Buying Property in the Languedoc: Mains Services and Utilities

Water. If you are on the mains, this is simply a matter of getting the supplier (generally a private company) to read the meter on the date of sale and to transfer the account to your name.

If you live in a remote property you may well have your own well or spring, which is likely to be far superior to the treated stuff the water companies provide.

Drainage. If you are on the mains, this is really nothing you need to do

If you live in a remote property you may well have your own septic tank, which you will need to learn how to manage.

Electricity. If you are on the mains, this is simply a matter of getting the supplier (Electricité de France - EDF) to read the meter on the date of sale and to transfer the account to your name. You may need to pay a connection charge, and possibly a deposit if you are not resident.

In rural areas you might want to try generating your own electricity using solar, wind or hydroelectic power.

Gas. If you are on the mains, this is simply a matter of getting the supplier (Gaz de France - GDF) to read the meter on the date of sale and to transfer the account to your name. You may need to pay a connection charge, and possibly a deposit if you are not resident.

In rural areas mains gas is rare. Most people use cylinders of butane, a scaled up version of camping gaz. A large cylinder will last a year or more and is not enormously more expensive than piped gas.

Telephones. Telephone lines are available to all but the remotest dwellings. ASDL however is available only in major towns and along roads connecting them. Reception seems to be good for mobile telephones almost everywhere except remote mountain areas.