PRESIDENT Sarkozy spent just over an hour outlining a number of new measures designed to boost the French economy, tackle unemployment levels and gain the votes of the population before this year's election.

Here is a look at the media coverage:

Nicolas Sarkozy bids to revive political fortunes with economic crisis interview - The Guardian
French president defends his record in hour-long interview on television but makes no announcement about election candidacy.

Nicolas Sarkozy sets out stall for re-election - The Telegraph
President Nicolas Sarkozy set out "shock measures" designed to show he has the "courage" needed to reinvigorate France's faltering economy three months ahead of elections.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy to bring in 0.1pc Financial Transaction Tax in August - The Telegraph
France has added some more rocket fuel to Monday's already volatile summit of EU leaders by pledging to introduce a 0.1pc tax on financial transactions in August.

Sarkozy unveils economic reforms in televised interview - France 24
French President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled economic reforms aimed at reviving France’s ailing economy during a televised interview on Sunday, but did not confirm his intentions to seek a second term in April's presidential elections.

A SPECIAL thank you to the websites that advertise on This French Life, I hope you will drop in on their sites to see if they can help out.

FranceTriptailor
Regional and customised tours in France for independent travellers.

DatePositive.net
Almost 6,000 members with genuine profiles, with ongoing advice, help and support.

EcoSpirit Dating
A meeting place for Green and Spiritual people.

Bank House Investment Management
Guillaume Barlet of Bank House Investment Management provides conveyancing, tax and estate planning service for those in France.

Properties for Sale in France
Gregor is keen to help you sell your French property to an international audience.

Find out how you can see your business on This French Life.

New business start-ups also took the chance to get their websites off to a strong start and if you want to take part in next week's round-up drop me a line.

So here are details of the offers and deals from businesses in France.

Moulin de Pierretoune - riverside holiday chalets near Biarritz
A 10% discount on a two week booking placed before the end of January 2012 and also a four night stay during the Easter period at the price of just €225 rather than €275 including welcome basket of local produce.

Writer's Block Admin Services
Jo offers Virtual Assistant services to English speaking small businesses and sole traders; Jo can help with administration of all kinds as well as social media management. As a special offer Jo is offering new clients a 30 minute free trial worth £10.

121GuitarLessons
New arrival to France, Alistair Pope has started face-to-face guitar lessons in Saint-Sozy (Lot-Dordogne region), and others further afield may wish to have guitar lessons via Skype.

Talk this way!
A new online language school. We teach French for all levels and purposes through Skype or on our site, mention This French Life and enjoy 12 lessons for the price of 10 for bookings throughout 2012. We also offer 1 to 1 classes all over France (prices to be discussed) with packs starting from €99.

Bed & Breakfast Carcassonne
In the heart of the Renaissance Bastide of Carcassonne, nestling in the foothills of the Pyrenees of Southern France, is No.11, a comfortable B&B currently offering four nights for the price of three.

Phoenix Trading greeting cards
Norida Midavaine has recently started as a distributor of Phoenix Trading greeting cards, a company based in the UK that has a growing presence in France.

And remember if you run a small business in France and have an offer or deal then get in touch, there is no fee for this service, I just know how difficult it is to promote a business and hopefully this will help you get off on the right foot.

If you have any questions email me: craig@thisfrenchlife.com

Chiffres du chômage : une hausse continue depuis... par BFMTV
CATCH up with the news headlines from France, including the continued rise in unemployment with those aged over 50 seeing a 2% increase in December.

French unemployment hits 12-year high in December - France 24
French government figures show the number of jobseekers in France rose by 29,700 in December to reach 2.87 million, the highest level since 1999, in further bad news for President Nicolas Sarkozy ahead of elections in the spring.

Why the French adore Jean Dujardin - The Guardian
He may be charming in The Artist, but the Oscar hopeful is loved in France for his scathing sendups – and his brilliance at moving between the deadpan and madcap.

Sarkozy honours French troops shot in Afghanistan - France 24
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday honoured the four French troops who were shot dead last week by a man wearing an Afghan army uniform. Their deaths have fuelled speculation that France may seek to accelerate its Afghan withdrawal.

'Time travelling' French presidential candidate ridiculed for Normandy claims - The Telegraph
Hervé Morin, a French presidential candidate and former defence minister, has become a national laughing stock after he claimed he witnessed the Allied landings at Normandy in 1944, which took place 17 years before he was born.

Corpse of bank robber found wedged in air vent - The Telegraph
The corpse of a suspected bank robber who died after becoming wedged in an air vent has been discovered in the French city of Lyon.

Credit Agricole and Societe Generale downgraded by S&P - The Telegraph
Two of France's largest banks have been downgraded by Standard & Poor's as the ratings agency followed up on its earlier downgrade of the country's sovereign rating.

WHAT looks to be an intriguing exhibition of relief models of fortified towns in France is currently on display at the Grand Palais in Paris.

The incredibly detailed maps were produced for military purposes from the reign of Louis XIV to the end of the 19th century.

For example, the map of Cherbourg covers an area of 160m² and would have provided military officers with information on siege warfare and fortifications, but also planners an insight into the geography of the area.

Some of the plans show a France long gone, for example the relief map of Brest shows the town before the bombs of world war two destroyed much of it.

The list of towns on show:
Montmélian (Savoie), Embrun (Hautes-Alpes), Briançon (Hautes-Alpes), Montdauphin (Hautes-Alpes), Grenoble (Isère), Fort Barraux (Isère), Exilles (Italie), Fenestrelles (Italie), Besançon (Doubs), Neuf-Brisach (Haut-Rhin), Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin), Luxembourg, Berg-op-Zoom (Pays-Bas), Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais), Cherbourg (Manche), Brest (Finistère).

La France en relief - De Louis XIV à Napoléon III
Grand Palais, Nef.
18 January to 17 February 2012

Tant qu'il y aura des morts, il faudra agir pour une route plus sûre - Sécurité routière

François Hollande a devoilé son programme par BFMTV
THE Socialist candidate for this year's presidential elections, François Hollande, has put forward his plan for a new France, with the financial sector one of his key targets.

Here is a look at some of the headlines:

Francois Hollande stages first major rally in 2012 French presidential race - The Guardian
If elected, first he would immediately pull French troops out of Aghanistan, form a new Franco-German "pact" and renegotiate the recent European treaty to dig the eurozone out of its crisis. Then he would rein in finance, reforming banks with a law to separate their loan-making business from their 'speculative operations'. He said money would be put in its place 'as a servant and not a master'.

French front-runner pledges to cut his pay by 30 per cent as he aims to become next president - The Telegraph
Francois Hollande, the front-runner to become France's next president pledged to cut his and his government's pay by 30 per cent on Sunday, as he hit out at the rich while seeking to dispel niggling doubts he has what it takes to become his country's next leader.

Europe needs new direction, says Socialist presidential frontrunner - RFI
Three months ahead of France's presidential election, Socialist frontrunner François Hollande has unveiled his plans for the country at his first mass campaign rally on Sunday saying he intends to present a new Franco-German treaty to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in January 2013 if elected leader.

Hollande vows to 'change destiny of France' - France 24
Socialist Party presidential candidate Francois Hollande kickstarted his bid for the Elysée on Sunday with the first major speech of his campaign. Before a 15,000-strong crowd of supporters, Hollande said he was ready to serve the French people.

highlandgames.canalblog.com par EBOBE
OVER the past few days I've enjoyed some interesting articles and blog posts so instead of keeping them to myself I thought I would point them out so you can follow the authors and their experiences of French life.

Remember if you enjoy the websites a short comment to add to a piece or just to say thanks will always bring a smile to a blogger's heart.

Cooking on a poele a bois - woodburning fire: Deux-Sèvres Life
I've used the top of the 'poele a bois' for heating soups, browning jacket potatoes (wrapped in foil, of course), warming plates, simmering casseroles - all standing on cast iron trivets - and as a heat source for proving bread rolls before cooking in the electric oven.

WoW l'Herault
If you are new to the Herault region of France then drop in and find out more about the local area.

Highland Games, Bressuire
Get in training in time for this summer's games, or just find out more about the Highland Games competition in Deux-Sèvres.

Tea and the working man – a tale of two countries: Michael Streeter
It is a cliché – and therefore true – in Britain that when you have a workman in your home the chances are that before long they will ask you for a cup of tea.

Four young men save elderly French woman from fire: France Today
In need of a break from all the usual doom and gloom you see, hear or read about in the news? Then how about the story of an elderly woman saved from an apartment fire by the quick thinking and bravery of some of her neighbours.

Sowing for 2012: Kitchen Garden in France
I sowed my first seeds of 2012 today. Just a few cauliflowers and some Antirrhinum's which I'm hoping to get to grow in a corner bed, I use for attracting insects into the "potager". I also planted up some pumpkin seeds I had germinated.... I know it's a bit early but hey!!

The conjunction of the eurozone crisis, the loss of France's triple-A credit rating, and rampant unemployment, currently at a 12-year high, has given unexpected credibility to Le Pen's anti-Europe, anti-immigration stance. The economic storm has created what political pundits and pollsters believe may be a now-or-never moment for the Front National after 40 years spent largely in the political backwaters.

via www.guardian.co.uk

But I am also keen to feature any new offers or services from smaller business owners in France, for example a last minute deal for a gite booking, new products in your shop or money off end-of-line items. Drop me a line with the details.

Here is the first collection of deals:

Loire Valley Time Travel - 10% off for early bookings
Enjoy a trip around the historic Loire Valley with a private guide in a chauffeur drive classic car, deal is open for trips booked and paid for before the end of May 2012.

Flight sale – 10% off return city, sun and ski flights with Jet2.com*
Airline Jet2.com is offering 10% off all new return flights when the promotional code SALE10 is inserted at the checkout during booking.

Magazine Group - big subscription sale*
Get some of your favourite magazines delivered to France, including three issues for £1 on selected titles.

Irish Ferries offer booking discount
The ferry firms early booking discount and reduced booking deposit arrangement applicable on their Ireland to France service will remain in place until the end of January 2012.

The links marked with a * earn a small commission on any sales, there's no extra cost to you and it helps keep This French Life up and running (as well as the dog in biscuits).

And remember if you run a small business in France and have an offer or deal then get in touch, there is no fee for this service, I just know how difficult it is to promote a business and hopefully this will help you get off on the right foot.

If you have any questions email me: craig@thisfrenchlife.com