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From the Big Apple to Life in Gay Paree

Volume III, Issue 42

Interior of the an apartment for sale in Nice

We shifted the team from the West Coast to the East Coast and faced a very different conference attendee at the plush and stately Harvard Club of New York.
The three-day San Francisco conference engendered a spectrum of young people looking to make a move to France, open businesses, find a job, invest in property and profit from rentals. Many single women and young couples accounted for the audience.
From the perspective of the attendees, the conference was hugely successful. At the end of three days, many friendships were made and much was learned. Comments on the evaluations which ranged between 4 and 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 were: “…far exceeded expectations…,” “…the most informative conference I have ever attended…,” “…a weekend well spent both in terms of time and money.”
In New York, the attendees spanned a different profile. Dressed more formally to adhere to Harvard Club rules, men were the primary group — serious investors, all lovers of France, among them a few women seeking a new life in France.
Philippe Vasseur of GE MoneyBank and Doug Johnson of Moneycorp, both flew east to present in New York. Marcell Felipe, our U.S. tax expert headquartered in Miami, unfortunately didn’t make the New York seminar thanks to Hurricane Wilma and a cancelled flight. John Howell picked up the slack and presented the session on tax on his behalf.
Universally, however, everyone wants to make a smart decision — to purchase a property that will appreciate well and if it is designated as a rental, make a profit from those rentals. This is what the conferences aim to achieve — to prepare a potential buyer for all the pitfalls that may be in his path — and there are sure to be more than one can even anticipate.
To read about the San Francisco conference, see Parler Paris past issue https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/issues/pparis24-10-05.html In the next few weeks, photos and more information from the seminars will be posted along with the online registration forms for our upcoming one-day Invest in France Seminar to be held December 28th in Paris.
Marketing Director and French Property Insider co-editor has prepared today’s issue with me writing you from New York City’s Fifth Avenue Starbucks on a Wifi and our MSN Instant Messenger connections. Technology can be so great…and so frustrating, too.
Bear with us and enjoy this week’s edition. Next week I’ll be back in Paris with much more about French property from an insider’s point of view.

Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider
Email: [email protected]

P.S. The next Invest in France Seminar is being held in Paris, France on December 28, 2005. Why not enjoy New Year’s Eve in the City of Light and take just one day out of your schedule to learn how to make your money and real estate investment grow before your very eyes…all while enjoying your property in France or pied-à-terre in Paris. For more information, contact Schuyler Hoffman, Projects Manager, at [email protected]/parlerparis. You will be put on a special mailing list to be notified when the details are in place (very, very soon!).
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Volume III, Issue 42, October 27, 2005
In this issue:
* Tips for Career Success in France
* Paris Apartment Renovation-Transformation
* Forbes’ David Andelman Reports on Paris Real Estate
* Paris Accessible to All: “Tourism and Handicap” Label
* Paris Hotels More Affordable than Other Top Tourist Cities
* Travel to Wine Country this Fall!
* Share Your Paris…and Get Published!
* Register Now for Upcoming Conferences
* Complete Relocation Solutions from FPI
* Today’s Currency Update from Moneycorp
* Next Parler Paris Après-Midi: November 8
* Hot Properties: In the Heart of ABC Wine Country
* On the Auction Block November 8
* Classified Advertising: Leeds Marais Apartment Available Thanksgiving
* Classified Advertising: Apartment for Rent, Paris 6th

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Job Hunting in France
By Adrian Leeds

There was so much interest in how to find a job in France at the Living and I
nvesting in France Semina
r in San Francisco, that I quickly put together a PowerPoint presentation to outline the best and most efficient and effective ways to find a job in Paris and France. The following is the outline — which we hope will also help you find a path to success, when there are so many obstacles in the way!…

The Job Climate
Currently, unemployment in France is approximately 10%. English language teachers, translators and bilingual secretaries are still in good demand, followed by the computing and telecom industries. Salaries in France are generally lower than in the U.S., but the cost of living is lower than in the U.S. Taxes are higher, but provide extensive social services in France.

The European Competition
Overall, while it is possible to find work in France, depending on your education, experience, expectations and geographical preferences, it is more or less difficult, and in many cases, a seemingly impossible task for the non-EU/EC citizen without the appropriate papers. English language skills are not necessarily a competitive edge — native English speakers from Britain, Ireland and Scotland have the right to work in France!

Professions Requiring French Credentials
Many licensed professionals may not have the right to work in France — attorneys, health-care professionals, teachers, etc. may require French licenses or accreditation. The key to finding a job in Paris for these professionals is to seek out expatriate firms, organizations or associations.

Working at U.S. Firms in France
Job opportunities are limited — U.S. firms often start off with U.S. employees, then graduate to French employees. Resource the American Chamber of Commerce for a list of U.S. firms in France: American Chamber of Commerce — http://www.amchamfrance.org French-American Chamber of Commerce — http://www.faccsf.com

Employment Agencies and Headhunters are valuable for the sectors already in demand — high-tech and secretarial:
http://www.bilinguagroup.com http://www.sheilaburgessint.fr http://www.michaelpage.com http://www.femmesetcarrieres.com http://www.tmi-paris.com

Temporary Work Agencies are open to people who already have the right to work in France:
http://www.kellyservices.fr http://www.manpower.fr http://www.accountemps.net http://www.plusinterim.fr

American Church Bulletin Board
For babysitting, household and odd jobs, check the bulletin board at the American Church for postings: http://www.americanchurchparis.org

The French Job Culture
It’s not what you know, but WHO you know. Hiring someone is expensive — it costs an employer about 150% of a person’s salary in salary and taxes.

Types of Contracts
* Full-time fixed term contact – CDD (Contrat à durée déterminée)
* Temporary work contract (Contrat temporaire)
* Part-time contract (Contrat de travail à temps partiel)

Intermittent employment (Le travail intermittent) The French CV (Resume) “Curriculum Vitae” and Cover Letter: Written in French, must disclose your age and marital status and affix a photo! Cover letter (lettre de motivation) must be written by hand in fountain pen for analysis by a graphologist!
The Easiest Way to Find a Job in France
Work for a company in your home country that has an office here, and get promoted to an overseas position. Most likely they’ll take care of everything for you, and you’ll only have to worry about culture shock.

The Second Easiest Way to Find a Job in France: Networking
Again, it’s not what you know, but WHO you know. Network within the communities that can help you the most. Volunteer to prove your capabilities. Take intern positions — work for little or nothing to get your foot in the door.

Getting the Right to Work in France (Carte de Séjour Salarié)
Your employer will be required to do everything humanly possible to find an EU citizen to fill the position rather than you. They’ll have to put up a two-month ad in the public employment service (ANPE), and if a qualified EU or EC citizen applies, the company is required to hire them instead of you.

Your employer will have to pay the IMO’s “foreigner fees,” basically a tax on your company since they hired a non-EU/EC citizen. This is at least US$2,000 per year. If the French government judges that the unemployment rate is too high, you can simply be refused your position. Yes, even if you’ve managed to get through the first formality and your employer’s agreed to the foreigner fee.
Getting the Right to Study and Work in France — Carte de Séjour d‘Etudiant (The Third Easiest Way to Find a Job)
If the student has been admitted to an institution of learning for a period of over six (6) months, then he will be authorized to stay in France for one year and issued a student’s identification card (Carte de séjour d’étudiant). Students holding a “Carte de séjour d’étudiant” can under certain circumstances obtain a part-time work authorization (“Authorization provisoire de travail”). Generally, part-time work is authorized during the school year and full time employment is possible during the summer vacation.

Working Illegally-Legally
Work for a U.S. company (including your own) performing non-France-related tasks — jobs which can be performed via the Internet, computer or other where location is unimportant. Work for cash.

Making It or Breaking It
Think outside the box — think creatively. Be entrepreneurial — seek opportunities. Leave no stone unturned — never stop asking questions. Network, network, network — l
et everyone you meet know what y
our goals are. Do not give in or give up.

==============================

Before

Transformation Over the Frog and Rosbif
By Adrian Leeds with Commentary by Derek Busk

Our clients happily settled on a 100 square meter apartment on the fourth floor of a building that houses the Frog and Rosbif pub and restaurant at the corner of rue de Turbigo and rue Saint Denis. They paid a bargain price for a neighborhood that is in the process of gentrification and increasing property values. The apartment is triangular in shape with large windows facing both streets, affording views all the way down Saint Denis and across the entire “quartier.”

Before

Unfortunately for rental purposes, the apartment lacked a second bath to fit nicely with its three bedrooms, but there was plenty of space to incorporate one, thanks to architect Derek Bush’s clever design to turn the foyer into an open American-style kitchen. The space which was originally the kitchen became a bath and the original bath was renovated in stunning marble.
Now that the renovation is complete, the apartment will be placed on the rental market for luxury rentals to sleep six or more. Such an efficient plan and use of space, even with the cost of renovation, the property is still undervalued and could be sold for much more than their investment.
With commentary by Derek Bush, here is the transformation that took place that both Derek and the owners can be proud of:

A Transformation on Rue Saint Denis
By
Derek Bush
The first time I visited the apartment, just off the rue Saint Denis, I thought that it was located on the second floor. It was dark and dingy and really seemed neglected. There were cracks in the walls, odd bits of flooring, wasted space and very old fashioned bathrooms — a mess.
Adrian and her team were full of enthusiasm and Adrian said, “Derek meet the client, what a wonderful place and I’m sure Derek can do wonders !!!”
We surveyed the apartment, came up with new plans: how can we fit two bathrooms in this place? How can we get light into the central room?
 
 
Then, a few weeks later, I visited the fourth floor apartment. That ” dingy place” was in the full swing of a “chantier” (a building site). Walls were knocked down, electricity and plumbing was going in. My team were doing a great job, the space was transformed and you could see how it was going to be.
And now, a few more weeks later, the transformation is complete: three bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, a central kitchen with eating bar, two bathrooms and a separate toilet, marble tiles, granite tops, a pleasant smell of newness, views all over Paris.
The result is fantastic, but it represents, hours of work, sketch designs, faxes and PDF’s, almost 250 emails, countless, scans and research, detailed plans, specifications, budget appraisals, technical meetings regular presence on site, tough financial controls, lots of solved problems and tough project management.
 
With the keen eyes provided by Adrian’s team and our skills, our client should be very pleased.
Editor’s Note: FPI offers complete renovation services. For more information, visit https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/renovation.html
 
 
==============================
Paris: Expat Real Estate Boom
While visiting the Big Apple, I was lucky enough to have drinks with David Andelman, Editor of Forbes.com, and his wife, Pam Title, a commercial real estate agent and old friend from New Orleans. This past summer, Andelman published this article about the Paris Real Estate Boom, particularly the American retiree market:
 
Article By David A. Andelman, Forbes.com
From June 8, 2005
http://www.forbes.com/2005/06/08/cx_da_0608paris.html

There’s a stunning new population trend in Paris–Parisians are selling their flats and moving out to the ‘burbs. On the face of it, that’s not truly astonishing. It’s been happening in the U.S. since World War II ended. The stunning fact is to whom Parisians are selling these days. It’s to Americans, especially older Americans. They’re the ones who
are buying and mo
ving in–in droves.

Despite the cost–after all, the euro is just coming off all-time highs against the dollar–Paris has somehow managed to retain its magical qualities for a host of foreigners, but especially for Americans.
“Some 20% of the sales in Paris are to non-resident foreign customers,” says Adrian Leeds, an American in Paris who’s been helping her countrymen make the leap across the pond for more than a decade. She has never been busier. “We have 27,000 readers of our e-mail newsletter Parler Paris (http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis). And the trend will only continue as long as mortgage rates remain low. And they are still below 3%.”
To a certain extent Paris’ appeal is obvious. In addition to the capital’s world-class dining and largely inexpensive cultural attractions, such as the many museums where seniors (in France that’s generally defined as over 60) receive discounts, France boasts inexpensive, widely-accessible transportation and one of the best health care systems on the planet.
Paris’ subway, the Métro, offers half-price (demi-tarif) tickets to senior citizens who’ve had the foresight to obtain them at the Bureaux d’Aide Sociale (social aid bureaus) of the Mayor’s office of each arrondissement in Paris. (The city is divided into 20 such areas, each with their own bureaucracy–an institution that the French have perfected to a fine science of frustration.) And hyper-efficient long-distance trains, which have special spaces to accommodate wheelchairs, make Paris an ideal base for exploring the rest of France and Western Europe, where seniors also receive half-priced fares.
There’s also been a lot of progress in recent years in senior citizen access, according to Pascal Fonquernie, whose Web site, http://www.parismarais.com will soon be sporting a page especially for seniors. Most city buses now have special wheelchair areas and ramps that lower to the sidewalks, street corners have been ramped, and handicap parking spaces are starting to appear.
French health care is among the most accessible in the world and open to all residents. At least two insurance companies–Advantage Insurance Associates and European Benefits–offer affordable health and life insurance to Americans abroad. Moreover, if expatriates decide to enroll in the French social security system–and pay the brutally high taxes (see: “The Misery Index”)–they receive full state-run health care which is among the most comprehensive in Europe.
At the moment, Paris’ residential real estate market is a boon for everyone. Francophile Americans can buy a cozy corner in one of the world’s most romantic cities for about what they’d pay for a Manhattan pied-à-terre. And the French who are looking to retire to the ever more congenial and less frenetic suburbs or countryside are seeing their property values rising at 14% or more a year and are happy to find willing buyers with hard cash–regardless of their nationality.
“The French sellers are walking away with a lot of bucks,” says Leeds, “The French find the suburbs are becoming chic and gentrifying, and they can buy more property there for less money. They’re happy to sell out.”
So bring on the Americans. Leeds, who offers individual consultations to would-be immigrants for $290 for two hours, will hold her tenth day-long group conference in Paris on August 10. As many as 50 would-be buyers show up in Paris for study under her able tutelage and that of other experts–in fields ranging from real estate to insurance–at a fee of 347 euros, or approximately $425.
Indeed, there seems to be no end of support groups and companies for older Americans who decide to take the plunge. At the top of the list is Aide Personalisée Autonomie, or APA, which concerns itself with all disabled persons, and which has recently lifted all income requirements. Try two Web sites: http://www.esculape.com and http://www.apa.gouv.fr And http://www.agevillage.com contains a large data base of reference material on services available for the elderly (again, defined in France as over 60).
Once they arrive, older Expats will find a substantial and growing elderly population. According to l’Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (INSEE), the French statistics office in the Ministry of Economy, some 16.2% of the entire population was 65 or older as of January–up 1.4 percentage points over ten years ago (while the percentage of persons under 20 has fallen 1.2 points in the same period). Moreover, the numbers of deaths among the elderly–apart from a sharp spike during the catastrophic heat wave in the summer of 2003–has been falling regularly and is down this year by 8.5% over the average of the past four years.
Of course taking up permanent resident in France is not the only way to sample the French way of life in preparation for a possible retirement. A number of services, including http://www.parismarais.com, and http://www.apartment-paris.com, rent furnished Paris flats by the week or month. Conversely, the same services will help expatriate property-owners rent out their apartments for all or a substantial part of the year.
As Sabien Prouvost, spokeswoman for the French prime minister’s secretariat for the aging, says, “Tout le monde est bienvenue en France.”

==============================
A Country Accessible to All:
Travel hints for seniors and limited-mobility tourists visiting France…

By Derek Guzmàn

Originally published in France Guide 2005
http://www.franceguide.com
Don’t let a cane, walker, or wheelchair keep you from discovering France. The country has blossomed into a place where people with limited mobility can visit, explore, discover
and dream! Tak
e in Paris from high above, for example. Ride the funiculaire up to the Sacré-Coeur, or ascend the Eiffel Tower, or enjoy a meal as you survey the city from the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse.

“Wait a minute,” you might say. “Is all this really possible in a wheelchair?” You bet! So is strolling through Napoleon I’s apartment at Fontainebleau castle, enjoying outdoor markets, festivals and parades and easing into the relaxed atmosphere of urban parks.
Regardless of your mobility level, it’s all at your fingertips!
“Tourisme & Handicap”
In Paris and its environs, work has been done to make tourists with mobility problems feel welcome. The year 2001 saw the launch of the “Tourisme & Handicap” program, a wide-ranging effort to make Paris and the surrounding Ile-de-France region, and France in general, more accessible to all — not only people with impaired mobility, but also those who are mentally, visually and hearing impaired. Over 125 sites in Paris and Ile-de-France alone, including cultural attractions, hotels and restaurants, now carry the “Tourisme & Handicap” Label.
Go Where You Want
Work was recently completed on Paris’s first wheelchair-accessible Métro line, No. 14, which runs through the center of the city, covering a long stretch of tourist areas. All stations are equipped with street-to-platform elevators, car doors open automatically, and there’s no gap between car and platform. Many of Paris’s in-town suburban (RER) stations are also accessible, but with the help of an attendant.
Covering the tourist areas throughout the city, the vehicles of 24 Parisian bus lines are now accessible to wheelchair users. All city buses have priority seating for elderly and mobility-impaired individuals.
In addition, Taxis G7 and Ptitcar offer ramp-equipped, wheelchair-accessible taxi service and van excursions, respectively.
Beyond the city limits, RER and regional (Transilien) train systems reach well into the Ile-de-France region. Many of their stations are equipped with street-to-platform elevators. Even further afield, the French national railway (SNCF) easily accommodates wheelchairs, including on high-speed trains (TGVs), the Eurostar (to London), and the Thalys (to Brussels/Amsterdam). Please stop by the station’s Accueil (Reception) office prior to departure.

Great Deals

Seniors are honored in France, and discounts on most public transportation are available to people 60 and over. Air France offers reduced fares on flights within France (subject to availability); the SNCF has its “Carte Senior” and “Découverte” senior discounts, and Rail Europe offers a “SeniorPass.”
For a disabled person and his/her attendant, entry is free to national museums, including the Louvre and the Château de Versailles.
Room and Board
At all hotels, call ahead and ask about room access: wide elevators, wide doors, and accommodations on the ground floor. Some chain hotels such as Mercure, Novotel and Campanile, have special-offer wheelchair-accessible rooms. At Mercure, two people over 55 get a double room for the price of a single and two breakfasts for the price of one.
Searching for a place to eat is part of the Parisian adventure. Though most restaurants have steps at the entrance, many also have outdoor, heated (if necessary), accessible seating all year round.
Useful Information
“Tourisme & Handicap” Labeled sites
http://www.pidf.com (click on “Disabled People” or “Tourism and Disability”)

Maison de la France
http://www.franceguide.com (click on “Special Needs Tourism” or “Tourism and the Disabled”)

Air France http://www.airfrance.com or call (800) 237-2747 and ask about “senior” and “family” discounts.
SNCF Train discounts http://www.voyages-sncf.com (click on “Espace Senior” for “Carte Senior” and “Découverte Senior”). SNCFs special phone line for disabled travelers is 08.00.15.47.53.
Rail Europe http://www.raileurope.com (see “France Senior Pass”)
Paris subway and bus http://www.citefutee.com (click on “Facilité d’accès” for excellent maps)
Taxis G7: http://www.taxis-g7.fr
Ptitcar: http://www.ptitcar.com
Editor’s Note: The “Tourism and Handicap” label includes icons depicting the four types of handicaps: physical, visual, auditory and mental. Each icon allows disabled visitors to immediately recognize if the tourist site is accessible to them. Today, there are more than one hundred sites in the Ile-de-France regions that have received the label. For a list of just some of these attractions, visit:
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/Tourism_and_Handicap.pdf

==============================
Paris Hotel Rates Lower than Most Other Top Tourist Cities
Reprinted from France Guide 2005


http://us.franceguide.com/magazine/article
Photo by Allison Gorlin
Most Paris hotels rank more affordable compared to other top tourist cities in the world.
The Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau released results of a study done on the prices listed by hotels in the budget range (2*), mid-range (3*) and top end (4*and 4*L).
The report’s findings for some 400 hotels interviewed in 20 of the world’s top tourist cities are more than positive. In the budget sector, Paris held the third position for the cheapest city with an average rate of 83 euros, only beaten by Budapest and Frankfurt. The rates charged are well below the average overall prices for all cities in the survey, which was 113 euros. In the mid-range sector, Paris stands out with an average list rate of 173 euros, compared with London’s average price of 246 euros and New York at a price of 257 euros. Only Madrid and Barcelona have lower rates. In the high-end sector, Paris at 379 euros per room per night is one of the more expensive cities, with only Geneva surpassing it with an average rate of 412 euros. The excellent quality of 4 and 4*L hotels in Paris justifies these prices, which in 2005 are close to those of London (358 euros) and New York (332 euros). Paris’ competitiveness is also strengthened by the fact that it offers rates for single and double occupancy rooms. The differential for this is just 3% over all sectors.
For more information on Paris hotels, visit http://www.parisinfo.com.
Editor’s Note: Hotels are the number one competition to vacation apartment rentals. When pricing your apartment for rent, be sure to compare your rates with the hotels of similar quality in the same vicinity. Then price accordingly to make your apartment a viable alternative to a Paris hotel.
===============================
Take a Journey Along the Wine Road of ABC this Fall
Reprinted from France Guide 2005

http://us.franceguide.com/magazine/article

With picture-perfect scenery, medieval ruins, and well-kept local inns, the Wine Road of the ABC of France is an intoxicating journey even before you taste its namesake.
Visit ABC this fall to discover its stunning array of grape varieties, vineyards, and flavors during the harvest season. Ways of exploring wine are only slightly less plentiful than the wines themselves; though car-travel is always an option, walking and bicycling are two of the best ways to experience the charms of vine and wine up close.
In Alsace the 106-mile wine trail stretches all the way from a village named Marlenheim to Thann. Known particularly for its white wines, Alsace is home to Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Tokay-Pinot Gris, and Muscat as well as more contemporary derivations such as Crémant d’Alsace. This sparkling wine lies in flavor and locale between Champagne and Alsace, marrying the two traditions with delicious success.
The vineyards of Burgundy start in the north of the region, where you’ll find the Chablis wines, and stretches south to Dijon and Mâcon, filled with world-famous wines such as Romanée-Conti and Montrachet. Notable for both the range and quality of the wines it produces, Burgundy encompasses everything from everyday wines to some of the greatest French red and white wines of all time. Soil content varies enormously from mile to mile throughout the region, accounting for this wonderful diversity.
Though we seldom refer to it as a wine, champagne is just that. And on the magnificent wine routes throughout the Champagne-Ardenne region, you’ll find Veuve Clicquot, Moët et Chandon, Ruinart, Krug, Pommery, Dom Pérignon, and a host of other champagne houses. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is a special occasion in and of itself. This is as true of the smaller cellars as it is of these world-renowned brands, and you’ll find delicious and affordable sparkling wines there as well, so make sure you take time to visit them.
Most of the wine producers on the Wine Road offer guided tours and host wine tastings, so don’t hesitate to take a closer look along the way. Of course, touring the Wine Road this fall is also the perfect way to bring Alsace, Burgundy, and Champagne-Ardenne home with you. Uncorking a bottle of wine from your explorations is the perfect way to share experiences with friends and reminisce about your travels once you’ve returned to the States. Chances are, it will have you planning your next trip before you’ve finished your first glass.
To truly experience ABC, you’ll need a few days. Start your journey by referring to the travel packages, car rentals, tour itineraries, interactive maps and event calendars available on
http://www.abcoffrance.com

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Have your French experience published!
The Publications Department of Maison de la France/French Government Tourist Office is offering two contests that give you the chance to put your take on France in the FranceGuide magazine.
The official publication of Maison de la France/French Government Tourist Office, FranceGuide is an annual magazine with a circulation of 500,000. Printed in four different languages (English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese), it is distributed throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. The magazine is also available online in both English and Spanish.

* Where’s your favorite place to sleep in France?

*
Share your best shots of France with us

All submitted work becomes the property of Maison de la France/ French Government Tourist Office, which may edit, publish, distribute or republish it in any form. By submitting written accounts or photographs to Maison de la France/French Government Tourist Office, you certify that your submissions are your own, original work that has never been copyrighted or, if copyrighted, that you are the sole copyright owner and you agree that Maison de la France/French Government Tourist Office may publish your work, as is, or as edited by Maison de la France/French Government Tourist Office, both in print and online, or in any other media, and you grant to it a license under any copyrights you have in the work to do so, without any financial or other compensation to you. [You will be acknowledged as the owner of the copyright in the work in publications and distributions of the work.]
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Upcoming Conferences
INVEST IN FRANCE
Paris
December 28, 2005
Chez Jenny

Enjoy your Christmas vacation in Paris, and set aside JUST ONE DAY of your busy schedule visiting museums and dining on foie gras to learn how to make your money grow, while building a portfolio of some of the most desirable real estate in the world.
For more information on The Invest in France Seminars or Living in France Conference, until we have our Web site up, contact Schuyler Hoffman, Projects Manager, at [email protected]/parlerparis to be put on a special mailing list to be notified when the details are in place (very, very soon!).


THE ART OF TROMPE L’OEIL SEMINAR
Paris
December 29 – January 2

Join a unique community of artists, engaging in hands-on painting and conversation with internationally renowned trompe l’oeil muralist and educator, Yves Lanthier. An award-winning artist, Yves has created large oil paintings and elaborate trompe l’oeil that adorn the ceilings and walls of many East Coast mansions and Palm beach estates, including Celine Dion’s estate in Jupiter, Florida
 
 
 
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FPI Property Consultation, Search and Relocation Solutions
Let French Property Insider expert property consultants find your dream home in France for you. We consult with you to help you make the best decisions, ferret out the finest properties to meet your criteria, schedule the visits and accompany you, negotiate with the agencies and owners, recommend the notaires and other professionals, schedule the signings and oversee the purchase with you from start to finish! You could never do it so easily on your own. Let us take the time and effort off your hands.
FPI Offers More Relocation Solutions!
Let our experienced relocation expert help make your move easy and hassle-free. We offer complete property and relocation services normally only provided by employer hired relocation firms…but at a price much more affordable for individuals.
Solution #1: Property Consultation and Search Services
Solution #2: Purchase Assistance
Solution #3: Getting a Mortgage in France
Solution #4: Property Appraisal Service
Solution #5: The “Après Vente”

Apartments for Rent: Long-Term

To book your services, click here:
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/booking.html

To download a free brochure, click here
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/services/fpibrochure.pdf

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TODAY’S CURRENCY UPDATE

Visit the FPI Web site and click on the link on the left panel “Click Here for Currency Convertor by Moneycorp” for up to the minute conversions of all major currencies.
Compare currency values easily and quickly by visiting: https://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor.html
Charts http://www.Moneycorp.co.uk/members/charts.asp The charts below are updated every ten seconds.
The prices shown are “inter bank” exchange rates and are not the rates that yo
u will be offered by Moneycorp. Your
rate will be determined by the amount of currency that you are buying. Please speak with an Moneycorp dealer or your consultant for a live quotation.

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Parler Paris Après-Midi
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

NEXT MEETING: November 8, 2005 AND EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This is your opportunity to meet every month, often with local
professionals who can answer your Working and Living in France questions. You are invited to come for drinks and share your questions and comments about what it takes to create a life here, own property and enjoy what France has to offer. It is also an opportunity to network with other Parler Paris readers.

Upstairs at La Pierre du Marais
96, rue des Archives at the corner of rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Métro Lines 9, 3 et 11, stations Temple, République or Arts et Métiers

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HOT PROPERTY PICKS: In the Heart of ABC Wine Country
Each week French Property Insider features a range of properties which we believe are on the market at the time of writing. These properties are featured in order to give readers a sample of what is currently available and a working example of prices being asked in various regions of France and districts of Paris.
As we are not a real estate agency. These properties do not constitute a sales listing. For those readers seriously interested in finding property in Paris or France. you can retain our services to do the whole thing for you. For more information, visit https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/propertyconsultation.html
*** Alsace, 6 rooms, approx. 280m²
This 2 story villa with southern exposure is near Haguenau. It is in very good condition with a fully equipped kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom with shower and 2 toilets. It also offers a swimming pool and 30m² terrace.
Asking Price: 583,000 Euros + 2.5% Finder’s Fee
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

*** Burgundy, 8 rooms, approx. 350m²

Eight room house in Villechaud and close to Cosne sur Loire, with 5500m² of land. Includes a living room, kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and toilet, terrace, cellar and fireplace.
Asking Price: 350,000 Euros + 2.5% Finder’s Fee
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
*** Champagne-Ardenne, 9 rooms, approx. 225m²
In a quiet evironment in Montagne de Reims, this 9 room country house has a living room with dining room, separate kitchen, 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Also offers a terrace, cellar and fireplace.
Asking Price: 413,000 Euros + 2.5% Finder’s Fee
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Paris Auctions
http://www.encheres-Paris.com
Next sessions: November 8, 2005, 2 p.m.
Notaires de Paris
Place du Châtelet
12 avenue Victoria
Paris 1st

Additional information on Les Ventes aux Enchères des Notaires can be found on the website at http://www.encheres-Paris.com/ Though the site has a button for an English version, it isn’t reliable to work.
To read Schuyler Hoffman’s article about the property auctions in Paris, click on:
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/subscribersonly/articles/auctions1.html

5 rooms 158,4 m²
6 rue de Seine
75006 PARIS 6th
Opening Bid: 1,735,000 Euros

 
 
 
4 rooms 88,50 m²
28 rue Jacob
75006 PARIS 6th
Opening Bid: 587,000 Euros

 
 
 
3 rooms 55,5 m²
15 rue du Louvre
75001 PARIS 1st
Opening Bid: 190,000 Euros

 
 
 
Studio 29,5 m²
15 rue du Louvre
75001 PARIS 1st
Opening Bid: 110,000 Euros

 
 
 

3 rooms 62,7 m²
10 rue Chaligny
75012 PARIS 12th
Opening Bid: 260,000 Euros

 
 
 
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SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?
Let us help you secure a mortgage in France with interest rates as low as 3%. Visit https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/loan for more information.
================================
INSIDER PARIS GUIDES DISCOUNT FOR
FPI SUBSCRIBERS

Don’t forget that with your FPI subscription you are entitled to a discount on the purchase of any Insider Paris Guides. You’ll find details of the guides at http://www.insiderparisguides.com/. When ordering, a box will pop up allowing you to enter the following username/password

Order more than one guide at a time and you will receive an additional discount!

Username: propertyinsider Password: liveinfrance

================================

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

To access password protected pages: click on any of the links on the left panel of the home page of FrenchPropertyInsider.com under “Subscriber’s Only,” then type in your personal username and password.

Past issues of FPI are available on the website. You will find the
“Past Issues” link on the left under “Subscribers Only” or by going to
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/members/content/pastissues/index.html

To receive your free French Leaseback Report or the Paris Property
Report, click on
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/members/content/reports.html

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HELPFUL CONVERSIONS FOR REAL ESTATE

1 square meter = 10.7639104 square feet

1 hectare = 2.4710538 acres

For more conversions, refer to: http://www.onlineconversion.com/

==== CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ===

==APARTMENT RENTAL==

Leeds Marais Apartment
Available in its entirety November 22 – 28, 2005

Located in a 17th century Le Marais Hotel Particulier, this 70 square meter two-bedroom apartment with lots of light is nicely furnished and is perfect for up to four people when rented in its entirety or a single woman in the freshly renovated guest room when owner Adrian Leeds is there.
Pictures and more details available at
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/leeds.html


==APARTMENT RENTAL==

Paris, 6th Arrondissement
Near Musée Delacroix. One bedroom apartment with mezzanine, on the first floor of a building with elevator. Full kitchen, dining area, 1 bathroom with tub, carpeting.
Rate: 3000 Euros/month
Availability:
November 15 to December 8, 2005
Second week of January to March 2006

 

 
 
 
 
 
To reserve, please contact Lynda Sydney at [email protected]
==APARTMENT RENTALS==

For all short term rental apartments in Paris, take a look at https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/apartments or https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/longterm.html for long term apartments.

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SUBSCRIBE TO PARLER PARIS

If you’re not a regular reader of the Parler Paris daily e-letter, and would like to be, simply enter your e-mail address here (it’s free!): http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis

================================

Copyright 2005, Adrian Leeds Group, LLC

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