You’re never far from the sea in Brittany in the west of France. Small bays, inlets, rocky outcrops and sandy beaches surround this luscious and beautiful country which has inspired generations of artists. This ancient land boasts menhirs and all sorts of pre-historic remains, their meanings lost in the mists of time.  As with any ancient land imbued with myths and legends, it boasts its own language. Breton (Brezhoneg) is related closely to Cornish and more distantly Welsh.  Joanna Leggett of award-wining estate agents Leggett Immobillier explains why Brittany is a great place to live or have a holiday home…

A potted history of Brittany

Once called Armorica, following the fall of the Roman Empire it was peopled by migrating waves of Britons in the 4th and 5th centuries. They gave this beautiful land the name ‘Little Britain.’ Later the Duchy of Brittany had its embassy in London on Little Britain street! In time it became known simply as Brittany.

Those early Bretons brought with them their own customs, language and knowledge of seafaring. And though the tribes were many, and divided, they had a common enemy – France! Several battles resolved the issue and the French king, Charles the Bald recognised independent Brittany as a Duchy. Brittany governed itself for the next 600 years – it took a marriage for it to become part of France. Anne of Brittany was the last independent ruler. She was married to Charles VIII of France (not willingly) and when he died (childless) in 1498, she married his successor Louis XII, in 1499. They had two daughters and under the terms of their marriage contract when her daughter Claude married Francis of Angoulême – who became Francis I – Brittany was eventually subsumed into greater France in 1532, though the Bretons still maintained some autonomy. It took the French Revolution to finally change this by abolishing feudal privilege.

Brittany has a unique culture

The Breton language is making a resurgence and cultural activities abound throughout the region with all sorts of festivals year-round to celebrate Breton culture. The Festival of Brittany showcases Breton culture with more than 300 events. The black and white striped Breton flag flies proudly at these events and throughout the region.

Brittany has its own delicious gastronomy – galettes (buckwheat pancakes) and Breton desserts. Fleur de sel harvested below the ancient walled town of Guérande is used to flavour everything. Surely Brittany has the best seafood in all France with briny oysters, fleshy lobsters and St Jacques scallops. Local tipples include pommeau and cider, and a mead type apéritif called chouchen, there’s even whisky made from buckwheat!

Where to live in Brittany

Brittany is made up of four quite distinct departments: Côtes-d’Armor, Finistère, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Morbihan. But they all share common traits – access to the coast as well as to the countryside, plus a laid-back lifestyle.

When it comes to property searches in Brittany, the closer you are to the sea means the bigger the budget required. Head inland for captivating countryside and plenty of properties for sale at affordable prices. Breton villages tend to be small, stone houses featuring whitewashed walls, glittering granite and marine blue shutters, are typical of the region. Fishing ports tend to be small and picturesque with white-washed granite houses.

Finistère the furthest west department of Brittany is slightly cooler than Morbihan in the south which is noticeably warmer with lovely warm summers due to its Atlantic microclimate. Ille-et-Villaine is home to Brittany’s capital, Rennes and is more urbanised than the other departments, while Côtes-d’Armor is more rugged.

Off the rocky coastline are many islands. The Golfe de Morbihan is said to have an island for every day of the year. Belle-Île, the largest island in Brittany, boasts its own micro-climate, and property here is much sought-after – and pricey!

Brittany has great transport options – several easy to access ferry ports and airports in St Malo, Brest and Rennes.

Brittany has its own distinctive character – beautiful historic small cities with half-timbered properties, charming small villages and magnificent coastline with numerous sandy beaches, and a great variety of places to live.

Joanna Leggett is marketing director at Leggett Immobilier – you can view their full portfolio of properties for sale in France at www.leggettfrance.com

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France is home to nearly 2.5 million swimming pools. Yes, you read that correctly! The latest statistics about swimming pools, show that France has the most private pools of any country in Europe. Of these 2.5 million, around 1.3 million are sunken pools, with the rest, above-ground structures. And if you’re wondering how much does it cost to install a swimming pool in France – then read on…

The cost of a swimming pool in France

Installing a swimming pool at your French retreat elevates long, lazy summer days to a blissful paradise, one that everyone, kids and adults alike, can enjoy. Imagine sipping a G&T as you lounge by the pool in your own back garden… However, it can be difficult to calculate the cost of installing one.

With Pools Direct, a British family-run business supplying French manufactured pools, your swimming pool installation couldn’t be easier. With more than 20 models of fibreglass pools for you to choose from, installation is quick and easy, with good planning, it can take just a week from start to finish. All their pools come in a range of four different colours and all are fitted with sunken steps. And all pools carry a 10-year guarantee, an essential assurance of quality you won’t be able to find everywhere.

Pools Direct’s most popular model is the Bali 8m x 4m which costs €14997 to buy. Generally, delivery is included, although sometimes there can be an extra cost – depending on your location. Plus there’s the cost of preparing the area for the pool – but thanks to the modern design and materials gravel can be used which keeps the cost down. And whilst most of their clients choose to do the plumbing and filtration themselves, if you don’t want to do that, you’ll need to factor that cost in.

So, let’s explore what you’re paying for when installing a fibreglass swimming pool in France.

What kind of swimming pool are you buying?

Pools Direct’s 10-year guarantee can reassure you of the pool’s longevity. In fact, fibreglass pools are known to last over 40 years, and unlike cheaper vinyl or concrete pools, which have a considerably shorter lifespan, they do not need to be resurfaced. The fibreglass body adjusts to external temperatures and pressures to prevent any cracking on the surface. So, with this investment, you’re saving on maintenance costs, and most importantly, essential repairs.

The high-quality of their fibreglass shells coated with a superior, anti-corrosion resin, is designed to last a lifetime. It means you’ll enjoy a pool that is resistant to UV, bacteria, chemicals, heat, and best of all, algae, the mortal enemy of swimming pool owners. Again this saves you money as you won’t rack up a cleaning bill constantly.

Finally, their pools can be adapted to suit all tastes and budgets. They are suitable for salt-water systems, that only require a salt-water chlorinator, and come in a range of sizes and colours.

What does the cost of a swimming pool include?

With Pools Direct, your pool supply cost includes all the essentials to ensure your pool is functional and safe to use straightaway.

First, the supply and delivery. Depending on the accessibility of your location, the fibreglass pool shell is craned into place – and yes, the cost of the crane is generally included, though Pools Direct advise that for some of the really difficult to access locations there may be extra charges.  In some cases, Pools Direct have even arranged helicopter deliveries! They deliver swimming pools all over the country and are proud of their customer service and their hundreds of happy clients.

You can fit the filtration yourself. However, should you need their assistance, Pools Direct can provide swimming pool plumbers to install all the necessary filtration systems. With these pools, the filter uses glass as opposed to sand, the more common choice. However, glass filters are considerably more efficient, and can remove minuscule particles that sand filters simply cannot detect, resulting in clearer, more pristine water.

The plumber will install a full filtration system including:

• Skimmers
• Pumps
• Jets
• Manifolds for multiple filters
• Valves
• Underwater lights
• Control panels
• Junction boxes

And all in a day’s work!

And last but not least, all taxes/TVA are included.

Is there a way I can reduce costs when installing the swimming pool?

If you’d like to cut costs, Pools Direct can offer you a DIY or semi/DIY option. This still includes placement, so your pool will be carefully craned into the prepared place (unless you’re in a really difficult to access location, as we said, there might be an extra cost in that case). If you have a contractor to do the work, or choose to do the work yourself, they will supply the dig out plan (see their gallery of photos showing how to install a pool). Pools Direct recommend you use their 24/7 free advice hotline. They will assist you throughout the entire process and provide guidance for doing your own groundwork. They are experts in the field of swimming pool installation and you’ll find them super helpful and happy to answer all questions.

Starter or test kits are provided for your use, and guidance is on hand when it comes to installing the filtration system – a simple ‘flow and return’ plumbing system. However, if you are wary about that aspect of the DIY, Pools Direct have a registered pool plumber should you need one.

By choosing a fibreglass pool, you can save costs on the installation because there is no need to install a concrete base. Instead, all you need is gravel! This not only saves you money on the installation but also time, as the process for concrete can take months. Gravel offers far more flexibility than concrete, meaning it works together with your fibreglass pool to ensure your pool paradise lasts a lifetime.

Find out more and pick a pool at poolsdirect.online

The post How Much Does it Cost to Install A Swimming Pool in France? appeared first on The Good Life France.

 

That is where Ryan Green, the brains behind Buyer’s Agent France, comes in to help you fulfil your desires to find your perfect luxury French real estate. Say au revoir to stressful beaucracy – Ryan has it all under control.

So, if you are on the hunt for luxury real estate, keep reading to discover how Ryan Green can help you find you the house of your dreams in France.

First of all, what is a buyer’s agent?

Ryan is a buyer’s agent, or buying agent, who works solely on behalf of the buyer, always with your best interests at heart. Buyer’s agents are there to fight your corner and come armed with specialist knowledge about the property market. This is particularly useful when looking for a home abroad as these markets are unknown quandaries for many buyers. Plus, there’s the added complication of paperwork and bargaining in another language. Ryan has the necessary language skills to negotiate the best price and terms for you. With Ryan on your team, you can go head-to-head with the estate agents on an even playing field.

So, why work with Ryan at Buyer’s Agent France to find your luxury property?

An exclusive trustworthy service

If you are eager to find a luxury property in France but are uncertain about where to start, Ryan is your guide. A trustworthy buyer’s agent is crucial for your buying experience as you navigate the waters of luxury French real estate. It is particularly important to have someone on the ground in France who can oversee the process until completion. Ryan quite simply eliminates the pressure, stress and anxiety associated with buying. Instead of traveling hither and thither between home and France, making phone calls and trying to examine properties from your computer, you need someone trustworthy and transparent like Ryan and his team to be your eyes and make those visits for you. Buyer’s Agent France offers a discreet and stress-free service – with them, there is just one point of contact to provide you with open, clear communication.

Accustomed to working with high-net-worth clients, Ryan takes confidentiality and discretion incredibly seriously. He appreciates his clients’ need for privacy, particularly in a popular tourist destination such as France. He takes on only a limited number of clients each year and that is evident in his complete and utter focus on finding your dream French property. Furthermore, there is no conflict of interest as Buyer’s Agent France accept only a fixed rate fee per price bracket instead of a percentage-based commission.

All the legwork is done for you

There is no starting block when looking for properties in France – there’s no French equivalent to Right Move – so house hunting can be intimidating for the uninitiated. As experienced buyer’s agents, Ryan and his team know exactly who to contact for viewings, can interpret different listings for the same property, and have access to an incredible network of estate agents. Constantly making notes, the team provide you with all the required information on your chosen luxury property including the surrounding area, views and neighbourhoods. Best of all, those inevitable chase ups with vendors and agents are handled entirely by Buyer’s Agent France saving you time and stress.

Ryan even arranges virtual pre-viewings for you – these tours include WhatsApp calls, videos and immersive 360° viewings. Ryan’s virtual tours are so useful that some clients purchase properties without leaving their homes! This may not be the case for everyone, so don’t worry, Ryan also organises in-person viewings for you to visit your shortlist of properties. These viewings last 2 or 3 days so you can get a real impression of the places and sample the lifestyle of the area. The team arranges your accommodation and chauffeur-driven cars to get around, and all your meals are included.

Finally, once the deal is done and the contract has been signed, Ryan will remain your point of contact for any follow up questions or advice you may need.

Make your dream lifestyle a reality

Matchmaking is a term that usually refers to love, a set up with a potential soul mate. Ryan does the same, but between you and your dream luxury French property. Sit down with him to discuss your vision. Thanks to his considerable skill and 14 years of experience working in French real estate, he can hone your wishes to find your perfect property. He considers everything, factors that may have slipped our minds such as climate, seasonality, return on investment, caretaking and insurance. The team have no affiliations, so all his suggestions are based entirely on meeting your end goal.

His overarching focus is to conjure up your dream lifestyle. “I firmly believe that buying a French home isn’t just about buying a villa on The Cote d’Azur, a house on The Basque Coast, a chalet in The French Alps or a farmhouse in Provence; it’s about the truly exceptional lifestyle that comes with it,” Ryan says. Luxury French property is his passion, and he concentrates his energy on finding you the ideal real estate, and consequently, the perfect pace of life.

With exclusive access to luxury real estate all over France, Ryan and the team at Buyer’s Agent France know the perfect locations for your dream property. Whether it’s along the sparkling Cote d’Azur, in the centre of lively Paris or Bordeaux, or nestled amid the vineyards of the French countryside, Ryan can hone your desires to find the property of your dreams. If you are eager to find your dream property and discover the relaxing joie de vivre of French life, get in touch with Ryan today at buyersagent.com

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Wide open spaces and spectacular mountain views. Fresh air, skiing,  off-piste activities and sports galore year-round. Great gastronomy, wine and a whole lot more. The French Alps offer a fabulous place to live. Buying property in the French Alps has long held great appeal, both domestically and internationally and it looks like a continuing trend as the allure of mountain living is stronger than ever. We asked the chalet rental experts at OVO Network to share their insights…

Location, Location, location

The French Alps have year-round appeal with summer visitor numbers increasing hugely over the past five years. Buyers who want to rent out their properties are seeing great benefits with increased occupancy rates and strong demand not just in the ski season, but throughout the year as holiday makers discover the attractions of the Alps.

But let’s talk about skiing first. France has more than 250 ski resorts including some of the most extensive and well-known ski domains in the world including the 3 Valleys, Portes du Soleil and Paradiski. There are also less well-known, more authentic valley villages such as Manigod, Les Gets and La Clusaz.

But it’s not just the snow that makes people fall in love with the French Alps. Outside of the ski season there’s heaps to do from hiking and cycling, to white water rafting, and hang gliding to get a bird’s eye view of the fantastic scenery. There’s also plenty of history and culture with museums, castles and more.

The gastronomy is superb – from rustic raclette and local cheeses like Reblochon, plus world class fine dining and even some excellent local wines, beers and spirits.

And it’s an accessible part of France – autoroutes, fast trains and airports serve the area.

Where to buy in the French Alps

At OVO Network we always recommend you spend some time in the area you’re thinking of buying in. Get to know the locals, the attractions and facilities.

Costs for properties varies substantially from area to area. And there are many options for property types – from alpine chalets to ski in/ski out apartments, town flats and contemporary-designed houses. While new builds remain ever popular, renovation projects are increasingly sought after because they can offer such great benefits and often a lower purchase price.

Rental income in the French Alps

If you’re looking for an investment property, rental income in the French Alps can be an excellent proposition. We help our clients maximise their rental potential and we get excellent results. We have many years of experience, we know what guests love and we help our property owner clients to achieve their rental income goals and make their guests happy.

OVO Network France’s Director Louis Andrews grew up in Manigod and says “Covid’s impact was obviously huge and from 2020 we saw our bookings shift predominantly to a domestic clientele. Now international travellers are definitely back and homegrown demand remains high, generating strong demand for our owners’ properties.

Despite current challenges, we see few negative impacts on either rental demand or pricing. Where consumers are conscious of budgets, they are targeting quality properties in less well-known locations.

A great deal of our success comes down to our proactive approach to the challenges we’ve faced over the past couple of years, and our bilingual marketing – meaning we’re able to target both domestic French tourism and the UK and international markets. Our team moved quickly, offering great advice to our property owners throughout the pandemic, while ensuring bookings remained strong.”

OVO Network have put together a French Alpine property report with lots of helpful tips, recommendations, case studies and more. If you’re thinking of buying a property in the French Alps, or have a property to rent out, download the report here or get in touch with OVO Network

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When it comes to renting out your holiday home in France, empty weeks can be a nightmare and getting help with property management, key holding and reservation services can be a real headache. Prestige Holiday Rentals help you to make sure you fill the weeks, and they support you with all aspects of letting your property – from marketing to listing and managing. Pete O’Grady of prestigepropertynetwork.com says “we take away the stress of letting your property – while you earn an income.”

How to get full holiday rentals

When you want full holiday rental weeks, it’s essential that you list your property on the right sites but that takes time and that’s what most owners lack. And it requires knowing where and how to upload information and photos. Prestige Property Network have a marketing and reservations service that makes listing and managing reservations simple, easy and effective. Properties listed on their holiday home rental site are linked to the major rental portals including Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.Com.

“We started this service to support the additional needs of our Property Management clients who had some fantastic properties that were under-utilised. We conducted an in-depth study of almost 3000 properties to find out what made some properties more successful in letting terms than others” says Pete.

Rather than an owner having to list their property with multiple booking sites, paying up front, managing multiple calendars and chasing up rental payments, Prestige take care of all aspects of letting out your holiday home. “Owners have different requirements. Some want to generate enough rent to cover overheads with minimal rental weeks. Some want to maximise profits and take advantage of as many filled weeks as they can. We treat every owner as an individual and make sure that we support them to fulfil their specific needs, no two properties are ever the same and our tailored packages reflect this.”

Property management services

One of the things that holiday homeowners ask us again and again is how to get help with managing their property, especially when they may not live in France, or sometimes they just need additional support. Prestige offer a service that covers all aspects of property management from general upkeep of the property including chimney sweeping (critical to make sure your insurance is valid if you have a wood fire), to landscaping and making sure the garden is tidy and full of flowers, the patio is pristine and the pool is perfectly maintained through our own or recommended property managers.

They also manage changeovers, linen service, key-holding and security checks. If you need to help with home improvements they can help with service providers from builders to electricians.

They even providing a tourist information service for guests staying at properties.

Our motto is “we help you look after your home from home and make sure your holiday home pays for itself” says Pete. “And we’re very good at it!”

Property search service

Many of us dream of living the good life in France, the food and wine, markets, boulangeries and fromageries, sunshine and a laid-back way of life. Managing a holiday rental property, your dream gite or B&B may be a great way to achieve that lifestyle.

Prestige Property Network can help you find your dream property. You tell them what’s on your wish list from location to must haves from number of bedrooms to pool and they will search through databases and agency listings to produce a shortlist. They’ll also make sure that there are no pitfalls with the properties, for instance not next to an abatoir (it happens), or right beside noisy wind turbines (yes that happens too).

They can also sort out a full surveyors report from a qualified RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) practitioner if the owner wishes to pay for this additional service. It’s not something that’s usual in France, surveys are not a ‘thing’ but for a big investment and peace of mind, many buyers like to have a survey completed before they buy. Prestige can also provide financial advice experts and currency exchange support.

They really do help with every aspect of your holiday rental business plan in France (and Europe). Their stress-free holiday rental plan provides everything you need to run a successful holiday rental business.

Prestige Property network have an office in Office in Josselin, Brittany and can be contacted at: contact (@) prestigeprogertynetwork.com

Find out more about Prestige Property Network on their website: prestigepropertynetwork.com

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When it comes to down to where to live in France – you have a diverse choice of locations. Each area of France is different, the sunny south versus the verdant north, mountains versus seaside, country versus city. So it can be really hard to narrow down where to look for your dream property. “The stereotype is for people buying stone houses with lots of land in the countryside” says Patrick Joseph of My-French-House, “but not everyone wants to be in a small village or to drive 20 minutes to get a loaf of bread…”

Pros and cons of city versus country life in France

Rural life is certainly suitable for many people. Tranquil villages miles from anywhere with big gardens. A slower pace of life, and maybe a weekly delivery service for basics like bread and groceries in the absence of shops. Houses tend to be older in the countryside, than in towns and cities so check for energy rating, an increasingly important aspect of life with rising energy costs. You’ll also need to rely more heavily on a car in the countryside as generally public transport isn’t great in rural areas.

If you don’t need to use public transport and don’t need to be near town or city facilities – country life is idyllic.

But if you have kids, especially teens, town and city life might be a more desirable option so that they have access to facilities that aren’t in small villages. Be aware that you may need to drive many miles to reach a decent-sized shopping centre, and several miles to reach a boulangerie or pharmacy.

If you don’t want to drive too far to the shops, want access to cultural venues, cinema, theatres, museums and galleries, want to be able to get home easily after a night out, rely on, or want access to, public transport, and would like everything on your doorstep – then look at moving to a town or city. If you seek employment, it’s usually easier to find jobs in bigger cities, and generally speaking, you have better internet for working from home. Students and professionals will find life in larger towns and cities suits more needs and wants.

Where’s best for city life in France?

Some of the best and most popular areas for city life include Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon, Rouen, Montpellier and Cannes. All of them offer a city lifestyle that includes café culture, cultural venues, great transport that links and yet offer easy access to the countryside. Bigger towns and cities are also the first choice for students and academic professionals who work there. “Older buyers usually prefer to be in bigger towns where they can be close to medical services and in some cases hospitals” says Patrick. “And some don’t want to go without their Starbucks coffee fix (and even McDo!)… ”

Paris is perhaps the most popular city of all when it comes to wanting a fabulous city lifestyle. With its rich culture, superb work opportunities, world-class universities and the ultimate café lifestyle, it’s an ever popular destination for expats. Each arrondissement (district) of Paris is unique and there’s a wide range of accommodation from the coveted Haussmannian apartments (think Emily in Paris), medieval buildings in the Marais district to contemporary builds in many of the outer neighbourhoods.

Find your dream property in France

But how do you know which is best for you when there’s such a fabulous choice of places to live whether town or country – or in between. We advise you talk to the professionals, companies that have people on the ground who know the market in each area whether country of town, know what sort of properties are available, know when something new comes onto the market, and can be your ears and eyes. Patrick advises “We can help you fine tune your wish list, work out where is best for you, and what sort of property suits your dreams. We work with agents all over France including Paris, major cities and towns and countryside. Their local knowledge means we can help you find exactly what you’re looking for in areas that suit your needs and desires. We can create a custom portfolio with you, set up alerts for new properties that suit your search criteria and provide extra images.”

Find out more at my-french-house.com winner of the 2022 European Property Awards for Best Real Estate Agency.

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It’s a question that crops up again and again – can Americans buy property in France, and what are the main issues? A short guide to buying property in France for Americans…

Well, the simple answer is yes, buying property in France – whether as a second home, or for a permanent move – if you’re an American is simple. The hard bit is choosing where to buy as there’s so much choice. To save you time and money flying back and forth to do house viewings, many real estate agents offer virtual viewings. Leggett Immobillier for instance, who have helped hundreds of Americans successfully buy properties in France and whose agents (including a number of American agents spread across France) all speak English, will take you through a house viewing by live Zoom, WhatsApp, or Facetime, and take video for you of the property and surrounding area. It’s a great way to narrow down the possibilities so that when you do visit you know you’re seeing the wish list you dreamed of.

When you buy a property in France, as an American citizen (which for tax purposes you always will be, regardless of where you live), it’s a good idea to know a few key facts that help make for a smooth purchase and transition.

The process of buying in France if you’re American

The actual technicalities are simple. You find your dream property, and you make an offer via the realtor. This may include negotiation until your offer is accepted. An initial document of offer/acceptance is drawn up and you have 10 days to accept it. During this time the seller cannot sell to anyone else. You’ll get a dossier which details reports about the house, termites, energy rating etc. At the end of 10 days, you pay a deposit to the notaire (legal agent/public official appointed by the Ministry of Justice) who holds it until you’re ready to complete the purchase.  The notaire conducts the process of buying and around 3 months later (usual time for the administration to complete), the notaire will accept the full payment and pay it onto the seller and take care of any fees/taxes).

Check out the really helpful video from Leggett Immobiliers for U.S. buyers:

French bank accounts

You don’t have to have a French bank account in France if you buy/own a property and you’re living in America. Due to IRS regulations for American citizens requiring vigorous reporting, some French banks don’t offer services to US citizens, though once you have a registered address in France, you may find it easier to open an account and it’s easier for paying bills. Before that happens, you can use a currency exchange specialist like Currencies Direct to effect transfers for you.

Tax

The US requires its citizens to file a tax return in the US – no matter where they live or how long they haven’t lived in the U.S. Filing returns, knowing what to report on and where (in the US, as well as in France) can be complicated. We recommend that you use a specialist tax advisor to help you at least get started.

Mortgages

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is part of the US tax code, introduced in 2014 to counter tax evasion. The cost to French banks of complying with the administrative burdens is high, so it means that very few credit institutions will agree to process loans from American clients. It is strongly recommend that before beginning your property search you have all your finances in place.

Finance regulations are updated regularly so get up to date advice from a qualified advisor when it comes to borrowing money to finance a property in France.

Residency laws

If you’re buying the property as a holiday home, American passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to visiting France as a tourist and can stay for up to 90 days out of 180 days. The 180 day period is a “rolling period”, the following link can be useful for calculating how many days one can spend: ec.europ.eu. If you wish to stay in France for more than 90 days our of 180, then you will be required to obtain a Long Stay visa. There are different types of visas (for instance a VLS-T covers you for six months, and a VLS-TS for 12 months), and it’s rarely possible to change your status while you’re in France, so you would have to return to the USA to re-apply.

A good starting point is to visit the website of the French consulate that covers the area in which you are resident in the US. They will have a fairly extensive section on visas that will give you the basics on what is required. Be aware that the visa authorities can, and often do, request additional documents or information that may seem irrelevant. Just comply and eventually, hopefully all will become clear.

If you want to move to France, you’ll need to apply for a long-term visa (VLS-TS) and then apply for residency two months before the expiry date of the visa.

Tax compliance

Generally speaking, once you arrive in France intending to live there permanently, you become a French tax resident the following day. But it is not always so straightforward, for example, you could also become a tax resident if your principal activity is in France. “If you are classed as resident in France, then you will pay taxes under their regime. Your whole household will be considered, and you will be taxed on your worldwide income. The US-France tax treaty means most Americans in France are exempt from double taxation” says Joanna Leggett of Leggett Immobilier.

You can find a detailed report on buying property in France on the Leggett Immobilier website (as well as details of thousands of properties).

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Is this the true south of France? Joanna Leggett explores the good life in the cities of Sète and Montpellier in the Herault department, Occitanie, southern France…

Sète sits at the head of a narrow isthmus which encloses the Étang de Thau – a saltwater lagoon – which runs down as far as Marseillan to the Canal du Midi. All along this western coast of the Mediterranean there are such lagoons many, if not all, renowned for the quality of their seafood where oysters and mussels are a speciality! The town, with its many canals which give it the nickname the ‘Venice of Occitanie’, is famous for its water jousting – a tradition that was born in the year 1666 when Louis XIV was living in the Louvre and Versailles was still a country hunting lodge!

Discover Sète

The first stones of the port in Sète were laid in 1666 and water jousting took place to celebrate the event and it quickly became the local sport. In fact this maritime sport most likely dates to Roman times – though it’s now firmly a passionate feature of Languedoc culture.

From mid-June onwards, water-born combats are held along the canals. Huge rowing boats are specially crafted with raised ladders at one end, four jousters stand on these ‘tintaine’ while ten rowers propel the boats – all dressed in white. On-board, bands of pipers and drummers knock out a beat to encourage each boat forward.  Like an orchestrated ballet, boats pass each other seven times while, at the same time, huge brass bands blast forth to excite and encourage spectators lining the quay.

As boats get closer the first jouster picks up the shield and jousting pole and tries to dislodge the opposition boat’s jouster from their platform. Naturally there’s great applause when anyone falls into the canal!

As with any self-respecting sport there are different categories (children start learning from the age of 10. And there’s a junior division for the under 21’s. But, the most prestigious competition is the heavyweight (anyone over 88 kg in weight) and this is considered the Blue Ribbon event!

Festivities and feasts

It all culminates with the feast of St Louis (the patron saint of Sète). A carnival lasting several days is held in mid to late August which bears the grandiose title of ‘World Championship’. Jousts are well attended and it’s best to book a seat on the temporary stands to get a good view. Or better still watch from a table at one of the many restaurants which line the sides of the Royal Canal. The finest seafood, local wine and unmatched entertainment – it’s a pretty unbeatable combination.

Sète however is far more than just ‘world headquarters’ for water jousting, it has an extremely pretty marina and busy port. There are wonderful sandy beaches which run all along the coast and the weather is usually so mild eating Christmas lunch outside is not unknown!

And it’s well connected too for in 1839 the Montpellier-Séte railway was opened, connecting the port to the ancient city just 10 kms inland.

Discover Montpellier

Montpellier is home to one of the oldest universities in the world as well as the oldest medical school still in operation. Past alumnae include Petrarch, Rabelais and Nostradamus.

Montpellier remains a leading university town – it’s estimated as many as a third of its residents are students and it has a rich cultural life dating back centuries. The city was called Monspessulanus by the Romans. It survived Cathars and wars of religion, and became part of Aragon when Marie of Montpellier brought the city with her as part of her dowry when she married Peter II of Aragon. It became a major economic centre and primary source for the spice trade in France. In the 14^th century Sète  passed to James III of Majorca who then sold it to the French crown to raise money for a war back in the 14^th century.

When Louis XIV made Sète the capital of Bas Languedoc, Montpellier too became ever more important and grew accordingly. Parts of its historic centre date back to this time including the Promenade de Peyrou and Esplanade. Its position on hilly ground just inland with abundance of year round sunshine and sea breezes made perfect growing conditions for the vines. This made its citizens very wealthy and they build grand houses and upgraded their living conditions – until phylloxera killed the vines off in the 1890s. Modern grafting methods have overcome the vine disease and today the city is once more surrounded by vineyards and garrigue (Mediterranean scrubland).

The local area

All around in the hills of the Hérault there are charming villages and small market towns. Marseillan at the south of the Étang de Thau, the point where the Canal du Midi joins the salt waters of the Mediterranean, is home to the sweet vermouth Noilly Prat. Along the coast, ancient fisherman’s cottages have been converted into seaside des res and summer villas dot the landscape. In villages there are old townhouses clustered around squares. And in the countryside there are old villas and winegrowers’ homes. It’s an enchanting area and with its simpler way of life, some even call this the true South of France!

Joanna Leggett is marketing director at Leggett Immobilier – you can view the full portfolio of properties for sale in Herault at: frenchestatagents.com

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Do you dream of running your own holiday business in France? Maybe running a gite, or a chambre d’hotes (B&B) in the sun are what you long for. Lyn Peek has been there and done that. She and her husband Graham run a successful, gorgeous B&B and luxury cottage holiday rental business in Charente Maritime, south west France. Lyn shares her top tips and experiences in 6 lessons in a guide to starting a gite business in France…

LESSON 1: IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS AND GO FOR IT!

After 32 years working in the NHS as a Capital/Service Planner and latterly a Health Commissioner I decided to to take retirement and move to France with my husband Graham. My pension took a hit, but I wanted a new  challenge.

We had finished renovating our Edwardian House in the South East of England. It had taken us 12 years, and we loved that house but it wasn’t a tranquil area and the roads were congested. Taking our beloved Morgan out for a spin – entailed tailbacks and traffic jams

We loved France and had spent many years exploring it in our classic car  so It took just  30 minutes to decide to go with our heart and change our life forever. Too young to do nothing but relax by a swimming pool, we decided to combine our love of France with Classic Cars and organise holidays for classic car enthusiasts.

PROs:

We were serial DIYers. Both experienced project planners. We knew exactly what travelling in a 2-seater sports car with limited luggage space entailed. I had also spent the past 14 years organising trips to France for up to 20 Morgans, in my role as a Centre Secretary of the Morgan Sports Car Club.

CONs:

My French language skills only covered hotel reservations, organising visits and deciphering a menu, my husband had none at all! We decided it would be an adventure. If it all went wrong, we would sell up and return to a sleepy village in the English countryside.

LESSON 2: THE PROPERTY SEARCH

You need to research the area you are thinking of living in really well to make sure it’s appropriate for the business you want to run.

Having explored the whole of France over many years,  we decided that the Charente Maritime/Charente departments would be ideal. It’s the second sunniest region in France. And there’s plenty for visitors to see and do. La Rochellle, Poitiers and Bordeaux airports are close by. The fast train service TGV stops at  Angouleme. St Malo ferry port is just 4.5 hrs drive away and the motorway links are excellent.

Know what you want

Our dream was of glugging a glass of Pineau or Cognac with the neighbours. Dancing at the local fete. Sitting in the garden and hearing nothing but birds and the occasional tractor. Eating a croissant still warm from the boulangerie. That meant searching for a home in a small village, and not being isolated in the countryside. We craved peace and quiet and a property which would give us, and our guests privacy and space.

With high summer temperatures we knew we wanted a swimming pool (or space for one) for guests. We didn’t like leaving our classic car in unsecured parking in France, so why would our guests? A gated property, with lots of parking space and outbuildings to store our classic car(s) was essential

We  set out our budget including renovation costs. The immobilier who found us our  house completely understood what we wanted and took us to view a property in La Tacherie. It’s a little hamlet surrounded by vineyards, but just 5 minutes from the bustling market town of Matha and 20 minutes from historic Cognac.

We walked down the drive on a grey October day in the rain – and fell in love.

LESSON 3: DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE WORK INVOLVED!

La Rose des Vents is a former 19^th century Cognac Domaine, set in 2.5 acres, surrounded by vineyards it once owned. To describe it as “tired and in need of some redecoration” was an understatement.

In the Manor House the kitchen consisted  solely of an old butler sink and a tiled worktop made out of a pine door. The walls of the downstairs loo were papered with old newspapers and all the sanitaryware  in the house was circa 1920. The bedrooms had floral wallpaper from the 50s, and the boiler screened by an old garden fence was in a back kitchen complete with earth floor. But the spacious rooms, original tomettes and wooden floors, sweeping walnut staircase, south facing windows, and gorgeous fireplaces charmed us. The walled gardens had 3 sets of monumental iron gates and the missing slate roof on the stone pigeonnier was covered in a tarpaulin. Being a former Cognac domaine it had outbuildings galore, used to store the huge barrels of amber liquid.

As for the two gites – I wouldn’t wish my worst enemies to stay in them as they were.

Look for the potential

The former estate managers house comprised a kitchen, downstairs bathroom, sitting room and ground floor bedroom. Access to the first floor with its window openings and shutters (but no windows) was via the adjacent workshop. But, it had a walled courtyard with a pigeonnier and secret door leading into the old orchard where a new pool had been installed.

The large stable had been converted some years previously into a Brocante shop selling antiques and collectables, and part of the building had been converted into a gite. Well, it had a sitting room which housed the fridge, as the kitchen was only 2 metres square and only had space for the sink, cooker and a shelf. You had to squeeze through the door into the bathroom with a sit-up tub. However the sitting room had two sets of French windows, one of which overlooked a lily pond and the other a sizeable walled garden. An open plan staircase led to an enormous mezzanine bedroom, which in turn opened into a large twin bedroom. And there was plenty of room to extend

All our friends thought we were mad.

LESSON 4: DON’T TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE BALL (NOT FOR A SECOND)

I drew up plans on how we wanted to extend the gites.  We met the mayor, confirmed our planning approval, sourced a local builder and placed an advert. We were determined to  open Rose Cottage and Manor Cottage within 6 months. It would keep us focused!

It wasn’t all smooth going with a builder who set a slow pace and we had to work round the clock to be ready in time for the first guests arrival. Graham was screwing the last toilet roll holder on the wall as they turned into the drive. We had been so busy with getting the accommodation ready, we forgot about the swimming pool. In 30 degrees heat, with the summer cover on, the water had turned a luminous shade of green. I am surprised our marriage survived.

LESSON 5: FORMS, FORMS AND MORE FORMS

Keep your cool, there are enough forms issued by different government departments to sink a battleship. Inspections must be arranged to achieve the valued 4 stars from the Tourist Office.

Top tip: Make sure you have a good filing cabinet. Keep every bill, document and letter forever. You can seriously loose the will to live dealing with French bureaucracy.

LESSON 6: IDENTIFY YOUR “UNIQUE SELLING POINT”

There are masses of beautiful gites, villas and holiday cottages in France – the competition is fierce. You have to be organised, like people, be practical and creative. And you must keep the accommodation/pool/gardens in tip top condition – all the time.

It’s good to have a niche. Our passion is classic cars, and we target this market. We organise bespoke tours for small groups, overnight B & B stays and 5 day mini-breaks as well as self-catering cottages. But we also welcome families who come on holiday to relax and explore the area.

Think about what you really enjoy doing. If you can, build your business around it.

Success!

We have now been happily settled in France for several years. Life here is marvellous, the area is beautiful whatever the season, events are held throughout the year and after all these years we are still excited to discover new places to visit and gorgeous  restaurants.  We have welcomed people from all over the world to La Rose des Vents and have made good friends  here. Along the way I have learned to speak French, paint water colours, dance “Le Roc”, cook with a TV chef and adopted various stray cats.

Would we do it again? YES without a doubt. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done.

By Lyn Peek: www.cottagesandclassics.com

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France has huge allure for movie producers, let alone actors lucky enough to film here says Joanna Leggett…

Seduced by wonderful architecture, beautiful cities and towns, glorious and wonderful light, France provides the perfect movie location. Add in the glorious golden light of Provence. Seascapes perfect for Bond girls.Mountains for feats of bravado and derring-do. Châteaux providing the most romantic of setting. France deserves its own billing!

Then there’s the food – and wine – that every film shot in France seems to focus upon at some stage. The 100 foot Journey with Helen Mirren shot in Saint-Antonine-Noble-Val, Midi Pyrénées, was all about cuisine and a restaurateur’s quest for an elusive second Michelin star!

Perhaps the attraction of France as a movie location came when French films started to be shown overseas in the 50’s and 60’s. I mean just look what Brigitte Bardot did for St Tropez in 1956 with And God created Woman. In 1964, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (filmed in Normandy) launched the career of Catherine Deneuve with her luminous beauty, and was nominated for 5 Academy Awards in the USA.

Iconic films featuring Paris

Audrey Hepburn enchanted us in several movies, including the iconic Charade – a love story set in Paris featuring Cary Grant. Her stunning apartment, beside the Parc Monceau, is actually a museum. The Jardins des Champs Elysées and the Palais Royale also feature. As well as a bateau mouche along the Seine by night. It’s the perfect introduction to this wonderful city – with timeless Givenchy couture to boot.

In the wonderfully quirky Amélie with Audrey Tatou, Paris, and Montmartre in particular, was almost a character in its own right. La Vie en Rose included a visit to Edith Piaf’s favourite restaurant, Julien, an Art Nouveau brasserie in the 10^th arrondissement. And, while we’re talking Parisian bistros, La Renaissance in the 18^th has featured in almost a dozen films. The list includes Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds as well as Stuntwoman starring the late, great, Jean Paul Belmondo.

Then there’s Le Grand Vefour restaurant in rue du Beaujolais, where time seems to have been suspended since the 19^th century. It’s been frequented by everyone from Bonaparte to Coco Chanel. It played its part in the film Coco before Chanel as well as in Midnight in Paris, which spotlights a veritable smorgasbord of gorgeous Paris locations.

Time for Action!

Time to move south to Marseille. Perhaps first put on the entertainment map by Alexandre Dumas who set the Count of Monte Cristo in the Château d’If, on a rocky island off the coast. In 1971, Marseille was the location for The French Connection starring Gene Hackman. A few years later, also speeding through Marseille’s streets, was Luc Besson’s action comedy Taxi, where a pizza delivery boy raced around with reckless abandon! And in Love Actually, Le Bar de la Marine in Marseille is where Colin Firth’s character proposes to Aurelia.

Meanwhile the world’s favourite spy 007 had many visits to France. Sean Connery’s Bond visited Cap d’Antibes during Diamonds are Forever. Various locations along the French Riviera have featured. Who can forget the motorcycle chase between Bond and the SPECTRE baddies with stunning scenery courtesy of Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Other Bond locations include the magnificent chateau at Vaux le Victome (just an hour south of Paris) in Moonraker. He also visited the stables at Chantilly. Moving on a few years Pierce Brosnan got up to all sorts of hair raising tricks along the Riviera. Then he dodged real life avalanches during extreme skiing in Argentière near Chamonix. Connery, a confirmed Francophile, even bought a magnificent villa overlooking Nice!

The south of France in film

Long after the book A Year in Provence first enticed readers to the joys of southern France, echoes of Peter Mayle’s prose linger. One of his later books was the basis of A Good Year filmed in the Luberon close to where Mayle and director, Ridley Scott, had homes. Locations included the Château la Canorgue in Bonnieux, Cucuron and Gordes where Russell Crowe waited at table.

Hugh Jackman trekked to freedom in Les Miserables around the beautiful village of Gourdon. Those incredible views out to the Med!

After Pride and Prejudice many women waited a long time for Colin Firth to dive into another lake. He did – in the Var, just outside Vadauban, for Love Actually. However one of the more memorable films made around here must be Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. It starred Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, who met her Prince in the south of France while attending the Cannes Film Festival. The famous film fest is a chance for the great, the good and many wannabe’s to hobnob and promote their offerings each May.

5 stunning locations which have featured in famous films and where you may find your dream home:

Ridley Scott’s first film Les Duellistes, was shot in Dordogne, in particular between Les Eyzies and the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat. Homes for sale in Dordogne

Brittany: Back in the ‘50’s Monsieur Houlot (aka Jacques Tati) famously dipped his toes in the sea on the coast of Morbihan. Meanwhile Kirk Douglas flexed his muscles in the Vikings at Fort la Latte, Cap Frehel Cotes d’Armor. Homes for sale Brittany.

Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Dunkirk was filmed largely on location on the beaches of Dunkirk in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The closest area to the UK, separated by just 21 miles of English Channel, Pas-de-Calais offers the quintessential French lifestyle. Homes for sale Pas-de-Calais

Good enough for Bond: Chamonix in Haute-Savoie is close to where The World Is Not Enough was filmed. This area really does have star quality. Homes for sale in Haute-Savoie.

Chocolat, the deliciously romantic film based on Joanne Harris’s book of the same name featured Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Cote d’Or, in Burgundy. And though the chocolate shop doesn’t exist in real life, the area offers a sweet taste of the good life in France… Homes for sale in Burgundy

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