Pont Noir

Living in our rural department as an ex-pat can be daunting and even difficult at times, but the good news is that you aren't the first to try it. Here's a list of useful links for you to get more information and help on working, living or holidaying in Creuse. Pont Noir does not endorse any of these suppliers or services.

Building and DIY
Here you will find links to builder's merchants, DIY stores and web resources.

Don't forget to check out the Directory for local stores and tradesmen.

• 123elec Online electrical component retailer.
• Brico Dépôt The French B & Q warehouse (stores in 03, 19 and 36).
• Castorama National DIY chain (stores in 36 and 87).
• Klussen in Frankrijk Dutch Language site on French DIY.
• Lapeyre National DIY chain specialising in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Leroy Merlin National DIY chain (stores in 36 and 87).
• Materiel Electrique Online electrical component retailer.
• Screwfix EU European Site of the UK online DIY retailer.

Computing, Internet and Telephone
Computers and Communications are part of modern life, even in rural France and these links will help you stay on-line.

• ariase.com Compares the various ADSL packages available in France.
• ADSL facile Compares the various ADSL packages available in France.
• DégroupTest.com Check to see if your telephone line will support ADSL.
• Free.fr French ISP, with various packages including ADSL.
• Grosbill Micro On-line computer retailer.
• Orange Frances main telephone and ADSL supplier, equivalent to BT.
• Pages Jaunes French Yellow Pages.

Employment and Business
Information and advice about finding a job or starting your own business in France.

• Agence Pour la Création d'Entreprises French government site for creating new businesses.
• Freelance.com France Offers freelance and contract opportunities throughout France.
• Regions Job Thousands of job vacancies by region.
• Transentreprise Businesses for Sale in France (with some advice in English).

Financial
Exchange rates, banking and taxes. You'll find it difficult to avoid these things, so get informed.

• Barclays France UK high street bank that operates in France.
• CA Britline English speaking part of Crédit Agricole.
• French Tax Office Get advice or complete your tax return on-line.
• HIFX Foreign exchange service with rates fixed for up to 2 years.
• XE.com Exchange rate information.

Government and Healthcare
National government links to help you get more information about that mountain of paperwork that just arrived.

• Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) National health insurance local office in Guéret
• Council Général de la Creuse Local Government
• DREAL Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional equivalent of DVLA (and more).
• DSDEN de la Creuse Education Portal for Creuse
• Notaires de France Official site of notaries in France.
• Préfecture de la Creuse State Services in Creuse
• Service Public Explains the general bureaucracy for each aspect of French life.
• UK and France The British Embassy in France.

Language
Some useful sites to help you with learning the French language.

• Concorde French Language Publications Learning materials and holidays designed to improve your French.
• French Tongue Twisters Give yourself a challenge and try out a French tongue twister.
• Google Translate On-line translation of text and web pages.

Local and Tourist Information
These links will help you find out more detail for a particular location.

• Cheval en Creuse Comprehensive guide to riding schools and alike in the Creuse.
• Geoportail French version of Ordinance Survey maps.
• Linteraute Section on the Creuse where you can see detailed town statistics.
• Tourism Creuse Tourist site with loads of tourist information on the Creuse (French site is more detailed).

Small Holding and Farming
Many people dream of a French 'Good Life'. Find out more about what you're in for with your new ten acre plot.

• Country Smallholding Magazine with general smallholding information.
• Creuse Agricole On-line magazine about farming in the Creuse.
• Jacques Briant Plants and Gardening Equipment by post.
• Plein Champ All about being a smallholder in France.

Towns and Villages
Links to town and village websites and information; helpful when looking for a place to live, or just for ideas for a day out.

• Dun-Le-Palestel
• Felletin
• Guéret
• Saint Martin-Château
• Saint Priest la Feuille

Travel
Get Useful information on the best way to get yourself, your family and your pets to the Creuse.

• Autoroutes.fr The motorway network in France, including a route planner.
• Take Your Pet Abroad Travelling to and from the UK with your pets
• Prix des Carburants Government site giving fuel prices across France.
• SNCF National and local train information.
• ViaMichelin Online route planning, Michelin style.

Please add a comment with a link to anything new, changed or dead, and I will update the page and remove the comment (so comment without link details if you want your comment to stay). Local businesses and organisations should be added to the Directory instead.

Reviewed and removed a few dead links.

Great links

Much appreciated Dave, thanks again!

Removed dead links and updated many others.

Added a few more links to the building and DIY section.