Most shops are closed on Mondays, banks as well! On Tuesday morning we open a bank account. We heard some good references on Crédit Agricole and had no reasons to choose another bank. After several forms and signatures we are the proud owner of an account with bank card and cheques. We put our first deposit.
At home we can easily check our account via Internet, but also the bank will send statements to our address in Holland.

We arrive at the agent at half past one. He is just completing his lunch and five minutes later we are on our way.

A golden sign reveals the office of the notary. It is a woman and she is treated with respect. At 2 o'clock sharp we are invited in her office. She takes all the time and speaks slowly to make sure that we understand everything she says. At the end of her story we put all the necessary autographs and signatures on the "Acte de Vente" and all its attachments.
Then she opens her cheque book and the seller and the agent get their compensation.
One hour later we are outside. We just get one little piece of paper ("Attestion") declaring that we are the new owners. The official papers will come in summer.

Tomorrow we have to call EDF for the electricity and the also the water company has to be notified.

After the champagne it is time for formalities. Electricité de France (EDF) has to be contacted to change the name on the contract. Also the water supply has to be informed.

The notary had put everything on a piece of paper, including the name of the person who previously rented our house. Knowing this name appeared to be very useful.

The toll free EDF number is dialled and somebody responds after a few moments. I cannot hide my Dutch accent and the EDF-person collapses immediately. He does not want to understand what I'm saying and wants me to come to the office. 70 km are somewhat too much for this formality. Instead I decide to drive to the house agent, which makes a difference of 50 km.

My friend and I are warmly welcomed. When he recognizes the note, he already understands what I want to ask and picks up the phone. It was good that I brought a Relevé d'Identité Bancaire (RIB), a kind of bank account identification. All together the bank accounts have 25 digits. 5 minutes later everything has been arranged, including the water. Tomorrow morning they will come to check the meter that I could not read, because it was condensed.

The next morning an agent from the water supply arrives. He has a form that already includes our name and address in Holland. We sign.

We are satisfied that these formalities are done and can now concentrate on the plans for our new house.