Getting connected to electricity, gas and water is not usually difficult. In many cases you can take over existing utilities contracts by signing a form with the old tenant or owner so there’s no interruption of service. 

If you do have to re-establish a connection this normally takes no more than 48 hours and all you’ll need is ID (a copy of your passport) and proof of your address in France.  As you won't have any utility bills, use whatever paperwork you have relating to the purchase of the property.

Until July 1st this year, Electricité de France (EDF) enjoyed a national monopoly on supplying electricity - with prices fixed by the government - so there was no choice of electricity supplier. (Find your local EDF office in les pages jaunes, or via their website or central phone line.)

Now however, there is at least in theory an open market and you can choose any company you like to supply your energy.  However, this being France the deals on offer aren't astounding and often come with all sorts of strings attached.  EDF are also warning that if you leave them, you won't be able to change your mind later, which is unfriendly.  See www.energie2007.fr for the lastest updates on what is available in your area, and read all the small print before signing up for anything.

Domestic current is 220 volts AC, so all electrical equipment from the UK will run fine in France. You'll have to change all your plugs as modern sockets and plugs have two round pins and one hole, although some relatively low-current appliances (ie lamps) just have two-pin (ie unearthed) plugs. The biggest difference for Brits in France is that you can only have up to 36kw of power in France   not enough to run all your large appliances simultaneously.
When you arrive, don’t assume that the electricity isn’t connected until you’ve tried flicking the switch on the fuse board. It may well still be connected. If so, just phone the EDF the next day to get your name put on the bill, and to sort out what option tarifaire (price scheme) you want.

There are three possibilities   the option de base which means that the price per unit is always the same; the option heures pleines/creuses which means cheaper electricity for 8 hours a night, and the option tempo which is ideal for second homes as electricity is cheap 300 days a year, expensive 22 days a year (ie the coldest) and middling the rest of the time. 
These three options are explained in detail on their website, and once you’ve chosen you have to stick with an option for a year before you can change your mind. The EDF have a free advice service le conseil tarifaire, which will help you chose the appropriate option, and there’s nothing to stop you repeating the exercise every year.

You can also opt to pay a fixed amount every month and then settle the difference when the meter is read. Meters can be read every two months or only every six months, depending on your level of consumption.

While you’re at it, the EDF has a self-imposed list of commitments to clients that is useful reading, and of course it’s a good idea to stick the emergency number for reporting faults by the phone.

Gaz de France (GDF) functions in the same way as the EDF having been part of the same company for years. Find your local GDF office in les pages jaunes, via their website or national phone line.

Fuel for the fire
The French tend to be suspicious about mains gas and many are afraid of it to the point of having it removed from their houses, so you will find fewer gas installations than in the UK and almost none at all outside the cities.

Bottled gas is widely used for cooking stoves and water heaters, and deposits on bottles are gradually being abandoned which is good news. Shop around as prices vary, and invest in une clef (a little plastic spanner costing €1-2 which fits les bouteilles de gas) at the quincaillerie (hardware shop) so you can win gas bottle battles without breaking your nails. If you get sick of lugging bottles, consider installing a pair of double-sized bottles in the cellar or the garage which can be automatically replaced by a man in a lorry.

In the countryside, many people still have open fireplaces, glass fronted fires, and solid fuel stoves, either smaller, decorative ones for the sitting room, or larger ones for cooking. Ask at the town hall about firewood. If there’s none available free in the area, you’ll have to buy it in and of course it’s cheaper if you chop it yourself. Ring round to find the best prices.

For coal, which burns slowly enough to keep your Aga going all night long, allow approximately a tonne per winter if you’re also burning wood, and remember that if you do buy a tonne, you should get it delivered free. Get chimneys swept annually and keep the receipt with your house insurance in case of a claim.  

French water and sewerage disposal is metered and provided by private companies employed by the local town hall. Rates vary across the country, as do billing frequencies. Obviously you pay for what you use so if you can, water the garden with rain or river water. Mains supply is drinking water and standards are regulated by the national authorities, so there is absolutely no necessity to buy bottled water although many people do, especially for babies.

While you’re at the mairie finding out about water bills, also ask about the collection des ordures   rubbish collection   as this is also organised locally. They will also tell you where to find local paper, plastic and bottle banks. (It is illegal to throw batteries away   dispose of them in the special containers at supermarkets and DIY stores.)

Also ask the town hall about getting rid of larger items (les encombrants), as most communes organise a collection once a month. For more urgent matters, ask for direction to the déchetterie   the rubbish sorting and recycling centre. The bill (or taxe d’ordures) for rubbish disposal is payable annually.

FACT FILE

EDF general enquiries: 00 33 (0)8 10 12 61 26
EDF website: www.edf.fr Very useful comprehensive site giving all details of prices and tips for keeping bills reasonable. All in French except for the home page which is available in English.

GDF general enquiries: 00 33 (0)8 10 14 01 50
www.gazdefrance.fr
Comprehensive site in French

www.energie2007.fr for information on alternative energie suppliers

TIPS (LES AUSTUCES)
If you didn’t get your house surveyed (not obligatory when buying in France) or if you know the wiring is dodgy, get a qualified electrician to come and look at it asap. The EDF will connect absolutely any wiring, in any condition. But if it isn’t aux normes   up to French regulatory standards, it could invalidate your house insurance in the case of a fire caused by faulty wiring, for example.

Don’t be tempted to re-wire your house the English way   it may not meet the required standard, will lower the resale value of the property and could dangerously confuse all subsequent local electricians.

To get things moving quickly when you first arrive in France, make sure that you have several UK plug boards to which you have already fitted French plugs.  That way you'll be able to use all your UK appliances without having to change every single electric plug on the first night.

It often isn't worth bringing heavy items like washing machines to France from the UK.  They're backbreaking to move, and often don't survive the shock.  Sell them and use the cash to replace them when you arrive.

Disclaimer
This dossier article is intended as a general guide only.  For specific information relative to your own situation, please use the contact details in the factfile.  The information given here was correct at the time of publication.  However, if you notice a gremlin causing typos or any other inaccuracies, do please let us know.

Updates
This article was last updated 15 September 2007