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…
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…
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.
Charlotte Macdonald is an associate solicitor in Stone King’s international and cross border team. Over a new 12-part series of articles Charlotte will answer legal and practical questions that are often asked by her clients in relation to buying or…
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…
Charlotte Macdonald, an associate solicitor in Stone King’s international and cross border team, sets out a number of scenarios that a British owner of French property may encounter. Over a 12-part series of articles Charlotte covers topics such as how…
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…
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.
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…
A look at tontine, en indivision and société civile immobilière and how this affects the surviving spouse.
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 …
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…
Thinking of buying of property in Paris? Read our top 10 tips for a well-informed decision.
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.
There are three terms in the school year, starting in September. Dates of French school holidays vary according to the “zone” you live in.
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…
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.
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…
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
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.
The allocation rentrée scolaire is a grant to assist households under a certain income level. It may help offset the cost of books and materials.
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
Frequently asked questions about tax in France….
It may be that you wish to make a gift of the whole or part of your French property. …
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 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…
What is vie scolaire in French schools and what is its function? Your questions answered…
Kerguelen, a cosy, 19th century granite stone farmhouse, sits on the Breton coast, in walking distance of one of the many sandy beaches of the region. Ideally situated and easy to get to, thanks to the harbour town of Roscoff…
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…
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…
Dominic Bliss introduces his two young daughters to cuisine “outside their nutritional comfort zones” in the Limousin.
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.
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’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,…
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…
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.
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 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…
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.
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.
Meet Stephen and Jeany, a couple who traded their former lives for a fresh start in Provence, where their wine is making waves.
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.
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
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?
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 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,…
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…
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.
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…
