French Living
Living in France is about more than scenery; it’s about finding a rhythm. This section covers daily life, from chats at the boulangerie to going to the mairie. We share stories about the joy of settling in beautiful France.
April Antics in the Southwest
Here is the latest piece from Beth in the heart of rural France , dealing with a typical April so far, with a wet and cooler spring this year, and a few ideas of events if you’re travelling or already live in this…
The Love of Irish Tradition, Pubs, Folk Music and Ireland
This new blog post is all about Saint Patrick’s Day in France, and why the French love a pint of Guinness in a traditional pub with good music and company. Being a Patrick myself, I asked our reliable (and neutral)…
Bureaucracy and Prefectures, Merci France Services
We've recently posted about overdue improvements to French government services and online systems, which prompted us to think about those who are not online or live in rural areas of France . Most people will know what a…
How to Change Name or Surname In France?
If you’re wondering how to change your name in France, you’re not alone. This is a frequently asked question for British passport holders and expats living in France . There are several reasons someone may need…
How to Apply for French Citizenship with NATALI
There are more and more settled expats who have been living in France for a while, wanting to become French citizens and are applying for ' la Nationalité Française '. This can be a daunting and lengthy process;…
Tax Declaration for All Homeowners in France
Why must all French property owners, including those with second homes, complete a new form on the French tax website? And why it could be good news in the future. Anyone who owns a property in France - either a primary…
What is a Livret A Saving Account in France?
Livret A is a simple savings account with instant withdrawal access that's historically been very popular in France . It is a kind of on-demand , tax-free savings account similar to a UK ISA. In November 2025, 58 million…
Our Guide to Telephone Numbers and Area Codes
This new article is about phone numbers in beautiful France , all telephone numbers and how to use them. France uses a 10-digit system with the first two digits indicating a mobile phone, a non-geographic number…
Christmas Carols French Style
This month, Beth shares a strange post-Christmas holiday story and an unusual tradition to kick-start la nouvelle année on a high note. "Christmas carol singing in January? Unusual timing. Then again, all sorts of…
Learn about Ameli, the French Online Health Service
Ameli is an online platform for the Assurance Maladie , France's health insurance system. The name Ameli is an acronym for 'assurance maladie en ligne ', meaning 'health insurance online'. This Digital service makes it easier…
Learning French Language, the Linguistic Dilemma
This month, Beth shares her experience learning and improving her spoken French, but despite the best intentions and available tools, this is usually not as easy as it should be... It's never too late to learn a language…
Our French Chateau Escape from Everyday American Life
Following on from Sharon's chateau story , this week's article features a couple of happy France-loving American customers who secured their dream chateau in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes . Their love of France,…
Compulsory Boiler Service and Thermostat Check
Here's some property news concerning all owners of French property, expats living in France and future buyers. There are new rules coming into place to improve boiler efficiency, this is part of the winter's energy saving…
How to Manage your Paris Apartment from Abroad?
In our previous post, we spoke about the challenges of finding reliable service providers for the renovation of your property . This is made more difficult if you are not there day to day and need to manage everything remotely.…
How to Find a Local Artisan to Renovate your French House
This month, Beth shares great advice and top tips about renovating a property in France , and how to find the right artisans and build a team for the long term. "Do you enjoy property restoration work? Many people who buy…
Autumn is Mushroom Time
One of our favourite French words is 'champignons' (we also like ' pamplemousse '), and autumn is one of our favourite times of the year. We envy the lucky ones who enjoy those long walks chatting while hunting for the perfect…
Emergency Telephone Numbers and Helplines in France
In an emergency in France , here are the main telephone numbers to use if you live there, or you are holidaying there, even from your mobile/cell phone. First, make sure it is safe to call; if unsure whether it's a…
Happy Family in their Dream French Chateau
It's always great to receive feedback from satisfied buyers , especially after a very long time spent searching for that dream historic property in France. Their Dream Château This special property is a restored 19th-century…
It's Vacances Time in France, but Where do the Locals Go?
This month's article is about holidaying in France, when you already live in France ! Where to go this year? What do the French do, especially with a very hot summer? They take a long break, often discovering a new corner…
What's a RIB in France? How Can I Get One?
"RIB" is the abbreviation for Relevé d’Identité Bancaire, which means "Banking ID Details" in English. These details are necessary when you open a bank account with a French bank or purchase a property…
Bartering Bric-a-Brac at Brocantes in SW France
This month's article is light and funny, and possibly useful for those not trained in the art of dealing with those passionate 'brocantiers' and 'amateurs antiquaires' or to find a present for a friend who's moving into…
Moving To France with Horses
Owners of horses must ensure that their animals have: pre-travel residency or isolation, blood tests, export health certificates (EHC), and customs declarations or carnets . British Equestrian has compiled a helpful checklist…
Poisson d’Avril and Fishy Jokes
Here is the latest piece from Beth in Occitanie , all about April fools and its origins, and food, naturellement... just in time for Easter. "Did you fall for an April Fool’s Day prank this year? It’s that month…
Spring Pests and Pets in France
Here are the latest of Beth's adventures and friendly advice from rural southwest France . In springtime, when nature is blossoming and animals are free to roam again, she explains how pet owners need to be aware of local…
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 a steep…
What is a Réveillon or La Saint-Sylvestre in France?
Here is the latest news from Beth, from her dream country house in rural France after discovering the exhausting expérience of "Les Fêtes de Fin d'Année". I wonder if Beth knows how early some of…
November Is Always Très Busy
Here are 'les dernieres aventures de Beth' in her dream country estate in rural southwest France . This month, she discovers how November is traditionally an eventful month, with two bank holidays , 1st and 11th, every year.…
Confusing French Phrases, Words and Expressions
Here are the latest musings from Beth in her dream country house , somewhere in rural southwest France, where plenty of mushrooms have been spotted this season. This month, she discovers some strange, often confusing old…
Discovering Marmande’s Tomatoes and Cafés
Here are the latest adventures from Beth and friends, still finding amazing places in the heart of southwest France. This month, and her sister Di, discover the market town of Marmande, as they’ve heard there are some…
A Hidden Treasure in Occitanie
Here are the latest discoveries and adventures from Beth and friends, finding beautiful villages and amazing places right in the heart of southwest France. This week, they discover the popular market town of Saint Antonin.…
The Best Croissants and Chocolatines in Occitanie
French people tend not to snack much between meals, instead conserving their appetite for 'les repas', but ocassionally it's easy to get tempted by an invitingly fresh pain aux raisins, or a shiny croissant, almost straight…
Spring, Plants and Cadeaux
Are you still missing France and the warm sunshine while waiting to hear about travelling there this summer? The good news is we have a new lovely read from Beth in southwest France , just in time for the weekend,…
Easter Magic in SW France
Missing France, the warm sunshine, early strawberries and blue skies? Here are some Easter and chocolate goodies from the lovely Beth and friends in southwest France . For Christian folks, Easter, which signifies a period…
Springtime Packs a Punch
Missing France , the warm sunshine and spring flowers, it’s not long to go ... Here’s a slice of French printemps, straight from the heart of Occitanie , from the lovely Beth and her many friends and animals.…
Our Guide to Doctors, Dentists and Healthcare in France
France boasts a healthcare system that is highly acclaimed throughout Europe. Patients can access the country's exceptional medical services, which the government partially funds. However, individuals are required to pay…
Brexit, EHIC, GHIC, Medical Support and Healthcare
Starting a new life in France is a dream many people and families have, but when you start making it a reality, there are many eventualities to consider, especially after the United Kingdom decided to leave the EU. This…