French property market news
You’ll find all the latest French property news here at France Property Guides, so you can stay up to speed when buying property in France. From updates on house prices to breakdowns of new legislation, you needn’t look anywhere else for French property market news. Get the latest below.
The evolution of Halloween in France
If your favourite holiday to celebrate is Halloween, then a word of caution. This tradition does not quite hold the gravitas in France that it may in other countries, particularly the US and the UK. However, as with many things, this is evolving slowly but surely. Halloween in France is gaining popularity, with many more people getting involved in celebrations. Particularly those with children, and, perhaps surprisingly, more in rural locations than within cities.Read more...
“We’ve never looked back”: swapping the London rat race for the peace of the Languedoc-Roussillon
Diane and Kevin Sowells knew there was more to life than daily commuting to London from their Brighton home, struggling with their mortgage and yearning for warmth and sunshine. Six years ago, they realised their long-held dream when they found their perfect home in the Minervois wine region. I spoke to them about their new life in the sun.Read more...
From neglected shell to quirky seaside retreat – renovating a property in France, part two
With little practical experience, I took on a project to renovate a sad and neglected grande dame on the quayside at the beautiful port of Barfleur in Normandy. Learning traditional skills from scratch, I managed to transform her into a quirky seaside retreat within a reasonable budget, with a mix of good luck, hard work and the help of excellent workmen.Read more...
From neglected shell to quirky seaside retreat – renovating a property in France, part one
When I moved to Normandy in 2017, I had little intention of embarking on a renovation project. Having left a stressful job behind, my aim was to kick back and relax for a while, before easing my way into paid employment. But when I set eyes on a neglected fisherman’s house for sale in one of the prettiest villages in France, I knew I had to have her. This is my story of how I gave this sad old lady with spectacular views a new lease of life.Read more...
Finding your perfect home in the Charente
Nestled in South West France lies the department of Charente. Boasting fantastic weather and countryside, it also offers great value for money when property searching. Whether you’re looking for a bustling and lively or more rural pace of life this diverse area has loads to offer. But how to decide where to live in the Charente?Read more...
What does the price of an average UK home buy you in France?
The average UK home costs around £230,000 – and for that, you’ll often get a semi-detached, suburban house with a small garden. If you sold that average home, however, and moved to France, you could find yourself the happy owner of a beautiful detached home, with a spacious garden, perhaps some period features and as many six bedrooms! Here’s our round-up of French houses for €250,000.Read more...
Building your own home in France, part 3: finding a builder
Once you’ve found your perfect lot of land in France, you’ve got your architect to help you put your dream home down into an actionable plan, it’s time to find a trustworthy builder or developer. Penny in Normandy investigates how to find the right builder for you, how much to expect costs to be and what you should look out for.Read more...
Build your own home in France: architects and planning permission
Those of us who enjoy browsing property websites, either because we’re moving house, or just dreaming of a new life abroad, have often come across the term “architect-designed’ home. This phrase conjures images of swooping ceilings and imaginatively designed kitchen and bathrooms, but what does this term really mean?Read more...
Why the Côte d’Azur may be just the place for you!
The very words “Côte d’Azur” conjure up an image of glamour and prosperity in one’s mind, from the Cannes film festival to the luxurious villas of Menton and Nice (not to mention the endless sunshine and delicious cuisine). However, it’s not all as pricey as you might think – join us as we take a property tour of the French Riviera.Read more...
Settling in and making friends in France
You’re all ready to take the plunge. You’ve decided to change your life and your lifestyle. You’ve done the due diligence around practicalities of moving to France but that final nagging doubt suddenly creeps in: How will I cope away from friends and family? How do I go about making friends in France? Here are some tips to help.Read more...
My magical new village life in the Charente
If you’re thinking of making that leap of moving permanently to France and think you already know what to expect, think again. Village life in France may well surprise you with the joy and beauty it has to offer. Every day is a new adventure – a beautiful, colourful, joyful and glorious one. Enjoy every single minute of it.Read more...
