Giantpanda, thanks for the reply. But why else would we be moving to France if not to restart a life? We're not being naive, just curious. And I find that such ventures work out much better in the end if preparedness is leavened with a sense of adventure.

As I stated in my first post, we are not looking for jobs in France--our income is dependent on royalties that I receive in the US. This, however, seems like a catch-22: without getting a job first, which we don't even need in the first place, acquiring a long-term visa seems difficult if not impossible. In other words, don't any American writers/artists relocate to France??? Why wouldn't France want citizens who come with money without taking local jobs? Our situation seems to have fallen between the cracks, as it were, and our local consulate isn't exactly responsive.

As for our French, it is improving weekly. We wouldn't think of making a move to France without mastering the language first.