La Rentrée in the Foothills

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 . . . → Read More: La Rentrée in the Foothills

The 5 top criteria for French property buyers

Despite the fact that every buyer looking for a property in France has different priorities and an individual wish list there are still some criteria that are listed on pretty much every property search brief I am given. These are the top five, not necessarily in any order:

1. A community

This . . . → Read More: The 5 top criteria for French property buyers

‘S no W time to invest in the Alps, the Pyrenees is the place to be

While the Autumn colours and blue sky days are still in full swing here in the foothills, snow has arrived up in the mountains of the Pyrenees and thoughts are turning to skiing, winter sports, log fires, warming cassoulets and vin chaud. In terms of property search enquiries, the focus . . . → Read More: ‘S no W time to invest in the Alps, the Pyrenees is the place to be

Wild-water and cold-water swimming in the Pyrénées

As the temperatures steadily rise at this time of year, the French head to the water; either to the seaside, or to one of the many inland lakes dotted around France. Here in the Ariège, we are lucky to be able to choose either the Atlantic coast or the Mediterranean for a day . . . → Read More: Wild-water and cold-water swimming in the Pyrénées