Moving to France is often imagined as a dream: a new lifestyle, beautiful landscapes, better balance, new opportunities, a fresh start for yourself or your family. But behind the excitement often comes the reality of French administration — visa applications, residency permits, healthcare registration, utility contracts, driving regulations, paperwork, translations, appointments and endless forms.

That is exactly where FAV Services was born.

For Alex, it all started with a passion for classic cars — and a very real administrative nightmare.

When he decided to import a 1933 British Austin 7 into France, he suddenly found himself navigating a maze of import procedures, customs declarations, FFVE applications, compliance requirements, French registration paperwork, tax documents and technical inspections. Even as a French native, the process was complicated, time-consuming and often frustrating.

For English-speaking expats, it could feel almost impossible.

“When I imported my Austin, I spent weeks chasing administrations, trying to understand procedures and checking every document over and over again. I remember thinking: nobody should have to go through this alone when moving to France.” — Alex

That experience led Alex to start helping British and American expats import their vehicles into France — classic cars, modern vehicles, motorcycles and collector cars — while removing as much stress and uncertainty from the process as possible.

Very quickly, the requests evolved.

Clients no longer only wanted help importing a vehicle. They also wanted assistance sourcing cars directly in France, handling registration, insurance, compliance procedures and everything related to driving legally in France.

That is when Sylvain joined the adventure, bringing his expertise in vehicle sourcing, automotive logistics and import procedures.

Then, naturally, clients started asking for help with other parts of their relocation to France.

A visa application. A residency permit. CPAM registration. An EDF contract. Certified translations. Opening a French bank account. Help finding a home. School enrolment.

And very often, one sentence kept coming back:

“Can you just handle everything for us?”

That is how FAV Services became much more than a vehicle import service — evolving into a full relocation and concierge company for English-speaking expats moving to France.

Today, FAV Services supports expats and international families with every aspect of relocation to France: visa applications, residency permits, carte de séjour renewals, CPAM and healthcare registration, vehicle import and registration, driving licence exchanges, insurance, utility contracts, banking assistance, property support, translations, school enrolment and day-to-day concierge services.

Because moving to France should not feel overwhelming when you are surrounded by the right people.

Being French means the team understands the culture, the administration and the hidden details that often create stress for newcomers. But beyond expertise, FAV Services is built around human support — clear communication, patience, honesty and practical guidance from people who genuinely care about making your move easier.

Alex surrounded himself not only with trusted in-house specialists, but also with a network of experienced professionals and partners who share the same philosophy of service. Depending on each client’s needs, FAV Services works alongside trusted notaries, real estate agents, certified translators, insurance specialists, relocation experts, consular contacts and other qualified professionals across France.

The goal has never been to replace these experts — quite the opposite.

It is about connecting expats with the right people, at the right moment, while coordinating the entire process to make relocation smoother, clearer and far less stressful.

One sentence has even become something of a running joke during FAV Services consultation calls:

“We take care of everything you’ll need in France — honestly, anything and everything… as long as it’s not illegal or criminal 😂” — Alex

And while it is said with humour, it perfectly reflects the philosophy behind FAV Services: making relocation feel lighter, smoother and far less stressful for people starting a new life in France.

Instead of spending weeks trying to understand prefecture requirements, searching forums, translating official documents or worrying about missing paperwork, clients can focus on what truly matters: building their new life in France.

We handle the stressful side of relocation — you enjoy the exciting part.

Whether you are moving permanently, retiring in France, relocating with family, importing a vehicle, buying a property or simply trying to navigate French administration with confidence, FAV Services is here to make the transition smoother, clearer and much more enjoyable.

Because moving to France is not only about paperwork.

It is about feeling at home.