Lassie

Act quickly as GDF here in our area at least have a special offer.  Our connection charge was only 354 euros and after 6 months they sent us a remise of 160 euros.  Plus you can get a reduction on your impot if you have a new boiler.  There is of course an abonnement, but we are pleased with the low running costs for hot water and heating.  Of course the boiler is new and cost masses - must be gold plated.

To check house prices, look up the website of Particulier a particulier which is the biggest weekly magazine advertising properties by individuals throughout France.  They keep records.  Also the Association of Notaires in Paris I know publish quarterly prices of everything sold in Paris by arrondissements.  Maybe other associations of Notaires in the Regions do the same.   If you watched the News tonight on TF1 you will have heard how Paris overall went up 8% and Nancy 14% last year.  My feeling is that houses which appeal to French buyers are still selling well.  Houses that the French did not want and were bought by Brits, done up by DIY enthusiasts and decorated and furnished Brit style may be a bit stuck on the market just now.   Dont forget the effect of next year's Presidential elections.  My French neighbour is desperate to sell quickly fearing Segouline wins and confidence will drop for property as well as other assets. Two people I know who invest in property are now buying not in France any more but in Switzerland.  Its not the best time to be thinking of putting money into France until after next May's elections but I dont charge for that advice so dont be put off!   Good luck whatever you decide.  

What a pity you are too far away to help.  We bought a double headed dish so we could have both French TV which we like, particularly Arte, Euronews, and M6 as well as pick up BBC free to air programmes.  Our house is about 12 metres high to where the dish is currently fixed and we are surrounded by even taller trees so alignment is critical.  In response to one kind person who emailed, I have already tried local installers who are not interested and know nothing about reception of BBC channels.  We are happy to pay someone for their time and travel, even an overnight stop as we are deep in a house renovation project and never have time to address the satellite topic.  I would like my aged mother to stay for a while but she woud have serious withdrawal symptons without British telly so want to hand the job over to someone who can sort it quickly. Any offers?

In case I had'nt made it clear, we were expecting to pay someone for installing the satellite dish, not just asking for a kind favour!  The ads in French property News all seem to be for installers based miles from here (77) and there arent many other Brits around here whom we can ask to find a French installer.  Based on my local chap's response, its not a popular project.  Thanks

After 5 years living in France and only having French terrestial TV, we feel we now have a grasp of the language and could treat ourselves with some British TV programmes occasionally.  Bought a double headed dish and digibox from Mr. Brico or somesuch for about 90 euros, but got wimpy at the thought of climbing up to the roof and fixing it up.  Also, we have no knowledge on how to tune it all in.  Went to local 'Antenne' shop and asked them to call and fit it up for British TV. Reaction not warm and failed to make the rendezvous.  Called in again and still no visit.  My grasp of the language clearly not sufficient to indicate 'me customer, you in business to please customer' so I wont be going there again to give them fluent lessons in customer service.   Is there anyone who can sort this out for us just to watch BBC, not interested in Sky.  We have a big ladder and there is an existing dish ( French) fixed to the chimney which is in good order. We are in dept. 77 not far from Fontainebleau. 0160 71 81 70   Many thanks  

Reference yopur query on trailers in France.  A small trailer with no brakes and an all up weight of under 750kg can be used with the registration of the towing vehicle.  However, the trailer loading must meets the vehicles towing limits etc, the actual load may not necessarily be 750kg less the weight of the trailer.  Most trailers in this category will have a certified load of around 350kg.  It is possible to have the trailer "insured" on the vehicle's policy, usually at no cost but check with insurer. See below for cautionary tale!! It is possible to register the trailer, certainly if it is larger, twin axles, brakes, van structure etc, and then it is insured in it's own right.  THis is similar to the caravan procedure, and usually used for commercail use trailers.  The trailer will have it's own Carte Grise, immatriculation number and green carte certificate, though it is not known where the green windscreen insurance sticker goes! Hope this helps! Cautionary tale:  My first trailer was bought on a Wednesday, attached to the car and taken home and parked up for the night.  THe trailer was locked to the car with the propriety lock within the towing hitch provided by the seller NorAuto.  By Thursday the trailer had been stolen.  Just to make sure that I could not give chase, one of the front tyres was irreparably slashed.  I visited the Gendarmes, made a statement and received their report for insurance purposes.  THere was no rushing off of vehicles with horns blaring and blue lights flashing.  I duly contacted my insurance broker.  He gave me the good news and the bad news.  Good news, yes the trailer was insured for third party fire and theft.  Bad news; insurance only valid when the trailer is attached to the car when the event occurs and the car must be stolen or burnt at the same time.  ie action solely to the trailer - insurance not valid.  That was a lesson which cost 800€.  SOLUTION:  Insurance is available for an un-registered trailer (in it's own right) for about 70€ per annum.  I got mine (for my second and current trailer) from AXA.  Top Tip - always pass a motorcyle security chain through a hole in the trailer wheel and through a fixed eye on the trailer whilst unattended.

Goodness.  This post has been hanging about a long time!  Not only did we soon find a good estate agent, then a good flat,bought it, then did it up, moved in, enjoyed 18 fantastic months living in the sixieme arrondissement and sold for a good price last November.Its a wonderful City. You need to learn the shorthand in small ads, but www.PAP.fr is an excellent source for private flat sales or try Foncia or Century 21 sites.  Being in the right arrondissement is they key thing; in my order of preference its 5,6,8,4,, some of 14.  Allow fron 6000 to 10000 euros per square metre.  Not for anyone still hooked on satellite telly and baked beans, but a full on experienece of living a la Francais.

I too was getting excited at the thought of owning a Lamborghini, even if it was only a boiler, and it was half the price in Castorama of the boiler quoted for by the plumber.  When I said I would buy it myself, he pointed out 1.  Lamborghinis are rubbish and are always breaking down 2.  Castorama do not stock spare parts  3.  There would be no tax credit and 4.  neither he, nor any other plumber in the district would come out to mend a Lamborghini or a Leblanc bought by the customer.  So with that degree of sales patter, or blackmail, we are going with his suggested make.  The 25% tax credit does reduce the cost somewhat but we are still talking about an extra 1000 euros for his recommendation. Are we mad, or prudent?.

When we moved from Dept.34 to 75 we were required to hand in our Cartes Vitales along with the change of address details.  It took nearly a year for them to be returned, although in practice it didnt matter too much.  Now we are about to move again and apart from photocopying them as proof of their existence, I cant think of a solution. Any attestation will suffice meanwhile, but the next complication is changing medecin traitant.  Any idea how long that takes to be registered?

We are thinking of buying a stone house about 150 years old.  Its in basically good condition, walls and roof, but needs rewiring, replumbing and updating the central heating.  Its not been lived in for many months and there is a lot of leaf litter and dead vegetation around the building with overhanging trees. The gutters are full of moss and some downpipes are out of line. This is contributing to a potential damp problem but is easily sorted out.  However, a builder came round to look ( a Brit) and said we should take out the tomettes on the ground floor , dig out out , lay a membrane, pour in concrete and put down carrelage or wood. He had fun with his damp meter finding new bad areas on the floor and walls as you would expect in an old property which has been shut up for months.  Having had a similar property before, we lived quite happily with the tomettes and assume they too were laid on earth a long time ago.  However. the area around the cottage was cleared and gravelled. With permanent occupation, central heating and good ventilation there was no particular problem.  The quote will be high and we are really wondering if its strictly necessary or that he is just short of work at the moment. Any experiences to share on this please?

Thanks for the info.  I had my Doppler and was recommended for surgery.  Saw the surgeon who wanted to do it the next week.  That's just 3 weeks from the first appointment with the 'generaliste'.  Can you imagine that in the UK? He was astonished that I had not had treatment earlier in my life. Tried explaining that NHS dont really rate veins as a serious enough problem. He recalled spending a year in Manchester where the vascular surgeon saw 200 people a day and had a 2 year waiting list.  So I have booked myself in for August.  Prescription already given for the pretty white compression stockings and a phone booked for my bedside table. Was pleased to read in the instructions that I must bring my own dinner napkin.  Also thought it an idea of the 'bleeding obvious' variety that I should expect to have a shower and hair wash on arrival.  A cheap way of cutting down infections brought in by patients on their skin, under finger nails etc. Would cost the NHS some hot water and a dollop of special antiseptic shower gel to make a difference to hospital gained infection rates. My last experience in an NHS hospital was awakening in a ward after surgery to find a raucous group of pensioners having a card game around the next bed and three children roaring toy cars up and down the ward.The hospital I am going to forbids visitors aged under 12 years.  Dont know how they control the 'retraites' though.

I can reccomend Muriel who is Belgian but speaks excellent English and is qualified.  She is a very serene person who is a good looking advertisement for her own advice.  Call me on 0142 22 61 32 and I will pass on her details. Best wishes Lassie

Very unglamorous I know, but I'm told it will be  a small miracle.  Had the Doppler today to check out veins and arteries.  Took about one hour while the doctor toured my legs and covered all the lumpy bits.  He recommended surgery plus later injections . Does anyone know how much this is likely to cost?  I dont have a top-up but am fully in the CPAM system so will get a percentage reimbursed.  Has anyone had varicose vein surgery and have any tips?   Many thanks   Lassie

Hello   I live in Paris and am quite involved in the rental market.  if you want to call me its +33 142 22 61 32.  it will easy as you are a'foreigner'.  Everyone prefers renting to non-French because one day you will quit the flat and return to the UK. Have no fears.  Its a delightul place to be. Bets wishes Carole

Sorry, but thyroid problems dont come under the heading of 'maladies du longue duree' as they do in  the UK.  I get back 65% of my prescription charges and get blood test once a year.  Much better than the UK where they never bother to check thyroid levels unless you pester. Thyroxine is a cheap drug - dont know about epilepsy treatment.  You can ask for the list of critical and chronic illnesses from CPAM which shows those drugs which are reimbursed 100%.  You get 60% back for tests - not expensive at all, done immediately and the results posted to you the next day. I used to wait 3 weeks for an appointment for blood tests in the UK and then the great secrets were sent some weeks later to my GP who may or may not, decide to tell me the results. I have nothing but praise for the French system.

Dear Winston You are correct in saying its hard to get good information on buying here and for that reason we are hoping to help.  In view of Forum rules, I have sent you an email.  Best wishes.

Leaving aside the income tax situation, you need to be registered as a tax payer and have a tax number, otherwise, when you come to sell your house, it will not be classified as your main residence and the notaire will take capital gains tax on your sale. I have found the people in the tax offices very helpful, but dont expect them to speak much English.  good luck

Having had a carte de sejour whilst in department 34, I  attempted to get the addresss changed when I moved to Paris.  We have been told definitively ( and handed a copy of the recent law) by the Perfecture in Paris that they are no longer issued.  Though my CDS bears the wrong address, it is useful as ID so hang on to yours if you have one.  That plus your EDF bill sorts life out until Mr.over the Blanket produces British ID cards.

Your question was "Am I mad". Frankly, Yes. if neither of you have any local support through a helpful estate agent, bilingual neighbours or a friendly expat neighbour, then its going to be tough. Possibly dangerous. How will you understand the traffic reports which say the roads are closed by snow, or fallen trees? How will you report a power failure, forest fire? Or like today call in the 'Eau' because of a major 'fuite' in the basements of our block of flats? How do you 'live' in a country without knowing its politicians, its social structure, new laws that affect you? Getting by day to day is not like being on holiday. Its so sad seeing the Brits turning up at empty supermarket car parks because they didnt know it was a fete day, or letting market traders write down the price of apricots on their hands because they dont understand the words 'deux euros'. Want to look a wallY? Welcome to expatworld. We have been here three years and still resist Satellite TV because otherwise we would learn nothing and not be able to communicate on a normal level with the people of France. Dont talk about who won Fame Academy last year. Its Star Academy here and it was Elodie who won. We didnt start off with degrees in French or could afford one to one tuition. But there was some preparation done in the UK and you can start now, but still should expect several years of frustration and feeling impotent, unable to complain or present yourself as an intelligent being with a point to make. Of all the aspects of living abroad, not being able to communicate effectively is the hardest so please don't under estimate it as we wish you all the best in your new life.

Our local Emmaus depot ( Beziers) has a whole rail of good ski clothes at realy low prices. There is probably one near you too - look in Pages Jaunes.

Surely someone on this site must live in the Capital and have some good contacts with immobiliers? I am having trouble finding good internet sites for Paris and would appreciate some local knowledge. We want to buy in the 6th,7th or 14th and have a good budget but there hardly seems to be anything on offer. We are in 34 and its not easy to house hunt at a distance. Funnily enough buying down here was easy with masses to see on the internet and some efficient sites. Many Paris agents dont even seem to have internet sites and some are incredibly slow and have no photographs. I must be doing something wrong. All help gratefully received.

I managed to reregister and provided I log in to start, I can read topics on a chosen forum. However if I hit the change forum 'go' button, a message comes up saying my server does not enable me to see the page. I then have to go back to the beginning and start all over again. Help the aged!!! Also may I make the unoriginal but deeply held view that there is too much 'pub chat' e.g.about Saddam and nothing to do with France. Could you not set up a separate forum for people who need e-chums and not information on Living in France? Then we need not waste time scrolling through inanities to find a sensible topic. As our Wanadoo connection is so unreliable, it is difficult enough getting on the site anyway and staying on line for more than a few minutes. Only a thought.

We live in 34 and can take a train from our local village. The train trundles all day to Paris arriving in the early evening. This would be interesting ( once) to see France at leisure, not driving on the autoroute or whizzing through on the TGV. We will take a picqu-nicque and probably go first class. To complete the experience, we would like to find a small hotel, B&B near Gare de Lyons for about 45 Euros for a double room. Any ideas? - not a Formule 1 thanks. Suggestions for websites or personal experiences particularly welcomed.

This is to reassure anyone needing dental treatment in rural France. Recently a recurring problem in a crowned molar drove me to seek help. An infection was diagnosed, antibiotics and mouthwash and painkillers prescribed and an appointment made for extraction the following week. The cost of the first consultation was 16 Euros. The extraction cost 26 Euros. This was achieved in a village of some 300 souls in rural France. Madame, la Docteur Dentiste, was extremely elegant, attired in aubergine linen and pale mauve suede shoes. Her surgery was very clean and stylish, with good CDs and some good Art on the walls. So unlike our own dear NHS.