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French School Holidays – Dates for Your Calendar
There are three terms in the school year, starting in September. Dates of French school holidays vary according to the “zone” you live in.
Inheritance tax – will I have to pay it twice? A Guide to Double Taxation
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.
Allocation de Rentrée Scolaire – Back to School Grant
The allocation rentrée scolaire is a grant to assist households under a certain income level, aimed to help offset the cost of school supplies.
What is Vie Scolaire in French schools?
What is vie scolaire in French schools and what is its function? Your questions answered…
The Property Scene in St-Antonin-Noble-Val
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…
Rural France for Aussies
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…
What Extra-curricular Activities are Available in French Schools?
In France, the school day is long and children spend much of their time sitting behind a desk. They do, however, have a day off from school mid-week, providing an opportunity to practise sport or take on other hobbies.
Brexit and Inheritance Tax: What’s Likely to Change?
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.
Me, You, and Les Enfants Come Too
Running a château offering family-friendly holiday experiences in France is far from child’s play, but it’s exactly what Jon Barnsley left a high-profile job at one of the UK’s biggest newspapers to do. Greg Cook finds out more. How…
Make the Most of Your Viewing Trip
If you’re looking for houses in France, it pays to be prepared. Follow our handy bullet-point guide to making the most of your viewing trip. * Make sure you have appointments booked with agents – don’t expect to just walk…
English Domicile vs French Domicile
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.
Need an Excuse for Crêpes? It’s La Chandeleur in France!
As if we really needed an excuse to indulge in crêpes, the Fête de la Chandeleur (or Fête des Chandelles) rolls around. Get together with family and friends and join this ancient tradition…
The Different Ways of Jointly Owning French Property
A look at tontine, en indivision and société civile immobilière and how this affects the surviving spouse.
Local Property Taxes: Taxe Foncière and Taxe D’habitation
There are two annual local property taxes in France, taxe d’habitation and taxe foncière. They are paid by both residents and non-residents and are often higher on second homes …
Lead in Your French Home
When do you need a mandatory inspection? Throughout France, an inspection for the presence of lead in paintwork is mandatory when any building built before January 1949 is sold (both common areas and/or areas for private use). The inspection must…
Top 10 Tips to Buy Property in Paris
Thinking of buying of property in Paris? Read our top 10 tips for a well-informed decision.
Christmas Markets in France
Traditionally, housewives in France would spend the weeks leading up to Christmas preparing a festive feast and Christmas markets developed to supply them with the ingredients and products they needed.
Caretaking a Gîte: A Week in the Life of a French Property Manager
Most of you will have some contact with holidaymakers in France during the summer, but in case you didn’t realise what effort goes into making sure their holidays are successful, ‘a week in the life’ of a caretaker of holiday homes makes entertaining reading…
Divorce in France: Financial and Tax Implications
French law expert Sarah Bright Thomas takes a close look at the divorce law in France and also examines how it can affect property and other financial issues for both parties.
A Traditional Christmas in Provence
In Provence, on Christmas Eve the family gathers for the traditional Christmas meal known as le Gros Souper (the big supper). This meal begins with seven meatless dishes, ending with the ritual number of 13 desserts…
Be covered: An introduction to insurance in France
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
French Succession Tax
New EU regulations will give you much more choice over whom British expatriates living in France can leave their assets to. You have much more freedom to choose to bequeath property, savings and investments.
How to Present Your CV in France
The French are particular about their CVs so here’s how to make sure yours looks good and reads well. Made it to the interview? Great! Read out tips to give yourself the best chance of success
Ask The Experts: French Tax
Frequently asked questions about tax in France….
Gifting a property in France
It may be that you wish to make a gift of the whole or part of your French property. …
French Alps property buyers get on their bikes and stay for the summer
As the snow melts on the ski slopes a record numbers of bikes are being kept in the storage areas ready for summer in many of the new French Alpine residential developments.
Brittany’s Catholic Heritage: Top Religious Sites
Brittany possesses a wealth of religious heritage, including over 300 saints. The region’s Christian identity dates back to the 4th century, when seven founder saints brought Catholicism to its people…
Retiring to France? What you need to think about
Moving to a new country is a big change, and you need to have a real awareness of what you’re letting yourself in for. This is even more important when you are older and the changes are possibly greater. Before…
Book review: Breaking Away, Anna Gavalda
Breaking away Anna Gavalda, £6.99 Gallic Books It might be a French book translated into English, but the story here is universal – one we can all relate to (if you get on with your siblings, at least). Breaking Away sees a grownup Garance reunited with…
Saint-Étienne celebrates design at International Biennial
Until 12 April, Saint-Étienne (Rhône-Alpes) is hosting its four week-long International Biennial of Design. Now in its ninth edition, this year’s event is under the direction of new curator Benjamin Loyauté – a designer who is currently showing an exhibition of…
A culinary adventure in Limousin
Dominic Bliss introduces his two young daughters to cuisine “outside their nutritional comfort zones” in the Limousin.
Learning French: How to ask a question
VIDEO: in this episode of her popular Comme une Française series, Géraldine helps us with a simple way to ask a question in French. In each of six different way to phrase a question there is a subtle change in the degree of politeness that is appropriate to each situation.
English speaking? Affected by cancer in France? CSF can help
When we pack up and set out for a new life in France, full of eager anticipation, none of us expects to become ill. The medical culture is different, the language barrier becomes even harder, friends and family are far away. CSF can help.
We’ve Chosen the Winner of Our Photography Competition!
We’re happy to announce that Pia Jakobsen’s photograph of children playing among water fountains at one of the French Riviera’s most popular attractions has been named the winner of our photographic competition. Pia, a software engineer and avid amateur photographer from Oslo,…
Valentine’s Day and Romance in France
The French are renowned as a nation of romantics. From the amorous cartoon skunk Pépé le Pew with his overcooked accent to gorgeous actors like Jean Dujardin and Gregory Fitoussi, the romantic ideal often adopts a French accent. And, of…
CAF Benefits in France – 10 Things You Need to Know
Many families don’t realise that they may be entitled to CAF benefits in France. Even for fluent French speakers the system can be difficult to understand and stressful.
Where should you go skiing in France?
Skiing in France is something of a ‘no-brainer’. France has the biggest ski area in the world, laying claim to an unbelievable 30% of the world’s surface area devoted to the sport.
Author Charles Timoney on Rowing the Seine
Author Charles Timoney gives us an insight into his vie française – including his thoughts on the Gallic disposition, having bilingual children and rowing the length of the Seine…
How Are Savings and Investments Taxed in France?
There can be significant differences between taxation in the UK and taxation in France. A must read in order to help maximise your returns on your money.
Buying property in France? Take tax advice early
If you are buying a property in France, and/or moving there to live, you should start your tax planning nice and early. Ideally this would be before you buy the property, and before you move there.
Sunshine in a bottle: a winemaker in Provence
Meet Stephen and Jeany, a couple who traded their former lives for a fresh start in Provence, where their wine is making waves.
L-plate skiers help drive property sales in French alpine resort
Up-and-coming French alpine resort Val Cenis (close to the Italian border) is one of the best places to learn to ski and boasts the longest green piste in Europe.
New Year in Paris? Head for the Champs Elysées
This year all eyes will be on the Arc-de-Triomphe as the focal point of the countdown to welcome 2015. The city is planning something a little special this year, in addition to the glittering display that we are accustomed to
Show off your French garden for a good cause
Two years ago four British garden owners in the Creuse had an idea. What if they could develop an open garden scheme in France, like the ones in other countries?
Top French Tax Tips
Baffled by the French tax system? Preparing to leave the UK to set up home in your dream French home? Already here? Here’s some handy advice…
People Watching in the Place Dauphine, Paris
People watching is by far the most entertaining sport in Paris. Many participate in this sport while seated outdoors at a café. Others may partake in Parc Monceau or Jardin du Luxembourg. I take my people watching seriously. For me,…
Vide-greniers: how to bag a bargain in France
There’s a fine and fluctuating line between clutter and collecting which is, in our household at any rate, often crossed. As an ardent and somewhat militant minimalist the prospect of a morning rummaging through the jetsam and flotsam of someone’s…
New EU succession regulations raise concerns
French inheritance law is substantially different from the position in the UK. After much debate on the new EU succession regulations effective August 2015 it is still a fact that owning assets in another jurisdiction increases legal and tax complexity.
Limousin Memorial Village: Oradour-sur-Glane
Thinking back to the day that I was finally able to visit Oradour-sur-Glane – I had been reading about it for years – what I now recall most vividly is the heat and stillness of that hot September afternoon. The…
