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Paying the Purchase Price Plus

Volume III, Issue 9

The snow has been coming down for days in Paris, light, but ceaselessly. The rooftops are white, the streets wet and slushy, the lighting a bright transfused gray. We long for spring to have sprung.
It’s miserable weather to be visiting apartments, but Yolanda Robins, Property Search Consultant and Adrian Leeds, FPI’s property search consultant, have been doing just that.
Yes, you read right…Adrian Lees.
Adrian is the newest member of our team — a young South African fellow I came to know many years ago simply because of the confusion in our names!
Someone moving to Paris at the time was referred to him by a mutual friend in South Africa, but got us mixed up by thinking I was him…and that started a long and wonderful relationship with her. That woman was Sharon Morgan, a Chicagoan who ran Bojangles Soulfood Restaurant here for several years. She has since moved back to Chicago, but Adrian and I stayed in touch.
I discovered recently that over the last few years, Adrian bought and sold more than 25 properties in Paris, renovated them and rented them. He became an expert on everything with walls! Fluent in French, Italian, English and lord knows what else, he’s a whiz kid when it comes to negotiating with the agents, handling the legal aspects of the purchase and managing a client’s needs. He’s better versed on the city of Paris than 85% of all the Parisians. Young and fit, full of energy, Adrian can visit more apartments in one day than someone like me can see in a week.
So far, he’s found the dream apartment for several clients just this past month and we look forward to working with him on many more. So, get used to the confusion between Monsieur Adrian Lees and Madame Adrian Leeds…because we’re having a hard enough time of it ourselves!
Meanwhile, there’s some very important reading for you today in FPI, so sit back, pour yourself a nice glass of wine (preferably French!) and learn about how to make your dream to live in France come true.
A bientôt…


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

P.S. Adrian can be reached at [email protected], but to schedule your search, you’ll want to contact either me or Yolanda Robins at [email protected]

P.P.S. Stop by on March 8 at Parler Paris Après Midi for a coffee, coke and chatter with us and other readers. Visit https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/apresmidi.html for more information.
================================
Volume III, Issue 9, March 3, 2005
In this issue:
* Mortage Rates Still Under 3%
* UK Mortages Go from Sterling to Euro
* Buyer Beware: The Real Role of the Notaire
* Stuck in the Social System — Q and A with Jean Taquet
* Upcoming Conferences: Reserve Now for Mary 20 – 22, 2005 in Paris
* Today’s Rates of Exchange by Moneycorp
* Praise from a Property Purchaser
* Hot Paris Property Picks: For Sale by Owner
* Leaseback News: An International Update
* Hot Picks from Imoinvest
*What’s On the Auction Block this Month
* Classified Advertising: Vacation Rentals

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MORTGAGE NEWS FROM ABBEY NATIONAL
Interest Rate Indexes (on 01/02/2005)
3 month Euribor: 2.14%
12 month Euribor: 2.31%
TEC 10: 3.62%
Source: Abbey National France Treasury Dept..

Construction Cost Index
(applicable on 01/02/2005)
2004 3rd quarter annual variation: + 4.58%
Source: INSEE

———————————————-
A Euro Re-Finance Solution for Homeowners in France With Outstanding Sterling Mortgages in the UK:
«Euro Switch Mortgage» to refinance sterling mortgages on UK property.
Over the last few months, UK base rates, used as the index for revising standard variable mortgage interest rates, have risen significantly while euro indexes (which have historically been lower) are anticipated to remain stable for the foreseeable future. At the moment, the difference between UK and French interest rates (LIBOR and EURIBOR) could allow a saving of around 2%. Therefore it makes perfect sense to switch from a sterling loan to a euro mortgage if the French property is wholly or even just pa
rtially unencumbered.

The Euro Switch Mortgage is the vehicle that will facilitate the transfer from a sterling into a euro mortgage by including:
* the outstanding capital of the UK mortgage
* redemption charges
* legal and notary fees related to the Euro Switch Mortgage in France

In addition to this, Abbey National offers an optional equity release amount of Û7,500 maximum which could be used, for example, to cover any fluctuation of exchange rates when paying off the sterling mortgage. The Euro Switch Mortgage is available for up to 80% of our valuation of the French property and for a duration from 7 to 20 years.
Contact Abbey National for more information:
Abbey National
David Anderson, Mortgage Advisor
[email protected]
or visit https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/loan
for more information on Getting a Mortgage

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The Role of the Notaire, Taxes, Legal Costs and Fees
By Adrian Leeds

The “notaire” is a public officer, under the Ministry of Law’s supervision, who draft or give authenticity to certain documents that require formality under the law (such as marriage contracts and real property deeds).
You usually hire a notaire for:
* Family matters: marriage contracts and divorces, filiation and adoption, gifts and settlements, wills, estates of deceased persons…
* Business Law: companies partnerships, transfer, merger and formation, business assets, commercial leases and sole proprietors…
* Real Estate: property sales and constructions…
* Financial and Property Administration: taxation matters, advices on your assets…

A “notaire” is a also a property specialist. He/She possesses exclusive rights to access the M.I.N. File, a national file where all property transactions are recorded, and which grants him perfect knowledge of the real-estate market. Therefore, he/she is often retained to:
* Find the property that match your requirements or sell your property quickly and at the best possible price.
* Carry out the valuation of a property, certify the area, negotiate the transaction.
* Ensure that the most appropriate tax treatment is applied and choose the best financing method.
* Help you in dealing with officialdom, by drafting the deed and other administrative formalities.

When you purchase a property in France taxes, the notaire will assess taxes and fees as per the following “Frais de notaires”:
* local government taxes
* legal fees associated to the client account
* fees (émoluments) to the notaire fixed by decree

Remuneration of a property sale are proportional to the selling price of the property, calculated by applying a percentage (rate) according to an official tarif, national and obligatory.
Fixed remunerations are applied to certain formalities carried out by the notaire, such as certification of a birth.
Remuneration is negotiable for such transactions as when a notaire connects a buyer and seller.
The notaire must disburse (débourses) the fees associated with the registration of certain legal documents, the administration and taxes, such as certification stamps, TVA and transfer taxes.
Example:
For a property priced at 176,000 euros, the calculation of the proportional remuneration of the sale is as follows:
* from 0 to 3,050 Euros: 5.00% = 152.50 Euros
* from 3,050 to 6,100 Euros: 3.30% = 100.65 Euros
* from 6,100 to 16,770 Euros: 1.65% = 176.05 Euros
* from 16,770 Euros to 176,000 Euros: 0.825% = 1,313.64 Euros

Therefore a total of 1,742.84 Euros plus TVA at 19.60% is assessed.
In estimation, notaire taxes and fees are as follows:
Purchase Price (Euros) Fee as % of Price Fee in Euros (approximate)

Purchase Price (Euros)
Fee as percentage of purchase price
Fee in Euros (approx)
45,000
8.67
3,900
60,000
8.00
4,800
75,000
7.60
5,700
90,000
7.31
6,580
120,000
6.98
8,380
150,000
6.78
10,170
225,000
6.52
14,660
300,000
6.38
19,150
375,000
6.30
23,620
450,000
6.25
28,110
600,000
6.18

</td >

37,080
750,000
6.14
46,040


BUYER BEWARE

Notaires are often notorious for adding fees when you least expect it. Such was the case for one of our client’s this past week. His notaire charged him a 1% fee to calculate the capital gains tax on a property he sold and was told that it was charged by the government. In further investigation, I learned that it was not true. Either the notaire misrepresented himself or the client misunderstood.
Sam Okoshken, a tax attorney in Paris, made these comments about the assessment: “The notaire is required by law to do the calculation, and to protect himself, farms it out to an ‘expert comptable'(CPA). I have seen it expressed as a flat amount (usually high!), but this is first time I have heard of a percentage. It is probably something that can be negotiated. It is certainly not required by law.
Jean Taquet, a legal advisor, added these comments: In this case this is what I would verify: “The notaire almost always charges a substantial fee for the calculation and the declaration of the capital gain taxes. The capital gains tax is not a straight 16% or so on what has been identified to be the ‘capital gain.’ This 1% could be one of the elements that makes the capital gain in France. Bottom line, I have never heard about any tax in France where one is charged a fee to submit a declaration. Indeed the French system works with declaration for just about all the taxes related to income. I just went through a sale that had a substantial issue regarding capital gain. I can assure you that the notaire did 100% of the work calculation and declaration. I have no specific memory of the fee my notaire charged but it was nowhere near 1%.”
It is also frequently the case that an Anglophone client will request the documents translated to English. If you do so, expect the translations to be costly, about 25 euro cents per word. A deed could therefore easily cost 1,500 to 2,000 Euros. Because the documents are mostly “boiler plate” and quite standard, it is not normally necessary to translate the documents, except for your own peace of mind.
With that, notaires that speak English, often add a fee for his/her linguistic talent! But again, this is not necessary. There are many notaires in France that will happily employ their command of the English language at no charge to the client.
Everything that is paid to the notaire is recorded and the itemized bills are normally detailed. Take advantage of this to verify the notaire’s charges. And if you want to rest assured you will not be charged wrongly, do not hesitate to ask for estimates each step along the way. Even more importantly, before you employ a notaire, get referrals from your advisors and friends.
We are happy to recommend the notaires we work with at FPI. Write us at [email protected] for the notaires of our choice.
Editor’s Note: For more information, visit the Chambre de Notaires de Paris site at http://www.paris.notaires.fr/hpr.php?cID=3
===============================
Jean Taquet’s Practical Answers:
March 1, 2005
Paying Social Charges the Rest of Your Life

QUESTION
I am an American citizen working here in France, and have been paying into the French Social Security system for many years now. When I called to ask my expiry date of eligibility, I was told that the law had changed and that I will now be in the system forever — does that mean that it is possible that my medical coverage now will have no expiration date? Is this true, even if I leave the country for several years and return later?

ANSWER
Before answering your question, I must make one crucial point in order to help you understand what seems to be an incredible, “too good to be true” deal. In the USA, almost all the medical coverage that exists for individuals comes from the private sector, which means the insurance industry, and the coverage implemented from the public sector (mainly MEDICARE and MEDICAID) tend to work like a private insurance policy with deductible, co-payment, maximum coverage per procedure, per year, lifetime policy. Therefore, there is a segment of the American population that has absolutely no medical coverage.

The French medical health coverage system is firstly a government monopoly, and secondly, the law states that one way or another, all French residents must be covered. The government policy is to include everyone as much as possible and never to exclude.
Therefore, your statement, as you wrote it, is inaccurate. However, the message that one can be covered forever without paying into the system is close to 100% accurate, depending on the circumstances, which need to be clearly defined in order to be pertinent and, therefore, meaningful.
As an employee, you must qualify with some requirements in order to obtain bona fide coverage. These requirements deal with two issues:
how long you have worked in France as an employee, and how much you are paid:

– For one month you have worked at least 60 hours or have paid the social charges on a salary at least equal to 60 times the hourly minimum wage (“SMIC horaire”);
– For one quarter you have worked at least 120 hours or have paid the social charges on a salary at least equal to 120 times the hourly minimum wage (“SMIC horaire”);
– For one year you have worked at least 1,200 hours or have paid the social charges on a salary at least equal to 2,030 times the hourly minimum wage (“SMIC horaire”).
Should you comply with one of the above-mentioned requirements, you would then have the right to be called an actively insured person for medical and disability coverage.
Should you cease working, you would eventually lose the status mentioned above and change to another status which, due to the credits you accrued during your time of employment, would allow you to be automatically covered for a p
eriod of four years without paying anything into the system. This is purely for coverage of medical bills. Indeed, the right to a pension due to either Workers’ Compensation or the generic disability subsidy requires more seniority than that. If you are registered as an unemployed person who is actively looking for work and can prove it every four months, then you will keep this coverage indefinitely.

At the end of the four years, if (for whatever reason) you are not actively looking for work, you could still qualify for this coverage under another status, probably as a dependent (of your spouse or partner, of your child, of your parent). If you are not in a position to be covered as a dependent, then you are eligible for the “Couverture Médicale Universelle” (CMU) coverage. However, since the cost of this type of medical coverage depends on your worldwide income, including unearned income, this CMU coverage could suddenly become quite expensive, since the annual premium equals total annual income, minus 6,849 euros, multiplied by 0.08 (8%). On the other hand, if there are several people in the same house, this constitutes a French fiscal household, in which case, the premium is calculated differently: total annual income divided by the number of people in the household, minus 6,849 euros, multiplied by 0.08 (8%). Should the result of this calculation be either zero or negative, then full coverage under the CMU program would be yours free of charge.
The bottom line is that, as long as these people are French residents and maintain a low enough income, they will, indeed, be covered indefinitely without paying into the system. However, should they lose their French residency, then they would no longer be part of the system and would lose their rights to this coverage.
Editor’s Notes:
Jean Taquet is a French jurist and associate member of the Delaware Bar Association, specializes in civil, criminal and commercial law. He frequently gives courses about the legal system in France and regularly speaks at the Living in France Conferences in the U.S. and Paris. He is also well known for his informative Q and A columns in past Paris Voice magazines, which can now be purchased in one document as “The Insider Guide to Practical Answers for Living in France”(http://www.insiderParisguides.com/answers/index.html)
To subscribe to his monthly newsletter, email Jean Taquet at [email protected][email protected]
To make an appointment with Jean Taquet for his consultation services:
Phone: Cell: 06.16.81.48.07 or email [email protected]

To read this month’s column in it’s entirety, click here:
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/practicalanswers.html

===============================
UPCOMING LIVING IN FRANCE CONFERENCES
Working and Living in France
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/liveinfrance/WLIF_PARIS_2005/WLIF_PARIS_2005_home.html
May 20 – 22, 2005
Paris, France
Les Jardins du Marais

Invest in France
One-Day Seminar
August 10, 2005
Paris, France
Les Jardins du Marais

Invest in France One-Day Seminar
October 4, 2005
New York City

Living and Investing in France
October 7 – 9, 2005
San Francisco, California
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf

Invest in France
One-Day Seminar
December 28, 2005
Paris, France
Les Jardins du Marais

Reservations and information:
If you’d like to know more about the seminar or reserve your place, email Schuyler Hoffman.

U.S. OFFICE 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time
Schuyler Hoffman, Special Projects Manager
Phone 1-310-427-7589
Email: [email protected]/parlerparis

PARIS OFFICE 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Paris Time
Adrian Leeds
From the U.S. or Canada
+1 (310) 427-7589
From Outside U.S. or Canada
+33 (0) 1.40.27.97.59
Email: [email protected]/parlerparis
===============================
       
TODAY’S CURRENCY UPDATE
Visit the FPI Web site and click on the link on the left panel “Click Here for Currency Currency Convertor by Moneycorp Global Money Services/Currency Online 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 you 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.
===============================
SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?
Let us help you secure a mortgage in France with interest rates as low as 3%. Visit http://www.adrianl
eeds.com/frenchproperty/loan
for more information.

==============================
PROPERTY SEARCH SERVICES
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.
For more information, visit https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/propertyconsultation.html or contact Yolanda Robins, [email protected]

==============================
Praise from Paris Property Purchaser
By Adrian Leeds

There’s nothing more satisfying for us than seeing a conference attendee take the wealth of knowledge offered by these fine professionals to go on to fulfill their dreams to own a property in France.
Dan Maddux was one of many of our participants to make it a reality, and within a very short amount of time. It was only last September that he attended the Living and Investing in France Conference in Washington, DC, but he wasted no time to find his “coup de coeur” in a 17th-century hôtel particulier renovated apartment just a half-block from place Beaubourg in the very heart of Paris…with the legal advice of John Howell and Co. and the property search expertise of French Property Insider.
The negotiations between seller and buyer on the apartment were a bit of a roller-coaster ride, but the signings of both the Promesse de Vente and the Acte de Vente went relatively smoothly, deeding the property to him just a week or so ago.
Dan arrives in Paris next week, and will find new built-in bookcases and specialty units, installed while he is Stateside, to move in officially to his beautiful two-bedroom, two-bath luxury apartment he hopes to enjoy while he’s in Paris and rent as vacation accommodations while he’s not.
Without our knowledge, a new friend of FPI seeking to purchase a new apartment of his own, contacted Dan for his thoughts on the process and the service. Dan was not shy to tell his story. This is what transpired between them…words which may help you decide for yourself if a purchase in France is what is in your future:
-Original Message-
From: Dan Maddux
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2005 4:01 PM
Subject: FPI Reference for French Property Insider

Hello Dave,
I first met Adrian Leeds at a seminar that she was conducting in Washington D.C. It was a goal of mine to purchase an apartment in Paris, not only for my enjoyment, but also for investment purposes.
I manage a company that primarily gives seminars and education events. I felt that the information I gained from Adrian’s seminar was an invaluable investment. Not only did I learn a lot about ownership in France, but I made contacts that I don’t think I could have easily accomplished outside the introduction that this course provided.
Before meeting Adrian at the seminar, I had received a referral from a relocation company in the US. After communicating with a real estate agent in Paris for months, the agent informed me the day that I arrive in Paris that she was not interested in working with me. Thank goodness I had set up the initial meeting with Adrian, or the entire apartment hunting trip would have been wasted.
I don’t currently speak enough French to even effectively order in a restaurant! While I wouldn’t recommend not knowing French to people who want to own property in France, Adrian and her colleagues made the whole process painless and achievable for me.
When I decided to use French Property Insider’s services, I met with Adrian in Paris and she had one of her representatives spend a complete day showing me apartments. I thought it would take several visits to find the apartment for my purposes and that met my expectations. The last apartment I saw on the first day of hunting was the apartment I ended up purchasing. The apartment met all of my wants, needs and desires. By the end of the day, Adrian had joined us for a second viewing of the apartment and that evening we discussed the offer to the seller.
My first visit to apartment hunt was four days. On the second day we found the apartment and by the time I left Paris, I had met with Abbey National and BPI.
I have to tell you, Abbey National and BPI were both absolutely wonderful to work with. I only wish mortgage companies in the US were so accommodating! The hardest decision was which one to go with.
My particular scenario came with a few complications from the seller. Adrian, Yolanda other colleagues of FPI were able to work out all the difficulties. The uniqueness of my purchase with the seller was different than the normal process, but despite this, everything worked out in my favor.
I closed on the apartment a few weeks ago. The signing of the initial contract and closing of the sale was handled by FPI. I provided power of attorney in both situations, because my travel schedule in the US did not permit me to be present.
Currently, Yolanda has been handling the transfer of my utilities, telephone and Internet services and she also attended an important homeowners meeting about a renovation issue that the previous owner had pending. I had also decided to have some cabinets installed before I arrive in Paris and Adrian and Yolanda helped to coordinate the installation with the cabinet company and provide them access in my absence.< /p>
My advice to you is that utilizing French Property Insider’s services will make the whole process of purchasing your home in Paris much easier than if you were to attempt it on your own. The real estate market, apartment listings and real estate agent involvement is much different in France than in the US. If I hadn’t contracted with FPI, I would probably still be going back and forth between the US and Paris to hunt a down a good opportunity, all the while frustrating myself and many listing agencies as well. Not to mention, having spent a great deal of money too!
In the outcome, the savings of finding the property so quickly and Adrian’s help in the negotiations process, more than paid for FPI’s services.
Sorry for my long-winded reference, but I thought it might be helpful to you to have a thorough understanding of why I have given Adrian, Yolanda, Miranda and everyone at French Property Insider such a high recommendation!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me again, if I can answer any other questions.
Best of Luck!
Sincerely, Dan Maddux
Editor’s Note: To read more of these kinds of encouraging words…
we’ve started a new page of client testimonials at https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/testimonials.html

 
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PARIS PROPERTY PICKS: FOR SALE BY OWNER
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
* FOR SALE BY OWNER
Rue des Filles du Calvaire, 32 square meter studio with 3 big (new) windows overlooking a quiet courtyard, with a Murphy bed, lots of closets and storage. The bath has both shower and tub and the kitchen has a gas stovetop, heating is also gas.
Asking Price: 215,000 Euros + 2% Finder’s Fee
For more information, contact Yolanda Robins, [email protected]

* FOR SALE BY OWNER
Nice “patrimoine” to repair in Corrèze (next to the Dordogne), outstanding ancient property (at least XVIIth century) comprising:
– one house: stone walls, oak beams, 150 m2 on 2 levels, with a “cantou” (typically local huge fireplace) and a “souillarde” (typically local stone-arched small room), exceptional rare framework, vaulted cellar and cellar under the house. Internal heavy work needed.
– one stone-walled barn (possible to make 3 levels on 150 m2). In need of repair.
– located on 2500 m2 of land (including very nice little wood with hazelnut and chestnut trees!)
Only private, no agency.

Asking Price: 100,000 euros + 2% Finder’s Fee
For more information, contact Yolanda Robins, [email protected]
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LEASEBACK NEWS FROM IMMOINVEST
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/frenchproperty/insider/sales/leasebacks/lb_list.php
March International Update
February confirmed the trend of high demand we experienced in January. The majority of investments were in luxury and investment properties providing very strong profitability and capital growth. Geographically, these investments were distributed between Alps, Paris and, showing that summer is indeed not far away, along the Mediterranean and Bulgarian Coasts.
France and Bulgaria always represent the most attractive areas thanks primarily to the quantity and quality of their products, but also because these areas experience the strongest growth throughout Europe. France, for example, recorded an increase of 1.2% for the month of January alone, and 15.5% over the last twelve months. Furthermore, particularly low interest rates within the euro zone accentuate the interest of real estate investments, compared to other financial products much less profitable and protected.
Our recent closings show this high quality market increasingly encourages investors to acquire a portfolio of several of real estate products, including classic and of one or more leaseback.
— Pascal Morin, IMOINVEST Paris
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HOT PROPERTY PICKS BY IMMOINVEST:
* LARGE HOME AND GARDEN JUST 20 MINUTES FROM PARIS
France – Paris / Ile de France – Aubonne

NEW ON THE MARKET!
Euros 683,700 to Euros 683,700 + 2% Finder’s Fee
Near to the Montmorency forest, 20 minutes from Paris and 30 minutes from CDG airport, you will find the Residence Aubonne. Comfortably situated in the centre of Aubonne, this family estate was built with high quality materials: offering 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a vast lounge with stone fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, wine cellar, garage, and electric gate.
The old city of Aubonne is experiencing a modern day revival, with many achievements already carried out, such as the restoration of the Castle, the Town Hall, construction and extension of the College, and construction of a public underground park. It is the main concern of the local government to encourage harmonious development of the city in order to guarantee to future inhabitants the same quality of life that they experience today.

* OWN YOUR OWN FRENCH CHATEAU
France – Center / South – Figeac

NEW LISTING!
Euros 1,680,000 to Euros 1,680,000 + 2% Finder’s Fee
A classical four-storied building flanked by two circular towers, the chateau was built on foundations dating from the early middle ages. It was officially recognised as a chateau by the King in 1555. Bessonies lies in the heart of the Haut Quercy region, the famous Segala Garden. The Chateau de Bessonies at the heart of the village welcomes you to stay and relax in its peaceful atmosphere and discover its unique history
Three years ago this 15th century chateau was on the verge of ruin. It had slept untouched for nearly a century, its grandeur gently decaying. The splendour of its former glory is now being painstakingly restored by a brave and visionary new owner and her family.
Beautifully restored the two salons with their huge windows, the dramatic 5 metre wide fireplace, the delightful bedrooms offering all the comforts of today in period style deserve your appreciation. The chateau has four en-suite bedrooms, 5 other bedrooms and 300 sqm that can be accommodated.
Year Built : 1550
Parking : 8 Spaces
Area : 1200m2
Chateau de Bessonies was the last home of Marechal d’Empire Ney (1769-1815) remembered as ” Napoleon’s own hero ” who fled here, his final refuge before capture by the Bourbons. Returned to Paris he stood trial for treason for taking Napoleon’s side during his “100 day coup” prior to Waterloo. This exciting tale comes to life when recounted in his library with its original curving shelves in the chateau turret .
Bessonies lies in old rural France where milk comes direct from the farm dairy, the annual pig from the mayor and your journeys are not spent in a long queue of English registration cars. The rolling hills and great beauty of this unspoilt area entice you to linger and explore nearby places of interest; Figeac, Rocamadour, Padirac, Saint Cere and the superb walking in Monts du Cantal and Salers . For the more sporting nearby Tolerme Lake offers beach and watersport facilities, fishing, riding and for golfers there is the renowned Haute Auvergne.
Whatever the excitements of the day and the delights of the local cuisine and wines, the Chateau de Bessonies welcomes you back to roaring fires in winter and shade in summer beneath its plane trees in the three hectares of grounds with lovely walks and the chapel, wood and camp to explore.
Activities : The Château de Bessonies is an ideal starting point for discovering the local region:
*
Walking: Various authorised routes are available for mountain-bikes & horse-riding.; Botanical workshops; The Ségala ramblers’ circuit (137 Km)
*
Swimming: Lake Tolerme is only 8 km away. The 38 hectare lake is set amidst landscaped parkland and has its own sandy beach and watersports: windsurfing, pedalos, rowing.
*
Sports: The Haute Auvergne golf course: “A magnificent couse, and one of an absolute calm, a return to nature along the contours of the Puys foothills” (Golf Magazine)
*
Riding
*
Day-trips and excursions – Figeac: Artistically rich historical town (Champollion museum), Saint-céré: Medieval town, Nearby Chateaux: Castelnau, Montal, St Laurent les tours, The Grottes: Presque, Pechmerle, Le Gouffre de Padirac,
*
Beauty spots: Rocamadour, Autoire, Loubressac, Collonge-la-Rouge, Saint-cirq-Lapopie, les Monts d’Auvergne.
ACCESS :
*
By Plane: Nearest airport – Aurillac, Aéroport de Rodez (1h15 drive away).
*
By Train : Direct train links from Paris to Figeac (40mins drive away).
*
By Car: From Figeac. Take the N122 via Bagnac-sur-Célé. Enter into Maurs. Continue along the Avenue de Bagnac (N122) for 1km, then turn left onto rue Tour de Ville and continue along the Route de Quézac. Complete directions with be given upon application.
*
By Car: From Paris. Autoroute A6, then A10, then A71 and finally the A20 (about 580 km in total) to Figeac.
================================

Paris Auctions
http://www.encheres-Paris.com

Next sessions:
March 22, 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

2 Rooms 31,8 m²
264 rue Saint Honoré
75001 PARIS 1st
Opening Bid: 115,000 Euros
Deposit: 23,000 Euros
3 Rooms 103 m² + box
60/62 boulevard Flandrin
75016 PARIS 16th
Opening Bid: 400,000 Euros
Deposit: 80,000 Euros
2 Rooms 37,3 m²
85 ter rue de Charenton
75012 PARIS 12th
Opening Bid: 80,000 Euros
Deposit: 16,000 Euros
5 Rooms 145 m² + débarras
12 rue des Beaux Arts
75006 PARIS 6th
Opening Bid: 928,000 Euros
Deposit: 185,600 Euros
2 Rooms 38,22 m²
2 rue Boissonnade
152/156 boulevard du Montparnasse
75014 PARIS 14th
Opening Bid: 152,000 Euros
Deposit: 30,400 Euros
3 Rooms 83,35 m²
19 rue Saint Guillaume
75007 PARIS 7th
Opening Bid: 396,000 Euros
Deposit: 79,200 Euros

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


PARLER PARIS APRES MIDI

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 8th, 2004 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.

For a detail description of the past meeting and for more information
about Parler Paris Après Midi, visit:
https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

LOCATION:
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

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

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 this password protected page:

The username is: fpisubscriber
The password is: paris1001

If your computer utilizes cookies, once you log into a subscriber only section, the login information will remain active for seven days, after which you will have to login again.

– 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/subscribersonly/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/subscribersonly/reports.html

======= CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ======

==APARTMENT RENTAL==

Think of coming to Paris before it high season — check http://www.parismarais.com — THE reference Web site for le Marais. Discover selected hotels and the best places to shop as well as last minute promotions on luxury weekly rentals.
For example: 4-star studios at only 100 euros per night instead of 140 or a loft rue Charlot at only 800 Euros per week… Visit now!
http://www.parismarais.com

==GUEST ROOM/CHAMBRE D’HOTE==
Leeds Marais Guest Room
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 a single woman in the freshly renovated guest room when owner Adrian Leeds.
Pictures and more details available At https://adrianleeds.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletters/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/leeds.html

==APARTMENT RENTAL==

The best and easiest way to find an apartment in Paris…

So, you want to rent your own “pied-à-terre” for a week, a month or a year? It’s easy — there are thousands of apartments in Paris to call home, but it’s not so fast and easy to surf through all the thousands to fine the one perfect for you.

For just $39, we’ll do all the legwork and you’ll just move in and unpack. Let us do a customized search for you with our favorite short-term vacation rental agents!

To start your search, contact Yolanda Robins 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.

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

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/

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

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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