Negrepalisse

CHANNEL FERRY IMPOUNDED

The Celtic Link Norman Voyager was detained at Portsmouth on Thursday 19/11/09 after it failed basic safety tests. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the company and crew had worked hard to address its concerns and the vessel was given permission to resume services on Sunday 22/11. The vessel had initially failed tests relating to fire safety, the watertight integrity of the vessel and staff safety training. The Norman Voyager sails to Le Havre under the name of Celtic Link. Its crew members are employed by Liverpool-based Meridian Marine, which manages the Norman Voyager. Celtic Link sub-charters the vessel from LD Lines which, in-turn charters it from another company called Epic. A spokesman for Celtic Link said it was unlikely the ferry would leave Portsmouth until the bad weather was over.

EUROGUSTO SHOW 27- 30/11/09

The Eurogusto Show in Tours, the European Slow Food event, will gather all the people who think that the food we eat should be more in accordance with Nature. The aim of this event is to show that there is an European culinary culture based on techniques and know-hows that should be passed on to future generations. There will be a market, the `Marché des Trésors de la Gastronomie Européenne' with between 50 and 100 products from all over Europe. Lots of workshops will be organized.

"LOIRE A VELO" TRAIL

Château de Langeais is the first site in the Loire Valley to become affiliated with the "Loire à Vélo" brand. In order to cater for tourists following the "Loire a Vélo" route, Château de Langeais is offering a range of services designed to facilitate their visit to the château. A cycle park has been installed near to the château and those with luggage can leave it at the reception, free of charge, so as not to have to carry it round with them during their visit.

NEW AIRES

Vaudreville in the Haute-Garonne department of the Midi-Pyrenees has recently opened a new aire de services next to the campsite En Salvan. Water & drainage is available for 4€ or a motorhome with 2 persons can stay the night for 11.5€ (services included). Mielan (also in this department) has opened this summer an aire de services with parking for 5 motorhomes.

Negrepelisse in the Tarn-et-Garonne (also in the Midi-Pyrenees) has just opened an aire de services next to the rugby ground -- services are free. See Aires directory for details.

Quingey in Doubs, Franche Comte has opened an aire de service in the car park of the EcoMarche supermarket.

Lignieres --Sonneville in the Charente, Pays de la Loire, has provided a service point for motorhomes in the car park of the Parc de la Charmille.

Berck sur Mer in the Pas de Calais has successfully been providing 2 new aires this summer, one to the north of the town & the second in the south. Both cost 6€ per day but only have service facilities in the summer.

Merlimont (also in Pas de Calais) does not possess an aire de service, but welcomes motorhomes in its Place de la Gare parking area where you can stay for free for up to 72hours.

The small village of Colombier-le-Vieux in the Ardeche opened an aire de services (Rte de Lalouvesc) in June -- services & parking are free & there are several shops in the village as well as a restaurant.

OLD AIRES!

Unfortunately the aires at Plouguerneau in Finistere, Brittany & Boyardville on the Ile d'Oleron, Charente-Maritime have both been closed by their respective councils. At Plouguerneau, height barriers have also been installed in their car parks.

CYCLING IN FRANCHE-COMTE

The Office de Tourisme of the Franche-Comte has produced a new free brochure of walks / cycle routes in the Doubs valley, from Dole to Belfort -- a distance of 116 miles. The brochure contains 9 detailed maps of the region showing cycle routes & places of interest along the way. Brochures are available from the regions tourist offices or can be downloaded at: http://www.franche-comte.org

SKI RESORTS OPEN

In parts of the Alps, ski resorts are opening their lifts early following recent heavy snowfalls, whilst in some resorts openings are being delayed due to a lack of the white stuff. The French resort of Val Thorens opened on November 14, a week earlier than last year and Tignes is also open in France. Mont Dore in the Massif Central also had heavy snowfalls in November but the following mild weather has now left it without any snow.

TARDINGHEN

The private aire at Tardinghen, near to Boulogne, is currently under threat of closure. The mayor of the commune has pointed out that the aire was originally opened without planning permission in a natural park area & has given the owner, a local farmer, 6 weeks to close it. The farmer, Dominique Hamy, has however refused to comply since the site is just an open field - there are no structures or facilities as the borne is located next to the adjacent farm buildings.

LILLE XMAS MARKET

The famous Christmas market at Place Rihour in Lille is now open & will be trading until 20^th December.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

Lyon's Festival of Lights takes place from 5^th to 8^th December during which time the people of Lyon place little candle lamps in their windows in honour of the Virgin Mary. The modern festival is now a four-day event where contemporary light installations illuminate the city attracting thousands of visitors.