A Quick Introduction to French Markets and House-buying

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Markets in France and house-buying in France

Here simply because they interest a lot of people.

Markets

The produce available at French markets is rightly renowned for its freshness and quality. Villereal market near our gites is good, and Issigeac market just up the road is on a Sunday, which is useful for Saturday evening arrivals. Almost all areas, like ours, will have markets nearby on most days of the week. However a French market is not Tesco. You will not find strawberries in November, or asparagus in September. But the things you will find will invariably be fresh seasonal local produce, and will taste and smell like the produce of your youth.

Some areas often also have 'evening markets' during the summer months, with the emphasis being on food and drink that you buy at reasonable prices to sit down and eat immediately. Typically this will cost less than a fast-food restaurant, be way better quality, and enjoyed in more convivial surroundings, usually outdoors (at least, here in the south of France), and often with a band playing. A fun way to eat out and enjoy yourself.

See a schedule of Lot et Garonne Markets

Buying a house in France

Many people dream of buying a house in France, and a lot actually do. There are numerous forums and sources of general advice on the internet to advise people about this so here I have just listed a few key thoughts.

Know your area. France is big, and often beautiful. It is not possible to see the whole of France, so decide on an area that you know and love and focus on that area.

Weather - be sure you know the weather throughout the year at your chosen destination. Visit in January or February as well as August. Even in the south of France winters can be very cold, if quite short. And there is such a thing as being too hot!

Phone estate agents before coming, rather than email. Most will have someone who can speak English. Tell them your requirements and they can arrange viewings. Expect to spend the day in the car with the estate agent, rather than being sent off to view houses alone.

Have a 'ticklist' and a camera. Take lots of pictures and make sure you methodically look at all aspects of the property. A wisteria around the door may look beautiful but a good roof, straight walls, an up to date septic tank and many other things are more important. Compare the ticklist with your requirements.

Many properties in France are very rural. It is easy to fall in love with a house but it may become irritating if it is a 15km drive to the nearest shop.

Don't be tempted to buy an enormous house just because it is cheap. Maintenance, heating and ongoing costs will all be expensive.

If you are planning to buy a house and 'rent it out to cover some of the costs', be realistic. Costs of advertising, keyholder services, cleaning and so on can rapidly eat into the rent of non-resident property owners. Rental seasons are often short and rental income is often less than expected, especially in 'off the beaten track' locations.

Ask at the local mairie about building areas in the commune where you find a house - they will have a PLU - a local plan for urbanisation which will show you whether new houses are about to be built all around your new home.

When having your property renovated, if necessary, only use tradesmen properly registered in France and recommended to you by people who have paid the same artisan to do a similar type of work. Estate agents' recommendations and personal recommendations should be ignored (often friends and relatives of the estate agent) unless the workers concerned can introduce you to existing happy customers. DO NOT use black market / cash in hand workers, this is bad for everyone including you.

If the garden is enormous or the property comes with fields, you will need a plan to deal with it. Maintaining acres of garden can be quite a difficult procedure without the right equipment, and can be hard work when the weather warms up. Of course if you do live somewhere hot you could always plant lots of clumps of black bamboo, sit back and wait 10 years. No more gardening required, and very attractive (although your house is in danger of being pushed over)!

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(but don't let that stop you coming)

other sites:

Paris guide - articles to help you prepare for a visit to Paris, France

Timeshares - Vacation Register International - invaluable resources for travel