Edited by Schuyler Hoffman

The Christmas crib figures (also called “santons”) are small clay-made statuettes that traditionally give life to the manger during the yuletide season. They originally symbolised Christendom and were considered as worship objects, but nowadays they are regarded as true collection objects and may be represented in everyday life situations.

Making a manger with santons is a tradition that is an heirloom handed down from generation to generation. The santons lovers describe the manger construction as a magical moment, meticulous and well thought out. Each person can add Christmas figures for their time to turn the manger into a true reflection of the traditions and the popular history of Provence.

This tradition dates from the 13 century, when the santons were introduced in Provence by the Franciscan monks. The idea grew during the Revolution, when the Midnight Mass and the church mangers were forbidden. But on the French Riviera, people were very attached to their mangers. A little factory devoted itself to Christmas figures manufacture, and having a personal manger at home became very popular...

Editor's note: To read the full article go to http://www.yourpropertyfinderonthefrenchriviera.com/

What Does Your Money Buy You in France?
By Adrian Leeds

February 14, 2008

In 1997, 150,000 euros would have bought you a 4-room apartment in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on the Côte d'Azur. Today that budget will buy you 4 rooms in Marseille. In Paris, it will buy you a "studette" and little more.

Add 100,000 euros to your budget (250,000 euros) and you can buy a 2-room apartment in the 15th district of Paris, but 10 years ago, it would have afforded you a 4-room apartment in chick Villefranche-sur-Mer...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference
March 21-22, 2009 New Orleans

Mark your calendars and start searching for great airfares to come to the "Big Easy" (New Orleans) for the 23rd Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference!

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference March 21-22, 2009 New Orleans, Louisiana Stay tuned for more information or email: info@adrianleeds.com

The Red Tape and Expected Costs of Renovating
By Adrian Leeds

March 6, 2008

Almost any property you purchase in France will require renovation...to some degree. If you're purchasing an investment property in Paris designed for rental revenue, than the renovation will likely be key to the success of the rental and therefore cost more than normal to bring the property up to a standard that will guarantee that success. We traditionally suggest allowing approximately at least 1,500€ per square meter to do so. If the property is for your own use, you will have a broader choice of standards, but beware, it could be less, but it also could be much more...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Let Someone Else Pay for Your French Property...Or How to Buy Now, Pay Later
By Adrian Leeds

April 3, 2008

Now is still the time to buy property in France. The French property market remains stable, the interest rates offered by French lenders is still low and both the British pound and U.S. dollar continue to weaken against the euro. Those who 'wait and see' will be 'missing the boat' watching it leave the harbor with them standing on the platform kissing their opportunity goodbye...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Design Your Own Fractional Ownership Property
With "French Property Fractional"
By Adrian Leeds

http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

April 24, 2008

A new division of the Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, "French Property Fractional" is the newest and hottest way to own your piece of Paris simply, easily and inexpensively without the hassles of purchasing it on your own, but with all the benefits of doing it yourself.

What's Fractional Ownership...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Fractional Property Offerings from French Property Fractional
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

If you are interested in traditional fractional ownership properties currently offered by our Fractional Ownership partners, see below:

	***NEW!!! Paris: La Résidence Luxembourg www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Paris: LE PALACE DES VOSGES www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Paris: LE PETIT TRESOR www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Paris: CHEZ LA TOUR www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional
	Languedoc-Roussillon: MAISON BLEUE www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/fractional

10 Reasons to Invest in France

May 22, 2008

1) France is the most visited country in the world, receiving over 79 million visitors annually (including business visitors, but excluding people staying less than 24 hours.)

2) There is a short supply of properties. It is estimated that France needs to build 500,000 homes a year to meet demand...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

TODAY'S CURRENCY UPDATE

Visit the FPI Web site and click on the link on the left panel or click here for Currency Convertor by Moneycorp Global Money Services: Moneycorp Currency Conversion Tool for up to the minute conversions of all major currencies.

Compare currency values easily and quickly by visiting:
www.Moneycorp.com/agent/parlerparis/Currency Convertor by Moneycorp Global Money Services/Currency Online.asp

Charts: www.Moneycorp.co.uk/members/charts.asp. The charts are updated every ten seconds.

The prices shown are "inter bank" exchange rates and are not the rates that you will be offered by Moneycorp. Your rate will be determined by the amount of currency that you are buying. Please speak with an Moneycorp dealer or your consultant for a live quotation.

BPI Finances Fractional Properties
By Adrian Leeds

June 5, 2008

Banque Patrimoine et Immobilier (BPI), the lender that created the "Zero Plus Loan Option" (as presented in FPI in the March 27, 2008 issue: http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider) is now offering mortgage capability to shareholders in a fractional ownership property...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

How to Score the Property You Want: The Art of Negotiation
By Adrian Leeds

June 12, 2008

Negotiating the purchase of a property in France has little relation to what you may have experienced in the U.S. or other Anglo-Saxon culture. So, it's best to remove all preconceived notions about the strategy before proceeding on the French property market.

Some very basic understandings of the system will help guide you through the process to a successful negotiation...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Get Stoned in France
By Adrian Leeds

June 19, 2008

Sure, everyone my age knows what it's like to get "stoned" -- but what I'm talking about doesn't go up in smoke.

Getting "stoned" in our language has the name "Pierre" (French for "stone"). Confused?

The point is that anything made of stone is heavily sought-after--cobblestoned streets, stone houses, the Rosetta Stone and Sharon Stone...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Renting Your Paris Property for Profit
By Adrian Leeds

July 17, 2008

One of the most important aspects of purchasing property in France, if it's for investment purposes, is the justification that the investment will be sound and profitable.

Overview of the Rental Market...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

The Devil is in the Details: Make Your Rental Apartment Perfect Down to the Details
By Adrian Leeds

July 24, 2008

You've purchase an apartment or home in Paris or elsewhere designed for rental revenue. It needs refurbishment, or perhaps complete renovation. The big aspects aren't difficult to think about...the floor plan, the color scheme, the appointments such as exposure of old beams, fireplaces, etc. and the position of furniture. But in the end, it's the details that count and make the rental property comfortable and convenient...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Nice is Nice
By Adrian Leeds

August 28, 2008

Last summer I stayed in an apartment owned by a reader of FPI who is a successful property investor with an apartment in the heart of Paris as well this one in the heart of Nice. It afforded an opportunity for me to become familiar with the city, the adjacent villages and what it might be like to own something that could be enjoyed part of the year and profitable the rest of the time thanks to vacation rental revenues....

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

Paying Tax on Your Rental Property Revenues
By Adrian Leeds

September 11, 2008

Parler Paris Apartments (http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments) advertises rental apartments for our clients, reserves the stays, collects the rental fees in U.S. dollars and pays the owners in U.S. dollars or euros as they prefer. The owners have the obligation of reporting the rental income, regardless of what currency in which it is paid, to the French government, because the property is in France...

Read the full article at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/pastissues

SEEKING A MORTGAGE IN FRANCE?

When you make a purchase as important as a piece of real estate in a foreign country, you want to know that you can trust the people you are dealing with. Adrian Leeds has developed a network of professionals that meet only the highest of standards. With the expertise and experience of Adrian and her team, you can depend on getting the best advice and support to feel completely confident that you are making an informed investment decision.

Let us help you secure a mortgage in France at a competitive interest rate. Visit www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan for more information or contact Loan@AdrianLeeds.com

HELPFUL CONVERSIONS FOR REAL ESTATE

1 square meter = 10.7639104 square feet

1 hectare = 2.4710538 acres

For more conversions, refer to: www.onlineconversion.com/

PARLER PARIS APARTMENTS
www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments
Email: apartments@adrianleeds.com/parlerparis

Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds.

Parler Paris Apartments offers high quality accommodations to make your stay in the City of Light as enjoyable and memorable as possible. We at Parler Paris know each and every apartment owner or manager personally, and stand behind the quality of those we represent. We understand your needs and desires, all the small details that make a rental apartment a warm and welcoming home ­ and a much better alternative to an impersonal hotel!

Parler Paris Apartments is administered and serviced by the same great team as Parler Paris, French Property Insider and French Property Consultation. You can trust that Parler Paris Apartments and all those with whom it is associated will do their best for your 100% guaranteed satisfaction.

LA TABLE DU ROI...OUR NEWEST ADDITION TO PARLER PARIS APARTMENTS

"La Table du Roi" is a one bedroom slice of old world charm, destined to please renters looking for quality. On the first floor (European) of a 17th-century building on rue du Roi de Sicile in the 4th arrondissement, it is steps from rue de Rivoli, rue Vieille du Temple, the Hôtel de Ville, Place de la Bastille and everything that Le Marais has to offer.

Reserve now! Visit www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments  or email: Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com

Parler Paris Après Midi

www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

Come for a drink and to meet and chat with other readers in Paris...

The next gathering is January 13, 2009 and every second Tuesday of the month (except August).

Managing Your French Property Insider Subscription is Easy!

We receive many emails from French Property Insider Subscribers who want to change their email address, or update personal information. But did you know that you can make these changes yourself?

It's easy...

1. Go to adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider

2. Click on "Manage Subscription." You'll find it under the "Subscribers Only" section in the sidebar.

3. Enter your username and password.

4. On the Welcome Page, go to "Manage Your Account" and click on "Change Password/Edit Profile"

5. Once you've made the changes, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Save Profile."

Simple!

Of course, we're always happy to help, so if you do need assistance, send an email to members@fpinsider.com

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

To access password protected pages: click on any of the links on the left panel of the home page of FrenchPropertyInsider.com under "Subscriber's Only," then type in your personal username and password.

Past issues of FPI are available on the website. You will find the
"Past Issues" link on the left under "Subscribers Only" or by going to
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members

To receive your free French Leaseback Report or the Paris Property
Report, click on
www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider/members

We wanted better guides, So we wrote them!

Insider Paris Guides are written for people who love the City of Light. You'll get a Paris insider perspective on Restaurants... Making a Life... Black Culture... Expat Writers...and the newest guide, Practical Paris!

French Property Insider subscribers receive a discount of 10% off any guide and up to 25% off the entire purchase (if two or more guides are purchased at the same time). Here's how it works:

1. Click on special Web link we give you just for FPI subscribers.

2. Then order one or more guide(s) and use the promotion
code "ED762." This promotion code gives you 10% off your total
order.

3. If you order two or more guides, then an additional 15% will be
taken off automatically. There is no promotion code needed.

Here is the special "coupon" Web link just for you:
www.insiderparisguides.com/offer

SUBSCRIBE TO PARLER PARIS

If you're not a regular reader of the Parler Paris daily e-letter, and would like to be, simply enter your e-mail address here (it's free!): www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis

Copyright 2011, Adrian Leeds®
Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, www.adrianleeds.com