Clé France

When people think of French music, they often think of one of the more famous chanteurs (singers) like Edith Piaf or Jacques Brel.

But what else is there?

Le jazz is one of the most famous styles de musique (styles of music) in the world.  

It made its way from New Orleans all the way to Orléans, but une fois en France (once in France), le jazz underwent an interesting transformation.

Le jazz became le jazz manouche, un style de musique pioneered by Django Reinhardt in the 1930s that mixes le jazz with le musette (traditional French dance music) and the music of the Romani people, or as they are often called, les tziganes (gypsies).

Le musette is un style de musique I had heard before, but did not know the name.

The first time I heard someone say jazz manouche, my response was:

Qu’est-ce que c’est 'manouche' ? 

What is 'manouche'?

I quickly learned that manouche is a word for gypsy and le jazz manouche is called gypsy jazz in English.

I also met one of my best friends here in France by talking to le guitariste d’un groupe de jazz manouche (the guitarist of a gypsy jazz group) after a concert.

Le jazz manouche generally features la guitare seche, le violen et la contrebasse (acoustic guitar, violin, and double bass), but it’s not uncommon to hear l’accordéon et la clarinette aussi (the accordion and the clarinet as well).

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

Hi Sharon,

Thanks for all your hard work in regard to our purchase of the house at Chevrigny (Mayenne Dept. of Pays de la Loire).

The translator was worth every penny and managed to clear up a couple of items I was unsure of. Having a translator there definitely gave me the back-up I needed. Thank you for organising her services for me.

I found the entire experience much more personal and much less stressful than buying in the UK. I don't think I will ever want to buy a house in the UK again!

The few neighbours we have had time to meet have all been lovely and we are looking forward to going out again in a few weeks. 

Thanks again, Simon.

Let Cle France guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"! 

This week, Myriam El Khomri, France’s labour ministry, has been the focus of many headlines in France.

This week, she presented a bill that would reform current French labour laws, which is seen by many as the final push for large scale reforms during President François Hollande’s five-year term. The law would allow employees to work more than the current 35 hour work week without facing penalties.

It would also take away some of the power held by employees when they are dismissed improperly from their positions. While the 35 hour work week would still remain law, this would make it much easier for employees to work more.

El Khomri has said that the bill is to “adapt to the needs of business” and is, presumably, being pushed forward to fight against France’s high unemployment rate.

However, many politicians have spoke out vociferously against this bill, criticising François Hollande for giving more power to businesses instead of to French workers. Although Hollande is a figure of the Socialist Party, this bill has appealed to many right-wing parties and alienated Hollande’s Socialist base. Many others spoke out against these proposed laws when El Khomri:

“avait affirmé que le gouvernement assumerait 'ses responsabilités' au cas où il n’arriverait pas à mobiliser sa majorité à l’Assemblée nationale sur le texte, un avertissement interprété comme une menace de recourir à la procédure du 49.3 – qui permet au gouvernement de faire adopter un texte sans vote.”

(“affirmed that the government would take up its responsibilities in the case that they weren’t able to mobilize their party’s majority in the National Assembly in regard to the bill, a warning interpreted by some as a threat to apply “procedure 49.3,” which permits the government to adopt a bill without voting on it.”)

The bill will be formally introduced to cabinet members on March 9 2016, before heading into the National Assembly for voting.

What do you think?:

Could such a pro-business reform help France’s economy?

And, if so, should it be made into law without being voted on by the National Assembly?

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

Dear David & Sharon

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you both for your kind assistance in helping us to purchase our Cottage in Lower Normandy.

We have been very impressed by the professional way you guided us through the whole process, from making arrangements to view properties and navigating us though the buying process until completion.

You also put us at ease knowing that if we had any questions, you both are always on hand to explain and to assist with translation if and when needed.

We would highly recommend your services to anyone who is looking for a first class professional company to assist them in purchasing a property in France.

Kind Regards, Wutt.

Let Cle France guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"! 

Hi Sharon,

Your Cle France agent was excellent, I can not speak too highly of his manner, his professionalism and how helpful he was.

He even showed us other properties and provided useful insights to the area. Unfortunately we did not find what we are looking for but we shall keep looking.

Gerard.

We will find Gerard his perfect property soon we are sure of that, let Cle France guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"!