Usually, when there is a power cut, I am either sitting at my computer or listening to the radio, or there are lights on etc. Normally, I think, EDF switches off, then switches on again, to warn that electricity will be cut off, by them, so that you know it’s them and not a meter cupboard problem.
You are right about taking all that electricity gives us for granted. Makes me think just how vulnerable we are. Those in really cold countries are at such great risk, if they rely on electricity.
This 
is not true.
Also, ENEDIS manage the power cuts, not EDF.
But it can be an indicator that all isn’t totally good with the network
Yes they are handy things - apart from very cheap disposable ones, they have a small reservoir inside that is refilled the same way as cigarette lighters (use the same butane cans) - the ignition method is actually a piezo-electric element that makes a spark.
@billybutcher That’s the things, do they produce a flame or a spark? A flame would be more helpful.
It’s automatic, isn’t it, my first thought yesterday was to switch the mini oven on and light a match from the element. 
Usually a flame - they’ve a gas cannister in the handle as @hairbear says.
The piezo igniter produces a spark which then ignites the butane gas flame. So technically, both!!
Its crystal clear now
I started out with EDF in 1984 and it’s been EDF ever since. ENEDIS means EDF to me, and always will I’m afraid! When it matters, I look up ENEDIS when necessary.
When I said what you say is untrue I said “I think EDF switches off, then switches on again, to warn” meaning I wasn’t sure.
Maybe, but times change.
Although more closely connected to ENEDIS than other third party energy suppliers EDF do not deal with the actual electrical network, despite what they might have done in the past. They are increasingly just a marketing operation, albeit with being the providers of the state regulated tarifs.
The issue here is that others might read your theory & take it as fact. With matters electrical the wrong assumptions can be dangerous, although not in this particular case.
Went to the supermarket this morning but nothing of the kind was available. So dropped into my favourite coffee shop on the way to Jules’ favourite walking field and asked the French owner what they were called in French.
She had no idea but said she had a spare one upstairs and promplty fetched it down and gave it to me.
She has no idea what fuel is in it, how to refill it, or even why she bought it in the first place. In fact all she was sure of was she didn’t want it, so it’s mine 
Almost the same as the ones above but made by Bic and it has a button instead of a trigger. Now handily placed by the fire ready for the next power cut.
Only drawback is it does not seem to be rechargeable, not very environmentally friendly if it is a chuck away and replace, but I have read their website description and that seems to be the case.
Yes some of them are disposable; the refillable ones have a small hole in the bottom where you can poke in the nozzle from a can of butane gas meant for cigarette lighters (as described already above, these things are essentially fag lighters with a long nose to allow them to be poked into stoves / open fires).
For future reference I would have a look in a brico or camping / sports goods store for these - supermarkets probably only stock them in high summer when they are also selling BBQ fuel and paraphernalia.
Since I wrote the above I found a YT video where a young Frenchman was demonstrating how to (unofficially) take the thing apart with a knife and replace the canister inside with an ordinary cigarette lighter. But he had to dismantle a good deal of both the object itself and also the cigarette lighter.
Not at all easy and at least one commenter agreed with me thus:
C’est déplorable que certaines entreprises n’ont pas encore compris l’importance du recyclage, de la protection de notre planète et l’économie de ses resources.
Merci pour cette formidable vidéo
What an idiot, couple of euros from Action. Guy needs a proper hobby.
Is that what they cost? I have seen them at €3.90 from Carrefour, but Action is closer to me should I need another.
4 for 9€ on Amazon.
The BIC as low as 2,50 euros in supermarkets in season though up to about 4,50 depending which. Own brands about 3 euros that look identical.
I went for this http://www.amazon.de/Futlidys-Lighter-Windproof-Function-Refillable/dp/B0BZZHG43C
Nice lighters appear to be the business of this manufcturer. I’m now trying to find a big enough canister of butane to make the fuel more economical.
The BIC just looks so tacky even though I have seen some trendies and ladies of a stronger disposition use it to light their cigarettes.
We had one of them, it was crap at lighting and as you say non refillable! We now have a cheap one from Action that even came with a bottle of refill for about 2 Euros! I love action!