Buying Case Study – Walking on sunshine in Languedoc
Claire and Peter Jackson were over the moon to find their dream house in sunny Languedoc. They’ve lavished love and attention on it and have exciting plans for its – and their – future
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Taste of the terroir – The French Alps
At this time of year, we’re looking forward to warm and hearty meals like those enjoyed in the mountainous Savoie department. Traditional Savoyard cuisine owes much to the special breeds of cattle grazing in the Alps.
Loire Valley Buying Guide
Gorgeous châteaux, pretty riverside towns, and a climate that’s never too hot and never too cold – it’s no wonder Brits have been beating a path to the Loire Valley since medieval times, says Dominic Bliss
Dordogne Versus Gironde – Property Showdown in Southwest France
We head to Aquitaine in southwest France, where two départements reign supreme…
Paris Brest
These were created in 1891, to celebrate the first 1,200km Paris-to-Brest bike race, one of cycling’s oldest events.
Guide to Buying a Vineyard in France
From Languedoc to Provence, Patrice Bertrand reveals what it takes to realise your dream of owning your own vineyard in France, and making wine in the sun
Taste of the terroir – Champagne-Ardenne
Champagne is a world famous wine, but the gastronomic heritage of Champagne-Ardenne is comparatively unknown. So look out for these local specialities, each one ideally married to the region’s bubbly booze…
Some delicious recipes from Le Pain Quotidien
Here are some of Le Pain Quotidien’s delicious recipes, as prepared by Alain Coumont and Jean-Pierre Gabriel
Top Five most Desirable Places to Own a Holiday Home in France
The votes are in: the most desirable place to own a holiday home in France is Arcachon Bay.
Memories of Gascony – French Kitchen
Legendary French chef Pierre Koffmann waxes lyrical about his idyllic childhood in Gascony. In this exclusive extract from his book ‘Memories of Gascony’ he recalls the place of duck and goose on the family menu and how his beloved grandmother prepared her own confit.
Where to buy in France now! Marseillan in Hérault
Looking for stunning views and a warm climate? The ancient fishing port of Marseillan offers this and more
Top five of France’s most affordable property markets
Tight budget? We reveal the cheapest cities in which to buy in the Hexagon
Tarte tatin au romarin et amandes grillées
This classic dessert carries the name of the two famous Tatin sisters who invented the recipe. Everybody loves it, I think, because of the smell of warm apple mixed with caramel, and the delicious crunchiness of the light pastry.
Taste of the terroir: Marne
We propose a toast to Marne, where grapes are grown and both red and white wines flow! From coq au vin de Bouzy, to chocolate liqueurs, this departement’s delicacies are inextricably linked to the fruit of its vines.
Buying Hotspot – Évian-les-Bains
A smart and sought-after Belle-Époque spa destination, Évian-les-Bains stands proudly on the southern shore of Lake Geneva and benefits from a year-round tourist trade
Taste of the Terroir – Normandy
Camembert and Calvados are two very famous examples of the fine French food and drink to come out of Normandy. But what of the goat’s milk, oysters and pears also on offer? No trip to Normandy would be complete…
Chèvre of Choice – French Goat’s Cheese
French goat’s cheese – called chèvre – is a winning ingredient all year round. Here Sophie Wright presents some of her favourite recipes Grilled goat’s cheese mini-log and walnut pesto ciabatta Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking: 10 minutes Makes 1…
Our Top Five Buy-to-Let Hotspots
From the trendiest cities and up-and-coming student towns to a sought-after Alpine resort, we get to the heart of France’s hottest areas to snap up buy-to-let properties 1 Bordeaux Thanks to its booming wine industry, Bordeaux attracts hordes of…
BUYING HOTSPOTS – MAUBOURGUET, Hautes-Pyrénées, Occitanie
Ready to make the move? The FrenchEntrée Property Services team reveals its top search areas – on and off the beaten track MAUBOURGUET, Hautes-Pyrénées, Occitanie Maubourguet is close to the Spanish border in the historical province of Gascony. Once…
Tartiflette with reblochon
Reblochon is made in the Savoie region of southern France using cows’ milk. It’s rich, fruity and nutty with a semi-soft, almost chewy texture. Or look for a cows’ milk cheese with a washed rind and an earthy aroma. …
12th-Century Château in the Limousin Rescued From Ruin
Property developer Fiona Jones on her four-year restoration of the Chateau du Masgelier, a 12th-century Limousin gem… Situated on a hilltop, with 360° views over the Creuse countryside, and set within its own parkland, the Chateau du Masgelier dates from…
Taste of the Terroir – Pays de la Loire
Well-known as ‘the garden of France’, Pays de la Loire is the place for fresh produce. But with its rivers and coastal edge, there’s also plenty of fishy business going on. Justin Postlethwaite browses the menu… Nestling between Brittany…
Lemon Cake
Thanks to the lemon syrup, this cake keeps moist for several days and is the ideal cake to take to the country on a picnic. Makes 2 cakes Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes For the batter…
Late Summer French mortgage tips
Late summer and early autumn is often the busiest time of the year for buyers of second homes in France committing to new purchases. Here we look at two key points to ensure your French property purchase remains on track!…
French Mortgage Advice
An Agreement in Principle Why it pays to get your application for a French mortgage sorted out before hunting for your dream home… “When you possess an ‘agreement in principle’ it sends a very clear message to vendors that you…
Renovation Case Study – Sleeping Beauty
The Wilkinsons used their aesthetic talents and exquisite taste to return a dilapidated farmhouse in the south of France to its original splendour. Greg Cook finds out how… Barely off the plane, Marianne and David Wilkinson took one…
Moules au Roquefort
Rope-grown mussels steamed with Roquefort cheese, white wine, garlic, parsley and bacon lardons. This simple but tasteful dish has a great combination of flavours and is sure to impress any guest! Our quick and easy recipe makes it perfect for…
Taste of the Terroir – Toulouse
The ‘Pink City’ is a well-established culinary centre, one which boasts famous specialities that range from cassoulet and Toulouse sausages to violet-flavoured sweets. Toulouse is most famous for its speciality charcuterie sausages – historically made from pork that’s marinated…
Pan fried fillets of plaice with butter and almonds
Filets de carrelet meunière aux amandes One of the best-known and loved flatfish of all, plaice can be easily identified at the fishmonger’s by its distinctive brown colouring and vivid orange spots. If cooked well, this tasty fish…
A Tale of Two towns – Deauville & Trouville
There is more than a bridge linking Deauville with Trouville. Both villages on Normandy’s lovely Côte Fleurie have a casino, a beach boardwalk and a film festival… Given its small size and a population of just 4,000, Deauville…
Raspberry Soufflé
Once mastered, this beautifully light dessert with intense raspberry flavour will be in your repertoire of special dinners for years to come. You might even feel like investing in individual copper pots that are the perfect size for soufflés,…
Taste of the Terroir – Pays Basque
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Spanish Pyrénées in the South-West of France is the Pays Basque and it has a much respected culinary style all of its own! As an appetizer, you can’t beat a few slithers…
Lifestyle Case Study – Business Endeavours in Provence
Provence has triggered many a creative impulse. Patrice Bertrand meets two expats who have drawn on art, and the local fare, to make ends meet “I think I’m probably the most stressed person in Provence, which is a very…
Just Desert – Floating islands
Everybody deserves a little sweet self indulgence once in a while, and what better way to round off a meal than with a delicious French dessert? This is a simple microwave version of the classic French dessert, also…
French Interiors – It’s all in the detail
To create the compagnard, or “country” look, go for useful items without cluttering Would you like to create a touch of French chic in your home without breaking the bank? Interiors expert Mayke Hogestijn looks at how to achieve the…
Buying Property in France Case Study – Dordogne Dreams
Rupert Springfield and Franck van der Hooft fell in love with the Dordogne one summer, there and then making plans to return and create their perfect home and business. They’ve turned the fantasy into reality! FRENCHENTRÉE MAGAZINE: How…
The manoir, reborn…
We talk to Anna Congratel who, alongside her husband Abel, worked for 15 years to gradually turn a spectacular 19th-century manor in the Lot into a luxurious guest house FE Mag: When – and where – did you buy…
Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
The medieval town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val on the Aveyron River boasts a beguiling mix of amazing scenery and fascinating history plus a fantastic local market – it’s a jewel of the Tarn-et-Garonne… 1. Stunning panoramas The first and most obviously…
Pear crêpe white wine, chocolate & almonds
A variant of the classic French dessert Poire Belle-Hélène, adapted here for a Breton crêpe. Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes per crêpe FOR EACH CRÊPE 80g (3oz / 1⁄3 cup) crêpe batter 2 tbsp chocolate sauce…
Lifestyle Case Study – Stepping into the Light
Adding a single-storey dining room extension has enclosed the courtyard Bénédicte and Phil Apple left gloomy Britain behind to convert an old mill house in Provence into an idyllic haven. They tell Greg Cook why it’s the best decision they’ve…
The Cost of Living in France
The dream of moving to France is often based on a simpler, less costly and more rewarding lifestyle, but is it really a cheaper place to live? START WITH THE FACTS At a glance, the cost of living for…
The Cost of Buying Property in France
Attractive property prices make France an appealing proposition. But with house-hunting costs and conveyancing fees to think about, it can all add up quickly… HOUSE-HUNTING COSTS Often overlooked, these initial costs aren’t to be underestimated. There’s getting to…
Property Showdown – LOT VERSUS LOT ET GARONNE
We head to the green heart of southwest France, where two départements reign supreme… Lot Named after its defining river, the Lot shares its borders with the Limousin, Aquitaine and Auvergne regions. This historically rich area is known for…
Taste of the Terroir – Poulet de Bresse
Justin Postlethwaite on just what it is that makes the blue-footed Bresse chicken, a living embodiment of the French flag, Le Tricolore, so in demand with amateur gourmands and top restaurants alike… The strutting creatures that you occasionally glimpse…
Chocolate mousse with cocoa-bean brittle and caramel ice cream
A recipe from a sumptuous cookbook by Rachael McKenna and Jean-André Charial which celebrates the unique gastronomic offerings and relaxed rituals of midday meals in Provence. Mousseux au chocolat Grand Cru, craquant au grué de cacao, crème glacée au…
French pigeon – Pigeon à la française
A recipe from a sumptuous cookbook by Rachael McKenna and Jean-André Charial which celebrates the unique gastronomic offerings and relaxed rituals of midday meals in Provence. Serves 2 200g lardons 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 bouquet garni…
Ask the Experts – Removals to France FAQs
A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Relocating abroad is not rocket science, but it does take planning. Tim Davies runs through the basics and shares some handy tips for a worry-free house move Q How can I make…
Taste of the terroir – Pyrénees-Atlantiques
Strong Basque Influences Cuisine in this département is heavily influenced by Basque culture. You’d be advised to start off with the Bayonne ham. This is a sweet variety of specially cured ham protected by something called indication géographique protégée…
Montanel, Mon Amour
Cows may outnumber villagers (or so her daughter believes) in the isolated hamlet of Montanel – but to Ani Moriarty the rural nook is simply heaven on earth Where do you live in France and why did you choose…
Grilled sea bass with ratatouille
A recipe from a sumptuous cookbook by Rachael McKenna and Jean-André Charial which celebrates the unique gastronomic offerings and relaxed rituals of midday meals in Provence. Dos de loup de méditerranée cuit à la plancha, fine ratatouille aux goûts…
