La Belle Vie
The Good Life!
Or as the French would say, Le Belle Vie!
Now that you're here in France, start the life you've dreamed of!La Belle Vie is your passport to a fabulous French life. Whether you need information on sorting out your TV, delicious French food and wine, advice on renovating your home, gardening, having a few animals in a smallholding and much more, then you're in the right place!
To tuck into the best of French food and wine, take a look at Gastrozone And if you're vegetarian you're going to need help finding food that isn't carnivorous, so see Vegetarian France.
For your technology needs, whether TV, internet or telephone, take a look at Tech Corner.
To get the lowdown on French society, Société Française is the place to find out information on politics, music and other other issues.
Renovating a house in France is something a huge number of expats do. If you're about to start doing up a house or even if you're in the middle of it, the Renovation & Decoration zone is a must-read. We even have a special zone for those of you hunting for French antiques.
If you can't find the paint and furniture you need to decorate and furnish your new French home, or just miss a few British products, visit our Shopping in France zone to find out where to buy these items.
Many expats plan to keep a few animals in France, and for those you planning to do so, whether it be chickens or large animals such as cows, see Smallholdings.
Finally, what is it really like to live in France? To find out read our library of Real Life Stories from those already there.
Editor's picks
A couple from Dublin moved to the Dordogne to make their own wine. They tell us why the Bergerac area is so ideal for viticulteurs. more...
FREE Enjoying Life in France newsletter
Click here for Enjoying Life in France, a hand-picked monthly selection of French culture, language tips, recipes and more, delivered direct to your inbox free of charge. You might call it an indispensable guide to a new French life!French television channels
This short guide will help you get to know what each of the main French television channels has to offer and also provides an introduction to some of the most popular programmes currently shown in France.more...
At the garden centre - a glossary
If you have a garden or even a window box to maintain at your home in France, you may well need to make a trip to the local garden centre from time to time. This glossary is designed to help you find your way around la jardinerie.more...
Working from home in Brittany
Nicky Whenman moved from Essex to Malestroit in Brittany six years ago. Here, she tells FrenchEntrée why she chose to settle in the region and how she found a way to work from home so she could be there for her children.more...
A French house party with a twist
French House Party's upscale "experience" residential holidays are all-inclusive. They are held at at a stylish 8-bedroom house with pool, tennis court and boules pitch 15 minutes from Carcassonne, SW France.
Find out more...
When renovators become residents
'I couldn't bear to leave our our holiday home'
Val Walmsley tells the story of how she snapped up a renovation project as a second home. But once work had begun to transform the two C18 farmhouses (one habitable, the other in a sorry state) she couldn't bear to leave and persuaded her other half to make France their permanent home.more...
Protecting and maintaining terracotta tiles
Terracotta is an attractive, rustic material for both old and new houses. If you're not careful however, it is easy to become a slave to your terracotta floor. Renovation & Decoration Topic Host Sophia Mose shares her tips on how to avoid the potential pitfalls.more...
Adopting a dog or cat in France
Adopting a dog or cat in France is very similar to adopting in the UK. The SPA, (Société Protectrice Animaux) created in 1845 functions as an organisation to promote the well being of animals. They have 57 refuges in France and take in 45,000 animals a year...more...
Visiting a goat’s cheese producer in France
La Borie d'Imbert farm in Rocamadour
The French have long understood the importance of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which goes some way to explain the popularity of their markets and farms such as La Borie d'Imbert where you can buy cheese and see it being made.more...
From New Zealand to new French home
In anticipation of their first child, Charlize, Andy McKenna and Rachael Hale left New Zealand to set up a new home in France. Like many people before them, the plan was to buy a place that required minimal work, although it didn’t quite work out like that says Andy...more...
We opened a hotel in the Pyrénées
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In July 2006, Roger Bruton, his wife Gillian and their extended family, swapped Stockport (Cheshire) for a new life in France. They settled in the Pyrénées, where they set up a small hotel. Roger tells FrenchEntrée their story...more...
Help for Vegetarians
Being a vegetarian in France can be hard...
Vegetarianism is a relatively new concept for the French, and one which is frequently misunderstood, especially outside the big cities. French restaurant menus and eating at French friend's homes can become embarassing and a chore. For help, take a look at Vegetarian France.French patissier brings gluten free cakes to UK
Christelle Coulin makes scrumptious gluten and wheat free cakes using only the finest ingredients. Ten years ago, she moved from Cannes to London, where she set up Gluten Free Delices. Here she gives us one of her favourite recipes... more...
Ferry routes to France
The best of France: the classiest food, culture, choicest properties and the most inspiring holiday and travel features. Subscribe from only £23 a year.
English speaking bank in France
A special department staffed with English-speaking customer team in order to facilitate your arrival and help you with your banking services, savings, insurance, loans and investments. Find out more...
Is your house insured?
Peace of mind when your French holiday home is left unoccupied or holiday let. Comprehensive French house insurance policies in English. - Get a quote
Need French healthcare?
Top ups to French "NHS" medical cover for both expatriate residents and short to medium term EHIC holders visiting France, ideal for holiday home owners. Learn More
Fed up of high UK taxation?
Tax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site explains more.
Financial advice & solutions for people relocating to France
Download Siddalls help sheets for "your new life in France" by clicking here.
Save a Fortune on Currency Exchange
Whether you need advice or an international money transfer quote, FrenchEntree's currency partner - Moneycorp - can help. Visit the France currency exchange zone.
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