The Périgord Local Issue 2 May - June 2018

May – June 2018 Issue 2

The

érigord Local The Region’s FREE magazine in English

Inside – Bees, Josephine Baker & Tarte Tatin Wedding Venues & The Pilgrim’s Choice Belvès & Eymet www.perigordlocal.com

Ironwood Motif Artist Blacksmith, Ferronnerie d’Art

In business in France since 2005, we create outstanding traditional and contemporary ironwork for indoors and outdoors.

Pergolas, staircases, railings, handrails, balustrades, balconies, gates, sculptures, outdoor structures and more... simple or elaborate, intricate or uncomplicated, small or large, we can fabricate, forge and hand make ironwork customised to your needs.

Individual, original and unique.

Take a look at our website and follow us on Ironwood Motif, Ferronnerie d’Art and on Instagram Ironwood Motif 46330, BLARS, 00 33 (0)5 65 30 53 99, www.ironwoodmotif.com SIRET: 481 198 638 00019

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4 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Hopefully this edition will find you enjoying some lovely sunshine and the rather-difficult winter and spring weather will be long forgotten.

In this edition the two towns we’ve been delighted to include are Belvès and Eymet. It’s been interesting finding out a bit more about these places and ‘thank you’ to the people who’ve been in touch to tell us about ‘their’ town.

Our aim, as always, is to help highlight local business and help people let everyone know about their activities. So, in this edition we have been delighted to find out more about Jane’s ‘Bougies D’Aquitaine’ a wonderful new candle-making business (see p.6) and Ironwood Motif’s stunning contemporary and traditional ironwork (see p.12). Then we’ve got Amanda’s wonderful chocolate emporium (see p.42).

Late summer would not be the same without Antic Disposition’s annual Shakespeare Tour. This August they are performing Much Ado About Nothing.

You can win front row tickets to a performance venue of your choice (see p.50).

The next edition will be out for the start of July. In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Or visit our website where you can: • Read a copy of this and previous magazines (including the Quercy Local) • Subscribe to receive copies to your home address – anywhere in the world.

• Subscribe to our monthly newsletter. www.perigordlocal.com theperigordlocal@gmail.com

Anna

CONTENTS Bougies D’Aquitaine

p.6

Pioneer Finance – Currency

p.9

Open Gardens

p.10

Ironwood Motif

p.12

Tarte Tatin

p.14

The Pilgrim’s Choice

p.16

Options for your UK Pension

p.19

Cycle for Life 2018

p.20

Rosé Wine

p.21

Wedding Venues

p.22

Bees, Clever and in Decline

p.26

Wines of SW France

p.28

Tasting the Lot

p.30

Acorn Cat Rescue

p.33

Micro business and TVA

p.35

Josephine Baker

p.36

Companion Planting

p.38

Eymet

p.40

Chocoterie

p.42

Belvès

p.46

Much Ado About Nothing

p.50

14

22

33

This is a free magazine and so we are totally dependent on advertisers. So, please do support them whenever the opportunity occurs.

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The Périgord Local ISSN: en cours. No part of this publication may be copied, used or reproduced without the written consent of the proprietor. No responsibility is accepted for any claim made by advertisers. All content accepted and printed in good faith. Please check that all advertisers are registered businesses in France or in their home country. The Périgord Local is owned and managed by A Atkinson (Las Razes, Touffailles,( 82190) Siret: 518 460 605 00018. It’s produced by the Magazine Production Company, West Sussex, UK. Printed by Gráficas Piquer. French admin; Valérie Rousseau. Assistant; Tom Burns.

THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 5

BANKING INSURANCE

IN FRANCE IN ENGLISH

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Christelle DENYS 06.38.99.27.69

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 - 03/2018

Insertion avril-mai.indd 1

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local27/03/2018 • May - June12:30 2018

6 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Burning the candle at both ends!

Local entrepreneur, Jane Hunt, hopes she has spotted a gap in the market and has created a business making scented candles at home with the aim of selling them over the internet, through re-sellers and at tourist-frequented markets in south west France.

T

he candles are made from soy wax, which gives a clean burn and contains no paraffin.

The fragrance oils used in the candles are vegan-friendly and the scents are all inspired

by France.

Each candle is presented in a white box with a white ribbon. The concept behind the business is to present a quality candle with a high-end look and feel at less than high-end prices.

The idea actually came about in 2012 but as is often the case, ideas come and we never have time to make them happen. Eventually, Jane said to her husband in November 2017, “I just can’t stop thinking about those candles!” “Then just do it”, he replied.

And that was that.

Bougies D’Aquitaine prices sit just under those of some of the well-known brands, based on the same sized candle. This is a strategy that Jane hopes will attract candle-lovers who are happy to pay a reasonable amount for a quality candle, but who also don’t want to feel ripped-off.

Jane noticed that locally, there wasn’t a great choice in candles to buy which is a great shame, as nearly everyone loves a candle!

The Périgord Local • May - June 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Périgord Local

THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 7

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As for the scents, Jane is very enthusiastic: “Melon Charentais is a popular candle in the range.

I’m lucky enough to live in the region where the melon Charentais is grown, and so during summer, I love to buy it fresh at the market. I enjoy mine with a twist of pepper. This candle definitely makes me think of summer and the fragrance has a touch of cooling cucumber too.“ Bougies D’Aquitaine also allows sweet-lovers to enjoy treats without the calories! One of the creations is a Crème Brûlée candle. “The crack of the spoon through the hot, burnt crust of sugar and the creamy vanilla beneath are all captured in this candle. Equally, I have produced a Vanille Intense and I make no apology for its strength. It is heaven in a jar!

I have to say though, the Violette is my absolute favourite. I am addicted to it. You can only imagine how our house smells right now. My husband says he thinks his nose has become immune to smelling!“ Each candle will burn for 25-30 hours; a fact Jane can prove by spreadsheet after months of rigorous trials and testing!

“Embarking on this was challenging in all ways.

I knew it would be hard work but didn’t actually realise quite how much hard work. I spent December 2017 working on a feasibility study to decide if the business could work or not. Having concluded that it had a chance, I spent three months sourcing suppliers, designing the branding, testing scents and making dozens of test candles. Each one was then burnt to test the burn-time. We had pieces of paper tallying hours next to candles all over the house.

I lost track once or twice and had to start again!

I wanted to be absolutely genuine in everything that is promised in the advertising text.

In February 2018 I spent the entire course of three weekends making candles for the initial stock.

I didn’t go out and I was too tired to speak to anyone.

La Petite Cuillère Bar - Restauration Salon de Thé - Glaces Café Littéraire Soirées Musicales á themes Vente de Déco Vente de Thés 12 rue des Déportés, 24150 Lalinde 05 53 27 36 39 La Petite Cuillère

I know I became a bore but luckily everyone forgave me. My biggest challenge though was designing the branding and the labels. I didn’t think it was really my forté but at this early stage, on a small budget, I have had to do everything myself. I got there in the end though and am pleased with the results. Now only time will tell me if my efforts will be justified.“

Contacts: Website: www.etsy.com/shop/BougiesAquitaine Facebook: Bougies d’Aquitaine Telephone: +33 (0)7 86 25 08 43 Email BougiesAquitaine@outlook.fr

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

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

THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 9

The second in a series of articles about Foreign Exchange matters, in discussion with Harris Raphael, Managing Partner of Dordogne-based Pioneer France FX

MAXIMISE YOUR CURRENCY TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FRANCE “If you require foreign exchange when selling or buying a French property, or just when moving funds for whatever reason, make sure you maximise the value of your funds”, says Harris.

MAXIMISE THE VALUE OF YOUR FUNDS Pioneer France clients invariably make substantial gains by using its foreign exchange services rather than using old-fashioned and expensive transfers through a bank, whatever the need: - Repatriating French house sale proceeds - a French house purchase - one-off or irregular transfers - regular pension, investment or general living expenses transfers (fix the rate up to 2yrs ahead!)

- business / corporate transfers.

SECURE FUNDS AND CLEAR, IMPARTIAL GUIDANCE Reassuringly, Pioneer France’s foreign exchange brokerage has been operating for over 40 years and trades over e22billion in currency for over 100,000 clients every year, and in this market, size matters! It is also one of the few brokerages that is fully authorised and regulated by the FCA, with the right of establishment in France.

“As such”, advises Harris, “we can provide our clients with security of funds, and we can give expert, clear and impartial guidance to aid our client’s decision making (e.g. immediate transfer,

The Pioneer France FX team, from left: Harris, Simon, Tanya, Zoe, James and Steven

forward transfer, splitting funds over time, a regular transfer plan, etc.), which the banks are not licensed to do. Market conditions are also discussed to help determine when clients should make their transfers”

BEST RATES AND GREAT SERVICE “Obtaining market-leading exchange rates in a secure, efficient way is what we help all our clients achieve”, adds Harris. “Opening a trading account with our specialist brokerage is free and very simple, and there is no obligation to trade. An account usually takes less than 48 hours to open”.

Pioneer France is committed to providing market-leading foreign exchange rates and service, so contact Harris and his team to find out more about saving thousands.

05 53 07 06 27 info@pioneerfrance.com www.pioneerfrance.com Pioneer France FX was recently voted number one for foreign exchange rates and service

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

10 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Opening gardens throughout France to help fund charitable causes Open Gardens/Jardins Ouvert is a registered association, which encourages owners to open their gardens to the public. Admission is by an annual Membership Card (10e) which entitles the holder to visit any of the gardens during the year, on their open days or by Day Visitors Pass (5e) available at the entrance of all Open Gardens. Purchase of annual membership cards and details of all gardens open in 2018 is available at www.opengardens.eu

Open Garden, Sunday 17 June 10am-5pm Garden owner – Elizabeth Oaten, Le Cavoux, 1 Chemin des Cavoux, 24420 Saint-Vincent-sur-l’Isle 05 53 05 42 76; GPS coordinates: 45.231784, 0.895838 This is a mature flower garden terraced on 3 levels, separated by stone walls. Including a rose trellis, lawns and several borders, mostly filled with herbaceous perennials in the English style. On the stone terraces around the house are troughs and pots of flowers and roses. French friends have called it ‘romantic’. The lowest area is planted with trees and mature shrubs. There is also a vegetable garden of about 10m x 23m (but only about half is cultivated as it is too big for current needs) and a greenhouse for growing bedding plants and tomatoes.

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 11

ISSIGEAC Le Relais de l’Ancienne Gare - Sylvie & Hervé Rodot - Route d’Eymet - 24560 Issigeac 05 53 58 70 29 relais.anciennegare@orange.fr www.relais-anciennegare.com Sylvie and Hervé Rodot look forward to welcoming you to their lovely restaurant where the dining room has a bit of a train theme; or to their floral terrace for a lovely summer meal.

The restaurant is about 800m outside the medieval village of Issigeac in lovely leafy countryside.

Opening Hours: 12h15 – 13h45 19h15 – 20h45 Open all year and every day except Monday lunchtimes, all day Thursdays and Sunday evenings You are advised to call and make a reservation

The Rodot Family – father and son chefs ~ Hervé, the father: traditional and gastronomic. Fabrice, the son: creative and modern.

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.

Only closed – Tuesday evenings all day Wednesday and Saturday lunchtimes L’Atelier, 66 tour de ville, 24560 Issigeac 05 53 23 49 78 Restaurant L’Atelier Issigeac

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

12 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Ironwood Motif

Creating beautiful metalwork structures and objects for inside or outside the home has been the business of husband and wife team, David and Lindsay Low of Ironwood Motif, since April 2005, when they set up their Artist Blacksmith/Ferronnerie d’Art business, Ironwood Motif.

B

ased in the tiny village of Blars, about halfway between Cahors and Figeac and where they made their permanent home in 2004, they have seen their business grow year on year. Their client base is 50% French speaking and 50% English speaking with a substantial amount of work being repeat custom coming from satisfied customers who return to them again and again. They have also received requests for their Artist Blacksmith services from as far afield in France as Foix in Ariège and across the other side of the world from Queensland in Australia.

David has 27 years of metal fabrication experience, many of those in the oil yards in the north of Scotland, and, just before moving to France, working for Airbus at their site in North Wales. Wanting a more creative outlet for his skills, David successfully turned his hand to more varied and intricate metalwork projects for friends and neighbours in his spare time. When they made their decision to make a full time move to South West France, it was quite naturally to artist blacksmithing that they looked to set up and develop a thriving business.

Their first commission was a metal pergola of substantial proportions for a French couple in their own village of Blars. Commissions for staircases,

Before After

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 13

railings, gates, balconies, balustrades, table bases, weather vanes, water features, handrails, well covers, metal sculptures, garden ornaments and even a complete outdoor terrace with steps and access ramp extending 15 meters have followed over the years.

Projects span contemporary and traditional styles, indoor and outdoor metalwork both large and small, pieces for garden and terrace, for upstairs and downstairs as well as intricate metal sculptures.

Each metalwork commission is different and has many variables to take into consideration before being custom designed by David.

He and Lindsay undertake the whole process from initial contact and site visit, discussion with the client, careful surveying and measuring, design, fabrication in their workshop through to installation of the finished project.

Depending on what the project requires, they are equipped to undertake four types of welding, mig, tig, arc and gas as well as small scale plasma cutting of sheet metal and, of course, traditional forge work.

David has completed major commissions at Communauté de Commune level and one such, that is clearly visible in all the villages comprising the Communauté de Communes du Causse de Labastide Murat is the fabrication of over 400 metal oak leaf markers, painted bright yellow which denote points of interest on the ‘Circuits du Bourg’.

As well as undertaking renovation projects such as repairing a stunning set of metal entrance gates that had gone into disrepair, restoring them and returning them to their former glory, his skill in using traditional forging methods is also called upon in renovation projects of historic buildings where, for example, hinges to match the centuries old originals were required for a major restoration project in the centre of old Figeac.

He is also the man to go to in the area for local farmers when running repairs are required to their agricultural machinery. In this way he fulfils the role of the local blacksmith, of which, at one time, there was one in every village.

David and Lindsay can be contacted through their website www.ironwoodmotif.com or on info@ironwoodmotif.fr or by telephone on 05 65 30 53 99.

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

14 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Tarte Tatin

PERFECTION ON A PLATE (finally)

Confession time – I love tarte tatin. From the moment I first tried it at a wonderful little restaurant in Lyon, I couldn’t help but fall madly in love. Those soft, caramel-coated apples kissed with the merest touch of cinnamon and blanketed by that flaky, buttery pastry! Heaven on the lips, especially if served warm, with a nice blob of crème fraîche – or even better, a scoop of cinnamon ice cream.

But that’s not my confession. I’m here to tell you that I’ve tried to make my own tarte tatin many times; and failed – again... and again... and again. Why is anyone’s guess! I can produce just about any French dessert with my eyes practically closed, but oh no, not a tarte tatin! Sometimes the pastry was too soggy. Other times I burnt the caramel (and the pan I made it in). Sometimes it looked OK, but it just didn’t taste quite right.

That was until today, when some slightly wrinkled little apples gave me the push I needed. Facing my fears and fully aware that this attempt might lead to failure yet again, I installed myself in the kitchen, turned up some Charles Aznavour (a little romance always help, no?) and set to work like a French girl on a mission.

I made the pastry, rolled it out on a sheet of parchment paper and then popped it in the fridge while I peeled the apples, made the caramel and preheated the oven. An hour later I had produced the most beautifully delectable tarte tatin ever! All of those failures were suddenly forgotten! A thing of the past!

Just don’t ask me why it worked this time around. The only thing I can say is that I’m thrilled to bits it did!

Here’s the recipe. Now excuse me while I go cut myself another slice…

Bon Appétit !

Paola’s Tarte Tatin Serves 8 For the pastry: 250g flour pinch of salt 110g cold butter, cubed 40g margarine, cubed 1 egg 2 tsps water

For the filling: 8 small apples (about 750g) peeled and cored 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out 1 tsp cinnamon 120g butter 200g granulated sugar

Note: Preferably, the tarte tatin should be made in an authentic tarte tatin pan measuring 25cm. A pan that can also be used on the stove; you can also use an ovenproof pan of the same size.

The Périgord Local • May - June 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Périgord Local

THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 15

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Method Preheat the oven to 180°C. In the bowl of your food processor, mix the flour, salt, butter and margarine until the mixture resembles oatmeal. Then add the egg and the water, and mix again until the dough comes together.

On a sheet of parchment paper roll out the pastry to a circle that is slightly larger than the pan you’ll be using.

Put the pastry in the fridge while you get on with the rest of the recipe.

Cut the peeled and cored apples in half, add the vanilla and cinnamon, and toss well to mix.

Put your tarte tatin pan on the stove and slowly melt the butter. Once the butter is almost fully melted, add the sugar and stir well for about a minute or two. Now increase the heat to about medium and leave the caramel until it starts to turn golden and smell wonderful. This will take about 10 minutes. Whatever you do, do not stir! Simply swirl the caramel every now and then.

Add the apples (cut side down) and then gently turn them around (cut side up) so they are completely coated with the caramel. Turn down the heat a bit, and leave the apples to cook for about five minutes.

In the meantime, take your pastry out of the fridge. Once the apples are cooked, take the pan off the heat, and carefully cover the apples with the pastry making sure to tuck in the sides and fold over any remaining pastry.

Prick the pastry a few times with a fork.

Bake the tarte tatin for about 45-50 minutes. Leave to cool on a rack for at least ten minutes before turning it out on to a plate. To serve, place a plate on top of the pan, put on some oven gloves, and flip the whole thing over so that the tarte tatin ends up on your plate. Enjoy as is, with some crème fraîche or with some vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

Paola Westbeek is a food, wine and travel writer with a good dose of joie de vivre. She is passionate about French cooking, old-fashioned chansons, Rembrandt and life. Paola is available for all kinds of recipe development and culinary advice.

For more information visit www.ladoucevie.eu or contact Paola at pwestbeek@gmail.com.

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

16 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

The Pilgrim’s Choice

M

an’s relationship to cheese predates recorded history. Few products can match it in terms of protein and fat storage, ease of transport or longevity. The first written records of the production of cheese date back to Poland 5500 years ago and archaeologists have found samples of it Egyptian tombs that date to approximately 2000 BC. With the exception of some Southeast Asian countries, which had no history of dairy production, virtually every society on earth has developed cheese making techniques to prolong the life of milk.

In a way that is very characteristic of the French, they chose to move beyond merely turning milk into

cheese in order to preserve it, and instead turned it into an art form; one that for many of us was a major draw card when deciding to move to this country. Here cheese is revered almost as much as wine and real connoisseurs can be just as snobby. That said, cheese is also something that touches the day to day lives of the common man. On average, the French consume 25 kilograms of cheese per person per annum and it is eaten regularly by 96 percent of the population.

Cheese is more than just an edible commodity though. In France, where there are estimated to be between three and four hundred different cheeses, each one tells a tale of the local culture, livestock production and geography of the region. Cabacou is no exception.

Cabacou is a small round cheese that is produced from goats’ milk. Under its AOC name of Rocamadour, it has won international recognition and it is hard to find a menu in the south west of France that does not offer it. Like many French cheeses it has its roots in the history of the area. At one time, pilgrimage from various points in Europe to Santiago in northern Spain was widely practised. Between the 11th and 16th century, in what is often referred to as the golden age of pilgrimage, it is estimated that at any one time twenty percent of the population were either on pilgrimage or engaged in supplying services to pilgrims.

One of the most sacred sites to visit along the way was the ancient monastery of Rocamadour. Stallholder

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 17

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Rocamadour lies on the Causse where a limestone ridge rises to just below soil level. The thin layer of soil that does exist is not conducive to the production of crops or large livestock, but it lends itself perfectly to goat breeding. The small, round, cabacou cheeses provided the perfect product to sell to hungry pilgrims and so another cheese made its way into French culture.

In the late 16th century, the Black Plague, religious wars and wide spread famine contributed to a near total demise of the grand pilgrimage. Along the former pilgrim routes, many people who had plied their various trades to the steady flow of travellers passing through were forced to seek other markets.

The string of ruined mills along the banks of the l’Alzou River, running past Rocamadour, offers testament to the changes that must have taken place during this period.

It was a time of great upheaval in France but cabacou had established itself as part of the regional culture. In 1996 cabacou received AOC status.

Fittingly, this came under the name Rocamdour which had proven to be such a magnet to those early pilgrims. Today it is not so much pilgrims that are attracted to the cobbled streets of the famous village, but tourists. The small, round, goats’ cheese continues to provide a solid business for many of the local farmers. Interestingly, pilgrimage has seen a massive revival in recent years and the number of pilgrims passing through Rocamdour has quadrupled since the 1980’s, no doubt adding further demand for this cheese that now bears its name.

By Mike Alexander

CONTACT US Tel: 01622 690653 or 01622 695374 Email: info@anglofrenchmail.com Unit 15, Heronden Rd, Bircholt Rd, Parkwood, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9YR

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Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

18 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

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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 overseas, via the Insurance Mediation Directive from Malta, the 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 authorised as “Conseil en Investissements Financiers” andby “Courtiers d’Assurance” Category (register can beManagement consulted onLimited www.orias.fr). of ANACOFI-CIF. office: Blevins Franks Group is represented in France the following companies: BlevinsBFranks Financial (BFFM)Member and Blevins Franks FranceBFF’s SASUregistered (BFF). BFFM is Parc Innolin,and 3 Rue du Golf,byCS 33701 Mérignac – RCSin BXthe 498 800 465 APEnumber 6622Z. Garantie Financière et Assurance deoverseas, Responsabilité Professionnelle aux authorised regulated the60073, Financial Conduct Authority UK, reference 179731. Where advice is provided via theCivile Insurance Mediationconformes Directive from articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire etsome Financier and L512-6 and duBlevins Code des Assurances (assureur Malta, the regulatory system differs in respects from that of 512-7 the UK. Franks France SASU (BFF),MMA). is registered with ORIAS, registered number 07 027 475, 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: Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, CS 60073, 33701 Mérignac – RCS BX 498 800 465 APE 6622Z. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier and L512-6 and 512-7 du Code des Assurances (assureur MMA).

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 19

WHAT CAN EXPATRIATES IN FRANCE DO WITH THEIR UK PENSION IN 2018?

By Colin Leigh-Higgott, Blevins Franks When it comes to pensions, your long-term financial security is at stake, so take care to do what is right for you and your family. Expatriates also need to consider the tax rules and implications in France.

Start by understanding the options available for different pension types.

Whatever type of pension you have, consider certain issues before making any decisions.

‘Defined contribution’ or ‘money purchase’ pensions These pensions are made up of what you have paid into the scheme alongside employer contributions, tax rebates and investment growth. Examples include individual or group personal and employer pensions and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs).

Since the pension freedoms of 2015, members of these schemes can usually do the following from age 55: • Take the whole fund as cash – 25% (the ‘Pension Commencement Lump Sum’ – PCLS) will be tax-free in the UK. • Make cash withdrawals when you want – unless you have already taken the PCLS, a quarter is free of UK tax each time.

• Take regular income through ‘flexible drawdown’, leaving the remainder invested.

• Take a secure, regular income for life through buying an annuity.

Expatriates also have the option to transfer UK pension funds to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). QROPS benefits include flexibility to pass pension benefits to chosen heirs and to take income in Euros instead of Sterling. Once in a QROPS, funds are protected from lifetime pension allowance penalties and future UK taxation.

However, QROPS benefits and rules can vary between providers and jurisdictions, and a 25% UK tax charge applies on transfers to QROPS outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Gibraltar. As transferred funds remain liable for five UK tax years, you risk being penalised if you become tax resident in a non-EEA jurisdiction within that period. It is important to take professional advice to first establish if transferring is suitable for you and then navigate the complex options.

Taxation While a quarter of a defined contribution scheme can be taken tax-free in the UK, French residents are liable to French taxation at the income tax scale rates up to 45%.

Only withdrawals prompted by an ‘accident of life’, like invalidity, unemployment or death of a spouse, are exempt.

It may be possible to limit French tax on a UK lump sum to just 7.5% - with an uncapped 10% allowance – in certain circumstances. Generally, you must take the whole fund at once, so you may be ineligible for this rate if you have already started taking benefits.

All pension income also attracts annual social charges of 9.1% (7.4% previously), unless you hold EU Form S1 or do not have access to the French healthcare system.

Making your money last Having the freedom to withdraw or transfer your pension does not mean that you should. You may even be better off taking no action at this time. If you choose to take some or all of your benefits as cash, make sure you have a plan to fund your long-term future that suits your personal circumstances and goals.

The threat of losing it all Pension scams have never been more widespread and sophisticated – Age UK estimates £43 million has been lost to scammers since April 2014. Generally, if an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Once you transfer your pension, it is too late.

Also, beware that many companies offering pension services are unregulated. Whether they aim to defraud you or not, unprotected investments risk losing your money, with no recourse if things go wrong.

Even amongst regulated providers, check for quality.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that less than half of those cashing in final salary pensions received ‘Defined benefit’ or ‘final salary’ pensions suitable advice. Make sure your adviser takes account of Here, your employer guarantees a proportion of your your needs, objectives, personal circumstances and risk appetite to find a tailor-made solution for you and your salary for the whole of retirement. As benefits last a life in France. lifetime and are often generous, these are viewed as ‘gold-plated’ pensions.

Getting it wrong could have serious and unexpected consequences. Take the time you need to do your While you cannot usually withdraw cash from these research and establish your best approach for a pensions, you can transfer it to a defined contribution scheme or a QROPS. Traditionally, this has been considered prosperous retirement. less attractive than drawing a guaranteed pension for life.

The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements However, today, some struggling providers are tempting concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of members to cash-in with ‘transfer values’ of up to 40 times current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. the annual benefits due at retirement. Although a one-off Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised sum could potentially provide a retirement income that to seek personalised advice. exceeds the original annual payment, it is crucial to Keep up to date on the financial issues that fully understand the consequences before giving up may affect you on the Blevins Franks news ‘gold-plated’ benefits. page at www.blevinsfranks.com Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

20 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE CYCLE FOR LIFE, 2018 ENTRE DEUX MERS 19TH – 31ST MAY

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his is the fourth bike ride organised by CSF and before you read any further – or feel two weeks cycling is just too daunting for words, the idea is that you can cycle as much or as little as you like. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to pack up and take off for a day, several days or whatever they feel like and whichever section of the route best takes their fancy. It can attract folk who are joyfully recovering from cancer or people who want to honour friends or loved ones they may have lost to the disease.... straightforward cycling enthusiasts, first timers or simply anyone, such as you or me.

Often a family member or friend will drive a support vehicle, carrying camping equipment, food, first aid or gin and tonic – or a camper van offering instant rest and accommodation, which sounds rather blissfully 5-star. However, members of CSF will also be providing transportation of luggage etc along the route for anyone who requires it.

This year the route has been planned to start at Royan on the Gironde and finishing at Marseillan Plage on the Mediterranean before heading back to Agde, for logistical reasons – namely the train station.

The route pretty much follows that famous old Canal du Midi, a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1996. The ride is sponsored and indeed, a fundraising Cancer Awareness exercise (get the pun?) so all donations are gratefully received.

By the way, unlike the UK where the actual charity benefits more from your gift with an additional Government contribution – in France, say you give e100 to the charity and declare it, you personally will receive a tax credit back of 66% – in this case e66 – so you can actually afford to be more generous, knowing that much credit will find its way back into your purse by being deducted from your tax bill. All donations will receive a receipt which you keep towards your tax reconciliation. You can also use Paypal or Alvarum.

Back to the bike ride – each day starts with Registration between 9 and 10am. The cycling day is

varied but covers around 50 kms and will finish between 16.00 and 17.00 except the final day at Agde (21 kms) where it will end at about mid-day with a reception.

There are two rest days, 21st May in Bordeaux and 28th May in Carcassonne. Once you have entered, you will receive a Participant’s Pack from Sasha, giving the map, meal ideas, suggested places to stay such as moderately priced hotels, camp sites, etc Of course you can also get the T-shirt.

This year the Mayors and Adjoints along the way have been notified and hopefully will ask their locals to turn out and welcome the cyclists as they pass by or stop for lunch. How great it would be if various villages offered a bit of cheer, a little hospitality maybe in the form of ice cream or fruit juice etc. Altogether it is hoped that it will be a hugely successful and memorable event. So, shake off the cold, wet winter, stir up those kids – or grandkids – beg, borrow, steal or hire a couple of wheels and off you whizz.

All information at: https://csfcycleforlife.org/ or cancersupportfrance.org and click onto the Cycle for Life page. If you are interested in taking part, contact Sasha at: admin@cancersupportfrance.org Cancer Support France is a national and voluntary service, offering support for English speaking people touched by cancer in France. If you need help, call 0800 240 200 or email: helpline@ cancersupportfrance.org. One of our team will contact you within 24 hours. Call free from a landline, your call will be taken on an answerphone.

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 21

rosé wine

who makes the best?

Well, as many people say when talking about wine, I know what I like!

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ut why is that? Is it because you’ve found a vineyard which you enjoy driving to and the people there. Or, where you can be understood and so you can ask questions. Or, do you actually like the wine!

When Tasting the Lot arranges wine tastings in people’s homes, we cover the bottles. Quite often people have tasted the wine before and don’t recognise it. Or, they have previously said they don’t like it and now love it! ‘That’s my favourite’ when asked which one they prefer, only to find out it is one they have previously said they absolutely hated! Our perception can lead us down the wrong path, especially where wine is concerned.

Rosé wine is NOT made from mixing white and red grapes. Though some argue that this makes the finest wines. Champagne, before you wonder which ones I am talking about! Rosé is made by, in most cases, draining the juice from the grapes a few hours after harvesting (especially in The Lot). This juice, especially from the Malbec grape is dark almost black-purple.

It looks like blackcurrant sorbet. This is generally vinified separately to specifically make rosé wine.

We’ve a plethora of delicious rosé wines in our region. Get out there and visit some vineyards.

This month I’ve been driving about the Périgord

searching for new wines and my favourite was found not too far from Eymet, one of the featured villages in this edition.

Château Tour de Grangemont. Saint-Aubin-deLanquais is just 25 minutes north of Eymet on the scenic pretty route to Bergerac airport. Sometimes it’s a lovely idea to turn right instead of left and this is how I found this 60-hectare vineyard. It was a lovely find, friendly and with an enormous range of wines.

For those who like to bottle their own, you can take your own container to be filled! I loved it here.

Try all their wines but especially the rosé!

Yes, their rosé wine, is absolutely delicious. A blend of Merlot, Cabernets and Malbec; three of my favourite grapes and blended to perfection. It is a very easy wine to drink and one of those wines that manages to go well with every course. We drank this wine, chez moi, during our Easter festivities!

Luci

www.tasting-the-lot.com

For more information on wine tasting evenings, in your own home or holiday venue please do get in contact either on Facebook: Tasting The Lot, Quercy or follow us on Twitter or Instagram as we drink and eat our way around the Quercy.

Expat Citizen Rights in EU - ‘ECREU’ ECREU is a lobby and self-help group set up to make sure your rights are foremost in the minds of those negotiating your future within the EU. We are working to get British MPs and Brussels representatives on your side and willing to state your case in any discussions and negotiations resulting from the UK’s decision to leave the EU. So if you are concerned for your wellbeing as an expat citizen living in another EU country after Brexit, you will not be alone.

You can join ECREU (no charge) at www.ecreu.com Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

22 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

WeddingVenues All eyes will be on Windsor this May. Not to be outdone, we’ve had a quick look to find our own stunning, regional Wedding Venues. Here’s a couple of wonderful places that would be perfect for anyone planning a celebration but without access to the Royal Residencies.

Each described by those that know them best.

Domaine d’Essendiéras In the heart of the Périgord Vert, Domaine d’Essendiéras invites you to plan your special day in its 880 acres of beautiful French countryside. It’s situated at the top of one of the highest hills of the Dordogne, with magnificent views over the valley.

The Domaine is graced with two châteaux from the XVIth and XIXth centuries.

From time immemorial this stunning property has been an agrarian Domaine (the second largest in the Dordogne) occupied by highly-prominent, French families usually with a cultural or political background.

People such as the French writer and politician André Maurois.

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 23

The land was used to produce tobacco and wine in the XIXth century, but these crops were replaced after WWI with livestock and arable farming. Then in the ‘60s, the previous owner and businessman, Sylvain Floirat, created one of the largest apple orchards in Europe.

Today this family-owned estate has become one of the largest wedding venues in South-West France.

The châteaux are surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains for outdoor receptions and events.

The clubhouse has authentic wooden floors, ancient beams and panoramic views over the golf course and beautiful Dordogne landscape and can host up to 250 people. This exceptional venue can also accommodate all your guests within the grounds, in a variety of suites, rooms and gîtes.

The staff here are used to ensuring that everything is perfect to create perfect wedding days. They can provide all your catering needs, from a reception and cocktails, up to a 5-course dinner and even a brunch the next day. They also have a wealth of knowledge about who to call for flowers, DJ’s, bands, fireworks, hair, makeup, wedding cakes. Simply everything you might need.

To find out more: Domaine d’Essendiéras, 24160 St. Médard d’Excideuil, www.essendieras.fr; info@essendieras.fr

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

24 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Secondly...

Le Domaine de Gavaudun Le Domaine de Gavaudun is a stunning property set within 35 ha of undulating fields and woodland. It’s a calm green oasis perfectly situated in the south of the historic Périgord (Noir) region, the region of a thousand Châteaux. Here you’ll find a selection of charming, renovated-buildings. With larger spaces ideal for your celebrations and several types of accommodation within the grounds for your guests. All surrounded by a stunning natural environment.

This venue is ideal for a residential-wedding; where everyone can stay together and perhaps make a holiday out of the occasion. Up to 172 people can be accommodated. You’ll be able to organise your wedding over several days; allowing you and your guests to take full advantage of the surroundings.

There are two large halls, for 70 and 160 people with large round tables and a dance floor (or for up to 100 and 200 people at long tables). There are also some smaller rooms for more intimate gatherings.

If required, we can add a marquee or combine the use of several rooms, to allow you to be as flexible as you like with your arrangements, maybe a separate room for the children!

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 25

and not forgetting those all-important photographs!

To keep all your guests happy there are numerous sports and leisure options on site, so nobody will be bored.

Here, everyone can do a bit of what they enjoy or perhaps take part in some organised group activities. Maybe a mini-Olympics, a treasure hunt or a group stroll to the Château de Gavaudun and a picnic at the foot of its tower.

The Domaine’s chef will be pleased to make suggestions for you and help you plan your perfect Wedding breakfast. The Domaine’s owners and staff are on hand to help you make your perfect memories deep in the Périgord profound.

At Domaine de Gavaudun, you’ll be able to enjoy wide, open-spaces and beautiful views. There are a selection of different indoor and outdoor areas to provide variety for your gatherings, meals and aperitifs

To find out more: - Domaine de Gavaudun, Vezou, 47150 Gavaudun; www.domaine-de-gavaudun.com; info@domaine-de-gavaudun.com

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

26 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

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he decline in bee numbers is a major concern.

Their survival is linked to the well-being of all living creatures. Bees are critical to a healthy biodiversity and food chain (as an irreplaceable and effective pollinator). Plus, they provide products used in apitherapy, industry and which are also delicious to eat. There’s been a lot of publicity about the plight of bees. So, nobody will be able to say that they did not realise the danger.

A little bit about bees • There are many species of bee – the best known is the honey bee.

• Within a colony there’s a queen, worker-bees (female) and drones (males).

• Each bee come from an egg laid by the colony’s queen.

• The worker-bees (about 90% of the colony) hatch from fertilized eggs.

• The drones hatch from a virgin bee’s un-fertilized eggs.

• To become a worker-bee a fertilized egg is nourished by pollen and honey.

• There is only 1 queen bee in a colony.

• The queen is fed by the workers with royal jelly.

• The queen lays up to 200 000 eggs per year.

• The choice of site for a new colony is a collective decision-making process.

• The brain of a bee is 1mm3 but it communicates, navigates and learns.

• The average size of a colony is 40,000.

• The life expectancy of a worker bee is 3-5 weeks.

• The life expectancy of a queen bee is 3–5 years.

• Bees are non-aggressive unless attacked.

Worker-bees have many tasks but are adapted to suit • They feed the bee larvae • They feed the queen with royal jelly secreted from special glands on their heads.

• They gather nectar to make honey.

•They build combs with their wax glands.

• They collect and distribute pollen using the hairs on their legs.

• They guard the hive’s entrance.

• They forage up to 7km from the hive.

What do bees do for us?

They produce Honey created from the nectar they harvest. The composition, colour and taste of honey varies with, amongst other things, which flowers they have visited. A useful, healthy food source with antibiotic properties.

They produce Royal Jelly which is a secreted by the nurse ‘worker-bees’ to feed the queen. It’s produced in small quantities and is pale and acidic. This jelly allows bee larvae to become queens. It’s rich in vitamins, trace elements and amino acids. A sort-after ingredient for human well-being.

They produce propolis by mixing their saliva with their wax, they use this to seal and protect their hives.

This is then used for some traditional medicines, as well as some manufacturing and industrial processes.

They gather Pollen from the stamens of flowers, as a protein food for themselves. This also contains carbohydrates and vitamins. Making it an excellent dietary supplement.

They produce wax in their wax glands which can then be used for making cosmetics and candles.

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Most importantly they pollinate most of the food sources on the planet. Without this the earth’s food supply starts to dwindle.

What’s a solitary bee?

Unlike honey bees which live in highly organised and social colonies, solitary bees live alone and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They’re useful in the garden and great pollinators. These bees nest in the earth, dead wood or other insect’s holes.

They’re generally active earlier in the year than other bees. It’s well worth planting to attract them and creating shelters to house them.

Why are bees in peril?

There are many reasons for the decline in bee numbers. Including, the destruction of natural habitats and food sources; so that bees become tired (and therefore weak) looking for places to colonise or feed.

The European or Asian hornets kill bees and so trapping hornets is encouraged. However, the parasitic Varroa mite is the worst bee enemy.

Chemical pesticides are also very harmful, some very toxic pesticides have already destroyed billions of bees! Man’s choice of agricultural methods has made him one of the bee’s greatest enemies.

What can we all do to help?

To redress this decline, we need to: Make our gardens more bee-friendly.

Garden without pesticides.

Support beekeepers and consume local produce.

Encourage others to do the same!

We can also all ‘make a date’ (or even a few dates) with the bees perhaps one between the 15th and 24th June. This is when you may notice a national campaign running urging everyone to plant melliferous flowers. Plants such as, borage, rape, calendula, hyssop, phacelia, lavender, white mustard, and many others. Many local gardencentres will be getting involved and advising about the best plants for bees.

This is the 2nd year of the campaign, organised

by Observatoire Français d’Apidologie. Information will be available on www.flowersforbees.com.

If everyone just takes a little time during the campaign to plant one or two specific plants, we will be all helping to halt the bee’s demise.

By Valérie Rousseau

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

28 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Wines of SW France

Château Petit Gravet Ainé’s Saint Emilion Grand Cru (Bordeaux, Right Bank)

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his 2.3-hectare vineyard is run by Catherine Papon Nouvel and has been owned by her family since 1792. Catherine also owns the neighbouring Chateau Clos St. Julien. Both vineyards are in Saint Emilion. The very special Petit Gravet Ainé’s Grand Cru vines are very old and produce fruit with compelling qualities.

The Château Petit Gravet Ainé’s vineyard is situated not far from the village of St. Emilion. For those who have the chance to go to Saint Emilion, coming from Bordeaux you arrive in Saint Emilion on the D670.

Before you take a left turn and climb to the village, Petit Gravet Ainé is on your left when you drive up to the village.

The terroir consists of a unique combination of deep sand and clay soils. Petit Gravet Ainé is planted uniquely (for Saint Emilion) with 20% Merlot and 80% Cabernet Franc. This makes it a unique vineyard for the entire Bordeaux region and not just for the Right Bank.

On average, Catherine’s vines are 70 years old.

She’s also one of the few people to have converted

a Bordeaux vineyard to organic farming techniques.

At Petit Gravet Ainé they use no pesticides, herbicides or systemic chemical treatments of any kind.

The production process also limits the use of sulphites.

Producing organic Bordeaux wine can be complicated by the weather conditions and the Atlantic’s influence.

Consequently, very few people in the region are organically certified.

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 29

Left Bank, Right Bank – what’s this all about?

The Gironde Estuary is fed by the rivers Dordogne and Garonne and the soil on either side is quite different and so there’s a significant difference between Bordeaux wines from the Right Bank and the Left Bank. On the Left Bank where the soil is gravely it’s the powerful Cabernet Sauvignon that thrives. Whereas on the Right Bank where the terroir is limestone and clay the dominant grape is the rich Merlot. It is not just the soil that is different; the culture, style and character of wine production vary.

It follows, so are the wines! They taste, smell, age and feel different.

Catherine learned her trade alongside her father.

However, they both had very strong personalities and so in 1989 she left to work on her own in a small vineyard in the Côtes-de-Castillon appellation.

Then in 1998 her father asked her to take over the 3 family vineyards: Chateau Petit Gravet Ainé, Clos Saint Julien and Chateau Gaillard.

This lady vintner has an almost Burgundian philosophy, her 3 small vineyards don’t have a common link. Each with a unique style pertinent to its own terroir.

Catherine’s aim is to achieve harmony, balance and finesse. As the years pass she prefers to make wines

that are less powerful. Wines that simply reveal the fruit in harmony with the maturation process. As with life itself, balance is the key to a successful wine.

At Petit Gravet Ainé harvesting is done by hand with small trays, and the grapes are meticulously sorted by hand, twice. This is one of the rare vineyards that uses a small traditional basket press and then a natural fermentation with only natural indigenous yeast.

Malolactic fermentation is carried out in new French oak barrels and aged for 18 months.

Only about 7 000 bottles are produced for each vintage, so you need to keep your eyes open to find a bottle of Catherine’s ‘balanced’ and very personal wine.

Catherine PAPON-NOUVEL chateau.gaillard@wanadoo.fr www.vignoblesjjnouvel.fr We are delighted to work with Thomas Gisbert who was born and bred to a wine producing tradition in S W France. However, he’s now in Australia where he promotes and imports wines from our region to share with his Australian clients. Thomas knows so much about the ‘less obvious’ but brilliant producers. We hope to meet Thomas himself in one of our later editions, that’s if we can catch him on one of his visits to his family vineyard. www.mosaiquewines.com.au

FREE PET SITTERS

Today many online businesses offer invaluable niche services to expats.

Pet sitting is one such service. But which network is safe?

Joining a membership network like ours, for a small annual fee, helps you meet suitable and checked pet and house sitters securely online and arrange for them to care for your pets in your own home. Are you, like many pet owners, shocked at the end of a holiday to find that pet care costs have significantly increased the cost of your trip? Worse still, you might be tired of repeatedly asking neighbours to mind the pets for a few days, so instead you decide to stay at home again?

Today, there’s an alternative. A growing trend that is part of ‘the Sharing Economy’ a collaboration with others for mutual benefit. Even if your pets are cared for in your own home you usually pay for the time and attention the sitter gives your fur family while you are away from home and if you are away for two or three weeks it can add up. But not with HouseSitMatch.com the pet care and home care is for free. You pay for the membership that covers ID checking for everyone and the management of the online systems that keep things secure.

I was a little apprehensive at first about using an online service to try and find a suitable house sitter to look after my house and cat but as soon as I registered I was contacted by Lamia, the business owner, who provided me with excellent support and help in getting my profile set up and my house sit vacancy logged. Lamia took a real interest in making sure I found the right sitters so whilst it may be an online service, the attention to detail and the personal help and service I have received has been exceptional and I would have no hesitation recommending HouseSit Match and Lamia to others. ~ Mike Condron ~ Home & Pet owner, Limousin (Reviews on Trustpilot)

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To find a house pet-sitter, or to register as a house sitter yourself go to www.housesitmatch.com Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

30 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Tasting the lot

royal celebrations With a cherry on top!

I can’t help it, I love France, every single thing about it, from the obvious love of wine, food, history, culture, people, traditions and customs to the endless red tape of trying to live here!

A

ll that said though I’m an English girl through and through! I was born in Stratford Upon Avon in the 60s and grew up being overseen by WI style ladies and ex-military, National Trust-volunteering, gentlemen.

Moving to France I’ve been able to choose which parts of my life to replicate here. English celebrations are something I love! This spring sees a Royal Wedding and the birth of an heir to the British throne. I loved celebrating Prince William’s wedding alongside 5 lovely ladies at Montcuq. This time, I hope to have them all

New Season Garlic Soup

Cherry Sauce for Duck!

Ingredients

Ingredients

15 cloves garlic – peeled, 3 tblsp olive oil, 1 large sweet onion – chopped, 1 leek, white part only – washed well, chopped, 1.25lts chicken stock, 2 large potatoes – peeled and chopped, 250ml full fat milk, 1/2 cup chives – chopped, Salt and pepper to taste

2 lbs pitted cherries 50g caster sugar 400ml chicken stock 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 175ml glass of red wine

Method

Method

In large pot, sauté onion and leek in oil until soft.

Add stock, bring to a boil, then add potatoes and garlic. Simmer for one hour. Whisk in milk then puree soup in blender if a smooth consistency is desired.

Add salt and pepper. Garnish with slightly dyed in red and blue colouring onion crisps!! (fry a little onion in food colouring to achieve the colour you wish!) I intend to sprinkle theses coloured onion pieces onto the top of the soup to serve.

Place the sugar and red-wine vinegar in a pan on a medium heat and reduce until you have a sticky caramel. Pour in the wine and the stock and reduce by 2/3. When you have the consistency you desire, add in the cherries. Stir and let cherries absorb some of the sauce. Serve!

Tip: You can prepare the sauce in advance and re-heat when required

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 31

SUMMER 2018 - BISCARROSSE PLAGE Light, sunny and spacious apartment, with ocean views, sleeps six.

To let direct from owner from June 15 to Sept. 15.

Situated in the centre in one of the resort’s best apartment blocks, 150 m from the beach, the second-floor accomm. includes sitting room with two balconies, south & west facing, double bedroom with balcony and two bunk beds.

Separate fully equipped kitchen. IT compatible music system. Lift. Parking – one vehicle. Pets allowed.

July & August 650e per week June & Sept 550e per week

Call 06 33 65 16 97 / +44 7739 426 884 Eng. spoken. with me for lunch so that we can celebrate Prince Harry’s wedding over a lengthy 4-courses with delicious wines. Food very patriotically coloured red, white and even a sprinkling of blue! Our white starter is going to be new season Garlic Soup.

Cherry Clafoutis

And then for something red Over the next 2 months the cherry trees will be laden with fruit. We’ve 2 types in our garden, one produces huge, fat, red-black cherries. I think they are called Bigarreau Burlat or the Bigorre cherry.

Whatever their name, I think they’re a great start to a Royal wedding celebration!

Cherries are good for you, in the 15th century a crushed cherry pip was prescribed for chest and stomach problems. Today, you can still find cherry stem tea, which is known as a diuretic and to help promote healthy kidney function. Cherry is part of the rose family and is, therefore, allegedly useful for fighting anaemia, cellulitis, constipation, cystitis, diuresis, flu, lithiasis, obesity, and rheumatism.

Anyway, I love them, and they feature highly in my red theme!

My main course will be duck breast Pan fried and accompanied by a delicious ruby-red sauce.

Duck is terribly simple to cook, but if you would like more details please do email me at tastingthelot@gmail.com. I am always happy to talk recipes!

Continuing the red, white and blue theme; our dessert is going to be Cherry Clafoutis – but with a hint of blue! The blue comes from borage flowers.

Everyone needs borage in their vegetable patch.

It’s supposed to help increase the yield of strawberries when planted together. Borage provides cucumberflavoured leaves for tea as well as bright starry blue flowers for decorating salads and this year my clafoutis!

Luci Cox

www.tasting-the-lot.com

Ingredients 600 g fresh sweet cherries, stemmed and pitted, 30 g butter, melted, 4 eggs, 240 ml milk, 100g flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 100 g sugar, 1/2 tsp almond extract (or 3 drops of almond essence), 1/2 tsp vanilla extract For dusting – powdered sugar Method Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease a round 26cm baking dish with butter. Dust with about 2 tbsp of sugar. Arrange the cherries in a single layer; set aside until you prepare the batter. Mix eggs with remaining sugar and salt. Stir in flour. Add milk, vanilla extract, almond extract and mix well until well blended. Add melted butter and stir to combine. The result is a batter-like mixture. Pour the mixture over the cherries.

Bake for about 40-45 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Cool on a rack for few minutes while it deflates. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Serve warm or chilled with a dollop of cream and garnish with blue borage flowers.

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

32 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Coping with excess cherry harvests Here’s an easy recipe to use up cherries if you have hundreds!

Cherry Wine

March – April

2018 Issue

March – April 2018 Issue 1

1

The

March – April

The

érigord Local l d Local érigor érigord Loca 2018 Issue

The

The Region’s

FREE magazine

The Region’s FREE magazine in English

in English

The Region’s

Welcome to our 1st Edition

Welcome to our 1st Edition

in English

Welcome to our

1st Editi on

Spring Edition Inside – Violets and Gastropods, Ice-Cream Goats Cheese A Missing Bugatti French Tax Changes Domme Lalinde and

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FREE magazine

Spring Edition Inside – Gastropods, Violets and Goats Cheese Ice-Cream A Missing Bugatti French Tax Changes Lalinde and Domme

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Spring Edition Inside – Gastropods, Violets and Goats Cheese Ice-Cream A Missing Bugatti French Tax Changes Lalinde and Domme l.com

1

GET THIS MAGAZINE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR!

Your copy of The Périgord Local can be delivered to your home in France or anywhere in the world.

If you would like to get the next 5 copies of the magazine delivered directly to your home in France or another address anywhere in the world then this is very simple to arrange.

Ingredients 6 lb mixed sweet and sour cherries Campden tablets (you can buy these online or sometimes in Gamm Vert) 2 ½ lbs sugar Wine yeast Yeast Nutrient Water Note: Ideally you want a 50/50 mix of sweet and sour cherries. If you don’t have at least 1lb of sour cherries, add the juice and zest of a large lemon to the pulp.

Method Remove the stalks from the cherries and rinse.

Put into a fermenting bin and crush. An old-fashioned potato masher is great for this. Pour on 4 pints of boiling water. When cool, add 1 Campden tablet, crushed and dissolved in a little warm water. Boil all the sugar in 4 pints of water for 2 or 3 minutes and, when cool, mix into the pulp. Add the yeast and yeast nutrient and cover and allow to ferment for a week, stirring daily. Strain and press and return liquor to a clean fermenting bin.

Cover again and leave for 3 or 4 days. Pour through a fine sieve carefully into a gallon jar, leaving as much deposit behind as possible. Fill up the jar with cooled, boiled water to where the neck begins.

Fit a fermentation lock and leave until fermentation has finished. Rack, as necessary, adding a Campden tablet after the first racking to stop fermentation.

Syphon into bottles. Enjoy!

Simply visit our website and follow the link to ‘Subscribe’ you can made the subscription immediately by using either a bank card or paypal. If you prefer to pay by cheque then simply forward a cheque (payable to A Atkinson) to Las Razes, Touffailles, 82190, France – do include the address that you want the magazines sending to. We will always start the subscription with the next edition to be published unless you email to ask us to start with the current one.

The costs for getting 5 copies sent to you are currently – 26 euro for an address in France or 18 euro for elsewhere in the world.

thequercylocal@gmail.com www.quercylocal.com Vous aussi, vous pouvez nous faire part de vos billets d’humeur, de vos intérêts associatifs ou caritatifs, nous parler de votre ville ou de votre passion ....

Alors, à vos stylos pour notre prochaine édition de Juillet : nous attendons vos textes en français !

Notre magazine est anglais tout simplement parce que les personnes qui l’ont créé, qui participent à son contenu à chaque édition, sont de langue natale britannique principalement, et que THE QUERCY LOCAL, notre première publication, s’adressait, en tous cas dans son objectif initial, aux personnes de langue anglaise vivant ou séjournant dans notre grande région...

Puis, petit à petit, des annonceurs locaux ont choisi de présenter leur entreprise dans nos magazines parce qu’ils ont l’avantage de paraître régulièrement, avec une multitude de renseignements pratiques, de manifestations à venir, de conseils quotidiens pour tout un chacun.

Et ce n’est pas tout ! Notre site internet ou notre page Facebook nous permettent de communiquer davantage et en dehors des publications... www.localmagazinesfrance.com, The Quercy Local and The Périgord Local. perigordandquercylocals Aujourd’hui, avec « THE PERIGORD LOCAL » nous sommes heureux d’étendre notre visibilité sur toute la Dordogne et de transmettre les initiatives humaines, associatives, caritatives, touristiques ou professionnelles de cette belle région.

Et si vous aussi, vous avez des choses à raconter sur ce qui vous intéresse, nous adorerons les entendre... Alors contactez-nous !

Valérie – quercylocalmagazine@gmail.com

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 33

Association Acorn

rescuing and re-homing cats

problem. That said, between them, Lynda and Trevor have saved around 650 cats over the last few years.

They decided to create their own Association due to very mixed experiences volunteering elsewhere, and for them, the high standards of welfare and the happy and secure future of the cats whom pass through their doors is of the utmost importance.

Costs of carrying out this work, of course, are high: veterinary bills alone were over e10,000 in 2017.

How you can help:

A

ssociation Acorn Cat Rescue was founded in 2016 by animal lovers Lynda and Trevor Atkins and is based in the Dordogne.

The Association’s aim is to take in unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens and to care for them and nurture them before placing them in loving homes.

There is a huge problem in France due to a growing and out-of-control cat population with many suffering very harsh lives as feral cats. Whilst the French government continues to do very little, with sterilisation still not commonplace, even amongst domestic cats, organisations such as Acorn are in very high demand.

At this time of year they will be receiving endless panic calls from the public who have found starving, abandoned kittens.

However, limited budgets and resources mean that they can only do so little to “mop up” this tragic

Can you fundraise? Not matter how large or small, if you have the time to organise a fundraising event, Acorn will support you as much as possible.

Cat cuddling – as Lynda and Trevor are very busy, it helps to have people willing to sit and cuddle the cats whilst they get on with other aspects of running the organisation. There are worse jobs to do! This helps greatly with all-important socialisation and prepares the cats and kittens for their new homes.

Do you use Facebook? If so, by Liking the page (Acorn Cat Rescue) and sharing the posts, you will help to increase the chances of adoption of the cats and kittens in Acorn care.

Contact Details: www.associationacorn.com associationacorn.com Tél: 05 53 81 30 44 Email: associationacorn@gmail.com

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

34 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

3 ème

Cuvée

Festival

International

Liat Coh en Valérie Duch âteau Stéph anie Jones Joseph Tawadros Alexandre Bernoud Les Frères Méduses Duo Bensa-Cardinot Ballaké Sissoko

2018

18 > 21

Cours de guitare boutique Luth ier Scène jeunes talents comptines musicales dégustation de vin assiettes gourmandes bio

JUILLET 2018

puyl’eveque

ThéÂtre de VERDURE

ww w. l e te mps de s gui tare s . co m Office de Tourisme Lot-Vignoble : 05.65.21.37.63

Le Temps des Guitares 2018 The Le Temps des Guitares international guitar festival continues its established model – 10 different artists from five different countries, playing three different stringed instruments as well as the guitar, over four evenings in July in Puy l’Eveque (46700). With some enchanting singing too.

But the festival is more than just four evenings of concerts. The whole of the Theatre de Verdure complex just below the church is transformed into a veritable guitar village, with a different top local vigneron offering their wines each day (one free glass included in the ticket price), plus a bar, and some top local caterers offering a variety of different light snacks, savoury and sweet, earlier in the evening and after the concerts. Colourful tables and chairs provide space to enjoy this balmy summer atmosphere.

Young and old, beginners and old hands, can book guitar lessons.

A luthier – guitar-maker will show his work and will give a presentation about it one afternoon. Liat Cohen will be signing copies of the newly published book about her life. Advanced guitar students play for us. CDs and DVDs of this year’s artists and magazines will be available for purchase.

If the weather is against us then the nearby church is the easy fall-back, with an atmosphere all of its own. And we remember how wonderful that turned out last year!

See the website for full details and on-line booking: www.letempsdesguitares.com

The Orchestra and Choir of the Centre Philharmonique – Concerts in May The OCP will be giving their regular series of concerts at Ascension and Pentecost. The year the main work chosen is the so-called ‘Mass in Times of War’ by Joseph Haydn – but Haydn is incapable of solemn music, it’s as jolly and uplifting as all his work! You get two Haydns for the price of one – his brother Michael lived under Joseph’s successful shadow, but still has the family capacity for tuneful cheerfulness in a Te Deum which finishes with an Verteuil d’Agenais 47260 Saturday 12 May 20:30 at the église exhilarating fugue (if we sing it right!). Finally, as an extra cherry on the cake, we perform the Bach Cantata no. 140, Villeréal 47210 Sunday 13 May 16:00 at the église ‘Wachet auf’. Come and hear us!

Bergerac 24100 Friday 18 May 20:30 at the Temple Moirax 47310 Saturday 19 May 20:30 at the Prieuré Adults 20e, 12–25 10e, less than 12 ans free.

Puy l’Evêque 46700 Sunday 20 May 16:00 at the église Tickets at the door, reservations 05 53 01 76 08, 05 65 36 45 98, or reserver.ocp@gmail.com Villeneuve sur Lot 47300 Monday 21 May 16:00 at the Eglise d’Eysses The Périgord Local • May - June 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Périgord Local

THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 35

Meet: Chloé Moore from French Business Management ‘A friendly, dynamic, bilingual team, helping you and your business succeed’

Micro Entrepreneurs and TVA This is meant as a general guideline only; specific rules may apply to you and your business and we urge you to always seek the advice of a specialist if in any doubt!

Small business owners rejoiced at the end of 2017, when M Macron not only announced the end of RSI, but also the doubling of micro entreprise thresholds.

Until now, the earning limits before moving into the “réel” system were 82 800e for sales and chambre d’hôtes, and 33 200e for services and holiday rentals.

From 1st Jan 2018, not only have the social charges (health contributions, family benefits and pension payments) percentages come down, but the earning limits have been doubled.

Charges are now (rates are given without the optional income tax contribution)

12,8% instead of 13,1% for sales 22% instead of 22,7 % for services And earning limits have increased to: 170 000e for sales and chambre d’hôtes 70 000e for services and holiday rentals In theory, it all looks very straightforward, and good news for micro entrepreneurs – so why bother writing an article about it? Namely because of TVA. Indeed, what many people overlook is the fact that TVA thresholds have not changed and remain at the same level as the old earning limits for MEs. So, what does this mean for your business?

As before, you will continue to declare your gross income each month/quarter and pay the set rate of social charges. However, you will become liable for TVA from the 1st of the month in which you reach the limit of 35 200e* for services or 91 000e* for sales.

(So, if for services, you hit the 35 200e limit on 20th August, you will become liable for TVA from 1st August). *this condition is valid only if your previous

year’s turnover was under the 33 200/82 800e limit Generally, TVA is set at 20% (unless the 10% or 5,5% rate applies to your activity), so your prices will either need to go up by that much, or you will lose 20% of your turnover! Admittedly, you will also be able to deduct TVA on your purchases but bear in mind this will mean switching from a simplified accounting system (currently for MEs, the only obligation is to keep a sales journal), to a full-blown certified accounting system – and you still won’t be able to deduct your expenses!

TVA will be declarable initially on an annual basis, on the 3rd May of following year. Two payments on-account will also be due during the year (July and Dec), based on the previous year’s declaration. It is also possible to request quarterly or monthly declarations.

If during the following year, you remain under the TVA threshold, you will no longer be subject to TVA from 1st January the next year.

If you think you will go over the limits, it is also possible to opt into paying TVA before these levels are met (for example, when first registering your business) to avoid getting a post-dated hit. However, this option requires registration for a minimum of 2 years.

Of course, we understand how daunting it can be trying to run a business and deal with worries about TVA, income thresholds and business regimes. We offer advice on accounting and tax issues to businesses throughout France.

Do contact us if you would like to talk about how we can help you.

You can contact Chloé on: contact@frenchbusinessmanagement.com, +33 (0)5 53 04 27 80 www.frenchbusinessmanagement.com French Business Management La Jaubertie 24380, St-Maime-de-Pereyrol

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

36 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Josephine Baker

by Angela Clohessy

“Not everybody has the same colour, the same language or the same customs but they all have the same heart, the same blood and the same need for love”.

J

osephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother, Carrie McDonald, was a washerwoman who had given up her dreams of becoming a music-hall dancer. Her father, Eddie Carson, was a vaudeville drummer. He abandoned Carrie and Josephine shortly after her birth. Carrie remarried soon thereafter and would have several more children in the coming years.

Josephine Baker spent her youth in poverty before learning to dance honing her skills both in clubs and in street performances, and by 1919 she was touring the United States with the Jones Family Band and the Dixie Steppers performing comedy skits.

In 1921, Josephine married a man named Willie Baker, whose name she would keep for the rest of her life despite their divorce years later.

In 1923, Josephine landed a role in the musical Shuffle Along as a member of the chorus, and the comic touch that she brought to the part made her popular with audiences. Using her early successes, Josephine moved to New York City and was soon performing in Chocolate Dandies and, along with Ethel Waters, in the floor show of the Plantation Club, where again she quickly became a crowd favourite.

However in 1925 and at the peak of France’s obsession with American jazz and all things exotic, Josephine traveled to Paris for a new venture, to perform in La Revue Nègre, at the Théâtre des ChampsElysées it proved to be a turning point in her career.

Amongst a compilation of acts, Josephine and dance partner Joe Alex captivated the audience with the Danse Sauvage. Everything about the routine was new and exotic, and Josephine, boldly dressed in nothing but a feather skirt, worked the audience into frenzy with her uninhibited movements. She was an overnight sensation.

Josephine’s immense popularity afforded her a comfortable salary, which she spent mostly on clothes, jewelry and pets. She loved animals, and at one time she owned a leopard (Chiquita), a chimpanzee (Ethel),a pig (Albert), a snake (Kiki), a goat, a parrot, parakeets, fish, three cats and seven dogs.

Josephine rivaled Gloria Swanson and Mary Pickford

“I wasn’t really naked, I simply didn’t have any clothes on.” as the most photographed woman in the world, and by 1927 she earned more than any entertainer in Europe. Capitalizing on this success, Josephine sang professionally for the first time in 1930, and several years later landed film roles as a singer in Zou-Zou and Princesse Tam-Tam. The money she earned from her performances soon allowed her to purchase an estate in CastelnaudFayrac, in south west France. She named the estate Les Milandes, and soon paid to move her family there from St. Louis.

Her career thrived in the integrated Paris society; when La Revue Nègre closed, Josephine starred in La Folie du Jour at the Follies-Bergère Theater. Her jaw-dropping performance, including a costume of

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 37

16 bananas strung into a skirt, cemented her celebrity status.

The show was wildly popular with Parisian audiences and Josephine was soon among the most popular and highest-paid performers in Europe, having the admiration of cultural figures like Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and E. E. Cummings and earning herself nicknames like ‘Black Venus’ and ‘Black Pearl’. She also received more than 1,000 marriage proposals.

In 1936, riding the wave of popularity she was enjoying in France, Josephine returned to the United States to perform in the Ziegfield Follies, hoping to establish herself as a performer in her home country as well.

This proved disastrous, despite the fact that she was a major celebrity in Europe. American audiences rejected the idea of a black woman with so much sophistication and power, newspaper reviews were equally cruel (The New York Times called her a ‘Negro wench’) and Josephine returned to Europe heartbroken.

Josephine married French industrialist Jean Lion and obtained citizenship from the country that had embraced her as one of its own.

When World War II erupted later that year, Josephine worked for the Red Cross during the occupation of France. As a member of the Free French forces she also entertained troops in both Africa and the Middle East. Perhaps most importantly, however, Josephine did work for the French Resistance, at times smuggling messages hidden in her sheet music and even in her underwear. For these efforts, at the war’s end, she was awarded both the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour with the rosette of the Resistance, two of France’s highest military honors.

Following the war, Josephine spent most of her time at Les Milandes with her family. In 1947, she married French orchestra leader Jo Bouillon, and in 1950 began to adopt babies from around the world. She adopted 12 children in all, creating what she referred to as her

‘rainbow tribe’ and her ‘experiment in brotherhood’.

She often invited people to the estate to see these children, to demonstrate that people of different races could in fact live together harmoniously.

During the 1950s, Josephine frequently returned to the United States to lend her support to the Civil Rights Movement, participating in demonstrations and boycotting segregated clubs and concert venues.

In 1963, Josephine participated, alongside Martin Luther King Jr., in the March on Washington, and was among the many notable speakers that day. In honor of her efforts, the NAACP eventually named May 20th ‘Josephine Baker Day’.

After decades of rejection by her countrymen and a lifetime spent dealing with racism, in 1973 she performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and was greeted with a standing ovation. She was so moved by her reception that she wept openly before her audience.

The show was a huge success and marked her come back to the stage.

In April 1975, Josephine performed at the Bobino Theater in Paris, in the first of a series of performances celebrating the 50th anniversary of her Paris debut.

Numerous celebrities were in attendance, including Sophia Loren and Princess Grace of Monaco, who had been a dear friend to Josephine for years.

Just days later, on April 12, 1975, Josephine died in her sleep of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was 69.

On the day of her funeral, more than 20,000 people lined the streets of Paris to witness the procession, and the French government honored her with a 21-gun salute, making her the first American woman in history to be buried in France with military honors.

“Surely the day will come when color means nothing more than the skin tone, when religion is seen uniquely as a way to speak one’s soul, when birth places have the weight of a throw of the dice and all men are born free, when understanding breeds love and brotherhood.”

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

38 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

For anyone with an interest in the ‘real’ history of the Périgord, its people and the natural world, then you need go no further than the publications produced by Secrets de Pays and Esprit de Pays.

They produce books and periodicals and an incredible website which, in all honesty, must be the most interesting and well presented set of historical articles that I can remember coming across. There books and periodicals are available throughout the region.

We are delighted that Jean-Françoise Tronel and Jacky Tronel have allowed us to include a few bits and pieces from their website in this magazine. We hope that we will be able to call on their huge resource in the future.

You can find out more about their publications and read some incredibly interesting articles on http://espritdepays.com/ Editor

Companion Planting

C

ompanion planting is an organic gardening method of growing certain plants in close proximity to reduce pest infestations and improve growth and yield. Depending on the plants in question, it can work on a number of levels: warding off pests (with strong scented plants that repel insects and mask the smell of your more vulnerable plants); luring away pests (with sacrificial plants, more desirable to the pests than your prized plants); attracting beneficial insects (predators and pollinators); improving soil quality; and placing plants appropriately according to their compatibility or incompatibility (with regard to such factors as the spread of disease; provision of shelter from the wind or sun; maximising on growing space; and competition for space, light, water and nutrients).

It’s a fascinating subject, with many possible combinations and possibilities, and is a matter close to my heart, being fond of both my potager and organic gardening. As it’s spring, a time when love is in the air, I shall focus, (in this, part one of companion planting – part two in the next edition) on plants that love each other, specifically, delicious crops that grow harmoniously side by side and can be harvested and eaten together, for the ultimate happy pairing.

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 39

Many pests in the potager are flying insects, who locate their host-plants by smell, with each variety of pest being attracted to the scent of the specific plants on which it feeds. By growing strong-scented plants around your vulnerable crops, you throw the pests off the scent. The insects need to make appropriate landings, on their target plants, in order to lay their eggs. Inappropriate landings, on unsuitable plants, result in them leaving the area in search of suitable plants elsewhere.

As insects prefer to land on plants rather than bare earth, an isolated crop will be an easier target, while any form of additional planting increases the insects’ difficulty with targeting, and the stronger the scent, the greater the degree of difficulty.

A well known companion pairing is spring onions with carrots, as the onions (or any other alliums, such as garlic or leeks) will deter carrot root fly. Mesh placed around the bed, or raising the bed, is also an effective protection, as carrot fly is a ground flyer and won’t fly above three feet.

Carrots are especially vulnerable when you are thinning them out, because strong scents are released as you crush the leaves while lifting your seedlings, so make sure your protection is in place by then. Baby carrots are delicious in salads with spring onions, while mature carrots are great in soups and stews with garlic and leeks, so it’s worth successional sowing. Another popular pairing is basil and tomatoes. Basil repels aphids, tomato hornworms and whiteflies, whilst also attracting pollinators such as bees. Tomato and basil are also said to improve each other’s flavour when grown in close proximity, for the ultimate symbiotic relationship.

A lesser known pairing is Satureja and broad beans.

Satureja montana (winter savory) and Satureja spicigera (creeping savory), both attractive, drought-resistant perennials, often used ornamentally in rock gardens.

As strong, aromatic herbs, they effectively camouflage the scent of beans, protecting then from black bean aphid. Like the tomato and basil pairing, this is another herb that is also compatible for flavouring its companion plant. Interestingly, it also has digestive properties which make it useful in reducing some of the less desirable side effects of eating beans! Furthermore, it has antiseptic qualities, and a sprig of Satureja rubbed onto a bee or wasp sting will ease the pain.

To further strengthen your broad bean plants, it is also advisable to pinch out the growing tips, which will not only encourage the plant to put is energy into producing flowers and bean pods, but will also further deter black fly. Don’t waste the tips though – they are delicious eaten lightly steamed or sautéed as a delicate leaf vegetable, with a sprinkling of Satureja!

By Debbie Wilson

Emergency numbers Medical Help/SAMU 15 Text Service for Hard of Hearing 114 Police/Police Nationale (Gendarmerie) 17 Fire & Accident/Sapeurs Pompiers

18

SOS – All Services (calling from a mobile) 112 Child in Danger (child protection) 119 Missing Child

116 000

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

40 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Two Towns A Tale of

In this edition we visit the two popular towns of Eymet and Belvès.

Both with great historical pasts ….

FIRSTLY EYMET Eymet sits on a bend of the River Dropt at the southern end of the Périgord. A site that’s been occupied by man since pre-historic times. Pieces of pottery, jewelry and utensils from the Bronze Age have also been recovered.

Eymet was also clearly an important town during the Roman occupation; several villas have been uncovered.

The bastide town that exists today was founded in 1270 by Alphonse of Poitiers. Many notable buildings including the tower and a gateway have survived.

The architecture includes half-timbered and arcaded medieval buildings. Many examples of which line the lively and most attractive market square. You can also find the remains of the original castle, which serves to remind todays visitors of the towns long and often violent past.

Originally the town walls, built in 1320, had four principal gates. However, these were destroyed along with the ramparts in 1830. There was a smaller gate known as ‘le Portanel’ which survives and overlooks the river today.

In common with much of the region, Eymet was battered by the Hundred Years’ War, during which time

control passing between the French and the English many times. Then violent war-fare returned with the start of the very bloody Wars of Religion. During these wars Eymet became a Protestant strong-hold and was regularly visited by the then future King, Henry IV. There’s still evidence of these tumultuous years in the town today. Rue de l’Engin was, for example, given its name after an ambush and ensuing battle just outside the town in 1377. The victors brought their captives to the town. These captive-men had been, just prior to the battle, transporting their new weapon of war, ‘La Truye’ (a large battering ram designed to

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 41

Art et Mosaïques Eymet’s stunning mosaic and heraldic designs

break down fortifications) which required 100 men to move it. This was also brought back to Eymet.

Later, after the payment of a ransom, the men and their over-sized weapon were released. But, their oversized piece of weaponry was too large to exit through town’s southern gate. The gateway had to be partly demolished and became known as the ‘Gate of the engine’ a name which lives on in street name, Rue de l’Engin today.

During the 18th century the town was enriched from trade brought by the River Dropt (see p.44). In modern times the town remains a hugely popular place to live and visit. Summer sees a swelling of the population as many tourists visit this lovely old town and its peaceful, verdant surroundings; whilst enjoying the culinary joys of such a fertile slice of France.

There are many artists and artisans working from the town making it truly enjoyable place to meander around. There are a range of shops and places to eat as well as a very popular Thursday morning market.

The Tourist Office arrange several events during the season including Medieval Fairs, an Oyster and White Wine Fair as well as Night Markets. Do contact them for further information.

You will hear many languages spoken in the town. Eymet is one of the most popular towns for foreigners (particularly the British) to move to in this region of France. Somewhat less traumatic than The Hundred Years War but, once more a coming together of nationalities.

Tourist Office: eymet.tourisme@orange.fr; www.pays-bergerac-tourisme.com

Pierre Larquetou was serving in the French military when he decided to make a change and full-fill his passion for creating mosaics. His family were in Brittany, but he felt that a studio further south would provide a better base for his work. Pierre decided to come to the Dordogne as he knew the region was well served by artistic groups and that it welcomed artists. So, in 2016 he opened his workshop in Eymet.

Pierre’s work is meticulous. There’s great attention to detail and a wonderful use of colour and many varied materials including, ceramics, glass, sandstone, enamel, slate and mirror. These striking pieces can be stand-alone works of art. Or, Pierre’s work can form wonderful interiordesigns for bathrooms, swimming pools and spas. He also produces totally original mosaic designs for building façades, foyers and even elegant, unique signage.

Over the last few years Pierre has worked on an increasing number of heraldic designs and installations.

This is a subject matter that’s particularly suited to his mosaic work and of course dove-tails beautifully with the historic region he’s chosen as his base.

For his installation work, Pierre travels throughout Europe working for private clients, public bodies and commercial organisations.

Art et Mosaïques, Pierre Larquetou ; 14 rue du Temple 24500 Eymet 06 66 45 14 95, pierre.larquetou@gmail.com; www.pierrelarquetou.fr Art et Mosaïques

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

42 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Eymet’s Sweet Spot

by Amanda Pattinson

I

have had many careers during my working life but becoming a chocolatier has been the most challenging. When I lived in the UK I got to the point where I was fed up with the day job and working for someone else, and it was only by chance that someone suggested I could make a living from cooking.

I didn’t take much notice at first but then one day thought ‘well why not?’ So I did! Chocolate wasn’t on the menu to begin with, not at all, I started out making savoury products and sold through local Farmer’s markets and fairs. Although this was successful I soon got bored and really wanted a challenge, something I could learn to do and evolve so that is where the idea of becoming a chocolatier came along. I must admit it has been the hardest thing I have learnt to do to date, I have never anticipated it would be so scientific and not having trained as a chef I suppose I was at a disadvantage, but I got through the course and passed with honours and I’ve never looked back.

My move to France like so many of us expats wasn’t something that I had planned for many years, it just came my way and seemed too much of an opportunity to turn down. Being an English chocolatier in France is not without its challenges but I now have a client base of both French and English people. The business itself has evolved greatly since its inception in 2010 and I am

now fortunate enough to have steady online business plus local clients.

As the business grew my husband came on board and he now deals with the more mundane aspects so that I can focus on producing and creating new lines of chocolates. We opened our atelier and shop to the public last September so people can now buy direct from us. We also offer talks and demonstrations to small groups as so many people are fascinated about chocolate and how it is made. In addition to

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 43

Eymet’s great sculpting talent Gabriel Forestier was born into humble beginnings in Eymet in 1889. He showed an early talent as a sculptor and then went on to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux in 1905. He moved to Paris in 1909 and completed his military service by 1912.

The following year he began exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français. Then WW1 interrupted his career as he was deployed in France and Italy.

Later he was engaged to design and sculpt several War Memorials, including those at La Force, Ducey, Bergerac and importantly his hometown of Eymet.

He then worked very successfully, in Paris, including working on the Musée des Colonies and the Musée d’Art Moderne. One of his most popular works was done in 1938, La Messagère, which stands in the Jardins du Luxembourg. He received many honours and medals during his lifetime and was finally given the title ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur’. He died in Paris in 1969.

demonstrations we offer one day chocolate making workshops which are proving really popular, we have lots of fun, make lots of mess but everyone goes home happy with lots of chocolate to show off to their family and friends! Last year we introduced the Chocolate Party, for those of you who remember Tupperware parties, they are a bit like that but with chocolate instead of plastic, a great way to spend a few hours with lots of chocolate to taste and buy. Lastly we hold monthly competitions via our Facebook page where participants have the chance to win some of our chocolate creations.

La Tapie, Serres et Montguyard, 24500 Eymet For details about shop opening times, talks, demonstrations and workshops visit our website www.chocoterie.fr or phone 07 69 69 68 96 Our online shop is https://www.etsy.com/shop/Chocoterie Or visit our Facebook page for weekly updates, recipes and competitions chocoterie You can also find me on Instagram to see what else I make amanda.pattinson Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

44 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Eymet’s River Dropt

STOP PRESS Antic Disposition’s performance of Much Ado About Nothing will be coming to Eymet on 6th August.

See. P. 50

T

he River Dropt’s (or Drot) route to navigability was a challenge that mirrored French history during the many decades of work.

Starting life close to Monpazier (Capdrot, to be precise). The River Dropt makes its way to the Garonne via Villeréal and Lauzun. It rests for a while in the large reservoir at Eymet Mill, before continuing and watering the plains of Duras, to meet the River Garonne.

The work to dredge the river and make it navigable through this fertile land, at the time, made huge economic sense. However, it was not plain-sailing.

Political manoeuvrings, corruption and not-to-mention a revolution, all got in the way! It took about 93 years, from 1765 to 1858 to finish the challenge.

During the works stone was taken from the Château at Duras (its towers plundered) and from several local churches. At completion, the river was navigable from the Gironde Estuary to Eymet a full 70 km. Even in periods of drought boats could still navigate this far inland.

There were 36 dams in place and most of those were sites for 2 mills. The river was very busy with two main types of boat Les Gabarres du Drot and Les Coureaux du Drot, capable of carrying 25 and 50 tons respectively.

In 1860 a total of 273, 221 tons were recorded as being transported along its length. Then the general improvement in road transportation began to reduce this and only 19 574 tons were transported in 1890. The fatal blow to viability came in 1899 with the arrival at Eymet of the railway from Bordeaux.

Based on the article by Jean-Francois TRONEL, La navigation sur le Dropt au temps des bateliers on www.espiritdepays.com. Also credited (including photos) Jacques Reix, author of the book BATELIERS DES PAYS DE GARONNE ET DE DORDOGNE publié aux Éditions Secrets de Pays. Editors, Jacky and Jean-Francois TRONEL co-editors.

Sunday 6th May – Vide Grenier in aid of Twilight – 9 am – 4.30 pm La Charrue, Vieux Mareuil, 24340 Bargains galore! Stall holders welcome: e7.50 a pitch – no need to book Cake stall for Twilight: it would be wonderful if you could bake and bring along and help us raise funds La Charrue will be doing wonderful food all day, including their famous bacon butties!

Feel free to bring your bric-a-brac on the day, bedding for the dogs or food or disinfectant, and don’t forget your small change for the pot!

05 53 56 65 59 bookings@lacharrue.biz The Périgord Local • May - June 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Périgord Local

THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 45

E - IC RD V A SER AW NG I N IN W

Armand Viré

DROP IN AND SEE US IN LALINDE OR VERTEILLAC

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

46 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Two Towns A Tale of

The second of our 2 towns, Belvès

B

elvès is a medieval, bastide town sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Nauze.

It’s famous for its ‘seven bell-towers’ and is classified as ‘Un des plus beaux villages de France’.

Originally called Le Castrum and originating from the 11th century when the town was surrounded by ramparts reaching heights of up to 15m. In some places these ramparts can still be seen, such as the Rue du Petit Sol and the Rue de L’Oiseau qui Chante.

The development of the town has literally taken centuries. There are several original troglodyte (cave) dwellings underneath the main square. These cavehomes are well worth a visit. You can learn about the daily lives of the peasants who inhabited them from the 13th to 18th centuries. There’s a 45-minute guided tour of the interior of the 8 well-preserved, dwellings.

The caves are open all year.

Previously forgotten, this warren of subterranean cave dwellings was re-discovered in 1907 when the wheel of a cart crossing the Place d’Armes broke through the roof of one.

There are several interesting buildings to be seen including the ‘Tour de l’Auditeur’ with its very high The Périgord Local • May - June 2018 Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw their advert in The Périgord Local

THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 47

FL IMMOBILIER BELVES A local independent property agency situated in the charming historical bastide of Belves.

We are professional, efficient and dedicated to our clients needs. Offering a full range of property services. www.belves-immobilier.com 05 53 59 00 96 – 06 80 50 51 03

entrance point. The guards inhabiting the tower used to enter using a ladder which was drawn up to prevent intrusion. Then there’s ‘La Tour du Guet’ a watch tower, which overlooks the valley below.

The 13th century monastery of the ‘Frères Prêcheurs’ is now the town hall, and the church Église NotreDame de Montcuq was partly built in the 13th century although much of it dates from the 15th Also, in the 15th century the beautiful covered market place was constructed. If you look closely you can see a pillory chain attached to one of the pillars. This was placed around the necks of those judged miscreants and who were retained for a few days punishment.

The rather interestingly named Hotel Bontemps dates from the 12th century but was greatly renovated in the 1520s giving it a somewhat Italian Renaissance style façade. An Englishman lived in the house during the time of the Hundred Years War. Thomas Bontemps was immortalised as his name (albeit not terribly English sounding) has remained.

There is a selection of possible places to eat in the town and some interesting shops to browse. For knife lovers (and knife production has a traditional base in the Périgord) there’s a very interesting knife shop, L’Âme de Thiers in Place d’Armes. Don’t forget that every Saturday morning a market is held; providing an opportunity to see (and try) all that is growing in the surrounding countryside.

Tourist Office: otdordognebessede@gmail.com; www.perigordnoir-valleedordogne.com

@belvesimmobilier

STOP PRESS Antic Disposition’s performance of Much Ado About Nothing will be coming to Belvès on 9th August.

See. P. 50

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

48 • THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL

Le Dédale and Belvès’ (open air) Art trail

La Filature de Laine –

calling all craft and wool lovers!

I

Belvès is well known for its medieval history. History is always re-energised for re-visiting and so why not through the medium of contemporary art? Why not contemporary art, in the open air, arranged as a trail (maze) throughout the town?

f you love wool, crafting and being creative and are keen to see the development of traditional skills. Or, you love industrial history particularly of the Périgord then you will love La Filature de Laine, close to Belvès.

This former 19th century mill, in the Nauze valley, has been restored and now makes a base for teaching, learning and preserving all the skills related to wool, its processing and use. There’s a shop, exhibition centre, workshops, regular skills training and a lovely preserved water garden and café.

Crafters, knitters, spinners, weavers and felters, indeed anyone with a love of yarn or fabric will welcome the vast selection of products available in this most imaginatively re-used piece of industrial heritage. This wonderful resource is open all year with an on-going programme of events. http://filaturedebelves.com

Le Dédale is an artistic group, led by dedicated people with an interest in having contemporary art shared by a larger audience. Their next exhibition will begin on May 26th this year. This will be the 3rd season and many of the popular exhibits from previous years will also be shown.

The exhibition hopes to encourage people living locally and visiting this lovely town to view its heritage differently. Surprises and twists, remembering that Dédale translates as maze! http://lededale.com

Le Dédale

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THE PÉRIGORD LOCAL • 49

& La Coutellerie Visuel Coutellerie.indd 1

DESIGN

Tr a d i t i o n

A

great investigative games/course has been devised to help revise an old legend and encourage people to discover this lovely town’s heritage.

The game is based on Belvès’ legend about a Moon Catcher (‘La Legende du Pêche Lune’) which dates to 1440. The Moon Catcher is a tenacious, confident, inventive and dreamy character; all characteristics that the town’s inhabitants are considered to exhibit still.

This game started in 2014 when Jane Turner, a British artist, was inspired by the legend and the text of local writer, Guy de Lanauve and produced 12 paintings tracing the legend. These paintings were originally placed around the town to create a game/ course. In 2015 a new game was devised involving riddles and clues to allow players to help the Moon

Création : Robert Beillonnet - Photos : Didier Lardat - Imp. du Progrès - Belvès

The Moon Catcher

L’Âme de Thiers 13, Place d’Armes 24170 BELVÈS 05 53 28 80 14 06 79 55 44 02 mlaure2@wanadoo.fr 15/01/13 14:50

Catcher in his quest. Players completing the course learn about the town’s medieval heritage.

Visitors can find booklets to accompany the game, available in French, English and Dutch, from the Tourist Office, all year. Since 2016 the game has been extended to include the cave dwellings.

Here children can extend their adventure with more mysteries to solve amid the backdrop of troglodyte life.

Published March, May, July, September and December each year The Périgord Local • May - June 2018

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WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR THIS SUMMER’S PERFORMANCE Win one of 6 pairs of front-row tickets to any Antic Disposition performance of Much Ado About Nothing during their tour of Périgord & Quercy this summer.

Simply answer this question – using the contact form on this magazine’s website.

Q. Name a member of the British Royal Family that shares a first name with one of Much Ado About Nothing’s key characters?

Answers by the noon on the July 10th and 6 winners

will be drawn randomly from the correct entries.

WE HAVE THE BUYERS – WE NEED MORE GREAT PROPERTIES! SOLD by PIONEER FRANCE

SOLD by PIONEER FRANCE

SOLD by PIONEER FRANCE

SOLD by PIONEER FRANCE