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Hi here is another one : http://www.maisons-avenir-tradition.com check plans, etc here : http://www.maisons-avenir-tradition.com/en/v1/cat/se.php3 Neither give prices. In fact it is quite complex and depends on location, level of finish, inclination and undersoil geology of plot, etc. They do advertise prices for specific plots in our local newspapers, but these are very much starting prices. Peter            

Hi In this area there are many builders offering "turnkey" houses. Pricing is based on a menu system. After finalising the basic house , you can add upgrades : better tiles, pool, kitchen equipment, door materials, central heating type, etc.  Many also have a land bank in various local areas. The ones I visited had some standard designs that can be modified. They used a pc programme and a large screen to talk us through our requirements, updating the image for each change. At any time you could take a virtual walk round to see the effects of latest changes. One of them has standard designs here : http://www.maisonsguitard.fr/ We didn't go that route because build time was quoted as 8 months after receipt of planning permission. Maybe cynical, but we needed somewhere to live and were worried that the quoted time could stretch to a couple of years. BTW, it is cheaper to buy land, and have a turnkey solution than buy a nearly new house. Some will finish just the shell, leaving you to fit out the house. Peter            

[quote]One thing I read recently was allow a foot of earth all around the tree trunk ie do not have grass right up to it.No idea if it works ! Where's Ty when you need him?[/quote] I know why.   it is easier to mow the grass !   Peter  

Hi just worth saying that reveillon St Sylvestre nights are very expensive. Not surprising as the coffee arrives at 07.00 and the live music costs are the highest for any night of the year. In this area, you can expect to pay Euro 60+. And good restaurants are quoting Euro 120 ! Peter    

Hi SB I've had to find Gites for people in this area. Frankly, the price looks cheap for the accommodation, even out of season. There are quite a few around Sommieres and Villetelle. If you PM me I'll give you some links. Peter  

Hi If you follow the TGV lines, you can live a long way from Paris. It is only 2hr 59 mins from Nimes to Paris ! Peter      

Hi Probably worth checking here : http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/tourism/languedoc-tourism-whatson.htm   Peter    

And Best of British have them in the shops and by mail order : www.bestofbritish.fr Peter    

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Hi There is a good summary of how to set up a business in France here : http://www.apce.com/index.php?rubrique_id=300000112&type_page=IL&pays=1 It is in English ! Peter  

Hi one has to be very careful if one bases an opinion on one, highly publicised, individual. Here is the story of another example which will never be publicised : My father in law was a vigneron, and in the 50's & 60's started to improve yields by using newly developed fertilisers. No Bio political movement at that time ! No one had thought of dangers or wearing masks. Since that time around 7 vignerons from his village of 400 have had severe kidney problems. Only 2 are still alive. After some years on ever more frequent dialysis, he had a transplant at the age of 50. Prior to that, he smoked and liked a drink. Not in the Best league, but he had eau de vie with his breakfast coffee and white wine with the croissants. After recovering from the transplant, he reorganised his life. He still drinks wine - maybe half a glass - in the evenings. No smoking. Virtually no salt, and a low fat diet. After 14 years, he raised a very worrying question with the specialist at his major, annual, appointment - "when I had the transplant, you gave it 10 years - now at 14 years, what is the prognosis ?" The response was "Well, anti rejection medecines have improved, doses are smaller, and after 14 years there is no chance of rejection. It is your kidney now. I cannot say your life expectancy is the same as it would have been without the transplant. But, you are just as likely to die from some other cause. And, if you hadn't had the transplant, you wouldn't be here now." He is now 70. He has been registered disabled for the last 25 years. In the last 15 years he has built 3 houses from scratch, and holidayed in Guadeloupe, etc. Should he have had the transplant ? Peter

Hi I keep mine running through the winter with CL, albeit with a cover on.   Peter  

[quote]Hi, can anyone with experience of registering a UK caravan in France tell me whether or not they have had to make any modifications to their van, e.g. rear lights. If modifications are needed is it b...[/quote] Hi The problem is that in order to register the caravan, you need a certificate of conformity from French importer or Manufacturer. If that make / model was never sold in France, the costs and complexities rise. It is worth searching this forum, because others have had the same problem. Once in France you can not tow a UK plated caravan with a French registered car, so it needs to be sorted before leaving UK. Peter      

Plans are in hand to bring the French civil service under control : http://www.fonction-publique.gouv.fr/article619.html I wonder if they will ever move to signing letters with " I remain your humble servant" ? Peter  

Hi is it my imagination, or is very early for snow ? Peter  

Hi I'd heard Lozere was the least populated dept, and it certainly seems empty when you visit. INSEE quote 15 per km2   Peter  

[quote]Does anyone know of any "pretty" seaside areas south of Narbonne, as far down as the Spanish coast? We have visited this area several times and have been rather disappointed with this stretch of coas...[/quote] Hi a little bit East of where you hit the coast, but the towns around Etang de Thau meet your needs. I particularly like Bouzigues, which is the popular Sunday lunch spot for Montpellerians. And if you want something more vibrant, Sete is a larger place to explore :   Peter  

Hi Well,  there were no crash barriers, and on the Spanish side the road had broken up with the sun leaving bumpy rubble on each hairpin. On the Spanish side, some of it was single track.The road hairpinned down and up each of the valleys (and tortuously through each seaside village) which now have high level bridges. And the border was very difficult : got green card, got Spanish bail bond, got etc. etc But it is still a wonderfully scenic road.   Peter        

Hi you've missed the point. The only real property expert in France is the notaire. And, he is there to protect the interests of both sides. It was not an idle comment : I have the experience of buying 8 properties behind me. Peter    

[quote]In my opinoin you have to go as far south as the bottom end of Argeles (la Rocque ?) and then head south to get enything interesting. The coast road between France and Spain is great, if hairy. Good...[/quote] The coast road was much, much worse in the 70's ! Peter    

Hi just to say : Why do you need an English lawyer ? This is pretty well unheard of in France. The notaire is half govt tax collector, half conveyancing solicitor and, often, half estate agent. He is legally neutral. You will pay his fees regardless. It is normal for one notaire to act for both sides. If you want your own notaire, it is the same cost and fees are split between them. Why not use an English speaking notaire ? Using an English lawyer is rather like calling a plumber when you need brain surgery ? Peter        

[quote]I went to Carrefour today to pay for some white goods, when I got to the caisse they asked for 2 forms of ID as I was paying by cheque from our french bank. To my surprise they would not accept my pa...[/quote] Hi Many large stores ask for 2 items of ID for cheques over a certain amount. I've also seen signs requiring 2 ID's for cheques from banks located outside the department. They are looking for ID showing your current French address and photo. Neither UK passports or driving licenses meet these requirements. A French driving license or,even better, a carte de sejour does meet the requirements. Peter      

Hi the autoroute fuel stations are open over Xmas. Many supermarkets & garages have card operated automated pumps. These work with French credit/debit cards and may or may not work with foreign cards depending on issuing bank. Peter    

Hi I'm trying to find info on this for a client. I found the original stuff on google, but can't find it again ! The same (and slightly more ) info is here : http://www.cession-commerce.com/Fiches_techniques_du_Club/Fiches_Juridiques/boissons.html (see below) Seems that a restaurant license is freely available, which was my original question. Peter     - Les Licences : 3 types d'établissements vendent des boissons - les débits de boissons à consommer sur place - les restaurants - les débits de boissons à emporter débits de boissons sur place 1 Licence I - boissons du 1er groupe 2 Licence II - boissons du 1er & 2ème groupes 3 Licence III + licence restreinte - boissons du 1eré 2ème & 3ème groupes 4 Licence IV + grande licence - boissons des 5 groupes Restaurants*   5 Petite licence Restaurant - boissons du 1er & 2ème groupes 6 Licence Restaurant - boissons des 5 groupes débits de boissons à emporter 7 Petite Licence à emporter - boissons du 1er & 2ème groupes 8 Licence à emporter - boissons des 5 groupes   * la vente n'est autorisée qu'à l'occasion d'un repas (accessoire de la nourriture) - Réglementation Impossible d'obtenir une nouvelle

Hi I have Wanadoo ADSL in a very rural area, and do not suffer any similar problems. It is worth plugging your phone number into : http://www.degrouptest.com They give more detail than FT Bonne chance   Peter