Clé France

Patriotism plays an important part in French life. It seems as though British politicians are trying to instil a bit of this into the British population.

In France, major dates such as Armistice Day [November 11], Victory in Europe Day [May 8], Bastille Day [July 14] are each marked by placing the tricolour around every war memorial in the country. For the war commemorations there will often be a small parade of veterans followed by a church service.

On Bastille Day, towns and villages put on fetes, pageants and usually a wonderful firework display at night. The smaller towns and many villages are also great at organising interesting events that pull in the crowds and which also give the locals a wonderful feeling of togetherness.

These events can be as disparate as something connected to local history in which the people all participate by dressing up, to a simple pig roast followed by a dance. A very small and quiet little village had eight births in one year. This was so exceptional that the local mayoress organised for eight oak trees [of the evergreen variety] to be planted in the little park in the centre of the village. On the day the supplier attended in order to demonstrate how they should be planted and the whole village turned out to watch. The local senator was also present and after the planting, which each family undertook for itself, there followed coffee and biscuits in the community hall, all paid for by the village.

It is such attention to detail that gives the French their feeling of togetherness and solidarity. Any foreigners present are made to feel totally welcome and part of the community.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

If you want more? then follow the links above where you can buy Fraser's published books.