Moving, living, working, retiring abroad
France is located in Western Europe, neighboring Spain to the southwest, and Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Italy to the northeast and east. To the north is the English Channel, which separates it from the United Kingdom. The south of the country has a long and beautiful coastline on the Mediterranean Sea, known as the French Riviera or Côte d’Azur.
France is one of the top three largest countries in Europe, with a surface area of over 200,00 square miles, larger than the US state of California. In addition to continental France, the country includes several other territories overseas that are part of the European Union, such as Saint Martin and Martinique, located in the Caribbean.
France is a diverse country with interesting differences in lifestyle, culture, architecture and climate between its regions. From the sunbathed beach resorts of the south to charming villages characterized by German-inspired architecture in the north, and a sprawling wine-country all over, France is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its crowning jewel is the capital city of Paris, located in the central northern region, also known as the fashion world capital and without a doubt the most famous city on the globe.
France is a beautiful country to live in, renowned for its stylish cities, charming countryside, picturesque vineyards, and mouth-watering food. It’s a place of rich history, art, architecture, and culture and has much to offer expats who choose to live there. In fact, 78% of expats living in France are generally satisfied with their life … Read more
If you are planning to move to France as a foreigner, it is very important that you follow the procedures to ensure that you have all the correct paperwork to live there legally. As a non-EU citizen, you may be wondering if it is possible to obtain permanent residence in France. The really good news … Read more
French cuisine is world famous and many of its classic dishes are included in the repertoire of chefs in hotels and restaurants around the globe. Dining out in France is fun as there are restaurants for everyone from fine dining in elegant surroundings to cozy, cheerful bistros packed with locals with tables that spill out … Read more
France – and especially the South of France – has been welcoming the rich, famous and royalty for more than 100 years. There is just so much to enjoy about the country including the wide open rural spaces, the ambience, amazing food, fantastic wines great culture and of course, its people. The rich and famous … Read more
The South of France is also known as ‘the French Riviera’ and referred to as “le Midi” by the French and is the most popular area in France. The area comprises of the country’s Mediterranean coastline and its hinterland and stretches from France’s border with Italy to its border with Spain. The region has a … Read more
A popular way to explore France is by staying in a series of chambre d’hôtes. Chambre d’hote is the French equivalent of a guest house or bed and breakfast. There are all types of different styles of this accommodation to be found in French cities, towns, and in remote parts of the countryside. The number … Read more
Buying a house in France becomes a very appealing idea to many non-French people every year – either as a vacation or retirement home. It is certainly something that can be done by non-EU foreigners who are living in France as long as they meet certain requirements. Following Brexit, there have been some important changes … Read more
For the past seven decades a favorite type of vacation in France has been the gîte vacation. These have proven to be extremely popular because they give visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in local life. What is a gîte in France? Gites are usually character homes you can rent out in or near rural … Read more
The French coastline has more than 2,000 miles of sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and rolling waves that are great for surfing. In many other places, the sea is calm, clear and azure in color. There are beaches that are large and sandy and others are small and secluded. There are numerous rocky bays too. One … Read more
France often makes the shortlist of the most attractive locations to retire abroad. With its stunning scenery across the country, world-renowned cuisine and wine varieties from its North to the South, from its East to West, culture-rich cities, friendly residents, and all-in-all a high quality of life, it’s no wonder that France is such a … Read more
When you think of moving to France, the first city in mind is probably Paris. And why shouldn’t it be? It’s the country’s capital, it’s one of the most well-known cities in the world, and the media is saturated with the luxurious feel of Paris. But Paris, despite being home to hundreds of French natives, … Read more