Why Choose White & Company?
Planning to move to Brittany in the near future? Here’s just a few of the reasons why you should consider choosing White & Company as your designated removals specialist:
- offices & storage depots in Brittany & UK
- door-to-door packing & removals
- founder member of BAR, FIDI & OMNI
- award winning service
- established in the UK since 1871
- fully insured
- dedicated team of trained professionals
- tailored removals package
We’re founder members of the British Association of Removers, FIDI & OMNI and have been providing removal and shipping services to destinations all over the world for over 135 years.
Finding A Place in the Sun Brittany; It’s almost everybody’s dream to find a place in the sun and for many people Brittany is the ideal place to own a second home or to relocate full time.
There are plenty of reasons why it is such a popular location. It has easy access from the south coast English ports of Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth; property prices in Brittany are generally lower than those in many other parts of France and the climate is very similar to that of Cornwall.
Whether you’re moving to the sandy beaches of Brest or the cosy villages surrounding the Briton capital city of Rennes, our specialist local knowledge will help ensure your belongings arrive safely, without disruption.
Our removals service
We offer weekly removals services to and from Brittany.
This includes either full load consignments that take your belongings directly from point A to B, or part loads that are delivered shortly after your arrival.
Our extensive fleet of vehicles, specialist local knowledge and experienced staff make us the standout choice for all removals to Brittany.
We can arrange a free no obligation home survey and quotation to carried out by one of our qualified surveyors. They will answer any questions you have and offer advice where necessary.
The survey will determine the volume of effects you will be shipping. The total cost of shipment is based on the space your effects will take up in our vehicle.
Regular removals to Brittany
Our dedicated team in the UK & Brittany will ensure that all the relevant paperwork and customs clearance is processed correctly and arrange the unloading and unpacking of your household goods.
Upon arrival at your local depot all effects are transferred to the export warehouse to await loading into a 20ft or 40ft container.
Depot Locations
White & Company offers secure containerised storage facilities via its own depots, with 19 strategically placed storage facilities throughout the UK and Brittany to choose from.
Recognition
White & Company are founder members of the British Association of Removers, FIDI & OMNI, the voices of the removals industry both in the UK and internationally.
All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European Standard BS EN 14873.
Insurance
Despite our best efforts sometimes items get damaged or things go amiss. White & Company always try to minimise problems during the moving process, that’s why we offer limited liability insurance.
Marine insurance is a key consideration when shipping overseas. We recommend that you consider protecting your valuable personal possessions while in transit and/or storage with our ‘All Risk’ Marine Standard Liability cover.
Marine Insurance Cover is offered to you on receipt of a completed Overseas Valuation Form. Such Marine Insurance Cover is ‘Comprehensive’ and ‘All Risk’ and is based on the values as declared by you on the Overseas Valuation Form.
Moving to Brittany? Get a removals quote
Preparing for Your Move
The process of moving house appears stressful at the best of time, but throw in the idea of not just moving house but to an entire different country altogether and the prospect can seem even more unsettling.
Moving to Brittany, or in fact anywhere in France, is not as daunting as it first seems.
Firstly, Brittany, located in the north west of France is just a small distance from England.
It is accessible from the ports of Southampton, Portsmouth and various others via the Channel or by even road via the Eurotunnel.
Having said this there are some differences as to how the move is handled domestically which you need to prepare for, including navigating French laws and customs.
By choosing a reliable removals company like White & Company you are not only getting a first-class removals service but access to the knowledge and skills of an experienced international relocator.
White & Company carry out around 20-30 regular moves to and from Brittany and other destinations all over France every week.
No matter what challenges you face you can rest assured that we have likely encountered and overcome them before. Whether you are moving to a small city apartment or a huge chateau in the countryside we’re equipped to get the job done and be home in time for tea.
Before we jump on board here are some useful pre-planning tips to consider first before you take the plunge and move to Brittany:
Below are some useful tips to consider before you move to Brittany:
- Register – You will need to register with the Office Français de l‘Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII) within three months of arriving. After the UK leaves the EU you may need to register with the French authorities through a new registration system.
- Research – Before you buy a property anywhere do you research. Location is key. It’s no good living in the middle of the countryside if you have to commute for hours to work or get the children to school.
- Rent before you buy – Living is totally different to visiting or holidaying. Renting first gives you a chance to get a feel for the different neighbourhoods and villages in and around Brittany. Take your time and consult the opinions of expats who have gone before you.
- Secure school places – There are lots of great public and private schools in Brittany. Places are highly sought after however, so do your research and apply in advance. For expats wanting their child to follow a curriculum from their home country International Schools are also a great option.
- Consider if public healthcare will suffice for your family or whether you’ll need private cover instead.
- Vaccinate and microchip your pets and obtain the necessary paperwork they need to move with you.
- Start taking language lessons – While many people in the main cities of Nantes and Rennes speak English, large parts of Brittany consist of rural countryside where little English is spoken. Brush up on your French before you go or consider taking classes.
Popular Destinations We Cover in Brittany
- Côtes d’Armor
- Finistère
- Ille et Vilaine
- Morbihan
FAQs
There are currently no restrictions on foreigners wishing to purchase property in Brittany.
It comes as no surprise that France is the second most preferred country to purchase abroad, just behind Spain, thanks to its range of competitively priced properties.
Laws do vary slightly depending on the type of property purchased and region but generally the major steps to owning property in France are:
Engage a French estate agent They will draw up the agreement between buyer and seller and help you with all the legal documentation. (Note the buyer covers all of the legal fees and taxes, which usually amount to 7.5 % of the purchase price).
Bon de visite – The bon de visite is an agreement between you and your estate agent in France. It essence confirms that if you buy the property, you agree that they will serve as your intermediary for the deal.
Compromis de Vente – A formal written contract of sale agreement which legally binds together the seller and purchaser. The agreement can be drafted by the estate agent handling your sale and overseen by a Notaire, a public servant who can vouch for the authenticity of the agreement.
Acte de vente – The acte de vente is the completion deed. When it has been signed, the sale has been completed. It is similar in some ways to an English title deed so you need to hold on to this one!
France offers a wide choice of general practitioners and healthcare specialists. For those who have experience of the health system in for example, the UK, the contrast in standards can be startling.
The process of registering with a doctor takes place when you join the health system through your local Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM) or state insurance office.
They will give you a form to complete, which should be returned via your doctor when you make a visit. You are not restricted to any particular doctors’ practice and you can choose which one you prefer even if it’s not in your town.
Part of the cost of medical treatment is covered by the State.
The French social security system is largely funded by the contributions of employers, employees and the self-employed. For example, employees pay more than 20% of their gross salary, deducted at source.
Even if you are affiliated to, or registered with the basic French State health system, when you see a doctor or specialist, you first pay their bill and are then get reimbursed at a later date. Note that children under 16 years of age can attend appointments, at any time, without financial penalty.
If you intend to own a home in Brittany, then opening a French bank account is essential. As an EU citizen you are free to open an account at any time.
Fortunately the process is relatively straightforward you will just need to make sure you bring along certain documentation and allow sufficient time.
Most banks in France have English speaking staff available so the formalities can generally be accomplished with relative ease.
You will be asked to provide the following documentation when you attend in person to open your account:
Marriage certificate and a copy
Identity documents (Passport, Photo ID, driving licence)
Current details of your bank (current and checking accounts)
Confirmation of your new fixed address in France
You may also be asked to provide confirmation of your income and other documentation relating to identification such as utility bills.
The modern region of Brittany is made up of four ‘departments’: Finistere, Cotes-d’Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine and Morbihan.
The region draws its unique character from its proximity to the sea. Towns such as Dinard, near St Malo have long proven popular with the British and are favourite spot for retirees, but, like many beach resort towns can become crowded during the summer months.
Brittany is also home to several historical capital cities with strong working opportunities favoured among expats such as Rennes, Brest and Nantes.
In these cities will find typical French houses and spacious modern apartments located on narrow cobbled streets. The major benefits include close access to many areas of cultural interest, great restaurants and excellent retail opportunities.
You will pay a premium for popular spots on the Finistere peninsular such as Huelgoat, Quimper and Morlaix where you will find a selection of very expensive chic properties.
For those operating on a tighter budget inland is the place to be. Paimpont and Rochefort-en-Terre are popular towns and you will find anything from a small gites (cottages and holiday home), to a countryside Chateau.
It is compulsory for all children resident in France to attend school between the ages of six and 16.
French education is divided into primary level (école), elementary or middle school (collège) and high school (lycée).
Brittany has a massive range of great public and private schools to choose from including:
Middle School La Croix Rouge
School Group Des Quatre Moulins
Annex Middle School Diwan Penn Ar
Ecole de français CIEL Bretagne
Ecole Notre Dame de Bon Secours
The younger your children are the easier they will find it is to adjust to a French state school and they will learn the language quickly.
For older children or those only intending to stay in Brittany for a short period of time international schools are a viable alternative.
Children can be taught in French but still follow a curriculum aligned with their home country, through an international programme such as the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Fees can be high so it is worth checking with your employer if they will cover part of all of the expense as part of an expat relocation package.
What Others Say…
Wayne Middleton and Brian Witherford were professional and extremely helpful. Did a brilliant job. Would recommend Whites to anyone. Thanks very much.
Have used this company regularly for 5 years including my time in the armed forces. They are professional and efficient. Will use them again on our next move.
The move went very smoothly and they were very polite.
A very smooth move by White and Co. The team worked very hard and were polite, professional and helpful.
