Clé France

Club Clé France: Bank Account set up

We are very pleased to offer our clients the best possible service in every aspect of searching for property for sale in France, buying and owning a property in France and getting everything set up that you need for enjoying your French house. We can arrange everything for you as you wish or you can set up certain things yourself if you prefer, such as a Bank account.

Banking in France

Banking basics in France:

Should you proceed with the purchase of a property in France you will need a French bank account in order to manage the expenses associated with running your home, for instance utility bills and annual property taxes, whether you intend living there permanently or just for the holidays.

Some utility companies such as ERDF and France Telecom insist on payment via a direct debit (prélèvement automatique).

You will need a Current Account (compte courant, a compte à vue or a compte de dépôt) to take care of these bills, it is usually free to set up.

N.B: Bank Charges are levied against such services as having a debit card, a cheque book (still commonly used in France), the provision of statements, standing orders, foreign currency transactions and overdrafts.

Do I need to open an account before I purchase a property?

No, in fact proof of residency is required prior to opening your account, either by means of a signed compromise de vente or an 'attestation de vente' which the notaire will provide on completion day.

You don’t need a bank account to transfer the funds for your purchase because these should go direct from the U.K into the notaire’s bank account prior to completion.

For the best currency rates take a look at Currency Exchange here.

How do I open a bank account?

Our colleagues are always happy to assist you in this matter, should you wish to open an account with a local branch. They will know which local banks have English speaking staff and which are accustomed to dealing with foreign clients.

Alternatively you can choose a service like Britline, operated by Credit Agricole, which provides a telephone banking service staffed by English speakers.

In addition to completing the application form - called a mandate - you will need to provide additional information as follows:

• Reference from your current bank

• Copy of your passport

• Evidence of residency status (utility bill or copy of house purchase agreement, e.g. Compromis de Vente, if your purchase has not gone through).

You will also need to deposit some funds to open the account.

Banking hours.

French bank opening hours are quite variable, depending on the location, size of branch etc.

In general, they are open from 09:00 to 17:30 Mondays to Fridays.

Some banks will open on Saturdays and late on certain evenings though this is more likely in larger towns. Lunchtime closing is the norm in smaller towns, as indeed are restrictive hours during the week (e.g closed all day Monday).

If you have a specific banking question then simply complete the Enquiry form below:

Enquiry Form - Bank Account set up

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Currency Exchange

Need to Send Money Abroad?

At Clé France, many of our customers have a need for currency exchange.

We are pleased to have partnered with Key Currency to offer our customers favourable exchange rates on international currency transfers.

Key Currency is an award-winning currency exchange specialist, Key Currency Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Authorised Payment Institution (Financial Services Register No. 753989) and experienced in executing high-volume transactions.

As a Clé France client, you qualify for preferential exchange rates when you transact through Key Currency.

Save money on your foreign currency transfers

Key Currency can save you money by offering more competitive rates of exchange than retail banks.

Clients can typically save you 3-4% of the total transaction value, which can result in significant cost savings.

All client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks keeping your money safe and secure.

Cle France are there to help you find the best selection of French property for sale and Key Currency are there to save you time, money and hassle; making sure your money is in the right place, at the right time and keeping you informed along the way.

The best service is one that comes highly recommended, that is why you should use the services of Key Currency.

Benefits of using Key Currency:

Bank-beating exchange rates
Quick and easy transfers
No transfer fees
Expert help and guidance
Authorised by the FCA

Alternatively, you can contact Key Currency over the phone or visit their website.

0044 (0) 1872 487 500

Quote 'Clé France' for the best rate

www.keycurrency.co.uk

UK Office: St. Piran House, Truro Technology Park, Truro TR1 2XN

For everything you need to know about French property for sale visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Join Us as a Partner Agent

We at Clé France never sit still and are always looking to extend our network of agencies in France.

If you are currently operating in France under a 'carte professionnelle' whether as an 'agent commercial' or as an independent estate agent 'immobiliere' then you could be part of our Network.

We have many successful agents set up within our network which started in North-west France but is now spreading across the whole country, you could do no better than work in association with us and our established network.

Vendu Property in France

"How to be part of the Cle France Network"

We work with British property hunters and those of other English-speaking countries who are searching for Property for sale in France.

We know the customer and what they look for in their ideal home in France, whether it is a second home or a primary residence.

It is with our experience of the property market in France and our knowledge of the French language and culture that gives us the ability to find buyers and match them to sellers.

We use various newspapers and magazines for our advertising and are highly visible on the largest international property portals as well as ranking very high ourselves on Google.

For those interested in French property but have not been viewing yet, we exhibit at several French Property Exhibitions in the UK each year.

We are always looking for new partner agencies to offer our customers a wider choice of properties and unparalleled service in all regions of La Belle France.

By adding your properties to our website we can increase the choice for our customers and your agency is being introduced to a larger public and a wider audience.

We at Cle France specialise in Property for sale in France through our network of Agents and French Registered High Street Estate Agents. We have sold thousands of houses for sale in France over the years and have helped many find and buy their dream home in France.

We also help our clients with everything to do with buying a house in France including getting a mortgage, organising currency exchange, renovation advice, property surveys, planning permission, French translation, opening a bank account and everything to do with French property sales.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information, we are at your disposal.

• If you are an existing Estate Agent (Immobiliere) and want more clients, leads, mandates and ultimately more sales then simply get in touch.

It does not matter where you are in France we are looking for agents in every corner of the country.

• If you are currently working with an Immobiliere as an Agent Commercial then call us for a chat.

We can work with you and your portfolio to maximise exposure and leads from many sources.

Contact Us now: We have 1000's of properties for sale with 100's of agents so why not join our network today and boost your business.

To find out more simply pick up the phone, email us or complete the Enquiry form below:

Enquiry Form - Join Us

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For everything you need to know about French property for sale visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Property for sale in Brittany - click here

Brittany

This wonderful maritime region is steeped in history and legend, from the earliest settlers of the Neolithic period, whose ancient Menhirs and Dolmens are still visible today, through the Arthurian tales of knights and chivalry, to the Renaissance Dukes of Brittany whose manor houses and Chateaux can be visited today.

Property for sale in Brittany is plentiful and one of our more popular regions for people looking to buy a house in France.

The abiding image of Brittany for many is its quaint fishing ports and rugged coast line. It is the western most point in France, stretching out into the Atlantic with old maritime fortresses and light houses dotting the coastline.

The Brittany region consists of 4 departments:

Finistere (29), Cotes-d'Armor (22), Morbihan (56) and Ille-et-Vilaine (35).

Weather

Transport

Accessibility is part of the appeal of this glorious region for British house hunters looking for nice property for sale, with ferry ports at Roscoff and Saint Malo, and airports at Dinard, Rennes, Nantes and Brest.

Food

Seafood and fish are very much the ‘catch of the day’ in most restaurants, with eye catching, mouth watering seafood platters tempting your palette. Alternatively why not visit one of the many creperies for a savoury galette or sweet crepe?

Leisure

It goes without saying that any activity based around the sea such as fishing, surfing or sea kayaking is bound to be popular. But for those of a less energetic disposition the medieval chateaux, charming towns and markets offer more relaxed diversions. Don’t forget also to take in a themed walk or two based around the ancient myths and legends of this intriguing area, or even en evening of traditional Breton pipe music!

Property

Styles of property for sale vary throughout the area, from traditional granite houses, pretty coastal cottages and ‘Neo Breton’ modern properties. Properties on the coast understandable attract a high premium, but just move inland and there are still some amazing bargains to be had in the French property market.

Click here to see all of our properties in Brittany

CONTACT US to discuss your search for property in Aquitaine or any area of France, or indeed for any further information you may require on buying French property, moving to France, living in France etc. just give us a call or send us an email, we will be happy to help!

Property Finding Service: We will do a property search for you to match you criteria but also you can try our Advanced Search: including saving your favourites and getting updates of new properties for sale in France and price reductions direct into your inbox, and you can also add your comments to our blog pages - simply sign up for your own account here.

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Join Us and become a Property Agent in France

We at Clé France never sit still and are always looking to extend our network in France especially by increasing the number of quality properties we have available for our discerning clients.

If you would like to start working in this interesting and dynamic sector, you could do no better than work within our established network headed up by our UK office and with 100's of agents spread across France from individuals right up to established French High Street Agents.

Join Us

"How to be part of the Cle France Network"

Thinking of earning a living in France, moving to France and setting up in business then call us for more details.

You may even be already living in France and are looking for a way to earn a living. We can help you set up your income stream and start work as an 'agent commercial' benefiting from our already established network of professionals as well as our extensive advertising and strong internet presence.

When people contact us about our properties for sale in France we want to send them over to France on a property viewing trip safe in the knowledge that they will be met by our professional estate agents. We have over 100 agents at the moment and if you have a passion for French property you too could be selling houses and earning a living in this dynamic business.

Contact Us now: We have 1000's of properties for sale with 100's of agents so why not join our team today and benefit from what a large network can offer you and hopefully what you can our clients.

For individuals looking to work in the industry we see the profile as:

• Prior experience in real estate or similar business (in France or overseas).

• Good level of spoken and written French.

• Motivated, ambitious, professional and good people skills.

• IT literate.

• A love of French property & the French lifestyle.

• Independent but also a team player.

Your day to day role as a French property sales agent:

• creates and maintains a high quality property portfolio by finding and mandating properties which meet the current buying criteria.

• communicates well with people and is flexible to clients needs and schedule.

• arranges viewings with good scheduling and productivity.

• shows property to clients pointing out the good points as well as any concerns.

• guides clients through the buying process.

• keeps everybody 'in the loop' with any changes and processes underway.

What the role offers you:

• Earning a living in France (good rates of commission).

• A fun, supportive and dynamic team with a flexible working schedule.

• UK Enquiry Office provides regular leads from international buyers & sellers.

• Advertising and Marketing on major international property portals.

• Opportunities to network and integrate with your local community.

To find out more or if you have a specific question then simply pick up the phone, email us or complete the Enquiry form below:

Enquiry Form - Join Us

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For everything you need to know about French property for sale visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Property for sale in Centre - click here

Centre

While it does, just about include the point which is the geometric "centre" of France, the region known as "le Centre" does not generally coincide with the middle of the country; confused?

It is more accurately the centre section of northern France. An area stretching from a latitude slightly north of Paris, down to the Limousin and Auvergne regions, it is bordered to the west by Normandy, the Pays de la Loire region and Poitou-Charentes, to the east by the Paris region (Ile de France) and Burgundy. Its regional capital is the glorious city of Orléans.

As for the exact location of the "centre" of France, several communes in the south of the region, some in the north of the Auvergne, and some maverick villages in-between are rivals for the title, depending on the criteria used. But according to various criteria, the centre of France lies at some spot in the commune of Saint-Armand-Montrond, in the south of the Cher department.

The Centre region consists of 6 departments:

Cher (18), Eure-et-Loir (28), Indre (36), Indre-et-Loire (37), Loire-et-Cher (41) and Loiret (45).

Weather

Transport

By train (TGV) from Paris Gare Montparnasse, Gare d'Austerlitz, or Gare de Bercy.

Easy to get to from the UK, via any of the Channel ports, then drive via Paris or Rouen. The region is crossed by the main motorways between Paris and southwestern France, the A10 (Paris-Tours-Bordeaux), the A11 (Paris-Chartres-Rennes), the A71(Paris - Orleans -Clermont-Ferrand), the A77 (Paris-Nevers) and the A20 (Paris -Vierzon-Toulouse).

Air access is easiest via Paris Orly airport, or Tours airport.

Food

I have stayed many times in this region, often going on further south as it is a good halfway stopping off point. Although taking more time to have a good look at the Centre region it offers some very nice food products and delicious traditional dishes like the Andouillettes (typical French pork sausages generally cooked with Vouvray wine) Yum. Meat lovers will also appreciate the well known Rillettes mainly from Tours and Le Mans's, cheese connoisseurs will be pleased by the regions goat cheeses like the Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine. The region's gastronomy also boasts one of the best known French desserts, the fantastic Tarte Tatin.

Leisure

The Centre region offers a very wide variety of outdoor activities in many centres and local towns and villages. The these include Hiking and walking, and where that can be found you can also find Cycling and Mountain Biking, plus for the even more energetic there are many Water-sport centres.

Most tourist offices have information brochures in English and a fair few have websites with details on the activities on offer and where to find them.

Property

Styles of property for sale vary throughout the area but of course the landscape is dominated by the Grand Chateaux of the region. It boasts the biggest one of them all, Chambord Chateau and the one pictured at the top of this page is Chenonceau Chateau which was built between 1515 and 1521. You may not be looking for such grand dwellings so there is a wealth of different styles and it is surprising how affordable properties are in this region.

Click here to see all of our properties in Centre

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk