France Made Simple

Catharine Higginson

Thinking about moving to France, retiring in France, or already living here? France Made Simple is the practical podcast for English speakers navigating life in France.

Host Catharine Higginson has spent more than 20 years living and working in France. Each week she shares honest advice, real experiences and practical guidance on buying property, renovating French homes, visas, healthcare, taxation, bureaucracy, learning the language, culture, and the everyday realities of French life.

Whether you’re planning your move, buying your dream home, starting a business, or simply trying to understand how life really works in France, France Made Simple helps you avoid costly mistakes and make confident decisions.

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33 episodes
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Avg 26 min
English

Episodes 33

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Wednesday · 27 min
Cheap Wine & Expensive Winters - Can You Afford Life In France?!
Is France still affordable in 2026 and what should you budget if you’re planning to move in 2027? Well, affordable for whom? Living where? And doing what? In this episode of France Made Simple, I’m looking beyond bargain properties and inexpensive wine to explore what everyday life in France actually costs. From heating a large house to running a second car, paying for healthcare and visiting family back home, it’s often the less glamorous expenses that decide whether the sums work. Drawing on my own experiences (including buying rather more house than was sensible!), discussing: • Renting versus owning, and why neither tells the whole story. • How a cheaper rural property can mean higher everyday costs. • Food shopping, eating out and budgeting for your actual habits. • Healthcare, insurance, property taxes and the bills people forget. • Earning in pounds or dollars while spending in euros. • Illustrative monthly budgets for a couple renting or owning outright. • Why your first year needs a separate budget. France can still offer good value. The trick is working out whether you can afford the life you actually want here—with enough left over for when the washing machine packs up. The household budgets discussed are invented examples, not official averages or estimates for your circumstances. With thanks to our sponsors, Fab French Insurance
Sunday · 21 min
Why I Still Love Living in France: The Simple Things That Make It Worthwhile
Moving to France isn’t all paperwork, language struggles and worrying about money. Sometimes it’s homemade ratatouille, freshly caught sea bass and a dog running around the bay lit up like a Christmas tree. In this episode of France Made Simple, I’m celebrating some of the everyday pleasures that make life here so rewarding. From growing our own vegetables and preserving the harvest to fishing in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, I share how we’ve been enjoying the outdoors and cutting our supermarket spending along the way. There’s also the story of the remarkably persistent gendarmes who finally persuaded me to exchange my British driving licence (including the one who arrived at my door with a single sheet of printer paper!)and a chat about finding the confidence to speak French, mistakes and all. An honest, occasionally muddy look at the good life in France, with plenty of laughter along the way. Enjoyed the episode? Please follow, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone dreaming of a life in France.
October 27 · 28 min
Your Dream French Home: What the Listing Doesn’t Tell You
That gorgeous French farmhouse looks perfect online. But what can you actually do with it? And what’s happening in the field next door? This week, I’m joined by Philip, the software engineer behind French House Check, a tool designed to bring scattered property information together into a plain-English report. We talk planning restrictions, agricultural land, flood risks, septic tanks, energy efficiency and why a beautiful listing only tells you part of the story. Philip explains how his own search for a renovation project led him down a rabbit hole of French government websites, and inspired him to make the process easier for other house hunters. Having bought a few properties I probably shouldn’t have, I know how useful it is to ask the right questions early. If you’re buying in France, planning a viewing trip or selling a property, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Find Philip at https://frenchhousecheck.com. Or email him - reports@frenchhouse-check.com With thanks to our sponsors, Fab French Insurance.
October 21 · 33 min
You Can’t Live Off a View: Choosing Your Life in France
That beautiful stone house might come with stunning views. But how far is the school, how much will it cost to heat, and are you about to become a full-time taxi service for your children?This week, I’m joined by my friend Natasha, who moved from Croydon to Normandy with three children aged thirteen, eleven and seven. We talk honestly about moving with older children, finding supportive schools, making friends and building a working life in France.There’s also rural isolation, freezing houses, teenage soirées involving raclette machines, and the peculiar expat competition over who’s lived here longest.If you’re planning a move, this is a reminder to look beyond the lovely property and think about the everyday life you actually want. As Natasha puts it: you can’t live off a view.With thanks to our sponsors, Fab French Insurance.And you can get in touch with Natasha here:https://ournormandylife.com/category/our-business-life/www.ournormandylife.comOr on Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/share/19nrgAbYYU/Or follow her on Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/ournormandylife?psln=NGFua2tydzR2dDZ3
October 15 · 21 min
French Bank Accounts: What You Need to Know
Need a French bank account but already stuck on the proof-of-address problem? Welcome to France. In this episode of France Made Simple, I explain what new arrivals need to know about French banking, from opening an account and gathering the paperwork to understanding your RIB, direct debits and the difference between immediate and deferred debit cards. We’ll look at traditional banks versus online options, fees to watch out for, moving money from overseas and why opening a French account doesn’t sort out your tax residence. And yes, we’ll talk about cheques. They’re still a thing here. A practical, jargon-free guide to getting your banking organised, without assuming that what worked for somebody on Facebook will necessarily work for you.
October 9 · 32 min
Moving To France? Rent Before You Regret!
That gorgeous French house might tick every box. But will you actually enjoy living there? In this episode of France Made Simple, I’m joined by Ben, who helps people moving to France find long-term rentals. We discuss why renting before buying can give you valuable breathing space, why securing a rental can be surprisingly difficult for newcomers, and how to look beyond the holiday dream to find somewhere that suits your everyday life. From choosing between rural tranquillity and town convenience to understanding your lease and making a personal connection with potential landlords, we explore what helps a move work. I also share some of my own less-than-brilliant property decisions. Yes, there have been a few! If you’re planning a move to France, this is a practical, honest conversation about finding your feet before putting down roots. Ben’s contact details are here : +44 203 376 5117 (UK) +33 7 56 28 09 20 (France) bensmall@ibanista.com With thanks to our sponsors, Fab French Insurance.
September 30 · 38 min
French Home Insurance: The Myths That Could Cost You Thousands
French home insurance is not quite as straightforward as you might expect, especially if you’re coming from the UK or another country with a different insurance system. In this episode of France Made Simple, Cat is joined by Fabien from Fab French Insurance to debunk some of the biggest myths surrounding French home and contents insurance. We look at what is legally required depending on whether you’re a tenant, homeowner, second-home owner or landlord, and why French insurance doesn’t work in quite the same way as UK buildings and contents insurance. We also cover some of the areas that regularly catch people out, including: • Why buildings-only and contents-only policies aren’t generally how French home insurance works • What happens if you have a swimming pool, garage, shed or other outbuilding • Why your valuable possessions in a shed may not be covered simply because you’ve declared the shed • How the “new for old” principle actually works; and why it doesn’t necessarily mean getting back what you originally paid • Why photographing your possessions and keeping receipts, valuations and certificates of authenticity can make a huge difference when making a claim • Chimney sweeping, maintenance and what insurers may expect • How “catastrophe naturelle” claims work in France • Why natural-disaster cover is different from ordinary claims • The surprising issue of underground water pipes and where responsibility for leaks begins and ends • And perhaps the biggest culture shock of all: accidental damage to your own possessions is generally NOT included in a standard French home insurance policy. As always, the aim isn’t to scare you into buying more insurance, it’s to understand what you actually have, what you don’t have, and where the potential gaps might be. Because when it comes to French insurance, as Fabien puts it: you don’t know what you don’t know until you find out you don’t know it!
September 25 · 27 min
Moving to France? 5 Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To!
Moving to France can be an exciting new chapter but there are a few mistakes that can make the transition considerably harder than it needs to be. In this episode of France Made Simple, I run through five of the most common mistakes people make when they move to France and, as usual, I’ve made plenty of them myself so you don’t have to! We look at why you really do need to learn French (and why “I’ll pick it up when I get there” probably isn’t going to work), why you should start thinking about your garden much earlier than you might expect, and why it’s surprisingly easy for a move, renovation and French admin to take over your entire life and even your relationship. I also talk about the culture shock of moving to France, including the little social rules that can catch newcomers out, from saying bonjour and doing la bise to understanding why French people interrupt, wag their fingers and don’t necessarily mean to be rude. And finally, we get to one of the biggest lessons of all: patience. French opening hours, August holidays, bank-holiday weekends, builders, paperwork and the general French approach to work-life balance can test even the most laid-back newcomer. The good news? Most of these things can be anticipated, planned for and, eventually, laughed about. If you’re planning a move to France or you’ve already made the move and are wondering why nobody warned you about some of this, this episode is for you. And thank you, as always, to our long-term sponsors Fab French Insurance for supporting France Made Simple. And as promised - here’s the link to my fabulous hairdresser! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580217764838
September 15 · 42 min
French Car Insurance: Don’t Listen to Steve on Facebook!
French Car Insurance: What You Really Need to Know Car insurance in France is one of those subjects surrounded by endless urban myths, conflicting advice and the inevitable “my friend down the road does it this way” stories. In this episode, I’m joined once again by Fabien from Fab French Insurance to cut through some of the confusion and explain how French car insurance actually works. We talk about the bonus-malus system and how your no-claims history is transferred from another country, why French insurers can be particularly demanding when it comes to proving your insurance history, and what can happen if the information on your application doesn’t match your previous insurance record. We also look at foreign-registered vehicles, including UK cars being driven in France while their owners are waiting for the import process to be completed, temporary French registration plates and the increasingly strict approach to cars that remain permanently on foreign plates. Another big difference is that in France the insurance generally follows the vehicle rather than being based solely around named drivers. So what happens if you lend your car to a friend, neighbour or family member? And what happens to your excess, your no-claims discount and your cover if they have an accident? We also get into the thorny subject of foreign driving licences…Including British licences after Brexit, EU licences and the different rules that can apply depending on where you originally obtained your licence. The main message? Don’t assume that because something was perfectly normal in the UK, US or elsewhere, it works the same way in France. And perhaps most importantly: don’t rely on Steve from Facebook. As Fabien says, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Sometimes paying for the right advice at the beginning can save you a lot of money and headaches later. Fabien has been working with expats in France for many years, and we’ve worked together for more than a decade, so this is a particularly useful episode if you are moving to France, have recently arrived, are importing a vehicle, or simply want to make sure your existing French car insurance is doing what you think it is. France Made Simple — demystifying life in France and telling it like it is!
September 10 · 27 min
5 Reasons NOT to Buy a Property in France!
Buying a property in France can be exciting, romantic and, occasionally, a spectacularly expensive mistake… In this episode, I go back to one of the earliest topics I tackled on France Made Simple, finding a property in France, but with a rather different approach. After nearly 30 years of looking at French properties (and buying quite a few!) , I look at the five things you really shouldn’t do when choosing a French property, based largely on mistakes I’ve made myself. From getting carried away by how much house you can get for your money, to ignoring the realities of rural life, underestimating renovation costs, falling in love with a staircase and buying the wrong property out of sheer desperation, there are plenty of lessons to be learned. I also talk about how Survive France started back in 2009, the early criticism of its rather tongue-in-cheek name, why feedback from listeners is changing how I approach the podcast, and my recent discovery that an all-inclusive holiday involving sun loungers, swimming pools and absolutely no exploration whatsoever can actually be rather wonderful. As always, I’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to!
September 2 · 36 min
French Healthcare Explained: What Is a Mutuelle and Do You Need One?
French health insurance can leave you facing a maze of unfamiliar terms, confusing reimbursement percentages and potentially expensive gaps in cover. Choose the wrong policy or misunderstand what it pays, and a hospital stay, dental treatment or even a pair of glasses could cost far more than you expected. So what exactly is a mutuelle? Is it private health insurance, or something different? What does “top-up” cover really pay for? And when a policy promises 100%, 200% or even 300% reimbursement, what does that actually mean in euros? In this episode of France Made Simple, I’m joined by Fabien from Fab French Insurance to take a deep dive into the French healthcare system and, in particular, the sometimes baffling world of complementary health insurance. We discuss how French public healthcare works alongside a mutuelle, why this is very different from the private health insurance systems many of us are used to in the UK and US, and one particularly important point: why existing medical conditions generally don’t prevent you from taking out complementary cover. We also talk about hospitalisation, glasses, dentistry, physiotherapy, osteopathy, alternative treatments and some of the things you might be surprised to discover your policy covers. Fabien explains what those confusing reimbursement percentages actually mean, why the cheapest or most expensive policy isn’t necessarily the right one, and why understanding your own needs is far more important than simply choosing the policy with the biggest numbers attached to it. We also look at the French parcours de soins — the healthcare pathway — and why knowing how the system works can make a real difference to what you pay and what gets reimbursed. And, perhaps reassuringly, if you still find French healthcare and insurance confusing after all this… you’re not alone. As Fabien points out, plenty of French people don’t fully understand it either. If you’re moving to France, newly arrived, or have lived here for years and still find yourself staring blankly at your mutuelle documents, this episode should help make sense of one of the most important, and misunderstood, aspects of life in France.
August 25 · 20 min
From Little House on the Prairie to Green Bean Hell
From playing Little House on the Prairie in a London garden to fishing for mullet in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel… how exactly did that happen? In this rather more personal episode of France Made Simple, I tell the story of how a little girl growing up in Streatham, dreaming of ponies, vegetable gardens, chickens and a cottage in the countryside, eventually ended up living in rural France and, somewhat accidentally, creating the very life she had been fantasising about for decades. There are childhood memories, Escape to the Country fantasies, derelict French houses, vegetable gardens, an alarming quantity of green beans, homemade preserves, dehydrated courgette crisps, fishing nets, tidal rivers, seals, and one slightly terrifying adventure in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. It turns out that becoming self-sufficient is actually much harder work than it looks on television. But there is something incredibly satisfying about sitting down to a meal made almost entirely from things you’ve grown or caught yourself. And perhaps that’s the real point of this episode: sometimes the life you dream about when you’re young really isn’t as impossible as it seems. Moving to France isn’t always easy. There are frustrations, tears, bureaucracy, homesickness and plenty of moments when you wonder what on earth you’ve done. But it is an adventure. And after more than 20 years here, I still wouldn’t change it. So grab a cup of tea, coffee, glass of wine or something stronger, and join me for a slightly chaotic trip from Streatham High Street to Green Bean Hell!
August 18 · 28 min
La Rentrée in France — What You Really Need to Know
If you’re moving to France with children, already living here, or simply trying to understand what happens when the long summer holidays finally come to an end… this episode is for you. In this 30-minute episode of France Made Simple, I’m taking a proper look at La Rentrée — how the French school year actually works, when children go back, what happens in those first few days, and all the things that can catch English-speaking families out. We’re talking schools, dates, paperwork, supplies, lunches, uniforms (or rather, the lack of them!), school transport, after-school activities and the wonderfully French admin that comes with getting your children back into the system. And because this is France Made Simple, I’m also covering the things you might not discover until you’re already in the middle of it! And here are the promised links that might.…make your shopping experience slightly less painful! https://www.cultura.com/papeterie/fournitures-scolaires.html https://www.rentreediscount.com/
July 28 · 34 min
No Filter France: The Reality of Expat Life After 20 Years
This one’s a straight-up, no-filter Q&A. No polishing, no “France is perfect” fantasy, just me keeping it real! I’m answering your questions about what it’s actually like living here: financial woes, the weird social codes, the small-town dynamics, and the stuff people usually dodge because it’s awkward or not very Instagram friendly. I’m talking about the reality of certain expat pockets, the cliques, the odd behaviour that can show up when people stay too long in their own bubble and yeah, some of it’s blunt. That’s the point. If you’re here for a dreamy “quit your job, move to France and live happily ever after” vibe, this isn’t that. This is the messy, contradictory, occasionally uncomfortable version, the one people talk about in private but rarely say out loud. But I do!
July 21 · 42 min
What Moving to France Does to Your Mind: A Therapist’s View on Expat Life
In this episode, I’m chatting with Julia a therapist who made the move to France three years ago—and hasn’t looked back, despite the inevitable challenges along the way…! This is a really honest insight into what it’s really like to rebuild both your life and career in a new country. Julia shares her personal journey of relocating to France including the realities of settling in, and how expectations compared with day-to-day life. From navigating bureaucracy (and we all know about that!), and the cultural differences to managing isolation and building a new professional identity, this episode explores the sometimes less-visible aspects of expatriate life. We also look closely at what it means to work as a therapist across borders. She explains how she supports clients online as well as face to face, the types of issues people might encounter, and why mental health can become more complex when you’re living outside your home country. We’re talking identity shifts, relationship strain, loneliness, and the psychological impact of starting over. And most importantly, Julia explains the services she offers, including how she works and what people can expect from engaging with therapy in an online format. Whether you’re already living in France, planning a move, or simply curious about the potential impact on mental health when relocating, this episode will give you a a really practical perspective grounded in real life experience. This is a really interesting discussion of the ups and downs, with some very useful insight for anyone navigating life abroad. Give it a listen; you won’t regret it! And you can get in touch with Julia here via email Julia@safetherapy.co.uk Or via her site - link below! http://safetherapy.co.uk/
July 15 · 41 min
Moving to France? The Visa Mistakes That Get You Rejected
Moving to France sounds straightforward—until your visa gets rejected! In this episode, I’m chatting to immigration guru (!), or immigration GP as he prefers to be known, Fabien from FAB FRENCH INSURANCE and we’re going through the most common mistakes that cause refusals, and more importantly, how to avoid them. From incomplete documentation to weak financial justification, small errors can have major consequences. If you’re applying for a French visa (or thinking about it), this episode will help you approach the process with clarity and confidence. And if you’ve already applied for a French visa please feel free to share your experience - good or bad!
July 7 · 30 min
The Truth About Moving to France: Why Some People Thrive—and Others Want Out
Every year, people move to France looking for a better lifestyle. Some absolutely love it. Others quietly (or sometimes, not so quietly!) regret the decision. So what makes the difference? In this episode, I break down the 5 small (but critical) mistakes that can completely shape your experience of living in France—from finances and paperwork to language and choosing the right place to live. Because it’s rarely one big thing that goes wrong… it’s the small details that catch people out. If you’re planning a move—or already here and wondering why it feels harder than expected—this one will give you some clarity. And most of all, you’ll realise that you’re not alone! 🎧 Listen now #LifeInFrance #MovingToFrance #ExpatLife #FranceLiving #StartOver #Relocation #ExpatAdvice
July 4 · 33 min
Your Best Life in France After 50: Staying Active, Social and Sane !
Moving to France after 50 can feel like the start of something wonderful… until it doesn’t. Behind the dream, there can be quieter challenges—loneliness, loss of routine, language barriers, and the unsettling feeling of having to rebuild a life from scratch. In this episode — Your Best Life in France After 50: Staying Active, Social and Sane — I take a clear-eyed look at what it really takes to stay mentally and physically well when you’re living abroad later in life. No fluff, no clichés—just practical ways to:• stay active (even when motivation is low)• rebuild a social life from zero• manage the mental load of living in another country• and create a life that actually works for you here If you’re already in France and finding it harder than expected—or planning the move and want to go in with your eyes open—this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and start making France work for you, not the other way around. #LifeInFrance #ExpatLife #Over50 #MovingToFrance #HealthyLiving #MentalWellbeing #StartAgain #FrenchLife And here’s my playlist https://music.apple.com/fr/playlist/running/pl.u-4Joma4DTaM0pNzm?l=en
June 30 · 23 min
Baume du Mont: Building a Homegrown Brand in the Shadow of Mont-Saint-Michel
What does it take to turn a simple idea into a product people genuinely rely on for recovery? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Ameline, the co-founder of Baume de Mont, a locally crafted cooling massage gel born near Mont-Saint-Michel. We talk about building a business from the ground up, the realities of launching in rural France, and how lifestyle, landscape, and love all shaped their journey. We talk about where the idea came from, the science behind how it works, and what it really takes to bring a product like this to market — from concept to something people trust on their bodies. If you’re into fitness, recovery, or just curious about how startups actually get built, this one’s worth a listen. 🎧 Listen now and discover the story behind the balm. Find out more here https://baumedumont.com/en And use my code CAT10 to get 10% off your order! #FrenchBusiness #NormandyLife #StartupStory #Entrepreneurship #MadeInFrance
June 23 · 29 min
Making It Work in France: The Mindset You Actually Need
Moving to France is often sold as a lifestyle upgrade—long lunches, beautiful villages, and a slower pace of life. And while all of that exists, the reality of building a life here is a bit more complex... In this episode, we’re taking off the rose (or should that be rosé !) tinted spectacles and looking at what it really takes to make a success of living in France long-term. Not just the logistics, but the underlying values and personal qualities that separate those who thrive from those who struggle. We're talking about patience in the face of mind boggling bureaucracy, resilience when things don’t go to plan, humility when navigating a different culture, and the importance of adapting without losing yourself. Because ultimately, making a go of life in France isn’t about changing the country, it’s about changing how you approach it. If you’re planning a move, already here, or wondering why it feels harder than expected, this episode will give you a more grounded, realistic framework for making it work. Grab a glass of rosé and enjoy!

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