168 Brits applied for French Nationality last year. Does not seem a lot when you think how many expats we know.Sadly our plans to consider applying may be 'scuppered' as under the new regime new citizens must give up their old nationality.A new charter on rights and responsibilities has to be signed and it states you will not be able to claim other citizenship on French soil. I think few of us would be happy to give up our English passport so perhaps staying European citizens will be the best for us.
Thanks to Kath Airey for saving a piece she noticed in The Times headlined 'You like garlic and Piaf, you've got a gite and a beret. But do you know enough to be French?' Under the new rules that come into force in January, candidates for naturalisation will have to demonstrate a grasp of French history, culture and cuisine.Did you know for example that blanquette de veau, a veal stew with cream and egg yolks is cited as France's favourite dish? Who is Johnny Halliday? Well I know that one as at 13 years old on a french exchange I hung around a record stall in the local market swooning over Johnny and Sacha Distell and Johnny is still rocking.
