Essential reading for anyone who imagines themselves living “the good life” following the footsteps of Peter Mayle out to the French countryside. This book gives a realistic view of the pleasure and pain of actually attempting it while providing comprehensive practical advice on everything from buying property, to keeping livestock to meeting the neighbors. True to the publishers name the book is chocked full of practical information on all things French including the country’s legendary administration. You won’t want to leave home without it. To buy the book from Survival Books
In the Merde for Love
Stephen Clarke keeps the punch lines coming in this sequel to his best-seller, “A Year in the Merde.” The adventures of British expat Paul West pick up where they left off, exposing with no little hilarity the agony and the ecstasy of living among the French. Clarke has a keen eye and a keener ear for their quirks, foibles and irrationalities, and although the story could be tighter and the jokes funnier, the characters never disappoint. As pleasant a way to while away an afternoon as its predecessor!
Paris: Biography of a City
In this intelligently-written and supremely entertaining new history, Colin Jones sets out to give a sense of the city of Paris as it has been lived in and experienced, from one period to the next. The focal point of generation upon generation of admirers and detractors, a source of attraction or repulsion, even for those who have never been there, this town has witnessed more extraordinary events than any other. No spot on earth has been more walked around, written about, discussed, painted and photographed. With an eye for revealing, startling and (sometimes) horrible details, Colin Jones takes the reader from Roman Paris to the present, recreating the ups and downs of this capital and its inhabitants, in an entertaining historical perspective. Attentive at once to the urban environment and to the experiences of those who have lived within it, at different stages of its evolution, “Paris: Biography of a City” will be hugely enjoyed by habitual “Paris dream” obsessives, by first-time visitors, and by those who know its landmarks only by repute.
Timesharing in France
Excerpted from “Buying a Home in France ”
Timeshare & Part-ownership Schemes
If you’re looking for a holiday home abroad, you may wish to investigate a scheme that provides sole occupancy of a property for a number of weeks each year. Such schemes include part-ownership, leaseback and timeshare (or timesharing). Continue reading “Timesharing in France”
French Social Security System
France has a comprehensive social security (sécurité sociale) system covering healthcare, injuries at work, family allowances, unemployment insurance, and old age (pensions), invalidity and death benefits. France spends more on ‘welfare’ than almost any other EU country: over 30 per cent of GDP. Continue reading “French Social Security System”
The French National Health System
France has an excellent, although expensive, national health system. If you qualify for healthcare under the national health system, you and your family are entitled to subsidized or (in certain cases) free medical and dental treatment. Benefits include general and specialist care, hospitalization, laboratory services, medicines, dental care, maternity care, appliances and transportation. Those who don’t automatically qualify can contribute voluntarily or take out private health insurance. Continue reading “The French National Health System”
Working in France
Regulations governing the right of foreigners to employment in France are complex. If you do not have permanent residency (une carte de résident) in France, which authorizes you to work here, obtaining a work permit depends on where you come from, whether you have legitimate grounds for living in France, and what sort of gainful activity you expect to pursue. At present, citizens of pre-2004 member nations of the European Union and Switzerland need no official authorization to live and work in France (see further “Working in France for EEA Nationals”). For non-EEA foreigners, application for any prolonged stay (i.e., not a 90-day tourist visa) must be made through a French consulate in their home country. Any authorization to work in France will be contingent on obtaining permission to live here.
Continue reading “Working in France”
Health Emergencies in France
France’s emergency medical services are among the best in the world but may operate in a slightly different way from those you’re used to. The action to take in a medical emergency depends on the degree of urgency. Continue reading “Health Emergencies in France”
French retirement homes
Excerpted from “Buying a Home in France ”
Traditionally, the French expect to care for elderly relatives within the family unit (indeed adults are legally obliged to provide for their parents in old age, according to their means), so retirement homes (résidence pour retraités/seniors) are less common than in many other Western countries, although they’re becoming more usual: there are now around 5,000 retirement homes. Continue reading “French retirement homes”
Buying a Business Property
Excerpted from “Buying a Home in France”
The procedure for buying business premises is essentially the same as for buying private property in France. This is generally a straightforward process, although there are certain precautions to be taken and regulations to be observed. You can obtain a mortgage of up to 80 per cent on a commercial property, but you must fund the business yourself.Before buying any business property, you must do your homework thoroughly, particularly regarding the history and viability of the business. Continue reading “Buying a Business Property”
Buying a Home in France
Excerpted from “Buying a Home in France “
A ‘new’ house is generally defined as one built in the last five years, which is also the legal definition. Although new properties may lack the charm and character of older buildings, they offer attractive financial and other advantages: Continue reading “Buying a Home in France”