If you are buying a property inFrance, whether for a permanent or a holiday home, it is im

portant to open aFrench bank account. Although it is possible to exist on traveller&39; s cheques,Eurocheques and credit cards【1】______by British banks, the【2】______for these【3】______can be expensive.

The simplest way to pay regular【4】______,such as electricity, gas or telephone, 【5】______whenyou are not in residence, is by direct debit(a sum withdrawn from anaccount)from your French account.

To【6】______a current account, you will need to【7】______your passport and birth【8】______andto provide your address in the United Kingdom. You will be issued with a chequebook within weeks of opening the account. In France it is illegal to beoverdrawn. All accounts must be operated【9】______credit.However, there are no【10】______charges.

Note that cheques【11】______longer to clear in France than inBritain, and can only be stopped【12】______stolenor lost.

The easiest way to【13】______money from a British bank accountto a French【14】______is by bank transfer. You simply provide your British bankwith the name, address and【15】______of your French bank account. Theprocedure takes about a week and【16】______between￡ 5 and ￡ 40 for each transaction, 【17】______onyour British bank.

【18】______, you can transfer money【19】______aFrench bank in London. You can also send a sterling cheque(allow at least 12days for the cheque to be cleared), Eurocheques or traveller&39; s【20】______.

Finally, it is a good idea to make a friend of your French bankmanager. His help can prove invaluable.