Normandy Advertiser - November 2011

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NORMANDYADVERTISER

Copying UK led France into this mess, says broker

Normandy hardhit by loans crisis

Authorities face budget cuts as repayments rise

NewsPensioners call formore support

What’s OnCelebrating theFab Fourp4 p6-7

InterviewRatman plans torule the world p16

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2 News Normandy Advertiser November 2011www.normandyadvertiser.com

she added.The current finance team has renegotiated

most of its loans, but still has 10% – a huge€18.3 million – tied up in “very toxic” loanswith Dexia and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

There are similar problems across the region.There are 16 organisations rumoured to bestruggling in Calvados alone.

Hérouville-Saint-Clair owes €1,410,000 instructured loans. The town still benefits fromlow interest rates on all four loans and themayor, Rodolphe Thomas, said that the loanshad not yet had a negative impact on the budget. However, at the end of the year, theloan will become indexed against the yen/dollar exchange rate and the council willhave to decide whether to renegotiate theterms of the loan.

Alencon’s Urban Community borrowed €10 million to build a water treatment facilityback in 2006. When it comes out of the stablephase of the loan, the organisation is hoping torenegotiate with the bank. If this is not possi-ble, plans are already in place to cut the waterpurification budget to meet the repayments.

Finance director, Emmanuel Grieu, said:“We’re still hoping to find an exit, because itwill have a knock-on effect on residents.”

This pattern is repeated across the region asorganisations attempt to rectify the situation.The full extent of the national problem wasrevealed in an exposé by French newspaperLibération, which claims that some 5,500organisations have borrowed from Dexia.

The bank, which has received massive mediacoverage over bankruptcy fears and a French,Belgian and Luxembourg state bail-out, saidthe information was not provided by them andthey were unaware of its provenance.

FORMER UK stockbroker, Paul Akers, hasbeen watching this situation unfurl, andclaims it is the fact France copied Englandthat got them into trouble.

Mr Akers, from Le Loroux on the Mancheborder, worked first as a foreign exchangedealer and then as a broker on the stockmarket.

He said that private finance initiatives wereused excessively by the last UK government,under Prime Minister Gordon Brown, tokeep the loans off the UK’s balance sheet and

the country’s debt issues hidden. He saidmany other European countries had followed in the former UK government’sfootsteps.

“Many other countries in the EU thought itwas a great idea and copied the UK,” he said.

“You can see from the figures now beingreleased that the banks took huge commis-sions on arranging these loans and, over thelifetime, councils are being lumbered withabsolutely huge amounts of interest to bepaid back.”

DOZENS of public bodies in Normandy arestruggling to pay back interest on astronomi-cal “toxic” loans which are indexed againstvolatile foreign currencies.

The Franco-Belgian bank, Dexia, along withother banks such as RBS and CaisseD’Epargne, pushed the structured loans onlocal authorities between 1995 and 2009.

The seemingly attractive packages promisedan initially-fixed low interest rate for a setperiod, often two to three years. After that, therates are based on “extremely complex mathe-matical formulae” and have in some casesescalated to as much as 50% interest. Many

councils are having to cut back their budgetsin other areas to manage the crisis.

Rouen Council is one of the worst hit by theproblems. The previous administration hadtaken out several “toxic” loans, and at onepoint a total of 85% of their borrowing was atthe mercy of fluctuating exchange rates.

“The bankers are the most to blame,” said thecouncil’s deputy head of finance, EmmanuèleJeandet-Mengual. “They offered loans withextremely negative effects. Organisations comeout of that initially enticing period and findthemselves with a very dangerous product.

“They had a duty to explain and they didn’t,”

Councils facebudget cutsas Dexia loancrisis deepens‘Toxic’ debtsleave manycouncilsacrossNormandystruggling tocope withrising loancharges, reports AMYMcCORMACK

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UK ‘led way into trouble’

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How did this situation arise?The previous administrationtook out a lot of loans in2005, 2006 and 2007.

We are almost sure thatwhen the last council tookout these loans they did notknow what they were doing.They were told about all thebenefits without any of therisks being explained tothem. They failed to carryout their advisory role andthe regulation by the state didnot take place either. Thecouncil did not have a finan-cial team that was able tomeasure the risks and thosecontracts are very difficult tounderstand. You would needto be a trader on the financialmarket to realise what youwere letting yourself in for.

The last council needed alot of money to fill gaps inthe budget. They didn’t wantto put taxes up, so they hadto find a way to fund it andthis is the solution theyfound. What has it been like dealing with the banks?

For the past three years wehave renegotiated in difficultconditions. The banks are inquite a difficult situation

themselves. We have man-aged to get fixed rates onthree of them, but we are stilltrying to tackle three loans,two RBS loans and oneDexia. RBS has been difficult.I don’t know if we will get outof it. What will be your next portof call?

A lot of town councils havealready gone through courtsin the past 18 months andthere are likely to be rulingsmade on those cases soon.We don’t know how they willreact and whether they willbe able to deal with thesedebts between banks andpublic organisations.

We are going to watch andsee what the outcome is. Weput the taxes up in 2010 anddon’t intend to do so againthis year. If we have to paythe interest in 2012, we arelooking at 30 per cent, €1million, and we will have tomake savings somewhere. How likely do you think youwill be to succeed?

We are having the mostissues with RBS. As a Britishbank, RBS is much morelegally aware, because thingsgo to court more readily inthe UK. RBS makes provisionfor being sued in their initialcontracts and they have agood chance of winning.

The Dexia loans crisis has left a dark cloud hanging over City Hall in Rouen, where thecouncil is hoping to renegotiate loans. Left, Dexia tower in Paris, and below RodolpheThomas, mayor of Hérouville-Saint-Clair, which owes €1,410,000 in structured loans

Negotiations vitalto finding solution

Councils face lengthy negotiations and a possiblelegal battle with corporategiants to extract themselvesfrom the conditions of theirloans. Deputy head of financeat Rouen council, EmmanuèleJeandet-MMengual, explainshow the council got itself outof trouble by renegotiating75% of the loans and whatlies ahead to clear the rest.

NOT all mayors have beenreckless and, in fact, somehave purposefully avoidedthe uncertainty of theseproducts.

Saint-Lô mayor, FrançoisDigard, can remember atime when structured loanswere very fashionable andoffered to his council on aregular basis.

“I’ve always avoided

them,” he said. “I won’tgamble with taxpayers’money. You can do whatyou want with your own,play roulette for all you like,but you’ve got a duty to stopyourself from doing thatsort of thing with publicfunds.”

Mr Digard said that hisown budgeting was cautiousand classic in its approach.

THE “toxic” loans are based on mathematicformulae that you would have to be a trader tounderstand. Here is a simple explanation ofwhat is involved.

“Structured” or “hybrid” loans involve lowinterest fixed rate repayments for an initialperiod, after which the rate is based on externalfactors.

The loan will usually have a steady, safe period lasting for a few years, which enables

borrowers to lighten their financial load andcarry out projects easily. However, at the end ofthat period the interest rate fluctuates. It isoften based upon very volatile factors whichcan result in massive increases in interest rates.

These types of derivative loans are known tobe the most risky form of borrowing. They areusually based either upon foreign exchangerates, differences in interest rate movements orcommodity prices, which are unpredictable.

What are toxic debts?

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4 News Normandy Advertiser November 2011www.normandyadvertiser.com

PENSIONERS demandedbetter care and help with thecost of living during a protestin Alençon.

The pensioners’ section ofthe CGT, the GeneralConfederation of Labour,organised the action to high-light the issues in fundingcare for an ageing population.

The organisation is con-cerned that older people arelosing their independenceand ending up in care homesbecause adequate home careservices are not provided.

The section’s Orne depart-ment secretary, PhilippeDenolle, is calling for thegovernment to inject cashinto the system and toincrease the amount of finan-cial support available to pay

for care. He also called forbetter state pensions, in particular for widows.

He said: “The cost of livinghas gone up. Fuel has goneup, gas has gone up, rentshave gone up, insuranceshave gone up.”

He said access to healthcareis an issue because older

people can no longer affordto pay top-up insurance.

“Older people can’t afford tosee specialists or have opera-tions because that carries anadditional cost. More andmore can no longer selecthigh-quality medical care.”

Rural isolation and the closure of police stations,shops and other local facili-ties is making life even moredifficult for pensioners

“This type of situation isputting people into great difficulty, and the earlierintervention takes place andpeople are helped, the lesslikely they are to go intocare,” said Mr Denolle.

More than 60 peopleattended the demonstrationin the town centre.

THE FUTURE of the Cherbourg toPortsmouth ferry crossing is under threat.

Brittany Ferries is considering pulling theBarfleur boat, which is already no longer running in the winter, in 2012.

As the Advertiser went to press, a meetingwas due to take place to decide the fate of theservice. The management made the calcula-tions based on the economic situation and thenumber of passengers who used the boat thissummer.

Communications director, Stephen Tucknell,said: “We recognise the importance ofCherbourg to people in Normandy, but then it

is only an hour and a half to the port in Caen.”He added that there are also high-speed

boats running out of Cherbourg during thesummer.

Pensioners’ care protest

Ferry service threatened

Immigrants‘forced intoprostitution’

Pétain bansupported

Lotto winnerstill mystery

Have say onrail line route

THE €162 million in prizemoney for last month’s EuroMillions ticket may not yethave been banked.

The identity ofthe winner,who boughtthe winningticket in theCalvados regionin September, hasnot yet been revealed. Aspokesperson for the Frenchlottery company, Françaisedes Jeux, said an announce-ment would only be madeonce the payment had beenmade, and with the agree-ment of the winner.

The department must belucky: another player won€4m this month with a ticketbought in Tilly-sur-Seulles.

A COURT has thrown out anappeal against a ban on hang-ing a painting of World WarII collaborator, MarshalPétain, in a town hall.

The mayor of Gonneville-sur-Mer (Calvados) wasordered to remove the pictureof Vichy regime leader andNazi collaborator PhilippePétain by Caen Tribunal lastOctober. The Association inDefence of the Memory ofMaréchal Pétain (ADMP)lodged an appeal onSeptember 6, on the groundsthat they were unable to voicetheir concerns at the initialhearing. The court rejectedthe appeal and said that theruling did not interfere withtheir rights as an organisa-tion.

NORMANDY’S “Switzerland”has been classified as a naturereserve.

The government has chosento protect the wild andremote valley that sitsbetween the Orne andRouvre rivers, about 30kmssouth of Caen, because it is afavourable area for salmonbreeding as well as pearlmussels. It also features sev-eral historical monuments.

The area is known asNormandy’s Switzerlandbecause of its mountainousnature.

‘Switzerland’now reserve

RED TAPE is preventingimmigrants from workingand forcing them into prosti-tution, according to aNormandy charity.

Marie-Françoise Le Brizaut,a representative ofMouvement du Nid,which campaignsagainst prostitution, isurging governmentoffices to acceleratevisa applications sowomen can escape thesex industry.

Once a week thecharity goes out andmeets workingwomen on the streetsof Caen and Rouen.Many of them areeastern European orAfrican and say theywould find anotherjob if they had thelegal documents they needed.

Ms Le Brizaut said: “Onewoman has been in Francefor five years and has beenwaiting months for a certifi-cate she needs for her visaand is entitled to. Until shegets those papers she can’t getbenefits, she can’t work.”

Although Rouen Police saythe same women are stoppedtime after time, Mouvementdu Nid claims there is a largeturnover of women turningto prostitution.

Ms Le Brizaut added thatprostitution via the internet is

even more dangerous,because the women do notrealise how at risk they are.

She said: “At least we canfind the women in the streetand attempt to help them.

Those who work on theinternet are at the mercy oftheir clients.

“Documentaries on the tele-vision would have you thinkwomen enjoy this line ofwork and are happy. Theyvery much aren’t.”

Rouen Police Chief,François Mansard, confirmedthat prostitution in the citywas rarely linked to drugs,and that women were eithertrying to earn a living or weremanaged by pimps.

“We manage the situation,”he said.

Many prostitutes have little choice

Philipe Denolle, of the CGT

A NEW game whichinvolves participantsstalking a stranger toshoot them down with awater pistol has come toNormandy.

Brothers, Mathieu, 19,Jesse, 17 and David, 15,Robert, decided to organ-

ise a Street Wars gameafter seeing a documen-tary about it on televi-sion. The craze hasbecome popular inAmerica and in someFrench cities. The firstBayeux contest tookplace this October.

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MEETINGS are taking placethis month to help decide theroute of a new rail line,which will link Paris withNormandy.

The debates will be in Saint-Lô on November 3, Rouen onNovember 8, Lisieux onNovember 10, Dieppe onNovember 15 and Cherbourgon November 22. All eventsstart at 7pm.

For full details seewww.debatpublic-lnpn.org.You can also commentonline.

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Brothers declawar on the stre

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AN ARTIST has beenemployed to “colour in” twomore streets in Saint-Lô.

The Calvados town wasrebuilt after it was flattenedby bombs during World WarTwo. The buildings were allsimilar, predominantly greyand “a little sad” until artistBruno Dufour-Coppolanibrightly painted the firststreet, Rue de la Poterne, lastyear.

The project was so popularthat he will be “recolouring”Rue du Chateau and RueDame Denise next.

The colours are chosenvery carefully. The town’smayor, François Digard,said: “It’s a question of giving the town its coloursback. The artist went andlooked at the stones in theruins of the town’s castle andfound shades of green andrust there. He’s made thosecolours the colours of Saint-Lô.”

Building owners are con-sulted before work can beginand of course everybody inthe street has to agree. Thetown council subsidises 75

per cent of the costs, and theowners of the buildings paythe other quarter of the bill.

“We haven’t had any realproblems convincing peo-ple,” said the mayor.

The artist’s first experi-ment with colour in thetown was in 2004. He creat-ed a light show and project-ed colours on to the build-ings at night. He then sug-

gested they add some realcolour to the walls.

Mr Dufour-Coppolanisaid: “For each space wethink about the buildingsand the street’s heritage andwe try to find a colour thatworks.

“The colour evolves as youmove around the town. Theplan is to create a colourlandscape.”

Artist gives post-wartown a brighter future

Did you know?

News 5Normandy Advertiser November 2011 www.normandyadvertiser.com

A SHOP owner who wasplanning to close down hershop has decided to turn itinto a subsidised store to helppeople in need.

Chez Louisette in the Polletarea of Dieppe is now anépicerie sociale or “social gro-cer’s”. It sells goods at 10 percent of their market value topeople who are referred tothe shop by social services.

Former shopkeeper AndréeBoulais, known as Louisettehad the idea and approachedcharity Oxygène to help herset it up.

The shop opened lastmonth and Louisette volun-teers there three days a week.

Customers can shop in thestore for four months at atime, for up to a total of ayear. This gives them theopportunity to change their

circumstances, for instanceby buying a bike or moped toget to a job or by paying off acredit card.

Shop manager, Anne Follet,also supports customers toreach their financial goals.She said: “It’s about givingpeople a place and a chancein our society.

“What we do is take thestress off people’s budgets fora certain amount of time, toallow them to focus on some-thing else. They are selectedupon the basis of the differ-ence between their incomingand outgoing expenses.”

Clients are often poorly-paid workers, pensioners,young people who are work-ing as apprentices or singleparents.

“Recently a customer camealong for four months. He

then achieved hisgoal of buying abike, so he stoppedcoming and gavehis place to some-body else,” shesaid.

The shop hastwo paid membersof staff and 10 volunteers. Food isdonated by individuals andthe supermarket,Carrefour Market,or bought withfunding.

Social storeoffers help toless well-off

Star films onNorman turfGÉRARD Depardieu hasbeen in Normandy workingon his latest film.

Turf, directed by Frenchdirector Fabien Onteniente, isa comedy about horse racing.Depardieu, who stars along-side actors Alain Chabat andÉdouard Baer, was on set inOuistreham in September.

Hacked siteback onlineTHE new-look Manche prefecture website is backonline, three months after itwas hacked.

Hacker SaMo-Dz broke intothe website in late July andleft nothing but a signatureacross the screen.

The prefecture was forcedto close down the site whileIT experts worked out howthe intruder had managed tofind a flaw in its security. Thenew website is more user-friendly and better protected.

Actor Gérard Depardieu

Chez Louisette opens for business

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Players signed up inadvance. At the beginningof the month the 15 oppo-nents were each given acard with their target’sname, code name,address and a photo. Theythen had a month to trackdown the person and

shoot them with a waterpistol. Once hit, the victimleaves the game.

Mathieu Robert said:“We’re trying to make thisgame fun. Some olderpeople have mentionedthe negative effects, theconnotations of violence.

“We’ve been carefulabout safety and havestrict rules about respect-ing private property, andnot physically harming thetargets.”

The brothers hope toorganise another event inthe spring.

Rue de la Poterne, after and,inset, before the recolouring

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6 What’s On Normandy Advertiser November 2011www.normandyadvertiser.com

notice board

WRITERS can get away from theirdesks and talk literature with like-minded people at a monthlygathering.

Poets, songwriters and militaryhistorians mingle at the Writers ofFrance meeting, a networkingevent for more than 15 workingwriters.

The group started out as TheMayenne/Orne Writers’ Group, aforum for creative writers toenhance their skills, but has sincebecome a social gathering formainly published authors.

Co-ordinator Kit Stephens said:“We have a membership thatreflects the unlimited world ofwords. We discuss all forms ofwriting, swap ideas and opportu-nities and talk about the latesttechnical developments and howthey might affect the future of thewritten word.”

Tony Stansfield, 69, a formerbusiness analyst who lives in Estry,near Vire, is working on a histori-cal account of the second SSPanzer corps in his village duringAugust 1944. He said the meetingsare informal but stimulating:“Another writer persuaded me togo along as I was working in isola-tion. It’s nice to meet other people.It does make a difference being awriter in another country, speak-ing another language. You tend tobe a lot more isolated. I speakFrench, but there are people therewho don’t.”

To meet other writers in aninformal, unstructured setting, goalong to a meeting on the thirdTuesday of the month at theBistrot au Coin, Passais laConception.

For details email Kit Stephens, [email protected].

Meet others whohave the write idea

November 19-20 Foire aux Harengs et Fête de la Coquille Saint-Jacques 08.30 – The HerringFair and Scallop Feast is the high point of the seafood season in Dieppe. Quite apart from thestalls, tastings, recipes and meals based around the two products, there’s a big funfair and agiant flea market which takes up all the streets in the Bout du Quai district. Four barrel-organswill be playing, and the air will be filled with the delicious odour of grilled and smoked fish.Call 02 32 14 40 60

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Seine-Maritime

Until November 20 Foire Saint-Romain 13.30-23.30(weekend 01.00) – Normandy’s biggest funfair has a tradition going back to the Middle Ages. Originally, itmarked the annual liberation of a condemned prisoner,in memory of the prisoner who helped Saint Romain killa dragon. Nowadays, it’s a lot more fun than that.Thefair takes up over a mile of the river front, with 200attractions, of which 28 are on the grandest scale.Entrance and parking are FREE.Call 02 35 08 68 76

Rouen FAIR

November 5-8 Foire Saint-Martin – This is anotherof those thousand-year-old village fairs, attractingpeople from all over Normandy, Brittany and theLoire Valley. If you walk round all the 800 stalls,you’ll cover more than 10 miles.You can buy anything from a car to a puppy, admire the animalsin the farm competitions, or enjoy the thrills andspills of the fairground.This year’s theme,incongruously, is the Mediterranean. EntranceFREE. Call 02 33 79 38 [email protected]

Manche FESTIVAL

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arcouet

November 27 Christmas Concert 15.00 – Christmassongs and gospel songs in the church at Blainville,with local adult and children’s choirs, followed byrefreshments in the Salle des Fêtes.This is a greatchance to get yourself deep into the local mind andthe Christmas spirit. FREE (including refreshments)Call 02 33 07 90 [email protected]

MancheMUSICBlainville-sur-Mer

MancheMARKETCondé-sur-Vire

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

Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouet

Poppy sellersTHE ROYAL British Legion is look-ing for people to sell poppies inNormandy.

If you would like to help out in thisyear’s appeal, please get in touch withthe charity’s representative, Anne-Campbell Towler, on 03 21 41 58 64

She can post poppies, including carpoppies, car stickers, wreaths andsmall crosses for you to sell.

Christmas spiritCANCER Support France is holdingtwo fund-raising events to get peoplein the festive mood. A free ChristmasFayre will take place at the Salle deFêtes in Buais on November 13 andwill include stalls, food and Santa willbe there in his grotto.

To hold a stall, please call Jenny Luckon 02 33 60 27 82.

On November 25, there will be anopportunity to taste a Christmasselection of wines. Contact RachelBaines on 02 33 50 41 43 for moreinformation.

Cancer supportA NEW day centre for English speak-ing people affected by cancer willopen this month.

The Lower Normandy branch ofCancer Support France has movedfrom its premises in Buais and will berunning the day centre from its newpremises in Notre Dame du Touchet.

The centre will be open fromNovember 7, from 10am to 2pm onMondays and Wednesdays. Tea, coffeeand light lunches will be available.

Writers Sarah Newton and Clare LeMay enjoy the monthly meetings

Photo: © John Lott

November 27Christmas Market 09.00-18.00– Get everything you need for

Christmas: crafts, jewellery, ornaments,food, books, clothes, toys, stamps,

postcards, Christmas decorations, and giftideas.There will be 50 stalls in the Salle Condé

Espace, and a flea market as well.Entrance €2, under 15s FREE

Call 02 31 22 94 64

What’s On 7Normandy Advertiser November 2011 www.normandyadvertiser.com

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November

ARTAll November Addiction Gallery -‘Les Métamorphoses’ – GeorgesBraque, the inventor of Cubism, did verylittle work in three dimensions, but he left alarge number of gouache designs for sculpture andjewellery, from which dedicated artisans have producedsuperb miniature works of art. Entrance FREE.Call 02 31 89 39 44

CalvadosHonfleur

Calvados Le Molay-Littry MUSEUM

All November Musée de la Mine, 10.00-12.00, 14.00-18.00– Coal was mined in Normandy from 1741 to 1880, but in1902 a benefactor thought to rescue the mine machineryand equipment, build a museum for it, and leave it all to thecommune.As a result, you can still visit a reconstructedtunnel and a steam engine installed by the Périer brothersin 1802.There is a guided tour, and audio-guides are available in English.The visit lasts about an hour and a half.Adult €5-7; child €1.50-€2Call 02 31 22 89 10

4-6 November Beatles Weekend Friday20.00, Saturday and Sunday all day –Perhaps the most unexpected of Normanfestivals, the Beatles weekend takes placein the old Tithe Barn (Grange auxDîmes). On Friday evening there is a formal reception, dinner and concert, andover the next two days there are continuous concerts in two halls bygroups from England, Scotland, Ireland,Belgium, Holland and France.There are, ofcourse, also exhibitions, a bar, lightrefreshments and fish and chips. Friday€6; Saturday and Sunday combined €10;3-day pass €14Call to reserve 02 31 97 18 [email protected]

CalvadosOuistrehamMUSIC

Calvados

MARKETSPont l'Évêque

November, various datesMarketsThere is a splendid market inPont l’Évêque every Mondaymorning, but throughoutNovember the Market Hall willhost a series of special events:November 6 – Toy Fair (Bourse aux Jouets)November 11-13 – Salon dela GastronomieNovember 19-20 – Foire auxarbres (ornamental trees)November 26-27 –Christmas MarketCall 02 31 64 12 77

OrneFAMILYLe Sap

November 12-13 Le Grand Jardin - Fête du Cidre à l'ancienne. 10.00-18.00 – The Écomusée ‘De la

Pomme au Calvados’ (from Apples to Calvados) ispulling out all the stops for this celebration of the

local tipples.You can watch the apples beingpressed and the juices treated on ancient

machinery, and then distilled in one of those travelling stills you occasionally find trundling fromfarm to farm; you can taste cider, both sweet anddry, Calvados and Pommeau; you can listen to the

barrel organ or the accordion, watch the traditionaldances and the fire-eater; try milking a cow, or send the

kids on a pony ride. Entrance and parking FREE.Call 02 33 35 25 89

[email protected]

Orne ANIMALSLe Mêle-sur-Sarthe

November 26 Foire aux Poulains Percherons – This is the annual sale of Percheron foals. Ifyou like horses, you’ll love the Percheron. Reputed to have carried knights into battle, it’s aheavy horse but retains a certain elegance. It can draw your carriage, but also be used for show-jumping. Like cats in the dark, all Percherons are grey, from charcoal to near-white.They are muscular, intelligent and hard-working, and the foals are adorable.Call 02 33 27 63 97

November 5-6 (Manoir de la Bonnerie)Autumn Inspirations – Sabine Dunais has had abusy life. She was the first woman to be

admitted at Lloyd’s of London and was one of the guides to the Palace of Versailles for 30years, but since 2001 she has concentrated on what was already her passion; the gardens shehas created at the 15th-century Manoir de la Bonnerie. On this autumn weekend she hosts agarden fair and plant market whose full title is “Autumn Inspirations looking to the Holidays;Plants, presents and titbits”. Expect good food, special plants and the benefit of Sabine’sexpert advice in English. Entrance FREE.Call 02 33 28 42 32 or email [email protected]

Orne FAIREssay

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8 Healthcare Normandy Advertiswww.normandyadvertiser.com

THE vast majority of people in France haveprivate health insurance policies, or mutuelles,to cover them for the proportion of medicalbills not reimbursed by the state. But the levelsof reimbursement have been falling as the gov-ernment tries to cut public expenditure andthis has led to steeply rising fees for top-uppolicies.

Those charges are expected to rise even morenext year as taxes are increased for mutuelleproviders, so if you have a policy, now is thetime to check that it covers everything youneed and offers value for money. If you are notconvinced, shop around for a better deal.

The consumer group UFC Que Choisir saysthat state reimbursement of healthcare costslast year reached its lowest level since 1973and has attacked what it calls the government’s“abandonment of solidarity”. At the same time,the group points out that Prime MinisterFrançois Fillon’s announcement that the taxrate on health insurance companies is likely toreach 7% before 2012 will mean that providerswill have to increase client contributions.

UFC Que Choisir health affairs expertMathieu Escot says: “There are a number offactors affecting the rising cost of insurance.We saw in 2010 and 2011 that these increaseshit hardest those people aged 60 and over,with their monthly payments rising by 11.8%.

We do not yet know the percentage increasefor next year, but it will be at least this. Franceis different from other countries in that youdon’t have to pay higher contributions if youhave health problems. But the older you are,the more you spend because you tend to needto see specialists more often and so you arecharged more by your insurance.”

There is no obligation to have top-up insur-ance, but 94% of French people have a policy.“It is highly recommended that you take outadditional health cover,” says Mr Escot. “If youdon’t, you risk having very high bills each timeyou seek medical assistance. People who don’ttake out top-up health cover are usually thepeople who could not afford to pay medicalbills.”

Most mutuelles have an annual renewal dateand can be cancelled at the end of the year,in line with the notice period set by the com-pany. Even where the policy is taken outmid-year, the renewal date is often subse-quently fixed at the beginning of January.However, a handful of contracts startedmid-year 2011 may not be terminated untilthe same time next year, so it is worthchecking on your renewal notice.

When you receive your renewal letter,which will inform you of any rise, you areable, should you wish, to cancel andchange to a different policy or firm. Thismust be done by recorded delivery letter,within 20 days of the postmark of therenewal letter.

It is important to make sure that yourtop-up covers the elements of health-care you are most likely to need, andat suitable percentages. Ask Frenchfriends, or your pharmacist or doctor,

if they can recommend a mutuelle that mightsuit your requirements and ask firms to giveyou a quote (devis) showing the breakdown ofwhat they can offer, at what cost. These arebased on the set state tariff for a given proce-dure. For example, a GP visit costs €23, of

which the state reimburses 70% (€15.10). A100% mutuelle will reimburse you up to

100% of the set tariff.However, many doctors work in what is

known as “Sector 2” of the health sys-tem, which means they can charge feesmuch higher that the set tariff, but thedifference is not covered by state

reimbursements, so you could befaced with a hefty bill.

It is possible to take out a 150%or 200% mutuelle, which will top-up as much as twice the so-called

tarif conventionnel. Such policiesmay be for you if you often visitspecialists, many of whom chargehigh fees, or live in Paris or thePACA region, where the majority of

doctors and specialists fall into“Sector 2”. Be aware, though, thatthe set tariff is so low for somethings – eye care and spectacles,for example – that even such anenhanced policy would not resultin your getting all your moneyback. And you never receive back

more than you have paid.The choice of mutuelle providers

ranges from the larger insurancecompanies such as AXA, Allianz

and Swiss Life, to non-profitorganisations that includeHarmony Mutuelle, MutuelleGénérale and MalakoffMédéric. There is no real price

difference between the two, butthe non-profit groups tend tofavour the allocation of funds tosupport people in financial andsocial difficulty. See also belowon these pages and our directorypages for dedicated English-speaking companies.

If you are on a low income(2011 figures are €7,611 for asingle person and €11,417 fora couple, for all income), thestate can also provide a top-upcover and this is known as theCMU Complémentaire. Youshould note that if you haveno rent or mortgage to pay,this will be taken intoaccount when assessing yourincome against the ceiling.

Those with incomes nomore than 26% higher thanthe ceiling for the CMUCmay be eligible for abenefit that helps towardspaying for a privatemutuelle, the AideComplémentaire Santé.

The amount variesaccording to your age(mutuelles cost morethe older you are): up

Government austerity measures mean thatthe price of top-up health insurance islikely to rise even further in 2012 and thiscould be especially hard on older people.Most health contracts expire at the endof the year, so now is the time to considerswitching policies for the best and mostcost-effective cover. ESTELLE PHILLIPS explains

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Useful Websites

Is your healthcover right?

Healthcare 9www.normandyadvertiser.comer November 2011

to €100 a year for peopleunder16 and up to €500 forthe over-60s. You only need tomake one application perhousehold.

When choosing a mutuelle,look carefully at what is onoffer for dental and eye carecosts because these are poorlyreimbursed by the state.

Cheaper mutuelles may focusmainly on hospital stays. Youcan take them out, for exam-

ple, with dedicated healthinsurance firms, some cateringespecially for expats, or high-street insurance companies. Ifyou are married or have chil-dren, check whether depen-dants (personnes à charge) canbe included in the policy.

Companies offer cards to behanded to the doctor or phar-macist along with the state’scarte vitale, to organise theirpart of the payment.

The Connexion newspaper has a 20-pagehelpguide which explains a range ofFrench healthcare issues, including top-upinsurance, obtaining a carte vitale, howreimbursements work, hospital stays,pharmacies, dentists, eye and ear care,mental health and cancer care.

Healthcare helpguide

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SWITCH: Consider changing your mutuelle toavoid rising top-up healthcare costs in 2012

Download a copy for €7.50 at www.connexionfrance.com or call 0800 91 77 56 for a printed version to be sent to you

Local ContactsTHE first step towards getting reimbursed for health-care is to register with your nearest Caisse Primaired’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) office.

They will be able to tell you what sort of document-ation you need to provide. If you have difficulties withFrench get in touch with the CPAM’s Manche branchfirst. They have an English-speaking helpline and awebsite that provides detailed instructions.

The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm,on 0820 904 212 and the website is www.ameli.fr.The Calvados CPAM office also has information inEnglish covering areas such as declaring a pregnancyor changes of circumstance.

If you are self-employed or running a business inNormandy, you need to register with the CaisseRégionale des Artisans et Commerçants.

The contact details for the regional offices are: CPAM de la MANCHEMontée du Bois André 50012 SAINT-LÔ CEDEX Tel: 08 20 90 41 78English-speaking Helpline: 08 20 90 42 [email protected] hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8am-8pmCPAM du CALVADOSBoulevard du Général Weygand - BP 604814031 CAEN CEDEX Tel: 08 20 90 41 77Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8am-4:45pmCPAM de l’EURE1bis, place Saint-Taurin 27030 ÉVREUX CEDEX Tel: 08 20 90 41 73Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8am-5pmCPAM de l’ORNE34, place du Général Bonet 61012 ALENÇON CEDEX Tel: 08 20 90 41 61Opening hours: Monday 8am-5pm Tuesday-Friday 8:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-5pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8am-6pmCPAM du HAVRE222, boulevard de Strasbourg 76094 LE HAVRE CEDEX Tel: 08 20 90 42 76 (0,12€/min)Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8am-5:45pmCPAM de ROUEN50, avenue de Bretagne 76039 ROUEN CEDEX 1Tel: 08 20 90 42 76 (0,12€/min)Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7:45-4:45pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8am-5:45pmCPAM de DIEPPE19, rue Stalingrad 76200 DIEPPE Tel: 08 20 90 42 76 (0.12€/min)Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm Fridays 8am-4pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8am-5:45pmCPAM d’ELBEUFRue de la Prairie - BP 43676504 ELBEUF SUR SEINE CEDEX Tel: 08 20 90 42 76Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pmTelephone assistance: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:45pmThere is regional information available at www.ameli.fr. Caisse Régionale des Artisans et Commerçants de Basse-Normandie (14 - 50 - 61)35, Rue Fred Scamaroni 14052 CAEN CEDEX 4Tel: 02 31 38 30 00Caisse Régionale des Artisans et Commerçants de Haute-Normandie (27 - 76)4 Rue J. le Povremoyne - 76240 LE MESNIL ESNARDTel: 02 35 79 40 00

10 Food Normandy Advertiser November 2011www.normandyadvertiser.com

NOVEMBER is here already and it’s time forChristmas food preparations, starting withmincemeat. I find Christmas without mince piesunthinkable.

All my French friends like them, but they areastonished when I tell them that this traditionalBritish delicacy has a French connection: theoriginal recipe came from a small corner ofFrance.

The ingredients for Christmas pies, as mincepies were called, can be traced back to the 13thcentury when Crusaders returned home withrecipes containing meat, fruits and spices. Servedat Christmas, the pies became associated withCatholicism and during the English Civil Warthey were banned by the Puritans. Nevertheless,the tradition of eating mince pies in Decembercontinued, although their shape altered from rec-tangular to round and the meat content graduallydisappeared, leaving only the suet as the recipebecame sweeter.

Over the years, the original mince pie recipelargely vanished in France, but thanks to anEnglish lord, Robert Clive, a French version of itis still flourishing in the small town of Pézenas inLanguedoc.

Clive, later known as Clive of India, arrived inthe town with his wife in 1768 to convalesce fol-lowing his avenging of the Black Hole of Calcutta.Rich with loot from India, the Clives rented achâteau in a sea of vines, and joined a colony ofailing, wealthy nobility drawn to the area by theclimate. These incomers had to provide their ownentertainment — and food.

The Clives hated what they described as the

“nasty garlicky” French food, so they started ThePicnic Club, to which members would contributetheir favourite dishes. The Clives had an Englishcook who commissioned pies from a local baker.This man was astute enough to realise that theexoticism of the pies, shaped like cotton reels andfilled with minced mutton, sugar, dried fruit andspices, would be a winner – and 243 years on theystill are. Traditionally served all year as an aperitifwith Picpoul de Pinet, the local dry white wine,petites pâtés de Pézenas are indeed a blast fromthe British past.

Home-made mince-meat is easy tomake, even in

France, and onceyou have done ityou will never buyready-made again.Shredded suet isavailable in largersupermarketswith a “British”section. If youdon’t have onenearby, ordergraisse derognon fromyour butcher,freeze it, thenflour and grateit.

I have dis-covered thatthe best softbrown sugaris to befound in theFair Trade(commerceéquitable)section.

Mince pies – a French connectionAfter she was chosen asthe first BBC Masterchefin 1990 JOAN BUNTINGwas soon writing a foodcolumn and doing BBClocal radio. Now the former advisory teacherhas retired and movedpermanently to her homein France, but she is stillkeen to tell readers aboutgood food.

Caline Montfort, of Julien deSavignac wine merchants (www.julien-de-savignac.com), says:Pacherenc cuvée Vendémiaire 2006from the prestigious producer AlainBrumont. Retail price at Julien deSavignac, 50cl bottle, €10.80. Thislovely late harvested sweet wine fromthe south-west by Madiran is madefrom 100% old vines of Petit Mansengwhite grapes. Harvested by hand,grapes are selected carefully and softlypressed. With its extremely concentratedflavours of raisins, orange peel, ginger,but still with a wonderful and refresh-ing acidity, this wine will marry beauti-fully with these delicacies.

Mix together all the ingredients, stirthoroughly. Cover and leave in a cool place for at least 24 hours. Stir again and bottle into clean jars.

Seal and store in a cool dry place forat least three weeks before using.

INGREDIENTS

350g currants – raisins de corinthe 250g sultanas – raisins golden 350g seedless raisins – raisins secs 100g chopped candied peel – écorce de

citron et orange 350g tart apple, peeled and chopped 100g almonds, peeled and shredded 450g dark soft brown sugar 450g shredded suet Half a nutmeg, finely grated – muscade Half a teaspoon ground cinnamon –

canelle Grated rind and juice of a lemon and

an orange 250ml rum or brandy

METHOD

A Normandy Advertiser team member has put this recipe to the test to pass on some handy hintsfor your recipe trial at home.

“This recipe was actually more tasty than I expected. The orange and lemon peel, nutmeg and cin-namon, combined with the sweet raisins, created a nice contrast of sugar and spice. I couldn’t find

suet in my supermarket so I recommend heading straight to your local butcher. Don’t forget to make themincemeat at least three weeks before you want to serve it in homemade pastry pies, so there is time for

the flavours to infuse before Christmas.”

Tried and tested by us

Photo: © Joan Bunting

A collection of restaurants in Normandy

To advertise your restaurant with us

call 0800 91 77 56

Which wine should Idrink with this?

Makingyour ownmincemeat iseasier than you think,so start preparations now on these little pies that mean Christmas

Granny’s Mincemeat

Business 11Normandy Advertiser November 2011 www.normandyadvertiser.com

FINANCE

WORKING as a self-employed builder, your husband willbelong to the Chambre de Métiers and pay self-employedcotisations at a higher level than a commerçant because ofthe greater risk of injury or illness related to physical work.

It can be incredibly difficult to budget for your chargeswhen your income dips.

It is possible to request a recalculation on estimated cur-rent year profits, but your husband will need to have a goodidea of the results that he expects for the full year, and RSIwill normally require an attestation sur l’honneur to confirmthe reduced profits. Your expert-comptable will be able tohelp you prepare the necessary management accounts, andappropriate attestation to send to RSI. The current yearcharges will then be recalculated to your current yearresults, and you may not need to pay anything further ifyou have already overpaid in 2011 (based on the new calculations).

I appreciate that you think the charges are quite high, butthese RSI costs are deductible from your business profits. What do you get for your money?

The cotisations (average 46% on profits) are divided upinto the following:

Sickness/maternity and sick pay La maladie/maternité etindemnités journalières

Basic state pension La retraite de baseEarnings-related pension La retraite complémentaireInvalidity and death benefits L'invalidité, Le décèsFamily allowance Les allocations familialesTraining La formation professionnelleGeneral social cover Participation à la CSG et à la CRDS

The complementary part of the pension is based on yourhusband’s earnings, and “points” are accumulated up to thedate of retirement.

Remember that if your husband has lower earnings, hisfuture pension rights will be reduced too.

The medical part of the cotisations give him and hisdependants access to the health system, as well as dailyindemnities in case he is unable to work through illness.Retirement benefits and critical illness cover can be toppedup with private insurance to provide enhanced benefits.

Having to think about your social charges, taxes, expenses,and making sure that you are accumulating enough pointsfor the earnings-related pension takes a lot of time andeffort after a hard day on site!

My husband has been self-eemployed as a builderfor five years and works mostly for clients in theManche. His income fluctuates each year, depend-ing on current projects. Our RSI social charges for2011 have been high, because 2010 was a goodbusiness year, but we expect 2011 profits to belower. Is there any way we can reduce what we paynow, rather than waiting until our 2011 results getreported to RSI in May 2012? And what benefitsdo we get out of the obligatory charges that we pay(we seem to pay out a such a lot of money)?

Photo:© ©

Stephen Coburn - Fotolia.com

Judy can be contacted through The Advertiser or by email: [email protected] She is also on Twitter at @NormandyBizGp

JUDY MANSFIELD has lived and worked in Calvados fornearly nine years. She is an agent commercial, andworked at an estate agency in Lisieux for several yearsbefore branching out into business development,primarily for currency specialists First Rate FX andlatterly for small businesses in Normandy.

People find all sorts of reasons whythey don’t ‘do’ marketing – one of themain excuses I hear is that it is tooexpensive, business is slow and theycan’t afford it. But that is preciselywhen you need to be marketing.

YOU may have the best productor service in the world, but that’sno good if people don’t know whoyou are or how to find you.

Thankfully, there are many waysyou can get yourself in front ofpotential clients or customerswithout too much cost. Somethings you need to thinkabout are simple but effective:Marketing Mix - Make sure youdon’t just use one method tospread the word. It’s fine having afree advert on an internetsite, but are you sure yourpotential customers subscribe tothat website? This raises anotherpoint – know your client. Get intotheir minds – who are they? Wheredo they live? What are their inter-ests? What newspapers do they read?What are their values and aspirations?Once you have thought about that,you can more accurately direct whereyour marketing should go,preferably using more than onemedium. Look at the internet forsure, and especially:Social networking sites – Twitter,LinkedIn and FaceBook. Setting up aFaceBook business page is easy and free– add information to it that people willfind helpful. Join LinkedIn, add your CVand experiences, then seek out groupswhere your target audience is likely tobe. Watch and read for a while, then seekout opportunities where you can help byoffering advice or solutions. Also includenewspapers and magazines, leaflets,direct mail, noticeboards, telephonecalls, face to face… look at every possi-bility.Don’t try and sell – Nothing will put offpotential clients more than an immediatesales pitch. The relationship comes first,and is built up over time. Don’t be afraidto GIVE! A sample, a voucher, a bit of

advice or guidance, an introduction to ahelpful contact… You will reap therewards from these generous gestures,no matter how modest they might seem.Some tips for FREE marketing!

Answerphone message: Does youranswerphone message say “I’m not here.

Calllater.”

Ormaybe itis the

default one from your provider? If soCHANGE IT! Try recording one thatsays who you are, what your business is,and add a link to your website, tell themabout your special offer, encourage them to leave amessage. Anything to stop them ringingyour competitor!

Email signature block. How do yousign off your emails? Cheers, Joe Bloggs?CHANGE IT! Design your signatureblock and add your logo, your photo,your website address and a marketingmessage.

Envelopes. Do you post things toclients? Add your logo and website toyour envelope! Print it out, or you canorder stickers.

Get leaflets printed - VistaPrint oftenhas free offers. Ask other businesses ifyou can target their customers withleaflets. But reciprocate and give outtheir leaflets.

Talk! It costs nothing to speak to people – in the supermarket queue; onholiday, at a social event. Don’t talk

about your business for hours, butdrop it into the conversation if appro-priate. The person you’re talking tomight not need your service, but theymay know someone who does!

We will be covering this issue at afuture Normandy Business Groupbrainstorming session – come andjoin us to find out more!

Here is what some members aresaying about us:

“One of the best networking groups I havebeen to in France…”

Jennifer Bowman“Great group of people with diverse

activities, experience and expertise”Marian Clarke

“Excellent way to meet like-mindedpeople, make new friends and expand

professional business contacts”Sheelagh Gorham

“Thanks for the introductions - I got newcustomers” Steve Mobsby

Normandy Jelly meets every firstTuesday at the Jug and Jazz in Ger.Next month, we will see what we canlearn from the Dragons’ Den TV pro-gramme, and consider what should

be in your Business Plan for 2012!Next Normandy Jelly is November 8,10.00 till 15.00. FREE wifi, FREE tea andcoffee – bring your laptop and join thebuzz of working in a collaborative envi-ronment.

Normandy Business Group is FREE tojoin, very welcoming and supportive. Fordetails go to www.meetup.com/normandy-business-group

Marketing on a limited budget

Dinah Liversidge - Potential Un-limitedwww.dinahliversidge.comDaniel Priestley - Becoming a KeyPerson of Influencewww.danielpriestley.wordpress.com/daniel-priestley

Photo: © Tanja B

agusat - Fotolia.com

Builders face an increased risk of physical injury

12 Directory Normandy Advertiser November 2011www.normandyadvertiser.com

ANIMALS & PETS BUILDERS & RENOVATION

BUSINESS & WEBSITES

CARPENTERS

EDUCATION & LANGUAGE

ELECTRICIANS

ESTATE AGENTS

FINANCE & INSURANCE

FOOD & CATERING

Le Chateau deCrosville sur Douve

Welcomes you to our newrestaurant

Varied menu each weekOpen Thurs, Fri & Sat evenings

Sunday lunchtimesTel: 02 33 41 67 25 / 06 98 76 60 60

Photos onwww.chateaucrosville.com

email:[email protected]

LE BREWERY10 years of brewing in Normandy

Art is an AleGreat beer for all occasions

www.le-brewery.comTel: 02 33 37 77 26

61320 Joue-du-Bois

AXA INSURANCE

J. LECLUZEST HILAIRE DU HARCOUET - 50600

HOME - CAR - HEALTHWe insure UK registered cars

ENGLISH SPOKEN(call Angeline) - 02 33 49 12 34

englishspokenlecluze.e-monsite.com

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PIONEER FRANCEBest rates from the market leader

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PIONEER FRANCEBest rates from the market leader

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To advertise here callfreephone in

France 0800 91 77 56 / fromUK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

FRENCH INSURANCE - IN ENGLISH

For people who live in/ own property in

FranceStraight-forward, honest advice onthe best house, car, life & health

insurance policies for youOver 15 years experience inFrench insurance markets

English, Dutch & German spoken.Philippe Schreinemachers

www.insurance.frTel: 33 00 05 62 29 20 00

Email: [email protected] Auch B479 400 657 - Regions: All France

bml angloagence.comEnglish registered cars

House insurance - Health cover1700 British clients trust us

02 96 87 21 [email protected]

Dinan, Brittany

AllianZ InsuranceCAR HOME

HEALTHInsurance in Lower Normandy Christophe Marie, Vire - Tel: 02 31 68 01 96

Email: [email protected] Siret N° ORIAS 07/022 348

HOUSES ONINTERNET

Do you want to sell yourhouse quickly?

Our fee is only 2.5%Find out how on:

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English and Fluent French speakingagent, always needing more houses

for sale, 8 years [email protected]

TEL FR: +33 (0) 6 19 17 34 61TEL UK: +44 (0) 7880 501 116

www.NormandyandBrittanyhousesforsale.comSiret: 519 751 465

Andrew Morgan

Electrician All works guaranteed and carried out to

French regulations standard.Tel: 02 31 67 34 40

Email: [email protected] Covered: 50,61,and 14 - Siret: 49427469900011

French WithoutTears

Your Own PersonalLanguage Course.

Tuition with Accomodationwww.cours-a-cucugnan.com

Tel: 06 78 15 19 29Siret: 521701474

NORMANDYFRENCH TUITION

Qualified bilingual teacherSmall groups, 1 to 1 online,

intensive courses, translationTél: 02 33 65 39 73 Mob: 06 15 76 37 34

www.normandyfrenchtuition.com

Crafts at Les LandesSpinning and other crafts.

Half, Full day tuition orresidential B&B

www.crafts-at-leslandes.comtel: 00 33 (0)2 33 960904

SIRET No 489 459 438 00011

Sworn TranslationsHelp with the French system

Interpreting, phonecalls Admin & paperwork

Call Hilary on 00 33 (0) 6 10 69 05 53www.leapfrogservices.net

Mascha TaniaTranslation-Administrative Help

Lifetime experienceof the French system.Privacy Guaranteed

Tel: 02 31 67 60 55 / 06 79 86 22 69Siret: 451 736 318 00010

FRENCH TUITIONOnline through Skype

with SylvieTel: 02 31 32 28 83

[email protected]

JS MenuiserieJohn Shipton - 02 14 16 14 47Carpenter/Joiner

All kinds of handmade furniture and carpen-try work. From door fittings to kitchens.

email: [email protected] 499 313 658

English Carpenter/JoinerMichael Bambridge BSc

Very experienced in renovation and carpentry including stairs and furniture

Tel: 02 33 50 40 24Email: [email protected]

Siret: 48131662800017

Stuart Upton CARPENTRY & ROOFING

Full 10 year Insurance Backed GuaranteeTel: 02 33 64 89 28 / 06 06 43 52 28Email: [email protected]

Regions Covered 61, 14, 50Siret 48036552700013

Penny Graphicswebsites from

75€including design, hosting and

domain name

pennygraphics.net02 33 90 92 15

SW COMPUTERSPC repairs,upgrades, sales.help with

internet connections, call out or bring to us.Tel: Mark 02 33 90 64 93

Mob: 06 72 66 61 51www.swcomputers.eu

Siret: 48397386300028

LOW COST PRINT IN NORMANDY

Business Cards - Leaflets - Flyers - Postcards -Banners - Vehicle Graphics - Colour Labelswww.AardvarkPrintandDesign.com

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conversion specialists. We undertake all aspects ofrenovation & improvement

projects.We legally employ English

speaking staff& do not sub-contract.

Full 10 year insurance backedguarantee.

TEL: 02 31 67 76 90www.devilleservices.com

Areas: 14 , 50 , 61 Siret: 5026366000018

Andrew Hadfield

BUILDERAll building works undertaken.

Mini digger, Full Registered,10 year decennale insurance.

Tel: 02 33 61 72 90 - Email: [email protected]: Near St Hilaire - Siret: 499 532 059 00015

MesnilRenovation

Areas 14/50/61Full / Part Renovations,

carpentry, masonry, plaster-ing, tiling, kitchens, replace-

ment windows and doors.www.buildersnormandy.com

Tel. 02 31 09 26 54Siret 48423125300010

GENERAL BUILDERRoofs, Loft conversions,Plumbing & Electrical,

Groundworks.Experienced team forall renovation work.__________________________

TIMBER PRESERVATIONEradication of rot andwoodboring insects

20 year certificated guarantee covering all France

Tel: Jim +33 (0) 679274563Email: [email protected]

Siret 488081233

David Pickering CompleteBuilding Services

Specializing in Installation of FosseToutes Eaux - Mini Digger/Dumper Hire

Email: [email protected]: 02 33 17 24 82

Mobile: 06 20 14 73 69 Siret: 481 189 991

Chenil du Val KennelsSmall, friendly, professional kennel

Special care/attention for your pets.Quarantine alternative

Contact Angie: Tel 02 33 17 17 61Between Periers/Coutances/St Lo

Email: [email protected] 50993743900016

GOLDENWAYINTERNATIONAL PETS

& LIVE ANIMALS

World Wide PetRelocator

Ministry approvedNo. 61195004 – 61195001Offices CDG Airport Paris

Offices and Kennels Normandy

Tel: 01 48 62 87 25 CDG ParisTel: 02 33 38 41 32 Normandy

www.goldenwaypets.comSiret: 397549551

Acorn Kennels & Cattery

Qualified and professional careof your pet while you are away

www.AcornKennelsandCattery.comTel: 02 33 49 63 22

Siret: 479 825 168 00012

ANIMAL COURIERSExperienced couriers specialisingin pet travel between France / UK /

Spain or within France. Pet passport advice.

Tel: 0044 (0) 1483200123Email: [email protected]

Web: www.animalcouriers.com

NORMANDY KENNELSSmall, caring and qualified

English run kennels and catteryContact Jon or Sue Tel 02 31 67 93 48

Near Vire Dept 14www.normandykennels.com

[email protected] 48914001200019

Chenil Les Mille CalinsEnglish Run

5 Star accommodation for Dogs/Cats

Underfloor heated kennels Qualified staff Top Quality food and exercise Only 45 minutes south of Caen Convenient Ferry Access

www.goldenwaypets.comTelephone 02 33 37 49 19Emergency 02 33 38 41 32

Fax 02 33 38 44 16

NORMANDYADVERTISER

Advertise here ALL YEAR from just €165HT

Call free on 0800 91 77 56

or email: [email protected]

Directory 13Normandy Advertiser November 2011 www.normandyadvertiser.com

GARDENS & POOLS

GENERAL

MOTORING

PROPERTY SERVICES

REMOVALS & TRANSPORT

RETAIL & COMMERCE

WOODBURNERSAsh Grove Stoves

Supplier ofHunter - Villager

- Clean Burn - Fire Visible - Boiler versions available- Deliveries all over France- Prices on our website

Lowest Prices Guaranteed

Tel: 00 44 (0) 1392 861579www.ashgrovestoves.com

[email protected]

WOOD STOVE STUDIOWood burning stoves and Cuisinieres from

Cashin Camina CleanburnEsse Hunter Parkray

Stovaxon display at our dept 61 showroom

Selkirk chimneyand flexible liner

Full installation servicewww.woodstovestudio.com [email protected]

Tel 02 33 12 57 26Siret 498 597 632 00013

LE BON CHOIXDEPOT - VENTE

Tel: 02 43 03 37 72www.lebonchoixdepotvente.com

DIRECT LOISIRSN°1 in all of France for direct

sale of mobile homes andchalets. Looking for a plot by

the sea?

DIRECT LOISIRS can offer sitesto rent or buy in small

residential parks.

Visit our permanent display in Gavray.ZA Route de Coutances

50450 Gavraytel: 02 33 91 16 80

www.directloisirs.com

BERTIN COUVERTURE15 Years experience in roofing and zinc

New and restauration / Chimney Sweep02 33 38 28 86

With 10 years insurance - Siret: 50792761400010

MOVINGTO OR FROM

FRANCE?Weekly services to &

from FranceFull or part loads, 4wks free storage,

30 Yearsexperience

Bar & Guild MemberContact:

Anglo French RemovalsTel: +44 (0) 1622 690 653

Email: [email protected]

REFLEX MOODYS LTDSALISBURY

REMOVALSUK - FRANCE - UK

• Weekly Service • Full & Part Loads• Container Storage

• BAR Members• On-line Quotation

• Internet Shopping Deliveries00 44 1722 414350

[email protected] Regn No: UK 5186435TVA / VAT No: UK 864 7217 04

D & KREMOVALSLight Removals to and from

France. Best prices, best service.T: + 44 (0) 079705 30723

E: [email protected]

INVICTA INTERNATIONALLIGHT HAULAGE SERVICESStore Collections, General Removals,

Motorcycle Recovery.France, UK, Europe.Tel: 02 33 64 99 31

Email: [email protected] Number 51407345.1-0001.5

FISHFACE REMOVALS UK - FRANCE - UK Full and part loads You pack,

we move, you save! 0044 (0)1327 264627 UK

Email: [email protected] www.fishfaceremovals.com

SELF STORAGE FACILITY 61SECURE SITE

NEW STORAGE CONTAINERSCOMPETITIVE PRICES

Tel: 02 33 30 89 20Email: [email protected]

Web: www.pjmselfstorage.comSiret: 41153948300020 - Regions: All of France

WOODBURNERSBY THE STOVE SHACK

ESSE - HUNTER - WOODWARM- Full lining and installation

of all Stoves - Free Survey and Advice

in Depts 14,50,61- Stoves eligible for

Credit d'impots- 20 yrs experience - HETAS and NVQ Qualified

Tel 02 33 17 25 [email protected]

www.thestoveshack.euSiret No 510 070 535 00016

Chimney SweepWood StoveInstallationProperty

ManagementIain Davison

www.propertycarepeople.comTel: 02 33 14 09 55


ROOFING SPECIALISTCCoommpplleettee wwoorrkkss//rreeppaaiirrss uunnddeerrttaakkeenn

BBaasseedd iinn tthhee SSoommmmee aarreeaaAAllll NNoorrtthheerrnn rreeggiioonnss CCoonnssiiddeerreeddContact Chris or Barbara Wood

Tel: 03 22 32 59 [email protected]

Siret: 502368103

CHIMNEY SWEEPBlack Cat Services

Expert English Sweep, Mess FreeRegistered, Insured.

Certificate de Ramonage IssuedTel : 02 33 50 84 91

Email: [email protected]

TEMPLIERS SECURITEPROTECTION PRIVEEALL ASPECTS OF PERSONAL &

PROPERTY SECURITYEVENT SECURITY MANAGEMENT

STUD FARMS

152 Ave de Flandre75019 Paris

Tel: 09 81 72 17 02Mobile : 06 61 32 77 91

Email : templierblanc@hotmail.frwww.templierssecuriteprotectionprivee.com

Chris HuttENGLISH TV INSTALLER

TV & Internet - all works guaranteed

www.ashnormandie.comTel: 02 33 91 69 29

Email: [email protected]: 491 624 367

SARL QUESNEE

HOME & PROPERTYSECURITY SOLUTIONS

COMPLETE RANGE OF ALARMSGATES- GARAGE DOORS -CCTV

FREE ADVICE & QUOTES

VIRE - 02 31 68 95 00CAEN - 02 31 85 27 62

POWER & LIGHT SERVICESELECTRICAL & PLUMBING

SERVICESALL WORK FULLY INSURED.

Tel: 02 33 70 88 24Email: [email protected] Covered: 50,14,61,22

Siret: 515 210 847 00015

ELECTRICIAN / PLUMBERand HEATING ENGINEERFrench Registered - Over 35 years experience

David Christie - 02 33 51 05 91Mobile: 06 31 97 58 15

Email: [email protected] Manche Siret: 481 604 411 00019

Dr GroundworksGroundworks including gravel drives, septic tanks,

drainage, footings, concrete bases and landscaping. Based near Carentan (50)

Tel: 09 54 61 28 51 / 06 71 28 00 66www.dr-groundworks.com

[email protected]

CHIMNEY SWEEPPROPERTY MANAGEMENT

DEPT 50Stephen Ramsbottom - 0233172361

e-mail: [email protected]

siret: 51114827200012

Kilrush Cars Ltd

A large selection ofEuropean

Left Hand Drive

CarsOne owner - FSH - C.O.CTel: 00 44 (0) 1252 782883

www.kilrushcars.com

ENGLISHLANGUAGEFUNERALS

Your needs, your wishes09 65 35 17 56

www.englishlanguagefunerals.fr

EExxcclluussiivveeHHeeaalltthhccaarreeYour Helping Hand to the

French Health System

+33 (0) 4 94 40 31 45www.exclusivehealthcare.com

Seans Garden ServicesLawns – Hedges – TreesOvergrown plots cleared.

Free quotes for one-off jobs.Call Sean 02 31 09 27 00


GARDEN MAINTENANCEGarden Clearance - Grass Cutting

Hedge Cutting - Strimming and WeedKilling

Tel: Charlie 02 33 91 78 05Email: [email protected]

St Sever Area Siret 49763502900018

Mark Dupee LANDSCAPE GARDENER

Est 1994Tel: 02 33 90 92 28

Mobile: 06 68 74 83 41Email: [email protected]

Siret 49509842800016

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Book now for the Decemberissue - copy deadline 5th

November - call freephone inFrance 0800 91 77 56 / fromUK 0844 256 9881 (4p/min)

EXCLUSIVE Healthcare is con-cerned exclusively with healthinsurance, which may extend todependency. It is geared exclusivelytowards advising the English speak-ing population in France.

The key personnel in Saint-Raphaël, who pick up the telephoneto customers’ calls, are Pam, Pollyand Johanna. These three ladieshave now several years of experi-ence and should be able to solvemost of the problems that expatri-ates find themselves confrontedwith.

The company can also lean onRon Wright, formerly a senior civilservant for the Department of

Health, who monitors the constantlyevolving insurance legislation, par-ticularly in relation to UK-Frenchagreements.

The chairman, Charles Wilson, isa Scottish chartered accountant,who has spent many years in theFrench insurance industry.

The electronic claims service (tierspayant), has been subcontracted to aFrench firm, Ascore, but should aproblem arise then the Saint-Raphaël team will step in to putthings right. Johanna is the expertin this field.

For those who want a local service,the company has an agency net-work. The principal agencies are on

the Riviera (Bagnols-en-Forêt andMarseille), in the Languedoc(Narbonne) and in the Dordogne(Villeréal).

“One of France’s many advantagesis the availability of first class medi-cine,” said Charles. “Our aim is toensure customers can find an appro-priate insurance policy that willfinance their access to this service -and the proof is in the pudding, asthe saying goes.”

If you are finding health insurancecomplex or would like to seewhether your current conditions arefair, then call Exclusive Healthcare.For more information, go to thewebsite, which shows prices clearly

and carries a large amount of gener-al information.

Charles added: “At Christmas timewe receive a number of cards fromour clients.

We believe this is rare in our line

of business and perhaps a sign thatthe helping hand is working?”

04 94 40 31 45www.exclusivehealthcare.com

Exclusive Heathcare is devoted to helping expatriates access quality healthcare inFrance at an affordable price. With a team of experienced advisers on hand, thecompany can help you to pick the right policy for you and your family

A helping hand to gettingthe right healthcare policy

The Exclusive Healthcare team on a recent trip to England

14 Property Normandy Advertiser November 2011www.normandyadvertiser.com

DIY tips

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NORMANDYADVERTISERPacked with local

news, features & events

The Connexion

France, in EnglishNews, interviews,practical info &

more

With shabbychic interiorsand timelesspieces, givinga French feelto your homecan be aneffortless wayof addingsome style

and matching the originalfeatures of the house.REBECCA LAWN reports.

INTERIOR designer PaulaMitchell, who runsDesignWorks France in theGironde, believes that onceyou’ve sorted out the struc-ture of your French house –exposed the best features andopened up rooms – you canstart to play.

“The basic houses are beau-tiful, with their stones andbeams, and lend themselvesto very sympathetic interi-ors,” she says. “Most peoplewant a look that’s soft, gentle,elegant, comfortable, andpretty. The aspirationalFrench country home has arustic charm, faded shabbylook, embroidered old linens,simple checks and white-washed walls.”

Each room in your homecan be given an authenticFrench touch. If all-out tradi-tional is what you’re after,

think toile patterns and calicofabrics. Don’t be afraid to mixand match patterns.

In kitchens, it isn’t unusual,though not to everyone’staste, to see motifs of farmscenes. Hanging copper potsand pans can also make for anice feature, and look out forwrought iron pieces such asend tables, stools and candleholders at home centres or

brocantes. As for the din-ing room, give it a Frenchtwist, with distressed furni-ture. A rustic solid table withhigh-backed chairs workswell and decorative chande-liers on high ceilings canmake a big impact.

For the master bedroom, amodern style with a few olderpieces, such as an armoire orhand-carved mirror, can cre-

ate a relaxing and romanticatmosphere, while in thebathroom, a free-standingbath and bare, stained boardswork well.

As well as patterns, Frenchcountry homes also work wellwith colour, especially richwarm tones. A stucco finishis good for walls – use plaster

That touch of FranceColours, fabrics, furniture,wall finishes – even anultra-modern touch – giveyour house the look it needs

to create the look or try fauxwall treatments bought fromcraft stores. Exposed stonewalls are also popular.

If you’d rather try a differ-ent look but choosing atheme or style is proving dif-ficult, find inspiration infavourite places and be bold:you could even try a differentone for each room.

What about a Venetian-inspired dining room or abedroom that reminds you ofyour travels? “It’s somethingthat’s great fun to do if you’reinterested in it,” says PaulaMitchell.

However, she points outthat you must take account ofthe style of the house and theoverall impression you create.

“You have to be consistentin the treatment of the build-ing. One way to do this isthrough flooring. You couldhave the same tiling through-out, something neutral thatwill blend, and then withinthe rooms you can play withcolours, textures and light tocreate different moods.”

Also, keep in mind that notall houses suit all styles. “Afarmhouse with big beams isnot going to lend itself well toa chic Art Deco look,” Paulasays. However, if some stylesdon’t fit, you can still changethe feel or character of aroom through clever use ofcolours and fabrics.

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THE AUTUMN is a great time for restoring wrought-ironand metal garden furniture. It might take you time and alittle elbow grease, but the results will give your furniture anew lease of life for the summers to come. The techniquesused can also be applied to any indoor metal furniture andobjects you might have.

The most important and tedious step is to get rid of allexisting finish and rust on wrought iron. Start by scrubbingoff as much rust as possible with a wire brush. If there is alot of finish or the rust is quite deep, continue with a coarsesandpaper then finish off with a medium grain sandpaper.If you have a large piece of furniture to restore, it might beworth investing in some chemical remover, available fromDIY stores (look for décapant fer.)

Once rust and old finish have been removed, brush awayall existing dust, rinse the furniture and dry it thoroughly.The next step is to apply a rust resistant primer, antirouillepour fer. When you are sure you have covered the wholepiece of furniture with the primer, and it has had time todry, then paint it with paint specifically for iron, peinturefer. It is important to use the correct paint as not only willit last longer once on but it also contains chemicals thatwill help preserve the iron against the elements. To assure agreater protection it is advisable to apply two layers ofacrylic water-based top coat.

When it comes to other metal furniture, use a wire brushto remove loose paint and rust then scrub the metal with anon abrasive scouring pad that has been dipped inkerosene. Once all metal has been treated like this rinsewith warm water and dry.

To repaint, lightly sand down so that the paint can adhereto the metal. Apply a primer, sous couche, and then finishwith an adapted metal paint, peinture pour métaux. Applyas many coats as you need to obtain a uniform colour,especially if using bright colours.

For both wrought iron and metal furniture, either aerosolor normal paint can be used.

To maintain the furniture once you have restored it, fol-low these simple steps:

Don’t leave the furniture outside over winter. Try to keep it as dry as possible, so don’t place

it near a swimming pool or a sprinkler system. It’s better to place the furniture on a stone patio or

decking rather than on grass. If you’re expecting a lot of rain, cover the furniture. In autumn, make sure you don’t allow wet leaves to

accumulate on furniture.

Restoring wrought-ironand metal furniture

Property 15Normandy Advertiser November 2011 www.normandyadvertiser.com

PROPERTIES AROUND FRANCE

REF: 41124

€€102,125

ENERGY RATING = Not given

Saint Sever, CalvadosThis charming stone house is setin 540m2 of land and comes withgarden. The property comprises2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a loungeand a bathroom. The house isfull of character and charm, idealfor relaxing.

REF: DOM1330

€€123,000


Trun, OrneSpacious and well renovatedaccommodation comprising living room with fireplace, fittedkitchen, dining room, 3 bedrooms, 2 showers, 2 wc’sand sunny balcony. The propertyalso has a large cellar.

REF: IFPC18527

€€170,000


Bricquebec, MancheAll rooms have a southerlyaspect with views. It comprisesof 3 double bedrooms, 2 havingdouble beds and 1 with twinbeds all rooms with fully fittedEnglish carpet. The upper landing is fitted with wardrobes.

REF: 40544

€€144,050


Mantilly, OrneThe property comprises a livingroom with fireplace, a fittedkitchen, a sitting room, a bedroom, a shower room withtoilet. On the first floor, thereare a mezzanine, a bedroomwith toilet.

PROPERTIES IN NORMANDY

Buying or selling a property in oraround Normandy? We can help.

Our website www.connexionfrance.comcarries details of more than 14,000homes for sale across France.

We also feature properties for sale in thisdedicated section of the paper eachmonth. To find out more about any par-ticular property, go to www.connexion-france.com and enter the ref: codeshown under the property.

For sellers, the adverts are also displayedacross a range of popular English-lan-guage websites and are seen by thou-sands of potential buyers EVERY day.Our 3+3 package costs just €200TTC

and gives you three months onlineadvertising as well as a print advert inthree editions of The Advertiser. Our6+6 package is best value at €330TTCand provides the same, but for sixmonths via each channel.

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

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

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

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

Houses for sale in and around Normandy

Lauzerte, Tarn-et-GaronneThis property is situated near thebeautiful town of Lauzerte.Sitting room/dining room withwood burning stove, kitchen, 3bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, balconywith nice views, electric heating,a well and 1500m2 views.REF: 2540

€€150,000

ENERGY RATING = Not given REF: 2038552

€€180,000


Juille, CharentePretty stone house with fittedkitchen, lounge and 3 bedrooms;adjoining annexe/gite with 1bedroom, kitchen, lounge. Largestone barn, courtyard and smallgarden with above ground pool.Roof is in good condition.

REF: IFPC20638

€€195,000


Beaumont-le-Roger, Eure2 Bedrooms, 2 en-suite showerrooms, large open plan livingspace on the ground floor,lounge, dining area, fully fittedkitchen with appliances. In addition - store room, downstairsWC and heating system.

REF: 10

€€272,000


Hautot sur Mer, Seine-MaritimeLovely stonewalled house only50meters from the beach.Dining room, lounge with chimney, equipped kitchen, 3spacious bedrooms, showerroom, Double glazingthroughout.

REF: IFPC20333

€€745,000


Dieppe, Seine-MaritimeBreathtaking Country Chateauand Cottage with heated pooland 5 acres of grounds with atotal of 12 bedrooms and 10bathrooms. Could be a grandprivate home or take over itslucrative holiday letting business.

REF: DOM1152

€€399,000


Rouen, Seine-Maritime6 bedrooms, 5 reception rooms,2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms, 3 shower rooms. Many exposedbeams, most floors tiled, electric radiators and/or heaters in allrooms except office & cellar;most windows have shutters.

Castelnau-d'Auzan, GersGascon village house, built in1800, extended in the 50’s and60’s, built over 2 floors offering200m² of accommodation, set on500m² of grounds, with viewsover the village and the lake.1h30 from Toulouse.REF: MA116

€€200,000

ENERGY RATING = Not given REF: 29598

€€280,000


Agay, VarEach apartment is equippedwith an air heating and coolingsystem, bathroom towel heaters,PVC double glazed windows,electric PVC roller shutters, avideophone, a digital lock and a5 point entrance door.

Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave,Tarn-et-GaronneThere are 3 bedrooms, one isensuite with shower, lavabo andtoilets, also a separate bathroomwith bath, shower, lavabo and wc.Separate toilets utility room andgarage (40m²).REF: 2530

€€350,000

ENERGY RATING = Not given REF: IFPC20866

€€400,000


Fontenay-le-Comte,VendéeIt has a fully equipped Americanstyle kitchen/dining with woodburning stove, ideal for entertaining. 5 bedrooms and 3bathrooms. The swimming pooland terrace are perfect for thoselong summer days.

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GardeningFacts

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Matt GilksLandscape Gardening ServiceLandscaping Service Garden Products

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Pick the last pears, prune and plant for next year

Mists, fruitfulness... and work to doNOVEMBER offers cooler days and a slower pace for thegardener, but there are still garden chores calling and youneed to to schedule some time outside before the start ofbad weather and the holiday season.

Now is the time to plant deciduous shrubs, fruit trees androses. If you live in a frost area, protect roses by heaping soilaround the crown and covering the central bud. Tie climb-ing flowers and plants to prevent wind damage. Take time todig and rake your vegetable patch and prepare the gardenfor its winter rest. Force bulbs such as hyacinth and amaryl-lis so they can be enjoyed over the festive season.

If you’re thinking of planting a live Christmas tree thiswinter, dig the hole now, before the soil freezes. Cover overthe ground removed from the hole, so that it can be replacedunfrozen.

In the fruit garden, November is the month to collect thelast remaining pears and chestnuts and plant next year’sapples, pears, quinces and medlars. Prune apple and peartrees which are trained along wires. If you are in a frost area,water trees and bushes until the ground freezes.

In the vegetable patch, harvest cabbages, lettuces and rootvegetables such as celery, carrots, beetroot, pumpkins andradishes. The herb garden will also give up its treasures thismonth and you will be able to enjoy salads spiced withchives, parsley and mint. Carrot seeds can be sown in apolytunnel and asparagus, shallots, garlic and spinach can beplanted in the garden. Broad bean seeds can be sown inwarmer climates. White onions, Batavia lettuce, endives andchicory can be transplanted and manure and compost canbe dug into the soil.

You will probably have stopped mowing your lawn by now.Keep weeding and continue to rake up dead leaves, especial-ly if they have collected around tree roots, as they may carrydiseases. If you suspect this, you should burn them, other-wise add them to your compost heap. Once you have pre-pared your lawn, you could cover with a layer of turf. Cleansprinklers and tidy away pipes. Protect your water meter if itis outside and you are in a colder region. Clean, sharpen andlubricate garden tools. Cover your compost heap to avoidflooding and leaching of nutrients with winter rain.

In the flower garden, sow wild flower seeds in frost-freeareas. Plant azaleas, camellias and the tropical fruit treeswhich grow in your area, as these become available to buy.Keep an eye out out for insect pests, which may be hardyenough to survive any cold snap.

www.mayenne53.comTel 02 43 13 06 56 [email protected]

Matt GilksLandscape Gardening Service

16 Profile Normandy Advertiser November 2011www.normandyadvertiser.com

Inheritance SolutionsFrench inheritance rules may mean that your worldwide estate will not be distributed according to your wishes.

Look after those that matter.Jennie Poate, Regional ManagerTel French Head Office: 05 56 34 75 51Email: [email protected]

www.siddalls.frFrench finance in plain EnglishSiddalls France SASU, Parc Innolin, 3 Rue du Golf, 33700 Mérignac - RCS BX 498 800 465. C.I.F. No E001669 auprès de ANACOFI-CIF association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers et Courtier d’Assurances, Catégorie B - ORIAS 07 027 475. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier et L 512-6 et 512-7 du Code des Assurances.

t

THE Norman spirit of conquest is alive andwell among one horde of rats determined totake over the world.

Homorattus Société is the vision of artistMathieu Chevallier, whose ambition it is toflood the earth with homorattus – man rats.

It all started 10 years ago in India, when MrChevallier stood in a village square and madea sculpture of the god Ganesh from the con-tents of the bins. Angry with a local who hadpromised him fabrics to make a sculpture, hemade his relic out of the dustbins on the village square. Far from being offended, thelocals praised his art and placed it in thechurch with the others.

For the 30-year-old Alençon sculptor, thiswas a revelation: “With waste you can workanywhere in the world and it breaks with allthe usual artistic and political concepts,” hesaid.

Back in France, he started creating sculpturesout of recycled matter.

From there, Mr Chevallier went on to usethe medium as a form of social commentary.

When he was refused payment for attendingan arts festival, he went along in a rat costumehe had created, again out of junk. He causedquite a scene: he helped himself to the buffetand made off with equipment. Members of theaudience cheered him on.

This marked the start of a new phase in hisart: the costumes multiplied and so did theappearances in public places. HomorattusSociété was born. Now there are 70 membersof all ages and persuasions who have gonethrough the Homorattus training camp. They

pop up in high places: La Défense, theLuxembourg Grand Ducal Palace, the Belgianevening news. Some appearances are under-ground events, others by invitation.

The rats also carry out workshops withschools, enabling children to think about concepts such as racism or bullying.

He said: “There are as many rats as humansin the world and it’s a symbol that is knownthe world over. They are seen as parasites,monsters, immigrants. They represent ugli-ness, illness, and dirt, and yet by their actions,Homorattus rats can express love and tender-ness, the flip side of the coin.”

They are not slapstick. They are not there tomock the public or to mock themselves. Theysimply are. The ambition is world domination.

He said: “There is a long list of things therats want to do: kidnap Mickey Mouse, go ona religious pilgrimage, play football with chil-dren, make sandwiches, go to Tijuana, toChernobyl.”

Mr Chevallier is based in Belgium now, andthe Belgians recognise the Norman streak inhim and his fellow rats, who are also fromNormandy.

He said: “We eat a lot, we talk loudly and webreak things, so they call us the Normans.”

For more information go to the website,www.homorattus.tk.

Giving rats a good name

Sculptor Mathieu Chevallier believes we could all learn a thing or two from rats

Artist Mathieu Chevallier talks toAMY McCORMACK about how aprotest over a broken promise has ledto an unusual plan for world domination

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Normandy Advertiser - November 2011

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Transcript of Normandy Advertiser - November 2011