Languedoc Pages - August 2011

A villagein theAude isbecominghome topeoplewho say itwill survive Apocalypse

Village residents Marie-Christine Louvet (left)and Sylvie da Silva: “Analternative lifestyle is nothing new here”

Waiting for theworld to end

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BUGARACH’S status as an end-of-the-worldhaven has had an effect on property prices inthe area. Mayor Jean-Pierre Delord says thatcurrent prices are €50 per square metre asopposed to €15 per square metre less than ayear ago.

The local newspaper, L'Indépendant, hasreported that house-hunters from as farafield as Hong Kong and Russia are buyingin the area, although the hippie profile ofBugarach’s newer residents does not seem toindicate excess disposable income.

René Jammes runs an estate agency innearby Quillan: “It’s true that prices havebeen a bit crazy recently. We’ve seen some

2 News Languedoc Pages August 2011

December 21, the end date of the 5,125-yearcycle in the Mayan calendar, while others arelooking towards December 12. Either way, formany Bugarach is the place to be when itcomes to pass. This does not please the mayorof the village, Jean-Pierre Delord: “Theseblasted prophets from all over the world haveturned our mountain into some sort of UFOgarage,” he said recently.

Pic de Bugarach is also known as Pech deThauze, and it rises above the little hamlet to aheight of 1,320m. It is said to be “upside-down” because the top layers of rock are olderthan those lower down the mountain. This, ageologist might suggest, could have beencaused by an explosion that happened soonafter the mountain was formed. Such logicdoes not impress believers, and the internetabounds with stories about magnetic forcessurrounding the peak and other even morefanciful theories.

This “sacred mountain” has stirred theimagination of many, including French fatherof science fiction Jules Verne, author ofJourney to the Centre of the Earth. Localsbelieve a visit to Bugarach also inspiredAmerican film-maker Steven Spielberg tomake Close Encounters of the Third Kind, andsome suggest that former French presidentFrançois Mitterrand was sufficiently impressedto visit the mountain by helicopter.

Nostradamus, the 16th-century Frenchapothecary known for apocalyptic prophecies,is believed to have stayed in the area, andrumours of mysterious Nazi digs have also

surfaced. There are reports that pilots avoidflying over the mountain because of magneticwaves causing problems for aircraft.

When the mayor noticed an increased num-ber of visitors to his tranquil village, he alertedMiviludes (Mission Interministérielle deVigilance et de Lutte contre les DérivesSectaires), the French government watchdogset up to monitor “the phenomenon of move-ments with a cultic character”.

Miviludes president Georges Fenech visitedthe area and found six settlements in the sur-rounding countryside set up by members of

LEGENDS have surrounded Bugarach, a tinyhamlet of just 189 souls, for centuries. Thevillage, about half an hour’s drive fromCarcassone, is where the rebellious membersof the Cathar religious sect sought refuge fromPope Innocent III in the 13th century, whenthe Catholic church launched a crusadeagainst them.

Towering above the village is the Pic deBugarach, a limestone outcrop believed tohave magic properties, with deep cavitiesbeneath said to give access to undergroundmythical worlds. Bugarach village and its peakare at the highest point of the Corbières in theAude department of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Until recently, hikers and nature-lovers werethe only visitors to be seen in this sparselypopulated area, enjoying its sun-baked hillsand valleys or searching for rare orchids. Nowlocals find their quaint backwater is beinginvaded by incomers they call les ésotérics.

These new visitors are here for a very specificreason: they believe Bugarach to be a specialplace of salvation, somewhere extraterrestrialsmay intervene or even rescue a chosen fewwhen the Apocalypse comes – and that is notvery far off.

The precise date of the end of the world is alittle hazy, though believers are convinced thatit will take place in 2012. Some place it on

Myth andmystery starta mini-boomin Bugarach

Property prices go

With the endof the worlddue in 2012,believers aremoving to aplace theythink will besaved,reportsLOUISEHURREN

Pic de Bugarach is attracting UFO hunters and

Welcometo yournew localnewspaper

Mayor Jean-Pierre Delord fears Bugarach is

THANK YOU for readingthe first edition of theLanguegoc Pages, yournew monthly newspaperin English for Languedoc.

We hope you enjoy ourmix of local news, fea-tures, events and contactswritten by journalistsliving in the area.

We appreciate the helpwe have received fromour partners in both theFrench and British communities and ouradvertisers.

We welcome feedbackand if you know of a localissue we should be cover-ing, please contact us atthe address below.

Languedoc Pages is published by:English Language Media Sarl, Le Vedra, 38 rue Grimaldi, 98000 Monaco. Directrice de la publication: Sarah Smith. Printed at Nice-Matin, 214 Route de Grenoble, 06290 Nice Cedex 3. Mensuel Depôt légal – a parutionISSN: en cours, CPPAP en coursTo contact a reporter, email:[email protected] or advert queries callFrom France: 0800 91 77 56 (freephone)From UK: 0844 256 9881 – 4p/min

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the Ramtha School of Enlightenment. Startedby the controversial American spiritual leaderJZ Knight, the group claims to follow theteachings of Ramtha, an ancient warrior,conqueror and ascended Master who lived35,000 years ago in the long-gone continent ofLemuria. “Gurus” hold meditation and prayermeetings, with discussions on topics such asDoomsday and immortality, and esotericgroups have started to hold fee-paying confer-ences in the region’s hotels. A Miviludes reportrecommends that the hamlet be monitored inthe run-up to the end of 2012.

News 3Languedoc Pages August 2011

THE RECENT influx of New Age visitors andsettlers in Bugarach could raise the threat offinancial scams and psychological manipula-tion, according to a report by Miviludes inJune. “I think we need to be careful. Weshouldn’t get paranoid, but when you see whathappened at Waco in the United States, weknow this kind of thinking can influencevulnerable people,” Miviludes presidentGeorges Fenech told the Reuters news agency.

Miviludes was set up in 2002 to fight against“sectarian deviances” and the phenomenonof cults. A new law made it an offence forvulnerable people to be abused by beingsubjected to heavy pressure techniques.

BUGARACH resident SigridBenard runs a gîte in thevillage, Maison de la Nature.She confirms that enquiriesfrom UFO-watchers andsimilar groups have grownslightly over the past two tothree years but, she says, thisis nothing special.

“The majority of our guestsare ramblers and cyclists, andI’m getting a lot of phonecalls from journalists, too,”she laughs, putting paid tothe idea that the guest-housemight extend its season nextyear in response to requestsfrom visitors wanting to bookrooms from December 2012to the end of January 2013.

Sarah Lecrosnier runs thelocal shop, Le Relais deBugarach, where a number ofNew Age publications are forsale. Customers can pick upflyers detailing alternativetherapies and workshops inand around the village.

“Out of season the tinyvillage is very quiet”, she says.From a shopkeeper’sperspective, she is not againstthe newcomers: “If we had afew more customers here inthe winter, it wouldn’t be abad thing at all.”

Writer Marie-ChristineLouvet, who has lived in thevillage for a long time, isrelaxed about Bugarach’snew-found fame: “Bugarachis a wonderful place, full ofhistory. It has alwaysappealed to people who pre-fer an alternative lifestyle,that’s nothing new. It’s peaceful

here. The energy is different,we take time to really live, totry to understand ourselvesand others. I’ve never seen aUFO, an alien or anything ofthat nature, but that doesn’tmean they don’t exist: I’mopen-minded.”

Artist Sylvie da Silva sellsher handicrafts at the road-side in Bugarach during thesummer. “If, like me, youdon’t conform to the norm,people sometimes look at youa bit oddly. But there are allsorts of people here, frommany different backgrounds,and that’s a good thing,” shesays. “So long as gullible folkaren’t being exploited – andthat can happen – then Idon’t see anything wrongwith alternative groups beingbased here.”

Wendy Gedney is a winetourism guide with Vin enVacances, and she often takesgroups through Bugarach onher trips to visit the Corbièresvineyards.

“Bugarach is a very peaceful

place and I sincerely hope itstays that way.”

A former teacher calledJean refuses to give his lastname because of local contro-versy. He lives in a yurt in theforest near Bugarach, wherehe hopes to build “a civilisa-tion of the heart”.

“The apocalypse we believein is the end of a certainworld and the beginning ofanother new spiritual world,”he says. “The year 2012 is theend of a cycle of suffering,and Bugarach is one of themajor chakras of the earth, aplace devoted to welcomingthe energies of tomorrow.”

The mayor of Bugarach,Jean-Pierre Delord, isconcerned: “Our village has apopulation of around 200people and we don’t want2,000-3,000 utopians inBugarach.” He is keen toprevent “Apocalypse believersand lunatics” from travellingto Bugarach. It is difficultto see how he will achievehis aim.

‘bit crazy’property sales in the area go through at quitehigh prices.” Mr Jammes believes that housesworth about €80,000 are being marketed bycanny sellers for as much as twice or threetimes this sum.

“But buyers aren’t daft, they can see if aproperty is overpriced. If we are asked to goand value a house or a plot of land inBugarach, we go, but we don’t get involved inthese price-hiking games.

“It’s true that Bugarach is a bit of a hot spotat the moment, but given the general state ofthe economy, I don’t think people will getdrawn into this game, and I don’t believe thissituation will last very long.”

rapture believers who are convinced it is one of the few places that will survive the Apocalypse

Residentssplit overnewcomers

being turned into ‘a UFO garage’ Sarah Lecrosnier, of Le Relais, has more customers now

BUGARACH and its surroundings stillbear visible traces of medieval religiousgroups and ancient orders, including theCathars, who built remarkable castles atQuéribus, Peyrepetuse, Puilaurens andMontségur. Just 13km away lies the villageof Rennes-le-Château, whose supposedlyhidden treasures and mysterious connec-tions have inspired many bestselling books,including The Holy Blood and the HolyGrail and The Da Vinci Code.

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SHOPS dedicated to theLanguedoc-Roussillon’s “ownbrand” products sold underthe Sud de France label are toopen in the region in 2012.

Launched in 2006 by theregion’s late president,Georges Frêche, the Sud deFrance brand is now used tomarket more than 6,000 localproducts.

The new, franchised Sud deFrance shops, which wereannounced during celebra-

tions marking the brand’sfifth anniversary, will aimfurther to develop sales of thewines and foods ofLanguedoc-Roussillon.

Meanwhile, the brand hasbegun a sports sponsorshipprogramme this year, sup-porting Montpellier footballclub and sponsoring theSud de France/Languedoc-Roussillon boat that compet-ed in this year’s Tour deFrance à la Voile yacht race.

Region ‘ownbrand’ shopsopen in 2012

Wind speedpicks up

The truffleis no trifle

Plastic perilfor sea life

A9 plans toreduce jams

Hark, harkthe shark...

One of thewonders ofthe world

RED TAPE and bureaucraticdelays have been blamed forthe 12 years it has taken toexpand one of the oldestwind farms in the region.

Last month, nine new tur-bines on the high plateauoverlooking Port-la-Nouvellein the Aude were finallydeclared operational.

EDF must be hoping thatthe expansion of another site,near Lézignan-Corbières, willbe quicker.

“This shows the importanceof working with local offi-cials,” EDF’s David Augeixsaid ruefully.

THE TOWN of Villeneuve-Minervois, north ofCarcassonne, is building onthe success of its well-knowntruffle market by opening aHouse of Truffles at themairie. The new venture, dueto open in the autumn, willteach visitors everythingthere is to know about thetown’s most valuable product,tuber melanosporum, or theblack truffle, which can sellfor more than the price ofgold by weight.

THE Mediterrean coastline isat risk from “micro-plastic”particles which can have seri-ous consequences for marinelife, according to the Eco-Merlaboratory of Nice’s SophiaAntipolis University. Largerplastic items kill 100,000mammals and turtles eachyear and scientists are nowinvestigating the more insidi-ous effects of an estimated250 billion tiny plastic parti-cles from rubbish in the sea

FOUR different plans for theA9 motorway are being stud-ied to reduce congestionaround Montpellier. The firstsuggestion is to build 23kmof new road alongside themotorway, effectively widen-ing the A9, to manage trafficflow. The second and thirdplans would take the motor-way to four or six lanes, whilethe fourth proposes buildingan alternative stretch of road.

A SHARK alert that causedsome concern in Hérault ear-lier this summer appears tobe over. Beach-goers werewarned of potential dangersafter a several sharks werecaught by fishermen off theGrand-Travers and LesAresquiers beaches in May.

At least one shark of almosta metre long was caught eachday for a fortnight. However,no further sightings havebeen reported.

STARTING this summer, Languedoc residents have a selectionof new destinations from Montpellier-Méditerranée airport.The seven routes will be served until the end of October. Fourare provided by low-cost carriers: Birmingham and Manchester(bmibaby), Rotterdam (Transavia) and Fez (Air Arabia). Twoothers, Marrakech and Djerba, are handled by tour operatorFram, and flights to Strasbourg will be offered by Air France.

Montpellier’s new air links Point of sale: the Sud de France logo is a big success

THE new high speed train line (ligne à grandevitesse, or LGV) planned to connectMontpellier and Perpignan will not belaunched until 2020, but Languedoc-Roussillon residents can get an idea of thepotential changes afoot as the public consulta-tion process moves forward this summer.

They will not know the exact route of theLGV until the decision is taken by transportminister Thierry Mariani in September.

The scheme is being piloted by a committeemade up of the State, the RFF (Réseau Ferréde France, the French rail network), theregional council of Languedoc-Roussillon andlocal groups.

Several options are up for debate. One,which would have cut through the vineyardsof the Corbières, has already met with aresounding refusal from local representatives.

Originally the project was meant to follow theroute established by the SNCF in the 1990s,but this was shelved in 2003 because of lackof funding.

One of the problems now faced is that thedual-usage “passenger-freight” option origi-nally envisaged requires tunnels to be built,which adds considerably to the cost.

The conundrum faced by the state is theneed to build an LGV line for freight betweenMontpellier and Narbonne which would onlybe used by passenger trains betweenNarbonne and Perpignan.

Meanwhile, RFF is working its way througha 34-month period of studies and propertyacquisitions with a view to preparing the site.

People who own property close to the pro-posed routes should consult the websitewww.lalignenouvelle.com

Questions over rail route

Perpignan station:one of the hubs ofthe proposed newhigh-speed rail line

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Languedoc-Roussillonwill be the last Frenchregion to turn off itsanalogue TV signal whenit switches over to digitaltelevision transmission(télévision numérique ter-restre, or TNT) onNovember 29 this year.

Some households willhave already have madethe change – those in theeast of the Gard andHérault, and southernLozère, as well as peoplewho receive their signalfrom the Avignon Mont-Ventoux or Marseille-Etoile transmitters.

The rest have until theend of the year, whensome 1.6 million house-holds will find themselvesno longer able to receiveanalogue television .

To receive the digital sig-nal, viewers will need tohave either a TNT set-topbox or a television with abuilt-in decoder.

News 5Languedoc Pages August 2011

The wild beauty of MontLozère and other parts ofthe Cévennes mountainsand Grand Causses lime-stone plateaux have finallyreceived the recognitionthey deserve.

After two unsuccessfulattempts, they have beenincluded in the UnescoWorld Heritage listbecause of their outstand-ing natural beauty. Thesparsely populated areacovers 3,000km² andspans three Languedocdepartments – the Gard,

Hérault and Lozère – alongwith the Aveyron in theMidi-Pyrénées.

Its inclusion in theUnesco list brings to sixthe number of WorldHeritage sites inLanguedoc-Roussillon. Thefive others are the walledcity of Carcassonne, theCanal du Midi, the pilgrim-age route to Santiago deCompostela, the Pont duGard and the fortresses ofVillefranche-de-Conflentand Mont-Louis, built byVauban in the 17th century.

THE Mediterranean coast ofFrance could face tidal wavesof between one and fourmetres because of earthquakeactivity off the North Africancoast and seismic shifts in theGolfe du Lion, according tothe Office of Geological andMining Research.

To deal with the threat, atsunami warning centre is toopen next year at Bruyères-le-Chatel, south of Paris.With a €14 million budget,the centre will be linked to 75seismic stations monitoringundersea movements in theMediterranean.

Aude senator RolandCourteau, one of the movingforces behind the centre,points out the Mediterraneandoes not deserve its reputa-tion as “a tranquil lake”because it has seen 90tsunamis during the 20thcentury. He notes that in1979, there were 11 deathswhen a tidal wave swept the

coast near Nice. “And thatwas in October,” he said.“Imagine it happening in thesummer.”

The Riviera is likely to beworst hit by any tidal wave,possibly up to 4m, butexperts say Roussillon couldexperience tsunamis of1.20m. Effects would be lessdramatic in the Aude andHérault, at up to a metre.

Last month, one of thestrongest undersea earth-quakes for years, registering5.2 on the Richter scale,rocked Provence and Corsica.Had it reached 6.5, therewould have been a tsunami,said Senator Courteau.

The new centre will deliverthe ability to give the publicearly warning of any prob-lems arising as a result ofearthquakes far out in theMediterranean, according toMathieu Sylvander, a seis-mologist at the observatoryin the Midi-Pyrénées.

Coast watchto monitortsunami risk

TV switch-offin November

Upgradefor airportFLYING from Perpignan isset to become more enjoyablethanks to an investment ofsome €400,000 to give theairport a facelift in 2012.

Facilities will be mod-ernised with two new shops,one selling local produce.

Ryanair has announcedextra summer flights, withBrussels/Charleroi increasingfrom three to four a week,and the route betweenPerpignan and LondonStansted operating daily.

THE conseil général of the Gard has launched a campaignemphasising the importance of saving water. The Eau etTourisme (Water and Tourism) charter encourages the publicto use this precious resource sparingly. Consumption is cur-rently 40 million cubic metres a year, with tourists accountingfor 13 million. There is a significant risk of shortages this sum-mer and it is estimated that the Gard will need 30% morewater by 2030. A guide giving water-saving tips will be avail-able across the department.

Campaign to save water

AT the top of the list ofLanguedoc delicacies isseafood, and of that none ismore highly regarded thanthe oyster. With their deli-cate flavours and supposedaphrodisiac properties, leshuîtres are the delight ofgourmets the world over.

What mollusc fans mightnot know, however, is thatLanguedoc produces thePink Diamond, an unusualvariety of oyster with a pinkshell, tinged by the sun.

Unique to the region (onlyone ostréiculteur, or oysterproducer, currently farms it),the Tarbouriech pink oysteris highly sought-after, andtwice as expensive as stan-dard oysters.

The Tarbouriech familyfirm Médithau has beenfarming oysters in the tide-less lagoon of the Bassin deThau, near Bouzigues, sincethe 1960s. They use a solar-powered mechanism to liftthe oyster frames out of thewaters of the lagoon, expos-ing the growing oysters tothe sun. This innovative,

green energy-powered systemreplicates the natural seatides. It is the interactionwith the air and the sun thatcreates a superior oyster,with a subtle, nutty taste, andgives the shells their hue.

Locals tend to eat this deli-cacy with just a squeeze oflemon juice and a littlebrown bread and salted but-

ter. The classic match foroysters from this area is aPicpoul de Pinet wine, withits citrus notes and refresh-ingly clean style.

Alternatively, the subtle,briny notes found in PinkDiamond oysters sit wellwith AOC Blanquette deLimoux, the world’s originalbrut sparkling wine.

An oysterthat is inthe pink

Did you know?

The Tarbouriech pink oyster: a rare and expensive treat

6 What’s On Languedoc Pages August 2011

Hérault Clermont-l'Hérault, lac du Salagou

Hérault

Hérault

Termes

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notice board

SUD VÉLO Ne Jetez Plus! is a cyclingclub with a distinct difference. Itbegan life in 2003 as a website forumfor cyclists around Montpellier. Thisvirtual community was united by apassion for cycling and a strongrespect for the environment, summedup by the motto “ride fast, ride clean”.

Then in 2007 the forum went astage further, forming Sud Vélo NeJetez Plus! – a group of fast-ridingeco-warriors whose slogan, Do NotLitter, is a call to change the attitudeof cyclists who throw their rubbish onto the roads.

The group is invited to races to pro-mote Ne Jetez Plus! and membersorganise their own events each year.In February there’s a time trial andgroup race, the Tour d’Hortus, whileMarch sees the Pro Tour Héraultaisseries, which always starts with a ride

in the Camargue. April brings theHéraultaise Cyclosportive in Gignac,where Sud Vélo is closely involvedwith the organisation, making it onethe “greenest” cycle events of its kind.Throughout the season, the club’sdistinctive logo can be seen in thepeloton (leaders’ group) in France,and in Spain’s largest cycling sportsevent, the Quebrantaheusos.

Club member Helen Bevis says:“Sud Vélo has a reputation as a groupof strong riders, but in reality we’re anauberge espagnol (pot-luck group)where most fit cyclists can find theirplace among the peloton.”

The club holds organised ridesaround Montpellier every weekend.

For more information, visitwww.team.sudvelo.com or [email protected]

On your bike to followthe anti-litter cause

The medium is the message: Sud Vélo Ne Jetez Plus! memberspromote environmental good behaviour while they are cycling

Promote your community event, send details to: [email protected]

August 7 – La "Nuit des Arts". Enjoy perusing the display stands of about 30 artists suchas sculptors, painters, craftsmen, writers and musicians. Many artists will be exhibitingtheir often unusual work intermingled with other artists’ performances all set in abohemian and friendly atmosphere.The musical ambiance will be provided by the worldwide travelling pianist Jérôme Médeville. Open from 18.00 to 2.00 and located atPlace de la Marine. FREE.Call 04 67 00 02 48

Hérault Agde, Place de la Marine ART

FAMILY

August 26-28 – Piano sous les Arbres. During threedays the piano takes centre stage with a variety of musicgenres: classical, jazz, rock and gipsy. Enjoy the delightfulmelodies performed underneath the trees while tastingsome local specialities from Lunel such as wines, Muscatand food.Twenty-two concerts will be performedthroughout the whole weekend. Some shows will be forchildren. Most of the concerts are free except three,which range from €6 to €18.Call 04 67 83 46 83 www.unpianosouslesarbres.com

August 11 – Discover products from the areaand local arts and crafts at this evening marketfrom16.00 to 20.00.There will also be music,activities for children and eating places.Take the opportunity to discover le Pont du Diable, afamous bridge nearby with a breathtaking view, asa free guided visit is provided at 18.00 uponbooking.Call 04 67 57 58 83 or 04 99 61 73 01www.saintguilhem-alleeherault.fr.

August 2 Are you a lover of electro-pop music? Moby, an internationally renowned artist, comes toCarcassonne to perform his music influenced by soul and punk. If you wantto enjoy some good music in the magicsetting of the ancient theatre inCarcassonne do not miss this specialevent. Prices from €45 to €55.Booking on 04 68 11 59 15www.festivaldecarcassonne.fr

CONCERT

AudeCarcassonne

August 5 – Spend the whole day in the Termes village and castle to enjoy different activities: medieval martial arts, calligraphy, cooking, archery, coat ofmail making and more.The musicians, the jugglers, the travelling entertainers

and the fire-eaters will liven up the streets of Termes.There will be a craft andlocal products market, and wooden games for children.The day will end in amedieval ball. Only €2 for access to the castle and activities. FREE for children under 6.Call 04 68 70 09 20 or go to www.medievales.chateau-termes.com

August 4 Join thousands of people who come each year to the Clermont-l'Hérault banksof the huge man-made lake Lac du Salagou to admire a spectacular firework display.The showbegins around 22.00 so why not bring a picnic and enjoy a walk around the lake first?Call 04 67 88 87 00.

MUSIC

FOODAniane

Lunel-viel

Festival de Carcassonne 2011:More than shows, including 80 eventswith free admission, running untilAugust 15. Contemporary and classi-cal music, opera, dance, circus andtheatre performances.Tel 04 68 11 59 15www.festivaldecarcassonne.fr

Une Collection Particulière at theMusée des Beaux Arts, Nîmes. Morethan 100 works chosen from theAnne Gruner-Schlumberger collec-tion, including paintings, sculpture,drawings and engravings by Arp,Braque, Brauner, Dubuffet, Ernst,Giacometti, Klee, Léger, Picasso andSoulages. Runs until early October.Tel 04 66 28 18 32, www.nimes.fr

De Circulade en Circulade: rencon-tres culturelles et festives: A celebra-tion of Languedoc’s walled medievaltowns and villages, with wine tast-

ings, concerts, arts and crafts fairs.August 12, Olonzac; August 15,Le Pouget. Tel 04 67 25 31 42www.circulades.com

Albert André (1869-1954): Nearly200 post-Impressionist works dis-played at the Pont du Gard, LeftBank. Until September 25.Tel 04 66 37 50 99,www.pontdugard.fr

Les Fêtes de la Saint Louis: Sète,August 18-23. The annual celebrationof the patron saint of Sète, featuringwater jousting on the canals, musicand fireworks. Tel 04 99 04 71 71www.ot-sete.fr

Festival Bouillon Cube: Causse-de-la-Selle, until the end of August.Concerts, circus,theatre, cinema, artsand crafts. Tel 04 67 71 35 42 www.bouilloncube.fr

Not to be missed...

Photo: Herman van der Jagt

Photo: Service Communication

Photo: OT SGVH

Photo:© Château de Termes

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Photo: sunnykhalsa

AudeFAMILY

What’s On 7Languedoc Pages August 2011

Every Wednesdayin August – Come toencounter themedieval world at the

Beaucaire Castle and you will enjoymany different activities throughoutthe day.Among the featured attrac-tions are a historical presentation ofthe fortress, a demonstration of dagger fighting, duels, knight school forchildren, introduction to the crossbow,historical playlets, history andarchaeology museum and more.

Opening times: 09.45-12.30 and14.00-18.00. Prices from €11 (childrenunder 12 and students) to €14.Call 04 66 59 90 [email protected]

FAMILY

GardBeaucaire

OUT AND ABOUTGard Le Cailar

Pyrénées-Orientales

Bolquère

Lozère Meyrueis

SPORT - FISHING

LozèreMendes

August

August 2 Enjoy a concert in the Aven ArmandCave given by Vitrail, a quintet with a varied repertoire.They will play jazz and baroque musicalong with other styles.The setting is magical and picturesque.The concert starts at 20.30. Prices: €16 for children and €20 for adults. Required booking in advance.Call 04 66 45 61 31 [email protected]

JAZZ CONCERT

Every Wednesday in August –a youth co-ordinator from LaFédération de la Pêche will introduce children aged 6-12 to minnow fishing from 10.00 to12.00 at Bressal in Mendes.Allthe equipment will be provided.The price is €7.50 per child.Booking required on 04 66 94 00 23www.ot-mende.fr

SPORT

Pyrénées-OrientalesAugust 4, 7, 11, 25, 28 – Experience a day out in the Camargue with a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.You will go though Le Cailar, see horses and bulls, visit the NîmesCostières vineyards and enjoy the beautiful landscape.You will taste some local wineand products such as brandade and tapenade.The snacks, drinks and lunch are includedin the price.Adults €50, children under 4 €10, children 4-12 years old €25, teenagers13-16 years old €35.Booking required on 06 65 74 63 68 or 04 66 51 08 19www.lescaleches.camargue.fr

August 1 Marché de Potiers. About 30 ceramists from allover France will exhibit their productions from 09.00, andthere will be a workshop for children.Visitors will also havethe opportunity for wine-tasting in the cellars and to buywine. FREE. Call 04 68 50 08 54 or [email protected]

August 7 – Pyrénées 2000 en roues libres. For all you freewheelingcycling lovers. From 10.00 to 22.00 different cycling activities will give acertain rhythm to the day: all-terrain bike show, trial park (open toeverybody from 8 years old) and family air jump (from 7 years old) toperform jumps and figures very safely. FREE. Call 04 68 30 12 42

NATURE

GardGarrigue

August 13 – Enjoy the fragrances and the wonderful colours around you in the Mediterranean landscape as you walkthrough vineyards, fields and garrigue.This morning walk laststhree hours. Bring some water, a cap and good shoes. FREE.Booking required on 04 66 85 17 94 or 04 66 52 61 38

Maury CRAFT

Photo: Mende Cœur de Lozère

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8 Horses Languedoc Pages August 2011

THE PAST 20 years have seen equestrianismenjoying a huge surge in popularity through-out France, with the numbers of registeredriders increasing by almost 400%. The FrenchEquestrian Federation (FFE) now has morethan 650,000 riders on its books. For Britishresidents who wish to take up riding seriously,however, it is worth bearing in mind that therules governing the sport here are differentfrom those in the UK.

The first port of call is the local poney club,which will generally welcome children asyoung as four. Anyone attending a riding clubis required to have a licence pratiquant, whichcosts €25 for children and €36 for adults.

Sarah Pugh runs a riding club at Saumort inthe Poitou-Charentes region. She says: “Yes,children join a pony club at any age from fourupwards, starting on Shetland ponies, oftenriding without stirrups for some time untiltheir balance is sound.

“The clubs link in with the school calendarand lesson costs include an annual subscrip-tion, an FFE licence and a fee for the term.During the holidays, the clubs run day-cours-es, but normal lessons stop. Annual costs canvary immensely from region to region, but inmy area the cost would be around €1,000.”

Most clubs provide the pony and tack, butyou will need to hire or borrow a riding hatand wear suitable footwear. Riders in Franceare quickly taught how to groom a pony orhorse, as they are expected to get their horsegroomed and tacked for lessons, unlike in the

UK, where it is done for you.More experienced riders who wish to partici-

pate in one of the many competitions that takeplace all over the country need a licence com-petition from the FFE and are expected to passriding tests. “The FFE. have a fantastic coun-try-wide system called Galop tests,” says Sarah.“The main ones are Galop 1-7, which mostpeople take. In order to compete at a higherlevel you have to have passed these tests.”

In theory, riders taking the Galop 7 shouldpass practical and theory tests in French, butmany riding clubs simply watch them to verifytheir skills and, if they are satisfied, apply for acompetition licence.

Alternatively, British residents in France whoare experienced riders can ask the BritishHorse Society for documentation showing thatthey have competed in affiliated competitionsin the UK.

“There is no such thing as an unaffiliatedevent in France,” explains Sarah, “otherwisethe showjumping competitions are very simi-lar to the UK.”

A competition licence costs €80 and youapply through your riding club. You mustprovide a medical certificate and, for children,a parental permission form must be signed.

For youngsters, there is no shortage of localpony competitions and they can lead to partic-ipation in national events for under-18s, suchthe annual competition held in July at the ParcEquestre Lamotte-Beuvron in the Sologne.Xavier Bourdon, public relations manager for

Pixizone, an equestrian events company, says:“The French national pony championshipscover all disciplines – showjumping, eventingand dressage – with many categories depend-ing on the age of riders and the level of skill.”

In August, Lamotte-Beuvron is host to theSologn’Pony French national breeding cham-pionship, featuring pedigree breeds such asNew Forest, Shetland, Welsh Cob andConnemara, and also some competitions. Thisyear’s championship takes place on August 18-21.

Young riders with talent who wish toprogress to senior showjumping events willneed parents with deep pockets.

A good three-year-old pony with showjump-ing potential will cost between €20,000 and€50,000, while the very best will commandprices up to €100,000, or even more for ananimal with a proven record in competition.On top of that, there are the costs involved instabling and transporting animals to events.That is why many competitors are children offormer riders and landowners. On the other

hand, showjumping horses can still be com-peting at 10 years old or more.

Sarah Pugh, though, points out: “You can doa lot more competing here without your ownhorse than in the UK. Some people do chooseto buy their own, but not all.

“Many have their own land so can keep ahorse at home, but if they want to competethey have the horse in livery at the club, andthat can be quite expensive.”

Equestrianism is extremely well organised inFrance, but it is also true that it is quite tightlyregulated. Even Sarah, a very experienced rid-ing instructor who set up a small livery andriding club at Saumort eight years ago, hadofficial hurdles to overcome.

“The main problem was that initially myEnglish qualifications were not recognisedhere, so all I could do was hire horses to peo-ple to ride alone,” she said.

“The regulations here were enormously strictand complicated. Over the years, my husbandZak and I have managed to establish a smallloyal customer base of liveries and riders by

HorsesenseRiding and competing in equestrian events arebecoming increasingly popular in France,but in order to enjoy them to the full, you haveto stick to the rules, as John Gilmore discovers

The Fédération Française d’Equitation says riding in France is en plein boom, with thenumber of licences increasing year on year. Almost one person in three rides regularly oroccasionally. Surveys show that riding is the preferred pastime of parents for their childrenand it is currently the third most popular sport in the country. Half the population saythey are ready to consider a holiday on horseback this summer

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Horses 9Languedoc Pages August 2011

word of mouth. Now, though, I have the right to teach, theright to run shows and to award Galop tests. The insurancecosts are not too scary, so we are hoping the business willexpand and we’ll be able to do some ridingholidays too.”

It is important that anyone thinking about investing in riding,and especially of buying a horse, is aware of the commitmentsinvolved, particularly the costs. Otherwise, things can go badlywrong.

Ann Heighington, who runs the Anglo-French equestriancharity Epona Trust in La Lucerne d’Outremer, near Avranches,Normandy, says: “Ponies and horses arrive at our trust as aresult of financial difficulties or a family split. Sometimes theanimal is neglected and may have to be removed from the own-ers.

“We provide hay to animals that are leftwithout feed and we also pay for vets to visit a sick animal if theowners have no money or refuse to pay. Any equine that comesto the refuge will be provided with housing, feedand medication.”

More information and news about riding in France is available atthe French Horse and Country website, aimed specifically at theEnglish-speaking community, www.frenchhorseandcountry.com

Pole Hippique de MauguioEquestrian centre managed by international rider and fluentEnglish speaker Christian Janin. Activities range from ponygames for children to international showjumping contests.Tel: 04 67 56 67 35, http://equitation34.fr

Mas de la BarqueThis outdoor centre is situated on Mont Lozère and offers gîteaccommodation and a variety of activities year-round, includ-ing riding for all levels and ages.Tel 04 66 46 92 72, www.lemasdelabarque.com

Hit the Cathar Trail The Sentier Cathar is one of Languedoc’s best-known horsetrails, passing ancient Cathar castle ruins as it weaves its wayfrom the Mediterranean through the foothills of the Pyrénéesto Foix. Lodging is in gîtes or family homes. Tel +44 1462 701 110 www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/france/cathar_trails

Canter your way through the Camargue Discover the Camargue region’s flora and fauna on horsebackwith Pony Ranch; also offers pony rides for children. Tel 04 66 53 86 89, www.ponyranch-aiguesmortes.com

Visit a stud farmThe Haras d’Uzès is the only French national stud farm in the

south of France, with more than 70 horses of different breeds.Afternoon tours are available from mid-March to early July,with guided horseback tours June-September. Tel 04 66 22 68 88, www.haras-nationaux.fr

Life on a ranchStay on a cattle ranch in the Haut-Languedoc Nature Parkand ride Western-style (experienced riders only).Tel +44 (0)1767 600606,www.unicorntrails.com/europe/france/westernranch

Explore the Camargue by horse-drawn carriage For a more sedate equestrian experience, try Les Calèches deCamargue: observe the Camargue area’s bulls, horses andlandscape from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage. Tel 04 66 51 08 19, http://www.lescaleches.camargue.fr

Equisud: the annual rendez-vous for all horse loversThe biggest horse-related show in the south of France, heldannually in Montpellier. Tel 04 67 17 67 17, www.cheval-montpellier.com

Comité Régional du Tourisme Equestre Languedoc-RoussillonInformation about riding trails, clubs, organised treks, ridingschools and gîtes (in French only).www.telr.net

Where to go riding in Languedoc-Roussillon

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Left: a competitor clears a fence at the Sologn’Ponyevent, held in August. Above: youngsters are introducedto riding at Chantilly racecourse

10 Food Languedoc Pages August 2011

SUMMER holi-days should be the perfect time for relaxed,happy, al fresco meals, a time to introduceyour children, grandchildren and other assort-ed small people to healthy, abundant seasonalproduce and regional specialities. But unlessthey are long-time gourmets, your efforts areunlikely to elicit coos of appreciation, rathergroans of disgust.

“Don’t like that.”“Yuck! I want baked beans.”“I hate tomatoes.”“What’s that funny stuff on the lettuce?”Until they were about four years old, our

children and grandchildren ate just about any-thing, from snails to quails and olives.Everything we offered was tried and enjoyed.Then their tastes seemed to change.

We tried to fight back in a subtle way, start-ing with getting them to help Grandad in thepotager. At Easter they dug, planted andsowed seeds, and when summer came theyreaped the rewards of their efforts, pickingand digging up all the produce.

We extended this education to market visits

where they chose less familiar things. At thethe fish stall it was gambas or squid, at thecheese stall there was “mouldy” cheese orcreamy goat cheeses.

Then they moved on to the fruit stall wherewe encouraged them to try nectarines if thepeaches were too “furry”. Apricots were “cool”and melons were always popular. What aboutreine-claudes? They look sour but taste likehoney. Sometimes closing your eyes andtrusting helps.

In France we are lucky because merchantsrealise the importance of encouraging futurecustomers. Samples and smiles are always onoffer for nervous young palates. Here, withpatience and imagination, fussy kids can beturned into shoppers and cooks and even realfoodies. Simple things such as allowing chil-dren as young as two to make dressing for asalad, tossing it messily and serving it on theirown, make them feel good.

I must confess that, having been a teacher for30 years, I rely on my training and instinctswhen it comes to helping children to be braveand creative with food. Of course this usuallyinvolves a bit of risk and a lot of mess, butwhat fun it is to be allowed to wear a chef ’s hatand to be trusted with Granny’s big knife and,with careful supervision, to be allowed to cutup the vegetables they have picked or boughtfor a ratatouille inspired by the film. Suddenlya child who has been unable to look at anaubergine becomes an addict.

Let them cook what they have picked or cho-sen, let them taste what you have chosen wheneating out – and remember that we all have totry a new taste about 15 times before weaccept it.

How to turnyour childreninto gourmets

After she was chosen asfirst BBC Masterchef in1990 JOAN BUNTING wassoon writing a foodcolumn and doing BBClocal radio. Now the former advisory teacherhas retired and is able tospend more time at herhome in France but is stillkeen to tell Advertiserreaders about good food

Quick, easy and delicious corn cobsJoan’s grandson Haydon was already playing his part in the kitchen at the age of seven

Now for a recipe loved by all ages in thishouse. Fun and simple to do, it can becooked in the oven or under the grill aswell as on the barbecue.

Barbie Sweetcorn(serves 8)

8 corn cobs with husks250g butter1 tsp Dijon mustard2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs

2 tbsp lemon juiceSeasoning

Mix together all the butter ingredients(clean hands are fine). Peel back the cornhusks but leave intact, remove the silkand soak the cobs in water. Rub a table-spoon of the butter on each cob. Coverwith the husks then wrap in foil.

Cook on the coals, or in the oven, for10-15 minutes or until tender, unwrap andserve with any remaining butter.

Call FREE from France 0800 91 77 56 Or for just 4p/min from the UK 0844 256 9881Visit our subscriber section at www.connexionfrance.com

Find a copy in a newsagents near you, or to subscribe

DragonpicksFrancefor hisDen

Poldarkturns tokitchento beatdiabetes

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WhySarkozynevertakes a train

Business 11Languedoc Pages August 2011

FINANCE

Moving problem

The Spectrum IFA Group responds:In France, the sale of your “principal residence” is free fromcapital gains tax (CGT). However, it will only be classed assuch once you are registered in the French tax system andhave submitted a French income tax return from thataddress. Strictly speaking, the notaire dealing with the salecan request two years of tax returns, although in practicemost will accept one year.

Otherwise, CGT is charged at a set rate of 19%, althoughcurrently the gain is reduced by 10% for each year of own-ership from the sixth year onwards. Therefore, after 15years of ownership, there is no CGT liability.

If you have not yet moved to France and completed aFrench income tax return, selling your Perpignan propertynow will make you liable for French CGT. As you haveowned this property for eight years, you will have to payCGT on 70% of the gain.

Since you plan to move to France permanently you couldavoid French CGT by initially moving into your Perpignanproperty, making this your principal residence.

After you move into your next French property youwould have up to one year to sell your Perpignan propertywithout having any CGT liability (providing that you hadregistered in the French tax system by the time of the sale).

However, you must weigh this up against the risk of notbeing able to sell the Perpignan property within the one-year period since, if sold beyond this, as a French residentyou would also have social contributions to pay of 12.3% ofthe “tapered” gain. Because this is potentially a tax bill of31.3% (rather than 19%) only you can decide what is bestin your circumstances.

You have not mentioned if you plan to sell your UK prop-erty. If you did and you were a French resident at the timeof the sale, you would have the combined French taxes topay of 31.3% of any “tapered” gain. So if you have ownedyour UK property for at least 15 years, then you will nothave any French taxes to pay.

Regarding rules on UK CGT, once you are no longer resi-dent there is no liability in respect of any gain arising froma UK property sale, providing that you do not return to theUK for at least five complete tax years after selling theproperty. If you do return within this period you will beliable for UK CGT in respect of the property sold. Thanksto the double taxation treaty between France and the UK,however, you will receive a credit against UK CGT for anyFrench taxes that you have already paid on the gain.

I WOULD like some advice on capital gains tax (CGT).My wife and I own a house in the UK, where we havebeen residents, and also have a villa near Perpignan,which we have just put on the market. The aim is tobuy another house along the Pyrénées-Orientalescoastline and move permanently to France. Themoney from the house sale will not be brought backinto the UK – it will stay in France. Will we still haveto pay capital gains tax in full? We have owned ourhouse in Perpignan for eight years and are notplanning to purchase any property in the UK again.

Photo: Rob B

yron - Fotolia.com

ANNETTE MORRIS has lived in Languedoc for more than threeyears. She works as a freelance internet marketing consultant andwebsite developer helping businesses optimise their onlinepresence. Annette co-runs www.LaFranglaise.com and theLanguedoc group of the Survive France network. Earlier this yearshe started Languedoc Jelly, designed to promote the co-workingconcept to expats and Anglophones in France. In this regularcolumn she shares her tips for the business community and wouldwelcome readers’ questions and feedback

WITH glorious summer weather,improved transport links and fabulousfood and wine, it is not difficult to seewhy approximately 30,000 English-speakers have opted to relocate or pur-chase a second home in Languedoc-Roussillon.

Property prices have increased by120% during the past 10 years, makingthis region one of the most expensivein France. Yet unemployment levelsremain high and 20% of the populationlives below the poverty line.

Following the challenges to theexchange rate over the past few years,rising numbers of expats are now run-ning small to medium-sized businessesand delaying retirement, not oftenthrough choice.

Freelances and expatriate entrepre-neurs face common challenges whichcan seem insurmountable, but there maybe free and easy solutions available closeto hand.

Love thy expat neighbour?The vast majority of expats working inthe region are self-employed, with mostoffering services in the real estate orleisure and tourism industries. Not onlydo expat freelances face the typicaldrawbacks of being self-employed (isola-tion, long hours, lack of training) they

are also compet-ing against eachother within arelatively limitedmarket. Mostsmall businessesneed to remainflexible andresponsive tochanges in their

field of activity. A host of factors couldbe influencing your business directionfor the next 12 months. When was thelast time you reviewed your businessplan? You can download a business plantemplate from www.businesslink.gov.uk

Value of the expat euroWhatever your profession or skillset, achargeable service in your home countrymight be perceived as an assumed“favour” by a fellow expat. Many busi-ness owners are familiar with the ques-tion: “Can I pick your brains?”, but giv-ing free advice could lose them severalhours of paid work a week.

There are dozens of well-populatedand informative websites offering adviceabout living and working in France, andmany have open forums to exchangeideas and information. Practical adviceand daily news items in English aregiven at www.connexionfrance.com,while www.survivefrance.com, is free tojoin and has a dedicated business ownersgroup and citizens’ advice section.

Get sharing and get socialThe owner of a small business seldom

has an endless travel budget or the timeto attend networking events. WithinFrance, the internet has brought hun-dreds of English-speakers together viasocial networking platforms such asFacebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Morethan 50% of users log-in to Facebookevery day. Used as a marketing platform,Facebook has a business reach withinLanguedoc to more than 300,000English/French speakers aged 35-plus.

Twitter is one of the best free onlinetools to quickly share information andresearch your market and a good“Twitter work-out” should take less than20 minutes.

For basic guides on how to use andmake the most of Twitter for businesssee http://business.twitter.com

Co-working initiatives“Jelly” came to Languedoc in April 2011as an initiative to get freelances andentrepreneurs out of a home office andbring them together to work alongsideeach other in a convivial atmosphere.

The Jelly concept began in New York,where two IT freelances sought to escapethe isolation of working alone and shareideas with their friends. Jelly has nowspread across Europe and numerousevents have taken place in Hérault, withmore to follow in the Aude andPyrénées-Orientales later this year.Jelly is a free event and open to anyone,although particularly popular with“laptopreneurs”.

For freelances looking for a more per-manent place to work away from home,Montpellier Numérique is an innovativeproject that includes the development ofa new co-working space in Montpelliercentre which offers interesting opportu-nities for freelances (of all nationalities)in this region to meet and collaborate.

www.montpellier.cci.fr www.languedocjelly.com www.urssaf.fr www.startupbusiness.com www.the-languedoc-page.com

Useful Websites

Working as a freelance or settingup a business in France mightsometimes seem like a dauntingundertaking when you comefrom somewhere else, but if youuse all the tools at your disposallife can become a lot simpler

To contact Annette Morris, call 07 86 14 16 39 or email [email protected]

Smoothing the path for expats Photo: Annerp - Fotolia.com

Sponsored by

Pages 12 &13

DIRECTORYPAGES

Find registered tradespeoplequickly and easily

12 Directory Languedoc Pages August 2011

ALPACA WOOLand KNITWEAR

Knitting Yarns, Accessories,Fleeces For Spinning

www.polfagesalpacas.comemail: [email protected]

Siret 529 235 053

PPeerrffeecctt PPrrooppeerrttyy MMaannaaggeemmeennttQuality House & Swimming Pool Management in the

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LANGUEDOCELECTRICIANGraham Fox – Fully Qualified

25+ Years ExperienceFriendly, Informative ReliableHigh Professional Standard

E-mail: [email protected]/Fax: 04 68 45 46 28

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LEARN FRENCHNear Carcassonne

South of France

A friendly andprofessionally run school

Dynamic and varied courses invery small groups throughout the

year whatever your ageand French level

[email protected]

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P.O.INTERIORSRENOVATION - KITCHENS, BATHROOMS,

TOTAL RENOVATION AND CARPENTRY,DECKING, TERRACES AND MUCH MORE

Tel. 06 72 42 07 04 - 04 68 37 97 83DEPT 66

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Ward BuildingServices

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Bathrooms, tiling, stonework,Patios, terraces. Free estimates

Tel: Mike 04 68 24 45 05 / 06 33 28 48 72Email: [email protected]

Siret: 50400085200013

Find registered tradespeople quickly and easily

English-speaking firms near you

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Directory 13Languedoc Pages August 2011

ADVERTISING FEATURES

PERFECT Property Management isbased in the department of Heraultin the Languedoc and operates overa wide area with the majority ofclients situated between Bédarieux,Narbonne and Sète. Its services, forproperties both used as holiday letsand as private homes, include keyholding (which is offered free ofcharge), changeovers, house mainte-nance and running repairs, poolcleaning and maintenance, projectmanagement, garden maintenance,security and winter checks.

When you are renting out yourhome, change-overs need to befast and effectiveso the property iswell presented forthe next guests.The company’steam of trained

cleaners work from a tried and test-ed cleaning checklist and are spot-checked to ensure high standardsare consistently met. “This is veryimportant as the way we present aproperty reflects on the all-impor-tant ‘first impression’, which cancolour the whole experience for theincoming holiday maker,” saidowner Trudi Andrews.

It is also important when rentingout a property to ensure that thepool and garden are well kept andinviting. “A well maintained poolwill always be a source of delight to

renters and westrive to presentand manage theproperty andpool in the bestpossible light.”The company’spool team clean

at an agreed frequency, which is atleast once a week, so that is main-tained to a very high standard.

As the Languedoc area is oftenvery dry, gardens can suffer withoutthe right care. “A neat and tidy gar-den can help form a positive firstimpression and give some insightinto the care and quality investedthroughout the rest of the property,”said Trudi, who works with severalaccomplished gardeners who caneven suggest themes for a garden orcarry out a complete makeover. Thecompany can also make regularsecurity or winter checks duringperiods of unoccupancy to ensurethe property is problem free.

When it comes to general repairson a property, Perfect PropertyManagement tries to keep cus-tomers’ costs down as much as pos-sible. “We always endeavour to

resolve the problem ourselves beforecalling out a tradesperson, but wehave a large team of professionalartisans at the ready if necessary,”said Trudi.

For the management of biggerprojects, such as building work, thecompany can source quotations andtradespeople and manage the proj-ect to make sure it runs smoothlyand within budget.

“A properly managed project takesaway the worry of finding artisans

and communicating in a foreignlanguage - contact with the localand national bureaucracy can bevery daunting,” said Trudi. “We are experienced in managing both largeand small projects, from buildinghouses, hospitals, operating theatres, schools and manufacturing sites toswimming pools and gyms.”

www.perfectpropertymanagement.com0033 (0) 499 57 05 890033 (0) 668 89 23 30

Run your property perfectlyWhether you rent out your property or you are based in it some or all of the time,Perfect Property Management offers a range of property management servicesincluding pool cleaning, project management, winter checks and running repairs

Perfect Property Management’s properties make a good first impression

“A well maintained pool will always be a source ofdelight to renters

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HAVING spent the last 25 years inthe building industry and also as aprofessional carpenter, James

Gordon Roe understands all aspectsof the building trade and how tomanage a project from the start

through to completion.He has now been estab-

lished in the Aude for tenyears and during that timehas built up a good reputa-tion for providing every-thing from maintenance torenovation and conver-sions. “We also have a 1.5tonne mini-digger availablefor excavation work,” saidJames.

If you live in the Aude, orwhether your second homeis based in the Aude andyou live elsewhere, andneed building or renova-tion work to be carried outon your property, Jamescan handle the wholeprocess for you.

“We understand that having build-ing work on your property canmake for a stressful time, especiallyif you don’t speak the language or ifit’s a secondary home,” said James.

“By sourcing all materials andoffering weekly emails, with photosso you can keep up with progress ofthe building works, we try to makethe process as stress free for clients as possible.”

James’s expertise does not stop atproperty exteriors, another areawhere he is skilled to help clientsimprove their home is on the inside.As a professional carpenter he can create a wide range of items forany room in the house and his company regularly manufactures shutters, doors, windows, book-shelves, stairs and kitchens to clients’ specifications.

Another aspect to James’s compa-ny is the maintenance service that

he offers. Properties are always inneed of upkeep and James knowshow to solve the problems home-owners are sometimes unsure ofhow to fix. So whether you need toeliminate rot in the railings or havea door that needs hanging, Jamesand his team can do the work andsource all the materials too where

necessary.To discuss your building and

carpentry needs call or email Jamesand he can provide you with adviceand a very competitive quote.

04 68 78 72 5106 19 95 87 [email protected]

Building works and carpentry solutionsFrom maintenance to renovation and furniture creation, if your property is in the Audethen James Gordon Roe can help you with any aspect of building or carpentry work

James provides building and carpentry services in the Aude

James produces all kinds of furniture fromwardrobe doors to shutters and bookshelves

AS THE result of a move toFrance in 2008 from the UK tothe Languedoc and a passionfor alpacas, Jane Potts has 16alpacas and a growing busi-ness selling products madefrom their fine luxurious fibre.She has a range of productsfrom hats and scarves to socksand throws, all of which areavailable for sale from theonline shop on her website.

There are two breeds ofalpaca, Huacaya and the Surithat produce the sought afterfibre often found in the hautecouture of the fashion indus-try. They are very hardy ani-mals originally from theAndes where it is hot in theday and cold at night. Thefibre does not retain water, isthermal even when wet and

can resist ultra violet light effective-ly.

There are many advantages tobuying products made with alpacawool. It is hypoallergenic and has alow prickle factor so if people areallergic to ordinary wool they usual-ly find they can wear alpaca.Another plus is that it is a very highquality fibre being on a par withcashmere, so extremely soft andwarm, and also has the strength sec-ond to silk. It is a hollow fibre sohas great insulating properties pro-viding warmth without being heavy.

“The best selling items I have atthe moment are walking socks, theyare very warm with a cushioned soleand durable so will last a long time,”said Jane. Alpaca fibre naturallyrepels bacteria and odour so it isideal for socks as they do notrequire frequent washing. The walk-

ing socks are made in the UK andthe hats, gloves and scarves aremade through a 'Fair Trade' compa-ny in Peru which supports the poor-er communities.

Although Jane is not making thesesocks from the fibre of her ownalpacas at the moment she does sellknitting yarns and throws that havebeen made from the fibre of herown herd keeping the naturalcolours of white, fawn, brown, greyand black.

Jane is keen for people to comeand see the animals for themselvesand to try the products to see justhow warm and comfortable thewool is to wear.

[email protected] 68 60 48 90

It will soon be time to think about woolly winter wear, but have you ever tried hats and scarves madefrom the fleece of an Alpaca? Not only is it non-itchy but it can make odourless socks too. Alpaca ownerJane Potts explains the advantages of this fascinating creature's wool

An Alpaca’s fibre produces wool that ishypoallergenic, light, durable and warm

All Alpaca wool products arenon-itchy

Alpaca wool makes best-selling odourless socks

14 Property Languedoc Pages August 2011

DIY tips

MANY old houses throughout France have old terracottatiled floors. This lovely flooring can, over time, becomestained and dull and, being porous, can be difficult to clean.However, instead of replacing it with more practical mod-

ern tiling, have a go at restoring the tiles and bringing themback to their former glory.

The first step is to get rid of any old dirt and watermarks.There is only one way to achieve this and that is throughelbow grease and scrubbing. Use either a stone floor cleaneror black soap and warm water. Apply the soap or solutionand leave for at least 15 minutes, then go back over the areawith a scrubbing brush. If marks are stubborn, apply puresoap to them, wait and scrub again. Finish this step bymopping up the residue and rinsing the floor with warmwater, then dry mop the floor.

Next, prepare the floor for oiling. The tiles must becompletely dry after the first step – it is worth waiting atleast a couple of days to make sure this is the case – and thefloor should be protected during this period. Once dry, thefloors must be as free from dust as possible.

Traditionally, boiled linseed oil is used for protectingterracotta floors. It also gives them a nice finish. To make theoil easier to apply, leave it overnight somewhere warm andapply to a warm floor that has either been heated upnaturally by the sun or turn on the heating in the room a fewhours before application. Apply freely with a paintbrush –the more the tiles absorb the more resistant they will be.

After application, wait for about 20 minutes and check tosee whether there is any excess oil. If so, go over these patch-es again with a brush to spread it out. If, after another 20minutes, there are still patches of excess oil, remove with apiece of cloth. Leave the tiles overnight, or for at least eighthours, before applying a second coat.

Once the two coats have been applied and have dried, it isa good idea to apply a coat of oil-based stone floor sealer.

Finally, test the floor for water-tightness. Simply pour asmall amount of water onto a tile and check 15 minutes laterwhether it is still visible or not. If it is, your floor is watertight. If it has been absorbed then it is wise to apply anothercoat of sealer.

Maintain the floor by mopping up any spills straight away,hoover and mop when needed and every year test forwater-tightness.

Bring back shineto terracotta tiles

Outdoors or in, terracotta tiles can be difficult to clean

Photo: antmoose/Flickr

AUGUST is a month whenwe would all like to be out onthe terrace but mosquitoes,wasps, ants and flying insectscan take the pleasure of a gar-den barbecue away. Here are a few tips to claim

your patio area back fromnuisance insects.

WaspsIf you are eating outside thelast thing you want is to haveto wear or do anything spe-cial to protect yourself frominsects. Instead we suggestthree easy tips: Use simpletraps, apply repellent toexposed body parts and elim-inate any nests you find.

You can buy ‘lure traps’ sothe pests are more likely to gofor these than your food. Ifyou use a trap, add a coupleof drops of washing-upliquid. This reduces the sur-face tension of the water sowasps actually sink in andcannot skate on it.

Also, look for nests underthe tiles on your - and yourneighbour’s - roof. Use anexpert to get any removed.AntsPest control experts advise

putting sugar in an area sothe ants go there instead of toyour patio.

A glass of elderflower cor-dial, for example, left to standaround for a few hours willcatch a lot of black ants.MosquitoesIt makes sense to keep the

grass cut as short as possibleand remove any containerswith stagnant water in whichmosquitoes love to breed.

Used alone, no method islikely to be effective. Plantsaround your terrace willattract insects so you couldmove these on to your lawn if

you have visitors. Mosquitoes pick up on

body functions such as lacticacid, CO² output and bodyheat so there is very little wecan do other than usingrepellent. You can usecitronella candles and amixture of different productson the market. Lemongrass isanother natural mosquitorepellent which can be plant-ed around the patio.

For a more environmentallyfriendly option, you couldbuild a bat house. Batsnaturally control mosquitoesand the houses are oftenavailable from garden centresand bird box suppliers.

You can also build yourown using scrap wood. Seetinyurl.com/bathouseguide

Follow the instructions toput the houses up at thecorrect height and amount ofsunlight, then sit back andwatch in the sunset as thebats do their work.FliesElectronic fly killers buzz inthe corner of the patio butavoid those which have anelectric current as the insectswill explode. This isunpleasant to look at and

smell and you can end upwith bits of leg and body inyour food. Glue boards whichyou buy in a hardware orcamping shop are probablythe most effective.

Fleas and tics If you suddenly start gettingbitten in the garden or grasssurrounding your patio, a foxor other wild animal may beregularly following the sametrack through your garden. Aprofessional would spray aresidual chemical on to thearea and you can make surethe animal doesn’t return byputting something in its way.

Tips compiled with help fromSimon Berenyi of Wasp Kill UK– www.waspkilluk.co.uk

Reclaim your garden and enjoy the great outdoors withoutbeing troubled by mosquitoes. Follow our tips.

Tell nuisance insects tobuzz off this summer

Photo: Kzenon - Fotolia.com

Photo: LaurenWebb14

- Flickr.com

Build your own bat house

WHY NOT SPONSOR & ADVERTISEYOUR BUSINESS HERE?

SPONSOR & ADVERTISEYOUR BUSINESS HEREFOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL0800 91 77 56 (FREE FROM FRANCE)

Property 15Languedoc Pages August 2011

The adverts above cost from just €179TTC for a whole year of web advertisingand one edition of advertising in the Languedoc Pages.

Let our distribution get you a sale.Contact our sales team on 0800 91 77 56 (freephone in France) or email [email protected]

PROPERTIES AROUND FRANCE

PROPERTIES IN LANGUEDOC

Buying or selling a property in or around Languedoc? We can help.

Our website www.connexionfrance.com carries details ofmore than 14,000 homes for sale across France.

We also feature properties for sale in this dedicated sectionof Languedoc Pages every month. Use the code under each

property to find outmore on the web-site.

For sellers, the adverts are also displayed across a range ofpopular English-speaking websites which ensures they areseen by thousands of potential buyers EVERY day.

Prices start at €119TTC for a year’s online advertising. Online advertisers can also place adverts in Languedoc Pages

for an extra €60TTC for one month, €150TTC for three and€275TTC for six.

Contact us on 0800 91 77 56 (freephone in France) or [email protected]

More details on all these properties - and how to contact the seller directly - can be found in the property for sale section of

www.connexionfrance.comSimply enter the code under each home to find out more

Houses for sale in and around Languedoc

REF: IFPC19228

€€180,000

ENERGY RATING = Not given

PradesThere are 3 large bedrooms, 2 en suite and an additional bathroom on the ground floor.In addition there is a lounge areaand a large mediterranean-stylekitchen.

REF: IFPC17064

€€190,000

ENERGY RATING = F & C

LimouxThe house contains 4 bedroomswith 4 bathrooms, a living-room,fitted kitchen, beautiful stonecourtyard, little garden full south.Possibility for 2 more bedroomsin the attic. Sold furnished.

REF: IFPC14153

€€260,000


CéretThis house comprises 3bedrooms, bathroom, 2 WC's,kitchen, living/dining room withoriginal wood burner. Also asunny terrace with built in barbeque, approximately 20m².

REF: AV999

€€305,000


CarcassonneLarge restored village housecomprising spacious living roomwith insert fire place, lounge,kitchen, office, 5 bedrooms, 3bathrooms, summer kitchen andworkshop.

REF: R777

€€350,000


NimesThere are 6 bedrooms, an office,kitchen, conservatory, 2 bathrooms, 2 shower rooms, aspacious living room withbeamed ceiling and stone fireplace.

REF: IFPC16871

€€195,000

ENERGY RATING = D & C

NarbonneVilla with 130 square metres ofliving space comprising of threebedrooms, two bathrooms, spacious lounge, seperate diningarea. Modern kitchen, utilityroom.

New Consumption and Emission Chart- e.g. Energy rating C & F refers to C for Consumption and F for Emissions

Make cash from your unwanted items. Classified advertsare FREE for private sales of items under €€250. Place your

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Legal

REF: 2093-XML

€€200,000


Vic-Fezensac, GersThe villa comprises 2 bedrooms,2 bathrooms, living room of 31m² and kitchen. Adjoininggarage of approx 41m² whichcould be easily converted to provide additional bedrooms.

REF: IFPC19489

€€250,000


Bailli the Renaissance Cottagenext to Château de Bellenavesnow has a modern kitchen, largebathroom with shower and tub, 3bedrooms, lounge with fireplace,central heating and ADSL internet connection

REF: 183

€€302,000


Vence, Alpes-MaritimesBeautiful 72m² 2 bedroom flat.Located on the first floor of aresidence of good standing, theliving/dining room and one bedroom have direct access to a13m² terrace.

REF: BVI0005112

€€100,000

ENERGY RATING = E

Brantome, DordogneA fabulous historical 2 Bedroomproperty set over 3 floors, for-merly part of a 17th centuryconvent, overlooking a medievalChateau.

I AM presuming that you have a signed devis and that theartisan is properly registered and insured. If the works arefinished, then the next stage is to organise the reception, thisis the official meeting where the works are signed off. Inyour case you will sign the documents with reserves (avecreserves) indicating all the visible defects that the artisanshould then remedy. If the artisan fails to do so then youshould send him a registered letter (lettre recommandée avecaccusé de réception) demanding that he returns to finish theroof. If you are withholding the final payment this may wellbe an incentive for him to comply. If this fails and any amicable solution seems hopeless, then

your only recourse is to take him to court. The first stage ofsuch a court case will be the appointment of a buildingexpert who will convene one or several meetings on site inthe presence of all parties and their solicitors as well as theartisan’s insurance company to assess the works and pre-scribe what needs to be completed. The expert’s fees can beas much as 6000€ and, unfortunately, you will have to paythis up front as the person requesting the intervention of theexpert. You will be reimbursed if the court finds in yourfavour, but you should be aware that this type of court pro-ceedings is lengthy and expensive.The expert will draw up his first draft report and all parties

will then make their own written observations. Once thereport is finalised, if the expert has found in your favour theinsurance company may well prefer to settle the case imme-diately rather than engaging more legal fees. If this is not thecase then you will have to go back to court to obtain anenforceable decision, this can take several months. It is essential that until the expert has finished his report

you do not employ another artisan to finish the works, andyou should not try and fix any defects yourselves. The risk isthat the artisan’s insurance would refuse to pay on the basisthat it cannot be proven which part of the works was carriedout by their client. My last words relate to the first sentence of this article. Do

not under any circumstances work with an artisan who isnot officially registered, make sure you sign a detailed devisand always request to see a copy of their up-to-date insur-ance policy. If you do not and something goes wrong then,at best, you will probably find yourself out of pocket, atworse you could be fined following criminal proceedings.

Problems withartisan’s work

It is vital to use properly registered tradespeople

REF: IFPC20776

€€397,000


AvranchesTwo houses on 8 acres, substantial outbuildings, 2 fishing lakes in the woods.The Cottage - 2 bedrooms The Mill, 30yds away - 4 beds

REF: DOM1293

€€315,000


Pont-AudemerSpacious `colombage` house setin 2200m2. 6/7 rooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 WCs, kitchen, 2reception rooms, habitable space- 300m2, cave and garage.

NotesSponsored by

Photo: © sfram

e - Fotolia.com

The artisan who we employed to replace theroof of our house has finished the work butthere are obvious defects. He is pressurising usto make the final stage payment, but we are nothappy about this what can we do?


Winning ways with wine

FLORENSAC is in the heart of thePicpoul de Pinet wine area, theperfect place for the mysteries ofwine-tasting to be revealed. HichamRoubal is an energetic ambassadorfor the area’s wine, and he and histeam at the Florensac coopérative aredetermined to reveal the skill ofwine-tasting to a wide audience.

“There’s a lot of mystery and con-fusion surrounding wine,” says MrRoubal, “so we’re trying to encour-age the public to enjoy tasting andlearn a little bit more about wine,but in a fun and friendly way.”

Defining Vinipolis is not easy. Is ita wine shop, a co-op, a restaurant, atasting room or an education cen-tre? It is all of these. There are winecoopératives dotted the length andbreadth of Languedoc-Roussillon,but the cave coopérative inFlorensac, near Pézenas, is unique inthe area.

In 2006 Hicham Roubal left his jobas head of a winery in the Pyrénées-Orientales and came to join this

innovative project where the art ofdégustation is taught.

Housed in an ultra-modern build-ing beside the traditional architec-ture of Florensac’s wine coopérative,Vinipolis covers 900m2 on two-storeys. It was designed to informthe public about the wines of theHérault department, while boostingsales of what is an economically

important product.This resolutely non-snobby wine

centre has a light and airy wine shopcomplete with interactive tastingstations. Visitors can also eat atBistrot d’Alex, a brasserie wherelocal ingredients are served, such asseafood from nearby Agde and theBassin de Thau, with co-op winessold by the glass or bottle at “cellar

door” prices. The three-coursemenu for €19 is good value.

But before eating, it is worth tak-ing the time to work your waythrough some questions on thewines, so that even the uninitiatedcan learn how to taste in a moreprofessional way.

Each tasting station has a computerterminal focusing on a specific

theme: local, international, whites,rosés and reds, single variety andblended wines.

The interactive programmes areavailable in English, French andGerman, with staff on hand to help

“Our objective is to make winemore accessible and enjoyable,” saysMr Roubal, who has seen the projectgo from strength to strength in thefour years since its launch. “It’s aconcept that works,” he says proudly,citing visitor numbers of 30,000 in2007, rising to 50,000 last year.

These figures may be set to soar.Vinipolis won two awards in theviti-vinicultural sector at the HéraultConseil Général’s VinCoeurs 2011competition. Winners wereannounced in Montpellier in June,where Mr Roubal collected accoladesfor Best Wine Tourism project and aspecial award for innovation.

Mr Roubal and his team are keptbusy running a programme ofspecial events. Vinipolis is hosting“wine and dine with live music”nights in August and September(call 04 67 77 00 20 for details).

Looking ahead, Mr Roubal expectsVinipolis to see an influx of visitorsfrom further afield. Plans have beenannounced to twin Florensac withthe Chinese county of Anxi,renowned for its production ofOolong tea. The conseil généralhopes to foster links between thetwo, citing similarities in the pro-duction, tasting methods and healthbenefits of tea and wine.

Learning how to identify whatmakes a good wine can beintimidating for those of usunsure about aroma, textureor taste. In the first of a serieson people breaking newground in Languedoc-Roussillon, LOUISE HURRENmeets Hicham Roubal, of theVinipolis wine tourism centre

Hicham Roubal, director of Vinipolis in Florensac, wants to make wine more accessible and enjoyable

Documents

Languedoc Pages - August 2011