This French Life

  • Auxois-Morvan in art

    1221898013_d4b8b2c296_mBURGUNDY is not an art centre but a centre of art until September 16.

    Under the auspices of CRANE (Création artistique, reseaux, attitudes poétiques, nouvelles technologies, échanges internationaux) there is something for everyone scattered around the area.

    Many of the exhibitions, workshops and concerts are being held in places not usually associated with artistic matters.

    The small village of Drée which has 20 houses and 33 inhabitants has voted overwhelmingly to pledge 1000€ toward the festival. As the mayor, Paul Robinat, says how many municipalities would dedicate a tenth of their budget on such a scheme?

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  • A helping hand for teenage expats

    TeenxPatsTHE difficulties that young people face when they move across to France with their families can sometimes turn a new beginning sour.

    Starting a new school, getting to grips with the language and having to make friends in a completely foreign environment can mean a few sleepless nights for teenagers.

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  • UK tax implications when heading to France

    Sbnca logoWITH questions about tax, inheritance and residency status I always recommend going to the people who know the rules.

    So when I helped accountancy firm Simpson Burgess Nash set up a blog, I asked if partner Mark Simpson could write an article on the tax issues you need to consider when moving to France.

    If this is something you are trying to get your head round, take a read over Emigrating to France – UK tax implications

  • Selected articles from This French Life

    BELOW are links to the more popular and helpful articles from This French Life so you can track them down quickly and easily:

  • It’s a doctor’s life in Toulouse

    VillerosetoulouseFOR doctor Huw Casson the challenge of opening a practice in South West France meant tackling mountains of paperwork and bureaucracy, but he is already sharing pasties with colleagues and looking forward to a new adventure.

    Huw and his wife Judith, also a doctor, have recently opened the Ville Rose Medical Practice, in Toulouse, and he believes the taste for new horizons can be traced back through his own family.

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  • The high cost of buying in France

    House1810THE cost of buying a property in France is the fourth highest amongst the leading world economies.

    In France the cost of registering a property, transfer taxes and estate agent and legal fees works out to be on average 16.3 per cent of the overall property value.

    This figure puts it just behind Italy and Belgium, with South Korea proving the most expensive, while the UK figure stands at just over five per cent with Denmark having the lowest costs when buying a property.

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  • Tips on inheritance tax

    TWO recent articles may help answer a question or two you have on inheritance tax when moving to France.

    The Daily Telegraph stresses the importance of making sure you have planned ahead, this can be especially important for a couple just living together.

    And another article worth reading is from The Guardian, it highlights similar problems for unmarried couples, as well as saying it is important the UK authorities are aware of your domicile status.

  • Mystère de Sainte-Reine

    Alise-Sainte-ReineTHE village of Alise-Sainte-Reine is set on the hillside of Mont Auxois in the Cote d’Or.

    It takes its name from a beautiful, young, Christian woman, Reine d’Alise, who, in 252 AD, was beheaded after spurning the advances of the Roman governor, Olibrius and not denying her Christian faith.

    The legend surrounding the story asserts that, following the execution, a spring started to gush from the place where the young woman’s head fell.

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  • Association supports restoration of historic monument

    Burgundy stoneBURGUNDY stone can be found from as far apart as the north of the Côte d’Or around Chatillion sur Seine and the east of Yonne in the Tonnerois to the south around Beaune, Autun and as far south as Cluny.

    The range of hues, from the soft white ‘Anstrude’ to the reddish ‘Renaissance de Jour’ and the shimmering veined ‘Corton’ to ‘Bleu de Vix’, ‘Beauvillion rubane’ and ‘Comblanchien granite’; these are colours sculptors dream of and names they roll around their tongues.

    Burgundy stone represents 25% of France’s production of ornamental stone and there are 100 varieties on the market. It is widely used and found on facades, tiling and pavements and is quite often used in the renovation of historical monuments and is particularly chosen when covering or constructing walls.

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  • Website to bring together disabled and potential employers

    292471133_9a1c45ffd9_mA NEW website has been launched in France to aid disabled people in finding employment.

    Handicap-Job.com has been launched by Fabien Maurice, assisted by Céline Maurice, as an initiative to bring together employers and future employees. Businesses with 20 or more employees are expected to have at least six per cent of disabled people amongst their labour force.

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