| Latest articles |
The Connexion publishes news from France and also important information
about life here and the issues that you may need help with. Examples of
these are shown below. We've included only the beginning of each article,
so to read it in full simply click on the 'Continue' link. On the right,
you'll find more articles from previous editions of the newspaper.
We publish articles of this nature in every edition of The Connexion which
can you can buy at news-stands throughout France or by subscription. Click
on the button above to subscribe
In addition we publish helpsheets on important topics such as healthcare,
taxes etc which you can order using the helpsheets button above. |
| NEWS |
| New carbon tax discussed today |
| Former PM Michel Rocard is chairing a conference on a new environmental tax, which could be introduced from 2011. |
TODAY and tomorrow a conference of experts is being held in Paris to discuss a new tax on carbon emissions.
The idea of a carbon tax (officially contribution climat-énergie) was one of the key elements in the ecological pact which TV presenter Nicolas Hulot drew up during the 2007 presidential elections, which was signed by most of the candidates.
It also features in the Grenelle Environnement law which is currently having its second reading in the Senate.
The tax, which is ex |
|
|
|
|
| MONEY |
| Assurance vie: savings for all |
| Assurance vie investments can be set up on both sides of the Channel with significant tax and inheritance benefits. |
FRANCE is no different from the UK in promoting long term investment by providing tax concessions to certain approved types of investment.
The most advantageous, for a number of key reasons, is known as assurance vie or life assurance. At this point any resemblance to normal life assurance ends.
This is essentially an investment vehicle where unlimited assets held within the insurance bond may be sheltered from the worst of French taxation.
Given the reputation of the pernicious natu |
|
|
| HEALTHCARE |
| Keep an eye on price of glasses |
| While confusion reigns over the legality of selling glasses and contact lenses online, buyers can pick up good deals. |
MEDICAL insurance companies are pushing for changes to be made to the French spectacle market to get a better deal for customers and themselves.
It has already sparked a row between ophthalmologists and opticians – with the former denying insurance firms’ claims that opticians could take over prescription work – meanwhile the customer is stuck in the middle.
Lurking in the background is the spectre of the internet which is bringing in cheaper specs worldwide – but at the expense of hands-o |
|
|
| PRACTICAL |
| What to do when someone dies |
| One of the most important formalities involves getting copies of an acte de décès |
WHEN someone dies in France one of the most important formalities involves getting copies of an acte de décès.
This document is crucial to many of the procedures you will have to undertake in the subsequent days, weeks and months.
The first step towards getting this is for a doctor to medically certify that a person has died through a confidential medical certificate - le certificat médical constatant le décès.
This is to legally state the person has died. If the dea |
|
|
| PROPERTY |
| Rainwater capture tax breaks |
| Some grants and tax breaks are available for recycling rainwater in your home |
I WANT to change my drainpipes to be able to collect rainwater and recycle it. Is this covered by grants for environmental home improvements? T.B. Angers
Tax credits (not grants) have been available to cover rainwater recycling systems in your main home since May. The credit is for 25% of the cost of equipment, which must be installed by a professional, deducted from your income tax.
At present, credits are for work paid for between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009 and you m |
|
|
| POLITICS |
| Expat vote grows in importance |
| Connexion edition: December 2007 |
|
THE British Electoral Commission is urging the 5.5 million expats who live abroad to vote in the next general election.
The commission, which was set up by Parliament but is independent of the government, says that, of the 200,000 Britons who live in France, only 20,000 are registered to vote. The commission has launched a publicity campaign to increase this number. It also has a website on the topic at www.aboutmyvote.org.uk.
Head of campaigns Nina Ziaullah said: “If a snap election is ca |
|
|
| LETTERS |
| Under the surface of lobster fishing |
| Lobster labelled "Bretagne" could may actually be imported from Britain and Ireland. |
|
I WOULD like to thank Frances Beasley on her most informative article on Lamb, and the excellent recipe she provided. I tried it and it was delicious.
However I would like make some comment on her "Lobster season begins in April" article, which is somewhat misleading.
We are of course talking about the lobster (with large claws) that we find here in French restaurants and fishmongers.
This will be either the European lobster (homarus vulgaris) or, sadly more often than not, th |
|
|
| AMERICAN CONNEXION |
| US and France: What’s next? |
| How will a new US administration affect relations with France? A spokesman for the US Embassy in Paris explains. |
By Perry Leopard
Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on January 20. As his new administration begins their work The Connexion spoke with consular officers at the American embassy about what the change might mean for French-American political and business relations.
“Whenever you have a new president, of whichever party, there are new opportunities to explore, new ways of working together,” said Daniel Harris, the minister counsellor for commer |
|
|
| FEATURES & INTERVIEWS |
| Da Vinci’s French home renaissance |
| The last home of Italian inventor, scientist and artist has opened its first ever major exhibition on his French links |
LEONARDO da Vinci's last home - in France – has opened the first ever major exhibition on his French connections.
Léonard de Vinci et la France is a chance to see original drawings by the ultimate “Renaissance man” and curiosities like a reconstruction of a mechanical lion he once made.
The exhibition is in the beautiful setting of Clos Lucé, Amboise, where the attractions include da Vinci’s French chateau - a gift of King François I - and recently created gardens which are inspi |
|
|
| BUSINESS |
| New union for auto-entrepreneurs |
| Easy-to-join body aims to avoid ‘political overtones’ |
AUTO-entrepreneurs can join a new union - and be listed on an online searchable database of business types and departments.
In keeping with auto-entrepreneur’s theme of minimising formalities, people can join the Union des Auto-Entrepreneurs (UAE) by filling in a simple form, free of charge, on the website www.union-autoentrepreneur.com
The union aims to defend and promote the new business status, create a feel of community among auto-entrepreneurs and to help with business development.
|
|
|
| COMMUNITY |
| Forest walks for library funds |
| Forest walks organised by Lodeve English Library in the Hérault will begin on April 26. |
FOREST walks organised by Lodeve English Library in the Hérault will begin on April 26.
The first in the series will be held on April 26 with other walks planned for May 17, September 20 and October 11. They will start at 10.00 from the Salle des Fetes in St Etienne de Gourgas. Dogs on leads are welcome.
The series of walks, organised by Phyllis and Jim Mallet, has been running for around three years and has brought in much needed funds towards the upkeep of the library. Afterwards the wal |
|
|
| |
New union for 
