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The Best Croissants and Chocolatines in Occitanie
French people tend not to snack much between meals, instead conserving their appetite for 'les repas', but ocassionally it's easy to get tempted by an invitingly fresh pain aux raisins, or a shiny croissant, almost straight…
The Life of an Award-Winning Artisan Boulanger
Fresh bread is an essential ingredient to everyday life, and delivering consistent, delicious baguettes is an art most people undervalue. Here’s the latest instalment and early morning adventures from Beth, discovering…
Spring, Plants and Cadeaux
Are you still missing France and the warm sunshine while waiting to hear about travelling there this summer? The good news is we have a new lovely read from Beth in southwest France , just in time for the weekend,…
Easter Magic in SW France
Missing France, the warm sunshine, early strawberries and blue skies? Here are some Easter and chocolate goodies from the lovely Beth and friends in southwest France . For Christian folks, Easter, which signifies a period…
Interesting and Fun Paris Facts
Paris, the capital city of France and recent host of the Olympic Games, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In 2025, Paris welcomed 18.3 million foreign tourists. The city exudes romance, beauty…
Springtime Packs a Punch
Missing France , the warm sunshine and spring flowers, it’s not long to go ... Here’s a slice of French printemps, straight from the heart of Occitanie , from the lovely Beth and her many friends and animals.…
Our Guide to Doctors, Dentists and Healthcare in France
France boasts a healthcare system that is highly acclaimed throughout Europe. Patients can access the country's exceptional medical services, which the government partially funds. However, individuals must pay the difference…
Our Guide to the Departments of Metropolitan France
France is a vast country divided into 13 regions , which are then subdivided into administrative departments, locally known as " départements ". Overall, there are 96 administrative départements in…
Is La Fête de Saint-Valentin a French Celebration?
We’re all familiar with the traditional 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…
Find the Ideal Paris District
According to Euromonitor, Paris has regained popularity to once again claim the title of the world’s top city in 2022, ahead of Dubai, which retains 2nd place. The rankings confirm the dominance of European destinations,…
Brexit, EHIC, GHIC, Medical Support and Healthcare
Starting a new life in France is a dream many people and families have, but when you start making it a reality, there are many eventualities to consider, especially after the United Kingdom decided to leave the EU. This…
Granit Houses and Character Properties in Brittany
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…
Why Buy Property in Paris?
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,…
Fine Bubbles and Champignons for a French Reveillon
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…
Why Invest in Luxury Real Estate in Cannes?
A world-renowned seaside resort on the Riviera in southern France, Cannes benefits from an exceptional setting, between the sea and the Mediterranean sun. This amazing city is home to many luxury retail outlets, gourmet…
Is it Difficult to Buy Property or Real Estate in Paris?
The Paris property market is well known to be extremely busy, with most properties snapped up before they even hit the market. French estate agents in Paris have lengthy waiting lists from buyers and investors hoping to…
Joyeux Noel from their Estate
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…
House Hunters - Bespoke Property Finder Service
Discover our bespoke ' à la Carte ' property hunting service for busy families and professionals looking for real estate in fast-moving cities across France . Think of this service as having a private chef ,…
Advice for American Citizens Buying Real Estate in France
Did you know that each year, many American citizens 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…
French Inheritance Laws : What is a Tontine Clause?
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…
Where Are the Most Expensive Chateaux in France?
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.…
Our Top Seven Property Pitfalls to Avoid in France
Is moving to France a good idea? We think so, not just because of the weather, the fantastic food, culture and history, superb healthcare, but also for a renovation project in the French countryside. A Family-Friendly Destination…
SAFER and Pre-Emption Rights on Estates in France
The laws governing property ownership in France depend on the type of property you are buying and the amount of land it includes. If you are buying a country property that has more than one hectare of land (two…
What is the PUMA System?
The PUMA system ( Protection Universelle Maladie ) was created to simplify access to health care and prevent people living in France without health cover. This measure is also helpful for the self-employed who want…
Our Guide to Insurance Cancellation in France
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 insurance…
How to Join the French Healthcare System
We’ve previously written about how families and seniors can get started with the CPAM registration process. With winter around the corner, we wanted to revisit this essential part for any family or person arriving…
How to Apply for a Building Permit in France
To be allowed to start a new construction site or transformation of your French property and/or ANY of its annexes (outbuilding, barn, garage, pool, veranda, garden shed, etc.), you must first obtain a building permit from…
Apply for Post Brexit Residency
Six years after Brexit , applying for residency in France as a British citizen is no longer experimental or uncertain. The system has matured. While French administration still requires patience, the process is now stable,…
What is an Extrait de Kbis in France? How Do I Get One?
In France, the KBIS extract represents an accurate and up-to-date "identity card" for a business registered in the Trade and Companies Register (RCS). What is a KBIS or a K-Bis in France? This KBIS document is the updated…
Property Taxes, Purchase Fees and Stamp Duty in France
Our comprehensive specialist French property website is packed with expert advice and money-saving tips. But one question that keeps coming up is taxes and purchase fees. That’s why the team got together to produce…
La Rentrée est Enfin ... Arrivée
It’s the end of summer and time for the August bank holiday weekend (UK), usually wet and often spent preparing to return to work and school. In France, we call it ‘la rentrée’, and French media…
Fact : Paris Is the Most Romantic City for Valentine's
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,…
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’…
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…
Five Reasons Winter House Hunting is a ‘Bonne’ Idea
Autumn and winter are traditionally busy times at My-French-House.com, 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…
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…