Connexion’s Moving To France help guide covers a wide range of subjects aimed at new arrivals of all ages: from your health insurance and French inheritance laws through to getting the children into school, setting up a business or changing electricity companies. The guide is indispensable for anyone moving over from the UK, but we also hope it will be useful as a checklist to those who are already here. Articles about Living in France
Monday 31 January 2011
Friday 28 January 2011
Explore the Loire Valley and learn some French
Take a tour of the Loire Valley, explore chateaux, vineyards, enjoy the views, and learn some French on the way.
Thursday 27 January 2011
Mayle Selling up in Provence
Peter Mayle is moving on again. After his popular "A Year in Provence" book, he was besieged by "fans" at his farmhouse in Menerbes. After selling his property he moved to New York but later returned to Provence.
British writer Peter Mayle, whose book ‘A Year in Provence’ popularised the region, is selling his second house.
His best-selling tales of village life in Provence helped send property prices through the roof in the south of France, Now, writer Peter Mayle is selling his Provençal home – for €6 million.
So what is he selling now? He now owns an 18th-century house on the outskirts of the village of Lourmarin, said to be one of the most beautiful villages in France and the burial place of the French writer Albert Camus who spent his Nobel Prize money on a farmhouse there in 1958.
via irishtimes.com
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Discover Bordeaux Video
Enjoy the splendid architecture of Bordeaux - ideally located on the West Coast of France.Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in southwest France, with an estimated (2008) population of 250,082. Bordeaux is the world's major wine industry capital. It is home to the world's main wine fair, Vinexpo, while the wine economy in the metro area moves 14.5 billion euros each year.Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the eighth century. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bordeaux has about 116,160 hectares of vineyards, 57 appellations, 10,000 wine-producing châteaux and 13,000 grape growers.More Information:
Aquitaine Region Video
Aquitaine Region Guide
Bordeaux Properties for Sale
Aquitaine Region Video
Aquitaine Region Guide
Bordeaux Properties for Sale
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Art Deco Your Style in Cannes?
Department: Alpes-Maritimes
Region: Provence
Price: € 1,350,000 Very rare `Art Deco` Villa situated in one of the best parts of 'Basse Californie' area of Cannes. This charming and historically interesting house comprises of four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lovely south facing living room and veranda which leads directly onto the garden. Totally wrapped in history with many original features.5 mins walk to Rue D`Antibes and The Croisette.More Photos and Details: Art Deco Cannes Villa
Monday 24 January 2011
France's Population Tops 65 million
France's population has reached a record high of 65 million plus and the birth rate is now the highest since the baby boom. In 2001 there were 61 million people in mainland France and the overseas departments, compared with 54 million in 1981, according to the latest figures from Insee. The birth rate has now passed two babies per woman at 2,01, the highest since the mid-1970s.There was a net increase owing to the changes in birth/death rates of 283,000 last year compared to 75,000 due to immigration/departures.
Friday 21 January 2011
Enjoy Carcassonne Video
Some background: Carcassonne is a fortified French town in the Aude department,The fortress, which was thoroughly restored in 1853 by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. Fortification consists of a double ring of ramparts and 53 towers. The name can be derived as a hyperbole of name Carcas. Enjoy the video about Carcassonne Fortress:
More about Aude Department
Selection of property in Carcassonne
More about Aude Department
Selection of property in Carcassonne
Thursday 20 January 2011
French Ski Destinations: Meribel
Expatica have been reviewing Ski destinations in Europe. Their pick for France was Meribel. Some background on Meribel first: Méribel is a ski resort in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps, situated near the town of Moutiers. Méribel refers to three neighbouring villages in the Les Allues commune of the Savoie département of France, near the town of Moûtiers, called Méribel Centre, Méribel-Mottaret and Méribel Village. The villages are within the Vanoise National Park and a part of the Les Trois Vallées interlinked ski system.
The catered ski chalet is the way forward. After spending a week in a lovely, eight person, half board, ski in-ski out chalet in Mirabel I was completely relaxed and utterly spoiled. We were taken care of by a lovely ski hostess who made us breakfast every morning (fresh French bread and croissants, hot porridge, eggs and bacon), left tea and cakes waiting for us in the afternoon and then made us a home cooked three-course dinner every night.
We hardly went out to the bars in town at all -- staying in our lovely chalet by the roaring fire and playing a few rounds of cards after dinner was much more appealing after a long day (or a short one) out on the slopes.
I’m afraid the Trois Valleys pass (which gives you access to eight connected resorts in the area, including Courchevel and Val Thorens) was wasted on me -- there were plenty of pistes in Mirabel to keep a beginner busy for a week.
On days when I was especially sore, tired, and couldn’t face putting on the board I found that napping, hiking up and down the switchback roads and looking around in the shops in town was all the activity I needed.
Piste: Hardly a drag lift to be found but lots of long, flat and narrow traverses which, for a cautious snowboarder, are kisses of death.
Après ski: Lots of casual bars and restaurants in town (although we hardly left the chalet). In town go to La Galette which offers a large variety of savory and sweet crêpes and tempting raclette and fondue for cheese lovers.
Charm: High marks for charm. Meribel is beautiful and big enough to be interesting for an entire week.
More about Europe Ski Resorts via expatica.com
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Château-Thierry in Champagne Country
Tucked beneath its impressive medieval castle, Château-Thierry is a great weekend destination. Just one hour from Paris by the A4 autoroute, you travel through champagne vineyards on the route toEpernay as you approach your destination. Château-Thierry offers champagne tasting, beautiful walks in the countryside, as well as a rich cultural and historical heritage.
The Castle of Château-Thierry
Drive towards the castle on the avenue de Paris, take the left turn at the roundabout onto a smaller street that leads to the attractive Town Hall building (Hôtel de Ville) in a square. Park in the large car park in front of the Town Hall. You now have a choice on how to climb to the castle of les Ducs de Bouillon. If you’re feeling energetic, take the steps either side of the Town Hall. For an easier, if longer, walk take the appropriately named rue du Château to the right, turning left onto the Chemin de Ronde. On route you’ll see the mythical Hôtel Dieu (“Hotel of God” hospital) which offered shelter to the sick for six centuries. The chapel contains a magnificent collection of gold and silverware, tapestries, embroideries, paintings and pottery from the former pharmacy.
via suite101.com
Tuesday 18 January 2011
Nicely renovated property in France
| Town: | Bussiere Poitevine |
| Department: | Haute-Vienne |
| Region: | Limousin |
| Price: | € 214,000 |
On the edge of a lovely hamlet with its own 'boulangerie' is this very nicely renovated property with lovely light and spacious rooms.
It is a lovely property that you could move into and live in immediately, it could also offer the potential to create a small b&b!
More details & photos: Limousin Property
Video: Tourist Wine Route of the Jura, France
Jura wine, is French wine produced in the Jura département of the region: Franche-Comte. Located between Burgundy and Switzerland, this cool climate wine region produces wines with some similarity to Burgundy and Swiss wine. Jura wines are distinctive and unusual wines, the most famous being vin jaune, which is made by a similar process to Sherry, developing under a flor-like strain of yeast. This is made from the local Savagnin grape variety. Other grape varieties include Poulsard, Trousseau, and Chardonnay. Properties in the Jura
Monday 17 January 2011
French Property of the Week: Recently reduced Bargain in the Charente-Maritime
Department: Charente-Maritime
Region: Poitou-Charentes
Price: € 174,900Situated near a village with little shop and between the two great towns of Saintes and St Jean d’angely, this property has a gated entrance with entry phone, long driveway and garden with covered swimming pool!Interesting property reduced for a quick sale!!More Photos and Details: Charente-Maritime bargain
Friday 14 January 2011
Useful French Transport Guide
Today the Telegraph has published a useful guide for transport to France.Useful contacts fora) Tunnel
b) Ferries
c) Air
d) Rail
e) Coach
f) Car HireMore details here: Telegraph France Transport Guide
b) Ferries
c) Air
d) Rail
e) Coach
f) Car HireMore details here: Telegraph France Transport Guide
Wednesday 12 January 2011
Top 10 Tips to Survive in France
Settling into life in a new country requires time and energy. You are often dealing with a different culture, language, and climate while getting accustomed to your new home, job, neighborhood, school and local community. Attention and effort are focused on dealing with mundane issues, learning new things and just trying to survive.
But, at a certain point you will begin to feel more settled. You will no longer think of yourself as having recently arrived. This is a wonderful time to seek out ways to broaden your experiences, become more fully involved in society, and enrich your daily life in France. In other words, it's time to thrive!
Here are ten suggestions on how you might do just that. Regardless of how long you have been in France or how long you intend to stay, these tips will help you flourish in your new surroundings.
Learn something new
A great way for expats to experience personal growth, maintain mental acuity and meet others is to take up something new. Learn a new language. Take an art or wine-tasting class, or a course in writing, quilting or crafting. Start or continue your university education through individual courses or a specific program of study. Take up a musical instrument. Learn to cook French delicacies or your favourite foreign cuisine. You could do any of these activities elsewhere, but what makes the experience unique is doing them here.
Explore as a local, not a tourist
Expats will certainly want to visit many of the popular places France is known for. But also try getting to know France better by exploring different parts in day trips and short excursions. Don't just visit those attractions that typically draw the tourist crowds. Deliberately seek out lesser known places and regions which provide more genuine perspectives of French life.
Expand your cultural horizons
Attending a cultural event works wonders for broadening one's view of society and the world. Visit an art gallery, museum, cultural exhibit or the theater. Attend a book reading or a band, orchestra or choral concert. Fresh eyes and fresh experiences bring fresh perspectives.
Celebrate holidays French style
Regardless of how long you've been here, you probably have a general sense of the various holidays the French celebrate. Rather than passively observing these holidays, consider participating more actively. Do as the French do.
via expatica.com
Tuesday 11 January 2011
TOGS watch out in Gascony
In this rural, remote region, the Gascon guards his privacy and his land fiercely. French farm-dogs are not trained to nuzzle up affectionately to the stranger; au contraire, approach one only in full body armour, and the same goes for the dog’s owner.
Some years ago, a friend, a guest at our son’s wedding here in France, got my inadequate directions wrong, and drove his car through the entrance of another house. The farmer was out in an instant. Our friend, realising he was in the wrong place, wound down his car window to apologise and was immediately punched in the face.
Out of curiosity, I have walked into a field to have a look at a tumbledown property, and found myself threatened physically by the owner who came roaring up behind me, demanding to know my business there. Lately, not far from here, a farmer shot dead another who, he claimed, was stealing his truffles.
via telegraph.co.uk
Monday 10 January 2011
France knows My name is Michael Caine - not a lot of people know that.
“I’m the quintessential Englishman but not the quintessential British snob if you see what I mean. I also do speak French which helps — not very well but I do speak it,” he said afterwards.
Sir Michael said he fell in love with French cinema while watching Jean Gabin, an iconic postwar actor because he was “blond like me, while all the actors in Hollywood films at the time had black hair”. He admitted, however, that he has never acted in a French film.
There was a touching scene when he met the man who has been his French voice for the past 50 years, 80-year-old Dominique Paturel, who said he was “mad with joy” to finally meet the actor whose “breathing and very heart beat hold no secrets for me”.
Mr Paturel said that it was impossible to find a French equivalent of Sir Michael’s Cockney speech.
“One can only try and find the same spirit, in his way of being, his behaviour, his reactions. His diction is not easy to imitate – it’s a kind of light stammering, he stumbles on every word. That was quite difficult to capture but essential as it’s his hallmark — but I’ve cracked it after all these years.” Sir Michael, he said was “much loved by the French public due to his likeable nature, his talent, exceptional adaptability to roles, his inventiveness. I’m a bit older than him but hope we both keep going strong for years more,” he said.
via telegraph.co.uk
Friday 7 January 2011
{Un}Glamorous Paris: Working in France
Interesting post on a blogspot blog: Pretavoyager.
Let’s start with the perks of working in France, because let’s face it, it just goes downhill from there. 1) You live and work in France! 2) Who wouldn’t love a 35 hour work week (down from the US standard of 40). If you do the math, that’s an extra 260 hours of your life a year to actually get something done. Pas mal! But really, I think it’s 3) the 5-9 weeks of vacation a year that takes the cake. And unlike Americans who pretend to take vacation and not work, the French actually take holiday. Trust me, I spent the summer with some, and they didn’t work AT ALL (unless you count sitting by the pool, reading trashy magazines and eating endless meals work). 4) Also, once you get hired, it’s virtually impossible to get fired. While this is not necessarily a good thing (it led to many of the riots by young people in the suburbs a couple years ago – the laws mean it’s harder for young people to get hired in the first place), at least you can count on job security.
Read more about getting (or not getting) a job in France
Thursday 6 January 2011
Collioure Video - banish winter blues
Fed up with all the bad weather?Take a break and enjoy this Collioure video! Collioure is a quaint French fishing port on the Mediterranean coast (close to the Spanish border) with the Pyrenees as a backdrop. Perfect!Property overlooking the Med can be expensive in this area but apartments are reasonably priced. Check out some Collioure Properties << here
Wednesday 5 January 2011
French Property of the Week: French Med Apartment nr Spanish Border
Department: Pyrenees-Orientales
Region: Languedoc - Roussillon
Price: € 86,000 Studio with stunning Med view. Excellent let potential and a superb pied a terre in French Catalonia.More details and Photos: Banyuls Studio
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Rail Direct to Avignon in the Provence from the UK
Great news for any passengers wishing to travel to Avignon and the Provence this year.
Eurostar Direct Avignon service is now open for travel between July and September 2011. Customers are able to book their summer train journey on a direct train between the UK and the sunny south of France online. A train will leave every Saturday morning between July and September from Ashford or St Pancras and reach Avignon just in time for a late lunch.
More details: Rail Europe
Renovating and Maintenance of a Home in France
Usually expectations are high when 1st looking for a House in France, but after visits to chosen areas have been made and you have looked at innumerable properties with inadequate facilities, your perspective changes.
A good number of the older stone houses on the market are in will need of work to put them in terrific order having either been left empty for years or just Usually neglected. Lots of persons who contemplate purchasing a house in France have already considered undertaking a restoration project to some degree. There is obviously a danger in purchasing residence in a run-down condition but there are benefits if you follow the rules.
Study and groundwork
Study and groundwork in the beginning will pay dividends later. Make contact not only with agents but also with architects, builders and even Geometres or Expertises (Surveyors) if essential to get as a lot details as feasible prior to your visit. Follow some basic and maybe blindingly obvious ‘ground rules:
0. Fix your spending budget and do not take on anything that will obviously pass your limits.
0. Don’t obtain on impulse; it is greater to come back and take an additional lengthy look.
0. Take notes and photographs as a reminder; one hour processing exists in France too!
0. Ask to see for your self that there is a supply of electricity and that this supply is adequate.
0. Check the condition, if any, of the fosse septique (septic tank). Ought to a new one be required, is it achievable to install one successfully.
0. Make sure that there is a ‘town’ (mains) water supply.
0. Have a copy of the ‘cadastre’ (land registry) plan for reference.
0. Check that the roof is in fantastic condition, the ridgeline is straight and roof timbers (the charpente) are sound.
0. Constantly Make certain that there are no main repairs essential to the Home which are obvious but which you are told are ‘mere trifles’ – structural repairs are just as high priced in France as anywhere.
0. If in doubt – instruct an Expertises – a French Surveyor, who can advise you on the condition of your prospective House as well as how a lot it will cost to put correct. See the section on Surveying in France.
0. Seek local guidance. A excellent deal of info can be obtained from ‘the locals’.
Local Tradesmen
If there is some work to do, no matter how a lot or how small, if you are employing a builder rather than performing the work your self, try to use local tradesmen if achievable and Usually Make certain that the builder you use is correctly registered in France. Any competent architect or builder can see main defects in buildings and warn you. Additional vital, they can Frequently envisage the most effective way to restructure a building when all you are looking at is a ruin.
Make sure that if you will need the services of an architect and/or builder that they are registered. You have no recourse in French law if you use somebody who is undeclared or works clandestinely. In France all traders Should have a SIRET NO and you can verify the trader’s registration by utilizing the MINITEL 3617 code SIRENE. Draw up plans and written specifications for work to be undertaken by a builder and purchase estimates/quotations prior to commencing work. Usually ask for the following:
0. The Siret number. This is issued by the Chamber of Commerce and signifies TVA (VAT) registration.
0. Decenel Insurance. This is a kind of insurance bonding, which offers the builder’s client, a guarantee of workmanship for up to 10 years depending on the work carried out.
0. Responsabilité Civile. This is third party insurance that gives cover in case the builder accidentally causes damage to the Home throughout the course of renovation works.
Building Work
It is critical to maintain every single single receipt for building work carried out on a house so that these prices can be set against the perceived ‘gain’ on the resale of the home for French Capital Gains Tax. All receipts from materials and labour Really should also be kept in order to prove that TVA has been paid on the building works.
If you are having work carried out on a house, then it is required that you Need to arrange to have some thing known as Dommage et Ouvrage Assurance. This is in addition to buildings insurance and covers you against the builder or one of his men having an accident on your home. It will also assist you to claim against poor workmanship.
Constantly purchase a devis (estimate) for any work that you intend to have carried out to your residence. This Need to be very detailed, showing a schedule of costs and the TVA against the a variety of items of work. You may require professional support in preparing this schedule which Must relate to the ‘survey’ you had carried out when you bought the Home. If you accept this devis then you Need to sign a second copy with the builder which then becomes a fixed price contract if work is started within 3 months.
Do not forget, some alterations to the Home will require planning consent.
Respect the local traditions. If you paint your Home pink when all the other people around you are white then expect trouble! Lastly, make normal visits (if you’re not ‘camping out’ at the home!) to Make sure that the building is going to plan. Your architect or Maitre d’Oeuvre Will need to be present to explain progress.
At the obtain stage insist on a clause in the compromis de vente to the effect that the get is subject to successfully obtaining all needed permis de construire and certificate d’urbanisme for the proposed alterations to facades and usages respectively.
The benefit and satisfaction of renovating a home is that you finish with a House that pleases you for the reason that your ideas and designs have gone into it. It hasn’t cost Extra than you can afford mainly because you have controlled the expenditure. If you don’t over specify i.e. do not go for gold-plated taps and William Morris wallpapers (unless you will need to, of course) – you will finish with a home with a higher re-sale value in comparison to the cash you will have put into the project.
The main disadvantages are that the work to your House may take some months to complete and you will have to patiently wait until you can use it. You will also have to commit a fair quantity of time and attention during the project. It is for you to determine.
Having left the rat race of London after 15 years, I now live in Paradise. The Aude, Languedoc has every thing a home owner in the Languedoc would love. I have a Home and Gite Maintenance firm as well as General Building services.
Look at http://www.bize-knees.com for Far more info
via google.com
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