August French Mortgage Update

With doubts regarding the economic growth, the European Central Bank (ECB) should not modify its key interest rate, at the record low level of 1%, before the next year. Read the rest of this entry »

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French Property mortgages increase by 17% according to study

The total figures of French property mortgages granted by the French banks in 2010 should reach €140 billion in 2010, which is 17% more than in 2009, but remains far from the 2007 record of €170.23 billion, according to a study by the French central institution of property mortgage security “Crédit Logement/CSA”, published last Wednesday. Read the rest of this entry »

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French Property developers go green

Major French developers all adopt LEB standards early (Low Energy Building).

LEB. For the last couple of months, it has been all the developers can think of. Behind this expression lies a new law, which will come into force in January 2013. Read the rest of this entry »

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How to open a bank account in France: a few tips

Keeping your account in the UK while living in France is a possible but rather expensive solution, as banks very often charge for withdrawals and financial operations in a foreign country. This is why you should consider opening an account with a French bank, for holiday stays and especially for a permanent move to France. Read the rest of this entry »

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The 104% French mortgage

If you are looking for financing for your new leaseback project, the 104% mortgage product is one of the best financial products of the moment. Launched this July by a French bank, you only need to pay the bank fees. Read the rest of this entry »

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Going overseas for a first buy

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According to foreign exchange and international money transfer specialist Moneycorp, prospects are poor for the British real estate market, as 25% of potential first-time buyers Read the rest of this entry »

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Leaseback Resales: Why are they attractive investments?

There are a number of reasons for buyers to invest in France through leaseback property resales as opposed to buying off-plan. Before we list those reasons, we shall remind you what a leaseback is. Read the rest of this entry »

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Euro Update

Sterling appreciates against the euro to levels last seen in December 2008. Sterling’s appreciation against the euro continued last week with a new 18-month high recorded at €1.2114, whilst a higher low was seen at €1.1715. Read the rest of this entry »

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The 63rd Film Festival in Cannes

The glamorous and worldwide renowned film festival of Cannes will take place from May 12th to May 23rd 2010.

Like every year, Cannes will unroll the famous red carpet for international celebrities ready to climb the 24 steps “towards glory” and welcome thousands of press officers, sponsors and photographers.

The decision to pick Tim Burton as president of this year’s festival has added an eccentric angle to lighten the mood. As a matter of fact, the creative and imaginative mind of the director might bring us happiness, poetry, humour and sweet madness… To accompany him in this event, there will be Kristin Scott Thomas who was named as mistress of ceremony and an influential jury with, among others, Kate Beckinsale, Benicio Del Toro and Shekhar Kapur.

Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood is to open the ceremony and twenty films will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or which is awarded to the best film of the year. The Closing Award Ceremony will announce 2010’s winners on May 23rd, and the awards for best director and best actor/actress are the most eagerly awaited…

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Les Joutes de Sete

Every summer, a unique sporting event takes place in the city of Sete, in the Languedoc Roussillon region, called Joutes Nautiques (nautical jousting). Les Joutes Nautiques is a typical sport of Languedoc Roussillon and has existed in Sete since the creation of the city, in 1666.

The Rules

The tournament starts with a parade of the jousting “knights” with traditional music: oboe and drums are the two main instruments. There is a blue and a red rowboat guided by steersmen and powered by 8 to 10 rowers. In the front of the boat, 2 musicians accompany the tournament with a traditional music. The jousting members are armed with a spear and protected by a “pavois” (a shield).They stand on the “tintaine”, a plank set at the back of the boat about 2 meters above the water. The aim of the game is to make the opponent fall in the water with the spear when the boats pass each other. Numerous rules regulate the fight and if they are not respected, competitors are disqualified; rules include: when the player falls in the water, when he touches the “tintaine” with his hands or knee, he drops the spear or the shield or doesn’t hold the spear properly under his arm…

Jousts during Saint Louis’ Day

Saint Louis is the Patron Saint of Sete and a festival is organised every year around August 20th. It is the greatest event of the year for the Setois and 2010’s festival will be the 268th since the emergence of the city. More than 70 shows take place, bodegas stay open late into the night and of course, jousts are organised along the Canal Royal. It is the final tournament of the year for jousting knights, a kind of world championship. The winner of these jousts will have his name written on a “pavois” which will then be exhibited in the Paul Valery museum. It is the tradition since 1666… In Sete, it is said that a real Setois has fought on the “tintaine” at least once in his life!

Sete, also called the Little Venice of Languedoc, is a truly charming city with typical districts crossed by canals, the colourful front of its houses, its fishing harbour and its 12km of sandy beaches. The Jousts of Sete are the occasion to go and visit this lively town and maybe it will make you want to stay there for a while… or forever!

Have a look at our properties in Sete and in the Languedoc Roussillon region!

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