Author Profile - My-French-House
Our Postcard from Burgundy
This week, our postcard comes from the Burgundy region , once better known as the Valley of the Kings. A part of France renowned around the globe for its wines, Burgundy is steeped in history and a foodie’s paradise.…
Euro to Sterling Exchange Rate and Why It's Important
Moving to France, or investing in a holiday home in France , means that you’ll be venturing into a whole new world. In that new world, the vast majority of people you meet will speak a different language, they have…
Our Postcard from the Riviera in the Glorious South
Although we’re lovers of everything simple at heart, there is something special about the French Riviera that fills us with excitement and pleasure every time we visit. It’s easy to see why this has been…
A Postcard from the Charente
The Charente is part of the former Poitou-Charente, now part of the much larger Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It is one of four departments that make up this now popular and beautiful region. The Rise of Charente The…
Social Contributions in France - What is the URSSAF?
If you’re planning a new life in France and you still need to work, the chances are you’ll be thinking about setting up your own business. Setting up a business in France isn’t as complicated as people…
Our Postcard from Carcassonne
Today we’re sending our postcard from Carcassonne, a fortified, hilltop city in the Aude department of the Occitanie region, formerly known as Languedoc. Carcassonne is the capital of Aude and has held an important…
Places to Seek Advice in France
When you first move to France, it can be unclear to know where to go for advice and who handles what. Even taking the language barrier out of the equation, who deals with what in France differs from the UK or America , and…
Our Postcard from the Dordogne
Often referred to as Little England', the Dordogne is a culturally rich and historically interesting corner of France. Our Postcard comes from Périgueux, which is the capital of this department. Set in the Southwest…
Advice and Tips for Renovating a Property in France
If you’re house hunting in France, you’ll no doubt have noticed that there are a whole host of different styles of property that are ripe for renovation. There are many reasons for this. One is that the French…
Our Guide to Driving in France
Driving in France is a delightful way to explore the country's diverse regions , their beautiful landscapes and many historic sites. However, there are some essential facts to know to ensure a relaxing holiday and a fantastic…
Our Postcard from the Tarn
For anyone who doesn’t know, the Tarn is a department in the Occitanie region of Southwest France. It is named after the River Tarn, which runs through the department. Its creation in the late 1700s resulted…
Getting the Right Insurance Protection in France
When you make the move to France , one of the first things you’re likely to need to get sorted out is insurance. When you sign with the Notaire to take ownership of your French property, you must have your house insurance…
Our Postcard from Gascony or the Gers, in southwest France
Gers (or Gascony) is located in Occitanie , in southwest France; its official definition encompasses an enormous expanse of land stretching from Bordeaux and Bayonne in the west to Toulouse in the east. With cities…
Teaching English, Translating or Interpreting in France
Although France is a large country , globally, there are only an estimated 300 million French speakers. This means that most switched-on French parents want their offspring to speak another language, and most business…
Becoming A 'Mine Host'
When it comes to earning a living in France , your choices may be limited by your general skills and proficiency in French. However, one career choice that is open to anyone who is sociable, good with people, and has an…
Freelance Your Way to Freedom
Freelancing is a great way to secure an income for your new life in France . If you’re thinking of moving to France with a young family or ahead of retirement, then the chances are that you’ll need to find a…
Tips for Starting a Business
If you’re a few years short of retirement or a young family yearning to move and live in France but keep being put off by the fact that you feel as if you might struggle to make enough income when you get there, think…
Choosing Top-Up Healthcare Insurance and a Mutuelle
In recent weeks, our blog has focused on the French healthcare system . In this article, we explore how to choose your Top-Up Insurance . While this isn’t the most glamorous part of your new life, it’s really…
Money and Capital vs Income
If you’re planning a new life in France , you’re sure to have done lots of research and will be facing many decisions, but one really important aspect of this adventure is often ignored until it’s too late.…
Our Beginners Guide to Banking in France
When you decide to buy your dream home and start a new life in France , one of the first things you’ll need to do is open a bank account. When it comes to banks in France, like in the UK and the USA, there’s…
Our Tips to Getting Started with the French CPAM
As we mentioned in our previous article , the organisation that manages the healthcare system is called the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) . While most villages and small towns will either have a …
An Introduction to the Healthcare System in France
The healthcare system in France is recognised as one of the best in the world. While it is not complicated for the French, at first, it can feel a bit confusing for expats living in France . In this article, we aim…
Introduction to Further and Higher Education in France
If you’re thinking of moving and living in France with children, the chances are that you’ll have further education in your sights in some shape or form. While some kids who move to France with their parents,…
Moving to France with Babies and Toddlers
One of the main attractions of moving and living in France with kids is the fact that it’s a country that embraces the whole notion of ‘ les enfants ’ with open arms. In the UK, we’re accustomed to…
Extra Tips for Retiring to France - Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our Top Tips for Retirees Moving to France articles. We're following up on part 1, which is about things to do before your transition to your new life in France , to make it as easy and stress-free…
Our Tips for Retirees Moving to France - Part 1
If you read our comprehensive guide to buying a French property , you’ll be aware that without proper planning, your move could be fraught with danger. In life, hindsight is a wonderful thing and one of the key areas…
Are you Moving to France to Retire?
With scary stories in the press about people having to work until they’re 476 years of age (OK, slight exaggeration!), it’s reassuring to know that there are still people who can retire early enough to contemplate…
Strasbourg Christmas Market
The spices and cinnamon may not have appeared yet, but wherever you are, Christmas is now an inescapable presence. In the UK, decorations are already in full swing in many places, while in France, people are getting…
What Makes the French Lifestyle so Appealing?
At My-French-house.com, we don’t need persuading about the benefits of French living, but we’re always intrigued to know what has inspired our clients to look for their own dream home in France . Lifestyle is…
Moving to France with Children
Although tracking down accurate figures is nigh on impossible, we and our confrères are coming across more and more couples with kids who are thinking of moving to France, lock stock and barrel to start a new life…
Finding your Dream House in Early Autumn
France is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with over 100 million foreign visitors in 2024, most who travelled during the school holidays . While we at My-French-House.com understand the appeal, we…
Chanel Represents Classic Luxury on a Global Scale
A recent survey revealed that Chanel was China's favourite luxury fashion brand. Not only did the French design label beat many rivals in the fashion stakes, but it was also one of the most popular brands overall, coming…
Dordogne is Second Most Popular Area for Property
The Dordogne region of France has long been a favourite destination for holidaymakers, expatriates, and second-home buyers. Its charm, lifestyle appeal, and accessibility from the UK make it a top choice for those looking…
France's Four Fabulous Seasons
With so little differentiation between the seasons in England in recent years, it’s reassuring to know that just across the channel, it’s still possible to experience the joys of a colourful spring, the long…
French Lifestyle Strengthens its Hold on British Expats
Recent research highlights a significant trend among expatriates living in France ; they report the highest levels of satisfaction with their new lives compared to those residing in other countries. This growing contentment…
Why Provence Offers the Ultimate Luxury Lifestyle
Some of France’s most exclusive properties are tucked away in the hills and valleys of the Provence region, which stretches from chic coastal resorts on the Côte d’Azur to the breathtaking mountain scenery…