Once you have moved to France and set up your home, organising apéritifs are a good way to meet the neighbours.

You can either pop round and knock on the door, phone or email. There is no need for written invitations.

Friday night is fine, Saturday lunchtime is only really for people you really know well. Sunday lunchtime is family time, but the evening is acceptable.

The usual drinks are pastis, whisky and a sweet fortified wine such as Muscat.

Useful tip

• Wine is usually drunk with a meal rather than before, but habits are changing, so you can serve white or rosé, although serving red wine might make people laugh.

In the full Moving to France helpguide, we explain:

• When, and how, to invite your neighbours for drinks
• The basics of apéro etiquette
• Meeting your local mayor, and why it is important
• How to register as an overseas voter for UK general elections
• Arranging postal and proxy votes
• Registering to vote in French municipal and EU elections

Download the guide as a PDF now from this link
…or ask a question about this topic in the comment box below.