1
00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,280
Speaker 1: It is to France that we go today. But the

2
00:00:02,279 --> 00:00:03,880
Speaker 1: good news is you don't actually have to book a

3
00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,760
Speaker 1: plane ticket to experience French culture and the delights of

4
00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:11,080
Speaker 1: French food and music and craft and design, because the

5
00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,760
Speaker 1: Festival Francofonie is happening in Cape Town this very weekend,

6
00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:19,400
Speaker 1: celebrating everything about French culture and cuisine right in our backyard.

7
00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,680
Speaker 1: It is being hosted at the Belgian residence in borsof

8
00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:25,400
Speaker 1: Road in Newlands. It is on Saturday from ten and

9
00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:27,960
Speaker 1: till five, and you don't have to spend ascent to

10
00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:30,280
Speaker 1: get in the door and immerse yourself in a little

11
00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:33,720
Speaker 1: corner of France recreated in Cape Town. In fact, it's

12
00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:37,160
Speaker 1: a corner of France and other countries with links to France,

13
00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:39,080
Speaker 1: which I'll explain in a moment. But if you want

14
00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,800
Speaker 1: to taste a baguette, see some Cancan dances in action,

15
00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:45,159
Speaker 1: listen to French music, and explore the wonderful world of

16
00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:47,479
Speaker 1: French culture, that is where you want to be this

17
00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:50,160
Speaker 1: coming Saturday. And to tell us more about that event,

18
00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:53,000
Speaker 1: as well as talking about travel to France itself, it's

19
00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:55,639
Speaker 1: my huge pleasure to have with us in studio Sophie Bell,

20
00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:58,120
Speaker 1: who is the Consul General of France in Cape Ton

21
00:00:58,160 --> 00:00:59,360
Speaker 1: Bian Venue, Sophie.

22
00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:00,880
Speaker 2: In QPP for having me.

23
00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:03,200
Speaker 1: It's a huge pleasure to have you with us today

24
00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,280
Speaker 1: the Francophony Festival. Let's start there before we go to

25
00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,280
Speaker 1: France itself. This event is not only about France. It's

26
00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:13,000
Speaker 1: a celebration of the culture of French speaking countries more broadly,

27
00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:13,559
Speaker 1: isn't it.

28
00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:19,160
Speaker 3: Absolutely we are celebrating Francophone cultures around the world. And

29
00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:22,839
Speaker 3: what's important to stress is that more than three hundred

30
00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:28,319
Speaker 3: three hundred million people speak French around the world, half

31
00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:31,720
Speaker 3: of them being in Africa. You know, there's a growth

32
00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:36,640
Speaker 3: of French speakers. This trend is really carried by Africa,

33
00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:40,280
Speaker 3: and we will celebrate French speaking countries around the world,

34
00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:47,960
Speaker 3: so not only France, but also Belgium, Switzerland, the DRC, Madagascar, Romania.

35
00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:51,280
Speaker 3: You know, all these countries are part of this wider

36
00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:55,280
Speaker 3: family of Francophone countries and it's very important to stras

37
00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,720
Speaker 3: the diversity of cultures that we will be celebrating. As

38
00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:02,400
Speaker 3: you mentioned this today the fourteenth of March at the

39
00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:05,720
Speaker 3: Belgian Residency New Lands, so we are really waiting for

40
00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:06,480
Speaker 3: you there.

41
00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:08,720
Speaker 1: It sounds so exciting, and I mean you've listed some

42
00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:10,720
Speaker 1: of the countries that have been my favorites to visit,

43
00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:13,880
Speaker 1: like Madagascar for example, as well as France itself. But

44
00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:15,880
Speaker 1: important to me to just pick up on what you

45
00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:19,440
Speaker 1: said about Francophone Africa. I don't know if listeners quite

46
00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,800
Speaker 1: everybody knows how substantial a portion of the French speaking

47
00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:24,840
Speaker 1: world that is. There are twenty four countries on this

48
00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:28,200
Speaker 1: continent that have French as an official language. So as

49
00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:30,480
Speaker 1: you say, half of the entire body of French speakers

50
00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:34,680
Speaker 1: worldwide are right here in Africa. So incredible diversity on display.

51
00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:36,400
Speaker 1: What are some of the highlights you'd like to mention

52
00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:38,200
Speaker 1: that visitors can look forward to this weekend?

53
00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:41,320
Speaker 3: So of course you will find, you know, tons of

54
00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:49,000
Speaker 3: delicious food Swiss raclette, Belgian beers, French cheese, macaroons, pastries,

55
00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:52,760
Speaker 3: but also live music and performances. You already mentioned the

56
00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:56,519
Speaker 3: French concan densers, so it's something new that we added.

57
00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:58,640
Speaker 2: To this edition. We're going to have.

58
00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:06,240
Speaker 3: Its Congolese music, you know, artisans and a lot of

59
00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,440
Speaker 3: people coming showing their skills and what they do in

60
00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:13,560
Speaker 3: their country. We're gonna have fashion shows, it's gonna be

61
00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:18,280
Speaker 3: it's gonna be fun, it's kids friendly, it's free off charge. Really,

62
00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:20,960
Speaker 3: I mean, it's my curd edition and I always have

63
00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:24,520
Speaker 3: a very good time, So really join us this Saturday.

64
00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:26,640
Speaker 1: Even French Dog breeds by the way, so if you're

65
00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:28,600
Speaker 1: an apple lover, you must go and make sure that

66
00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,919
Speaker 1: you take a turn at the poodle. One thing to mention,

67
00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,360
Speaker 1: I know whenever we talk about events at the Belgian

68
00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:39,400
Speaker 1: Residents parking and getting there, people worry about that. As

69
00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:41,880
Speaker 1: as Sophie has mentioned, it's free entrance at the gate,

70
00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,200
Speaker 1: but to get to the gate does not have to

71
00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,400
Speaker 1: be a headache. There is parking available at the Stone

72
00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:48,880
Speaker 1: Cottages near Kirsten Bosh, and there is a free shuttle

73
00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:50,840
Speaker 1: that will take you from your car to the residence

74
00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:53,120
Speaker 1: and back again. So don't let that worry you that

75
00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,120
Speaker 1: you might think you're gonna have to park miles away

76
00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:57,960
Speaker 1: and be exhausted by the time you get to the gate.

77
00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,000
Speaker 1: That does not apply. Okay. So that is the Francophony

78
00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:03,280
Speaker 1: Festival happening this weekend, And if you've been to one

79
00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,600
Speaker 1: of the previous iterations and want to share some feedback

80
00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:07,920
Speaker 1: with us on what you enjoyed and experienced for the

81
00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,440
Speaker 1: first time, or perhaps something new that you came to

82
00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,680
Speaker 1: learn about Francophone culture. Please do you send a what's

83
00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:17,440
Speaker 1: up to seven two five six seven one five six seven,

84
00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:19,040
Speaker 1: And that is a way for you to have a

85
00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:22,040
Speaker 1: little taste of France and its cousins, shall we call

86
00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:24,839
Speaker 1: them right here in Cape Tard. But of course this

87
00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:26,920
Speaker 1: is our travel segment and we do want to talk

88
00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:30,800
Speaker 1: about visiting France itself in today's segment. And Sophie, let's

89
00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:33,640
Speaker 1: start with some of the basic logistics for somebody traveling

90
00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:36,360
Speaker 1: on a South African passport, as I do, a Shanngen

91
00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:40,360
Speaker 1: visa is required. How far in advance is it advised

92
00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:42,320
Speaker 1: to apply for a visa if you are wanting to

93
00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:43,760
Speaker 1: come from South Africa to visit France.

94
00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:46,920
Speaker 3: Well, you know, I mean, if you know your travel

95
00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:50,479
Speaker 3: dates wear ahead. You can apply up to six months

96
00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:54,000
Speaker 3: and a minimum of fifteen days before travel. So my

97
00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,800
Speaker 3: recommendation if you already know your dates, don't wait for

98
00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:00,400
Speaker 3: the last minute to apply for a Shanghan visa.

99
00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:01,279
Speaker 2: That's the first thing.

100
00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:05,400
Speaker 3: Ensure your passport has two blank pages and three months

101
00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:09,320
Speaker 3: validity post return. That's important as well. And also bear

102
00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,159
Speaker 3: in mind that the Shanngen visa can never exceed the

103
00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:16,200
Speaker 3: remaining validity of your passport and the maximum visa duration

104
00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:19,120
Speaker 3: is five years. So I don't want you to be

105
00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:21,920
Speaker 3: too technical, but I just want to share those details

106
00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:26,000
Speaker 3: with your listeners so their experience is smooth and easy

107
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,679
Speaker 3: with us. But the good thing, if I may add,

108
00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:31,240
Speaker 3: our visa procedure.

109
00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:32,120
Speaker 2: Has been revamped.

110
00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:37,320
Speaker 3: We have reorganized our visa services, so now the whole

111
00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:43,440
Speaker 3: procedure is faster and smoother. Actually, when you need a

112
00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:45,440
Speaker 3: shangaan visa, what do you do? In kept Toown? You

113
00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:49,960
Speaker 3: go to Capago kept Town. This is where you you

114
00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:54,560
Speaker 3: submit your application. Then our Johannesburg hub takes over and

115
00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:58,640
Speaker 3: streamlines processing so you can get an appointment with Capago

116
00:05:58,680 --> 00:05:59,799
Speaker 3: in less than three days.

117
00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,599
Speaker 1: Now, I what a vouch for this because I've literally

118
00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,039
Speaker 1: just been through the process myself. I'm going to Paris

119
00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:06,040
Speaker 1: and Normaldy next.

120
00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,520
Speaker 2: Month and talk back.

121
00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:09,680
Speaker 1: Let me tell you I was blown away. I applied

122
00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:14,360
Speaker 1: in January, I got an appointment. I think within a

123
00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,200
Speaker 1: week of applying. I could have been sooner, it was

124
00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:19,279
Speaker 1: just I got one A week away. I went in

125
00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,479
Speaker 1: for my visa appointment on a Wednesday morning, and my

126
00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,719
Speaker 1: passport with visa inside it was with me on Monday. Okay,

127
00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,200
Speaker 1: it was a three working day turnaround. I could not

128
00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:27,680
Speaker 1: believe it.

129
00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,080
Speaker 3: Amazing to hear and thank you for sharing this feedback

130
00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:32,880
Speaker 3: because we sometimes get a lot of a criticism for

131
00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,560
Speaker 3: being too slow, which is not the case. If your

132
00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:38,320
Speaker 3: file is complete again, you have to you know, you

133
00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,279
Speaker 3: have to submit all the documents that are required, and

134
00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,640
Speaker 3: when your file is complete, visas are usually issued in

135
00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:47,520
Speaker 3: less than three weeks, depending on the season. You know,

136
00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,800
Speaker 3: if you want to go to Paris in July August,

137
00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:52,840
Speaker 3: it's a big season, so you have to plan a

138
00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:57,640
Speaker 3: d again. But we have a ninety six percent approval rate,

139
00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:02,560
Speaker 3: so we issue visas. I mean it's really improval rate

140
00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:04,599
Speaker 3: is huge, it's massive, it's almost a hundred.

141
00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:07,159
Speaker 1: Okay, that's really good to hear, because I think I've

142
00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,560
Speaker 1: said this before. A lot of people go into a

143
00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,160
Speaker 1: visa point feeling like they're going into the dentist's share

144
00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,480
Speaker 1: with that level of worry and common nice. But they

145
00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:18,360
Speaker 1: are much nice. I've got to say. It was a

146
00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:22,080
Speaker 1: really really impressive experience for me from the really lovely

147
00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:24,040
Speaker 1: young lady who helped me at the desk to how

148
00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:25,960
Speaker 1: quickly it was turned around. I will vouch for that.

149
00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,160
Speaker 1: So but due to your homework, there's lots of information

150
00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:31,840
Speaker 1: online about the document mass.

151
00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,240
Speaker 3: And everything will go smoothly, I promise. And we have

152
00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:37,480
Speaker 3: increased the number of visas that we issue so by

153
00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,000
Speaker 3: eight percent compared to last year, so we are issuing

154
00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:45,080
Speaker 3: more visas every year, so it's another important trend to highlight.

155
00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,440
Speaker 3: And there was also a growth of twenty five percent

156
00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:52,640
Speaker 3: in multi years circulation visas meaning up to five years.

157
00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:57,000
Speaker 3: You know, you can get a longer visa up to

158
00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,880
Speaker 3: five years, so there was a huge growth in that

159
00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:01,120
Speaker 3: category as well.

160
00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:04,000
Speaker 1: Okay, that's great to hear. Also lovely to receive a

161
00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,360
Speaker 1: message from Vanya saying we were at the Francophony Food

162
00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:09,160
Speaker 1: and Culture Festival last time and it was amazing. We

163
00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,680
Speaker 1: are definitely coming again this Saturday. Really looking forward to

164
00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:16,840
Speaker 1: a Swiss rauclette with a Belgian duvelle. Is that a Belgian? Okay?

165
00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:19,000
Speaker 1: Coming from Belgian later in the year as well, so

166
00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,320
Speaker 1: I'll have to look that one up as to the date.

167
00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:24,640
Speaker 1: So teble picking up in the fact that the Francophone

168
00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:27,880
Speaker 1: Festival this weekend is Saturday, the fourteenth of March. Usually

169
00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:30,480
Speaker 1: French celebrations are the fourteenth of July and tables saying

170
00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,360
Speaker 1: why not celebrated, Then well, I can give you two reasons.

171
00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:35,760
Speaker 1: One is that the fourteenth of July is my birthday table,

172
00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,440
Speaker 1: so all the important people are celebrating something else. But

173
00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:41,520
Speaker 1: more importantly, I mean, this is not only about France itself,

174
00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,360
Speaker 1: as Sophie said, it is a celebration of the wider

175
00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:51,280
Speaker 1: Francophone community. So it's yeah, you'll have your overting.

176
00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:53,040
Speaker 3: The French national date. It's important to stress that it's

177
00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:56,439
Speaker 3: not only the French who are organizing this event. Actually,

178
00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:59,960
Speaker 3: we have a close partnership with Belgian. It's very import

179
00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:02,080
Speaker 3: and we're not the only ones to organize it. And

180
00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:05,040
Speaker 3: it's it's going to be held at the Belgian residence.

181
00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:08,839
Speaker 3: So again, it's not only about France, but about Francophone

182
00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:15,000
Speaker 3: countries sharing a common language, but with different cultures, traditions,

183
00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:17,880
Speaker 3: food and so on and so forth. So it's something different.

184
00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:20,600
Speaker 3: I will invade you people on our day. It will

185
00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:22,040
Speaker 3: be on the fourteenth of July.

186
00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:25,080
Speaker 1: The last time I was in France for my birthday,

187
00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:28,319
Speaker 1: you put on fireworks and it was fantastic. We are

188
00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:30,960
Speaker 1: in conversation with Sophie Bell, who is the Consul General

189
00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,200
Speaker 1: of France in Cape Town, talking both about this weekend's

190
00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:37,400
Speaker 1: Francophony Festival, which is happening in Cape Town at the

191
00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:41,559
Speaker 1: Belgian Residence in Newlands, but also about visiting France itself

192
00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,360
Speaker 1: and right we've spoken about the visas, now let's talk

193
00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:48,800
Speaker 1: about getting there physically, Sophie. Everyone's avoiding flying through the

194
00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:50,880
Speaker 1: Middle East right now, with very good reason. It's a

195
00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:52,959
Speaker 1: relief to be able to say you can fly direct

196
00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:54,400
Speaker 1: from South Africa to France.

197
00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:57,760
Speaker 3: Yes you can, It's safe. And the good news is

198
00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:02,559
Speaker 3: for your listener, your Captonian listener, flight connectivity from capt

199
00:10:02,559 --> 00:10:07,800
Speaker 3: Town and into Paris is improving. Kept Town Tourism and

200
00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:12,920
Speaker 3: Air France KLM have extended seasonal direct flight to May

201
00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:17,120
Speaker 3: twenty twenty six instead of March and are currently working

202
00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:18,640
Speaker 3: on a year round access.

203
00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:21,000
Speaker 2: That's certainly you're.

204
00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:22,760
Speaker 3: Going to be able to go to straight to Paris,

205
00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:25,760
Speaker 3: I mean throughout the year. So it's a it's a huge,

206
00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:29,120
Speaker 3: huge improvement for business for tourism. For if you want

207
00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,679
Speaker 3: to go skiing or attending a sport event, it's going

208
00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,240
Speaker 3: to be much much easier, and I really want to

209
00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:40,560
Speaker 3: thank the flight companies for making a greater yet.

210
00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:42,720
Speaker 1: And it's it's literally just not a twelve hours direct

211
00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,600
Speaker 1: so it really is an easy flight, not crossing time

212
00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,040
Speaker 1: zones exactly. It couldn't be easier now once you've arrived

213
00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:52,680
Speaker 1: there and you'll fly into Charldogold Airport, getting around Paris

214
00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:55,120
Speaker 1: itself could not be easier. I mean, the public transport

215
00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:58,480
Speaker 1: networks are absolutely fantastic. What about getting around into the

216
00:10:58,520 --> 00:11:01,000
Speaker 1: rest of France, because I really want to Pasides today, Sophie.

217
00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:02,920
Speaker 1: I know everybody obviously wants to go and have the

218
00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:05,000
Speaker 1: experience of Paris. It is the study of lights, the

219
00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,599
Speaker 1: city of love. You could easily spend a week or

220
00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:09,959
Speaker 1: more there and still not have seen everything. But there

221
00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:11,640
Speaker 1: is so much more to see in France.

222
00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:16,640
Speaker 3: Absolutely, I think you've seen Emily in Paris, but there

223
00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:19,520
Speaker 3: is much more than Paris. I absolutely agree, and it's

224
00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:22,120
Speaker 3: even it's easy easy for me to say that because

225
00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,760
Speaker 3: I'm not a Parisian. I come from Toulouse, which is

226
00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:30,359
Speaker 3: the city of space, of the headquarters of Erbus industry,

227
00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:35,720
Speaker 3: a leading city for universities, and I came to Paris

228
00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,640
Speaker 3: for my studies and then I lived there. But I'm

229
00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:41,840
Speaker 3: not from Paris, and actually I really would like to

230
00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:47,600
Speaker 3: highlight lesser known places that are worth discovering, and I

231
00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:51,800
Speaker 3: would highly recommend to start with the Pyrenees, the mountains.

232
00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:55,040
Speaker 3: The mountains, Yes, you know, everybody goes to the Alps

233
00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:58,319
Speaker 3: because I don't know, it's more prestigious, maybe, but the

234
00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:03,800
Speaker 3: peer Inees, which are bordering the Spanish border, are actually

235
00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:09,320
Speaker 3: less crowded, less expensive, more authentic, wilder, and it's a

236
00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:13,320
Speaker 3: family destination. So you can of course ski there, you

237
00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:17,040
Speaker 3: can hike, you can cycle, you can meet more easily

238
00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,840
Speaker 3: the locals and their traditions away from the crowds of

239
00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:24,840
Speaker 3: tourists and any season works. So I would really recommend

240
00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,439
Speaker 3: to go to the Pyrenees and especially to visit the

241
00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:32,080
Speaker 3: Circus of Gavarney. Governe is a natural amphitheater located in

242
00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:36,200
Speaker 3: the heart of the Pyrenees, and it welcomes every summer festival,

243
00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:38,200
Speaker 3: so you can visit any time.

244
00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:39,640
Speaker 2: There is no season.

245
00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:45,000
Speaker 3: For the to go to the Pyrenees or even the Alps.

246
00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:48,640
Speaker 3: You know, you have also the g R Ten, which

247
00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:52,640
Speaker 3: is a super long distance trail that runs across the

248
00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,480
Speaker 3: entirety of the French side of the Pyrenees, from the

249
00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:58,840
Speaker 3: Atlantic to the Mediterranean. You know, for the people who

250
00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:03,120
Speaker 3: love hiking, it's amazing. For sicklist lovers. There is a

251
00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,200
Speaker 3: rail trail from Saint Gerent to for it's in the

252
00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:10,760
Speaker 3: Ariege department, which offers a traffic free route.

253
00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:11,560
Speaker 2: Through the Pyrenees.

254
00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:16,199
Speaker 3: I mean, it's really the cyclist's paradise. So you have Pyrenees,

255
00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:20,079
Speaker 3: really put that on your map. Try to forget a

256
00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:22,079
Speaker 3: little bit about the Alps. Everybody goes to the Alp.

257
00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:24,280
Speaker 3: Try to be a bit more original. But the pan

258
00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,200
Speaker 3: Is and also I would highly recommend to visit the Basque,

259
00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:29,080
Speaker 3: the French Basque Country.

260
00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,360
Speaker 2: Do you know Biaritz Peper have you been to? Yeah?

261
00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,959
Speaker 3: Well really, if you have a chance, just go there.

262
00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:38,240
Speaker 3: So the Basque Country is located in the southwest part

263
00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:41,480
Speaker 3: of France, where I grew up, not very far from Toulouse.

264
00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:45,040
Speaker 3: It's near the Spanish border, and this region has a

265
00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:51,319
Speaker 3: very strong identity culture, its own language, strong culinary traditions

266
00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:55,320
Speaker 3: and a very specific architecture. Basque houses are painted in

267
00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:57,240
Speaker 3: red and they have a.

268
00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:58,000
Speaker 2: Lot of character.

269
00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:03,679
Speaker 3: I speech like cities like Bayon Yarita. I mentioned Yaris

270
00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:07,040
Speaker 3: Guettari Saint Jean Dulous where I got married along the

271
00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:11,360
Speaker 3: Atlantic coast, but the Basque interland also is beautiful. You

272
00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:16,559
Speaker 3: have many many incredible, charming little villages, so it's really

273
00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:20,080
Speaker 3: a very special place, and I would also recommend your

274
00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:22,400
Speaker 3: listeners to discover it, give it a try.

275
00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:24,880
Speaker 1: I've been close to it because I've been through to Lose,

276
00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:27,320
Speaker 1: but then onto the Canal Dumdi to do a barging trip,

277
00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:32,640
Speaker 1: which was also just the most beautiful, relaxing, slow paced holiday.

278
00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:36,440
Speaker 1: Hire a bicycle cycle into the local market, buy some

279
00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:39,320
Speaker 1: bugguette and wine and just pot it down the canal.

280
00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:41,960
Speaker 1: It was the most gorgeous holiday. And I mean, as

281
00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:46,840
Speaker 1: you said, the cuisine was different, the architecture was different

282
00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:49,440
Speaker 1: from the northern part of France. The I mean we

283
00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:53,920
Speaker 1: got to see carcasson, the historic fought so much to

284
00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:56,120
Speaker 1: see in that part of France and so easy to

285
00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:58,120
Speaker 1: get to, Sophie. I mean it was a trade. I

286
00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:01,040
Speaker 1: think we in the end flew from Paris to Lose

287
00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:03,280
Speaker 1: and by the time we collected our luggage we worked

288
00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:05,400
Speaker 1: out it would have been quicker to take the trail.

289
00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:09,040
Speaker 3: Yes, I mean the French TGV is amazing. You know,

290
00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:12,400
Speaker 3: it's our high speed train. You can get anywhere by

291
00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:16,040
Speaker 3: hopping on one of those trains, so it's really easy

292
00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:21,040
Speaker 3: and it's also eco friendly. And France has also become

293
00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:25,520
Speaker 3: a leading destination for sustainable tourism. We really promote a

294
00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:29,760
Speaker 3: for friendly accommodation, green transport, reil over flight. Because of

295
00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:34,200
Speaker 3: this amazing network that we have small cities and charming villages,

296
00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:39,680
Speaker 3: cycle tourism, we are really exploring new niche you know,

297
00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:45,840
Speaker 3: wine tourism, agritourism, heritage trails, and we have launched a campaign,

298
00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:51,800
Speaker 3: a campaign called Explore France with a motto saying a dream, big,

299
00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:57,960
Speaker 3: leave slow, which really highlights this campaign. It highlights the

300
00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:01,720
Speaker 3: authentic experiences you can have as as certain French regions.

301
00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:05,480
Speaker 3: So it's not just about getting more tourists. You know

302
00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:10,400
Speaker 3: that we broke tourism records last year. We welcomed more

303
00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:15,800
Speaker 3: than one hundred million visitors, so France is the world's

304
00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:21,600
Speaker 3: most visited country today. But it's not just about more tourists.

305
00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:26,520
Speaker 3: It's about better tourism, personalized experiences and a deeper connection

306
00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:30,120
Speaker 3: to nature. This is where the potential for economic growth

307
00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:32,720
Speaker 3: lies in this sector, it's.

308
00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,960
Speaker 1: Finding that balance. If all you're doing is getting more

309
00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:39,360
Speaker 1: tourists in, you're going to kill the goose that laid

310
00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:41,400
Speaker 1: the golden egg. As they say, it's going to become

311
00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:44,600
Speaker 1: overcrowded and unplayable and unpleasant. But if you find a

312
00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:48,600
Speaker 1: way of redirecting those tourists other parts of the country,

313
00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:53,040
Speaker 1: making sure they have that personalized experience, then it's something different. Indeed, Yeah,

314
00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:56,160
Speaker 1: Table interesting comments picking up in my comment about people

315
00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,440
Speaker 1: getting stressed by the visa applications and the supplies not

316
00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:02,440
Speaker 1: just to France but to virtually every visa application, Tables saying,

317
00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:04,960
Speaker 1: I think people get so stressed because one needs to

318
00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:08,280
Speaker 1: produce a flight ticket and proof of accommodation even when

319
00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:10,440
Speaker 1: you haven't had a visa granted yet. And the concern

320
00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:13,200
Speaker 1: is what if you are turned down and aren't sure

321
00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:17,639
Speaker 1: of a full refund if that visa application is unsuccessful. Well, Table,

322
00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:18,760
Speaker 1: you'd be one of if.

323
00:17:19,160 --> 00:17:25,159
Speaker 3: To reassure your listener, if you provide everything that is required,

324
00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:30,119
Speaker 3: you will get your visa. You know, again ninety six

325
00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:33,680
Speaker 3: percent approval rate, So it's very rare when we turn

326
00:17:33,800 --> 00:17:37,320
Speaker 3: down an application, you know, usually it's because we get

327
00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:41,639
Speaker 3: false documents. But when you when you provide everything that

328
00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:45,879
Speaker 3: we need, don't worry. You'll get your visa and you're

329
00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:50,720
Speaker 3: going to have a great time in France. So yeah,

330
00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:52,879
Speaker 3: I don't want your listener to worry too much. So

331
00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:55,600
Speaker 3: it's usually it's fine. I mean, it's a yeah, it's

332
00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,480
Speaker 3: a smooth experience table.

333
00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:00,000
Speaker 1: But I understand, I think everyone understands. We've all found

334
00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:03,480
Speaker 1: that anxiety going into those those those.

335
00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:09,560
Speaker 3: Application we we have to apply. Those Shingen rules are

336
00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,600
Speaker 3: European rules. You know, it's not US, it's not one

337
00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:17,639
Speaker 3: single country, it's not France who decided them. So you

338
00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:21,520
Speaker 3: know you you're gonna enter the Shangan area, which is

339
00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:25,399
Speaker 3: a European area, and WI share common borders, and we

340
00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:30,040
Speaker 3: have to apply the same rules between France, Spain, Italy,

341
00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,159
Speaker 3: so it's the same everywhere. It's not as French specificity.

342
00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:36,440
Speaker 3: But again I can guarantee you if you submit everything

343
00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:38,520
Speaker 3: that has been asked, you'll be fine.

344
00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:42,080
Speaker 1: Okay, thank you for that quick, very practical question from Philip.

345
00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:43,919
Speaker 1: On the email, he says, is it true that you

346
00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:46,359
Speaker 1: have to carry your passport with you in France all

347
00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:48,440
Speaker 1: the time? He says, I usually prefer to leave mine

348
00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:50,639
Speaker 1: locked in the hotel safe. But I've been told you

349
00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:51,679
Speaker 1: should always have it on you.

350
00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:55,240
Speaker 3: I would just recommend to keep a copy on you,

351
00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:58,000
Speaker 3: okay usually. I mean I'm a foreigner in South Africa.

352
00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:00,919
Speaker 3: Usually I keep my passport in a safe, but I

353
00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:04,040
Speaker 3: have a copy on me, and I have also I

354
00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,359
Speaker 3: took a picture of my passport in case there is

355
00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:10,840
Speaker 3: an I control. So I think with a copy it

356
00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:12,320
Speaker 3: should be it should be enough.

357
00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:14,439
Speaker 1: Okay, So Philip, leave the passport in the in the

358
00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,720
Speaker 1: hotel safe, absolutely, but keep a copy with you, Okay.

359
00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,359
Speaker 1: You have mentioned July August or the real peak peak season,

360
00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:22,920
Speaker 1: so you so if you don't, I mean you are

361
00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,800
Speaker 1: going to get crowds, that's to be expected. But the

362
00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:28,840
Speaker 1: sort of shoulder seasons are just as beautifully. I mean,

363
00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:32,159
Speaker 1: different times of year are going to be perfect depending

364
00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,359
Speaker 1: on what you want to do. If you're going to

365
00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:35,639
Speaker 1: go on a ski holiday or you're going for Christmas markets,

366
00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:38,879
Speaker 1: obviously that's different to somebody wanting a summer holiday on

367
00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:41,080
Speaker 1: the French riviera. Do you have a particular sort of

368
00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:43,760
Speaker 1: favorite time of year that you want to tell people.

369
00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:45,399
Speaker 2: Is about to start in France?

370
00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:48,840
Speaker 3: So go now, I mean it's really beautiful March April,

371
00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:52,919
Speaker 3: May or the most beautiful month I think in Europe

372
00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:54,159
Speaker 3: in the northern hemisphere.

373
00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:55,760
Speaker 2: Same with the.

374
00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:59,400
Speaker 3: Month of September October. Usually it's a we call that.

375
00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:03,919
Speaker 3: It's a because that called that the Indian summer. You

376
00:20:03,960 --> 00:20:07,479
Speaker 3: still get warm temperatures, but you don't have the crowd,

377
00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:08,280
Speaker 3: the kids.

378
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,439
Speaker 2: Are back to school. It's all yours.

379
00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:14,920
Speaker 3: So really, I would recommend to try spring and the fall,

380
00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:18,600
Speaker 3: which on my two favorite seasons. Actually I'm not a

381
00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:19,480
Speaker 3: big fan of summer.

382
00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:20,560
Speaker 2: It's too hard to cloud it.

383
00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:23,959
Speaker 1: Well, I'll give you feedback on that recommendation when I

384
00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:26,040
Speaker 1: get back in May, because it is a spring visit

385
00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:28,680
Speaker 1: to France that I am looking forward to. Sophie. It's

386
00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:31,400
Speaker 1: been wonderful having you with us to share such personal

387
00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:34,160
Speaker 1: insight on the country that you obviously love and represent.

388
00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:37,399
Speaker 1: I want to just circle back to remind listeners that

389
00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:41,280
Speaker 1: you obviously can dream of and plan and start saving

390
00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:44,480
Speaker 1: towards a trip to France, and don't just make it Paris,

391
00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,399
Speaker 1: go and explore some of the other places Sophie's mentioned,

392
00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:49,520
Speaker 1: But if you want just a little snippet of a

393
00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:53,359
Speaker 1: taste of French culture and Francophone culture right here in

394
00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,920
Speaker 1: Cape Town without having to spend ascent, not even on

395
00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,520
Speaker 1: an entrance fee, let alone a plane ticket. You want

396
00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:01,639
Speaker 1: to get yourself to Newlan's the weekend on Saturday at

397
00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:05,240
Speaker 1: the Belgian residence in Bossop Street for the annual Francophony Festival.

398
00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:09,120
Speaker 1: Sophie Belf, Consul General of France in Capton Mercibuku, thank

399
00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:10,080
Speaker 1: you so much for your advice.

400
00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,920
Speaker 3: This afternoon was really a pleasure and an honor to

401
00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:13,280
Speaker 3: be with you.

402
00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:14,920
Speaker 2: PIPA thank you so mn opportunity.

403
00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:16,199
Speaker 1: It's our great pleasure