Real Lives
CONTENTS
Real Life Stories of France
Welcome to 'Real Lives' - the section of FrenchEntrée that's packed with stories from people who have made the move to France.
If you want to set up a business and have a child going in to school, we also have first-hand accounts in our Business and Education zones. For health stories see our Health zone.
Would you like to tell others what your new life is like? We always like to receive real life stories. Go on, get in touch!
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A Week In The French Life Of...
Real life stories following a typical week in France of a....Shop
Winery
Ski Chalet
Brit Architect in France
Pub Restaurant
Estate Agent
Editor's picks
Nicky Whenman moved from Essex to Malestroit in Brittany six years ago. Here, she tells us why she chose to settle in the region. more...
We bought a restaurant in Normandy
French cuisine with an English accent
In 2002 Patrick and Nicky Hilyer swapped a settled family life in Saffron Walden, North Essex for an exciting but unpredictable future: running a restaurant in Lower Normandy. Patrick explains how they became restaurateurs.
more...
The Paris Pod
A humorous podcast on life in France
British expats James Simpson and Matt Adams started The Paris Pod in May 2011 as a way of sharing their views and experiences on a variety of subjects, from bureauocracy to fashion via l'andouillette and la bise. more...
In the dog house!
Eleanor Fullalove meets Rick and Tracey Harwood, a couple living the good life in France. They run luxury kennels in Normandy. Here they reveal why they made the move and how they make it work for them.
more...
Opera singing to soap making
Nia Hafsia wanted a change
Nia Hafsia left Wales in 2005 to start a business in Bergerac making natural soaps, including varieties such as beetroot & celery, strawberries & Champagne, chestnut & chocolate torte. The opera singer and piano teacher wanted to do something different.more...
Running a gite in Brittany
C’est ma vie
Jill Harrison runs a gîte business in Brittany. Having spent the past 10 years in France, she considers how life has changed since she left the UK behind for a farmhouse in France and offers an insight into what it takes to be in business.more...
Designing jewellery in the Languedoc
Seven years ago, Gee Backhouse gave up her job in computing and moved from the Cotswolds to the Minervois where she set up as a jewellery designer. Here, Gee tells how she and her husband realised their dream of settling in France...
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Running an online shop from Alsace
Hayley Flurer from South Africa moved to Strasbourg in November 2009 and discovered a novel way of earning a living (and meeting new people) even before she had mastered the language. The best bit is that anyone can join in, anywhere in France.
more...
Wine farming in Dordogne
Caroline Feely left her job as an IT consultant in Ireland to pursue her dream of wine farming with husband, Sean, in France. From Château Haut Garrigue – their new base in the Dordogne – the couple juggle the demands of running an organic vineyard and raising their two girls.more...
We opened a hotel in the Pyrénées
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In July 2006, Roger Bruton, his wife Gillian and their extended family, swapped Stockport (Cheshire) for a new life in France. They settled in the Pyrénées, where they set up a small hotel. Roger tells FrenchEntrée their story...
more...
From New Zealand to new French home
In anticipation of their first child, Charlize, Andy McKenna and Rachael Hale left New Zealand to set up a new home in France. Like many people before them, the plan was to buy a place that required minimal work, although it didn’t quite work out like that says Andy...
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Holiday home to permanent home
Charlie and Jules Thackway bought a property in the Dordogne with the intention of using it for holidays. However, the couple found that “the more time we spent here the harder it was to leave..."
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Classic car business in France
In January 2005, Cara and Greg Samways moved from Lincolnshire to the Limousin in hope of a new life. Here, Cara explains how they came to the decision and have now established a home abroad and a new means of supporting themselves through classic cars...
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'How a life-threatening illness led to a successful business in France!'
Sally Stone and her husband, Mervyn, planned to have a holiday home in France. Then he was diagnosed with cancer and, a little later, she was made redundant, and they were forced to completely changed their plans. Here's their storymore...
Life as a wine and beer producer in France
David Meakin from Wiltshire left England for France in 1994. A farming background has helped him make a success of his vineyard in France, which has produced a number of award winning wines. It might not be the easiest job in the world, but David still finds the opportunity to enjoy himself in rural France.
more...
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