Eco-participation on electrical or electronic appliances

I often get asked by my English clients what Eco-participation is. Here is a brief explanation about it. I hope you will find the information helpful:

When you buy electrical or electronic appliances in France, you have probably noticed if you live in France, you pay an extra charge.

For example, for a €450 plasma TV, the eco-participation is about €4.

For a €16 hairdryer, the eco-participation is about 5 cents.

The eco-participation is not a tax, as the French government doesn’t get 1 cent from it!

This charge covers for the future recycling of the item you buy. Recycling companies (éco-organismes) decide on the amount of the charge and receive the money from the shop where you buy the item from.

The average cost is about €0.52 per kg. 74% goes towards handling, 14% for transport and 12% for administration and other fees.

From 2011 onwards, the ‘éco-participation’ will probably be included in the price. It is already the case for tires. When you buy tires for your car in France, you pay for their future recycling without knowing.

Please note:

When you buy an electrical or electronic appliance from a shop in France, you can in exchange take the old one back. If you have the item delivered to your house, they can also take the old one away as part of their service.

You can of course take it to the déchetterie.

Summer Sales 2010 in France

In France, sales are regulated. Shops are not allowed to have sales whenever they want. French shops have winter sales in January and winter sales in July.

I have just looked at the official web site of the French administration and the next sales start on Wednesday 30^th June. Sales in France only last 5 weeks so it is best to shop as soon as they start to get what you want!

I will be going to Rennes (Brittany, France) with a couple of friends to get a few items of clothing!

Woupi near Rennes

Woupi is an indoor playground (Wakey Warehouse type), in Cap Malo, North of Rennes (about 30 minutes drive from our gite in Evran).

It is €6 per child for one hour or €8 for unlimited time. It is free for adults.

It is open all year. As it is indoor only, it could be a great place to visit on a hot or rainy day. Hopefully we won't have too many rainy days this summer!

Drinks and sweets are available there for children and hot drinks and seating area for adults.

See this link for more information.

In Cap Malo, you will find all sorts of entertainments and shops. See this link here. Cinema, golf course, bowling alley, karting, soccer, kitchen place, DIY shop, garden centre, various restaurants, toy shop, etc.
You could spend there all day!!

Vide greniers around Dinan on 8th and 9th May 2010

If you are on holiday around Dinan in Brittany or if you live around here, you might find a bargain at the following car boot sales:


On Saturday 8^th May 2010 you will find vide greniers in Pleslin Trigavou (10 min North of Dinan), and in the centre of Quévert and St Méloir des Bois, about 15 minutes West of Dinan. They are close to each other so you can even visit the 3 of them in one day!

On Saturday 9^th May, Pleudihen has its own vide grenier in the Salle des fêtes. At least it will be covered so even if it rains, you should stay dry!

Don’t forget, the 8^th May is a bank holiday in France. Most supermarkets and shops will be shut.

See this link here for bank holidays in France.

The Bicycle-Rail, Médréac

If you are spending your holiday near Dinan in Brittany, why not visit Médréac and try its ‘bicycle-rail’ (le vélo rail). You can pedal along a section of the old 'Brohiniere-Dinan-Dinard' rail line.

Our guests staying in our gite often try it and write a great comment in our guest book about it.

Depending how fit you are, you can choose from 2 courses, one is 10 km and the other 14 km. And for the unfit ones, a motorized coach is also available for rental!!

Médréac is 20 minutes South of Dinan, 10 min South of Evran n Brittany, France.

Have fun!

Le Grand Aquarium, St Malo

If you are renting out a gite in Brittany this summer, I would suggest visiting the Grand Aquarium in St Malo. It is about 20 minutes from Dinan, 30 min from our gite in Evran.

The Grand Aquarium invites you to discover the oceans of the world with all its sea creatures which will truly amaze you.

It is the perfect activity for a rainy day in Brittany but hopefully it won’t rain when you come over!

Visit this web site for more information about the Grand Aquarium.

Cobac Parc Near Dinan in Brittany

If you are renting a gite in Brittany near Dinan, I would advice you to visit the aqua park, Cobac Parc. Located in Lanhelin, on the St Malo - Rennes road. GPS coordonates: 48° 26' 12'' Nord/ 1° 50'2'' Ouest.

It is well sign-posted - if, like me, you don't have a GPS - you should find the park very easily.

Once you have paid to get in (€16 from the age of 12 onwards, €13.50 between 3 and 11 years old), you can spend the whole day there and have access to 30 different rides.

You can bring your own picnic. If you don't fancy carrying it all day you can leave it in the car. They will stamp your hand so you will be able to get in and out of the park without any problems. They have several picnic areas.

You will of course find food there (burgers, chips, sandwiches, pizzas, drinks, etc).

In June, July and August, the pool area is open from 1pm. Beware, boys are not allowed to wear shorts! They have to wear swimming trucks!

It is a great day out for children (and adults!).

Cobac Parc has new attractions each year, so if you have been there before, you might discover new attractions this year!

For more information, you can visit their web site here.