Le French Blog - Expert Advice, Guides and Tips
Search the Blog by Category
Our Postcard from Eymet
For this week’s postcard, we’re back in southwest France . We’re on the road again for an extended celebration weekend with our friend in Eymet, and then we’ll visit a few properties in Duras. We…
Enjoy Neighbourly Spirit
Things work differently in France ; there’s no getting away from that. I suspect that differences are more pronounced in the countryside than in the cities, but there are significant differences. I was aware…
Our Postcard from Perpignan
We’re not too sure why, but shortly after the clocks changed and the nights start drawing in, we’re still full of energy. We’ve come to Perpignan for the weekend, and we can’t seem to sit still! We’ve…
Our Postcard from Béziers
This postcard comes from the town of Béziers in the Hérault department, in the Occitanie region . A town with a population of around 70,000, it lies snuggled between the Mediterranean and the mountains. This…
Our Postcard from Normandy
This postcard comes to you from Avranches, right next to Mont Saint-Michel in the Manche department of lower Normandy . Avranches is a small town steeped in history and situated just a stone’s throw from the stunning…
Warm Indian Summer in Southwest France
I think it’s fair to say that in the UK we’ve had a superb summer, for a change! It kind of took us by surprise, but we have certainly enjoyed it and most of us seem to have made the most of it. In fact, going…
Is Social Media Key to Success in your Property Empire?
France is still among the most popular overseas destinations for buy-to-let investors. But in this new social world, how much does ‘being social’ play in the success of your buy-to-let business? Real-Life Success…
Tips for Getting Integrated when Living in France
In this week’s article, we’d like to share with you 10 things you can do to make sure you integrate well into your new life in France . No matter your age or family situation, there are plenty of things you can…
A Postcard from the Valley of the Kings
The Loire Valley is a region of France that abounds in châteaux, impressive manor houses , cathedrals and superb landscapes. The Loire River, of course, is the element that brings this whole region together and…
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…
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’re not in a situation where you don’t need to work, the chances are you’ll be thinking about setting up a business. Setting up a business in France…
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 confusing knowing where you need to go to seek advice and knowing who deals with what. Even taking the language barrier out of the equation, who deals with what in France is different…
Our Postcard from the Dordogne
Often referred to as France’s '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…
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 important facts to know to ensure a relaxing holiday and an amazing…
Our Postcard from the Tarn
For anyone who doesn’t know the Tarn , it’s a department located in the Occitanie region of Southwest France. It gets its name from the River Tarn that runs through the department. Its creation in the late 1700s…
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 the Occitanie region of 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…
Teaching English, Translating or Interpreting in France
Although France is a large country , globally, there are only an estimated 300 million French speakers worldwide. What this means is that most switched-on French parents want their offspring to speak another language,…
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, today’s…
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 in France that manages the healthcare system is called the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) . While most villages and small towns will…
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…
Introduction to Further and Higher Education in France
If you’re thinking of moving and living in France with kids of any age, the likelihood is that you’ll have further education in your sights in some shape or form. While some kids who move to France with their…
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…