challca

Yes - there is a very good one called Danielle Seabrooke, whose husband is a British chartered accountant. They run an organisation called A Home In France.  http://www.ahomeinfrance.com/indexeng.htm. Danielle was/is a UK Barrister and they live in Chinon. A very helpful and friendly couple. In 2004 on a purchase in France change of use, and other legal niceties, (of which there were many!) she was very thorough and steered us through the mire. The service is not cheap, but without it we could have been very much more out of pocket. We had been recommended by a friend who had also found her very efficient. Good luck!

Hi That new legislation is all very well and I see that Chambres D'Hotes owners have until December 2007 to register (re-register?) with the Mairie - in conformity with the new law provisions. However the maximum number of rooms previously was 6 - having been increased earlier from 5. (Over 6 bedrooms put one into the realm of hotel which had other H&S regulations). The consequence is not particularly clear. The Tourist Office has advised that although for this year a 6 bedroom establishment is listed in Chambres D'Hotes, from next year it will have to be under  'Autres Hebergements'. That would seem to imply that an establishment with 6 bedrooms could continue to operate, although not classified as a Chambres D'Hotes (though presumably it could still be referred to as a 'B&B' in English!). It would also seem that as it will not be classified as a C D'H, re-registration with the Mairie would not be required! The term 'autres hebergements' is a catch-all, and not very marketing friendly. Particularly, the concept of a 'catered ski chalet' in winter seems not to be properly understood by the French and they seem unwilling to include such a classification on Tourist Office websites, despite the fact that it provides a significant contribution to the economy. Anyone any thoughts?