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France Made Simple

by Catharine Higginson
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Latest episodes

  • You Can’t Live Off a View: Choosing Your Life in France

    October 21, 2026 · 33 min

    That beautiful stone house might come with stunning views. But how far is the school, how much will it cost to heat, and are you about to become a full-time taxi service for your children?This week, I’m joined by my friend Natasha, who…

  • French Bank Accounts: What You Need to Know

    October 15, 2026 · 21 min

    Need a French bank account but already stuck on the proof-of-address problem? Welcome to France. In this episode of France Made Simple, I explain what new arrivals need to know about French banking, from opening an account and gathering…

  • Moving To France? Rent Before You Regret!

    October 9, 2026 · 32 min

    That gorgeous French house might tick every box. But will you actually enjoy living there? In this episode of France Made Simple, I’m joined by Ben, who helps people moving to France find long-term rentals. We discuss why renting before…

  • French Home Insurance: The Myths That Could Cost You Thousands

    September 30, 2026 · 39 min

    French home insurance is not quite as straightforward as you might expect, especially if you’re coming from the UK or another country with a different insurance system. In this episode of France Made Simple, Cat is joined by Fabien from…

  • Moving to France? 5 Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To!

    September 25, 2026 · 27 min

    Moving to France can be an exciting new chapter but there are a few mistakes that can make the transition considerably harder than it needs to be. In this episode of France Made Simple, I run through five of the most common mistakes people…

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  • French Car Insurance: Don’t Listen to Steve on Facebook!

    September 15, 2026 · 43 min

    French Car Insurance: What You Really Need to Know Car insurance in France is one of those subjects surrounded by endless urban myths, conflicting advice and the inevitable “my friend down the road does it this way” stories. In this…

  • 5 Reasons NOT to Buy a Property in France!

    September 10, 2026 · 28 min

    Buying a property in France can be exciting, romantic and, occasionally, a spectacularly expensive mistake… In this episode, I go back to one of the earliest topics I tackled on France Made Simple, finding a property in France, but with a…

  • French Healthcare Explained: What Is a Mutuelle and Do You Need One?

    September 2, 2026 · 37 min

    French health insurance can leave you facing a maze of unfamiliar terms, confusing reimbursement percentages and potentially expensive gaps in cover. Choose the wrong policy or misunderstand what it pays, and a hospital stay, dental…

  • From Little House on the Prairie to Green Bean Hell

    August 25, 2026 · 20 min

    From playing Little House on the Prairie in a London garden to fishing for mullet in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel… how exactly did that happen? In this rather more personal episode of France Made Simple, I tell the story of how a little…

  • La Rentrée in France — What You Really Need to Know

    August 18, 2026 · 28 min

    If you’re moving to France with children, already living here, or simply trying to understand what happens when the long summer holidays finally come to an end… this episode is for you. In this 30-minute episode of France Made Simple, I’m…

  • No Filter France: The Reality of Expat Life After 20 Years

    July 28, 2026 · 34 min

    This one’s a straight-up, no-filter Q&A. No polishing, no “France is perfect” fantasy, just me keeping it real! I’m answering your questions about what it’s actually like living here: financial woes, the weird social codes, the small-town…

  • What Moving to France Does to Your Mind: A Therapist’s View on Expat Life

    July 21, 2026 · 42 min

    In this episode, I’m chatting with Julia a therapist who made the move to France three years ago—and hasn’t looked back, despite the inevitable challenges along the way…! This is a really honest insight into what it’s really like to…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

Thinking about moving to France, retiring in France, or already living here? France Made Simple is the practical podcast for English speakers navigating life in France. Host Catharine Higginson has spent more than 20 years living and working in France. Each week she shares honest advice, real experiences and practical guidance on buying property, renovating French homes, visas, healthcare, taxation, bureaucracy, learning the language, culture, and the everyday realities of French life. Whether you’re planning your move, buying your dream home, starting a business, or simply trying to understand how life really works in France, France Made Simple helps you avoid costly mistakes and make confident decisions.