This Burgundy Life

Pilot study into childhood development

Two regions of France have been chosen to start a pilot study into childhood development and 20,000 children are to be studied in Burgundy and Picardy.

Disabled people for integration?

During the 'National Disability Week,’ arranged by APF (Association paralysés de France' the subject of integration of disabled people in the work place was high on the agenda.

Jean- Christophe Parisot, a new ministerial delegate in the ministry of Employment and Disability Integration, is the first disabled person (a tetraplegic due to myopathy) to become a political scientist and has at hand the figures relating to the number of disabled people employed by the ministry. Of the 40,000 disabled people employed, 22,000 are teachers, making Education the highest employer of disabled people in France. The figures correspond to 3.17% of disabled people, whereas the law passed 11 February 2005 proposed 6%.

Obesity on the rise

With books like "French women don't get fat" the British bookshelves, we could be forgiven for thinking that obesity isn't a problem in France.

However, a report shows that 20 million French people, that is one third of the population, have problems with their weight; in 20 years the proportion of 5 to 12 year olds who are overweight that has risen 7%.

So what has gone wrong, and why do the professionals think that the French are joining other western countries by becoming alrmingly obese?

Chronic Fatigue/ME and associated disorders

I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since at least 2000 and it is believed it has been with me since before then. I suffered a stroke in October 2000 and I found that because I was at my lowest point after the stroke the CFS really took off in a big way.

In England I had a support network which I was able to turn to when things got bad but mainly my husband was my carer.

When we moved to France in 2004 I found that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and its associated conditions are not as readily accepted as an 'illness', I could find no one who really understood what the illness is or how to treat it.

Chronic Fatigue/ME and associated disorders

I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since at least 2000 and it is believed it has been with me since before then. I suffered a stroke in October 2000 and I found that because I was at my lowest point after the stroke the CFS really took off in a big way.

In England I had a support network which I was able to turn to when things got bad but mainly my husband was my carer.

When we moved to France in 2004 I found that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and its associated conditions are not as readily accepted as an 'illness', I could find no one who really understood what the illness is or how to treat it.

For those with special diets

For those of you thinking of living or even visiting France it can become a shock that dietary needs are not easily taken into consideration.

Naturally some areas are better served than others, but it is better to be forewarned that you could encounter problems.

I am lactose intolerant and gluten intolerant so I have had to look further a field than my local supermarket to find suitable foods. They sell Soya milk and yoghurt but I cannot find any gluten free products.

For those with special diets

For those of you thinking of living or even visiting France it can become a shock that dietary needs are not easily taken into consideration.

Naturally some areas are better served than others, but it is better to be forewarned that you could encounter problems.

I am lactose intolerant and gluten intolerant so I have had to look further a field than my local supermarket to find suitable foods. They sell Soya milk and yoghurt but I cannot find any gluten free products.

A breath of fresh air for Burgundy

The French government introduced the EVIN law in 1991, which gave everyone the right not to be exposed to smoke from someone else’s cigarettes. However, the law seems to have been effectively ignored. Recently ministers issued guidelines to businesses which are open to the public that they should, wherever possible, provide non smoking areas.

In October 2005 Swiss born Felix Leisinger became the new owner of the 350 year old Hôtel Saint-Louis in Autun, Saône et Loire, after working for many years in London.

A breath of fresh air for Burgundy

The French government introduced the EVIN law in 1991, which gave everyone the right not to be exposed to smoke from someone else’s cigarettes. However, the law seems to have been effectively ignored. Recently ministers issued guidelines to businesses which are open to the public that they should, wherever possible, provide non smoking areas.

In October 2005 Swiss born Felix Leisinger became the new owner of the 350 year old Hôtel Saint-Louis in Autun, Saône et Loire, after working for many years in London.