Tag Archives: French bureaucracy

Ich bin ein tarte tatin

Posted on July 19, 2011 by

Well Zut Alors, pass the snails and break out the Pastis, I seem to be French. Yes, finally the bureaucratic machine has satisfied itself that I might just about be appropriately Gallic enough and has graciously condescended to admit me … Continue reading →

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Posted in Pot Luck | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Once more unto the bureaucratic breach

Posted on May 18, 2011 by

As if a disintegrated vertebra wasn’t enough to deal with, JC’s annual end of term accident throws us back into the maelstrom of French administration, with its arbitrary video game rules. Joy, another spring interseason spent leaping over fiery pits … Continue reading →

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Posted in French Life | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

End of season Groundhog Day

Posted on April 22, 2011 by

So, just as I thought it was more or less safe to book a holiday for the end of May I get a call from the resort medical centre. ‘Mrs Gimblett? We’ve got your husband here …’. I was tempted … Continue reading →

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Posted in Ski Season | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Is Schrödinger’s cat French?

Posted on August 25, 2010 by

After three abortive attempts to submit an application for citizenship to the French administrative machine, it appears that the relevant fonctionnaires have finally admitted that they suppose I might have a case. Previous supplications were rejected out of hand following … Continue reading →

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Posted in French Life | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

How to live in France without becoming a miserable git

Posted on June 16, 2010 by

Rural France is paradise, right? Everyone knows it. Your friends come back from the Dordgogne gîte at the end of every summer and bore you rigid droning on ad nauseam about the wonderful lifestyle, the cheap wine, the endless sunshine, … Continue reading →

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Posted in French Life | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Adventures in bureaucracy

Posted on May 31, 2010 by

Despite the national reputation for rabid patriotism and general xenophobia, French rules regarding nationality are fairly inclusive. You are accepted as a national even if one of your parents was merely born here. So say for example your granny from … Continue reading →

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Posted in French Life | Tagged , , | 4 Comments