Brittany

Trades and Services News

This page contains articles detailing  services aimed at Immigrants to France or Second Home Owners in Brittany.  A combination of editorial and advertising, it is a location  for Trades-people to explain what they have to offer.

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  Assistance with French regulations etc Building Construction Is it the case for a Casette Potter and Ceramisist Marc Benjamin Property Management and Search Tiles - Floor and Wall

Marc Benjamin Potier Céramiste at St Alban

Marc Benjamin 's pottery is at St Alban.  He has a range of ready made items for sale ranging from ornaments to tea sets and lamps to Epis de faîtage, which are roof ridge ornaments.  Marc uses a special technique of Cristallisation which imparts a lustrous sheen to his pottery. The illustrations hardly do justice to the range of beautiful objects from which to chose.  The Epis de faîtage are a unique adornment to a property - somewhat resembling a weather vane but static with cockerels, cavaliers, owls, and turrets topping them and based on ancient designs. They are available in a range of shimmering colours.

St. Alban is not far from Erquy and Val Andre. 

Marc Benjamin

Les Clos - 22400

St-Alban

Tel: 0033296329616

Is it the Case for a Casette?

Open fires are welcoming and warming but can provide problems with draughts and dust.  The efficient way of preventing these problems is to install a "Casette".  This is an enclosed fire with a door which can slide up and down where space is limited or open out.  The efficiency of these devices has encouraged many people to give up the open grate and opt for one of these.  The Casettes come in many styles and sizes and can include a kit for "Grillades" - a method of cooking meat over the fire, rather like an indoor barbeque.  The door can be opened and you can have all the fun of an open fire or closed for safety. 

It is also possible to heat other rooms with ducting which is well away from the actual fire but uses the hot air in the chimney area. 

Casettes are made of cast iron and doors of extra touch heat resistant glass.  The interiors have pretty traditional Breton fire backs with pictures in the cast iron. 

If you do not have a beautiful old fire place, which can be converted by either installing a casette or perhaps wood burning stove, you can have a new fireplace built which can be either modern or traditional.  The costs of all this are surprising low and the end result very efficient!

RENE BRISACH

CHEMINEES

Ets LEBRETON

ZA des Alleux 8 rue de la Bise 22100 TADEN

TEL 0033296399262107

Help for Gite Owners or would be Property Owners in the Finistère area - or elswhere!

Brittany Property Management, run by Vanessa and Andrew Holmes, is based in Finistère, where they offer a range of services aimed at Gite or property owners and potential property buyers.  For absent owners who let their homes out, a range of services is available from Gite Management through to actually advertising and marketing the properties. Such situations as the difficult "changeover" times, when the owner may be absent and unable to welcome the latest guests or to sort out the property after the previous ones vacate to make sure it is pristine and undamaged, is catered for.  Vanessa and Andrew can also maintain gardens and the actual properties- not just for Gite owners - and arrange regular security checks.

Another important part of their service is actually locating property for buyers.  Liaising with notaires, they source properties meeting the buyer's requirement and then take photographs internally and externally which can be emailed to the buyer.  Their services extends to helping with such difficulties as obtaining planning permission, connection of services and importantly their bi-lingual service extends to helping with relocation to France. 

Contact Vanessa and Andrew at

Le Pressoir a Cidre · Coz Castel · 29690 · Berrien · France
Tel: 0033 (0)2 98 99 82 59 · E-mail: vanessa@brittanypropertymanagement.com or go to their website www.brittanypropertymanagement.com

If You Prefer a Brand New Home

Consult T J Constructions

Having a new house built to your specifications on a plot in the location of your choice has long been the favoured option for the French. The overall cost is fixed and, apart from decorating and gardening, the property requires no further expenditure for many years. You are free to enjoy living in France from the day you move in.  

Thanks to  T J Constructions, a French company with English management, based in Redon in sunny Southern Brittany this is now a  possibility for those who do not speak perfect French! With 19 years of experience in the new housing market they can cater for all needs whether this be for Holiday, Retirement, Family living or for a secure investment in France. I

f you feel that a new house is for you - this can be the way to get exactly what you want, where you want it for a fixed price rather than having the constant drain on purse strings that an older property can give - then contact this company.  They advise and assist right the way through the process and once building begins you will be updated on the progress via the phone or the internet with digital photos.  If however you prefer an older property remember that the company also carries out renovation and ground works.

Redon is a beautiful area in southern Brittany and was considered the "Port" of Rennes and was the crossroads of the navigable waterways in the west. The river, canal and port is now used for pleasure and a further 80 moorings are planned very soon to cater for the demand of this up and coming town.  The area offers beautiful countryside, is calm and tranquil but also has the advantage of the commerce of the main town which retains its picturesque and historic features.

Floor and Wall Tiles at Bargain Prices in Brittany

After many years experience in international transport, some of which involved direct contact with the tile factories of Castellon in Spain, Allan welcomed the opportunity to use his previous commercial experience in order to market Spanish floor and wall tiles to the public in 2003.  In order to promote this service, Allan straight away set up displays at Dinan, Dinard and Matignon markets.  He also markets tiles from his home office or calls on potential clients to whom he is able to offer a wealth of advice, based on his considerable experience of tiles, such as having the correct tile type for the situation.

Five Spanish tile manufacturers are represented , as well as one marble quarry which is also located in Spain) plus the business acts as  exclusive agent for north-west France, and in some cases, for all of France.

Tiles2U  aim to supply good quality products at reasonable prices and their rapidly growing reputation amongst the public confirms just that. All of their range carries the European Norm and International Standard Organisation's certificates with regard to quality, durability, flexion, etc. The standard thicknesses of the floor tiles starts from 9 mm up to 40 mm depending on the product size. 

Telephone  00 33  96 82 73 63 (Mobile 00 33 6 78 72 95 89)

In France 02 96 82 73 63 (Mobile 06 78 72 95 89) email: allan.chilton@wanadoo.fr or visit the web site at tiles2u.co.uk

New Service Giving Assistance to People settling in Brittany -

Anglo French Communication commenced trading in January 2004.  Based in Evran, Brittany the business is aimed at assisting English and German speaking nationals with relocation problems once they have moved to France. 

Rachel Gallard, who runs Anglo French Communications returned to her native France with English partner Chris last year.  The couple bought a property which they are currently renovating and also have a Gite and bed and breakfast business run by Chris. 

Rachel planned to work as a secretary but as she is very highly qualified had problems finding work.  It is quite hard for some young women to find work in Brittany - perhaps this is due to the fact that the better qualified the person, the more they have to be paid!  Rachel has a tri-lingual secretarial qualification at BTS level. 

Fiends and neighbours frequently called upon Rachel to assist them with the many formalities necessary such as provision of Carte de Sejour,  joining the health system and also communicating with local tradespeople.  It dawned upon Rachel that she should set up in business properly and offer this service on a paid basis.

Rachel has set up her business correctly and has obtained the necessary permissions and  a Siret Number.  She has the co-operation of her local Marie and frequently helps out with their communications with the immigrant English and Germans.  Rachel speaks both English and German fluently which is of great advantage to the Mairie staff.

Go to Anglo French Communications Web Page for information on the range of services offered. Click here