Le French Blog - Expert Advice, Guides and Tips
Search the Blog by Category
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 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…
A Chateau with Many Secrets
This month, the latest piece from Beth is about one of those very old and special historic places that defy time, like so many others in this amazing area in southwest France . It's not until you are there in person, soaking…
Benefits of a French Mortgage for Tax Purposes
Our French tax and legal partner, François at RWK Goodman, has prepared this short article to explain the benefits of taking out a mortgage or a liability on your French property to be more tax efficient. There are…
International Travel Insurance Service for Expats in France
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…
French Property Market Analysis - September 2022
Is the French real estate starting to turn and level off? Not just yet, according to the Notaires-Insee index published early September, at best the beginning of a soft landing. The Insee Reference Index is Out for Analysis…
Award-Winning French Portal
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…
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. The 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…
Magical Carcassonne in Cathar Country
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…
Property Succession Laws: Tontine and Unmarried Couples
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…
Invest in a Villa in France or Spain, which is Best?
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…
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 friend who's moving in a new…
Moving To France with Horses
Pre-Travel Requirements for Horses Veterinary and Health Checks Owners of horses must ensure that their animals have: pre-travel residency or isolation, blood tests, export health certificates (EHC), and customs declarations…
Where Time Stands Still ...
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…
Tax, Legal and SCI Advice for Residents Living in Monaco
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…
French Property Market Analysis - 1st Quarter 2022
To sum up our French Property Market Analysis this first Quarter of 2022, Sales are up, Demand is up, Prices Are Up, Properties are Scarce ... There are some big changes happening in the French real estate market according…
Poisson d’Avril and Fishy Jokes
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…
Rebates for UK Owners
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…
A to Z to Buying Property and Real Estate in France
Our A to Z of 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 terms you will…
French Wealth Tax 2022
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…
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 free to roam again, she explains how pet owners need to be aware of local pests,…
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…
Castles and Cliffhangers
Here are the latest instalments of Beth's adventures "live" from southwest France, this time heading for a historic château explore somewhere in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Occitanie region . We regularly…
Lush and Dramatic Normandy
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 offers a range of properties to suit all budgets and…
What is a Réveillon or La Saint-Sylvestre in France?
Here is 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…
2022 It's Champagne Time
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…
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 a 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, which has seen plenty of mushrooms this season. This month, she discovers some strange, often confusing old French expressions…
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,…
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 they’re…
September Is All About Timing
It’s that wonderful time again, we’ve written before about the month of September and house hunting in France; “la rentrée ” for kids and parents, the amazing autumn colours, delicious mushrooms,…
A Hidden Treasure in Occitanie
Here’s the latest discoveries and adventures from Beth and friends finding beautiful villages and new amazing places right in the heart of southwest France, this week they discover the popular market town of Saint…
Going, Going, Gone! French Chateau Auction Success
After generating thousands of page views, dozens of enquiries and double-digit bidders, this château opportunity in the glorious Loire Valley is now gone with the deposit secured via our currency exchange partners.…
