Alexis Stratfold

Alexis Goldberg

Alexis loved visiting France as a child and always dreamed of living there one day. Fortunately she met a man who had the same dream! So they married, then bought a beautiful 300-year-old character house in a pretty village in the Languedoc Roussillon. Alexis has been writing about France for a decade, inspiring and helping hundreds of British people to move there. She says: "Our only regret is that we did not move to France earlier! The lifestyle is tranquil, the summers are long and hot and the sun shines almost every day (or seems like it does!). We’ve made friends of many nationalities here."

What does France celebrate and how?

It’s the beginning of festival time in the UK, with Halloween, then Guy Fawkes Night, all leading towards Christmas and the New Year. If you’re moving to France, don’t worry, you won’t miss out – France has even more parties and festivals to get involved in, and plenty of fireworks!

UK government changes 15-year expat election bar

Many long-term British expats were outraged at being banned from voting in the EU Referendum. At least the rule is being changed before the 2020 election

Follow Le Tour 2017 for your mountaintop French home?

Homes with mountain views are abundant in France and they’re not all in the Alps or Pyrenees. Follow Chris Froome up these three mountain ranges in next year’s Tour de France, for a rural home with four-season appeal and rooms with views

Now is the time to make an offer on French property

Some French houses have been on the market for years and desperately need a new owner. Be bold and make an offer! The French property market remains firmly on the side of the buyer in the autumn of 2016, with prices remaining stable generally. Some areas have even seen falling prices over the last few years and although there are signs of a small increase in certain areas, bargains are still to be found across many parts of the country.

The new Normandy conquest

950 years ago on 14th October, the Normans defeated the English army at Senlac Hill in Sussex. These days the traffic is the other way, as the British pop across the Channel to grab a piece of the lovely towns, pretty houses and beaches of Normandy

Making friends and influencing people, French style

Greetings and goodbyes can be awkward affairs in Britain. In France they have this down to a fine art, including the required number of kisses.