Could moving to France be the answer to starting over? Catharine and Wayne, a couple from Washington, USA, lost their financial security in their 70s. Faced with the rising cost of living in America, they packed up their lives and moved to rural southwest France in search of something simpler, more affordable – and more joyful.

In this heartfelt video, they share the highs and lows of their first three months living in Mirande, a charming French town they found entirely by accident. From language mishaps to discovering the real value of time and space, this is their honest story of resilience, adventure, and new beginnings in France.

In this episode, we’re talking to Maître Vincent Rairoux, Notaire, who is speaking on behalf of the Notarial Chamber of the Court of Appeal of Rouen about buying French property.

But first, let’s look at the official definition of the role of the notarial profession in France, which helps to explain why they command such respect: “To advise with rigor and impartiality. To support with humanity and discretion. To express the balance of wills within the framework established by law. To preserve documents forever, and thus to act for peace at the heart of society.”

With that in mind, Maître Rairoux takes us through the different stages of a house purchase in France, things to look out for, and what to avoid.

Along the way, you’ll discover a few surprises. For example, did you know that you can’t buy a house in France without going through a notaire, but that the same person can represent both the buyer and the seller?

Or that you can appoint any qualified notaire in France to represent you (there is an official list on the French government website).

There is also a European Directory of notaires who speak English.

The US Embassy in France has a shortlist of recommended Notaires as well.

Watch the video for lots of home buying tips, such as making sure your notaire is accustomed to remote signing process if you are going to be out of the country when your house purchase goes through.

Find out about notarial fees, which are defined on a national level, and range, so the price is fair whether you’re buying in a tiny village or the middle of Paris.

Learn how easy it is to buy property in France compared, for example, to British property chains and widespread gazumping.

Find out how to put conditions of purchase in place, or the flexibility of ‘faculté de substitution’.

Be aware of the pitfalls of buying property in France as a foreign company and when to take specialist advice regarding tax implications.

Find out how you’re protected as a buyer if undeclared problems such as termites or asbestos become apparent after you take ownership of the property.

And what French law says when it comes to children and inheritance, particularly after a divorce…

Got questions about moving to France?

Book a consultation with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

In this captivating episode of Real French Connections, follow Carolyn’s remarkable journey from Boise, USA, to the picturesque and peaceful Creuse region in France.

Discover how French Connections HCB expertly guided her through every step of her relocation.

Comprehensive Relocation Support Carolyn benefited from French Connections HCB’s complete “�鶹��ý” package — a tailored service designed to simplify the relocation process.

From visa applications to healthcare registration, tax code creation, and driving licence exchange, every detail was handled with care and precision.

Vehicle Sourcing and Delivery French Connections HCB went the extra mile by sourcing, purchasing, and delivering a car to Carolyn upon her arrival, ensuring her independence and mobility in her new rural surroundings.

Expert Guidance with a Personal Touch Beyond logistics, Carolyn highlights the warm, personalised support she received throughout her move — a key factor in her smooth integration into French life.

Whether you’re planning your own move to France or just curious about life in rural France, Carolyn’s story offers invaluable insights and inspiration.

Watch now to hear Carolyn’s incredible journey and learn how French Connections HCB can make your dream of living in France a reality.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more heartwarming stories in our upcoming episodes of Real French Connections.

– Intro

– Why did you choose to move to France?

– When did you decide to start your journey of moving to France?

– Were you relieved you had professional assistance for your move?

– What impressed you most about the service?

– How easy have you found it to integrate in your new local area?

– How have you found your experience with the French language?

– In your local town, what is your favourite spot?

– Challenges of house renovations

– What has been the most refreshing change from Idaho to where you are now?

– Have you taken the opportunity to travel around France since you’ve been here?

– Buying a car with French Connections HCB

– Do you have any words of wisdom for people looking to move to France?

– Is there anything you would do differently if you were to start the relocation process again?

– Outro

If you’d like to learn more about life in France, feel free to contact us!

Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored advice. The consultation fee is fully refundable when you purchase a service:

Or you could chat with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

Credit: Creuse Footage Sources – @Creuse Tourisme – images Saison d’or and ©ParachuteProduction

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Join Sandy & Geoff’s French Adventure!

Thinking of moving to France?

Get inspired by Sandy and Geoff’s incredible journey from California to the charming village of Verteuil-sur-Charente.

In this insightful video, Sandy reveals their entire relocation process—from choosing the perfect place in France to navigating visas, healthcare, and purchasing their dream home.

After falling in love with France’s culture and lifestyle, Sandy and Geoff returned to the US to apply for a one-year visa, determined to make their dream a reality. But the journey wasn’t without its challenges.

Thankfully, with expert guidance from French Connections HCB, they successfully managed their visa applications, healthcare arrangements, and property purchase.

Watch now and discover how Sandy and Geoff turned their dream into reality!

– Introduction

– Discovering Rochechouart

– Home in the USA

– Making the move to France

– Finding and reaching out to French Connections HCB

10:08 – Moving to Verteuil-Sur-Charente

– Living the French life and diving into the community

– Learning the language

– French culture

– Advice to people thinking of relocating to France

If you’d like to learn more about life in France, feel free to contact us!

Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored advice. The consultation fee is fully refundable when you purchase a service:

Or you could chat with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

Meet Sera, a Colorado native who made the bold move to Marseille and found her dream café — a vibrant knit & natter spot called Le Fil En Trop.

Wherever her travels take her, Sera’s comfort zone is a yarn shop. So when she arrived in colourful Marseille, she felt right at home in this warm and welcoming community café.

When Le Fil En Trop went up for sale, Sera seized the opportunity to make it her own.

In this inspiring story, Sera shares her journey from Colorado to the Mediterranean, her love for Marseille, her neighbourhood highlights, and exciting future plans for her unique crafts café.

Discover how French Connections HCB became the fairy godmother of her relocation journey — from expert advice to invaluable administrative support.

Interested in moving to France or starting your own project abroad? Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored guidance — your booking fee is fully refundable against any paid service

– Intro

– Finding Marseille

– Marseille’s Grittiness

– Small Business in Marseille

– Returning to France from Colorado

– Reaching out to French Connections HCB

– Advice to Americans looking to move to France

– Learning the language

– Summing up the help of French Connections HCB

– Sera’s plan for Le Fil En Trop

If you’d like to learn more about life in France, feel free to contact us!

Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored advice. The consultation fee is fully refundable when you purchase a service:

Or you could chat with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

Video footage credit: Nora Jaccaud

Thinking about moving to France?

Discover how Andrew and Sam left Texas behind to embrace a new life in the beautiful city of Bordeaux.

In this inspiring story, they share:

Why they chose France for their fresh start

How they adapted to French culture and language

The joys and challenges of expat life

Essential tips for anyone planning to relocate Andrew and Sam also reveal how French Connections HCB made their transition smooth – from securing visas and managing insurance to opening a French bank account and navigating complex admin tasks.

If you’re considering a move to France, this video is packed with valuable insights to help you take the leap with confidence.

– Introduction

– Moving to Bordeaux

– Life in Bordeaux

– Reasons for moving

– Cultural Differences

– Language challenges

– Moving Process

– Settling in

– Life in Bordeaux

– Weekend Activities

– Encouragement to move

– Conclusion

If you’d like to learn more about life in France, feel free to contact us!

Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored advice. The consultation fee is fully refundable when you purchase a service:

Or you could chat with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

Discover Real French Connections: The McCamley Family’s Inspiring Move

In this heartfelt episode, we meet the McCamley family—Lorraine, Mike, and their son Tyler—who took a bold leap from Philadelphia, USA, to the charming village of Mézeilles in Aveyron, France.

Who They Are:

The McCamleys

Where They Moved From:

Philadelphia, USA

Where They Moved To:

Mézeilles, Aveyron, France

Why They Moved :

The McCamleys’ journey began with Tyler’s 2020 exchange programme, which introduced them to French culture and brought Samuel, an exchange student from Aveyron, into their lives.

A visit to Samuel’s home in Aveyron left a lasting impression on Lorraine and Mike, inspiring their dream to retire in the picturesque French countryside.

With Tyler finishing his studies in Amsterdam, the timing was perfect—they chose to skip the return to Philadelphia and embrace a new life in France.

How They Did It:

The McCamleys reveal the details of their relocation, made seamless by French Connections HCB.

From securing visas to purchasing a car that awaited them at the airport, French Connections HCB handled it all, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition.

What You’ll Learn:

The heartwarming story behind their move

The power of cultural exchange and its lasting impact

Insights into navigating the French healthcare system

Practical tips for relocating from the USA to France

How French Connections HCB can simplify your move

– Introduction

– A Rough Landing in France

– The French Healthcare System Experience

– Tyler’s Education in Europe & French Exchange

– Samuel, The French Exchange Student & Finding Aveyron

– Exploring The Idea & Finding French Connections HCB

– Tyler’s Time In Amsterdam & Learning French

– Settling Into French Life & Making New Friends

– Are You A Why Or Why Not Person

– French Connections HCB – Visas, Insurances, Licences and Cars

– Looking Forward & Learning French Language Variations

– Renting Before Buying – Exploring Areas & Options

– Rural Life & Neighbours

– History & Happy Coincidences

– Words Of Encouragement To Others

If you’d like to learn more about life in France, feel free to contact us!

Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored advice. The consultation fee is fully refundable when you purchase a service:

Or you could chat with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

Subscribe & Stay Informed

Discover inspiring stories like the McCamley’s journey and get essential tips for moving to France.

From navigating paperwork to settling in, we’ve got you covered.

Subscribe now and hit the bell icon so you never miss out!

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Sharing this video can help others planning their move to France, and we’d love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments below.

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Stay updated with the latest insights and advice for UK expats moving to France.

Thinking of moving to France but worried about setting up a bank account?

Exciting news!

French Connections HCB CEO, Richard Hammond, reveals an incredible partnership with BNP Paribas that simplifies the process for English speakers.

You can now remotely open a French high street bank account — all before you even set foot in France!

In this must-watch video, Richard explains:

• Why a French bank account is essential for your move
• How having an IBAN can simplify your medical insurance, visa application, and property rentals
• The legal requirements you need to know
• Don’t let banking challenges slow you down!

Watch now to learn how this partnership can ensure a smooth financial transition to your new life in France.

If you’d like to learn more about life in France, feel free to contact us!

Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored advice.

The consultation fee is fully refundable when you purchase a service:

Or you could chat with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

Welcome to HCB Properties!

Explore our visa-ready, all-inclusive rental homes across the South West of France, starting at just €900/month.

Perfect for expats, professionals, and those seeking a hassle-free move.

Our Properties:

• Fully furnished and all-inclusive
• Ideal for English-speaking expats
• Start at €900/month with utilities, Wi-Fi, and maintenance covered

Exclusive Car & Motorcycle Rentals:

• Audi Q2 S Line for €2500/month
• Ducati motorcycle rental for thrill-seekers

Fast Track to French Visa:

Visa-ready homes with expert guidance to simplify your relocation process.

If you’d like to learn more about life in France, feel free to contact us!

Book a consultation with our relocation experts for tailored advice.

The consultation fee is fully refundable when you purchase a service:

Or you could chat with Richard to better understand your needs and see the range of services we provide:

In part 5, our final episode, we’re unpacking Capital Gains Tax with Geraud Nayral, a topic that often raises more questions than answers, especially for newcomers to France.

For many, capital gains tax can seem excessive, particularly if you own property both in France and abroad.

Join us as we break down everything French residents, especially those who’ve moved from other countries, need to know about capital gains tax and how it applies to both local and international properties.

Don’t miss this essential guide to understanding how these taxes impact your wealth and property in France!

Let’s chat with Richard and explore your tax needs:

Follow French Connections HCB for More Relocation Tips

Key Topics Covered:

Understanding Capital Gains Tax in France

How capital gains tax applies to foreign properties

Essential tax tips for expats in France

How to plan for taxes when selling property in France

Why Watch?

Get an in-depth understanding of capital gains tax in France

Learn how to manage taxes on properties both in France and abroad

Essential tax advice for expats navigating the French tax system

Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights on expat taxes, property taxes, and expert advice on living in France!

Thank you for watching!

If you’re ready to take the next step in your French adventure, we’re here to help with relocation assistance, visa information, and more!