All you need to know about buying a property in France

There was a boom time - and we missed it. People bought houses for nothing. Then there was another boom time - and we caught the very end of it.

What we did

We did what you're probably doing. Discovered that France is an old-fashioned England, in many way. That the people are friendly and really DO try to understand you. That the food, the health service, the roads - so much is top quality. So we went traipsing round - sometimes it was fun, but so very hard to choose - especially if you want perfection! Are you going to live there, or pretend to?

So we bought a cottage, on a credit card. Well, three actually.

Before we go any further with our own thoughts - here is the first link to a site that has so much on it, there is little point in me trying to duplicate it. FrenchEntree.

I've rambled on happily about France on my blog. You can add your comments there too!

What I can do is be encouraging. If you're daft enough to bite off more than you can chew, daft enough to assume builders will turn up when they say they will, will do what they say they will do, and do it well - all for as little as possible, and without you being there... Well no wonder there are so many disillusioned people.

I've met loads who were losers over here and went over to France because it was cheap! Many didn't particularly like France, couldn't/wouldn't speak French, got immensely bored and ended up mowing each others lawns and having endless quiz nights, curry nights and ...oohhhhh god they're boring people! But then we've met far more people who find it fabulous, they join in and get on with it. They're not losers and they make a damn good life out of it. Only one thought - what will you do over there to keep occupied? Obvious - but many don't think that through and get lonely and bored!

If you're looking for a property - enjoy your time - find out if you like the area. Choose a nice hotel as a base. Expedia seem to be about the best!

Ebay is a great source - even for buying a gite! See what they've found currently for sale using the keywords french/france property