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LIVING IN FRANCE

Taxes to TV: 6 essential articles about life in France

From property costs and healthcare rights to cheese and TV, here are six essential articles to read about life in France.

Published: 17 October 2021 09:00 CEST
A Frenchman plays petanque outside a café
Life in France is not all wine and petanque (although a lot of it is). Photo: Valery Hache/AFP

France is a popular retirement destination and many dream of leaving their job and settling down to a quiet life of wine and pétanque in a small French village.

But what happens if you become ill or infirm and need extra care?

We’re taking a look at the rights foreigners have to home care and retirement homes in France and – crucially – who pays.

Reader question: can I move into a French care home as a foreigner?

If you go by a shortened version of your first name – eg Bill instead of William – then France’s famous bureaucracy might have a problem with you.

The issue of names on official documents can be a fraught one for married women who have changed their name on documents like their passport, but nicknames can be a problem too.

Why nicknames are a bad idea in France

Property-buyers in France are often tempted by what look like incredible bargains – châteaux for €50,000 for example.

While there are definitely low-cost properties available, especially in the more rural areas of France, there are additional costs that buyers need to be aware of before splashing their cash.

From notaire fees and professional fees when you buy, to the price of renovation plus the regular expenses of taxes and insurance, there are a lot of extra costs to bear in mind.

The hidden cost of owning property in France

If you frequently find yourself confused by the written and unwritten rules of the French language then don’t worry – the French find it pretty confusing too.

Hot on the heels of the bonne journée v belle journée controversy, French language experts are now tying themselves in knots about the phrase pas de souci, which ironically means ‘no worries’.

Is it a cheery little phrase for casual encounters or rude, megalomaniac and (far worse) an English import?

Pas de souci: Why French langauge experts are divided over ‘no worries’?

Many French learners find watching French films and TV a vital addition to their lessons.

It’s great exposure to the language, you hear how things are pronounced, learn a little about French culture as well as plenty of the type of swearing and slang that you won’t learn in class.

With the news that Omar Sy has become the first French actor to sign a multi-year deal with streaming giant Netflix, we’ve rounded up our pick of his French-language back catalogue.

5 of Omar Sy’s best French-language films and TV series

As well as language, France also takes its culinary heritage pretty seriously, as evidenced by the frequent gastronomy disputes that erupt here.

This week makers of the famous blue cheese Roquefort have been taking on the food labelling system over what they see as an unfair classification.

But did you know that true Roquefort cheese is made to a 600-year-old recipe, can only be produced in certain caves and can (apparently) heal wounds?

Roquefort: The 600-year-old cheese with the very romantic history

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PROPERTY

How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

Storm Ciaran’s property-wrecking passage through France - with another storm forecast for the weekend - may have many people wondering how comprehensive their insurance cover is. 

Published: 3 November 2023 15:45 CET
How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

In the wake of Storm Ciaran, thousands of property owners in France are preparing insurance claims – with initial estimates of the bill for damage between €370 million and €480 million.

Home insurance is compulsory in France, whether you own the property you live in or you rent – and it must include some level of storm damage cover. 

Check also to see if your insurance provides cover in case of a declaration of a catastrophe naturelle.

The garantie tempête (storm guarantee) covers damage caused by violent winds. What constitutes a ‘violent wind’ varies from contract to contract, but there appears to be a widespread consensus of agreement on wind speeds over 100km/h.

In most insurance contracts, this covers damage caused by the storm and within the following 48 hours – so you’re covered if, for example, a tree weakened by the storm comes down within that period and damages your property.

Be aware that, while the storm guarantee automatically covers the main property, it generally only covers any secondary buildings and light constructions – such as a veranda, shed, solar panels, swimming pool or fence – if they are specifically mentioned in the contract. 

The same is true of any cars damaged by debris. A basic insurance contract might not include storm damage, so it is always worth checking.

Damage must be reported to your insurer as quickly as possible. The deadline for making declarations is usually five days after any damage is noticed. This is especially important for second home owners, who may not be at the property when the damage occurs. 

In some cases – such as in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran – insurers may extend the reporting period. But under normal circumstances, it’s five days after the damage has been discovered.

What happens next

To make a claim, the first thing to do is contact your insurer by phone or email. Your insurer will take you through the next steps, but usually you have to send in a declaration – which should include an estimate of any losses and for any repairs, with evidence where possible, such as photographs and any receipts for purchases. 

Your insurer may also request proof of wind intensity, which can be provided for example by a nearby weather station.

The insurance company may appoint an expert to come and assess the damage, so make sure to keep damaged property safe until they arrive, as well as all invoices for any urgent repair work. 

What if you’re a tenant?

If you rent your property, you must report any damage inside the accommodation to your insurer and also notify your landlord so that they can file their own claim. 

In the case of a co-propriete, you must declare damage inside the accommodation to your insurer, while the trustee sends his own declaration to the collective insurance (which sometimes covers the private areas) .

How long does it take for claims to be settled?

Payment of the compensation provided for by the “storm guarantee” depends your home insurance contract. After the insurer has estimated the amount of damage, compensation is generally paid between 10 and 30 days following receipt of the insured’s agreement.

What if we got flooded?

In the case of flooding, you may have to wait for a natural disaster order to be issued. 

Catastrophe naturelle

The ‘state of natural disaster’ is a special procedure that was set up in 1982 so victims of exceptional natural events, such as storms, heavy rain, mudslides and flooding, as well as drought, can be adequately compensated for damage to property.

The government evaluates each area and deems whether it qualifies for the status of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster). 

Essentially once a zone is declared a natural disaster, victims can claim from a pot of funds created by all insurers. If the zone is not declared a disaster, insurance companies are under no obligation to pay out. 

Under a “state of natural disaster” residents are covered for all those goods and property that are directly damaged by the phenomenon, in this case storms.

It applies to residential or commercial buildings, furniture, vehicles and work equipment that are already covered by insurance policies.

Homes must be already covered by a multi-risk insurance policy for the status of natural disaster to count.

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