Living France 2014 10 UK

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lo ew
ok
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INSIDE
The latest
property
news
3.99
OCTOBER 2014
F O R T H E L I F E YO U V E A LWAY S D R E AM E D O F...
completefrance.com
SOUTH OF FRANCE SPECIAL
EXPLORE
Drme
z Aude
z Hrault
z
139,500
For a peaceful
country bolt-hole
ASK THE
EXPERTS
RURAL
RETREATS
Your questions
answered
REVEALED
Myths about moving to France - debunked
REAL LIFE
PROPER T Y
PLACES
ADVICE
LIFEST YLE
LANGUAGE
Issue
Is 280 October 2014
e 3.99
su
3.99
Find your perfect

property
INSIDER INFO
editors letter
Contributors
Eleanor OKane
A former Living France editor,
Eleanor now works as a
freelancer. She loves
discovering France and is
currently planning a visit to
Toulouse. On page 36, she
debunks common myths
about moving to France in
the first of a three-part series.
Ben Palfreyman
A freelance writer and avid
property renovator, Ben is also
a sports fan too on his most
recent trip to France he
turned his hand to winter
sports. His feature on page
42 sees ski school owner and
Les Gets resident Tim Scott
reveal all about his life in
the French Alps.
Southern delights
ere in the Living France

office, were lamenting the
loss of the sun-filled days
of summer its a good job
then, that this month our south of
France special has enough
sunshine to brighten the advent of
the seasonal changes ahead!
On page 20, editorial assistant
Emma Rawle takes us on a tour for
the senses in Drme, where the
scent of lavender fields drifts on
the warm breeze and picturesque scenery awaits at every turn. Closer
to the coast, artist Nicola Blakemores solo move to Hrault prompted
her to set up her own painting holidays business turn to page 48 to
find out more about her new life near the Mediterranean.
On page 56 in Languedoc-Roussillon, chambres dhtes owners
Anthony and Rachel Pinwill tell us why the south is the perfect place
for them, while further afield on page 42, Alpine ski school owner
Tim Scott testifies that year-round sunshine has its charms in the
winter months too.
Geography aside, this issue we bring you the first of our three-part Hit
or myth? series addressing common concerns about moving to France.
Turn to page 36 for the answers to the questions youve always wanted
to ask but have been too reticent to voice.
And, should you be planning for the months ahead, take a look at page
66, where our Christmas gift subscription offer means you can bask in
the sunny glow of France during the chilly months to come.
Have a wonderful October,
Nina Bjordal
Norwegian globetrotter and
Francophile Nina has lived in
Paris and dreams of moving
to France permanently. On
page 56 she talks to Anthony
and Rachel Pinwill about
their chambres dhtes
Maison Laurent in Aude.
completefrance.com
Eve Middleton, Editor
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October 2014 Living France 3
Explore
living in France
your way
Editorial
Editor Eve Middleton
Assistant Editor Stephanie Sheldrake
Editorial Assistant Emma Rawle
Sub Editor Deborah Curtis
Art Editor Richard Womack
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completefrance.com
Contents October
Octo
toberr
20 Beautiful south
Drme living
Features
Cover story With lush valleys, mountains,

and lavender fields, not to mention delicious
produce, Drme is a feast for the senses
Cover story In the first of our three-part

series, Eleanor OKane addresses the myths
about the first steps of moving to France
28 Artists impression
42 Peak time
20 Heaven scent
American artist Raelyn Larson reveals why she

decided to make Drme her home
32 Ask the agent
A property expert covering Drme talks shop
34 What can I get

for my money?
Properties in Drme to suit all budgets
36 Hit or myth? Part one
Find out what brought Tim Scott to the Alpine

resort of Les Gets where he runs a ski school
48 A stroke of luck
Cover story Artist Nicola Blakemore made

the move to Hrault where she now runs
painting holidays
ISSUE 280
Snow business
42
Picture perfect
48
Dcouvrez...
8 October in France
We bring you a round-up of events including

ideas for Paris breaks, plus the latest travel
news, festivals and film releases
14 Our dream property
Stephanie Sheldrake explains why an Alpine

chalet in Mribel is her dream buy
16 Whats on the market
Cover story Our selection of properties in the

heart of the French countryside, including a
rural retreat for 139,500 in Limousin
la maison
56 The Midas touch
Cover story One expat couple reveal how

they transformed a run-down property in Aude
into an award-winning chambres dhtes
62 Flavours of France
On the cover
This month Maison Laurent,

Aude, Shigetoshi Yamauchi
(Marimo Images)
Food writer Mary Cadogan gives her recipe

for cassoulet, while Matt Walls explores the
wines of Saumur
Buy your
e
2015 Franc
ENeD54AR
CAL
See pag
64 Avant gardening
The gardens of Poterie Hillen, plus an expat in

Corrze tells us about her garden in France
completefrance.com
Hunawihr
PAGE 8
Chardonnay
PAGE 106
Les Gets
PAGE 42
Limousin
PAGE 16
Drme
PAGE 20
Quarante
PAGE 48
Saint-Gaudens
PAGE 71
36 Hit or myth? Part one
WIN!
French food g
oodies
on page 18
Les pratiques
Language
currency news
Sylvie Wheatley shares the vocabulary

for hunting and fishing in France
69 Property and
Cover story The latest from the property
market, including why foreign investors are
choosing France, plus a currency update
71 Three of a kind
84 On the hunt
86 Five minute French

Regulars
72 Ask the experts
Your views on life across the Channel
74 Capital punishment
Rob Kay reveals what you need to know

about capital gains tax in France
76 Cold comforts
56 B&B success
Test your French with our puzzles and

complete the prize crossword
Midi-Pyrnes is the best place to live in

France, according to a recent index. We pick
three homes in the region
Cover story Our experts answer your

queries, including an inheritance tax query
pet passports and taking your car to France
Pieusse
PAGE 56
18 Postbag
91 Property directory
A guide to the buying process, plus properties

for sale and to let in France
106 How I made it work

This month, we catch up with Nick and
Rebecca Harman, last featured in 2009
Glynis Shaw gives her advice for making sure

your holiday home is prepared for winter
78 Guide to hunting
and fishing
In this months Living France guide, Kate

McNally gives the low-down on traditional
country pursuits
completefrance.com
16 Rural retreat
DCOUVREZ
As the Alsace grape harvest comes to an end in October and the vines take on a rich
autumnal colour, the region celebrates with a host of events from wine fairs to
tastings, making this an ideal time to visit the area and explore its famous wine route.
The 170-kilometre Route des Vins dAlsace takes in beautiful Alsatian villages such as
Hunawihr (pictured), a designated Plus Beau Village, situated in a picture-perfect
location surrounded by rolling fields of vineyards.
www.route-des-vins-alsace.com
KATJA KREDER/AWL-IMAGES.COM
October in France
DCOUVREZ
News & events
With the summer crowds long gone, October is an ideal month for a cultural break in the
capital. Emma Rawle picks her must-see events, plus travel news and a reader giveaway
City of light
1One night only
Saturday 4 October as the city becomes
2Grand reopening
housed in the Htel Sal in Pariss Marais
this autumn with the opening of another art
nocturnal for one night only during the Nuit
district, will be re-opening its doors to the
museum on 27 October in the Bois de
Blanche event. The dusk-to-dawn celebration
public on 25 October the birthday of
Boulogne park. The new Foundation Louis
of art and culture aims to showcase the
Picasso, who died in 1973. The impressive
Vuitton, designed by Frank Gehry, soars
French capital in new and original ways,
17th-century property has undergone a
above the trees and boasts 12 glass sails
giving even long-term residents a novel view
five-year 52 million refurbishment to
created from 3,600 sheets of glass, offering
of Paris. From 7pm museums, libraries,
extend the exhibition space to the entire
panoramic views of the park and city from its
monuments, parks and gardens open their
five-floor building. The 5,700m space will
terraces. Fittingly, the first exhibition the
doors for free until 7am on Sunday. Visitors
now be able to display more of the 5,000
Foundation will host is of the building itself,
can also expect concerts, artwork and light
works and archive pieces, largely donated by
showing the processes of development and
installations on the streets of the city. The
Picassos heirs and friends, and admit nearly
creation. There will also be temporary
event has become so popular it has been
double the number of visitors at one time. If
exhibitions of contemporary art and special
adopted by other cities in France and
you fancy a sneak preview, the museum will
artistss commissions, plus one-off
around the world.
be open on Nuit Blanche.
performances in its auditorium.
www.paris.fr
www.museepicassoparis.fr
www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr
Prepare for a sleepless night in Paris on
After a long wait the Muse Picasso,
3Rising up
Art lovers are spoilt for choice in Paris
Mountain dwellers
The Rserve des Bisons dEurope sits at an altitude of 1,400m in Margeride in
the mountains of Lozre and is home to 40 European bison roaming 200
hectares of land. Created to save the animals from extinction, the reserve
now offers tours to the public so you can get up close and personal with
these prehistoric animals. In winter, tours are conducted on a sleigh,
while the rest of the year a horse-drawn carriage is the means of
transport and there is also a museum telling the story of the bison
and the reserve. Prices start at 13.50 for a tour and museum visit.
www.bisoneurope.com
completefrance.com
Foodie
favourites
France and food go hand in hand,
and October is a great time to sample
tasty fare. Here are some food-related
events to try this month
RULE BRITANNIA
Every October the seaside town of Dinard on the Brittany coast
welcomes film fans for its annual celebration of British cinema.
Running from 8 until 12 October, the British Film Festival shows
popular and upcoming films in five screens across the town. Tickets go
on sale 30 minutes before the showings and cost 5.50 each. This year
there is also a pre-festival event taking place from the end of August
until 7 October, with free screenings of popular British films such as Philomena and 12 Years a
Slave, an open-air cinema and events for schools.
An education
Food is a serious business in France, and as
such theres an entire week dedicated to
educating the public all about it. La
Semaine du Got (13-19 October) sees
demonstrations by food professionals in
schools, plus special menus in restaurants.
www.legout.com
www.festivaldufilm-dinard.com
Bargain hunt
Second only to the Braderie de Lille, the Amiens Rderie is a flea market on
a grand scale. With a total of 2,000 sellers from all over France setting up
stalls in the city centre, the event offers plenty of opportunities for some
80,000 visitors to pick up a bargain. The Rderie is taking place on Sunday
5 October, and Amiens is only about an hour and a halfs drive from
Calais Tempted?
www.grande-rederie-amiens.com
PARIS TOURIST OFFICE/AMLIE DUPONT/OTTO PIENE; MUSE PICASSO PARIS/BARICE HATALA;

IWAN BAAN; ASSOCIATION DES COMMERANTS DU QUARTIER DES HALLES
X marks the spot
Ever been to the most

amazing restaurant in
France and then been
unable to find it again?
Or forgotten the name and
location of a museum a
friend recommended that
you wanted to visit? Well,
no more thanks to the
Pin Drop app. The app
lets you drop a pin on a
map to mark
somewhere youve been or want to go.
You can add photos and notes to your
pin to create a memoir of your holiday
and selectively share your pins with
contacts to make recommendations or
just boast about your trip. The app is
free to download and is available from
the iTunes store and Google Play.
OUT OF RETIREMENT
Sweet treat
An event not to be missed for any
chocolate fans, the Salon du Chocolat in
Paris runs from 29 October to 2 November
and features companies and chocolatiers
sharing their chocolate passion with new
products, live demonstrations and the
Chocolate Fashion Show.
www.salonduchocolat.fr
Serge Tanneur (Fabrice Luchini) is living as a

recluse on the picturesque le de R after retiring
from a successful acting career, when fellow actor
and TV heart-throb Gauthier (Lambert Wilson)
turns up at his door. Gauthier wants Serge to join
him in a production of Molires The Misanthrope
and agrees to five days rehearsal in order to
convince him. This
warm and witty film
follows these
rehearsals and the
pairs bike rides around
the island, with much
bickering and
humorous incidents.
Cycling with Molire
(DVD), 15.99, Cert. 15,
Artificial Eye, www.
Cook up a storm
If you fancy learning to make a Michelinstar standard dinner then sign up for a
cookery class at Chteau Cordeillan-Bages
in Pauillac. During the lesson you will learn
to make an appetizer, starter, main and
dessert. Classes are a minimum of four, run
until 21 October and cost 80 per person.
www.cordeillanbages.com
artificial-eye.com
www.pindropapp.com
completefrance.com
DCOUVREZ
Travel news
Mans best friend
A petition has been launched by
pet gift website petspyjamas.com asking
for designated dog-friendly carriages to
be added to Eurostar trains, allowing
dog owners to travel between France
and the UK with their pets. Currently,
Eurostar allows guide dogs on board but
no other pets or animals, although dogs
can travel to France via car and ferry. The
petition closes on 30 September and can
be found here:
www.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/
petitions/66847
Hit the slopes
Bookworms will be in heaven at the 25e Heure du Livre in Le Mans, one of the oldest book
fairs in France. Over the weekend of 4-5 October, 200 authors, 80 publishers and 30,000
visitors gather to celebrate the written word in what has become the highlight of the autumn
cultural scene. The fair celebrates French-language literature with debates, interviews and
workshops as well as other forms of writing from sci-fi to childrens books. Tickets cost 4.
www.la25eheuredulivre.fr
Did you know?
Number of rivets used in the

construction of the Eiffel Tower*
2.5m
REALITY BITES
S
A must-read for anyone interested in wines and France, Caro Feelys latest book Saving
Our Skins is the story of her familys struggles to make their dream of running an organic
vineyard a reality. In her first book, Grape Expectations, we followed the family from
Dublin to a run-down vineyard in Saussignac, Dordogne and their attempts to
transform it into an organic, profitable vineyard. This book picks up the tale as the family
are facing financial difficulties and a potentially fatal frost can they continue with their
dream, or is reality about to bite? Not only providing an
insight into Caro and Sens life in France, this book is full
of interesting details about the skill of organic winemaking and the economics of the wine industry.
WIN!
We have 5 copies of Saving Our Skins to

give away. For a chance to win visit
www.completefrance.com/community-forum
The closing date for entries is 20 October.
Saving Our Skins: Building a Vineyard Dream in

France, Caro Feely, 8.99, Summersdale Publishers
www.summersdale.com
Tickets are now on sale for the

Eurostar ski train offering a direct service
from London St Pancras to Motiers,
Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-St-Maurice in
the French Alps. The trains run on Friday
nights and Saturdays, with return trains
on Saturdays both during the day and
night, from 19 December until 11 April.
Skis and boards travel for free and return
fares start at 149 per person.
www.eurostar.com
In the know
A new email and text message
service has been launched by airline
Monarch aiming to keep customers,
and their family and friends, up to date
with any changes to Monarch flights.
Customers can sign up to the free
service when they book their flight and
will receive either an email or text
message if there is any change to
departure or arrival times.
www.monarch.co.uk
Early birds
Brittany Ferries is now taking
bookings for 2015 so early birds can
book their ferry crossings to France and
start planning their getaways across the
Channel. With seven routes from the UK
to France to choose from, including
Portsmouth to Le Havre and Plymouth
to Roscoff, there are plenty of options
and all you need is a 35 deposit to
secure your booking.
www.brittany-ferries.co.uk
completefrance.com
*WWW.TOUREIFFEL.PARIS VILLE DU MANS GILLES MOUSS
Lost in a book
DCOUVREZ
Dream property...
Every so often, we come across a French property that
knocks us for six. This month, Stephanie Sheldrake falls
for an Alpine chalet in Mribel
O n the
market for
850,000
his four-bedroom chalet in the
detached chalet has beautiful views across
bathroom. I could happily imagine waking up
world-famous ski resort of
the valley, and a gondola link to the famous
and drawing back the curtains to the
Mribel would not only be a
Trois Valles ski area.
dramatic view of the mountains before
dream property, but would be
Laid out over three floors, the property is
taking to the slopes for an adrenalin-fuelled,
light and bright and the main rooms benefit
life-affirming blast of fun in one of the most
not traditionally one for winter sports, but I
from fine views. Entrance to the chalet is via
famous ski locations in the world.
can easily see why they appeal, especially in
the first floor which has a spacious open-plan
this part of the Alps: breathtaking mountain
living room with kitchen and dining areas, a
bedrooms and a bathroom, so there is plenty
slopes covered in sparkling snow,
large open fireplace and access to a sunny
of accommodation for friends and family.
exhilarating descents with the sun on your
balcony. This would be the perfect space for
face and the crisp air filling your lungs. Yes, I
entertaining after all, skiing is as much a
price tag reflects its popular location and
could become a convert, and this property
social pursuit as a sporting one.
high quality, but similar properties are hard
a dream change in lifestyle. Im
would make the perfect base.

Situated in the pretty ski village of Les
Allues, part of the Mribel ski resort, this
On the second floor, there is a master
On the ground floor are two more
On the market at 850,000, this chalets
to find in this price range, so there are lots of
bedroom with en suite and balcony, a further
good reasons to be tempted.
double bedroom with a balcony and a family
www.freespiritalpine.com
completefrance.com
DCOUVREZ
Rural retreats
For many, the idea of living in France conjures up idyllic images of traditional farmhouses
surrounded by green countryside. We bring you a selection of rural bolt-holes to dream about
241,500
254,400
Finistre, Brittany
Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes
This property fits perfectly into its natural environment in lush green
surroundings at the end of a wooded valley. A former mill, it now
offers two bedrooms, a living room and corner kitchen, and sits on
2.5 acres of land including two ponds.
Agent: A House in Brittany www.ahouseinbrittany.com
This traditional Charentaise farmhouse offers three bedrooms, spacious

living rooms and a farmhouse kitchen. To the rear it has a walled garden
with a swimming pool and views of the surrounding countryside, while to
the front there is an enclosed courtyard garden.
Agent: Charente Immobilier www.charente-immobilier.com
260,000
295,000
Mayenne, Pays de la Loire
Dordogne, Aquitaine
If you are looking for a rural retreat then Mayenne could be the answer
with its miles of unspoilt countryside. This two-bedroom property is
located in a small hamlet and offers a one-bedroom self-contained
gte, a games barn and a stone building that could be converted.
Agent: Belle France Immobilier www.yourfrenchhouse.com
This restored farmhouse and guest cottage is on the edge of a

hamlet in rural Dordogne. Set on over seven hectares of land, the
property offers three bedrooms, a living room, open-plan kitchen/
diner and two bedrooms, plus an outdoor swimming pool.
Agent: Herman de Graaf www.immobilier-dordogne.com
445,000
630,000
Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon
Ain, Rhne-Alpes
This fully renovated farmhouse has 2.8 hectares of land including

woodland, a swimming pool, boules court and terraces, and enjoys
views of the distant Pyrenees. It boasts four bedrooms, three of
which are en suite, a fitted kitchen and a spacious living room..
Agent: Private Seller mdleece@btinternet.com
A former curates house, this 18th-century property is full of character

and original features and has been carefully restored. Located in the
tranquil hamlet of Courmangoux, the house has eight bedrooms and six
bathrooms and is currently run as a guest house.
Agent: Pastures Greener www.pasturesgreener.net
completefrance.com
whats on the market
Properties of the month

BARGAIN
BUY
139,500
Haute-Vienne, Limousin
Situated in a small village in the Limousin countryside 10 minutes
from Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, this property benefits from pastoral views
and nearby amenities. Offering three bedrooms, it also has an
attached barn and almost two acres of garden.
Agent: France Property Shop www.francepropertyshop.com
SPLASH
OUT
765,000
Gers, Midi-Pyrnes
Dating back to the 17th century, this traditional Gascon chteau sits
on 12 acres of orchards, woodland and meadows and enjoys
breathtaking views of the Pyrenees. Offering 16 bedrooms, seven
bathrooms and four kitchen/living rooms, it has plenty of potential.
Agent: France Property Shop www.francepropertyshop.com
francepropertyshop.com
From our market-leading
French property website
France Property Shop is your
essential guide to buying
property in France. Regularly
updated with new properties
added each week, there are
thousands to choose from, all
usefully listed by region to help
you narrow down your search.
completefrance.com
POSTBAG
Your comments
We love hearing from you, so why not write us a letter,

send us an email, or join us on Facebook and Twitter?
I have been a subscriber to your magazine
for a long time.
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Social
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legitefantastique
@gitefantastique
After a recent storm, for two nights
running there was a magnificent,
horizon-wide DOUBLE-RAINBOW.
And no one could find the camera.
We bought a house in Pas-de-Calais

just south of Le Touquet 25 years ago
Amelia Bray @DentalManagers
when our two sons were small. We
Reading @LivingFrance in rainy

London and imagining myself in
sunny @LaRegionLR
spent some great holidays there, enjoying

the huge beaches. We now tend to use the
house for short stays, out of season, as we rent it out
Paul Heathcote @pmheathcote
during the holiday periods.

Twelve years ago we decided to dip our toe in the
French property market once again, and we bought an old house in Montsoreau, a picturesque
@LivingFrance Love the magazine.

One day the dream might happen!
village between Saumur and Chinon, in the Loire Valley. We have all but finished restoring it and
now spend a reasonable part of the year there, as we love everything about it.
This year, however, is a very special year. Our younger son and his fiance love coming to the
house, and last year decided that they would like to get married here. So, we have three days of
festivities to look forward to, starting off on the Friday with a small civil wedding in our mairie,
which is next door to the house, followed on the Saturday by a welcome reception for all the
guests on the terrace of our local hotel, which boasts magnificent views of the Chteau de
Montsoreau and the River Loire. The main event is on the Sunday at the beautiful Chteau du
Mary Curry via Facebook

Fete in our next door hamlet,
brocante in Civray on Sunday
followed by dinner with our lovely
French neighbours whilst our
French bulldog hunts geckos
fruitlessly! Heaven!
Rivau, outside Chinon (pictured above). All in all, it promises to be a very special weekend.
It is wonderful that we have passed on our love of France to our children.
Jean Brookes @frenchholiday
Thanks also to your magazine for giving us an insight into all the different areas of France,
200 2CVs (2,500 Citroens in all) on

the circuit of Le Mans, western
France, for Euro Citro 2014 parade.
Awesome!
and for providing us with such interesting and useful features.

Jenny Willis
Bromley, Kent (currently in Montsoreau!)
Map mistake
My wife and I are avid readers each month of
Guernsey friends who also enjoy your read.
Living France as well as French Property News.
Peter & Jean Walters
We read every page and there is always a
Guernsey
fight to see who picks up the magazines first

when they drop through our letter box.
Imagine my surprise when I turned to
Many thanks for your kind email I am

delighted to hear that you enjoy the magazine,
pages 88 and 89 of Living France (September
and even more delighted to hear that you read it
2014 edition) to test myself on departmental
so closely! Weve had a number of reader emails
numbers; a game which I like to indulge in
about this very same subject, and we have duly
from time to time.
rectified the department numbers on our map
The error begins with Arige being quoted

as department 10 (should be department 09)
(as of Autumn edition, no. 279).

Corsica is a moot point it falls between
and continues until Cte-dOr (department 21).
Corrze (19) and Cte-dOr (21) which logically
It shows Corrze as department 20 (should
would make it 20, but it can also be referred to
be 19).
interchangeably with the 2A and 2B option as
French Property News shows Corsica as
well. Weve chosen the latter as vehicle
department 20, whereas Living France shows it
registration plates in France (where vehicles
as 2a and 2b which is it, as we have never
show the department number on the right-hand
been there?
side of the plate) show the two departments in
Keep up the good work as we know many
Corsica as 2A and 2B Ed.
If you have something youd like to share, from anecdotes to holiday snaps, drop us a
line at letters@livingfrance.com or to The Letters Editor, Living France, Archant House,
Oriel Road, Cheltenham, GL50 1BB
The writer of our Star Letter

this issue wins a Surprise Box
worth 29 containing a
surprise selection of five to
seven traditional French products
courtesy of Bonjour French Food.
For more information on the full range
of hampers available visit
www.bonjourfrenchfood.com
WIN!
* The Dream property on page 14 of

our previous Autumn 2014 issue
featured the wrong email address.
The correct email address for
enquiries regarding this property is
lavenderfrance@hotmail.com
facebook.com/
twitter.com/
LivingFrance
completefrance.com
Heaven scent
With fragrant lavender fields and lush scenery, delicious produce
and pretty villages, Drme is a great option for anyone longing for
the south of France, says Emma Rawle
JULIAN ELLIOTT PHOTOGRAPHY / ALAMY
drme
fair share of shoe shops. The towns other famous export is

raviole, smaller than their Italian cousins and often filled
with cheese and served with butter. I tried these delights on
more than one occasion all in the name of research
obviously! Another delicacy to indulge in while in the
department is Picodon, a small, round goats cheese,
awarded AOC status and made in Drme and neighbouring
Ardche. Drme, as with much of France, is certainly a
MOIRENC CAMILLE / HEMIS.FR; HEMIS / WALLACE WEEKS / ALAMY; LIONEL PASCALE
food-lovers paradise.
A sizable town, Romans is full of life and I was lucky
enough to arrive in the middle of the Festival International
de Folklore, which happens every July, with live
performances taking place in the town squares and stalls
selling local produce. The town also boasts a well-preserved
historic centre leading down to the river which is a great
place to find somewhere for dinner and watch the sun set
over the Pont Vieux.
From Romans, the next logical stop on the tour of
Drme is Valence, departmental capital and a lively student
town. Described by my guide from the tourist office as a
human town, Valence has managed to retain a friendly
feel, and, despite its ample population, I am assured a local
can always be confident in finding a friend or acquaintance
to chat to in one of the caf squares.
For those wishing to experience some culture, the
completefrance.com
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Vatican Swiss Guard in homage to Pope Pius VI who died in

the town in 1799 and head over to the Esplanade Champs
de Mars, which is home to the iconic bandstand made
famous by Raymond Peynets painting of two lovers.
recently re-opened Muse de Valence Art et Archologie
From Valence, turn east and you discover a dramatically
showcases Roman mosaics and remains, alongside
different landscape as the flat plains around the capital give
paintings by British artists Gainsborough and Turner
way to sinuous mountain roads and deep valleys. For an
temporarily on loan from the Louvre. Even if art isnt really
unrivalled view of the Drme valley and the Vercors hills,
your thing, the museum is worth a visit for the spectacular
climb to the top of the Tour de Crest in the medieval town
view of Valence from the roof terrace alone.
of the same name. Visitors can climb to the roof of the 52m
The town has plenty to offer outdoorsy types too, with
keep for a spectacular view and, if feeling brave and having
paths along the River Rhne and the canals for a gentle
stroll and the nearby Vercors mountains for a more vigorous
hike. Part of the Viarhna green lane that connects Lake
Geneva to the Mediterranean runs along the Rhne in
Valence, meaning walkers and cyclists can enjoy the river
path without worrying about cars.
If all that fresh air has made you hungry then you are in
The landscape of mountains and

greenery gradually give way to
fields of fragrant purple lavender
luck because Valence boasts three Michelin-starred

restaurants, including Maison Pic run by Anne-Sophie Pic,
booked in advance, theres an option to abseil down the side
Frances only female chef to hold three Michelin stars. If a
of the stone building needless to say I opted for the stairs!
picnic in the park is more your thing then stop off at Maison
A fertile area, the Drme valley is home to the AOC
Nivon to pick up some speciality breads including the
sparkling wine Clariette de Die and also Crmant de Die. A
suisse de Valence, allegedly created in the image of the
bottle can be picked up for around 8, and a tour and
completefrance.com
drme
Facing page, from left:

the Tour dominates the town of
Crest; climb to the top for a spectacular
sweeping view
tasting at one of the many caves in Die, such as Jaillance,

reveals the controlled fermentation process that produces
ROGER CANNON / HEMIS / ALAMY; EMMA RAWLE; SCE COM VILLE DE
VALENCE PATRICK GARDIN
the sparkling delicacy.

These arent the only wines that Drme is famous for. As
dHermarie in the village of Rochebaudin, my lodgings for

the night run by Marie-Jo and her husband Herv who just
part of the Ctes du Rhne appellation, the department has
happens to be a chef. All the dishes were home-made, from
an abundance on offer, from the powerful reds of Tain-
the cherry liquor apritif to the apricot sorbet dessert,
lHermitage in the north to the fresh ross of Grignan-les-
created from ingredients sourced locally.
Adhmar in the south and everything in between. If you
Leaving the valley and heading south, the landscape of
fancy learning a bit more about the wines then book onto a
mountains and greenery gradually gives way to fields of
course at the wine university housed in the impressive
fragrant purple lavender, vineyards and olive trees
Chteau Suze-la-Rousse where you can learn about the
indicating entry into the area known as Drme Provenale.
different wines of the Rhne Valley and discover how to
Feeling much more like Provence than the other parts of
taste wines like the professionals.
Drme, this area is home to pretty medieval villages and
As well as wines, Drme counts truffles, chestnuts and

mushrooms among its produce. I was lucky enough to try
all of these in a delicious home-cooked meal at Domaine
completefrance.com
This page,
clockwise from top
left: Domaine
dHermarie in
Rochebaudin; Emma
with Denis Maurin
of Maison Nivon in
Valence, famed for
its suisses; Drme
delicacies; shopping
for local produce
glorious sunshine and, as a result, is the place many tourists

and expats make a beeline for.
One of those expats is David Hill, who, along with his
DESTINATION
wife Janet, bought a renovated farmhouse near La

Bgude-de-Mazenc as a second home 26 years ago. In 2003,
they moved permanently to Drme Provenale and havent
looked back since.
We chose to buy our holiday home here because we
wanted rural space and good weather at a price we could
afford and not more than eight hours drive from Calais,
explains David. It continues to meet all these criteria and
many more: lovely people, food and wine, good quality
roads that are empty barring July and August I live
the dream.
David and Janet live near Dieulefit literally translated
as God made it a pretty village set among the green and
purple landscape that welcomes holidaymakers in the
summer. Yet the village hasnt lost its charm, with a
pedestrianised main street lined with potters workshops
and ceramic shops, medieval churches and attractive stone
houses. Dieulefit is famous for its potters so dont go home
without buying some authentic Dieulefit ceramics to take
with you.
Another southern Drme village worth a visit is the Plus
completefrance.com
DESTINATION
Artists impression
Drmes beautiful landscape and creative pull were more than enough for American
artist Raelyn Larson to make the area her family home. Eve Middleton finds out more
he far northern reaches of the

United States might not initially
village with essentially the same name!

Raelyns initial contact with France began
Dieulefit as their home.

Village life wasnt the young couples first
appear to have much in
when she was a fine arts student in
port of call though while a student, Raelyn
common with southern
Wisconsin. There, she was introduced
had moved with Sbastien to Paris, where she
Frances Drme department,
through mutual friends to a handsome
studied for a year at the Sorbonne. As time
but for 45-year-old Wisconsin-born artist
exchange professor for a French language
progressed, the couple began thinking about
Raelyn Larson, theres a happy resonance in
student exchange programme today,
putting down roots outside the capital.
her new-found home in the picturesque

village of Dieulefit.
I lived in Wisconsin until I was about 25,
and spent my summers during my studies in
Colorado with my sister, Raelyn explains. I
find that Drmes geography and landscape
remind me so much of the landscape there.
We just fell in love with the area

immediately and ended up buying a
house and then working here
Its funny though; Dieulefit means God made

47-year-old Sbastien is both her husband
in Wisconsin is referred to as Gods
and business partner, and they live with their
years, when I was looking for more technical
country. All of the town names around that
16-year-old son Charlie and ten-year-old
training to pursue clay as a career option, plus
area are from when the French trappers
daughter Violette, along with their two pet
we were looking to start a family as well.
came, so you have places with French names
cats in their family home in Dieulefit. Their
like Eau Claire, Prairie du Chien, La Farge, all
art boutique and online business French
here in Dieulefit, and we just fell in love with
around where I come from. Its funny for me
Cocotte has since become a key part of the
the area immediately and ended up buying a
to have left that town and then live in a
village landscape, and they have embraced
house and then working here, and that was 16
I found a provisional training programme
completefrance.com
SBASTIEN VERNE
Wed been living in Paris for about three
it, and La Crosse the town where Im from
drme: real life
years ago now.

Their home is a former timber mill that
study programme, Raelyn explains. Some

years later after the move, they established
also houses their studio, and is within
the art boutique in 1999, and as a result
walking distance from the village centre. In
their integration into village life has
keeping with Raelyns appreciation of the
developed hand-in-hand with their
landscape, the property borders a wooded
business endeavours.
area next to the village. Everything is
Any time that you have a shop thats
This page: a view over the local landscape

Opposite page: artist Raelyn Larson
Dieulefit has a history of welcoming those
not born within its confines when the
walkable, yet were in the middle of the trees
open to the public, you automatically become
Huguenots had to leave Switzerland, they
and you can hear the birds. Last night I was
a character in the Dieulefit storyline. People
sought refuge in the village, and later on
outside until about ten oclock and there were
will stop you in the street and you have to be
Dieulefit became a hiding place for Jews
wild boar eating out of the compost! And you
open to the public at one point we had two
during the Second World War. The proof is
can have the deer come down and munch on
salaried workers, and thats good because
in July and August, says Raelyn, when the
the flowers they always eat my roses.
youre really giving back to the local society
population triples basically; its a tourist
Coming from Wisconsin where its very
and economy and thats really important.
town. Off-season there are five large families.
woods-y and theres a lot of wildlife, its nice
The couple have successfully integrated in
Youre not technically a Dieulefitois unless
French life: Given that I came here to study, I
your great-great-great grandparents were
was able to build up a rseau (network) of
born here! So even though as an American,
Dieulefit, as photographer Sbastien, who is
different potters in the area as well
Im a double foreigner so to speak, Im still
originally from Lyon, had spent time in the
throughout France, and so that was a really
welcome everywhere.
nearby town of Valence and had worked on a
good way to open doors professionally.
case study project in the village. We were
And then by having children, that was
though, Raelyn had to navigate the language
able to come here on vacation and scout it
another way of integrating into the society
barrier. A stint in Paris selling advertising
out beforehand, before I joined the clay
here as well.
space in a student magazine over the phone
to have that here again.

The couple were already aware of
completefrance.com
In common with most Anglophone expats
DESTINATION
proved the making of Raelyns nascent
putting that on the website too because its a
French: Before I was at the Sorbonne, I had
lot easier to buy online, says Raelyn.
never taken French; I didnt speak a word.
Although the family occupy a liminal
From the first year I gleaned the basics,
position in Dieulefit, both as Franco-
then picking up the phone and having to
American and non-Dieulefitois, Raelyn
call people, that was really sink or swim! It
explains that theyre more than happy with
really forced me to get over my complex
their situation: When it comes to life here,
about the language and just get on with
there are some support groups for expats
speaking it Im still learning new words
but for us we dont necessarily seek each
every day though.
others company, even though theres another
Several years down the line, and that same
American potter here, and an American
resilient spirit has proved useful when
painter here. Were happy to see each other
addressing the shifting demands of their
and chat for a while, but given the fact that
businesss client base, especially in a tourist
were isolated geographically speaking, its
village like Dieulefit.
not like in Paris where any corner of the street
This page: Drme has been a fantastic place for

Raelyn and Sbastien to raise their two children
you can bump into an American or an English
sorry, excuse me, hello, I dont speak French,
quite well for the first ten years, then in all
speaker youd probably have to drive half an
can you help me, little things like that. The
honesty for the last five its been in steady
hour for that.
second thing Id say is that you should brace
When we opened the boutique, it worked
decline. With the economy at the moment
Raelyns attitude is much the same when
yourself for very complicated administration
weve found that the tourist season is
it comes to words of wisdom for others
as far as taxes and setting up your own
becoming shorter and shorter, and a lot of
thinking of making the move: Well, Id say
business; thats the only thing that I really
people buy online now. You have to be
two things. One, as far as the language barrier
really detest here. You have to be very patient,
flexible, so weve been developing our
goes, make the effort. Even if your French is
especially with federal workers.
website more and more and also adapting
horribly rudimentary and you massacre it, if
what we sell. As well producing the large
you make the effort to start off in French and
very down to earth. Although I come from a
fragile pieces that Raelyn creates in her
the person youre speaking to sees that youre
city that has a population of about 80,000
studio, with materials such as clay and also
making the effort, that will take away their
people, I far prefer living on a smaller scale, a
Japanese paper, the couple have diversified
apprehension to pull out their horrible
more human scale.
their work: Were working more with
English as well! You can communicate a lot
graphics, and watercolours, and as Sbastien
more easily if you make the initial effort, even
praise indeed.
does photography, were working more on
if you just learn a couple of phrases like Im
www.frenchcocotte.com
That said, here in Drme the people are
And for a woman from Wisconsin, thats
completefrance.com
GUELLEC-DIGBY & CO
SOLICITORS
When you buy or sell French property

or have succession issues
Sound and professional legal advice
with a personal touch
Peace of mind
Call, email or visit us online today
Annie Guellec-Digby: 01604 878961
Email: annie@guellec-digby.co.uk
www.guellec-digby.co.uk
Malsor House, Gayton Road, Milton Malsor, Northampton, NN7 3AB
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Your essential guide to buying property in France
Brought to you by
completefrance.com
DRME: need to know
Ask the agent

No one knows the area like a local estate agent. We asked Anne Mizrachi, of Latitudes
French Property Agents, for the inside track on this enchanting area of France
Whats the cheapest property you have on
heritage, lovely architecture as well as
your books right now?
stunning countryside, good food, fine
The cheapest property we currently have is a
wines and, of course, a nice climate. It is
lovely village house with a walled garden of
also easily accessible from the UK with
120m including two terraces, priced at
airports in Nmes, Marseille and Avignon,
195,000. Renovated, the house offers 100m
TGV stations and the A7 motorway.
of living space and three bedrooms spread

over three floors.
What advice would you give to

somebody who is thinking of buying in
Whats the most unusual property for sale
your area?
back to Drme. Since 2008, this lovely
you have now?
Research the area well, find the right
department has not been one of the top
Currently we have on our books an architect-
location, visit in summer and winter and
regions with the British buyers but it is an
designed property (pictured) with a heated
if you still like what you see then look
area worth visiting.
pool, set in more than 1.25 acres of land, for
at properties.
What are the regional specialities?
780,000. It is a work of art as well as a warm

and lovely four-bedroom house.
What tips would you give to help people
To name a few: truffles, lavender, wine,
settle into life in the area?
lamb, apricots and nougat.
Is there a typical architecture or a specific
Before settling in make sure you know and
style in Drme?
like the area and the lifestyle it can provide
Describe Drme in five words?
Drme properties are usually built with local
you. Do you really like peaceful and
Authentic, welcoming, sunny, accessible
materials such as wood or earth. The
slow-pace living? Do you enjoy nature and
and peaceful.
Provenal-style architecture is typical of this
village life? After the move learn French, join
area as are old mas (farmhouses) in Drme
sport or cultural clubs so you can meet local
Whats your particular favourite corner of
Provenale as well as earth walled houses.
people, get to know your neighbours and
the department?
enjoy life in Drme.
The Drme Provenale the gateway to

Provence with its beautiful villages,
Why do British people opt to buy houses

in Drme?
What are your predictions for the property
Drme is a peaceful, authentic and very
market in Drme?
French department with a rich cultural
We hope that the British buyers will come
Is it right for you?

Property prices
Drme has an average resale price of 184,100,
well below the regional average of 211,000
for Rhne-Alpes.
Mediterranean climate and lavender fields.

www.latitudes.co.uk
FACT FILE
Region: Rhne-Alpes
Department: Drme
Capital: Valence
The nearest major airport is Lyon which has

regular flights from the UK operated by Flybe, easyJet,
British Airways and Air France. Ryanair operates flights
from London Luton and Liverpool to Nmes.
Activities
Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Valence or Montlimar

and then change for local services.
Drme is a department of variety with the Vercors mountains for hikers, the River
Rhne for canoeists, and river paths for cyclists and walkers, as well as pretty
villages to explore, and larger cities for shopping and entertainment. As part of the
Ctes du Rhne appellation, Drme offers plenty of good quality wines, including
its signature Clariette de Die, and has an abundance of produce from olives
through to goats cheese.
For driving times consult one of the many

online route planners such as those at www.viamichelin.
com, www.mappy.com and www.theaa.com.
completefrance.com
FOTOLIA
Weather
There is a distinct difference between the northern mountainous areas and the
southern valley. In the north expect hot summers and cold winters with occasional
snowfall and frequent rainfall. Further south, there is a Mediterranean climate with
much hotter summers and milder winters with hardly any snow.
s
k
a
e
r
b
t
r
o
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S
Your
essential
guide to
quick
stops and
Channel
hops
ONLY
Hopping across
the Channel to live is not
just about a change
of eating habits!
Find out more before you leap ...

... and protect yourself from unexpected medical bills
Experts are on hand to talk you through the French healthcare
system and how it can work for you - act NOW and contact:
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inclu
FREE d ding
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to the Uvery
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delivery to the UK. Please add 3 for
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Call now: +33 (0) 494 403 145 | UK Tel: 0121 288 1448 | Fax: +33 (0) 494 512 490
Email: enquiries@exclusivehealthcare.com | www.exclusivehealthcare.com
DRME: properties
What can I get for my money?

With lush mountains, fragrant lavender fields, delicious food, wine and glorious weather,
Drme offers it all. We bring you a selection of properties, whatever your budget
180,000
This stone house in the heart of the

village of Mirabel-aux-Baronnies is in a
great location in Drme Provenale. In
need of some updating, it offers two
bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen,
living room and dining room, plus a
garage, veranda and balcony with
views of Mont Ventoux.
Contact: Latitudes French Property
www.latitudes.co.uk
475,000
This traditional Provenal farmhouse is

arranged in a U-shape around an inner
courtyard. Located in Soyans, between
Montlimar and Crest, it is in a quiet setting
and boasts five bedrooms. There is an
independent apartment with two bedrooms,
a private kitchen and lounge, as well as three
bedrooms in the main house.
Contact: Terra France
www.terrafrance.com
210,000
This spacious house is in a peaceful

location on the banks of the River
Drme, and is within walking distance of
the centre of Die. The house boasts five
bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room,
kitchen and a lounge that catches the sun.
The garden stretches to 3,000m2 and has
beautiful mountain views.
Contact: Terra France
www.terrafrance.com
578,000
Only 20 minutes from Valence, this

renovated stone property is in the
heart of a beautiful village. It offers four
bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious
living room, a dining room and an
equipped kitchen. Set in a large plot of
land, bordered by a river, it also has a
swimming pool and fruit trees.
Contact: My French House
www.my-french-house.com
395,000
This traditional stone farmhouse is in a

peaceful hamlet, near Montsgur-surLauzon in Drme Provenale. The house
needs updating but it is habitable and the
attic space offers potential for conversion.
The farmhouse currently has five
bedrooms, a kitchen, large living room
and a terrace.
Contact: Latitudes French Property
www.latitudes.co.uk
735,000
An old silk farm that has been beautifully

renovated, this property offers
considerable income potential and is only five
kilometres from Montlimar. The main house
has four bedrooms and is currently run as a
B&B, and there are also three self-contained
apartments that could be used as long- or
short-term rentals.
Contact: French Connections
www.frenchconnections.co.uk
completefrance.com
THE CHARM OF A TRADITIONAL ALPINE RESIDENCE

Les Soldanelles II - Completion expected first quarter of 2016
CHARM AND AUTHENTICITY

In the heart of Chtel, an authentic village within the prestigious Portes du Soleil
Franco-Swiss ski area, LES SOLDANELLES II is an apartment complex enjoying an
exceptional location in the heart of a renowned region. Made up of some thirty ve
2- to 5-room apartments divided among a group of chalets, the residence blends
harmoniously into its beautiful surroundings. The architecture is quintessentially
alpine, with old wood faades and carved balconies in the style of the regions old
traditional chalets. Warm, spacious living areas favour a change of scenery and
well-being. Benetting from top-quality services, the LES SOLDANELLES II apartment
complex combines authenticity, comfort and well-being. Its only a short walk to the
ski lifts, all shops and the bus and shuttle stops.
THE BEST OF THE MOUNTAINS, IN EVERY SEASON

In summer as in winter, the village and the surrounding area are full of life and oer
everyone a multitude of leisure and athletic activities in the heart of breathtakingly
beautiful, preserved natural areas. Benetting from exceptional snow coverage
thanks to its geographical location, the village resort is a paradise for winter sports
lovers of all abilities. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, freeriding, free-style
skiing, tobogganing, contemplative snowshoe hikes or cross-country skiing, etc.
Your residence in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area

Property development by SNC Les Soldanelles
For plans and prices, please contact:
Nathalie Mey
Tel: 00 33 6 07 44 98 71
Email: mey@alpi-patrimoine.com
HIT
or
myth?
PART ON irst steps
E: f
Going concerns
In the first of a three-part series, Eleanor OKane looks at some of the
most common presumptions that surround a move to France, and
offers advice from the experts to help you make the right choices
ince Living France first launched at the end of the 1980s, the
experience of moving to France has been transformed by pet
passports, low-cost air travel and online expat forums. Even so,
our beliefs about starting a new life across the Channel remain
broadly the same, from where we want to live to how well to get to grips
with the language. Here we address some readers assumptions and cast a
reassuring light on things that worry them, so you can approach your new
life fully armed with the right information.
LIFESTYLE
WEATHER PAT TERNS
I want a place in the sun but I cant

afford a Cte dAzur price tag. Should I
resign myself to packing my wellies?
Not necessarily - due to microclimates, some northern

pockets of France enjoy balmy weather, while seasonal
winds can bring chilly blasts to the sun-soaked
Mediterranean. The most famous of these gusts is the mistral,
which blows south along the Rhne Valley and can reach
speeds of 80 miles per hour. Others include the brutal tramontane in Languedoc-Roussillon, and the levant, which can bring
heavy rainfall and storms to the Mediterranean.
Weather is one of the main considerations for British people moving to France, as Joanna Leggett, of Charente-based Leggett
Immobilier (www.frenchestateagents.com), attests: I have a map of the different climates around France, which shows that
summer temperatures from Vende all the way down to Aquitaine are the same as in the Cte dAzur and the Languedoc, she
says. It really makes people think twice about where they might move to, especially when they realise theyll pay about half the
price in Charente or Dordogne as they would for a similar property in the south.
Summers are shorter in Charente than they would be on the Riviera, however, so its worth doing your homework before you
buy. The Mteo France website has a handy climate comparison tool (see Other useful links on page 40), which allows you to
contrast average temperatures, rainfall and hours of sunshine in different towns and cities.
Top tip: Many estate agents in France live right in the heart of their patch so when you start to narrow down
your property search, ask them what the weather is like year round.
PRIVATE MAT TERS
Ive seen houses advertised for private sale, but people say I
Buying through an estate agent is a wise option if your French is less than fluent or
your knowledge of the area is patchy. Furthermore, an agents local knowledge makes
them invaluable for recommending local artisans or introducing you to the maire.
In France, though, its fairly common to buy property privately; youll skip the
agents fees, although you will still be obliged to use a notaire to manage the
conveyancing. The notaire can act for both the vendor and buyer, asserting whether
the vendor actually has the right to sell the property, and ensuring all the legal
tick-boxes have been checked before the new owners takes possession of the keys.
The notaire will also be knowledgeable about property prices in the area, which can
be handy if youre going down the private sales route. To find properties for sale
privately, try website De Particulier Particulier (www.pap.fr).
If youve already set your heart on an area, check the classifieds in local newspapers
for private houses for sale. If your language skills are in excellent shape, you could
consider buying by auction; again search regional newspapers for upcoming events
and make a few visits strictly as a bystander until you feel ready to jump in.
In reality, most UK buyers prefer to rely on the skills of an English-speaking estate
agent (whether French or not), who has experience of working with overseas clients
and will be able to guide them through the buying process.
Top tip: Website www.francepropertyshop.com has homes for sale privately and
from estate agents.
ICP / AGE FOTOSTOCK; INCAMERASTOCK / TIM GRAHAM / ALAMY; GODONG / BSIP; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
should stick with an estate agent. Whats the difference?
hit or myth? part one: the first steps
SOCIAL CIRCLES
Q
A
Ive done my research and it looks like

France is a family-orientated culture. I am
single and dont have kids will it be
impossible to make friends?
The school gates are often the ideal place for making new friends but there
is another facet of French life that brings people together: the association.
A not-for-profit club and group, the association is part of the fabric of life in
villages, towns and cities across France. Often centred around but not
restricted to sport and leisure activities, joining an association is an ideal
way to meet like-minded people or, if youre feeling inspired, a way to learn
a new hobby or skill.
When Jo Harrison suddenly became single while living in Vienne in
Poitou-Charentes, the onus was on her to create a new social circle,
especially as she works from home as a virtual assistant (www.
writersblockadminservices.co.uk). It was a womens business networking
group called Les Dames de FER that helped Jo to increase both her
professional and social circles.
I went to my first meeting only a couple of weeks after I became single,
she explains. I met lots of like-minded women and even though the group
is business-related, it has given me a great network of contacts, some of
whom have become good friends. Although its tempting to stay indoors
when youre feeling lonely, its important to get outside and chat to the
neighbours, even if your language skills are basic at best.
In the summer, France comes alive with so many free local events, says
Jo. Try and get to as many as possible and youll meet lots of friendly locals.
Top tip: Visit the local mairie to find out more about associations in
your area.
ANIMALS ON BOARD
Were fearful for our Labrador, whos getting on in

years. How do we make sure hes ok with the move?
Frances proximity to the UK means your pet will spend less time in transit than
those heading to far-flung climes. Brian Faulkner, in-house vet at pet insurance
provider Petplan (www.petplan.co.uk), advises easing a dogs journey by
providing a comfortable flat bed.
Avoid beanbags as many dogs struggle to balance on these especially
while going around corners, he says. An older or arthritic dog will definitely
benefit from extra bedding.
Under the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS), if youre flying or taking the ferry, you
must use an approved carrier with experience of transporting animals. Graham
Boyes is Brittany Ferries Port Operations Manager at Portsmouth. On most of our crossings, your dog remains inside the vehicle, but you
can visit during the crossing, he says. When you check in youll be given a big, bright sticker for your windscreen so that all our staff in
port and on board know that you have a pet in the car, and they will arrange for your car to be parked in a cool, well-ventilated area of the
car deck. Brittany Ferries also offers pet-friendly cabins, kennels and open-deck walking areas on some services.
Once you arrive, visit a local vet as soon as possible to ask about any local diseases such as canine leishmaniasis. If youre taking your
dog to France for shorter periods before you take the plunge, ensure any pet insurance provides cover while abroad. Not all pet insurance
includes travel, says Brian. So do check first. (for more from Brian on taking your pet to France, turn to our Expert Q&A feature on page 72.)
Top tip: If your pet doesnt like being left alone, plan one of the shorter ferry routes or take the Eurotunnel where your pet can stay
with you in the car.
completefrance.com
LIFESTYLE
OTHER USEFUL LINKS

z Private property sales
De Particulier Particulier
www.pap.fr
z Mto France Climate Comparison

www.meteofrance.com/climat/
comparateur
z PETS Travel Scheme

www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/overview
z Brittany Ferries advice on taking

pets to France
www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/
PETS-travel-scheme
z Complete France forum

Ask our community on the Complete
France forum
www.completefrance.com/
community-forum
With so many great old properties for sale, why

would I ever consider buying a new build in France?
Living in an old stone farmhouse is the dream for many but in recent years more UK buyers have been snapping
up new builds. Old houses are charming, but they can they can come with a range of problems that can eat into
your savings, from damp to thorny boundary issues.
Buying a brand-new home can be as simple as purchasing an apartment in a development complete with
pool and on-site amenities. If youre after a project, buy a plot of land and employ an architect and builder to
realise your creative vision.
Notaires fees are lower for properties of less than five years old and with a new house youll enjoy a 10-year
structural guarantee; thanks to energy regulations your fuel bills should be reasonable too.
You dont always have to sacrifice authenticity as many builders use local materials and traditional styles.
The spaces we create have to respond to us, not the other way round, says architect Nicholas Adams (www.
adamsdesign.org), who is based in Deux-Svres but works all over France. New builds provide the opportunity to
do this. Character can come in other ways too, such as materials and reclaimed stone lintels/fireplaces or even
sensitive landscaping around the building.
FABRICATE / DARREN MATTHEWS / ALAMY;
PASTURES NEW
Top tip: Make a note of local materials and styles in the region and talk to builders and developers to find out
how you could incorporate those into a new build.
address common legal, financial and medical concerns
NEXT ISSUE: We
generated by a move to France
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Peak time
It took one visit for the Alpine splendour of Les Gets to work its magic
on expat Tim Scott, who now runs a ski school in the resort,
as Ben Palfreyman discovers
completefrance.com
les gets ski school
f you ever visit the bustling village of Les Gets, in

Haute-Savoie, you will understand why, for an
ever-growing community of expats, it is very hard to
leave. Along with its neighbour Morzine, the village
- one of eight French locations among the total 12
that make up the Franco-Swiss Portes du Soleil resort - has

seen British dreamers taking up residence in this idyllic spot
over the last decade, many of whom thought they were
merely coming here for a holiday.
For many, that first sighting of the majestic Mont Blanc
massif surrounded by great swathes of white-capped peaks
is enough to make their hearts melt, while for some it is the
DAVID LEWIS; OT LES GETS_G.PIEL; OT LES GETS_C.MARTELET; OT LES GETS_JM.BAUD
old French village feel, with its typical Savoyard
When I realised that I wanted to

make Les Gets my home, I decided
to get into road biking
architecture and local shops and markets, that stirs up
numerous world-class cycling routes, and the use of the
thoughts of settling. For ski school owner Tim Scott, who
gondolas allows access to many miles of cycling
first came to Les Gets by chance more than two decades
opportunities. During the summer months, ski and
ago, it was all about the snow.
snowboard outlets turn into bike hire shops, and, when the
In the early 90s, I enrolled on a ski instructor course,

having learnt to ski in Scotland as a teenager, and came out
snow has melted, it is possible to traverse the trails all the

way to Switzerland and back in a day. The only thing that
to work for a small chalet business as well as doing a bit of
doesnt change, of course, is the aprs spirit, although
ski school on the side.
possibly a glass of refreshing Rousette de Savoie (best
Initially, my plan was just to come out for the winter

season, but almost immediately I realised that this area had
something special. I came back to Les Gets in the summer
served chilled) is more the order of the day than a warming

tumbler of vin chaud.
From the village of Les Gets, mountain bikers can
to experience what it was like without the snow and
directly access no less than 90km of slopes, with 13
realised it has so much more to offer.
downhill trails and six giant cross-country circuits. A
As well as his love for skiing and snowboarding, living in
world-class biking destination in its own right, Les Gets has
Scotland had naturally engendered a passion for mountain
hosted the World Downhill Championships, and throughout
biking in Tim, and that first summer was largely spent
the Portes du Soleil area you can access more miles of biking
exploring the Portes du Soleil by bike.
opportunities than you could ever hope to reach in a week.
Les Gets is fantastic for both mountain biking and road

biking, Tim says. It is no secret that the French Alps have
completefrance.com
Opposite page: a
view over Les Gets;
Tim in his ski gear
This page, from top
left: Tim and Fionas
traditional chalet in
summer; the village
in winter; outdoor
life in Les Gets
When I realised that I wanted to make Les Gets my

home, I decided to get into road biking so I could get to
LIFESTYLE
FEELING INSPIRED?
Here are Tims top tips to help
you follow your Alpine dream
Our initial attraction to Les Gets (below)
was the fact that it is a great place
to live all year round, unlike other
ghost towns, with a real heart
and soul; its a proper little
village. However, it can be easy
to find yourselves in a bit of
bubble here with so many
British expats.
My only regret is that I didnt
fully immerse myself into a local job with
French people when I first came, and I would say to
other expats new to the area that they should try to
work in a bar or other local business to integrate
themselves fully.
I also think it is very important that you have a
basic level of French as that will open a lot of doors. I
learnt French at school, although I cant say I tried
too hard in those days, and while I have managed to
pick the rest up here over the years, it would have
been a huge help to me earlier on if I had known
more of the language.
Apart from that, make sure you do your
homework, have a respect for the local French
culture and keep an open-minded approach to the
different ways that the French tend to work.
know the area really well. The superb day rides from
Les Gets include classic Tour de France cols (mountain
passes), such as the Col de la Colombire, which is widely
regarded as one of the toughest climbs on the tour. If you
want to take on a real challenge, though, you should try
cycling round Lake Geneva in a day!
The following year, 1992, Tim Scott moved to Les Gets
with his partner Fiona, starting up a small holiday business
called Alp Active, which organised mountain biking treks
through the Portes du Soleil, before diversifying into a
variety of family activity holidays.
After seven years, they merged their summer outfit with
a winter chalet business in 1999, and then eventually
stopped trading in 2004 so that Tim could focus all his
attention on his ski school, called LGS Ski.
I love seeing the progress people make during their
time with us; being part of that journey is so rewarding,
Tim says. As much as it is the physical progression with
les gets ski school
their skiing, it is also great to see their mental progression,

as their confidence levels increase and they really start to
enjoy it. Putting smiles on peoples faces is the best part of
my job!
Tim now employs three other British ski and snowboard
instructors, all of whom live in the locality. I ski 40 hours a
week, he says. I teach six hours a day and take time out
for my own skiing when I can. I have a few ski mates who
live out here, and we do an annual boys trip in the low
season in January. This year, for example, we did a half-day
of heli-skiing, which is all off-piste skiing in locations
accessed only by helicopter.
At first glance, it might seem that life is just one big
holiday for Tim, but this is far from the truth.
Winters are completely full-on, he says, and when I
am not out on the slopes teaching, I am in the office
processing bookings and answering emails.
I know everyone says it, but you have to be prepared
for the bureaucracy in France, so that keeps us busy too,
and with Fiona being a general manager for a holiday
business, she is incredibly busy during peak seasons.
We have no regrets though. For me, the extensive and
varied skiing makes it all worth it and our proximity to
Geneva means we are able to fly throughout Europe and
enjoy even more snow sport opportunities. It is nice to be
able to get quickly across to Italy for a complete change.
Fiona enjoys skiing, but she also spends a lot of time on
walks and partaking in her love of photography.
During those down time moments, Tim says he has
recently started to take an interest in gardening and has
even taken on some garden maintenance jobs in the village.
This doesnt seem to equate to time off, but he does admit
that he still manages to find some time for aprs-ski in the
village too.
When we go out, we tend to end up going to a local bar.
My friend runs a place in town called Bar Bush where
ALPINE BRITANNICA The expats guide to the Alps

Property near the ski lifts and slopes can
carry a premium of up to 40%. If you dont
ski as much as Tim, or you dont mind
travelling, buying a home on the fringe
of a resort could offer much
better value.
In the last few years, the Alps

have seen a huge increase in
the number of music festivals.
In the Portes du Soleil alone,
you will find the new Rock the
Pistes (March) and Basscamp
Festival (April).
completefrance.com
Home to 13,000 species of plant and

30,000 species of wildlife, the Alps are a
wonderful place to get back to nature. Of
particular note is the Parc National de
la Vanoise, which was Frances
first national park.
If you want to enrol in a

French language course,
you will find accredited
schools throughout the
Alps, including a number
in Annecy, Chamonix and
also in Morzine.
Savoyard cuisine is much celebrated

throughout the world, with raclette and
tartiflette being a staple of any selfrespecting skiers diet. Other little-known
dishes to try include fricasse de caon
(slow-cooked pork casserole) and lavaret
meunire (a local coldwater fish, pan-fried
in lemon butter).
Many Brits who buy in Haute-Savoie are

after an investment or second home. If this
is you, make sure the numbers stack up and
that you allow for annual costs such as the
taxe dhabitation and the taxe foncire.
LIFESTYLE
LES GETS
RESORT INFO
Population: 1,370
Time from UK: 2 hours
via Geneva
Ski runs: 71
Ski lifts: 50
Snow cannons: 385
Ski season: 21 December
21 April
Restaurants: 40
Hotels: 16
Because we bought off-plan, we

were able to choose some of the
fixtures and fittings
our favour as we bought at a good time.

I love the chalet. I have a real empathy with wood, and
I love the traditional chalet style, even though the exterior
needs to be treated every six to eight years.
The design is based on the classic madrier, which is a
traditional decorative style of building with double tongue
and grooves. They are, in fact, similar to old log cabins,
This page, from top

left: Fiona and Tim
at home; cable cars
in Les Gets; inside
their chalet
they sometimes have bands on. If I have time for lunch, one
although ours isnt quite as rustic with horizontal timbers
of my favourite places is a restaurant on Mont Caly called
backed on top of each other held together with retaining
Les Chevrelles, which you have to either ski or walk to.
beams. Because we bought off-plan, we were able to choose
For holidays, we have taken trips to the south of

France, and in particular we like the Ardche. When we first
came out here, we always drove back to the UK so that we
some of the fixtures and fittings, and now have a modern

kitchen in a traditional style.
Above the beauty of our home, though, is the unspoilt
could see more of France, but I have to admit that we
view we have across the valley. We look over forested areas
normally fly straight back now. We have travelled a fair bit
of large pine trees, and the chalet faces south so it catches
but there is still a huge amount we would like to see.
the sun. The only challenge is how we maintain our garden
With a lifestyle built around action-packed adventure, it

is not surprising to learn that Tim and Fiona didnt take the
easy route to buying their forever home in France either.
We knew we wanted to put our roots down and buy
as it is on a steep slope!
This landscape of traditional Savoyard chalets sitting
within the stunning protected Alpine landscape is just the
reason why so many people experience a coup de coeur
somewhere, but we werent sure whether to buy a chalet or
when entering Les Gets. Plus, with guaranteed snow
an apartment as chalets are a lot more expensive.
throughout the season due to no less than 385 snow
After a while, an opportunity came up to buy
cannons, as well as a host of events and activities to enjoy
somewhere off-plan in a location wed always said we liked
during the rest of the year, there really is very little reason
on the outskirts of the village. As it wasnt so central, it
to leave.
meant that we could afford a chalet, and the market was in
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friendly and even though my French was rusty to say the

least, I soon felt completely at home.
With no source of income, Nicola knew she had to start
earning as soon as she could. I started running a local art
class almost immediately, which proved to be very popular,
she says. Teaching the class also got my name out there,
These pages:
budding artists
hone their painting
talents with Nicola
(opposite, top right)
at venues
including Maison
Quarante (opposite,
bottom right)
and I was commissioned to create a mural for someones
suggested I run painting holidays in collaboration with her,
house, which was fantastic.
she says. It was a wonderful idea, and in time, I found
The art class was a great success, but Nicola knew she
had to do more in order to make ends meet. And it was then
myself running a variety of classes throughout the year.

With her small terraced house requiring TLC and not fit
that yet another chance meeting opened Nicolas eyes to a
for guests, Nicola decided to find other beautiful venues for
new opportunity to utilise her painting and teaching skills.
her art holidays, and settled on Maison Quarante, a large
I got talking to the owner of a local gte complex, and she
chambres dhtes in the village centre, set in beautiful

grounds and run by Annika Fernstrm, a Swedish expat.
Maison Quarante is the ideal venue for painting, says
Nicola. Its a beautiful, traditional building, and the
gardens are amazing. It offers so much for artists, whatever
their preference, and the welcome is second-to-none.
Seeing the joy that she was bringing to others through
her teaching, Nicola began to wonder how she might reach
others, perhaps those who couldnt travel to Quarante to
one of her classes. After doing a little research, I found that,
in America, there are a lot of online painting courses, she
says. Its not something Id experienced before, but I
Nicolas tips for moving solo
thought Id give it a go.

Nicolas courses are now available for those with a
Make as much use of the internet as you can

including social media.
Accept every invitation you receive.
3
4
Choose a town or village with

amenities and consider transport links.
Check that there arent too many holiday

homes in the vicinity, as these may be
empty over the winter.
Enquire about local clubs and classes at your

local mairie.
completefrance.com
KIFF BACKHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY; G.HARVEY
Everyone was so friendly and

even though my French was
rusty to say the least, I soon felt
completely at home
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tips for would-be artists
1
variety of skill sets even for the complete novice. I get a
lot of positive feedback, she says. And its great to help
people tap into skills they didnt know they had.
One reason for the success of both her art classes and her
social life in France was Nicolas determination to integrate
as soon as possible. I knew it was important to make
connections as soon as I could, she says. So I promised
myself that I would accept every invitation that came along.
Everyone is so friendly in Quarante, and it is always
heart-warming to be greeted in the street by neighbours.
Start gently; if joining a group is too difficult, try

an online course, such as Painting for the
Petrified. Visit goo.gl/UyKX95
Alternatively, buy a how to book there are a

wealth of painting books available, so there will be
one to suit you.
3
4
5
Remember that painting is for your satisfaction;

its not a competition.
Try different mediums for example: acrylics, oil, or watercolours.
You may find you prefer using a certain type of paint.
Forget any negative comments youve had in the past for example,
at school. With time and patience, everyone can paint something to
be proud of.
As well as expanding her social circle, Nicolas

determination to network meant that she was soon well
known in the area. As a result, more people began to
commission her work, requesting everything from murals
for their properties, to pictures of a beloved family pet.
Before long, Nicola also joined a local art association,
who invited her to present her work. This led to her first
exhibition on the continent, held at the local village of
Homps. It was a great success, she says, and lots of
people were interested in hearing more about my work. I
even got a few commissions.
Over subsequent years, Nicola has exhibited in a number
of villages in the local area, including the centre of
Narbonne. I love the chance to share my art, she says.
Seeing the joy people feel when they look at a beautiful
painting is a wonderful reward for all the hard work.
As well as painting and teaching, Nicola enjoys the
completefrance.com
Are you thinking of

moving to France?
A Complete Guide to Living in France is essential
reading for anyone who is looking for reliable,
practical advice on living in France
Have you always dreamed of
living in France? Are you now
ready to take the first step and
need advice on how to turn
that dream into a reality?
Look no further, as this fully updated
practical guide covers every aspect
of your move to France, from
finding somewhere to live to settling
in to your new community.
CHAPTERS INCLUDE:
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Successful
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Inheritance law and tax
Pensions advice
Setting up a bank
account
Choosing a telecoms
provider
Finding tradesmen
Connecting to utilities
Choosing a school for
your children
Home insurance
French health care

system
Finding work
Setting up a business
Registering a car
Getting married
Starting a family
Retirement activities
Taking pets abroad
Fitting in and making
friends
PLUS
Handymaps
Useful vocabulary
and phrases
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LA MAISON
SHIGETOSHI YAMAUCHI (MARIMO IMAGES)
This month: The owners of Frances number one chambres dhtes reveal all about life across
the Channel; a recipe for cassoulet; wines of Saumur and gardening in France
The gilded features of this calming bedroom at Maison

Laurent chambres dhtes are among the many
thoughtful details that have seen owners Rachel and
Anthony Pinwill collect the 2014 TripAdvisor award for
the number one B&B in France. The couple have used
their golden touch to transform the once run-down
property into the beautiful home where they now
welcome guests from around the world.
Read on for more on Maison Laurent and the Pinwills
MAISON LAURENT; BRYLLIANT IMAGES; TOM WHEATLEY; SHIGETOSHI YAMAUCHI (MARIMO IMAGES)
LA MAISON
THE
MIDAS
TOUCH
Anthony and Rachel Pinwill have
transformed a run-down maison de
matre in Aude into one of the top
chambres dhtes in France, as
Nina Bjordal discovers
n the small, ancient village of Pieusse in south-west

France, between vineyards and green hills in the
countryside, is a bed and breakfast named Maison
Laurent. Surrounded by blooming sunflowers, the
once old and worn stone house is now transformed
into a luxury bed and breakfast. First featured in Living

France in August 2011, it is owned by 55-year-old Anthony
Pinwill and his wife Rachel, 53, both from Yealand Conyers,
Lancashire, and theres no doubt that they have turned
rocks into gold. After countless impressive guest reviews,
they recently received TripAdvisors Travellers Choice
Award 2014 for the number one chambres dhtes in France.
Initially it was a shock as we never expected it. It is
something we are very proud to have achieved and we feel
privileged to have won the award, says Rachel.
She adds that they never aimed at being all things to all
men, but to create the best possible experience for their
intended guests. We also feel satisfied that our website
truly reflects our property. This is echoed in the positive
feedback from our guests they simply booked the right
place for their tastes and requirements.
However, the pathway to their success has
been challenging at times as was the
decision to take the big step across
the Channel. Before ending up in
Pieusse, Anthony was a
self-employed travel agent,
while Rachel worked as a
personal assistant in a bank.
We were overworked and
over-stressed, wondering what
life was all about. Rachel was
longing to escape the office work,
and I wanted to follow my dream of
cooking professionally and running my own
bed and breakfast abroad, says Anthony.
And so they did. After spending their holidays travelling
around France, the couple fell in love with its beauty and
completefrance.com
LA MAISON
culture, and decided to settle. The small village of Pieusse is
Once we were open for business in July 2010, our new
known for its white and beige stone houses with terracotta
life began. We were now working at home, together, which
rooftops. The ancient village is surrounded by green
was one of our primary reasons for making the move
vineyards in the worlds largest wine-producing area and
abroad, Rachel says.
boasts more than 300 days of sun a year. Wide rivers flow
The bed and breakfast is a nice mix of a hotel and a
past green willows, which stretch down to the riverbank in
house, and their dog Bella and the secluded garden help
the summer heat. After months of investigation, this
make their guests feel at home. Our greatest priority is first
peaceful landscape became the base for their new bed and
of all to make our guests feel relaxed and comfortable, says
breakfast as they felt it had great tourism potential.
Anthony, who also emphasises that they soon became
We wanted to be close to the market town of Limoux,
familiar with the greater benefits of living in France. We
which has the Mediterranean Sea as its closest neighbour.
now have the good weather, the seasonal food, great
We felt this would be the perfect spot. It is close to the
markets, excellent wine and a whole different culture. But

the biggest change for them has been the time they are able
to spend together. Their previous life involved them
working office hours and only seeing each other in the
evenings, on Sundays and for the holidays. Now, they are
together almost 24 hours a day.
We both had to learn to be more tolerant of our
different ways of doing things, and to adjust to more shared
responsibility and decision-making. But our hours are now
These pages: the

many aspects of life
at Maison Laurent in
south-west France
fortified town of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, which
much more flexible and definitely seasonal. Since the move,
are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the
we have come to understand that despite the hard work and
mountain ranges and the coast. We were looking for a
long hours, this type of business has many rewards,
maison de matre, which is the typical French village house
Anthony says.
with four symmetrical storeys, high ceilings and iron

balconies, says Anthony.
They now enjoy the sense of community and the

relaxed environment they moved into. France has
Nearly two years of hard work later, they were finally
beautiful countryside, a slower pace of life and a better
ready to live their dream. They bought the house in Pieusse
climate. It also has a better work and lifestyle balance.
in November 2008, and started the renovation. Their aim
There is a real patriotism and love of tradition, which is
was to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for
reflected in the great food and wine of the country, says
guests, but with all the modern facilities such as en-suite
food-enthusiast Anthony.
bathrooms, air-conditioning and a swimming pool. Tiled
In the town of Limoux, which is within walking distance
bathrooms with baths placed in the centre of the room and
of the village of Pieusse, the cafs are filled with locals and
beautifully decorated bedrooms are some of the elements
tourists enjoying their lunches in the shade. Local farmers
that make their rural resort a perfect romantic getaway.
offer wide varieties of vegetables, home-made jam,
completefrance.com
MAISON LAURENT; BRYLLIANT IMAGES; TOM WHEATLEY; SHIGETOSHI YAMAUCHI (MARIMO IMAGES)
The ancient village is surrounded

by green vineyards and boasts
more than 300 days of sun a year
completefrance.com
Flavours of France
Cassoulet
Enjoy the seasonal flavours of a rich and comforting

cassoulet and sample the wines of Saumur
Bistro classics
This recipe is adapted from the cassoulet cooked at the Maison du
Cassoulet in Castelnaudary. I have simplified it to make it easier for the
home cook, but the essential ingredients are as they should be.
Serves 4 (generously)
400g lingots, tarbais or other
dried, white haricot beans
z 100g thick-cut unsmoked
streaky bacon
z 2 confit duck legs
z 250g pork shoulder
z about 1 litre of good chicken
stock, preferably home-made
z
1 tbsp tomato paste

2 branches of thyme
z 2 bay leaves
z 1 onion, quartered
z 2 carrots, halved
z 2 cloves garlic, chopped
z 4 Toulouse sausages
z
z
1 The day before, put the beans in a large bowl and cover generously with
cold water. Leave overnight to soak.
2 Drain the beans and put them into a large pan. Add water to cover and
bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes, then drain and return the beans to the
pan. Add the stock to come at least 2cm above the level of the beans. Add the
tomato paste, thyme and bay leaves, onion and carrot. Bring to the boil, then
reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour until the beans are tender. Drain
the beans, reserving the stock. Discard the herbs, onion and carrot.
3 Cut the streaky bacon into four pieces. Heat a little duck fat scraped from the
legs in a large frying pan. Add the duck legs and fry until golden, then remove.
Cut each leg in half. Add the bacon and fry until well browned; remove. Cut the
pork into four pieces and fry as before; remove. Fry the sausages until browned
on all sides; remove. Gently fry the garlic in the remaining fat and set aside.
4 Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/ Gas 4. Take a large shallow baking dish,
preferably earthenware. Tip in a third of the beans and add all the meat
except the sausages. Season with salt and pepper, then cover with the
remaining beans. Bury the sausages in the beans and pour over stock to just
cover the beans. Drizzle with the reserved garlicky fat and season with salt
and plenty of black pepper.
5 Bake the cassoulet for 1-1 hours, checking 2-3 times, breaking the crusty top
and adding more stock to stop it drying out. The cassoulet is ready when the
top forms a brown crust. Serve with crusty bread and a crisp green salad.
flavours of france
THIS MONTH: Cassoulet

Food writer Mary Cadogan explains the origins of this comforting dish
assoulet is an iconic dish from
Gascony. There is even a brotherhood, the
south-west France consisting of slowly
Grande Confrrie du Cassoulet de
cooked white beans layered with
Castelnaudary, to protect the quality and local
sausage and meats, and traditionally baked in

a terracotta dish called a cassole, from which
pride in the dish.

Cassoulet is essentially a peasant dish and
The ingredients vary

depending on where the
dish originates
it gets its name. The ingredients vary
would have been cooked for hours in the
depending on where the dish originates.
hearth or bread oven in the residual heat after
Mary Cadogan is a renowned
Cassoulet from Toulouse will contain
the bread had been baked. The beans form a
food writer and former food
Toulouse sausage of course, plus mutton or
crust on top which is broken several times
director of BBC Good Food
lamb as well as duck or goose confit. In
during cooking to create a thick crust.
magazine. She moved to
Castelnaudary, you will find pork and duck
Tradition states the crust should be broken
France in 2005 with her
confit. In the south of the area, tarbais beans
seven times to achieve the perfect dish.
husband Mick, where they
will be used which are grown at the foot of
It is a perfect winter dish and one that
the Pyrenees. In Castelnaudary it will always
encourages conviviality as its a generous
be lingot beans. More than perhaps any other
sharing dish for the truly hungry. Set the dish
dish, there is fierce debate throughout the
in the centre of the table and allow everyone
region about which recipe is the most
to dig in and discover the treats that hide just
authentic. As Gascon chef Andr Daguin puts
under the crusty surface. A glass of the local
it: Cassoulet is not really a recipe, its a way
deep red Madiran wine is said to be the
to argue among neighbouring villages of
perfect accompaniment.
Precious stone
run a table dhte from their home.

www.marycadogan.com
Do you have a particular French

favourite when it comes to cooking
at home? Tell us your culinary tales
and share your dining delights.
Email us at editorial@livingfrance.com
TASTING NOTES
The wines of Saumur owes a lot to their unique

foundations, says Matt Walls
ruits, herbs and spices are fairly common, but can you detect minerals in a wine?
Certain individuals pick up aromas associated with rocks, such as struck flint or
chalk dust; others, the smell of seashells. Some drinkers perceive a kind of
saltiness on the tongue. It appears to be a more widespread phenomenon in cooler

climates, such as the Loire Valley.
Saumur sits on either side of the river, 30 miles upstream of Angers. It looks like the
Bouvet Saumur Brut Saphir 2011

(Spirited Wines, 13.86)
A very fresh and lively dry fizz with aromas of green
apple, leafy herbs, a touch of brioche and hint of
honey. Enjoyable and invigorating.
town has been conjured out of the surrounding limestone hills, dragged out and thrown
upwards with the flick of a magic wand. Its not just the grander buildings that are built
from this off-white tuffeau, its the entire town; from modest houses to the turreted
fairy-tale castles that overlook them. It has a soft, grainy surface thats easy to scratch; it
looks as if a pebble might dissolve in water like an aspirin.
The local winemakers have a close relationship with this stone. They make a huge
variety of wines here, and vines grow in it quite happily, the vineyards littered with
angular ivory pebbles. White wines are based on the assertive, apple and honey-scented
Chenin Blanc grape. Reds and ross derive from the medium-weight, berry-flavoured
Cabernet Franc, a particularly fine expression of which is found in the enclave of
Langlois-Chteau Saumur Blanc Vieilles

Vignes 2005 (thedrinkshop.com, 15.41)
Complex nose offers a lattice of hazelnut,
quince, dried pear and honey. Full-bodied,
intense and very dry. Lush and rich but balanced
with a saline finish.
Saumur-Champigny. Saumur is also an excellent source of inexpensive bottle-fermented

PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING SNAP AND STIR
sparkling wines that come in all three colours.

For medium-bodied wines, the best age remarkably well. Millions of bottles are
slowly maturing in the hundreds of miles of natural cellars left behind when the
inhabitants mined the stone to build the town. Whether you can taste the minerals
or not is debatable, but Saumur and its vineyards owe a debt of gratitude to their
chalky bedrock.
Matt Walls writes about wine, runs tastings and works with restaurants to create wine lists.
He blogs at www.mattwalls.co.uk and tweets @mattwallswine
completefrance.com
Chteau de Villeneuve Saumur-Champigny

Vieilles Vignes 2011 (Davis Bell McCraith, 18.99)
Dark brambly fruits, blackcurrant and liquorice.
Very fine tannins, and intensely flavoured for a
Loire red but without sacrificing freshness,
balance or finesse.
LA MAISON
Avant gardening
With determination and hard work, a beautiful garden will blossom from the
most unpromising beginnings, says Alex Schofield
is phenomenal. To date, more than 12,000
good soil and ethical
plants have been put in, including trees,
management can transform
shrubs, perennials, vegetables and herbs, all
sound a tad holier than thou. But these
land that has been
gardened organically. Unsurprisingly, in 2010
gardens are fantastically colourful and quirky,
relentlessly farmed for
the garden was named a Jardin Remarquable.
thanks to the skilful design and planting, and
decades. When Renate-Elisa and Lutz Hillen
Everywhere there are plantings that
Ethical, organic, biodiverse: it can all
the selection of contemporary artworks that
bought an 18th-century property, near the
cleverly ensure a long-lasting display of
are scattered throughout. These are chosen
town of Thermes-Magnoac, in Haute-
colour and texture, from the wild flower and
for the way in which they bring in a whole
Pyrnes, in 1990, there were only six ancient
scented gardens to the jardin exotique, which
new appearance, and reflect the natural
trees left standing in the fields. They
really is exotic. There are palm trees, bananas,
environment. Some are simple: carved
immediately got to work on their plan to turn
dazzling flowers and 120 different types of
spheres or tall, sculpted stems of poppy
the terrain into something more sustainable
bamboo. Dramatic clumps of grasses and
heads; a seated Buddha, and glazed ceramic
and kinder to nature. The whole area of the
euphorbias provide substance and roses
ornaments, but you will also come across a
Jardins de Poterie Hillen is now one of
ramble over rustic pergolas. Aquatic plants
family of frogs wearing crowns and lounging
biodiversity, where flora, fauna and people
around the pool edges create a home for
around on benches, pigs with wings, and
can co-exist in perfect harmony. The amount
frogs, newts and salamanders, while
carved fencing topped with owls and cats.
of planting carried out in order to achieve this
dragonflies, bees and praying mantis thrive in
www.poterie.fr
THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH
Get cutting; lawns still need

mowing from time to time,
and in mild areas, hedge trimming
is still required, too.
Bring in any tender plants

before the frosts arrive and
store them in the greenhouse to
protect them from the weather.
Plant out spring bedding

into borders or containers;
wall flowers and winter pansies
are easy and attractive.
Take hardwood cuttings

from deciduous shrubs and
leave in the ground for the roots
to develop.
completefrance.com
JARDINS DE LA POTERIE HILLEN ; PEASGOODS NONSUCH_ GRAHAM SCHOFIELD
the clean and unpolluted atmosphere.
combination of climate,
au jardin
In season
APPLES
Mellow fruitfulness time is well underway, and the
later-maturing varieties of apple need to be
harvested before frosts and unruly autumn
weather arrive. These apples, such as dessert
variety Ashmeads Kernel or cooker Bramleys
Seedling, are not completely ripe and need to
be stored in order for their texture and flavour to
develop. When fruits start to drop, its time to
get picking.
Hold each fruit in a cupped hand and gently
twist off, leaving the stalk intact; be careful not to
bruise or damage any of them as they wont keep.
Store undamaged fruits on racks or wrapped
separately in paper and put into boxes. Each fruit
must be kept apart without their skins touching, in
order to prevent brown rot from spreading. A dark, cool but frost-free place such as a garage or barn is the best place to keep
the apple harvest; checking regularly for signs of rot, or ripeness, of course.
Buy asparagus crowns now for autumn planting. Its a classy and delicious addition to any potager, despite the requirements
of a permanent plot and plenty of room. Patience, too; you have to wait at least two years before the first spears are ready for
harvesting, but its worth it.
BL OG
My French garden
Katherine Forshaw, her husband Paul and their three cats, moved from Manchester to Corrze
in Limousin four years ago. She shares her new-found interest in gardening on her blog
What was the garden like
when you first arrived?
When we bought the house the
garden was just a large patch of
weeds, with no flower beds and
a hedge of ridiculously tall
conifers and Leylandii which
totally blocked the views across
the fields and hills we soon
had those chopped down! The
front garden was nothing more
than an overgrown mass of
poppies and lupins.
How have you developed it?
The front garden has become
our vegetable garden. I
call it a garden as I see
it as more than just a
source of food and
try to make it look as
pretty and interesting
as I can. Climbing
beans and sweetcorn
mix with sunflowers to give
completefrance.com
height, while Calendula Indian

Prince is dotted in with the
courgettes, gourds and onions
to give a splash of colour. It
certainly doesnt look like a
regimented French potager!
Were fortunate to have a petite
source which runs through the
back garden. This weve made
into the main focal point of the
garden. Its lined with different
types of hosta, astilbe and iris
ensata but taking pride of place
is my big baby my Gunnera
manicata, a plant I always
longed to have back in the UK.
Its only in its third year and its
already taller than me!
What grows well in your
area of France?
Most plants grow well in our
area but it can be a struggle to
get a balance between plants
which can thrive in
temperatures up to 40C in
summer yet can withstand
-20C in winter. I dont let the
extreme temperatures worry
me too much though,
I buy the plants
that I like and
worry about
how to keep
them alive later!
A water butt for
the summer and
plenty of plant
fleeces for the winter is a
necessity here.
What tips would you give to
someone with a garden in
your area?
If you dont know what plants
to buy for your garden, walk
around your local villages and
see what shrubs and flowers
your French neighbours are
growing. These are sure to be
ones which will thrive in your

own garden.
What do you enjoy most
about your garden?
The wildlife in France is
amazing and I love
seeing so many
different types of
butterflies and bees
enjoying my flowers.
I love to garden but
equally I love to enjoy the
garden and you cant beat
sitting back with a cold glass of
wine on a summers evening
and seeing the results of all your
hard work, especially when
accompanied by the heavy
scent of Nicotiana sylvestris.
jardin-perdu.com
Are you a keen gardener?

Email us at editorial@
livingfrance.com
LES PRATIQUES
Youve dreamed the dream, now get the expert advice; financial, legal and
property solutions from some of the best in the business
69
Property and currency news
Get the latest stories from the French

property scene, including why foreign investors
are choosing France, alongside an update on the
factors affecting the currency markets
74
Capital punishment
If youre thinking of moving to France,

its worth familiarising yourself with capital gains
tax rules. Rob Kay explains what you need to
know when selling property and investments
71
Three of a kind
With Midi-Pyrnes ranked in a recent

index as the best place to live in France, Emma
Rawle selects three homes from different
departments in this southern region
76
Cold comforts
As the seasons change, it is important to

make sure that your holiday property is prepared
for winter visits. Glynis Shaw reveals her advice
for making sure your home is ready
72
Ask the experts
Your practical questions answered by

our panel of professionals. This month: an
inheritance tax query; pet passports and
keeping your right-hand drive car in France
78
Guide to hunting and fishing
With country pursuits at the very heart

of French rural life, in this months Living France
guide Kate McNally gets to grips with the
regulations concerning hunting and fishing
completefrance.com
property news
Property news
Whether youre planning your move to France, or are already living there,
we bring you the latest from the world of French property
News in brief
The Overseas Guides Company has released
its figures for the second
quarter of 2014, which
show an increase in
enquiries of 24%
year-on-year.
Although Spain
has jumped to the
top of the list,
France remains
ever-popular with an
increase of 17%
year-on-year, and an increase
of 32% compared to the first quarter of 2014,
putting it in second place.
www.overseasguidescompany.com
idi-Pyrnes is the best place to live
engagement and had a total score of 7.77,
in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, running estate
in France, according to the latest
while Pays de la Loire came third with a stable
agency Agence lUnion, and wouldnt
Better Life Index compiled by the
score of 7.71. Corsica brings up the rear with a
consider living anywhere else. Our particular
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
score of 5.66, despite scoring well in the
pleasure lies in the four areas we cover at the
Development (OECD).
category of environment.
agency, namely Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn, Lot
The region performed well across all the
Whats not to love about Midi-Pyrnes?
and Aveyron, especially with the first-class
criteria analysed, including education, jobs,
says Julie Savill of Beaux Villages, an estate
flight facilities at Toulouse airport. All in all,
income, safety, health, environment, civic
agency with properties in south-west France.
we enjoy a lifestyle enjoying much peace and
engagement and accessibility to services, and
Frances largest region is a huge and diverse
quiet, virtually no crime and all the pleasures
emerged with a score of 7.82 out of 10 putting
place: skiing, city culture, rural life the
associated with living 40 years ago.
it ahead of the other regions in France.
choice is yours. It is peaceful, safe and
www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org
welcoming, but not remote.
www.beauxvillages.com
Second place went to Limousin which

scored highly in employment and civic
completefrance.com
Charles and Jane Smallwood live and work
www.agencelunion.com
FOTOLIA
The place to be
More and more foreign investors are

choosing to enter the French property
market, especially in Paris. Herv Lvy,
regional manager of Home Hunts, believes
now is the time to buy due to Franois
Hollandes increasing unpopularity. Our savvy
investors know that President Hollande will
not be re-elected and the right-wing are
more than likely to come back to power. This
is likely to encourage property investors back
again and so it is really the time to buy now;
while better prices can be negotiated and
there are really amazing apartments and
mansions on the market.
www.home-hunts.com
LES PRATIQUES
CURRENCY NEWS
Its back
What a thoroughly enjoyable day out, was just
one of the comments from visitors to The France
Show 2014. Good news, then that the show is back
for 2015 with even more French treats in store, and in
a brand-new venue to boot! Taking place in Londons
Olympia from 23-25 January, The France Show 2015
brings the delights of France to the UK. There are
thousands of properties for sale in the French
property exhibition, seminars and advice from
experts ranging from tax to removals, entertainment
on the Flavours of France stage, and food and wine
galore in the French market.
Tickets are on sale now, pre-book yours for 12
(16 on the door). Call 01242 264777 or visit
www.thefranceshow.com
Promises promises
Davide Ugolini, CFX dealer at
Currencies Direct, highlights the
financial trends for this month
THE FAMOUS promise in the summer of 2012 by ECB (European Central
Bank) president Mario Draghi, to do whatever it takes to save the single
currency hasnt resolved the crisis. Although the eurozone emerged from
recession last year, growth has been fragile, remaining flat until June. The
18-member blocs output is still 2.7% below its peak, whereas in the US and
UK, output is now higher than at the start of the crisis in 2008.
High unemployment, weak growth and falling prices risk reigniting
fears of a new crisis. Low inflation has been a major concern low prices
seem a short-term financial benefit, but are detrimental to countries with
high debt as it makes repayments harder, and consumers tend to delay
purchases as they expect prices to fall further. These eventually depress
output and GDP growth, contributing to a vicious circle of higher
government deficits and higher unemployment.
Pick of the
MONTH
The ECB has been forecasting that price growth would pick up, but low
energy prices and a strong euro have proved them wrong. It is now clear
that the easing of market panic after Draghis 2012 promise induced
complacency, and the risks are now so serious that the ECB had no other
choice than to act, preannouncing their meeting in September. By cutting
interest and announcing ABS purchases, they sent a strong message their
concern has increased, but they feel they can no longer afford to wait in the
hope that the economy improves on its own.
Interest rates were cut to record lows, while the ECB will also try to
boost credit conditions further by buying asset-backed securities and
France Property Shop

Joan Jenkins, of Actous Immobilier, has chosen this stunning
17th-century house with two self-contained gtes near the
village of Brossac in Charente as her property pick this
month. Set in a peaceful location in southern Charente, all of
the houses have been fully renovated and share a swimming
pool, a games barn with a sauna and badminton court, a
garden and parkland of approximately four acres. On the
market for 791,000, the three houses offer two, four and six
bedrooms between them so you could decide which to rent
out to holidaymakers depending on how much space you
needed for your family.
www.property-sales-france.com
covered bonds. The market is about to be flooded with around 500 billion
euros over the next three years. This caught investors by surprise, and
although some say its too late, the ECB stimulus will be welcome.
This seems to indicate the beginning of a larger plan for the full-scale
purchase of European government debt. There are significant challenges as
this will require drastic legal changes. While quantitative easing remains on
the table, theres now a massive amount of stimulus in the pipeline, and
the ECB will now want to see how well these measures are received by the
market and the economy before considering a more nuclear option. With
such an amount of money on the horizon, the euro nosedived and as the
details will emerge in the next few months, it might go even lower. It may
be the time when buying a property in Europe might seem like a bargain!
www.currenciesdirect.com
Dont forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter
completefrance.com
three of a kind
Three of a kind
A recent index named Midi-Pyrnes as the best place to live in France (see page 69).
Emma Rawle chooses three of her favourite properties from the region
Saint-Gaudens,
HAUTE-GARONNE
295,000
Currently used as a B&B, this charming house is full of

character and, importantly, located within walking
distance of a bakery. The ground floor offers a living
room with a wood-burning stove, a dining room, kitchen
and a library, while on the first floor there are four
spacious bedrooms, three of which have en-suite
bathrooms, with either mountain or garden views.
There is also a large attic bedroom. The kitchen opens
out onto a terrace and the mature garden with views
of the nearby mountains. There are also a few
outbuildings which offer further possibilities for
developing the property.
www.leggettfrance.com
Figeac,
LOT
Only five minutes from the centre of the popular

village of Figeac in the Lot Valley, this traditional
property is in an ideal location, less than an hours drive

from Rodez airport. South-facing, it enjoys countryside
views yet all amenities are within easy reach. Built in a
rustic style, the house offers four bedrooms and
potential for further bedrooms by converting the 100m
attic space. There is a large open-plan kitchen and living

room with a feature fireplace and exposed wooden
beams and an independent apartment on the ground
296,800
level. The grounds stretch to 2,000m.

www.selectionhabitat.com
Montaigu-de-Quercy,
TARN-ET-GARONNE
Situated on the edge of a charming village, this farmhouse

is within easy reach of restaurants, shops and markets,
and is only an hour from Toulouse airport. Built in the 17th

century, the house has been superbly renovated and tastefully
decorated, with features such as exposed stone walls, wooden
beams and tiled floors, and now offers five bedrooms, each
with their own bathroom, two reception rooms and a large
kitchen. There are several private terraces from where to
enjoy the spectacular views as well as a low-maintenance
375,000
completefrance.com
garden and a swimming pool. There is also an indoor gym for

those with energy to expend.
www.beauxvillages.com
LES PRATIQUES
Ask the experts

Whether youre planning your move to France, or are already
living there, our panel of professionals aims to keep you fully
informed with the best advice for every eventuality
WILL QUERY
can work properly together, with no risk
A friend in Guernsey sent me an article

about being able to include your French
of cross-revocation.
Finally, it must be noted that the
house in a Guernsey will. It was about the new
regulations will not affect the tax
laws coming into force in 2015, and the
position: they will allow people to choose
different levels of inheritance tax, but I have
the rules of succession of their country of
inadvertently lost it can you tell me more
origin, but the French house will,
about what the situation is please?
inevitably, be subjected to French
Suzie Drysdale
inheritance tax in the first instance. They
will not, then, work to ensure that only

It is indeed the case that new rules are
Guernsey inheritance tax would apply to
due to come into force in relation to
the house.
European inheritance matters, by virtue of an

EU-wide regulation. They will take effect on
17 August 2015.
Matthew Cameron
PET PASSPORT
a person to choose to apply the inheritance
rules of the country of their nationality to a
the UK, and is used to long periods of
property owned in another jurisdiction in
travel. Well soon be house-hunting in
Europe. It is generally accepted that this
France, and want to bring her along too, so
should also allow non-European nationals to
shes not left in kennels while were back
apply their own inheritance rules to any
and forth. Can you tell us what we need to
vaccination. You must wait 21 days after the
property in Europe.
know to make this happen please?
vaccination (or the last of the primary course
Charlotte Mackenzie
of vaccinations) before your pet can enter or
The effect of the new rules will be to allow
However, it is important to note at this

point that the regulations remain to be tested
in the courts, which could of course only
happen once they come into force, and have
Our rescue greyhound, Tinker, often

comes with us on our trips around
return to the UK (note that the day of

Firstly, organise a pet passport this
vaccination counts as day 0, not day 1).
allows your dog, cat (or ferret!) to travel
Different brands of rabies vaccination last for
back and forth between France and the UK, as
different length of times, but most last for up
long as you comply with the legislation. The
to three years. These details must be recorded
official government website is www.gov.uk/
in an official EU pet passport. You must also
dealt with by a notaire in France awaits
take-pet-abroad/overview, but the main
use an authorised carrier and an approved
clarification. It will probably be preferable to
criteria are as follows.
route. Finally, before re-entering the UK,
therefore been invoked in a particular

succession matter.
Furthermore, just how such rules will be
When you enter or return to the UK from
Tinker will require a tapeworm treatment (for
election, but with that French will applying
France, your pet needs to meet certain entry
dogs only) at least 24 hours but no more than
only to the French property. If that is to
requirements. Tinker will, therefore, need to
72 hours before re-entering the UK.
happen, then much care will be needed to
have a microchip inserted if this hasnt
ensure that the French and non-French wills
already been done, and have a rabies
prepare a separate French will, making an
As well as complying with legal

recommendations, it is also important to
The experts
MATTHEW CAMERON
is a partner at Ashton
KCJ solicitors.
www.ashtonkcj.co.uk
BRIAN FAULKNER
is Petplans resident
veterinary surgeon.
www.petplan.co.uk
PETE WILLIAMS
is head of external
affairs at RAC.
www.rac.co.uk
completefrance.com
ask the experts
It is also important
to keep up to date
with their routine
annual animal
vaccinations
difficulties can arise with unusual or
particularly old vehicles, which were
originally imported into Britain, as they may
not meet these standards.
You must apply for a registration
certificate within 30 days of registering as
living in France. This requires time and
patience, and a lot of paperwork!
You will need the following documents to
register your car, either by attending your
local prfecture or by post:
Proof of identity
Proof of residence a utility bill less than
Your vehicles previous registration
three months old

certificate (V5) also serves as proof of
ownership
cover your pet against the various diseases it
car registered, and taxed, in that country?
may get while abroad. You should ensure that
J.E.A.West
your pet is covered against fleas, ticks and

sand flies as there are various diseases which
can be transferred in this way. It is also
important to keep up to date with their
It is possible to permanently export a
certificate must be less than six

months old
Proof of insurance cover
Completed registration form number
The amount the registration will cost
UK-registered, right-hand drive car to
France, subject to certain conditions. Once
routine annual animal vaccinations. In fact,
registered in France, there are no restrictions
there are extra vaccinations available against
on how long you can drive your car, assuming
some of the more exotic diseases
that it has an up-to-date MOT and is
(Leishmania and Lyme disease) if you wish to
appropriately insured.
be extra cautious. Speak to your vet about
To permanently export your vehicle, you
13750*03
usually required as a cheque
The bulk of the registration cost depends
on the area of France in which you live and
the engine power of your car, plus several
these before you travel.
will need to inform the DVLA by filling in the
smaller administration costs. This is a set rate
Brian Faulkner
V5C/4 section of your V5C registration
per CV, or horse power, multiplied by how
certificate (logbook) and sending it to the
much engine power your car has the base
DVLA. If you dont have a V5C registration
rate varies from 27 to 51.20.
I hope to move to France shortly, and am
certificate, then youll need to get one using a
Pete Williams
concerned about the retention of my
V62 form.
DRIVING FORCE
prized vehicle. I know that in some Eastern
DREAMSTIME
A contrle technique (French MOT)
To register your car in France, the vehicle
This article is for general information purposes
European countries, if you have a right-hand
will need to first have a certificate of
only and does not constitute legal or other
drive car, you are only allowed to use it in the
conformity. Issued by the car manufacturer,
professional advice.
designated country for a period of 12 months,
the certificate shows that the technical
We would advise you to seek professional
after which you must either get it converted to
characteristics of the vehicle meet safety and
advice before acting on it.
left-hand drive, or dispose of it. In Britain, of
environmental standards. To register a UK
course, one can drive a left-hand drive car
right-hand drive vehicle in France, you will
indefinitely. What is the law in France,
need a European Certificate of Conformity.
particularly if you reside there, and have the
completefrance.com
Unfortunately, this is often where
Do you have a question to put to our

panel of experts?
LES PRATIQUES
Capitalpunishment
ne key tax you need to familiarise
yourself with when you move to
France or buy property there, is
capital gains tax. It is important to
note that there is no tax on capital
gains arising on death or gifts; instead
succession (inheritance) tax will be due on the
assets valued at date of death, or the date the
gift was made.
PROPERTY
First of all, the good news is that your main
home is exempt from capital gains tax in
France. This only applies if the property is
your habitual and actual residence at the time
of sale.
Therefore, if you leave a property before you
sell it, you could lose the relief entirely, even if it
was your main home for many years. There is
no time-apportionment relief as there is in the
UK, though other reliefs may apply. The
exemption is also unlikely to be available to
those who are not registered for tax purposes
and fully integrated into the French tax system.
For other properties, French residents are
liable for French capital gains tax on the sale of
property, whether the property is in France, the
UK or elsewhere. If you wait until you move to
France before selling your UK property, this
means that you will not benefit from the French
main home exemption.
Gains made on the sale of property are
taxed at a fixed rate of 19%. However, surtaxes
also apply from 2013 to 2015, ranging from
2% for gains over 50,000 up to 6% for gains
over 250,000.
Social charges of 15.5% are also levied in
France on top of the capital gains tax. This
means that, at the moment, the lowest
combined rate of tax is 34.5%, and the highest
is 40.5%.
There is, however, a taper relief system,
which reduces taxes the longer you have
owned a property.
You receive full exemption from tax when
you have owned a property for 22 years, with
the net gain reduced by 6% per year from the
sixth year onwards and 4% for the last year.

For social charges, you need to wait 30 years
for full exemption. Again the relief starts from
the sixth year, but is weighted towards the last
seven years.
UK REAL ESTATE
If you sell UK property while resident in France,
the gain is taxable in France, with a credit for
any UK tax paid on disposal. Although,
currently, non-UK residents generally escape
UK capital gains tax, this is changing from 6
April 2015.
NON-RESIDENTS
If you sell a French property as a UK resident,
you are liable for tax on your capital gains in
both France and UK. Under the terms of the
France/UK double tax treaty, the tax paid in
France is offset against that due in the UK. If the
UK tax bill is higher, you will pay the difference
in the UK.
The 15.5% social charges are payable on
gains arising on disposals of French property by
UK residents. These cannot be offset against the
UK tax payable on the gain (under a specific
clause of the tax treaty), so remain an additional
tax on the gain.
Note that for countries outside the EU,
Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, the 19% fixed
rate increases to 33.3% (with social charges still
applied on top). This is based on residency, not
nationality, so if a UK national is living in
Monaco when he sells French real estate, he
pays tax at 33.3%.
SHARES
Gains made on the sale of shares and
negotiable securities used to be taxed at a fixed
rate of 19%. This increased to 24% in 2012, and
then from 2013 this fixed rate was abolished
completely, and gains are now taxed at the
progressive rates of income tax.
Therefore, if you are resident in France, when
you sell shares and securities, you add the gains
realised to your other income for the year and
apply the scale rates of income tax.
Income tax rates currently range from 5.5%

for income over 6,011 to 45% for income
over 151,200. You also need to pay 15.5%
social charges on all your investment income
and gains.
This means that higher earners pay more tax
on their capital gains, but there is some good
news. The 2014 budget introduced a new
general taper relief scheme for capital gains, so
if you have long-term gains, taxation will be
considerably reduced.
Investments held for two to eight years
benefit from a 50% relief, while those held for
completefrance.com
ILLUSTRATION ANDY ROBERT DAVIES
How much tax will you pay in France when you sell property?
And what about tax on gains when you sell shares and other
investments? Rob Kay explains
capital gains tax
over eight years receive 65% relief.

Unlike the previous system, where the
holding period only started from January 2013,
this is based on when you bought the shares.
So you can benefit immediately.
Although this taper relief does not apply to
social charges, it still presents an opportunity
for people who have share portfolios pregnant
with gain. You can apply the new 65% discount
to release long-term investments, and move
the capital into more tax efficient structures.
You may be able to considerably reduce your
tax liabilities. You would need to seek
completefrance.com
personalised, specialist advice.

Note that you cannot necessarily escape
French capital gains tax by leaving France. An
exit tax may be levied under certain
circumstances on unrealised share gains made
by individuals who have been resident there
for the six years before leaving. Again, gains are
taxed at the scale rates, plus 15.5% social
charges, and the normal taper relief rules apply.
Gains made before you were resident in France
do not suffer the exit tax.
The taxation of investment income and
property can be complex, particularly where
two countries are involved. It is important to

take specialist advice to ensure you make the
most of the opportunities and do not pay any
more tax than absolutely necessary.
www.blevinsfranks.com
Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change.
Any statements concerning taxation are
based upon our understanding of current
taxation laws and practices which are subject
to change. Tax information has been
summarised; an individual is advised to seek
personalised advice.
LES PRATIQUES
Cold comforts
Glynis Shaw offers useful advice on preparing your French
holiday home for use during the winter months
storms occur, you might disconnect electricity,

internet and phones. If it is safe for power to be
on, you may be tempted to leave lights on
timers when absent. This can certainly be
appropriate for, say, a town apartment, but
most country properties are pretty isolated,
and it is better to close a house with shutters.
They do indicate absence but are more secure.
External security lights with movement sensors
are worthwhile.
Another important security precaution is to
let your neighbours, and the local mairie, know
that you will be away but returning and
possibly ask the gendarmerie to keep an eye on
things. Also, arrange for somebody to collect
and send on your post. Its a good idea to
make sure utility bills come to your address in
the UK or are paid by direct debit in order to
avoid any oversights.
Of course, you will have to pay for phone
and internet availability even when the house
is not in use, but I would advise against trying
to put a stop on the line once it is up and
running, as it can take ages to reinstate,
especially in rural places.
You will want to keep the property aired
and reasonably warm, so bleed the radiators
and consider setting the central heating to
come on for a short time each day ideally

around the time that you would be likely to
arrive at the house when travelling over for a
visit. Store linen and towels in a dry, well-aired
place and put electric blankets on the beds so
they can be switched on at arrival. Do
remember to leave the doors of the washing
machine and dishwasher wide open to avoid
smells developing and leave plentiful
supplies of washing powder, toilet rolls,
dishwasher tablets and so on.
If you were closing the property for the
entire winter, you would empty the fridge and
freezer, but as you are planning to make visits,
you will need food, so it may be practical to
completefrance.com
WWW.FRENCHCONNECTIONS.CO.UK
inter is approaching and the

pleasure of hopping over to
spend time at your holiday
home in France must be put
on hold as the property is
closed down for the colder months. But is that
really true? Why wait for the blooming of
spring to make use of the property in which
you have invested time, money and emotion,
and where you love to savour the joys of
France? With some forethought and
organisation, you could make the house both
safe and secure, and ready for winter visits.
Externally, practical tasks to prepare for
winter remain the same regardless of whether
you will be using the property or not. Of course
you will need to put the swimming pool into
winter mode, protect any delicate plants with
sacking and clear the gutters to prevent them
from blocking. Its also a good idea to insulate
external pipes, cover the water meter and drain
any outside taps and you may need to check
the roof for loose or broken tiles; and fill and
render any cracks in the external walls.
When it comes to preparing inside the
property, this needs to be based on an
understanding of the winter climate in your
area. For instance, if frequent, dramatic thunder
make your home winter ready
Planning is important
in terms of timing
your arrival to use
the property
leave them on if your area is not subject to

major power cuts. A full freezer stays cold for
longer and hence food is better protected
against short outages, with the usual food
safety precautions in place.
In any event, you can leave a larder stocked
with tinned food and even dry food if it is in a
cool, dry, airy place. It should also be secure if
your property is in a rural area where field mice
might find their way in during your absence. In
my experience, a well-stocked wine rack is also
a welcome facility on arrival!
Planning is important in terms of timing
your arrival to use the property. Ideally, arrive in
daylight at a time that coincides with local
completefrance.com
shops being open, so that you can stock up on

fresh food. This is practical whether you drive
all the way from the UK, fly and pick up a hire
car or leave your own second car at the
property even if it means over-nighting on
the way down.
It will be much easier and more pleasant if,
on arrival, you are fresh rather than tired, have a
stock of food and can open the property in
daylight, and check on any unexpected events
or urgent jobs to cope with. You can also heat
and air the property before bedtime.
Of course, you may prefer to find somebody
who can open and prepare the property in
advance of your arrival. If you let the property
for holidays in summer, perhaps you have

somebody who could visit regularly to check
all is well and prepare it for your own visits. A
caretaker who minds the property in your
absence does not necessarily need be the
same person who does change-over duties like
cleaning and welcoming guests.
To find a suitable person, you could make
enquiries at the local mairie for people who
might be interested in looking after the
property in your absence. Also, look out for
local clubs or village societies to join. They are a
good network for being put in touch with local
caretakers. If there is a large local expat
community, people are often offering this type
of service.
Obviously this will incur a cost and if you
are going to keep the property ready for your
own visits, you might also consider advertising
it as a let to recoup some of the outlay. The
Christmas-New Year period is ideal as it attracts
a premium rate and many letting sites have
special pages devoted to the festive fortnight.
At this time of year, holidaymakers generally
like warmth, comfort and accessibility to towns
and places of interest.
Another way to keep the property up and
running during your absence and potentially
create income is to arrange a house-sitter or,
better yet, a long winter let. If you know there
is a period of a month or more when you will
not be there, you could attract a long winter let
any time between the beginning of November
and the end of March. This may appeal to
house-hunters, those seeking some winter sun
or simply like-minded people who are also in
search of a slice of French life.
www.frenchconnections.co.uk
Glynis Shaw is joint MD of French Connections
holiday rentals and property sales online
LES PRATIQUES
The Living France
guide to
hunting and fishing
If you move to a picturesque corner of rural France, you might want to know more
about these traditional country pursuits, as Kate McNally explains
LA CHASSE
France has the largest
number of hunters in Europe,
with close to 1.5 million registered
to practise the sport, and unlike hunting
in the UK, which is more prevalent among the
upper classes and landowners, hunting in
France is dominated by the working classes
and pensioners, according to the Pinet study
commissioned by the FNC. The last two

decades have seen a growing number of
professionals and directors coming on board,
however, as well as an increase in female
participation, although it still remains a
predominantly male sport.
There are several different types of hunting
in France, from collective to solo, from wild
boar to pheasant, but every hunter must have
a valid licence obtained by passing an exam.
For UK tourists, a valid UK hunting permit is
accepted but should be validated for use in

France by the relevant regional branch of the
FNC. However, for UK nationals resident in
France, you must have a valid French licence
and must therefore take the French exam.
LICENCE EXAM
The exam is set and organised by the Office
National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage
(ONCFS) in conjunction with the FNC. You
need to register with the FNC, attend a
completefrance.com
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; FOTOLIA
f you think of the multiple rural landscapes

across France, you can see why hunting
and fishing are such popular pastimes.
Though pastime is perhaps the wrong
word both activities are steeped in local
tradition and, for many, represent more a way
of life than a hobby. Then there is the
economic factor (jobs, subscription monies),
sustainable development issues (a form of
natural culling, habitat guardianship), rather a
lot of regulation of course, and, as in the UK,
when it comes to hunting, an ongoing political
agenda between die-hard country folk and
animal rights groups.
Most of these off piste aspects are the
domain of the national bodies in charge of the
sports, namely the Fdration Nationale des
Chasseurs (FNC) and the Fdration Nationale
de la Pche. Meanwhile, for most of the million
or so who simply want to stride forth into the
natural habitat and just do it, autumn is the
key changeover date in the calendar.
September is when the fishing rods are hung
up until the following March, while rifles are
retrieved from storage. For those
living in the countryside, there
is a palpable sense of
excitement as hunters get
together after the spring
and summer.
hunting and fishing
mandatory preparatory course, and pass the

exam to get a licence. The good news is that
the licence is valid for life, unless rescinded for
careless practice or health problems.
When registering for the exam, you are
asked to provide proof of identity, two
passport-sized photographs, a sample
signature, a recent medical certificate, and a
sworn statement that there is no legal
impediment to you using a gun. There is an
exam fee of 16 and a 30 cost for the licence.
HUNTING RIGHTS
The licence qualifies you to hunt in France, but
you still need to register with your local
hunting club or local federation before each
season to validate the licence and pay the
annual subscription fees. Fees range from
around 160 for a departmental subscription
to hunt small game up to around 415 for a
national subscription to hunt large game. You
can also buy nine-day and three-day permits
for approximately 100 and 50 respectively.
Most people opt for the departmental
subscription, which is generally valid only for
the local municipality in which they live. With
this, however, you can apply to the Association
de Chasse in a neighbouring or other
municipality requesting an invitation to join
their hunt or to hunt on their territory.
completefrance.com
All hunters are asked to keep a carnet de

prlvement universel listing their kills
to monitor and sustain species numbers
For keen hunters and those with deeper
pockets, there is the option of the national
licence for nationwide access.
Anyone hunting in France must carry the
following documents with them at all times:
your permanent hunting licence (plus
relevant validation form if a UK tourist)
the validation of your permit for the current
season and/or territory
a civil liability insurance certificate.
Additionally, UK tourists hunting in France
are advised to ensure they have their European
Firearms Pass and up-to-date European Pet
Passport if hunting with their own dog.
to protect potentially endangered species.

All hunters are asked to keep a carnet de
prlvement universel listing their kills to
monitor and sustain species numbers.
The national and regional federations liaise
with environment protection agencies and
maintain a dialogue with the Ministre de
lcologie, du Dveloppement Durable et de
lnergie, currently Sgolne Royal.
When hunting in France, be sure to contact
the local or regional FNC branch or the local
mairie to check if there are any hunting
bans and the exact dates of the hunting
season for different species any breaches
could result in serious legal action.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
AND BIODIVERSITY
SAFETY RULES
Hunting bodies strongly promote their role as

countryside custodians. In close contact with
the environment and the farming community,
they claim hunters observe and report
changing environmental trends, and act as a
natural control of certain species while helping
With tighter regulation and training campaigns,

the sport has improved its safety record in
recent years. The 2013-14 season saw the best
figures for the past 15 years, with 114 reported
accidents and 16 fatalities, including two
non-hunters. Hunters must wear high-
LES PRATIQUES
What you can hunt in France
Small game e.g. pheasant, rabbit

Ducks and geese
Corvids e.g. crow, raven
Waders e.g. spotted redshank, snipe
Migrating birds e.g. skylark, woodcock
Predators e.g. fox, weasel, polecat
Big game e.g. deer, wild boar
Small mountain game e.g. hare, marmot, partridge
Others e.g. badger, muskrat
LA PCHE
PERMITS
Just under 1.3 million people purchased

freshwater fishing permits in France last year,
according to the 3,800 or so freshwater fishing
associations across the country. These figures
represent a 3% reduction on the previous year.
Again it is a predominantly male sport, with
adult men representing around two thirds of
participants, while under 18s accounted for
10% and women 4%, with the remainder made
up of occasional and holiday dabblers.
Various associations and branches operate
under the umbrella of the Fdration Nationale
de Pche who help acquire, rent and regulate
local fishing rights to ensure there is plenty and
varied fishing to enjoy in France. They are also
active partners in protecting the waters,
carrying out maintenance, and protecting
aquatic ecosystems and fishing heritage.
Anyone wishing to fish in inland fresh water
must buy a valid permit and keep it on them at
all times. Wardens and gendarmes keep a close
eye on proceedings and if you dont have a
permit or are found to violate any of the local
fishing laws, you could be in for trouble.
Fishing licences can be bought from a number

of places, including local federations and
associations, the mairie, village newsagents
and tourist offices. In the last couple of years,
it has also been possible to buy permits online
at www.cartedepeche.fr, a service that has
proved highly popular with the fishing
community in France.
Permits come in all shapes and sizes there
are annual, monthly, weekly, and daily options,
and theres also a womens discovery permit
(bafflingly cheaper than a normal daily or
weekly permit EU equal rights eat your heart
out) and a perhaps more acceptably cheaper
discovery permit for under-12s.
On the bright side, you dont need a permit
to fish in the sea, unless of course you plan on
taking it to commercial levels.
REGULATIONS
There is a fairly exhaustive list of dos and donts
for fishing in France, from what you can kill to
what you cant kill, and even to what you are
obliged to kill, through to how many lines,
hooks and weights you can use, and also

details on where you can or cant fish.
The Fdration de la Pche provides good
overall guidelines, but advises conferring with
local and departmental associations for a
comprehensive low-down in each territory.
The freshwater fishing season runs
principally from late March to late September,
for rivers and lakes mostly populated with
trout, salmon and carp; grayling fishing is
authorised from late May to late September.
In contrast, fishing in waters home to pike and
zander (classed in a secondary category) is
authorised throughout the year.
WHERE TO FISH
There is an abundance of choice depending
on how, what and when you want to fish in
France, but wherever you go, its always worth
trying to butter up a few of the locals over a
glass of their favourite tipple. It isnt easy to
get them to divulge the hotspots, but if you
can find just one person willing to share a
little insider knowledge, it could help you
reel in the rewards.
completefrance.com
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
visibility vests, put in place clear signs that they

are hunting in the area, and follow established
safety guidelines to maximise security for
themselves and for non-hunters using the
countryside. Even so, there is still some unease
among the general public that some hunters
are not as careful as they should be and it
always pays to be vocal if you find yourself
walking in or close to hunting territory.
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The audio magazine
Lively, relevant, entertaining
Published six times a year, Bien-dire not only helps you improve your
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including travel, business, the arts, cinema, politics, sport, cuisine, popular
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LIVING
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FRANC
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with idiomatic expressions as well as practical information.
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The accompanying audio CD is the perfect tool for
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LANGUAGE
This month: Learn the vocab relating to hunting and fishing, and test
yourself with our favourite puzzles
Internet learning
Named after a rare language spoken in
Cameroon, busuu.com is a language-learning
website with an innovative approach, giving
users the opportunity to practise French via
video-chat with native speakers. Lessons start
at basic level through to upper-intermediate
with diverse topic areas, from phrases needed
to describe yourself, through to politics and
environmental issues. There are images and
audio files to assist learning, as well as multiple
choice and writing exercises. Most of the
content is free, but there is the option of
upgrading in order to gain access to additional
functionalities and more material, starting at
14.99 for one month (69.99 for 12 months).
As well as the website, there is an app for
smartphones and tablets available from Google
Play and the Apple App store.
www.busuu.com
Get the vocab: crever
My French language tip
Literally meaning to puncture or to burst, this word crops up in many phrases. It is a
TV and radio really work even if it is
slang word for being exhausted or dying, and crever de faim/froid means to be starving/
on in the background as it tunes your
freezing. If something is described as crever de rire, it means that its hysterically funny.
ear in and gradually adjusts your

listening skills. Reading some of a
ILLUSTRATION RITA STRIK
LITTLE LEARNERS
Do you have young children and are keen to teach them
French? Little Bilingues is a website aimed at supporting parents
who dont know where to start. The website offers advice about
bilingualism as well free content to help children aged two to
seven learn French while improving the knowledge of their
mother tongue. The colourfully illustrated eBook Adventures at
the beach - la mer is available to
download for free alongside activity
sheets, and I dont know what to wear
Je ne sais pas quoi mettre costs 1.69
to download. Both books can be
purchased in hard copy format for
6.99 each.
www.littlebilingues.com
completefrance.com
newspaper daily, particularly your

local one, also helps and encourages
you to become part of the community
by attending events, etc, which is of
course the best way to learn.
Sarah Davies via Facebook
If you have a handy tip for learning French,
please let us know by emailing editorial@
livingfrance.com or contact us on:
twitter.com/
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facebook.com/
LANGUAGE
On the hunt
Hunting and fishing is a way of life in France. Sylvie Wheatley shares the vocabulary
homas, qui a huit ans,
faut que je rpare ma canne pche.
habite en Angleterre,
Je lai casse la dernire fois quand
mais pendant les
ma ligne sest trouve coince. Ce
vacances scolaires, il va
ntait pas un gros poisson que

javais au bout de mon hameon,
chez ses grands-parents en

Normandie, et il aime passer du
ctait des branches!
temps avec son Papi. Une de leurs
Thomas: Tu devais tre fch!
activits prfres est daller la
Papi: Non. Soccuper de son
pche. Thomas vient darriver.
matriel, a fait partie des plaisirs
Papi: Cette anne, tu arrives juste
de la pche, comme de passer du
temps pour la grande mare, alors
temps au bord de leau, et dadmirer
on va aller la pche pied?
la faune et la flore, mme si on
Thomas: On ne prend pas la voiture?
nattrape rien. Mais si on y va
Papi: Si, pour aller jusquau littoral,
ensemble, on va essayer dtre plus
mais je veux dire quon va marcher
malins que les truites. Si on attrape
sur la plage. On na pas besoin de
un gardon ou un brochet,
bateau, ni de filet, ni de casier; on va
voudras-tu en manger?
juste ramasser des coquillages et des
Thomas: Ca dpend comment
crustacs. Toute la plage est
tu les cuis! Et, dis-donc, Papi,
compltement dcouverte mare
est-ce quon pourrait aussi aller

la chasse?
basse, et juste sous la surface du sable
Papi: Oh, la chasse, cest autre chose! Il faut
mouill, on trouve des praires et des

coques. Il faut juste gratter un peu. Celles
que jai le droit de les vendre au march?
possder une arme et savoir sen servir
qui sont trop petites pour tre manges,
Papi: Non. La pche pied, cest seulement
comme il faut, sans compromettre la scurit
on les remet dans le sable. Les autres, on
pour ton propre plaisir et ton propre dner.
des gens. Et il faut passer un permis. Il y a des
les ramasse.
Tu nes pas un professionnel et tu nas pas
questions thoriques et des exercices
Thomas: On emmne des seaux alors?
non plus le droit de piquer des moules sur
pratiques, et il faut avoir au moins 15 ans. Tu
Papi: Oui, des seaux, des chaussures qui ne
leurs cultures.
es trop jeune.
craignent rien et des coupe-vents parce quau
Thomas: Pendant que je suis chez toi, est-ce
Thomas: Oui, mais toi, tu es assez vieux pour
large, il peut faire un peu frais. Si tes petites
quon va aussi aller pcher en rivire? Ou
obtenir un permis. On achte un chien de
jambes ou mes vieilles jambes ne sont pas
mme en tang?
chasse, on le dresse pour pas quil ait peur des
trop fatigues, on ira mme jusquaux
Papi: On va essayer mais il faut que je me
coups de fusil, et aprs on va chasser
moulires. Mais il faut faire attention parce
renseigne. Le droit de pche en eau douce,
ensemble. Moi et le chien, on pourrait courir
que, quand la mer commence remonter, il
cest plus contrl. Il faut sinscrire et payer
plus vite que le gibier.
faut rebrousser chemin vite fait.
une redevance. Je crois quil faut que je
Papi: Et tu voudrais chasser quoi exactement?
Thomas: Si je ramasse plein de moules, est-ce
renouvelle ma carte dadhrent. Et puis, il
Thomas: Du faisan, de la perdrix, du livre,
Vocabulaire
z Aller la pche
To go fishing
z La pche pied
Activity consisting of collecting
edible shellfish on a beach,
by foot
z Le littoral
The seaside
z La plage
The beach
z Un filet
A net
z mare basse
At low tide
z Un casier
A pot
z Un seau
A bucket
z Ramasser
To pick up / collect
z Les moulires
Mussel farms
z Coquillages et crustacs
Shellfish
z Rebrousser chemin vite fait

To come back quickly
z Pcher en rivire / en tang

To fish in the river / in a
lake / pond
z La pche en eau douce
Fishing in fresh water
z Une carte dadhrent
A membership card
z Une canne pche
A fishing rod
completefrance.com
hunting and fishing
Test your
French
Dans cette conversation, quel animal
pourrait tre ramass, attrap ou abattu ?
Which animal in this conversation could
be collected, caught or shot?
i. ramass(e)
ii. attrap(e)
iii. abattu(e)
1 une praire
A a pheasant
2 une perdrix
B a wild duck
3 un brochet
C a mussel
4 un canard
sauvage
D a trout
5 une coque
F a deer
6 une moule
G a partridge
7 un livre
H a cockel
8 une truite
I a clam
9 un sanglier
J a roach
10 un gardon
K a pike
11 un cerf
L a hare
E a wild boar
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
12 un faisan
du cerf et du sanglier.
Papi: Si, les chasseurs sont surtout des
Papi: Cest tout? Mme si tu savais tirer avec
hommes, et il y en a beaucoup qui ont mon
une carabine, tu vas avoir du mal faire tout
ge, mais lactivit ne me tente pas. a fait
a. Il va te falloir tout un groupe dhommes
trop de bruit. Je prfre tre au calme, et je
pour organiser une battue, un camion pour
prfre la proximit dun milieu aquatique.
ramener toutes les carcasses, un boucher pour
Ceci dit, jai un copain qui chasse le canard
dcouper la viande, et un apptit dogre!
sauvage, et ils vont dans les marais pour a. Il
Thomas: Je vois que tu nas pas envie dy aller.
chasse pendant les priodes de migration des
Ils ne sont pas comme toi les gens qui vont
oiseaux. a lui plat beaucoup.
la chasse?
Thomas: Alors jirai avec lui!
Check your answers on page 89
z Un hameon
A hook (for the bait)
z Attraper
To catch
z Savoir se servir de
To know how to use
z Tirer avec une carabine

To shoot with a rifle
z Soccuper de son matriel

To look after ones gear
z tre plus malin que

To be smarter than
z Passer un permis
To take a licence
z Organiser une battue

To organise a beat
z Les plaisirs de la pche

The pleasures of fishing
z Aller la chasse
To go hunting
z Dresser un chien de chasse

To train a hunting dog
z Dcouper la viande
To butcher the meat
z Passer du temps au bord

de leau
To spend time by the
waters edge
z Possder une arme

To possess a weapon
z Un coup de fusil
A gunshot
z Les marais (m pl)

The marshes
completefrance.com
z Le gibier
Game (the animals)
LANGUAGE
Five minute French

Test your language skills and improve your vocabulary with these fun French games
LHexagone
LES MOTS CACHS
C
H
O
I
S
If the clue is in French you need to look for the

English equivalent and vice versa its simple
B
V E
S H
E V
B N
G A
H Y
G T
H V
H C O
R H U
M A
G E
U T
Y K
G T
E F
U J
H Y
C N
N Y
G V
G F
O U
G K O
V T
R E
N G N R
U N
M C O N J
H A
N T
U C
N X
B Y
B Y
O Y T
H J
G A
D E
N B
N M O N
N E
B N
V K
B A
W T
R F
M I
N B
N E
D W Q
campagne
forest
plage
river
ville
mountain
colline
vine
champ
Use the clues in

English (right) to
work out the 6
six-letter French
verbs that all end in
the letter I.
The first one has
been done for you.
chosen (choisi)
enemy
established
rude
ant
blackened
Where am I?
Je suis une ville situe
dans la rgion Midi-Pyrnes,
on me connat pour les
saucisses qui portent mon
nom, je suis la capitale de
la rgion.
The perfect match

Match the picture to the correct word
un gteau
une fte
des bougies
Je suis une rgion situe

dans le nord-est de la France,
dans le pass jai souvent t
la proprit de lAllemagne,
on me connat pour les
marchs de Nol.
completefrance.com
five minute french
Tongue twisters (les virelangues)
Unscramble the letters to

find four French verbs
1 narhcet
2 sarmebres
3 rebio
Elle est partie avec tonton, ta tarte Tatin et ton thon.
4 ganmer
(She left with your uncle, a tarte Tatin, and your tuna fish.)
Crossword
1
Across
1 field (5)
4 state (4)
7 rent (5)
11 no, none (fem) (6)
13 tool (5)
14 car (4)
16 we were - nous ... (6)
17 yellow (5)
19 each (6)
20 waters (4)
21 sailor (5)
22 effect (5)
25 grass (5)
27 mettre en ... - to stage or
dramatise (e.g. a play) (5)
31 which (masc. plural) (5)
32 oven (4)
34 friendship (6)
35 fishing (5)
37 shoulder (6)
39 at the end of ... - au ... de (4)
40 empty (plural) (5)
42 Youre welcome (2,4)
43 you must - vous ... (5)
44 pink (4)
45 shovel, spade (5)
10
11
12
15
13
16
17
19
22
14
18
20
23
24
25
21
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
35
33
36
34
37
38
39
40
PICTURES DREAMSTIME; PUZZLES COMPILED BY EVE MIDDLETON; CROSSWORD BY JAN TODD
43
41
44
WIN!
42
45
a 12-month subscription
to Living France
Put your French to the test and complete this months

crossword to be in with a chance of winning a 12-month
subscription to Living France. The closing date for entries is 24 Oct 2014.
ANSWERS TO THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE:

Across: 8 Dur, 9 Loisir, 10 Cheval, 12 Bb, 13 Coeurs, 14 Dents, 15 toile, 16 Ustensile,
20 Soleil, 24 Tiroir, 25 Ajouter, 26 Fermer, 28 Exprs, 30 Printemps, 32 Aumne, 35 Faon,
37 Prs de, 38 Elle, 40 Viager, 41 Loin de, 42 Bec.
Down: 1 Ouvert, 2 Bouche, 3 Assez, 4 Arbres, 5 Ici, 6 Dpenser, 7 Sait, 11 Cerise, 17 Entre,
18 Laine, 19 Thon, 21 Odeur, 22 Larme, 23 tre, 27 Mensonge, 29 Pommes, 31 Parole,
32 Amende, 33 Nulles, 34 Assis, 36 Avis, 39 Cri.
The winner of the August crossword is: Paul Comaish
completefrance.com
Down
2 high (4)
3 mosquito (9)
5 third (9)
6 soon (3)
8 storm (5)
9 maintenance, upkeep (9)
10 blue (4)
12 to bail out (water from a
boat) (6)
15 pocket (5)
17 game (3)
18 City in LanguedocRoussillon, capital of the Gard
department (5)
23 bonfire (3,2,4)
24 cup (5)
26 lullabies (9)
28 spoonful (9)
29 ebony (5)
30 duck (6)
33 goose (3)
35 paw (5)
36 cellar (4)
38 only, lone (4)
41 hard, difficult (3)
To enter our prize crossword competition, complete the grid

and fill in your details in the coupon below, then send them by
post to: Living France Crossword Competition, Archant House, Oriel
Road, Cheltenham, GL50 1BB quoting reference: CROSSLFOCT14
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Check your answers on page 89
PROPERTY MAP
On the map
Use our detailed map to help plan your route and
understand Frances departmental and regional boundaries
The departments
Each of Frances 96 departments is listed below with the departmental capital, or prfecture,
in brackets. The places indicated by this symbol on the map opposite are the regional capitals.
01 Ain (Bourg-en-Bresse)
02 Aisne (Laon)
03 Allier (Moulins)
04 Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
23 Creuse (Guret)
24 Dordogne (Prigueux)
25 Doubs (Besanon)
26 Drme (Valence)
27 Eure (vreux)
28 Eure-et-Loir (Chartres)
29 Finistre (Quimper)
30 Gard (Nmes)
31 Haute-Garonne (Toulouse)
32 Gers (Auch)
33 Gironde (Bordeaux)
34 Hrault (Montpellier)
35 Ille-et-Vilaine (Rennes)
36 Indre (Chteauroux)
37 Indre-et-Loire (Tours)
38 Isre (Grenoble)
39 Jura (Lons-le-Saunier)
40 Landes (Mont-de-Marsan)
41 Loir-et-Cher (Blois)
42 Loire (St-tienne)
43 Haute-Loire (Le Puy)
44 Loire-Atlantique (Nantes)
(Digne)
05 Hautes-Alpes (Gap)
06 Alpes-Maritimes (Nice)
07 Ardche (Privas)
08 Ardennes (CharlevilleMzires)
09 Arige (Foix)
10 Aube (Troyes)
11 Aude (Carcassonne)
12 Aveyron (Rodez)
13 Bouches-du-Rhne (Marseille)
14 Calvados (Caen)
15 Cantal (Aurillac)
16 Charente (Angoulme)
17 Charente-Maritime
(La Rochelle)
18 Cher (Bourges)
19 Corrze (Tulle)
2a Corse-du-Sud (Ajaccio)
2b Haute-Corse (Bastia)
21 Cte-dOr (Dijon)
22 Ctes-dArmor (St-Brieuc)
45 Loiret (Orlans)
46 Lot (Cahors)
47 Lot-et-Garonne (Agen)
48 Lozre (Mende)
49 Maine-et-Loire (Angers)
50 Manche (St-L)
51 Marne
(Chlons-en-Champagne)
52 Haute-Marne (Chaumont)
53 Mayenne (Laval)
54 Meurthe-et-Moselle (Nancy)
55 Meuse (Bar-le-Duc)
56 Morbihan (Vannes)
57 Moselle (Metz)
58 Nivre (Nevers)
59 Nord (Lille)
60 Oise (Beauvais)
61 Orne (Alenon)
62 Pas-de-Calais (Arras)
63 Puy-de-Dme
(Clermont-Ferrand)
64 Pyrnes-Atlantiques (Pau)
65 Hautes-Pyrnes (Tarbes)
66 Pyrnes-Orientales
(Perpignan)
67 Bas-Rhin (Strasbourg)
68 Haut-Rhin (Colmar)
69 Rhne (Lyon)
70 Haute-Sane (Vesoul)
71 Sane-et-Loire (Mcon)
72 Sarthe (Le Mans)

73 Savoie (Chambry)
74 Haute-Savoie (Annecy)
75 Ville-de-Paris (Paris)
76 Seine-Maritime (Rouen)
77 Seine-et-Marne (Melun)
78 Yvelines (Versailles)
79 Deux-Svres (Niort)
80 Somme (Amiens)
81 Tarn (Albi)
82 Tarn-et-Garonne
(Montauban)
83 Var (Toulon)
84 Vaucluse (Avignon)
85 Vende
(La Roche-sur-Yon)
86 Vienne (Poitiers)
87 Haute-Vienne (Limoges)
88 Vosges (pinal)
89 Yonne (Auxerre)
90 Territoire-de-Belfort (Belfort)
91 Essonne (vry)
92 Hauts-de-Seine (Nanterre)
93 Seine-St-Denis (Bobigny)
94 Val-de-Marne (Crteil)
95 Val-dOise (Pontoise)
Travel information
Ferries
Brittany Ferries
Tel: 0871 244 0744
www.brittany-ferries.co.uk
Stena Line
Tel: 0120 47777
www.stenaline.ie
Condor Ferries
Tel: 01202 207216
www.condorferries.co.uk
Irish Ferries
Tel: 0818 300 400
www.irishferries.com
LD Lines
Tel: 0844 576 8836
www.ldlines.co.uk
DFDS Seaways
Tel: 0844 576 8836
www.dfdsseaways.co.uk
P&O Ferries
Tel: 0871 664 2121
www.poferries.com
Airlines
Aer Arann
Tel: 0871 718 5000
www.aerarann.com
Aer Lingus
Tel: 0871 718 5000
www.aerlingus.com
Air France
Tel: 0871 663 3777
www.airfrance.co.uk
Aurigny Air Services
Tel: 01481 822 886
www.aurigny.com
Blue Islands
Tel: 08456 202122
www.blueislands.com
bmi regional
Tel: 0844 4172 600
www.bmiregional.com
British Airways
Tel: 0844 493 0787
www.britishairways.com
CityJet
Tel: 0871 405 2020

www.cityjet.com
easyJet
Tel: 0330 365 5000
www.easyjet.com
Flybe
Tel: 0871 700 2000
www.flybe.com
Jet2
Tel: 0800 408 1350
www.jet2.com
Lyddair
Tel: 01797 322 207
www.lyddair.com
Ryanair
Tel: 0871 246 0000
www.ryanair.com
Swiss International
Tel: 0845 601 0956
www.swiss.com
Rail
Eurotunnel
Tel: 08443 35 35 35
www.eurotunnel.com
Eurostar
Tel: 08432 186 186
www.eurostar.com
Rail Europe
Tel: 08448 485 848
uk.voyages-sncf.com
completefrance.com
TEST YOUR FRENCH answers
FIVE MINUTE FRENCH answers
Answers: 1.I.i ; 2.G.iii ; 3.K.ii ; 4.B.iii ; 5.H.i ; 6.C.i ;

7.L.iii ; 8.D.ii ; 9.E.iii ; 10.J.ii ; 11.F.iii ; 12.A.iii
LES MOTS CACHS

B
E
H
I
L
L
C O
U N
R
I V
V
I
I
E
R Y S
E
G
I
F
T
I
M O N T A G N E
W
L
N
D
completefrance.com
F
O
N R
D E
T
LHEXAGONE
1. choisi
2. ennemi
3. tabli
4. impoli
5. fourmi
6. noirci
UNSCRAMBLE THE LETTERS TO FIND

THE FOUR FRENCH VERBS
chanter
embrasser
boire
manger
THE PERFECT MATCH

un gteau = a cake
une fte = a party
des bougies = candles
WHERE AM I?
Toulouse
Alsace
property directory
PROPERTY directory
Properties for sale, properties to let, services for your French home
hether youre looking for a

renovation project, the perfect
holiday bolt-hole or that chteau
youve always dreamed of, Living Frances
Property Directory should be the first place
to look. With properties and agents covering
most of France, youre sure to find
something that catches your eye. To help
you hit the ground running, weve put
together a back-to-basics guide to buying a
French property. Bonne chance!
Buying Property
Vendor and buyer agree on the price and
terms of contract, including any conditional
clauses (clauses suspensives) and any
furniture included in the sale.
If its a private sale, it is unwise
to rely on the vendor to supply accurate
answers to all questions. Some information
is best obtained from the local town hall; for
other queries, consult the relevant
authorities or call in an expert.
Agents fees (les frais dagence) are
usually included in the price and as such,
paid by the buyer. Check this is the case. The
notaires fixed fees plus tax (les frais de
notaire) are also usually paid by the buyer
and are on top of the purchase price. When
buying privately, there will be no agents fees
However, it is wise to apply for a mortgage in
energy-efficiency report (known as a DPE, or
but notaires fees will still apply.
principle before you start your property
diagnostic de performance nergtique) is
hunt, to avoid disappointment later.
now also mandatory, while a natural disaster

risk report (tat des risques naturels et
The preliminary sales contract

(compromis de vente) is drawn up by the
If you are taking out a mortgage, this will
technologiques) has to be provided in
agent or notaire and signed by both parties.
be a condition of the preliminary sales
addition. It specifies whether the property is
If the buyer is buying privately from a
contract, giving you the possibility of pulling
within an area where there is a risk of
vendor, its the notaire who draws up the
out should your application be turned down.
flooding or other natural or technological
contract.
Once the offer is official, it will be confirmed
disaster or accident.
to the notaire and the contract becomes

The buyer pays the deposit (usually
unconditional.
HONFLEUR HARBOUR FOTOLIA
The property has to be insured in the

buyers name from the date of completion.
5-10% of the purchase price) to the notaire

and a seven-day cooling off period ensues,
The notaire handles the conveyancing,
during which the buyer can withdraw (but
which typically takes two to three months.
the vendor cannot) and after which the
When all the paperwork is ready, the notaire
payment to the notaire prior to completion.
contract is legally binding.
confirms the date and time of the signing of
On the day of completion, all parties meet
If the buyer pulls out after this, he forfeits
the acte de vente.
the notaire to sign the contract (the buyer

can appoint a proxy). Keys and an attestation
his deposit.
Reports on lead, asbestos and flood
If you are going to buy with a mortgage,
now is the time to put in your application.
completefrance.com
The buyer transfers the balance of
de vente are handed over and ownership is
zones (and in some areas, termites) are
transferred. The final acte de vente papers are
mandatory; the vendor pays for these. An
sent out around six months later.
PROPERTY DIRECTORY
Land & business
& Do take legal advice on inheritance law.
Donts
check the limite de la zone constructible
& Do view the property on the day of
unless you are sure; once the cooling-off
even if the plot is large, you might only be
completion before signing the acte de vente,
period is over, it is legally binding and if you
permitted to construct on a limited part of it.
which specifies that the purchase is sold as
pull out you will lose your deposit.
The plan local durbanisme (PLU) is available
seen.
Before buying a plot of land you should
at the mairie and will tell you what size
' Dont be tempted to sign a sales contract
' Dont forget that the notaire will make a
property can be constructed on the plot. The
& Do prepare any personal assets you
PLU will also state whether the plot is a
intend to use for the purchase (eg give notice
price (this amount is different for new
terrain de loisirs, which means that you
for any savings to withdraw, sell securities,
builds). The cheaper the property, the higher
cannot build on the land.
etc).
the percentage charged; this amount consists
& Do shop around in advance for the best
charge of 6.5-10% in addition to the purchase
of the notaires fixed fees and tax.

Buying a business follows much the same
procedure as buying property with the

added factor of goodwill, or fonds de
currency exchange rate deals.
' Dont forget to allow for the expense of an

interpreter being present if your French
commerce. The local chamber of commerce
&
can offer advice as well as statistics to verify
account and make your mortgage application
notaire about this, as they may be able to
a businesss potential profitability. Make sure
in good time.
help.
that the business is legitimate and properly

registered by checking its SIREN or SIRET
Do remember to open a French bank
& Do visit the Notaires de France website.
language skills are poor; ask your agent or
number. Seek professional accountancy and
It has lots of helpful information in English.
For thousands of properties for sale visit our
legal advice before proceeding with the sale.
www.notaires.fr
market-leading website France Property Shop
Dos and Donts

DREAMSTIME
Dos
& Do check the records of the property and

land before making an offer; be clear about
boundaries, rights of way and access.
completefrance.com
NORTHWEST
property for sale
Buying French Property Just Got Easier...

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wishing to purchase property in wonderful France
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and browse through 100's of great
properties with full details in English
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surveylink
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ALBION
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For simple peace of mind
Pre-purchase house surveys all over France, since 2001

Full or partial surveys to suit your budget
40 years experience in surveys
& project management
Digital floor plans service available
& design advice
Call/email Martin Quirke for a quotation
ANDREW BAILEY
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UK Cheapline: 0843 2890 693
enquiries@surveylink-france.com
www.surveylink-france.com
Telephone: 020 8416 0041

0033 (0) 6 07 37 59 46
Email: frics2000@aol.com
www.surveys-in-france.org
n
a
n
o
t
u
o
le?
c
i
Missed
t
r
a
g
n
i
t
interes
Telephone: 0845 123 5885 (local rate)

Email: info@my-french-house.com
For a full list of all back issues still available call
+44 (0)1858 438788
Price per issue, inc p&p: UK 4.50 Europe 5.50 RoW 6.50
to advertise call 01242 264750 or email property@livingfrance.com
VIRE (14)
A beautifully renovated smallholding

comprising 8 acres of rural land, just
2 km outside the historic town of Vire.
2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Kitchen/Diner,
Log Burner, Broadband Internet, Garage/
Workshop. 2 attached barns and spacious
attic ready for conversion if desired.
Ideal building plot or campsite business
opportunity; subject to permissions. Stunning
views with land that can be sold separately.
Brittany
25 Acre Estate in
Southern Brittany
A unique property: immaculate 5
bedroomed home set in its own
wooded park incorporating a lake,
spring, gardens, orchard, covered
heated pool and a 4 hole golf course.
E:julian.whitlock@btinternet.com
or visit: www.coet-per.com
675,000 - ONO
Petite fermette in tranquil countryside 15

minutes from the idyllic coastline of the
Ctes-dArmor. Set back from the road with
traditional features. Outside there are
outbuildings comprising stables, granite barn
and traditional well. Land includes a cider
orchard, small garden (potager) and fields:
3,350 sq. metres.
Email: a11ex@hotmail.com
or Tel: 07462 891762
More images available on request
Something for
everyone...
Nr Rostrenen, Ctes-dArmor (22)

In a beautiful setting, next to a river,
this former millers home offers peace
and tranquillity and extensive land
suitable for horses. Built on 3 floors,
2 bedrooms and 3 attic rooms. Central
heating and wood burning stove.
1,5 mile from shops and amenities at
Rostrenen. Some work required.
185,000
Contact details:
Price: 170,000 (excl. legal fees)
Jane Scourfield 029 20318506
morganje@ntlworld.com
LIFESTYLE
FRANCE
PHOTOGRAPHY
LEISURE
REGIONAL
SHOOTING
Price 110,000
Claude.Siberil@ac-rennes.fr
The must-have iPad app for

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User-friendly app, with constantly updated

and current property listings across France
Superb support functions including a currency
converter and a mortgage calculator
Save your preferred properties to Favourites
for quick reference later
Easy to find properties in the area you want
with listings by region, department and price
Powered by leading French property portal
www.francepropertyshop.com/ipad
Your essential guide to buying property in France
Brought to you by
NORTHWEST
NORMANDY
FARMHOUSE
SOUTHWEST
property for sale
Houses with gites

Call us on +33 (0)8 05 69 23 23
IMMOBILIER
or visit www.beauxvillages.com
House + 2 gites, Dordogne
Lot et Garonne
House + 4 gites, Charente
Near leisure lakes, Charente
Exceptional stone property with two guest

cottages and pool. A haven of peace and
tranquillity surrounded by meadows, vines
and woods. St Emilion is only 20 minutes.
Successful letting history.
A lovely 4 bedroom house with separate

2 bedroom gite, each with their own pool.
Set in a peaceful area, only 7 kms from a
town with all commerce. Up and running
business. Bergerac airport 69 kms.
Established gite complex in beautiful

location comprising main house with 5
bedrooms and 4 gites oering a total of
9 guest bedrooms. Secluded location just
over an hour from Bergerac Airport.
Beautiful house and gite in a peaceful

location above the lakes of the Charente.
Restored French farmhouse with attached
gite currently used as a holiday cottage.
Outbuildings, garage, barn.
Ref: 9917
Ref: 10701
Ref: 10513
Ref: 10499
595 000
380 000
495 000
275 000
Location! Tarn et Garonne
3-in-1, Charente Maritime
Ancient mill, Charente
Proven income, Charente
Beautiful 4 bedroom house with 3

bedroom separate guest accommodation,
conservatory, garage and a tennis court.
Stunning views over the valley. Only a
couple of minutes from a thriving village.
Two 3 bedroom houses and a 2 bedroom

gite with plenty of outbuildings and
potential for more gites. On the edge of a
village, a few steps from open countryside,
just over 5 km to the shops.
Old house recently converted and

modernised, with gite, set in grounds of 4
hectares, with an ancient mill in the course
of being refurbished. Swimming pool,
views, barn and pigeonnier.
An absolutely fabulous up and running gite

complex returning an excellent income.
2-bed owners accommodation, 2 bedroom
annexe and 2 further detached properties.
Pool and lovely gardens.
Ref: 10405
Ref: 10217
Ref: 8328
Ref: 9515
399 620
227 900
402 800
499 000
SOUTHWEST
Agence Immobilire Herman De Graaf

Contact: Cate Carnduff
Le Bourg-Saint-Jean de Cle - 24800 Thiviers - France.
Tel: 00 33 (0)553 62 38 03 Fax: 00 33 (0)553 55 08 03
e-mail: agence@immobilier-dordogne.com
Ref. 3996 Region Villars. Rural hamlet with

various houses and outbuildings restored and to
be restored, quietly set on 3 ha of land with
approx. 100 walnut trees.
Ref. 3981 Successful bed and breakfast

business being run from this fully restored
Maison de maitre (1830), with outbuildings and
a garden, quietly set in the centre of a town
with a large garden.
Price: 446,000 agency fees included.
Ref. 4000 Two restored farmhouses with

swimming pool 5x10m & outbuildings, quietly
set on 1 hectare of land with beautiful views
plus 5500m2 of woodland - 100mts away.
Ref. 3987 Set quietly in a historic village this

lovely townhouse with garden, covered terrace
& stunning views. Lg living room with fireplace,
fitted kitchen, utility room, bathroom, office &
3 bedrooms. Garage & cellars; oil CH.
Price: 395,000 agency fees included
www.immobilier-dordogne.com
Lovely Village of MONCONTOUR
Close to AIRVAULT
Bungalow type house, close to all shops/services,

3 bedrooms, connected to mains, 90m hab on
892m with garage. Quiet area.
Fermette , kitchen, lounge, bedroom, shower

room, wc. Convertible attic, outbuildings, on
837m, new roof, double glazing. Quiet village.
REF: 86-161-09. Price: 83,372
REF: 005-95. Price: 47,700
English Speaking Notarys Office
SCP Louis CAGNIART & Christel ROY
Notaires AIRVAULT 79600, 9 Place st Pierre

Tel: 00 33 549 649 893 Email: nego.79064@notaires.fr
www.chambre-deux-sevres.notaires.fr
Haute Garonne Country House Near Toulouse

Modernized 19th-century 6-bedroom country house in 7 acres,
views of the Pyrenees. Pool and large terrace. 2-bedroom apt.
585,000 (468,000) - reduced from 650,000
Contact details: www.peblanc.com
SOUTHWEST
property for sale
Domaine de la Croix. Bourg sur Gironde. Nr Bordeaux

Located on the edge of Bourg village, overlooking the Gironde. Immaculately
restored stunning south facing Girondine Domaine and farmhouse of 550 sq mtrs
set in landscaped gardens of 1 hectaire.
Comprising 6/7 bedrooms; 3 bathrooms; grande salle dentre; enormous
kitchen diner with open fireplace; guest kitchen; 2 large salons; outbuildings;
lansdscaped pool with covered dining area.
Distance to Bordeaux is hour and to Cap Ferret 1 hour.
Asking price 725.000
Contact John Lawrence - john@denimsight.co.uk - +44 7747604904
Detached Farm House
Semi-detached village house

situated in the Aveyron region
Beautiful Detached Farm House

(longere) 40 mins from Rennes, 5
bedrooms, 10,000 meters of land,
Stables, Orchard and Garage.
A typical village house renovated to a high

standard comprising of a large downstairs
room, two bedrooms and modernised
bathroom. Furnished to a high standard and
all contents are negotiable.
Contact Angela Ibbotson on:
07584609607 | 01142 854994
info@thestaircompanyuk.co.uk
Contact: graham.fell@icloud.com
or tel: +33621115529 for full
details and more pictures.
245,000 no agency fees
!!!!reduced from 260,000!!!!
125,000
Something for
everyone...
Haute-Vienne Maison
Hamlet location near Saint Mathieu a pretty village with restaurants,
school and shops. Le lac de Saint Mathieu is nearby and Limoges airport
is 40 minutes drive away. 3 bedrooms and en-suites, open plan living, dining
room, kitchen, utility, office/bed 4, cloakroom, and outside storeroom. All
facilities including broadband, wood burner, underoor heating, solar panels,
mains drainage. 4750 sq metre plot.
292,250
More information and pictures available from
lavenderfrance@hotmail.com | +44(0)7534711590
LIFESTYLE
FRANCE
PHOTOGRAPHY
LEISURE
REGIONAL
SHOOTING
SPACIOUS MAISON DE MATRE IN ARIGE, SOUTH OF CARCASSONNE

This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire this
beautiful property as a family home or as an
exciting gite/guest-house project.
This is a small corner of paradise, sold with 3 hectares of land

including 1 hectare of beautiful gardens with a wealth
of owering plants and many established trees.
1,000,000.00
he main structure is c. 42m in length on two oors plus high-ceili

attics, and is anked by two towers in the style of pigeon lofts. Al
rooms are spacious with lofty ceilings, and the 50m entrance ha
with its mosaic oor is a true delight.
The accommodation comprises : kitchen, living-room, salon (vast hall wit
mosaic oor), dining-room, library, small bedroom, 4 bedrooms, small
dressing-room, shower-room (with shower and hand-basin), WC, bathroo
(with spa bath, power shower, hand-basin etc). Access to the second part
consisting of family room (60m), small sitting-room, study, 2 bedrooms,
shower-room, WC, sewing-room, games room (60m). This second part c
easily be a separate self-contained apartment. One south-facing balcony
one towards the north. If necessary, the attics and roof space (300m with
study), which oer plenty of headroom and beautiful beam structure, cou
be converted.
Adjacent outbuildings include boxroom, utility room, wine cellar, log-s
and storerooms.
Caretakers at of c. 40m (shower-room, WC, kitchenette, sitting-room
bedroom on mezzanine area).

Non-adjacent outbuilding (35m x 5m) includes workshop, 4 car garage
large secure room (50m).

Poultry house and shelter in a securely-fenced and tree-shaded chicke
run.
Small enclosed garden on the north side includes the main access.
ESI (Europe Sud Immobilier)

20 rue Vigarozy, 09500 MIREPOIX
Tel: 0033.5.61.69.34.68
E-mail: esi.gougnot@wanadoo.fr
www.europe-sud-immobilier.com
OVER
200
PROPERTIE
S
OUR WEBSITON
E!
Principal enclosed garden on the south side, landscaped and planted

trees, shrubs and extensive collections of owers, perennials and rose
bushes. 3000m organic garden with vegetables, fruit trees, fruit bush
for blackcurrants, redcurrants, raspberries, and a second orchard with
wide range of fruit trees.
Imposing entrance and long private surfaced driveway.
Broadband, mains water + 2 wells for garden watering.
Roof structure and covering replaced 30 years ago.
SOUTHEAST
WEAVE NATURE WITH THE PAST IN THIS ROMANTIC HOME

Dual Property in Grimaud, near Saint Tropez.
Fully renovated 16th century watermill and separate building complex around a
swimming pool on a 2 ha property alongside a beautiful creek. Secluded and
romantic estate with private road access. Facing south with large tiled terrace areas.
5 bedrooms 300m living space 2 full garages large office area
Saint Tropez: 15 minutes Nice Cote dAzur Airport: 1 hour
2.10 mil
Contact details:
Christiane@lourier.com
+33 610 023 647
http://property-for-sale-in-provence.com
LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON
Between Carcassonne and Mirepoix.
Fabulous renovated 4 bedroom
farmhouse in 2.8 hectares,
4 bathrooms, large UV pool
445,000 euros
Contact Mike/Debbie Leece
mdleece@btinternet.com
Tel: 01524 822170 / 07746871188
HAUTE SAVOIE - FRENCH/SWISS BORDER

ABONDANCE - PORTES DU SOLEIL
Beautiful 7 bedroom Alpine chalet
280m2 incorporating 2 bedroom selfcontained apartment. Constructed
2006. Located on the outskirts of a
charming, lively village. English owned.
Visit: www.chaletjosephine.com
Tel: 0033(0)450 736482
895,000
IMAGINE WAKING UP TO THIS VIEW!

Superb Villa in Provence
20kms inland from Riviera Coast
Luxury chalet French Alps

To be featured
in Living France
December
editorial
Stunning elevated position overlooking valley near perched village. 4 bed
luxury villa in peaceful, beautiful, landscaped grounds (2,000 sq.m) easily
maintained plus a self-contained garden annexe. Innity pool on the same level as large
terrace. Reliable investment in the sought after region of provence-alpes-cote dazur.
Nice airport 50 mins. Cote dazur beaches 25 mins. 795,000 Euros. Private sale with British
owners needing to return to the UK for family medical reasons, price reduced by 100,000 Euros
to 795,000 Euros. Please call 07760 110223 or email: mailgordon-villa@yahoo.co.uk
for more information or to discuss. www.lee4gordon.moonfruit.com
50km Geneva, 15km Evian. Near ski

resorts, golf. 3 levels 320sq/m. Large
living room, open kitchen fully
equipped, traditional fireplace,
3 bedrooms, 2 wc, 2 shower rooms,
1 bathroom, mezzanine, large terraces,
garage, large garden. 987.000
Contact details:
00 33 (0) 450 732 990
00 33 (0) 670 451 246
christianmermet@yahoo.fr
TO DONOW AVA
WNLO ILABL
AD ON E
iP H O
N
Brought to you by French Property News
Go to www.francepropertyshop.com for thousands more properties for sale

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Charente, Poitou-Charentes
Provence-Cte dAzur
Puy-de-Dome, Auvergne
This house has everything to attract golf

enthusiasts, with views of holes 1, 7 and the
all important 18th, along with views of the
countryside. Built in 2005, this house is modern
and very bright with patio doors leading out on
to the terrace with views of the golf course.
SOLE AGENT - Located near to the village,

villa consisting: an entrance, living room with
fireplace, fitted kitchen, 4 bedrooms, office,
bathroom, shower room, 1 toilet, pantry,
laundry, carport. All on a garden of about 2300
sq.m with swimming pool.
Charming stone cottage in a peaceful setting

on grounds of 3144 m2. The property offers
lots of character and is in good condition with
a habitable surface of approximately 100 m2
including 3 bedrooms. Land and outbuildings quiet setting on grounds of 3144 m2.
335,000
690,000
117,000
Provence-Cte dAzur
Lot, Midi-Pyrenees
Midi-Pyrenees
Mougins : In a peaceful location and benefiting

from a open view, this beautiful single storey
villa comprises: entrance hall, vast and bright
living / dining room with fireplace, fully
independent equipped kitchen, 3 bedrooms
including a large en-suite master bedroom.
On a dominant position with a nice view, very

nice house totally renoved with more than 250
m of living area + 110 m of subsoil. Flat land
3500 m. Garage. Ground level (100 m): living
room opening on a panoramic terrace, new
fitted kitchen, bedrooms/office, toilets.
Country House with Garden and Land.

This country house down a quiet laneway has
wonderful views of the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Sit on the balcony of an evening, enjoy the view
and listen to the river and the other sounds of
nature in this little oasis of calm.
1,150,000
264,450
178,200
Haute-Vienne, Limousin
Gers, Midi-Pyrenees
Savoie, Rhone-Alpes
Spacious one-bedroom cottage with living area

on one floor, cellar and attached low maintenance
courtyard. The roof on the main building was
replaced in March 2009. The cottage forms part of
a hamlet comprising five houses and lies within a
National Nature Reserve.
House for less than 170 000! Small Gascony

house, barn and outhouses with big potential
in the commune of Sauveterre in the Gers.This
former farmhouse is found in the valley of the
river Save and is bordered by a canal.Lombez
and Samatan are five minutes away.
A fabulous renovated house in a small village

near Bourg st Maurice. The house is on 3 levels
and the ground floor comprises a cosy lounge /
dining area with spacious and fitted kitchen and
a outdoor terrace it would make a perfect home
in the mountains for a family.
39,000
165,900
316,000
votre service
Your guide to French services
renting
PROPERTY FOR RENT
Ask what is included in the tenancy agreement (un contrat de location).

You will need to supply the agent (or private individual) with a dossier of
information that will vary but will include evidence of solvency and proof
of identity.
Tenants must also have a guarantor known as a garant, a third party who
guarantees your rent in the case of default.
Costs involved vary but can include:
agency fees (frais dagence) which are approximately 1 months rent;
deposit or une caution which can be up to 1 months rent but is refundable
depending on the state of the property at the end of the contract; the first
months rent.
An inventory is known as an tat des lieux and is a contractually binding
statement of the condition of the property. If you find any additional faults
with the property within the first 2 months, they can be added to the tat
des lieux.
If you rent for more than 1 year, you and the landlord become subject to
minimum notice periods (1 month for the tenant and 3 months for the
landlord). These are increased after 3 years
PROPERTY FOR RENT
northwest
southwest
BEL-AIR GTES, Charente-Maritime

A warm Irish welcome
awaits you at Bel-Air Gites
Bel Air has 5 individual gites, situated in the beautiful
sunny Charente Maritime region, close to the sandy
beaches of Royan. We are child friendly and have all
the equipment needed for toddlers and babies. We
have a large heated swimming pool, a well equipped
games room and large playground. Bel Air is also an
ideal base for those searching for their own dream
home in the area.
www.belairgites.com | +33(0)683998743
patricia@belairgites.com
25%
DISCOU
Living FrNT for
Magazinance
Readers e
Situated in the heart of the charming

village of Solignac, just 10 minutes
south of Limoge, you can stay in this
beautifully historic hotel whilst taking
advantage of an excellent 25%
discount during the months of
October, November and December.
Pre-booking required; please quote
Living France magazine for discount.
www.lesainteloi.fr
Open all year round
Tel: +33 (0) 5 55 00 44 52 | Email: lesaint.eloi@wanadoo.fr
PROPERTY FOR RENT
southeast
Long Term Rental

Long Term Rental
Ex-eighteenth century hayloft apartment
set over 110 sq meters; fully furnished
with 1 living room, 3 bedrooms, and
3 showers. 20kms to Paris, 5kms south
of Versailles. RER to Paris.
Contact details:
+33 (0) 139564166
lerenarddanslebois@orange.fr
1900 per month, with water,
electricity and heating included.
Eighteen century orangery set in 260 sq

meters; large living room, kitchen, 5
bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 4 showers, and
large garden. 20kms to Paris, 5kms
south of Versailles. RER to Paris. Previous
occupancy for 5 years by British family.
Available furnished or unfurnished.
Contact details:
+33 (0) 139564166
lerenarddanslebois@orange.fr
3400 per month.
to advertise call
01242 216099
NEAR PERPIGNAN, LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON (66)

Catalan country house surrounded by vineyards and apricot orchards
with 10mx5m swimming pool in 6000m2 of secured grounds. B&B
accommodation offered by retired chef & wife. Two ensuite double
bedrooms and one twin. Self-catering accommodation also available in a
2-bed roomed apartment and the garden house for 2. Both with own
outside seating area & BBQ. Long lets available. Open all year. 15
minutes Perpignan & airport. 25 minutes Mediterranean beaches. 1 hour
Carcassonne and Beziers. 1.5 hrs Montpellier & Girona airport (Spain).
2 hrs Toulouse & Barcelona. Ideally placed for house hunting.
Tel/Fax: 0033 468 64 97 54 Email: kevinmaggie@orange.fr

http://www.perpignanaccommodation.com
NORMANDY WEST COAST

Nr Carteret / Jersey / Cherbourg Ferry.
Traditional stone house. 3 bedrooms,
2 ensuite, kitchen/diner, lounge, fully
furnished, modernised, heating, country
near towns & coast. Holiday from
280 - 395 pw - long lets available.
Tel: 01728 688309
e-mail: norman.maison@gmail.com
www.normanmaison.co.uk
Animal Services
4896
Something
for
everyone...
Insurance
Property Services
FOR ALL YOUR

INSURANCE NEEDS
IN FRANCE
Have you just bought a house in France?

Special discount for new owners
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Tel; 01952 460607

Mobile; 07802 355795
English
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www.horsetransport.uk.net
Business Opportunities
Tel: +33 (0)5 49 25 87 06

Email: corinne.michallon@mutpoitiers.fr
Oces at Champdeniers & St. Pardoux (79). Come and visit us!
ORIAS no: 07 007 057
to advertise call
01242 216099
or email
classified@
livingfrance.com
Dealing with French authorities

(tax departments, city halls, hospitals)
Helping with your bank,
insurance, services providers
Suggesting legal professionals
such as lawyers, notaries, bailiffs
Assisting with all aspects of building
or refurbishing (planning permissions,
builders, architects)
LIVING IN FRANCE MADE EASY
www.moveinpeace.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3751 1022
Cars for Sale
Kilrush Cars Limited
Specialists in Left Hand Drive Cars
SIMPLY THE EASIEST AND BEST WAY TO FIND

GOOD QUALITY LEFT HAND DRIVE CARS
ALL VEHICLES SUPPLIED WITH:
European Certicate of Conformity,
Full service history & airconditioning.
1 owner. Brand new cars and
vans to order.
Tel: +44(0)1252 782883
sales@kilrushcars.com
www.kilrushcars.com
POYLE PARK COTTAGE, POYLE ROAD, TONGHAM, FARNHAM, SURRY GU10 1BS
Buy your house

the easy way
Our buyers agents work only for you
Save time, money and hassle
Local expertise gets you the best price
Any budget - from E20,000 to E20 million
Tel: +33 (0)9 81 12 45 84

Web: www.frenchpropertyfinders.co.uk
Email: contact@thefrenchpropertyfinders.com
THE LEFT HAND DRIVE PLACE

Whitney Road, Daneshill, Basingstoke, Hants
Tel: +44 (0) 1256 461173. Fax: +44 (0) 1256 811541
Selection of left hand drive cars in Basingstoke. Choose from
60 British or French Registered LHD cars from 1000 to 30000.
If we havent got what you want we can get it for
you. LHD/RHD cars taken in part exchange. French
reg cars bought for cash. All cars on website,
updated daily. Delivery anywhere in France.
WWW.LHDPLACE.CO.UK
EMAIL: JASON@LHDPLACE.CO.UK
to advertise call 01242 216099 or email classified@livingfrance.com

Property Services
ALBION
BUILDING SURVEYS
S.A.S. STOCKLOC
05 62 39 19 89
stockloc@orange.fr
Chartered Building Surveyors
Pre-purchase house surveys all over France, since 2001

Full or partial surveys to suit your budget
40 years experience in surveys
& project management
Digital floor plans service available
& design advice
Call/email Martin Quirke for a quotation
Telephone: 020 8416 0041

0033 (0) 6 07 37 59 46
Email: frics2000@aol.com
www.surveys-in-france.org
FOR ALL YOUR STORAGE &

PACKAGING NEEDS
Secure self-storage facility
Individual containers or rooms
from 10m to 200m
Short or long term contracts
HGV access & lifting equipment
Based near
Secondignys
Deux-Sevre
www.stockloc.com
65230, Castelnau Magnoac
SIREN : 80377884400016
Removals
REMOVALS LTD
ANGLO FRENCH FRANKLINS
Sutton Coldfield
EURO REMOVALS LTD
Moving to or from France?

Weekly services to & from France
Up to 4 weeks free Storage in Kent
Fully Insured
Professional Parking Services
Cars and Motorcycles transported
We are the French specialists with
over 25 years experience
Free Quotations
BAR & Guild Member
Tel: 01622 690653 Email: info@anglofrench.co.uk

www.anglofrench.co.uk
Unit 15, Heronden Rd, Bircholt Rd, Parkwood, Maidstone, Kent ME15 9YR
Regular Service
Fully Insured
Containerised Storage
Packing Services
A family business established over 30 years offering a reliable
& flexible service. For a free quotation contact us on:
Tel: 0121 353 7263 or 01283 792 838

Franklinsmove@aol.com
www.franklinsremovals.co.uk
Removals
Smart Moves
SELF STORAGE
STORAGE AVAILABLE
FORTNIGHTLY SERVICES TO FRANCE.

FULL OR PART LOADS WELCOME.
WE COLLECT FROM ALL AREAS OF THE
UK & DELIVER TO ALL AREAS OF FRANCE.
QUOTE LIVING FRANCE
FOR A 10% DISCOUNT
PLEASE CALL or
EMAIL STEPHEN on
0800 917 1499
4723
Free packing cartons provided

All areas covered UK - France
33 years experience
Fully insured
Very competitive prices
CALL / EMAIL FOR
FREE QUOTATION
01905 821733
07985598479
hiltonremovals@hotmail.co.uk
FOR A FULLY INSURED

CAREFUL SERVICE
www.smartmovesremovals.co.uk
smartmovers@hotmail.co.uk
Removals to, from and

within France. All areas.
Full and part loads. Storage
UK and France, Packing.
Tel: 01932 881634

www.frenchmoves.co.uk
VISIT FRANCE TODAY

at www.completefrance.com
SHARE news and tips online with

Brits living in France in our forum
READ inspirational real-life stories
from those whove made the move
KEEP up-to-date with essential expert advice on
moving to France
FIND your dream home across the Channel
FRANCE IS JUST A CLICK AWAY AT

DINAN PATRICIA STOUGHTON
Dont miss NEXT MONTH!

ITS OUR BIRTHDAY!
Coastal living
We celebrate 25 happy years

of Living France
Could you fall in love with Brittanys

Ctes-dArmor department?
Hit or myth? Part two
Crpes Suzette
We bust the bureaucracy myths

surrounding a move to France
Learn how to flamb Frances famous

sweet citrus pancakes
Doing it for the kids
PLUS
Find out how one expat made a success

of her childcare business in the Alps
All the latest expert tax, currency and

property advice you need to know
NOVEMBER ISSUE ON SALE 22 OCTOBER

August
June 2013
2013 Living
Living France 105
www.livingfrance.com
www.subscriptionsave.co.uk/lf www.buyamag.co.uk/LivingFrance
FIVE YEARS ON
Since we opened
in 2007, we have
molded the business
to suit us
How I made it work
Nick and Rebecca Harman breathed life back into a derelict hotel in the village
of Chardonnay back in 2007. After featuring the couple in the magazine in
February 2009, we catch up with them for a five-year update
ur first year in France from a
Since we opened in 2007, nearly three
bureaucracy need I say more!

The rewards are incredible. Weve always
personal perspective was
years after we left the UK, we have molded
relatively easy. We had been
the business to suit us. In our first year we
enjoyed entertaining and now do it full-time.
visiting the area [the
just took things as they came, which meant
Most of our guests arrive as clients and leave
department of Sane-et-
working seven days a week, with lots of late
as friends. We have invitations to visit the
Loire] for a number of years as Nicks sister is
nights and early mornings. Now, seven years
world over; Holland, Germany, Russia,
married to a Frenchman and, although they
on, we are more in control of our lives. We
Australia and South America among others.
lived in the Far East, they had a house here
close just before Christmas to spend time
Our Christmas card list is massive. Our
where they spent their holidays. We would
with family in the UK and then fly off to
themed evenings, be it Chinese New Year,
meet up there and got to know a lot of their
Thailand or the Caribbean for three weeks,
Greek night, barbecues, fish and chips, etc,
French friends. When we decided to move, it
before reopening at the end of January for
are always sold out. We have amassed about
was the obvious choice. Its a beautiful part of
Burns Night, which is sold out every year. We
400 email addresses of local people so
France and the perfect stopover point for
close every Tuesday and never take room
advertising special events is easy.
people travelling to Med or beyond.
bookings to give us a night off and a lie-in on
On the business side, it was a little

different. We bought a derelict hotel in the
Wednesday morning.
As for challenges, weve had quite a few.
Our advice to anyone looking to make the

move do your homework (what, where,
how), find out if you can work together, and
village of Chardonnay which required a total
We had never run a bar/hotel/restaurant
above all learn the language. One of you must
renovation. It was not habitable so we also
before so that was a steep learning curve. But
have a good command of French.
bought a house in the village (which we now
the biggest challenge was that we had never
www.lechardon-chardonnay.com
rent out as a gte). The locals got to know us
worked together. We were both at director
well during the two years of renovation so we
level in our separate fields so were used to
integrated well. I think they really appreciated
making decisions and delegating so it was
us breathing life back into the village. When
quite a shock to be thrown together. But our
Rebecca celebrated her 50th birthday we had
roles have evolved and we each have our own
trouble keeping the numbers below 140!
areas of responsibility. Oh, and French
How have you found life in France?

Wed love to hear from you.
GET IN
CONTACT
completefrance.com

Living France 2014 10 UK

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N

SOUTH OF FRANCE SPECIAL

Find your perfect

ere in the Living France

Eve Middleton, Editor

October 2014 Living France 3

Enjoy Living France

4 Living France October 2014

Advertisement Design and Production Archant Publishing Services

French Property News is

Cover story With lush valleys, mountains,

Cover story In the first of our three-part

American artist Raelyn Larson reveals why she

32 Ask the agent

A property expert covering Drme talks shop

34 What can I get

36 Hit or myth? Part one

Find out what brought Tim Scott to the Alpine

Cover story Artist Nicola Blakemore made

We bring you a round-up of events including

14 Our dream property

Stephanie Sheldrake explains why an Alpine

16 Whats on the market

Cover story Our selection of properties in the

56 The Midas touch

Cover story One expat couple reveal how

This month Maison Laurent,

Food writer Mary Cadogan gives her recipe

The gardens of Poterie Hillen, plus an expat in

36 Hit or myth? Part one

Sylvie Wheatley shares the vocabulary

86 Five minute French

72 Ask the experts

Your views on life across the Channel

Rob Kay reveals what you need to know

Test your French with our puzzles and

Midi-Pyrnes is the best place to live in

Cover story Our experts answer your

A guide to the buying process, plus properties

106 How I made it work

Glynis Shaw gives her advice for making sure

In this months Living France guide, Kate

News & events

1One night only

Saturday 4 October as the city becomes

housed in the Htel Sal in Pariss Marais

this autumn with the opening of another art

nocturnal for one night only during the Nuit

district, will be re-opening its doors to the

museum on 27 October in the Bois de

Blanche event. The dusk-to-dawn celebration

public on 25 October the birthday of

Boulogne park. The new Foundation Louis

of art and culture aims to showcase the

Picasso, who died in 1973. The impressive

Vuitton, designed by Frank Gehry, soars

French capital in new and original ways,

17th-century property has undergone a

above the trees and boasts 12 glass sails

giving even long-term residents a novel view

five-year 52 million refurbishment to

created from 3,600 sheets of glass, offering

of Paris. From 7pm museums, libraries,

extend the exhibition space to the entire