Before doing any business in France, you should carefully research the main issues (outlined below) which are involved. French language, law, local and national bureaucracy, culture and taxes may all be initially unfamiliar, but must…
Electricity and gas for sale Since the 1st July, 2007, the EDF and the GDF no longer have the monopoly on gas and electricity in France. The consumer is able to shop around for cheaper…
Basil Howitt’s report on the fraught and prolonged installation of WiFi in his remote village of Lansac in Le Fenouillèdes “France Télécom can wipe out its reported 70 billion euros of debt at a stroke…
Gently into Retirement No 6 – Frantic with Flatpacks Bringing Mum and Dad out at the autumn half-term for their first visit since we’d bought our French home was quite emotional bearing in mind how…
Gently into Retirement No 5 – A Hot Date with a Cool Maître While events were certainly moving along nicely in France with completion set for the first week of September, things were definitely not…
Gently into Retirement No 4 – The Deal is (Finally) Done Mid-way through the half-term break May 2006 and we’d made an offer on a lovely apartment which had been accepted. After aperos (several) and…
Gently into Retirement No 3 – The Deal is (Almost) Done – May 2006 Never did a holiday take so long to come around, the time really seemed to be dragging and the respective solicitors…
Gently into Retirement – the search begins – January to April 2006 After discarding the Christmas lists, the wish lists for our French house (yes, it would most definitely be a house) took over in…