Clé France

Let us take a look at the historic city of Dol in the region of Brittany (dept. 35, Ille et Vilaine).

The proud and historic city of Dol-de-Bretagne, with its fascinating cathedral, was built above the marshes extending to the Bay of Mont St-Michel. Out of this dramatically flat landscape emerges an extraordinary sight, Mont Dol, where Saint Michael supposedly fought off Satan. A relatively easy climb for the novice and well worth the views at the top on a clear day.

In 549, the Welsh Saint Teilo was documented as coming to Dol where he joined Samson of Dol and to this day the fruit groves which they planted remain and are known as the groves of Teilo and Samson. Legend has it that while there he was assigned by King Budic II to subdue a winged dragon, which he was said to have tamed and then tied to a rock in the sea off Brittany. He is reported to have stayed in Dol for seven years and seven months so must have left in 556 or 557.

Dol boasts some old medieval houses along its high street,which is stunning, but the outstanding building in the town is the 13th-century cathedral. The roots of the cathedral go back to the same dynamic 6th-century Welshman named Samson (Samson of Dol) legend has it, he rid the local lord’s wife of leprosy and his daughter of demons, for which kind services he was rewarded with land. When King John of England’s troops burned down the Romanesque cathedral, a mighty new Gothic one was built – one particularly ugly gargoyle on it is said to resemble the evil monarch. there is a very interesting museum to visit if you are interested in cathedrals and medieval times called "Médiavylis".

Mont Dol is an outcrop of rock resembling another island like that of Mont St-Michel, but this one stands alone on the flat coastal plain in front of Dol. Stunning views across northeast Brittany are enjoyed from the summit 65 metres above sea level and without too much risk or equipment you can reach the small plateau by practising your rock climbing. Once on the plateau here is a less strenuously climb in the shape of the Tour Notre-Dame, highlighted by a large statue of the Virgin Mary, for the most stunning views of the patchwork of fields below and the Bay of Mont St-Michel beyond. One of the two windmills on Mont Dol is usually open for visits.

                 So what about property prices and availability in and around Dol de Bretagne?

As a lot of property is situated either close to the town, the sea or the bay of Mont st Michel you can expect to pay a higher price than that inland. However the area around Dol de Bretagne is steeped in history and you would find it hard not to fall in love with the landscape and relaxed way of life here.

We always have some excellent bargains available in and around Dol de Bretagne, from town and village properties to magnificent countryside farmhouses and sea front villas, as well as some exciting renovation projects on the market for a very low price.

If you are not already on our mailing list then do subscribe and let us know if this is an area you are interested in, you will then be kept upto date with any new properties on the market as well and news and updates.

 le-champ-dolent, Dol de Bretagne.

 High street, Dol de Bretagne.

 Cathedral, Dol de Bretagne.

 Chateau near, Dol de Bretagne.

 Combourg Chateau.

 Mont St Michel.

 The harbour, Dol de Bretagne. 

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.

I must thank you for the help and encouragement that Cle France has given me.

Mike.

Mike bought a house near Hesdin, Nord Pas de Calais after using the Free services of Cle France  - The French Property Network.

Client's Question: “I’d like to start a small gardening business when I move to France, just to top up my income, but I’ve heard that it’s really costly and complicated. What advice can you give me?"

It is true that setting up a small business in any country can be a bit daunting, but even more so if you don’t speak the language or understand the system. Fortunately the process has been made more accessible and simpler, with the introduction in January 2009 of the Auto-entrepreneur regime.

You could make it even easier by talking to Premier Property Care about starting up a new franchised region in their network, working with clients and looking after their holiday homes and gardens.

Prior to this a small business was charged a maximum fixed percentage of their turnover in social charges. This meant that a small business would have faced high social charges, with a yearly increase for the first three years, regardless of whether any income had actually been made, making it much more difficult to get a new business off the ground, and virtually excluding people like yourself who just wanted a little extra money. Instead under the auto-entrepreneur system you will pay a percentage of actual turnover in social charges and French income tax; in other words if you earn nothing there will be nothing to pay (apart from some small essential charges). In addition you will be exempt from income tax for the first 3 years.

Further details on the auto-entrepreneur system can be found on the following site: www.auto-entrepreneur.fr.

The regime is available to a large variety of activities including providers of services, including those that are commercial in nature, such as sales, bar/restaurant and accommodation owners. It also applies to liberal professionals, including health professionals, legal professionals, surveyors, journalists, accountants, the retired, students and entrepreneurs.

If your business activity is service-based should expect to pay 23% of their annual turnover, whilst those selling goods 13%. There is no VAT registration to worry about, but there is a limit on turnover under this regime of €80,000 for commercial businesses and €32,000 for service professionals.

This regime will be ideal for the self-employed, including British expats or retirees like yourself looking to make a little extra income from home.

Blog submitted by: Sharon at Cle France.

Legal Disclaimer: The Clé France website publishes articles and client questions & responses for free, they are for general information purposes only. They do not constitute legal or other professional advice. You should not act or rely solely upon the information contained therein. Copyright © 2013 Clé France. All Rights Reserved.

Client's Question: “I’d like to take my dog on holiday to France this year, but have heard that it takes a year to get a pet passport. What do I have to do, and does the process really take that long?”

The Pet Passport allows you to take domestic pets such as dogs and cats out of the U.K and then return without the need for a period of quarantine. If you intend to travel with your pet it is essential to follow the procedure correctly in order to avoid the unnecessary and stressful separation from your beloved family pet that quarantine would bring.

Firstly the pet must be microchipped with an ISO standard microchip, prior to rabies vaccination. Then the animal will be vaccinated against rabies with an approved vaccine, the microchip having been read by a vet just prior to giving the vaccine.

One month later the animal will then receive a blood tested, with the microchip having been read by a vet, to check that the pet has responded favourably to the vaccine and that there are sufficient antibodies against rabies. If the vaccine has no taken it will have to be given again in order to obtain a good result.

The passport can now be issued BUT the date of entry into the UK cannot be earlier than 6 months after the blood test was taken. The passport can be issued before a blood test is taken, but it is not valid for re-entry to the UK. You can have the blood test done in France at a later date.

So for instance, if you began the process on January 1st with the microchipping and the vaccine, the pet would have the blood test on the 1st February, and if the results were good would be able to enter the U.K on or after the 1st August.

You are therefore advised to allow at least 8 months for the process.  

Blog submitted by: Sharon at Cle France.

Legal Disclaimer: The Clé France website publishes articles and client questions & responses for free, they are for general information purposes only. They do not constitute legal or other professional advice. You should not act or rely solely upon the information contained therein. Copyright © 2013 Clé France. All Rights Reserved.

Let us take a look at the delightful town of Bagnoles de l'Orne in Lower Normandy (dept. 61, Orne).

Bagnoles de l'Orne is a long established resort in the south of the Orne department of Normandy, south-west from Argentan and east of Domfront. It is the only Spa Town in Normandy and has an air of the exclusivity about it.

The town has a number of good restaurants and plenty of useful shops and other facilities. Leisure pursuits in Bagnoles include tennis and golf, and of course, thermal baths and treatments.

The town developed and prospered as a health resort around its thermal spa waters and grand buildings such as the 'Grand Hotel' as well as the picturesque lake, gardens, riverside walks, cascades and forest as well as many other attractions including good sports facilities.

As a consequence Bagnoles de l'Orne has a great deal of interesting 19th century architecture to enjoy, and its position in the Andaines Forest adds to the appeal of Bagnoles. It has successfully attracted tourists for well over 100 years and continues to be a popular destination. The spa waters are still a big attraction, click on some of the links on this page to find out more about the thermes-bagnoles  and the many health and relaxation options available if you are visiting to relax and unwind. Tales of their amazing restorative powers include an ageing monk being given the power to leap from the highest rocks above the town and the story of a horse recovering from the brink of death.

Apart from the spa waters it is perhaps the fine examples of the "belle-epoque" (approx 1884-1914) architecture that Bagnoles de l'Orne is best known for. Particularly fine examples can be found in the "quartier belle-epoque" towards the south of the town.

The "belle-epoque" style came to an abrupt end with the First World War, to be replaced when the war ended by the new "art-deco" style, also very well represented in Bagnoles. During the "Roaring Twenties" this part of town grew up as a result of the rapid growth in popularity of the thermal leisure industry. The "bright young things" came to Bagnoles for entertainment on a level previously unknown in this quiet yet affluent town. The casino, concert and dance halls were built, along with facilities for horse racing and golf.

Art Deco was "the style" and it  was all the rage in this era and in Bagnoles! The most obvious example is the Casino next to the lake, as well as the Church of Saint John the Baptist built around the same time which is also worth a visit.

The oldest part of Bagnoles de l'Orne is the "Quartier Tessé"  and we recommend leisurely stroll to take in its history. The region around the town includes a large forested area (Andaines Forest), and is very popular with cyclists and walking enthusiats enjoying the Normandy countryside.

Close by is the medieval town of Domfront with its charmingly streets, well worth a visit on market day. The 15th century town of Lassay les Châteaux (dept. 53 Pays de la Loire) previously featured on our site is also well worth a visit. The floral town of St Fraimbault (dept.61 Normandy) is also a must as during the summer the whole village is bedecked with flowers, culminating in a weekend festival during August.

Property in the town itself is generally more expensive than property outside of the town, because Bagnoles is a popular town in which to live and offers good services and amenities. The area near Bagnoles is becoming more and more popular with foreign buyers; we predict prices are set to rise as it grows in popularity. So call us to make arrangements for viewing sooner rather than later!

 The Spa at Bagnoles de l'Orne.

 Casino and Lake.

 Hotel de Ville.

 Bagnoles de l'Orne from the air.

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.