On a hot, sunny day there’s nothing to beat relaxing by the swimming pool with a cooling drink, spending time reading or enjoying the company of family and friends. Sunshine set against a blue sky is the perfect encouragement to take a dip in the crystal clear water, for a leisurely swim or to have …
If you are living in France or you are considering moving to the country and have made no financial arrangements for your healthcare, then this concerns you. In 2016 France introduced a new universal healthcare system called PUMA with the intention of simplifying access. The cost of French healthcare is met by a mix of …
If you are planning to sell a car in France there are a number things that you need to know to ensure you comply with the law and ensure everything goes smoothly. Below are a few of the most important issues to consider should you decide to do so privately. The first decision is: how …
In France it is a legal requirement to have at least one smoke detector fitted in your residential property. The law was introduced in 2015 to encourage a higher uptake in French households of smoke detectors – and ultimately to save lives. A smoke detector must conform to the required standards (European standard NF EN …
If you should have a collision in France, you will need to fill out a “constat amiable” (translated as a “friendly observation”). This document is supplied by your insurance company and is normally found in your glove compartment. The document can be slightly intimidating. A copy in English can be seen here : http://www.insurancefrance.fr/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/European-Accident-Statement.pdf Since …
During our lives, there will sometimes be situations when we will need the support, advice and guidance of others. This could be as a result of personal health issues or because a member of our family, our spouse or a friend is experiencing difficult circumstances. When we speak French fluently, this may not feel as …
Road traffic accidents can happen unfortunately; and if you are involved in one in France, there are certain steps that you need to take. In January 2017 it was revealed that deaths from road accidents had increased for the third year running, so it’s crucial that we do all that we can to follow the …
The world is your oyster, as the saying goes … and today we thought we’d share with you a few of the amazing and interesting places to visit in different parts of the globe. Our first choice is here in France, the second a city break and finally a country that is attracting increasing interest …
Let’s be honest, making plans to cover the cost of your funeral in France is not easy for many people. However, it is important to consider the financial arrangements that will be needed when you die to reduce the stress and worry for your loved ones. And with a policy called Essen’Ciel you can do …
If you’ve lived in France for a while you will be familiar with your consumer rights when you buy goods or services in shops or via the internet. But if you’ve recently moved or you are planning to do so, it’s useful to know where you stand so we’ve put together a few consumer rights …
Accessing French healthcare may seem daunting but it’s important to understand how the system works… and potentially avoid a costly medical bill should you or your family become ill. To be considered legally resident in France you must make arrangements for your healthcare, so this post aims to help you by summarising the main options. …
If you’ve recently moved to France or are planning to do so, it’s crucial that your RHD car is properly registered to conform to French regulations and ensure that your insurance remains valid. There may be some variations between regions in interpreting the law, so it may be worth checking with your local mairie if …
Finding the right builder or artisan to undertake renovations in your home can be problematic at times. If you have a second home in France, you may not be as familiar with the local trades and even if living here permanently there are a number of things to think about before hiring an artisan/builder. Most …