A Rainy Sunday in the Quartier Beaubourg of Paris

Sarko's Tough Times in Gray Paree

Parler Paris...
Your taste of life in Paris and France
http://www.parlerparis.com/
Monday, November 12, 2007
Paris, France

Community Calendar Updated Every Wednesday

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Your Complete Solution to a New Home in France...

Adrian Leeds and her team of property professionals can help make your dream to live or invest in France come true. These experienced property experts provide comprehensive services including property search, purchase, mortgage and other after-the-sale services, such as renovation and rental management.

Let the Adrian Leeds Group guide you through the process with ease and peace of mind... to have your very own pied-à-terre in Paris or home in the French countryside.

Visit http://www.frenchpropertyconsultation.com or email mailto:info@adrianleeds.com

The workers are so unhappy with the new retirement reforms by President Nicolas Sarkozy (increasing 37.5 years of work to 40 years before earning a full pension) that they're wanting us all to suffer the consequences. Both SNCF (national rail company) and RATP (Métros and buses) will be affected (although rumor has it that the Métro will not be disturbed until the 14th), and the utilities are threatening to join in the rebellious fun along with students who want to make the universities "more autonomous in their admissions, governance and funding."

Sarkozy and the rest of France is in for a roller-coaster ride, but he promises to hang tough to fulfill his campaign promises to structurally change the labor and educational systems. It's a test: is the country that voted him in to make these very changes willing to bite the bullet or not? A poll in Le Figaro on November 9th showed he had 69% of the people's support.

Get braced for the potential problems. "Vélib" rentals bikes may be harder to come by, but at least the close to 20,000 on the streets makes a difference! Luckily I live more central city than I did in 1995 when the massive transport strikes lasted three solid weeks. I'll never forget it thanks to the permanent damage it did to my feet. An important less to be learned: if you walk great distances, don't wear soft-soled shoes that over-exercise them. Also, if you're in need of transportation to the airport (as I do this Friday for a Thanksgiving trip to New York), schedule one of the shuttle services to avoid any problems taking the RER or catching a taxi.

Sarkozy is tough on immigration, too. The bill allowing DNA testing for immigrants recently passed, and along with it, the bill requires language and cultural testing for immigrants who want to join their families in France. The DNA tests are meant primarily to verify family ties to French residents for those who lack family records. Deportation quotas are in effect -- hoping to deport 25,000 illegal immigrants and enabling the expulsion of immigrants who "did not make sufficient efforts to integrate in French society and seek work." Immigrants are now required to sign a pledge to learn French and to abide by French law.

One of our Parler Parlor Conversation Group members, who is a Mathematics Teacher at the American School of Paris, says renewal of her "Carte de Séjour" (long stay visa) depends on proof of 200 hours of French instruction, so she is feverishly taking classes and practicing speaking French in order to satisfy the requirements. In a Web search to support her fears, I found nothing, not even at the official Web site describing the requirements for application to all the various types of visas.

To all you Americans, Canadians, Australians or New Zealanders who may have overstayed your 90-day tourist visa waiver period, I wouldn't worry too much about a Sarkozy thug jerking you out of bed in the middle of the night to toss you on to a flight home...remember a few important things:

1. You're supporting the French economy by spending money you earned outside of France in France.
2. You have your own private health care and are not taking advantage of the French social security system.
3. They don't even know you're here...that is unless you commit some horrendous crime and make the Most Wanted List.

A la prochaine...  

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

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Toasting to the Carreau du Temple
By Adrian Leeds

Since 2001, the city hall of the 3rd district has been fixated on the revitalization of the Carreau du Temple, a place they view as emblematic of the historic district. After opening the project to the entire residential body for ideas and input culminated by a vote of the residents...

Learn how to buy property in France!

French Property Insider is a weekly e-zine, sharing insights, recommendations, tips, and discoveries about Paris real estate and French property. Each information-packed issue is devoted to educating its readers on how to effectively, efficiently and profitably purchase property in France.

Subscribe today at http://www.frenchpropertyinsider.com

For more information visit info@adrianleeds.com

NEW! Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference!
February 16-17, 2008
Alliance Française, Miami, Florida

Hosted by Adrian Leeds, long time resident of Paris, Editor of the Parler Paris Newsletter and French Property Insider weekly E-zine and John Howell, lead attorney for the International Law Partnership, London, these two days in Miami will point you in the right direction to make it really happen! Includes three course lunch and cocktail reception.

For more information and to register, visit: http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/

Or email Schuyler Hoffman at RSVP@adrianleeds.com

Sponsored by Parler Paris...

WRITING FROM THE IMAGINATIVE STORM
A creative writing workshop that crackles with passion, fun, and spontaneity.
Facilitated by poet, James Navé
December 1, 2007, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

In this collaborative afternoon you’ll spend the first half exploring the creative process by way of movement and improvisational word play. In the second half, you’ll craft your discoveries of memories, ideas, concert images, and surprising word combinations into meaningful rough drafts worthy of polishing into stories and poems. Many in the workshop will volunteer to read their drafts out loud to great applause.

Space is limited to 30, first come, first served.
Cost: 30 euros in cash at the door, and plan on ordering at least one drink.
Note: Bring pen and paper.

La Pierre du Marais
96, rue des Archives at the corner of rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Métro Lines 9, 3 et 11, stations Temple, République or Arts et Métiers

For more information and to reserve your place, click here http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com/ email James Navé at nave@thewritingsalon.net

We wanted better guides. So we wrote them.

Insider Paris Guides are written for people who love the City of Light. You'll get a Paris insider perspective on Good Value Restaurants... Making a Life... Black Culture... Expat Writers...plus the newest guide, Practical Paris!

Visit http://www.insiderparisguides.com

Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds.

Le Penthouse Voltaire

American comfort with French flair! Overlooking Boulevards Richard Lenoir and Voltaire, in the 11th Arrondissement.This three-bedroom, two-bath luxury penthouse with wrap-around balconies and spectacular views, sleeps 6.

Reserve now! Visit http://www.parlerparisapartments.com/rentals/voltaire.html
or email: Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com 

The next gathering is November 13, 2007 and every second Tuesday of the month.

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