Hints & tips for moving to France

1.         Make sure the removal van can park outside your house on the day of the move.

 
2.         Clear attics, cellars, sheds, garages, gardens and out-buildings well ahead of the day.

 
3.         Only pack items you absolutely adore or absolutely have to keep. Sell the rest or give it away.

 
4.            Removal companies won’t touch flammable items such as tins of paint, creosote, matches, gas bottles, fireworks, etc. Do not bin flammables or explosives.

 
5.         Take them to the local dump for correct disposal.

 
6.         If you insist on taking them, have white goods disconnected from the mains, drained, cleaned and dried the day before you move. Once the fridge has been turned off, do not close the fridge door completely. For removal, wedge a cloth in the door and tie it shut with a rope. (Otherwise black mould will begin to grow in your fridge within a few days of being unplugged.)

 
7.         Take curtains down and have them cleaned a fortnight before you move. Better still, sell them to the new occupier of the house so you can buy new ones in France.

 
8.            Dismantle furniture a day or so before you move. Put screws, bolts etc into separate, labelled bags to make re-assembly easier.

9.         On the day itself, be on hand to make sure the correct items are put into the van, and/or left behind.

 
10.       If possible, get someone else to look after your children and pets. Can they go to Granny’s and join you in France the day after you’re installed and unpacked? If this isn't an option, can their babysitter come over and keep them out of the way while the van is loaded?

 
11.       If cats have to be present during the move, ask your vet about light sedation to make the day less stressful for them. Lock cats in the night before or they’ll disappear the minute the removal men arrive. Travel them in specialist cat carriers. Keep dogs tied up or carefully shut into pet crates to prevent accidents while the removals van is being loaded.

 
12.       At the other end, keep cats locked in for at least 24 hours. Do not let them out until they have eaten properly in your new house and given themselves a proper licking. Do not let your dog off the lead for the first day or so. (Just in case the neighbours own a hound called Baskerville.)

 
13.       For dogs arriving in the south of France between May and September fit them with a collar against leish maniose as soon as possible after you arrive. (Ask at the chemist.)

 
14.       During the journey, make sure that you keep an overnight bag in your car along with essentials such as Teddy, dog food, torch, biccies, aspirin, secret stash of euros, thermos of coffee, travel-sickness pills, pillows and sleeping bags - because you never know.

 
15.       Story tapes are great for making a long car journey pass quickly. Our favourite is Black Beauty.

16.       When booking the ferry try for a long night crossing so that you get some sleep before attacking the long drive.

17.       Make two or three long leads - 5 metres of flexible cable with a female UK plug socket one end (or even a UK plug board) and a French three-pin plug the other - so that you can plug things in (ie the kettle) the second you arrive.

This is better than the travel adapters you buy, which burn out very quickly.

18.       Don’t attempting Calais to Toulouse in one day. Drive slowly, rest often, sleep over as many nights as you need to - an accident won’t save time.

19.       Don’t drive in fog, snow or heavy rain. Pull off the road, relax and only resume your journey when the weather has improved. There are cheap hotels all over France. Even on motorways. Look for ‘Formule 1’ which is perhaps the cheapest. Their site http://www.hotelformule1.com has location maps.

20.       Avoid driving on or around 14 July or 15 Aug. The roads are packed and dangerous on both days.