Day 2671 (Monday) 30th September 2024

This is the castle in Nice

and this is Saint Paul de Vence.

 

What's happening in France this week – the Local France.

The Renaissance Castle in Villers-Cotterets, north of Paris, the location of the Cite Internationale de la Langue Francaise, which will host the Francophonie summit in 2024. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / AFP)

From a cross-sector strike to an important speech from France's prime minister and a summit for French speakers, here's what is happening in France this week.

Monday 

Stormy weather - Meteorologists are forecasting more stormy weather in much of northern and western France at the start of the week, as Tropical Storm Isaac hits France's western coast on Sunday and Monday.

Tuesday 

Prime minister's goals - France's new prime minister Michel Barnier will lay out his policy goals in front of France's Assemblée Nationale on Tuesday. Barnier will present the legislation he intends to put forward, scrap or defend while in office. 

Strikes and protests - Several French unions, including the CGT, FSU and Solidaires, have called for walkouts and mobilisation on October 1st, in protest against the new government and against the pension reform, which passed in 2023. There may be delays and cancellations in public transport and French train travel, as unions representing rail workers have also called for walkouts.

Credit rates - According to Capital France, the maximum legal rate for loans will increase in France from October 1st, which would allow more access to credit, particularly for those interested in getting a mortgage. However, the exact rate is still unclear.

Spam phone calls - Previously, spammers could use technology to momentarily take on the phone number of a third party (oftentimes a bank or public administration). For example, they could pretend to be your bank, and the number would show up on your caller ID as your bank. However, starting on October 1st, telephone operators will deploy a new system to authenticate the origin of calls to stop this practice.

Wednesday 

Christmas train tickets go on sale - With Christmas now on the horizon, French train operators will open ticket sales for the festive period on Wednesday, October 2nd.

Festival du Film Britannique et Irlandais - Not to be outdone by American cinema celebrations in Deauville, Normandy, the Brittany resort of Dinard – arguably one of the most British of French seaside resorts – celebrates cinema from the western archipelago between October 2nd and October 6th.  

Macron impeachment - The request to impeach French President Emmanuel Macron, put forward from MPs from the left-wing La France Insoumise party, will be examined on October 2nd in the Assemblée Nationale. It is not likely to succeed.

Friday 

Francophonie summit -  Every two years, there is a 'summit of La Francophonie' which gathers international leaders from French-speaking countries. This year, it will be held at France's new Cité internationale de la langue française at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts in northern France - between Paris and Reims. It will run from October 4th to 5th.

Sunday

Free museum Sunday in Paris - On the first Sunday of the month, museums in France's capital open their doors to us free of charge. Keep in mind that not every museum takes part, so you should check before making plans. Some - like the Musée d'Orsay - may offer free entry, but people are still required to register ahead of time.

I also found this article in the Local France…

Nine delicious seasonal French dishes to try this autumn

A Frenchman looks for and collects ceps mushrooms in a plot of forest in 2018. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)

The autumn is one of the best times for food-lovers in France, as the markets blossom with fresh and flavourful produce. Here's a look at some of the tastiest dishes you should try.

Mushrooms and truffles

Autumn is the perfect time to head out into the French countryside, where you can forage for mushrooms and - if you're lucky and know where to look - truffles. Many French pharmacies even offer mushroom-checking services so you can make sure your bounty is all safe to eat.

But if that still sounds like too much hard work, you don't need to get on your hands and knees to enjoy the autumnal fungi. Head to the market or look for good local restaurants serving seasonal specials. 

Venison stew (civet de chevreuil)

Autumn is also hunting season, and the perfect time to try out game. This rural French stew is perfect for cosy autumn evenings and best of all, venison is naturally low in fat making it a healthy choice. Typical recipes will call for a bottle of red wine, root vegetables, and mushrooms.

Truffade

What this dish from the Auvergne region lacks in Instagram appeal, it makes up for with its hearty taste. The truffade is a kind of thick potato pancake made with goose fat and Tome fraiche cheese. Meat-lovers can add bacon while vegetarians can swap out the goose fat for vegetable oil and serve it with a green salad.

Herring

Head to the northwest coast of France around November to experience festivals dedicated to the humble herring.

You'll discover more ways to prepare the fish than you ever thought possible, as well as have the chance to join in the celebratory spirit in these fishing towns. The largest herring festival is held in late November in Dieppe.

Fricassée

Nothing says autumnal comfort food better than a succulent stew, and fricassee is one of the quintessential recipes. Chicken is the meat most commonly used, but you can make the dish your own, cutting up and braising the meat before making a white sauce to cook it in.

Chestnuts

When October comes, the distinctive smell of roasting chestnuts fills the streets in France. It’s been a staple in the French diet for centuries, thanks to the abundance of forests which meant there was a good supply of chestnuts even for the poorest families.

If you want to try the best of the best, look out for either Châtaigne, Périgord, Limousin, Midi-Pyrénées or Châtaigne d'Ardèche for assured quality. As well as eating them straight from the bag you can buy from street sellers, you’ll also see them on menus in soups, sauces, desserts, and liqueurs.

Pumpkin pie

Americans in particular might be pleased to learn that pumpkin pie (tarte à la citrouille) is a speciality in France. It’s often served around All Saint’s Day (November 1st) and is particularly common in the centre of the country.

If you plan to make your own, be warned that canned pumpkin purée is often excruciatingly expensive in France, so why not do as the French do and buy the real deal fresh from your local market?

Galettes

A galette in France usually refers to a round, flat pastry cake, and in autumn you can indulge in a range of flavours such as apples, pears, or plums, all of which are in season. 

In Brittany, however, it has a different meaning - the Breton galette is a kind of crepe, and equally delicious. Try them topped with salted caramel - the sauce has been a favourite in the region for centuries, ever since it was excluded from France's tax on salt in the 16th century - and it complements autumnal flavours perfectly.

Cider

Autumn isn’t all about the wine harvest - it’s also cider season, with apple and cider festivals across the country and particularly in Brittany and Normandy.

A great way to travel around the best spots is to follow the 40km circular Cider Route, through villages, meadows, farms, and of course, orchards aplenty. And many other towns and villages have their own apple and cider festivals, where you might be surprised to discover the variety of tastes on offer. As an alternative, try Normandy’s Calvados, a delicious apple-flavoured brandy.