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Do you know your piste from your pente? Check out this list of key words for winter sports in France...
Some energy suppliers now specialise in producing wind energy such as Planete Oui and French residents can choose to use them. However, installing your own wind turbine in France is a viable option for residents with enough land...
Nowhere in the world can match the variety and quality of the Loire Valley’s white, red, rose, sparkling, sweet, and dry wines. You can taste wines of every colour and flavour, with unforgettable fragrances that reflect the region’s unique soil...
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.
The Côte D’Or is at the heart of the Burgundy vineyards, and it’s on this ‘terroir’ that some of the best known wines are produced. The Côte D’Or is ...
Do you know your Chablis from your Aligoté? Marc Ragaine advises French Entrée Burgundy which vinyards to look out for...
Wine is one of the joys of France. But unlike New World wine that is labelled according to grape, the French system is a complicated mix of regions, appellations and even chateaux. So how to tell what you are buying? Seasoned wine writer, David Best, explains all
A list of common and not-so-common French wine terms and their definitions.
Situated in the north of the Tarn departement, the Gaillac Appellation area covers 2.500 hectares spread over 73 communes, for an AOC production of over 165.000 hectolitres. The vineyard of Gaillac was one of the first growing centres in Gaul. Today, the appellation comprises of one hundred independent producers and 3 co-operative cellars.
The most immediate aspect of the appearance of a wine is its color. Other features to note are clarity, fluidity and effervescence. Commercial wine, whatever its category should be clear, perfectly transparent and free of deposits or suspended particles. Any sign of cloudiness indicates a defect. A fine wine of any color at its prime should be not only clear but also bright with a luminous quality. ...
A look at the main characteristics of the AOC wines of the Aude - a department. With well over a third of its land devoted to vine growing, there are a myriad different types of wine to discover.
The Hérault and Gard departments of the Languedoc-Roussillon are home to some of its most internationally known wine terroirs such as Saint-Chinian, Pic Saint Loup, Costières de Nimes and Muscat de Lunel.
In recent years, the vineyards of South West France have benefited, not only from increased consumer awareness, but also from much improved production techniques. Greater dedication on the part of the growers and significant investment in new equipment has been well supported by the banks...
The vineyards of Cahors have twenty centuries of history behind them: the Renaissance poet Clement Marot, Pope John XXII, Francois I and Henry IV have all been its ambassadors...
An introduction the AOC wines of the Pyrenees-Orientales - the most southerly department of Languedoc-Roussillon, which profits from its glorious climate to produce some of the most complex and interesting wines in the region.
"What struck me immediately on my first visit to Languedoc was the common nature of olive trees - they grow in gardens, they grow on pavements, they grow in front of supermarkets, they grow in the middle of roundabouts. So, I ask myself, how do they get from tree to table? And can I pick the olives in my own garden?..."
Why black? Principally because it is almost black, just hold a bottle up to the light and you’ll see into its deliciously inky depths. Cahors red wines are reputedly the darkest in the world; they are also some of the strongest and richest and will keep for years...
Here are the headlines from French newspaper this week.
Discover why manners are essential in France. Learn key etiquette tips to navigate social situations with confidence and respect.
Discover buying property in Southwest France, from Bordeaux vineyards to charming villages. A practical guide to homes, prices, and lifestyle.
Moving to France is an exciting life change, whether you are relocating permanently, buying a second home, or planning a long-term stay. But alongside property searches, visas and removals, one practical area that is often overlooked is insurance.
For expats in France, filling in a tax return can mean declaring overseas bank accounts and worldwide income, or requesting tax credits on overseas pension or rental income. Let’s take a look at the basics of filling in your 2026 French tax return – step by step.
Employment income, rental income, and French pensions are subject to France's Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system or ‘prélèvement à la source’ - here's what you need to know.
Trusted movers AnyVan have put together a helpful guide on the most common mistakes to avoid when moving furniture from the UK to France. Here are 5 mistakes to look out for
We have been looking at what property management in France really is, and why absentee owners need to source reliable...
Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.
Planning a cross-Channel move? Follow this step-by-step guide to pack, transport, and settle your belongings smoothly between the UK and Europe.
Discover why the Loire Valley is perfect for buying French property, from historic châteaux to charming countryside homes.
French has been named the world’s fourth most spoken language, a free webinar for UK residents planning a move to France is just days away, and Air France is preparing to launch a new London Gatwick to Paris route.
Discover the charm of Alsace with storybook villages, vineyards, and scenic countryside that feels like stepping into a fairytale.
Discover how Skye McDonald built a vintage clothing business as a teen in Brittany, turning her passion for retro fashion into a thriving shop.
France has confirmed the opening date for the 2026 income-tax declaration campaign, preparations are continuing for the rollout of the...
Buying property yourself? Learn common DIY buyer mistakes and simple ways to avoid costly purchase slip-ups and make a smarter investment.
Ian Morris journeys the length of France in Poppy, his 51-year-old Citroën 2CV, sharing scenic routes, charming villages and unforgettable road trip moments.
Prepare your French holiday home for guests with practical tips on cleaning, comfort, amenities, and presentation to create a welcoming stay.
Understand inheritance in France with expert insights on laws, taxes, and succession planning for residents, expats, and property owners.
Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.
It is often stated that complaining is part of French culture, but why is it almost seen as a national sport in France?
When Helen Tait-Wright went to France alone to oversee a renovation project, she never dreamt she'd end up driving the Dakar rally, she tells Gillian Harvey..
A château can be visually extraordinary and still struggle commercially. The difference lies not in the façade or the architecture, but in the structure behind the project.
Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.
Discover Côte d'Opale property prices, lifestyle, towns and buying tips. A complete French property location guide for homebuyers and investors.
The French government has updated its language requirements for residence permits, cards and naturalisation applicants, but what does it mean?
Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.
For some, having extra space to keep animals is one of the drivers for moving to France -Gillian Harvey meets three such people...
Living in rural France comes with several unexpected expenses—here are the costs to watch out for so you’re not caught off guard when signing.
Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.
Running gîtes has always held a certain degree of romanticism for me; the reality, of course, is that it’s lots of hard work.
Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.