This French Life

Author: Craig McGinty

  • Morning sun on the castle walls

    Sauveterre_1001ON a chill Monday morning the sun rises over the hills to warm the frosty fields and valley floor.
    Here the castle above the village of Sauveterre la Lémance, in the Lot et Garonne, is the first to catch the sun.
    Please click on the thumbnail, above, to see the larger image.

  • Finding French estate agents

    Frenchlife_square0612_5FRENCH estate agents (agent immobilier), just like their British counterparts, are there to bring buyers and sellers of property together.

    To work in their own right an agent must possess a carte professional which is granted to those who have met standards or have considerable experience.

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  • Searching for property sales

    Dord_prop0701THANKS to the internet there are a wide range of websites that will aid you in your research into finding French property for sale.

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  • Words for your French life

    Words_bk_cvr0601TO savour the real taste of France, taking in the language as well as its lifestyle is key to getting the most from your time here.

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  • Termites in French regions mapped out

    France_termite2012ONE of the things to consider when buying a property in France is that the building is free of termites.

    This is especially true in the south and south west of the country, which have a higher incidence of termites in properties.

    It is possible to treat a place to rid it of termites and if you buy a home then a report should be supplied to say it is clear of the insects.

    There is a very simple website, www.termites-info.com that offers clear advice and information on the latest rules and regulations.

    It also provides a map of the areas of France that suffer from a termite problem.

  • Keep track of ticks in France

    Frenchlife_square1603_2_4IF you are bringing a pet to France one of the things you need to be aware of are the dangers posed by ticks and other insects.

    Diseases such as leishmaniasis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and heartworm can prove fatal so precautions should be taken.

    It is possible to buy Frontline spray-on and spot treatment that can be applied to cats and dogs, make sure your pet doesn’t try and shake it off once applied.

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  • The story of Raymond Lempereur

    Rymnd_lempereur0612IF someone told you a story about a man who was a member of the French resistance, became a chef and mixed with English aristocracy you may wonder if it was fact or fiction.

    But French chef Raymond Lempereur survived the German occupation and moved to London from Vichy in 1948 to work for the French Ambassador in Kensington Palace Gardens.

    After a year at the Ambassador’s residence, he was recruited as head chef to the Earl of Sefton at Croxteth Hall near Liverpool.

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  • Stormy shades of light

    Sky_church0312AFTER a night-time storm the rising sun lights up the sky with an array of colours and shades.
    The church at Loubejac stands dark against the clouds, and a hazy mist lies in the valley floor.
    Click on the thumbnail, right, for the full size image.

  • Review of More France Please, We’re British

    More_france_please_0112AS bookshelves groan under the increasing number of titles about moving to France, standing out from the crowd can be a challenge.

    But a new book about moving to and living life the French way has achieved just that something a bit different.

    More France Please, We’re British, by Helena Frith Powell, offers first hand experience from not only the author herself but others she has interviewed.

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  • Tips on moving to France

    dog_bar0506

    HAVING been in France for over a year, and spoken to and interviewed many people, what are the best tips for a painless move?

    Of course the first thing you should do is read thisfrenchlife and sign-up to my newsletter – but I would say that…

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