After a poor end to last week, the pound responded with a dominant performance this week, gaining an average of 0.8% against the other major currencies Indeed, it was only the Japanese yen that it lost out to (dropping 0.2%).…
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 …
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,…
For British nationals it is a set to be a big week, with the UK formally withdrawing from the European Union on Friday, but what’s been happening in France? We’re taking our weekly look at the past week’s French headlines.…
Mar Bonnin-Palmer makes sure you don’t get caught out by post-Brexit swings in the currency market How come using a currency specialist costs less than a bank? Exchanging funds is a currency specialist’s primary activity; while a High Street bank…
Barring a late-stage plot twist it seems exceeding likely that the UK and the EU will part ways on January 31st, following three years of discussion, dispute and ill-feeling on all sides. With the Withdrawal Agreement finally signed off, is…
A snip at just over €250,000, this six-bedroom maison de maître in Haute-Vienne has buckets of charm – and then some… Stylish wainscoting, check. Warm, muted tones, check. Marble flooring, check. Recently restored to its former glory, this maison de…
Nicola Venning meets actress and author Carol Drinkwater and finds out about her love affair with Provence, and the olives she is so passionate about Olive oil and olive trees have had a huge impact on the life of Carol…
The dollar took third place for the week behind Japan’s yen and Britain’s pound It lost half a cent to sterling and picked up seven eighths of a cent against the euro. Compared with the other majors it is on…
The euro endured a tough week, winding up in last place amongst the big four currencies (GBP, EUR, USD and JPY), losing a cent and a third to sterling and giving up seven eights of a US cent This was…
France is the biggest country in western Europe, with far-flung beauty spots and plenty of sights to see. Touring France by road is a fantastic way to make the most of it, and if you’re property hunting or planning to…
Perhaps you dream of owning a place on the Med, where you can sit and watch the sun go down, sipping a glass of wine as you look out over your very own expanse of aquamarine heaven. Maybe you hanker…
Elizabeth and Jonathan Adey left the Cotswolds to set up a gîte in a medieval granary in the Tarn. They share the joys – and pitfalls – of finding the perfect property with Sylvia Edwards Davis Meet the Movers NAME:…
Citizens and travellers alike finally have some cause to celebrate as the Paris Metro strike finally ended today. But what else is happening in France? We’re catching up with the latest news headlines. Politics Members of the UNSA rail union…
You may have heard rumblings about an outbreak of flu and gastroenteritis in France. What’s happening, and should you and your family be concerned? Is there a flu epidemic in France? In December 2019 the French public health authority issued…
Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie Thuir is many things: a proud part of Catalan country; home of the famous Caves Byrrh; and an altogether attractive southern town, tinged with the dusty red hues of the sun-kissed Pyrénées-Orientales. For prospective homeowners, it offers up…
Do you want HUGE tax efficiency for your savings in France? Taxes can be tricky to navigate in any country, and France is no exception. We spoke to Rosemary Sheppard, International Financial Adviser at Blacktower Financial Management Ltd. When I…
January is often a time where we make big plans for the year ahead. We recalibrate after the Christmas break and make our New Year’s Resolutions. If one of your wishes for 2020 was to buy a French property with…
MGM, the leading alpine property developer, had a brilliant year. Not only did they launch numerous new developments, but they tripled their year-on-year UK sales figures, with Brits snapping up apartments in droves. Seven new developments are due to launch…
Every year new words and phrases are added to modern languages, often starting as slang and portmanteaux until they are formally adopted into the lexicon. For purists this can cause no end of hand-wringing and angst, but for more progressive…
Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur First things first: Vence is not to be confused with its next-door neighbour Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the better-known of the pair. It’s an easy mistake to make… After all, they’re both medieval hilltop towns, sound similar and sit just…
The FrenchEntrée Property Team answers your questions Q. We’ve made enquiries with several estate agents in Languedoc, but they don’t seem to be very interested in arranging viewings – perhaps because we’re British. What do we need to do to…
Once again, Britons have topped the number of foreign buyers in France, despite the growing uncertainty surrounding Brexit… British buyers accounted for 27 per cent of all purchases by non-residents in 2018, according to a new report by BNP Paribas…
It may only be the beginning of January, but the strikes in France are currently on their 40th day. We catch up with the latest changes in this battle of wills between the government and the unions, and see what…
A group of volunteers offer support to the bereaved or the terminally ill and their families…
With 2020 firmly underway, we’re taking a look at the new decade’s first full week of news. Straight from the headlines, here is the latest from France. Politics The pensions reform strike has now broken records, making it the longest…
Rent caps have been extended to 28 new towns and cities across France. Tougher controls have been rolled out in “zones tendues” (tense zones) or areas affected by severe housing shortages – preventing landlords from imposing unreasonable rent hikes on…
A “deserted” village in Haute-Saône is selling 24 vacant homes, derelict apartments and empty shops for a song in a bid to rejuvenate its fast-dwindling community. Desperate to entice fresh blood to an area where more than 22 per cent…
Yearning for that elusive double-whammy: affordable housing and attractive job prospects? Look no further than Besançon. According to Le Parisien, the capital of the Doubs département has it all (and then some), making it the best city to live and…
Christmas is over and we are now poised on the brink of a new decade. What happened in France during the final week of 2019? Politics The strikes that have crippled France for the past month have still not drawn…
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a new “France Alumni” social network for former foreign students to keep in touch with each other and keep their connection with France alive.
Hanukkah has started and Christmas is nearly here. We’re bringing you the past week’s news in France, ahead of the season’s festivities! Politics The pension reform strikes are far from over, with many unions threatening to continue their protests into…
If you own property in France you should to be aware of the rules around ‘domicile’. Daniel (Dan) Harris, Head of International and Cross-Border at Stone King LLP, explains why.
In partnership with online rental specialist French Connections, we’re offering one lucky reader the chance to win a week for up to eight people in ‘Nicotiana’, a beautiful converted barn in the Lot
Last week brought us big news across the globe, leaving some people empowered and others devastated. From impeachment proceedings in the US to a Tory victory in the UK, we’ve all been overwhelmed with domestic news that could change history.…
When planning your move to France you will find that lots of rules and regulations are a little bit different to what you’re used to. Your car insurance is no exception, especially if you plan to keep your own vehicle…
If you have a UK Pension and you are over the age of 55 it may have occurred to you that you can access your pension for a lump sum and or income, be it to buy a holiday home…
Gîte businesses Property investors from northern Europe are attracted to this area by the reasonable prices and the wide variety of beautiful properties available. Characterful old farmhouses with plenty of outbuildings can be converted into guesthouses with several separate gîtes,…
Cows outnumber people in the rolling countryside of Limousin, making it the perfect spot for Britons in search of a second property where they can really get away from it all, says Dominic Bliss. The good old farmers of Limousin…
Which of these urban beauties on Paris’s doorstep, both with wonderful green spaces, would you pick? Yvelines For a right royal property hunt, head to Yvelines in the Île-deFrance, west of Hauts-de-Seine. It’s home to some aristocratic hard-hitters – not…
Last week’s news in France was, predictably, dominated by the promised strike action. We’re running through what happened when the unions took to the streets, plus the other French news stories you may have missed. Politics President Emmanuel Macron and his…
From European breakdown cover to electric car charging points and Air Protection Zones, the AA team gets down to brass tacks Q.Some French cities are now “low-emission zones” and fine older, less fuel-efficient cars for being on the road. Are…
Six years ago, David Reid and Kate Wilde quit the UK for Provence. With a flair for design, they set about creating a wonderfully quirky family home – fun being their top priority, says Nicola Venning “I do love a…
Having bought an abbey in Burgundy on a whim, Tanith and Clive Cummings were met with a petition from angry locals. The couple tell Jeannine Williamson how they battled on Mild curiosity from new neighbours followed by initial exchanges in…
What is vie scolaire in French schools and what is its function? Your questions answered…
In this week’s news update, we’re taking a look at the latest headlines from around France. What has happened since last week? The French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, has said that the government is open to compromise on proposed pension…
Ready to make the move? The FrenchEntrée Property team reveals its top search areas – on and off the beaten track. SAUZÉ-VAUSSAIS Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine You’ll find Sauzé-Vaussais (Sauzé to locals) out west, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s lush Deux-Sèvres département. Close to the…
Our experts reveal their top property search tips to help you find your new home in France…Knowing where you want to buy is very importantFrance is a vast and diverse country and it’s paramount that you do your research to…
FrenchEntrée is not just one of the best online French property databases, there’s a dedicated team that can assist you throughout your search and can answer any question you might have about buying a property in France.
If you’re making the big move to France, you’re bound to have some precious items that you simply cannot leave behind. It might be the contents of your wine cellar, a work of art or even a grand piano. Whatever…
The past week has been busy for France. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you catch up with the latest French news in quick-and-easy chunks! Politics The strike planned for 5th December is growing in size, as new organisations pin…
