Buying Guides
Buying a home in France can feel like navigating legal jargon and cultural quirks. Our guides help decode the compromis and acte de vente, with expert advice. From the notaire’s role to the pitfalls to avoid, our articles help you sign confidently.
Convert to the Metric System, and Fahrenheit to Celsius
Once you start house hunting in France , you soon realise there's a whole new range of words, property types, legal terms, French terminology and metric-based measurements to get accustomed to. Some people find this to be…
Apartments and Chalets in the Best Ski Resorts in the Alps
Autumn is well underway, and many families are turning their attention to winter holidays, particularly those who enjoy the cold and ski activities . One of the most popular winter destinations is the French Alps,…
Find the Ideal Paris District
According to Euromonitor, Paris has regained popularity to once again claim the title of the world’s top city in 2022, ahead of Dubai, which retains 2nd place. The rankings confirm the dominance of European destinations,…
Why Buy Property in Paris?
The French capital is a prime location for buyers looking for a dynamic city that combines the advantages of a modern metropolis with the charm of peaceful villages. And it is the ideal place to invest for rental income,…
Why Invest in Luxury Real Estate in Cannes?
A world renowned seaside resort on the Riviera in the south of France, Cannes benefits from an exceptional setting, between sea and Mediteranean sun. This amazing city is home to many luxury retail outlets, gourmet…
Is it Difficult to Buy Property or Real Estate in Paris?
The Paris property market is well known to be extremely busy with most properties snapped up before making it to the market. French estate agents in Paris have long waiting lists from buyers and investors hoping to snap-up…
Advice for American Citizens Buying Real Estate in France
Did you know that each year, many American citizens are amongst the 100,000 or so individuals, families and seniors from all corners of the world who choose to make France their new home ? This influx of foreign nationals…
French Inheritance Laws : What is a Tontine Clause?
Here's some inheritance-related information about buying property and real estate en tontine, or with a tontine pact. But first, just what is a tontine clause? The tontine clause (also called 'tontine pacte') may be an option…
Our Top Seven Property Pitfalls to Avoid in France
Is moving to France a good idea? We think so, not just because of the weather, the fantastic food, cheese, and wines , culture and history, superb healthcare, but also for a renovation project with land and outbuildings…
SAFER and Pre-Emption Rights on Estates in France
The laws governing property ownership in France depend on the type of property you are buying and the amount of land it includes. If you are buying a country property that has more than one hectare of land (two…
How to Apply for a Building Permit in France
To be allowed to start a new construction site or transformation of your French property and/or ANY of its annexes (outbuilding, barn, garage, pool, veranda, garden shed, etc.), you must first obtain a building permit from…
Property Taxes, Purchase Fees and Stamp Duty in France
Our comprehensive specialist French property website is packed with expert advice and money-saving tips. But one question that keeps coming up is taxes and purchase fees. That’s why the team got together to produce…
How to Find the Perfect Property in France
What's perfection? The concept of perfection varies from person to person and is very subjective. Is there such a thing as a flawless diamond or the perfect car? Au contraire , isn’t it the addition of those imperfections…
Five Reasons Winter House Hunting is a ‘Bonne’ Idea
Autumn and winter are traditionally busy times at MFH with buyers and families coming to France to try and seal a property purchase before the end of the year. There are several benefits of visiting France in the fall…
Advice for Property Buyers - Revisiting our Top Tips
House hunting in France should be an exciting and efficient experience, not a costly and frustrating one. However, many buyers find that the French estate agency system is ‘ tres ’ different to the UK or realtors…
Where to Live in Style and in Easy Reach to Paris
Paris, with its fabulous galleries and restaurants, good schools and chic lifestyle, has always been one of Europe’s most desirable locations. The regions surrounding the French capital offer access to all this iconic…
Escape to the Chateau: How to Buy and Renovate a Castle
They say an Englishman's home is his castle – but for many Brits, Americans and others, the real dream is to buy a piece of history in the form of a French chateau. Over the last couple of years, television audiences…
Tips for Buying a French Chateau, Estate or a Mansion
For many, buying a French property is a dream – something they plan for over many years. That is never more the case than when the property you have in mind is a château full of style , history and challenges.…
Ten Reasons to Buy Property in the Dordogne and Périgord
Named after the river running through its heart, the Dordogne is one of the most picturesque regions of France. Part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, it sits midway between the Loire Valley to the north and the Pyrénées…
Why September is Our Favourite Time of Year
The summer might be over in Britain, but in September, France comes alive, making it our favourite time of the year. The warm weather, long days and minimal tourists are just some of the reasons why you too will fall in…
Are You Struggling to Find the Picture Perfect Home?
One of our team members recently recalled a regular conversation she had with her parents about the possibility of them retiring to France. She explained that her Mum is nearing retirement age, and although she holidays…
French Property Update - Cooling Off Period Extended
With the Law "Macron" passed in France on August 8th, 2015, the cooling-off period for buyers of property in France, known as 'délai de rétractation', has changed from 7 to 10 days. The entitlement to a cooling-off…
What is the Role of a Notaire in French Property & Real Estate?
Notaires in France are important people. While their role is steeped in legal matters, they differ from a solicitor. Commonly charged with drawing up contracts between parties, you may find yourself in need to visit a Notaire…
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…
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 French people, it can be a bit confusing at first for expats living in France . In this article, we aim…
Are you Moving to France to Retire?
With scary stories in the UK 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…
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 of whom travelled during school holiday periods. While we at My-French-House.com…
Buying Your Dream Property in France Just Got Easier
Top ten property website My-French-House.com has developed a step-by-step guide for anyone wanting to purchase a house or invest in real estate in France. According to Patrick Joseph, owner of My-French-House.com, the buying…
Expert Tips for Viewing Properties in France
Like many happy owners of property living in France , you and your family could very soon be living the relaxed lifestyle you dream of in your French house, as well as securing a sound investment for your future. The following…