Provence – or to be more correct – Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur (PACA) is a popular area for foreign investors. Its chic and lavish reputation encourages investors from around the world.

PACA is divided into Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhone,Var and Vaucluse. Strangely no department for the Cote d’Azur or French Riviera. The Cote d’Azur area stretches from the Italian border to east of Toulon including playgrounds of the rich and famous. Cote d’Azur property is expensive.

Inland Provence property prices tend to drop significantly. The Luberon, however, remains very expensive. The Luberon was made famous by Peter Mayle, and has attracted many buyers and visitors. The Var department is lovely and is worth investigating for property that is more competitively priced.

TheRoman Temple of Verneguessits in a beautiful glade in the woods, northwest ofAix-en-Provenceand just northwest ofLambesc. Most in ruins, but one tall Corinthian column remains, along with some walls and an adajcent Medieval chapel built into the temple walls.

By Russ

Sarkozy’s ‘emergency’ plan for jobs
With almost ten per cent of the population in France now unemployed, President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a 430-million euro job creation package. Most of the measures have come as no surprise, having been fed to the media throughout the month. But there was one unexpected announcement – an “unprecedented” commitment to training the country’s potential workforce, who will then have no choice but to accept the jobs they are offered.
Fatal police shooting
Police are investigating the death of a 76-year-old man who was killed on Wednesday during a police shoot-out in Le Pradet. One officer remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Suspended sentences for Grasse police
Protesters took to the streets of Grasse yesterday after prosectors recommended suspended sentences for police involved in the death of a Tunisian man in 2008. A group of around 40 people were demanding justice for victim Hakim Ajimi.

Lights out at Nice airport
Runway lights at the Nice Côte d’Azur airport failed yesterday evening, prompting a stack of cancelled flights and major delays.
La Seyne maternity ward closes
The maternity ward in Seyne-sur-Mer has been ordered to close its doors and relocate to the Saint Musse hospital in Toulon. The news has angered local residents who have fought against the closure for several months.
French population hits 65.35 million
France’s population reached a new high last year with a whopping 65.35 million people now living in the country. According to statistics revealed by Insee this week, the growth is due to more people living longer and a higher birth rate.

10 years for deathly drunken row
A school kitchen worker has been sentenced to ten years behind bars after being found guilty of the manslaughter of her husband during a drunken domestic dispute. The woman hit her partner repeatedly over the head with a wine bottle during what witnesses say was one of many alcohol-fuelled arguments.
Avalanche alert in Alps
The Alps has been put on orange alert after of a series of snowstorms yesterday evening left tourists stranded and roads cut off. Météo France has forecast “a very high” avalanche risk for the rest of the day and warns skiers and climbers to take care.
Leading French bank cuts 880 jobs
One of France’s largest banks, Société générale, has announced that it will cut 1,500 jobs globally in 2012. French workers will bear the brunt of the cutbacks, with a crippling 880 job losses across the country.

TheRoman Temple of Verneguessits in a beautiful glade in the woods, northwest ofAix-en-Provenceand just northwest ofLambesc. Most in ruins, but one tall Corinthian column remains, along with some walls and an adajcent Medieval chapel built into the temple walls.

By Russ

Rape acquittal appeal
The Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor is set to launch an appeal against last week’s acquittal of four Nice police officers. Three of the men were charged with raping a prostitute in a police van while the fourth man was accused of failing to help the woman in danger.
Christmas magic on the Riviera
Whether it’s looking for a present for the man-that-has-everything or a festive family outing, the French Riviera continues to deliver non-stop Christmas cheer to visitors and residents this yuletide season. While Monaco has been decorated in a very traditional spirit reminiscent of childhood memories, Mougins took culinary fanatics on a mouth-watering journey with winter cooking workshops. A new record was even set for the longest chocolate yule log! And the fun doesn’t end here, New Year in
‘Auto-partage’ closes in Antibes
There’s disappointing news for subscribers of the eco-friendly car company ‘Cité vu’ after the shock announcement of the closure of their self-service electronic car program in Antibes.

Rape acquittal appeal
The Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor is set to launch an appeal against last week’s acquittal of four Nice police officers. Three of the men were charged with raping a prostitute in a police van while the fourth man was accused of failing to help the woman in danger.
Christmas magic on the Riviera
Whether it’s looking for a present for the man-that-has-everything or a festive family outing, the French Riviera continues to deliver non-stop Christmas cheer to visitors and residents this yuletide season. While Monaco has been decorated in a very traditional spirit reminiscent of childhood memories, Mougins took culinary fanatics on a mouth-watering journey with winter cooking workshops. A new record was even set for the longest chocolate yule log! And the fun doesn’t end here, New Year in
‘Auto-partage’ closes in Antibes
There’s disappointing news for subscribers of the eco-friendly car company ‘Cité vu’ after the shock announcement of the closure of their self-service electronic car program in Antibes.

Var weather warning
The Prefect of the Var has put the region on moderate warning this afternoon with strong waves expected along the west coastline.
New implant cancer cases revealed
The French Minister of Health has announced a total of nine cases of cancer related to the defective PIP breast implants. Two women have died from cancer which is thought to have been contracted from the potentially deadly implants, while around 30,000 women are believed to be still be carrying the defective product.
Pollution fines for Draguignan company
A Draguignan company has been ordered to pay over 500,000 euros in fines for environmental damages. Pizzorno Environnement was found guilty of illegally dumping dangerous substances in landfill sites over a three year period.

TheRoman Temple of Verneguessits in a beautiful glade in the woods, northwest ofAix-en-Provenceand just northwest ofLambesc. Most in ruins, but one tall Corinthian column remains, along with some walls and an adajcent Medieval chapel built into the temple walls.

By Russ

TheRoman Temple of Verneguessits in a beautiful glade in the woods, northwest ofAix-en-Provenceand just northwest ofLambesc. Most in ruins, but one tall Corinthian column remains, along with some walls and an adajcent Medieval chapel built into the temple walls.

By Russ