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12th May 2008
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Living in France

Rachel Loos, Editor, FrenchEntrée Living
Whether you live in France or have a second home, FrenchEntrée Living is for you. It is the guide on life in La Belle France, whether you're after information on heavy duty issues such as the health system or simply want to indulge in the good French things in life (for a more detailed explanation of our content see below).
But I would also love to hear from you – so whether you have a story to tell about life in France, or ideas for new topics please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Rachel Loos
Editor
FrenchEntrée Living

PS: make sure you also take a look at FrenchEntrée
French Property and
Holidays in France

Enjoying Life in France

Poppies and lavender
Click here for your FREE newsletter - a monthly hit of French culture, real lives, language tips, food ....

What's in FrenchEntrée Living?

What's FrenchEntrée Living all about? Well, here you can discover how to join the French health system, facts on French education or being self-employed, including advice on starting up a business in France.

In Retiring to France we have information from the practical including looking after your investments, to the emotional issues of moving away from friends and family.

We also can steer you through day-to-day practicalities, from personal finance including opening a French bank account and getting a French mortgage or loan; to insuring your car; registering for gas and electricity; and sorting out your French driving licence. For all you need to know about French insurance go to Insurance in France

For technical information take a look at one of three different zones - for everything to do with television in France see UK TV in France, satellite including Sky, and information on French TV.
Find out about getting cheap phone calls in France at Telephone, mobiles, Skype and VOIP
To go on-line in France, with information on connecting to the internet, ADSL Broadband and staying safe, see Computers and internet in France

For help with the French language, we have vocabulary for everyday situations plus information on French courses and learning aids.

To help you enjoy your new life, we have the inside track on French food and wine and French culture.

If you're renovating your house, then make sure you take a look at Renovate & Decorate in France, and for advice and tips for when you're in your garden see Gardening in France. For those of you wanting to raise a few animals, A Smallholding in France is a must-read.

Finally, if you’re in need of inspiration read our many Real Life stories - amusing, interesting and uplifting tales from those who are already here. Enjoy!

Book of the Month

botcher in france book cover
One of the earliest expat residents of the Charente, Trevor Danby's funny book on life in deepest, darkest France more...

Flying to France?

Flights to France Map

Visit the FrenchEntrée Flights to France map to view the airlines flying from the UK airports to France.

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...

Weather & Climate in France

French climate & weatherWant to know the current weather in France or get a forecast? Or find out about historic rainfall or sunshine hours for different regions? It's all here... more...

Just moved or about to?

house by water
Let us help you get started on your new French life. Find out how to open a French bank account or join the health system. Check out our easy-to-follow guides on gas, electricity and water. For French insurance see insurance in France. We also have a complete guide to the French education system. If you plan to have your own business read self-employment in France first. And for those of you en retraite, see retiring to France.

'Phew! We've made it!'

couple seat
To find out what it is really like to live in France read Real Lives in La Belle Vie. We also have first-hand accounts in Work & Income, Education and Health, so whatever your situation, there's a story for you.

Loving your French life...

picnic large
La Belle Vie is your passport to a fabulous French life. Enjoy stories on food and wine, and Gallic culture. We can also help you learn French and give you a hand with everyday French phrases. We have all you need to know about UK satellite and French TV plus info on mobiles and cheap phone calls to France and computers including ADSL.Check out Renovate & Decorate and Gardening. Be self-sufficient with our smallholding zone.

Let's get together!

seagulls wire
Have you got a question or something you would like to say? Then join our Discussion Forum or contact one of our topic hosts. Have you taken a lovely picture of France? Then send it in and we'll publish it!

Latest articles

What is it like to work in France? Read our survey results

working in franceIf you need to work when you come to France how easy will it be to find a job? If you want to self-employed can you make a living? FrenchEntrée asked its working readers to fill in a survey on what it is like to work in France. Here are the resultsmore...

Healthcare update 2008: hospitals, complementary insurance and the cost of medicines

pills needle money healthFor expats the first months of 2008 were dominated by the issue of continued access to the healthcare system (see below). However, the French health system is undergoing other big changes as well...more...

Legal advice when hiring an artisan in France

toolsIf you're hiring an artisan or builder in France do as the French do and keep it official. Anne-Marie Gordon of Anglo-French Lawyers advises on what to do - and not do - to ensure you're legally protected when getting work done on your French homemore...

Busting the Humm!

Advertorial from Humm-Busters

Humm Busters HeroesThe Humm-Busters have now been “Saving the World from Obnoxious Odours” for almost three years and, in that time, we have received hundreds of enquiries from concerned property owners who are getting nasty niffs from their drainage system and don’t know what to do about it. Fortunately for them, we at Humm-Busters do know what to do... more...

'The French love English roses!'

crimson roseDespite no professional horticultural experience, Charles and Charlotte Liddell moved to France and opened a nursery selling David Austin roses. Here, Charlotte tells the story of their first year - and gives their tips for growing roses successfullymore...

'Learning to live in France - and together!'

david and frances wilkinson Frances and David Wilkinson retired to France in 2006 and love their new life which is full of new things as well as more time, less stress and good friends - French and British. Read their inspiring stories...more...

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...

Major new laws and regulations affecting life in France

people marketOver the past months there have been some significant changes to rules and regulations in France, from health and education to renovation of homes and registration of cars. Find out more....more...

How to get the French Country Look

french kitchen tableYou dream of big farmhouse tables, grand armoires and gorgeous chandeliers? Here's how to put it all together to achieve the French Country Look ....more...

Healthcare cover changes in France - what you need to know

carte vitaleThe rules governing access to the French healthcare system for EU expats have changed. To find out whether you're affected take a look at our Q&A guidemore...

What is life in France really like? Read our survey results

outdoor cafeTake a look at our survey results that answer questions on everything from why people move to France, the cost of living, what is considered the best and worst of the country and more...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...
Aon - Home Insurance
AON Insurance for FranceJust because you’re not French doesn’t mean you should be paying more! Aon offers competitive rates and service in English. More info.
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.
Win a break in Normandy!
Calvados TourismWin a 7 night break in a gîte for 4 people in Honfleur (Calvados area). For your chance to win, Click here.


Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Products
Eco PowerUnderfloor Heating Systems and Renewable Energy Products including Wind and Water Turbines, Solar Thermal, and Solar Photovoltaic systems. More info from Eco-Power.
Swimming pools at affordable prices
Shaped PoolWe have been selling and installing pools in France for over 17 years. Let us give you a free quotation for your pool project.
Try before you buy!
Siblu Properties in France Own your own holiday home with siblu exclusif, France's holiday lifestyle specialist and only UK company to own prestigious holiday parcs and sell mobile homes in France
AngloMobile: GSM calls from €0.18
Teleconnect Call from your cell to up to 20 countries (including France, UK, USA...) for as little as 18 cts/min... FREE phone provided. www.teleconnect.fr.
French Property Owners Club
Club 95Club 95 offers a fully bi-lingual service to make your life in France more enjoyable, including a free taxation service and general advice. Learn more.
Need French healthcare?
Essential HealthcareTop 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
Your new home in France
Barclays Solutions for FranceBarclays will give practical advice and guidance through the buying process. Register today and receive a FREE guide to buying in France.
Stop unwanted Fosse-Septique odours, fast!
Humm Busters Heroes SmallFit the STUDOR® MAXI-FILTRA™. Cost effective and easy to install. Replaceable active carbon filter lasts up to two years. Learn More.
Low Fares to France
Brittany Ferries BoatTake advantage of special limited fares on all routes to France from Brittany Ferries. Prices from £70 each way for a standard car and two adults.
Explore France Map from FrenchEntrée

Books on Living in France

Living in France book

Are you moving to France and needing more information on living in France?

The FrenchEntrée bookshop features a wide range of books covering the living in France, holidays in France, buying process, French law and the regions of France. Visit the FrenchEntrée Bookshop to make your purchase.
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