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We get lots of questions on the list that get repeated over and over again: "does anybody know a good plumber?", "where can I buy a lift pass?" etc. If, after asking such a question your fellow cham-sharers give you some helpful answers, please feel free to add them here so that everyone else can find them in the future.
(P.S. No spam please, this site is not indexed by Google)
Laundry services
Christelle DESBIOLLES Sarl A.C.P - Blanchisserie du Beaufortain 73260 BEAUFORT SUR DORON 04.79.38.39.50
Praz blanchisserie Blanchisseries pour collectivites 1149 avenue andre lasquin 74700 Sallanches Téléphone : 0450583510
Dentists
Dr Laettitia Costa - 260 Rue Joseph Vallot, Chamonix - has been recommended by loads of people
Dr Bailly in Rue Paccard, on 2nd floor, above BNP Paribas. He speaks English but receptionist doesn’t.
Insects and other pests
How do I get rid of a wasps nest?
-You need to call someone out - yellow pages: desinsectification. Usually around 100€. Don't cover up the holes as it gets them very cross and they will just chew at the wood and make another hole!
-Aparently once you have had a nest, you are likely to have repeated nests as they emit a smell that basically highlights the area as a good place to nest to other wasps. We’re using a spray that we got from Boite Outeil (next to Carrefor Sallanches) - it seems effective!
-We just had the same problem. The garden ctr in Les Praz sells canisters of wasp killer. Just point the nozzle at the hole and nuke 'em.
-Call the fire department and they will help
-Not sure if they sell it here - but RAID Wasps/ Yellow jackets will surely do the trick if you can reach the nest at all (the cans sometimes come with a sort of hose as well)
-Smoking the nest has worked for me in Australia but I suggest you speak to a professional pest controller
Firewood Logs
Many thanks for such a great response on Logs. Here is a list for all those who asked for it in order of amount of recommendations for each one I just hope mine turn up this morning!
Marc Dubrule 0670276884
Nicolas Savalle 06 73 84 02 77
CHAMOT 04 50 93 64 56
guy in Argentiere 0608326095
Computers
Apple Macbook Repairs and Service
Dose anyone know of anyone or anywhere we can get our Apple Macbook looked at we are having some problems with it booting up?
In Martigny: http://www.dgsolutions.ch/ It's near the train station.
In Geneva: the Apple Store near the Rives parking. http://www.apple.com/chfr/retail/ruederive/
Repairing scratched CDs & DVDs
For anybody who has scratched CD's or DVD's, take them to Video Futur in Les Houches, they'll take a look at it and can repair them with their machine. They charge between €3 and €5 depending on the state of the disc.
Just so everyone knows, Video Futur in Les Houches can't fix (unscratch) XBOX games disks. They can do CDs and DVDs though.
Webmaster
If you need a good webmaster you can contact Marie Vacelet. She speaks fluent english.
Marie Vacelet
www.coax-webdesign.com
06.64.47.45.39
Freight services and moving stuff to & from the UK
Philip white freight
Upon the suggestion of a member I have joined the list. I run a van-based freight service between Southern Europe and the UK. If we can be of help to you, check out the website at:
http://philipwhitefreight.com/
Kwikfr8
Van and Trailer services running into and out of UK, move Small house moves, Ski Kit, Mountain Bikes etc. Take a look Facebook "Kwikfr8" http://www.kwikfr8.co.uk rates based on Volumetric Weight call UK +441614088143 or email enquiries@kwikfr8.co.uk.
Alpline74
3.5 ton van running a weekly service, Insured ( goods in transit ) and able to carry almost anything.
Collections from any UK address direct to your door in France, return loads are also available.
Prices are calculated on dimension & weight and can be paid in either Sterling or Euro
E-MAIL alpline74@aol.co.uk for further information or quotations
DMS Services
Offer a competive rate Removal service to and from Uk/France
Shiply
Matches you with rated delivery firms who were 'going that way anyway'
Just put details of what needs taking and from where to where all over Europe, then accept the best bid
Anglo European Light Haulage
http://www.angloeuropeanlighthaulage.com/
Can anyone look after my pets while I'm on holiday?
I thought that I'd let you know about a friend who looks after pets for you whilst you're away. She will look after them in your own home and will walk your dogs, feed your cats etc. She is an assistant veterinary nurse and is great with animals.
She also does dog training, so if you have any disobedient dogs give her a call. Her name is Carole and her website is: montblancanimaux.com although the website is in french, she speaks english and has a number of english speaking clients already.
Sarah
Veterinairians
• Valerie Heirman, 1041 Route Des Tines. 04 50 53 98 08
Out of hours emergencies
Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire - Vétérinaire - 04.50.60.09.00 - Saint-martin-bellevue - Exit just before Annecy at Cruseilles and follow the LOCAL road signs towards Annecy. Then there are signs for the vet hospital which is on the right on a large roundabout. This hospital center has vets from the top school in Lyon and they are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are also the only vet hospital in the area with a scanner for advanced x-rays and have cancer and other specialists if your animal has a hard to resolve problem. They are VERY good.
Seems vets are thin on the ground at weekends in Chamonix. The answer machines will advise who is on call.
There is a very nice vet
Dr Cheneval 04 50 89 24 14 in Thyez (near Cluses)
in case anyone needs a "veterinaire de garde" in the future - he does weekend cover with a few other vets in the area.
Lanoiselée Rebet Hugron (SELARL) 1889 ROUTE DU FAYET 74700 Domancy Telephone 04 50 93 51 46
Where can I buy different colours / sizes of propane gas bottles?
There are several shops in the valley that sell gas. However each shop will only exchange bottles of the same colour. Garage Betty across the road from the Midi lift sells most propane and butane bottles, Propane the big gold and silver ones as well as the smaller silver ones Butane the smaller blue ones. Other places that sell gas are the Total station on the A40 between Tacconaz and Les Houches exits (good at weekends), the hardware store at the St Antoine roundabout in Les Houches. The Super U in Passy and Les Houches also sell one type of gas bottle. The only place that sells the big green bottles is the petrol station at Carrefour in Sallanches.
Spas in the area
The spa in Pres St Didier in Italy is fantastic – less than 1 hour away, here is the site link http://termedipre.it/en/
The Hotel Aiglon in Cham Sud has a Spa - offering massages, outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room - as a non guest you can get a pass - I am not hundred percent sre of price 20s € for general entry (not massage) & buffet lunch - might need to reserve. I think they tend to shut at 8pm.
Who can repair my hot tub?
In and around Chamonix:
- Mont Blanc Spas (04.50.18.47.79) - Services all brands. Arctic Spas dealer.
- Louise Day (04.50.54.21.40)
Outside the Chamonix area:
- Alpes Spa (04.76.73.26.59) - Services all brands.
To buy parts and do it yourself:
- Contact your original hot tub supplier or try tubs.fr
Hot tub supplies
Order supplies online at tubs.fr
Or drop in weekdays at Mont Blanc Spas (near Metro) 510 rue des Pres Moulin 74190 Passy Tel: 04.50.18.47.79 or 04.50.18.65.92
Or:
- A shop called 3AAA, before entering Sallanches, on the right side
- A shop in Monthey/Switzerland, only 10 minutes drive from Martigny
Does anyone know where I can rent a metal detector?
Try Lefèvre Location in Sallanches
Lefèvre Location SARL 967 Avenue André Lasquin 74700 Sallanches 04 50 58 02 57
Is there a way to change the names/pictures on annual lift passes?
I contacted Ian Cleaver at CMB to make sure. He said that it is categorically not possible to change a pass over to someone else. They do it for operators only who have bought staff passes, and someone leaves and is replaced by another member of staff. It does not apply in any other circumstance. He also reiterated large penalties for being caught with a 'fraudulent' pass - see below:
Please find hereafter what happens if somebody is caught using a pass which does not bear their name & photograph.
1) The person fraudulently using the pass purchases an equivalent pass on the spot. If the person opts for this possibility, the pass used fraudulently is returned to the person attempting to use it fraudulently.
2) The person fraudulently using the pass pays a fine of 5 times the day pass value i.e. 5 x 48,50 € = 242,50 €. If the person opts for this possibility, the pass used fraudulently is retained because the person who permitted the use of his pass may be an accomplice and therefore liable to the same fine of 5 times the day pass value.
3) We call the police and the person may be liable for up to three months in jail & fines up to 375 000,00 €.
Paragraphs 2 & 3 are the law talking. The last time I remember the person opting for solution n°3, he was fined 20 000,00 FRF (+/- 3 000,00 €). The jail sentence and huge fines are defined to cover large-scale frauds.
Options 1) & 2) automatically extinguish any further recourse to the law and there are no other consequences.
We regularly have complete identity checks on the main access lifts & notably after the February holiday period when people start trying to sell off their season passes in order to pay their trip home.
Does anyone know any of those discount international phone numbers to make cheap calls from France to the UK?
Try:
or
Where to buy fireworks
Just in case anyone else wants to know, you can get them from Quilting and Michegan in Sallanches, the toy shop opposite North Face store in Chamonix and you can get Chinese fireworks delivered.
Bulk printers
Does anyone know where I can get bulk printing of documents from?
1. PERBIPLAN, 370 RUE DES PRES CATON. 74190 Passy Tél : 0450937703
2. Imprimerie Nouvelle, Sallanches
3. Atelier Esope, back road towards Les Praz
4. Gavin at ChamServe. 0450 533641
5. Jon Dobson: 06 21 902 923
Can anyone recommend a company for converting and transferring money?
We use James Lovick at Foreign Currencies Direct who provide good rates (pretty much the market rate assuming it is a batch / reasonable value conversion - not sure if they have a minimum).
Email: jll@currencies.co.uk
Frances
I have used HiFx in the past, well worth looking at - they are also happy to hold a rate with a small deposit, can be very handy.
Alex
http://www.halofinancial.com/ are also very good and send out a daily email with their thoughts on the euro/pound rate.
Be warned though the company we had been using for 5 years went into administration last year with £7,000 of our money in transit. We are still waiting to see if will get any of it back after the administration process runs it’s course. There is little regulation of FX companies and no guaranteed support from FSA or anyone else like you’d get if a bank goes bust.
We were lucky having over the years used the company for chalet/apartment purchases with 6 figure sums. One of their clients lost over £500k which was the final payment for his dream retirement home in the sun, apparently we the creditors are looking likely to get around 30% back!
When i was choosing a new company to work i asked them all if the money was protected and they all admitted it was not but assure you it’s kept in trust accounts etc. This is not actually any legal guarantee though it seems..
Not trying to scaremonger just thought you should be aware the risks.
Giles
Currencies Direct seems to be the best we have found to date, needs to be greater than £5000 though,
Todd
The Foremost Currency Group Ltd http://www.foremostcurrencygroup.co.uk
They will handle any transaction over €5000 and this has saved thousands of pounds over the last few years.
Foremost Currency Group are registered with the UKMTA (UK Money Transmitter’s Association) and have to abide by their rules.
From November 2009, the whole sector will come under the FSA.
Also, FCG has an Online Trading Platform. The minimum trade in one day is £500, useful if you want to exchange smaller amounts. There is a daily maximum of £10,000
Log onto http://www.efirstfx.co.uk. and watch live rates.
If you have any questions, you are better going directly to Callum Wiper at FCG
Richard
After some research, I used Currency Index Ltd for my most recent reasonably large transfer – much better rate than the Bank. My contact there is Tom Arnold. He deals with any transfer irrespective of size. They are also HMRC and FSA Regulated, so hopefully are more likely to provide a much more secure service than many of the others unregulated brokers out there. You can contact them on 0800 043 2623 or 0044 1923 777 562. Email Tom Arnold tom.arnold@currencyindex.co.uk Any others??
Regards Tom
Can anyone recommend a good place for getting your car branded with company logo?
In brief - Jon Dobson - he has done all our vehicles plus many others in the Valley, plus all sorts of other clothing and branding for us. http://www.originalt.eu/
Tyres, winter tyres and puncture repairs
Cherrat from Rapido Pneus – 0629815139 or 06.69.90.89.29
Matt @ Lespneuschezvous (Annecy) - 0450 100 231 or contact@lespneuschezvous.fr
Seamstresses
For those of you who asked for details on seamstresses here they are, or most of them as I managed to delete a few responses.
Molly on 0633625467 molly.e@hotmail.com
Cloe 04 50 53 55 41
Marie 0675 124537
Marina - tel 06 19 89 84 17 She does not speak English at all
There's a really nice lady down in Sallanches. Go to the industrial zone, she's opposite the new Kauder Security office.
There's one in Chemin du Bourgeat in Les Houches. I don't have the house number or telephone number but if you drive down there, it's obvious which house it is as she has an advert on her gate and a sign
Builders, plumbers, materials, etc
What is the best way, how to add when looking for a carpentery or other building work in Chamonix area? - fully equipped skilled carpenter working for 23E/hour with taxes. 64 94 98 330
Plumbers
- I've just met plumber Jean-Baptiste 06 33 67 43 82, he's brilliant. Really nice guy and worked really efficiently. Would totally recommend him.
- Iain Bracco: 06 28 80 57 07
- Dave Lovage: 06 14 24 99 00
- Roberto: 06 31 12 64 20
- Robert Tritz 06 79 21 03 08
- Christian Antoniotti (French registered and really good): 06 64 36 83 76
- Mr Ponchaud of Degelment Ponchaud - 0680688022
Gardening Services
The Mountain Garden Company ---- Garden maintenance, window boxes, landscaping, design, planting, supply of garden furniture etc.
http://www.themountaingardencompany.com 0033 688 09 57 98 - Julian Heasman, Andy McNeillie and Marianne Tiegen.
Diggers and Earthworks
We are building a chalet this summer and need someone to do the earthworks. I would appreciate if any chamsharers could let me know of any good companies they have worked with. Ones to avoid would be good to know as well. Answered as follows:
- The Mountain Garden Company.com -- 06 88 09 57 98
- Nicolas quatre seasons 0673840277.
- Martin Bagnod on 06 03 93 80 61
- tim alpine landscaping 0642099435
- Benedetti Guelpan Munari 06.11.56.14.36
- Mabboux 04.50.21.18.21
- Cupelin 06.60.36.82.38
- Pavel Musil - carpenter, doing wooden floor, roofs, joinery work - kitchen furniture, also plasterboard walls, plasters, painting, shutters,
- good quality and cheap (23E/hour with taxes)
- highly recomended, he reconstructed a challet in Les Praz - very good work email: anatawa@email.cz 0033 649498330
Gravel for icy driveways
For those who need gravel a summary of responses follows:
- The quarry beside the parapente field in Chamonix, Cottard Materiaux 04 50 53 02 77, they sell by weight and will deliver. Bring buckets / strong bags.
- Gravellerie, next to the river, down behind the petrol station off the motorway at Les Houches
- There is a bin of grit near the toilets at the end of the tourist office.
- The best grade for any icy drive is 4/10.
- Sand works too – keep a bit in the car if ever you get stuck!
Recommendations
For more info and contact details see the original mails on the list, they're too long to repeat here but in brief:
I would highly recommend Tim Kitching who has done a lot of work around the valley, is a very skilled builder with a fully registered French business and has done some excellent work on our place.
If he is too busy then I would suggest Jason Keeble, also very skilled and a master carpenter, also fully French registered.
Jon
http://www.renovations-chamonix.com
My husband Pete is a carpenter, joiner and furniture restorer by trade who over the years learned the art of tiling, plastering and then later full scale renovation. His company now uses only French registered tradesmen, picking the right people for each job and he will be upfront in his pricing for any work.
Jane
also: Peter is just finishing a short, uncomplicated redecoration of my old office. Although straightforward, the work he has done is excellent and attentive to detail; he started and will be finished on time and kept the site as tidy as any professional should – one sign of a good decorator, is someone who puts down floor protection when painting and then does not drip or splatter paint on it. Peter gave a great demonstration of the art. As I said to him earlier, I am happy to recommend him to the community at large.
Adam
If anyone requires the help of a good professional English speaking plumber this summer, I can highly recommend Mattias Bystrom.
Great Swedish chap who has worked for me all winter as an airport transfer driver, hard worker, good personality and very reliable.
Damo
May I introduce to you 'Alpine Electrics'. We are a French registered and insured electrical company that has been operating in the Chamonix valley for the past two years. We carry out all elements of electrical work including new installations, renovations and repair work. We are available to give advice and free quotes for your projects.
Please give us a call with any enquiries.
Chris Pope <alpineelectrics@hotmail.co.uk> Alpine Electrics 04 50 18 64 38 06 11 15 32 58
What you can do about bad building work
Sadly poor work does go on in France by Builders, carpenters, electricians etc. From experience I have found that the easiest route to take if this happens to you is to find a Hussier de Justice (they are normally linked to insurance companies) and ask them to do a constat de travail. This is a full assessment of the work undertaken and will include photographs, descriptions of everything that you feel has not been done to your satisfaction. This will cost approx 300 euros. Once you have received this document send a letter with an accuse de reception to the artisan (!!) stating that you have had the constat completed and that if the work is not finished within a certain period of time (you decide) then you will seek the advice of a lawyer. In most cases they are back like a shot. If they are not then unfortunately you have to go down the legal road but should get all your costs reimbursed.
Transport
More information about transfer companies
More information about car sharing
Bus & Train Timetables
http://www.chamonix.com/page.php?page=55&r=horaires_transports&ling=fr
Day Bus http://www.chamonix-bus.com/horaire.htm
Night Bus http://www.chamonix-bus.com/Maj/Chamonuit.pdf
Valley Train http://world.chamonix.com/PDF/sncf.pdf
Free bus to courmayeur
I spoke to the tourist office and have found out that it is the same bus that you pay for from SAT that is running this winter, you have to provide your Unlimited pass to get on for free and reservations are recommended.
Last year i got a really good PDF from Compagnie Mont Blanc that had all the info, i was hoping that this would be the case this year.
But not to worry i have put the link in for anyone else who wants it and i just need to write up the info for my guests myself - i was trying to be lazy!!
http://www.sat-montblanc.com/fr/lignes_regulieres/PDF/CHXCMR_Hiver.pdf
Driving over, or avoiding, the Col des Montets & Col de Forclaz in bad weather
They have only once in 7 years closed the Col de Forclaz as far as I know
If the Col des Montets is closed, then the Col de Forclaz will suck big time but it doesn't officially ever close in winter as there is no avalanche danger (that is the only reason the Col des Montets shuts). Just went over that in the last big storm we had a week and a bit ago and nearly could not get up Forclaz (Montets was actually OK by comparison and well ploughed) and I am a very good snow driver.
Note, I've been over the Forclaz a couple of times when it's been 'closed' and there's actually a small side steep road that winds down through the villages that has been open both times - Tom
Much easier, less stressful and safer in poor weather to just drive from Bern CH towards Lausanne, and go to Geneva around the lake and to Chamonix from there, as they will probably get through faster that way due to reduced driving speeds on the 2 cols in bad weather.
"If they make the decision at Bern to go via Geneva it is only 30min - 1 hour slower than the Col's route with no snow. Having driven both variants a few times this winter, if there's a chance of bad conditions let alone closure I go the long way round"
There are signs, only around Martigny, which show whether it's been closed. One is on the main ring road, another is at the bottom of the road up near the petrol station.
If they have to drive through the tunnel it shouldn't take more than one hour waiting, but you never know. Trains share the tunnel and you can't send both at once so that is why there may be a wait. They rarely close the tunnel although they have done once or twice when there is avalanche risk at the beginning of it. This is unlikely at this time of year. If you go onto the Vallorcine Tourist info website then there should be a number to call to find out if the Col De Montets is closed Répondeur DDE au 04 50 53 05 51. Or try the tourist office in Vallorcine: OT Vallorcine 04 50 54 60 71
The TSR website gives current status of the Cols: http://www.tsr.ch/tsr/index.html?siteSect=609001
More info here http://www.chamonix.net/english/transport/routes.htm
How long does the train takes between Zurich airport and Geneva airport?
3 hours normally and they go every hour during the day.
Useful sites: http://www.seat61.com/ and http://rail.ch
Do I need to change my driving licence from a UK one to a French one?
It's actually very easy to get a french driving licence and it doesn't cost anything either, just patience with the various forms you need to fill in.
On the subject of UK licences, you can drive perfectly legally over here with your UK licence. The DVLA won't change the address on the licence to an overseas address but you're not under any obligation to change your licence when you move here, you simply keep your last known address in the UK. It only becomes invalid, when the picture expires or you get caught speeding or some other infraction which means that you have to have points.
EU directive: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/drivinglicence/principles/002_en.htm
The French version: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/drivinglicence/principles/002_fr.htm
As a further note it does seem as though the local police are not always up to speed with the law since i have been told twice now after being pulled over (for random checks!) that since i live here i need to change my license. Pointing out that they are wrong doesn't help the situation.
and for Non-EU driving licenses
For any of you with non-EU passports, be aware that you must switch to a French license within one year of your official immigration to France. If you do not, you lose the right to legally drive with your non-EU license, your insurance becomes null and void (since you are driving illegally), but worse, you can no longer exchange it and you must take the French license exam, after doing all their long and involved training, which all costs around €1500 and takes months or years. This happened to an Iranian friend of mine and if it wasn't for his pointing this out it would have happened to me as well --- I slipped in just under the one year deadline!
If you are here "visiting" ;-) for more than the 180 days allowed for most non-EU countries in the visa waiver program and you have a major accident, I think the same above rules would apply --- no insurance coverage or legal protection, even if you paid for a policy... potentially very bad news.
Incidentally, converting my US license to a French one only took a quick trip down to the Prefecture in Annecy --- they took my US license, gave me a temporary French paper one, then sent the real one by post in about a week. French licenses are lifetime, so once you have it no need to worry about it expiring. As with everything in France, you do need a heap of paperwork and all the instructions are in French...
UK car insurance with French Control technique
When I came out here I did a lot of research into car insurance that would cover me for the whole year in the whole of Europe. I found Stuart Collins http://www.stuartcollins.com. They offer 365days European cover (with AXA) and it didn't cost any extra than a normal UK policy (but your car has to be resistered in the UK).
Having contacted them about the MOT this is what they had to say...
If the car were on the road in the UK it would have to carry current mot and road tax to be driven legally. We understand the car is not in the UK, so our thought (and it’s only our thought) is that the local authorities may stop you and ask to see the vehicle documents. If they see that the UK papers are not up to date they may insist on you registering the car in France or even to remove your car from their country However, the policy will work without UK mot, but in those circumstances we recommend a local safety check be carried out, you may be able to obtain a control technique and that would certainly satisfy the Insurers of the vehicle roadworthiness
So basically if you get a control technique your insurance will still be valid if you need to make a claim, but you run a risk with the French authorities if they ask to see your papers - having said that I imagine a gendarme would accept a Control technique, at least they'd understand it! It's a lot cheaper than driving back to the UK!
Note, The Controle Technique garage will now only carry out tests on UK registered cars if you have a Certificate of Conformity from your vehicle manufacturer. The guy from the one past Les Bossons told me last week that this was a recent law change made in the past few weeks. I got one for free from Subaru but Ford UK are trying to charge us £85 for the privilege.
It is also now as far as I can tell impossible to find a CT garage that will pass a UK without changing the headlamps, they are no longer allowed to accept stickers/converters.
Changing your UK plated car onto French plates
Having changed my car onto French plates and found it extremely easy; here is an idiots guide as to how to do it.
Follow these steps in order and it should work, you need to go with the correct documentation each time and you will get what you want, if you don’t then it will be a different story...
You can also use this link to a website for British ex-pats living in France:
http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/684121/printpost.aspx
1. Tear off the small bit of paper on the back of your current UK registration form(V50) and fill it in and post it back to the DVLA to say you are importing the car into France. You must keep the rest of the V50 certificate.
2. Go to the Hotel Des Impots in Sallanches, this is located just behind Carrefour, there is a road sign for it as you head back toward Sallanches high street from exiting Carrefour.
You need to ask for a Quittus Fiscal document - you need to take along the remainder of your V50 registration document, proof of where you live like a utility bill in France, passport and driving license. Its free and they help you fill it out.
3. You then need to get a ‘Type Approval’ or ‘European Certificate of Conformity’ for your car, this is mandatory. This took a few phone calls to get the right place in the UK. I did via the garage at home where I brought the car from, they passed me to VW UK, if you have a VW, Skoda or Audi then you can use this phone number +44 (0)1908 601 534. If not then you need to locate the manufactures Department of Homologation and ask them for a form to request this Type Approval. It maybe free, as mine was, or you may have to pay around £50 - £60 for it, they should post it to your home address in France.
4. You then have to get a control technique, which may or may not mean you have to change your headlights. I just booked mine in to see if it would pass or fail. I was lucky enought that is passed and so far I have not had to change my headlights on the car. I would suggest you book it in and see what happens. I used the Control Technique place in Taconnaz.
If you do need to get new headlights then you can look at French Ebay and I also chatted to people about the scrapyard in Sallanches; which is just off the last roundabout towards the far end of the industrial state, (past Pointe P etc). Worst case is that you have to order them at the garage which will be the most expensive.
If the car fails anything at the Control Technique a re-test if free.
5. Once you have all of this you have to go to the Sous-Prefecture in Bonneville (122 Rue Pont), and fill in the Demand de Certificate d'immatriculation, you take this to the counter with your Quittus Fiscal, Type Approval, Utility Bill or proof of address, Control Technique and passport. They then fill in a load of stuff on the computer and you wait till you are called to another counter and you will be presented with your new registration document (Carte Gris) with your new French registration number.
This you pay for according to the power of your car, mine cost me 258 euros and I have a 1.4 16v car.
6. Get the plates made up at a cordonnier like the one in Carrefour and get them riveted on to the car. The new plates cost 23 Euros and they usually give you the rivets to attach them with.
You then need to insure the car in France.
Geneva Airports Discounts for locally registered cars
Discount parking and motorway vignette stickers for people in the region around Geneva airport
http://www.gva.ch/en/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-46/
There's a voucher for discounted parking at Geneva on this link. You need a 74 plate and your carte grise. http://www.gva.ch/en/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-304/
Friendly Scrapyard in Cluses
... just thought I would pass on that I found a very amenable scrapyard today down in Cluses ... after much faffing with grumpy mechanics at garages, these Italian guys were refreshingly helpful, didn't make a fuss and actually offered to help me out rather than tutting, shaking their heads, saying 'non' and so on and so forth....
They hire out skips, take broken cars and get the impression they pick up all kinds of industrial waste/metals so thought it might be of interest for people in the renovation business....There might be somewhere closer to Cham but they are located just off the Cluses toll after the magasin BUT.
Swiss motorway vignette info
Q: How much do they cost? A: Motorway tax stickers cost 40 Swiss francs. They can be purchased at any manned border crossing or in foreign currencies at the customs office. However, change will be given in Swiss francs.
Q: Do all vehicle require one? A: In effect, yes - all cars, motorcycles, mobile homes and trailers. Full list of exempted vehicles can be found at http://bit.ly/c6oYWY
Q: On which Swiss roads will I require a vignette? A: Only autoroutes, not general roads. See http://bit.ly/bQLojo
Q: Can I drive to Geneva Airport without one? A: Yes, if you leave the A40 or N205 at J14 Annemasse and enter into CH through the Douanes at Rue de Geneve. You'll need to traverse central Geneva city streets and traffic to get to the airport.
Q: Can the motorway tax sticker be transferred in the event of a change of car? A: No. The motorway tax sticker can only be transferred together with the vehicle, i.e. peeling off and transferring to other vehicles is not permitted. Motorway tax stickers which have been peeled off lose their validity.
Q: What's the easiest way to remove old expired stickers? A: Gently heating the vignette with a hairdryer to loosen the glue and then peeling it off with a Stanley knife blade will remove the item in one piece. Vinegar, petrol or lighter fluid can then be used to remove the residual glue.
Q: Will the motorway tax sticker be replaced in the event of a broken windscreen? A: Yes. If a damaged windscreen has to be replaced, insurances for vehicles licensed in Switzerland cover the replacement of the motorway tax sticker. For foreign vehicles, the cost for the replacement of the motorway tax sticker may be reimbursed, if insurances do not cover the costs. The damaged motorway tax sticker, a confirmation by the insurance that the sticker is not covered and the invoice for the replaced windscreen have to be provided.
Q: What are the penalties for driving on the autoroute without one or using a tampered vignette? A: A fine of CHF 100 is charged for driving without a valid motorway tax sticker or with a sticker which has been tampered. In addition to this fine, a new sticker must be purchased and displayed on the vehicle. Prosecution within Switzerland is conducted by the individual cantons. Anyone found in contravention of the regulations at the border by customs officials is prosecuted and judged by the Federal Customs Administration. Forgery of motorway tax stickers (i.e. forging of official stamps) is a punishable crime as is the use of such forgeries. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is responsible for bringing prosecution.
Translation Services
Not a translator herself but an agent who was willing to put in the hard yards- Sarah Barnes Tel: 06 45 85 64 95 Communiquer 74 - Making your life in France easier http://www.communiquer74.com/
Used these guys a few weeks ago, normally takes 10 days or you can pay extra and they do it in 48 hours, plus postage time. Reasonable rates too - €40 for a birth certificate translation.
http://www.traducteurs-assermentes.fr
We have used Jenny Corhumel for all our official translations. She is based just outside Annecy and is an accredited translator. 04.50.68.20.45 06.25.02.02.66 jenny.corhumel@wanadoo.fr
This is a link to the Chambre de Commerce site where there is a list of official translators.
http://www.ca-chambery.justice.fr/art_pix/1_H.pdf
Exceptionally useful Site!!
I can only suggest that you visit the Société Française des Traducteurs web site (http://www.sft.fr) where you can search for a translator by region. Otherwise, try the yellow pages for Annecy.
Anybody who need translation to Russian, do not hesitate to e-mail me.
- Some sentences I will do for free.
- One full page A4 20 eu
- More than 5 pages 15 eu/page
Andrey Dukmasov da-business@hotmail.com 0632863428
Suzanne Claret-Tournier
ALP' TRADUCTIONS Membre de la Société Française des Traducteurs Chamonix Mont-Blanc
T : +33 (0)4 50 53 57 49 E : info@alptraductions.com / alptraduct@aol.com
http://www.alptraductions.com
Sports in and around Chamonix
Physio, Pilates & Yoga
There seems to be a lot of interest in finding pilates classes and a sound physio so for those interested this is what was shared:
Phiysios
Helen Magnusson 0672198736
Bjorn TOFT 06 78 53 68 02 www.physioinnovation.com
Mike 06 32 30 38 57
Debbie 04 50 53 61 41
Délphine Couttet or Franck Lafuma both physios in les Praz n°: 0450938557
Neil Maclean-Martin MSc BSc MCSP SRP tel: 04 50 18 05 08 mob: 06 18 66 31 72 email: info@thechamonixclinic.com
Kirsten and Anna - info@physi-chamonix.com or http://www.physi-chamonix.com
Kelly for pilates: http://www.alpine-yoga.com
Dina Wills: yoga, pilates and personal training (0645 37 41 83)
Chiropractors
I have just used Sigrid Sabourdy she speaks great english and knows her stuff 0450559628
Corinne Corolleur – she’s amazing 0450531463
'The Chamonix Clinic' 04 50 18 05 08
Sky TV Boxes and Installation
People who might be able to help
Talk to Andy who installs and specialises in Sat TV for ex-pats. His number is 0624681728
Simon Spalter (list memeber) sells satellite kit in the UK:
Stb,receivers,decoders Sky Remote controls etc.. Eyes amps
Installing Satalite TV yourself
Good news:
The sky satellite footprint covers most of Europe,
Bad news:
However the BBC and ITV and a few other freeview channels have recently reduced their signal power. If you have noticed that your picture quality has dropped or goes during bad weather, this is the reason. The solution to this is to install at least an 80cm dish. You may still loose BBC in snow storms though.
How to get Freeview:
Its easy. Don't sign up with sky and take out a package that includes the hardware, ie dish, lnb and digibox. Instead you can buy any skybox online. A quick google search:
http://buyme.co.uk
If you get the box from sky, it must be connected to a UK telephone line for at least 12 months. This is because the interactive companies subsidise the cost of your digibox.
So, order your sky box, go down to boite a outils and buy an 80cm dish with universal LNB. A length of good quality coax cable and some F connectors. You can also get a satellite finder for about 15 euros. If you would like to have sky in another room with remote control, then also buy a sky magic eye and 2nd remote.
Once your new box has arrived, mount your dish, it needs to be facing 28.2 degrees east of south... Make sense?
If south is 180 degrees on a compass, go 28.2 deg to the east. So its 151.8 degrees. Phew.
Elevation is also important, but with the sat finder and your digibox on and set to signal strength page, you will find it easily. Its in the services menu. Then option 4 then 6.
Get your signal quality as high as possible. Net ID should be 002, and
transport stream 07d4. The strength is also important, but will not be that
high here so far south. Quality is the important one. The cable you run from
the dish to the box must not be twisted or bent too far,not more than the
radius of a 2litre coke bottle.
So, you now have a box with signal. Congrats! You have freeview!
Other freeview options
And don't forget there is a free option for UK channels these days (after one-off payment): http://www.freesat.co.uk/
You still need a box / dish etc. but can enjoy Strictly Come Dancing FoC after that. Sky also offers a one-off fee service with minimal channels: http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/
How to get Sky pay channels:
Some points of consideration:
Sky TV has licence to broadcast to the UK only, this is why you cannot Legally have a sky subscription for an address outside of the UK.
Don’t try to go for the sky multi room offer if you already have an account in the UK, the multi room offer requires that the 2nd box is connected to the same telephone line as the original box.
If you wanted to bring your own box out from the UK after your initial one year connection period, that would probably be outside your contract with sky...
Magic Eye & multi tv splitters
You order this from the same company you order the digibox through. The digi box has a 2nd RF output, you run a coax cable throught to the location of the 2nd TV. Plug the magic eye in the cable before it goes into the RF input on the 2nd TV. It Is possible to run this on multiple TVs, but you will need a special Magic Eye compatible Amplifier / Splitter.
The Magic eye doesn’t allow you to watch different channels on the 2nd TV, if you change the channel on box 2, it will also change on TV 1.
Multi room: You definitely have to have them connected to the telephone line.
Weak signal problems? Question: Sky works fine, the problem is the signal on her 2 other tv's which run off eyes grainy picture and loads of feedback from pressing the remotes to change volume etc. I suspect the problem is with the splitter
Answer: The Eye works on TV Rf channels, its possible a new channel has just switched on the same frequency as your box outputs...
Goto settings, press 01 select (important to press the 0 and 1) Then rf output Check the freq, make sure its not conflicting with any other freq. best to have 2 spare channels either side to get good picture.
If its not that then your connectors or cable might have got damaged.
FYI you cannot pass a magic eye signal through an amplifier, it needs to be designed to handle the 9v that the magic eye passes through. Having re read your message I think that may be the cause.
Beware of scams
There are lots of ways people can try to rip off chalet businesses:
The 'copy your website' scam
A particularly nasty and hard to catch one is when scammers copy your chalet's details from your website and put them on their own site, or a big chalet rentals site. They change the contact details to be their own and the potential guest contacts them instead of you, the scammers take the 'deposit' money, and disappear.
How to avoid this?
It's difficult, but keeping an eye out for people duplicating your content is one thing, sites like this can help:
Another idea:
What we do to help protect us against this type of thing is set up Google to send us an email every time it finds a webpage with the name of our property/business... (thus it helps if you have a fairly unique name) That way you will get a heads-up if anyone is creating these scam listings for your property!!
These are called Google alerts - you can find out more on how to set this up on http://www.google.com/alerts
Places where this kind of scam activity is know to have occurred
http://www.travel-library.com/
Here are the details given to Travel-Library by the people operating the fake adverts:
George SANDS, French Mobile: 06 26 93 75 61 e-mail: rentvilla@ymail.com French Fax: 08 21 45 64 58.
The person who e-mails clients requesting money from unsuspecting clients is:
Isabelle RENARD: - She requests that money is sent to her UK NAT WEST Bank Account at Flat 5, St. Peters Road, Birmingham B17 OAY, UK. The bank address is a false address Swift Code: NWBK GB 2L. IBAN: GB16 NWBK 6012 5136 1321 28
HOW TO HELP STOP THE SCAM
Anyone who has more information about the people or website mentioned here please share this with the group &
1) Holiday-Rentals were trying to track and prosecute fraudulent sites. Send an e-mail to Sandy at the Holiday-Rentals phishing team at phishing@holiday-rentals.co.uk who is investigating both the scam adverts & the Travel-Library website.
2) Copy mail to Carl Sheperd at Home & Away is also involved in tracking & prosecution in the USA, (Travel Library's parent company is in the USA), you can copy at csheperd@homeaway.com.
3) Copy to the Nat West phishing fraud team at phishing@natwest.com giving them as much detail as possible about the scam.
4) Complain to Trip Advisor ( the American owners of Travel Library) at 141.Needlham Street, Newtown MA 0246, USA. Tel: +1 617 670 6300 Fax: +1 718 444 1146.
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO PROSECUTE The French Police need to have proof that a crime has been committed so if a group turn up at your chalet having made a booking with these scammers then please do your best to get their details & convince them to "porter plainte". This is the only legal way to have an investigation & possible prosecution.
The fake directory scam
Q: The other day I got an invoice from a company I’d never heard of. The company is called ‘Tourist Directory’ NovaChannel. They are based in Lucerne in Switzerland. They claim that I filled out their form and then invoiced me over a thousand Euros! Has anyone else had this?
A: Certainly sounds as though this is one of the age old scams. These companies assume that the people they email are remote from the purchasing department and owners of the company. I would just ignore it …unless you have someone authorised to place orders on your behalf without your signing off?
There is more information about scam listings and what you can do about them here:
Food and Drink
Vegetarian
"The original post appears to be a list of all the restaurants that subscribe to Cham-share, for example I have been tipped off by a waitress that Alan Peru vegetarian dishes often have fish oil in them, I contacted the owners to check on this and received no reply. Similarly as a (non-fish eating) vegetarian there is ALMOST NOTHING on the Satzuki menu that will eat. A number of others seem to be here due to the fact that they sometimes offer as little as one vegetarian option. The Petite Kitchen actually goes so far as to have a diatribe against vegetarian options on it's toilet wall. I have not deleted or amended anyone else's contribution here but please be warned that the contents seem to be recommendations of "mates places". Restaurants I would like to recommend to vegetarians who actually like to enjoy their food are (In order of how frequently I eat there):
- Lapin Agile (as well as the veggie dish of the day try the soups!)
- The Delice
- The Rusticana
- Annapurna (as well as the veg curries try the thali or put several side dishes together for a meal!)
- Casa Valereo (as well as the pizza's try the pasta's and salads!)
- The Jekyll
- Munchies
- Tigre Tigre
Obviously the pizza based restaurants and mexican restaurants tend to (but don't necessarily) have several veggie options.
Original Post:
Vegetarian option recommendations by you A huge thank you to all of you for your time and tastebuds! FYI There IS vegetarian food alive and kicking in France ;)
- Alan Peru (opposite Le Garage)(see note below re fish)
- Satsuki (see note below re fish)
- Annapurna
- Caveau
- Munchies
- TigreTigre
- Chambre Neuf
- Casa Valerio
- Bistro des Sports
- Cantina
- MBC
- Hotel Eden
- The Delice (Les Houches)
- The Rusticana (Argentiere)
....recommendations straight from the horse's mouth...
"I'm vegan and i love eating at the Alan Peru, good prices great quality and a nice
cosy atmosphere. They also have a good wine selection this year. Some
other options are Anapurna the indian, the cantina has some veggie
options, munchies has a few veggie options, i heard the hotel Eden has
a good selection and Cassa valereo and some of the other italian
restaurants can be fairly interesting for most vegetarians. The Delice
in les Houches The Rusticana in Argentiere and i noticed the other day
that there satsuki have a fairly large selection of vegetarian dishes
There are tonnes more such as Tiger Tiger and probably the Jekyll and
hyde near chamonix the MBC and the office bar in Argentiere. Personally
the Alan Peru is my favorite at the moment."
"Munchies has one or two items, Caveau has several items, The Marmottons
café (at Grands Montets bottom) has a bunch of stuff mostly with cheese
but about 8 things ... , MBC has a couple of things, the Chinese
restaurants in town are absolutely awful for vegetarians (forewarned),
Annapurna (Indian) and Tigre Tigre have Indian food, Chambre 9 has a
couple of items, the Japanese restaurant Satsuki has several (but miso
soup is fish stock however other things are OK, you have to ask which
things have no fish or meat), and the Italian restaurants in town
normally have pasta dishes that are veg - Casa Valerio and Bar Tavel,
and the Bistro des Sports has a couple vegetarian things (one not even
with cheese). Cheese is a large feature of most vegetarian options
except at the Indian place and the new Korean place at the Aiguille du
Midi lift has a couple of things."
"Delice can also do veggie sushi if you book in advance for thursday evenings, when they do sushi night.
In Cham the Petite Kitchen is sometimes okay, as well as le Caveau
(quite a lot of cheesy based things though) and apparently Munchie is good for veggies but expensive."
"the Impossible has been taken over by new management and their food is all organic, much of it veggie and
looks pretty impressive."
