Your First Year

Guidance for settling into French life during those crucial first twelve months. Topics include language learning, homesickness, making local connections, and adjusting to new routines.

Buying UK Groceries in France

Find British groceries in French supermarkets and shops, from Heinz beans to Marmite, depending on where you live.

Having Guests to Stay

Having guests in your French home can be wonderful but stressful, here's how to manage when visitors don't realise you're not on holiday too.

How to Deal with Feeling Homesick

Homesickness after moving abroad is normal, here's how to work through it and stay connected with people back home.

Making Friends with Your Neighbours

Build genuine connections with your French neighbours and combat isolation when settling into your new home abroad.

Making Routines in Your New Life in France

Rebuilding daily routines after moving to France takes time and effort, but understanding what you've lost helps ease the transition.

Taking a French Language Class

Taking a French class before moving to France helps you join your community instead of staying isolated with other expats.

The Stresses of House Renovations

Renovating a house in France is stressful enough without doing it alone in a new country and language.

Your First Christmas in France

Navigating your first Christmas abroad means blending homesick traditions with French culture to create something entirely your own.

Your First Visit Back to the UK

Planning your first trip back to the UK from France? Here's what to budget for flights, travel and accommodation.