The usual advice for the UK is a sunny spot although some edible plants
accept shade OK. It's possible that being further south, some
traditional British vegetables won't do so well. Radish may not do so
well in high summer and some lettuce may bolt. On the up side, you
should be able to grow some heat-loving plants that are difficult in the
UK. On the downside, your colder winter weather might kill some UK
winter veg.

Suggestions:

1. Find out what other people are growing locally and how.
2. If you can read French well enough, buy a gardening book locally.
3. Use UK gardening instructions but read between the lines to adapt to
your area.

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/