French property owners could head to Versailles for art exhibit

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Art-loving Brits who own French property could head to the Chateau de Versailles this month to check out an ongoing art exhibition which is taking place at the property/

Artist Xavier Veilhan is showing a number of his pieces around the chateau itself, including Le Carrosse, which is a 15-metre long representation of a Louis XIV carriage and features horses in "mid-leap".

Those who own more than one French property could use the area as a base from which to explore the interesting French region of Versailles, which has in the past been the country’s unofficial capital city.

It is around ten miles from the middle of Paris and is surrounded by much woodland.

The city of Versailles is also famous for being the place where one of the peace treaties to mark the end of the First World War was signed.

The art exhibit is open from 11:00 am local time to 18:00, Tuesday to Friday, and between 10:00 am and 18:00 local time at the weekends.

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French property owners could be pleased with survey results

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Those who own French property could be interested to learn that the country has been voted the best place to live in Europe for quality of life.

As well as France, Spain also came high on the uSwitch.com Quality of Life Index and was voted the second best place to reside on the continent, which could tempt Brits to invest in Spanish property.

France has the highest life expectancy in the whole of Europe and also boasts one of the lowest retirement ages.

However, sunseekers looking to buy property in Europe could prefer to invest in Spanish property, as Spain boasts the highest level of sunshine per year.

"We [Britons] earn substantially more than our European neighbours, but this level of income is needed just to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and our homes warm. It’s giving us a decent standard of living, but it’s not helping us achieve the quality of life that people in other countries enjoy," said director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com Ann Robinson.

It was recently revealed that property prices in Spain are falling, which could make now the ideal time for Brits to invest in the country.

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French property leads to underwater worlds

Monday, October 12th, 2009
A whole new world awaits those who stay in French property, as the French Government Tourist Office notes the existence of underwater theme parks.

These aquariums are located in towns from France’s historic ports through to the more tourist-focused seaside resorts.

Along with "ocean discovery centres" dedicated to housing and displaying sealife, the organisation adds that water parks offer a different kind of water-based entertainment.

Meanwhile, holidaymakers stepping out of French property in Saint-Nazaire can visit Escal’Atlantic.

This is housed in a former World War II submarine base and is now home to a celebration of magnificent ocean liners from days gone by.

For those who want to view sealife, however, the Aquarium du Perigord Noir in Le Bugue could be the ideal destination.

With 6,000 fish and three million litres of water on-site - as well as lizards, snakes and terrapins - the aquarium is home to Europe’s largest privately owned collection of fish.

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British property investors ‘never had it better’ with French property

Friday, October 9th, 2009
Those searching for a holiday home in Europe could find that now is a good time to invest in French property or Spanish property.

According to figures from mortgage firm Conti, there has been a rise in the number of Brits seeking the money to invest in a holiday home in Europe.

Brits who have spent holidays in French property or Spanish property this summer could have made the decision to invest overseas after enjoying their time away, the firm said.

"The holiday season may be over, but it appears that trips abroad this summer have inspired many of us to buy our own place in the sun," noted Conti.

The company went on to point out that with property prices falling across Europe and hitting historically low levels, now could prove to be the best time for Brits to invest.

Meanwhile, British artist Tracey Emin recently announced she is considering a move to French property and with bargains to be had on the continent, she may find this year the ideal time to take the plunge.

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French property sales on the rise

Thursday, October 8th, 2009
Both sales and enquiries into French property are increasing, according to the findings of a new survey.

According to the estate agent’s group FNAIM, prices are falling at a much lower rate than previously seen - which could suggest that stabilisation in the market is on its way.

Overall, prices fell by 1.2 per cent in August this year, which is a fall from the 1.8 per cent drop seen in July.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from FNAIM said: "French property has not been hit as badly by the global economic downturn as other countries. Now prices are very much moving towards stabilisation."

The area most popular with Brits investing in French property is currently the west of the country, with enquiries from buyers up by 25 per cent in Brittany in August.

Europe is continuing to be a popular choice for British investors, with figures from Conti recently suggesting that French property and Spanish property are still in demand.

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Emin to make French property move?

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Artist Tracey Emin, famous for her Unmade Bed installation, has announced she is looking to move to France due to the rise of the income tax for those who earn above £150,000.

She said she may end up in a French property as she is "simply not willing" to pay the 50 per cent tax which the government has introduced for the rich.

"So much here is simply not working now. The taxes are too high, there aren’t enough incentives to work hard and our politicians have put me off. We’re paying through the nose for everything," she said.

Emin already has French property and said that the country appreciates art and culture - and also has a lower tax rate for high earners than the UK.

In France, the highest level of tax is 40 per cent and artists are entitled to more expense allowances and subsidies.

Meanwhile, findings from Foreign Currency Direct reported on Homemove recently showed that Brits who own French property could benefit from the falling value of the pound.

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British French property owners ‘could benefit from sterling’

Monday, October 5th, 2009
The falling value of the sterling against the Euro could see Britons who own French property benefiting, it has been claimed.

According to Homemove, citing findings from Foreign Currency Direct, some Brits who own French property or homes in other part of Europe are looking into selling their overseas houses to make a profit on the back of the weak pound.

The website noted that since 2007, the prices of French property have been falling which could leave the chance open for Brits to make money.

This is after prices in France rose by more than 200 per cent between 1995 and 2007.

A survey from Foreign Currency Direct found that more and more Brits are taking advantage of the strong euro and selling their French property or Spanish property.

"Even with falling house prices, many people have made money by the fall in the value of sterling," said Peter Ellis from the company.

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Beart brushes off Cruise for French property in Paris

Friday, October 2nd, 2009
Stunning actress Emmanuelle Beart has revealed how she shunned Hollywood when it came calling in favour of remaining in her French property in Paris.

Beart is one of France’s top actresses and soon won the attention of Tinsel Town producers who hired her for the Tom Cruise film Mission: Impossible.

The smash hit movie led to many offers of work state-side, but she says she turned them all down in order to remain in her French property and do the small art-house films that are her true passion.

In an interview with the Telegraph she says: "It opened a lot of doors, but I ran away from it.

"Even though I liked the director, and Tom [Cruise] was very professional, I couldn’t bear it […] I came home to Paris and I never really wanted to go back."

She adds that she was raised in a French property tucked away in the countryside, calling it "a wonderful place to grow up".

The recent French Property Exhibition at the London Olympia showed the continued allure of French property, according to its organisers, who reported increased visitor numbers.

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French property still number one for mortgages

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Brits seeking French property may want to check out their chances of securing a mortgage in the country.

Claire Nessling, director of overseas mortgage firm Conti, believes Brits have excellent prospects when it comes to securing a mortgage for French property from within the country, as lending conditions are much less restrictive than in the UK.

She tells the Independent: "Throughout the credit crunch we’ve still been able to get 100 per cent mortgages in France for loans over 250,000 euros (£227,700)."

Her assessment is backed by Stuart Law, chief executive of Assetz, who tells the newspaper: "In the South of France prices have barely wobbled as banks do not think they have substantial risk there."

House prices in France have also remained relatively resilient, compared to UK prices in the past few years, the newspaper states, which may make French property an even more attractive prospect to many Brits.

Increased visitor numbers were reported for the recent French Property Exhibition, held at the London Olympia from 11-13 September.

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French property owners forgetting property

Monday, September 28th, 2009
French property owners may want to keep their possessions in check when travelling by Eurostar, it would seem.

Forgetful passengers, which no doubt include some heading to the country to hunt for French property or keep tabs on their investment, are leaving everything from guide books to underwear on the famous train, it has been claimed.

Lesley Retallack, head of press at Eurostar, said: "We’ve had all sorts of things - false teeth, zimmer frames, crutches; […] people have forgotten their cheeses, their bread, underwear, coats.

"Hats, umbrellas, and books are the other big thing […] sometimes they are guidebooks and maps."

Of course, the information about popular tourist destinations offered by a guidebook could make useful Eurostar reading for the French property seeker looking to rent it out as holiday accommodation.

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