THERE are many books and websites offering advice on having a phone installed or getting the electricity turned on when moving to France.
But what about the psychological challenges and changes you are likely to face, just what do you have to do to make a success of starting anew in another country?
It is from this direction that Suzanne Saxe-Roux and her husband, Jean Roux, come from in their book, Courage and Croissants.
THERE were still a few rough corners to rub down, and even a floor to lay, but the EcoCentre2 opened its doors to visitors recently, showcasing ‘green’ building techniques and technologies.
COMING to a home near you, the Linky is set to be installed in all new houses from 2012 and across France by the end of 2016.
But what is it? The Linky is a device from EDF that aims to provide accurate measurements of electricity consumption and enable remote collection of data without disturbing home owners.
The Linky has been trialled in around 300,000 homes in Indre-et-Loire and around Lyon, however the new system has its critics.
FOR every person looking to buy in France there has to be another willing to sell, but what are the steps involved when putting your home up for sale?
As in England, selling a property in France is generally more straightforward than buying, but there are still plenty of traps for the unwary, writes Guillaume Barlet.
THE number of departments in France facing water use restrictions has increased, meaning an update of the Ministry of Ecology website and its .pdf map that you can download highlighting the different areas affected.
Many of the restrictions are localised and so it is worth checking with your mairie if you are in one of the areas.
A map of water shortages and reducing water use is also available.
A BRITISH man has been successful in receiving the return of inheritance payments he had to make upon the death of his civil partner.
The Connexion reports on the case of Jerry Lea who had already paid instalments of £31,800 on a £98,000 bill, but the courts say he will get his money back and some of his legal costs.
A NUMBER of regions in France are currently facing water use restrictions, so it may be worth checking with your mairie if you are in one of the areas.
Update June 2022: An online map on water shortages for different areas of France. And the Dordogne authorities have published a map with restrictions in the departement.
The Ministry of Ecology has a .pdf map you can download highlighting the different areas affected.
At present the regions concerned are: Ain (01), Charente (16), Charente-Maritime (17), Côte-d’Or (21), Eure (27), Gers (32), Ille-et-Vilaine (35), Indre-et-Loire (37), Landes (40), Loire-Atlantique (44), Loiret (45), Maine-et-Loire (49).
Also: Marne (51), Mayenne (53), Rhône (69), Sarthe (72), Seine-Maritime (76), Seine-et-Marne (77), Yvelines (78), Deux-Sèvres (79), Vendée (85) Vienne (86) et Essonne (91).
There are different measures that departments can turn to including restricted watering of crops, to complete banning of watering including domestic use such as filling pools and washing cars.
IMAGINE an 'office' within walking distance of home on an ancient site, first inhabited thousands of years ago.
Imagine this is where you work flexitime, responsible for thousands, in spite of seasonal fluctuations.
THE end of May sees the deadline for the submission of details about your income to the French tax authorities.
If you make your declaration online then you have a little longer, and if you are already registered in the system and employed, then it could be just a case of checking the figures.
Your first port of call with any questions should be your Trésor Public as they will be able to supply you with the latest advice, you can search for Trésor Public offices here.
WHEN looking for a property in France (like any property search elsewhere in the world), the estate agent is often the first person to be contacted, writes Guillaume Barlet.
Whether you have seen an advertisement in an estate agency window or browsing the web, l’agent immobilier will be, most of the time, your first contact in the purchasing process.
All estate agencies in France must be registered with the French trade authorities. The activity of estate agent is regulated by French law (Loi Hoguet) which applies as soon as an individual or any corporate entity carry out or assist in an operation, on a regular basis, relating to someone else’s property.