New newspaper for the Dordogne

A NEW English-language newspaper for the Dordogne department has been welcomed by the local community.

Jérôme Bétaille, mayor of Eymet, described the launch of The Advertiser on March 1 as “a very important development for the region,” while Michel Moyrand, mayor of Périgueux, said the paper would “stimulate the local economy and build closer links between the department and its British residents.”

The paper, which is produced by The Connexion, has an initial print run of 12,000. Four thousand copies are free with The Connexion in the Dordogne and another 8,000 are being distributed by local associations and at venues like Bergerac airport, supermarkets, garden centres, DIY shops and pubs.

The Advertiser contains a mix of local news and features, community information and local advertising, including a small ads “directory” section of services.

The first edition looks at topics including a new airport being built, the department’s first bilingual school and what Eymet residents think about living in a town dubbed “Little England” by the British press. There is also a feature on a thriving local cheese, “what’s on” information and an interview with the president of the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Editor Sarah Smith said: “We aim to cover key issues which affect the community, whether English-speaking or French and to provide information and service contacts useful to understanding and making the most of life in the Dordogne.”

She added: “The reaction to the launch from our local French and English contacts has been overwhelmingly positive and demonstrates a real desire for a local English language paper in the Dordogne.”

A new website with daily news updates about the department will launch this spring. See

www.theadvertiser.fr