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Everything you always wanted to know about France |
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Our business is our advertising sites for property and rentals at
http://rentalsfrance.com/ RentalsFrance http://francevoila.com/ France Voila Please make use of these sites for rentals and real-estate (and please do look at the adverts, they keep this newsletter going). ======= Plans for "Da Vinci Code" tours and tours to Cathar, Templar and "Holy Grail" sites in Languedoc are advancing. mailto:tony@frepro.com tony@frepro.com ======= 1. The "Da Vinci Code", "The Knights Tour"and the Kabbalah 2. Cost of Living Comparisons for France 3. Never Talk about Politics or Religion 4. Capital (Gains) Punishment 5. Hi Di Hi 6. Dogs on Trains 7. House Insurance Companies 8. Translation Online ======= 1. The "Da Vinci Code", "The Knights Tour" and the Kabbalah I have had a big response since mentioning that we are planning tours of this region, Languedoc, related to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and other books about the Knights Templar and the Cathars of the 13th century. If you have written asking for details I will be writing to you personally in a few days. As the interest is so strong I have been doing a lot more research, checking "facts" and fantasies to create accurate and interesting tours, as well as ensuring that all accommodation and food is to the highest standard. The Kabbalah was first published here in Languedoc in the 11th century and the troubadours of the "Courts of Love" were not wandering minstrels, but wealthy and educated Knights and Nobles. The region was a center for Jewish studies, Nostrademus lived here for much of his life. Women had equal rights with men and were frequently more powerful (as they are today) and influential, contributing to the art, poetry and culture of an enlightenment that pre-dates the Italian Rennaisance by centuries. The language of this region is Occitan, it is still heard in some villages. Occitan is a vibrant, fluid and descriptive language, this was the language of Kings and of the Teachers and philosophers who settled here until the 13th century, after which the knowledge was suppressed by the Albigensian crusades. The poetry and songs are still read and played, you can even buy a CD of a song written by Richard (The Lion Heart) 1st of England - (a cover version obviously, perhaps that is why payments for songs are called Royalties). Luckily for me much of the important work is now in English, although there are many books in Greek, Arabic, Aramaic and even Sanscrit yet to be translated, which will teach us more of this lost civilisation. The "Da Vinci Code" is a novel, it takes a lot of the information from other books based in the Languedoc such as "Holy Blood and Holy Grail". In the book, legends and facts are interwoven and the edges blurred to make an adventure story. Legends are usually spoken stories passed down from a "lost truth", often new discoveries can turn legends into history. A key point in these stories is that Mary Magdelene came to France around 40 AD to escape persecution. There was a strong Jewish community in the South of France at that time, many families would have come to the south of France to escape from the Romans just as they did to America in the 1930s to escape from Germany. It seems reasonable that many of the people mentioned in the new testament would have escaped and that a close knit community of friends would have considered travelling together. Marseille was the largest (Roman controlled) port in France so landing there could have been dangerous. A nearby tiny fishing village now called Saintes Maries de la Mer offered a safe haven for anyone wishing to be absorbed into a friendly community. Did the three Marys land there with others including: Sarah, Joseph of Aramathia, Lazurus, James and, according to many Jesus? Was this a family group? How many families escaped to the South of France? Just imagine Germany from 1934 to 1940 - think back 1900 years to Jerusalem. With local experts I am organising a series of tours to start later this year. These are designed for small intimate groups of no more than five people exploring this region in top-of-the-range air conditioned vehicles. The aim is to give personal attention at all times. The latest satellite imagery and topographical intelligence will be used to explain and explore the region, some of this data has never been available before and shows some interesting aspects of earlier theories, often opening up new areas for interpretation. A key point of all the recent books and the key theme of "The Da Vinci Code" is the complex coding and encryption used by secret societies, some inscriptions on stone, or coded patterns in buildings are still undecyphered. By using the latest computer technology we examine new areas to explore and realise that the skills of the medieval scholars, musicians and nobility were far more advanced than we have previously imagined. For example, how in the days before computer technology, or even a simple calculator, could 128 bit encryption be safely sent around the known world by messengers who must never know the secrets, understand the cyphers and could not even read and write? We can offer some clues and show ways this was done. Languedoc was once an immensely wealthy kingdom covering half of Spain and France. Of vital importance for centuries as a gateway to the North, to the Atlantic and the route to the shrine of the Apostle James in Compostella, Langeudoc is now best known for 300 days of sunshine a year and for producing some of the best wines in the world. Once this region was the most enlightened part of Europe, but after the bloodthirsty suppression of the Cathars and the elimination of the Knights Templar, Languedoc became a quiet rural backwater for eight centuries. Today Languedoc is still a basically rural community, wine and tourism are the only industries in Languedoc - most days I can see the Pyrenees mountains clearly from a small hill near us, over 160 miles away. Our tours provide you the very best accommodation, cuisine and service. As the groups are small we can adjust the itinerary to suit personal choices. Scheduled for five days and four nights,this can be changed to suit individual travel arrangements. Tours can be started in Paris or London by association with other specialists and you can either arrive by first class high speed train to the South of France (3 hours from Paris) or to any airport in the south of France (Nice, Marseilles, Nimes, Montpellier, Carcassonne or Perpignan). You will be met and brought to your hotel by private car. Local transport is by 7 seater "Espace Initiale" or similar, with individual seating, equipped with GPS and systems for displaying satellite mapping and computer services (plus DVD players etc for those keen to do more research). Luggage will be carried in a separate back-up vehicle so there is plenty of room (and help always on hand). The aim of the tours is to bring us into contact with the history of modern times through the key places where our civilisation was saved, cherished and then dispersed in the 13th century. The treasure from the temple in Jerusalem may still be buried here, but the experience of staying in places still infused with the mysteries of our ancestors is believed by many to be the "true" treasure. The price of the tours depends on the requirements of each individual. As an indication a five day, four night tour, starting at Avignon and ending at Montpellier, going from St Maries de la Mer to Rennes le Chateau, visiting Cathar, Templar and pilgrimage sites costs from 2,500 euro per person. This includes all accommodation, all meals, wine with meals, professional guides, transport, printed material and data access. Tours are planned to start this year from September through to the beginning of December, when the weather is mild and the crowds are gone - we can arrange private tours any time by arrangement. For more information please contact me at mailto:tony@1stvacations.com tony@1stvacations.com ======= 2. Cost of Living Comparisons for France Tony, Could you please help me plan our trip to France. We will be sailing in the South of France in September and were wondering about purchasing groceries at the local stores. How are the prices for the "staples" (bread, milk, eggs, butter, coffee etc.) in France? Thanks for your reply. Toni == Hi Toni Interesting question - France is the dearest country in euro Europe for a big Mac - but one of the cheapest for a can of coke, overall prices in France are about 10% higher than the average European price. There are many sites showing comparisons, here are some we have used ... http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/en/update/economicreform/2002-05-price_en.pdf http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/en/update/economicreform/2002-05-price_en.pdf http://www.day-tripper.net/pricesfood.html http://www.day-tripper.net/pricesfood.html http://www.info-france-usa.org/visitingfrance/costs.asp http://www.info-france-usa.org/visitingfrance/costs.asp http://www.info-france-usa.org/visitingfrance/costs.asp http://www.info-france-usa.org/visitingfrance/costs.asp http://www.finfacts.com/euro.htm http://www.finfacts.com/euro.htm There are thousands of price comparison sites - http://www.dealtime.co.uk/ for consumer goods computers etc http://www.dealtime.co.uk/ http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodfaq5.html for historic prices in the US http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodfaq5.html http://www.domainomania.com/wfa/downloads/Prices%20Report.pdf tells me organic food is 75% dearer in supermarkets http://www.domainomania.com/wfa/downloads/Prices%20Report.pdf http://www.trollydolly.co.uk/main.html UK supermarket comparisons, daily updates http://www.trollydolly.co.uk/main.html http://www.fixtureferrets.co.uk/ UK supermarket special offers http://www.fixtureferrets.co.uk/ http://www.see-search.com/business/fuelandpetrolpriceseurope.htm fuel and petrol price comparison http://www.see-search.com/business/fuelandpetrolpriceseurope.htm In my experience prices in France are higher than in the USA and lower than in the UK, but this is constantly changing Tony ======= 3. Never Talk about Politics or Religion Tony I am on your mailing list, and enjoy your newsletter immensely, not least for the useful and realistic advice you offer. But I have noticed here and there your antipathy towards the Labour Government and its very competent leader and international statesman in the UK. Or have I imagined the odd snide remark? Are all British expats Tories in your part of the world? If so this would put us off living in such a delightful area of France which we were thinking of doing soon. While we always take people as they are, and feel they have a right to their beliefs, we would like people to realise there are also many Brits who have a more left wing persuasion. What I most object to is the assumption that conservatives make that everyone thinks like them just because they have a second home or play golf or live abroad?? We're not pro-royal so would prefer to live in a Republic and we don't mind paying higher taxes to get better social services, which for some reason Brits are very anti doing. The excellent education and medical services on offer in France are a good example of what a more caring state can do with taxes. We spend a lot of time in Andalucia in Spain in the not so touristy areas, but one of the reasons we might not want to live there permanently is the right wing attitudes of almost all the expats we've met (and also read in the English language magazines there). We speak French well and some Spanish and do mix with the locals but as you have pointed out, many friends you make abroad tend to be your own countrymen and women so it is an important consideration. I know you probably want to keep politics and religion out of your newsletter but please reassure me on this issue. Best wishes, Rhonda == Hello Rhonda Not loving the Blair circus does not mean I am a Tory - In an ideal world perhaps we would all be Republican Socialists and wheeling out tumbrils to chop off heads of some irritating royal families could make for an entertaining weekend. Very few of our friends here in France are from the UK, most are French and certainly our strongest friendships are with French families and individuals. It often amused me that people I would not remotely want ever to be friends with in Britain seem to think I wish to be their bosom pal because we both happen to live in France, they then get upset when I tell them this. Having lived in smug Tory enclaves in the UK I certainly do not want to repeat this experience in France. Luckily we are all living in a reasonably tolerant world, at present, and we can affiliate ourselves with one shade of grey or another - the only certainty is that this will change, probably in the near future. The right wing ex-pats may find themselves looking very pink when facing their righter wing hosts. My observation is that services and opportunities have improved in Britain in recent years - but this is no cause for us to praise our public servants, they should be constantly and strongly criticised and kept to their tasks - the praise and rewards they give themselves is more than enough. Being ring-master is a very hard job, out of the UK line-up I guess that Blair is the best option but when this includes clowns like Kilroy Silk (although I do like the one level taxation policy idea) the competition does not look fierce. I dare not extend this metaphor having just realised the Chinese have the most skillful spinners of plates, jugglers and acrobats. Are Tony Blair and Ben Elton the same person perhaps? Best wishes Tony ======= 4. Capital (Gains) Punishment Hi Tony, As I am in the process of selling a French house I will have some French capital gains tax to pay. In my naivete I thought that once that was done I could pocket the rest. Of course this is wrong! If you are a UK resident and your French home is simply a holiday home then the UK Inland Revenue will also want their cut! I just wondered why this is never mentioned in any article on buying French houses? All the information I've seen in various magazines and websites celebrates the fact that French cgt is only 16% but no one mentions that in effect this is totally irrelevant because the UK tax authorities will take the rest to bring the tax level up to the UK level. It appears that once you declare the French house sale to the Inland Revenue you have to start from scratch - it's assessed as if the house was sold in the UK. All tax owed is calculated at UK rates and any tax already paid in France is then credited against the tax owing in the UK. So yes, you pay your 16% in France but then you have a nice surprise waiting for you - CGT in the UK is 40% and the revenue will do their best to reclaim this, so you have gained nothing. Similarly, under French rules if you sell your house after 16 years you are free of any CGT liability in France, but what about the UK liability? Would the Inland Revenue then move in for their cut? I really think this issue should be alluded to when discussing French tax issues in the various magazines, but I've never seen any mention of it. Of course I could be completely wrong (I hope I am!). Do you have any insight on this issue, and in your experience do your clients find ways to reduce their UK liability? Thanks in advance. == Hello My understanding is for ALL taxation is that you will pay the maximum taxation due between the country where you made the gain and the country where you have your "tax base". This applies to all taxation, income tax as well as capital gains tax. Worse, the allowances for BOTH countries are not cumulative, but the threshold will be increased based on total income from both countries. All the information is published on the http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ HM Gov UK website and some specific detail is on http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/cgt1.htm#a2 Leaflets CGT1 here are some extracts... What about assets situated abroad? You may own assets outside the UK. Those could include tangible assets such as land and buildings or shares in a company that is registered outside the UK. In most cases, CGT applies to assets that you own directly and that are situated abroad just as it does to assets in the UK. In some cases you may have to pay tax overseas. You may then be able to claim a relief What if I have paid foreign tax on my gains? If any part of your amount chargeable to CGT has also been taxed in another country, you can claim relief, called tax credit relief, to reduce the CGT that you have to pay on that part of your amount chargeable to CGT. Ask your Tax Office for further details. So even if you reduce your French liability to zero after 16 years - you will still have the UK rate of 40% to pay (less £7,900) subject to some adjustments explained in the UK website. There are many websites offering (for money) advice how to avoid or reduce this liability, but I bet the taxman is ahead of them, (Google - cgt in the UK ) Bonne Chance Tony === Another Readers letter about this subject Tony I bought a house in Mayenne last year for 116,000 euro. My family lives in Bournemouth and could make frequent visits but the two and a half hour journey prevents them from coming over at weekends. I want to sell and move further north. I have done work on the first house and expect to make a profit. Can you tell me what the CGT situation is? I will be changing from one primary residence to another Pat == Hello Pat If you are a permanent resident in France - that is if your tax base is here and you declare your global income in France - then your home is your primary residence and there is no CGT due. If your tax base is in any other country then you will be due to pay CGT in France plus whatever the difference is in your home country to the maximum taxation due. So if your tax base is in the UK you will first pay tax in France and then top up to the 40% tax in the UK (i.e. 16% in France and a further 24% in the UK on any profit). We have made calculators for any tax due in France http://1stpropertysales.com/france/capital-gains/under5.html http://1stpropertysales.com/france/capital-gains/under5.html Only work done by registered french tradesmen against official invoices can be offset - any work you do yourself is not allowed to be deducted from any capital gain. When you sell the Notaire will collect any tax due. Tony ======= 5. Hi Di Hi Hi, I came across your email in the newsletter at the above website and was wondering if you could help me. We live in Ireland but are planning to spend a holiday near Nimes from the 20th August to the 28th August. We have two sons, aged 6 and 9. Up until last July we lived in Brussels where French was their first language, we are now keen to keep their French and are thinking of putting them into a summer camp for the week (or a few days) while we are there. If they are surrounded by other children speaking French they will have to speak french, with us I'm afraid they will speak English mostly. Do you have any advice on safe, reliable summer camps in that area that you could recommend ? even if they went during the day and returned to us in the evening it would be worthwhile. Any advice would be welcome. thanks in advance. Best Regards Ronan == Hi Ronan Summer camps are very popular in France, but they are usually booked up months in advance. We only just got our son, aged 10, into one foe this July and we booked this booked last October. They are for a minimum of one week and they usually insist that the children are fluent in French, for insurance and safety reasons. I will ask around if there are any links for anything local to Nimes, but searching so far I have found nothing. Bonne Chance Tony ======= 6. Dogs on Trains Hello: I was wondering if you have any information on taking dogs on the TGV? We have 2 30 kg hunting dogs and don't want to crate them as we do on Air France, nor do we want to drive. If you don't have info on this, do you know of a number for TGV that we could call to find out? Thanks, David == Hello David I believe these pages will explain the position http://www.voyages-sncf.com/voyazine/information/voyage_animal.htm http://www.voyages-sncf.com/voyazine/information/voyage_animal.htm http://www.giphar.com/article498.html http://www.giphar.com/article498.html http://www.routard.com/guide_dossier/id_dp/34/num_page/3.htm http://www.routard.com/guide_dossier/id_dp/34/num_page/3.htm best wishes Tony ======= 7. House Insurance Companies Dear Tony, I always find your article interesting and informative. I am in the process of buying a house in the Languedoc and am asking for advice on the most cost effective way of arranging house insurance. Do you have any advice. Kind regards Chris == Hello Chris Third party and civil liability insurance is compulsory in France, the Notaire will require this when you buy. It is best to arrange all insurance through a local agency in France There are some links on our site at http://francevoila.com/insurance/ Insurance Links Best wishes Tony ======= 8. Translation Online Dear Tony, Thanks for your continuing invaluable News Letter. I own a time share in Antibes, but now regret not buying a property instead. I am still looking and will eventually buy somewhere permanent. Please could you give me (once again) the site where I can translate a document free? Regards, Mary == Hi Mary We have some translation links on our links pages at http://www.rentalsfrance.com/links/index.html http://www.rentalsfrance.com/links/index.html Best wishes Tony ======= I really do try to reply to all mail do write to me about anything you like, most mail is about property or living in France. I publish comments in this newsletter which I believe are of interest and may help find answers for others wanting to come to France. By linking the points I make to our weblog at http://www.fblog.com Fblog I hope readers will look at all the adverts which help support our overheads. Our business is our advertising sites for property and rentals at http://rentalsfrance.com/ RentalsFrance http://francevoila.com/ France voila Please make use of these sites for rentals and property (and do go to the adverts). ======= |
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