Living in France: Meeting the Mayor

In this new series looking at life in small French communes, Leah Rottier starts off by visiting the mairie…

British Francophiles cross the Channel in their thousands every year, hoping to start a new and rewarding life in France. A large majority seek rural tranquillity, with spectacular countryside views and a great climate often high on the list of priorities. Many of them choose small communes and villages over larger and busier cities. But how do these communes function and who will be the key players you’ll need to get to know as you settle into your new life in La Belle France?

The main figure in any French commune is the maire/mairesse – the local mayor. In the UK, we may never need to visit the town hall and we may not even know the name of our town mayor, but in France, the mayor is the focal point of every commune. You’ll undoubtedly be a regular visitor to your mairie (town hall) when you live here. Town halls, and the services they offer, vary depending on the size of the commune. A sleepy village with a hundred or so residents may have a mairie that only opens a couple of mornings a week, and you may have the inconvenience of having to go to a larger town for some of your administrative needs. However, on the plus side, you’ll often find you’re on first-name terms with the mayor in a tiny village and they’ll be more accessible for any questions you may have. The mairie (town hall) in a larger commune will be open five or six days a week. The mayor often works with a large team of conseillers municipaux (municipal councillors), managing a multi-million- euro budget and investing in the town’s infrastructure and development through numerous projects. There are also likely to be several commissions (committees) – each one dealing with a separate department, such as finance or culture.

Jean-Noël Dupré has been the mayor of Confolens, in northern Charente, since 2014. Now in his second term, he currently works with a team of 24 municipal councillors, dedicated to improving the town and its services, and investing in its youth. This picturesque town. borders the Vienne river and is a popular destination for Brits who choose to buy both main residences and second homes in the area. With a population of just over 2,800 inhabitants, it’s a dynamic and lively town with a wide range of facilities, including a cinema, hospital and supermarkets. Mayor Dupré credits the very reasonable property prices in the area for its popularity with British househunters. “It’s also a very well-preserved area with lush valleys, rivers and an abundance of greenery and nature, and there’s a rich programme of cultural events too,” he says. He adds that his top tip for newcomers is to stop by the mairie to introduce yourself as soon as you settle in the area. “It’s important to establish good relations, so come and make yourself known. Book an appointment for an informal chat, fill in the form for new residents and be sure to come to the ceremony for newcomers too,” he says. It’s not just good manners to stop by the town hall, it can also be extremely useful to have already made contact with the mayor if and when emergencies arise and you find that you need help.

In late March 2024, Confolens experienced a rare flooding incident, with several properties close to the river affected. In these situations, it’s helpful for the mayor to know if houses are occupied or if they’re second homes with the owners abroad. Fortunately, situations like this don’t occur very often, but it’s good to be prepared for any eventuality. Another top tip from Mayor Dupré is to install the mairie’s app on your smartphone. Many communes throughout France now offer this service and Confolens is no exception. Not only do you get notifications about upcoming events and the latest news in the town, you’ll also be alerted in the case of any weather incidents or emergencies that may have an impact on residents. As a homeowner in France, you’ll need to visit the mairie for many different reasons. Whether you’re looking to renew a carte de séjour, request approval for a house renovation project (including extensions or installing a swimming pool) or report a stray dog, you’ll need to stop by your town hall. You can also discover what associations there are in the commune, grab a timetable for the yellow and black bin bag collections, and check the town’s schedule of upcoming festivals and events.

If you live close to a listed building, you may need to check with your mairie before painting your shutters, as only certain shades will be allowed. A good rule of thumb is to err on the side of caution and check before undertaking any house renovations.

Benoît Gagnadour, mayor of Champagne-Mouton in Charente, explains that one of the main advantages of his role is the interaction with the commune’s residents and being able to help wherever he can with any home-improvement projects they are undertaking.

“Don’t hesitate to come to the mairie if you need any information at all,” he says. “At least a quarter of our residents are British, so you can also reach out to members of the British community for help and advice on everyday life.”

The quaint village of Champagne-Mouton is home to around 1,000 people. It’s a popular choice for homeseekers thanks to its rural charm, lively centre (with several shops and services – including a veterinary clinic and doctor’s surgery) – and its close proximity to the larger towns of Confolens and Ruffec.

Mayor Gagnadour encourages newcomers to the commune to get involved and fully integrate into French life by joining an association, becoming a volunteer or participating in the many events organised by the village. He adds that the town’s Facebook page is updated regularly, so it’s a good idea for residents to keep up to date with the latest news by checking it frequently.

Like its neighbouring town, Confolens also organises a wide variety of events throughout the year. Mayor Dupré invests heavily in a diverse cultural calendar and the commune enjoys free music concerts in the summer months, regular year-round farmers’ markets and nautical activities on the river. Not to mention the passage of the Olympic torch through the town in 2024.

So, when you’ve unpacked your suitcases in your French home, make your local mairie your first port of call. You’ll get a friendly welcome and be off to a great start settling into your new community – and you never know what else you might discover.

Interested in reading more about living in France?

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