View from the Foothills of France

Some personal views on living, working,
bringing up family and making the dream happen in the most beautiful region of France. View from the Foothills of France also includes some personal and professional thoughts and tips on finding and buying the perfect property in the Ariège and Haute Garonne regions.

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La Rentrée in the Foothills

By nadia, on 3rd September 2024

September in France means La Rentrée (the only equivalent we have in English is back-to-school) but in France La Rentrée is not just for school children; it is for every French person getting back into work after the summer holidays. Even if not everyone has managed to take the whole of August off, the summer months somehow still feel different; there is less urgency, less stress and time just seems to move more slowly.

But suddenly there is a new energy in the air as if we have been plugged back in and are fully charged, ready to head back into whatever Autumn might throw at us.

It is also a beautiful time of year in this part of the world with lovely warm, sunny days, clear blue skies and cooler nights. The local markets are overflowing with all sorts of colourful produce; misshapen purple and yellow carrots, every size and colour of tomato, apples, pears, figs and an enormous range of squashes ranging from very pretty to frankly, quite scary.

In the property market, summer is always a very quiet time with sellers away on holiday and buyers more likely to be checking out areas and regions of France that might appeal rather than seriously house hunting. On the other hand, autumn is the time of year that new properties begin to appear on the market while buyers start thinking that they would like to be in their new home for Christmas. So everything gradually starts moving again…

If you would like some advice or help in finding your property in France, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com

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The French Olympics and malfunctioning Parisian waiters

By nadia, on 1st August 2024

The Olympic Flame

There are always so many events that happen during the summer months in France but this year, more so than usual thanks to the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in July and August. And, although these games have become known as the Paris Olympics, they are actually taking place in many other regions across France as well as central Paris. This is the first time that France has hosted the Olympics for a century, so it is a very big deal.

In the build-up to the games, like all Olympics, there has been plenty of criticism of the organisation and difficulties and delays in infrastructure projects and overall planning. Not helped by President Macron deciding to complicate things further by calling parliamentary elections just weeks before the opening ceremony.

But, with a record number of tickets sold for any Olympics and Paralympics (9.7 million and counting) and the most spectacular and original opening ceremony probably ever, the games got off to a fantastic start despite the rain.

Paris is always a magical place to visit but the atmosphere during the games has created a whole new energy and a friendly, relaxed vibe. The combination of so many nationalities interacting along with the Parisians suddenly feeling a great pride to be hosting such an incredible event in the heart of their city has made for an overall feeling of enthusiasm and support, everyone there with the aim of cheering on excellence whatever the sport and whoever the athlete.

There is just one thing that stands out as not quite right in Paris and that is the Parisian waiters. Something very strange has happened to them and instead of their usual air of superiority and slight annoyance, at having to take your order, Parisian waiters seem to have been replaced by an enhanced version of what a perfect, charming and welcoming waiter should be. Whether this is just a blip during the Olympics or a more permanent state of affairs will only become clear in September, I guess.

In the meantime, if you have the chance to spend some time in Paris or any of the other Olympic cities this summer, you should take the opportunity to make the most of a probably once in a lifetime experience of watching extraordinary people achieve impossible feats in an exceptional place.

And if you decide that France is where you want to own a property and would like some help with your search, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com

 

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Daring to talk French politics

By nadia, on 20th June 2024

Politics is high on the list of conversation topics here in France following the success of the French far-right National Rally party in the European elections and Macron’s unexpected decision to call legislative elections here in France. There is a real sense in the air that something is very much in the balance in the next few weeks and could swing either way. I am as swept up in election fever right now as everyone else here and watched with bated breath as the European results came in; watching being all I could do as I am not eligible to vote in France despite having lived here for 20 years nor any longer in European elections thanks to Brexit. In voting terms at least, I do not actually exist.

It is a strange feeling to watch everyone else vote while having no voice at all. Friends here have commented that it surely ‘doesn’t matter’ to me anyway as I’m not French. This, however, could not be further from the truth; I feel far more invested in politics in France than anywhere else. We have lived here for most of our married life, we pay all our taxes and social healthcare in France, I work here, our children have been educated at French schools and we spend all our income in France. We live solely and completely in France and yet we have no right to vote for the government whose decisions will impact daily on our lives.

The issue has provoked campaigns in the past for citizens to get voting rights in national elections where they live, arguing that citizens should vote in their country of residence, where they pay their taxes and are most comprehensively affected by political decisions. It has also been argued here in France that giving expats the right to vote would help boost integration and create a sense of belonging.

This is currently an unpopular idea, however, at a time when Europe appears to be becoming more fractured and certainly, here in France, the concept of giving votes to foreign residents, even in local elections, has been contentious for many years. The French do not generally subscribe to the view that just because a foreigner has a relationship with the French tax man, it should entitle us to vote for their President.

Macron will remain as President whatever the outcome of these elections and maybe his gamble of calling these parliamentary elections will pay off and the French will be triggered into realizing what a disaster it would be to allow the likes of Le Pen to have any power. This is usually what happens during the French elections; the first-round vote tends to be a protest vote against the incumbent party and the second is often a tactical vote to keep out the extremists. Let’s hope the French see the danger in their own elections that they didn’t see in the European elections.

France is at a crossroads right now and needs to decide whether to turn right or left, go forwards or backwards. And in terms of the property market, as with all political uncertainty, everything is currently at a bit of a standstill which means that there could be a rush of sellers and buyers come mid-July or the lull might continue until a mad September dash to sell or buy before winter. Watch this space…

If you need help or advice with your French property search, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com

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How to plan your property viewing trip to France

By nadia, on 28th May 2024

 

This is one of the busiest times of year for the property market in France so if you are planning to come and visit some potential houses in the near future, here are a few tips to make your viewing trip as productive and hopefully as enjoyable as possible

Book viewings in advance
Remember that sometimes agents won’t have updated their listings online and the house you are hoping to view might already be under offer or sold. Alternatively, the owners might be away, and agents don’t always hold a key. Either way, to avoid disappointment, it is always better to make an appointment and give agents enough time to arrange the viewing.

Don’t view more than about four properties in one day
Bear in mind that agents in rural France cover big areas and the properties you have requested to view could easily be an hour apart plus each viewing will generally take around an hour so leave plenty of time. Usually people find that, although fun, it is also very tiring viewing numerous houses and if you try to see too many in one day, they all begin to blend into one and you will forget the important details of each, so it makes sense to give yourself a break in between viewings and not to cram too many visits in a single day especially if they are all listed with different agents.

Explore the local area
It is important to give yourself enough time after viewings to explore the area around any favourite property(ies) to make sure that you like the region as much as the house and to be sure it is the right place for you. Try out the restaurants, talk to people, go for a walk and generally get a feel for the area.

Write yourself a clear brief outlining your main criteria
Remember France is a big country with a huge number and variety of properties on the market so it is easy to lose focus and forget what is you originally started looking for in a French house. You will also find that, during your viewings, your search will evolve so you might need to update that wish list…

..But be prepared to compromise
While you should be clear on your absolute non-negotiables, know that there are always compromises to be made; no house will tick every single box whatever your budget.

Give honest feedback
Tell the agents what you like, what you don’t and, crucially, why, so that they can think of other houses that might suit you better. Hopefully it goes without saying but I will just in case; don’t be so frank with the owners of any house you really don’t like; they can’t change the house and it doesn’t help anyone (it is the agent’s job to feedback to their clients any comments about aspects of the house that might be putting off potential buyers).

Secure financing before viewing
Knowing what you can realistically afford makes your decision easier and helps to focus your search. You don’t want to fall in love with your dream property and then realize it is out of your price range. Agents will also take you seriously and be prepared to put more work in if your finances are already in place and you are ready to make an offer. Make sure also that you have a 10% deposit accessible as this is payable on signing the first contract, the Compromis de Vente, usually about three to four weeks after your offer has been accepted.

Don’t be alarmed if you’re asked to sign a “Bon De Visite” by an estate agent
As a single house can be marketed by several estate agents in France, these documents are simply there to show the vendor which agent has shown you the property and hence is owed commission on the final sale.

Don’t be afraid to make an offer if you’ve found “the one”
Don’t lose out to another buyer. There is a 10-day cooling off period for the buyer if you change your mind even after you have signed the Compromis de Vente. Equally, don’t be rushed into making an offer if you are not sure and need to discuss it with other members of your family; the housing market does not move very quickly here so usually you have time to be sure of your decision.

If all of this seems exhausting and stressful, why not get in touch and I will organise everything for you. Not only will I preliminary view all the houses that might suit you in your preferred area, I will also send you a report and photos and together we will draw up a short-list of properties for you to come and view over a few days once you are ready. I will make all the appointments for you, accompany you on viewings and discuss the good points and bad points of each house and area as well as negotiate the final deal for you and help you through the buying process.

You can email me at: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com or call me: 0033 6 45 23 62 48

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