Lifestyle Archives - Page 22 of 24 - France Property Guides

Merger in the south of France dents Catalan pride

A regional renaming in south-east France has put the Catalan nose out of joint. But you can’t keep a Catalan down for long, they’ll probably turn the event into a party. We live close to the Spanish border in an area sometimes known as Catalonia, which straddles both sides of the border. There are around 450,000 French Catalans, largely based around the city of Perpignan which was a strong fortress in medieval times. The Catalans are a proud people, with their own language; a rough mix of French and Spanish.

The French Alps are not just for winter!

If you’re looking for a holiday home with a bit more va-va-voom, the French Alps are about the most exciting option on the planet for four-season thrill-seeking.

Living in France: why it works for us

British expats resident in France, Alexis and Rod, share their thoughts on why happy French living is there for the taking

Top tips for owning and managing a successful chambre d’hotes

Interested in having an income in France? Setting up a chambre d’hotes just may suit you.

The climate, beaches and lifestyle in the Languedoc region

The Languedoc Roussillon lies down in the true South of France, sharing many geographical aspects with its more expensive sister region, Provence. It is mainly a wine growing area – actually the largest in the world – but has so much else to offer: hundreds of kilometres of sandy beaches, historical Cathar monuments, hiking trails, rivers, mountains, skiing, proximity to Spain. Living here, one of the first things that expats are struck by is the wonderful golden light of the sun. They say there are 320 days of sunshine here; although it is a seasonal climate and can get quite cold in t

Spotlight on the South: The rich and exciting history of the Cathars

When driving around the winding mountain roads and rugged countryside of the Languedoc Roussillon, you cannot help but notice the extraordinary ruined monument, built by the Cathars The Cathars were followers of a rival church in early medieval times, who dismissed the riches and ceremony of the Catholic church in favour of purity and equality. Catholics at the time named the Cathars as nothing short of heretics.