Moving to France – what we wish we had known

Some time ago, we asked readers to tell us what they wish they had known before moving to France. The Connexion readers shared a variety of experiences; here are three that stood out: 

Driving

Dear Connexion, 

One thing that surprised me about moving to a rural area in France is just how much driving I do.

My friends live anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour away, church is a 30-minute drive, and the nearest large shopping centres are at least an hour away.

Even though fuel costs are high, I still find myself driving frequently.

A.M.

Patience

I wish I had known how long administrative procedures can take in France. Registering a UK car here is particularly difficult, almost impossible, especially when the DREAL (Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement) is involved.

There were no problems before Brexit, but now it’s a very different story.

J.B.

Driving licence

We moved here in June 2024. My UK driving licence expired in October 2025. I applied for a French licence at the end of August, and I’m still waiting.

In the meantime, I can’t drive and we live in the countryside, where having a car is essential. It’s incredibly frustrating.

Moral: Make sure your UK licence has plenty of time left before you move, and apply for an exchange as soon as possible. Nowhere does it warn you that the process can take months.

S.R.

If you have your own experience to share, you can send feedback here: feedback@connexionfrance.com