French Property Blog - Advice, Guides and Tips

Image for "Our Guide to the Departments of Metropolitan France" blog post
France is a vast country which is divided into thirteen regions – these are then sub-divided into administrative departments or locally known " départements ". Overall, there are 96 administrative  départements…
  • 17th Feb 2021
Image for "Is La Fête de Saint-Valentin a French Celebration?" blog post
We’re all familiar with the French welcome. A subtle peck on each cheek, sometimes more, or perhaps an air-brushed equivalent. It’s a complex interaction. It led me to wonder how the French react when it comes…
  • 13th Feb 2021
Image for "Find the Ideal Paris District" blog post
According to Euromonitor, Paris has increased in popularity to once again claim the title of the world’s top city in 2022, ahead of Dubai which retains its 2nd place. The rankings confirms the dominance of European…
  • 5th Feb 2021
Image for "Brexit, EHIC, GHIC, Medical Support and Healthcare" blog post
Starting a new life in France is a dream that many people have, but when you start to make that dream a reality, there are lots of eventualities that need to be considered, especially now that the UK has left the EU. This…
  • 3rd Feb 2021
Image for "Granit Houses and Character Properties in Brittany" blog post
Brittany , or Bretagne as it is known locally, has remained a favoured holiday hotspot for Brits and French alike. Situated in the northwest corner, jutting into the Atlantic, the area offers access to some of the most beautiful…
  • 23rd Jan 2021
Image for "Why Buy Property in Paris?" blog post
The French capital is a prime location for buyers looking for a dynamic city that combines the advantages of a modern metropolis with the charm of peaceful villages. And it is the ideal place to invest for rental income,…
  • 22nd Jan 2021
Image for "Fine Bubbles and Champignons for a French Reveillon" blog post
I hope you managed to enjoy a happy Christmas and New Year. Ours was as quiet as we expected, brightened-up no end by virtual visits from family and friends. A Festive Invitation After finishing our Christmas dinde plus…
  • 15th Jan 2021
Image for "Why Invest in Luxury Real Estate in Cannes?" blog post
A world renowned seaside resort on the Riviera in the south of France,  Cannes benefits from an exceptional setting, between sea and Mediteranean sun. This amazing city is home to many luxury retail outlets, gourmet…
  • 14th Jan 2021
Image for "House Hunters - Bespoke Property Finder Service" blog post
Discover our bespoke ' à la Carte ' property hunting service for busy families and professionals looking for real estate in fast-moving cities across France. Your Personal Property Chef Think of this service…
  • 14th Dec 2020
Image for "Joyeux Noel from their Estate" blog post
A big thank you to Patrick at my-french-house.com blog for inviting me to share snippets about our lives here in southwest France . For this issue, I guess I’d better introduce myself...my name is Beth Haslam. A few…
  • 14th Dec 2020
Image for "Is it Difficult to Buy Property or Real Estate in Paris?" blog post
The Paris property market is well known to be extremely busy with most properties snapped up before making it to the market. French estate agents in Paris have long waiting lists from buyers and investors hoping to snap-up…
  • 14th Dec 2020
Image for "Advice for Americans Buying Real Estate in France" blog post
Did you know that each year, many American buyers are amongst the 100,000 or so individuals, families and seniors from all corners of the world who choose to make France their new home ? This influx of foreign nationals…
  • 11th Dec 2020
Image for "Paris Real Estate Market Report - 2nd Qrtr 2020" blog post
Paris property sales are down but prices are still climbing according to a recent report published last month by the Chambre de Notaires de Paris. The ongoing pandemic continues to weigh on the French real estate market…
  • 10th Dec 2020
Image for "French Inheritance Laws : What is a Tontine Clause?" blog post
Here's some inheritance related information about buying property and real estate en tontine or with a tontine pact, but first, just what is a tontine clause? The tontine clause (also called 'tontine pacte') may be an option…
  • 6th Dec 2020
Image for "Where Are the Most Expensive Chateaux in France?" blog post
By comparing the luxury real estate listings on its website, the SeLoger Group has calculated the average selling price of a castle in France. As usual, location remains the main valuation factor for this type of real estate.…
  • 3rd Dec 2020
Image for "Our Top Seven Property Pitfalls to Avoid in France" blog post
Is moving to France a good idea? We certainly think it is, not just for the weather, the fabulous food, amazing wines, rich culture and history, superb healthcare or for a renovation project with land and outbuildings in…
  • 1st Dec 2020
Image for "SAFER and Pre-Emption Rights on Estates in France" blog post
The laws on property ownership in France depend on the type of property you are buying and the amount of land it comes with.  If the property has more than one hectare of land (two acres and a half), then it’s…
  • 28th Nov 2020
Image for "What is the PUMA System?" blog post
The PUMA system (Protection Universelle Maladie) was introduced in 2016, it was created to simplify access to health care and avoid living in France with no health cover. This measure is also useful for the self-employed…
  • 27th Nov 2020
Image for "Our Guide to Insurance Cancellation in France" blog post
With the cost of products and insurance services increasing year after year, homeowners, expats and families in France are taking time to scrutinise their insurance arrangements and policies, especially for health and life…
  • 25th Nov 2020
Image for "How to Join the French Healthcare System" blog post
We’ve previously written about how families and seniors can get started with the CPAM registration process. So with winter around the corner, we wanted to revisit this essential part for any family or person arriving…
  • 24th Nov 2020
Image for "How to Apply for a Building Permit in France" blog post
To be allowed to start a new construction site or transformation of your French house and/or ANY if its annexes (outbuilding, barn, garage, pool, veranda, garden shed, etc.), you must first obtain a building permit from…
  • 2nd Nov 2020
Image for "Apply for Post Brexit Residency" blog post
The online system for Brits to apply for residency permits to stay in France after Brexit is now live after months and months of delays, and much frustration from british expats living in France. The application process…
  • 21st Oct 2020
Image for "What is an Extrait de Kbis in France? How Do I Get One?" blog post
The K-bis extract represents a true and up to date "identity card" for a French business registered in the Trade and Companies Register (RCS). What is a Kbis or K-bis in France? This Kbis document can be defined as the updated…
  • 3rd Oct 2020
Image for "Property Taxes, Purchase Fees and Stamp Duty in France" blog post
Our comprehensive specialist French property website is packed with expert advice and money saving tips. But one of the questions that keeps coming up is the subject of taxes and purchasing fees. That’s why the team…
  • 24th Sep 2020
Image for "La Rentrée est Enfin ... Arrivée" blog post
It’s the end of summer and time for the August bank holiday weekend (UK), usually wet and often spent to prepare to return to work and school. In France we call it ‘la rentrée’ and French Media tend…
  • 29th Aug 2020
Image for "Fact : Paris Is the Most Romantic City for Valentine's" blog post
As some of us put ‘dry January’ behind us, here comes the month of February with its usual mix of longer days, lazy Six Nations rugby afternoons, cold evenings, snowdrops popping up in the garden and of course,…
  • 4th Feb 2020
Image for "Happy New Year, New You, New Toi, New Toit, New Home?" blog post
We hope you’ve enjoyed a relaxing Christmas and are in good spirits for La Nouvelle Année. I’m sure most of you got the headline about this post; ‘ new toit’ means ‘new roof’ and…
  • 28th Jan 2020
Image for "How to Find the Perfect Property in France" blog post
What's perfection? The concept of perfection varies from person to person. Is there such a thing as a flawless diamond or the perfect car? Au contraire , isn’t it the addition of those imperfections that make finding…
  • 18th Dec 2019
Image for "Five Reasons Winter House Hunting is a ‘Bonne’ Idea" blog post
Autumn and winter are traditionally busy times at MFH with buyers and families coming to France to try and seal a good deal before the end of the year.  There are several benefits of visiting France at fall as well…
  • 20th Nov 2019
Image for "Paris Sera Toujours Paris" blog post
Paris will always be Paris… there's one such capital in the world; vibrant, colourful, romantic, creative - sometimes chaotic - melting pot that we all love and cherish with all its grandeur and sparks. I recall one…
  • 11th Sep 2019
Image for "Advice for Property Buyers - Revisiting our Top Tips" blog post
House hunting in France should be an exciting and efficient experience, not a costly and frustrating one. However, many buyers will find that the French estate agency system is ‘ tres ’ different to the UK or…
  • 28th Jun 2019
Image for "Where to Live in Style and in Easy Reach to Paris" blog post
Paris, with its fabulous galleries and restaurants, good schools and chic lifestyle has always been one of Europe’s most desirable locations. The regions surrounding the French capital offer access to all this iconic…
  • 1st May 2019
Image for "A French Chateau as a Home and Business Opportunity" blog post
Moving to France is a lifestyle choice for most expats and finding a property that can become a home and a source of income is the perfect way to begin a new adventure and achieve the change that so many people crave. When…
  • 13th Apr 2019
Image for "Discover Breathtaking Annecy, the Venice of France" blog post
Annecy is a picture postcard alpine town on the edge of Lake Annecy in southeast France, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery . Famed for its magnificent views, pastel-coloured houses and winding canals, it is often…
  • 22nd Mar 2019
Image for "Living the Life in a Chateau Vineyard near Bergerac" blog post
Anyone who has watched TV programmes about escaping to a Chateau in France to follow their heart for a new life will be fascinated by the Feely family’s story. They were one of our very first clients and moved to France…
  • 13th Mar 2019
Image for "Excellent Food, Fine Wines and City Living in Rhône" blog post
For anyone wanting to move to France for the food, wine and lifestyle (and who wouldn’t?) the department of Rhône ticks all the boxes. With the vibrant city of Lyon at its heart, a generous sprinkling of Michelin…
  • 8th Feb 2019