Latest news: France February 2008
Smoking ban in force
The final phase of France’s anti-tobacco law has come into effect and smoking is now forbidden in cafés, restaurants and bars throughout the country. In February last year, smoking was outlawed in the workplace and in public places and as of 1 January 2008, this has been extended to a blanket ban. The ban faced some opposition, particularly from bar-tabac owners (small cafés that are synonymous with smoking and drinking) who wanted to adopt a more flexible approach such as that taken in Spain whereby small café owners can opt in or out of the ban.
Travel news
easyJet now operate the following routes: London Gatwick to Nantes, Montpellier, Ajaccio (Corsica) and Bastia (Corsica). Book online at www.easyjet.com…Eurostar tickets direct to Avignon are now on sale with return fares starting at £99. Journey time from St Pancras International is under six hours. Book online at www.eurostar.com…Ryanair have announced new routes from Liverpool to Nantes, from London Stansted to Angoulême and from Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester to Marseille. Visit www.ryanair.com for more information…From 11 January 2008, Skysouth is operating flights between Brighton/Shoreham and Deauville four days a week. Tickets can be bought online at www.skysouth.co.uk
Fat fighters
The French are least likely to opt for fast food according to a recent global poll. The survey questioned some 9,000 people in 13 countries across five continents with the British coming out as the number one fans of fast food, one per cent ahead of the Americans. The French also weigh themselves most often according to the survey indicating they are most concerned about body image. One point on which both the French and the British agree is that the best way to lose weight is to cut food intake.
Flight of fancy
In a world first, a French test pilot flew a conventional aircraft powered by an electric motor. The achievement is the next step in the search for inexpensive environmentally friendly air travel and the result of 18 months of research by the APAME group. The group, based in the Alpine town of Gap flew a single-seater plane for 48 minutes travelling 50km and used new generation of light lithium-polymer batteries.