Clé France

GEN UP ON GENDARMES - 

1. Never laugh at them especially at motor-way pay barriers no matter what size their moustaches are.

2. If they call to check your papers at home always offer them a coffee but never the Calvados your friendly farmer sold you for 5 euros a litre – this is strictly illegal and they'll ask you for its origin.

3. When stopped at a road check always say ''yes'' when asked if you are ''en vacance''. They will then wave you on with good wishes.

4. When calling at the Gendamerie to report an incident or to get help, raising your voice in the hope they'll understand English is not a good idea.

5. Always call a gendarme 'Monsieur' or even 'Monsieur l'Inspector', flattery seems to work.

6. Always let the lady in the car do the talking if at all possible and always smile sweetly – that too works wonders.

7. Always carry your passport and driving licence with you and keep your car documents in the car – although they seldom understand them the production on demand creates a good impression.

8. If you are stopped by the police do not mention your friend the local gendarme. They don't like each other – the police don't have the power of the gendarmes and there's always a certain amount of jealousy.

9. If your neighbour is the local senator or similar dignitary, it's always worth mentioning his name if you are having a contretemps – they are very susceptible to 'who you know'.

10. If you do need help don't ever hesitate to ask a gendarme – they are actually very helpful.

BON CHANCE.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

If you want more? then follow the links above where you can buy Fraser's published books.

We would certainly not have had the confidence to go through such a complicated process (in French) without the support, information and translation services provided through the Cle France network. From start to finish there was always someone to help, either on the phone, by email or in person and we are very grateful to David, Sharon and Valerie for all their support.

We are very happy with our new house and are most impressed with the area. Thanks to their advice we now have a number of English speaking contacts to help with future requirements.

We believe Cle France is an excellent organisation which we would recommend to anyone wishing to purchase a house in France.

Regards, G and M.

Buying a property in France does not have to be a dream or a daunting task, with the right team of professionals to advise you on everything from the right region of France for you, through the entire buying process and beyond with help settling-in the process from dream to reality can be as smooth as you like!

If you are going on a viewing trip to France soon, no matter what region of France you visit, you need to know how to read your French Estate agent, so here we take a light-hearted look at body language:

Will the Frenchman do a deal?

1. One shrug – won't accept your offer.

2. Huff and puff – maybe he'll accept your price.

3. Throws hands in the air and walks away – he believes the house is being 'given' away.

4. If he keeps smiling – keep haggling.

5. If he speaks English to you – it means he feels confident and will drive a hard bargain.

6. Beware the hard sell – the boring 5 minute repetitive sales pitch, just give one word answers.

7. Despite what they say, the French are not yet politically correct - But flirt with his wife and the price will go up. Take your beautiful daughter and he'll be in a good mood.

8. The French usually have two dogs – the big guard dog and the little lap dog. If he brings the former, expect a difficult purchase with little haggling. On the other hand you may well save yourself a bob or two if you show you like his dog.

9. If they don't shake hands – they don't want you to have their house.

10. Get the kissing right – two touches on each cheek is good for Normandy. You should try and be on this kissing basis before the deal is struck!

Good luck and watch for the signs! 

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

If you want more? then follow the links above where you can buy Fraser's published books.

BAGNOLES DE L'ORNE in the Orne Department of Lower Normandy - 

Bagnoles (as it is generally known) is one of the gems of France. Not only is it a beautiful town, but as its name hints, it's a spa town. People congregate from all over Europe from spring to autumn to ''take the waters'' for all manner of ailments.

Situated in the Bocage area of Normandy and surrounded by the considerable forest of the Andaines, it is a holiday area par excellence. With all its leisure activities it is an ideal venue vacance. There is a small but delightful 9 hole golf course, one of the original one's in France, pony trekking through the forest, swimming, both indoor and outdoor tennis, fishing and horse riding to name but a few.

For those who like quieter activities there's a bridge club, slide shows, a cinema, a theatre, regular live jazz evenings, painting and design courses and even a mushroom picking and cooking weekend in September. This includes instruction on which are good and which are not and a thorough inspection of everything you've picked by an expert – just to be sure!

The night life lacks for nothing either. There are first class hotels and restaurants where the evening meal is turned into an art form and most at quite affordable prices. There's a casino which includes ballroom dancing, a disco pub, and a restaurant. And, of course, there's the now famous festival ''Au pays de Lancelot du Lac'' which retells the Arthurian legend by way of exhibitions, concerts and live spectacles throughout lower Normandy.

Finally, it has to be said that Bagnoles is not only a beautiful and rather special town, but it's surrounded by masterpieces such as the Châteaux d'O, Lassay les Chateaux, Sassy and Carrouges. If that was not enough the cathedrals of Sens, Saint Ceneri, Notre dame sur l'Eau and Lonlay are absolutely marvellous and all within easy reach.

Read more about Bagnoles de l'Orne from a previous blog by David at Cle France here...

Property for sale in Bagnoles de l'Orne.

Fraser Blake, 70, author of 'Dear Chips' and 'A Rant Too Far?' grew up in Africa, was at school in Scotland, and worked for the British South Africa Police in Southern Rhodesia. He has taught English in Saudi Arabia and sold and renovated hundreds of properties in Northern France.

In 1998 Fraser was selling houses in the Mayenne department of the Pays de la Loire region and so was the obvious choice, when Cle France was started, to be their first agent on the ground in France. In retirement he writes, blogs, cooks, drinks wine, and hosts to dinner unlimited numbers of ex-pats.

Always on hand with a viewpoint, Fraser is going to share his views on France, the French and the British, and other people who buy in France. Sometimes informative, sometimes funny, painfully true, outrageously opinionated but always entertaining so we hope it adds a slightly different dimension to the usual normality of searching through the fantastic properties for sale on the Cle France website.

If you want more? then follow the links above where you can buy Fraser's published books.

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.