UK Office: 0044 (0)1440 820 358

Clé France

The French Property Network

Feb 14

Who Was Saint Valentine?

Qui était saint Valentin? (Who was Saint Valentine?)

Today is a day that is both loved (and possibly loathed) around the world. However, in France, a Saint-Valentin is particularly a holiday for lovers and only means one thing, Love.

Cle France Blogs

Valentines Day has its origins in the life of the real Saint Valentine, who lived in the third-century. According to some Catholic tradition, Saint Valentine was martyred on a road to Rome in 269 AD. However, very little is known about him and stories about his life–and death–diverge. According to the French Catholic website Nominis...  

“Il était, dit-on, évêque de Terni en Italie et jouissait du renom de thaumaturge. Un miracle le fit connaître comme chrétien et le préfet de Rome fit mettre à mort celui qui avait mis ses pouvoirs de prêtre et ses talents de médecin au service des chrétiens prisonniers pour leur foi.”

(He was, it is said, the bishop of Terni in Italy who was renowned as a miracle worker. One miracle in particular made him known as a Christian and the Roman government put him to death because he had used his powers as a priest and his medical knowledge to help Christian prisoners for their faith.)

According to another story, the Roman emperor Claudius admired Saint Valentine for his talents. Claudius told his fellow Romans, “Romains… écoutez comme cet homme parle avec sagesse et droiture.” (Romans, listen to how this man speaks with wisdom and righteousness.) However, despite his earlier admiration, Claudius felt threatened by Saint Valentine after he healed one of Claudius’ soldier’s daughters, who was blind, and decapitated him in 280 AD.

Whatever the circumstances of his life and death, why is Saint Valentine commemorated on February 14 around the world? In 495, Pope Gelasius decreed that February 14 would be consecrated to Saint Valentine. We don’t know exactly why, however. According to some traditions, it’s because mid-February was believed to be the time of year, in the Middle Ages, when birds paired off.

It, thus, became associated with romantic love. How did Saint Valentine become associated with romantic love? That’s more difficult to trace. However, English author Chaucer is typically credited with popularising the holiday in the fourteenth century–over one thousand years after the real Saint Valentine lived.

Joyeuse Saint-Valentin!

Psst: Did you Know...

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.

This blog was originally posted on The French Language Blog pages.

Add CommentViews: 3901
Feb 13

Celebrating St Valentines Day the French Way

Valentine's Day in France.

The origins of Saint Valentine’s Day are unclear. Ancient Rome celebrated the 14th February as a day of worship to the god Juno, and there are three different Saint Valentines in the Catholic Church. Tradition states that people began to notice that birds began their mating rituals half way through the second month of the year and so the 14th was designated as a day for exchanging love letters and tokens of esteem.

As you would expect from a country whose capital city is so strongly associated with romance, Valentine’s day has throughout history played a part in the love lives of the French. A former Valentine’s Day custom, which was officially banned, was that of ‘la loterie d’amour’, translated as ‘lottery of love’. Single people, both young and old, would go into their houses, (the houses all facing in on each other during this period), and call out until they were paired off with each other. However, if the gentleman was displeased with his ‘prize’ he would simply abandon her, hoping for better luck next time! Those women abandoned by their suitors would build a large bonfire and burn images of their men, cursing and abusing them as the flames burnt. However, due to fears of public disorder the government issued a decree banning the practice.

The origins of the first Valentine cards to be sent also have a French connection: the first known ‘carte d'amitié’, was believed to have been sent in 1415 by the Duke of Orleans who was imprisoned in the Tower of London following the Battle of Agincourt, to his wife.

The village of Saint Valentin, situated in the central department of Indre was traditionally a place of pilgrimage. Nowadays the village holds a number of fêtes to celebrate its association with this patron saint, where people can renew their marriage vows.

Today St Valentine's Day is celebrated in France in much the same way as in the UK where it is an opportunity to exchange cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts. It has a similar commercial feel also as retailers will stock up on these traditional gifts and cards, and hearts and roses will be the order of the day in shop windows and displays.

Cle France Blogs

Blog submitted by: Alex at Cle France.

Add CommentViews: 8128
Feb 10

How To Minimise Your Currency Risk

How to minimise currency risk for your French property purchase

What is currency risk?

Geoff Lambourne, Director at Key Currency has shared with us this analogy:

If you walked into a casino with £10,000, would you risk putting it all on red or black?

If you’re not okay with the possibility of losing it all, then currency risk is something to consider when buying a French property.

The exchange rate for Pounds to Euros moves on average 10% in 12 months.

That means; for a £100,000, the price of your dream home overseas could fluctuate as much as £10,000 either way.

So, if you’re not prepared to pay an additional 10% of the property price, perhaps it’s time to speak to a currency specialist?

How can I protect my property budget?

Well, the first step is connecting with a trusted currency specialist. If possible, opt for one with experience helping individuals manage overseas currency transactions.

We recommend Key Currency to all our clients, they have years of experience in foreign exchange and specialise in overseas property.

The first step in protecting your overseas property budget would be to register with Key Currency, it’s free and there’s no obligation to trade.

Register with Key Currency today.

Then, we can schedule a call with your assigned account manager to discuss the best options for you and your budget.

The "forward contract" is possibly Key Currency’s most popular service for overseas property buyers. It’s a legal contract that allows you to lock in an exchange rate for up to 12 months at a time.

This provides peace of mind, knowing that you’ll pay the same price you agreed to pay for your overseas home by the time you complete the transaction.

For example - if you agree to buy a €100,000 property abroad when £1 = €1.15, it will cost you £86,956.

But it’s possible that by the time you come to complete the transaction, £1 only buys you €1.08, so the price has shot up to £93,592, costing you another £5,633, a 'forward contract' can avoid this happening.

Click below for a free quote from Key Currency.

Get a Quick Quote

Key Currency

Kind regards, 
David Evans 
Co-Founder of Cle France.

Cle France / Key Currency

Key Currency is the currency exchange department of Cle France Ltd, 'Cle' being the French word for 'Key', did you see what we did there?

Change your subscription

Add CommentViews: 215
Feb 5

UK Pancake Day celebrations and yummy recipe

On Shrove Tuesday across the UK there will be people practising their pancake tossing !

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday as it is more formally known, is a much loved day in the calendar as it a day to indulge yourself by eating delicious pancakes!

Of course even if you are in France on a viewing trip with one or more of the Cle France agents there is no need to miss out on your pancakes, in fact everyday is like pancake day at a French market where they is nearly always a Crepe stand serving freshly made French crepes, so another reason to buy a house in France! See how the French celebrate here.

So how did Shrove Tuesday start? Well the word ‘Shrove' comes from the old English word ‘shrive' which means to confess ones sins. The tradition of Shrove Tuesday began when Christians had to clear out their pantry before Ash Wednesday which marks the start of Lent. Today many people give up just one thing for Lent, however hundreds of years ago all meats, eggs, milk and other rich foods were given up for 40 days to remember when Jesus went into the desert and fasted  for 40 days and 40 nights. The idea was that instead of throwing out the fats and eggs; they should be used to make pancakes as a final feast before the fasting period began.

As well as Shrove Tuesday being a day for making pancakes we must not forget it is also a day for pancake races. This tradition is thought to have began in Olney, Buckinghamshire in 1445 when a woman was making pancakes and she forgot the time. Then suddenly she heard the church bells ring to signal the start of the service and in her panic she ran out of the house and to the church still holding the frying pan with the pancake inside. Pancake races are held in villages and towns across the country, usually with several different races so that all ages can take part. The race usually requires the competitors to run a course while tossing a pancake in their frying pan; the winner is the person who crosses the line first after tossing the pancake a certain number of times.

Cle France Blogs

Our Pancakes above may be a little fancy but all Pancakes are delicious, when cooked right. If you have not tried before or struggle to make perfect pancakes, why not follow this simple recipe by Delia Smith.

Traditional Lemon & Sugar Pancake Recipe 

Makes: 12-14 pancakes

Preparation time: 30 mins

Frying pan: Good heavy one not more than 7 inches / 18 cm in diameter (inside base)

Ingredients

For the pancake mixture:
110g/4oz plain flour, sifted
pinch of salt
2 large eggs
200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz water
50g/2oz butter
To serve:
caster sugar
lemon juice
lemon wedges

Method

Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl with a sieve held high above the bowl so the flour gets a airing. Now make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it. Then begin whisking the eggs - any sort of whisk or even a fork will do - incorporating any bits of flour from around the edge of the bowl as you do so.

Next gradually add small quantities of the milk and water mixture, still whisking (don't worry about any lumps as they will eventually disappear as you whisk). When all the liquid has been added, use a rubber spatula to scrape any elusive bits of flour from around the edge into the centre, then whisk once more until the batter is smooth, with the consistency of thin cream. Now melt the 50g/2oz of butter in a pan. Spoon 2 tbsp of it into the batter and whisk it in, then pour the rest into a bowl and use it to lubricate the pan, using a wodge of kitchen paper to smear it round before you make each pancake. 

Now get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to medium and, to start with, do a test pancake to see if you're using the correct amount of batter. I find 2 tbsp is about right for an 18cm/7in pan. It's also helpful if you spoon the batter into a ladle so it can be poured into the hot pan in one go. As soon as the batter hits the hot pan, tip it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated with batter. It should take only half a minute or so to cook; you can lift the edge with a palette knife to see if it's tinged gold as it should be. Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife - the other side will need a few seconds only - then simply slide it out of the pan onto a plate.

Stack the pancakes as you make them between sheets of greaseproof paper on a plate fitted over simmering water, to keep them warm while you make the rest.

To serve, sprinkle each pancake with freshly squeezed lemon juice and caster sugar, fold in half, then in half again to form triangles, or else simply roll them up. Serve sprinkled with a little more sugar and lemon juice and extra sections of lemon.

Recipe Source: Delia Smith - Complete Cookery Course Book

Blog submitted by: Alex at Cle France.

Cle France Logo

For everything you need to know about French property visit www.clefrance.co.uk

Add CommentViews: 9426
Jan 9

What's the latest with UK mortgage rates?

Finally some good news, the average mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest level in seven months, mainly due to lenders kicking off the New Year with interest rate cuts.

So is this a good time for you to contact our Mortgage and Financial Services Partner, if you are considering a mortgage to help fund a property purchase in France, you may wish to contact them to see if they can help and advise you, best of luck.

You can contact them direct here.

 Enquire Now

Could mortgage rates drop further in 2024?

A handful of mortgage lenders have announced further rate cuts, due to the predictions that the Bank of England base rate could start to fall in the first half of this year.

Some lenders have mortgage product rates below 4% for the first time since April 2023.

The lowest rate we have seen is now 3.89%.

Our Mortgage Partner is ideal for those of you who live in the UK and already own a property within the UK, dealing with the team at 'HERTS Financial Services' may be a much more attractive option than a French mortgage.

Herts Financial Services

Kind regards,
Alex at Clé France.

If you have not done so already, check out our Property Guides here.

Change your subscription

Add CommentViews: 433

Follow Us for the Latest Info

Cle France You Tube Cle France Instagram Cle France Twitter Cle France Facebook

Quick Search

Minimum Beds/Baths

Price Range

Land in sq metres (1 acre = 4000M2)

Join the Mailing List

Select subscriber list :

Featured Properties

Property of the Week

Property of the Week
 

Huge Potential

BHJ03755 - Mayenne

Priced at €44,200 € FAI