Expatica’s editor in Germany is a veteran of three ’home-swaps’. She shares the upsides and downsides of a growing trend.

People have been known to lie on the floors of their apartments to hide from them, sneak past them, flee from them, beg them for help, discretion, leeway and complicity.

This is what you need to consider when making an early choice between purchasing or renting accommodation in France.

It can be both tempting and daunting to buy property in France — whether a sleek city apartment or a rustic rural retreat.

For new arriavals: save time and unpleasant surprises trying to rent an apartment or house in France with this overview of the market, rental conditions and the pitfalls.