Despite pessimism from many outlets the pound had a strong week In view of the last week’s economic news and data, it might come as a surprise to see how well sterling has done. Last Friday, Moody’s, a credit rating firm,…
As in other countries, people selling a house in France have certain obligations and duties. Here we examine the selling process in detail…
In the run up to Brexit, national law firm Stone King has launched a service to support clients from start to finish in the sale or purchase of property in France. Usually people looking to buy or sell will…
From 2018 French residents no longer need to pay wealth tax on savings and investments, and investment income benefits from a new tax rate. The French tax reforms which were first announced in September came into effect on 1st January…
Private sales are becoming an increasingly popular trend in the French property market. Here, we talk you through the advantages and potential pitfalls of choosing to go it alone in L’Hexagone without an agent… Value Your Property Realistically Without an…
‘A common error made by a lot of foreign business owners who moved to my area was to think that France was basically the same as back home, except for the language and this just isn’t the case,’. See what people working in France are saying.
This is a comprehensive list of things to do at various points during the removal process. Following this checklist will take away some of the pressure of thinking of too many things at once, or having to make last minute changes for forgotten necessities.
This fact sheet explains the procedure for importing and registering a UK registered motor vehicle or trailer/caravan in France. (The procedure is more or less the same for importing a vehicle from any EU country.) It applies to anyone living…
Want to invite more birds, butterflies, and bees into your garden? Here are the plants and flowers that will encourage biodiversity …
While you will be familiar with home and car insurance, in France you also have to know about civil liability and other policies that may be new
High up on everyone’s list when setting up a new home in France is getting a telephone line and broadband service ahead of time so it will be ready for the day they move in.
For anyone trying to learn French or hoping to communicate better in France, this page is the place to search our many useful French glossaries on a wide range of topics, from living in France to what to say at the hotel on…
Mar Bonnin-Palmer runs down the basics of planning a trip to check out likely French dream homes and explains the advantages of getting your budget sorted out beforehand
There’s nothing like the pleasure of eating vegetables fresh from your own garden. The flavour and texture far exceed anything you can buy in a shop. Growing vegetables is also a natural incentive to to spend time outdoors. It is not necessary to have a large space to begin a vegetable garden, you can start one with just a few pots.
Want to know what your carbon footprint is? Measure how green your lifestyle is the impact it’s having on the environment.
French law no longer requires non-resident sellers domiciled in the EU to appoint a fiscal representative on the sale of property in France, an experience that could be quite costly and verging on the surreal.
A pet passport means that your much-loved animal can easily travel with you to France, but getting your pet ready for travel can take weeks or months. Vet Diana James takes you through the process, step-by-step.
If you are a EU citizen residing in France (primary residents only), you have the right to vote in both European elections and local communal elections. You will need to register before December 31.
Wine is a complex beverage, or at least it should be, and to understand a wine’s complexity and depth you need to analyze it.
Reach more than 330,000 Francophiles, expats, property buyers and investors through FrenchEntrée’s leading portfolio of magazines, newsletters, and website. FrenchEntrée offers a flexible and proven range of online and print marketing solutions to suit every type of company and every…
If you’re buying property in France then you will need to make an international money transfer to move your money from the UK to France. The traditional way of doing this is with a high street bank; however you could…
Look out for these four definite legal”no-no’s” when buying in France.
If this is the year to sell your French property, here are some top tips to help you which we have collated from estate agents and property experts across France…
Award-winning designer James Besson shows us how a garden can thrive in an unlikely setting in the south of France.
What is the best approach if you’re planning to put your house on the market, or if it has lingered on the market for a while? Three ways savvy sellers can make their property stand out from the competition.
The role that Diagnostic surveys play in the purchase of a house in France is very different from what you may be used to.
Preparing your pool for the winter is an essential task that will keep the pool and equipment in good condition ready for quickly re-opening the pool in the spring. Here is a guide to the procedure that should be followed…
The process of borrowing money to fund a property purchase is broadly similar on both sides of the Channel, but there are certain differences between French and UK mortgages which buyers need to bear in mind. Overview The first thing…
Many of the properties for sale come with that key caveat. they ‘need work’. Our expert contributor shares tips for buying a property to renovate in France.
The French conveyancing system is very well organised and secure. There is no equivalent of reported problems with non existent title deeds (such as in Cyprus) or invalid planning permissions (such as in Spain). So what should those preparing to buy a property in France be wary of?
Introduction: Although being expensive to maintain – the World Health Organisation has stated that France spends 11% of GDP on healthcare and outranks major countries on this basis – France offers a wide choice of general practitioners and healthcare specialists.…
When you register your child for school you will be asked for an attestation d’assurance scolaire (certificate of School Insurance). This confirms that your child is covered for damage caused by them to school property or other people. To be…
Pool security 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.
There is an unbelievable choice of swimming pools available nowadays. Here, Chris Harrison of Piscine-Plus runs through how they differ in terms of price, space, number of pool users, filter type, sanitation and security.
French state education is well-organised, well-funded and with generally average to high standards in comparison to other European countries. The state system is also complemented by a comprehensive network of Private Schools including international schools…
If you would like to choose an alternative or greener supplier of electricity in France, there are providers who can supply energy produced only from renewable sources such as hydropower, wind power and biomass…
All in ground swimming pools in France require planning permission. Abris or pool houses also require planning permission, but above ground pools that are not built as a permanent structure do not.
Another way to start a winter herb garden indoors is to move plants from your garden into your kitchen, says gardening topic host Elaine Jarvis.
Insurance broker Aon conducted an online survey. It was sent to five-hundred English speakers in France (66% of which are British). There was some interesting feedback concerning confusion with French insurance…
In France, insuring your main place of residence against fire, theft and natural causes is not obligatory but it is advisable. However, you do have to insure yourself against damage you could accidently cause your French neighbours
Do you love wine and dream of having a wine cellar of your own instead of just buying a bottle when needed? This simple guide to starting a wine cellar will show you how to go about it.
Installing your own swimming pool can be very rewarding and certainly save you a packet. Follow these 10 easy stages and you won’t go far wrong.
A handy list of common terms in French on gardening, plants, and tools.
The french national anthem “La Marseillaise” got its name during the French revolution because it was sung by troops from Marseille upon arriving in Paris. Here are the words in French and English.
A brief introduction to wine, its components and how it is made. Wine is produced from the fermented juice of the grapes of the Vitis Vinifera, a species of vine known to man for millennia. A number of natural factors are important …
The separation of church and state has an impact on school and public administration. France is a secular state, but what are the implications of “laïcité” in everyday life?
Image not found.One of the joys of gardening is seeing your garden grow in sheer numbers of plants that you have produced yourself. Obviously there is always the time and …
If you’re thinking about moving to France, you need to stay up-to-date with the latest news. We’re taking our weekly look at the French headlines and summing up the stories you need to hear. Politics To the chagrin of the…
A proposed law aims to modify inheritance tax rates to encourage the French to transfer their assets. Several senators have introduced a bill to reform the taxation of inheritances and gifts/donations. According to these elected officials, the transmission of assets…
While a British driving licence is recognised in France, there may be changes ahead for residents and visitors driving in France after Brexit.
The amount of tax a British expat living in France has to pay will not change as a result of Brexit negotiations as tax agreements are negotiated with individual countries not with the EU as a bloc. [Original posted in…
The Dollar Strengthens Against the Euro On average, the dollar was a fraction ahead of the other major currencies. It lost two thirds of a cent to the pound and strengthened by a third of a cent against the euro.…
Euro experiences a loss against major currencies As Britain prepared for its third general election in four years, Spain was holding its fourth in the same period and the second this year alone. The result, yet again, was inconclusive but investors…
We’re taking our weekly look at the French headlines. What happened in France over the last seven days? We’ve got all the latest scoops, from yesterday’s earthquake to the MPs demanding the right to urinate in peace… Political and Legal…
It’s a sultry summer lunchtime in southwest France and I’m happily tucking into perfectly cooked (à point, since you ask!) lamb chops on the riverside terrace at Le Festin de Babette, a popular spot in St Antonin-Noble-Val. It’s the picture…
“Be prepared”. The motto is not just for the boy scouts, it particularly applies to French property renovations.
New to the French property market? Our comprehensive guide will help you find your bearings… The process of buying property in France is fairly straightforward and well-regulated. Every year, thousands of overseas buyers purchase new homes in the Hexagon without…
If you’re living in France, or plan to be there during the general election in December, you have two options for voting: by postal vote or by proxy vote. Concerns over unreliable postal systems have resulted in people being urged…
Earlier this year, Pavillon Bleu unveiled France’s best beaches of 2019 – so we’ve combed the sands that made the list and picked out our top five hotspots for properties with rental potential. Antibes A bunch of beaches in Antibes…
Graham and Cheryl first fell in love with France in the 70’s and several decades later they decided to call Paris home …
Retirees are the biggest group of expats living in France, and the back and forth on the terms of a Brexit deal, and even whether there will be a deal at all, makes it difficult to make financial planning…
If Britain does not stay within the single market, post-Brexit negotiations will start with individual countries.
If you’re a British expat living in France, you may be wondering whether you’ll be able to vote in the general election on the 12th December 2019. Here’s what you need to know if you want your voice to be…
As the UK faces yet another general election and impeachment proceedings against President Trump have the USA enthralled, we’re taking a look at the latest news from France. What happened in French headlines last week? Politics As the UK braces…
For those wondering about the chances of getting a mortgage in France after Brexit, you can still get a 20-year fixed rate mortgage at historically low rates, and house prices in France are still affordable. If your dream has been…
For many Australians, their first (and sometimes only) taste of France is the capital, Paris. Those taking an escorted coach tour inevitably visit the romantic city for a night or two. But the rest of France shouldn’t be forgotten, says Carolyn Schonafinger…
Cheshire-born author Karen Webb turned a new leaf when she traded Paris for the perched village of Lectoure in deepest rural Gers. Why did you choose Lectoure? I had been working as an English teacher in Paris for 16 years…
Greg Cook meets two intrepid young couples who set up Tarn Cycling Holidays after quitting successful careers in the UK for life in Occitanie. It’s a familiar tale: couple nearing retirement, kids having long left home, trade their empty nest…
Leaving the EU will not stop British people buying homes in France – either for a permanent move to France or for holidays. Plenty of non-EU citizens – Aussies and Americans, for example – own property in France. After Brexit,…
As the EU grants yet another Brexit extension, we’re taking a look at all the other news occupying the headlines in France, from the serious to the silly and everything in between. Politics A man in his 80s was arrested…
Mar Bonnin-Palmer makes sure you don’t get caught out by post-Brexit swings in the currency market. Q. I’m off on a viewing trip in a couple of months. I tend to exchange money directly at the airport but I seem…
The team at FrenchEntrée have come to rely on MGM French Properties to send us truly drool-worthy properties, and their latest French property development is no exception. The leading Alpine property developer is launching an exclusive new development, Residence Manaka,…
The conditions of access to healthcare in France after Brexit is a make-or-break issue for many, particularly retirees, in determining whether or not they continue to live in France. [Originally posted in July 2016, updated 23 October 2019] Expats who…
It seems like the Brexit news never ceases, with controversy in the UK’s parliament this week as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is forced to ask for another extension to the deadline. We’re hopping over the Channel to find out what’s…
House hunting abroad doesn’t have to be a whole new ballgame – as long as you know the rules Book appointments in advance This will help to avoid disappointment, especially at peak viewing times. Do bear in mind that agents…
The Outsiders are a group of wine producers from all around the world who settled in this part of France, attracted by affordable prices, diversity and a sense of freedom, writes Patrice Bertrand We could have gone somewhere else but…
As British residents in France face a post-Brexit reality, we look at the impact concerning residence rights and the formalities for applying for permanent residence in France after Brexit. Existing British residents in France will be able to continue…
In French news this week we’re taking a look at the biggest headlines from France, from political updates to zoology. Catch up on all the latest from the Hexagon! Politics Five people have been arrested due to suspected links with Mickaël…
There are many things that are happening at the moment globally that we have little or no control over and we have to deal with the consequences of other people’s and politicians’ decisions. Whatever your opinion on Brexit and whatever…
As EU and UK top brass agree that a Brexit deal is achievable ahead of the deadline at the end of the month, the exchange rate from sterling to euros is higher than we’ve seen in months at £1.149 to…
Exciting news for FrenchEntrée fans in the USA: we’ve partnered with the Federation of the Alliance Française USA! We are proud to partner with the famous association, celebrating French culture and language. Always wanted to learn French? Keen to watch…
These neighbours, with their glorious greenscapes, are just are a stone’s throw from the Channel coast Orne Thinking of buying in Normandy? As well as the lush countryside and great food, you’re probably drawn to the miles of coastline. However,…
Tarn-et-Garonne, Occitanie The ancient province of Quercy truly is a land that time forgot, where you will find, hidden away in sleepy backwaters, some of the most attractive rural architecture in France. Fortified towns known as ‘bastides’ (taken from the…
Kath Watson and Roger Prior almost missed their dream home. But now, after a major renovation to create two gîtes, they’re sitting pretty in Vienne. Nicola Venning finds out how they did it… When Kath Watson and her husband Roger…
Hérault, Occitanie Many folk who have set foot in Pézenas claim it’s like “stepping back in time”. Certainly, the town’s impressive tally of 30-plus monuments historiques and 17th-century hôtels particuliers, with their wrought-iron balconies and grand courtyards, fire the imagination.…
American political upheaval has dominated global headlines for the past week, with impeachment proceedings against President Trump becoming increasingly heated, and the president himself taking to Twitter with a series of bizarre tweets about Turkey. Meanwhile in France… Politics The…
Proud guesthouse owners Gail and Christian Bodiguel tell Sylvia Edwards Davis about the extensive property search that eventually brought them to L’Atelier du Renard Argenté in Vaucluse Meet The Movers Name: Gail and Christian Bodiguel Bought in: 2013 Live in:…
Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur At first glance, the perched village of Flayosc appears to be extremely remote. For starters, there are hills, vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye can see. Then there’s the fact that no major road…
If you own property in Brittany, it is likely that you will undertake some building or renovation work on it at some point, and that you will need some advice or the help of a professional to get it right. From new builds to restorations, there are…
For our US and UK readers, last week had some shocking events which could dramatically change the political landscapes for the United States and Great Britain. Between Prime Minister Boris Johnson losing his Supreme Court battle and impeachment proceedings against…
Twisting through some of the most beautiful countryside in the southwest, the Lot Valley is a ribbon of hilltop villages and pretty meanders. Along with Quercy, through which it passes, it’s been attracting property buyers in the know for decades,…
Plan on running a B&B or letting a gîte in the Hexagon? We’ve picked five of the most lucrative areas for businesses, with a few tips and tricks thrown in for good measure. Happy hunting! Normandy For many Brits ferrying…
Today has had some shocking developments for the UK, with the prorogation of parliament by Prime Minister Boris Johnson being declared unlawful. These shockwaves could determine the outcome of Brexit. That said, we’re taking a look a tiny bit further…
The Pays de la Serre is offering prospective buyers €5,000 to move to the area What if we told you that you could move to France and get paid for the privilege? No, we’re not pulling your leg. The Pays…
Driven by family values since its creation in 2001, AEI Promotion consider quality buildings to be their specialty AEI Promotion is dedicated to creating unique, high-quality properties. Special care is given to every project: primary residences, secondary residences or rental…
If there’s one topic you can rely on to provoke a heated debate among residents of France, it is taxes. You could even go as far as calling it France’s national sport, given the constant search by the whole population…
