Mike,

My favorite bread machines on this side of the Big Pond are the Electrolux EBM8000: http://www.darty.com/nav/achat/petit_electromenager/fait_maison/machine_pain/electrolux_ebm_8000.html

and the Moulinex OW5023 (XL + baguette trays): http://www.darty.com/nav/achat/petit_electromenager/fait_maison/machine_pain/moulinex_ow_5023_xl_baguettes.html

NB: The Moulinex model is lighter & cheaper, has more programs, can make 3 different loaf sizes + baguettes (vs. 2 sizes for the Electrolux model), and has more power (1650 watts vs. 680).

As far as recipes are concerned, you may want to try the following ones:

* Romano's rosemary bread: http://idahofergusonfamily.blogspot.fr/2009/06/bread-machine-recipe-for-macaroni.html

* Pretty much anything in this booklet:  http://westbend.com/media/catalog/product/doc/l5701a-breadmkr.recipe.bk.pdf

On a side note, I highly recommend Alton Brown's delicious beer bread, which does not even require a bread machine: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/beer-bread-recipe/index.html

as well as this scrumptious cinnamon-raisin bread (also feasible without a machine): http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cinnamon-raisin-bread-recipe/index.html

Finally, you will find great bread baking tips here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/epackage/breads/index.html 

You should also browse this page for more fun ideas: http://www.food.com/recipes/bread-machine

Cheers, 

Cécile

Thanks Cecile, that's a lot to think on, cheers for that!

Now, set breadmaker along with Teasmade and we're laughing!

The housebrand at Fust (Primotecq, or whatever) has an excellent, dual-paddle bread machine for around chf99, I think. I used it for a few years then passed it on to a friend when it started gathering dust.

Easy to use machine; good, good bread!