French Property Blog - Advice, Guides and Tips

Image for "Learning French Language, the Linguistic Dilemma" blog post
This month Beth shares her experience of learning and improving her spoken French, but despite all the best intentions and tools available, this is usually not as easy as it should be... It's never too late to learn a language,…
  • 14th Dec 2022
Image for "Our French Chateau Escape from Everyday American Life" blog post
Following on from Sharons successful chateau story, this weeks' article is from a couple of happy France loving American customers who secured their dream chateau in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes this year. Their love of France…
  • 8th Dec 2022
Image for "Compulsory Boiler Service and Thermostat Check" blog post
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 winters energy saving…
  • 1st Dec 2022
Image for "How to Manage your Paris Apartment from Abroad?" blog post
In our previous post, we spoke about the challenges of finding reliable service providers for the renovation of your property in France , this is made more difficult if you are not there day to day and need to manage everything…
  • 23rd Nov 2022
Image for "How to Find a Local Artisan to Renovate your French House" blog post
This month Beth shares great advice and top tips about renovating a property in France , in particular how find the right artisans and build a team, for the long term. "Do you enjoy property restoration work? Many people…
  • 16th Nov 2022
Image for "Autumn is Mushroom Time" blog post
One of our favorite French words is champignons (we like pamplemousse also); and autumn is one of our favorite times of the year. We envy the lucky ones who enjoy those long walks chatting while hunting for the perfect shady…
  • 31st Oct 2022
Image for "Emergency Telephone Numbers and Helplines in France" blog post
In a case of an emergency in France , here are the main telephone numbers to use if you live, or you are holidaying there, even from your mobile/cell phone. First make sure that it is safe to call, if unsure if it's a medical…
  • 7th Oct 2022
Image for "A Chateau with Many Secrets" blog post
This month the latest piece from Beth is about one of those very old and special places that defies time, like so many others in this amazing area in southwest France. It's not until you are there  in person, soaking…
  • 4th Oct 2022
Image for "Benefits of a French Mortgage for Tax Purposes" blog post
Our French tax and legal partner François at RWK Goodman has prepared this short article to explain the benefits of having a mortgage or liability against your French property with the aim to be more tax efficient.…
  • 1st Oct 2022
Image for "International Travel Insurance Service for Expats in France" blog post
If you are an expat in France preparing to travel to your next dream holiday destination, you should ensure that you, your family and your belongings are suitably covered before you hop on the plane, or the ferry. Have you…
  • 28th Sep 2022
Image for "French Property Market Analysis - September 2022" blog post
Is the French real estate starting to turn and level off? Not just yet according to the Notaires-Insee index published early septembre, at best the beginning of a soft landing. The Insee Reference Index is Out for Analysis…
  • 23rd Sep 2022
Image for "Award-Winning French Portal" blog post
The International Property Awards celebrates the highest levels of achievement by businesses from all sectors of the property and real estate industry. Notably, the awards are presented based on a scoring system, with the…
  • 18th Sep 2022
Image for "Happy Family in their Dream French Chateau" blog post
It's always great to receive feedback from satisfied buyers , this is especially true after a very long time searching for that dream historic property in France. The Dream Chateau This special property is a restored 19th-century…
  • 15th Sep 2022
Image for "It's Vacances Time in France, but Where do the Locals Go?" blog post
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…
  • 2nd Sep 2022
Image for "What's a RIB in France? How Can I Get One?" blog post
"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, and if you purchase…
  • 25th Aug 2022
Image for "Magical Carcassonne in Cathar Country" blog post
This month's article is all about the famous UNESCO listing walled fortress city of Carcassonne in heart of Cathar Country in Occitanie. You may have heard Rick Stein talking about it on one of his TV series along the canal…
  • 28th Jul 2022
Image for "Property Succession Laws: Tontine and Unmarried Couples" blog post
When planning to buy French real estate , navigating inheritance laws can be complex. In France, the system of forced heirship significantly impacts estate planning. Under this system, certain family members, particularly…
  • 18th Jul 2022
Image for "Invest in a Villa in France or Spain, which is Best?" blog post
Moving abroad can be all sunshine (literally) and rainbows, exciting adventures and opening doors to new possibilities but such a move comes with big implications and a lot of information to take in along the way. There…
  • 9th Jul 2022
Image for "Bartering Bric-a-Brac at Brocantes in SW France" blog post
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 friend who's moving in a new…
  • 22nd Jun 2022
Image for "Moving To France with Horses" blog post
Pre-Travel Requirements for Horses Veterinary and Health Checks Owners of horses have to ensure that their animals have: pre-travel residency or isolation, blood tests and export health certificates (EHC) and customs declarations…
  • 7th Jun 2022
Image for "Where Time Stands Still ..." blog post
This month the latest piece from Beth is about one of those special places often hidden away, where time stands still, inviting it's visitors to humbly explore and reflect for a moment... "According to legend, it began life…
  • 30th May 2022
Image for "Tax, Legal and SCI Advice for Residents Living in Monaco" blog post
Monaco real estate company can be tax efficient for French succession tax purposes. Société Civile Immobilières (‘SCI’) companies are a popular way to own properties in France. They offer…
  • 18th May 2022
Image for "French Property Market Analysis - 1st Quarter 2022" blog post
To sum up our French Property Market Analysis this first Quarter of 2022, Sales are up, Demand is Up, Prices Are Up, Properties Scarce ... There are some big changes happening in the French real estate market according to…
  • 12th May 2022
Image for "Poisson d’Avril and Fishy Jokes" blog post
Here is the latest piece from Beth in Occitanie , all about April fools and it's origins, and food, naturellement... just in time for Easter. "Did you fall for an April’s Fool Day prank this year? It’s that month…
  • 12th Apr 2022
Image for "Rebates for UK Owners" blog post
Before Brexit, taxpayers living in the UK who were liable to the French social charge paid a reduced rate of 7.5% (usually 17.2%) on their French real estate income and capital gains. This arose under the EU Directive on…
  • 1st Apr 2022
Image for "A to Z to Buying Property and Real Estate in France" blog post
Our A to Z to Buying French Property Here’s our A to Z guide to buying your dream property in France ; we tried to make it as relevant and informative as possible to help you navigate some of the common words you will…
  • 30th Mar 2022
Image for "French Wealth Tax 2022" blog post
French Wealth Tax news for this (presidential) year, the deadline to file 2022 wealth tax return to be revealed next month, so keep an eye on our French blog . The French tax authorities will reveal the 2022 real estate…
  • 21st Mar 2022
Image for "Spring Pests and Pets in France" blog post
Here are the latest of Beth's adventures and friendly advice from rural southwest France . In springtime, when nature is blossoming and animals free to roam again, she explains how pet owners need to be aware of local pests,…
  • 20th Mar 2022
Image for "Convert to the Metric System, and Fahrenheit to Celcius" blog post
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…
  • 24th Feb 2022
Image for "Castles and Cliffhangers" blog post
Here are the latest installment of Beth's adventures "live" from southwest France, this time heading for an historic chateau explore somewhere in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie region . We regularly post…
  • 21st Feb 2022
Image for "Lush and Dramatic Normandy" blog post
North of Brittany, sits the lush and dramatic landscape of the Normandy region . From naturally sculpted white rock coastlines, to serene rolling countryside, the region has a range of properties that suit all budgets and…
  • 3rd Feb 2022
Image for "What is a Réveillon or La Saint-Sylvestre in France?" blog post
Here are the latest news from Beth in 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 in advance some…
  • 26th Jan 2022
Image for "2022 It's Champagne Time" blog post
It’s been another challenging one but again, this year seems to have flown by quickly, probably due to the fact we’ve been so incredibly busy on all fronts, all year. The very last vine leaf has fallen, pruning’s…
  • 23rd Dec 2021
Image for "November Is Always Très Busy" blog post
Here are 'les dernieres aventures de Beth' in her dream country estate in rural southwest France . This month she discovers how November is traditionally a eventful month, with two bank holidays , 1st and 11th, every year.…
  • 16th Dec 2021
Image for "Confusing French Phrases, Words and Expressions" blog post
Here are the latest musings from Beth in her dream country house somewhere in rural southwest France, which has seen plenty of mushrooms this season. This month she discovers some strange, often confusing old French expressions…
  • 4th Nov 2021
Image for "Apartments and Chalets in the Best Ski Resorts in the Alps" blog post
Autumn is well on the way and many families are turning their attention to winter holidays, particularly those who enjoy the white cold stuff and ski activities . One of the most popular destinations for winter fun are the…
  • 7th Oct 2021
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