I’m sure this might be a bit controversial but I am looking for a recommendation from someone who has successfully used a weed killer to get rid of ivy and saplings and other very tough weeds.
When I was (much) younger I would have wielded a pickaxe - indeed I have been known to break pick axes (heads and handles) by being ‘too rough’ with them in tough stoney soil. Those days have unfortunately passed.
Part of my garden hasn’t been tended for perhaps 20 years. A mat of tough ivy carpets that area and saplings from wind-blown seeds have sprung up. The ground is as hard as concrete, it may have been used as a parking area in the past so well compacted.
I need a powerful weed killer that works! So if you have been successful in getting rid of brushwood, ivy, saplings etc., may I ask what weed killer you used please?
There is no acceptable weed killer that will work on that without rendering the soil barren and toxic.
Think Vietnam and agent orange.
Buy a proper solid brushcutter, perhaps a three wheeler, and use it regularly.
I use a Sheen thermal ( flame thrower!) weed clearer.https://www.sheenflamegun.co.uk/
Like the Capn, my first thought was a heat/flame gun, but do wait for the secheresse to pass.
Maybe get a pro in to do the first clearance? They will have seen it all before. Hopefully they’ll have heavy equipment that can literally drag it out Discuss disposal - by you or them.
Or maybe your local farmer if he’s willing. We had serious gorse, which is that type of plant, and he literally dragged it out with chains behind the tractor then dug out. A patch of it that was in a really difficult place was finally got out by dynamite years later. Didn’t leave a flat hard standing after though 
Is the refund from tax still working for “Aide à la personne?” ISTR you could get about 500 euros paid towards it - garden assistance was one of the options.
Only for petit jardinage, often described as not using major tools. I think a mower may be the limit. But 50% up to €5000 a year.
Especially if on saplings! Would be like lighting enormous candles.
Glyphosate is still the only effective systemic weedkiller. Available on line on various sites in EU
And a ridiculous thing to do. Work with the environment not try to kill it all the time.
Any product containing Genoxone will do the trick. Essential to use it in accordance with the instructions, preferably in the Spring when the temperature is between 5 and 20 degrees.
Unfortunately, the only real permanent solution is to clear all the ivy manually. You will find that it invades the soil at multiple points, each of which needs to be thoroughly uprooted and all removed. Then you will find the main roots which go very deep. These can be killed using a salt cone which will draw salt into the root but not disperse it into the soil. This will take multiple applications and about 12 months to kill the root.
This is what I had to do with what was admittedly a not huge area of ivy in my back garden and it took lots of manual effort. No ivy has grown back though in the four years since I did it. Glyphosphate would work but I don’t think it will stop it regrowing at some point.
Glyphosate is pretty benign, considering the amounts used the problems are relatively small.
The problem is the amounts used though. which have resulted in a lot of legitimate concern about its efects.
Anyway, it’s not available for individual use in France so that’s moot. Unless you fancy a large fine if the douaniers find it in your luggage.
Not come across that one - is it available for individuals to use?
Only supposed to use it between Jan and July, single use per year, no more than 20% of any area.
I was referring more to overall concept rather than specific product. So continuing to have to buy and use any chemical seems a bit daft to me as far better to work with what one has and develop a garden that is better balanced.
Slower, and perhaps more labour intensive in early years, but then will be more likely to be self sustaining.
So for example one problem area we slowly replaced the ultra thug ivy with another thuggish plant that was more acceptable to us. It has suppressed the ivy (senior moment can’t remember name - has berries). Another area has been taken over by self seeding mahonia which also keeps invaders at bay, and smells great when in flower as well as being good bee food early in year.
Fair enough - and I agree that if you are able repeated manual removal is often best.
Not all of us have that option which is why there is always an interest in chemicals - and some weeds, like Japanese Knotweed expressly must not be removed manually or the problem will become worse.
No it isn’t.
How thoroughly unsurprising 
Glyphosate was removed from sale some time ago but government kept changing mind and extending date, it is not a friendly product but its very effective not sure on current status of use
SBK is a brushwood specific product but never seen here, its very effective contains no glyphosate its not a generic clear the garden product
As a organic solution cheap vinegar from super u @ 5% and a cup of salt in a sprayer seems to drop anything, cheapest salt you can buy unless you want to use on your chips too!!
I am trialing rock salt at moment directly to areas of growth its proportional cheap, don’t expect to grow your veggies or pretty plants on same ground but it does wash out in time
Are they still going? I worked for them in the office in 1960 and they wanted to do some publicity for their products. They approached a well known singer of the time, Carol Carr, but she was too expensive, so they sent me across the road to a weed covered empty lot and took the photos of me in my office clothes, burning away.
Never paid me a penny. 
By golly they are, and still at the same address, but I see that their model who demonstrates it is much older and less glamourous than I was 65 years ago and perhaps they were wise not to pay me as the item seems just the same (in other words not needed improvement) and think what I would be worth today if they had signed an annual agreement.
It is a very good way of tackling weeds though, and if I had any, that is what I would be buying now. 
BTW, Hugh Prichard was the boss when I was there but old Mr. Hugh looked in from time to time and cousin, or uncle, Hugh Prichard was the Works Manager. I wonder if the family are still involved. 
Presumably. You still seem to be able to buy the X300
I have one, works on the same principle as the old paraffin blow lamps (heat of the flame used to vaporise the fuel by wrapping the pipe in a spiral around the flame.
They work, but like any treatment which just destroys the foliage things are usually growing back within the week.
Also: terrible idea when everything is dry and crispy.