Conditions in the French property market appear to be becoming more favourable for foreign buyers. In a recent development, French banks have moved to provide British and Irish buyers with better deals on loan-to-value mortgages. In the past, strict controls made it difficult for foreigners to obtain mortgages at sympathetic rates.

Research by Assetz Finance has revealed that the loan-to-value ratio offered by French banks to British buyers has increased from 80% to 90%. These developments will prove highly beneficial for the many thousands of Britons who purchase holiday homes in France each year.

When examining your options for a vacation in France, a boating holiday might not be the first idea to spring to mind. Nevertheless, France has much to offer those visitors seeking something a little out of the ordinary.

The French countryside is spectacularly beautiful. A boating holiday along one of the country's many canals provides the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of rural France whilst still allowing you to enjoy a relaxed sailing holiday. The Breton canals are some of the finest in France. Breton's river network consists of some 600km of navigable waterways. Holidaymakers can take two principal routes.