Rascalb

Thanks for the tip Paul. We have now bought from them but they could not get the Lafarge tiles in time for this trip - so have bought slate from them instead. Seems Lafarge have to have at least one months notice to supply. But LARIVIERE were really nice and helpful, we would thoroughly recommend them to anybody.

Thanks Anton - We are in 53 - Bree near Montsurs to be exact. I will give it another go tomorrow.

Sorry to ask and I am probably being dim but - I have an ELAP set -up that I cannot set-up! I have a satellite finder and no prob with dish, but unable to follow instructions in French. I have all info from Lyngsat and am still stuggling. Does anyone know where english instructions may be posted on internet? Or has anyone done this themselves and could help please? Thanks

Has anyone bought or attempted to buy roof tiles from Lafarge? Where did you find were the best suppliers? We are hoping to buy the Duo tile Ardoise (looks like large slate) but seem to have trouble with places like Paris when it comes to transportation. As per usual it is more difficult when struck in UK and with deadlines!! We are in Bree Dept 53. Thanks 

Do not worry. These are paid in arrears and will be issued automatically. They are sent out in the second half of the year and are payable on-line via your french bank card or by cheque.Make sure you pay by due date or there are penalties applied for late payment.

Can anyone give us a cost for delivery of Ready mix concrete per M cubed. Also does anyone know of any suppliers in the Mayenne/Evron area? [:D]

Has anybody used tickets for this without nominated account holder being in vehicle? Not really sure how they check who is in vehicle with self check-in. I would be interested to hear any responses. I have no assoc with Eurotunnel by the way - just wondering if you can use rather than lose!! Private replies if preferred. Thanks

We live in Cheshire and travel to Laval area regularly. Depends on your criteria really - If you are not worried about driving time,fuel costs and price of crossing I would go for Eurotunnel. We use this as 1st choice. The dogs are not left alone, there is a dog walking area and with the journey down always unpredictable, there is always another train coming along. If you want less driving then from looking at this site Transmanche or LD lines - but obviously the dogs will be left alone inside the vehicle parking area. I should say that in our experience any route other than Eurotunnel adds hours to the journey - but a little less driving time(not a lot!). Speedferries will probably not take your trailer, but check their site. I have used them but they are too unreliable - timing wise - for me after the journey south and onward travel(tend to add a min of 2 hours to journey and usually more).

We have just learned that the land all around us is under threat from a quarry enterprise. They have bought from the farmers but not the houseowners as yet. We are aware that the company will not quarry within 400m of our land - which is very close. We have around 3 hectares and believe they are only paying 2000 euros per hectare - nothing for property. Does anyone have experience of this situation and could offer any advice. We are obviously panic struck and about to lose around £50,000. We have joined an association to fight this but it seems a tenuous situation at best. Thanks

I have to say that we have just travelled over to France on what will be our 3rd and final trip with Speedferries. We have yet to make a journey on time. This time it was one hour late and the journey has never been less than one hour not 50 mins as advertised. It is a long journey from Cheshire to Mayenne and we have decided that the Tunnel is going to be our main transport. It may be £40.00 more return but it has a little class and is virtually always on time and the major point of course if you miss yours another will be along very shortly. Our average journey is 11 hours with tunnel but never less than 13 hours with Speedferries. By the way fighting the pirates is all well and good but have you bought drinks on board Speedferries - £1.30 for a can of coke! So for the sake of £10.00 per hour(on a return journey), we will stand the cost and enjoy the journey.

Does anybody know why the french tend to build single block walls as opposed to cavity walls as we do here in the UK. We are just about to start a project at easter and cannot decide which to go for. Cost wise single block works out cheapest of course. The wall will be 10 metres long and 2.5 metres high, joining two exiscting stone walls and is single storey with roof on top. Rear wall is existing stone. Any comment s will be helpful as Mr B is still unsure even after chat with local builder!

I think you will find that these new lower prices are only available on return journeys. It states this in the terms and condition box that comes up with the flight options/prices for you to choose date/price. They also operated like this last year when I flew the same route.

Having just gone through the process I would advise that you get permission, if you do not display the permis on your property someone may report you if they see or hear building works and then you would inccur the planning officers fine. We are converting a barn and loft and were told by Mairie that we needed permission for all habitable area created except for where the roof/ceiling is under 1.8M and if the spaces are bathroom/kitchens under 9sqM. It is needed because as stated the tax will rise and therefore implies any changes need to be noted by the authorities. You may get the larger plan on request from the Mairie which is where we obtained ours. Not being funny but if you do not register changes it may also affect later resale situation.[:)] Bon Chance

Not sure of legal requirement to replace boundary fencing, but have friends who had a dispute over boundary. They called in Geometre - can be found in most towns- kind of legal land surveyor. He comes out with Cadastral plan and marks the boundary in aerosol paint on the floor. You can then decide if you have the correct land and pur up your fence. I should add that a cost is incurred but not too expensive.They were slightly different as they had no existing fence, but have erected a basic post and wire fence now. Hope this helps.

If you have a local government pension from UK employment - ie from Education/Council employment etc it is taxable in the UK not France. As far as I know this is the only oddity.

Does anyone know if it is possible to e-mail any of the building suppliers in dept 53 around Evron or Laval? We are starting a project this year and would like to collect prices and possibly order on-line. I have been unable to find any on the major websites like Reseau-Pro. [*-)]

Does anyone know if there is a square metre charge for laying block such as in UK? We have a 7X6 garage to construct and wondered about costs- footings already done. We are in Dept 53. Thanks

Like Nearly Retired we used the new autoroute yesterday from Alencon - certainly saved time! Him indoors decided to leave at Elbouf as felt it would be quicker than going to the end - just wondred how long it took from Elbouf back to the point we joined at Bergthouralde (not sure spelt right)?

Same as you. Tax Fonciere done and dusted but no Tax d'Habitation - although form completed and returned earlier in year. Completed the same last year but received no bill - locals seem to think that this is normal. Anyway I will be there tomorrow for a nice break!!

I had to take the train back to CDG last year from Evron. It cost me 48 Euros single and I changed at Le Mans. There was a train that left around 06.00 that was direct and may have been an advantage. It was a good service except for the wait at the change in Le Mans. It took around three and a half hours in total. The best thing to do is call in at the station which is where I got my information even with my poor French. Write out what you want to know on a piece of paper and they usually write the times and prices on there for you.

It may well be worth contacting the Camping companies in France who are based in UK as they sell older homes at end of season and transportation costs will obviously be less. I used to work for Holidaybreak and I know they did sell them at one time. They are based at Northwich in Cheshire so it is worth a call to their Operations Dept to check. Sorry I do not have current telephone number. They should be around prices of Haven but from past knowledge would say they will be in better condition.

After searching around we found that we could obtain fully copmrehensive as part of a package with both AXA and a company called screensavers.co.uk. We are currently with Churchill through screensavers so give them a ring and ask for a quote. I think that AXA have a 93 day limit to usage at this cover in Europe and you have to call and inform them before you travel. But you do not have to inform screensavers. Hope this helps.   

Not sure if this helps - We live just down the road from you in Cheshire and have a house in Mayenne. We travel via Le Shuttle and will be continuing to do so even though they no longer have The Property Owners Club. It is convenient for us as all motorway(average run 4hrs - worst 6 hrs to Kent). We generally find that the whole journey takes us around 10-11hrs, which will speed up at the end of next year with the autoroute from Rouen to Le Mans. The best thing to do is to go and stay in the area you choose and have a look around the local Estate Agents, which is how we did it. We found that all connections we made through the internet let us down as the property we expected to view was already sold.Old fashioned leg work is the best way and if you do not speak french then employ a translator (friend of a friend usually) who could go with you.

We have just returned from our house in Mayenne Department, a friend informed us that planning rules have changed and that you can now only convert barns that have chimneys in them. Has anyone else heard this? We have a barn we wish to incoroprate into our house and would obviously pose a problem. Plus it may be important for future buyers to know if this has changed.

Many thanks for the information. Pleased that we do not have to get involved with TVA!