Thursday 16 August 2012

Removals to France: Living and Working in Aix en Provence

Whether you are moving to or from the UK to France, or require removals to France from another European destination or further afield, Hamiltons Removals can help. We are experienced in international removals and can assist with all household and business removals to France.

Our European department provide full or part-load removals to France from the UK via road transport, or shipping in 20 ft or 40 ft containers from and to most international destinations. To make sure your move goes just the way you want it, we tailor our services to suit your requirements.

In addition, we are British Association of Removers (BAR) registered, so you can be assured of the highest standards. Contact us now to find out more about our competitively priced removals to France service.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Removals to France: About Aix en Provence

Aix en Provence, also known as Aix is a beautiful, very affluent and historic city which is just 19 miles from Marseille in southern France. It is a small but attractive place to live with winding, narrow streets, paved squares, and fascinating ancient buildings.

The busiest street is the tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, where various artists display their work. On one side of the promenade are grand 16th, 17th and 18th century mansions, and on the other side are cafés where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Aix is called the city of a thousand fountains and these can be seen everywhere. Among the most impressive are the three fountains along the Cours Mirabeau including La Rotunda, and the Fountain of the Four Dolphins which you can find in the Quartier Mazarin. The city is also known for its interesting architecture.

It is a fairly quiet place in which to live as it lacks the buzz of the large cities, but there is plenty to do if you are prepared to find it. It is famously known as the home of Cézanne and among the attractions is the Manor of Jas de Bouffan, the house of Cézanne’s father where you can see many of the artist’’ works. On the outskirts of Aix is the museum L’Atelier Cézanne, built around the artist’s studio. 

If you like to shop, you can find many clothing shops and boutiques here and there are also open markets to buy home-made goods and fresh produce.

What is it Like to Live and Work in Aix en Provence?

Aix en Provence is a great place for walking - you can cross the centre by foot in just 15 minutes. It is a mecca for artists and if you like to draw or paint, there are plenty of places to inspire out and about in the city.

The city has three universities and also hosts many international students as there are a number of French language schools based in Aix.

If you like eating out, you will find a large number of restaurants in the city, of all price ranges. You will find most of the restaurants at the Rotonde on Cours Mirabeau and Place des Cardeurs.

Living in Aix en Provence

Aix has several main industries and these include tourism, education, entertainment (with dance and opera featuring prominently), electronics, computer software, wine and chocolate. They also make calissons which are a speciality of the region and are a type of sweet made from crystallised melon and almonds. The head office of the airline Twin Jet is based in the city.

If you require removals to France and are moving to Aix with family, the city has state as well as private and international schools and these include the International Bilingual School of Provence, EPIM International School of the Mediterranean and Val Saint André. 

Public Transport in Aix en Provence


Getting out and about in Aix by foot is the best way to see the city. You can also take the bus, which stops in various places in the city and there are buses to Marseilles, as well as to various towns and villages outside Aix. You can also get the bus to go to the shopping centre, Carrefour les Milles.

For travel further afield there is a TGV and a regular train which connects to the Paris to Marseille line. You can to get to Nice, Barcelona and Genoa by taking the train line to Marseille.

For international flights, you will need to fly from Marseille or Nice, to where you can get from Aix by shuttle bus.

If you require removals to France at the best possible price for the highest standards of service, contact Hamiltons Removals.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Removals to France: Living and Working in Orléans

If you require a high quality service for removals to France, UK based Hamiltons Removals can help. Our friendly and professional team are experienced in removals to France, including relocations to Orléans as well as to other French cities. We provide removals to France to and from the UK and most other European and international destinations.

France is a popular destination for removals from the UK and Hamiltons have been providing removals to France for the last two decades. You can be assured of the highest standards when choosing us for your removals to France, as we are British Association of Removers (BAR) registered and comply with their strict regulations.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Removals to France: About Orléans

Orléans is based in the Loire Valley, which is known as the Garden of France because of its beautiful scenery that attracts artists, writers and poets. This ancient city is set on the banks of the Loire, where the river curves south towards the Massif Central and has a history that goes back centuries. In fact, it was conquered by the renowned Roman General Julius Caesar in 52 BC.

France’s most famous heroine, St Joan of Arc, came from Orléans. Also known affectionately by the city’s inhabitants as La Pucelle d’Orléans (the maid of Orléans), she liberated the city from the British during the Hundred Years War. Every year in May her victory is commemorated with parades, a medieval market and sound and light shows. You can even visit the house she stayed in during the ten day siege of the city in 1429.  

The city of Orléans is divided into two parts by the Loire River. These parts are joined by five bridges - the Pont de l’Europe, Pont du Marechal Joffre, Pont George V, Pont Rene Thinat and the Pont de Vierzon. The main part of the city is on the northern bank. In addition to the house of Joan of Arc, other attractions include the Arts Museum, the Town Hall, the History and Archaeological Museum and the cathedrals. For an interesting day out away from the city, it is well worth taking a look at the chateaux and houses along the Loire River.

For those who love a bit of retail therapy, Orléans has a good mix of stores, including the department store Galeries Lafayette.

What is it Like to Live and Work in Orléans?

Orléans is a vibrant city just 75 miles from Paris. There is something for everyone, from the concerts held along the Loire River in the summer, to the bars, pubs and nightclubs, most of which can be found along the Rue de Bourgogne.

Living in Orléans

If you require removals to France and are moving to Orléans, the city’s main industries are the manufacture of electronics, machinery, pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs. A science park was also built here in association with the university.

As in all of France, state schooling is free and compulsory for students between the ages of six and 16 years. There are also a number of private and catholic schools. There is no international school in Orléans, the nearest one would be in Paris, so if you are considering removals to France with your children, the best option is state or private school.

If you want to brush up on your French, the university runs French courses for foreigners at various times of the year.

If you are looking for rental accommodation, you will find rentals quite reasonable here, although rents vary wildly in price. You can pick up a two bedroom apartment in Orléans from anywhere between £400 to £1,600, with the average price at about £750. The minimum lease is normally three years in France, so the best option is to sublet, house sit or take a holiday rental apartment.

Public Transport in Orléans


You can get around Orléans by the trams or buses which run throughout the city and to the small towns and suburbs. You can also travel by foot, as the city is not big, or rent a bike for a small cost.

For travel further afield, there are two railway stations - the central Gare d’Orléans and the Gare des Aubrais Orléans in the northern suberbs from where you can get a train to Paris in under an hour when you take the express train. For international flights the nearest airports are the two airports in Paris: Orly, which is the closest airport to Orléans, and Charles De Gaule.

If you require removals to France from Orléans, or any other French city, contact the friendly team of experts at Hamiltons Removals.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Saturday 11 August 2012

Removals to France: Living and Working in Bordeaux

If you require competitive removals to France combined with excellent standards of service, Hamiltons Removals can help. UK based Hamiltons are specialists in international removals, including removals to France and many of the major French cities such as Bordeaux, Paris, Lyon, Orléans, and Aix en Provence.

Hamiltons provide household and corporate removals to France and our service is designed to suit your individual needs. Our removals to France service includes part or full load removals from the UK, or any other country in Europe, via road transport. We also provide international shipping to France, from other overseas destinations which can be combined with air freight.

By choosing Hamiltons Removals for your removals to France, you know that you can expect the very best in service and that your possessions are in good hands. We are BAR registered which means that we meet their strict guidelines.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Removals to France: About Bordeaux

One of the first things that springs to mind about Bordeaux is the wine, which is among the best in the world. Certainly, wine making is big business here and is a tradition that dates back 2000 years. However, if you require removals to France to settle in this city, you will find much more to Bordeaux than its superior wines.

Bordeaux, which is situated on the banks of the River Garonne, is a stunning city, home to thousands of gothic-baroque inspired buildings. Bordeaux is classified as a ‘city of art and culture’ and you will find lots to do. Alongside the many museums, Bordeaux’s Grand Thèâtre is home to ballet and opera, and there is also a thriving art and music scene with several live music venues. If you appreciate art, it is worth taking a trip on the Modern Art Bus to see various exhibits around the city.

Shopping is a must in Bordeaux and one of the first places to head for is Rue Saint Catherine, a 0.75 mile pedestrianised road with many up-market shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants. It is one of the longest shopping streets in Europe and is a haven for shopaholics. You can also find the department store, Galeries Lafayette here.

Living and Working in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a thriving, tolerant and cosmopolitan city with so much going on. The former wet docks are a great place to head to as they boast a number of cafés, as well as museums and gardens.

You will find Bordeaux a lively city day and night. The nightlife has something for everyone and if you want to hang-out in a pub or bar, the best place to go is Place de la Victoire. If you like night clubs, you will find plenty of choice down at the Quais.

Living in Bordeaux

Wine is a billion pound industry here as the region is a major wine producer of both red and white wines. The region produces 960 million bottles a year, including some of world’s most expensive wines.

As a result, tourism is big industry. In addition to this, Bordeaux is also known as having a large concentration of optical and laser expertise and is also a major employer in the aeronautic industry with many large companies based in the city such as Dassault, SNPE and Thales.  

Bordeaux has a number of universities, business, management and engineering schools. If you are interested in learning, the Bordeaux University offers many classes including French courses for foreign students.
Public Transport in Bordeaux

If you require removals to France and are moving to Bordeaux, you will find the city is very flat and many of the areas are pedestrianised. It easy to get out and about in the centre by foot, although it is a big city. There are many cycle lanes too, so it is possible to hire bikes, and even roller skates for the more adventurous!

Buses go to several of the city’s destinations and you can buy books of tickets or daily and weekly passes to use them. You can also get out and about in Bordeaux by electric bus and tramway. A small ferry boat links the west and eastern parts of the city. It is not advisable to drive into the city as it is tricky to find somewhere to park.

The main railway station is Gare Saint Jean which is 4 km west from the city centre. Trains go from here to Paris several times a day and will get you to the capital in about three hours.

For travel further afield, Bordeaux-Merignac Airport is a regional airport, mainly for domestic flights, although you can connect to other airports, such as Paris for international destinations.

If you are moving to Bordeaux and require removals to France, contact our friendly team of professionals at Hamiltons Removals.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Thursday 9 August 2012

Removals to France: Living and Working in Toulouse

UK based removals specialist Hamiltons are experienced in providing high quality removals to France, including relocations to major French cities such as Toulouse, and other international destinations.

Hamiltons Removals provide domestic and commercial removals to France and our service is tailored to suit your individual requirements. If you are looking for competitively priced removals to France, combined with a superb quality service, contact us now for a free quote.

We are British Association of Removers (BAR) registered for international removals and comply with their strict guidelines, so you know that you are getting the best possible service for your removals to France.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.

Removals to France: About Toulouse

Toulouse has a population of 1.2 million in the metropolitan area and is one of the fastest growing cities in France. It is also a leader in Europe’s airspace industry; the headquarters for the Airbus is based here, as are SPOT satellite and CNE’s Toulouse Space Centre (CNE is the French Government’s space agency).

The city is nicknamed La Ville Rose, or the rose city, because of the colour of the bricks used in many of the buildings.  However, it is not just the architecture that makes the city so attractive. It is located near the Pyrenees and Mediterranean in South West France and enjoys hot summers and pleasant, mild winters.

If you are moving here, you will find plenty to do. The Théâtre du Capitole is home to classical music, ballet and opera. Toulouse also has many museums and attractions including the city’s most popular tourist draw, The City of Space, where you can see 250 interactive exhibitions. Another ‘must see’ is Airbus, who provide hour long tours of their facilities.  And within easy reach of Toulouse is Carcassonne, a fortified French city with a lengthy history which is named as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. 

What is It Like to Live and Work in Toulouse?

Toulouse is situated on the banks of the Garonne River. It has a large student population and is home to the oldest university in Europe, founded in 1229, which is also the third largest university in the country (after Paris and Lyon).

If you are looking for places to eat out here, you won’t be disappointed. Duck is the regional speciality so you will find it on the menu in many restaurants. Other regional dishes include Saucisse de Toulouse and Cassoulet, a type of stew which is the region’s most famous dish.

Living in Toulouse

According to the American Weekly news magazine, Newsweek, Toulouse was named as the fifth most dynamic city on the world. The main industries are space, aeronautics, IT, biotechnology and electronics.
Toulouse is regarded as the 46th best student city in the world, according to British company Quacquarelli Symonds. There are a number of educational establishments based here including business and engineering schools.

The best high schools in Toulouse are Lycée Saint-Sernin, Lycée Saint Joseph and Lycée Pierre de Fermat. State schooling is free for expats if they can show a proof of residency, such as a utility bill.

If you require removals to France to settle in Toulouse, you will find house prices vary depending on the area and the style of housing. According to expats, you can pick up a rental apartment in a 50s - 70s building, close or near to the centre, for a reasonable price. However, it is possible to pay double or even triple the price for a smaller flat in a good area and in a more attractive building.

Public Transport in Toulouse

Toulouse is a vibrant, but small city, and you can get to many places on foot. You can also hire bikes in the city and these are available from various automated stations on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual subscription basis.

In addition Toulouse has bus, metro and tram lines and one licensed taxi operator (Capitole Taxi). For journeys further afield, the city’s main railway station is Toulouse-Matabiau which has regional and national services.

The city’s main airport is Blagnac Airport, which is just a 20 minute drive from the centre and serves around 7 million passengers a year.

Healthcare in Toulouse

If you require removals to France, you can rest assured that the healthcare in France is exceptionally good and the hospitals provide high standards of care. The French public health system provides basic coverage and this is financed by tax contributions taken out of your pay cheque.

You need to register with your local social security office to be eligible. So take along your proof of residence, passport, and your proof of work, self-employment or retirement to the local office, the Caisse D’Assurance Maladie.

For removals to France, call the experts at Hamiltons Removals who will be happy to help with all aspects of your move.

Removals to France - click here for full information on our removals to France service or click here for a free European removals quote.