WHAT ABOUT PACS?

Speaking of Monsieur Bean and of marriage, the question of PACS popped up in my head!
For those of you not familiar with the term, it is a form of civil union between two adults of the same or opposite sex possible in France. When it was first introduced in 1999 it solely concerned homosexual couples, but was quickly adopted by heterosexuals who did not wish to marry but wanted to benefit from some of the privileges such as filing joint income tax. Among a number of benefits it also allowed the occasionally foreign significant other to obtaining a specific visa (vie privée et familiale ) that allowed him/her to reside and work in France legally. Naturally, in sync with the infamous French bureaucracy all of this required a mind boggling amount of time, proof and paper work, but in the end it gave the foreign part of the whole a certain amount of possibilities and rights. Now with Monsieur Sarkozy, aka Monsieur Bean, in power who knows what will become of le PACS? How strict will the rules and regulations become? How long will foreign lovers have to wait for their visas? Will it even survive the reign of terror?

Here are a couple more blurbs on the subject:

http://fr.wikipedia.org

http://en.wikipedia.org

FEAR AHEAD

All foreigners, begin fearing NOW!

THE BLACK LACQUERED BISTRO

Black Calvados officially opened its doors exactly one year ago, so it is still a relative newcomer to the 8th arrondissement.

It serves as a cantine to the likes of Jacquetta Wheeler, Charlotte Stockdale, Maria Carla Boscono, Ricardo Tisci, Nicolas Ghesquière, Stefano Pilati, Fabien Baron, Carine Roitfeld, Natalia Vodianova, as well as the rest of the beautiful bunch. Sounds a tad too pretentious? Maye, but a little snobbery never hurt anyone. The sleek spot is worth checking out at least for its unique décor, which features high-gloss lacquered walls and smooth metal surfaces. According to Nicolas Ghesquière’s comment, it is not quite a very Parisian spot but it is nice to have it in the city. I would agree. There is nothing quite like diversity of choice!


The chef – Jerome Lorvellec of Nobu and Pershing Hall put together a spin on the American menu, so expect stuff like lobster rolls and mini Kobe hamburgers but also truffled mac n’ cheese. If you are short on funds, you can also make BC your spot for an apero. I wonder if the new president ever does?

40 Ave Pierre 1 de Serbie
Tél: 0145 44 73 73
http://www.bc-paris.fr

SARCO PRESIDENT

In tune with the old French adage: Le roi est mort, vive le roi! - the king is dead, long live the king
Nicolas Sarkozy, the conservative, beat the socialist, and possibly the first female president Miss Segolene Royale by 53,06 % to the throne, as the new president of the French Republic. The intensely fought presidential election saw an 85% turnout.

And so the sweeping begins...read more news.bbc.co.uk

CANNES IS 60

Cannes is Cannes, but this month, every year Cannes is an extension of Paris. The 60Th Cannes Film Festival, probably Europe's most prestigious film festival is upon us. The international clique descends to the sunny coast.
From the red carpet, to the upcoming flicks, to the famed Canal+ interviews, this month is dedicated to the septieme art, style and unforgettable parties we'll gladly read about at the check out line. To be the first to know tune in to: www.festival-cannes.fr

If you are in France, the best source for the Festival related info is the TV channel dubbed Canal + or yellow journalism in magazines such as Gala, the French equivalent of People and other such "fantastic" publications.