France Made Simple

Catharine Sceats
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France Made Simple explains everything you need to know to create a new life there for you and your family. Host Catharine Higginson draws on her personal experience gained from over 20 years of living and working in France and shares insight from specialist guests tackling subjects such as inheritance planning, property purchase and renovation, visas and insurance. And if you appreciated what we do, please feel free to head over to my Buy Me A Coffee page - buymeacoffee.com/francemadesimple - lots of free resources there too!

  1. 11 HR AGO

    Escape To France - Creating Your French Dream Home

    In this episode I’m taking a look at some of the highs and lows involved in building on an isolated plot. Lots of practical advice and some useful links and resources, plus, as always my “tell it like it is” approach to living and working here in France! Useful Vocabulary : Un terrain à bâtir - building plot Un terrain isolé - isolated plot Les règles de construction - rules determining what, in what form and where building can take place Un terrain non viabilisé - plot without any services present Un terrain viabilisé - plot with services present Un bornage - the marking of the plot boundaries by a professional  Une borne - boundary marker La zone constructible - constructible area Le Permis de construire - planning permission Le certificat d’urbanisme - outline planning permission Une risque d’innondation - flood risk   Risk Zones Since 2006, every plot sold has to come with a declaration stating whether or not the plot is situated in a natural, seismic or man made risk zone. Natural risks are said to include flooding, avalanches, subsidence and cracking and the declarations must be dated less than six months previously.   Find plots for sale on www.pap.fr www.journaldesparticuliers.com www.leboncoin.fr   Understanding an ad! Terrain plat à bâtir (flat building plot) viabilisé (services present) 1.927 m2 (size) hors lotissement (non estate) près forêt et centre ville (near to the forest and town centre). Certificat d'urbanisme et permis de construire acceptés (Planning permissions and consents in place). 59.000 E (price).

    18 min

  2. 29 APR

    How To Make Money From Your French Property

    In this episode I’m looking at ways to get your property working for you and making some extra money; yes, we’re talking holiday rentals!There are numerous reasons why you might be thinking about renting out your French property and in this episode I run through some of the things you need to take into account before going down this road.Plus, there’s a whole load of practical advice on how to get your property rental ready!Give it a listen and let me know what I have forgotten to mention!

    18 min

  3. 23 APR

    Buying At Auction In France

    In this episode I’m chatting about my first ever time at an auction in France, and covering what to do (and what not to do!) when you go to an auction in France. Buying at auction is a fabulous way to bag a bargain and find some unique decorative pieces for your house in France. It’s also a lot of fun! I hope you enjoy this episode and don’t forget to make sure you follow the France Made Simple podcast and never miss an episode. And here’s the link to the online auction site I refer to - happy bidding! https://www.interencheres.com/

    16 min

  4. 17 APR

    Should You Run A Gite In France?

    In this second part, I continue chatting with Paul who is not only an accountant but also runs five gites here in France. We’re chatting about the financial, tax and practical aspects of running gites. With increasing numbers of people looking at gites as a way of generating or topping up income here in France, this episode is a must listen.It’s in two parts - “Can you run a gite?” And “Should you run a gite?” - partly because we felt that this is an important subject and there’s a lot to take onboard. And partly because we had a massive technical issue - a power outage on his end - so please excuse my (not terribly good) editing skills!But the information is all there and hopefully it will prove useful - enjoy! You can get in touch with Paul directly via email advice@houxservices.fr or take a look at his site www.houxservices.eu and if you contact him within the next 30 days and mention the podcast, you’ll get a 10% discount off the first set of any fees should you go ahead and use his services!

    14 min

  5. 17 APR

    Can You Run A Gite In France?

    In this episode I catch up with Paul who is not only an accountant but also runs five gites here in France.We’re chatting about the financial, tax and practical aspects of running gites. With increasing numbers of people looking at gites as a way of generating or topping up income here in France, this episode is a must listen. It’s in two parts - “Can you run a gite?” And “Should you run a gite?” - partly because we felt that this is an important subject and there’s a lot to take onboard. And partly because we had a massive technical issue - a power outage on his end - so please excuse my (not terribly good) editing skills!But the information is all there and hopefully it will prove useful - enjoy! You can get in touch with Paul directly via email advice@houxservices.fr or take a look at his site www.houxservices.eu and if you contact him within the next 30 days and mention the podcast, you’ll get a 10% discount off the first set of any fees should you go ahead and use his services!

    14 min

  6. 5 APR

    Life In France - Random Questions And Answers!

    There’s a new episode out and it’s not an Easter special! Sorry - I didn’t think of that in time but I will be doing one about Easter in France - however right now, I’m about to sit down to a rather special Easter Sunday lunch, so you’ll have to wait for that one!In the meantime, here are my answers to some of the questions sent in by you lovely lot. Please keep sending your questions - I love answering them and it’s always thought provoking.Happy Easter everyone!Cat xx

    21 min

  7. 30 MAR

    Buy In France With Confidence!

    Unlock the secrets to buying property in France without falling into common pitfalls! Paul Simper, a seasoned property finder, reveals why the French real estate market is so different—and how you can navigate it like a pro. Most buyers rely on UK or US-style expectations, but in France, the process is more structured and less familiar—yet far more predictable once you understand the rules. From slower market pace and agent conflicts to the significance of legal deposits and diagnostic reports, Paul uncovers the hidden traps that could cost you thousands or even your dream home. You'll discover:- Why French agents are often less proactive—and how to overcome their slow response times- The critical role of proper surveys and why the standard diagnostic report isn’t enough- The true costs beyond the purchase price, including stamp duty and notary fees (often 7-8%)- The importance of clear timelines, from promesse de vente to act de vente, for certainty and peace of mind- How cultural differences and local laws can trip up international buyers and what to do about them- Practical tips to avoid pushy agents, misinformed expectations, and costly surprises! Whether you're considering a holiday retreat, a full relocation, or an investment property, understanding French buying procedures is crucial—especially if you want to avoid costly delays or legal pitfalls. This episode is essential listening for anyone dreaming of owning a home in France, particularly through an international lens. Paul Simper is a property finder with deep expertise in the French market, passionate about guiding buyers through the nuances and complexities. His insights could save you months of frustration and thousands of euros. Don't buy in France without knowing these insider secrets. Hit play now and start your journey with confidence—because buying property here isn’t just different, it’s better when you know how it works. If you’d like to know more you can get in touch directly : www.luxurybuyersagentfrance.com M: +33 (0)7 69 40 01 20    O: +33 (0)5 47 66 21 81UK: +44 (0)77 99 07 28 02 paul@luxurybuyersagentfrance.com

    28 min

  8. 27 MAR

    Let’s Take The Eurostar To Paris!

    Whether you’re travelling to and from France for business or pleasure, taking the train is a great way to get there. And back! People often think that flying is going to be the cheapest and quickest option but this isn’t necessarily so. And going by train is a much nicer and less stressful experience. In this episode we chat through all the things you need to know when taking the Eurostar and travelling onwards in France or Europe. And of course, there’s the usual handy hints from yours truly 😉 I really hope this is helpful and do let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed. There usually is…

    18 min
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About

France Made Simple explains everything you need to know to create a new life there for you and your family. Host Catharine Higginson draws on her personal experience gained from over 20 years of living and working in France and shares insight from specialist guests tackling subjects such as inheritance planning, property purchase and renovation, visas and insurance. And if you appreciated what we do, please feel free to head over to my Buy Me A Coffee page - buymeacoffee.com/francemadesimple - lots of free resources there too!

Information

  • Creator
    Catharine Sceats
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Catharine Sceats
  • Show Website
    France Made Simple
  • Provider

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