Le French Blog - Property, Lifestyle, Culture, News & Stories
Buy à la Carte in Montpellier
Montpellier is a young and vibrant city that attracts many people from various backgrounds. It is often called the "Paris of the South". A modern metropolis located in the Hérault department, it attracts investors…
Our Guide to Telephone Numbers and Area Codes
This article covers phone numbers and area codes in beautiful France , including how to use them. Discover France's Regional Phone Codes France uses a 10-digit system, with the first two digits indicating…
Buy à la Carte in Nice
Are you looking for a home in Nice or an investment property on the Côte d'Azur, but you are unable to be there or don't have the knowledge to carry out your project yourself? Don't panic, whether for your second or…
Angers à la Carte
Elected " best city to invest " by real estate specialist SeLoger in 2019, Angers is not lacking in assets. Angers stands out for the quality of its inner-city public transport system, with trams and a large number…
Guide for Australian Citizens Buying Property in France
This is our essential Guide for Australian buyers looking to purchase property or invest in real estate in France's major cities. We have witnessed increased interest from Australians looking to buy property in beautiful…
Buy à la Carte in Rennes
Rennes, a city that feels just right ... the capital of Brittany with more than 200,000 residents, is famous for its lively atmosphere while preserving old Breton traditions. If the Rennes real estate market is experiencing…
Learn about Ameli, the French Online Health Service
Ameli is an online platform for the Assurance Maladie , France's national health insurance system. The name Ameli is an acronym for 'assurance maladie en ligne ', meaning 'health insurance online'. This Digital service…
Christmas Carols French Style
This month, Beth shares a strange post-Christmas holiday story and an unusual tradition to kick-start la nouvelle année on a high note. "Christmas carol singing in January? Unusual timing. Then again, all sorts of…
Brexit Guide for British Buyers
With the UK out of the European Union, retiring, working, studying and travelling to France has become more complicated, and the same applies to buying property . To help you understand the main points post-Brexit and guide…
Guide to the French Tax Foncieres and Taxe d'Habitation
Here are a few Q&As to learn about how Taxes Foncières and Taxes d'Habitation work for owners of property and real estate in France . If you own, rent, or have the right to occupy a property in France, you…
Learning French Language, the Linguistic Dilemma
This month, Beth shares her experience learning and improving her spoken French, but despite the best intentions and available tools, this is usually not as easy as it should be... It's never too late to learn a language…
Our French Chateau Escape from Everyday American Life
Following on from Sharon's château story , this week's article features a couple of happy France-loving American clients who secured their dream château in France. Their love of France, its culture, and…
Compulsory Boiler Service and Thermostat Check
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 winter's energy saving…
How to Manage your Paris Apartment from Abroad?
In our previous post, we discussed the challenges of finding reliable service providers for your property renovation . This is made more difficult if you are not there day-to-day and need to manage everything remotely. This…
How to Find a Local Artisan to Renovate your French House
This month, Beth shares great advice and top tips about renovating a property in France , and how to find the right artisans and build a team for the long term. "Do you enjoy property restoration work? Many people who buy…
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 an emergency in France, here are the main telephone numbers to use if you live there, or you are holidaying there, even from your mobile/cell phone. First, make sure it is safe to call; if unsure whether it's a…
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 fantastic 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…
Award-Winning French Portal
The International Property Awards celebrate 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. Their 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 "Bank Account Details" in English. You need these details when you open a bank account with a French bank or buy property in…
Magical Carcassonne in Cathar Country
This article is all about the famous UNESCO-listed walled fortress city of Carcassonne in the heart of the Cathar Country in Occitanie . You may have heard Rick Stein talking about it on one of his popular TV series…
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 the opening of doors to new possibilities. Still, such a move carries significant implications and a lot of information to take in along…
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 a friend who's moving into…
Moving To France with Horses
Owners of horses must ensure that their animals have: pre-travel residency or isolation, blood tests, export health certificates (EHC), and customs declarations or carnets . British Equestrian has compiled a helpful checklist…
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 its visitors to explore and reflect for a moment humbly... "According to legend, it began life…
Tax, Legal and SCI Advice for Residents Living in Monaco
A 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…
Poisson d’Avril and Fishy Jokes
Here is the latest piece from Beth in Occitanie , all about April fools and its origins, and food, naturellement... just in time for Easter. "Did you fall for an April Fool’s Day prank this year? It’s that month…
Rebates for UK Owners
Before Brexit, UK taxpayers 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 the coordination of social…
A to Z to Buying Property and Real Estate in France
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 common terms you will hear during property visits. Our A to Z…
French Wealth Tax 2026
The tax authorities have published the 2026 real estate wealth tax return filing deadlines, which are the same as the income tax filing deadlines. Please note this article is for general information only. You should not…
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 are free to roam again, she explains how pet owners need to be aware of local…