6th September 2010
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Guides for everyday life

Practical GuidesThis section is about giving you information on the everyday things of life - advice to help you establish new routines and run your life whether you are buying a holiday home or making a more permanent move to France.

Start by checking out our articles on the most common issues (see right), including driving in France, getting set-up with utilities in France, installing a pool in France, French weather, computers and TV and having pets in France. And don't forget to check out our latest stories.

If you would like to make a contribution to the zone, please get in touch.
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Emergency Numbers

A handy list of important numbers

firstaid
more...

The Post Office

envelope illustrationThe French Post Office (La Poste) is a state-owned company, and post offices (bureau de poste or simply poste) in France are always staffed by post office employees, who are French civil servants (fonctionnaires). Read our article on *How La Poste works and *Postal charges to find out more...

Practical Tips

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Bright ideas to help you with the everyday tasks of French life

Last Call Return in France
Finding cheap car fuel
Buying second-hand
Buying firewood

Public Holidays in France

sleeping in a hammock

The way public holidays are taken in France is very French! Here's a list of the days plus what else you need to watch out for. more...

Moving to France?

cheklist
Get organised with our check-list of things to do... More...

How to use chèques d'emplois

cleaning washing machine
If you want to legally employ someone on a temporary basis, whether personally or professionally, you will need to use the chéque d'emploi system. Here's how it works More...

How to become a French citizen

french flag
Want to become a French citizen? Here's how... More...

Last Call Return

Petite Ecosse - Family Fishing in FranceWhat to do if you've missed a telephone call in France... more...
Regions of France Property Buyers Guides

Guides

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+++++LATEST STORIES+++++

Read our latest stories to keep up-to-date with real life accounts and other interesting articles on life in France.

What's everyone talking about?

Online discussion forumOnce again we've browsed the postings on our sister site TotalFrance.com to see what the popular topics affecting expats are. Here's our selection, from unneighbourly dogs to avoiding rogue traders. more...

Expat hotspots in France

FranceThe French home office have reported the main areas where foreign buyers have second homes or live in France. The report highlighted some interesting results including that the British own more second homes than any other nation in France.more...

Is everyone returning to the UK?

Moving backWith all the negative press around at the moment, you'd be forgiven for thinking that all the expats in France had returned or were going to return to the UK as result of the economic slowdown and weak pound. We decided to find out if there really are significantly more expats returning to the UK this year than last, and if so, why... more...

Recent taxes, laws and regulations affecting life in France

Life in FranceIn recent months there have been some changes in France, affecting those already here, and those planning to move in the near future. Here’s some of the things you need to know about... more...

A guide to residency in France for Americans

American passportThere are a number of steps which American, and other non-EU nationals will need to take in order to live in France, starting with the application of the visa de séjour temporaire. more...

What is life in France really like? Survey results...

Couple in parkSeventy-six percent of participants planning to move to France have not had to delay or cancel there plans as a result of the global economic slowdown. And while 77% of expats are as happy and contented as they expected to be in France, sixty percent have felt the effects of the credit crunch. We had hundreds of readers fill out our ‘Life in France’ survey. Here are the results...more...

Getting your pet ready for travel

Advice from Animalcouriers

Pet passportAnimalcouriers are licensed animal hauliers with an UK State Veterinary Service Licence to carry animals by road throughout Europe. We also provide shipping solutions to places further afield. As members of IPATA, International Pet Animal Transport Association, we have high, ethical standards in our management of the animals we transport...more...

New Shopping in France zone!

Paint We have launched a new shopping zone providing information about particular products and services which expats often find hard to buy in France. Articles feature “popular products and where to buy" including furniture, paint, wood stoves and even British food...Shopping in France...

Making your French life a success

van on roadFor some the dream of a new life in France doesn't work out and they leave bitter and resentful. For others it is hugely successful. How do you make sure you fall into the latter category? We take a look at the common problems cited by those who give up on French life more...

Fitting into French life: 10 Top Tips

people french flagWhat do you need to do to integrate and enjoy your new Gallic life? Maggi de Rozario, a Brit who has lived in France since 2002, and who has become so at home here that she has been invited by her local mayor to join in planning her village's future, gives
some advice more...

Find out how many points are left on your French driving licence

French driving licence smallHad a ticket recently and not sure how many points are left on your licence? Or perhaps you're unclear about whether points lost years ago have been returned? Now there's an easy way to find out more...

'I don't belong here!' What it's like for children moving to France

kids in franceHow does it feel to move to France when you're a child? To leave behind all that is familiar for a country you may know little about, and where you don't speak the language?
Plus! What to do - and not do - to help your child adjust more...

The Top 10 mistakes made when moving to and living in France

help!Mark and Janice Gilmartin run a help service for English-speakers in France. In a week they can receive up to 100 requests for help. FrenchEntrée asked them to fill us in on the 10 most common mistakes made by those moving to and living in France
more...

Retiring to France? What you need to think about

smiling woman abstract Moving to France is a big step whatever age you are. But there are some issues that are more like to affect those retiring or planning to retire. Psychologist Elaine Douglas gives advice on what to expect and how to deal with it.
more...

Is life in France really cheaper than in the UK?

pound euroProperty is inexpensive and so is the wine, but what about the rest of France? Is the cost of living really lower here than in the UK? FrenchEntrée reader, Paul Singleton, examines the evidence Plus! What does our Shopping Basket Test reveal? And join the Discussion Forum
more...

The emotional impact of moving to France

children sign abstractPsychologist Elaine Douglas looks at the issues of re-locating, from what to do before you leave to the issues of living in a new country, in particular the impact on relationships and family.
more...

A Good Year in Provence?

Russell Crowe - A Good YearPeter Mayle’s best-selling book, inspired by the real life story of an English wine maker in France, is now a film starring Russell Crowe more...
Swimming pools at affordable prices
Shaped PoolWith 20 years of installing pools in France we offer you a reliable and proven service. Let us give you a free quotation for your pool project.
LD Lines break to France
LD Lines - Le Harve Xmas OfferTake advantage of our early booking offer and cross from Portsmouth to Le Havre, car + 2 passengers = £110 per crossing. Every mile makes me smile.Visit ldlines.com.
AXA PPP healthcare is right there with you
AXA Private HealthcareEnjoy the worldwide reassurance of great British healthcare. Join us now and get up to two months cover free.
Save a fortune on currency exchange
Euro NotesIf you need advice or a currency exchange quote, make a no obligation enquiry to Moneycorp, FrenchEntrée's Currency Partner. Apply now to open a currency account

Insure your holiday home
Schofields Home InsuranceInsurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French
home insurance in plain English - Get a quote
Missing British Food?
British Corner Shop AdvertWe are your one stop shop for all things British, with over 5000 supermarket products. Online shopping delivered to your door worldwide. Try us for your British food shopping.
Avoid unnecessary taxation in France
Euro Notes and CoinsTax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site Explains more

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