Property Surveys in France: Diagnostic, Building, and Structural Surveys
The role that Diagnostic surveys play in the purchase of a house in France is very different from what you may be used to.
language
Did you ever study in France? Join the club!
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.
The Paris Dream – Immersing Yourself in the Culture
What happens when you have a people who are fiercely proud of their culture and a person who is fiercely proud of their individuality? …
Competitions – Win Amazing French Prizes
If you love France you’ll love these competitions! With a chance to win tips, experiences, food, drink and more, you could be one click away from an exciting prize! We put up new competitions regularly, so why not bookmark this…
Moving Teenagers to a French School – Beth’s Story
When Beth Ducat moved to France, she gave her two teenage daughters, Emma and Alex, the choice to stay in the UK or come to France with her. They chose the latter. Here, Beth tells how her daughters coped with their new French school…
Living and Studying in Paris – Andrea’s Story
Andrea knew she wanted to live in France ever since her first day of French class when she was 13 years old…
Living and Studying in Paris – Elllie’s Story
Ellie Cobbe spent six months studying in the French capital and met a wealth of different people from all different backgrounds with one shared philosophy: a desire to live and learn in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Loire Valley Property for Sale: A Town-by-town Guide
Your essential guide to facilities in towns to be found north of the Loire and east of Angers. You can find details on bars, restaurants, chemists, banks, supermarkets, broadband, English-language cinema, distance to the ports and much more.
Sarthe property for sale: a town-by-town guide
This beautiful part of France is home to some of the most spectacular properties in Europe, but you can also pick up a bargain. Its proximity to the Channel ports and Paris also make Sarthe an ideal location.
Working in France: Top Tips & Advice
‘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.
Learning French: Let’s talk about the weather
The British may have a reputation for talking about the weather, but the French are equally obsessed! Here’s what to say when you want to join in…
The Legal Implications of Getting Married in France
You’ve found the love of your life and want to get married in France? There are a few legal matters you should be aware of before tying the knot in one of the most romantic countries in the world!…
Settling in France: hints and tips
When making the move to France, there is far more to consider than the practicalities. Sally Stone talks about her experience and reveals the emotional upheaval a new life in France could represent.
Learn French: your essential vocabulary lists
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…
10 Reasons Not to Move to France
The motivations to move to France get enough publicity. Let’s explore the reasons why the dream might turn sour. More often than not there is a combination of multiple factors rather than one big reason.
Learn French in style on the Côte d’Azur
Immersion in la langue française began from birth. Mother intended to name me Chérie, spelt the French way, but instead went with Sheree penned the Irish way. It means darling, in both. Couple that with Charles Trenet singing ‘La Mer’,…
How to Buy Your House in France: The Offer
Buying a house in France may be quite different from purchasing one in your own country. That doesn’t mean the process is more complicated – and can even be simpler. The key is to understand how the system works.
Interview: Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat
Author Joanne Harris is best known for her novel Chocolat, which was made into an Oscar-nominated film. Here she tells FrenchEntrée about the effect that France has on her writing
Interview with Limousin-based painter Nigel Fletcher
We interview reader Nigel Fletcher, an artist who lives in the Limousin, painting en plein air and teaching others how to capture the charming châteaux, villages and markets in watercolour.
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…
Useful French phrases: at the hotel
Learning a new language takes time, perseverance and a sense of humour. Here are some useful French phrases for when you are staying at a hotel in France.
Two Aussie blokes in Paris
Two Australian mates who would regularly get together to watch the football and became the unlikely authors of the travel memoir ‘Paris Tragics’ talk about their shared passion for France.
Asking directions
Need help asking for directions in French? No problem. Check out these handy French phrases.
Texting in French
There was a time when it was enough to be able to converse in the boulangerie and skim read the local journal to get by in France. But what should you do when a friend sends you a message like ‘mrci pr le kfe’? The answer is to text them back…
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.
How to order a coffee in France
VIDEO: we understand how challenging it can be to get through the simplest things in a foreign language. In this episode of Comme Une Française TV, we learn how to order a coffee in France.
Paris and London Tandem: An Artistic Pas De Deux
The British and French cultural scene create an exciting exchange with the Paris London Tandem 2015.
Fifty shades of French: words of love and intimacy
What could be more romantic than a few sweet nothings whispered softly in the language of love? Here are some key French words and phrases.
Book Extract: A French Romance
Can the English be as romantic as the French? Author Julia Stagg shares a delicious tale of French romance in the mountain village of Fogas, where the characters already feel like family.
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…
A postcard from the France Show in London
A fun day out with everything you love about French culture, food, wine, music and of course property. In case you weren’t able to make it this year, here are some of our highlights of the France Show in London.
Enjoying a French film festival… in your slippers
Even after living in France for years, I am always looking for effortless ways to learn French. I leave the radio on in the background and watch French films so when I heard about an online film festival I gave it a try.
EU Citizen Voting Rights in France
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.
My First Trip to Paris
My first visit to Paris was a remarkable experience, which I will never forget. I booked the Dover-Calais ferry and drove with my wife from London in the cold Christmas weather. We intended to stay until the New Year in…
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,…
Blog – News, stories and insider info from France
France is a diverse country brimming with culture to consume and experiences to discover. It doesn’t matter whether you’re outdoorsy, a museum buff or simply want to relax on a beautiful terrace, France has plenty for everyone. The FrenchEntrée blog…
My village: At home in St-Antonin
I always knew we’d chosen wisely when we bought our house in France, but now everyone can get a flavour of where we live. Our small town, St Antonin Noble Val, is the setting for the recently-released film, The Hundred-foot…
My Village: Loving Life in Tarn-et-garonne
Val Johnstone talks fondly about life in her special corner of Tarn-et-Garonne. I have always been greedy, so can I write about our three villages. We live in the country, on top of the world at Mas del Sol, practically equidistant between…
Growing up in France could make your baby smarter
It is known that being bilingual is a stimulant for children’s brains. A new study finds that the benefits can last a lifetime, far beyond the evident linguistic advantage.
How to get fluent in Franglais
Un footing, le timing, un people – these are all French words! Of course, they sound English but they have been stolen, or should I say adapted, and mean something completely different in French. Un footing is the word for…
Learn French
Learn French Welcome to our guide to learning French. Whether you’re living in France or just visiting, there are articles to get you through your time there. If you want to learn French seriously then browse our directory of French…
French television
Watching local TV is one of the best ways to keep up with what is happening in the country and improve your language skills.
The 3 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to France
After interviewing many people who have successfully relocated to France and have thriving families, businesses or a content retirement lifestyle, it is clear that every experience is unique. Having said that, however, there are three main things that stand out…
Grilled Mushrooms with Pélardon Goat’s Cheese
Pelardon, a little round of goat’s cheese, has been produced since Roman times in the Languedoc, and now is produced in five departments surrounding the Gard and the Cévennes region. Here is a little taste of its history and a delicious way to serve it!
Flirt like a Frenchman
Stopping at a crêpe stand for a snack , I recently witnessed a prime example of the art of flirting. As he handed over the thin pancake sprinkled with sugar to a lady who was clearly past the first blush…
John and Elizabeth’s Holiday Home in Brittany
For many years they rented gîtes in different Departments of France, but then they were ready for a home of their own they decided on a holiday home in Brittany.
Michelle’s Lake of Dreams in France
Michelle first visited Lac des Réves in the south coast of France on holiday, and decided to make it her own…
Lessons from the Landscape
Award-winning designer James Besson takes clues from nature to perfect a man-made landscape.
“Le Burnout” In the Land of the 35-hour Work Week
There’s been quite a bit of noise lately in the French media about the phenomenon referred to as le burn-out, following calls to recognize it as an official medical condition under labour law. Although exhaustion is nothing new, the lack…
Word of the Week: “Pouvoir”
This is a double-edged word that can go to your head or put you in control of your own destiny and it has a way of always making its way to the media headlines. Let’s look at the word pouvoir…
