Internet & Phone

France Telecom/Orange English Speaking Customer Service (customer service only extends to selling you the connection)

0800 364 775 (in France)

00 33 155 364 775 (from UK)

There are a variety of options available some of which depend on the quality of the line to your property eg phone, phone & internet and phone,
internet &  tv

There are also other providers for internet once you have you France Telecom line installed as well as companies that will provide special deals for international and mobile calls

Electricity

   

This is the English part of the EDF website. They are the electricity suppliers in France. Bills are issued every two months and there are various tariffs to choose from. In part the standing charge you pay is determined by the rating in kilowatts of your electricity supply. This can be as low as three and goes up in multiples of three. It is simple and free of charge to get your supply upgraded by contacting EDF.

You can pay your bills on their web site, by cheque and also by direct debit. This is their web site in English

edf.fr

They also have an English speaking customer services number

0033 56 216 49 08. which I have used and found them to be very helpful

Water

Is metered bills are annual. The water pressure can be really high we have fitted a pressure reducer to our supply to maintain it below 3.5 bar. This extends the life of taps etc and reduces consumption.

We also have a well which we use to water the garden as do many country properties. Spring or well water should be tested before being used for drinking or bathing.

Someone we know has plumbed their toilet to the well water which seems like a pretty good idea.

Taxes

We get three bills that would equate to the council tax bill in the UK

Tax d'Habitation based on the value of the house

Tax Fonciere based on the value of the land

Bill for disposing of rubbish. There is a weekly collection, in addition large items can be collected once a month the dates are published and you ring the Marie to tell them you have something. There are also many sites for re-cycling your bottles, papers and plastic waste in the villages.

These just arrive we have not had to let anyone know I presume the notaire did this.