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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28 episodes
weekly
Avg 25 min
English

Episodes 28

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May 23 · 16 min
Living In France - It’s The Little Things!
What is daily life really like in France? In this episode, we unpack the small but constant frictions of living in France—from confusing bureaucracy and slow administration to shop opening hours, strikes, customer service differences, and language barriers. If you’re an expat, planning a move to France, or already living here and wondering why everything feels just slightly harder than expected, this episode breaks down the hidden realities behind French life. A practical, honest look at expat life in France, French culture, and the everyday challenges that don’t make it into the dream—but shape your experience once you’re here.
May 20 · 13 min
Registering A Foreign Vehicle In France
When it comes to importing and registering vehicles in France, urban myths abound. And if you listen to ‘Mike’ down the Dog & Duck or rather, le Chien & Canard, you are likely to come a cropper.But never fear, we’ve put together an episode all about just that. Listen in and make sure you are road legal in France.Enjoy!
May 19 · 17 min
The True Cost Of Living In France
If you’re thinking about moving to France and wondering about the cost of living here, then this episode is a must. I’m chatting through the true cost of living here, from the obvious expenses and outgoings to the hidden ones that quietly drain your budget. Let me know what you have found to be more or less expensive than back home as well as those things you’d never budgeted for!
May 13 · 20 min
Top-Up Health Insurance in France: What You Actually Need To Know
“100% covered” doesn’t always mean what you think in France. In this episode, we unpack the realities of top-up health insurance—how the system works alongside state healthcare, where gaps can catch you out, and how to choose cover that actually protects you. Straightforward, practical, and jargon-free.
May 6 · 18 min
Escape To France - Creating Your French Dream Home
In this episode I’m taking a look at some of the highs and lows involved in building on an isolated plot. Lots of practical advice and some useful links and resources, plus, as always my “tell it like it is” approach to living and working here in France! Useful Vocabulary : Un terrain à bâtir - building plot Un terrain isolé - isolated plot Les règles de construction - rules determining what, in what form and where building can take place Un terrain non viabilisé - plot without any services present Un terrain viabilisé - plot with services present Un bornage - the marking of the plot boundaries by a professional Une borne - boundary marker La zone constructible - constructible area Le Permis de construire - planning permission Le certificat d’urbanisme - outline planning permission Une risque d’innondation - flood risk Risk Zones Since 2006, every plot sold has to come with a declaration stating whether or not the plot is situated in a natural, seismic or man made risk zone. Natural risks are said to include flooding, avalanches, subsidence and cracking and the declarations must be dated less than six months previously. Find plots for sale on www.pap.fr www.journaldesparticuliers.com www.leboncoin.fr Understanding an ad! Terrain plat à bâtir (flat building plot) viabilisé (services present) 1.927 m2 (size) hors lotissement (non estate) près forêt et centre ville (near to the forest and town centre). Certificat d'urbanisme et permis de construire acceptés (Planning permissions and consents in place). 59.000 E (price).
April 29 · 18 min
How To Make Money From Your French Property
In this episode I’m looking at ways to get your property working for you and making some extra money; yes, we’re talking holiday rentals!There are numerous reasons why you might be thinking about renting out your French property and in this episode I run through some of the things you need to take into account before going down this road.Plus, there’s a whole load of practical advice on how to get your property rental ready!Give it a listen and let me know what I have forgotten to mention!
April 23 · 16 min
Buying At Auction In France
In this episode I’m chatting about my first ever time at an auction in France, and covering what to do (and what not to do!) when you go to an auction in France. Buying at auction is a fabulous way to bag a bargain and find some unique decorative pieces for your house in France. It’s also a lot of fun! I hope you enjoy this episode and don’t forget to make sure you follow the France Made Simple podcast and never miss an episode. And here’s the link to the online auction site I refer to - happy bidding! https://www.interencheres.com/
April 17 · 13 min
Should You Run A Gite In France?
In this second part, I continue chatting with Paul who is not only an accountant but also runs five gites here in France. We’re chatting about the financial, tax and practical aspects of running gites. With increasing numbers of people looking at gites as a way of generating or topping up income here in France, this episode is a must listen.It’s in two parts - “Can you run a gite?” And “Should you run a gite?” - partly because we felt that this is an important subject and there’s a lot to take onboard. And partly because we had a massive technical issue - a power outage on his end - so please excuse my (not terribly good) editing skills!But the information is all there and hopefully it will prove useful - enjoy! You can get in touch with Paul directly via email advice@houxservices.fr or take a look at his site www.houxservices.eu and if you contact him within the next 30 days and mention the podcast, you’ll get a 10% discount off the first set of any fees should you go ahead and use his services!

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