Some advices
Taxes
There are two annual local taxes in France :
Residential tax and Property tax.Their amount vary from an area to another, but can be obtained from the seller.
It's possible to pay taxes monthly by direct debit from a French bank account.
Surveys
Surveys are not common in France. They are not required for the sale but you can get one done.
There are English surveyors established locally.
Sollicitor fees
Solicitor’s fees are paid by the buyer .
The “notaire” (solicitor) has no direct equivalent in the UK.
All documents drawn up and signed by a notaire (solicitor) are official documents with legal weight.
Notaire charges fluctuate according to the price of the sale and the type of property (5 % to 10%).
It's also legal to buy your house directly from solicitors.
Architects
For works over a 170 m² surface area you must call upon the services on an architect.Healthcare
France has highest world ranking for the quality of its health service.
Living permanently in France but do not work, then you will need to apply an E 106 form if you are below retirement age or an E 121 if you are over retirement age. This will register you to CPAM (Caisse Primaire Assurance Maladie) which is the national health insurance fund.