French administrative formalities are bound up in "red tape", and a property transaction is no exception. However, the system is in many ways better and safer than that applying in most other countries, including England, and "gazumping", for example, is extremely rare since, once a sale has been agreed, the parties are tied by a pre-contract. All normal property transactions must pass through a "notaire" (notary) who is the only person who can make the title searches and obtain certain (...) > continue