French Financial Rescue Plan
The French plan to rescue the financial industry do not disrupt competition, says EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes .
The European Commission on Thursday cleared French and Dutch plans to preserve their lenders from the global credit squeeze.
Both were judged to be in line with EU rules on community aid and with guidelines reported by the European Union’s executive arm on 13 October.
These say that any rescue package should be limited in time and range and must not discriminate against foreign-based banks operating in that country.
Click to continue reading “French Financial Rescue Plan”
Categories: Financial Tags: bank, Belgium, Britain, credit, Denmark, Dexia, Dexia SA, EUR, European Commission, European Union, Financial, Fortis, Fortis NV, France, french, Germany, Île-de-France, Insurance, Ireland, KBC, KBC Bank Deutschland AG, money, Neelie Kroes, Paris, plan, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, rescue, Sweden, United Kingdom
Driving in France
Photo: Conor Lawless
Driving in France is well regulated, as with most countries. Some of the most frequently broken and, therefore, most often prosecuted rules are below. This is not an exhaustive list, but driver beware… if you cannot pay the “on-the-spot” fine, you may find your personal “tour de France” ends in jail.
Observe driving speed limits
Fines for speeding are DRACONIAN. From “on-the-spot” fines of €135 to as high as €1,500 (the higher fines include attending a court). If you don’t have the cash on you to pay, the gendarme will escort you to the nearest ATM – or jail.
Built-up areas 50kph (31mph). The town or village name post starts the limit – the bar through name is the de-restriction sign.
Ordinary roads 90kph (56mph). If the road surface is wet the speed limit is 80kph (50mph).
Toll-free autoroutes and dual carriageways 110kph (68mph); if wet 100kph (62mph).
Other autoroutes l30kph (81mph); if wet 110kph (68mph).
On autoroutes in foggy conditions, when visibility is less than 50m, the speed limit is 50kph (31mph).
DO NOT drink and drive
The alcohol limit is lower in France than Britain: 50mg per 100ml of blood… in reality a miniscule amount of alcohol. Fines can be as high as €4,500… so just don’t drink and drive.
10 VITAL RULES TO REMEMBER
Categories: Motoring Tags: ATM, Britain, Conor Lawless, driving, EUR, first-aid, France, gendarmes, Île-de-France, Michelin, Paris, rented car, United Kingdom, vehicle insurance certificate, Yellow
Nursery Schools in France
Children at Work
Nursery Schools in France (maternelle)
Whilst attendance at Nursery school is optional in France, attendance levels are high with around 30% of children aged two and nearly 100% by the age of four attending Ecole Maternelle.
School is divided into:
Les petites: 2-4 years old
Les moyens: 4-6 years old
Les grands: 5-6 years old
Note that the years from three to six form part of the Educational Cycles.
Nursery schools can be found in most villages or as part of the local Primary School. Hours are generally from 8.30/9.00 to 11.30/12.00 a.m. and 1.30/2.00 to 4.00/4.30 p.m. As is becoming normal with Primary Schools, there is no school on Wednesday. Children may attend for half-days initially. Lunches (normally very good) are served at the school for a small fee, typically around €1.50 – 2.50.
Nursery school is designed to introduce children to the social environment of school and to help develop the basic skills of coordination. School encourages the development of self-awareness and provides an introduction to group activities and exercises, including arts and crafts, music, games, listening skills etc. During the later years of nursery school the rudiments of reading writing and arithmetic are taught in preparation for Primary school.
Categories: Education Tags: Ecole Maternelle, Education, EUR, France, Primary School