My French Blog - Read our Articles, Tips & News from France

Image for "What is a Livret A Saving Account in France?" blog post
Livret A is a simple savings account with instant withdrawal access that's historically been very popular in France, a kind of on demand tax free savers account, it is similar to an ISA account in the UK. In May 2022, there…
  • 9th Feb 2023
Image for "Top-Class Currency Service for Property Purchases in France" blog post
Here at MFH we believe in team work and transparency. We didn't setup in business to charge for ad space or collect data to pass on to third parties, we enjoy keeping our clients happy and care about their privacy. We fully…
  • 7th Feb 2023
Image for "Buy à la Carte in Toulouse" blog post
Capital of the Occitanie region , Toulouse is home to more than 485,000 residents (intra-muros) and more than a million overall making it the fourth most populated city in France. Les Toulousains - the people of Toulouse…
  • 1st Feb 2023
Image for "Guide to French Phone Numbers and Area Codes" blog post
This new article is about phone numbers in France, all telephone numbers and how to use them. France uses a 10-digit system with the first two digits denoting a mobile phone, a non-geographic number or one of the five geographic…
  • 31st Jan 2023
Image for "Buy à la Carte in Montpellier" blog post
Montpellier is a young and vibrant city that attracts many people from various backgrounds, it is often called the "Paris of the South". A modern metropolis located in the Hérault department in Occitanie , it attracts…
  • 31st Jan 2023
Image for "Occitanie is the New Provence" blog post
If you are looking for a region brimming with culture, easy to reach, and beautiful beyond measure, Occitanie delivers in spades. Nestled in the south of France, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains,…
  • 31st Jan 2023
Image for "Buy à la Carte in Nice" blog post
Are you looking for a home in Nice or a property for investment on the Côte d'Azur but you are not able to be there or don't have the knowledge to carry out your project alone? Don't panic, whether for your second…
  • 30th Jan 2023
Image for "Guide for Australian Citizens Buying Property in France" blog post
This is our Essential Guide for Australian buyers wanting to buy property or invest in real estate in the main cities of France. We have witnessed increased interest from Australians looking to buy or invest in property…
  • 29th Jan 2023
Image for "Angers à la Carte" blog post
Elected " best city to invest " by real estate specialist  SeLoger in 2019, Angers is not lacking in assets. Angers stands out for the quality of its excellent inner city public transport system with trams and a large…
  • 29th Jan 2023
Image for "Christmas Carols French Style" blog post
This month Beth shares a strange post Christmas holiday story and unusual tradition to kick start la nouvelle année on a high note. "Christmas carol singing in January? Unusual timing. Then again, all sorts of strange…
  • 28th Jan 2023
Image for "Learn about Ameli, the French Online Health Service" blog post
Ameli is an online platform for the Assurance Maladie , which is the health insurance system in France. The name Ameli is an acronym for 'assurance maladie en ligne ' meaning 'health insurance online'. A new service has…
  • 28th Jan 2023
Image for "Buy à la Carte in Rennes" blog post
Rennes, a city that feels just right ... the capital of Brittany with more than 200,000 residents, Rennes is famous for its lively atmosphere while keeping alive old Breton traditions. If the Rennes real estate market is…
  • 28th Jan 2023
Image for "Brexit Guide for British Buyers" blog post
Brexit has changed the face of buying properties abroad. Now we’re out of the European Union, retiring, working, studying and travelling to France has become more complicated, and the same applies to buying properties…
  • 6th Jan 2023
Image for "2022 Annual Market Report" blog post
The Notaires de France have published their annual market report for 2022 and the trends for the start of 2023 (for residential sales only, not commercial or business real estate). To summarise their report, 2022 will be…
  • 23rd Dec 2022
Image for "Guide to the French Tax Foncieres and Taxe d'Habitation" blog post
Here are a few Q and A's to learn about Taxes Foncieres and Habitation for property and real estate in France. If you own, rent or have the right to occupy a property in France, you are likely to be subject to local taxes…
  • 22nd Dec 2022
Image for "Learning French Language, the Linguistic Dilemma" blog post
This month Beth shares her experience of learning and improving her spoken French, but despite all the best intentions and tools available, this is usually not as easy as it should be... It's never too late to learn a language,…
  • 14th Dec 2022
Image for "Our French Chateau Escape from Everyday American Life" blog post
Following on from Sharons successful chateau story, this weeks' article is from a couple of happy France loving American customers who secured their dream chateau in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes this year. Their love of France,…
  • 8th Dec 2022
Image for "Compulsory Boiler Service and Thermostat Check" blog post
Here's some fresh property news just in concerning all owners of property in France and future buyers. There are new rules coming into place to improve boiler efficiency, this is part of the winters energy saving campaign…
  • 1st Dec 2022
Image for "How to Manage your Paris Apartment from Abroad?" blog post
In our previous post, we spoke about the challenges of finding reliable service providers for the renovation of your property in France , this is made more difficult if you are not there day to day and need to manage everything…
  • 23rd Nov 2022
Image for "How to Find a Local Artisan to Renovate your French House" blog post
This month Beth shares great advice and top tips about renovating a property in France , in particular how find the right artisans and build a team, for the long term. "Do you enjoy property restoration work? Many people…
  • 16th Nov 2022
Image for "Autumn is Mushroom Time" blog post
One of our favorite French words is champignons (we like pamplemousse also); and autumn is one of our favorite times of the year. We envy the lucky ones who enjoy those long walks chatting while hunting for the perfect shady…
  • 31st Oct 2022
Image for "Emergency Telephone Numbers and Helplines in France" blog post
In a case of an emergency in France, here are the main telephone numbers to use if you live, or you are holidaying there, even from your mobile/cell phone. First make sure that it is safe to call, if unsure if it's a medical…
  • 7th Oct 2022
Image for "A Chateau with Many Secrets" blog post
This month the latest piece from Beth is about one of those very old and special places that defies time, like so many others in this amazing area in southwest France. It's not until you are there  in person, soaking…
  • 4th Oct 2022
Image for "Benefits of a French Mortgage for Tax Purposes" blog post
Our French tax and legal partner François at RWK Goodman has prepared this short article to explain the benefits of having a mortgage or liability against your French property with the aim to be more tax efficient.…
  • 1st Oct 2022
Image for "International Travel Insurance Service for Expats in France" blog post
When preparing to travel to your next dream holiday destination, you should ensure that you, your family and belongings are covered before you hop on the plane. Have you had flights or a holiday package cancelled in recent…
  • 28th Sep 2022
Image for "French Property Market Analysis - September 2022" blog post
Is the French real estate starting to turn and level off? Not just yet according to the Notaires-Insee index published early septembre, at best the beginning of a soft landing. The Insee Reference Index is Out for Analysis…
  • 23rd Sep 2022
Image for "Award-Winning French Portal" blog post
The International Property Awards celebrates the highest levels of achievement by businesses from all sectors of the property and real estate industry. Notably, the awards are presented based on a scoring system, with the…
  • 18th Sep 2022
Image for "Happy Family in their Own Dream French Chateau" blog post
It's always great to receive feedback from satisfied buyers, this is especially true after a very long time searching for that dream historic property in France. This special property is a restored 19th century French chateau…
  • 15th Sep 2022
Image for "It's Vacances Time in France, but Where do the Locals Go?" blog post
This month's article is about holidaying in France, when you already live in France! Where to go this year? What do the French do especially with a very hot summer? They take a long break, often discovering a new corner…
  • 2nd Sep 2022
Image for "What's a RIB in France? How Can I Get One?" blog post
"RIB" is the abbreviation for Relevé d’Identité Bancaire, which means "Banking ID Details" in English. These details are necessary when you open a bank account with a French bank, and if you purchase…
  • 25th Aug 2022
Image for "Magical Carcassonne in Cathar Country" blog post
This month's article is all about the famous UNESCO listing walled fortress city of Carcassonne in heart of Cathar Country in Occitanie. You may have heard Rick Stein talking about it on one of his TV series along the canal…
  • 28th Jul 2022
Image for "Property Succession Laws: Tontine and Unmarried Couples" blog post
French succession law has a system of forced heirship whereby certain family members have a right to inherit part of your estate. This means that your children will automatically inherit a share of any part of your estate…
  • 18th Jul 2022
Image for "Invest in a Villa in France or Spain, which is Best?" blog post
Moving abroad can be all sunshine (literally) and rainbows, exciting adventures and opening doors to new possibilities but such a move comes with big implications and a lot of information to take in along the way. There…
  • 9th Jul 2022
Image for "Bartering Bric-a-Brac at Brocantes in SW France" blog post
This month's article is light and funny, and possibly useful for those not trained in the art of dealing with those passionate 'brocantiers' and 'amateurs antiquaires' or to find a present for friend who's moving in a new…
  • 22nd Jun 2022
Image for "Moving To France with Horses" blog post
Pre-Travel Requirements for Horses Veterinary and Health Checks Owners of horses have to ensure that their animals have: pre-travel residency or isolation, blood tests and export health certificates (EHC) and customs declarations…
  • 7th Jun 2022
Image for "Where Time Stands Still ..." blog post
This month the latest piece from Beth is about one of those special places often hidden away, where time stands still, inviting it's visitors to humbly explore and reflect for a moment... "According to legend, it began life…
  • 30th May 2022