[andy]

Hi Alexander,
Tax system in France is very complicated and it is better to contact several people in order to know the best trick to avoid paying to much tax.
You can contact an English solicitor which is an expert in the French property field: John Howell on europelaw.com.
You will have to pay a fee to them but at least they know how it works for an English family who wish to buy or let a property in France.
Hope it works.
Keep in touch