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A look at the traditional rice cultivation in the region, and a yummy recipe too! The first cultivation of rice in the Camargue dates back to around 1600. There are now 10,000 hectares of rice grown in the region, much of it exported across the world. "Camargue Rice"

"Camargue red rice"Rice might seem a pretty ordinary food, an item we take for granted. It goes with our curry or risotto, it is more of an add-on than a feature ingredient. But the majority of rice consumed in France is grown right here in the south of France, in the Delta of the Rhône valley. And not just any rice, but many varieties, including the gourmet red rice used by the best chefs. This has a great colour, fantastic texture and nutty flavour.

Situated in the far south west, nestled between the Quercy to the north, Languedoc-Roussillon to the south and Aquitaine to the west, the Midi-Pyrénées is France’s largest geographical region (it comprises eight départements) and boasts a wide variety of property styles at vastly different prices.

Thinking of buying a property in Languedoc-Roussillon? This article is an introductory guide to the region covering climate, landscape, attractions, access, property styles and prices.

Twenty years ago, Carol and I were best friends when we both lived in the Sussex village of Wineham. My...

The golden rule is that you cannot be too careful and if the seller tells you not to conduct a full investigation then you should become very suspicious...

The Dordogne is predominantly rural and agricultural, which means that the local cuisine is based on local produce, eaten in season. Forget the waxy tastelessness of the supermarket vegetables ...

Don't listen to what people say about property in the Dordogne being scarce - there's masses to buy, at all prices. The days of the tumbledown barn for five ...

Following the success of the buy to let as an investment idea, many people have begun to investigate the possibility...

Frequently Asked Questions about Mortgages for French Property Q. How much will I be able to borrow? Most lenders in...

Confused about French mortgages? Do you want some help to find the best option for you? These pages are designed to give you everything you might need to help you through the process of buying your property.

Most people will purchase a permanent or second home in France with a mortgage. With a number of mortgage products on both the French and overseas markets, choosing the right French mortgage for your financial and personal circumstances is an important decision.

The families of the book all work in southwest France growing malbec grapes, from which they have been making very good, very different wines for more than a hundred years...

Discover what the Herault has to offer. The difference in areas, the attractions, the prices, the weather and the trends in the Herault property and real estate market. "Herault Property Guide"

Languedoc-Roussillon is popular with sun-seekers, but this diverse part of the south of France has dramatically different climatic conditions. Here’s how to find the Languedoc home that’s right for you, whatever the weather. "Buying with the weather in mind"

You've bought your dream house, spent a fortune renovating it, said goodbye to the builders, moved in…and then the problems start. A prolonged drought dries out the ground and ...

Whether you need to get over your nerves or take a test to get a French licence, here's some advice to get you started...

[IMAGE-MISSING] If you are travelling around the Languedoc plain you will come across village built in a circular pattern. So, you might ask, why a circle? There are paintings of circular towns dating back to Roman and Greek times, as the circle was considered the ideal form in those days. But was this merely a pictorial ideal? Between the eleventh and twelfth centuries a whole series of circular villages emerged in this region, evidence of a planned architectural model. They only exit, moreover, in the southern part of France, and are thought to be the first example of urban development of the Middle Ages.

In this guide we offer an introduction to the "Calvisson"Gard Department for property buyers. This article reports on the different areas of the Gard, the Haut Languedoc and the Cévennes; property prices and trends in the region, flood zones, mosquito prone zones, and best locations for reaching facilities and transport.

Once you’ve enrolled your child in a French school and learnt the differences regarding school days, holidays, and lunches in France,...

[IMAGE-MISSING]One of the joys of gardening is seeing your garden grow in sheer numbers of plants that you have produced yourself. Obviously there is always the time and ...

Peter and Zoe Scott decided to make their home in Mondounet, near Montcuq in the Lot valley. Fifteen years on, they look back on the choice as one of the best decisions they ever made

It's almost impossible to overemphasise the power that Dordogne property can exercise over the English. Decisions are made with frightening speed, often with scarcely any knowledge of the ...

In the Languedoc-Roussillon apéritifs are more than something to eat and drink before a meal, they are an entire social custom! Here is our quick beginner's guide to the apéritifs popular in the region including Pastis, Kir, Kir Royal, Muscat, Banyuls, Maury, Byrrh and Noilly Prat. "Apéritif"

Vive la difference! To live in the Lot is to be immediately overwhelmed by the sense of space, both public...

Did you know that the Lot has its own, English speaking, local radio station? Part of the Antenne d’Oc network, Britdock is broadcast live every Thursday afternoon from 4 till 7pm. One of the founders and veteran of five years broadcasting, Mike Gardiner takes up the story...

Solar heating Heat your pool with one of the most reliable solar heating systems available for your pool. How does...

Flooding or can be a serious problem in certain areas of the Languedoc. It is therefore vital that all prospective home buyers are aware of flood zones, the legal obligations that exist on vendors, and what to do in the event of a flood. "Languedoc Flood Zones"

The Vaunage is a specific area of the Gard department, west of Nimes, which offers buyers the rural idyll of charming stone houses set in small provencal villages where the pace of life is slow. It is authentic Provence in Languedoc. "Vaunage Property Guide"

Keith and Helen Archibald have been running a successful bed & breakfast and gîte business in the Corrèze since 2001...

A recent study showed that Montpellier is one of just eight cities in France most likely to withstand a fall in property prices in the French market, making Montpellier a relatively safe bet going forward. And with its excellent location, close to the sea under the warm Mediterranean sun of the South of France, it's no wonder that Montpellier is the French city that more French people want to live in than any other! "Montpellier Property"

Figs can be used in a variety of ways; they are quite delicious served fresh for breakfast with a thick yoghurt or crème fraiche. They are equally delicious poached with sugar and lemon juice and served in the same way. But I like them best when ...

When my husband and I decided to come to France for a year in September 1999, we had no idea that five years later we would have a Galerie de Peinture, in Saint Antonin Noble Val, and that Tom would have a book published in English & French ...

Thinking of buying a property in Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur? This article is an introductory guide to the region covering climate, landscape, access, property styles and prices.

[IMAGE-MISSING]David and Nydia Moss have had a long-standing love affair - with their property in Provence...

Amicale Creusoise de Vehicules d'Epoque (23) Local classic car club (vehicles more than 25 years old). Meets regularly in Creuse and welcomes new members.

Tie the beef into shape and put with the knuckle of veal into a large casserole with the salt, pepper and 3 litres of water. Bring to the boil, skim and simmer gently...

The most ancient game of bowls in France is practised in the western part of France, especially in Brittany. The game is also called boule en bois, because the boules ...

The Surrounding Region Just some of the unusual sights jostling for space in this region are: bullfighting at Mont de...

To any visitor the most obvious difference between Brittany and the rest of France is the Breton language. This is not always high-profile in everyday life but everywhere are examples ...

Guests frequently approach us with questions such as; “How long is the Park open for?” “What are the annual Site...

From the UK to France and Back Again Following the sale of our UK house, we realised that the French...

Roger Lee is often asked what he does all day now that he has retired to the sunny south. He used to say "Oh, you know, a bit of this and a bit of that" - he felt a bit lazy to admit how easy it is to fill the day doing absolutely nothing. But, that was before something dramatic happened ...

There are as many deliciously different Pâtés in France as there are households to make them. Pâté Maison is a traditional family staple. The recipe varies enormously from region to region and everyone has their own version...

"Restaurant"A café shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant. A café provides coffee, drinks and snacks at the bar. These could consist of a Croque Monsieur, pastries, soups or...

Pineau des Charente was not made by trial and error, utilising various grape forms to produce a magnificent wine. No, legend has it, back in the 16th Century, ...

The English, Dutch and Scandiavians have been enjoying the wines of Poitou Charente since as early as the 13th Century. In the 16th Century the wines were transformed into ...

Many nightmare properties are still being bought by unsuspecting buyers, who are lulled into a false sense of security by comments such as 'here in France we don't have surveys done', says chartered building surveyor Martin Rushton

Finding a good tradesman in France isn't usually too difficult – finding one who can do the work quickly is quite a different matter! It helps to understand how the building trade functions so that you can comprehend why your builder will take a long lunch hour and disappear at midday on a Friday.

Peter Mayle described Provence as a cold country with a high rate of sunshine and a place where the summers are consistently hot. Both of these comments are also said to be true elsewhere in the South of France - the Lot and Quercy region, but let’s look at some actual figures...

[IMAGE-MISSING]"I've done something really stupid", Kate looked at me with tears in her eyes. "You've scratched one of my records haven't you?" I was joking, but I knew in my heart what it was ...