Le French Blog - Expert Advice, Guides and Tips

Read article: Cinematic Settings that will Make you Fall in Love
Cinematic Settings that will Make you Fall in Love

Cinematic Settings that will Make you Fall in Love

When you picture how life would be in a certain country or region you might take inspiration from scenes in films which have stuck in your mind. France is known as a producer of fine things and its films are no exception,…

Read article: Architecture: Five Reasons the French do it Better
Architecture: Five Reasons the French do it Better

Architecture: Five Reasons the French do it Better

If you’re looking to buy a property in France, chances are its traditional buildings have played a significant part in seducing you. The French are arguably best known for their haute couture , and this high standard…

Read article: Why September is Our Favourite Time of Year
Why September is Our Favourite Time of Year

Why September is Our Favourite Time of Year

The summer might be over in Britain, but in September, France comes alive, making it our favourite time of the year. The warm weather, long days and minimal tourists are just some of the reasons why you too will fall in…

Read article: Why France is Attracting So Many American Buyers
Why France is Attracting So Many American Buyers

Why France is Attracting So Many American Buyers

Would you be surprised to know that over 100,000 Americans are currently living in France ? We often talk about moving from the UK, but we forget about France’s special friendship with our neighbours across the pond.…

Read article: Staying in the EU is Easy, Simply Buy a House in France
Staying in the EU is Easy, Simply Buy a House in France

Staying in the EU is Easy, Simply Buy a House in France

Britain’s vote to leave the European Union was almost nine years and although there has been a massive uproar amongst its politicians and public the outcome remains the same, but what does this mean for those of you…

Read article: Join us in Celebrating Bastille Day on 14th July
Join us in Celebrating Bastille Day on 14th July

Join us in Celebrating Bastille Day on 14th July

Bastille Day or ‘La Fête Nationale’ as it’s known in France, honours  La République and the storming of the Bastille on the 14th July 1789. The French national holiday celebrations are…

Read article: Are You Struggling to Find the Picture Perfect Home?
Are You Struggling to Find the Picture Perfect Home?

Are You Struggling to Find the Picture Perfect Home?

One of our team members recently recalled a regular conversation she had with her parents about the possibility of them retiring to France. She explained that her Mum is nearing retirement age, and although she holidays…

Read article: How France adds a Little Luxury to Everyday Life
How France adds a Little Luxury to Everyday Life

How France adds a Little Luxury to Everyday Life

France is renowned for its luxury, from designer brands to glamorous coastlines, but beyond the landmarks, the tourist hotspots, the breathtaking scenery, and mouth-watering cuisine lies a land where you can experience the…

Read article: Mediterranean Living Lifestyle in the Occitanie Region
Mediterranean Living Lifestyle in the Occitanie Region

Mediterranean Living Lifestyle in the Occitanie Region

In 2016, the French region of Languedoc-Roussillon underwent a change as it merged with its neighbour, Midi-Pyrénées, to form a sort of super-region now called Occitanie . Covering much of the South of France…

Read article: Discover Brittany, the Jewel of Northwest France
Discover Brittany, the Jewel of Northwest France

Discover Brittany, the Jewel of Northwest France

Dramatic coastline explorers will find medieval towns, culinary delights, and seemingly endless rural lanes; there is more to  Brittany than meets the eye. Set in northwest France, Brittany is known as Bretagne in French…

Read article: Six Beautiful Beaches in Le Lavandou on the Riviera
Six Beautiful Beaches in Le Lavandou on the Riviera

Six Beautiful Beaches in Le Lavandou on the Riviera

The French Riviera, or the Côte d'Azur as it’s known in France, is renowned for many things: a Mediterranean climate, a string of celebrity residents and a luxurious lifestyle, but we’re taking a closer…

Read article: How to Have French Style no Matter Where you Live
How to Have French Style no Matter Where you Live

How to Have French Style no Matter Where you Live

There’s so much to love  about France : the weather, the people, and the food, but what about its style? A touch of French country style can transform any space, providing your home with that Provencal charm or…

Read article: Creating a New Life in Deux-Sevres
Creating a New Life in Deux-Sevres

Creating a New Life in Deux-Sevres

There are many reasons why you will have thought about, dreamt of, or even considered moving to France; the culture, the food, the climate and the cost, but what has stopped you from making the move and deciding to …

Read article: French Towns and Cities All Sports Fans Need to Visit
French Towns and Cities All Sports Fans Need to Visit

French Towns and Cities All Sports Fans Need to Visit

France is not only famous for its wine, cheese, and beautiful landscapes; it is also a paradise for sports fans ! With numerous sports to choose from, including rugby, cycling, football, tennis, and motorsports, the country…

Read article: France is Favoured for Luxury Home Buyers
France is Favoured for Luxury Home Buyers

France is Favoured for Luxury Home Buyers

Over the past year, UK homeowners have been living with the effects of Mr. Osborne’s overhaul of the old stamp duty system. Tax on homes worth less than £925k have been lowered whereas properties above £1.5…

Read article: 'Crémaillère', a French Tradition to Celebrate a New Home
'Crémaillère', a  French Tradition to Celebrate a New Home

'Crémaillère', a French Tradition to Celebrate a New Home

We recently congratulated our friends on moving into their new home in France . In the UK, we often send a card or a close friend, maybe a gift. In France, when someone moves home, we send a bottle of champagne and wish…

Read article: Jingle all the Way to Nöel
Jingle all the Way to Nöel

Jingle all the Way to Nöel

As you head towards the Christmas season , there are many traditions that you will uphold without even thinking twice, such as a customary conifer, delicately wrapped presents and copious amounts of mulled wine. Before you…

Read article: Var, a Place to Call Home
Var, a Place to Call Home

Var, a Place to Call Home

Embracing its status as the most popular tourist destination in the world, France is filled with historic towns and cities bursting with visitors who have come to discover the local flavours, but it’s when these visitors…

Read article: What's in the Name? Do you know a Castle from a Château?
What's in the Name? Do you know a Castle from a Château?

What's in the Name? Do you know a Castle from a Château?

When you’re searching for a property in Britain, the label of a “detached” house can often feel cold and uninspiring, but travel across the water to beautiful France , and properties there fill you with…

Read article: Uzes in Gard: Historic Sites and Dramatic Landscapes
Uzes in Gard: Historic Sites and Dramatic Landscapes

Uzes in Gard: Historic Sites and Dramatic Landscapes

Named after the River Gardon, the Gard is a department in southern France in the  Occitanie region . The area is known for its abundance of historic sites and dramatic landscapes, and the Gard follows suit with its…

Read article: Take a Road Trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux
Take a Road Trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux

Take a Road Trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux

The west coast of France is regularly visited and written about, but we have a guide to our favourite towns that zig-zag from La Rochelle in  Charente-Maritime  down to Bordeaux. This area of France is renowned…

Read article: France's Secret, from Toulouse to the Pyrénées
France's Secret, from Toulouse to the Pyrénées

France's Secret, from Toulouse to the Pyrénées

There’s so much that the Haute-Garonne has to offer, we’re not sure where to start. We could tell you about its contrasting landscapes, its historical heritage, or its lively atmosphere; this remarkable place…

Read article: French Property Update - Cooling Off Period Extended
French Property Update - Cooling Off Period Extended

French Property Update - Cooling Off Period Extended

With the Law "Macron" passed in France on August 8th, 2015, the cooling-off period for buyers of property in France, known as 'délai de rétractation', has changed from 7 to 10 days. The entitlement to a cooling-off…

Read article: Discovering Hidden and Secret Places in the Var
Discovering Hidden and Secret Places in the Var

Discovering Hidden and Secret Places in the Var

Situated between some of France’s most famous coastlines, right up to where the Alps meet the clouds, is the Var. Although most of the Var’s visitors are allured to the popular coastal towns of Saint Tropez ,…

Read article: Burgundy, More than Wine
Burgundy, More than Wine

Burgundy, More than Wine

What words come to mind when we talk about the Burgundy region of France? Wine, cuisine, scenery? Delve a little further into the heart of Burgundy, and you will find so much more that might just convert you from being a…

Read article: La Magie De Monaco
La Magie De Monaco

La Magie De Monaco

Monaco, the beautiful sovereign city-state situated on the French Riviera , is surrounded by France and located near the Italian border .  Locked against the coast by soaring French mountains, Monaco has a climate of…

Read article: They Say an Englishman's Home is his Chateau and Estate
They Say an Englishman's Home is his Chateau and Estate

They Say an Englishman's Home is his Chateau and Estate

Not that customary in other countries, châteaux are relatively easy to find in France . If you have a generous budget and you are perhaps seeking a project, a château could be just what you’re looking for...…

Read article: Experience the Sights and Delights of Magical Provence
Experience the Sights and Delights of Magical Provence

Experience the Sights and Delights of Magical Provence

The French speak of Provence as if it were Paradise. They are justified in their thinking. As large as France is, history has been generous to all four corners of this beautiful country. And the province of Provence seems…

Read article: La Fete du Citron, One of the Zestiest Events on the Riviera
La Fete du Citron, One of the Zestiest Events on the Riviera

La Fete du Citron, One of the Zestiest Events on the Riviera

‘Beneath the zest of oranges and lemons lies one of the World’s Greatest Festivals’.  France is known for its wealth of delicious wines, delectable champagnes and fragrant cheeses, but did you know…

Read article: France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World
France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World

France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World

France is one of the  most visited countries  in the world, and with good reason: it caters to young couples looking to celebrate their love. So for men who dislike romance, candlelit dinners and treating their…

Read article: Discover the Drome - the New Provence
Discover the Drome - the New Provence

Discover the Drome - the New Provence

When you are tired of rushing about, tired of trying to find somewhere to park your car before the market packs up and goes home, of endless queueing from motorway to restaurant...come and see us in the Drôme... remembering…

Read article: Discover the Mesmerising Pyrénées Mountain Range
Discover the Mesmerising Pyrénées Mountain Range

Discover the Mesmerising Pyrénées Mountain Range

Hello from southwest France , as we're getting in the mood for the ski season , we want to tell you about a recent trip to Saint Lary, or Saint-Lary-Soulan as it’s officially called. We love Saint Lary, both in summer…

Read article: Postcard from Vouvant and Fontenay-le-Comte
Postcard from Vouvant and Fontenay-le-Comte

Postcard from Vouvant and Fontenay-le-Comte

We’ve come to the Vendée to catch up with two sets of friends: a couple based in Vouvant and a family we’ve been close to for years in Fontenay-le-Comte. Vendée is part of the Pays-de-la-Loire region…

Read article: Discover what Christmas in France is Really Like ...
Discover what Christmas in France is Really Like ...

Discover what Christmas in France is Really Like ...

The way  Christmas  is celebrated in France is not too dissimilar to the UK festivities and traditions: decorating the house, presents, and good food are all involved. The religious significance of the occasion…

Read article: A Slice of Loire Valley Heaven
A Slice of Loire Valley Heaven

A Slice of Loire Valley Heaven

After many years of holidaying in France, Noelle and Michael Keating decided to start looking for their dream home. They now live in the pretty village of Bourgueil in the heart of the Loire Valley , best known for the splendour…

Read article: Our Postcard from Eymet
Our Postcard from Eymet

Our Postcard from Eymet

For this week’s postcard, we’re back in southwest France . We’re on the road again for a long celebration weekend with our friend in Eymet, and then we’ll visit a few properties in Duras. We love…