As with many things in life, good planning can make all the difference. We offer some helpful tips on how to prepare and make the best use of your time before and during your property buying trip. Before booking your flights or making travel and accommodation arrangements, think carefully about the timing of your trip. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to take time out of their working week so...

With the 2010 ski season upon us, seasoned skiers and astute property investors alike will be considering alpine property investment in France. Property in French ski resorts has been a booming market for many years and prices are constantly on the rise. The investment should offer hassle free snow holidays with good guaranteed rental, along with longer term equity gains. However, the last couple of years...

January and February can be so dispiriting: the celebrations of Christmas and the New Year are in the distant past and summer seems far away….but wait! This is Provence where, not only are there endless days of bright winter sunshine, but where these two months mark the beginning of the festival and carnival season. For example, the truffle markets continue in many towns such as Aups and Nyons on...

Where but in France would you get 250 people in a tent in mid winter eating black turnips? This is the legendary “Fệte des Navets Noirs” held in Pardailhan, a small village in the hills near St Chinian .The navet noir is only grown in and around the village, and the fête is to ensure that this particular type of turnip with a black skin, as the name would suggest, continues to be survive. Somewhat...

Super yachts, private beaches, glitz and festivals have all made it appear irresistibly flash, but the fact is you don’t need to be as wealthy as a film star to enjoy Cannes. Famous for its Croisette (a manicured boulevard running parallel to the beach where the glitterati parade during the film festival), the city was once just a small fishing village far removed from the sophisticated resort it is...

When buying a property abroad or living abroad the most daunting aspect can often be the financial process and the potential pitfalls that it can bring. But with a bit of basic understanding and a bit of know how and support you can help to ease the financial burden and make your money go further. When living in France the reality of dealing with exchange rates has to be one of the biggest...

This week’s property review feature spotlights a beautiful 19th Century Maison de Maitre near Condom, Gers. This luxurious French property has recently been tastefully renovated and is set in 10 acres of land with lovely views over the surrounding countryside; it also boasts a guest cottage and swimming pool. The house has a private drive which leads to a parking area and pretty stone outbuilding. The...

Without a doubt France is a very beautiful and much loved country. It seems to have a magical charisma that draws visitors back time and time again and for some it becomes their new home. But why? What is it about France that people can’t resist? Why does France prove to be such a popular destination for those looking to start a new life or buy a second home abroad? Everyone has their own reasons for...

Buying property is a big decision at the best of times but if you’re looking to buy a property abroad then this can be quite a daunting task. To help you understand the process of buying property in France we have compiled a brief guide to the key points you need to bear in mind. In France, all estate agents must hold what is called a ‘Carte Professionelle’ in order to sell property....