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I moved to France for the cake – and then learned to love British baking
Columnist Sarah Henshaw rediscovers the British baking tradition of comfort, jam and just having a go
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Is it time to shorten France's school holidays?
Pascal Bressoux, professor of educational sciences at the University of Grenoble Alpes, explains why the school timetables need a rethink
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Savoyards poke fun at Parisians over snow disruption
A few centimetres shut down capital but for those in Savoie ‘it’s time to clear the chalet steps so no one slips after an apero’
Access issues
This is a subject (disabled access, newsletter, August) I feel strongly about as my French sister-in-law is severely disabled.
The care she receives cannot be faulted, however her attempt to lead an independent and normal life has been hampered by lack of consideration for those with mobility problems.
France has always lagged behind the UK in the provision for disabled access. Many shops still do not have wheelchair access and many doctor’s surgeries, dentists and pharmacies still lack access. The town in Provence where she lives has footpaths obstructed by tables and chairs from cafes and restaurants and she plus other wheelchair users have to take to the carriageway and take their chances with cars, trucks and buses.
The situation is further exacerbated by inconsiderate parking. A significant number of motorists see nothing wrong with occupying a disabled bay for a ‘few minutes’ rather than walk from a car park.
Whilst there has been improvement here the French still have a long way to go to catch up with the UK.
John COLE, Var
