jimboy

Bonjour -Hello, We have been with 'Alice Box' for our telephone line and internet access for about 8 months. This has provided us with broadband internet and free calls to uk and no need for France Telecom We have been rather disapointed with the service since the calls have always been on a poor/intermitent line.  Matters worse we have been without telephone service for 5 weeks. Has anybody experienced similar problems?  We have reported the fault on a daily and weekly basis with promises of repair and solutions but no actions have been taken to supply phone line. We are still paying the full monthly tarrif for this service we are not receiving in full, as clients commited to a 12 month contract.   However would like to cancel ASAP.  If we cancel will Alice box resort to a court case for breech of contract? Please beware of the above   Regards

Thank you all for your informative replies.  Not quite sure about everything yet, but has helped with the what nots to do.  There is plenty to think about.  I hope this may help others in the future. Hopefully france will catch up with green building needs. There is plenty of information out there!  Its the building regs I'm struggling with, a lot always seems upto the local marie.  When your wanting to  do something legite you need to know its not gonna break any dare I say red tape. I checked the website and believe I can build a low impact house timberframe for £5,000.  Thats encouraging! Bestest

As a young englishman, I am considering buying a tract of land of a few acres with cu and looking to plant, landscape and maybee build when finances are ripe one day!! In the interim I would like to own and live off the land whilist raising finances and planning to build a small dwelling.   I would like to be mortgage free, and thus build a low impact/low cost timber frame building one day.  In the meantime I would be happy to live in a yurt/caravan or humpy. My question is this.  'How would this be recieved by the local marie'?  Would I need a permit to reside.?  Off course I would be happy to pay Taxes foc/habitation.  And register.  My other concern is would I require a fosse septic installed as manditory straight away.  This would be additional expense in the short term. I know this is rather unconventional in some parts of France.  I do not forsee any problem with this especially as neighbours would be few and far between.  And I am not concieving any large scale environmental project either, just low impact living. Thanks in advance

How a Straw bale. (using local straw bales as building blocks).  This may sound crazy, the method is gaining more credability, not just as an eco-build option.  There are now many books on the subject.  Grand Designs programme, channel 4 followed a couple how did just this in France.  The beauty of this system of building is the speed, reduced env impact and for you cost.  You can also render, with aid of chicken wire ontop.  Would work well with a timber frame too. You may have to do a bit of research via internet, books.  And check with marie, they allow this style.  But it is totally aaceptable and beautiful in my opinion. There is a great book out ; Strawbale houseplans/ J Bingham. C F Smith.  Gibbs smith publisher.  Lots of lovely pics inside. Bestest