenchMobile.

Montpellier apartment for rental - great position and gorgeous!

2011-04-07T14:00:00.000+01:00

Available as a two bedroom from Aug. 6 - Sept. 12 and possibly as a one bedroom for about three weeks May 10-30.

Rates: one bed 475 one week, 1500 one month euros

two beds 625 one week, 2000 one month;

Close to the musee Fabre. Email for more details:

The Great Roman Games in Nimes

2011-04-05T13:15:00.000+01:00

This will be something quite special so make a date to see the extraordinary re-enactment of the ancient Roman Games. It's held in the glorious amphitheatre in Nimes in the Languedoc Region of France on April 23^rd and 24^th. The Americans and the British might be leaders in re-enactments, but we'd better watch out; these are truly spectacular.

Roman legionnaires, Celts, the Imperial Court, auxiliaries, cavalrymen and war chariots will once again make the walls ring with their fights, races and battle cries. Nimes itself is just as festive, with shows and various performances in different parts of the city, themed visits and processions.

Le Bookshop April Newsletter

2011-03-30T17:26:00.000+01:00

Apartment for rent Montpellier

2011-03-30T09:59:00.000+01:00

Available from the beginning of September 2011. Top floor apartment with fabulous views available. 1 double bedroom, 2nd bedroom setup as office (possibility sofa bed) and open plan kitchen / dining / lounge.

Floor to ceiling windows with view to the river. Fully furnished.

Excellent position, right next to the trams (both lines) and bus stops - short walk into town. Close to restaurants, bars and 200m to the Olympic pool.

On the road: retracing the steps of the legions in Languedoc

2011-03-28T13:12:00.002+01:00

Ancient history lies at your feet near the coast in Languedoc. The Via Domitia, one of the greatest of Roman roads, runs through this region, skirting the Mediterranean shores. And what’s more, parts of it are still in use today.

Take the A9 motorway between Nîmes and Montpellier, for example, and you’ll be driving where the Romans once travelled.

Pézenas: a stroll through the past

2011-03-28T13:10:00.000+01:00

The antique town of Pézenas is one of the quiet glories of southern France. What you see at the outset is a glorious place of elegant 17th- and 18th-century houses constructed in mellow, honey-coloured stone and graced with balconies and twirling wrought-iron.

Montpellier: once and future city

2011-03-28T13:09:00.000+01:00

A tranquil wine estate, complete with noble château, sits in the midst of a very urban, very modern area of light industry and IT offices. Three kilometres away a violinmaker works intently in a studio adjoining a medieval square, delicately honing the maple back of an instrument being made to order for a Korean soloist. Montpellier is a city of semi-secret gems and surprise delights.

Herault in Langedoc: getting there and around

2011-03-28T13:06:00.002+01:00

With its unspoilt sandy coast, its tranquil green interior and its dramatic highlands, Hérault offers an impressive range of landscapes and activities.

Thanks to the introduction of low-cost flights over the last few years, he region has become increasingly accessible from the UK. Montpellier, capital of the Languedoc, is the main hub in the east, while Beziers provides excellent links in the south-west.

Places to visit without a car in Montpellier

2011-03-21T16:36:00.002+01:00

http://mandarinepressee.net/wakka.php?wiki=BazaR&vue=consulterBP

Places to go in and near Montpellier WITHOUT using a car... bike, bus and train options - with timetable information all there.. Great idea!

Tea Potes English cafe in Anduze

2011-03-09T17:05:00.002+01:00

Bonjour..

Jeudi 10 mars

14h30 – 16h00 16h00 – 17h30 Conversation français/anglais

Vendredi 11 mars

. 14h30 – 16h00 Club Tricot Tea Potes

Samedi 12 mars

. 16h30 pour un démarrage à 17h00

‘FIDELIO’ de Beethoven avec OPERA DOU. Nouvelle production de Katharina Thalbach à l’Opernhaus de Zurich. Chef d’orchestre Bernard Haitink. On trouvera la soprane allemande Melanie Diener, dans le rôle de Leonore, Alfred Muff comme Rocco, Roberto Saccà comme Florestan, Sandra Trattnigg comme Marzelline et Christoph Strehl comme Jaquino.

Thursday 10^th March

2.30-4.00 4.00-5.30 French/English Conversation

Friday 11^th March

2.30-4.00 Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 12^th March

4.30 for 5.00 start

‘FIDELIO’ by Beethoven FROM OPERA DOU. Katharina Thalbach’s new production for Opernhaus Zurich. Conducted by Bernard Haitink. German soprano Melanie Diener, in the role of Leonore, leads a brilliant cast including Alfred Muff as Rocco, Roberto Saccà as Florestan, Sandra Trattnigg as Marzelline and Christoph Strehl as Jaquino.

--
http://bit.ly/teapotes

Creative Dance Workshop - New to Montpellier

2011-03-08T09:27:00.000+01:00

All about Uzes down to Nimes

2011-03-07T11:22:00.002+01:00

Delightful Duchy

Uzès appears suddenly out of the hilly garrigue of scrub oak, wild herbs and heather, its signature stone towers rising above a patchwork of sunbaked red-ocher tile roofs. Three of the towers are rugged and square, medieval bastions with forbidding, windowless walls. The fourth tower, the 12th-century Tour Fenestrelle, is unique in France—a round, Italianate belltower, pierced by lacy stonework windows, that resembles the tower of Pisa minus the tilt.....

FREE animated language exchange French-English in Montpellier

2011-03-05T18:29:00.002+01:00

Echange anglais-français GRATUIT !

Venez jouez aux jeux linguistiques avec formatrice FLE et anglais langue étrangère Carole Hus.

Samedi 19 mars à 14h

FREE animated language exchange French-English!

Come and play language games with certified French and English teacher Carole Hus.

Saturday March 19^th at 2 PM

Le Bookshop

8 rue du Bras de Fer

34000 Montpellier

FRANCE

Tel./Fax: +33 (0)4 67 66 22 90

www.lebookshop.com

English book and bake sale 16th April Castelnau le Lez

2011-03-04T14:11:00.002+01:00

Saturday 16 April 2011, from 9h-13h at the Maison Pour Tous Melina Mercouri is holding an ENGLISH BOOK AND BAKE SALE. There will be used English books, games, CDs, DVDs for the young (and not so young) + home-made cakes & biscuits.

Feel free to donate to the Outbound stand any English books, games etc. that you no longer want to keep (all proceed go to the association).

Or reserve a stand for yourself (5€ for members, 10€ for non members) and clear out your children’s cupboards of unwanted English books and games!

We look forward to seeing you there.

Directions etc here: www.ieam.info

French Pay as you Go Mobile option... in English

2011-03-02T08:49:00.000+01:00

LeFrenchMobile is a prepaid mobile service managed by the group Transatel, providing a mobile phone service dedicated to English speakers in France, such as exchange students, seasonal workers or tourists.

New Marriott in Montpellier

2011-02-25T10:22:00.002+01:00

The Courtyard Montpellier Hotel in southern France will be located next to Montpellier City Hall, and will feature 124 rooms, Oleo Pazzo Mediterranean restaurant, 24-hour Market and an outdoor heated swimming pool.

TEA POTES NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL 2011

2011-02-24T16:53:00.002+01:00

TEA POTES NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL 2011

Place Notre Dame, Anduze
Tel : 04 66 56 57 62
email : teapotes@gmail.com

CROQUE TA TOILE will be opening next door to Tea Potes in mid-March. Lucy and Natasha will be using fresh, local ingredients to present a seasonal menu of home-style cuisine.

Thursday 3rd March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30         French/English Conversation

Friday 4th March
4.00-5.00
A reading of “Filo, The Precocious Daffodil”. A story of a courageous flower that braved two freezing Cévenol winters and inspired hope in the author. The stories were written and photographed by Clara Silber Harris; she will read the English text, Sylvie Chaudoreille, the French version and Paul Silber will project the photos.

Thursday 10th March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30         French/English Conversation

Friday 11th March
2.30-4.00                            Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 12th March
4.30 for 5.00 start OPERA
‘FIDELIO’ by Beethoven FROM OPERA DOU. Katharina Thalbach’s new production for Opernhaus Zurich. Conducted by Bernard Haitink. German soprano Melanie Diener, in the role of Leonore, leads a brilliant cast including Alfred Muff as Rocco, Roberto Saccà as Florestan, Sandra Trattnigg as Marzelline and Christoph Strehl as Jaquino.
Thursday 17th March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30           French/English Conversation

Friday 18th March
2.30-4.30          Tea Potes Book   will be reading ‘Monkey’ by Wu Ch’eng-en

Thursday 24th March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30            French/English Conversation

Friday 25th March
2.30-4.00                              Tea Potes Knitting Group4.30 for 5.00 start                ‘CASTAWAY TRACKS’ featuring GORDON SMITH of Opera Dou, interviewed by Paul Silber of the Roy Hart Theatre.

Thursday 31st March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30             French/English Conversation
Friday 1st April
5.00 for 5.30 OPERA         Verdi - Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) from Opera Dou
Passion, loyalty and political conspiracy are the three pillars of Un ballo in maschera (1859), the ‘most operatic of all operas’. Teatro Real. World famous Argentinean tenor Marcelo Álvarez, in the role of Riccardo, leads a fabulous cast including Lithuanian soprano Violeta Urmana as his lover Amelia, and Elena Zaremba as the witch Ulrica. Jesús López Cobos conducts.

Saturday 2nd April
11.00-12.00         Lucy Wadham reading from her book ‘Secret Life of France’ and talking about her work in progress.

Thursday 7th April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30             French/English Conversation

Friday 8th April
2.30-4.00                               Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 9th April
10.00-12.00   2.30-4.00
We are very pleased to welcome Dominique Whitehead who will be launching our new coffee range.
L'Atelier du Café is a micro-roastery situated in Rochegude (30430), Gard in the south of France. This project was born from a lifelong passion and a desire to get back into roasting coffee. I also wanted to integrate my business with my family life, and so maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal time. Hence, the creation of this roasting workshop. I focus on a small palette of delicious, gourmet Organic and Fair Trade coffees, hand roasted with a lot of care in order to create a more original experience for my customer”

Thursday 14th April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30               French/English Conversation

Friday 15th April
2.30-4.30               Tea Potes Book Group will be reading ‘Three Cups of Tea’ by Greg Montenson
5.00 for 5.30 OPERA
Sleeping Beauty – Tchaikovsky from Opera Dou. The Sleeping Beauty is one of the best loved of classical ballets. Created in 1946 for the The Royal Ballet. The inspired performances of its revival for the 75th anniversary of the Company in 2006, together with a magnificent High Definition recording, make this a superb tribute to The Royal Ballet’s unique style and visual splendour.

Saturday 16th April
10 – 12.00   'IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS' with SANDY LOBBAN.
Learn the basics. Basics of photography include composition, which is essentially the placing of a subject within the frame of a photograph, lighting, and the basic workings of your camera.
Course Format. Theoretical and practical sessions in a small informal group setting - maximum number 8.
These three sessions will help you understand the basis of better photography, encourage you to plan the photograph you want to capture, utilise more of the options on your camera and get some        positive feedback on your photographs. We will combine some theoretical input with practical sessions in and around Anduze.

Thursday 21st April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30              French/English Conversation

Friday 22nd April
2.30-4.00                                 Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 23rd April
3.00 and then again at 4.30     ENJOY OUR EASTER FEST WITH YOUR CHILDREN!
Teapotes and La Crêperie invite you to a Puppet Show : LE PETIT MOUCK
Adaptation of a fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff, presented by Mirjana and Jean-Louis with their unique puppets, singing and drama. Little Mouck, an unlucky young man, finds himself in a very strange old woman’s house looking after her cats…He soon has to make his escape but he takes with him two objects : a pair of slippers and a walking stick. He discovers that they are magic objects and a comical tale ensues …

Thursday 28th April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30              French/English Conversation

Friday 29th April
5.00 for 5.30 OPERA
La Boheme – Puccini from Opera Dou. Production by Giancarlo del Monaco. Jesús Lopez Cobos directs an outstanding cast, led by Inva Mula and Aquiles Machado as Mimi and Rodolfo, in a landmark recording filmed with high definition cameras and in true surround sound.

Music at Chateau Cassan

2011-02-10T09:20:00.002+01:00

Dans le cadre des “Sunday Coffee Concert”, et en partenariat avec What’s on where in Herault, nous vous présentons :

LE TRIO BORSALINOViolon : Norbert DE JESUS PIRES
Alto et chant : Michelle LALOR
Contrebasse : Laurence ARAGON

« Des musiciens haut de gamme au service d’un répertoire très éclectique. Un trio épicurien qui sait avec brio marier le talent au plaisir. Le plaisir de jouer, le plaisir d’innover, le plaisir de communiquer, le plaisir de partager. »

Les musiciens sont tous de formation classique. Ils se sont rencontrés à l'occasion de leur parcours professionnel, en travaillant dans les différents orchestres de leur région.
Unis par la volonté de partager leur goût pour la musique, y compris auprès d’un public « non initié », ils élaborent un concept un peu différent des habituels concerts purement classiques. En mélangeant les styles – classique, swing, chanson, musique de films, musique populaire – ils ont à cœur de toucher un maximum de personnes sans pour autant tomber dans la facilité.
L’occasion ou jamais de dépoussiérer l’image du trio à cordes.

Leur programme pour le concert du dimanche 13 février 2011 au Château-Abbaye de Cassan est :

Vivaldi : Les 4 Saisons,
Musique populaire italienne : Ciuri, ciuri - Carrettieri - A lu mircatu - Tarentella mafiosa - Mi votu - N'Tintiriti,
Musique populaire irlandaise : pot-pourri Danny Boy, King of the Fairies, Drowsy Maggie,
Musique populaire juive : pot-pourri.

Tarif : 12€ - réservation nécessaire auprès de Nathalie Augereau au 04 67 245 245 ou par email

Nathalie Augereau
Chargée de communication
www.cassan.org

Château Abbaye de CassanRoute de Gabian
34320 RoujanTél 04 67 245 245Fax 04 67 245 246
Port 06 82 865 795
Pour localiser le Château-Abbaye de Cassan, cliquez sur le lien suivant :
b2b2c/fra/dyn/controller/dlPoiAccess?id=CAC01&productId=128932>

BritsNimes Britnet Evening Thurs 17th February 8pm

2011-02-08T09:39:00.000+01:00

BritNet Evening: Thursday 17th February
At the Ever’in Pub, Jean Jaures Nimes 8.00pm

Wendy Johnson talks about how to rent your holiday home and how
the holiday market in France is fast changing and growing
even in the recession. How to niche market and present your home.

Free book for all.

Drinks can be bought from the bar before the talk & can be taken into
the room reserved for BritsNîmes. After the talk itself those who would
like to eat, will go to the restaurant section.

To make it easier here is the website link to the Ever-In menu:
http://www.ever-in.fr/le-restaurant-fiche--77.html
Also find directions on the website.

If you would like to come to the talk & / or eat at the Ever’In please
inform us the latest by Saturday 12th February to avoid disappointment.

contact@britsnimes.com

www.BritsNimes.com

Montpellier mayor marries gay couple

2011-02-08T09:20:00.002+01:00

Socialist Hélène Mandroux married a local radio boss, Florent Robin, 49, and a teacher of Portuguese, Tito Santos-Mota, 51, in a symbolic ceremony designed to raise the issue of the unequal treatment of gay people.

Rail journeys: Montpellier to Rome by train

2011-02-06T17:35:00.002+01:00

Anthony Peregrine spends three days following the Mediterranean coast from Montpellier to Rome.

"All roads lead to Rome" is a blatant lie. Some of them lead to Blackburn. And those that do lead to Rome are not enjoyable. They take forever and, once you get into Italy, confirm that life is cheap and your life cheapest of all.

The plane is no better. From my home in France, the least expensive way to fly to Rome is via London. So the train is the reasonable option.

Ecrans Britanniques/ British Screen - Nimes 6 February

2011-02-06T17:31:00.002+01:00

Ecrans Britanniques/ British Screen

Bulletin quotidien No. 3/Daily Bulletin No. 3

Points forts/highlights

14ème festival, jours 3 et 4/14^th Festival, days 3 and 4

HEADLINES/ LES RENDEZ-VOUS DU FESTIVAL

HOMMAGE A JOHN BOORMAN en sa présence/ in his presence.

TOMM MOORE et BRENDAN

DIMANCHE 6 février/ SUNDAY 6th February

Suite de l’hommage à John Boorman, et Tomm Moore et le cinéma irlandais/ Hommage to John Boorman continued, plus Tomm Moore and Irish cinema

11h00 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

John Boorman présente LA GUERRE à SEPT ANS, son film semi auto –biographique, toujours très apprécié du public. (pré-vente des tickets dès à présent au cinéma Le Sémaphore).

John Boorman presents his semi-autobiographical classic HOPE AND GLORY (La Guerre à Sept Ans). An all-time favourite (advance tickets on sale now at the Sémaphore).

13h30 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

LEO the LAST de John Boorman

John Boorman’s LEO THE LAST

15h30 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

Tomm Moore, realisateur et cinéaste d’animation, présentera son film, BRENDAN and the SECRET of KELLS, couronné du prix du public aux festivals d’Edimbourg et d’Annecy, et nominé aux Oscars. M. Moore dédicacera son livre éponyme au cinéma. (pré-vente des tickets dès à présent au cinéma Le Sémaphore).

Tomm Moore, director and animator, presents his award-winning success BRENDAN and the SECRET of KELLS; Tomm will be signing copies of his book at the cinema (advance tickets on sale now at the Sémaphore).

18h00 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

Tomm Moore est ravi de présenter le film de John Boorman, THE GENERAL, dont l’acteur Brendan Glesson joue aussi dans son film, BRENDAN.

Tomm Moore is honoured to present John Boorman’s THE GENERAL – actor Brendan Glesson also featured in his film BRENDAN.

20h30 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

L’adaptation par John Boorman (et autres) du roman de John Le Carré LE TAILLEUR DE PANAMA.

John Boorman’s (et al) adaptation of John le Carré’s novel THE TAILOR OF PANAMA.

LUNDI 7 février/ MONDAY 7th February

18h15 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

“Film de Banksy”, avant-premiere de l’artiste britannique Banksy, documentaire sur le Street Art, l’artiste grapheur EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (FAITES LE MUR) (pré-vente dès maintenant au Sémaphore).

‘Banksy’ the street artist’s documentary EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (advance tickets on sale now at the Sémaphore).

20h30 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

Film de Neil Jordan, réalisateur irlandais le plus connu de notre époque, ONDINE, présenté par Philippe Pilard. (pré-vente dès maintenant au Sémaphore).

Noted Irish film-maker Neil Jordan’s ONDINE (advance tickets on sale now at the Sémaphore).

Vous trouverez la liste complète de toutes les séances du festival en italique dans le programme du Sémaphore 11 janvier/ 15 février 201.

Pour de plus amples informations, contactez Christine Sambuc au 04 66 36 76 73.

Les cartes d’adhérent 2011 de l’association Ecrans Britanniques sont au prix de 12 euros et donnent accès à des prix préférentiels pour toutes les séances du festival (4 euros), un numéro de notre revue annuelle, et l’accès aux soirées d’ouverture et de fermeture.

Further information – Christine Sambuc 04 66 36 76 73.

Ecrans Britaninques 2011 membership cards are 12 euros, with which entry to Festival films at the Sémaphore is at 4 euros, plus free revue, plus soirées, where admission will be by current membership card and entry will be controlled.

Bob Davis. Coordinateur

Ryanair Birmingham to Montpellier

2011-02-04T11:23:00.000+01:00

www.ryanair.com

Now flying from mid April to the end of October from Birmingham to Montpellier.

Ecrans Britanniques/ British Screen - NImes

2011-02-04T11:04:00.002+01:00

Ecrans Britanniques/ British Screen

Bulletin Quotidien No. 1/Daily Bulletin No. 1.

Ce weekend à Nimes– ouverture du 14ème festival du film britannique/ This weekend– opening of the 14th Festival of British film and cinema

Points forts/highlights

14ème festival, jours 1 et 2/14^th Festival, days 1 and 2

HEADLINES.

JOHN BOORMAN A NIMES: John Boorman in Nimes -

Avant-première WE WANT SEX EQUALITY

VENDREDI 4 février/FRIDAY 4th February:

18h30 Carré d’Art

Soirée d’ouverture: Musique irlandaise, présentation du festival et programme par les Ecrans Britanniques en présence de l’invité d’honneur, réalisateur JOHN BOORMAN, présentation et annonce des films, remise du prix pour l’affiche; apéro, vente de cartes d’adhérents.

Opening Soirée: Irish music; presentation of the Festival and programme by Ecrans Britanniques in presence of guest of honour, director JOHN BOORMAN; film previews; presentation of prize for poster; apéro; sale of membership cards.

20h30 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

Film d’ouverture - avant-premiere WE WANT SEX EQUALITY (Made in Dagenham) de Nigel Cole (pré-vente des tickets dès à présent au cinéma Le Sémaphore).

Opening film - avant-premiere MADE IN DAGENHAM (We Want Sex Equality) by Nigel Cole (advance tickets on sale now at the Sémaphore).

SAMEDI 5 février/ SATURDAY 5th February.

Hommage à John Boorman, en sa présence/ in his presence.

14h00 Cinéma Le Sémaphore

Séance double : Deux moyens-métrages inédits en France de John Boorman, présentés par le réalisateur lui-même : TWO NUDES BATHING, suivi de I DREAMT I WOKE UP. (pré-vente des tickets dès à présent au cinéma Le Sémaphore).

Double bill - two almost unseen shorter films by John Boorman, presented by him, a unique opportunity not to be missed. TWO NUDES BATHING, followed by I DREAMT I WOKE UP (advance tickets on sale now at the Sémaphore).

17h00 Carré d’Art.

John Boorman présente son film THE TIGER’S TAIL, un regard sur l’économie irlandaise de ce début de troisième millénaire qui a suivi le boom des années 2000 “le Tigre Celtique”. THE TIGER’S TAIL (entrée libre)

John Boorman presents his film about the post-millennium Irish economy, and the boom known as the ‘Celtic Tiger’, THE TIGER’S TAIL (entry free).

20h30 Cinéma Le Sémaphore.

John Boorman présente sa version classique de la légende arthurienne : EXCALIBUR. (pré-vente des tickets dès à présent au cinéma Le Sémaphore).

John Boorman presents his classic version of the Arthurian legend EXCALIBUR (advance tickets on sale now at the Sémaphore).

Further information – Christine Sambuc 04 66 36 76 73.

Bob Davis. Coordinateur

Tea Potes - English Tea Shop in Anduze. March - April newsletter

2011-01-31T11:30:00.000+01:00

TEA POTES NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL 2011

       Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 12th March
4.30 for 5.00 start OPERA
‘FIDELIO’ by Beethoven FROM OPERA DOU. Katharina Thalbach’s new production for Opernhaus Zurich. Conducted by Bernard Haitink. German soprano Melanie Diener, in the role of Leonore, leads a brilliant cast including Alfred Muff as Rocco, Roberto Saccà as Florestan, Sandra Trattnigg as Marzelline and Christoph Strehl as Jaquino.
Thursday 17th March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30           French/English Conversation

Friday 18th March
2.30-4.30          Tea Potes Book   will be reading ‘Monkey’ by Wu Ch’eng-en

Thursday 24th March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30            French/English Conversation

Friday 25th March
2.30-4.00                              Tea Potes Knitting Group4.30 for 5.00 start                ‘CASTAWAY TRACKS’ featuring GORDON SMITH of Opera Dou, interviewed by Paul Silber of the Roy Hart Theatre.

Thursday 31st March
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30             French/English Conversation
Friday 1st April
5.00 for 5.30 OPERA         Verdi - Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) from Opera Dou
Passion, loyalty and political conspiracy are the three pillars of Un ballo in maschera (1859), the ‘most operatic of all operas’. Teatro Real. World famous Argentinean tenor Marcelo Álvarez, in the role of Riccardo, leads a fabulous cast including Lithuanian soprano Violeta Urmana as his lover Amelia, and Elena Zaremba as the witch Ulrica. Jesús López Cobos conducts.

Saturday 2nd April
11.00-12.00         Lucy Wadham reading from her book ‘Secret Life of France’ and talking about her work in progress.

Thursday 7th April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30             French/English Conversation

Friday 8th April
2.30-4.00                               Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 9th April
10.00-12.00   2.30-4.00
We are very pleased to welcome Dominique Whitehead who will be launching our new coffee range.
L'Atelier du Café is a micro-roastery situated in Rochegude (30430), Gard in the south of France. This project was born from a lifelong passion and a desire to get back into roasting coffee. I also wanted to integrate my business with my family life, and so maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal time. Hence, the creation of this roasting workshop. I focus on a small palette of delicious, gourmet Organic and Fair Trade coffees, hand roasted with a lot of care in order to create a more original experience for my customer”

Thursday 14th April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30               French/English Conversation

Friday 15th April
2.30-4.30               Tea Potes Book Group will be reading ‘Three Cups of Tea’ by Greg Montenson
5.00 for 5.30 OPERA
Sleeping Beauty – Tchaikovsky from Opera Dou. The Sleeping Beauty is one of the best loved of classical ballets. Created in 1946 for the The Royal Ballet. The inspired performances of its revival for the 75th anniversary of the Company in 2006, together with a magnificent High Definition recording, make this a superb tribute to The Royal Ballet’s unique style and visual splendour.

Saturday 16th April
10 – 12.00   'IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS' with SANDY LOBBAN.
Learn the basics. Basics of photography include composition, which is essentially the placing of a subject within the frame of a photograph, lighting, and the basic workings of your camera.
Course Format. Theoretical and practical sessions in a small informal group setting - maximum number 8.
These three sessions will help you understand the basis of better photography, encourage you to plan the photograph you want to capture, utilise more of the options on your camera and get some        positive feedback on your photographs. We will combine some theoretical input with practical sessions in and around Anduze.

Thursday 21st April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30              French/English Conversation

Friday 22nd April
2.30-4.00                                 Tea Potes Knitting Group

Saturday 23rd April
3.00 and then again at 4.30     ENJOY OUR EASTER FEST WITH YOUR CHILDREN!
Teapotes and La Crêperie invite you to a Puppet Show : LE PETIT MOUCK
Adaptation of a fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff, presented by Mirjana and Jean-Louis with their unique puppets, singing and drama. Little Mouck, an unlucky young man, finds himself in a very strange old woman’s house looking after her cats…He soon has to make his escape but he takes with him two objects : a pair of slippers and a walking stick. He discovers that they are magic objects and a comical tale ensues …

Thursday 28th April
2.30-4.00   4.00-5.30              French/English Conversation

Friday 29th April
5.00 for 5.30 OPERA
La Boheme – Puccini from Opera Dou. Production by Giancarlo del Monaco. Jesús Lopez Cobos directs an outstanding cast, led by Inva Mula and Aquiles Machado as Mimi and Rodolfo, in a landmark recording filmed with high definition cameras and in true surround sound.

Le Bookshop February Newsletter

2011-01-31T09:54:00.000+01:00

Jeudi 10 février à 17h – jeux linguistiques / February 10th 5 PM - language games. Come and work on your French language skills with certified FLE (français langue étrangère) teacher Carole Hus. By means of several fun games you get to work on your speaking and listening skills!

Saturday February 26th at 2 PM Book Club: “Mr Rosenblum’s List” by Natasha
Solomons. In this subtle and moving account of the dilemma faced by immigrants to modern. Britain we meet Jakob and Sadie Rosenblum, Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany. On arrival in England they are presented with a leaflet entitled "While You Are in England: Helpful Information", and so Jakob –or Jack, as he starts calling himself- resolves to follow it to the letter. But when he is arrested as a "class B enemy alien, he decides that he must still be getting it wrong. On his release he makes a list of English characteristics and aims to become a very English Gentleman. With helpful items such as: "The British housewife makes a purchase of haddock on Friday mornings" and rules such as: "Don't gesture with your hands when talking," Jack reinvents himself, and begins to feel that he has lost the imprint of his foreignness. Sadie, meanwhile, is less eager to relinquish her Jewish identity, and resents her husband's fanaticism. She begins keeping a list of her own – "Remember to keep the sabbath,
remember to keep the dietary laws" – and cooks exclusively from her mother's recipe book. But these observances only heighten her sense of estrangement and she begins to feel increasingly isolated.
Join us for the discussion, book available at 10,20 €

Conversation exchanges 5-7 PM – Echanges linguistiques 17h00 – 19h00
Monday/Lundi 7, 14, 21, 28 février:
Friday/vendredi 4, 11, 18 février:
Friday / vendredi 25 février:
anglais-français/French-English
anglais-français/French-English
allemand/espagnol-français

Villa Owners Languedoc

2011-01-25T15:52:00.000+01:00

Own a house in the Languedoc you rent or would like to rent out?

Come over to Villa Owners Languedoc to find out how to do it or how to do it better...

Tea Potes - English Tea Shop in Anduze.

2011-01-17T10:36:00.000+01:00

TEA POTES

PLACE NOTRE DAME

ANDUZE

Thursday 20 January

2.30-3.30

English/French Conversation

4.00-5.00

English/French Conversation

Friday 21 January

2.30-4.00

Tea Potes book club will be reading “A Handful of Dust” by Evelyn Waugh

Friday 21 January

5.00 for a 5.30 start

L’Opera Dou’s presentation of

Cavaliera Rusticana / Pagliaci - Mascagni / Leoncavallo 69 minutes + 75 minutes

Giancarlo del Monaco’s acclaimed new production elegantly intertwines Mascagni’s and Leoncavallo’s well-loved operas, masterpieces which brought new levels of realism into opera through their so-called verismo style. Jesús López Cobos directs a double cast of outstanding talent in these productions form the Teatro Real in Madrid

Saturday 22 January

10.00-12.00

Internationally published cartoonist and illustrator, Ian Marsden, will be doing an informal workshop during which time each participant can ask advise and questions and will create a cartoon of their own. Look at his fantastic website (www.marsdencartoons.com)

--
http://bit.ly/teapotes
--
http://bit.ly/teapotes

Coffee Shop et Cupcakes à Montpellier

2011-01-13T13:55:00.000+01:00

Fairview Coffee

6 rue Loys

34000 Montpellier

Tel : 09 52 98 88 24

Email : contact@fairview-coffee.com

Dans un décor chaleureux, Fairview Coffee vous régaletout au long de la journée. Le midi, une formule déjeuner soupe-bagels.

Le café et les boissons à base d'espresso (Vanilla Latte, Latte Macchiato, Cappuccino) café ainsi qu'une séléction de 12 thés sans oublier les chocolats chauds toujours fait avec du lait entier !

Les cupcakes muffins et cookies faits maison sous vos yeux.

Il barbiere di Siviglia in Montpellier

2011-01-13T09:50:00.000+01:00

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Gioacchino Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia
Rosina: Ketevan Kemoklidze; Almaviva: Filippo Adami; Figaro: Etienne Dupuis; Bartolo: Alberto Rinaldi; Basilio: Simone Alaimo; Berta: Laura Cherici; Fiorello: Igor Gnidii; Un officier: Laurent Serou. Direction musicale: Stefano Ranzani. Metteur en Scène: Katharina Thalbach. Décorateur: Momme Röhrbein. Costumes: Guido Maria Kretschmer. Lumières: Bernd Hassel. Chef des Choeurs: Noëlle Geny.
All photos by Marc Ginot / Opéra National de Montpellier

Montpellier’s old Comedie would have been a perfect venue for Rossini’s most famous comedy, but this fine, late-nineteenth century Italian style theater is closed for renovation. This left the huge, ultra-modern Théâtre Berlioz, a barn-of-a-theater that the Opéra National de Montpellier often makes work against all odds.
Read more: http://www.operatoday.com/content/2011/01/il_barbiere_di_.php

New Flights to Montpellier

2011-01-11T20:04:00.000+01:00

BMI baby announce a new service from Manchester to Montpellier starting in July 2011.

More info here:
http://www.bmibaby.com/bmibaby/news/2011/new_service_to_montpellier.aspx

Photo taken from Tots to Travel Property Abri near Revel

The Languedoc Page's Newsletter Winter 2010 / 2011

2011-01-11T15:41:00.001+01:00

Wine :
Local vignerons are agreed that the 2010 yield will be low, but of excellent quality. Some are even talking about it producing possibly the best wine in a generation. Reasonable spring rain, followed by high average temperatures in a dry summer (without the searing 40+C of some years), with a warm August resulted in an early harvest for most regions.

Marketing effort continues to focus on the export of higher value and better quality wines. The umbrella brand name of Sud de France is increasingly being used. It encompasses a range of regional products : http://www.sud-de-france.com.

Weather :
After another late Spring, the Summer was dry and consistently warm without being oppressive. Autumn winds caused many to close their pools early, but a late warm spell rewarded the positive (lazy) residents who had kept their pools open.

August and September were very dry with some high winds that fanned forest fires, particularly in Herault where the biggest, around Montaud and Saint-Bauzille-de-Montmel north of Montpellier, destroyed more than 2,600 hectares of woodland and a dozen homes. News clip about the fires :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnffI0W4lBw

Shortly afterwards there were a few days of storms producing heavy rainfall, but no serious flooding. Sommieres had its worst “vidourlade” since 2002 with Place du Marche properties having up to 20cm of water on the ground floor.

The period immediately before Xmas was extremely cold in North Europe and most of France; Languedoc had some cold days, but largely escaped the snow. In late December Languedoc had some grey and rainy days mixed with clear cold weather.

Current river levels are available here : www.vigicrues.ecologie.gouv.fr
Road Traffic news is here : www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr .

Continue reading here: http://the-languedoc-page.com/newsletter.htm

New Languedoc Sun Out Now

2011-01-10T09:28:00.001+01:00

New Mag Out Now www.LanguedocSun.com

CONTACT
LANGUEDOC SUN
PROVENCE SUN
Tel: 06 85 54 68 87
contact@languedocsun.com
contact@provencesun.com

Languedoc Sun & Provence Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY OUT NOW

The Markets of Montpellier

2010-12-16T20:32:00.000+01:00

For many, visiting food markets can be as high on the list of things to do in France as seeing the Eiffel Tower. There is something about seeing the fresh produce, smelling the pungent cheeses and tasting the lovingly cured meats that sends visitors into ecstasy. But for those of us who live in the city center of Montpellier, those markets are a necessity as supermarkets are scarce.

Is your holiday let sitting empty and costing you money?

2010-12-07T13:42:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I am the marketing agent for this area with Tots To Travel, we are a specific holiday company with a large client base of families with young children looking for safe and child friendly holidays.

Tots to France has gone from strength to strength and as a result we are always looking for properties to offer our families. This is a non exclusive marketing opportunity and many of our house owners use us in conjunction with their current marketing to extend their seasons.

What you need to know about us…

We niche market to families with pre-schoolers and babies who choose to travel outside of peak season

2/3 of our bookings are outside July and August. Our busiest months are June and September with bookings starting as early as March

We are more than just a listings site, we have a team of sales consultants ready to actively market your property, matching families with suitable holiday destinations

We visit each and every property and act as an advocate for you in our dialogue with parents
The only cost to you until bookings are made is a visit fee which starts at £100 dependant on the size of your property

We will only ever feature a relatively small collection of properties so your property will be seen
We are extremely proud of our feedback

We have plenty to offer in terms of our understanding of the market, demand, pricing and what makes the difference between a property that is fully booked and one that remains empty.

Our current houseowners are thrilled by what we bring to the party as we are succeeding in achieving all of the above. Please do have a look at what our houseowners are saying about us: Here's what our Houseowners think

Let me know if you'd like to receive our Houseowner’s Guide which I hope paints a picture of what makes Tots to France different, both as a client and as a houseowner. More than anything we are looking for partners who share our vision and commitment as the family market is not that easy to please but is well worth the effort!

If you like what you see and want to take the next step, please do contact me anytime, I would love to hear from you.

Warm regards

Wendy

Wendy Johnson
(here to help)
www.totstotravel.co.uk
06 02 30 57 54

English Bookshop December Newsletter

2010-11-26T16:03:00.002+01:00

New to Montpellier.... BIKRAM YOGA!

2010-11-08T14:49:00.002+01:00

New to Montpellier.... BIKRAM YOGA!

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

For further information please don’t hesitate
to contact me.

Namaste

www.yogininaomi.com

06 58 21 04 51

Languedoc Sun - November/ December

2010-11-08T09:55:00.000+01:00

Languedoc Sun - Provence Sun

NOVEMBER DECEMBER OUT NOW

Dear Readers and Partners,

Languedoc Sun and Provence Sun November December are available now at all our distribution points. You can also download them from our site at www.languedocsun.com or www.provencesun.com.

The January February issues will be out 5th January. If you would like to get in touch, place an advertisement or simply have your say please write to us before the 3rd December. Enjoy your reading,

From all at the Languedoc Sun and The Provence Sun;

the regional magazine in English.

Former mayor of Montpellier dies

2010-11-05T09:41:00.002+01:00

CONTROVERSIAL former mayor of Montpellier Georges Frêche has died after a heart attack. He was 72.

Frêche, the president of Languedoc-Roussillon regional council, was notorious for his racist comments, but also for his vision, which allowed Montpellier to grow to become the eighth city in France.

English speaking Kids Association

2010-11-03T11:19:00.001+01:00

Meeting this Saturday in Lunel Viel at 4pm - full details here:

http://www.englishspeakingkidsassociation.fr/

Cassan Christmas Cracker Fair – Saturday 27 Nov and Sunday 28th November

2010-11-03T10:51:00.000+01:00

Started as a way for Brits to get their Christmas Crackers 5 years ago, the event has grown each year.

The event has become so successful that this year it will be run over 2 days, which the organisers hope will cut down the crowds. “Last year we had just over 4,000 visitors – a 30% increase – and it was almost too many” said Robin Hicks, the organiser.

“We hope the 2 day event will spread the crowds, as the 11^th century chapel isn’t really designed for such large numbers”

Last year 45% of the visitors were French, who seem to have taken to the Cracker Fair – described on local TV as “The Christmas event in L’Herault”

About a half of the 120 exhibitors are French – the rest being drawn from 11 countries.

Apart from the trade exhibitors there will be local organisations promoting their charities and a range of entertainers at the weekend event showcasing their work to a large audience.

“This year we expect to top 5,000 visitors which will generate funds to run and develop the local community based charity website WoW – www.heraultwhaton.info”

ENDS

More info from Robin Hicks 04 67 24 75 38 or hicks-france@wanadoo.fr

NOTES FOR EDITORS.

· Chateau de Cassan is a listed ancient monument north of the town of Pezenas in Herault

· WoW is a 1901 association – so the fair will provide support for the website and its development –

· The WoW site, which provides listing information, news and the services of a “Parish Magazine” has been read by over 52,000 people in 132 countries since it was launched 18 months ago.

· Beziers Cap d’Agde Airport are sponsoring the event and also hosting local journalists for a lunch and providing a support desk

· A Catalogue will be given to every visitor, which provide an invaluable support for the craftsmen and women who exhibit.

· Cassan have lowered the entrance price to €2 for adults - children are free

· Entertainment 2 or more choirs, a string trio, a brace of pianists, a jazz group, and a folk singer will be performing in the music room

· Tombola – Beziers airport have kicked off with 2 free air tickets

· Organisational support is being provided by members of the local branch of CSF (Cancer Support France) – parking and event management

· Poster design by Leamington Spa born artist Diana White

FUTURE DATES AT TEA POTES, PLACE NOTRE DAME, ANDUZE

2010-10-19T11:15:00.000+01:00

email: teapotes@gmail.com
Telephone: 04 66 56 57 62

Please email or telephone us if there are any events you would like to attend and we can then put your name down; numbers are limited due to the size of the room!

NOVEMBER

Thursday 4 Nov 2.30-3.30.00
English/French Conversation

Friday 5 Nov 2.30-4.00
SCRABBLE afternoon in both French and English

Thursday 11 Nov2.30-3.30
English/French Conversation

Friday 12 Nov 3.00-4.00
‘Cheers Dylan’ animated reading excerpts from Dylan Thomas’ “Under Milkwood” by Clara and Paul Silber (Roy Hart Theatre Group)

Saturday 13 Nov 2.30-4.30
Lecture on Lime Washes by Muriel Besnard with a demonstration of various techniques that she used in her renovation work at Tea Potes

Thursday 18 Nov 2.30-3.30
English/French conversation

Friday 19 Nov 5.00 for a 5.30 start
L’Opera Dou’s presentation of ‘L’Esir d’Amore’

Thursday 25 Nov 2.30-3.30
French/English conversation

Friday 26 Nov 2.30-4.00
Tea Potes Book Club
The book for this month is: “Bury Me Standing” by Isabel Fonseca "

Thursday 2nd December 2.30-3.30
English/French Conversation

Friday 3rd Dec 5.00 for a 5.30 start
L’Opera Dou’s presentation of “The Nutcracker” ballet

Thursday 9 Dec 2.30-3.30
English’French Conversation

Friday 10 Dec 3.00-4.00

“Writing for Life” (A beautiful piece, funny and tender)a reading by Paul and Clara Silber (Roy Hart Theatre)

Saturday 11 Dec 11.00-12.00
Adam Thorpe will be reading excerpts from his book “The Standing Pool”.
Adam will have signed copies of his book in TEA POTES for sale.

Review from the Independent newspaper: The Standing Pool, By Adam Thorpe

Adam Thorpe's latest novel enters cosy territory with the story of an English family's escape to rural France. Historians Nick and Sarah Mallinson are charmed by their new home, a remote Languedoc farmhouse.

The swimming-pool water may be as green as "lime jelly", but it's an improvement on their cramped Cambridge terrace. But then the resident gardener, loony Jean Luc, appears and the pastoral idyll starts to falter.

Thursday 16 Dec 2.30-3.30
French/English conversation

Friday 17 Dec 2.30-4.00
Tea Potes Book Club:
The book for this month is: Black Swan Green by David Mitchell

Saturday 18 Dec 6.00-7.00
Bill Homewood

This will be followed by Carol Singing and mulled wine and mincepies. Everybody is welcome to come and join us in our merry-making after ‘A Christmas Carol’. Numbers are limited for the Reading.

PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE EVENTS.

We are having a fund-raising event for the new cancer charity in the Gard in January, 2011.

After our closure for the month of February, we will be starting the new season with a 4 day course of digital photo

English Corner Shop now open in Montpellier

2010-10-04T16:28:00.000+01:00

WE ARE OPEN!!!!!! 12 - 7 Tuesday through Saturday If your favourites are not here, tell us and we’ll get them... Spread the word and we’ll see you soon. Thanks.
English Corner Shop 12 Rue Four des Flammes Montpellier, Languedoc-roussillon 34000# http://englishcornershop.fr/

New to Montpellier

2010-09-28T10:39:00.000+01:00

From Montpellier direct mag:

The town is inviting you on Saturday 2 October, the 3000 Montpellierians who arrived in the last 12 months to participate in a welcome day to integrate and guide them / you to Montpellier.

There is also a visit around the town.

Subscriptions at the tourist office Tel 04 67 60 60 60

Apartment for rent in Sete

2010-09-22T14:52:00.000+01:00

Large, light, airy studio apartment with mezzanine for rent in Sete. Great location for getting into Montpellier really quickly (walkable to station and only 15 mins by train to central Montpellier) - whilst enjoying the great sea air, and fabulous restaurants of Sete...

The new arena in Montpellier

2010-09-20T14:53:00.002+01:00

Opened September 2010.

See the video.....

http://www.enjoy-montpellier.com/19268960/0/fiche___pagelibre/&RH=ZENITH&RF=1233584773609

A blog about Montpellier

2010-09-14T14:08:00.000+01:00

I was at the quarter-finals so to speak. The last contenders: Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Nîmes, Montpellier, Narbonne, Perpignan, Beziers.

Nice and Aix are in the Provence, which means much closer to Italy than to Spain. And, the Provence is an expensive region to live in. Not impossible but why the Provence when the Languedoc, the region along the sea further to the west, is less exploited and with a more humane cost of living?

Brian's Big Bike Ride in Montpellier

2010-09-09T12:34:00.000+01:00

The intrepid tourist headed back in to central Montpellier by tram for more sight seeing this morning after a leisurely breakfast and a read of the local paper.

Today is back to school day across the whole of

France

. Judging by the centre of Montpellier, I am guessing that it was back to university day, or Freshers Week, as well. The centre of the town was moving with teenagers, all heading somewhere, seemingly aimlessly, and laughing a lot about it.

At first it was charming but after a bit I must confess to feeling a little, whispers it, old.

Forest fires hit south of France

2010-09-01T07:58:00.002+01:00

FIREFIGHTERS have worked through the night to try to control a series of forest fires in the south of France, near Montpellier and Marseille.

The biggest, around Montaud and Saint-Bauzille-de-Montmel in the Hérault countryside north of Montpellier, destroyed more than 2,600 hectares of woodland and a dozen homes.

There have been no reported casualties.

Almost 1,000 firefighters remained on the scene last night to try to contain the fire and keep it away from the city and main roads.

Olympic Swimming pool in the Antigone, Montpellier

2010-08-31T08:39:00.000+01:00

Not much to do with relocation - but thought these photos of the big pool in Montpellier were interesting. Great pool.

See the photos: http://aedesign.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/olympic-swimming-pool-of-montpellier-montpellier-france/

2 weeks for price of 1 - 4 bedroomed gite South of France

2010-08-15T17:34:00.000+01:00

From the 28th of August for the month of September we are doing:

2 weeks for the price of 1

in the River End Gite of www.HolidayMoulin.co.uk

Absolute Bargain! - fabulous gite with incredible views!

Le Jardin des Sens

2010-08-06T09:38:00.002+01:00

Coming twice to Languedoc in the past year, you’d think that our list of “Things to Do / People to See in Languedoc” would become shorter. Au contraire! We add more to the list all the time, and bump some things further down. Like going for dinner at Le Jardin des Sens. (Note to Ottawa hockey fans: Le Jardin des Sens is not where local hockey players hang out in the off-season.) JDS is a Michelin 2-star (“worth a detour”) restaurant, right in Montpellier, about a 10-minute walk from our apartment. The Pourcel twins, Jacques and Laurent, who focus on Mediterranean cuisine, run it.

English teashop Anduze

2010-08-05T13:09:00.000+01:00

T E A P O T E S A U T U M N N E W S L E T T E R

Hi everybody,

Thank you so much all of you for your wonderful support of our Tea Potes adventure in Anduze. We are thrilled with the way it is going and would love your input for the autumn calendar. We are hoping to make it a place where you would all like to come, have a cup of tea and read the papers on a wet and windy autumnal day … with the wood burner glowing in the corner!

1. Book Club.
The Book Club will commence on Friday 15th October at 14h30. If you are interested in becoming a member, please would you email us at the above email address. The book to be confirmed in the middle of August.

2. Opera Club.
We are delighted to announce that Opera Dou (www.operadou.info) will be coming to Tea Potes in the Autumn. Our first opera will be Tosca. Date and time to be confirmed. If you are interested please contact us.

3. Anniversary Parties.
Do you have any special anniversaries or birthdays coming up ? Why not come and celebrate it with your friends at Tea Potes ?

4. English Conversation Groups.
To be held regularly in Tea Potes.

5. Games Afternoons.
Scrabble, Bridge, Mahjong and board games to be organized over the autumn and winter months in our wonderful reading room.
PLEASE GIVE US YOUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON AT TEA POTES.

BYE FOR NOW.

TEA POTES

Place Notre Dame
30140 ANDUZE
teapotes@gmail.com blog: http://bit.ly/teapotes

3G wireless WIFI hotspot experience

2010-07-26T14:17:00.000+01:00

In France the Orange Mobicarte prepaid PAYG simcard was tested. Though the cheapest at the time of writing, Orange has implemented a few sneaky measures which can zero your prepaid / prepay balance at lightning speed.

The Orange 3G Internet connection worked within 48 hours after being registered using a passport copy. Orange Mobicarte comes with "unlimited" Internet access (Internet Max) for a day for € 3,-. It starts at the hour of activation for 24 hours.

There's one big catch : The flat-fee rate applies only for internet access on your mobile / cell phone - not on a laptop, notebook or netbook. In case you try it anyway, every Kb / Mb you download / upload is taken from your prepaid balance.

Medium Term Winter Rentals

2010-07-26T14:02:00.000+01:00

Beautifully renovated apartment in old stone house with large gardens available as a furnished rental from October to May (or anything inbetween....) - 30 mins from Montpellier in village with lots of commerce and life.... Lunel Viel. Countryside views, quiet road.

3 bedrooms plus a mezzanine with double bed. Internet connection, English TV.

Price per month 1600euros plus utilities.

Email for more information & availability.

The secret South of France

2010-07-26T11:23:00.003+01:00

My mother once said that hell was a French motorway on August 15 with a car full of children. August 15, the day the Virgin Mary went up to heaven, is also a grand départ and at the same time, a chassé-croisé – one of those days on which the whole nation, either returning from or setting out for annual leave, takes to the road....

Renting a house or apartment in the Montpellier area.

2010-07-24T17:51:00.001+01:00

Or otherwise titled 'What the estate agents won't tell you'.

We do a lot of property searches for our clients, some medium term (2 or 3 months furnished) and some long term 1 to 3 years unfurnished.)

These are some of the things we'd like to know about before we start our property search for you.

Quite frankly be warned from the start it's a nightmare to do: Envisage estate agents not turning up for pre-arranged appointments. Appointments being cancelled at the last minute, the property not being even nearly suitable. Agencies don't call you back. There is no such thing as a mailing list (so no point in leaving your name, phone number or wish list for them to call you.)
Don't expect replies by email - even if there is a contact list on the website. You will always have to call.

For a long term rental – Ideally you need 1 to 2 months to actually do the search, then often it's a (max. of) 2 months notice for the previous occupants to leave. If you are looking for a long term (1-3 years rental / non furnished) we recommend you take a short stay furnished rental for the initial look around. You will NEVER be able to rent a property over a week or a weekend's stay.
If you don't have a salary IN FRANCE (no matter if you are earning millions elsewhere)... landlords won't accept your request to rent – in which case we set up, using an English speaking local banker: A Bank Bond : typically holding a 3 months rent along with a contract.
Just because you've fallen in love with a property there is no guarantee the landlord will let you have it: they construct a 'dossier' on you and then decide who to rent to.
Lower your expectations – houses / apartments in France can be of all standards – you will never get 'exactly' what you want! Take this as friendly advice.
Consider where you are going to work / take kids to school with regards to where you want your property to be. Montpellier is a big city to cross at rush hour.
90pc of the time there will be no kitchen installed on the property (apart from a kitchen sink – think Ikea 'unfitted / fitted' kitchens as an easy solution.
You will be required to have a renter's insurance and quite often too a maintenance contract for the boiler. We can set you up with an English speaking insurance agent.
You pay tax d'habitation on long term rentals if you stay there over the 1^st January – you will pay for the whole year.
Agency fees will normally be up to 1 months rental. Check out also 'charges' for apartment rentals (rubbish, cleaning and so on...)
NB There always seems to be more clients than apartments;/ houses......
Also note in France, it's not what you know, it's who you know... always get a recommendation.
Don't forget you'll have to pay for electricity / water / phone / internet and maybe gas supplies to be set up.
Set up a bank account as soon as you can in France... it is indispensible. We can recommend a local English speaking bank who is excellent.

Apartments in Montpellier for Rental

2010-07-23T16:51:00.002+01:00

We currently have on our books:

Situated near to the musee Fabre. 2 bedrooms. Internet / TV

Euro480 / week for 1 bedroom - Euro1200 / month

Euro600 / week for 2 bedrooms - Euro1600 / month

Available mid December 2010 to end March 2011

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2 bedroomed apartment with garden, just 15 minutes walk from the town center: Rents from weekly through to 3 or 4 months available.

http://www.apartment-rental-montpellier.com/

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2 bedrooms apartment in the Antigone - available from September:

Rents monthly up to 1 year.

http://montpellier-antigone-apartment-rental.blogspot.com/

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1 bedroomed apartment on the place de l'Europe - available from September 2011. Rents weekly or monthly up to 1 year.

http://www.montpellier-apartment.com/

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Outside of Montpellier (30 minutes)
Massette: available from the end of October to end of March
for Euro1200 a month incl utilities.
River End: available from October to the end of March
for Euro1400 a month incl utilities.
www.holidaymoulin.co.uk

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Apartment with garden 30 minutes from Montpellier - 3 / 4 bedrooms
More details here.http://www.moving-to-montpellier.com/2010/07/medium-term-winter-rentals_26.html

Other rentals can be lined up with research - drop us an email.

French property prices stabilise

2010-07-22T18:32:00.000+01:00

By Craig McGinty

A MEASURE of stability seems to have broken out in the French property market, according to figures from the Federation Nationale de l'Immobiliers (FNAIM).a

Their June 2010 report shows....

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfrenchlife/2010/07/french-property-prices-stabilise-.html

New to renting your property in France?

2010-07-20T14:39:00.000+01:00

Check out my new blog at Villa Owners Languedoc.

English corner shop coming soon to Montpellier

2010-07-19T17:13:00.000+01:00

Medium Term Winter Rentals

2010-07-12T15:16:00.000+01:00

We are now accepting rentals of around 3 or 4 months (give or take...) from October onwards at the WaterMill near Sommieres.

Take a look at our lovely properties: http://www.holidaymoulin.co.uk/

Yes it's me...

2010-07-01T13:42:00.000+01:00

An expat entrepreneur in France

Expat Wendy Johnson has made a career out of helping other Brits relocate to France

By Leah Hyslop

Since setting herself up as an auto entrepreneur in France, expat Wendy Johnson has created a whole business helping other expats in France.

Wendy Johnson is nothing if not an enterprising expat. Since moving to the south of France in the late nineties, the mother of two has helped a countless number of families relocate to sunnier climes, and now runs her own business, Moving to Montpellier.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/offshorefinance/7846325/An-expat-entrepreneur-in-France.html

Robin Hood goes all ooh la la

2010-06-20T19:51:00.000+01:00

A LITTLE bit of Nottingham is nestling in the cosmopolitan French city of Montpellier, all thanks to a local company.

The new Robin Hood pub, which is more "ey up mi duck" than "ooh la la", was designed by Epperstone-based Mark Pearce Contract Interiors (MPCI) and the fittings were made by Carlton company Middlebeck Interiors.

Mr Pearce, 57, of Woodborough, has been creating theme pubs in the UK and abroad for more than 30 years.
Having previously crafted a Sherlock Holmes and Charles Dickens pub, he was eager to design one for the local legend.

He said: "I'd often joked that, 'isn't it about time we created a pub based on Robin Hood'. Charles Wells pub company called me and said, 'You are the one to do this'."
Apparently our French friends love traditional British boozers....

Journalism in Montpellier

2010-06-18T12:18:00.000+01:00

‘La vie’ of Montpellier’s Press

June 17, 2010 By Jolanta Truchanowicz

Like in every bigger city, there is plenty of news in Montpellier and journalists have hands full of work. During my stay in this Mediterranean region, I got in touch with various, well-known forms of news, but I want to concentrate and give my impression of one of the oldest, and at the same time one of still well-liked news channel in Montpellier- the newspaper!

Read more:
http://www.schoolvoorjournalistiek.com/europeanculture09/?p=2344

Twitter in Montpellier

2010-06-16T16:41:00.002+01:00

http://chirpcity.com/montpellier

Lists the latest tweets in Montpellier

New English food shop in Montpellier... coming soon...

2010-06-16T14:42:00.000+01:00

Coming soon to Montpellier (just off the Jeu de Paume)

How about letting us know what you'd like us to stock?

englishcornershop@me.com

New tea shop in Anduze.

2010-06-16T10:58:00.001+01:00

Tea Potes welcomes you all to come and visit our quirky salon de the and livres occasion located in the heart of Anduze at Place Notre Dame.. Try our delicious English teas and cakes, pick up a few second hand books and admire our choice articles from both the UK and France.

Our address:

Tea Potes

Place Notre Dame

30140 Anduze

Tel: 0466 56 57 62

website: www.tea-potes.com

teapotes@gmail.com

Opening beg of July

Health care changes in the EU states

2010-06-15T15:48:00.002+01:00

Information on social security coordination between EU member states for obtaining medical coverage and planned health care. Find out how and when to obtain the S1 form which replaces the E106, E109, E120, E121, and the S2 form which replaces the E112.... more info here:

http://languedoc.angloinfo.com/countries/france/euhealth.asp