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Top ski resorts for the 2019/20 season

There’s a hint of winter in the air and the first dustings of snow have been reported in the Alps. The build-up to the new ski season is always an exciting time for winter sports fans, especially if you’re in the market to buy your own ski pad. If you’re unsure about which resort to focus on, here are some nuggets from the French Alps.

Installing and owning a swimming pool in France

When you start your French property search, you may well dream of building your own swimming pool. The good news is that this is something which is fairly easily achievable, even with a relatively small exterior space, and there is a huge choice of types and sizes of pool in France now. Here’s what to consider and the costs to expect.

“We’ve never looked back”: swapping the London rat race for the peace of the Languedoc-Roussillon

Diane and Kevin Sowells knew there was more to life than daily commuting to London from their Brighton home, struggling with their mortgage and yearning for warmth and sunshine. Six years ago, they realised their long-held dream when they found their perfect home in the Minervois wine region. I spoke to them about their new life in the sun.

From neglected shell to quirky seaside retreat – renovating a property in France, part two

With little practical experience, I took on a project to renovate a sad and neglected grande dame on the quayside at the beautiful port of Barfleur in Normandy. Learning traditional skills from scratch, I managed to transform her into a quirky seaside retreat within a reasonable budget, with a mix of good luck, hard work and the help of excellent workmen.

From neglected shell to quirky seaside retreat – renovating a property in France, part one

When I moved to Normandy in 2017, I had little intention of embarking on a renovation project. Having left a stressful job behind, my aim was to kick back and relax for a while, before easing my way into paid employment. But when I set eyes on a neglected fisherman’s house for sale in one of the prettiest villages in France, I knew I had to have her. This is my story of how I gave this sad old lady with spectacular views a new lease of life.

Finding your perfect home in the Charente

Nestled in South West France lies the department of Charente. Boasting fantastic weather and countryside, it also offers great value for money when property searching. Whether you’re looking for a bustling and lively or more rural pace of life this diverse area has loads to offer. But how to decide where to live in the Charente?