French licensee looks to life across the channel

A French licensee who is so obsessed with British culture he has just bought a London black cab is keen to expand his links in the UK.

Alain Cauchon has transformed his hotel Le St Vincent in the Vendee area into a shrine to Blighty and he hopes one day to be a pub licensee on the other side of the Channel.

This summer, he took his passion to a new level by buying and driving a Hackney carriage back to France.

And now he is keen that other people follow his journey.

He said: "I would like to organise an exchange with British people for a week.

"We would welcome between 12 and 15 people, with visits around the Vendee every day and accommodation at our French friends' houses or even at our hotel with free bedrooms."

He added: "We'd also organise a good party every evening or maybe darts and pool games. Why not do it every year?"

And teaming up with a British publican would be ideal exchange for Alain.

"My ultimate dream is to have my own pub in England. One day I hope it will happen," he said.

Until then, Alain continues to pour pints in his Anglais bar with the black cab parked outside.

He and wife Florence spent four days bringing the 14-year-old Hackney carriage back from London.

And Alain now plans to use the cab to help overcome France's tough drink-drive laws, by driving some of his customers home in it at the end of a night.

If you are interested in Alain's exchange offer, you can email him at aubergelestvincent@orange.fr