Clé France

If you are invited to a French home this festive season for a formal meal or asked to pop-round just for Aperos then we have some useful tips and insight for you so you don't make too many gaffs, as I still do today!

Faye Boulanger at Flickr.com

Many people bring up the idea of cultural etiquette during this season of gift giving and receiving. For example, you might have heard that, in Japan, you should accept gifts with both hands. Or that it is common for Singaporeans to graciously refuse a gift several times before accepting it. It is important to have a certain level of cultural intelligence to make sure that you won’t mistakenly insult the person with whom you are interacting. But it is also important to realise that cultures norms are often very complex and do not follow monolithic rules.

What time should you arrive? this is a complex issue and unless you find out by making the mistake once and then applying the rule on future occaisions, it is difficult to know the local etiquette first time around. I think being 'on time' is the best default position BUT not in Mayenne department of Pays de la Loire where they have what is known as the 'Mayenne quart d'heure' where the polite time to arrive is 15 minutes late, yes late! presumably giving the host a little time to perfect the ambience?

I’ve often heard that it can be insulting to your French host to bring a bottle of wine with you when invited to a dinner. The idea behind this is that wine plays such an important role in a French dinner that your host has probably already selected the perfect bottle for your table. This is an “old society” rule and, frankly, most French hosts would take this rule with a grain of salt (or, in the French idiomatic expression: ils prendraient cette règle avec des pincettes).

The same goes for the rule that, when offering a bouquet, you must include an odd number of flowers in it; I’ve never seen someone count the number of flowers they have just received. Rather, most of the time, they are impressed with the generous gesture and will thank you by kissing your cheeks.

If you are invited to a French home this holiday season for a formal meal, it is considered good form (especially in Paris) to send them over the day before to be used as decoration for the meal or in the days following the meal, along with a thank you card.

So while it is important to be aware of different cultural forms of etiquette, it’s also important to know that these traditions are oftentimes flexible or depend on varying degrees of formality and friendship.

For example, I might send flowers ahead of a formal dinner with business colleagues, but not necessarily to a more casual dinner between intimate friends.

If you follow your own common sense and always act with kindness and thoughtfulness, you’ll be fine no matter what culture you find yourself in.

Just how do the French celebrate Christmas where you live or visit?

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

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

Baby It’s Cold Outside...

It seems like just yesterday I was waking up to la canicule, but with the changing seasons and clocks falling back, it’s really starting to get cold. I already have to turn on le chauffage (the heater, the heating) and find mes vêtements d’hiver (my winter clothes)!

After spending months next to le ventilateur (the fan) and wishing mon appartement (my apartment) had la climatisation (air conditioning), I was happy that France was cooling down. Cependant (however), after putting off buying un ventilateur for so long I didn’t want to put it away until I had no choice.

As the temperature drops, I have turned off le ventilateur and closed les fenêtres (the windows), but it has quickly become a struggle to stay warm. I’ve had to turn on le chauffage, prepare du café chaud (some hot coffee), and me couvrir (bundle up).

I’m from la Floride (Florida) and preparing for l’hiver (Winter) and le temps froid (cold weather) is something I’m not used to doing. I’ve learned how to survive and bought des vêtements d’hiver (some winter clothes), but there are still many things about le froid that surprise me.

When il faisait trop froid (it was too cold) and I turned on le chauffage, I noticed une odeur bizarre (a strange smell). Mon voisin (my neighbor) noticed l’odeur as well and came over to see if I was okay.

Ça va ? Il y a une odeur bizarre qui vient de ton appartement.

Ouais, je ne sais pas d’où ça vient.

Est-ce que tu as allumé le chauffage ?

Oui…. Il fait froid ces derniers jours.

Ahh ! Tu dois ouvrir les fenêtres !

Is everything alright? There’s a strange smell coming from your apartment.

Yeah, I don’t know where it’s coming from.

Did you turn on the heater?

Yes… It’s cold these days.

Ahh! You have to open the windows!

La Floride never taught me how to deal with l’hiver and I wasn’t aware of l’odeur bizarre that comes with turning on the heat for the first time!

Since it was already froid, I had to suffer for a little while while l’odeur left l’appartement. I took it as a sign that I needed to prepare for l’hiver and found all mes vêtements d’hiver.

L’hiver is only just starting and I’ll have to get used to le froid. I’m looking forward to les marchés de Noël, but I hope I don’t catch a cold!

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

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

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.

Good morning Sharon,

We just wanted to say thank you for recommending Nick Warner to carry out the survey on our proposed property purchase in Normandy.

He did so on Monday, and we received his very thorough & comprehensive report yesterday. We were so impressed at how quickly he got back to us and pleasantly surprised and relieved that although there are a few things to address, they don't sound too onerous or expensive to rectify, but time will tell!

He has even answered a couple of consequent questions for us. We would therefore highly recommend him to future clients.

Many thanks for all your help we really appreciate it.

Kindest regards, Debbie & Paul.

In France 'English' style structural surveys are almost unknown, there is not even a word for 'surveyor', the nearest being 'Expert de Batiment'. But if a client feels the need for a good old fashioned – 'Structural Survey' this is when we recommend Nick Warner.

Cle France will guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"!

Hi Sharon,

We had a good day of visiting houses with your agents. Both were so friendly and helpful and a delight to be with.

There was one house in particular we saw, that we are thinking about.

I will get back to you again in due course.

Best wishes, John.

Cle France will guide YOU through the French Property Buying Process!

And as several of our clients say "Follow your heart and make the move"!