Guide to Living in France

Culture and Language

Every square metre of ground bears the imprints of this hallowed region. Today, however, the ancient and the modern co-exist side by side. Fortunately, the modern seldom impinges upon the architectural history of the millennia. Memorable places like the Gorges de l’Aude, Gorges de l’Herault, Gorges de la Ceze and the creeks and caves of the Cote Vermeille preserve their ancient villages intact. Whilst the official language is French, it is spoken with a heavy Catalan accent being so close to Spain.

Pensions

If you receive a state pension, you should be able to have this paid into your French bank account provided you have notified the right people and filled in the right forms. You can find out more on www.thepensionservice.gov.uk also www.dwp.gov.uk

Working in France

As France is a member of the EU, if you’re a British citizen, you don’t need a permit to work for most jobs.

Schools

Whether you’re planning to integrate children into the French state system or looking for an international or bilingual school, there are a number of options open to you. Although private schools exist in France, the French state school system is widely seen as one of the best in Europe.

Climate

With around 300 days of sunshine per year, the Languedoc climate is similar to the Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry and winters tend to be rainy giving the region a lush green landscape. Autumns and springs are moderate and calm. After Corsica, the Languedoc region is the hottest in France and is home to Eus, the sunniest town in the whole country.

The coastal plains of the Languedoc rarely freeze in winter due to the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. Summer temperatures are frequently in the eighties (30 º) and the days are long and dry. Generally, the coastline, sheltered by mountains, is a few degrees cooler in winter and a few degrees warmer in summer, compared to inland.

Getting to Languedoc

Languedoc is the most accessible region in France to fly into. There are four airports within the Languedoc and another three just outside. Flights are available from most areas of the UK and Ireland. These seven airports include Carcassone, Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan, Toulouse, Avignon, and Marseille to the east. Flight time is around one and a half hours. If you drive from Calais, it will take approximately 10 hours if using the auto-routes.