The UK economy has fared surprisingly well since the referendum in June and outperformed many doom-mongering Brexit forecasts.

The immediate action taken by the BoE in cutting interest rates and increasing QE will have helped, as has the depreciation of the Pound.

The Q4 UK GDP reading  was better than expected at 0.6% and this helped support Sterling when it was released last month but this was entirely driven by a well performing service sector. As we bear down on article 50 being invoked next month how are the UK’s vital economic statistics looking in 2017? 

It would not be over stretching the point to say they there are some concerns. Last week’s service sector growth figure missed expectations for the first time since immediately after the EU referendum in July. Retail sales fell a whopping -1.9%, the worse decline since 2012. Perhaps setting the tone the housing market this year, house prices also fell in January by -0.9% and consumer confidence has remained negative despite a slight improvement on the previous month.

The only really strong number is inflation and which coupled with a slowing economy is no good thing- stagflation. Sterling’s rally yesterday was largely down to MPC Forbes’s call for rate rise which would help combat inflation but also hinder what appears to be fragile growth. 

It is hard to imagine that the triggering of Article 50 at the end of March will suddenly improve the UK’s economic environment. When Brexit negotiations begin further pressure is likely to be heaped on Sterling. Future uncertainty will impact the UK domestically and as we have seen since the summer international investors will be wary. 

This uncertainty only means one thing for Sterling....

People looking at buying exposed to this risk should start evaluating the potential impact of a 5-10% deprecation in the value of the Pound.

Current rates:

Wednesday 8th February 2017 at 12:00

£1.00 GBP = 1.1726 EURO

£1.00 GBP = 1.2484 USD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6362 AUD

£1.00 GBP = 1.7099 NZD

£1.00 GBP = 1.6419 CAD

£1.00 GBP = 16.7921 ZAR

Just imagine if YOU could forecast the exchange rate?

No one can do that of course but being well informed is a good start and knowing the events coming up that may influence the exchange rate may help you with your planning.

The latest quarterly currency market forecasts from the international money transfer experts, FC Exchange, are now available. The reports are essential reading for anyone buying or selling a property, in fact anyone making international money transfers.

The currency markets will always fluctuate, but last year saw unprecedented levels of volatility. The currency forecasts review the factors that have contributed to the uncertainty we have seen and look ahead to the issues that could affect currency markets in the next quarter and throughout 2017.

Grab your Free Report here... 

Do you want more information ?

So if you need to buy or sell sterling and would like to be kept up to date with all the latest data releases and exchange rate movements then feel free to contact myself Ben Amrany. If you are buying or selling a house in France we will make sure your monies are in the right place at the right time, we work hand in hand with you and Cle France.

For more information on the currency service I can provide please feel free to contact myself...

Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

You may contact me directly using this form (click here) with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

We’ve all got them. We’re made of them. We use them all the time. In fact, you’re using some of them to read this post!

I’d argue that it’s safe to say you learn the body parts in a traditional French classroom within the first few weeks. They’re very useful words, especially when you’re just starting to talk about yourself in a foreign language.

Even still, you generally only learn a few of them. When I first travelled to France, I’d already learned how to say head and arm, but you never know what word you may need in everyday conversation. I remember learning the word for ankle (la cheville) when I went ice skating with some friends – I was complaining about ankle pain but didn’t know the word for the body part causing me the agony. Once they taught me, I knew I’d remember the word forever because it was now linked to that event.  

Over the years, I learned more words, but I also learned how to say what these body parts do.

So are you sitting comfortably?

For today’s post, I thought I’d introduce the body parts and list the verbs for the actions they do.

That way, you can match the two words together.

la tête – head

hocher – to nod/shake

tourner – to turn

les oreilles (f) – ears

écouter – to listen to

entendre – to listen to

écouter aux portes [familiar] – to listen at the door

tendre l’oreille – to listen carefully/keep your ears open

l’œil (m) – eye; les yeux – eyes

le sourcil – eyebrow

le cil – eyelash

voir – to see

regarder – to watch

observer – to observe

mater – to check out [informal]

cligner – to blink

faire un clin d’œil – to wink

fixer – to stare at someone

scruter – to examine

le nez – nose

respirer (par le nez) – to breathe (through your nose)

avoir le nez qui coule – to have a runny nose

se moucher – to blow your nose

la bouche – mouth

les lèvres – lips

les dents (f) – teeth

la langue – tongue

manger – to eat

mâcher/mastiquer – to chew

ronger – to gnaw

embrasser – to kiss

lecher – to lick

parler – to talk

bavarder – to chat

respirer (par la bouche) – to breathe (through your mouth)

cracher – to spit

siroter – to sip

la gorge – throat

avaler – to swallow

racler la gorge – to clear your throat

le cou – neck

se tordre – to twist/wring/knot

se dévisser le cou – to gawk at/stare at something

tordre le cou à quelqu’un – to strangle someone

la poitrine – chest

tousser – to cough

gonfler la poitrine [expression] – to be proud of yourself

les épaules (f) – shoulders

housser – to shrug

la main – hand

les doigts – fingers

le poignet – wrist

le coude – elbow

faire craquer les doigts – to crack your knuckles

montrer du droigt – to point at

claquer les doits – to snap

faire un doigt d’honneur – to give someone the finger/flip the bird

grater – to scratch

tenir – to hold

toucher – to touch

applaudir – to applaud/clap

serrer (les mains) – to shake hands

frotter – to rub

giffler – to slap

donner un coup de poing à quelqu’un – to punch someone

tendre la main – to hold your hand out

tendre les bras à quelqu’un – to welcome somebody with open arms

l’estomac – stomach

digérer – to digest

gargouiller – to growl

les jambes (f) – legs

les genoux (m) – knees

les pieds (m) – feet

les orteils (m) – toes

tenir debout – to stand

marcher – to walk

courir – to run

donner un coup de pied à quelqu’un – to kick someone

enjamber – to step over

Bonne Chance!

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

I have always been astounded, when walking into a French bookstore, at the amount of international literature (both translated and untranslated) featured on its bookshelves. This is not so much the case in other countries where the book shop shelves are filled with mainly books published within that country, so book lovers can miss wonderful books from other countries; including from France.

So, here is a list of French books that have achieved both public and critical acclaim this past year in France. You may have heard of some of them already, and some may be completely new to you. Most of these books are not yet available in an English translation, however, they most likely will be soon.

It’s also worth it to keep a look out for past books by these authors, which are more likely to have already been translated, if you are interested in reading them in English.

Repose-toi sur moi par Serge Joncort (Flammarion)

Two characters who seem to have little in common share the main plot of this story: Ludovic, a young widower who works in finance, and Aurore, a mother who feels pressure to keep up with her husband. They live in the same building and often meet to talk in the courtyard. But what will come of their meetings? Read the French review here.

La Cheffe, roman d’une cuisinière par Marie Ndiaye (Gallimard)

From the publisher’s website: Le narrateur raconte la vie et la carrière de la Cheffe, une cuisinière qui a connu une période de gloire, dont il a longtemps été l’assistant – et l’amoureux sans retour. Au centre du récit, la cuisine est vécue comme une aventure spirituelle. Non que le plaisir et le corps en soient absents, au contraire : ils sont les instruments d’un voyage vers un au-delà – la Cheffe allant toujours plus loin dans sa quête d’épure.

“The narrator tells the story of the life and career of The Chef, a cook who has had a very successful career, as his past assistant–and former lover. In this book, the kitchen is depicted as a place of spiritual adventure. It’s not that it is a place that is absent of pleasure or sexuality, in fact, quite the opposite: They are the instruments of a journey to the beyond–The Chef always going farther in his quest for refinement.”

Ce qu’il faut de terre à l’homme par Martin Veyron (Dargaud)

Based on Leo Tolstoy’s short story, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?”, this graphic novel by Martin Veyron tells the story of the Siberian peasant Pacôme whose ambition for more land for him and his family begins an ambition that cannot be sated… Learn more here.

Bonne lecture!

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

One would have thought the festive season was a time to be cosy at home but a surprising number of people travel to their favourite destinations to enjoy the 'holiday' season. Those with the idea of buying a holiday home take the opportunity of house hunting during the Christmas break and this year seems to be a bumper year for Cle France clients viewing before, during and after the Christmas holidays.

So with this in mind we bring you some top tips to prepare you for winter driving in France.

Winter-related car insurance incidents typically increase from late October, but there are plenty of simple steps that you can take to prepare for safe winter driving.

Before you venture out in the car as the chill sets in, ask yourself the following three questions:

1. Is your car ready for winter?

Darker nights and adverse weather conditions can make driving particularly hazardous in winter months, but making sure that your car maintenance is up-to-date could help you to avoid an accident.

Check your windscreen, door locks, lights, brakes and mirrors are all clean and in good working order

Inspect the walls, pressure, treads and look for any splits on all of your tyres, including the spare one

Make sure that your insurance covers you, your passengers and the contents of your car. Breakdown cover is an additional option on car insurance policies do you have yours up to date?

2. Do you really need to travel?

Nobody wants to have their plans disrupted by the weather, but venturing out in the snow and ice can be both risky and expensive.

The most common claims over the winter period relate to cars skidding on ice or leaves, usually damaging the suspension as they hit the kerb.

If you do think that you need to travel, the Highway Code states that before you set off you must:

Be able to see. Clear all snow and ice from all your windows

Make sure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible

Make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are de-misted thoroughly

Remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users

Check your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfalls or severe weather are predicted.

3. Are you prepared for an emergency?

It’s great to have comprehensive car insurance, including breakdown cover, but make sure that you keep your policy number and rescue details in the car.

No matter what time of the year it is, it’s also a good idea to leave a high-vis jacket, warning triangle, first aid kit and torch in your car, some of these are essentials when driving in France.

During winter months, you’ll need to add de-icer and screen wash. Just in case you do have to wait in your car in the cold, it’s wise to keep blankets, food and water in your vehicle too.

Top tips for safe winter driving

If your journey is essential, try to allow yourself extra time. Keep a careful look-out for pedestrians who may be walking on the road instead of treacherous pavements and remember that it takes 10 times longer than usual to stop in the ice and snow.

Gentle, steady manoeuvres are essential for safe driving. In wintry conditions your vehicle may not behave as it usually does, so avoid harsh braking and acceleration, or sharp steering.

If conditions worsen while you’re out, try winding down your windows to look and listen for approaching traffic. If you cannot see, pull over until it’s safe to continue.

Don’t forget:

Thieves love the opportunity to steal a car left trustingly unlocked outside as it warms up. If you don’t have time to wait in the car as your windscreen thaws, try placing an old bed sheet or cover under your windscreen wipers overnight to prevent frost forming.

There’s no substitute for driving safely and checking that your car is well-maintained.

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Some content taken from UK Nationwide Building Society website.

With the £ Pound recovering this week after a big dip and the political landscape starting to calm down a little, it offers some more stability to peoples plans to find a new life abroad. We find that everybody's reasons to move to another country are so varied that we are surprised most days, and it is true that this week we have seen a rise in viewing request from our American friends! seems like France is a popular choice for those not looking for the cold Canadian climate!

Closer to home we thought we would bring together some frequently asked questions and answer them for you, some of the information below has come from our friends over at 'The France Show' which is due to take place at London Olympia from 27-29 January 2017, we recommend a visit to this the biggest 'all things French' show in the UK, if nothing else it is a great day out but also you can pick up French food products and even a property if you are feeling flush on the day!

How has Brexit affected property buyers?

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has understandably caused concern and uncertainty among British buyers considering a property purchase in France. Yet while the exact implications of the result are still unclear at this stage, British buyers will continue to be able to buy in France and property experts have expressed confidence in the continued growth of the French property market.

Will I still be able to buy property in France?

Brits visited and bought property in France long before the UK was part of the EU, and will still be able to do so.

Buyers from non-EU countries including the USA, Australia and Chine consistently invest in French property without problems. The existing process of buying a property in France is the same for French, EU and non-EU residents.

Furthermore, British buyers are an important element of the French property market, accounting for 34% of sales in 2015, and it is unlikely that France will want to damage this by making it too difficult for Brits to buy property.

Will I still be able to get a French mortgage?

British borrowers are the largest single overseas nationality who borrow from the French retail banks so it is unlikely that French banks will introduce tougher criteria for Brits who want a French mortgage. French mortgage rates are currently at historic lows and some Brits who were cash buyers are now taking out a French mortgage as a way of mitigating the effects of volatile exchange rates.

Make a no-obligation mortgage enquiry here

Will I still be able to live in France?

As EU citizens Brits can currently live and work anywhere within the EU without having to apply for permission and this will continue until the UK officially leaves the EU. It seems unlikely that this freedom of movement will continue after the UK has left the EU but there are a large number of French people living in the UK so it seems likely that a bilateral agreement between France and the UK will be reached.

Sterling rallies on uncertainty in Europe and the USA

After weeks of turmoil, sterling has emerged as the main benefactor of uncertainty in Europe and more recently the USA, following a clear swing from the popular ruling establishment.

Risk averse markets have pushed sterling up against most major currencies.

Saturday 12th November at 10:30 £1.00 GBP = 1.16 EURO

For more information on the currency service we can provide please feel free to contact Ben Amrany from FC Exchange follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote "Cle France" on 020 7989 0000.

You may contact me directly using this form (click here) with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

'The France Show'

Taken in part from 'The France Show' the UK’s biggest celebration of France returns to Olympia, London in January.

The France Show is back for 2017, so whether you’re looking for some travel tips, thinking of buying property in France, hoping to brush up your language skills or want to try regional food and wines, pick up some recipe inspiration or just have a great French day out, you’ll find it all at The France Show at London Olympia from 27-29 January!

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.