Located in the heart of the British capital and near iconic landmarks, the Mayfair district is often considered the equivalent of upmarket Rue de la Paix in the French Monopoly!
Let’s go and explore Greenwich, an attractive area of east London that will charm you with its history, its cultural vibrancy, and quality of life.
In the heart of the London metropolis, a silent revolution is underway to combat air pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
If you haven’t made your new year resolutions yet: here are tips from French Touch!
Every district has its own charm, and that’s what we like about London. Let’s head to the South East of the capital! Mathilde will help us discover Canada Water.
Mathilde will take you today to discover the district of Battersea. Cross the old Albert Bridge, to leave Chelsea and the north bank of the Thames to reach the South.
Let us take you on a journey of discovery: Chelsea is a charming district of west London that is both lively and residential with plenty to draw you in. Renowned for its village atmosphere, its beautiful architecture and its designer boutiques, many intellectual artists and personalities have settled there since the 19th Century. It is now one of the most expensive housing areas.
Chelsea displays a full range of architectural styles: pretty Georgian and Victorian pastel-coloured houses, and communal gardens typical of West London. Those who enjoy modern architecture will find the Chelsea Waterfront complex on the banks of the Thames with contemporary penthouses with breath-taking views.
At Chelsea’s heart, Sloane Square is bubbling both culturally and commercially. From King’s Road, the main artery known for its elegant boutiques, cafes and restaurants, wander around in the adjacent streets: enjoy the tranquillity of Paultons Square or the charming pretty little houses and their colourful facades on Burnsall street and Bywater street.
If you are into history, visit the National Army Museum. For lovers of contemporary art, take a trip to the Saatchi Gallery. Should you go there on a Saturday, have lunch in the Duke of York square market where you will find a variety of stalls to suit all tastes, with a world cuisine atmosphere.
A true historical landmark, the Chelsea Arts Club brings together artists from all walks of life. A private club founded in 1890, it is now a place for exchange and exhibitions throughout the year.
The area is home to Britain’s second oldest botanic garden, the Chelsea Physic Garden. Every year at the end of May, the district runs to the beat of the Chelsea Flower Show which attracts many enthusiasts. It’s a perfect opportunity to discover this colourful district. This is the most prestigious horticultural show in the world and has been held every year since 1913 in the gardens of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Finally, if you have green fingers and want to arrange your outdoor spaces, you will find all that you need at the Chelsea Gardener.
An affluent area par excellence, Chelsea often attracts families, who will find good schools there, both in the state and private systems: Malborough School and Hill House are good examples.
The Albert Bridge will take you across the Thames directly to one of the many city parks: Battersea Park. It’s not only a lovely walk but also a great discovery for children and adults alike if you go and explore its zoo.
Football fans will of course think of Chelsea Football Club, although their home stadium, Stamford Bridge, is actually located in nearby Fulham. Not far from the stadium, another more unusual green space but worth the visit is Brompton Cemetery. Spread over 16 hectares, it is very quiet. It is both a place of memory of the past and a place for family walks surrounded by flora and fauna.
As you can see, Chelsea offers a very pleasant living environment and is full of experiences and activities to share!
Some good addresses:
The Ivy Chelsea Garden for a refined atmosphere and cuisine
Marilou for French products
Bluebird an institution in Chelsea
Brinkley’s on Hollywood road
Bibendum restaurant located in the Michelin House building, it offers modern French cuisine by Michelin two star chef Claude Bosi
Amaia Kids on Cale street. This Spanish brand has seduced the royal family with its classic and timeless collections.
Duke of York Square and its Saturday market
La Famiglia as a way to escape to Tuscany over dinner
For French people living in the UK or thinking about it, the options available regarding healthcare and health insurance can sometimes seem unclear. In this article we are going to look into how the public and the private systems work in the UK.
The British National Health System
The United Kingdom has a universal and free health system which allows residents to benefit from free care at the point of use. It is mostly financed by taxes. However, the services are only free if you use the NHS (public) services. Non-residents may have to claim the costs back from their health care insurer. The NHS is partially devolved, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland making their own decisions about health services. The government grants these regions funding, which allows them to make decisions related to their own healthcare systems.
How does the NHS work?
To be able to access the British National Health System, you must be registered with a GP (General Practitioner), the doctor at your local surgery.
For any health issues, you must first consult the general practitioner (GP) who will then, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. Specialist consultations will only be free of charge if you are referred by a General Practitioner.
In the event of an emergency requiring hospitalization, in the majority of cases your care will be covered. For certain services, a contribution may be requested from the patient. You will have to pay for dental and ophthalmic services. These are almost never covered by the NHS unless you are in receipt of certain benefits or under 18. Prices can sometimes be very high.
For NHS appointments, it can take up to four to six months to get a booking with a physiotherapist, for example. Moreover, in England the consultation time with a GP is often limited to 15 minutes.
If you can’t or don’t want to wait too long, you may have to go through the private system, which could be much more expensive.
The private system in the UK
The public system in England is often overcrowded and if you don’t want to wait you can choose to go through the private healthcare system. French people residing in the UK tend to select this option because it’s faster and the quality of service is supposed to be better. Doctors who are not affiliated with the NHS set their own prices. There are several advantages to going through the private healthcare system in England.
Going privately will give you some reassurance as appointments can be booked much more rapidly: you should get an appointment as soon as the symptoms appear.
Consultations are also much longer, which should allow you to get an answer to all of your queries in one consultation. Seeing a doctor outside the NHS can be very expensive, especially, however, if you don’t have health insurance, so this is an important point to consider.
cute mother and daughter playing together, reading first book
How do you choose your private insurance?
First of all, it is important to look at what’s covered by the health insurance contract. It must at least cover your current and any emergency health costs and expenses. You can then look into the various options on offer. In both the private sector and the public sector, you can choose which General Practitioner to consult.
You will also have access to various services such as medical repatriation and on line appointments etc which can make life easier. Additional options with private insurance will offer to cover you for private opticians, dental care or maternity expenses.
Healthcare costs in the UK
On average, a visit to a private GP in the UK costs £150 compared to €25 (£22) in France. A birth in a private facility will cost around £12,500 in the UK compared to just €2,400 (£2,111) in France.
Prescription drugs have a fixed annual lump sum price if you need to take them regularly. Some drugs will be covered by the NHS while others are not. Fees may have to be charged if you have not taken out private health insurance.
Santexpat.fr
Santexpat.fr offers a health insurance comparator including full repayment or in addition to another health cover like the CFE (Caisse des Francais à l’Etranger). Based on 3 criteria – age, family situation and health costs in your country of expatriation – their algorithm will select the solutions best suited to your needs from a panel of more than 300 insurance offers from 20 partner insurance companies.
In addition, Santexpat.fr offers to simplify your healthcare requirements abroad by offering a range of services such as on line doctor’s appointments or a service exclusive to the UK.
