Reference section
As of January 2007, this section has been superceded by the IFP Guides , however, it is left here for historical reference.
If you need more information why not try posting a message to our discussion forum.
Within this section of IFP you can find numerous articles and services to help you find out about:
- Buying a property in France
- General French reference information
- Renovating a house in France
- Legalities of buying a house in France
- Living in France
- General reference information about France
Buying property in France
Buying a property in France
The laws relevant to the purchase of a property, depend to some extent on the type of property you buy. For example, a vineyard or farm will be subject to...
Glossary of French legal terms
Acompte - sum paid in advance (a certain percentage of the purchase price). acte authentique - legal paper drawn up (with all due formalities), by a public...
French Mortgage calculator
If you are thinking of borrowing money to buy a house in France, this calculator will help to determine the monthly payments for a standard mortgage, where...
Finance your French property purchase
Thinking of financing your property purchase in France? Find out about great mortgage deals in France here...
House renovation
Renovating a house in France
Help renovating a French property. A few building 'hints' to consider when buying and renovating a house in France. Often expectations are high when first looking for a home in France, but a...
Glossary of French housing and building terms
Abîmer - deteriorate, abonnement - standing charge, abri - shelter, acajou - mahagony, acceuil - reception, acquerir - to buy, actuellement - currently...
Valuations and surveys in France
Perhaps the major problem faced by everyone intending to buy an old property - habitable or not - is the question of whether the house is basically sound...
Planning applications in France
If you want to change the external appearance of your property you will need outline planning permission or Certificat dUrbanisme Positif. The application...
IFP legal column
Buying and selling French property
You have been to French property exhibitions; you have travelled around the many regions and seen many properties. You have now at last found without any...
The initial property sale contract in France
In this article, we explain the Compromis de Vente or Promesse synallagmatique de Vente which is essentially adapted for a vendor who wants the purchaser to be...
The role of the Notaire in France
With about 5,000 offices, 7,500 notaires and 40,000 assistants, the notarial profession has representation all over France and has an effective monopoly....
Completion of the sale or purchase
We have in our previous articles explained the different stages in the buying process. We will now look at what happens on completion day. Completion...
After completion - some worries
We are at the time now when the pleasure of owning a second home in France start to create some worries in the minds of owners. The proof is in the number...
The agreement for sale
You have now found the property that you want to buy; you have been able to check all the pros and cons, to discuss with the estate agent or the vendor the...
The use of Clauses Suspensives
With the market in France for purchasers becoming more active given the strength of some currencies it would be sensible to recap on the buying process....
Pre-emption rights in France
In France when a Seller disposes of their property it is vital to understand that certain authorities have the right to purchase the property in priority...
The consequences of divorce when owning a property in France
With the increase in couples purchasing a second property in France as a holiday home there inevitably can be problems when the couple decide to divorce....
Ten points to watch out for when buying a property in France
More and more people are buying in France but there is still a lot of information they need to bear in mind. The following ten points are the minimum to...
Living in France
Taxation in France
Local Taxes - There are two local taxes which are both based on the property's theoretical rental value which is adjusted in line with inflation. The rates...
French Clothing & shoe size conversion
Clothing conversions - The French clothing sizes differ from those in the U.S and the U.K, we have created a converting table to show you the...
Driving in France & French Driving Rules
Driving in France & French driving rules - The most important rule when driving in France is to remember to drive on the right. There are other rules you should take note of if you plan on driving in France...
French Shops & Shopping in France
Shopping in France - There isn't that much difference between shopping in France and shopping in other countries, however, there are some facts you may want to take note of...
French Newspapers
Newspapers in France - There are French newspapers; national French newspapers and there are more localized regional and departmental newspapaers...
Television in France
Television in France - There are 6 terrestrial tele channels in France...
Using the telephone in France & useful French telephone numbers
Using the telephone in France - French dialling numbers, dialling other countries, mobile phone operators...
Aperitifs in France
Aperitifs in France - In France, people often take an « aperitif » before a meal...
Public and School Holidays in France 2008/2009
Public and School Holidays in France 2008 - There are a few holidays in France that do not occur in other countries...
Useful/Emergency French Contact numbers
Useful/Emergency French contact numbers - Here a are a few contact numbers that you may find useful or necessary if there is an emergency in France...
French National Parks
National Parks in France - Being quite a big country, France has many national parks. Among these parks is the biggest national park in Europe named Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park...
French Sporting Events
Sporting Events in France - There are numerous sporting events held in France the major ones are the Tour de France, 24 heures Le Mans etc.
General reference information about France
French public & bank holidays in France
A list of all of this year and next's public holidays in France, essential reading before planning a visit to France to look for property to purchase...
Metric conversion calculator
For many people who use imperial measurements, purchasing a property in France can be a little daunting with metric measurements, do the conversions here!...
IFP Guides