Guide To: Working For A Foreign Company

If your current employer is happy to let you continue working for them after you move to France, there are a number of rules and regulations to be aware of to ensure you stay on the right side of the law, as Catharine Higginson explains

On vintage soil

Life in the vineyards of Aude is a dream come true for Leicestershire-born Katie Jones who now successfully exports her wines back to the UK, as Brigitte Nicolas learns

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

What happens if you are buying a French property but can’t attend the completion meeting at the notaire’s office in person? Matthew Cameron explains how a power of attorney can be used and how it works

In safe hands

There can be few more unusual homes than the 11th-century Château de Clérans, situated close to the Dordogne river in the Périgord Pourpre region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE

Robin Ellis made his name as the original Captain Poldark but a diabetes diagnosis led the Tarn-based actor to add cookbook writing to his CV, as Richard Webber learns

My frugal France

Embracing modern technology could save you money and time on both the pleasures and essentials of life in France, says Laura Harley as she shares some of her favourite French apps

Hidden Talents

Moving to France enabled these three expats to switch off from busy careers and in turn discover new creative talents, says Gillian Harvey, who counts herself among them

Beauty to behold

With its legendary vineyards, charming old towns and rich gastronomy, Gironde is quintessential France at its best, as Alison Weeks discovers

AS SEEN ON SCREEN

A Dordogne town, a Charente city and a Pyrenean village all have a starring role in three new films hitting the big screen this year, joining a long list of French locations that have gone before them, as Vicky Leigh learns

A local's view

Trish and Mark Tyler run a beautifully restored chambres d’hôtes, set in six hectares of park and woodland near StÉmilion, which has a fascinating history

WHAT'S THE STORY?

Is learning to read and write in two languages a challenge for bilingual children, and what can parents do to support them? Claire Winterton investigates how she can help her six-year-old son

Island in the sun

Swept away by the enchanting Île de Ré, Karon Foxwell and husband Mark found themselves returning from their holiday having made an offer on a dilapidated period property there.

Ripple effect

As a new study names Annecy, capital of Haute-Savoie, as the best place to live in France, Brigitte Nicolas explores what the lakeside town has to offer

HOSTS WITH THE MOST

If generating an income from your French home is a priority, Laura Habgood shares her tips for maximising its appeal to ensure you have a steady stream of paying guests

Close encounters

You don’t have to travel far to discover the delights of Nord and Pas-de-Calais, two departments which between them boast beautiful beaches, vibrant cities and world-renowned historical sites, as Lucy Shrimpton discovers

ANTIQUES ROAD TRIP

When Sheryl Mills turned 50 she moved her life and antiques business from rural Herefordshire to rural Mayenne, and her decision has proved to be more midlife miracle than midlife crisis, as Melissa Raton learns

A matter of taste

American Jessica Hammer talks to Lucy Parford about running food tours to help people discover Toulouse’s rich culinary heritage and produce

NATURAL HABITAT

When a one-year sabbatical turned into a permanent move and career change, artist Kate Merritt found new inspiration in Paris where she now lives with her young family, she tells Alison Weeks

True Colours

Dotted with fairytale towns and villages, a unique history and an impressive wine route, Alsace is a feast for the senses, as Peter Stewart finds

Meals on wheels

No need to go into town – when you live in one of France’s small rural communes the shops come to you on wheels, says Janine Marsh

A local's view

American photographer Helena Woods lives with her husband Alex in Strasbourg where she captures engagements and special family moments on camera

Voyage South

When Jon and Mel Alport left Cambridgeshire for a new life in Aude they couldn’t bear to be parted from their vintage river boat Bella Mia which was always going to come with them, as Greg Cook finds out

GUIDE TO: CURRENT AFFAIRS

Getting under the surface of your new community in France and keeping up to date with national and regional news is just a few reads, listens and clicks away, says Catharine Higginson

Life is a roller coaster

Celebrating history, science, botany and with some hairraising rides, France’s theme parks are great for families, thrill seekers and those with a holiday business who want to attract guests, as Brigitte Nicolas finds

A LAW UNTO ITSELF

It’s important to understand the complexities of inheritance law when it comes to planning the succession of your French estate, as Matthew Cameron explains

OUR dream home

You expect to find charm and colour in Alsace and that’s exactly what you get from this pretty three-bedroom house, says Brigitte Nicolas

A CLEAN SWEEP

From coffee-loving globetrotter to enterprising chimney sweep in Vienne, Kristian Jennings has already been on quite a journey and he’s still only 22. Vicky Leigh finds out more about his new venture and why his parents couldn’t be happier to have a boomerang child

Guide To: Freelancing In France

Becoming self-employed or working on a freelance basis is a popular option for many expats who need to earn a living after moving to France. Catharine Higginson explains the rules and regulations.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Navigating your way through French acronyms can be tricky so if you don’t know your CPAM from your CAF or your CDI from your CDD, Madeline Aveson-Gruber explains what they all mean

Patience is a virtue

For anyone deciding to make a new life in a new country by starting a new business in hospitality, a list of qualities beneficial to the task ahead might well include: a knack for teamwork, steely determination, a grasp of logistics and courage in the face of adversity, all topped off with a well-evolved sense of humour.