At last! A bank account!

Yesterday, after our 7th visit to a bank, we finally opened an account!  The key to success was that we finally went to the bank (some distance from the flat) where our landlady has her account and she was our 'parrain' or sponsor.  I hope that won't be arduous for her.   Once we had all the planets lined up (our UK bank statements for the last three months, our passports, our tax returns, Peter's contract, the landlady's passport, her elecricity bill and a statement from her that she is lodging us) it only took about an hour for all the details to be entered and paperwork to be churned out.  We have internet access already and are now waiting for a PIN number to arrive by post sometime before the end of next week.  Armed with the PIN I can go all the way back to the bank to collect our debit cards and cheque book.  Phew!  Vive la France!