Has France become poorer ...

[Grianan]

We’re just back from a fortnight in France. It was our first visit in 6 years. Previously, I’ve been to France upwards of 20 times, usually for a couple of weeks, but I did live/work in Paris for a couple of months. Usually we’ve visted between May and August, this time it was October ... so out of holiday season.

We noticed that prices had gone up, especially diesel. It was even more expensive than in the Netherlands. And many villages had shops that were shut. In some places, it would be down to time of year, but even non-tourist villages seemed to have lost a boulangerie and the general store. Some towns and villages seemed more run down than we remembered.

I wonder how much is rose tinted spectacles and how much is the austerity which has driven the gilets jaunes?

On a plus people haven’t changed .... we met so many lovely people and had some great chats.

 

[David and Sally]

Socialist state. What did you expect.

Will happen here soon if JC has his way.

 

[Ingwe]

France isn't a socialist state so that is a nonsensical explanation. But it has suffered the same as the UK by successive governments' adherence to the austerity BS.
We've noticed over 15 years the huge increase in food and fuel prices in France and whereas it was once cheaper than the U.K. for fresh food it is now much more expensive. The French have had to suffer the same double whammy of falling real wages, rising prices and increasing unemployment as we have in the U.K.
Macron realises that this isn't sustainable but doesn't know what to do except to try and keep protest down.
But we still find the French people, with whom we have daily contact, to be warm friendly and welcoming.

 

[Ivory55]

We always thought considering the size and diversity of its agriculture how expensive food and milk is in France

 

[David and Sally]

France isn't a socialist state so that is a nonsensical explanation.

Macron is a socialist and he is head of state. What is nonsensical about that? I was being a little dramatic and provocative too.

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[Coolcats]

Macron is a socialist and he is head of state. What is nonsensical about that? I was being a little dramatic and provocative too.

Socialism in its self is not a bad thing, it’s how it is perceived sometimes people assume its communism and at the other end is capitilsem all extremes are not good.

I do not think the following applies to France

“Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.”

writing in Bold does not make something true either

there are many companies in France that operate well in the capitalist economy for example many of our tolls are owned and operated bya French company

 

[David and Sally]

writing in Bold does not make something true either

Didn't say it did!

IMHO France is run by a socialist government that tends to be tax and spend. This is what happens here when socialists are in charge. That drives out businesses who have to pay more to workers so they can mitigate their higher personal taxes. It puts up fuel prices to the level they are in France for example.

Just saying, IMHO

 

[Chris]

Not sure whether it’s become poorer because it’s always been pretty poor when I have been there.

 

[Ingwe]

Macron is not a socialist, he is a firm believer in capitalism. He was an investment banker (with a "b") at Rothchilds. And, whilst he was a member of the Socialist Party, he left it to form En Marche, with a capitalist agenda. France has pursued nothing but capitalist policies. So whatever state it finds itself in, it is as a result of capitalist policies, not socialism.

 

[Coolcats]

Didn't say it did!

IMHO France is run by a socialist government that tends to be tax and spend. This is what happens here when socialists are in charge. That drives out businesses who have to pay more to workers so they can mitigate their higher personal taxes. It puts up fuel prices to the level they are in France for example.

Just saying, IMHO

Yup fuel prices are as high as they are here I noticed what with the carbon tax and other duties we pay I guess that’s our socialist government as well, I don’t mind paying tax if it helps services for all and it looks like our current government is looking to unwind the cuts they made by sounding on police nhs etc can’t be a bad thing to pay tax for

(bold writing is like shouting it makes ones ears bleed or eyes)

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[spitfire]

Didn't say it did!

IMHO France is run by a socialist government that tends to be tax and spend. This is what happens here when socialists are in charge. That drives out businesses who have to pay more to workers so they can mitigate their higher personal taxes. It puts up fuel prices to the level they are in France for example.

Just saying, IMHO

Try asking someone who lives there how it is rather than making assumptions from afar.

And please don’t shout to make your point . It isn’t polite .

 

[Garfields]

Same in Germany when away from tourist haunts
Small shops find it difficult to compete with supermarkets and internet
Same most high streets in uk

 

[Theonlysue]

Went shopping in lidl in france. €114 euros later. Could have fell through the floor!!!
I'm surprised the french can afford to eat.
Fuel I've seen as high as €1.65 litre. In Spain just over the border paid €1.15.
50 cents per litre difference on a 100 litre fuel tank.

 

[Jenka]

I only use France to drive to other countries,if I can miss it I will. It's overrated and very expensive. I also find the French MH owners to be disrespectful to the facilities and visitors.

 

[Grianan]

Same in Germany when away from tourist haunts
Small shops find it difficult to compete with supermarkets and internet
Same most high streets in uk

We were in Germany earlier in the year ... it ‘felt’ better off. Not a very scientific measure, I know ?.

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[Grianan]

I only use France to drive to other countries,if I can miss it I will. It's overrated and very expensive. I also find the French MH owners to be disrespectful to the facilities and visitors.

Gosh, I’m sorry you have had that experience. It’s not what we found at all. We love France and didn’t find anyone disrespectful either to their environment or to us.

 

[spitfire]

Here we go again. Could you please give the France continual bashing a rest. Just don't come if for some reason you don't like it .

We have lost postings from our French forum member yodeli for that very reason. She has helped many members of this forum when they needed help in French . So sad as she said when her country is constantly criticised compared to others .

Please play nice. If you don't say anything unless it is to help or inform.

 

[spitfire]

 

[Allanm]

We used to live in Kent, now we live in Brittany and find it, overall, cheaper to live in France than the UK.
I think a lot of people visiting France try to buy similar things to what they are used to in the UK, and then it becomes expensive.
Also, where you shop makes a difference and France, like any other country, will have higher prices in busy tourist areas and motorway services.
It’s true a lot of villages have lost shops, especially boulangeries, but, there will always be somewhere local to buy bread. A lot of shops or bars and sometimes village halls will be designated a ‘Depot de Pain’ where at least you will get a baguette and a croissant.
We have found a lot of electrical items can be expensive, so too can DIY stores, you just need to be able to shop around to find the best prices.
Fuel in most towns is on a par with U.K. prices but the fuel is more expensive than it used to be and of course the poor exchange rate exacerbates the difference. I remember buying a litre of diesel for around 70p when the rate was above €1.35 to £.

New cars are similar prices to U.K. but used cars are more expensive and because of that, you get a better deal when you sell one.
Motorhomes are substantially cheaper, as are houses and we pay far less tax than we did in the U.K, so, financially, we are much better off living here.

But, I agree, as a tourist France can be more expensive than it used to be for some.

It’s not mandatory to visit, if you don’t like it, don’t come.

 

[Jenka]

Here we go again. Could you please give the France continual bashing a rest. Just don't come if for some reason you don't like it .

We have lost postings from our French forum member yodeli for that very reason. She has helped many members of this forum when they needed help in French . So sad as she said when her country is constantly criticised compared to others .

Please play nice. If you don't say anything unless it is to help or inform.

So I can't have an opinion ! Like I said I only drive through France .chill it's Sunday and raining here in Italy a wonderful country.?

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[Grianan]

Here we go again. Could you please give the France continual bashing a rest. Just don't come if for some reason you don't like it .

We have lost postings from our French forum member yodeli for that very reason. She has helped many members of this forum when they needed help in French . So sad as she said when her country is constantly criticised compared to others .

Please play nice. If you don't say anything unless it is to help or inform.

Who is your post aimed at? If you don’t quote or tag it is hard to know.

If it is my thread then I’m sorry it has offended you.

 

[Grianan]

We used to live in Kent, now we live in Brittany and find it, overall, cheaper to live in France than the UK.
I think a lot of people visiting France try to buy similar things to what they are used to in the UK, and then it becomes expensive.
Also, where you shop makes a difference and France, like any other country, will have higher prices in busy tourist areas and motorway services.
It’s true a lot of villages have lost shops, especially boulangeries, but, there will always be somewhere local to buy bread. A lot of shops or bars and sometimes village halls will be designated a ‘Depot de Pain’ where at least you will get a baguette and a croissant.
We have found a lot of electrical items can be expensive, so too can DIY stores, you just need to be able to shop around to find the best prices.
Fuel in most towns is on a par with U.K. prices but the fuel is more expensive than it used to be and of course the poor exchange rate exacerbates the difference. I remember buying a litre of diesel for around 70p when the rate was above €1.35 to £.

New cars are similar prices to U.K. but used cars are more expensive and because of that, you get a better deal when you sell one.
Motorhomes are substantially cheaper, as are houses and we pay far less tax than we did in the U.K, so, financially, we are much better off living here.

But, I agree, as a tourist France can be more expensive than it used to be for some.

It’s not mandatory to visit, if you don’t like it, don’t come.

I thought I had made clear that we love France. I was simply noting changes since the last time we visited. I could do the same with our own high street.
I did not comment on food as we do not buy what we would buy at home ... we treat ourselves more on holiday and our patterns of buying are different too so it would be hard to make any real comparison.
We never couldn’t find a boulangerie ... but where it was clear a village had previously supported two, it appeared as if now only one could be supported.
My intention is to be reflective rather than critical ...

 

[spitfire]

So I can't have an opinion ! Like I said I only drive through France .chill it's Sunday and raining here in Italy a wonderful country.?

Of course you can have an opinion and several people have commented on the OP in an interesting and informative way. It is up to you to decide if it is so for your post.

If you have only passed through France then do you think all french motorhomes are disrespectful. That is the type of comment which lets you post down in my opinion . It is like me saying have spent the weekend in Dover and everyone is rude.

Having said that there were some rude and unnecessary posts quite unrelated to the OP .

I am not quite sure where the confrontational members have appeared from in the last year. ( Not you by the way just a general observation ! )

 

[spitfire]

Who is your post aimed at? If you don’t quote or tag it is hard to know.

If it is my thread then I’m sorry it has offended you.

You did not offend me at all but if you look back I think it is very obvious. Let me say to make comments on the politics of a country which you obviously have to great knowledge and use it as a platform to bring in UK politics have nothing to add to the OP.

 

[596]

I find St Tropez and surrounding areas very expensive, not just restaurants and hotels but the Geant, E.Leclerc and Carrefour supermarkets, someone told me they put up the prices in the summer by around 20%, supply and demand I guess! I take 4 freezers with all our meats and food, at least we know what we are eating, we do eat some local produce salads, potatoes, onions etc, in some of these foreign places they eat all sorts, China is one of the worst ?

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[Chris]

Here we go again. Could you please give the France continual bashing a rest. Just don't come if for some reason you don't like it .

It’s difficult to avoid France if you want to get anywhere else though so whether you like it or not, you are stuck with it.

If not going was an option it would be great for those who aren’t all that keen.

 

[Jenka]

I toured France last year for 2 months as I thought I needed to discover the true France , I visited most areas and some beautiful places,a couple of points and no I didn't agrivate them and for information due to my work days speak good French.
1 . My wife needed emergency dental treatment inside the dentist refused to even look at her even though she was clearly in distress and the sarcastic smile she the dentist gave us didn't help.
2. In Coursseulles on a free aire was told to move my van as pitch reserved it was a bank holiday,I said no chance ,woke up to find human feces on the screen.
Any way thanks for your points .

 

[Chris]

I toured France last year for 2 months as I thought I needed to discover the true France , I visited most areas and some beautiful places,a couple of points and no I didn't agrivate them and for information due to my work days speak good French.
1 . My wife needed emergency dental treatment inside the dentist refused to even look at her even though she was clearly in distress and the sarcastic smile she the dentist gave us didn't help.
2. In Coursseulles on a free aire was told to move my van as pitch reserved it was a bank holiday,I said no chance ,woke up to find human feces on the screen.
Any way thanks for your points .

 

[Allanm]

I thought I had made clear that we love France. I was simply noting changes since the last time we visited. I could do the same with our own high street.
I did not comment on food as we do not buy what we would buy at home ... we treat ourselves more on holiday and our patterns of buying are different too so it would be hard to make any real comparison.
We never couldn’t find a boulangerie ... but where it was clear a village had previously supported two, it appeared as if now only one could be supported.
My intention is to be reflective rather than critical ...

It wasn’t a pop at you, just our own real world observations of living here as it seems some just love to dislike and berate France and it’s people at every opportunity without contributing to the thread.

 

[Riverbankannie]

It wasn’t a pop at you, just our own real world observations of living here as it seems some just love to dislike and berate France and it’s people at every opportunity without contributing to the thread.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of us who love the U.K. and like living here but need to sound off about things here too.
By the way, we love France but not always everything about it , differences are part of the pleasure of going away.

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