Disappointed we're not martiens

REGARDING the article about place name adjectives, when my husband and I moved from Scotland to Mars, Ardèche we were hoping to be called Martiens.

We were disappointed to find out that we were Marsois.

I made Christmas cards the first year we were here, saying “Greetings from Mars.”

The village calls itself La Planète Mars on occasions and Nasa astronauts came here for a conference in 2001.

I also want to send a belated thank you for all of your journalistic help during the CMU coverage controversy which was a true mental-health lifesaver to us.

We were among those who would have been rejected. The knowledge gained from your articles got us through this very worrisome period.
CHARLENE WOODS
Finistère, Brittany

Residents of Vantoux near Metz voted to change their name which meant ‘vandals’ to Vantousiens meaning ‘from Vantoux’.

Mayor Claude Bellei said: "It's a matter of principle. Too many visitors come here expecting to meet the wrong kind of people.”