Le French Blog - Expert Advice, Guides and Tips

Read article: An Introduction to the Healthcare System in France
An Introduction to the Healthcare System in France

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…

Read article: Introduction to Further and Higher Education in France
Introduction to Further and Higher Education in France

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,…

Read article: Moving to France with Babies and Toddlers
Moving to France with Babies and Toddlers

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…

Read article: Extra Tips for Retiring to France - Part 2
Extra Tips for Retiring to France - Part 2

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…

Read article: Our Tips for Retirees Moving to France - Part 1
Our Tips for Retirees Moving to France - Part 1

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…

Read article: Are you Moving to France to Retire?
Are you Moving to France to Retire?

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…

Read article: Strasbourg Christmas Market
Strasbourg Christmas Market

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…

Read article: What Makes the French Lifestyle so Appealing?
What Makes the French Lifestyle so Appealing?

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…

Read article: Moving to France with Children
Moving to France with Children

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…

Read article: Finding your Dream House in Early Autumn
Finding your Dream House in Early Autumn

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…

Read article: Chanel Represents Classic Luxury on a Global Scale
Chanel Represents Classic Luxury on a Global Scale

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…

Read article: Dordogne is Second Most Popular Area for Property
Dordogne is Second Most Popular Area for Property

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…

Read article: France's Four Fabulous Seasons
France's Four Fabulous Seasons

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…

Read article: French Lifestyle Strengthens its Hold on British Expats
French Lifestyle Strengthens its Hold on British Expats

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…

Read article: Why Provence Offers the Ultimate Luxury Lifestyle
Why Provence Offers the Ultimate Luxury Lifestyle

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…

Read article: Our Guide to Moving to France with Small Kids
Our Guide to Moving to France with Small Kids

Our Guide to Moving to France with Small Kids

Last week we wrote about moving to France with babies and toddlers, and this week’s subject, a natural follow-up, is aimed at those of you seeking a new life in France and have primary school-age kids. For many couples,…

Read article: Enjoy a Fairytale Lifestyle in your own Loire Castle
Enjoy a Fairytale Lifestyle in your own Loire Castle

Enjoy a Fairytale Lifestyle in your own Loire Castle

The picturesque Loire Valley has always been a place where dreams have been made. The Kings of France planned their nation’s cultural renaissance from this beautiful French region,  leaving behind many magical…

Read article: The Enduring Appeal of Historic Normandy
The Enduring Appeal of Historic Normandy

The Enduring Appeal of Historic Normandy

The Normandy region has always held a special place in the hearts of British holidaymakers and expats, and its popularity goes far beyond its accessibility. For many ferry cross-Channel travellers, this is their first …

Read article: The Cannes Film Festival and Beyond
The Cannes Film Festival and Beyond

The Cannes Film Festival and Beyond

The Côte d’Azur resort of Cannes has been synonymous with glamour since the 1950s, when Hollywood celebrities such as Cary Grant, Brigitte Bardot, Kirk Douglas and Sophia Loren began to regularly appear…

Read article: The Triangle d'Or in Tarn
The Triangle d'Or in Tarn

The Triangle d'Or in Tarn

The Tarn is considered by many as the prettiest department in Occitanie and the area connected by the UNESCO World Heritage city of Albi, the market town of Gaillac and the medieval village of Cordes-sur-Ciel is known as…

Read article: Exploring Around Pau in the Pyrenees Atlantiques
Exploring Around Pau in the Pyrenees Atlantiques

Exploring Around Pau in the Pyrenees Atlantiques

Pau is 50km from the Pyrénées and 100km from the Atlantic Ocean, and it is the capital of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in the heart of southwest France. Set on a hilltop…

Read article: Discover Peaceful Tarn et Garonne in southwest France
Discover Peaceful Tarn et Garonne in southwest France

Discover Peaceful Tarn et Garonne in southwest France

The Tarn-et-Garonne department is part of Midi-Pyrénées and is home to some of the most  beautiful villages  in south-west France. It borders the departments of the Lot, Aveyron, Tarn, Haute-Garonne,…

Read article: Exploring Tarn in the Heart of Southwest France
Exploring Tarn in the Heart of Southwest France

Exploring Tarn in the Heart of Southwest France

The Tarn is a department in Occitanie and, with its 381km-long river and wild black mountains (known as the Montagne Noire), is one of the most beautiful areas in south-west France. Life in the Tarn has so much to give in…

Read article: Luxury Living on the Glamourous Riviera
Luxury Living on the Glamourous Riviera

Luxury Living on the Glamourous Riviera

The French Riviera is a highly attractive holiday destination in the Provence-Côte-d'Azur  region that offers year-round appeal. There is a growing demand for luxury properties and prime real estate along its…

Read article: Our Guide to Chamonix in Savoie
Our Guide to Chamonix in Savoie

Our Guide to Chamonix in Savoie

When the mercury dips, our thoughts invariably turn to the slopes and the opportunity to indulge our cravings for some French Alps-based winter skiing. As usual, the first choice destination for ski-mad Brits will be Chamonix…

Read article: Our Guide to Fine French Wine
Our Guide to Fine French Wine

Our Guide to Fine French Wine

When you mention France , people automatically start thinking about food, wine, usually red, and Champagne. This is a country with the highest per capita wine consumption rates of any other and landscapes characterised by…

Read article: Competitive Euro and Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
Competitive Euro and Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Competitive Euro and Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

If you’re looking to make the most of your money when shopping for the best exchange rates for your property purchase, please don't go to your bank first.  Do your research ; there are plenty of alternatives,…

Read article: Be the King of Your own Castle
Be the King of Your own Castle

Be the King of Your own Castle

Dreaming of swapping the rat race to live in your own castle like the French nobility, but concerned about the financial implications? Well, don’t be, because for a little more than the price of an upmarket semi-detached…

Read article: September is the Best Time for Property Visits
September is the Best Time for Property Visits

September is the Best Time for Property Visits

The claustrophobic crowds have long departed, the air is lighter, and the colours are still more vibrant than at the height of summer – smart travellers have always acknowledged September as the perfect time of…

Read article: Wimbledon VS Roland Garros & London VS Paris
Wimbledon VS Roland Garros & London VS Paris

Wimbledon VS Roland Garros & London VS Paris

WHEN Rafael Nadal sank to his knees on the Philippe Chatrier court in celebration of his epic and record-equalling sixth Roland Garros title recently, all thoughts quickly turned to this year’s Wimbledon Grand Slam…

Read article: Buying Property in France Compared to Spain
Buying Property in France Compared to Spain

Buying Property in France Compared to Spain

WHILST no longer offering the guaranteed returns on investment of previous years, the idea of purchasing a French holiday home should not be dismissed right now, but viewed as a long-term investment rather than a get-rich-quick…

Read article: Playing Golf in France
Playing Golf in France

Playing Golf in France

From the revered Arnaud Massy, the hapless Jean Van de Velde, to the Ladies European Player and Olympian, Céline Boutier, France has, despite the bemusement of many, contributed much to the history of golf, yet surprisingly…

Read article: Bac to the Future? From College to Lycée
Bac to the Future? From College to Lycée

Bac to the Future? From College to Lycée

Are you an expat family living in France with kids in school age?  The French system is different to what you are used to back in the UK, and this why we wonder... With record numbers of UK pupils passing their ‘A’…

Read article: Tarn et Garonne, Where Weather and People are Warm
Tarn et Garonne, Where Weather and People are Warm

Tarn et Garonne, Where Weather and People are Warm

What is it about the Tarn-et-Garonne that draws people back again and again? Could it be the diversity of the scenery, the long hot summers, the medieval villages that look like film sets or the friendly, hospitable locals?…

Read article: What's Not to Like about the Cote d'Azur
What's Not to Like about the Cote d'Azur

What's Not to Like about the Cote d'Azur

More "CHIC" than Paris, cheaper than Milan and with over 3,000 hours of coastal sunshine every year – what’s not to like about the Côte d’Azur? The entire southeast of France, taking in Eze, …

Read article: Enjoying the Sun in Hérault
Enjoying the Sun in Hérault

Enjoying the Sun in Hérault

A pleasant distance from the tourist trail, Béziers, in the Hérault, offers visitors and property buyers good value for money, along with 300 days of sunshine per year – but none of the winds usually…