What comes to your mind when you think of a picturesque lively ancient French village? Perhaps pavement cafes, timber framed buildings, cobbled streets, local art, a market, the smell of freshly baked bread emanating from the local boulangerie? What about affordable property?
Once you have the keys to your new French home in your hand, it is incredibly exciting to think about furnishing it, stocking up on consumable items, perhaps a bit of DIY and browsing what the French shops and brocantes have to offer. However, some things are a bit more difficult to find – so here’s what to bring with you when you move.
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.
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.
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.
You’re all ready to take the plunge. You’ve decided to change your life and your lifestyle. You’ve done the due diligence around practicalities of moving to France but that final nagging doubt suddenly creeps in: How will I cope away from friends and family? How do I go about making friends in France? Here are some tips to help.
