French Riots

Are you evenly vaguely aware, from the normal media coverage, of the riots that have been occurring in France since the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as President on Sunday?

For the best coverage, with stories, photos, and video, I suggest visiting No Pasaran.

Ho, hum. No big deal in the U.S. However, the French have a new law that makes it a crime for amateurs to report the news. Seriously.

One of the stories there suggests we could learn something about offering speedy trials to our "accused". I don't read French (and translation programs suck), but apparently three of the rioters have already been tried and sentenced in the two days since the riots began.

Fourmetot

Winnie's French "Lambert" ancestors were from the village of Fourmetot, in Normandy. Here is the village today. It looks like the kind of place, if we ever went there, that we could track down exactly which house they lived in 300 years ago.

Who knows, with someplace like this inn to visit, it might give us a reason (because I like to eat well!). -

Le Manoir de L’Aufragère – the ultimate in gastronomic indulgence!

Le Manoir de L’Aufragère is a lovingly-restored 18th century manor house, offering three-night culinary experiences in eight acres of tranquil countryside in the heart of Normandy, France. Your hosts, Nicky and Régis Dussartre, are both fluent English-speakers passionate about good living.

You’ll cook with Nicky, a cordon bleu chef who’s completely consumed by gastronomy and simply loves anything and everything to do with food. She’ll share her culinary knowledge and expertise with you in a very relaxed atmosphere, making cooking a real, unpretentious, joy. Also joining in the course is her French husband, former goats’ cheese producer, Régis. He looks after your visits to the local market, fromagerie and Calvados distillery, as well as introducing you to homemade cheese and a few cocktails and local tastings along the way.

This image is via the public French government website - GeoPortail.