Your French Holiday Home
Welcome to FrenchEntrée's Maison Secondaire zone. When it comes to dreaming, having a holiday home in France is at the top of the list. If you're thinking of taking the plunge or have already done so, this zone is here to help.
Do you need to open a
French bank account? Here's why it is probably a good idea and how to go about it.
For advice on connecting to water, electricity, gas plus the internet and TV in France, see
utilities
You will need
French holiday home insurance, whether your property is just for you or you plan to rent it out.
A swimming pool is a must? Then make sure you know about the
French pool safety laws.
We also have tips on how to
rent out your French holiday home.
And if you're in need of inspiration take a look at our real lives.
A Gîte in France
Everything you need to know about starting, running and marketing a gîte in France.
Where to Shop in France
Looking for DIY materials, furniture and accessories? Here's
where to look
Renovation & Decoration in France
Renovating your second home in France? For a comprehensive guide to everything from hiring an artisan to planning laws and techniques, see Renovation & Decoration
Type in English or French words for immediate translation
more...
Use the feature below to put a weather forecast on for your local town! Or for France...
Editor's pick

There are tax implications when you rent out your French home to holiday makers. Mervyn Simms of Siddalls explains.
more...
Buying and enjoying your French holiday home
Whether you're planning to buy a second home in France or already have one, our
Maison Secondaire zone is packed with advice, useful tips and real life stories.
If you're still undecided where to buy your second home, then why not take a look at FrenchEntrée's guide to the
regions of France

Sally Stone of Les Bons Voisins explains how her successful franchise business looking after people's French property started, and provides invaluable advice to those wishing to start their own business in France
more...

Whether you want to rent out a few weeks to cover some costs, make your retirement home pay for itself, or you dream about a career change or living abroad, letting your property could be the answer.
more...
Renting Out a French Property
The Tax Implications
Renting out property in France covers a wide variety of scenarios and permutations. You could be a UK resident looking to rent out your French holiday home on short term lets on a seasonal basis. Or, you could have plans to be a ‘professional landlord’, resident in the UK or in France, letting out furnished or unfurnished accommodation to long term tenants.
more...
Beginner's Guide to Buying French Property

This Guide has been written to give you a general step-by-step overview of the property buying process. It includes information about estate agents, the notaire, contracts, clauses, surveys, mortgages and much more.
more...

Eurobase Mobile Homes provide dream holiday homes on a wide selection of quality parks all over France. They feature an impressive portfolio of campsites and pitches including several exclusive gems in highly sought after areas.
more...

It’s an easy decision to harness the power of the Internet to market your French holiday home, but don’t underestimate the importance of effective presentation and promotion of your website. Here, we provide some guidance on getting started with your site and how to get potential customers to view your carefully crafted pages.
more...
A guide to insuring your holiday home in France
This article outlines what insurance cover owners of holiday homes in France need and what requirements might be placed on you, with regards to holiday letting, unoccupancy etc.... some of which may be unreasonable
More...
The FrenchEntrée guide to searching for property in France

Many of the same house-hunting rules apply to those buying a second home in France as to those looking to move permanently - especially as many holiday home owners go on to become residents. Here the FrenchEntrée team offers practical advice about how to decide what to buy and where – and how to go about looking for it
more...

A holiday home in France is a great idea but like all good things, it takes some planning and a little effort to make it work. Here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of your
maison secondaire
more...

As with your full-time home, your second home will need to be connected up to all the utilities, and perhaps the internet and TV
more...
Payment charter - a promise to the customer

Having such a great variety of new and resale mobile homes along with a vast selection of destinations, Caravans in the Sun feel that they may have something for everyone. Mobile homes are extremely competitively priced with brand new mobile homes sited in the sun from just £18,995 and sited resale static caravans from only £3,995.
Find out more...
Pool security in France - it's the law

For many people, a second home in France is not complete without a swimming pool. Pool security, however, is a legal must in France. There are four government approved methods - here is an explanation of the pros and cons of fencing, alarms, covers and abris.
more...
REAL LIVES
Thinking of buying a second home in France? Be inspired by those who have already done it by clicking on the articles below

One February Jim came to France just to see what kind of properties were available. Back in the UK he and his wife had decided he would only look not buy. But did that happen? Heck, no...
More

For most people buying a house that already has four walls and a garden is complicated enough. But not Angela Bennett. She and her family decided to build their own...
more

One moment Julie Adair was eating her lunch at her desk. The next she was looking at her deam home in France...
more...
Property Management – est 2002
People you can trust to look after your property when you’re not around. Exceptional service at competitive prices. The one stop shop solution for second home owners in France.
60-day trial for £1

Advertise your property on the world’s largest holiday rental network!
Start your trial quote FB1M1.
Insure Your Holiday Home – In English

Insurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French home insurance in plain English -
Get a quote.
Own a holiday property in France?

Advertise with the experts. Just £125+VAT for 12 months with access to over 1 million customers a year. Benefit from 30 years’ experience and
sign up now.
Lettings, Project management & Building services
We will beat any genuine quote on price and quality, just let us have the details of your estimate. Visit
www.property-euro.co.uk.
High quality timber frame homes

Why not build your dream home in France?
Avilion Sustainable homes are reducing energy costs and offer a range of build services to suit all requirements.
New holiday homes from £18,500

Simple steps to luxury living - Choose a park, pick a pitch, select a home, enjoy! Pitches available on beautiful parks in France. See how easy it can be with
Eurobase Mobile Homes.
Mobile homes for sale in France from £5,995

New sited
mobile homes from £16,995 and resale sited mobile homes from £5,995. Sites open for 12 months of the year. Aquitaine, Brittany, Dordogne, Languedoc, Pas-de-Calais and the Vendee.
UKtelecom Special Offer

40% off your broadband & FREE CALLS to French and UK mobiles. Management of new line installations, unlimited call packages and much more.
Save money here.

The best of France: the classiest food, culture, choicest properties and the most inspiring holiday and travel features.
Subscribe from only £23 a year.
Welcome Guests with "Savoir-Vivre"

Offer guests a refreshing, personalized welcome, plus hassle-free travel - no liquids in their luggage! All the comfort of
favourite toiletries delivered to your bathroom door.
Save a Fortune on Currency Exchange
Whether you need advice or an international money transfer quote, FrenchEntree's currency partner - Moneycorp - can help. Find out more and apply online
Latest maison secondaire forum postings