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NEWSLETTER No. 36 - NOVEMBER 28th 2006 This newsletter presents a few gift ideas from one of the regions of France most rooted in tradition. Top properties are a village house in the Gard and a villa in the Hérault. Should you wish to be removed from this mailing list, please use the link provided at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, kindly read on. Theme of the fortnight: Gifts from the Aveyron Far from the traditional gadgetry proposed for Christmas, the Aveyron region with its high plateaux and valleys, and for which the chef-lieu, Millau is now known throughout the world for its viaduct is promoting its fine craftsmen. The aveyron.com regional website proudly indicates that all roads lead to Aveyron and proposes regional products as Christmas gifts. Let us take a closer look. For a diverse selection of traditional farm sausages and pâtés consider Conquet in the town of Lagiuole. Considerable know-how passed down through generations and the same farm sources provide the basics for an excellent product. Pigs are given time to mature to sizeable beasts of 200kg. Conquet is a firm believer in giving nature all the time it requires to create a fine product. The clear air of the Aubrac is also a factor – nothing is vacuum packed and the more time the sausage is given to mature in the open air, the better it will be. Boxed sets start at 30€ and rise to 90€ for the “Grand Plaisir”. Conquet provide a wide range of products including rabbit, wild boar and hare pâtés. http://www.aveyron.com/noel/conquet.html   The Larzac is a vast plateau at the bottom of the Massif Central, an area recently popularised by the controversial José Bové. The people of the Larzac, like those of the Aubrac have a profound respect for traditions. It remains a breeding ground for herds of sheep and an end point for the annual migration of herds between the high plateau and the lower plains. Jean-Pierre Romiguier is one of the happy breed of men who produces a line of traditional leather products, and primarily shepherd bags, with numerous pockets and compartments to stow away an all manner of shephardly instruments and clothes. His bags are, as one might suppose, very durable. Prices for the traditional shepherd bag start at 235€. He also sells shoes and slippers. http://www.lesacduberger.com/wd100awp/wd100awp.exe/connect/sacbergerger  Haut-Segala uses 100% natural products to produce body and facial creams and lotions. Ingredients are all procured locally – they include extra virgin oils, vegetal extracts and additional extracts from flowers and oils obtained through a distillation process, where possible totally organic. There are no chemicals involved. The result is a very fine emulsion, particularly efficient on fragile or sensitive skins. Boxed sets including day and night time lotions and exfoliates are available from 42€. http://www.haut-segala.com/   Mention the name Laguiole to the French and most will point you to a pen knife. The cutlery manufacturers in the town of the same name have a very long history of making knifes, each unique and very durable, and having the particularity of having been made from start to finish by the same craftsman. Laguiole propose a wide range of products in different colours and materials. Besides fine pen knifes, and corkscrews, they produce full crafted cutlery sets. http://www.layole.com/fr/coutellerie/index.php   Finally, if you happen to be passing through Laguiole one day, be sure to drop into the Maison Auriat on place Auguste Prat. This boulangerie produces a splendid range of breads and patisseries. http://www.maison-auriat.fr/laguiole.html  Other News: In the December issue of French Property News, JPF has run an article on the river Vidourle which runs from the southern Cévennes near St. Hippolyte du Fort to the Mediterranean. The Vidourle is a river with great character, it runs underground along parts of its length, and has been known to cause havoc in and south of Sommières, in spate every few years during the rainiest autumn months. Top Properties: In St Felix de Lodez (Hérault), a contemporary styled villa set in 2500m² of grounds with open countryside views. The interior (approximately 130m²) comprises an open plan living room – kitchen (57m²), three comfortably sized bedrooms, a mezzanine area, bath and shower rooms, a cellar, garage and workshop. The asking price is 290,000€. Ref. 431.     In St. Hippolyte-du-Fort (Gard), a three storey house with an interior surface area of 134m² comprising living room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom. In addition there are two attics and three cellars. The garden spans 100m² in which there is a small stone outbuilding. A town gas central heating system is fitted. The property requires a thorough renovation but has the potential to become a very welcoming home. The asking price is 202,500€. Ref. 430.      +33 467 297 068 +33 626 581 415 Contact: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/contact.php www.jamespropertiesfrance.com About James Properties France: Based in Montpellier in the south of France, bringing to you a carefully picked selection of properties within a 70 mile radius - with the occasional more distant exception - that are chosen for their combinations of attributes, most notably: - Setting of outstanding natural beauty - Distinct character or unusual features - Quality of renovation or authenticity - Value for money James Properties France (JPF) serves primarily an English speaking, though often highly Francophile clientele looking to move or own a second home in the south of France around such places as Uzes, Nîmes, Montpellier, Anduze, St. Hippolyte du Fort, the Southern Cevennes, Gignac and Clermont l'Herault and the Hauts Cantons. The property selection proposed by JPF is targeted to fit buyers from abroad in terms of types of location, accessibility, environment / landscapes, and types and formats of construction. Besides bringing you a wide array of properties, JPF helps by running specific searches in the Gard and Hérault. JPF acts as an intermediary between you and a number of regional estate agencies, at no extra charge. Selections of properties that meet your criteria can be established prior to your visits, any linguistic issues totally alleviated, questions about French procedures and legislation addressed quickly, and information on prices and property details addressed plainly by all parties. JPF helps you with your purchase from the beginning to the end of the process, often communicating with the assigned notary to make sure that content and conditions of sale are correctly documented, ensuring all is in order for completion, and keeping you informed of progress. Insurance and utilities can also be arranged. In addition, should you wish to have assistance in maintaining or making alterations to your house, or any formalities associated with property ownership or financing in France, JPF can give assistance on an hourly basis. Should you wish to sell your property in the south of France, JPF can also help. If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click on the following link: www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/unsubscribe.php |