Lastest Articles

Make your Money go Further

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Instead of waiting until you arrive at the airport, having the inconvenience of queuing plus the added cost of getting charged between 6-10% on the exchange rate, HiFX Travel Money Online will make your money go further.

Order your travel money online with HiFX and you will not only receive excellent exchange rates but your cash or travellers cheques will be delivered direct to your door free of charge* saving you both time and money. ...

A taste of the Languedoc, France

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

For now, Languedoc remains that rarest and most precious of places: a corner of western Europe filled with great natural beauty, superb wines and a long and fascinating history that has somehow escaped the notice of the world's tourist hordes. Property in the Languedoc too is still very affordable.

It's all the more surprising since Languedoc has an abundance of the things we love about Provence: a sun-baked Mediterranean climate, fields of sunflowers and fragrant lavender, rocky villages ...

The Next Train is Leaving the Rat Race

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

�The 8.16 train to London Victoria has been cancelled due to leaves on the line. We apologise for this inconvenience".

A collective groan, with British reserve, reverberated along the station platform. Another normal day in the life of the commuter trying to get into work to earn a heavily taxed crust.

I stood on the station platform and looked around me. That familiar site that had greeted my pollution-reddened eyes for the last 15 years was becoming tainted. The drab colours ...

A Gite in the Aude, Languedoc, France

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Properties in the Languedoc, over the last few years,have seen a great growth. It was always called the poor man�s Provence, but they can eat their words now. Over the last 5 years, properties in the Languedoc have increase by about 80%. Also, there has been a huge rise in these properties being turned into Gites.

Where does this interest come from? One huge pointer is the growth of airports served by the Budget airlines. ...

Good Profits on French Property

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

One big advantage for existing French Property Investors (from the UK) is that they are already sitting on good profits on their French property thanks to the strength of the Euro.

In the last six months the Euro has increased in value by about 10% against sterling (six months ago it stood about 1.48 euros to �1 - now about 1.33). So a property bought at 200,000 euros costing �135,000 is now worth in �sterling: �150,000. Many ...

Worried about the Exchange rate

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The euro has been gaining at sterling's expense over the last few weeks - effectively making a French Property purchase more expensive for UK buyers.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that the euro interest rate is particularly attractive compared with the UK rate.

French Mortgages

For example, it is possible to fix rates at less than 5% for up to 7 years. There are many ...

Investing in Provence Properties

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

With the Buy to Let market in the UK showing signs of decline - where to look next? Well Provence (Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur) looks a hot prospect. Apart from the playground of the jetset - from Elton John, Tina Turner, David and Victoria Beckham, Brigitte Bardot, Ivana Trump, Bono, The Edge, James Gandolfini, Roman Polanski, Michael Jackson and many more - this has much more going for it. Weather, gastronomy, glitz, beaches, night life and beautiful villages and stunning landscapes. ...

French Property Market Prospects for 2008

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

With a background of economic uncertainty, it is difficult to call the property market in France for 2008.

2007 was a tough property market for most regions of France - the result was that property valuations became far more realistic, and sale prices were open to negotiation!

In the UK, many mortgage clients on fixed period discount mortgages were shocked by the new monthly payments on variable rate mortgages. Families have had to adjust their monthly spend, and may even ...

French Public Holidays

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The following is a list of the Public Holidays / Bank Holidays in France:

� 1st January - New Year's Day

� Good Friday

� Easter Sunday

� Easter Monday

� Ascension Day

� Whit Sunday/Pentacost
...

French Universities: ooh la la off to University I go!

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Off to University I go .... here is our quick guide to Universities in France. They are arranged by French Region with all contact information. Just like the French education system, the universities are renowned for their high educational standards.

French Universities by Region

There are Universities and Poly-techniques in every region of France. The regions are sorted in alphabetical order:-

ALSACE

Mulhouse

UNIVERSIT� DE HAUTE-ALSACE : MULHOUSE ...

French Barns for Renovation, a Bargain or a Bomb

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Converting an old derelict barn into the perfect home is one of the most interesting challenges, and is guaranteed to test the limits of perseverance. On the other hand, French barns for renovation are plentiful, the lifestyle in France is more appealing, and with proper planning will provide a home for all the family not obtainable in the UK for the same price.

Buying the right property will make the renovation go so much more smoothly. Rebuilding a barn can be a difficult and time consuming process and if it has started to deteriorate from ...

Market Days in Poitou-Charentes

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Poitou-Charentes region offers a great many market days, it almost seems as if every town, village and hamlet has it's own at some point during the week. Known as march�s publics or foires, most markets are organised in most larger towns at least once a week sometimes as often as twice a week, while smaller towns and villages are scheduled once a month.

Market days have always been popular in France, and typically involve traders setting up their stalls in long lines along one of the main streets or main square of the town. ...

Use Your British Electrical Appliances In France

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Moving to France is costly enough without having to replace all of your electrical appliances. The good news is that you can use your British electrical appliances in France, in most cases without worrying about the different voltage.

Electrical Supply in France
France, like most of our continental cousins, uses 220-230v at 50Hz, which is very similar to the UK's 230-240v at 50Hz, and since most electrical items are rated at 220-240v you can be reasonably certain your British appliances will work in France. If you happen to have an older ...

Health Care in France, What to Expect

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Health care in France is broadly comparable to any industrialised economy, incorporating both a public and private health care system. Funding for health is sourced from a combination of social security levies on income for all salary and wage earners, and self employed artisans, along with supplemental insurance premiums to private insurance providers. Government health policy is similar to the UK in terms of promoting healthier lifestyles, and combating major diseases.

The French Health Care System
French residents are free to choose the doctor or specialist they wish to consult according to ...

French Residential Water Connection, Supply and Usage

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Moving to France may be the most exciting event in your life, and in this article we explain how to arrange your French water connection, possible problems you'll encounter with mains pressure and water quality, and how to deal with these, and finally, when to expect water restrictions.

Local Water Supply
The water rights in France are owned by local communes, and most is outsource to private corporations that maintain the water networks, provide billing, and develop infrastructure in consultation with the commune. Water ...

A Country Drive Through Poitou-Charentes

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Poitou-Charentes region is generally considered one of the quieter less developed regions of France, and for good reason, the region has one of the lowest population densities in France.

With the exception of Poitiers and La Rochelle, no town has a population greater then 50,000, making for a distinctly peaceful lifestyle. In point of fact, Poitiers and La Rochelle are hardly large cities, a small London Borough having a greater population.

A drive into the country isn't to be feared, it won't take more than a few minutes until fields of sunflowers or the ...

Family Friendly Hotels in Auvergne

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

When traveling in the Auvergne region of France there are many different sites to see and cities to visit. Some of these must see places are a bit out of the way, so hotels will be more like inns or old mansions transformed into hotels in these areas. This lends a special air to the stay because there is history involved and all the old hotels have a story to tell. Families visiting this area can find quite a few different hotels that are great, even for young kids. They may not have all the ...

Sightseeing in Aquitaine

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Atlantic Coast of France is beautiful and worth a visit, although it does not get as much attention as France's Mediterranean coast. Nevertheless, the beaches are long and sandy and the sun beats down just as strong as on the Mediterranean. However, there are more things to take advantage of in the Aquitaine region than just the beautiful beaches.

One city that is a must visit in the Aquitaine region is Bordeaux. In fact, it is quickly becoming one of the country's most popular destinations and this is because it has been made over completely and is ...

Bargain Properties in France

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Autumn tends to be an active time for foreign buyers in France. The holidaymakers are returning home and serious buyers are returning to the market.

But after years of rising prices, finding bargains is harder than ever.

Average Price rises: Last year 15%, Over five years 73%

So it is growing more difficult to find bargain properties - we recommend the following areas Champagne-Ardennes, Poitou-Charente, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Limousin.

Typically the Brits are spending 150K to 250K euros on a French property. In the above areas your budget ...

Good News Bad News on French Property

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Do you want to hear the good news first or the bad news?

Good News - President Sarkozy has introduced some new measures. So the good news - three significant changes. On IHT (Inheritance Tax): There is an exemption for husband and wife, and the exemption has increased to 150,000 euros for each child.

French Wealth Tax

On the dreaded Wealth Tax, there have been significant changes. First you are assessed on 70% of the value of your assets, and the starting asset value has increased to 760,000 euros. So no wealth tax would be due on properties up to 1 million euros. ...

Dordogne - Brits Happy Hunting Ground

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Dordogne in the Aquitaine region of France remains one of the most popular areas of France for British holiday-makers, and buyers of holiday homes!

The good news is that property prices have been dropping over the last few months. There are some good bargains around. As always be prepared to negotiate - try a reasonable offer and you may be surprised.

The Dordogne has good access from the UK with cheap flights to Bergerac, and the international airport at Bordeaux.

1st for French Property has a large selection of Dordogne Properties ...

Roll up for the Apple Fair at Normandy