You may love Eurovision, you may hate it or you may just be indifferent about the annual song contest but one thing you need to know is "the French" love it! 

So buying a property in France and holidaying there during May you will be sure to see TV coverage in bars and public places and if you buy a house in france for full time living then be sure to have to use your French language skills to discuss the current years song entry.

We know of French families that make a party weekend of the event and invite friends and family to their houses for Eurovision get togethers that run long into the night, so be prepared to join in with a sing-a-long!

On Saturday night, most of Europe will be watching the finale of the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. If you’re not familiar with this contest, it’s an annual song competition with countries in the European Broadcasting Union participating. This year, for its 60th anniversary, the contest is taking place in Vienna, Austria, because last year’s winner was Austria. Eurovision is a very popular: this year, an estimated 600 million viewers globally will be celebrating 60 years of singing.

Image courtesy of This Week UK

How it works is each country selects a singer to represent them. What surprised me is that the representative doesn’t have to be a citizen of the country he’s singing for! Canadian singer Céline Dion (ever heard of her?) sang for Switzerland in 1988 with the song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” (Don’t Leave without Me), for example. Her participation helped launch her international career, so I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that we can think Eurovision for our chance to perform our own drunken renditions of “My Heart Will Go On” at karaoke. Merci, Eurovision!

Céline isn’t the only big timer to come from a Eurovision background. ABBA won for Switzerland in 1974 with “Waterloo”.

The competition has two semi-finals and a final. For each semi-final, the 10 countries with the highest scores will make the journey to the Eurovision host country. Regardless of where they place, there is a group of 5 countries known as the Big Five that automatically place into the finals because they’re the biggest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union.

They are: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Australia. (Hey... that’s not 5. That’s 6! And Australia??). The previous year’s winner is also automatically in the final.

The winner is decided by 2 factors: a jury and public vote. Both are given 50%. This method can lead to a lot of geopolitical voting (which is interesting in and of itself).

France has appeared in the competition in 58 of the 60 competitions, missing the 1974 and 1982 contests. They’ve won 5 times:

1958 with “Dors, mon amour” by André Claveau

1960 with “Tom Pillibi” by Jacqueline Boyer

1962 with “Un premier amour” by Isabelle Aubret

1969 with “Un jour, un enfant” by Frida Boccara

1977 with “L’oiseau et l’enfant” by Marie Myriam

Since 1977, France has placed bronze 3 times and silver twice. Most notably, they placed last in 2014 with “Moustache” by Twin Twin. Yikes.

So what has France submitted this year to not repeat last year’s title?

This year’s French representative is a woman named Lisa Angell who is singing a song called “N’oubliez pas” (Don’t Forget). The song is a message to the entire generation to not repeat the mistake of past generations. It’s a song of “hope and peace, of courage and solidarity,” according to the singer.

Here are the the lyrics and an English translation.

Il ne me reste que des larmes

I only have tears left

Ces quelques notes venues d’autrefois

These few notes from the past

Et le chant de nos prières

And the melody of our prayers

Nos cœurs qui espèrent

Our hearts are hoping

Et le vide sous mes pas

And the emptiness beneath my steps.

Il ne me reste que les cendres

I only have ashes left

De mon village plongé dans le silence

Of my village that was plunged into silence

Je ne suis qu’une blessure

I’m only a wound

Un cœur sans armure

A heart without armour

Comment survivre après ça?

How can you survive after this?

Mais je suis là, je n’oublie pas

But I’m here, and I won’t forget

Dans mon village balayé par l’histoire

In my village swept away by history

Et je vis là, n’oubliez pas

And I live there. Don’t forget.

Effacé des cartes et des mémoires

Erased from the maps and memories

Je me souviens du rire des enfants

I remember the laughter of children

La voix des hommes quand ils partaient au champ

The voices of men leaving the field

Les fêtes des moissons

The harvest celebrations

L’odeur dans les maisons

The smell in the houses

Les éclats d’amour et de joie

The bursts of love and joy

Quand ils sont arrives

When they arrived

Cachés derrière leurs armes

Hidden behind their weapons

Ils étaient des milliers

There were thousands of them

Ils riaient de nos larmes

They laughed at our tears

Ils ont voulu détruire

They wanted to destroy

Nos croyances et nos âmes

Our beliefs and our souls

Avec des mots de haine

With hateful words

Que l’on n’connaissait pas

That we didn’t know

Je suis ici ce soir

I’m here tonight

Au milieu de ces ruines

In the middle of these ruins

Pour vous parler d’espoir

To talk to you about hope

Et vous chanter la vie

And to sing about life

Et je fais le serment

And I’m making a promise

Quand séchera le sang

That when the blood dries

De reconstruire ma ville

I will rebuild my city

Bien plus belle qu’avant

Even more beautiful than before

Mais n’oubliez pas

But don’t forget.

AND... remember to sing along on Saturday night!

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

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

Looking for accommodation whilst on a viewing trip? introducing our new partner - 

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

Just updating the Cle France Office calendar and thought this was useful information for those booking and planning property viewings in France.

If you are planning a viewing trip to view some of the super property we have for sale in France then these dates could help you plan, even if they give you the days to avoid as offices and shops will be closed.

Remember - most Estate agents don't work Sundays and depending on the region of France Saturdays get booked up very quickly so you will need to give us more notice than you would for a weekday, which will be easier to plan for at shorter notice.

So here are the Bank Holiday dates / jour fériés in France...

Jan 1 Thursday is New Year's Day is a National holiday

Mar 20 Friday is March equinox Season

Mar 29 Sunday is when Daylight Saving Time starts

Apr 3 Friday is Good Friday is only a Local holiday

Apr 5 Sunday is Easter Day - Observance

Apr 6 Monday is Easter Monday is a National holiday

May  1 Friday is Labor Day / May Day is a National holiday

May 8 Friday is WWII Victory Day is a National holiday

May 14 Thursday is Ascension Day is a National holiday

May 24 Sunday is Whit Sunday - Observance

May 25 Monday is Whit Monday is a National holiday

May 31 Sunday is Mother's Day - Observance

Jun 21 Sunday is June Solstice

Jun 21 Sunday is Father's Day - Observance

Jul 14 Tuesday is Bastille Day is a National holiday

Aug 15 Saturday is Assumption of Mary is a National holiday

Sep 23 Wednesday is September equinox

Oct 25 Sunday is when Daylight Saving Time ends

Nov 1 Sunday is All Saints' Day is a National holiday

Nov 11 Wednesday is Armistice Day is a National holiday

Dec 22 Tuesday is December Solstice

Dec 24 Thursday is Christmas Eve - Observance

Dec 25 Friday is Christmas Day is a National holiday

Dec 26 Saturday is St Stephen's Day is a Local holiday

Dec 31 Thursday is New Year's Eve - Observance

Please note: A lot of business and shops, Post offices etc will be closed in France on these days.

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

When we are arranging multiple French property viewings for our clients we always advise them to keep enough time in the schedule to 'enjoy' and 'soak up' the area they are visiting, after all it is not just the four walls you are looking to buy it is often the lifestyle and culture you want to buy into as well.

When I am in France visiting agents and discovering new sectors to promote to our ever demanding French property hunting clients, I also like to soak up the atmosphere and it seems I am not alone!

Our Mortgage and Finance Expert, Joe Wroe of International Private Finance - (IPF), also likes to make sure he takes time out to discover the sights, sounds and culture whilst on a business trip and he did just that in Paris recently.

International Private Finance have many years experience in working with our clients when purchasing property overseas, and have an unrivalled knowledge of both the overseas mortgage and buying processes. IPF together with Cle France we will help you achieve your end goal of being a French property owner and not just simply be looking at property for sale in France forever.

Joe took advantage of the 'Paris Insight walks' during his trip to the capital, these walks are more than just walk-by descriptions of buildings. The history of Paris, the legends, and the characters "full of colour" who have haunted Paris in the old days or more recent times will come alive to you as you wander through the avenues of time!

Shakespeare and Company; Quaint little bookstore along the Seine where Hemingway used to write.

Following in the footsteps of Hemingway, Wright, Joyce, Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Picasso, Man Ray, Chagall, Gauguin, Oscar Wilde, Modigliani, Delacroix, Jim Morrison, you will be guided to the homes, cafés, studios, parks, places they associated with and immortalised in their "chef-d'œuvres".

Find out where various episodes of Victor Hugo's novel "Les Miserables" took place; bring to light his Paris of 1830. "Smell the roses" in the Luxembourg gardens and you may come across Hemingway walking up to see Gertrude Stein at her big studio apartment, "where there was a big fireplace warm and confortable, great paintings like in the finest museum…".

You can discover new worlds and atmospheres as you slip discreetly into those mysterious, hidden, romantic courtyards that Paris preserves so beautifully and carefully, it is one of my favourite cities in the world.

A wide range of walks are available, from custom-made to classical tours - 'My Paris walks' are limited to small intimate groups, therefore reservations are strongly recommended, just goolge 'My Paris walks' to find out more.

Ernest Hemingway’s First House in Paris

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast” wrote Hemingway to a friend in 1950, how true that is.

If you are not that lucky and the time has passed, you can still enjoy a delightful memorable experience of this walk.

When I did this walk it was made all the more interesting with the leadership of Pat and John with whom I spent magical hours in the steps of Hemingway. Pat's sweet voice reading extracts from Hemingway's book "A moveable feast" still floats in the Paris air.

Paul Verlaine’s Hotel (Residence – for many years), and another favourite spot of Hemingway’s to sit and write.

In partnership with International Private Finance (IPF) we provide you with a wealth of information such as International mortgage best buy tables and mortgage calculators to help calculate the cost of that beach front villa you’ve had your eye on! Buying guides for every major market will ensure you understand each aspect of buying in France with a French mortgage.

What is more, if you are still researching your overseas property dream we can keep you updated with mortgage product developments, changes in rates and other relevant information through our regular email newsletters .

Quotation Requests

If you wish to take the process a step further, you can submit a quotation request to us on-line or by filling in our form and faxing or emailing it back to us. Once we have received this we will provide you with a detailed, no obligation quote within one working day. Our dedicated consultants will then be on hand to talk through the quote and answer any questions you may have.

Your quote will also confirm all of the costs and charges relevant to the products we have selected, allowing you to make an educated decision with all of the information in front of you, should you wish to proceed with your application.

After requesting us to broker your overseas mortgage, your dedicated mortgage consultant will work with you through every step of the process to ensure it proceeds as smoothly as possible.

Visit the International Private Finance (IFP) website now.

Submit a quotation request using the on-line form.

Britons with second homes in French towns and cities will see their council tax rates rise by hundreds of euros a year after President Hollande’s government yesterday rounded on “wealthy foreigners” in a desperate attempt to raise money.

The move is designed to generate €150 million for local councils, and will hit anyone who has a second home in 28 cities and suburbs, including Paris and Nice.

No one with a second home in rural France will be affected.

 Holiday Homes for sale like this one (GTY01287) will not be affected.

The so-called weekend tax has been sold by President Hollande as a measure to address France’s housing crisis by claiming that it will encourage property owners to rent out their second homes. However, in truth, the levy is a means of raising new revenue for hard-up local councils from a group of people, many of whom do not have the vote.

The Socialist cabinet has recently been forced to slash state subsidies for local councils to try to meet calls from Brussels to cut the French budget deficit. At the end of last month, President Hollande was rattled by a threat from Brussels that it would reject his budget because it did not reduce the deficit significantly. The government then was forced to announce a €3.7 billion cut in subsidies for next year’s budget.

However, the tax has caused fierce controversy amid signs that the government was itself split over the measure. Under the plan disclosed by Michel Sapin, the finance minister, urban councils will be authorised to levy a tax equivalent to 20 per cent of the residency tax paid by all households for anyone with a second home in one of the prescribed 28 town areas.

This will add €90 to the rates on an average flat in Paris — which are among the lowest in France — but €200 to €300 in some of the capital’s suburbs and in other cities. All households pay at least one type of council tax — a residency tax, paid by everyone, and an owner tax, paid only by those who own their property.

French press reports suggested that tourist destinations popular with the British, such as Annecy in the Alps, or Bordeaux in the southwest could also be hit by the tax.

Most of the 200,000 Britons with holiday homes in France will escape the tax rise since their properties are in rural areas. However, 10,000 Britons own second homes on the French Riviera, some urban areas of which, such as Nice, will be included by the new tax. Many Britons have also invested in property in cities such as Lyon and Toulouse.

Rural houses like this (CLS00397) will not be affected.

Cle France are French Estate agents with agents across France in most regions and with over 8000 houses for sale in all price brackets and in all styles to suit everyone. This bi-lingual service will help you find the right property for you with the minimum of fuss.

NO HIDDEN FEES: The price you pay is the same as anyone walking through the door of our agency in France, same as the price paid by the French buyer.

All quoted prices are INCLUSIVE OF AGENCY FEES (FAI): with Notaire's fees to be added (these average 7% to 8%).

OUR AGENTS: are all registered and insured in France, they are holders of the 'carte professionnelle'as required by French law.

So when you buy through Clé France: you have the benefit of a bi-lingual support team & can be confident that you are paying no more than the standard commission rates you would pay anyway.

CONTACT US: to discuss your search for property in France, or indeed for any further information you may require on French property sales.

This article originally appeared in The Times on Wednesday 5th November 2014.

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