TresFrench » Life in france http://www.tresfrench.com Advice and Tips on Living in France Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:38 +0000 en hourly 1 This week in France http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/26/this-week-in-france/ http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/26/this-week-in-france/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:02 +0000 Douglas http://www.tresfrench.com/?p=148 Here’s a round up of this week’s major events in France.

Tuesday evening the Elysée announced a major shakeup of the cabinet of ministers following the European elections, which saw two ministers, Michel Barnier and Rachida Dati elected to the European parliament.
 
 
French prosecuters have called on the courts to break up the Church of Scientology’s operations in France. Scientology is considered to be a cult under French law and is not recognised as a religion.
 
 
In an historic speech before French MPs and senators, President Nicolas Sarkozy has come out against allowing women to wear a burka in France on the basis that it does not respect a woman’s fundamental rights. A parliamentary enquiry has been launched to determine whether women choose to wear the burka or whether it is imposed.
 
 
The BBC’s Christine Finn goes back in time in a visit to the Paris hotel that housed some of France’s most influential writers of the Beat generation.
 
Illegal workers have protested outside of the URSSAF, which is responsible for collecting revenue for social security. The workers are trying to be refunded their withholdings on the basis that their status leaves them without the right to a social safety net.
 
(Audio report in French)
]]> http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/26/this-week-in-france/feed/ 0 Paris blogs (in English) I like http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/24/paris-blogs-in-english-i-like/ http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/24/paris-blogs-in-english-i-like/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:50 +0000 Douglas http://www.tresfrench.com/?p=136 Stuff Parisians like

Based on the popular blog ‘Stuff White People Like‘, Paris wine guide Olivier Magny takes you through Parisian quicks and tics – an absolute must read for anyone trying to understand what makes Parisians Parisians.

http://www.o-chateau.com/blog/

The Paris Blog

The Paris blog aggregates several blogs written by expats in Paris. It’s always on top of what’s going on in Paris.

http://www.theparisblog.com/

Gridskipper Paris

If you’re looking for ideas of where to go this weekend, you’ll be spoilt for choice going through Gridskipper’s Paris archives.

http://gridskipper.com/tag/paris

I V Y Paris News

Artist’s group I V Y paris keeps you up to date on the Paris cultural scene. Keep an eye out for their monthly events!

http://www.ivyparisnews.com/

Swagger Paris

When you get to Paris, you’ll probably want to go through your wardrobe. Chic, cool, bobo, or absolutely ridiculous, you’ll find inspiration to find your own Parisian look.

http://www.swaggerparis.com/

]]> http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/24/paris-blogs-in-english-i-like/feed/ 0 French Reality TV http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/22/french-reality-tv/ http://www.tresfrench.com/2009/06/22/french-reality-tv/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:01 +0000 Douglas http://www.tresfrench.com/?p=132 Like everywhere, French television has really gone for reality shows over the past decade. They don’t cost a lot to produce and attract a relatively large audience. The private television channels are the main broadcasters to put on this type of show, as public television has largely considered them to be inconsistent with their mission of public service.

As Secret Story is just getting started on TF1, I figured I’d give you a quick rundown of the major reliaty series on French TV. The list is by no means exhaustive.

Secret Story

The French equivalent of Big Brother, but with a twist: each contestant has a secret they must guard jealously for as long as possible. Everyone tries to figure out everyone else’s secret before their target is voted off the show during the weekly vote, as revealing someone else’s secret gains you their alloted jackpot.

http://www.tf1.fr/secret-story/

Nouvelle Star

The French equivalent of American Idol, or Pop Idol. I assume you know what those are. The most recent series just finished, and the winner was ex-Métro busker Soan.

http://www.nouvellestar.fr

Un Dîner Presque Parfait

A weekly series on M6 where each of five candidates invites the four others for a meal. The contestants rate each other on the ambiance, the decor, and quality of the food. What did you expect from the food-loving French?

http://undinerpresqueparfait.m6.fr/

L’amour est dans le pré

Another series popular with the French, who have a thing for their agricultural traditions. It’s a dating series that follows the attempts of French farmers to woo city ladies.

http://www.m6.fr/emission-l_amour_est_dans_le_pre/

KohLanta

The French equivalent of Survivor, but who knows if TF1 will continue to broadcast it, as its ratings are slipping.

http://www.tf1.fr/koh-lanta/

What’s you’re favourite French reality show? Is there a reality show you like in your home country and are wondering if there’s an equivalent? Let us know in the comments!

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