|
| France Buying Guide Newsletter |
|
||
|
As I write this time, there is cause for celebration amongst us Brits who have a continuing love affair with France. Why? Because Nicolas Sarkozy has won the election! Now, don’t get me wrong: I have no wish to go into the ins and outs of French politics now or in any future edition of my France Newsletter. However, suffice it to say that, whatever your political views, we should probably be breathing a sigh of relief as this should mean a total overhaul of France’s complex inheritance tax laws as well as a general overhaul of the whole tax system which is long overdue. Indeed, I have heard word that M. Sarkozy is planning to abolish the inheritance law….. keep your fingers crossed, as this should have a very positive effect on those of us who own, or plan to own, property in France. I have just came back from a wonderful trip to Bordeaux. I went with Kim, and we took great delight in driving around the beautiful countryside both in the Gironde and the Dordogne. This is a lush area with some simply stunning villages: for instance check out St. Emilion, a little gem, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. We felt as though we had stepped back in time as we pottered about its pretty cobbled streets. Going further inland to the Dordogne we saw some wonderful properties, mostly in the most beautiful buttermilk stone colour and could not help feeling that the French way of life has SO much to offer. I am off to Brittany next! I have fond memories of visiting as a child and from what an agent I talked to told me the other day, it has hardly changed: how refreshing it is to hear that in this fast moving world! I hope to come back with stories and hints on this area so if this is the one for you, watch this space… Please keep your stories coming, I read every single one and am always delighted to know how you are getting on with your French plans. If you are already settled in France, you might well want to look at my review of the British Corner Shop later on in this issue. Any way…in this issue, you’ll find: • Special Feature: The astonishing Millau Viaduct • Currency Exchange: Euro Update • Top Tip: 3 little words to help you succeed in France •
Top Frequently Asked Question: Where is the ideal cottage to rent? • (New) The France Buying Guide Forum
mailto:Alexis@overseasguidescompany.com
|
||
UP, UP AND AWAY!FOCUS ON THE MILLAU VIADUCT Since its opening in December 2004, I, along with so many others, have been fascinated by this extraordinary cable-stayed road bridge which spans the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in the Aveyron. Sir Norman Foster designed the bridge with French engineer Michel Virlogeux and it is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world. One of its piers has a summit of 343 metres – slightly taller than the Eiffel tower! The total length of its roadway is 2,460 metres. I could go on with mind blowing statistics but I have a strong feeling you will be more interested in how this viaduct has affected the area in terms of prices, ease of access etc. so feel free to read on without having to stare at numbers! The Millau viaduct connects the A75 motorway from Paris to Barcelona, making it the cheapest and most direct route to the south. This of course means that Aveyron is becoming a much sought after area, having previously been overlooked and not so well known to us Brits. Because the viaduct has hugely eased traffic congestion, tourism is flourishing here and deservedly so: South Aveyron in particular has a simply stunning natural beauty. With increased tourism and much French interest, there is increased demand for gites and chambres d’hotes in Aveyron and this looks likely to continue. This in turn has opened up the property market. It is still entirely possible to find good value properties in unspoilt locations here and when one considers there is also relatively easy access to the Mediterranean coastline, the thought of buying here becomes ever more attractive. Look out for properties built of stone: the traditional architecture here is called “maison caussenarde” referring to “causse”, the limestone. You can often find fascinating features such as arches and vaulted ceilings and huge open fireplaces. For less than €200,000 you may easily find a habitable stone house with some land. Getting to Aveyron is not a problem either: Rodez Airport is served by Ryanair and nearby Toulouse by British Airways, Easyjet and Flybe. Montpellier is not far away either. Click on this link for further information on airlines: http://www.FranceBuyingGuide.com/links.htm#airlines Even if you are not yet planning to buy there, the Millau Viaduct is so worth a visit so make sure you include it in your next travel plans or take a little detour: you will not be disappointed! Also…I do have contacts in this area, so if you’d like me to put you in touch with a property agent, please let me know what your requirements are by filling out the following form: http://www.francebuyingguide.com/property.htm Happy French
travelling! |
||
Currency
Update
|
||
TOP TIPI tend to remember 3 words to help make living in France a success: •
Preparation Remember to think through your criteria, ask advice of a professional and get yourself some language lessons: with this background, you are far more likely to make a success of your new life in France! For more help from me, don’t hesitate to click on the below link for resources that will enable you to purchase in France: http://www.francebuyingguide.com/resources.htm
|
||
Top Frequently Asked Question / Burning Question:Question: I am planning my next trip and hope to find my dream home. I would prefer to stay in a cottage rather than a hotel with my family. Where do I look for a decent, peaceful place that I can book on line? Answer: I have found a wonderful, easy to get around website called Cottages4you – just click on the link below: They have over 15,000 cottages to choose from and boast that they can find the perfect one for you. There is an easy online booking service and their site is quick and simply to navigate, full of pictures and detailed descriptions. You never know, you may get a few ideas for your own home whilst you are sitting on your terrace with your glass of Bordeaux! |
||
Service Review:The British Corner Shop We know you will love this, however much of a Francophile you are! The British Corner Shop delivers a fantastic online service to you anywhere in France. When I am at my cosy home in the Tarn et Garonne, much though I enjoy a glass of Cahors perhaps and tucking into a fresh camembert, there will sometimes come a moment when I would love – dare I say this, a piece of marmite on toast! In the back of my cupboard amongst the French coffee, olive oils and Dijon mustard, it is good to see that trusty jar of good old Marmite! But there is more to the British Corner Shop than just Marmite: they have a whole host of goodies that you will enjoy having stocked up for those odd moments when England feels far away… At British Corner Shop, the online British Supermarket, you can shop for British food & products and have them delivered to anywhere in the world. A great resource for the British Expat community, there are thousands of British items at low prices that are difficult to get hold of abroad, and shipping costs are kept as low as possible. For example an order of up to 30kg can be delivered to France for £12.99 For fast repeat shops you can save your shopping basket (when registered), and complete a repeat order within a few clicks. You can also earn Reward Points on every purchase to set against future purchased. Updated daily, the product ranges are constantly expanding and all new product suggestions by users are generally added within a fortnight. Orders are delivered within 3-5 days on average. British Corner Shop was founded in 2000 and is based in Bristol, UK. Orders placed through the website are dispatched from the warehouse within hours, and there is a dedicated customer service team should you need to speak direct. British Corner Shop are dedicated to excellent customer service, with attention paid to the delivery operation and well packed boxes. Here is the view of one customer recently: ”A note to let you know that the order arrived in less than a week. I live in a small village in the Pyrenees; our main town is Perignan which is approx 70 miles away. Your delivery guy had to call by phone because he couldn't find the house but it all adds to the fun of getting a parcel. It seems sad to think that I get excited over an order for 32 tins of baked beans!!!!! Thanks again for your brilliant service.” For any further information the British Corner Shop team can be contacted on +44 (0)1454 228870 or info@britishcornershop.co.uk or visit the website: www.britishcornershop.co.uk
|
||
|
(New) The France Buying Guide Forum
It’s all about learning from each other and sharing our experiences of property buying in France. The forum is very new and I don’t have many posts, so if you have a few spare moments, could you PLEASE go to the form and either post a question or add some information. I would really appreciate your help. http://www.overseasguidescompany.com/phpBB2/index.php?c=4 That’s all for now. Don’t forget to keep your stories and questions coming. |
||
|
I would love to hear from you… I have so enjoyed all your questions and comments since our last newsletter went out – keep ‘em coming! Seems it is not only the weather that is hotting up, but our desire to get away either for holidays or permanently and France is still way up there on the list – to leave you with a quick thought: did you know that International Living magazine in the US put France way up top in their annual quality of life index (UK came 37th!) A bientot! Alexis Mailto:Alexis@overseasguidescompany.com
|
