Heading across France to find Dordogne properties for sale or that perfect cottage in Provence has just got that bit easier.

Driving through France from the UK just to go house hunting can be a tiring undertaking but the opening of a new high speed train could make all the difference.

Railways make France more accessible

The service between Paris and eastern French cities will not only cut down on travel times but will offer a much wider range of destinations for Brits hoping to buy French property.

Cities which are now accessible via the new Train a Grande Vitesse(TGV) …

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If you are thinking of retiring to France but are concerned about the impact that travelling back to the UK to see family and friends may have on the environment, fear not.

It seems that the UK and France’s dedication to staying green is here to stay – with those crossing the Channel now being given the opportunity to offset their ferry travel.

Retiring to France can be a stressful experience but now one thing you don’t need to be concerned about is your carbon footprint after a new initiative by FerryGreen.com.

Go green in France

Already, travelling to …

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France is the ideal place for anyone thinking of retiring overseas but experts warn that as with any move away, it is important that roundtrip transaction costs are taken into account.

Experts are urging retirees to ensure they are up to speed on any legal issues, taxes or costs which may arise, after a report revealed that some European countries demand higher transaction fees than others.

Russia and Bulgaria have high transaction costs

This, according to the Global Property Guide, can make retiring abroad more expensive than it may initially appear.

The report cites countries such as Russia and Bulgaria as being particularly costly, …

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Thousands of Brits head across the English Channel each year, many of whom have already or are hoping to start a family.

Despite this, it is important to be prepared for the possible eventuality of a marriage breakdown and the differenced between the legal system in France and the UK.

According to UK government statistics around 35 per cent of marriages end in divorce and although the stresses of a union can often be taken away with a move abroad, it is best to be prepared for the possibility.

Obtaining a divorce

As a resident of the EU, anyone living in …

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Hundreds of Brits choose to retire to France each year thanks to the sunny climate and impressive healthcare system.

But many are left with concerns about their pensions and what kind of affect the move will have on the money they receive during retirement.

For most people who retire and become French tax residents, their pension will be taxed according to the French progressive scale rates of income tax, which can range from 0 per cent to 40 per cent.

As well as income tax, those living in France also pay a social charge of 7.1 per cent on their …

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Whether you are hunting for Normandy property for sale or that perfect holiday home in Provence, it is recommended that before you make the move you get to grips with the language.

Make life easier by learning lingo

French is, for many people, the first and only language they have ever been taught but people who are hoping to buy property across the Channel would do well to take up a refresher course.

Elie Barbeau, office manager at Association Integration, said that although most big property companies have English-speaking staff, it makes life much easier if buyers have at least …

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