Le French Blog - Expert Advice, Guides and Tips

Read article: Happy New Year, New You, New Toi, New Toit, New Home?
Happy New Year, New You, New Toi, New Toit, New Home?

Happy New Year, New You, New Toi, New Toit, New Home?

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’…

Read article: How to Find the Perfect Property in France
How to Find the Perfect Property in France

How to Find the Perfect Property in France

What's perfection? The concept of perfection varies from person to person and is very subjective. Is there such a thing as a flawless diamond or the perfect car? Au contraire , isn’t it the addition of those imperfections…

Read article: Five Reasons Winter House Hunting is a ‘Bonne’ Idea
Five Reasons Winter House Hunting is a ‘Bonne’ Idea

Five Reasons Winter House Hunting is a ‘Bonne’ Idea

Autumn and winter are traditionally busy times at MFH with buyers and families coming to France to try and seal a property purchase before the end of the year.  There are several benefits of visiting France in the fall…

Read article: Paris Sera Toujours Paris
Paris Sera Toujours Paris

Paris Sera Toujours Paris

Paris will always be Paris… there's only 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…

Read article: Advice for Property Buyers - Revisiting our Top Tips
Advice for Property Buyers - Revisiting our Top Tips

Advice for Property Buyers - Revisiting our Top Tips

House hunting in France should be an exciting and efficient experience, not a costly and frustrating one. However, many buyers find that the French estate agency system is ‘ tres ’ different to the UK or realtors…

Read article: Where to Live in Style and in Easy Reach to Paris
Where to Live in Style and in Easy Reach to Paris

Where to Live in Style and in Easy Reach to Paris

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…

Read article: A French Chateau as a Home and Business Opportunity
A French Chateau as a Home and Business Opportunity

A French Chateau as a Home and Business Opportunity

Moving to France is a lifestyle choice for most expats, and finding a property that can serve as both 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.…

Read article: Discover Breathtaking Annecy, the Venice of France
Discover Breathtaking Annecy, the Venice of France

Discover Breathtaking Annecy, the Venice of France

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…

Read article: Living the Life in a Chateau Vineyard near Bergerac
Living the Life in a Chateau Vineyard near Bergerac

Living the Life in a Chateau Vineyard near Bergerac

Anyone who has watched TV programmes about escaping to a Château 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…

Read article: Excellent Food, Fine Wines and City Living in Rhône
Excellent Food, Fine Wines and City Living in Rhône

Excellent Food, Fine Wines and City Living in Rhône

For anyone wanting to move and live in 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…

Read article: Stylish Riverside Living in Gastronomic Lyon
Stylish Riverside Living in Gastronomic Lyon

Stylish Riverside Living in Gastronomic Lyon

The majestic city of Lyon in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has evolved around two rivers, the Rhône and Saône, giving it a unique waterside vibe, in a strategic area of the country, not far from the French…

Read article: Paris Property, Where to Look? What to Expect?
Paris Property, Where to Look? What to Expect?

Paris Property, Where to Look? What to Expect?

Paris has an enduring appeal for expats from around the world seeking a sophisticated location and a smart investment opportunity. Its tree-lined boulevards, designer boutiques, world-class arts venues and events, pavement…

Read article: Ten Reasons Why it's a Great Time to Buy French Property
Ten Reasons Why it's a Great Time to Buy French Property

Ten Reasons Why it's a Great Time to Buy French Property

France has always been a popular place for overseas investors to buy property , but what are the market conditions like, where should buyers be looking, and is this a good year to take the plunge with an investment? There…

Read article: Tradition and Charm in Riberac
Tradition and Charm in Riberac

Tradition and Charm in Riberac

Tucked away in the north of the  Dordogne department, slightly off the well-worn British tourist track, lies Riberac, a gem of a town that retains much of the charm and tradition that first drew cross-channel visitors…

Read article: Discovering the Alpilles, the Secret Heart of Provence
Discovering the Alpilles, the Secret Heart of Provence

Discovering the Alpilles, the Secret Heart of Provence

Those in the know have already discovered Les Alpilles , the sleepy side of Provence , where the hustle and bustle of the Côte d’Azur could be a million miles away. The South of France’s sun-soaked coastline…

Read article: Coast and City living in Gironde
Coast and City living in Gironde

Coast and City living in Gironde

The Gironde brings together everything expats love  about France  in one beautiful and diverse department. With the vibrant city of Bordeaux at its heart and home to some of the world’s most famous vineyards,…

Read article: Guide to International Schools
Guide to International Schools

Guide to International Schools

If you are moving with your family, your final destination on where you decide to live in France, may be influenced by the proximity of a good international school. Most international schools cater for many different nationalities…

Read article: Toulouse, France’s Favourite Ville Rose, the Pink City
Toulouse, France’s Favourite Ville Rose, the Pink City

Toulouse, France’s Favourite Ville Rose, the Pink City

Toulouse is France’s Southern belle , a picturesque city of coral-coloured buildings that have earned it the tag “the Pink City ”. Its abundance of culture, heritage and nightlife – not to mention…

Read article: Looking for a Luxury Apartment and Flat in Paris?
Looking for a Luxury Apartment and Flat in Paris?

Looking for a Luxury Apartment and Flat in Paris?

Ah, Paris... the city of Light, what can we say about the French capital that hasn’t already been said a thousand times before? We all know how excellent Paris is. It’s consistently on lists of the most romantic…

Read article: An Insider’s Guide to Living in the Sunny South of France
An Insider’s Guide to Living in the Sunny South of France

An Insider’s Guide to Living in the Sunny South of France

There is a reason why so many expats are drawn to the South of France and it isn’t just because the weather is good - although with 300 days a year of sunshine, blue skies are almost taken for granted. The main motivating…

Read article: Escape to the Chateau: How to Buy and Renovate a Castle
Escape to the Chateau: How to Buy and Renovate a Castle

Escape to the Chateau: How to Buy and Renovate a Castle

They say an Englishman's home is his castle – but for many Brits, Americans and others, the absolute dream is to secure a piece of history in the form of a French chateau. Over the last couple of years, television…

Read article: French Climate, there’s Something for Everyone
French Climate, there’s Something for Everyone

French Climate, there’s Something for Everyone

Whether you’re a sun seeker or prefer cooler weather, love the snow or enjoy the verdant landscape of wetter climes, France  has something for everyone. If you’re thinking of buying a holiday home or living…

Read article: Tips for Buying a French Chateau, Estate or a Mansion
Tips for Buying a French Chateau, Estate or a Mansion

Tips for Buying a French Chateau, Estate or a Mansion

For many, buying a French property is a dream – something they plan for over many years. That is never more the case than when the property you have in mind is a château full of style , history and challenges.…

Read article: Wealth Tax Regulations
Wealth Tax Regulations

Wealth Tax Regulations

On the 1st of January 2018, the ‘impôt de solidarité sur la fortune’, usually ISF, burst forth, delivering a surge of interest into the French real estate and property market. For those seeking to…

Read article: Discover Vence and Tourettes-sur-Loup on the Riviera
Discover Vence and Tourettes-sur-Loup on the Riviera

Discover Vence and Tourettes-sur-Loup on the Riviera

The region of Provence  boasts an abundance of character homes and luxury properties, offering a great deal of charm, and the area around Vence in particular features some beauties.   This diverse and sought-after…

Read article: Living by the Coast in France
Living by the Coast in France

Living by the Coast in France

One of the big attractions when it comes to living by the extensive coast is, of course, the weather. The decadent Riviera on the Mediterranean coast and Vendée (or Brittany) on the Atlantic have a blissful climate…

Read article: Wheels and Waves: for those Looking for a Faster Pace
Wheels and Waves: for those Looking for a Faster Pace

Wheels and Waves: for those Looking for a Faster Pace

There can be no finer sight for motor-sport enthusiasts than those charismatic vintage beauties gathered together each Autumn at the enigmatic 'Circuit des Ramparts' in the Charente . These angels of Angoulême have…

Read article: Ten Reasons to Buy Property in the Dordogne and Périgord
Ten Reasons to Buy Property in the Dordogne and Périgord

Ten Reasons to Buy Property in the Dordogne and Périgord

Named after the river running through its heart, the Dordogne is one of the most picturesque regions of France. Part of the  Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, it sits midway between the Loire Valley to the north and the Pyrénées…

Read article: A Foodies Guide to France
A Foodies Guide to France

A Foodies Guide to France

French cuisine is renowned worldwide for its enticing, classic dishes and sophisticated Michelin-starred fine dining. Many regions boast an abundance of locally grown, fresh, seasonal produce, including distinctive cheeses…

Read article: Places and Towns Loved by Writers, Painters and Artists
Places and Towns Loved by Writers, Painters and Artists

Places and Towns Loved by Writers, Painters and Artists

For centuries, writers and artists have taken creative inspiration from France. It’s hardly surprising. The landscape, the  classic châteaux , the coastline, the cities, the culture, the history, the boulevards,…

Read article: Our Guide to Buying a Property in the Loire Valley
Our Guide to Buying a Property in the Loire Valley

Our Guide to Buying a Property in the Loire Valley

With easy access, delicious local cuisine, plenty of wine and more than enough attractions on the doorstep, it’s easy to see why more and more people are opting to buy a holiday home in the Loire Valley – or…

Read article: Reasons to Move with the Kids
Reasons to Move with the Kids

Reasons to Move with the Kids

Moving to France with children can be a rewarding and enriching experience for the whole family. Although there will most certainly be challenges along the way, living in France will give your children the chance to experience…

Read article: Five Reasons to Fall in Love with Nouvelle Aquitaine
Five Reasons to Fall in Love with Nouvelle Aquitaine

Five Reasons to Fall in Love with Nouvelle Aquitaine

With the sand and surf of the Atlantic to the west and the majestic peaks of the Pyrénées to the south, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is one of the most popular destinations for Europeans relocating to France. Nouvelle-Aquitaine…

Read article: Coast, Castles and Countryside in Heavenly Occitanie
Coast, Castles and Countryside in Heavenly Occitanie

Coast, Castles and Countryside in Heavenly Occitanie

The union of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées to create the ‘super’ region of Occitanie was a marriage made in heaven, combining the fun of the Mediterranean with the culture and heritage…

Read article: How Moving to France Could Start a New Career
How Moving to France Could Start a New Career

How Moving to France Could Start a New Career

Moving to France could be a lot more than a new lifestyle; it could also be the start of a new career. After all, the word 'entrepreneur' originates from France, doesn't it? Buy to Let Back in 2014, we spoke to Maria and…

Read article: Let the Glittering Cote D’Azur Show Off its Magic
Let the Glittering Cote D’Azur Show Off its Magic

Let the Glittering Cote D’Azur Show Off its Magic

We couldn’t let the recent Disney offering, Beauty and the Beast, pass us by without taking a look around the area where it is set. Written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in…