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Dear Readers, The Rugby World Cup hosted by France is finally upon us. Considered widely as the third largest sporting event after the Olympic games and the Soccer world cup, it is nevertheless a very young tournament, having been created in only 1987. We take a brief look at goings on, in particular in Montpellier, where four of the games are hosted. Top properties are two villas in the Gard, each with swimming pool, and a new development in St. Laurent du Var, beside Nice (Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur). 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: The 2007 Rugby World Cup  The 6th
edition of the Rugby World Cup this year brings together twenty
nations. Whilst it has been on many lips for a considerable amount of
time, preparations are now ready and the competition is due to start.
The tension is palpable; in Montpellier, the presence of the Wallabies
(Australian team) for last minute training at their base camp has
brought widespread excitement. Their unusual physiques make them easily
distinguishable in the streets of the city.The two month event begins this week - France vs Argentina kick off the competition on September 7th - and culminates with the final on October 20th. The All Blacks (New Zealand), considered by many as the favourites, play Italy on September 8th. Cup holders England also play their first match on the 8th against USA. The competition is a big deal for France. Overly patriotic sporting journalists are rubbing their hands together in anticipation. The soccer world cup hosted in France in 1998 and won by the French team (Les Bleus) spurred a massive boost in morale across the French population, and it is said that President Sarkozy hopes for a similar state of euphoria. Preparations have taken two years - in Montpellier a new 13,000 seat stadium (Stade Yves du Manoir, to the south of the centre of the historical city centre) has been erected and is serving as a training ground for the Wallabies who have already had a full training session before a crowd of 10,000. Montpellier is one of the ten cities to host matches in its 35,000 seat stadium (La Mosson) where 6 nations will be received - Australia, South Africa, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and the USA. An additional eleven stadiums will be used throughout the event, of which Cardiff and Edinburgh, making the event subtly European and sure to be to the liking of many.  USA vs Tonga - La Mosson Stadium - Wednesday 12th September - 2pm local time Samoa vs Tonga - La Mosson Stadium - Sunday 16th September - 4pm local time Wallabies training session - Yves du Manoir Stadium - Tuesday 18th September - pm Australia vs Fiji - La Mosson Stadium - Sunday 23rd September - 2:30pm local time South Africa vs USA - La Mosson Stadium - 30th September - 8pm local time Summary of main events: Kick Off: 7th September (France vs Argentina) in the St. Denis stadium, familiar to many as being the home to the French hosted soccer world cup in 1998 Quarter-finals: 6th and 7th October (held Marseille, Cardiff and Paris) Semi-finals:13th and 14th October (Paris St. Denis) Final: 20th October (Paris St. Denis) French personalities: Bernard Laporte is trainer of the French squad and a former player, who became French champion in 1991. Charismatic Laporte speaks with a thick south-western accent. Monday this week he named the team that will play Argentina during the opening match on September 7th. Laporte will work for the civil service in the ministry for youth and sports on conclusion of the world cup. Raphaël Ibañez is the captain of the French team. Ibanez plays for the London Wasps and is known for his atypical one arm throws. The trophy: The winners of the competion carry off the Webb Ellis cup, named after the father of the sport. Ellis lived to 66 years old, and was buried in Menton in south-eastern France. Business spin-offs: Alongside additional local tourism, events are being held to spur new business relationships. Local city representatives travelled to Sydney in March this year to trigger discussions with Australian companies and trade organisations. On September 22nd, an event will be held at the Corum, Montpellier's convention centre uniting Australian and French companies in order to spark off new contacts. Satellite Events:  Rugby at the Musée
Fabre - a retrospective of the works of André l'Hôte and Robert
Delaunay (see
http://www.montpellier-agglo.com/05656849/0/fiche___actualite/&RH=1140900938789).
Events in various libraries across the region - film projections, talks
and exhibitions on numerous themes and subjects connected with
Australian culture.More information: For all local information in English and French, visit the Montpellier Rugby World Cup centre (Maison de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2007) on the Zeus square in the Antigone district of the city or the main tourist office for guidance and directions. La Mosson stadium is reached easily from the city centre by tram (line 1). Official Site of the Rugby World Cup: http://fr.rugbyworldcup.com/ for tickets: http://www.france2007.fr/ Top Properties: Ref. 530: Brand new villa with swimming pool beside Ledignan (Gard) Brand new villa with swimming pool and pool house and close to amenities. The property has a large living room, kitchen, four bedrooms of which one on the ground floor, and bath and shower rooms. ... Asking price: 371,000€. Further details can be found here.  Ref. 531: Large villa with gite and heated swimming pool in over an acre of grounds near Anduze (Gard) Spacious villa in a splendid countryside setting near Anduze. The property comprises a main dwelling and a gite, offering a total surface area of approximately 300m². ... Asking price: 472,000€. Further details can be found here.  Ref. 36 (Off Plan Property): Residence 'Les Opalines' (St. Laurent du Var, Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur) 'Les Opalines' is a new development in Saint Laurent du Var, beside Nice on the Côte-d’Azur. Of a modest yet elegant contemporary design, the residence will comprise two buildings, among landscaped grounds with a swimming pool. ... Prices from 161,000€ to 331,000€. Further details can be found here.   +33 467 297 068 +33 626 581 415 Contact: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/message.php For all other information: http://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 also presents a wide selection of off plan properties throughout France. If you are thinking about a leaseback operation, traditional buy-to-let or an apartment or villa for personal usage, JPF can help. Regions where JPF is particularly present include Paris / Ile de France, Languedoc Roussillon, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, Aquitaine and Brittany. Please browse options on the Off Plan Property Page. 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. 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. Finally, if you are looking 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: http://www.jamespropertiesfrance.com/newsletter.php |