Property Markets

Sarah Dukan, Senior International Property Consultant for Chesterton International, comments on the French Real Estate Market.

St Tropez

From small fishing village to popular celebrity haunt, Saint Tropez is an exclusive niche market on the Cote d’Azur with prices rising higher than neighbouring villages Grimaud or Cogolin. Attracting jet setting clientele, it’s an ideal destination for wealthy city workers. For those in search of exclusive areas look at Les Parcs de Saint Tropez, Les Sailins, la Moutte or Pampelonne close to the famous Club 55 beach restaurant. Otherwise hilltop village Grimaud or La Croix Valmer on the coast are good places to invest. The Haut Var is popular for its authenticity and easy access to St Tropez. British buyers represent 40% of property sales on the Cote d’Azur. The area remains a safe and exciting investment, offering an active rental market with prices, on average, 50% below London prices.

Paris

With access to this city becoming more accessible from the UK, now is a good time to invest in a Parisian home. Although property prices have increased by 7.6% from 2005 to 2006, the real estate market is now steady and prices are currently around 50% lower than at home. The most sought after districts, by foreigners, are the 6th and 7th, Rive Gauche. Other popular areas include the 4th, Le Marais, Ile St Louis; 6th, St Germain Des Prés; 7th, Champs De Mars, Tour Eiffel; 8th, Triangle D’Or, Avenue Montaigne and 16th, Trocadéro et Triangle D’or de la Muette. The highest quality apartments range between €11,000 and €20,000 per square metre.

Shopping

As the fashion capital of the world, France has plenty of chic boutiques and unique retailers to offer. However, when moving to France you’ll need to know more about where to get essentials like fresh bread than where to purchase the latest Chanel piece.

Opening Hours

Unlike the UK, most department stores and private shops are closed on Sundays. Although for basic shopping items some tabacs, épiceries and boulangeries open in the morning. Although smaller food stores and all banks stay closed on Mondays, Hypermarkets are open Monday to Saturday. Times vary from 8.30am until 8.30pm in the provinces, and from 8.30am to 9.30pm or even 10pm in Paris and other big cities. As with most European countries many shops close for lunch. However, those which advertise ‘La journée continue’ remain open. This is especially true with urban department stores.

Shops in Translation

The essential shop names you’ll need to know:

English	French
Baker	boulangerie
Bookshop	librairie
Butcher	boucherie
Cake Shop	pâtisserie
Chemist	pharmacie
Fishmonger	poissonerie
Grocer’s	épicerie
Greengrocer's	marchand de fruits et de légumes
Newsagent	marchand de journaux
Post Office	bureau de poste
Super/Hyper Market	supermarché, hypermarché
Tobacconist	bureau de Tabac

Wish List

Simple accessories and timely pieces can make bold statements in the home. If you’re interested in incorporating a traditional, stylish French inspired theme to your property, Lavender and Sage have some impressive products. All are available online www.lavenderandsage.co.uk.

	Soap dish - £8.75 & Savon de Marseille palm cube soap- £2.00
	Farmhouse kitchen cupboard- £345.00
	Marmiton glazed earthenware, large bowl - £18.00 & Marmiton glazed earthenware, salad spoons - £12.75
	Wirework

Events

Don’t let the cold put you off the spectacular entertainment this winter.

Entertainment

Cirque National Alexis Gruss Until March 4 Bois de Boulogne, 75016 (01 45 01 71 26, www.alexis-gruss.com) Amazing must-see gravity-defying acrobatics from generations of France’s most spectacular and talented performers. Based on the upcoming 2008 Olympic games so expect a highly entertaining sports theme.

Exhibitions

Robert Doisneau: Paris en liberté Until 17 February Hôtel de Ville, Paris, 75004 (0820 00 75 75, www.paris.fr) Robert Doisneau became one of France's greatest photographers with his shots of Paris‘ streets and suburbs. Be sure to catch his award-winning and remarkable images.

Festivals

International Comedy Festival 16-21 January Alpe d'Huez, Rhône-Alpes (+33 (0) 4 76 11 44 44, info@alpedhuez.com) Every year audiences are left in fits of laughter at this popular event. Held in a variety of venues across the Alpine resort the week-long festival screens an eclectic range of French and foreign feature films and premieres. The best are nominated for the Star of Laughter Grand Award.

International Comic Strip Festival 25-28 January National Centre of Comics and Images Angoulême, Poitou-Charentes (+33 (0) 5 45 38 65 65, info@bdangouleme.com) The annual event is usually filled by artistes and comic enthusiasts alike browsing through the most popular and unique French and American comics.

Get your skates on

Hôtel de Ville opens its large, outdoors ice-rink from December to March. Admission is free and is great for interacting with the locals and getting into the festive mood. Place des Vosges, the Marais and the Jewish quarter round the Rue des Rosiers are all within walking distance.

Languages

No matter how much research, for a comfortable move it’s best to learn the local lingo. That way you can fully immerse yourself in French life.

The Ceran Method

CERAN, in Avignon, offers unique tailor made courses. With small groups (maximum four) the learning environment is friendly. Choose from a range of classes to best suit your learning needs: Intense Course: 70 hours exposure to the language each week with a focus on oral skills Complete immersion: from 8:15 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. enables you to practice what you have learnt with fellow students and trainers during lessons, meals, breaks and socio-cultural evening activities Residential: Stay at the full board accommodation, complete with swimming pool, to give your full attention to your language learning. For more information visit www.ceranuk.com or call +44 (0) 1926 624 016

French Vino

Mouton Cadet Rouge from £6.99 (Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Fenwick’s, Londis) Dense in colour this smooth, medium bodied wine hits the nose with an elegant bouquet, and blackberry aromas. This rich and creamy number is great with a beef steak. Alsace Pierre Sparr from £8.95 (01692 404808, www.stevensgarnier.co.uk) A delicate floral bouquet with a hint of tropical fruits. A dry palate with a touch of sweetness and spices. A great accompaniment with strong cheese or simply as an aperitif.