whats the requirments for two british people to buy a smallholding in france and live there, i am a tradesman?

Question

and my partner is a civil servant,

Answer 1

UK citizens can freely buy and own freeholds in France if that's what you mean to ask.

If you mean what is the process for buying property in France then all I can say is that you should plan on hiring a French solicitor. French property law is complex. The French bureaucracy and regulations makes those of the UK look like models of good natured efficiency and crystal clarity by comparison.

Answer 2

The more important is to speak French

if not go in Nice - Saint Paul de Vence area- Lots of British living there - but expensive