Category Archives: FRANCE

All posts about France

Chasse-Marée – a man, a cart or a boat?

All of the above, actually – and also a superb French magazine devoted to maritime history. Based in Brittany, of course, and the site also sells books and nauticalia. The French word chasse means hunt or chase. Marée originally referred … Continue reading

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Gustave Flaubert – world’s highest lifting bridge

by Mike K-H Have you seen the Millau viaduct? When the tall ships join in the annual Armada festivities on 4 and 5 July this year, Rouen will open yet another record-breaking piece of French civil engineering – the Pont … Continue reading

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The China effect

by Mike K-H Forget Dr Fu Manchu. The western world is being turned upside down by China without any malicious intent on the part of the Chinese. It’s the sheer size of what has been introduced to the world’s markets … Continue reading

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Driving lessons – for France

This little gem is by George East, a friend and mentor of many years’ standing, whom I keep failing to meet in the flesh whenever I try to do so. He’s the one sitting down eating, here and I am … Continue reading

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François l’Olonnais – a truly bloodthirsty French buccanneer

Since I used the name Freebooters for this site and its predecessor, I owe you at least one French pirate story. Here it is. If you check the website for the Biscay resort town of Les Sables d’Olonne, you will … Continue reading

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