Buying your house in France
CONTENTS
A house in France: the Buyer's Guide
Welcome to the FrenchEntrée guide to buying houses in France.
If you want to share your French house buying experience, or have ideas for new topics please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Need to buy euros?
Organising currency to buy your house in France
Looking for advice or a quote from a euro currency dealer? Enquire here
Visit our Eco Homes zone
Our Eco Homes zone is jam-packed with useful information on installing eco products in France, tax credits and loans, as well as real life case studies from expats who have already gone green. Visit the zone.
Selling your house in France
If you have a house in France to sell, visit our selling French property zone where we have a wealth of information to help you sell your French house. With advice on marketing your French property, to the legal implications, we have compiled all the factual information as well as some real life stories from expats. French Houses - Words and Phrases
Baffled by compromis de vente? Bamboozled by Clause Tontine? Then visit our glossary of French houses expressions. And for a full and easy-to-read guide to the French language visit our Language Zone
French House Price Calculator
To help you estimate the value of your current French house or the potential cost of a French house that you are looking to buy try our French House Price Calculator
Your guide to French mortgages
In part 3 we’re going to look at some of the more unique aspects relating to French mortgages...
Gated properties in France
Dream of sweeping through a pair of gates and up an elegant drive to your front door?
Your French tax questions answered
FrenchEntrée readers have been sending in their questions on tax and France. Financial advisers give their answers.
French property buyers’ survey 2012
We asked subscribers to French Property Tips to tell us about their property buying plans. What emerged was a far more positive picture than factors such as the Eurozone crisis and the housing market slowdown in the UK might suggest.
more...
French property: price drop predicted
According to a report published in April by Standard & Poor's (S&P) financial services, prices could fall by up to 15% between now and the end of next year, despite the fact that 2011 was a record year for property sales.
more...
The FNAIM on French property in 2012
After a record year in terms of property sales, the national federation of French estate agents (FNAIM) explains why the next 12 months will be somewhat different. more...Architect-designed homes
So what can you expect? Something a little different, that's for sure. These homes combine modern design and top quality materials to really make the most of the space on offer and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Have a look around...
more...
Are you moving back to the UK?
The sellers of this Bournemouth flat are now permanently moving to France. If you are moving back to the UK and looking for a flat on the South Coast this Bournemouth based flat is ideal. If you are downsizing or moving back to be closer to family this still offers easy access to a continued relationship with France. more...
Good news for second home owners
Speculation surrounding the weakening euro and its effect on house prices prompted The Telegraph to publish a report earlier this month that showed British people who invested in French property to be in the most secure position.
more...
Considering outside space
Verandas, terrasses, dependances, balcons etc.
Whether searching for an old stone house in a village or an apartment in a modern block, most of us would like to get some outside space in the bargain. But as Caroline Hill explains, 'outside space' can mean many different things in France...
more...
France top choice for second homes
Following the report that France offers the best quality of life in Europe, it should come as no surprise to find that that this is where the majority of holiday home owners choose to invest. Research shows France has overtaken Spain.
more...
Buying ski property in France
Visit our zone dedicated to ski property in France: chalets, apartments and studios in stunning French mountain locations. Whether as an investment or a holiday home, we provide useful advice and information to make purchasing easier. more...
Translation services for home owners in France
Owning a residence in France is a dream come true for many. But what happens once you are no longer in contact with the English speaking estate agent or solicitor and need help with the administrative tasks associated with maintaining a house over there?
more...
Buying French property 'en viager'
An introduction from Edward Coxall of Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP
You may have heard of Jeanne Calment, the French woman with the longest recorded life span. Such longevity is generally a cause for celebration but not perhaps for the person who purchased her apartment in 1965 'en viager'.
more...
Not sure about France? Rent first!
Hilary and Arthur Moore were pretty certain they wanted to move to France. But to be sure - and to know that they had chosen the right part of France - they rented first. Here Arthur explains why it was the best thing they could have done.
more...
Local property taxes: taxe foncière and taxe d’habitation
There are two annual local property taxes in France, taxe d’habitation and taxe foncière. They are paid by both residents and non-residents and are often higher on second homes than on main residences due to possible discounts on the main home, explains David Franks of Blevins Franks...more...
French gite insurance
How to protect gites in France
Letting French gîtes can be a rewarding experience for holiday home owners. After all, having a holidaymaker choose your property for their holiday is a great sense of achievement. However, property owners should be aware that there are associated insurance risks when holiday letting gîtes.more...
French estate agents won't give addresses
If you are planning a trip to France to view a few houses, you may find that the estate agents refuse to give out the address of the properties you are interested in. We tell you why...
more...
Guide to building your own home in France
For the French it's quite common to get your own home built. Now more and more Britons are considering the same option in France. David Murray, author of a new book on the subject, explains how to go about it
more...
The FrenchEntrée guide to searching for a house in France
Hunting for houses in France can be as exciting and daunting as anywhere else. Here the FrenchEntrée team offers practical advice about how to decide what to buy and where
more...
Ten tips on buying a renovation project
Us Brits are known as both courageous and slightly bonkers in France thanks to our penchant for buying complete wrecks and spending large amounts of time, effort and money restoring them. Read this before taking the plunge. more...
Equestrian property around France
Horse lovers are well catered for at French Entrée, which offers equestrian property for sale across France. Normandy, Aquitaine, the Limousin and Midi-Pyrénées can all offer highly desirable homes for a horse – their owners will be equally pleased with the extra space and a view of the countryside.
more...
Sending money overseas for a house in France?
If you are buying, selling or maintaining a house in France, get advice from a currency specialist to ensure that you make your trade when the market is in your favour.
more...
Before you buy check for Builder’s Guarantees
'It is important to establish through your Notaire that all completed construction works have been carried out by registered builders and artisans or it carries no guarantees' says Chartered Surveyor Brian Lindley...
read on...
How to cut energy bills in your French home
With the cost of energy rising, it’s more important than ever to find the most effecting ways of heating and providing energy for your house. Marc Asker of EcoPower considers the options and gives some practical advice
more...
Taking on a long term rental in France
If you would like to spend more time in France, something more than a simple two week summer holiday, maybe a month, maybe a few years or maybe even the rest of your life, taking on a longer term rental is for you.
more...
Termites in French Houses
Termites - the underground menace eating your house from the inside out If you live in a termite-infested area in France, you must, by law, supply a 'termite-free' certificate when you sell a house... more...French property trends 2012
Analysis of 2011 and predictions for 2012
Every year, FrenchEntrée surveys its estate agent partners and property finders in France to find out how the housing market in different regions contrasts with official data collected for France as a whole.
more...
Insure your holiday home
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
Thinking of letting your property?
With over 30 years' experience in providing cottage and villa holidays to thousands of British customers, we're the perfect people to help you make more from your property. Visit us today at www.rentmycottage.com.
Relocation & Admin services
Free International Money Transfers
A great rate and no transfer fee for the life of your account! Make a no obligation enquiry to FrenchEntrée, and see how we can save you money.
Weekly removals to France
Weekly service to all areas of France, Part loads, Full loads get a Free online quote. Just a few Boxes? We can ship boxes door to door ONLY £24.95 each in 3 days! Get your free quote!
Ferry routes to France
Better your insurance quote by 5%
We can better your holiday property insurance renewal by 5%! Plain English wording for private/commercial letting. Cheap annual travel insurance inc 90 day trip option.
Wood burning Stoves & Cookers
Sales and installations of quality woodburners, boiler stoves, cookers including Rayburn, chimney systems and parts throughout France. Shop on-line or visit our showroom
Travel to France from £44 - Eurotunnel
Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes.
Take the fastest route to France by car. Our best fares are going fast. Book now!
Mobile Homes For Sale - France
New sited mobile homes from £19,995 and resale sited mobile homes from £5,995. Sites open for 12 months of the year. Aquitaine, Brittany, Dordogne, Languedoc-Roussillon and the Vendee.
French property and succession law
We help UK Nationals with buying and selling French property and French succession law problems including making wills. View our website to find out more.
Financial advice & solutions for people relocating to France
Download Siddalls help sheets for "your new life in France" by clicking here.
French Alps Ski Property
MGM Constructeur, the leading property developer in the French Alps, currently markets high quality apartments in more than 40 locations: ski resorts, alpine villages and by Lake Annecy. More info
Avoid unnecessary taxation in France
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.
6 Steps to buying your first house in France
Don't get caught out, read our quick overview of the steps you need to go through to buy a house in 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.
France for Australians
Visit our mini-site for Australians interested in visiting or living in France. more...
Apply for your mortgage
Apply online for your French mortgage today and fast track your quotation. Euros and Sterling mortgages available.
Apply online now.
Explore the regions of France
If you love France & want to visit your favourite region, than we have everything for you in over 20 sites dedicated to the regions of France.
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.
"We love the house and what a price!"
FrenchEntrée's independent property finders help buyers get the right house at the best price.
Latest buying French property forum posts
French Property Database Search
Over 12,000 properties for sale throughout France.....
National French Businesses
Search over one thousand suppliers to the French property market...