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Dec 31

Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve)

Le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve)

The new year (le nouvel an) is fast approaching.

In France, as elsewhere, New Year’s Eve (called le réveillon du jour de l’an) is typically celebrated with friends. It’s common to celebrate the new year with champagne and fireworks.

But did you know that, unlike in English, New Year’s Eve also has a different name? In French, New Year’s Eve is also known as le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre.

New Years Eve

But who was Saint Sylvester?

Saint Sylvester was pope (pape) from 314 to 335 AD. Not much is known about his life, although the church grew in power during his tenure, erecting such monuments as Santa Croce in Jerusalem and the old Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Most of our common knowledge about Saint Sylvester is through unverified (and potentially fictional) stories about his relationship with the Emperor Constantine. One fictitious story stated that, upon administering blessed water, Sylvester cured Constantine of leprosy. Supposedly, it was Sylvester’s miracle that influenced Constantine to convert to Christianity.

The Feast of Saint Sylvester is celebrated around the world on December 31, because this was the day he died in 335. Today, many countries around the world—and not just France—refer to New Year’s Eve as Silvester, or a similar name in tribute of the ancient pope. For example, in Germany, Christian households traditionally celebrate Saint Sylvester’s Day by melting Silvesterblei (Silvester lead) in a spoon and dropping it into cold water, then divining the year ahead based on the shape of the cooled metal. In Switzerland, men dress as Silvesterklaus and ring large bells to welcome in the new year.

In France, la Saint Sylvestre is celebrated with friends, good food, champagne, and firecrackers or noisemakers. But there is one more tradition that is often reserved for this special day: le baiser sous le gui (kissing under the mistletoe). Unlike in some Anglophone cultures, where kissing under the mistletoe is a Christmas tradition, this ancient ritual is reserved for la Saint-Sylvestre in France.

Bonne année!

Cle Mortgages

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Add CommentViews: 11057
Dec 31

The New Year is Fast Approaching

Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre (New Year’s Eve)

The New Year (le nouvel an) is fast approaching. 

In France, as elsewhere, New Year’s Eve (called le réveillon du jour de l’an) is typically celebrated with friends. It’s common to celebrate the new year with champagne and fireworks. But did you know that, unlike in English, New Year’s Eve also has a different name?

In French, New Year’s Eve is also known as le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre.

But who was Saint Sylvester?

Bonne Annee

Saint Sylvester was Pope (Pape) from 314 to 335 AD. Not much is known about his life, although the church grew in power during his tenure, erecting such monuments as Santa Croce in Jerusalem and the old Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Most of our common knowledge about Saint Sylvester is through unverified (and potentially fictional) stories about his relationship with the Emperor Constantine. One fictitious story stated that, upon administering blessed water, Sylvester cured Constantine of leprosy. Supposedly, it was Sylvester’s miracle that influenced Constantine to convert to Christianity.

The Feast of Saint Sylvester is celebrated around the world on December 31, because this was the day he died in 335. Today, many countries around the world, and not just France, refer to New Year’s Eve as Silvester, or a similar name in tribute of the ancient pope. For example, in Germany, Christian households traditionally celebrate Saint Sylvester’s Day by melting Silvesterblei (Silvester lead) in a spoon and dropping it into cold water, then divining the year ahead based on the shape of the cooled metal. In Switzerland, men dress as Silvesterklaus and ring large bells to welcome in the new year. 

In France, la Saint Sylvestre is celebrated with friends, good food, champagne, and firecrackers or noisemakers. But there is one more tradition that is often reserved for this special day: le baiser sous le gui (kissing under the mistletoe). Unlike in some Anglophone cultures, where kissing under the mistletoe is a Christmas tradition, this ancient ritual is reserved for la Saint-Sylvestre in France. 

Bonne année!

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Add CommentViews: 4247
Dec 24

Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY FESTIVE PERIOD

Best wishes to everyone form all of us here at Cle France, we wish everyone Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année....

Happy Xmas from Cle France

We are open 24/7 on-line so keep enjoying all the beautiful French property for sale and all our information about buying a house in France as usual on the website, but we may take a few days to get back to you if you send in any questions / requests over the Christmas period as we too will be enjoying the festive period with our feet up!

Happy Christmas from Sharon, David, Simon, Alex and all the team at Cle France.

Add CommentViews: 4153
Dec 21

Currency Exchange News - Thursday 21st December

Outlook for Pound, Euro and Dollar 2024

A quick update on the latest trends.

Pound to Euro is trading sideways at the moment, moving in a fairly tight range.

Standing back though, the GBP / EUR rate is a lot closer to the high than the low for 2023.

The trend still looks positive for Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD), having hit a three-month high last week.

Moving forward, we see 2024 as being a year of rate cuts.

Bear in mind, rate cuts tend to weaken a currency.

Markets expect the US Fed to lead the way (March is pencilled in) and the rest to follow.

We see the ECB joining in soon thereafter, but the UK holding back a few months (2nd half of 2024 perhaps).

The Bank of England seems to be the only major central bank still talking tough on inflation.

Everyone else is hinting at cuts. That is keeping the Pound strong for now.

With exchange rates currently 'stable', you might wish to secure a rate now and rest easy over the festive break.

So what next, what should you do?

Get ahead of the game and read our Guide to Foreign Currency Exchange.

Download the Guide Here - with no obligation of course.

With exchange rates currently 'stable', you might wish to secure a rate now and rest easy over the festive break.

You can speak to us on 01872 487 500.

Or to find out our latest rates, click below.

Get a Quick Quote

Benefits of using Key Currency:

  1. Great exchange rates
  2. Quick and easy transfers
  3. No transfer fees
  4. Expert help and guidance
  5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Thursday 21st December 2023 at 08.45

£1.00 GBP = 1.1530 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2628 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.8721 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 2.0209 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6847 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 1.0898 CHF

  • Want to Learn More?

  • We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.
  • Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

    Brexit Guide Download

  • Need to Send Money Abroad?

    • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
    • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
    • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

Cle France Currency Guide link

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

  • Key Currency can save you money by offering more competitive rates of exchange than your bank.
  • Clients can typically save you 3-4% of the total transaction value, which can result in significant cost savings.
  • All client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks keeping your money safe and secure.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Add CommentViews: 726
Dec 13

Why 2024 is set for currency volatility

Markets are forward-looking beasts

By saying that, I mean they not only react to current news but also try to anticipate news before it occurs.

Which is why I wanted to touch on what’s happening right now.

Futures markets are pricing in a bunch of interest rate cuts in 2024.

Good news for borrowers, but a mixed bag for currencies.

At the moment, markets are expecting the EU to slash rates by around 1.5% next year, the US to cut by 1.25% and the UK by 0.75%.

As currencies weaken with lower rates, any difference in the size of the cuts would trigger a good dose of currency volatility.

If all remains unchanged (a big if), the Pound should benefit relative to the Euro and Dollar.

A lot could & will happen between now and then, but that is the current consensus thinking across the medium term.

In the short-term we have had a bit of profit taking in Pound Sterling after its stellar run recently.

Both GBP/EUR and GBP/USD have drifted down over the past week.

There’s just over 2 weeks to go in 2023...

So what next, what should you do?

Get ahead of the game and read our Guide to Foreign Currency Exchange.

Download the Guide Here - with no obligation of course.

If you have a currency requirement and want the peace of mind of securing a rate now, please get in touch.

You can speak to us on 01872 487 500.

Or to find out our latest rates, click below.

Get a Quick Quote

Benefits of using Key Currency:

  1. Great exchange rates
  2. Quick and easy transfers
  3. No transfer fees
  4. Expert help and guidance
  5. Authorised by the FCA

Current rates: 

Wednesday 13th December 2023 at 10.00

£1.00 GBP = 1.1610 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2524 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.9107 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 2.0542 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.7025 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 1.0973 CHF

  • Want to Learn More?

  • We have created a selection of Free PDF Guides for you to download covering many aspects of buying property abroad, visit our PDF Guides Page today or download our "Buying A Property in France" Guide PDF document.
  • Want to Live in France Post-Brexit? download our "PDF Guide to Living in France Post-Brexit" document.

    Brexit Guide Download

  • Need to Send Money Abroad?

    • At Clé France / Key Currency, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.
    • We are pleased to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.
    • As a Clé France website visitor, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

Cle France Currency Guide link

How to Save Money on your foreign currency transfers

  • Key Currency can save you money by offering more competitive rates of exchange than your bank.
  • Clients can typically save you 3-4% of the total transaction value, which can result in significant cost savings.
  • All client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks keeping your money safe and secure.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Add CommentViews: 658

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