Roxane

Sorry to hear you have suffered a break in. We know exactly what it is like - we suffered our 4th one in December and still have no pay out from the insurance company! Our first 3 were at our house in the Vendee - it was remote, no near neighbours. It was broken into at the same time each year. Till eventually we left nothing there and then sold up - losing money. Second time around we did everything we thought was right. We bought in a village, now in the Languedoc,  good next door neighbour, no break in's in the village for 4 years. In december - they - took a crow bar (is that how you spell it) and forced the front door. We have a street light outside. Luck was on our side in that they did no damage but we lost over 6000 Euro's worth of stuff. We are still renovating so mostly tools etc. Most electrical stuff was still in boxes so easy to take away. What else can we do - I object to building Fort Know - its not what I want to be in France for. We are thinking about an alarm, but just at the moment I am also thinking about selling........ Watch this space Roxane

Maybe I am misunderstanding what you mean by split residence - but - I was told that if one half of a married couple was resident in France, then both where liable for tax etc. This applies even if the partner residing in France was not working. I am an IT contractor working through my own limited company. We considered by husband living in our french home while doing the work it so badly needs. However we found that this was not financially viable due to the above and the costs involved in setting up a french company. If this is not the case I would love to know. Best regards

Keith I dont know where you live but if near London both Selfridges and Harrods have an international section for magazines. Another way is to ask you local newsagent if they can obtain them for you. I know I can get american magazines easily but have not tried French ones. The last option is that I am sure they will have an overseas subscriber option. There is usually a card in the magazine to fill in. Happy hunting Roxane

Jet I am sorry to hear the problems you are having I can relate to them very strongly. In 1990 we bought a house in the Vendee, which was a minimum of a large field away from the nearest house. In the eight years we owned the house we were burgled all the winters except two. The only thing that worked in the end was a light which came on when it detected movement, somehow burglers seemed a little unsure who can see them. Guess what - we sold up. We have now moved south but our first requirement when searching for the second time - a village house. So far so good. I am sure its not the only answer, but for us it has given us a lot more peace of mind. Best regards and dont let it spoil France for you.