Retiring in France
David Hampshire
Retiring in France is mandatory reading for anyone planning to retire to France, whether permanently or for just part of the year, and is worth its weight in champagne. As with all life-changing decisions, the key to a successful retirement in France is extensive planning and research (research, research) before you go, which is where this book will prove invaluable. Retiring in France is the most comprehensive book available about all aspects of retiring to France – written by best-selling author David Hampshire – and is packed with vital information to help make the process as smooth and straightforward as possible.
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Other guides for France
Extracts from the book…
Health Risks
France has long been a nation of hypochondriacs (famously satirised by Molière in Le Malade Imaginaire) and the French visit their doctors more often than most other Europeans and buy large quantities of medicines, health foods and vitamin pills. Despite the common stereotype of the French as wine-swilling gourmets stuffing themselves with rich foods, many have become health freaks in recent years. Fitness and health centres flourish in most towns, and jogging (footing) has become fashionable. Smoking has declined considerably and is now a minority habit, although it’s still more prevalent than in many other European countries and is estimated to kill 30,000 people a year. The incidence of heart disease is among the lowest in the world, a fact that has recently been officially contributed in part to the largely Mediterranean diet.
On the other hand, the French have a high incidence of cirrhosis of the liver and other problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption, and there has recently been an increase in the number of sufferers from Alzheimer’s disease to over half a million (it affects around 10 per cent of those over 65 and 50 per cent of those over 85). And air pollution (caused by vehicles, not smokers!) is an increasing problem in Paris and other French cities (particularly Grenoble, Lyon and Strasbourg), where it’s blamed for a sharp rise in asthma cases. It’s estimated that around 16,000 people die prematurely each year as a result of air pollution. There’s also a high and increasing rate of stress in cities.
Among expatriates, sunstroke, change of diet, too much rich food and (surprise, surprise) too much alcohol (see below) are the most common causes of health problems. Nevertheless, when you’ve had too much of la bonne vie, you can take yourself off to a spa for a few weeks to rejuvenate your system (in preparation for another bout of over-indulgence). Among the most popular treatments offered is thalassotherapy (thalassothérapie), a sea water ‘cure’ recommended for arthritis, circulation problems, depression and fatigue; it’s even available on the national health service!
The claim that drinking red wine helps to reduce heart and other diseases – e.g. in Your Good Health: The Medicinal Benefits of Wine Drinking by Dr E. Maury (Souvenir Press) – has recently been challenged by other medical experts. However, it’s generally agreed that drinking excessive amounts of red wine (or any alcohol) can destroy your brain and cause liver failure! As French producers sometimes warn buyers: l’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, consommez avec modération (alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation).
Essential vaccinations, renewable every ten years, are polio and tetanus, which are 65 per cent reimbursed or 100 per cent if given as part of a free health check-up (bilan de santé), available to those on Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU). Free flu jabs are available in October for over 65s and those with certain complaints.
You can safely drink mains water unless it’s labelled as non-drinking (eau non-potable), although the wine (especially a Château Mouton Rothschild) is more enjoyable. Those who enjoy swimming in lakes and rivers should be aware of the potentially fatal Weil’s disease (leptospirose), transmitted through the urine of rats and other rodents, which is on the increase, particularly in Aquitaine.
Why Retire to France?
Retiring in France, whether permanently or for just part of the year (so-called ‘seasonal retirement’), is an increasingly popular choice, particularly among retirees from countries with inclement climates and/or high property prices. It’s estimated that there are almost 34,000 pensioners living in France – out of a total British expatriate population of around 200,000.
For many people, the dream of spending their golden years in the French countryside has become an affordable option, although retiring in France (even for part of the year) isn’t without its pitfalls and shouldn’t be attempted without careful consideration and planning. Before deciding where, when or indeed, whether to retire to France, it’s important to do your homework thoroughly and investigate the myriad implications and possibilities. Recognising and preparing for potential difficulties in advance is much easier than dealing with disappointment – or even a crisis – later. However, if you do decide to take the plunge, you’ll be in good company. Tens of thousands of people have successfully retired in France.
As when making all major life decisions, it isn’t wise to be in too much of a hurry. Many people make expensive (even catastrophic) errors when retiring in France, often because they don’t do sufficient research or take into account the circumstances of their partners and family members.
It isn’t unusual for people to uproot themselves and after some time wish they had chosen a different part of France – or even that they had stayed at home! It’s worth bearing in mind that a significant number of people who retire abroad return home within a few years.
The first question to ask yourself is exactly why you want to retire to France. Do you wish to live there permanently or spend only part of the year there? For example, some retirees spend the winter in southern France and return to their home country for the summer.
Do you primarily wish to live somewhere with a lower cost of living? If you’re planning to retire abroad for health reasons, the climate will be an important consideration. Do you want to make frequent return trips to your home country, to visit your family and friends? What do your family and friends think about your plans to live in France? Can you afford to retire there? What about the future? Is your income secure and protected against inflation?
You’ll need to take into account the availability and cost of accommodation, communications, travelling time (and cost) to and from your ‘home’ country, security, health facilities, leisure and sports opportunities, culture shock, the language, the cost of living and local taxes, among other things. Many retirees wishing to retire to France are North Americans or northern Europeans, who can often buy a home abroad for much less than the value of their family home. The difference between the money raised on the sale of your family home and the cost of a home in France can be invested to supplement your pension, allowing you to live comfortably in retirement, particularly if France also has a lower cost of living.
However, if you plan to buy a second home in France, you’ll need to maintain two homes, although the running costs can usually be offset by letting your home(s) when you’re absent.
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PRICE: £12.95
PUBLICATION: June 2008
EDITION: 2nd
PAGES: 328
BINDING: paperback
SIZE: A5 (210mm x 148mm)
COLOUR PHOTOS: over 100
MAPS: 4
