French property ownership and Inheritance: Indivision, Tontine, and SCI
A look at tontine, en indivision and société civile immobilière and how this affects the surviving spouse.
technology
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.
Planning Your Property Inspection Trip to France – Top Tips
Once you’ve narrowed down your search area, you can book appointments to view the properties you have selected either through your property finder or with the French estate agents directly. Before you set out on your property inspection trip, here are some top tips to make the most of the time and funds at your disposal.
Buying a holiday home in France …?
A holiday home in France is a great idea but like all good things, it takes some planning and a little effort to make it work. Here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of your maison secondaire
How to feed the little guests in your French garden in winter
Find out how to help your local flock of birds in France thrive this winter. And with the right food, you may even be able to tempt in a new visitor or two
UK TV in France
Many English-speaking residents are interested in watching UK TV in France to keep up with their favourite programms and films, and get the news in their own language.
French energy law finally adopted
The long-delayed French energy law, known as the loi de transition énergétique, was approved in a final vote on July 22 setting ambitious goals for energy efficienty and waste reduction.
Village Beauties: A Tour of Vézelay, Burgundy
Stéphane Bern, the author of The Best Loved Villages of France, dedicated to France’s best loved villages, reveals his passion for village life and gives us a tour of Vézelay in Burgundy.
Broadband ADSL availability in France
To check broadband(“ADSL”) availability in France take a look at these web sites. You will need to enter the address and post code or existing phone number if you have one.
Cheques, credit and debit cards in France
While your existing cards will be accepted in most sizeable shops, service stations and restaurants, you may find a few differences in the way bank cards and cheques work in France.
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.
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.
Writing letters
A few handy phrases and vocabulary to write a letter or email in French.
Interview: Richard Ayoade Talks French Cinema
Director, actor, comedian and author Richard Ayoade is a French ‘New Wave’ cinema addict. He speaks exclusively to Florence Derrick about France and the ‘Nouvelle Vague’.
The New UK Pension Regime and Expatriates in France
The new UK pension regime came into effect from 6th April, 2015. This is a major change for retirees, with the restrictions on how much income and lump sum you can take being removed for defined contribution schemes.
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.
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.
An Ode to Romantic French Men
We are all well-versed in the notion that French women don’t get fat. They are also the epitome of chic and have the best, unfussiest hairstyles on earth. With so many articles and books written about the style, elegance, and chicness of…
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…
Driving in France – an Introduction
Before setting off onto the French roads, it is vital to acquaint yourself with some basic principals concerning driving in France as well as the road network and administrative requirements relating to driving licences.
Is this the time to move to France? Maybe!
There’s been some recent developments in the Eurozone which could benefit British expatriates hoping to move to France or already living there.
Glossary: Tools and DIY Terms in French
A little help goes a long way. Whether you need a a copper tube, double-glazing, paintbrush or electric drill, find the right word for the job.
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.
Stolen €300k Sculpture Found in Paris Museum Toilet
On Saturday afternoon, a security agent at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the west wing of the Palais du Louvre raised the alarm when he noticed a valuable 17th century statuette missing.
Cancelling insurance in France: the Loi Hamon
It is now possible for consumers to cancel their vehicle or house insurance provider at any time after the first year. The rule applies to contracts signed or renewed after January 1, 2015.
Refund of Social Charges for Non-Residents?
If you sold your holiday home in France you may qualify for a refund of any social contributions levied, but you would need to act quickly.
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.
Sweet tweets: you can now send money via Twitter in France
In France customers of one of the largest banks can now quickly and send money electronically via Twitter to a friend.
Ten questions to ask when viewing a property in France
The moment of truth when you are looking to buy a home is the actual visit to the sites selected on your shortlist. Make sure to ask the right questions.
Settling into French life
Working as a property finder, people often ask Jacqueline how easy it is to settle into French life. She finds inspiration in Lynn, who took to her new life in France like a duck to water.
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…
technology
Technology in France – Everything you need to stay connected Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Technology in France.Here you will find everything you need to know about Technology in France, from testing broadband speed, choosing an Internet Service Provider…
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.
French Etiquette: How to Behave in a Museum
The age of the selfie brings a fresh challenge to curators. How to keep people from causing disruption while taking photos in French museums now that virtually everybody is carrying a camera or a smartphone? Museum staff is irretrievably outnumbered…
Wood Burners France
Whether it’s a contemporary or a more traditional look you are after – Woodwarm Stoves France supply innovation and attention to detail …
Understanding Inheritance Rules and Tax in France
If you are French tax resident, you will also be considered “domiciled” in France for inheritance purposes and your worldwide estate will be subject to French inheritance rules and taxes …
Getting connected in France
Useful facts and tips about setting up your new or existing telephone line in France…
Warning On Eating Wild French mushrooms
“Edible Girolles” – A terrifying tale of how greed landed a food writer in hospital. Be careful…
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…
Tips to Sell Your French Home Faster
What is the best approach if you’re planning to put your house on the market, or if it has lingered on the market for a while? Three ways savvy sellers can make their property stand out from the competition.
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VOIP, cheaper phone bills – how to reduce your costs in France
Many companies are now offering services to enable you to use your computer to speak to anyone in the world for free via your Internet connection. With a little coordination amongst your friends and family, it is very easy to set up…
Eating Wild French Mushrooms? Take Care!
A true story about poisonous wild mushrooms in France. Now a memory and a slight embarrassment, the experience of poisoning myself…
Learning French can make you smarter
There are difficulties tolearning to speak French well. Here are some observations and tips about learning French from an English speaker’s point of view.
An Update from Vendée and Deux-sèvres
An Update from Val Walmsley,Property Finder in Vendée and Deux-Sèvres
Au revoir? TV producers looking for expats leaving France
I’m reposting a message from Outline Productions: Are you a British Expat living abroad? Are you thinking of returning to the UK? Whether it’s because you’re missing family & friends, have struggled with the local culture or had trouble with…
A Jump in Vat in France on Some Services to Hit in July
Under a EU directive from Brussels, France is bringing its TVA (sales tax) rates up on some categories. So far certain services labeled services à la personne such as garden maintenance or home tutoring enjoyed a special lower rate of…
A penthouse in Nice
Franklin and Don fell in love with France for the language, the food, the art, the history and the sunshine in the Riviera.
Are You Sure You Know Your French Road Signs?
In the past year some new road signs have been incorporated to the Code de la Route and will gradually start making an appearance on a road near you. Here they are (clockwise from top left) Additional information on dead ends:…
Six New High-definition Channels Available in France
Six new high-definition channels are available on French TV. If you are receiving your signal through the internet (ADSL or fibre optic) or satellite, these channels are available immediately. If you are receiving through the rooftop antenna or antenne râteau…
