My French House Blog - Advice, Tips, Stories and News

Image for "Uzes in Gard: Historic Sites and Dramatic Landscapes" blog post
Named after the River Gardon, the Gard is a department in Southern France in the Occitanie region. Languedoc is known for its abundance of historic sites and dramatic landscapes and the Gard follows suit with its proud Roman…
  • 4th Oct 2015
Image for "Take a Road Trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux" blog post
The west coast of France is regularly visited and written about but we have a guide of our favourite towns that zig-zag their way from La Rochelle down to Bordeaux. This area of France is renowned for having one of the most…
  • 22nd Sep 2015
Image for "France's Secret, from Toulouse to the Pyrénées" blog post
There’s so much that the Haute-Garonne has to offer we’re not sure where to start. We could tell you about its contrasted landscapes, its historical heritage or its lively atmosphere, this remarkable place has…
  • 2nd Sep 2015
Image for "French Property Update - Cooling Off Period Extended" blog post
With the Law "Macron" passed in France on August 8th - 2015, the cooling off period for buyers of property in France known as 'délai de rétractation' has changed from 7 to 10 days. The entitlement for a cooling…
  • 26th Aug 2015
Image for "Discovering Hidden and Secret Places in the Var" blog post
Nestled between some of France’s most famous coastlines right up to where the Alps meet the clouds is the Var. Although most of the Var’s visitors are allured to the popular coastal towns of Saint Tropez , Saint…
  • 10th Aug 2015
Image for "Burgundy, More than Wine" blog post
When we talk about the Burgundy region of France what words come to mind? Wine, cuisine, scenery? Delve a little further into the heart of Burgundy and you will find so much more that might just convert you from being a…
  • 7th Jul 2015
Image for "La Magie De Monaco" blog post
Monaco , the beautiful sovereign city-state located on the Riviera; surrounded by France and near the Italian border. Locked against the coast by soaring French mountains, Monaco has a climate of its own - balmy and pleasant…
  • 20th May 2015
Image for "They Say an Englishman's Home is his Chateau and Estate" blog post
Not that customary in other countries, châteaux are relatively easy to find in France. If you have a generous budget and you are perhaps seeking some sort of project, a château could be just what you’re…
  • 23rd Apr 2015
Image for "Experience the Sights and Delights of Magical Provence" blog post
The French speak of Provence as if it were Paradise. They are justified in their thinking. As large as France is, history has been generous to all corners of this spectacular country. And the province of Provence seems to…
  • 10th Mar 2015
Image for "La Fete du Citron, One of the Zestiest Events on the Riviera" blog post
‘Beneath the zest of oranges and lemons lies one of the World’s Greatest Festivals.’... France is known for its wealth of delicious wines, delectable champagnes and fragrant cheeses, but did you know that…
  • 16th Feb 2015
Image for "France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World" blog post
France is one of the most visited countries in the world and with good reason; it is a country that caters to young couples looking to celebrate their love. So for men that dislike romance, candlelit dinners and treating…
  • 26th Jan 2015
Image for "Discover the Drome - the New Provence" blog post
When you are tired of rushing about, tired of trying to find somewhere to park your car-before the market packs up and goes home, of endless queueing, from motorway to restaurant...come and see us in the Drôme... remembering…
  • 8th Jan 2015
Image for "Discover the Mesmerising Pyrénées Mountain Range" blog post
Hello from South West France , as we're getting in the mood for the ski season, we want to tell you about a recent trip to Saint Lary, or Saint Lary Soulan as it’s officially called. We love Saint Lary, both in summer…
  • 30th Dec 2014
Image for "Postcard from Vouvant and Fontenay-le-Comte" blog post
We’ve come to the Vendée to catch up with two sets of dear friends; a couple based in Vouvant and another family we’ve been close to for years in Fontenay-le-Comte. Vendée is part of the Pays-de-la-Loire…
  • 23rd Dec 2014
Image for "Discover what Christmas in France is Really Like ..." blog post
French Christmas Traditions The way Christmas is celebrated in France is not too dissimilar to the UK festivities and traditions: decorating the house, presents and good food are all involved. The religious significance…
  • 16th Dec 2014
Image for "A Slice of Loire Valley Heaven" blog post
After many years of holidaying in France, Noelle and Michael Keating decided to start looking for their dream home. They now live in the pretty village of Bourgueil in the heart of the Loire Valley best known for the splendour…
  • 2nd Dec 2014
Image for "A Postcard from Eymet" blog post
For this week’s postcard we’re back in South West France. We’re on the road again for a long weekend of celebration with a friend of ours in Eymet and then we’re going to visit a few properties in…
  • 25th Nov 2014
Image for "Enjoy Neighbourly Spirit" blog post
Things work differently in France; there’s no getting away from that. I suspect that differences are more pronounced in the countryside than in the cities, but nevertheless, there are significant differences. I was…
  • 17th Nov 2014
Image for "Our Postcard from Perpignan" blog post
We’re not too sure why, but shortly after the clocks changed and the nights start drawing in, we’re still full of energy. We’ve come to Perpignan for the weekend and we can’t seem to sit still! We’ve…
  • 10th Nov 2014
Image for "Our Postcard from Béziers" blog post
Today’s postcard comes from Béziers in the Hérault. A town with a population of around 70,000 it lies snuggled between the Mediterranean and the mountains. This is a completely stunning part of the world…
  • 15th Oct 2014
Image for "Our Postcard from Normandy" blog post
Today’s postcard comes from Avranches, right next to Mont Saint-Michel in the Manche department of lower Normandy . Avranches is a small town completely steeped in history and only a stone’s throw from the stunning…
  • 24th Sep 2014
Image for "Warm Indian Summer in the South West of France" blog post
It’s fair to say that here in the UK we’ve had a superb summer. It kind of took us by surprise, but we have certainly enjoyed it and most of us seem to have made the most of it. In fact, going by the weather…
  • 18th Sep 2014
Image for "Is Social Media Key to Success in your Property Empire?" blog post
France is still one of the most popular overseas destinations for buy to let investors. But in this new social world how much does ‘being social’ play in the success of your buy-to-let business? Maria and Andy…
  • 10th Sep 2014
Image for "Tips for Getting Integrated when Living in France" blog post
In this week’s article, we’d like to share with you 10 things you can do to make sure you integrate well into your new life in France . No matter what age you are, no matter what your family situation, there…
  • 4th Sep 2014
Image for "A Postcard from the Valley of the Kings" blog post
The Loire Valley is a part of France that abounds in chateaux, impressive manor houses , cathedrals and superb landscapes. The Loire River of course is the element that pulls this whole neck of the woods together and is…
  • 26th Aug 2014
Image for "The Role of a French Notaire" blog post
Notaires in France are important people, while their role is steeped in legal matters, he or she is different to a solicitor. Commonly charged with drawing up contracts between parties, you may find yourself in need to visit…
  • 19th Aug 2014
Image for "Our Postcard from Burgundy" blog post
This week our my-french-house.com postcard comes from the Burgundy region , which once was better know as the valley of the kings. A part of France that’s renowned around the globe for its wines, Burgundy is steeped…
  • 12th Aug 2014
Image for "Euro to Sterling Exchange Rate and Why It's Important" blog post
Moving to France, or even investing in a holiday home in France means that you’ll be venturing into a whole new world. In that new world, the vast majority of people you meet will speak a different language, they have…
  • 4th Aug 2014
Image for "Our Postcard from the Riviera in the Glorious South" blog post
Today our postcard comes from the French Riviera. Although we’re lovers of everything simple at heart, there is something special about the French Riviera that fills us with excitement and pleasure every time we visit.…
  • 1st Aug 2014
Image for "A Postcard from the Charente" blog post
Today our postcard comes from the Charente. The Charente is part of the former Poitou-Charente region, now part of the much larger Nouvelle Aquitaine region . It is one of four departments that make up this now popular and…
  • 15th Jul 2014
Image for "Social  Contributions in France - What is the URSSAF?" blog post
If you’re planning a new life in France and you’re not lucky enough to be in the situation where you don’t need to work, the chances are you’ll be thinking about setting up a business. Setting up…
  • 11th Jul 2014
Image for "Our Postcard from Carcassonne" blog post
Today we’re in Carcassonne, a beautiful, fortified, hilltop city in the Aude in the Occitanie region , formely known as Languedoc. Carcassonne is the capital of Aude and throughout history has held an important strategic…
  • 4th Jul 2014
Image for "Places to Seek Advice in France" blog post
When you first move to France it can be confusing knowing where you need to go to seek advice and knowing who deals with what. Even taking the language barrier out of the equation, who deals with what in France is different…
  • 27th Jun 2014
Image for "Our Postcard from the Dordogne" blog post
Often referred to as France’s 'Little England', there is no getting away from the fact that the Dordogne is a beautiful, culturally rich and historically interesting corner of France. Today our Postcard from the Dordogne…
  • 15th Jun 2014
Image for "Advice and Tips for Renovating a Property in France" blog post
If you’re house hunting in France, you’ll no doubt have noticed that there are a whole host of different styles of property that are ripe for renovation. There are many number of reasons for this. One is that…
  • 8th Jun 2014
Image for "Our Guide to Driving in France" blog post
Driving in France is a delightful way to explore the country's stunning landscapes and historic sites. However, there are some important facts to know to ensure a pleasant French holiday and amazing driving experience on…
  • 26th May 2014