THE president of France, François Hollande, announced his separation last night from Valérie Trierweiler, the temperamental first lady, after revelations that he has been having an affair with an actress.

The confirmation of a split from Trierweiler opened the latest act in a bedroom farce that has riveted France since a magazine published photographs two weeks ago of the president visiting Julie Gayet, a 41-year-old actress.

"I am making it known that I have put an end to the life in common that I was sharing with Valérie Trierweiler," the president said in his statement to the official French news agency, adding that he was expressing himself as a "private citizen" rather than a head of state because it was a matter relating to his private life.

Hollande was apparently never enthusiastic about having a first lady: voters elect a presidential candidate, not a couple, he argued. A poll last week showed that a majority of the public (54%) felt the same way. This may have sealed the fate of la première dame. She appears to be heading to the guillotine.

Article originally appeared in "The Sunday Times" on 26.01.2014 - Read the full article here.

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

I thought the French government had introduced a law requiring motorists to have a breathalyser with them at all times, but my French friends tell me this is not the case. When I consulted the AA at Eurotunnel, however, I was told it is still a requirement. Who is right? WL, Tunbridge Wells.

The truth lies between the two. The law states that all drivers in France — including visitors — have to carry at least one fully functioning and in-date breathalyser, known in French as an "éthylotest".

In practice this means at least two testers on board, because they are single-use devices, so when one has been used, another must be on board to allow the journey to be continued lawfully. At present, however, there is no penalty for those who break the law.

The fine was going to be a mere €11 (£9) but there was stiff opposition to the law, not least because several independent magazine tests suggested that many breathalysers were inaccurate. The French government has indefinitely postponed enforcement but to save face has left the law in place. The outcome is that while drivers are required to have a working breathalyser on board, there is no consequence if they don’t.

In France breathalysers are commonly available for the price of €2 for two, so it’s not a bad idea to pick up a pack next time you are there — should you be stopped by the gendarmes you will at least be seen to be complying with road rules.

Note that the maximum permitted concentration of alcohol in the blood of drivers on French roads is 0.5mg/ml, as opposed to the UK’s considerably more tolerant 0.8mg/ml. 

Article originally appeared in "The Sunday Times" Driving supplement.

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Did you know you can get half price "France" Calendars here...

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

2013 was a bumper year for Cle France - the French Property Network, we saw a 37% rise in sales on 2012 and this year we aim to top the 10,000 listings mark to secure our position as the biggest network of French (and English) agents available on-line.

TIME TO RE-FRESH YOUR ADVERTISING...

January is a good time of year to 'refresh and enhance' your marketing if you are selling a property in France.

The first week of the year has been the same as always for us with a record number of enquiries and a record number of 'new' contacts boosting our mailing list of over 6000 subscribers who are actively looking to buy a house in France.

OUR SPECIAL OFFER TO YOU...

Our special offer on the "Gold Level - Marketing" package for only £200.00 instead of £300.00 ends 31st January 2014.

Visit the Clé France website for more details.

Or call the UK office on 01371 811 779 for a chat, we can talk you through the best option for you and your property.

SELLING YOUR PROPERTY IN FRANCE - HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED !

Lets bust some myths !

Vendors think that selling "privately" will secure them a buyer quicker, not true...

These days the "buyer" likes the security and protection of using an agent as well as the comfort of using a well known 'name'. Also 'private advertising' is expensive and which website should you choose? the cheapest is never a good option but the most expensive limits you to only one website! (NOTE: we advertise on multiple portals as well as our own website).

Vendors think their property will look more competitive without agency fees, not true...

We find that there is a "certain" section of the buying public that look privately, these are the people who want to drive the price down even further! People looking with Immobilier trust the advice of a good agent and then the negotiation on price is more even / level and the vendor often gets the best deal possible.

Vendors note: YOU are also cutting out approx. 95% of the UK and international overseas buying public who do not buy privately!

Magazine adverts are good, surely ?

Yes and No, as part of a 'brand advertising' package they work and as part of a on-line campaign BUT not really worthwhile for individual houses, think about it for a second, of all the thousands of properties for sale in France how successful is 1 private advert going to be? people these days want choice and a lot of it and this is why our 'targeted marketing' works well. 

Property Exhibitions have a targeted audience, true BUT...

We find that most people attending property exhibitions are at the start of their property hunting journey, this is good for them and good for the agent BUT not necessarily good for a seller, if you want to sell your property sooner rather than in 2 years time!

The Solution...

At Cle France we have several marketing options for sellers who want to maximise the exposure of their property, we advertise certain properties on multiple property portals for much less than the price it would cost you to advertise on just one! Simply mandating your property for sale with us is 100% free but we do offer enhanced marketing packages to those who want to get there property seen by a carefully targeted audience.

You may be selling your property in France to downsize, upgrade or move to the UK? whatever the reason "Cle France" is the place to be seen. We are the fastest growing property website featuring property for sale across France and have a successful formula for selling properties that others could not.

With a mixture of up to the minute technology, use of social media and good old fashioned customer service, we have helped as many people SELL their property as we have helped people buy their dream home.

After all, matching buyers to sellers is our goal ! visit our "selling ?" page to find out more and give us a call.

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Cle France UK office will be closed from 12:00 on Monday 23rd December until 9:00am on Friday 3rd January. Emails, messages and requests will be dealt with quickly on our return on the 3rd of January 2014.

Wishing everyone a Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année.