CATEGORIES
Art Imitates Life
Often in life it’s a case of being in the right place at the right time, and Tarn-based sculptor and jeweller David Kemp knows this more than most. He tells Scheenagh Harrington how he came to set up his own studio near Albi.
A shore Thing
Sunshine and sea set the pace of life in the towns on the shores of the Étang de Thau, Languedoc-Roussillon’s largest lagoon, as Sophie Gardner-Roberts discovers.
A Good Move
Sue Anderson didn’t think anything could match the scenery of her childhood in South Africa until she arrived in Morbihan. She tells Catriona Burns how she and her family found their perfect home in the Breton countryside.
A Local's View
Clare Elizabeth Knott and her husband Leigh moved to Allier in 2008 where they are raising their three daughters. Clare explains why she loves this tranquil part of rural France
Cutting The Mustard
If transforming a neglected farmhouse into a successful hotel wasn’t enough to keep Paul Thomas and Jolanta Bakalarz busy in their retirement, the expat couple have also launched their own wine, as Andy Duncan finds out
How Green Is Your House?
Making your French home more eco-friendly means you’ll be doing your bit to save the planet, and it’s an opportunity to save yourself some money too. Robin Gauldie investigates the options available and the potential savings
A Lot Of Fosse?
You may become the owner of a septic tank when you buy a home in France, so what do you need to know? Catharine Higginson explains how to manage your fosse septique
Bricks And Mortgages
Are you planning to buy a home in France this year? Fiona Watts explains why it’s a good time to consider financing your purchase with a French mortgage
Diary Of A Move
Worried your language skills aren’t up to the challenge of moving to France? You’ll learn more quickly than you might think, says Fiona Flint
Dream Property...
Every so often we come across a property that knocks us for six. This month emma rawle has fallen in love with this unique barn conversion in dordogne.
Retirement Home For Dogs
Leeanne Whitley, 50, runs a twilight retirement home for dogs with her husband michael, 69, from their home in st-paul-laroche, dordogne.
High On Life
Leslie Rayney and Teo Leyssen enjoy a serene, rural lifestyle in the Ardèche mountains with their goats, bees and newly adopted donkey. Theirs isn’t the obvious option for a new life in France, and it hasn’t always been easy, but they wouldn’t have it any other way, as Kate McNally discovers.
Lettuce Grow!
With lawns to mow and lettuces to sow, May is a busy month in the garden, says Sue Bradley.
Getting The Show On The Road
James Martin’s French Adventure series saw the celebrity chef falling in love with France all over again. Catriona Burns checks in with the B&B owners who hosted him during his travels to find out more.
Back In The Saddle
Seduced by the mountains, vineyards and pretty villages of Alsace, Glenn Ford fell in love with the region nearly 30 years ago when he lived there during a work placement. He now organises walking and cycling tours, showcasing what this beautiful part of France has to offer, says Stephanie Sheldrake
Money Makes The World Go Round
You might be exchanging your pounds for euros but it’s worth taking a closer look at how other currencies and countries are faring too, says Matthew Harris
Save Your Energy
It may seem like an impossible dream, but freeing yourself from conventional energy supplies is becoming more practical – if you’re prepared to pay the price. Robin Gauldie looks at the options for living off-grid in France
I Was Unceremoniously Dumped From The Interior Design Committe
As Ian Moore attempts to de-clutter in readiness for the B&B and gîte conversion, he soon realises that his wife has other ideas
Awesome Auvergne
With stunning volcanic countryside, rural communities and a wealth of things to do for the whole family, Auvergne is a land of plenty, says Sophie Gardner-Roberts, and it’s attractively affordable too
A New World Of Words
Worried about your children getting to grips with French in their new classroom in France? There are plenty of easy ways to help them develop their language skills at home, not to mention a life-long love of le français, says educational psychologist Janet Myers
Down To Earth
The shortening days are a good time to develop new garden habits. Sue Bradley builds a compost heap and gets her bulbs in
Cycling And Upcycling
"We're Very Lucky...It's A Good Time For The Whole Upcycling Things. People Are Interested And Enjoy The Recycled Look"
Fit For A King
With February a month to consider planting bare-rooted fruit trees, Sue Bradley discovers the history of an old French cultivar thought to have been enjoyed by the Sun King
The Royal Treatment
“We looked at 10 other châteaux just to make sure it was the right one, and this was the one that stuck out”
Gironde: Raisin D'être
From rolling vineyards famed for producing world-class wines to Atlantic beaches, lagoons, historic villages and a cosmopolitan capital, Gironde is a diverse department with something for all, says Caroline Bishop.
Artistic Spark
Moving to France has certainly opened doors for mechanic-turned-metal artist Darren Ind, who, together with his wife Kate and their two children, is enjoying a new flexible lifestyle in Vienne, says Gillian Harvey.
'Rather Than Wait For Some Distant Authority To Scrape The Ice From The Roads, The Locals Pitch In'
This month Gillian Harvey explains how the French are far from laid-back when it counts
A Change Of Tax
With the 2018 budget introducing a number of tax reforms in France, Rob Kay explains the changes due to come into effect and how they could impact your finances
Guide To: The Role Of The Mayor In France
The mayor’s role is wide-reaching and it’s important to understand their key responsibilities in French society if you are planning on living there, says Kate McNally
Liberte, Egalite, Nationalite
In January 2017, writer Mark Sampson shared his experiences of applying for French citizenship. Having now officially acquired la nationalité française, he explains the final stages of the process