At French Connections HCB, we go beyond administrative assistance. From visas and residency to legal support, insurance, and property services, we provide a full range of solutions to help you settle into life in France with ease. Our team of experts is committed to offering personalised guidance at every stage, ensuring that whether you need help with bureaucracy, legal matters, or financial planning, your transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back.
French Connections HCB was born from a unique friendship between two young rugby players who shared a passion for teamwork and a deep connection to France. Over the years, that friendship grew into a successful business partnership focused on helping English-speaking expats settle into life in France. Today, our team of over 30 dedicated professionals brings together decades of local expertise and global experience across various sectors, from legal and financial services to property management and insurance.
Our diverse team, drawn from a wide range of industries, allows us to provide comprehensive, tailored solutions to meet the needs of every client. With specialists in French law, finance, healthcare, and administration, we can cut through the red tape and give you direct access to the best advice and services available in France. Whether we’re liaising with local bank managers or working alongside trusted accountants and legal professionals, we ensure you receive the support you need at every stage of your journey.
Simplifying the Transition to Life in France
At French Connections HCB, our mission is simple: to make your move to France as easy and stress-free as possible. We understand that navigating French bureaucracy can be overwhelming, which is why we offer a comprehensive range of services designed to cover every aspect of your relocation and everyday life. From securing visas and handling residency applications to offering expert financial, legal, and insurance advice, we are here to help you every step of the way.
We're always informed on the latest French administrative changes and making sure all is done correctly.
Your administrative procedures are being handled by a team that is qualified and experienced.
We keep you up to date on the progress of your application.
Save yourself the time and hassle of having to do it all yourself.
The Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis family’s connection to France spans generations, blending French, British, and American history. This enduring bond began with Richard Hammond’s grandmother, Bettine Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis (née Bulloch), affectionately known as “Ma.” Bettine was a true Francophile, educated at the renowned Sorbonne in Paris, where she cultivated a lifelong love for French culture and language.
Her passion for France was passed down from her father, Major General RA Bulloch DSO, a decorated war hero who earned honours such as the Légion d’honneur and Croix de Guerre for his service during the Battle of the Somme. His deep affection for France influenced Ma, who grew up speaking fluent French and Italian. Bettine’s French heritage extended even further, as her mother was a descendant of Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke, Comte d’Hunebourg and Duc de Feltre, a celebrated Napoleonic general.
Bettine married Peter Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis MBE, a man with his own fascinating family history. They married aboard the Royal Yacht in South Africa, where Peter served as the ship’s navigator. His grandfather, Robert Sharp Borgnis Hammond Chambers QC, was granted the family’s double-barrelled name by Queen Victoria. Together, Peter and Bettine retired to France, where they played a pivotal role in Richard’s upbringing, instilling in him the values and cultures of both France and Britain.
The family’s connection to the Gers region of France began serendipitously. During a family holiday arranged by Bettine, Richard’s parents were enchanted by the charm of the French countryside. In a moment of inspiration, they impulsively purchased a farmhouse in Auch, Gers. Just one year later, in 1988, Richard was born, solidifying the family’s enduring ties to the region.
Growing up in the Gers, Richard embraced both French and British traditions. His cousin, James Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis, introduced him to rugby, sparking a lifelong passion for the sport. By the age of 14, Richard was playing semi-professional rugby, a reflection of his connection to the region’s deep-rooted rugby culture.
The Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis family’s legacy of travel and cultural integration culminated when Richard founded French Connections HCB. Drawing from his unique blend of British and French influences, Richard created a company dedicated to helping others transition smoothly to life in France. With the same dedication his family applied to their international journeys, Richard and his team offer bespoke relocation and administrative services, providing clients with a seamless, stress-free move to France.
Whether navigating complex French bureaucracy or offering expert advice, French Connections HCB ensures that clients are supported every step of the way.
Today, Richard’s children are growing up in the same Gers region, continuing the Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis family’s connection to France into the next generation. With their rich history of cultural integration, the family is uniquely positioned to guide others through the often complex process of relocating to France. Whether it’s visa applications, property services, or relocation consulting, the team at French Connections HCB offers empathetic, knowledgeable support, driven by a deep love for both France and the UK.
Property & Business specialist
Richard Hammond
Richard has his own portfolio of businesses and properties in France and has assisted many families in settling here, both in terms of setting up businesses and buying or renting houses. Richard was born and grew up in the Gers and knows the processes inside out. His own personal experience is a great plus when it comes to helping you navigate administrative complexities or negotiate with estate agents. Richard has also built a strong team of trusted partners around him, including builders, renovation experts, pool companies, quantity surveyors, notaries, bank managers and insurance brokers. That means he can offer the very best and most competitive services to all French Connections HCB clients.
Administrative Assistant
Juliette Harancot
Juliette grew up in Bordeaux where she was inspired from a very young age by its architecture and history. Building styles and trends have always intrigued her, so she’s a natural fit to lead our property research team on behalf of clients looking for their dream home. If you are looking for a property to buy or rent, Juliette will be your eyes and ears on the ground and will focus all her skills in finding your perfect home. When you are ready to visit, she will line up appointments and can accompany you in person or via video link if required. There is another practical side to Juliette that comes in very handy: she can see beyond the existing structure of a building towards the possibilities it holds, which makes her uniquely qualified to advise you. A talented painter and graphic artist, Juliette also offers to re-look any one room free of charge in the property you buy.
Administrative Assistant
Annabelle Thore
Annabelle is the newest member of our admin team. Born and living in the Gers region of France, she graduated with a degree in Business and went on to earn a professional trading licence in French food and wine in Bordeaux. After 7 years honing her administrative skills, she joined the French Connections HCB family because she felt at home with the dynamic way the team works together to solve problems for clients all over the world. Widely travelled in the UK and US, Annabelle has had plenty of opportunity to perfect her English, which is greatly appreciated by many of our clients.
