Mutts

I want to carry out some research on WWII in Roanne and/or Riorges as my dad was there some time prior to liberation (sent over from UK) and I'd like to know more about what he was doing. I have a couple of letters from people living there in 1945 and wonder if there's the slightest possibility they're still around. Does anyone know of an association or individual who would be able to help me? Unfortunately my French is not the greatest (yet!) so an English speaking contact would be an asset. Many thanks   Linda

Thanks for your replies - good to be prepared. We weren't asked to pay for the gaz left in the tank - perhaps because we paid the asking price for the house and bought some furniture from the previous owners (suspect we paid over the top for that). The only thing we were advised about was to check that the tank was cleaned when its being refilled!! Thanks again  

Just bought a house in 24 and are in the process of signing up for various utilities. Total Gaz have written "An overground propane tank belonging to us is at arrangement on the site", which indeed it is, and we've made arrangements to meet their rep next time we visit. It there anything I should know about likely gaz contracts? Different tarrifs etc? At some stage, the house will need modernising but nothing is going to happen for a while yet and we've no plans to change the gaz.   Linda

We just bought goods from Conforama in Bergerac and they offer an (almost) free hire of vans depending on the amount spent. We didn't need to use this service but it certainly appeared to be of instant availability. It's likely their delivery and/or hire varies from region to region. Good luck      

Many thanks Katie. I've noted the number and will give them a try before setting out. Best wishes Linda

Hi there No it's not a military cemetery, it's the municipal one in Coulogne, Pas de Calais. I found an Acte de Concession perpetuelle years ago which gives no. 749 - presumably the plot number. It's reserved for both grandparents and my great grandmother, but I only found it after burying grandmother in Paris!  We visited the grave (also years ago) and thought only my great grandmother was there, but recently I've looked at the Acte again and found a receipt dated 15/1/1965 attached to it, and as my grandfather died on 12/1/1965 I think he's got to be around there somewhere! My French is almost non-existent. Unpracticed, but up to disc 6 Michel Thomas! If you know how and where I could contact the authorities before my trip to France on Thursday, I'd be very grateful if know. Best wishes Linda  

Thanks for the replies. A king size is 190 x 200. I know Ikea in UK don't seem to do them. Off to try that website. Linda

Yes, well I know it's a strange topic....but....I'm hoping to visit the municipal cemetery in Coulogne later this month and need to find a particular plot and make enquiries as to who is in it!! (I think my grandfather is buried there, but need to make sure). Can anyone tell me if there are officials around if I just turn up at the cemetery? If no officials on duty, how else would I find the plot? Linda

Any ideas where I can buy (& approx how much) a kingsize bed? Preferably somewhere around Bergerac. I've searched the website for this subject but can only access the first page. Have also searched some meuble websites and have failed to find anything. Any advice on this would be appreciated.   Thanks Linda

We're in the (slow) process of opening an account with CA Britline and their info pack gives a list of all the items required. The amount required to open was 150 euros - in travellers cheques. Some documentation needs to be certified. Give yourself plenty of time before expecting the account to be up and running. Passport Two of either: Bank statement; tax document; mortgage statement; utility bill (not mobile); driving licence; rental contract. Above must be certified And: 2 months bank statements; bankers reference; evidence of income; proof of french purchase; minimum deposit of 150 euros. Good luck  

Speedferries contacted me today to say that "due to unforeseen circumstances" they are changing to a winter schedule. Late afternoon and evening crossings are gone! Seems they're okay for 07.45; 11.15 and 14.45. Likewise, return crossings. If in doubt check their website or call them on 079 76 345 724. Our bookings have had to be completely rearranged and the best we can hope for is to get to the notaire's office on time for our signing. In an attempt to turn a disappointment into an opportunity, we might have enough time on our return to do some genealogical sleuthing in Calais. Does anyone live Pas de Calais who could advise on opening times of Mairie's and cemetaries? Best wishes Linda      

I'm in the process of opening a Britline account with CA - sent the numerous documents, signed, certified, registered, stamped via super-express registered next day I-should-think-so-to delivery costing over £8 on 23rd August. As we need our account open very soon to get the requested property insurance and cheque book to pay various bills on property contract completion I phoned them today - that's exactly two weeks - to hurry them up. After a 10 minute telephone interview, they explained that details and a contract will be sent - should get this by Friday - must send back signed contract and then and only then,  they'll send a cheque book. Details will arrive too late to make a transfer to clear into the account to pay for insurance and cheque book will arrive too late to be of use for our visit when we sign the final contracts. Purchase of the property will not be from that account, but purchase of various other items using cheques had already been arranged. The numerous chargeable services they offered were turned down and I'm actively seeking alternative insurance and alternative banking. I estimate over 4-weeks needed to have a fully operational account. Linda

As a point of interest, I'd like to add my experience to this thread. My grandfather died in 1965 in Paris. He was British, my grandmother was French. To avoid French Inheritance laws my grandmother went to solicitors in London and had them produce  documents which persuaded the authorities that my grandfather's estate be dealt with under English law, not French, on the basis that they married in England (six weeks later they married again in France) and their first matrimonial home was in England. No idea if this could happen in current times - perhaps the law has been tightened up. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has experience of this or was it a one-off? I'd also be interested to know of any genealogy hints and tips for France. http://jonesfamily.activeservice.co.uk  

Hi Signing the final contract for our house in September and need to think about property maintenance etc. I found an article about fosse septiques which reads: "WARNING - Holiday Homes: Fosse Septique(s) do not like drying out. The bacteria that makes the whole system work will be severely restricted and the biodegradation process can stop entirely. One solution is to divert a down pipe from the gutter into the fosse septique." It then goes on to say "Hopefully you will be holidaying during the summer when there is less rain". Which seems to suggest that too much rain is a problem. I've read every posting on the forum about fosse septiques but have seen nothing about this. Any ideas? Sad though it is, we may not be able to visit the house after September, for over six months, but would like to have working loos/drains on our visits. Also ....... the house is about 50 yrs old, and we're told the fosse is empty but no idea how old it is. Would it have a filter thing? If anyone could give me guidelines on how to keep the fosse working and properly maintained, I'd be very grateful.

We're about to make a new will and are considering a Discretionary Trust Will to avoid UK IHT. As we're planning on retiring to France in approx 3 yrs, I'm wondering about advantages in making this an offshore trust, where tax on income will be restricted to (say) Jersey. Then the old brain starts whizzing on the possibility of using offshore accounts for income once we're resident in France. I understand that tax for a French resident is on worldwide assets, but there must be hundreds and thousands who have hidden accounts which are not declared and the jurisdiction of the French tax authorities would not extend to tax havens. I started looking into this and found a website which suggests that before retiring to France, if you have a UK house to sell..... "It is normally not a good idea to remit the money to France. If you are selling when you move if you time your move correctly you can be resident nowhere for a short while. This is because the UK tax year runs from 6th April to 5th April and the French tax year runs on a calendar basis. If you simply go on holiday (anywhere but not France) in the meantime you may be able to dispose of assets with large gains into a discretionary offshore trust free of Capital Gains Tax. This needs to be done after you leave the UK and before you take up residence in France. Timing is very important and professional advice essential. Provided the offshore structure is set up correctly when you become French resident you will not own the assets and so will not pay any tax on them." Does anyone have any ideas, advice or experience with this? I've noticed some website addresses which give advice on French tax but can anyone recommend a really good uptodate book on preparing for retirement financially?

For toilet training overnight, put them in a large box (childs playpen size) with their blankets in one corner, water in another and newspaper in another. Keep newspaper in the house and when they "go" catch 'em quick and plonk 'em on the paper. As days/weeks/months go by move the paper towards the door, then finally outside. Having said that, they must be sent out before bedtime and praised when they pee. Dogs like these will often associate themselves with one person and that can become a pain. Regular visitors to the house, or children in particular, can be asked to put their food down. Better still, get someone to take their food bowls away for 10 minutes before returning them. When our dog was a pup, he started growling at my young son - the dog was sent to his bed, then turfed out by my son who sat on his blanket for a while before the dog was allowed to return. It's all about making sure the dog knows his place is at the bottom of the "pack", not fighting to be "top dog". You've had lots of good advice so far - enjoy your dogs and try to be patient with them. Good luck

Got to book our crossing very soon and I need to decide now which route to take - Boulogne to Bergerac - as I'm also planning to stop overnight at a cheap hotel. Any recommendations which route around Paris we take? Any roads to be avoided?

We're buying a property in the Dordogne which uses propane gas for heating, cooking and hot water and have been told that we'll need to pay for the gas left in the tank. It's a fixed tank bomb thingey in the garden which we estimate to be about 1000 kg. What would be the cost of filling it? The thought that we might be mistaken for rich Brits crossed my mind when the agent emailed a list of furniture which Madam has decided to sell......and has priced at 4600 Euros! Hope I get through enough Michel Thomas lessons to learn how to say something apt when we go over to sign the contract. Linda

It's a phrase usually associated with where you live for tax purposes. A UK tax return asks: "Are you claiming that you were not resident, or not ordinarily resident, or not domiciled, in the UK, or dual resident in the UK and another country, for all or part of the year?" Further information might be found on www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk or on their helpline 0845 9000 444 Good luck

Can anyone recommend a book on all things French? We're in the process of buying a property, which we certainly hope will go smoothly, but could do with learning about everything to do with owning a property, retiring to France, tax, just about everything really.

My first post here as I can't find an answer to my query (I'm not great at message boards!) I'd like to know if it's possible for the compris de vente to be signed on our behalf. We've made an offer on a property but will not know if it's been accepted for apx 10 days. 4 days after that, we're off on holiday (not to France) and will be out of touch. Will we be able to (a) make first contact with a notary (we have the email address of an English speaking French notary in the area we're buying) and (b) setup all the necessary formalities of power of attorney in that time? The people we're buying from want assurances that selling to us won't delay the legal processes and unless we can provide some assurance/guarantees they have another offer which they're more likely to accept. Hope to hear.... PS - Great site here