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| NEWS |
| Use extra VAT cash for net blackspots |
| Regions want budget minister to give them cash from new triple-play VAT rate to get rid of internet blackspots |
PLANS to increase the VAT on internet-telephone and television packages have sparked calls to use the extra cash to improve internet access in regions with poor networks.
The Association des Régions de France (ARF) says it is “in the front line for developing internet access” and has been the heaviest loser since the taxe professionnelle was dropped. It needs help to make progress.
Budget minister François Baroin said VAT on the triple-play packages would increase because of press |
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| MONEY |
| What is the bouclier fiscal? |
| The bouclier fiscal was a measure brought in to assist asset-rich but income-poor taxpayers. |
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I READ Connexion’s feature in May about taxing the rich and the bouclier fiscal. I am confused about what charges and taxes are considered and for which years. Could you explain? P.H.
Connexion finance expert Hugh MacDonald replies:
The bouclier fiscal [tax shield] was a measure brought in by President Sarkozy in order to assist asset-rich but income-poor taxpayers.
It was aimed at those who were being heavily taxed, mainly due to wealth tax and who did not have enough in |
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| HEALTHCARE |
| Buy glasses online for big savings |
| Online optician happyview.fr offers discounted pairs of glasses by post and is recognised by the sécu |
THREE million people are wearing glasses that are no longer suitable for them because of the “prohibitive” costs of eyecare, according to the founder of France’s first online optician.
Happyview.fr offers discounted pairs of glasses by post. It also plans to start its own mutuelle top-up insurance fund for optical costs shortly.
The site, which is recognised by the Assurance Maladie and insurers, offers glasses from e39 to e169, which founder Marc Adamowicz says is up to 80% cheaper than |
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| PRACTICAL |
| Time to switch off Eng channels? |
| Watching French TV can improve children's general level of their vocabulary |
>b>We’ve lived in France for four years and have English TV; should I consider insisting we change to French TV to help my children (aged 11, 13 and 15) learn the language or should I regard it as ‘chill-out’ time? J.T.
Many English-speaking families living in France subscribe to English channels. After a long day at school studying in French, it can be a chance for children to relax, not worry about understanding or translating everything and watch their favourite British or American pro |
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| PROPERTY |
| Bargain homes at property auctions |
| While you can find houses cheap at distress auctions, your luck does stem from someone else's hardship |
BUYING repossessed property through auctions can net you the home of your dreams at a bargain basement price.
Robin Baker and his wife Christine did so when they bought a repossessed property in Brittany: "We found out about the auction by searching for ‘enchères’ on the internet, and by chance found a property in the area we were proposing to buy.
"However, we were unable to bid ourselves, and had to deposit 20% of our maximum offer with the avocat who bid in court on our behalf.
"We |
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| POLITICS |
| Expat vote grows in importance |
| Connexion edition: December 2007 |
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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 |
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| LETTERS |
| Mixed views on French schooling |
| Following May's article on exams here's a selection of letters from our postbag on French schooling. |
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Primary and secondary education in the UK seems to have the same failure as in France - it is more interested in teaching the bright ones and the others are left to their own devices.
To some extent this is due to class numbers. You can do much more with class sizes of 15 or less. I speak as a former university lecturer.
The other issue is that the examination system measures what exists at the end of a year but does nothing about the fact that the child has not understood much of what he |
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| AMERICAN CONNEXION |
| The Connexion privacy policy |
| This privacy policy sets out how The Connexion uses and protects any information that you give us when you use this site |
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This privacy policy sets out how The Connexion uses and protects any information that you give us when you use this website.
English Language Media Sarl, the publisher of this site, is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.
We may change this policy from time to time by updating t |
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| FEATURES & INTERVIEWS |
| France’s hottest boulanger |
| TV chef wants to pass on his passion for the dishiest breads |
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THE DARK eyes and the flashy hair give an image of a young man who could be a right handful – but, speaking to boulanger Gontran Cherrier, he comes across as surprisingly gentle: and so in love with bread.
Called France’s hottest baker, the 31-year-old has been keeping armchair bakers on the edge of their seats for his Canal+ TV show but wants to kindle a new love affair for viewers and readers – to fall in love with bread in all its forms.
Not just the humble baguette – for which he still |
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| BUSINESS |
| Make easy rules apply to all |
| France faces a choice - to weigh down its basic auto-entrepreneur business status or to make it easier |
France faces a choice - to weigh down its basic auto-entrepreneur business status with more regulation or to make it easier to start up with traditional regimes.
ALL SOLE traders should have simpler ways of running their businesses following the success of the auto-entrepreneur.
France’s simplified business set-up has seen 445,000 take it up in its first 18 months and critics from traditional, more bureaucratic business regimes say it is unfair competition.
After a push to limit th |
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| COMMUNITY |
| Anglican church fair in Vendée |
| The Anglican Church at Puy de Serre in the Vendée is having a Fair on Sat 11th Sept |
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The Anglican Church at Puy de Serre in the Vendée is having a Fair on Sat 11th Sept. starting at 2pm.
Lots of stalls with plants, books, games, raffle, cakes, a tea shop, cards and crafts, vide grenier and more.
Puy de Serre is South of La Chataigneraie, near the mining village of Faymoreau.
Proceeds go to Church funds and Cancer Support Vendee and Deux Sevres. |
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| TRAVEL |
| Discover France by canal |
| Freedom to travel the 6,700km of waterways in France can cost just €84.90 for a year |
FREEDOM to travel the 6,700km of waterways in France can cost just €84.90 for a year - or many times that unless you know some simple rules.
This month’s Fête du Nautisme gives a chance to try out most water-based activities across the country for the weekend of June 5-6 and Connexion took a look at the French waterways - Europe’s largest navigable network.
The 6,700km of rivers, canals and lakes is controlled by Voies Navigable de France, an organisation under the ecology and energy mini |
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