[Yet more house purchase problems !]

Regretfully for you, I would think about pulling out of the whole deal, deposit in tact and look for something more simple. The alternative is months and months of rangle, argument stress and upset. There's plenty of other properties out there.

[relishing north dordogne]

Try http://www.perigord-immobilier.com They have properties to let and speak English

[Long Term Illness does 100% mean 100%]

100% of convention I am afraid. However if you need medical treatment that a doctor will certify is life threatening they pay the full amount.

[Carte de Sejour - NOT NEEDED]

Solution to save 33 euros.
1) Complete renewal form on line on Passport Office web site with UK address.
2) Have completed form sent out to France.
3) Sign form and return to UK with fee and old passport.
4) New passport arrives to UK adress within 3 weeks.
Result 33 euros richer! (less a few stamps).

[Camp sites East of Paris]

Renewal of a 32 page British passport via the embassy in Paris costs 90 euros including postage. Renewal in UK to an address in UK costs 63 euros. (42)
I would like to know why there is a difference in costs. They are all civil servants are they not. Probably the reason is as usual, costs in France are higher.

[Getting/Renewing UK Passport]

Renewal of a 32 page British passport via the embassy in Paris costs 90 euros including postage. Renewal in UK to an address in UK costs 63 euros. (42)
I would like to know why there is a difference in costs. They are all civil servants are they not. Probably the reason is as usual, costs in France are higher.

[Free Top Up with Carte Vitale]

If you have a very low income you can enter the system on a 100% basis without need for top up insurance. The rules are complicated as usual but in essence if your income is at or below the income support level (SMIC) of France you will qualify. Find out what that currently is from government web sites. Sorry I don't know the web address.