The Quercy & Périgord Local March - May 2020

March - May 2020

The

uercy & érigord Local The Region’s FREE magazine in English

& Français

The Spring Edition Inside – Elderflower cordial ~ book sales and bookshops ~ lascaux et sa mysterieuse licorne ~ Living in France after Brexit ~ Francais a la carte ~ vacances scolaires et agriculture française ~ Foire aux livres-Phoenix & Puzzlepage

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4 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

My goodness, a lot has happened in this past year and I’m happy to invite you to read my next edition – Spring 2020 Finally, the B word has moved on to the next phase and you will find the centre pages devoted to the withdrawal agreement and what it means to Brits living in France, courtesy of the team at RIFT (remain in France together). Their up to date, impartial information have been an invaluable life line to some brits in France so I would recommend you sign up to their newsletter to continue to receive the updates as and when they appear throughout this important year of negotiations.

Comme habitude, we have a regular recipe from Brook Adams at Platternatter, the ever-delicious cake recipe from Caroline at Le Caillau, our resident forager Paul Edwards with his Elderflower cordiale recipe and Luci from Tasting the lot has a different angle with wines from our neighbouring regions.

The do’s and don’ts on buying and selling houses in France, an informed article from someone who worked within a Notaires office.

Interesting facts on All about Hornets and the history of perfume. Why not become a volunteer Pompier? and the story of one Englishman’s journey.

Please do follow us on Facebook and Instagram, we would love to see your photos and hear your news. See you in the summer!

OH LA LA ! Beaucoup de choses se sont passées dans la dernière année, et je suis heureuse de vous présenter la nouvelle édition du Q & P – printemps 2020.

D’abord, le Brexit est officiellement passé à la prochaine étape, et vous trouverez plusieurs informations dans les pages centrales consacrées sur le nouvel accord et ce que cela signifie pour les Brits vivants en France, gracieusement fournies par l’équipe RIFT. Leurs renseignements impartiaux et mis à jour sont devenus inestimables pour plusieurs Anglais en France. Je vous recommande donc de vous abonner à leur bulletin d’information afin de recevoir des publications actuelles durant cette importante période de négociations .

Comme d’habitude, vous trouverez dans cette nouvelle édition une excellente recette de Platternatter et une recette délicieuse de gâteaux de Le Caillau.

Vous pourrez lire également l’article de notre horticulteur Paul Edwards avec sa recette de sirop à la fleur de sureau ainsi que Luci de Tasting the lot avec différents point de vu sur les vins de notre magnifique région.

Vous y découvrirez également une liste des bonnes pratiques sur l’achat et la vente de maisons en France ; un article complet d’une employée travaillant dans un bureau de notaire dans la région.

De plus, vous pourrez apprécier quelques articles de faits intéressants sur les frelons, les parfums et l’histoire d’un Anglais devenu pompier volontaire en France.

Merci de nous suivre et de nous soutenir sur Facebook et Instagram, et n’hésitez pas à nous envoyer vos photos et nous donner de vos nouvelles. www.localmagazinesfrance.com Email: localsfrance@gmail.com

Jess

12

CONTENTS Perfume

p6

Frogs legs in France

p8

Elderflower Cordial

p10

Lascaux et sa mystérieuse licorne

p12

Auberge des Carmes

p14

Stuffed rolled loin of pork recipe

p16

Oh my beer!

p18

Sapeur pompier volunteer

p19

À vendre ou à acheter

p20

Giant Book sale and Spring Bazaar

p24

Wonderful bookshop

p26

Gluten and Dairy free pies

p28

Hornets

p30

Anglophone Civil Funeral Celebrant

p34

Living in France after Brexit

p36

Driving in France – Kit checklist

p40

Banana and Peanut Butter Cake

p43

Français a la carte

p44

Vacances scolaires et agriculture française

p46

Club de jardinage de Lauzerte

p48

Easter wines

p52

Chorale de Cazals

p56

A Midsummer Night’s Dream competition

p59

Foire aux Livres – Phoenix

p60

PuzzlePage

p61

42

48

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A partir de notre site internet, vous pouvez souscrire pour recevoir notre magazine par la poste, lire nos éditions en ligne, vous enregistrer pour recevoir la newsletter et consulter nos tarifs de publicité. @Perigord_Quercy The Local Magazine - Périgord & Quercy perigordandquercylocals The Quercy and Perigord Local ISSN: 2677-6340 No part of this publication may be copied, used or reproduced without written consent. No responsibility is accepted for any claim made by advertisers/contributors.

Please check that advertisers are appropriately registered.

Toute reproduction, utilisation ou copie, même partielles, de cette édition sont interdites sans un accord écrit de la direction du magazine. Nous déclinons toute responsabilité pour les éventuelles réclamations des annonceurs ou intervenants. Merci de vérifier que les annonceurs sont enregistrés convenablement. Propriété et direction : J Small, Found de Vers, Touffailles (82190) Siret: 844 95 32 16 000 18. Imprimé par - Gráficas Piquer.

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 5

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www.abbeywealth.com/ben-noifeld Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

6 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Perfume The most famous perfume of all time, Channel No. 5 was reportedly created by mistake in the addition of the sweet smelling aldehyde to the formula of jasmine, sandalwood, rose and vanilla.

I

t was neither accident nor mistake that brought the art of perfume making all the way to the twentieth century. The most enduring perfume sold in shops around the world and was created by an Italian barber in Cologne in the early eighteenth century. He called it Eau de Cologne and named it 4711 after the address of the building he worked in.

But perfume making dates back to the Ancient Egypt.

Mesopotamians were making perfume as far back as 3,000 BC. Egyptian priests used aromatic resins to mask the smell of sacrificial offerings. They also believed burning incense pleased the gods, grinding up ingredients such as myrrh, sweet rush, wine and juniper. The two principal methods of use at this time was the burning of incense and the application of balms and ointments.

In the Edfu temple along the West Bank of the Nile in Egypt, hieroglyphics depict recipes for ointments and inhalations, indicating the strong link between scents and the deities that pharaohs, or high priests, were buried in fragranced tombs. So powerful were the scents that could still be inhaled when archaeologists opened the tombs in 1897, thousands of years later.

Legend has it that the most famous beauty of all, Cleopatra, had the sails of her boat slicked with fragrant oils before setting out to sea, so that Mark Antony would catch scent of her arrival before laying eyes on her face.

In Rome, rosewater was everywhere and was said to flow from fountains. Perfumes had many uses in Roman society from holy, used in the worship of the gods or the burial of the dead to symbol of status and superiority, used by aristocrats, politicians, and royalty. They also had medicinal use to relieve ailments, especially of the lungs or skin.

It was the Greeks who created the first perfumes to be worn on the skin. They ground aromatic plants, resins and herbs and blending them with oils; creating aromatherapy and everyday fragrances.

Materials for incense and perfumes were as precious as gold, hoarded during Alexander the Great’s conquests in the East.

Perfume has always been a signifier of wealth and power. Louis XIV’s court was known as ‘la cour parfumée’. Louis demanded an ever changing variety of fragrances from his perfumeries.Perfume enjoyed great popularity in seventeenth century France.

Perfumed gloves became popular and the guild of glove and perfume-makers was established.

The use of perfume in France grew steadily.

With its jasmine, rose and orange-growing trades, the town of Grasse in Provence established itself as the largest area for raw materials. Paris then became became the commercial counterpart to Grasse and the world centre of perfume. Perfume houses such as Roger & Gallet, and Guerlain.

With the invention of the bottle perfume making and distribution continued to grow. As French perfumery hit it’s peak in the 1950’s, other designers such as Christian Dior were among the first to capitalise on the growing popularity of the perfume bottle. However the Channel No5 still remains one of the most popular perfumes of all time.

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8 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Frogs Legs in France

Speak to anyone from the English speaking world about French cuisine and you will soon hear mention of the infamous frogs leg.

by Mike Alexander

S

o deeply is this delicacy perceived to be entwined in French culture that we nickname the locals Frogs. Although frog legs are widely eaten in this country, the consumption is just a fraction of that consumed by either the Chinese or the Indonesians. They are also eaten in nearly all of Eastern Europe, Belgium and Italy. In fact, the annual world trade in frog legs is estimated to exceed $40 million.

In this country, frog legs can be cooked in any number of different ways but the two most common methods are deep frying or grilling. Of course France just wouldn’t be France if there weren’t some more exotic culinary twists added here and there. At the annual Foir aux Grenouilles, in Vittel in the Vosages, you can try frog leg tartelettes or even chocolate coated legs. The festival, which is one of the biggest frog munching events in France, takes place in April and attracts thousands of visitors. Over seven tonnes of legs will be consumed in just two days. Overall the French eat through more than 4000 tonnes per annum. To put this into perspective, that amounts to 160 million legs, give or take a thigh or two.

If you have a burning desire to try this delicacy you won’t have to travel all the way to the Vosages. Look in the freezer department of most large supermarkets and you will probably come across bags of frozen legs.

The taste and texture lies somewhere between chicken

and fish. Like many products, additional flavour is largely as a result of the culinary technique applied.

Before venturing down this path there are a few things that you need to know. Firstly, the legs you are buying are highly unlikely to come from this country.

Nearly all frog legs consumed locally are imported from Indonesia. It has been illegal to hunt or farm frogs in France since the 1980s and though a few department still allow hunting on a limited basis and for personal use only, poaching carries a fine of up to e10 000.

If that doesn’t put you off there are a few other things that you should understand. Even in Asia, many frog species have been hunted to extinction or to the brink of extinction. Some frog farming does take place but a disease called Chytrid fungus is rife among amphibians and is so contagious that legs imported to this country must first be skinned.

Despite having survived the Cretaceous – Palaeogene extinction age, which took place sixty six million years ago and saw the end of three quarters of the planet’s plant and animal species, amphibians are now coming under such pressure that we may lose them altogether. Since 1970 we have lost at least 200 species of frog. These creatures are highly sensitive to climate change and pollution but particularly to habitat loss. Frog legs are predominantly eaten as a novelty rather than out of a deep passion for what they bring to the world of gastronomy.

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10 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

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With spring on the way, we can now look forward to the flowers of the summer fruits which come with it. A simple recipe for a refreshing drink on a warm afternoon is elderflower cordial. We can gather the flowers in May but they’ll not be there long before they fall to make room for the berries (ripe for the picking in September).

INGREDIENTS 2 lemons 20 elderflower heads, perhaps a couple more to strengthen the flavour 85g citric acid, available from some pharmacies

2.5kg of granulated or caster sugar

METHOD

Have the zest and thinly sliced fruit of the lemons ready. Oranges can be used as an alternative, or 1 of each?

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Trim the stalks from the flowers and rinse in cold water.

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Put the sugar with 1.5 ltrs of water in a large pan and heat until the sugar is dissolved, boil briefly and turn off.

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Add the lemon zest, lemons, flowers and citric acid to the syrup, stir, put a lid on (the pan, not your head), leave 24 hours.

Line a colander with a tea towel over a clean pan and pour the syrup. With a funnel, pour the strained syrup into sterilised bottles.

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The cordial is ready to drink. It’s ideal diluted with fizzy water and will keep for about 6 weeks in the fridge. It will freeze well. Ice cubes are a convenient way to flavour fruit salad, sorbets etc.

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12 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Lascaux et sa mystérieuse licorne

by Lubna Bordelais

Dans la vallée de la Vézère, située dans la commune de Montignac en Dordogne, se cache une grotte ornée, animée d’un troupeau d’animaux sauvages, parcourant les paroies ondulantes.

R

econnue à travers le monde, “la mères des grottes ornées” au décor inégalé a été décoré vers 18 000 BP par une population de chasseurs-cueilleurs. Ces peintures exceptionnelles ont été exécuté par des homo sapiens. Ces hommes anatomiquement modernes sont considérés comme les premiers artistes de l’humanité.

La « chapelle Sixtine de la préhistoire », nous offre des animaux représentés de façon plutôt réaliste, en effet toutes les espèces sont identifiables. Pourtant une figure nous échappe, celle de la fameuse Licorne.

Cet être chimérique, a fait et continue de faire fantasmer le monde. De nombreuses interprétations ont été émises par les spécialistes mais son mystère reste entier… Je vous propose alors, d’aller à la rencontre de quelques légendes et théories scientifiques qui entourent la Licorne.

Cette créature hybride a été longtemps assimilée à une licorne, en raison de son corps chevalin et de ses deux longues cornes étendues. Elle nous remémore le célèbre mythe de la Licorne issu de l’Antiquité. Au IVe siècle av. J.-C., lors d’un voyage dans les Indes, Ctésias, un médecin perse, découvre un animal blanc à l’apparence chevaline, dont la tête rouge vif est coiffée d’une corne magique, aux propriétés curatives.

Depuis sa découverte en 1940, des spécialistes de tous les horizons, veulent percer le secret de la Licorne. Ils exposent alors de nombreuses hypothèses à son sujet. A travers cette peinture, Certains préhistoriens voient plutôt un animal réel, associé à un lynx, due à son pelage tacheté et à sa tête de félin, dont les yeux sont percés par deux lances. D’autres commes Jean Taralon décident d’y voir « Un corps de rhinocéros moucheté d’ovales, au mufle carré de félin, pourvue de deux baguettes droites simulant des cornes ».

Les ethnologues nous offrent aussi des interprétations intéressantes liées au rituel de la chasse, pratiquée encore aujourd’hui par nombreuses populations de chasseurs-cueilleurs. André Leroi-Gourhan, voit

notamment à travers cette créature mythique, deux hommes recouverts d’une dépouille de félin tacheté, en tant que parure symbolique.

Ainsi, André Leroi Gourhan voit les grottes ornées, comme des chapelles, dont les peintures ont un pouvoir sacré. A travers ce cadre pictural les hommes peuvent invoquer l’esprit, pour éloigner les dangers et leur assurer une chasse fructueuse.

Il pourrait aussi s’agir d’un témoignage visuel, dépeignant les techniques de chasse de ses populations anciennes. Nous pourrions donc, être en train d’observer deux hommes, recouverts d’une peau de félin utilisée comme camouflage, afin de ne pas se faire repérer par le troupeau convoité.

Aussi à travers ce motif, certains archéologues rapprochent cet animal hybride, de la figure du “sorciers”, retrouvée dans plusieurs grottes ornées, en France. Se sont souvent des personnages composites, pourvus d’un corps humain et d’une tête de cervidé.

C’est notamment le cas dans la grotte des “Trois Frères” située en Ariège.

Ces populations sans écriture, nous lègue une figure énigmatique dont le secret ne sera peut-être jamais élucidé. Nous laissant naviguer dans notre imagination, à la vue de cette “abstraction figurative”, nous pouvons projeter notre propre vision et nos sensations. et vous, que percevez vous ?

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 13

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Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

14 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

AUBERGE des CARMES If someone asked you to imagine the perfect French bistrot - red checked tablecloths and glasses of red wine - you would be picturing L’Auberge des Carmes. A traditional French bistrot and bar in the medieval town of Lauzerte. The perfect place for families and groups of friends to sit back and enjoy the best that France has to offer - good food, good company and good wine!

L

e charme de la campagne française peut être ressenti à travers les cafés de proximité, L’Auberge des Carmes est le coeur de la petite ville médiévale de Lauzerte. Dés que l’on pousse la porte de l’établissement on y ressent une chaleur incomparable avec les cafés des grandes villes; le décor traditionnel, les discussions des clients fidèles au comptoir, un excellent café et un service amical sont toujours au rendez-vous.

Half way up the hill of the medieval town of Lauzerte, nestled in the winding streets you will find L’Auberge des Carmes. In 2008 Sam Gasson took the brave decision of transforming an already popular cafe into a charming traditional French bistrot. Thus creating a unique eatery with an eclectic clientele from both the local area and visitors from abroad. Sam poured more love than anything else into what she has created. It was a lot of hours, a lot of energy, putting everything of yourself into it. The reward for Sam is to see smiling as they leave.

L’Auberge des Carmes est un établissement familial.

Depuis son enfance au sein d’une fermette produisant du fromage de chèvre avec ses parents, Sam a toujours voué à ce que sa vie professionnelle et personnelle

soient complémentaires. Il est clair que cette qualité fait la force de l’établissement, un lieu de rencontre pour les familles et les amis, un lieu volontairement accueillant à travers l’attention donnée par l’équipe à leur clientèle. Sans aucun doute Sam a crée un lieu à travers lequel la dimension humaine est primordiale, les habitués savent que la porte est toujours ouverte avec une équipe à enthousiaste. La passion de Sam pour le service de la restauration est palpable à travers l’écoute et la solidarité qu’elle offre. Il est évident que l’Auberge des Carmes est le coeur du village - un lieu d’accueil sans jugement.

L’Auberge des Carmes tries to do a bit of everything for everybody, with the quality and quantity you have on the plate. The menu is not extensive but always delivers on quality and freshness. Clients have the choice of a bustling terrace with views onto the the cobbled streets of Lauzerte, a big dining area inside and the new “annexe” terrace. The annexe is the most exquisite hidden gem - a secret garden in the centre of a bustling small town - hidden at the back of the restaurant, the guinguette themed area is surrounded by greenery, offering the perfect place for a shady long lunch with friends.

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La nouveauté chez l’Auberge des Carmes est “l’Annexe” - une terrasse cachée, un jardin secret, au fond du restaurant. L’ambiance guinguette offre une expérience de sérénité pour les clients, entourés de verdure c’est l’endroit idéal pour un long repas à l’ombre ou bien un repas privé. C’est un agréable contraste avec la terrasse à l’entrée du restaurant, sur laquelle il est possible de se sentir en plein dans le mouvement de la petite ville médiévale.

The clients come and dive in, often bringing friends and family to enjoy a hearty meal. There are also the pilgrims on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle trail that make the clientele even more of an international gathering with people from as far away as China and Canada sitting, eating and drinking beside the local families. The whole team loves serving all these different nationalities from near and afar. The menu is wide and encompasses local specialities like confit de canard but also interestingly the ancient recipe of civet (duck stewed in red wine). There are salads to suit every taste, the chips are wonderful the food is handmade and prepared with care and the portions are plentiful.

You can always find a place to eat early or late.

La diversité de la clientèle est un reflet de la carte généreuse et complète qu’offre le restaurant, il y en a pour tous les goûts! Que ce soit du traditionnel canard, typique de la région du Quercy, ou bien une salade fraiche et goûteuse ou une simple omelette cuite à perfection - chacun y trouvera son plat. Lorsque vous vous asseyez pour commander, il est courant de voir

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les habitués commander leurs plats sans avoir besoin de parler, l’équipe de service connait par coeur leur commande. Ce genre d’attention au client est l’une des raisons pour laquelle L’Auberge des Carmes suscite un tel engouement pour les personnes qui ont la chance de passer par ce lieu.

A travers les différents espaces qu’offre l’Auberge des Carmes il y a de la place pour tout le monde, que ce soit une table calme entourée de nature pour pouvoir lire un livre et siroter une boisson fraiche, ou bien une grande table d’amis voulant passer un excellent moment avec de la bonne nourriture et du bon vin. La magie de cet endroit est ressenti à travers son accueil chaleureux, sa gastronomie traditionnelle et local, ainsi que la beauté du lieu en lui-même.

L’Auberge des Carmes reste un incontournable pour la région du Quercy.

L’Auberge des Carmes is a haven of the traditional and beautifully rustic ambiance France has to offer.

The bar allowing a place to read the Dépêche with a strong black coffee, the gentle hub of the warmth and conviviality of the restaurant is perfect for a romantic meal “à deux” or a party of friends coming together over excellent and honest food. The recent addition of the “Annexe” terrace is undoubtedly one of the Quercy’s best kept secrets. It is difficult to describe the atmosphere of the place in words, you will have to go and see!

L’Auberge des Carmes est situé au Faubourg D’Auriac à Lauzerte (82110).

Based in Cahors and Montcuq we cover the Quercy Blanc with its rolling hills, The Lot Valley The Vallée des Vignobles with the famous Cahors wines, the forested area of the Bouriane, the Natural Regional Parc of the Causses du Quercy and more…

You can contact Marianne Charpentier on 06 71 71 77 22 or at mouly.montcuq@gmail.com You can also visit our website: www.mouly-immobilier.com Mouly Immobilier, 4 Avenue de la Promenade, 46800, Montcuq Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

16 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

by Brook Adams

Stuffed, rolled loin of pork ​ (Roulade de longe du porc) With a bit of preparation, this alternative to a traditional Sunday roast, is an impressive and cost effective suggestion. Loin of pork (​longe de porc​) is readily available, affordable, and often on promotion in most supermarkets. The key is to source a joint that is uniform in size and thus easy to butterfly. To butterfly a loin of pork is not complicated and instructions are readily available online. My top cheat for the stuffing is to use Paxo stuffing mix, readily available in the English section of most supermarkets.

Ingredients (serves 4-6) 1.5/2 kilo Pork loin (​Longe de porc​) 3 large onions, sliced Olive oil 400ml chicken stock 200ml white wine 1 tbsp dried sage & thyme Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp flour

Stuffing mix 1 x 85g pack of Paxo Sage & Onion stuffing or 125g breadcrumbs 1 (unwaxed) lemon, zest of, plus juice from one half 1 apple, grated 350g sausage meat (​chair à saucisse​) 1 handful of flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped 2 tbsp of fresh sage, finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Cooking twine ​(Fielle alimcentaire) ~

Method

If you’re using the Paxo stuffing, prepare it as per the packet instructions and allow it to cool to room temperature before adding all the other ingredients and mix well by hand.

Place the butterflied loin of pork skin side down and spread the stuffing mixture evenly over the meat leaving a 2cm gap all around the edge. Roll the joint and tie with the cooking twine, wrap four times tightly in cling film and pop in the fridge preferably overnight, but 4 hours will do.

Preheat oven to 230C. To cook, spread the onions in the base of a casserole, and place the (unwrapped) joint of pork on top.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the joint with the dried herbs. Add the wine and half the stock to the onions.

Place in the oven, uncovered, at 230C. After 20 minutes, turn the temperature down to 180C and cook for a further 60 minutes per kilo. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 62C/145F when done. Remove the joint to a cutting board and allow to rest. Meanwhile, with the the casserole on a the hob at a medium heat, add the remaining stock to the onions and whisk in the flour to make a delicious onion gravy. Add more liquid if necessary to get the right consistency and decant to a gravy boat.

Remove the twine from the joint and cut thick slices of the pork roulade and serve with braised red cabbage and creamy mash potato.

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

18 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Oh my beer!

by Mick Gardiner

If you like a nice beer and to drink it in pleasant surroundings, there’s now just the place for you in Cahors, whatever shade of beer you prefer.

The name of the establishment is “Oh My Beer”, situated at 131 Rue Saint Géry (opposite Les Allées Fénelon and the entrance to the underground car park), and you can enjoy your beer either inside or on the terrace.

Mélanie and Florent Troublé, the owners, offer a range of forty different carefully selected beers, including four draught ales and highlighting one called Paix Dieu (God’s Peace), a beer interestingly only brewed when there’s a full moon!

To accompany your beer, charcuterie and various cheeses are served at noon and in the evenings, and sometimes on Saturday evenings there’s a live band.

Mélanie and Florent look forward to meeting you!

Bon Coeur Charity Boutique Beauville 47470, Sous les Cornières, Place de la Mairie SPRING EVENTS: Giant Book Sale & Spring Bazaar: Beauville Fri 1st May & Sat 2nd May, 10am - 5pm Jardins Anglais: Massels / Blaymont Sat 9th May & Sun 10th May 2 - 6pm Boutique at Beauville open:

Mardi, Mercredi, Vendredi: 14h00 - 16h00 Jeudi: 15h00 - 17h00 Vendredi & Dimanche: 10h00 - 12h00

www.boncoeur47.fr boncoeur@boncoeur47.fr Bon Coeur 06 89 53 24 78

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in this magazine

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 19

The Sapeurs Pompiers is France’s public first response fire and rescue service. Traditionally it has operated on a local basis, each station, or Caserne, being manned by personnel from the village or town in which it is based. Most of the staff are volunteers, giving up much of their free time and jobs to make this emergency service operational. The senior staff are often, though not always, professionals.

Most people assume it is solely a fire service but this is not the case. In fact around 70% of all interventions are medically orientated. Every Pompier is trained to to a high standard to cope with most medical emergencies including heart attacks, domestic accidents, strokes, snake bites and even childbirth! In very serious cases a medical team is dispatched from the nearest hospital at the same time but relying on the Pompiers to perform the first life saving actions.

There are approximately 247000 service personnel throughout france, of which 195000 are volunteers. Each caserne has a very familial feel about it. A community within a community.

A core part of each caserne is the Amicale.

This is a charity operated by each caserne to raise money to assist those volunteering for the service. A vital example of this is providing extra insurance for what is can be a difficult and dangerous job. This is why your purchase of the annual sale of calendars is essential.

If you are between the ages of 16 and 60, a French resident and in good physical shape, you’ll be joining a family of life long friends in a rewarding activity which is beneficial to your community. www.pompiers.fr (devenir pompier)

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Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

20 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

à vendre ou à acheter Vous avez décidé de vendre votre propriété ?

Ou peut-être vous avez trouvé votre maison de rêve – à quoi se préparer ?

A

yant travaillé au sein d’une étude notariale pendant presque sept ans, je vous invite à trouver ici quelques points clés liés au changement de propriétaire d’un bien immobilier…

Le rôle du Notaire est bien connu – nous avons besoin de lui pour presque tous les moments importants de la vie en France, du contrat de mariage, donation entre époux ou l’arrangement familiale, avant ou en cas de décès, divorce, même la formation de votre société, et bien sûr, la vente ou acquisition d’un bien immobilier. Le conseil de votre Notaire est indispensable pour traverser les champs des mines qui est la loi française. (https://www.notaires.fr/fr) Le changement du propriétaire d’un bien immobilier (on va simplifier : une maison) est fait le plus souvent en deux étapes : l’avant contrat, ou compromis de vente, et l’acte de vente définitive, ou l’acte authentique.

Tout d’abord, assurer-vous que vous êtes en possession de toute information relative au bien : les diagnostics ou expertises sont obligatoires pour toute vente d’un bien. Les expertises de bases sont relatives aux installations électrique, gaz (s’il y en a), consommation énergétique (s’il y a du chauffage), présence d’amiante, plomb dans les peintures, termites, mérule, et l’état de l’installation de l’assainissement non-collectif (ce dernier n’est pas applicable dans le cas que la maison est reliée au tout-à l’égout).

Si la propriété a eu des travaux gros œuvres dans les dix dernières années, les factures doivent être

mise à disposition de l’acquéreur, car la décennale est transférable au nouveau propriétaire.

Toute ces informations sont indispensables pour fixer le prix, ou même de négocier votre prix d’achat ; certains mets à disposition le minimum au moment de la mise en vente mais toutes les informations sont obligatoires pour l’avant contrat, pourquoi pas avoir toutes les cartes dans vos mains dès le départ ?

Si vous vendez ou achetez par voie d’une agence, vérifiez si leur commission est à la charge du vendeur ou l’acquéreur – ceci va avoir un impact sur les frais et taxes chez le Notaire.

Contrairement aux bruits qui courent, le vendeur et l’acquéreur pourraient avoir son propre Notaire – ceci n’augmentera pas le cout de la transaction, car la loi précise qu’ils doivent se partager les frais, et votre Notaire s’assura que vos intérêts sont protégés.

L’avant-contrat est important – c’est la base de toute la transaction : qui vend quoi à qui et à quel prix – et les conditions particulières à la vente (y compris la date butoir). Assurez-vous que vous avez tout compris et que vous êtes en accord avant de signer, car c’est compliqué de revenir en arrière. Notez bien qu’une offre d’achat ou promesse de vente n’est en aucun cas un compromis.

Le délai de rétractation commence quand l’acquéreur a reçu les documents signés par courrier recommandé. L’acquéreur peut se rétracter pendant cette période, mais le vendeur est tenu par l’avant-contrat et la propriété doit être retirée de la vente. Habituellement, l’acquéreur verse un dépôt

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 21

de garantie au Notaire, avec un acompte sur les frais : les frais d’achat (et les impôts) sont le plus souvent à la charge de l’acquéreur.

Si l’acquéreur opte pour un financement par un prêt il y aura des délais légaux pour l’obtention et l’acceptation, mais même sans un prêt, vous pouvez attendre jusqu’à trois mois pour que tous les démarches et clauses suspensives soient complétés avant de signer l’acte définitive.

Avant votre dernier rendez-vous chez le Notaire pour signer, visiter une dernière fois la propriété – le vendeur doit garder la maison dans son état au moment de l’avant-contrat – et vérifier que tout est comme convenu et prêt pour votre prise de possession.

Prends des photos des compteurs : le vendeur ou l’agent pourrait vous faire passer les dernières factures

avec les références nécessaires aux transferts des services après la signature.

L’acquéreur doit normalement payer sa part de l’année en cours des taxes foncières – le Notaire fera le calcul le jour de la signature de l’acte authentique.

Par contre, le propriétaire au 1er janvier paie l’année complète des taxes d’habitation.

Un bref voyage dans la vente d’un bien – ce n’est pas complète et chaque transaction à ses propres spécificités, mais voilà – vous êtes prêt pour embarquer sur votre chemin vers une vente ou achat d’un bien immobilier – Bonne chance !

Mme Alexis BILLSON AB Service, 82400 Montjoi tel: +33 (0)670 94 96 17 abservice@orange.fr

Victoria and Fabrice welcome you to their restaurant for all seasons – in winter there’s an open fire, charming open stone-work and a lovely cosy ambiance then in summer there’s a large shaded terrace

Fresh seasonal produce used to prepare fine cuisine. Easy parking opposite.

Closing hours- Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit our Facebook page for regular updates

L’Atelier, 66 tour de ville, 24560 Issigeac 05 53 23 49 78 Restaurant L’Atelier Issigeac

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

22 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 23

Kingfisher Holidays www.king-fisher.net

Kingfisher Holidays specialise in letting attractive quality properties, all with swimming pools.

With over 32 years of experience in the holiday letting market we offer local knowledge and a personal relationship, appreciated by our clients, many of whom return to Kingfisher year after year.

If you are interested in letting your property and looking for a high level of professional and personnel service then please contact us at info@king-fisher.net

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

24 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Giant Book Sale & Spring Bazaar Bon Coeur has now been busy raising money for Good Causes since 2013. Over this time, we have made gifts of over e80,000 to human and animal charities. This spring we are holding two events in May – so please reserve the dates! The Giant Book Sale and Spring Bazaar will be on the 1st and 2nd of May – Friday and Saturday. We will also have a Jardins Anglais – Open Gardens on the 9th and 10th May – Saturday and Sunday.

B

on Coeur raises money through the boutique in Beauville, which is open in the afternoons from Tuesday - Friday and Friday / Sunday mornings, and through the various events which we run through the year. With a lot of stock held outside the shop we also try to change it around regularly, and as the seasons change. We are also pleased to have a grant from the UK which helps us with neutering and sterilising a number of cats each year.

In 2019 we also prepared a calendar – including some lovely watercolours of local buildings, mainly around Beauville.

Up until the end of 2019 the pie chart shows the main distribution of our funds over the years – for more details see the website, visit the boutique or ask us at the events. Gift beneficiaries are split between a range of worthy causes. Most recipients are fairly local, though we do also support some with a wider, often topical, area of interest where we believe we can help them to make a difference.

At the Giant Book Sale and Spring Bazaar we will again have around 12,000 books – sorted into novels and a variety of “themes” as appropriate, and all very reasonably priced at e1. In addition, we will have some LPs and many CDs & DVDs. The Spring Bazaar will have a fabulous range of clothes for summer, as well as a great quantity of brocante and larger items that we can’t usually fit in the boutique. There should be some great bargains for everyone who visits! We have been running the Giant Book Sale for over 10 years now, and the chance to find some interesting and unusual books is always appreciated, it has now been enlarged with the inclusion of the clothes and brocante.

The Giant Book Sale & Spring Bazaar will be open on Friday May 1st bank holiday and this year on Saturday the 2nd May at the Salle des Fetes in Beauville 47470 from 10am – 5pm on both days.

We will have plenty of tasty snacks, sandwiches and baked potatoes available for lunch each day and delicious cakes and tea/coffee.

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 25

If you have donations of suitable brocante / clothes / books etc for the event – PLEASE contact us to arrange in advance so we can price and display it at the event (details below).

Jardins Anglais – 2 local English style gardens will be open and the owners are happy to share their experiences with visitors who are welcome to wander round freely.

Pardissous – John Massey’s garden at Massels 47140 (near Lacardayre) took over 10 years to create, including the discovery – and subsequent documentation – of the remains of a Roman workshop and a Roman villa that can still be seen. In principal its an English garden which has been modified to take account of local conditions, particularly the hot, dry summers. There are areas of lawn with herbaceous borders, a white garden, a water garden (with elusive fish and noisy amphibians), and a pool area with a convenient summer kitchen. The areas are all divided by hedges of Elaeagnus, laurel & Viburnum “Lucidium”.

Situated on a plateau the hedges work well as windbreaks. John has a also got examples of Viburnum x bodnantense, x burkwoodii, cartesii, davidii, opulus, plicitum “Lanarth” and “Mariesii”.

John has the wayfarer tree, lantana and tinus which grows well here with no watering and forms a lovely evergreen hedge. Another favourite is Cornus florida, “Eddie’s White Wonder” – a risk because of the dry summers, the large white bracts (which look like flowers) are stunning in April, the leaves are a real show of colour in autumn too. Over the years John has identified a lot of plants that flourish well in the climate and soil here and will happily explain them to visitors.

A garden can be completed with a suitable water feature – and John’s three formal pools on different levels are circulated with a pump and pressure filter.

We will have a small café – with tea and delicious cake at both gardens – an ideal venue to get refreshed and to exchange ideas! There will also be a range of plants for sale – all for good causes!

Signs to both delightful gardens will give directions from the Tournon d’Agenais to Laroque Timbaut road the D656 and the D215 from Montaigu de Quercy in the valley below Beauville.

The work of Bon Coeur is only possible through the tremendous (unpaid) efforts of the volunteers, both front of house and behind the scenes, the people who make generous donations of goodies that we can sell – and of course everyone who visits and supports our boutique and events.

Bon Coeur Boutique hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 2-4pm, Thursday 3 – 5pm and Friday & Sunday 10am – 12noon. Location next to the Mairie and the restaurant du Midi in the centre of Beauville 47470.

If you wish to be updated with details of these – and other future events by email – please send me a message at boncoeur@boncoeur47.fr or via 0689 532478 and for more information see our website – www.boncoeur47.fr Charles Miskin President – Bon Coeur

Astie – Val & Jerry Martin’s garden in Blaymont 47470 is designed as a “dry garden”, meaning that the plants have been selected to withstand the hot dry summers and the thin layer of poor soil, overlying limestone.

It has some beautiful, and unexpected views over the valley towards Beauville.

There is a combination of herbaceous and shrubs which respond well to the challenging conditions & flourish with very little watering.

The 2 nearby gardens will be open from 2pm – 6pm each day, entry (valid for the 2 days) is e4 for both or e2.50 per person for one garden, free for children below the age of 15. At Astie which is on the side of the hill there are a number of steps so please be aware of that if visiting.

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

26 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

“THIS has to be the most wonderful bookshop in the world..”

Overhearing this opinion of an Australian couple in the new little bookshop in Montcuq - Livres Books & Co in the Rue du Pendillou - I couldn’t really help but agree.

by Philippa Danks

E

very bookshop has its own distinct atmosphere and Livres Books gives you the feeling that you’re in a book lovers home where the rooms are filled with beautiful looking books on every subject - and where you’re welcome to spend the day browsing if you feel like it. Sit with a book by the fire in winter or under a tree in the garden in summertime.

Livres Books & Co is the long-held dream of owner Nathalie Dabadie who has transformed the two lower floors of her four-storey townhouse in Montcuq into a bookshop and cafe. It fitted her concept of the kind of bookshop where you can spend time, read, work, talk, use the wifi and printer, have something to eat and drink.

A bookshop like this is a precious thing for a little town like Montcuq - and a very courageous venture in the face of Amazonian opposition.“People complain about all sorts of shops closing. Please buy here then and don’t give to Amazon,” said Nathalie. “I think if you’re going to open a shop in a village you have to be generous. My customers want to come in and have a nice time in a nice place. I like it when people take their time. So many people have thanked me and that is my biggest reward.”

Like many small town bookshops, Livres Books & Co performs several roles - as a café and meeting place, hosting exhibitions and concerts. There is free exhibition space for photography- and there will be themed exhibitions. Nathalie’s former kitchen - now the café area - serves high quality organic tea and coffee, soup and snacks. Also on sale are super, out of the ordinary accessories, cards and calendars.

A blaze of colour greets you as you enter - very many of the 3000 books in stock face outwards - a book takes seven times longer to sell if just the spine is visible according to Nathalie. Stock is displayed on tables as well as the shelves that Nathalie and partner Marc built with a ton of wood in two weeks. You make your way through the labyrinth of rooms and just want to fling yourself into one of the many armchairs and settle down with a book - or books.

The focus in on contemporary French and English literature (40% English 60% French) but as well as fiction there are comics and graphic novels, books on art, poetry, theatre, music, dance, crime and thrillers, sci fi, the environment, politics, philosophy, history, botany, birds, cookery. Also a range of books for children and young readers.

“What people like is that I am offering a selection and I have personally chosen every book. I also try to choose books that I don’t personally like,” said Nathalie who can also order you any book. “What is hard is the pace of production - every month there are new books and you have to have them. My biggest difficulty is competition from the city chains and of course Amazon.” She is a voracious reader and reads “if I can” two books every day using the Princeton method rapid reading, Nathalie’s father Marcel Dabadie was a well-known author and song writer - he wrote songs for Maurice Chevalier. She was born in the Paris region but grew up mostly in south west France - surrounded by books - and studied English literature at Toulouse university, finally settling in the Quercy where she “felt at home.”

As summer approaches Nathalie will be happy to hear from all book lovers with ideas to help her superb little bookshop to thrive : reading groups, creative writing sessions, a café philo maybe. She herself would love to have a poetry night. Already several supper concerts have been organised.

I didn’t get to meet the Australians who gave such a big thumbs up to Livres Books & Co - but I’m giving it one myself ...

Livres Books & Co, 11 rue de Montmartre, Entrée rue du Pendillou, Montcuq 46800 06 08 60 70 95 / 05 65 24 35 77 livresbooksandcompany@gmail.com livresbooksandcompany.com Open 10am to 7.30pm Tuesday to Saturday. 10am to 3pm Sunday. Closed Monday.

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

Cement Tiles, and garden furniture/decorations - including Moroccan and Vintage styles Tel. 05 63 39 96 46 Mobile. 06 80 36 54 99 materiauxancienslauzerte@orange.fr www.bhmateriauxanciens.com

Parc d’exposition de 3 hectares Show Room - Livraison dans toute la France

Wholesaler of renovation, construction and decorative materials Vast selection of paving stones and travertine. Everything for your outdoor space Tél 05 63 95 39 08 bhlauzerte@orange.fr www.bh-materiaux.com Pont Rout, 82110 LAUZERTE

Ouvert du Lundi au vendredi de 8h à 12h et de 13h30 à 17h30; Le samedi de 9h à 12h : du 1er octobre au 31 avril; Le samedi de 9h à 12h et de 14h à 17h : du 1er mai au 30 septembre

28 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Free pies every Saturday & Sunday Gluten & Dairy Free British Bakery France have free pies and pastries every week which makes lots of our customers really happy.

Alongside our range, we also bake Gluten free, dairy free, a great vegetarian selection and vegan too. The beauty is that orders can get just what you want and we are more than happy to make them.

It’s an issue many people have to deal with and so difficult when you feel excluded due to intolerances.

In addition, choosing to avoid certain ingredients such as salt, gluten or to be vegan or vegetarian you don’t have to miss out. We can bake excluding these ingredients, even down to no egg wash!

They are not always in stock at every market but with a bit of advanced notice i.e. a week, we can work out what is available in the combo required and go from there. There is always a vegetable or chicken curry, a vegetable medley, beetroot bourguignon, chicken, pork and beef items.

Everything may be frozen and although minimums apply (6 for special orders) but we can work out the fillings available, even the flour used in some incidences, so not all the same variety.

‘Past life’ is all about ingredients, combinations of ingredients and labelling. We are meticulous due to the owner chef having a passion for ingredients and herself being gluten intolerant and vegetarian!

Just a phone call away to ask what is available or reserve anything available from the normal or specialist menus. +33 (0) 6 41 25 57 06 British Bakery France

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 29

Britishbakeryfrance

Tel 0641255706 www.britishbakeryfrance.fr

Saturday mornings Market Montaigu de Quercy 82150 Sunday Montcuq market 46800 Other markets and events see website www.britishbakeryfrance.fr

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Les Huguets 47300 Villeneuve sur Lot

BANKING INSURANCE Marie-Line VAYSSIER Laura FAURET Christel GRÉGOIRE Anthony DELIAC Joris MONTIGAUD Elise COURNAPEAU

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English-speaking advisors are just a phone call away !

Crédit Agricole Charente-Périgord regional branch, cooperative organisational structure with variable capital, approved as a credit institution - Head office : 28-30 rue d’Espagnac, Soyaux (Charente) - Registered on the Angoulême companies register, under the number 775 569 726 - Insurance broker registered on ORIAS, the French Organisation for the register of Insurance Intermediaries, under the number 07 008 428. © Photo credits : Jean-Marc Barrère - Design : Maïa www.maia-creation.com - 05/2018

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

30 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL Surprise: A now-abandoned nest in Touffailles, situated roughly 12 metres off the ground. Often nests are hidden by foliage and only become visible once the leaves fall in autumn

Hornets

by Pete Henshaw

H

ornets are a fact of life in France and as spring approaches queens will once again be flying out in search of places to build their nests. There are two types of hornet to be found in our region, the frelon asiatique (Asian hornet or Vespa velutina) and the frelon Européen (European hornet or Vespa crabro, also known as Guichard).

Of the two, the Asian hornet is considered more aggressive and more problematic and its spread through France and neighbouring countries has been relentless since it arrived in 2004 (thought to have been introduced at Bordeaux in a shipment from China). Since then the Asian hornet has made it as far as Belgium and there have been limited sightings in England.

Frelon asiatique The life cycle of the Asian hornet begins as soon as we see warmer temperatures in spring. A fertile female – the queen – having survived winter will look for a new place to nest and lay her larvae. The resultant workers are sterile and will live 50 days or so, feeding the queen and taking over construction of the nest.

The insects are up to 25mm long – queens can reach 30mm – and they are easily spotted with their entirely dark brown or black velvety body and fine

yellow band. They are also never active at night, unlike their European cousins.

Nests can reach around one metre in height, 80cm in diameter and can house as many as 1,500 hornets. Nests are often built in trees up to 15 metres high but can also be built in sheds and garages.

As summer ends, reproducing females and males will leave the nest to mate. Any workers remaining will die as temperatures fall and the nest will be abandoned. Hornets never reuse a nest. Fertilised females will then survive winter by hiding in insulated cavities, such as under bark, before emerging as temperatures rise in the spring.

The spread of the Asian hornet is one of a number of threats to the bee population in the region. Asian hornets have become known for hovering outside hives where they attack returning bees. Sometimes, if the hornets arrive in numbers, the health of the bee colony can be at risk as large numbers of bees can be killed in a short period of time.

If you find an Asian hornet’s nest on your property you should have it destroyed by a professional.

Avoid making noise near to the nest and do not “flap around” as movement can agitate them. It is worth checking with your Mairie as they may be able to advise or sometimes will help with the costs.

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 31

Depending on the location and size of the nest it can cost upwards of 100e. If putting up traps then remember that the queens fly out as soon as temperatures rise in the spring so it is worth setting traps early. Every queen caught is one less nest to deal with later.

Effective traps can be made from plastic bottles (search online) and effective bait includes beer, pieces of rotten meat or shrimps/prawns.

Frelon Européen The more boldly marked European hornet is larger than its Asian counterpart – queens can be up to 35mm – but they are considered much less aggressive and certainly pose no threat to bee colonies. The life cycle is similar to their Asian counterparts. In April, when the queen normally lays her eggs, the workers actively go out and forage for insects, including the occasional bee.

Later in the year they look for ripe fruit.

Nests are often found in tree hollows, cavities in walls or even empty bee hives – and like Asian hornets the nests are abandoned after one year. However, there will be fewer hornets per nest – up to 300 – and they will work up to 1,500 metres from the nest.

European hornets will generally keep themselves to themselves although they may “look” at humans by hovering near and moving back and forwards.

This should not be taken as a threat. They operate mainly in the daytime, but unlike their Asian cousins they can also fly at night.

It is advised that a European hornet nest can be left alone unless its location makes removal – by a professional – necessary.

Killer hornets?

While the size of hornets can perturb some of us not used to such things, the risk to humans is minimal.

As with wasps, the hornet will attack if it feels the nest is under threat, in which case they may charge as a group. A lone hornet may also feel threatened by “flapping” movements or sometimes strong perfumes or aftershaves.

The hornet sting can be very painful, but is only a risk to life if the victim has a severe allergic reaction.

However, anyone receiving multiple stings or a sting in the mouth or throat should seek urgent medical attention (if stung in the mouth or throat, sucking on an ice cube can help).

The small number of deaths in France have all been related to anaphylactic reactions and usually involve a nest that has been physically disturbed.

If you are stung and begin to suffer a reaction including swelling of the tongue, throat, lips or eyes then you should call the emergency services on 112. While waiting you should lie down with your legs raised.

A destroyed small nest situated in a pigeon hole in the wall of a property in Touffailles. Often when small nests of this nature are discovered, a much larger main nest will be found in nearby trees, as was the case here.

A powdered spray was used to destroy this nest at a cost of 80e

Charpente neuve Traditionelle et Rénovation, Bois et Bardages, Toits (démoussage et nettoyage), Zinguerie, Sols et Revêtements bois, Abris et Auvents La taille de nos charpentes se fabrique dans nos ateliers.

Garantie décennale.

M. 06 85 53 19 17 T. 05 63 94 32 73 elkessi@orange.fr www.elkessi.com EURL El Kessi

Depuis

1996

Nous intervenons sur un rayon de 50 kms autour de Montaigu de Quercy (82150). (46, 47, 82)

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32 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Time to move on 2020 should be the year when we can 2020 should be the year whenbehind we can finally put Brexit uncertainty finally put Brexit uncertainty behind us. The transition period gives you the us. The transition period gives you the opportunity to review your wealth opportunity to review wealth management and adjustyour it where management andcan adjust whereabout necessary – you thenitforget necessary – you can then forget Brexit and get on with enjoying about life Brexit and get on with enjoying life in France! in France!

Our seminar will discuss Brexit; Our seminar discuss Brexit; pensions and will the possibility of the pensions and the possibility of being the 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’ 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’ being extended to EU residents post-2020; extended to EU residents French succession law andpost-2020; tax, and French succession lawinand tax, and investment planning today’s world, investment planning in today’s where we will be joined a guest world, where wefrom willRussell be joined a guest speaker Investments. speaker from Russell Investments.

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Tue 31 Mar LIMOGES (87) Tue 31Novotel Mar LIMOGES (87) Hôtel Limoges le Lac Hôtel Novotel Limoges le Lac Wed 1 Apr BERGERAC (24) Wed 1 Apr BERGERAC (24) Château des Vigiers Château des Vigiers Thur 2 Apr AUCH (32) Thur 2Restaurant Apr AUCH (32) Auch Hôtel Campanile Hôtel Restaurant Campanile Auch Book your seat now Book your seat now

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INTERNATIONAL TAX ADVICE • INVESTMENTS • ESTATE PLANNING • PENSIONS INTERNATIONAL TAX ADVICE • INVESTMENTS • ESTATE PLANNING • PENSIONS

Blevins Franks Group is represented in France by the following companies: Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) and Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF). BFFM is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Blevins Franks Group is represented in France by the following companies: Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) and Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF). BFFM is authorised Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF), is registered with ORIAS, registered number 07 027 475, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial and authorised as “Conseil en Investissements Financiers” and “Courtiers d’Assurance” Category B (register can be consulted on www.orias.fr). Member of ANACOFI-CIF. BFF’s registered office: Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF), is registered with ORIAS, registered number 07 027 475, 1 rue Pablo Neruda, 33140 Villenave d’Ornon – RCS BX 498 800 465 APE 6622Z. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du and authorised as “Conseil en Investissements Financiers” and “Courtiers d’Assurance” Category B (register can be consulted on www.orias.fr). Member of ANACOFI-CIF. BFF’s registered office: Code Monétaire et Financier and L512-6 and 512-7 du Code des Assurances (assureur MMA). Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists.

1 rue Pablo Neruda, 33140 Villenave d’Ornon – RCS BX 498 800 465 APE 6622Z. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM. Code Monétaire et Financier and L512-6 and 512-7 du Code des Assurances (assureur MMA). Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists.

This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM.

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 33

SIX THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PENSIONS TODAY

By Peter Wakelin, Blevins Franks

British expatriates today can benefit from tax-free QROPS transfers and high final salary pension transfer values – but Brexit could change the rules.

Pensions are often the key to a comfortable retirement.

But with more pension options than ever and the Brexit clock ticking, with no certainty beyond 2020, it can be difficult to establish the best approach. Make sure you are aware of the current pension issues that could affect you and the available opportunities, before they potentially disappear.

1. Expatriates can access tax-efficient opportunities Many expatriates benefit from transferring UK pensions to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) or reinvesting funds into more tax-efficient arrangements for France. Doing this can also offer estate planning benefits and multi-currency flexibility to invest and withdraw funds in euros or sterling. Once in a QROPS or locally-compliant structure, funds are usually sheltered from UK taxation.

QROPS transfers are currently tax-free if both you and the QROPS are based in the EU/EEA (European Economic Area).

Otherwise, the UK government charges a 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’. If, as many are speculating, the UK extends this charge to the EU/EEA region after the Brexit transition period ends in December, there could be limited time to transfer without tax penalties.

2. Many pension providers are vulnerable Millions of Britons have ‘final salary’/‘defined benefit’ company pensions that pay a fixed percentage of salary throughout retirement. Widely considered ‘golden’ pensions, the income provided is usually generous and lasts your lifetime.

However, with prolonged ultra-low interest rates and increased life expectancy, the cost of funding these benefits has soared, making it harder for companies to afford promised payments.

Although members of failed final salary pensions have a safety net with the UK government’s ‘Pension Protection Fund’ (PPF), compensation is capped and limited to 90% of members’ benefits (maximum of £36,018 a year at age 65) so will not fully protect everyone.

3. Transfer values are unusually high To reduce pension liabilities, many companies are offering final salary pension members unusually large sums (‘transfer values’) to leave. Calculated as a multiple of the future pension payment, some pay-outs have increased from 20x three years ago to up to 40x today – often hundreds of thousands of pounds. Carefully reinvested, such pay-outs could provide a retirement income that exceeds the original annual payment.

Although transferring could potentially prove more beneficial than drawing a guaranteed pension for life, the reverse is more likely, so it is crucial to fully understand the risks and implications before taking any action.

4. The lifetime pension allowance could catch you out Once combined UK pension benefits (excluding the State Pension) are valued over £1.055 million, they breach the ‘lifetime pension allowance’. Anything over this triggers UK taxation of 55% when taken as cash or 25% as income or transferred to a QROPS, regardless of residence.

In 2017-18, 4,550 people were caught out, paying £185 million in penalties.

While £1.055 million sounds high, after decades of pension saving, employer contributions and investment growth, you could go over without realising it. Taking advantage of today’s high final salary transfer values can also tip you over the threshold. Those affected should explore HMRC ‘protection’ options or transferring to a QROPS to avoid tax penalties.

5. The window of opportunity may be closing

Pensions rules can change at any time, but with Brexit reform is much more likely, as the UK government gains more freedom to tax UK nationals in the EU. Once the transition period ends on 31 December, they could potentially penalise withdrawals for non-UK residents, and have the means to extend the 25% overseas transfer charge to target QROPS within the EU. In any case, such high transfer values for final salary pensions may not be available for long. So if you decide transferring is right for you, take action as soon as possible – bearing in mind that transfers can take months to complete – to lock in today’s benefits and avoid unnecessary taxation.

6. Quality professional advice is essential Transferring pensions is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

It is critical to take personalised, professional advice to establish if transferring is suitable for you and navigate the complex options ahead.

Transfers are also a key target for pension scams, so take extreme care and take regulated advice. Your adviser should take into account your particular situation, needs and goals, as well as the cross-border tax implications, to tailor a suitable strategy for you.

With the Brexit countdown underway and still uncertainty ahead, make it a priority to review your pension arrangements and consider what could work for you now, under current rules, to achieve a financially secure retirement in France.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; individuals should seek personalised advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

34 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Anglophone Civil Funeral Celebrant Why? and/or How? You may ask and the answer is rooted in the experience of attending too many gatherings at French Crematoria which, for a variety of reasons lacked structure, fluency and/or a celebration of the life lived. Primary amongst these is a, not unreasonable lack of fluency in the English language in the funeral undertaking community.

What is Civil Funeral Celebrancy? It is a ceremony conducted by a lay celebrant at a Crematorium, graveside or other venue which can include items of a religious or faithful nature if requested. It is a ceremony open to all persons, of any faith or none, who wish to remember a life just ended in a dignified fashion.

The content of the ceremony is entirely the choice of the family. I will assist them to choose those readings or prayers and music that have meaning for them or the deceased. I will collect

details of the life story of the deceased to build a Tribute to be delivered during the ceremony by me or any other person. If requested I can also prepare and supply Printed Orders of Service for the congregation at the ceremony.

Alan G. W. Mackay

Editor’s Note: Alan has established Quercy Celebrant Services to help Anglophone families in the Quercy region of France. He can be contacted by email on anglocelebrant@orange.fr or by phone on 0565 29 88 54 or mobile 0689 33 82 45.

Web: https://englishfuneralsfrance.com

WHY DO SOME CATS MIAOW AND OTHERS DON’T? Researchers have noted some 19 different vocal patterns in cats, although individual cats may add their own personal sounds that they only use with their owners. Most of the sounds cats make fall into three groups; the purr or little chirrup they make when they greet us, the sounds they make when they are fearful or emotionally charged (e.g. hissing, growling, spitting) and the miaow. Cats can manipulate the miaow sound to make it very different depending on the circumstances. Individual cats vary in how much they ‘talk’.

Some breeds are notably noisier than others, for example the Siamese is known for being talkative. Part of this variation though is linked to how much we talk to them. If, when they miaow to us, we reply or ask them what they want, and their communication is answered with something rewarding, such as attention or food, then they’re very likely to do the same thing again. The learn quickly how to manipulate us with a miaow.The most appealing communication of all is the ‘silent miaow’, where the cat goes through the mouth-opening motions of miaowing but no sound comes out – it has been suggested that they do indeed make a sound but the frequency is too high for us to hear. If you would like more information please contact Lynn Stone at www.chatsduquercy.com or 0563947397 The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 35

• Made to measure doors and windows in wood, aluminium and PVC • Bespoke staircases and joinery projects • Traditional and electric rolling shutters

• Installation of kitchens and bathrooms • Balconies, patios and other tiling projects • Electric gates and garage doors

For a FREE quote call

06.33.11.42.38 or email poles-apart@orange.fr

All products supplied carry a 10 year warranty for labour and functionality EURL POLES APART, Roc de la Jambonne, 82150 MONTAIGU DE QUERCY poles-apart@orange.fr Tel : 05.63.29.07.32 / 06.33.11.42.38

Siret : 483 819 496 00025

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36 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Living in France after BREXIT

On 31 January 2020 the UK left the EU under the terms of a Withdrawal Agreement (WA). Several sections (Articles) of the WA set out the future rights for UK citizens. It also finalises a Transition Period (TP) during which the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be negotiated. The TP begun on 01 February 2020 and ends on 31 December 2020 but this date may be extended by agreement.

How are UK citizens, living in France, affected?

UK citizens are no longer EU citizens.

The WA provides protection for UK citizens who are living legally in France at the end of the TP, currently 31 December 2020. Protection under the WA continues after the end of the TP for those who qualify.

Additionally, the family members* of a UK citizen protected by the WA, are also protected. *The EU definition of a Family member is as follows: (a) the spouse; (b) legal partner (c) the direct descendants who are under the age of 21 or are dependants and those of the spouse or partner as defined in point (b); (d) the dependent direct relatives in the ascending line and those of the spouse or partner as defined in point (b).

What protection does the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) give UK citizens?

Residency Rights Article 13 (and onwards) sets out residency rights - Those who have lived legally in France for a continuous period of 5 years or more at the end of the TP have the right to permanent residence in France. Once acquired, the right of permanent residence shall be lost only through absence from France for a period exceeding 5 consecutive years.

- Those who are legally resident in France at the end of the TP but who have not been resident for a continuous period of 5 years or more, have the right to accumulate a residency of 5 years after the TP in order to qualify for permanent residence.

On 31 January 2020, the French government published a mise á jour informing UK citizens living in France that a new online system for residency applications will be in place from July 2020. Applications must be made before July 2021.

It’s worth noting that the WA says “the host State shall ensure that any administrative

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 37

procedures for (residency) applications are smooth, transparent and simple, and that any unnecessary administrative burdens are avoided;” and that “application forms shall be short, simple, user friendly and adapted to the context of this Agreement; applications made by families at the same time shall be considered together;” “the document evidencing the status shall be issued free of charge or for a charge not exceeding that imposed on citizens or nationals of the host State for the issuing of similar documents;” Healthcare Healthcare provision for current holders of an S1 will continue as before, with the same arrangements in place. UK citizens not yet in receipt of their UK state pension, where the UK is their competent state (i.e. they will be the state paying their pension) will receive an S1 in due course. Those not qualifying for an S1 can access the French healthcare system via Protection Universelle Maladie (PUMa).

Workers’ Rights Articles 24 and 25 set out that there should be no discrimination against UK citizens protected by the WA and that they are afforded the same employment/selfemployment rights as nationals of their host country.

Pensions, Uprating, Aggregation and Exportable benefits Article 30 deals with social service systems between the UK and the EU post Brexit.

EU Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 is key to this part of the WA. The WA provides that protected people are still entitled to benefit from the reciprocal rights set out in the regulation.

Put in simple terms a protected person will be given equal treatment to an EU citizen. Therefore, current arrangements in place, such as lifetime pension uprating, will continue. Contributions made before and after end date of the TP will be recognised for those covered by the WA. Voting or standing in French local elections As of 1 February 2020, UK citizens are no longer EU citizens and therefore have lost their rights to stand or vote in local elections.

If you have specific questions about your situation, join our Facebook group – Remain in France Together (RIFT) RIFT was set up after the referendum

to provide information and support to UK citizens living in France or wishing to live in France.

Information correct as of 1 February 2020

Vivre en France après le BREXIT Le 31 janvier 2020, le Royaume-Uni a quitté l’UE en vertu d’un accord de retrait (AR). Plusieurs articles de l’AR définissent les futurs droits des ressortissants britanniques dans les 27 États membres. Il prévoit également une période de transition (PT) au cours de laquelle les futures relations entre le Royaume-Uni et l’UE seront négociées. La PT a commencé le 1er février 2020 et se termine le 31 décembre 2020, mais cette date peut être prorogée d’un commun accord.

Comment les ressortissants britanniques vivant en France sont-ils affectés?

Les ressortissants britanniques ne sont plus des citoyens de l’UE. L’AR garantie une certaine protection aux ressortissants britanniques qui vivent légalement en France à la fin du TP, actuellement au 31 décembre 2020. La protection en vertu de l’AR continue après la fin de la PT pour ceux qui relèvent de son champ d’application. En outre, les membres de la famille * d’un ressortissant britannique protégé par l’AR sont également protégés. * La définition d’un membre de la famille est la suivante: a) le conjoint; b) partenaire enregistré ; c) les descendants directs âgés de moins de 21 ans ou à charge et ceux du conjoint ou partenaire au sens du point b); d) les proches parents à charge en ligne ascendante et ceux du conjoint ou partenaire tels que définis au point b); et par extension e) le concubin, dans une relation pérenne et attestée.

Quelle protection l’accord de retrait (AR) accorde-t-il aux ressortissants britanniques ?

Droits de résidence L’article 13 (et suivants) définit les droits de séjour - Ceux qui ont résidé légalement en France pendant une période continue de 5 ans ou plus à la fin de la PT ont droit au séjour permanent en France. Une fois acquis, le droit de séjour permanent ne se perd que par absence du territoire français pendant une durée supérieure à 5 années consécutives.

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- Ceux qui résident légalement en France à la fin de la PT mais qui n’ont pas résidé pendant une période continue de 5 ans ou plus, ont le droit d’accumuler les 5 années de résidence après la PT pour pouvoir prétendre au statut de résident permanent.

Le 31 janvier 2020, le gouvernement français a publié une mise à jour informant les ressortissants britanniques en France qu’un nouveau système en ligne pour les demandes de cartes de séjour dans le cadre de l’AR sera mis en place à partir de juillet 2020. Les demandes doivent être faites avant juillet 2021.

Il convient de noter les consignes de l’AR à cet égard : «L’État hôte veille à ce que toutes les procédures administratives pour les demandes (de résidence) soient fluides, transparentes et simples et à ce que les charges administratives inutiles soient évitées ; ... Les formulaires de demande doivent être courts, simples, faciles à remplir et adaptés au contexte du présent accord ; les demandes présentées simultanément par les familles sont examinées ensemble ; ... Le document attestant du statut est délivré gratuitement ou à un coût ne dépassant pas celui imposé aux citoyens ou aux ressortissants de l’État hôte pour la délivrance de documents similaires ; ... » Assurance Maladie L’assurance maladie pour les titulaires actuels d’une attestation S1 sera maintenue comme avant, selon les mêmes accords. Les ressortissants britanniques n’ayant pas encore reçu leur pension d’État britannique, dans le cas où le Royaume-Uni est leur État compétent (c’est-à-dire l’État versant leur pension) recevront un S1 en temps voulu. Les personnes non éligibles au S1 peuvent en principe accéder au système de santé français s’ils ont travaillé en France ou comme résidents légaux via la Protection universelle maladie (PUMa).

Droits des travailleurs Les articles 24 et 25 stipulent qu’il ne devrait pas y avoir de discrimination à l’encontre des ressortissants

britanniques protégés par l’AR et qu’ils bénéficient des mêmes droits en matière d’emploi et de travail indépendant que les ressortissants de leur pays hôte.

Pensions de retraite (revalorisation, agrégation ...) et prestations sociales exportables L’article 30 traite des systèmes de sécurité sociale entre le Royaume-Uni et l’UE après le Brexit.

Le règlement (CE) n° 883/2004 de l’UE est essentiel pour cette partie de l’AR. L’AR prévoit que les personnes protégées ont toujours le droit de bénéficier des droits réciproques énoncés dans le règlement.

En termes simples, une personne protégée recevra un traitement égal à un citoyen de l’UE. Par conséquent, les dispositions actuelles en place, telles que la revalorisation des pensions de retraite à vie, se poursuivront. Les contributions versées avant et après la fin de la PT seront prises en compte dans le cadre de l’AR. Voter ou se présenter aux élections locales françaises Au 1er février 2020, les ressortissants britanniques ne sont plus des citoyens de l’UE et ont donc perdu leur droit de se présenter ou de voter aux élections municipales.

Si vous souhaitez plus d’informations sur vos droits en France suite au Brexit, rendez-vous sur notre site www.remaininfrance.fr Si vous avez des questions spécifiques sur votre situation, rejoignez notre groupe Facebook – Remain in France Together (RIFT) RIFT a été créé après le référendum pour fournir des informations et un soutien aux ressortissants britanniques vivant en France ou souhaitant vivre en France.

Informations correctes au 1er février 2020

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

SPQR

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 39

Small Profits – Quick Returns English building team. All general building, including roofing, plumbing, electrics, plastering and landscaping

• Roofing – Leak finding and fixing, cleaning and moss removal, guttering, ridges, tiles, battens, beams, insulation. We can make small repairs carry out preventative maintenance or fit a whole new roof. No job too small or too large!

• General Building and Restoration Works – Experts in complete internal and external renovations and stone work. All structural and general carpentry including beams and supports and staircases. Everything from foundations up!

• Satellite Television – All European Satellite reception services for recording

and playing Satellite broadcasts, such as Sky, Freesat, TF1-5, Canal+, etc. All equipment including Humax, Sky, Manhattan and others. All UK and French services.

Internet Protocal Television (IPTV) - Television services through your internet connection, offering all channels, catch up tv and video on demand. All films and sports are available through the ability to view on the national channels of any country. All Premiership games can be viewed live regardless of what BBC or Sky may be showing. This is not a satellite service and is less expensive than a Sky subscription.

Call to arrange a free estimate or free advice.

Our motto is Small Profits, Quick Returns. Always top quality at a price you can afford!

Matt Piper 06 72 56 73 77 or email mattsnipe@live.co.uk

FOSTER CARERS WANTED Can you help us find the right homes for needy dogs?

If you have: Oodles of patience A secure garden A driving licence

Contact: Sheelagh Johnson Phoenix Dog Coordinator Email: sheerik@wanadoo.fr

www.phoenixassoc.com

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

If you or someone you know has a drinking problem join one of the English speaking AA meetings across south west France.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help others achieve sobriety.

TEL: Angela on 05 49 87 79 09 or Dan on 06 41 66 38 40 Website: www.aafrance.net Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

40 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

DRIVING IN FRANCE

Kit Checklist Here is our comprehensive checklist for driving in France after Brexit Day (31st January 2020) and until the end of the transition period (currently scheduled for 31st December 2020).

It covers what kit you need to take with you when driving in France from a legal viewpoint.

The items on the list carry some pretty hefty on the spot fines if you fail to have them in the car with you at all times. Remember the items shown here are compulsory equipment for driving in France.

May I suggest you double check the list and remember that the rules are the same whether driving on country lanes or in Paris except for the pollution stickers required for Paris and some other major cities.* (See opposite).

Although some people think the French driving laws are bureaucracy gone mad, some of the items do offer you improved safety while on the road.

Below the checklist at the bottom of the page is yet more detailed information on some of the items and requirements for the documents you need to take.

The Fines for Non-Compliance Please see the cost (in Euros) of the on-thespot fines that the French police will give you if you are charged with non-compliance of these French driving laws. They are shown in the table below and further written explanations of additional things you should know are to be found below the table.

These extra notes deal with Breathalysers, people who wear spectacles etc.

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E - IC RD V A SER AW NG I N IN W DROP IN AND SEE US IN TOURNON D’AGENAIS OR MONTAIGU DE QUERCY

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

Banana & Peanut Butter Cake

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 43

Banana & Peanut Butter Cake Banana cake ingredients • 150ml olive oil • ½ tsp vanilla extract • 2 eggs • 75g plain yoghurt • 100ml milk • 4 ripe bananas • 150g light brown sugar • 225g self raising flour • 1 tsp baking powder • pinch of salt Peanut butter icing ingredients • 150g butter at room temperature • 150g peanut butter • 250g icing sugar • 25ml milk • 50ml maple syrup

Method Heat the oven to 180C then butter and line the base and sides of two 20cm round cake tins with parchment paper.

Place the olive oil, vanilla extract, eggs, yoghurt and milk and in a free standing mixer, and beat on high for about 30 seconds until well combined.

Put the bananas and sugar in a bowl or food processer and mash together.

Add the banana mixture into the oil mixture and briefly mix again.

Finally, sift in the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt to the oil/banana mixture and carefully fold together until well combined, but do not over mix.

Place the banana cake batter into the two prepared tins and bake for about 45 minutes until cooked through.

When the cakes are cooked, take out of the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

While the cakes are cooling, make the peanut butter icing.

Put the butter and peanut butter in a free standing mixer and beat for about a minute until smooth. Add the icing sugar and beat for another minute, then add in the milk and maple syrup and beat for a further minute until you have a smooth creamy icing. Put the icing into a piping bag with a nozzle of your choice.

When cool, take the cakes out of the tins and remove any parchment paper, then place one of the cakes on a cake stand. Pipe half of the icing on top then place the second cake on carefully and continue to pipe large icing swirls around the edge.

Decorate with a dusting of icing sugar and some chopped peanuts.

Le Caillau: Nestled in the heart of the Cahors vineyards you’ll find Le Caillau, a family run Restaurant, Café and Pottery Painting Atelier. In 2011, Caroline and Chas Sharp opened the doors of Le Caillau, a renovated 300 year old winery. Our aim is simple - to produce great quality, simple and tasty food. In our restaurant kitchen our small team creates dishes based on vegetables from our own kitchen garden and local seasonal produce, (with some more exotic ingredients thrown in for variety and a different flavour from traditional Quercy cuisine). Our Café and Pottery Painting Atelier is perfect for an afternoon getaway, whether you’re after a coffee and slice of homemade cake (lemon drizzle and coffee and walnut are some of our customers’ favourites), or you’re feeling artistic and decide to get creative by painting some pottery.

Restaurant opening hours: Monday: 12pm - 2pm, Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday: 12pm - 2pm and 7pm - 11pm, Thursday: 12pm - 2pm and 7pm - 11pm, Friday: 12pm - 2pm and 7pm - 11pm, Saturday: 12pm - 2pm and 7pm - 11pm, Sunday: 12pm - 2pm

The Café and Pottery Painting Atelier is open by appointment only outside of the summer months.

Le Caillau, 46700 Vire sur Lot. Telephone: 05 65 23 78 04 www.lecaillau.com lecaillau twitter.com/lecaillau lecaillau Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Springs

44 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Français à la carte

The teachers of « Français à la carte » had a busy christmas and they are thrilled to talk about the amazing experience they had with a couple of students from Australia who came to visit the region and learn some French. Here is a diary which sums up the activities done during their stay in Cahors and around!

Day 3: Les Junies, a well-kept secret French lesson in the morning and in the afternoon a tresure hunt to find the keys giving us access to the churches of St-Perdulphe in La Masse hamlet and St-Pierre-ès-Liens in Les Junies. This is the occasion to discover the 12th century mural paintings representing the 7 deadly sins and the incredible architecture of the imposing monastry.

Day 1: Welcome to Cahors

We welcome our new students. In the morning, we start the first French lesson of the week and visit the market which is a few steps away from the school. It is a good way to discover local specialties such as « l’aligot » and « le gâteau pastis ». In the afternoon, we visit Cahors and its remarkable sites (The cathedral, the hidden gardens, the Roman ruins…).

Day 2: Off to Gourdon

French lessons in the morning and visit of Gourdon in the afternoon. The medieval town of Gourdon is the 3rd biggest town in the Lot discribed as « one of the most Beautiful Detours in France » with its fortified gate and half-timbered houses.

Day 4: Lalbenque, truffles and « caselles »

French lesson in the morning and trip to Lalbenque in the afternoon to see the truffle market. Perfect opportunity to discover the local specialty that we also call « black gold of Quercy » and how the locals manage to negociate the price of this delicacy. On our way back, we stop to visit the most important « caselle » of the region (Nouel caselle) and appreciate the typical landscape of the Quercy before going to the Mont St Cyr to have a perfect view of Cahors.

Day 5: Raclette and galette des rois

Nothing better than a good meal to finish an intensive week! No lesson in the morning but a well deserved Raclette shared between teachers and students in a friendly setting. And after a French lesson in the afternoon, it’s time to get your hands dirty making a galette des rois and learning about this typical French tradition.

If you fancy discovering the region and/or learning some French with us, do not hesitate and get in touch. We will plan the visits according to your preferences and the French lessons to your needs! www.francaisalacarte.fr ecolefalc@gmail.com

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 45

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Meet with the client Planning advice Prepare the plan for the garden

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Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

46 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Vacances scolaires et agriculture françaises : deux éléments inséparables by L.M. Il est coutume de dire que les Français bénéficient, plus que dans d’autres pays, de vacances scolaires plus longues et plus nombreuses. Mais est-ce vraiment le cas ? Quels ont été les critères pris en compte lors de la création des vacances scolaires en France ? De plus, quels rapports les vacances scolaires entretiennent-elles avec le monde agricole en France ?

Il faut d’abord souligner que les élèves Français ne travaillent pas moins que leurs camarades Européens, c’est même l’inverse. S’il est vrai que les petits Français travaillent moins de jours que les autres, le volume horaire des cours auxquels ils assistent chaque jour est lui plus élevé que la moyenne des pays de l’Union, atteignant les 9 heures hebdomadaires dans le secondaire.

Un élève en école primaire fait ainsi face à plus de 860 heures de cours par an.

Les dates des vacances en France n’ont pas non plus été choisies au hasard. Dans notre XXIe siècle actuel, on pourrait croire qu’elles surviennent en période de fêtes ou en période estivale pour permettre aux familles de se retrouver et d’augmenter l’activité

touristique du pays. Mais ce n’est pas la raison principale. Les vacances concordent en fait presque toutes avec des moments clés de la vie agricole.

La raison est simple : le seul moyen qu’a trouvé l’Etat français pour s’assurer que les enfants aillent à l’école en 1882 (date où elle est devenue obligatoire en France) a été de permettre à ces derniers d’aider leurs parents aux moments de l’année où ces derniers en avaient le plus besoin pour les travaux agricoles.

Ainsi les vacances d’été, ou « grandes vacances », sont en réalité la période la plus rude pour les agriculteurs. C’est pourquoi vous croiserez sans aucun doute leurs tracteurs et engins sur les routes de jour comme de nuit pendant les mois de juillet et d’août.

De la même façon, excusez-les d’être lents sur la route, de faire un peu de bruit parfois, car ce sont eux qui entretiennent les paysages des environs et leur donnent leur beauté. Mais vous pouvez les encourager en vous rendant sur les marchés locaux, où vous pourrez leur faire part de votre soutien et pourquoi pas acheter leurs bons produits.

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SAT CONSTRUCTION (82150)

SPECIALIST IN Travertine, Wall and Floor Tiling, Plaster Boarding, Plastering, General Building & New Builds References available Mobile Phone: 06 12 82 49 04 Evening Phone 05 63 29 27 31 Email: stephen.tyler@sfr.fr Siret: 802 145 706 00015 Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

48 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Last month we had a fascinating talk about the different sorts of bees - honeybees, bumble bees and solitary bees - their habits and needs and how we can design and plant our gardens to encourage them.

I was utterly entranced during the entire talk by Tricia.

As she talked, I was mentally planning what plants to have to encourage a garden that would be beneficial to the bees and to me. Some people are afraid of having bees in their garden. I have had a discussion with a couple of ladies who are frightened for their children possibly getting stung as they are allergic to bee stings, this seems such a great shame and though I have never been stung in my garden, I would probably be terrified if allergic to the sting. Firstly, we learnt about the types of bees we have here in France. There are at least 874 species of bee: Social Bees, Bumble Bees and Solitary Bees. Many live the whole year through, and others emerge for a short period in summer, in which they mate, lay their eggs and die.

Honey bees are unique in that the colony is continuous and survives the winter. No other type of bee in France does this.

Solitary Bees range from tiny bees to the large Violet Carpenter bee which I’m sure we’ve all seen. Each individual female is a Queen. She mates independently and puts her eggs in her own nest. These bees are divided into groups according to where they construct their nests – such as Miner bees, Digger bees, Carpenter bees, Mason bees, Woodcutter bees. Some make nests in existing holes, or dig holes in walls or woodwork - and you will have seen those little mounds like tiny volcanos in the grass.

Bumble Bees are also Social Bees and there are 44 different species of these in France. There are 6 main species of colony-forming bumblebee: the Buff-tailed; the White-tailed; the Early; the Red-tailed; the Common Carder & the Garden bumblebee.

So why are bees important?

As we know, some plants, such as grasses, are pollinated by the wind and some plants by animals brushing past

and carrying seeds on their coats, but most by insects.

In fact, it’s thought that honeybees pollinate around half of wild plants and a third of the plants we eat. Its also a fabulous food source. Yes, we keep bees to make honey for ourselves, and commercially, beehives can be moved from crop to crop - Fruit and Vegetable yields can be increased by a third if bees are active on the crop. This adds up to millions and billions of pounds and dollars of increased value.

What do Bees Need?

We know that we need bees, but what do bees need?

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 49

Bees are herbivores and they need pollen and nectar.

And water. Bees are active from early Spring until the first frosts. The first to appear are the Bumblebees with their beautiful warm furry coats. Plants allow pollen to be released at different times of the day. For example, Dandelions release pollen for about ten minutes during the morning; whereas Brambles release pollen for up to four hours at any time during the day. A bee will collect pollen from Field Poppies in the morning and Broad Beans in the afternoon because this is when they release their pollen.

This is such a fascinating detail to our planting plan, not just planning my 2020 vegetable patch for myself anymore. Nectar is the main source of Carbohydrate for bees. It is basically liquid sugar, but also contains vitamins C and some B vitamins, minerals such as potassium and calcium, amino acids and other substances. Sugar in the form of fructose and glucose is generally found in open or cup-shaped flowers, such as strawberries and blackberries and Sucrose which is found in tube-shaped flowers which are not so easy for bees to get into.

Nectar has to be processed before it is turned into honey. The Sucrose content has to be converted into Glucose and Fructose. This process is started in the honey sac during the Forager Bee’s flight home.

What plants are best for bees? Why not come along to our next meeting and find out what to plant.

Here is a little continuation of our garden dictionary.

Apologies if I missed your favourite plants out: Bluebell: la jacinthe des bois Bougainvillea: la bougainvillée Buttercup: le bouton d’or Camellia: le camélia

Campion: le lynchis Carnation: l’oeillet Chrysanthemum: le chrysanthéme Clematis: la clématite Clover: le tréfle Cornflower: le bleuet Cosmos: cosmos Crocus: le crocus Daffodil: la jonquille or le narcisse Dahlia: le dahlia Daisy: la pâquerette Dandelion: la dent-de-lion Delphinium: le pied d’alouette Dogwood: le cornouiller Forget-me-not: le myosotis Foxglove: la digitale Fuschia: le fuschia Geranium: le géranium Gladiolus: le glaieul Hellebore: l’elébore Hollyhock: la rose trémière Honeysuckle: la chévrefeuille Iris: l’iris Lily of the valley: le muguet Lobelia: la lobélie Lupin: le lupin Marigold: le sauci Narcissus: le narcisse Peony: la pivoine Pansy: la pensée Rose bush: le rosier Sunflower: le tournesol Sweet pea: pois de senteur Tulip: la tulipe Water lily: le nénuphar

Come and join us at 2pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, in the Salle de l’Eveille in Lauzerte, 82110. Our next meetings are 10th Mar, 7th April and 12th of May. Check out www.cjl82.fr for more information. Happy digging!

Quercy Builders (82150)

Stone work and all aspects of renovation Subcontractors to the trade and a professional service to the public References available No obligation quotations

info@quercybuilders.com www.quercybuilders.com 06 52 49 03 57 Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

50 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Cinéma Louis Malle Anglican Chaplaincy of Midi-Pyrénées & Aude

Update from the Cahors Congregation

For detailed information visit our website: www.churchinmidipa.com All services are held at 10.00am – Centre Paroissial, 75 av J Lurçat, Terre Rouge, 46000 Cahors Easter is early this year so Shrove Tuesday is on the 25th February and Ash Wednesday is on the 26th February – please check our website for details of our Ash Wednesday Service. We will then be in the period of Lent – a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter – the greatest festival in the Christian Church.

Mothering Sunday – 22nd March Also known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ Mothering Sunday is always the 4th Sunday in Lent. Today children give presents, flowers, and home-made cards to their mothers on Mothering Sunday. Since the fasting of Lent could be given up on Mothering Sunday, everybody was able to enjoy a slice of Simnel cake! All are welcome to our Mothering Day Service at 10.00am.

Palm Sunday 5th April The most solemn week of the Christian year, Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, and is the week during which Christians particularly remember the last week of Jesus’s life. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday which commemorates Christ’s triumphant arrival in Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd. A week later they were calling for Jesus to be crucified. In many churches, during Palm Sunday services, large palm branches are carried in processions or small hand-held pieces of palm are distributed. Please join us for the Palm Sunday Service at 10.00am.

Maundy Thursday – 9th April – there is no service at Terre Rouge Good Friday – 10th April The most important events in Christianity are the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. During Good Friday services Christians meditate on Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, recognising that this has enabled their sins to be forgiven by God and the gift of eternal life secured through their faith in Christ. Please join us at 3pm for the Good Friday service.

Easter Sunday – 12th April This is the culmination of the Lenten period and the day when Jesus rose again. The church at Terre Rouge is usually full -all the hymns are joyous to celebrate the resurrection of Christ – three days after he was crucified.

Easter Day Holy Communion Service at 10.00am.

Ascension Day – celebrated this year on Thursday 21st May – there is no service at Terre Rouge Pentecost – 31st May Pentecost is a happy festival. Ministers in church often wear robes with red in the design as a symbol of the flames in which the Holy Spirit came to earth.

This is reflected in the symbols which are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove.

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 51

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Ce vignoble de 25Ha est situé sur 4 terrasses bien distinctes répertoriées à Cahors, qui ont été analysées géologiquement.

Le chai, est de construction moderne aux normes en vigueur de 2010.

Bernard Bouyssou vous propose une gamme de vins rouge (100% MALBEC) mais aussi 1 rosé, 1 blanc et un apéritif liquoreux, élaborés dans le plus grand respect de la tradition depuis 3 générations.

Ve vignoble offre une grande diversité d’arômes et de saveurs, ce qui lui doit plusieurs médailles et récompenses!

Reservations 06 70 51 04 76 This 25Ha vineyard is situated on 4 very distinct and well-known terraces in Cahors, which were geologically analysed.

The Winery is modern and has been adapted to the 2010’s legislation.

Bernard BOUYSSOU offers a wide range of red wine (100% MALBEC), as well as rosé and white wine. Besides he can also propose a liquorish aperitif. All of his products are made in the same respect of tradition that his grand father created 3 generation’s ago.

This vineyard offers a great diversity of aroma and flavours which also explain why it has won a few medals and awards over the years!

Bernard’ BOUYSSOU’s estate which use to belong to his grand father, became a stop over for sailors who cross the Lot as he had the great idea to built a private boat landing.

La propriété viticole de Bernard BOUYSSOU, ou travaillait déjà son grand père Armand, est devenue un lieu d’escale pour les marins qui croisent le Lot grâce à sa bonne idée de construire un ponton privé.

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

52 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Tasting the lot

easter wines Oh how I love the spring! The beginning of new ideas, new places to visit, most importantly new vineyards to visit and new wines to try!! This year I will be taking wine tasting classes all over the Lot. If you would like to book a wine tasting in your own home, gite or workplace please do get in touch. Whether to learn about wines of the region, the country or the world, all tastes and capabilities catered for.

T

his Spring there are more vineyards to visit than last year, expanding wine styles from existing vineyards and some great new winemakers with new ideas. Also, some fabulous grape varieties that you might not have heard of or tried (or possibly known you were drinking without knowing their name) I thought this year we could do a learn about new grape varieties that are grown in the Quercy with each edition, mostly they have been here a long time but have been overshadowed or forgotten.

This edition I choose Arbouriou and Prunelard Noir The Abouriou was originally found in a little further away than The Lot in the Lot-et-Garonne, a variety used extensively in the Côtes du Marmandais. Once it was used to mix with Bordeaux for its dark colour to redden its light tints, this as we know is something that Bordelais liked to do with Cahors Malbec as well.

Arbouriou is locally called “Beaujolais”, Abouriou means “early” in Occitan.

The bunch is average, compact, its stems fairly pronounced; the grape is average size, spherical or slightly elliptical, with a thick, blue-black skin and juicy pulp that has a slightly tart taste. It produces a very colourful wine, robust, astringent, sometimes lacking in acidity. Its early harvest, its vigour and adaptability to limited vineyard limitations have been its success, so much and so well that in the 50s, even if in small amounts, it was a large part of French vineyards.

But today it is barely present on its original lands.

The wines I have tasted are delicious, lighter than Malbec if a single variety (the only grape variety in the bottle) or slightly fruity when in a blend.

Prunelard Noir is an ancient and rare black-berried grape variety thought to have originated in Gaillac, southern France. The arrival of phylloxera in the late 19th Century virtually wiped out all Prunelard Noir plantings, which once covered much of the Tarn department. The variety was presumed extinct but, in the late 20th Century, some very old vines were found.

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THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 53

Since then, there has been a resurgence in plantings in Gaillac because of Prunelard Noir’s traditional reputation for producing high-quality wines. It has been planted in a few vineyards in the Lot apparently and I look forward to trying to grow one myself!

The variety has been easily mistaken for Malbec, as there are very few botanical differences between the two. The confusion is reflected in what the locals call Prunelard Noir: red-stemmed Côt (the local term for Malbec). In 2009, the similarities between Prunelard Noir and Malbec prompted DNA testing of the varieties, which determined that Prunelard Noir is, in fact, a parent of Malbec. A fact that I have not seen mentioned before, so this makes Prunelard Noir one of the oldest members of the Cotoïde family of grape varieties to which Manseng Noir, Négrette and Tannat also belong.

Interestingly, Prunelard Noir’s other parent, Magdeleine Noire des Charentes, also has Merlot among its progenies. A grape is a fascinating thing to study!

There is so much more to this fabulous region!

The wines themselves made entirely from PN show blackberry-scented wines that tend to have good structure, colour and marked depth of flavour.

There is a distinctive aroma of fresh plum, which may explain the variety’s name – prune is French for plum.

When the AOC system was created, Prunelard Noir was believed to be extinct and therefore was initially excluded from the Gaillac and Marcillac appellations. In the early 21st Century, the appellation laws were updated to allow the variety to be included (up to 10 percent of the final blend) in Gaillac and Marcillac wines. Some single-variety expressions can be found, classified as IGP Côtes du Tarn. For those of us who live at the edge of the Quercy, I love buying wines from our neighbours! For those of you visiting Albi cathedral this Easter, leave an hour earlier and visit some lovely vineyards!

If you would like any more wine recommendations or to hold a wine tasting in your home or gite please do get in touch tastinghtelot@gmail.com Or follow Tasting The Lot, Quercy on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Happy Tasting.

Luci Cox

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

54 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

2019 - February

September - November 2019

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Tantôt Cuisine itinérante, cantine mobile, camion restaurant, Food truck, autant de noms donnés à notre joli camion qui sillonne, sans relâche, les route de notre beau Quercy. Spécialisés dans l’événementiel, nous vous proposons une solution de restauration clés en mains et conviviale.

Notre street food met en avant les produits frais de saison et les spécialités de notre belle région, ainsi que toutes les cuisines du Monde qui nous tiennent à cœur de partager avec vous. Notre concept original vous propose une cuisine saine et gourmande à base de produits frais et locaux au maximum. A bord de notre truck, tout est fait maison!

Que ce soit dans nos Burgers, soupes, Buddha bowls, sushi, pintxos, tapas ou des repas traditionnels, notre but est de limiter les additifs et autres conservateurs au maximum. Nous faisons nos sauces « maison » et achetons le plus local et le plus raisonné possible.

NOUS METTONS TOUT EN ŒUVRE POUR LIMITER NOTRE EMPREINTE ÉCOLOGIQUE, TOUT NOS EMBALLAGES SONT ÉCO-RESPONSABLES.

Nous vous proposons des solutions adaptées à chaque événements, allant du festival au repas d’entreprise ou de famille.

Pour, nous, le food truck est avant tout un état d’esprit, nos maîtres mots : LIBERTE - PARTAGE - BONHEUR et VOYAGE This funky food truck brings versatility to your catering needs. All food freshly prepared, from delicious burgers (inc veggie) to sushi, tapas and lots more street food fayre. From Festivals and fêtes to family gatherings and parties, the Nomad Truck can complement any event and take the strain away from catering, so you can enjoy the party too!

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Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

56 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

On Saturday 13 June at 20.00 the excellent Chorale de Cazals will perform for the second time at L’Arsenic in Gindou.

Tickets are 12e and can be bought at https://choraledecazals.fr/concerts/.

The promotion code GINDOU will give a reduction of 2e until 31 May 2020.

Under the direction of the charismatic Anke de Bruijn, the Chorale de Cazals now numbers more that 50 singers who come from France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland and North America.

Following a recent concert an audience member was heard to describe the performance as ‘an explosion of joy’.

The 2019 concert at L’Arsenic was sold out and a number of people were turned away at the door. Do reserve in advance to avoid disappointment.

The 2020 L’Arsenic programme will include works both ancient and modern. The repertoire is sung in numerous

Do you need a helping hand?

languages and ranges from Renaissance hymns and madrigals, to a Welsh lullaby, Russian liturgical chant and works by Carly Simon, Neil Young and Jacques Brel. French fans will perhaps recognise an aria by Grétry, an 18th Century opera composer which has been arranged for choir

by Anke de Bruijn and La Maladie d;Amour, which was a hit

by Michel Sardou in the 1970s.

Anke de Bruijn moved to the Lot from the Netherlands in 2012. Her teaching activities as well as her conducting are rooted in her passions for helping singers of all levels to free their voices and to participate in the joy of singing together.

In addition to her work with the Chorale de Cazals she direct the Ensemble Vocal Gaia. During the summer months she welcomes groups of amateur singers from all over the world who come to Cazals for her Singing Holidays, rehearsing each morning in a different Romanesque churches in the area. Her most recent collaboration with Dutch pianist and composer, Peter Duiverman, takes many forms, notably Taste of Tartas and Blues and Other Discomforts.

Voted one of the top attractions in the Dordogne

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Stay in your own home and receive support from our experienced English speaking team.

Housework t Shopping t Cooking Companionship t Laundry & Gardening Call now on 05 63 05 17 35 or 06 37 22 88 16 for an informal chat

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All profits go to the welfare and upkeep of these beautiful animals.

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Emergency numbers Medical Help/SAMU 15

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The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

Po rt 27 es O -2 uv 8 J er uin tes

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 57

Growers and distillers of Organic Lavender. Shop selling own lavender products.

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Open 2pm-6pm: Sept-June: Thurs, Fri & Sat. July-Aug: Mon-Sat. Lavender in flower June/July.

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APM

Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

58 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in this magazine

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 59

We are pleased to announce that Antic Disposition are returning to the Quercy & Perigord for the 16th season this summer with a new production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As with previous years, it will be performed in English, in twelve stunning open-air locations, starting 29th July to 12 August 2020. Tickets on sale from 4 April 2020. Join the AD Friends for priority booking from 28th March 2020.

~ COMPETITION TIME ~ Enter our competition to win a pair of front row tickets to the performance of your choice. We have four sets to give away – all you have to do is answer the following question: Finish the end of this famous quote from the play: “Love looks not with the eyes but with the .....................”

Email your answer with a contact telephone number to thequercylocal@gmail.com. Closing date: 1st July 2020.

Interested in property?

Have experience in sales?

Enjoy working for yourself, but still feel part of a team?

Need to start a new career in France?

We are looking for motivated property agents in the Quercy & Périgord.

Good commission rates and full training given. recruitment@agencenewton.com www.agencenewton.com Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

60 • THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Foire Aux Livres Pheonix

M

aintenant que les journées rallongent chaque jour, c’est le moment d’en profiter pour enlever tous les livres que vous avez lus durant l’hiver et faire de la place sur vos étagères pour les prochains ouvrages que vous allez privilégier pour passer de bons moments durant l’été. Pour vous encourager, nous vous annonçons la prochaine Foire aux Livres de Phoenix qui, comme d’habitude, va se dérouler samedi 2 mai 2020 dans la Salle des Fêtes à Campsegret sur la RN21 au nord de Bergerac.

Plus de 20,000 livres en très bon état, en anglais, français et hollandais vous attendent, classés par catégorie et par ordre alphabétique. Il y en a pour tous les gouts : livres de collection, romans, auto et biographies, espionnage, loisirs aussi bien pour les adultes que pour les enfants. De plus, il y a un grand choix de DVDs et de CDs, de jeux, de plantes, d’articles pour animaux et aussi du bric-à-brac. La plupart de ces articles sont au prix modique d’un Euro.

Vous aurez également l’opportunité de voir d’adorables chiens prêts à l’adoption qui n’attendent qu’un bon foyer pour les recevoir.

Evidemment, l’Equipe du Catering sera là pour vous proposer ses délicieuses friandises salées et sucrées faites maison par les membres et tous les amis de Phoenix. Pour les habitués, c’est toujours un moment

très agréable pour se retrouver autour de gouteux rafraichissements. Et, pour les nouveaux venus, ce sera une expérience inoubliable.

Nous vous attendons nombreux, avec ou sans chiens, à partir de 9h30 (9h00 pour les personnes handicapées) jusqu’à 15h00. Le parking est gratuit.

N’hésitez pas à nous apporter les livres et les autres choses en bon état que vous ne désirez plus, nous sommes preneurs !

Toutes vos donations, argent ou autre, seront versées à Phoenix pour le soin et la protection des animaux abandonnés et maltraités, leur gardiennage et les frais vétérinaires encourus jusqu’à leur adoption.

Alors, réservez la date du samedi 2 mai dans votre calendrier et venez nous rejoindre pour passer une superbe journée !

The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Soutenez nos annonceurs et dites-leur que vous avez vu leur annonce dans ce magazine

THE QUERCY & PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 61

PUZZLEPAGE A quick, easy English to French brain test. Answers can be found on www.localmagazinesfrance.com

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. (he) frees 4. state; status 7. (have) blushed 8. leak 9. (you/vous) label 11. (you/tu) insisted (2,7) 15. white 16. she-bear, a female bear 17. to deny 18. (have) assured DOWN 1. to read 2. (have) moved 3. sultana (6,3) 5. dyed 6. thirteen 8. (we) were faking 10 ham 12. picture 13. nut, that fits on a bolt 14. (have) peeled

WORDSEARCH CLUES 1. my (belonging to me) 2. more 3. (they) are 4. from 5.

1. that 2. what? 3. whom?

6.

1. to have 2. to own 7. plural subject (you) 8. to be 9. there 10.

1. like (such as) 2. such as 11.

(I) have 12. for (directed at,

intended to belong to) 13. (she) is 14. with, in the company of 15.

1. so (very) 2. if 16. they 17. but (on the contrary) 18.

1. one 2. an (indefinite article) 19. the 20.

1. all 2. every 3. everything Reproduced with permission from https://www.lexisrex.com Published March, June, September and December each year. The Quercy & Périgord Local • March - May 2020 Spring

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