Punch
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Posts posted by Punch
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>Hello,
>
>Can anyone recommend a dictionary for
>use in resturants etc.
I quite like the pocket sized "French Menu Reader" by Stanway , ISBN 09532 85804. I think I bought our copy on a Brittany Ferries boat.
Best Regards,
Paul -
LAST EDITED ON 25-Jul-04 AT 09:50 AM (BST)
>Could anyone tell me if there
>is a website to check
>Siret numbers please? There must
>be one to check out
>whether someone is legal or
>not?
This site is useful for checking to see if a company is registered and it will it many cases only show their "activit principle".
http://www.cofacerating.fr/portail/recherche_entreprise_inter/recherche_entreprise.asp?IP=ECHOS
However it is not truly representative, as many French companies have secondary activites. The only true way to check is to ask to see the artisans carte d'identification issued by their local Chambre des Metiers. This is usually a white card with green writing and shows siret number and trades licensed to carry out. You could also ask to see insurance documents which will show the trades he/she are insured for.
Best Regards,
Paul -
A small flottilla of 4 x 4's and vans arrived at my next door neighbours this morning and after no doubt an early Calva for breakfast, they all trotted off to the field at the bottom of the lane, with belts of ammo that would make Arnie look underequipped. Sounds of gunfire echoed around a bit, and they all trotted back up and drove off within the hour.
I send my youngest around to get the eggs and milk and to see what all the fuss was about. They had had a vist from Monsieur Renard the night before who had killed several of his finest poulets, so he called in the local hunt, who were only too pleased to come and do their bit.
I'm just glad my dog was not wondering down the lane at the time!
Best Regards,
Paul -
It is available usually to order, as there are several styles and sizes. Professional trade decorators suppliers stock it as I have seen it in our local suppliers. I have worked with a French decorator helping to put some up, and unless you know how to cut the mitres correctly, and copmpensate for not quite right angles etc, it can be tricky.
Regards,
Paul -
>Hi all
>
>I am trying to find an
>airline that will provide a
>route from Brittany to Malaga.
>
>
>Any ideas please.
>
>Tim
I know that Caen Carpiquet fly to some Spanish destinations, otherwise have you tried Brest airport?
Best Regards,
Paul -
>Does anyone know if there is
>a credit card available in
>France where balances can be
>viewed and bills settled on
>line?
The majority of the major French banks have an online facility although most banks have a monthly or annual charge for this service. Credit cards are not as freely available in France and those that are have much smaller credit limits than UK equivalents. Most cards issude by the banks are either debit cards or "cartes decouverte" a sort of short term loan/overdraft card. I find that Credit Mutuelle's Online CYBERMUT service is very good, with many useful services.
Best Regards,
Paul -
>Brother-in-law yesterday did neither of the
>above in Montmatre and received
>the princely sum of 37
>for the 40 he had
>handed over. Despite arguing
>for 30 minutes or more,
>the cashier refused to undo
>the transaction, and I quite
>understand that as the rates
>were marked. B-in-law's fault, but
>it does leave a very
>nasty taste to think of
>all these tourists being ripped
>off.
That's almost as outrageous as when I went to the
Moulin Rouge last year. After the show we headed for the small bar opposite in Montmatre for some liquid refreshment. The men had a large (watery) beer each and the ladies a G&T. Well we had a shock when we were presented with the bill for 105 !!! They obviously thought we were idiots, until I went in and queried the bill in perfect French which was EVENTUALLY (don't go there!) reduced to 70. So be warned.
Best Regards,
Paul -
>A colleague is looking for an
>international school in France, classes
>taught in English, but -
>and here's the crunch -
>one that does not charge
>exhorbitant fees, in fact, preferably
>no fees at all.
>He's convinced they exist but
>I'm not so sure.
>Anyone know better?
The one that springs to mind is the International School in Bordeaux. Many Lyces now in France are becoming more international and offering some classes in English to feed the hunger of French students who realise the importance of being billingual.
Best Regards,
Paul -
>Any of you guys know why
>a water heater I fitted
>keeps venting water all the
>time?
>
>I bought it complete from a
>local DIY center and fitted
>with no real problem and
>it seemed fine at first.
>Seems to me that there
>is maybe to much pressure
>coming into the tank and
>then running out of the
>waste valve (if that's what
>it is) Tried reducing the
>pressure but then the shower
>does not work!
>
>Is it a pressure problem and/or
>do I need some sort
>of extra valve fitted? The
>only thing I can think
>of doing is to replace
>the fitting that came with
>it - but that seems
>like a difficult job especially
>as I'll have to drain
>off all the water.
>
>Thanks in advance.
French water heaters MUST be fitted with a "Groupe de securit" on the cold inlet to the heater. This is a safety valve which naturally drips water as the tank heats up and the water inside expands. If you have fitted this correctly this loss of water is normal. If the mains pressure is above 3.5 bar then a pressure reducer should be fitted. The loss of water will be minimal once the tank is up to temperature.
Best Regards,
Paul -
What you have been told is mainly incorrect. As stated in the other posts, France has it's own set of rules regarding the building trade in terms of special insurances and obligatory charges that French registered companies must cotise. As an example there are obligatory payments to apprentissage, unemployment, holiday, accident, and pension regimes that have to be met. To name but a few. There is nothing to stop you trading in France by opening a satellite company from your Uk company, but you will need a SIRET number to work here legally, which means registering at your local Chambre des Metiers. Your
income in this case would be derived in France and so would be liable to French income tax rules no matter how you were paid.
If it was that easy or legal to work out of a Uk based company in France then there would be no companies left registered here, including the French ones!
You may begin to see why many Artisans who have spent considerable sums of money and effort to get legal here resent the army of brit builders coming over here and cashing in whilst contributing nothing or very little at all to the French economy. French companies have higher charges and cannot compete on a level playing field.
I would hate to say what may happen to you if there is a site accident in France, or even a death on one of your sites.
In France in the buidling game you ain't got a problem untill you have a problem. Fines and prison sentences are not so uncommon.
From A recent publication;
Jean Louis Borloo, the minister for social cohesion has decared "pitiless war" against black market workers who are costing the government 55 million and are resonsible for a third of the health deficit in France. Four areas are under or due for heavy scrutiny. The construction industry, live entertainment, Hotels and gites, and agriculture. There are to be an increase in the number of inspectors to 535.
Special attention is to be paid to international black labour.
best regards,
Paul
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LAST EDITED ON 16-Jul-04 AT 10:31 PM (BST)
LAST EDITED ON 16-Jul-04 AT 10:28PM (BST)
>I am a carpenter with some
>30yrs experiance & have a
>property in the Limousin.I intend
>to go out next week
>& attempt to register as
>a micro ent,.Is there an
>order in which to do
>things or will things just
>unfold as I apply for
>the micro ent,. regeme.
>Many thanks, Pat.
Pat,
Your absolute first port of call should be your local Chambre des Metiers. I would advise that you either brush up your French or take along a translator. Make an appointment well in advance, even before you come to France if possible. They will explain the formalities and give you all the forms. Beware as it is not as simple a process as setting up a small business in the UK, and you will be required to prove some form of professional expertise or qualification although this does seem to vary between departments.
There is a mine of often conflicting advice on the forum if you do a search. I would advise you get an accountant too who will help you deal with all the different regimes all after their pound of flesh. Here are a couple of websites to have a look at.
http://www.apce.com
http://www.creation.lentreprise.com/4statuts/421.htm
best of Luck,
Paul -
>I am sorry for the trivial
>post. I have heard and
>read that it may be
>appropriate to introduce yourself and
>present a small gift to
>the local Marie once you
>purchase your house in France.
>We did introduce ourselves on
>the day we took possession.
>We will be returning soon
>and had planned on giving
>a bottle of Brandy. However,
>our Marie is a lovely
>(youngish) lady and felt that
>this may not be suitable.
>Any suggestions or advise would
>be most appreciated.
It would certainly be a good idea to make contact with your Maire as a matter of courtesy but gifts are not necessary and can be construed as some kind of bribe, especially at this stage in your relationship, and especially if you are planning to submit a planning application!
Maires are just ordinary folk who aren't paid much and so often have seperate jobs from their official ones. I would say from my own experience that an invite for an aperatif would be much more apppropriate, and natural. Then once you are more well aquainted there is no problem. Then over a period of time,if your Maire then becomes a good friend, as ours has, to give the odd pot of home made jam or such like.
best of luck,
Paul -
You don't say whether you live in France or the Uk and to what health system you belong to, but I would say it is unlikely you will be reimbursed by the standard E111 or other E forms for this, as it is not actual medical treatment. You can only be reimbursed in France if you belong to the French system of healthcare, which is obligatory if you live here legally.
In France unlike the UK, X rays are kept usually by the patient and not kept by the hospital. In this instance I would say it would be cheaper probably to get new X rays done in France, via a refferal from a doctor. If this is an option for you then this could cost less than the 70 to obtain the old Uk x rays.
When we had lived here a while we asked for our family medical records to be sent to France from our old UK health authority for which there was no cost, but this did not include any xrays, which I assume are still filed in the Uk somewhere.
Regards,
Paul
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>I guess this should really go
>under food and drink but
>it's more a question about
>costs in the various regions
>of France. I have just
>spent a week with a
>friend in Majorca, ate out
>every meal, and the most
>I paid was euro 7.95
>for a superb 3-course with
>wine. The average for just
>a cooked meal (meat, with
>veg or salad) was around
>5 euro, the service and
>quality excellent. Then I
>get ripped off in South
>of France at 20 euros
>for a tiny piece of
>steak with frozen chips, no
>veg or salad. What are
>the average menu prices in
>other parts of France?
>Surely wholesale costs can't differ
>so greatly between France and
>Spain, or are the French
>just greedy?
The average set "workers" lunch in Northen France which often includes house red wine or cider on the table is nearly always around the 10 mark per person. Of course it varies in what is included and what the food choice available but by and large this is very good value for what is often a minimum of three courses. Drink anything else or stray from the set menu and you can easily double this amount.
regards
Paul
-
>Hi
>I am trying to brush up
>my French and was wondering
>if there are any good
>websites for french radio.
>Stations that are not too
>technical if you know what
>I mean. Just a thought
>
Michelle,
Do you have a copy of the June issue of Living France? I've only just recieved my issue this morning but have noticed there is an article on this very subject in the mag.
Regards,
Paul
-
>Hi
>I am trying to brush up
>my French and was wondering
>if there are any good
>websites for french radio.
>Stations that are not too
>technical if you know what
>I mean. Just a thought
>
Michelle,
Do you have a copy of the June issue of Living France? I've only just recieved my issue this morning but have noticed there is an article on this very subject in the mag.
Regards,
Paul
-
I don't think there should be any "apologies" for removing this post Will. It should and quite rightly has been removed.
I think however amusing it was that you have to remember that many young people including my own two children enjoy the forum and this was totally unacceptable language and not really relevant to the forum anyway.
Thanks for the prompt action; I'm sure Viz magazine readers will be dissapointed but there you go!
Paul -
LAST EDITED ON 07-Jul-04 AT 10:00 AM (BST)
>Here in the Ariege
>we are geographically in the
>Eastern Hemisphere and I have
>to say I used to
>think we lived in Eastern
>France
According to the LF pullout, Ariege (09) is officially in the south west corner of "Pyrenes" region of France. BUT to further confuse you have a look at this site;
http://www.egide.asso.fr/fr/guide/connaitre/regions/
Paul
-
>LAST EDITED ON 07-Jul-04
>AT 00:16AM (BST)
>
>All
> Is there a accepted
>definition of SW France? The
>subject has come up in
>other threads so I thought
>I'd pose the question.
> Here in the Ariege
>we are geographically in the
>Eastern Hemisphere and I have
>to say I used to
>think we lived in Eastern
>France - until my good
>lady pointed at a map
>of France where it appears
>(to me) that anywhere West
>of Perpignan and South of
>Clermont-Ferrand is SW France.
>Is there an official definition
>anybody is aware of?
I have a full colour pullout from LF magazine from some time back here on my office wall which clearly defines the 14 regions of France together with their departmentb numbers.
South West France is officially the following depts:
24 Dordogne
32 Gers
33 Gironde
40 Landes
47 Lot et Garonne
64 Pyrnees atlantiques
65 Pyrnees hautes.
If anyone would like other regions and their depts please ask;
Paul
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LAST EDITED ON 06-Jul-04 AT 09:32 PM (BST)
From my own experiences in repair anfd installation;
Steatite heaters often have anode protection circuitry incorporated in the control lid these days which is often a small printed circuit board with a flashing green light.
Moisture could be attracted to this although unlikely if the heater is new. The earth leakage you are getting must be a reasonable level because you say it is tripping the 100ma EDF trip - are you sure because the EDF main trips are usually rated at minimum 500 milliamp trip and older ones have tripping currents of 600 milliamp. This would mean the earth leakage current uis unacceptably high. Most heaters should be protected by a 30 milliamp device these days.
Obviously check for any signs of water sepage from the tank heater seal or anywhere else such as supply and outlet pipes;
The other thing that is worth mentioning is that the earth leakage fault may be somewhere else in the supply circuit before it reaches the heater. It could be damaged, damp or squashed wiring in a wall or conduitfor example; To check this disconnect the heater and run a heavy duty (1.5mm) extension lead to it from another power source.
If all that fails then it is most ikely that the cause is a faulty heater element which are fairly easy to change in a steatite heater. I would have said that the latter was the most likely problem if the heater was old, but you say it is brand new.
I hope theis helps.
Paul
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>Check this site ;
>
>http://www.eurobilltracker.com/index.php?referer=23540
>
>30000 European follow the euro... and
>so few french people do
>so...
Can't quite see the point. I think I'll stick to watching paint dry or train spotting!
Paul
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>Check this site ;
>
>http://www.eurobilltracker.com/index.php?referer=23540
>
>30000 European follow the euro... and
>so few french people do
>so...
Can't quite see the point. I think I'll stick to watching paint dry or train spotting!
Paul
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LAST EDITED ON 05-Jul-04 AT 11:03 PM (BST)
Helen,
We buy zinc sheets in differing grades for fabricating our roofing flashings in renovation works we carry out. We have fabricated finials and such like for well roofs but never attempted sculpture!
I don't know if this is what you need but larger roofing suppliers such as Lariviere or point always have sheets in stock.
Paul
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Certainly looks nice . But in my book that depends on where it came from
Paul
building stone help!!!!
in House Renovations
Posted
Button, it would help if you let people know what part of France you are in. Your profile does't say either.
Good stone is well sought after, most farmers will take it off your hands to fill holes and trenches worn by their tractors.
Best Regards,
Paul