After an extended summer and some lovely warm October days, the autumn season has finally arrived in Languedoc! The wine-harvest ‘les vendanges’ has been one of the longest for many years, and in spite of hailstorms and heavy rains, indications are that this crop will be a good one – so keep an eye out for Languedoc wines from 2018!

The winter evenings may be drawing-in but there’s plenty going on in the region at this time of year, especially when it comes to food and drink. We’ve compiled a list of autumn events and other suggestions of things to see and do – there’s something for everyone here!

Are you looking to perfect your French or just achieve the basic survival level? Wherever you are along the learning curve, you’re going to need a game plan. Mastering French doesn’t happen on its own – it takes time, effort and commitment.

If you live in France, you’ve probably heard that big changes are coming to the income tax declaration/withholding system. Historically, taxpayers have filed a declaration and paid tax on income earned in the previous year…no income tax was withheld at the source. From 2019, the “Prélèvement à la source” (P.A.S.) will be applied to almost all French sources of income. This concerns salaried workers (employees or self-employed) as well as retirees. Employers or the paying agencies will deduct the tax due at the time of the payment.

Want to know how to get a French permis de conduire? It may depend on whether you have a Driving Licence or a Driver’s License! Read more in this comprehensive guide for English speakers on how to get a French driver’s license (permis de conduire).

Two years on and many Britons in France are feeling very threatened by the outcome of the UK’s June 2016 referendum on leaving the EU. Brexit has not happened yet, and Renestance does not wish to join any political debate. However, as we help English-speakers moving to France from both inside and outside the EU, we want to provide accurate and helpful information to our British friends as the deadline draws closer.

Have you heard about the famous Catch-22 in France where you need a bank account to rent housing but need an address to open an account? If you’re moving to France, this may be one of the first administrative hurdles you face. As our mission at Renestance is helping English-speakers live out their French dream, we often help them clear this obstacle early on.