In January, the Paris County Court ruled that the French Web site of giant Dutch beer producer Heineken NV was illegal because it contained advertising. Cautious wine and spirit companies now refuse French consumers access to their sites.

“Sorry, by the law of your country you are not permitted to view the content of this site” is the message that pops up when the French try to enter the Web site for Australia’s Orlando Wines, owned by Paris-based Pernod-Ricard SA. France joins the same censorship ranks as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Even people in North Korea get to peek.

The ban could affect all online wine sales and tourism sites that mention wine and wine festivals.

This all seems to be very perverse for a nation which has a long and proud tradition of both making excellent wines and having wine and food so central to its culture. Its a little difficult to envisage being able to write very much about France, French Food, Wine and Travel without reference to wine. But then the French are always a little perverse - wine labelling laws which confuse rather than enlighten; Sundays often being busier shopping days than Mondays; and as the prospects for the French wine trade look dire in the current economic climate. rules are introduced which are likely to disadvantage one of their key industries.

I’d even need to think again about articles on French Christmas Markets where mulled wine is on offer - please accept our apologies if this website has damaged your health or your morals!!

You can read the article here

(The image comes from a campaign in France against the Loi Evin (named after a French Health minister) which started this madness.)

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As for internet access the picture is patchy and a little unpredictable. Naturally the major cities are well provided with internet cafes and high speed residential connections. But even in the most isolated areas some high speed internet speeds are available, often supported by local authorities, seeing the web as a valuable asset in supporting the local economy and stemming population drift to the major conurbations.

For the traveller in France the picture is improving rapidly - internet cafes can be found in many towns and villages - the cafe owners recognising that this will give them an extra edge in attracting customers,
Most of the major hotel chains such as upmarket Mercure and Novotel and even budget hotels such as Ibis, Etap and Forumule One will offer Wi-Fi (pronounced “wiffee”). Of course, your needs will depend on whether you carry a portable PC or other device with you - but even then many hotels, including small independents, will offer a free terminal in reception with access to the internet.
Now campsites are following suit, such that the Michelin Guide to Camping in France now includes symbols for internet access. We recently visited an idyllic campsite on the Brittany coast where you could have a delightful view over the coastline, whilst tapping away on your computer catching up on your emails - all included in the campsite fee. But although its good to be able to do so, with scenery like that the keyboard and screen seem an unwelcome diversion.
There are other offerings from the main French mobile phone networks - including a wireless 3G USB key (cle internet 3G) similar to that available in the UK from networks such as Vodafone. Depending on your needs and budget you can purchase a pay-as-you-go Internet USB device with no contract - e.g. SFR offer one for €99 and for each day you want to use it the cost is €10 per day for 24-hour access; Orange and the other networks offer similar options - you may need a French bank account and/or a French address to sign up to some of the plans. However, roaming fees on the main UK mobile phone networks can be very expensive for data - check with the operator before you leave.

UPDATE The Geant Casino Hypermarket in Brest (29 Finistere, Brittany) offers free wi-fi throughout the shopping mall.

The French networks also offer a wide coverage on WiFi Hotspots - for many of which you can purchase airtime online or by subscribing to a network before arriving in France such as Freedom4Wifi

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So a brief trip to France, where the late summer skies were blue, and the sun was shining warmly was particularly welcome after an otherwise disappointing summer on both sides of the Channel. Except of course that as it was after 31 August, the French were all back at work (la rentrée) and winter opening hours of restaurants, chateaux and other attractions were operative.

The week started badly for the French, when they lost the opening match of the Rugby World Cup at the Stade de France in Paris - to a previously underrated Argentinian team. The incredulity of this disaster was summed up by one local who maintained: “That was not supposed to happen!” This could now lead to the French, proudly hosting the world cup, having to play a semi-final in Cardiff!!

The following day spirits appeared to have improved when the French football team secured a 0:0 draw against the Italians - the celebrations and relief suggested it was in fact a great victory. However, just a few days later they lost to the minnows of Scotland which no-one, probably not even the Scots, had predicted.

The week ended with everyone suddenly discovering and being knowledgeable about Judo, where the world championships were won by - a Frenchman called Teddy RIner, a name probably unknown to most French people. However, this week he is a real French hero!

It is difficult to be too smug about the French misfortunes, when we Brits can be only too aware that our glory days on the football and rugby pitch can be just as fleeting and vulnerable to upset - but whatever you do, never mention the 2012 Olympics in France - they were robbed!!

The differences and similarities between out two nations was also reinforced by my reading for the week.
A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke was the first choice. It is the amusing and lighthearted story of an Englishman working for a French company in Paris for a year - lots of predictable cariacatures, but told with humour and some affection.
My second read by Stephen Clarke Talk to the Snail seemed to get it wrong - more of a rant about the worst stereotypes of the French written by a francophobe - I could not finish it as it was written without affection.
On a more serious level, but nevertheless readable and entertaining was Rod Kedward’s La Vie En Bleu: France and the French Since 1900 which did much more to help to understand some of the contradictions that go to make the French - their history, pride and traditions.

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