After decades of globetrotting, Justin Wescombe finally settled in Saumur in the Loire Valley. He tells Annaliza Davis why…

When you find yourself unexpectedly in a new town in France, it’s natural to go exploring; it’s a little more unusual to fall in love with an historic home and buy it, but that’s what happened when Justin Wescombe found himself in Saumur in 2019. “I’d been living in Geneva, but after my marriage fell apart, I didn’t want to stay there. I’ve always had an affinity for France and loved the Loire so I started looking in Nantes, although it quickly became clear that the suburbs of a city weren’t for me.

“One Saturday morning, fed up with househunting, I caught a train to have lunch in Chinon. Once on board, I realised that it was quite a trek and I’d have to change trains. Laziness took over and for no particular reason I got off in Saumur. I walked into Place St-Pierre to find that it was market day, and I was hooked. Sitting on the terrace of the old Café St-Amour (now Café de la Ville), I asked the patron if she knew of any property for sale, and she pointed to a house a couple of doors away. I checked into a local hotel, viewed the property and that was that. By Monday, I had started the buying process and was looking forward to moving to Saumur.”

The property that Justin fell for sits just beyond the market square, and dates from at least the 1400s. Built from the pale tuffeau stone quarried locally, it still has countless original features, including ancient oak doors that have been intricately carved by hand and vast oak beams that are centuries old.

In the main living space, there are two fireplaces that seem to date from when the property was built 600 years ago, and Justin has since learned that his home was closely connected to Château de Saumur, a gleaming castle with an iconic silhouette that overlooks the town. “I’ve been told this was originally the greffe de la sénéchaussée, which means it was the property from which the day-to-day management of the nearby château took place,” says Justin. “You can still see parts of the original town walls connected to the house, and the two turrets apparently would have been used as lookout posts for the gates to the town, so it must have played a key role in protecting the château and the town itself.

“Along the staircase, there are several blocked-up entrances and on each floor of the house there are doorways that now lead nowhere but must have connected to other buildings at one point. There’s another house nearby that has wooden walkways attached to the outside walls, and I suspect this house used to have similar outdoor stairs to access the upper floors. There’s a talented architectural artist named Marcus Deakin who has a house in Saumur, and a couple of years ago he gave me a wonderful sketch of what the house might have looked like with its original external walkways. Given that this was a public building back in the day, those outdoor thoroughfares would make sense, as it would have given access to different areas without people being able to get into the living quarters.”

The thick stone walls and high ceilings certainly give the impression of grandeur, while the stone spiral staircase that winds its way up to the turrets lends a fairytale air to the everyday act of going upstairs. “When you live in a place with such a long past, you certainly have a sense of the continuity of history,” says Justin, “and you can’t help wondering about the lives of all the people who have passed through here. Whose hands touched the door that you are opening? Who carved those intricate details into the oak panels? Who scratched their initials in the cellar walls, and why? What was going on in their lives that meant they had the time to scratch on the walls in the deepest cellar?”

It has been many years since Justin’s home was a lookout for the château, and these days it has a practical layout that works well for a modern family. As you come in off the market square, the ground floor leads to a self-contained, three-bedroom flat that is ideal for visits from Justin’s grown-up children and their many friends, giving them independence whenever they come to stay.

Up on the first floor is the main hall – a grand living space with windows overlooking both sides of the town and the kitchen, which is far more modern than its period setting. Finally, on the top floor, there are two more bedrooms, a study, a bathroom and a spacious roof terrace ideal for apéritifs and summer barbecues. “I have to confess that when I first bought the house, I didn’t even realise that it had this outdoor space,” laughs Justin, “so that was a very pleasant surprise when I moved in!”

In addition to the three storeys of living space, there are steps leading down to the cellars, perfect for storage, utilities and laying down the odd bottle of local wine. Saumur is, after all, surrounded by vineyards and produces Bourgueil, Chinon, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny, as well as the sparkling crémant for which the town is renowned.

“Even though I found the house on a whim, Saumur suits me and I think of it as a Goldilocks town – not too big and not too small. I am a complete townie. The only criteria I have when choosing a house is that I have to be able to walk to get a coffee and here I can take my pick. “At its heart, Saumur is a medieval hub with the requisite market, restaurants and independent shops, and on the outskirts are all the big-box retailers for gardening stuff and home renovation. It helps that the Loire flows through the town, because a walk by the river clears the mind better than any self-help courses.

“There is a romantic side to living in the Loire Valley with the beautiful châteaux, wine, superb restaurants and all the pretty villages. I love the layers of history. Twenty minutes away at Fontevraud is the necropolis of the Plantagenet dynasty, an hour away at Amboise is the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci and several churches in the area have a plaque showing Joan of Arc’s fateful voyage through this area; indeed, her famous meeting with the French king took place in nearby Chinon.

“One of the most amazing stories of the town dates from 1940 and concerns the famous horse-riding Cadets of Saumur. Approximately 2,500 new trainee officers at the town’s Cavalry and Infantry School, along with a number of regular soldiers, held up about 40,000 German troops for three days along the Loire between Gennes and Montsoreau. It was an incredibly courageous act, and there’s a plaque that commemorates their bravery displayed in Les Invalides, near Napoleon’s tomb.”

Justin is clearly passionate about his adopted hometown, although he has lived all over the world. Born in New Delhi, India, he lived for 10 years in Asia, 10 more in Australia, the Middle East, Somalia, the USA and Geneva and also spent five years living in La Celle-St-Cloud near Versailles. Given his track record of globe-trotting, this historic building may not be a forever home, but Justin certainly appreciates the advantages of living in the centre of Saumur.

“On a practical level, the rail connections are great, the nearby A85 connects the town to all of France and I’m only a three-hour drive from Normandy or from Paris. “There are events all year round, amazing local restaurants and about 450 vineyards, and the town is not overrun by expats, although I have plenty of English-speaking friends here. My French is not the best but it can still take 20 minutes to walk across Place St-Pierre because I stop to chat with so many people. All I can say is that since finding this house, I smile more than I frown.”

For someone who bought a property spontaneously during an unplanned visit to the town, everything has certainly worked out very well for Justin in his historic Saumur home.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Le marché is at the heart of French daily culture. Carolyn Reynier picks out three market towns offering a vibrant lifestyle including Dinan, Louhans and Niort…

Last year saw the seventh season of Votre Plus Beau Marché produced by television channel TF1 in partnership with regional daily newspapers. The series highlights some beautiful French towns, all with vibrant markets of course. Here I’ve picked three of my favourites wonderful places to own a holiday or permanent home.

Number six, located in Côtes-d’Armor, Brittany, was subprefecture Dinan. Surrounded by ramparts this Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (twinned with Exmouth) lies inland from the Emerald coast at the head of the Rance river. Its château was built in the 14th century and the houses are half-timbered with corbelling. There was an important English colony here (1800-1940) and you can sail from the port along the estuary to St-Malo and Dinard.

Louhans, a Plus Beaux Détours de France town in Saône-et-Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, came in third. It’s in the heart of the Bresse Bourguignonne in southern Burgundy – with the Côte-d’Or vineyards to the northwest, Mâconnais to the southwest, and to the east the wines, valleys and lakes of Jura. This medieval town on the navigable Seille river is renowned for its all-singing, all-dancing Appellation d’Origine Protégée chicken, the poulet de Bresse. And the winner was… Niort, prefecture of Deux-Sèvres in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, twinned with Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. It sits on the edge of the 207,430-hectare Parc Naturel Régional du Marais Poitevin, the most important wetlands on the Atlantic coast, which also straddles Vendée and Charente-Maritime. Architectural heritage includes Henry Plantagenet’s 12th-century military fortress; Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings; plus contemporary graffiti and mural street art.

Follow the Voie Verte along the banks of the fish-filled River Sèvre on foot, bike or horseback; explore the Venise Verte area of the Marais in a traditional barque; walk along ancient rural paths around the town through marshland, plains and bocage (a patchwork of woodland, heath, small fields and tall hedgerows).

What’s interesting about Dinan is that we’re not far from the coast, Cassady Cooper at Agence Arguenon tells me. “The Rance estuary lies between Dinard and St-Malo, so we have the maritime Rance then a beautiful, slightly undulating landscape upstream to Dinan,” she says. Here, the river transforms into the canal. Dinan sits up above with an unbeatable view over the port, viaduct and valley from the Jardin Anglais on the upper ramparts (from when a large English community lived here).

You reach the port via the steep, picturesque Rue du Jerzual with its terraced and detached stone and timber-framed houses (à pan de bois). Locals aren’t keen on buying here – no cars so you can’t unload shopping – but it does appeal to foreign buyers, which creates “une identité sympa”, says Cassady. There are gardens, lovely views and artists have their ateliers at street level. “C’est plutôt chouette.” (Not an owl in this sense but meaning nice, great).

Inside the ramparts – intra muros – in the historic centre, fine, granite, terraced bourgeois houses (with no more than three storeys) have been converted into apartments with shops at street level. Cassady recently sold a renovated studio on the market square with a view of the ramparts for €115,000. Some townhouses have remained intact. A large maison de maître with garden and in good repair sold for about €700,000.

Dinan is busy year-round so there’s good potential for the investor, however, there is now a quota on authorisations for short-term lets. Intra muros, each house and certain historic areas are listed according to their architectural interest and different rules apply depending on their classification, explains Cassady. You might buy in a building where you can’t touch anything or you might be in one where certain modifications are permitted by the Bâtiments de France architect “qui veille au grain” (keeps a weather-eye open). This has resulted in a “centre-ville magnifique”. Down the valley, you’ll find pretty stone properties, fishermen’s cottages and farms.

At Plouër-sur-Rance, Cassady recently sold for €320,000 a farmstead (corps de ferme) with two bedrooms and outbuilding for conversion, giving a potential of 300m² living space plus 6,000m² of land. Prices are lower in the countryside. Cassady lives in a small quiet old street in the centre of the town, yet can easily access nature by walking down to the port. “There you’re on the tow paths surrounded by greenery, birds, c’est super.”fishermen’s cottages and farms. At Plouër-sur-Rance, Cassady recently sold for €320,000 a farmstead (corps de ferme) with two bedrooms and outbuilding for conversion, giving a potential of 300m² living space plus 6,000m² of land. Prices are lower in the countryside. Cassady lives in a small quiet old street in the centre of the town, yet can easily access nature by walking down to the port. “There you’re on the tow paths surrounded by greenery, birds, c’est super.”

Subprefecture of Saône-et-Loire, Louhans is the city of 157 arcades, says Fabrice Oudot of Neyrat Immobilier. Under these arcades, in terraced stone and sometimes timber-framed buildings, are ground-floor shops. Above, some folk have maintained and done up apartments – Fabrice has just sold a 48m² example under the arcades for €69,000 – others haven’t and use them for storage space. “There’s quite a lot to be done under the arcades,” he says – good news for the bricoleur.

Just behind are terraced townhouses with interior courtyards; a few hundred metres further away from the centre you’ll find small pre- and post-war detached properties with small courtyards and garages priced from €200,000. Fabrice is selling a compact townhouse with an interior courtyard, terrace, garage and no double glazing for €100,000. “It’s a bit vieillot (outdated), but it’s liveable straight away.”

In the surrounding countryside are long timber-framed, red-brick properties – fermes Bressanes. Expect to pay €250,000-€300,000 for a renovated example. Fabrice has one for sale at €89,000, “but everything needs redoing from A to Z”. Farmhouses may come with land although, upon retirement, owners often rent out parcels to other farmers.

If you’re hankering after a house with hectares, you need to know about rural law and the SAFER. Les Sociétés d’aménagement foncier et d’établissement rural allows anyone with a viable project to establish themselves in a rural milieu. If farmland has been rented out by the original owners for such a purpose, you might not get it back. However, Fabrice says you still find farms with anything from 3,000m² to a couple of hectares.

In summer, the tourist board organises ‘Garçon, la note’! Two nights a week, you can listen to a band at a local bar or restaurant in the Bresse bourguignonne. “We have an apéro, there’s a reasonably priced menu, we listen to the music and have a good evening,” says Fabrice. “Then there’s the history attached to our Monday market; stands everywhere, folk are outside, they have a drink, they eat tête de veau,” he continues. “And people come to see the poultry, to experience some of the rural ambiance.” There are lots of gîtes and chambres d’hôtes. “We have a good quality of life, little traffic, nature,” says Fabrice. From Louhans, you can cycle along the 70km Voie Verte La Bressane to Lons-le-Saunier or west to Chalon-sur-Saône. He canoes on the Seille, which flows through Louhans joining the Saône south of Tournon. “Il fait bon vivre ici.”

Nicolas Samuel of 203 Niort Immobilier says you’ll find 18th- and 19th-century terraced houses in the centre of Niort, usually with two upper floors but no outside space. There are “hidden treasures” in certain streets where you open the front gate and come upon majestic properties with lots of charm and history. The price range is €2,500/m²-€3,000/m². Art Nouveau architecture with its long, sinuous lines appeared in the 1890s followed by geometric Art Deco from the 1910s on. Nicolas recently sold a central 150m² 1923 Art Deco property for €140,000. “It needed complete renovation, but sold for less than €1,000 per square metre.” The house is in a conservation area, so the Bâtiments de France architects visited before it went on the market. “They said, the staircase stays, the fireplace stays, the mullion stays…”

If you prefer a town-centre apartment in an old building with cachet, you’ll pay from €120,000 for a renovated two-bedroom example. Apartments in residences dating from the 2000s on the Quai Métayer along the canal cost €2,300/m² to €2,800/m². Prices for three-bedroom houses with garden start in the region of €180,000. Prices in Niort remain more accessible than in other large cities, providing a rare opportunity for first-time buyers, families “looking for space without exploding their budget” and investors.

Niort is the capital of the mutuelles insurance companies. Accommodation is regularly needed for visiting service providers and short-term apartment lets are cheaper than hotels. If you fancy doing up an apartment for renting out, Nicolas has more properties on his books for renovation/freshening up than renovated.

He has lots of foreign buyers – Dutch, Belgians and British who have invested in gîtes around Magné and Coulon at the entry to the Marais Poitevin. Other villages worth investigating include Sansais and Arçais. There are fewer amenities in these hamlets, but prices are lower and you get more space. To the south, Frontenay is popular because it’s on the Niort-La Rochelle main road, but if you want to be en pleine nature, the Marais is number one, says Nicolas.
Paris is under two hours away and on sunny Sundays Nicolas’ family drive for 40 minutes to Charente-Maritime prefecture La Rochelle and the seaside. Niort town centre is lively with the Apéros du mardi, the Jeudis Niortais concerts and outdoor film projections during summer. “We have lovely green spaces, great cycle rides, we can rent electric boats on the Sèvre Niortaise to explore the Marais,” he says. “C’est sympa.”

dinan.fr

dinan-capfrehel.com

vivre-a-niort.com

niortmaraispoitevin.com

louhans-chateaurenaud.fr

bresse-bourguignonne.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

If you have artistic talent, you may be able to use it to support your new life in France – Leah Rottier meets two people who have done just that, and finds out how they made it work…

Are you tired of trudging home in the rain from your dreary nine-to-five job? Tempted to quit the rat race and enjoy a more leisurely commute along country lanes abroad? Every year, hundreds of British workers do just that, leaving their job and country for a milder climate and more relaxed pace of life in France.
However, away from the larger cities, it is notoriously difficult to obtain a prized CDI (un contrat de travail à durée indéterminée) – a permanent, salaried position in a company.

So what options are available for those looking to work in a rural area, or seeking to supplement a retirement income in La Belle France? If you have any artistic or creative talent, it might not be as hard as you think to get started.

Sue Riley arrived in Normandy over 22 years ago. She chose to settle in the peaceful commune of Passais-Villages, in the department of Orne, to be close to family in England, while avoiding the hotter climates of other regions. Passais-Villages and its surrounding communes are sought after by British homeowners for their lush, verdant landscapes and vast, open spaces. This cosy corner of southern Normandy blends rural tranquillity with easy access to the city of Caen and its port, Ouistreham, about 90 minutes’ drive away.

Property prices in this area start from just €20,000 for a renovation project, making it a popular choice for those looking to commute from the UK initially, while restoring a house, for example. You’ll find many British-run businesses around Passais-Villages, so it’s a great option if you want to ease yourself into French life.
Already an established artist in her home country, with a formal beaux-arts training, Sue Riley arrived in France looking to find a light and airy building where she could open her art gallery, as well as having a small apartment she could rent out as a holiday let. She stumbled upon the ideal place in Passais-Villages, and La Galerie Enchantée was born.

Known for her exquisite sculptures, especially of classical ballet dancers, the talented artist spent her first few years in France showing her pieces in exhibitions across the country. She credits this as key to her success. “These salons d’art not only showcase your work, but they also improve your French considerably. I’d highly recommend them, even if you only do one or two,” she says. “Communication is so important in getting known and reaching clients,” she adds.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes in French. We all do it! My advice to those starting out would be to shop at the local shops, visit town halls and tourist offices, and enjoy the fêtes and the markets.

The more you integrate, the more clients you’ll reach. Word of mouth is very important in rural France.” Sue explains that having the support of her community was invaluable when she opened her gallery in Passais-Villages. “Contact the mairie, local newspapers and anyone you can think of who can help you with free publicity. If you’re opening a studio or gallery, as I did, make it an event. Send out invitations to the grand opening and put on a few drinks and apéritifs to entice people to attend. This all helps with getting your business up and running.”

As in Sue’s case, it does help if you’re well established in your creative career before arriving in France. However, many newcomers have shown that it’s entirely possible to develop a successful artistic business from scratch. Carlie Cotton runs a thriving business in Champniers, in the Vienne department. Swapping a busy marketing role in Southampton for the pretty Poitou-Charentes region, she set up ‘Carlie Art and Design’ from what was essentially a hobby. “It was very full on when we first moved to France,” Carlie explains. “I was a little overwhelmed with renovating our house and gîte, so to relax, I decided to spend some time painting with watercolours. I created my own handpainted greeting cards as I struggled to find them in the local shops, and this is where it all started!”
Since 2021, Carlie’s business has gone from strength to strength. She’s now a full-time artist, running art workshops from her home studio, painting commissioned pet portraits and selling her work both online and at local markets.

Asked about any difficulties she’s faced in her new career in France, Carlie answers with honesty. “One of the biggest challenges is having the confidence to put myself out there – especially approaching shops and selling at markets when my French is still a work in progress.”

The language barrier often poses a problem for newcomers to France who want to set up a business. One way to overcome this obstacle is to choose a region of France already popular with Brits. You’ll be able to target English-speaking customers immediately, then gradually tailor your marketing to French customers as your language skills improve.

Carlie’s advice for newcomers to France is, “always be supportive of other artists. Don’t be afraid to try something different but give your business time to grow”. Wise words from an artist who has already welcomed hundreds of clients to her studio in Champniers and who continues to see her business bloom year after year.

Champniers lies nestled in the heart of the picturesque Vienne countryside, just a short drive from the bustling market town of Civray. Its proximity to Poitiers, with its dynamic arts scene, wide choice of shops and international airport, makes this area a hotspot for those seeking a mild climate and easy access to the UK.
Rural properties in this part of France tend to be reasonably priced and you can find a family-sized home, needing little renovation, for less than €150,000. Fixer-uppers start from as little as €50,000 in the southwest corner of the department, so it’s easy to see why so many Brits arrive here every year to create a business and lovingly restore the house of their dreams.

In a country as beautiful as France, it’s easy to find artistic inspiration. Claude Monet found it in his beloved Giverny, while Paul Cézanne drew it from his home region of Provence. Whether you’re an established painter or sculptor or you’ve recently started dabbling in pottery or ceramics, finding your inspiration and using your creative talent could be a rewarding way to bring in an income in France.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Sarah Daly discovers the cultural, historical, architectural and culinary secrets of this city that lies at the heart of the Loire Valley…

My first visit to Tours was at the age of 14. M I’d never left Britain before this school exchange to the Loire Valley, and my penfriend’s father had a flat in the city. With its little wooden kitchen table tucked under a gable at the top of a 19th-century building, and its view over neighbouring rooftops, I found it impossibly romantic and quintessentially French: a million miles away from the suburban English Midlands I was familiar with.

Fast-forward too many years to dwell on, and I think we picked the wettest week of the whole year to revisit the city. Given that it is on average drier than the UK, and warmer by a few degrees, as well as sunnier for most of the year, this felt like quite an achievement.

Tours is at the heart of the Loire Valley, surrounded by the spectacular châteaux that the area is famed for. If you’re going to choose somewhere to hide from the rain, there are worse places than the beautiful Château de Villandry just outside the city. It’s known for its formal gardens, which are exquisite and provide year-round interest. The castle interiors are every bit as worthy of note. Period room settings include grand dining halls (complete with a fountain), elegant salons and a nursery.

This was the last of the big Renaissance castles to be built, but it was transformed by new owners in the 18th century. In 1906, a Spanish-American couple bought it, amassing a huge collection of artworks, restoring the buildings and opening it to the public. They even installed a 15th-century Islamic ceiling imported from Andalucia. Happily, the rain cleared long enough for us to explore the grounds.

A team of 10 gardeners manages the two-and-a-half acres of formal gardens, including the impressive kitchen garden and the additional 15 acres of land surrounding the château. It doesn’t seem nearly enough to achieve such intensely manicured and elegant results.

The city of Tours is situated between the Loire and the Cher rivers. Before we headed out for an evening meal, we boarded a sailboat and meandered along the Loire for a sunset apéro. After the earlier torrential downpours, the river felt magical in the pearly evening light and our guide, boatbuilder Clément Sirge, is an expert on its ecology, history and communities. The modern boats are based on traditional models that plied the river, transporting goods over long distances or allowing locals to fish on or cross the river.

In a much lazier experience than theirs, we sampled a crisp Chenin and a pâté made from a catfish from the river while learning about the troglodyte dwellings passing by. First inhabited by Neanderthals, some are still lived in today. As we watched a kingfisher dart past, the river felt a world away from the nearby city.
Sheena Dignam is originally from Wicklow but grew up in Tours. “When I was eight, my parents planned to spend two years in France before we moved to Spain and then Italy. They chose this area because it has a reputation for the most neutral French accent, but they fell in love with the lifestyle here, so we stayed.” Sheena studied culinary arts and wine in Tours and, as an adult, has travelled to Ireland, Scotland and the Reunion Islands.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the French connection to food,” she tells me. “I had adoptive French grandparents in the village we moved to who were real hunter-gatherers. It was fascinating to see how they prepared their meals and were so close to the land and the food it provided.”

Eleven years ago, she used her experience to set up food tours in Galway City to celebrate local produce, but says Sheena: “Tours was always close to my heart and I kept coming back, so two years ago I launched Food Tours in Tours (foodtoursintours.com).” We set out on a damp morning for an extremely convivial food tour. It began in Place Plumereau, a beautiful medieval square of timber-framed buildings packed with cafés and restaurants. Many of the car parks have been moved underground, leaving a much more pedestrian-friendly centre. After sampling the famous nougat de Tours – a cake of frangipane and apricot jam and apparently a favourite of Leonardo da Vinci, who lived and died in nearby Amboise we headed for Les Halles. This covered market brings together around 40 producers of everything from cheese and wine to meat, fish and chocolate. Having tasted some delicious cheeses, we move on to exceptional patés paired beautifully with a local wine. “This area is all about the terroir, with a really rich and diverse food heritage. Our tours really help people to connect with that,” says Sheena.

Her advice for people planning to set up their own business in France? “There can be a lot of red tape and paperwork to navigate and, even if you speak fluent French, it’s like another language. But a lot can now be done online and there are forums offering support. It was worth it though. Tours is culturally rich, with amazing food and great markets.”

Olivia Meynard is an estate agent at Plessis Immobilier based in the city. “This is a really dynamic place,” she tells me. “With the cobbled streets of Vieux Tours, the markets of Les Halles and beautiful parks, you have all the advantages of a city on a very human scale. We’re an hour from Paris by TGV and only two-and-a-half hours from the west coast, yet we’re surrounded by countryside, all of which is very attractive to buyers. Traffic jams are rare and the tram makes travelling very easy.”

Olivia tells me that traditional buildings in stone and slate are often favoured by those moving to the area from overseas. “They also prefer the towns and villages around rather than the city centre,” she says. “For €350,000, you can get a three-bedroom house in good condition with a garden.

“We’ve seen prices rise during the pandemic and then drop owing to high interest rates, but we’re starting to see that stabilise this year. I’d advise anyone thinking of buying a property to fix a realistic budget and then really think about what you want -land and a swimming pool for instance and how close you want to be to the city or amenities.”

Motorbikes have never been my transport of choice, but we ventured out on a trip on very cool vintage one with a sidecar. With an accomplished rider as guide, it really brought the area to life – despite the by now torrential rain. Heading through Tours we learned all about the city, founded on its present site by the Romans, and passed through acres of vineyards before reaching La Cave de Vouvray.

This AOC wine is made using the Chenin Blanc grape alone. Once again it is the terroir that provides the complexity. Combining techniques that date back to the Middle Ages with grapes from a cooperative of local growers, raised on land that includes flint, limestone and clay, combined with a variable climate creates wines that range from sweet to dry, in still and sparkling varieties. A taste test proved the end result can be subtle and delicious.

The tiny town of Amboise, half an hour’s drive along the Loire from Tours, packs a mightily impressive punch. The Renaissance palace of the kings dominates the skyline and commands the Unesco-listed landscapes surrounding it. It also houses, somewhat surprisingly, Leonardo da Vinci’s burial chapel. This has recently reopened following extensive restoration and its intricate stonework now gleams once more.

Home to powerful kings, and queens, the château’s history is brought to life with an augmented reality tablet, that offers detailed reconstructions of rooms and views and easily digestible chunks of its fascinating history.

Given the city’s culinary reputation, it would be rude not to make the most of it by visiting as many restaurants as possible during our stay. At La Maison des Halles, opposite the covered market, I enjoyed scallops prepared with local wild mushrooms and butternut squash, followed by a light and refreshing fruit dessert. Lunch at La Petite Cuisine offered a very different atmosphere, with an open kitchen but equally excellent food. I followed a beautifully spiced pumpkin soup with a Thai-inspired chicken dish. La Deuvalière is housed in a fabulous 16th-century building and the highlight of the meal, after the excellent fish with samphire and seasonal veg, was the yuzu lemon meringue tart.

In nearby Amboise, a hearty meal of local produce Chez Bruno, finishing with delicious cheeses was a great end to our château visit. We spent the first night of our stay at Hotel de Cygne. This small boutique hotel has bags of character and is in the heart of the old town. Across the river is the very comfortable four-star Château Belmont Hotel, accessible on foot or by tram from the centre. Tours is still able to work its magic on me. The distinctive architecture, gentle scenery and exquisite local food and drink really do represent what is best about this country -even when it rains.

touraine loirevalley.co.uk

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Southwest estate agent Jerry Green talks to Karen Tait about the appeal of his local area and its property offerings…

My wife Caroline and I launched the Clé Rouge estate agency shortly after coming to France in 2005; prior to that our careers were in business development and management. Having settled in southwest France with our family, we recognised that there was a great opportunity to create an estate agency offering an exceptionally pro-active service to other people from the UK looking to buy property here.

Mainly the ‘Golden Triangle’ area between Bordeaux and Bergerac, which includes the western Dordogne (24), eastern Gironde (33) and northern Lot-et-Garonne (47).

Sunny microclimate, wonderful lifestyle, unequalled.

Lots of lively historic towns and villages with markets, music events, restaurants, and within easy reach of the beautiful city of Bordeaux and the beaches of the Côte d’Argent.

Our whole region is lovely, with varying countryside of vineyards, sunflowers and orchards, but I particularly like the area around the historic market town of Duras, where I am lucky enough to live.

Exceptionally easy. It’s within a day’s drive from the UK, and we have a good choice of year-round flights from Bergerac and Bordeaux airports. In 2026 the TGV will offer a service direct from London to Bordeaux.

For people looking to move permanently, it offers a wonderful climate, peace and tranquillity but lots to do when you want to; it retains its quintessential ‘Frenchness’ but is welcoming to non-French residents. It has always been a popular region for holiday homes, because of its easy accessibility, beautiful scenery and available amenities and activities. And possibly the best food and wine in the world!

The areas around the historic market towns of Eymet, Duras and Monségur are always particularly sought after for property. Just to the north is an area known as ‘Little Italy’ (because of the similarity with the scenery in the Tuscany/Umbria regions), which most people are not aware of but is very beautiful and offers some lovely property locations.

Most UK buyers are drawn towards traditional stone properties, which fall into three styles: farmhouses, barn conversions and more formal maison de maître style properties. Modern properties are popular with French buyers, while the less popular properties built between 1950 and 1990 can offer great value.

• Under €100,000: Very little; maybe a terraced village house in need of some improvement.
• €100,000-€250,000: From €170,000, a village house, a small stone country property (usually without a pool) or a brick-built 60’s/70’s/80’s home.
  €250,000-€500,000: This is the best-selling price range in our region, affording an attractive three/four-bedroom property in a reasonable location, possibly with a pool.
• €500,000-€750,000: As per the previous category, but perhaps larger with better location and views.
• €750,000-€1m: More prestigious, well-renovated property; many in this range are rented out for holiday lets at €4,000-€7,000 per week in high season.
• Over €1m: Prestige country house or small château.

For €139,750, a four-bedroom property with garden equidistant from the historic hilltop town of Duras and the riverside town of Eymet; the house would benefit from modernisation.

A neglected but beautiful property near Duras, with three hectares of park, a burnt-out house, enormous derelict stone outbuildings formerly used for clay tile production (now containing several old cars and motorcycles) and Roman ruins including brick ovens – all sold for €75,000. A spectacular renovation project.

My dream property is the one I live in, a 700m² former Knights Templar country house in a stunning location, which I have renovated with my own hands over the last 20 years! However, we currently have on our books an exceptional property (see below, €588,000) with spectacular views, which I would happily downsize to in a few years’ time.

We love our area and sell it enthusiastically to potential buyers at UK property shows such as the popular French Property Exhibition at Hammersmith in January each year. Once people visit our area, they rarely look elsewhere because of our sunny microclimate (offset by cool westerly breezes and pleasant relative humidity), the idyllic lifestyle, beautiful countryside and easy access to and from the UK. British clients (who tend to be middle-aged) are also drawn by the fact we have very low crime rates here and much better health facilities in comparison to the UK.

Prioritise making sure that the area has the amenities and lifestyle you want before actively searching for specific properties, otherwise you may end up buying the right property but in the wrong place. Then keep an open mind on style and location of property: find a proactive agent who will work with you to find the right property and help you with both the purchase process and the transition to life in your new permanent or holiday home.

It is generally quite easy because there is already an established English-speaking community here, which is also well integrated with the local French population. Some agents will also help you to settle in; for example, each July we host an evening event with food, wine and live music to which we invite all clients who have bought properties in the previous year so that they can meet other people and also make useful local contacts.

Good properties are selling very quickly, and we predict this will continue. However, this is, of course, dependent on outside factors such as currency exchange rates and international politics.

Jerry Green is a Director at Clé Rouge Immobilier in southwest France

Tel: 0033 (0)5 53 93 49 71

clerouge.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

A huge old property bought by Joanne and Bruno Leroux in the Beaujolais made the perfect English language school…

Originally a British national, I I have always felt European as I studied French at university, spent many wonderful holidays in France and did a one-year internship in Lille. In 1991, I met my French husband, Bruno, while working in Chartres and was lucky enough to be married in the beautiful Chartres cathedral two years later. We then moved to the UK where we had our two boys, Nathan and Tom.

After six happy years we decided it was time to return to France to live permanently. Our children were then three and five and we thought this would be the perfect time for them to move back to France and integrate into primary school as they would be able to pick up French (which they already understood, but didn’t yet speak fluently) more quickly.

My main stipulation was that we should find somewhere below Dijon, the imaginary line in France for sunshine and warmer weather. So I gave up my job as a purchasing consultant and trained as an ESL (English as a second language) teacher. This one-month intensive course has proved very useful. My husband found work in Villefranche-sur-Saône, 40 minutes north of Lyon, in the Beaujolais, and we left behind house, cars, jobs – everything about our previous life – and headed back to France with only our clothes in suitcases.

For the first six months we lived in a rented apartment while looking for a house. We wanted a modern property in or just outside the town, but nothing the estate agents showed us seemed to fit what we were looking for. I finally realised why when we were shown a house that was exactly the opposite of what we had been seeking. My specification had been all wrong!

The moment I saw it I was blown away. It was a huge house, more than 100 years old, in the centre of a village in the Beaujolais, surrounded by vines. Not only was there a 230m² house, garden and swimming pool, there was also an independent apartment attached to it, plus a massive two-storey, 400m² building that had been a textile factory employing 50 people in the 1950s and 60s. All of this for the same price as the little house we had just sold in the UK.

The village had everything we needed a butcher, baker, doctor, dentist… and could be reached from the house in two minutes on foot! As I visited this never-ending property, I knew it was the one for us but had no idea what we were going to do with it!

A few months later, we found ourselves living in this beautiful, enormous house with absolutely no plans for it other than the vague idea that family could use the apartment when they came over to stay. Practically all the renovation work had already been done and so our only necessity in the short term was some painting, outside rendering, adding two new kitchens and a new bathroom. All very easy!

Eventually, after the first year settling our family in, we started to think about what we could do with all this space and how I could use my ESL training as a career. I had been teaching English as a volunteer in the children’s school and the parents were very happy with my lessons. In fact, they asked if I intended to offer English lessons outside school as an extra-curricular activity. I had a light bulb moment. The factory!

I had the space to do it, so soon afterwards, I opened a room on the ground floor of the former factory to teach 10 children. Nobody thought it would take off because I was told the village was too far from the two closest towns (although these were only 10 minutes away) and that parents wouldn’t come that far for an extra-curricular activity. Some 22 years later, we are a team of eight teachers working at Lime Tree School.

We now use the whole of the ground floor of the former factory, and 220 children come from as far as 40 minutes away. We even appeared on the French TV channel TF1 for our innovative hands-on approach to teaching English.

This has happily occupied me and provided a salary for 22 years. It has allowed us to balance family and professional life in this wonderful country. Moreover, as the school year runs from September to the end of June, I decided to use the apartment as a gîte for the summer months to generate some additional income.

Our French home has been a gift. It’s completely self-financing and even generates revenue. It’s been a wonderful place for the boys to grow up, with a garden and pool for summer, and space at the top of the factory for a huge playground, football pitch, table tennis and basketball nets Meeting people from all over the world who have stayed in our gîte has broadened their minds and given them the confidence to talk to anyone.

Growing up in this house has played a large part in shaping their futures. Bilingualism is one of the greatest gifts we could have given them, as it opens so many doors.

Now we’re downsizing and selling our beautiful property in St Etienne des Oullieres (€698,000, seloger.com) but I would encourage anyone dreaming of living in France to follow their hearts. There’s a lot of paperwork involved in moving, in fact there’s a lot of paperwork for anything you do in France, which can be very frustrating but it’s most definitely worth it.

Tel: 0033 (0)4 48 18 10 04

<a href=”http://limetreeschool.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>limetreeschool.com</a>

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

How do you make your piscine more energy-efficient and eco-friendly in France? Julia French reveals how the pool world is keeping pace with today’s planet-conscious concerns…

Many homes in France, particularly in the warmer south, have pools for cooling off in. In these eco-conscious times – whether you’re installing a new pool or maintaining an existing one – we have some ideas to help you reduce your impact on the planet and your pocket…

When choosing your pool consider the construction and the longevity. It’s all well and good to have a pool that’s quick to install thereby saving on labour costs, but depending on the quality it may only last 20 years before it goes off to the landfill site. Disposing of material such as fibreglass is a costly practice as they are non-biodegradable and not easy to recycle.

A reinforced concrete pool made from breeze blocks is not ideal due to the emissions and energy used in the production of cement, but this type of pool does provide much greater longevity so is a better choice. An option using less concrete is offered by a number of pool installers in France. It employs panels made from recycled polypropylene that essentially act as shuttering and are reinforced with steel and filled with concrete, but less than would be used in traditional pool construction methods. This also reduces transport emissions as it is lighter and produced in France. These pools have a longevity, in line with the concrete pool. The pool structure can last a lifetime and the liner up to 25 years, depending on the quality. A natural pool or bio pool, is more often than not constructed using concrete is some form or another, however, this pool is definitely the winner in terms of water treatment and filtration usage.

Natural pools use biological filters and aquatic plants to clean the water, eliminating chemicals entirely. While not suited to everyone’s taste, they’re a stunning, zero-chemical option. If you have an existing conventional swimming pool, this can be converted to a natural pool, but it’s quite a costly option.

If you treat your pool with weekly doses of chlorine, you could switch from this to saltwater chlorination. The system regulates the amount of chlorine produced so you don’t have to play a guessing game about how much to add. The chlorine in your pool is used to fight bacteria introduced by swimmers, but the sun, water temperature and a high pH also put a demand on chlorine usage.

The saltwater system works by generating chlorine through a process of electrolysis. Salt is added to the pool water, sand with recycled glass media is a great way to cut back on the back-washing, as this can be reduced to a few times a season. An even better way to save on back-washing and at the same time benefitting from improved filtration is a cartridge filter. New innovation and greater capacity mean this is the optimum choice when looking at both water clarity and reduced water consumption.

There is no back-wash option, instead the cartridge is taken out and hosed down. In most cases, this is only necessary once or maybe twice a season – depending on use. It is, however, worth noting that this is not a cheaper option and not all models are the same.

Having a pool cover is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce energy loss. An uncovered pool can lose up to 70% of its heat through evaporation. Covering it at night or when not in use helps retain warmth, limits evaporation, and keeps debris out, reducing the need for cleaning and chemical treatment.
By using a good cover, you could reduce heating needs by 50% or more, especially useful in spring and early autumn. Also, in terms of saving water, an uncovered pool can lose a centimetre a day through evaporation, so keep that cover on when the pool is not in use.

Solar-heating systems use panels – glazed or unglazed – to absorb the sun’s energy and heat the pool water. While the initial setup costs more than electric heaters, they have very low running costs and almost no environmental impact. If your roof or garden has space, consider combining a solar-heating system with photovoltaic panels. These can power your pool pump, lighting, or even help with your home’s electricity needs.

Pool lighting is a must for most pool owners but is a drain on energy. However, if you switch to LED pool lights, you will use up to 85% less electricity than if you had traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs. LED lights also last up to 25 times longer. You can operate them from your phone to ensure they are only on when you want them to be.

Being eco-friendly doesn’t stop at how you run your pool, it includes what equipment you buy. With so many choices available, choosing with the aid of trusted certifications helps you make more sustainable, long-lasting decisions. The international label Energy Star identifies products that meet high energy-efficiency standards. This would be relevant when looking to buy pool pumps, heat pumps and your LED lights. These products typically use much less energy. The NSF/ANSI 50 certification focuses on the performance and safety of pool equipment. If a product has this mark, it means it has been independently tested to meet strict standards. It’s particularly relevant for filtration systems, chemical feeders and sanitising systems.

Buying certified equipment is a simple way to reduce your environmental impact, while ensuring you’re not cutting corners on safety or quality. It also often means the equipment will last longer, saving on replacement and waste.

Swimming pools will always require a certain amount of energy and water, it comes with the territory. But the idea that they must be wasteful is increasingly outdated. With the technologies and materials available today, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a pool while significantly reducing its environmental impact.
From choosing locally made components to installing more efficient pumps, covers, and heating systems, each of these small decisions add up to meaningful savings, in terms of energy and long-term costs.

Not every solution suits every pool, but the more thoughtful we are in how we build, use and maintain them, the better they’ll fit into the changing environmental landscape. After all, enjoying your pool should feel good in every sense. Whether you’re already a proud pool owner or just dipping a toe into the idea, remember you don’t have to choose between luxury and responsibility. With a little effort and maybe a decent pool cover, you really can have both.

And if your pool starts saving you more energy than persuading your teenager to turn lights off after them… well, that’s just a bonus.

Julia French runs Pristine Piscines in southwest France

Tel: 0033 (0)6 32 10 39 92

pristinepiscines.fr

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

On the far northwest coast, both Finistere and Cotes-d’Armor ofter a great quality of life and affordable properties. Having lived in France’s ‘Land’s end’ for 20 years, Annaliza Davis is keen to share its appeal.

One of the most accessible locations for British buyers, Brittany is authentic and largely unspoilt, with fabulous coastlines, heritage towns and a timeless appeal. The departments of Finistère and Côtes-d’Armor are in the northwest of Brittany, sitting just under the south coast of England. Many visitors find that this area has a similar feel to Cornwall and a slower pace of life that reminds you of days gone by. This isn’t a place to rush; it’s a place to savour.

Exploring is a breeze as there are no toll roads and few traffic issues, making it easy to discover the area’s historic cities with their colourful timbered buildings, and stroll the cobbled streets of ancient market towns. Both Finistère and Côtes-d’Armor are also famous for their natural beauty; as well as sandy beaches, rocky creeks, canals and rushing rivers, there’s a lot of greenery and the low horizons mean that the sky feels endless. As with some other regions of France, this area feels surprisingly spacious, with a population density of just 137 people per square kilometres in Finistère (comparable to the Isles of Scilly) and only 88/km² in Côtes-d’Armor (fewer than in the Derbyshire Dales). This part of northwest Brittany is a popular tourist destination with all the attractions of the coast, which you might compare to Devon (432/km²), Dorset (540/km²) or Cornwall (390/km²), so you get a lot more space to move freely and you’re also likely to get a lot more room for your housebuying budget.

Househunters are drawn here for all of these reasons and more. Whether you’re looking for a coastal hideaway, a family home with lots of land or a city-centre pied à terre, both Finistère and Côtes- d’Armor offer some of the most affordable properties in France.

Based on sales over the past 12 months, the average property price across France currently stands at €3,118/m², yet those in Finistère and Côtes-d’Armor stand at €2,174/m² and €2,244/m² respectively. This represents great value for money for anyone hoping to buy property in France, as prices here are nearly 30% below the national average.

During and immediately following the Covid pandemic, prices soared in Brittany – particularly in seaside destinations as city dwellers came in search of space and pleasant environments. Thankfully, that period has passed; prices have now returned to the reasonable levels we’d normally expect in northwest Brittany and during 2024 property sales slowed down by around 19%, so it’s a great time to buy.

The biggest city in this area is Brest, with 139,619 residents -equivalent to the population of York. Brest was heavily bombed during the war, destroying most of the medieval buildings you’d expect to see in a Breton town, and although it still has some historical sites, overall the city feels contemporary. The 31,000 students here also ensure it feels lively and there are plenty of year-round rental opportunities as well as holiday lets, because Brest is coastal and home to a popular tourist site, the Oceanopolis aquarium. You can buy a studio flat in Brest for under €60,000, with rental expectations of around €330 a month; while €170,000 will give you a few houses to choose from. For a more typical Breton city, Quimper (63,642 residents) has an iconic twin-spired cathedral, cobbled streets, colourful timbered buildings and a pretty river running through its centre. A 17m² studio here costs from €35,000 and would rent out for around €340 a month, although an apartment is closer to €100,000 and houses start at €150,000.

If an historic town appeals, over the border in Côtes-d’Armor you’ll find Lannion (20,525 residents), with picturesque timbered houses, a former convent and cloister. There are fewer properties available to buy here, but for €150,000 you can find a central apartment or townhouse, and monthly rentals start at €375. Historically known for its telecoms industry and more recently for its Technopole Anticipa technology park, Lannion is also a tourism hub, attracting over four million visitors a year thanks to its location near the Pink Granite Coast.

Also coastal and in Côtes-d’Armor, St-Brieuc (44,607 residents), is another gem of half-timbered houses clustered around a cathedral, soaring viaducts and modern frescoes contrasting with the Art Deco structures. Most apartments cost around €60,000 (monthly rentals from €340) with houses from €140,000, but it’s also a popular tourist spot due to its accessibility: a one-hour drive from St-Malo and two to three hours from Paris by train. Concarneau (20,607 residents) has a market-town feel, famous for its ancient walled centre and coastal fishing. It features seaside promenades leading to sandy beaches, a Thalasso spa and year-round tourism, but also has a strong shipbuilding industry. A central apartment starts at €120,000 while a semi-detached family home costs from €200,000.

If you’re looking for a renovation opportunity, you’ll be spoilt for choice across Finistère and Côtes-d’Armor, seeing properties with 1,000m² of land for under €50,000 although these will usually require extensive (and expensive) work. That said, if you have the skills and the contacts, you can still find fantastic properties here to which you can add a lot of value; or liveable, semi-detached homes for under €100,000 if you look inland. Finally, a €50,000 budget will buy you a building plot of 1,800m² in Carhaix-Plouguer (one hour southeast of Roscoff port); 1,500m² in Lanfains, 25 minutes south of St-Brieuc; or 2,800m² in Plouguernével (one hour southwest of St-Brieuc).

As both Finistère and Côtes-d’Armor are in northwest Brittany, they’re easily accessible from the UK via the ferries to Roscoff (one hour from Brest and Lannion, 90 minutes from Quimper) or St-Malo (30 minutes from Dinan and an hour from St-Brieuc).

Thanks to high-speed TGV trains, Paris is within easy reach: St-Brieuc is two to three hours away, while even the far-west cities of Quimper and Brest are only a four-hour train trip from Paris. If you’re driving, the roads in Brittany are toll-free and generally clear; traffic jams are a rarity here, and tend to happen only near big cities at rush hour or on a peak holiday weekend.

Despite being largely rural and with a lot of seasonal work, unemployment rates in Finistère and Côtes-d’Armor are lower than the national average (around 10% compared to 12%). There is a higher-than-average proportion of retirees here (8.5% in Finistère and 9.1% in Côtes-d’Armor, compared to 6% nationally) but this is hardly surprising given the appeal of retiring by the sea.

The French statistics institute, INSEE, also reports that while agriculture represents just 4.8% of activity throughout France, it’s doubly important here: 9.7% in Finistère and 12.1% in Côtes-d’Armor. Other sectors are fairly representative of the national picture, with a slightly lower proportion of service-industry workers, and a higher proportion of manual workers in the Côtes-d’Armor, including in the construction industry.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Fidete, sed verificate – trust but verify. How do you find the right professional mover for you when relocating to France? Scott Middleton has the answers…

Moving is stressful, and moving to France or elsewhere in Europe from the UK can be even more so. Many people only move once or twice in their lifetime, and every home brings its own unique challenges with it.

In my profession as a removal consultant, the core function is to ensure that there are no surprises on the day of the move – for us or for you. We document every step to avoid surprises, disputes or misunderstandings. Most reputable removal companies will offer to carry out a home visit to ascertain what you want to move, which will help remove unexpected costs by providing a written quotation. We carry this survey out either in person or by video link, and offer key advice throughout on packing and on how the move will operate going forward.

Not every company works to this standard, however, so how do you quickly narrow down your list of movers to professionals in this industry?

One of the best places to start is with companies that belong to an industry trade association. The British Association of Removers (BAR), for example, has been at the forefront of representing and regulating the removals industry in the UK for over a century. Membership is only open to companies that meet strict standards of professionalism, conduct and consumer protection.

Only the BAR offers the Advance Payment Guarantee scheme, which protects your payments even if the removal company was to cease trading in the UK. For moves outside the UK, this protection is typically only available through members of the BAR’S Overseas Group, making it essential to check your mover’s membership status.

As well as financial protection, BAR members offer clients support through an independent consumer affairs department, which helps resolve complaints quickly and fairly. The alternative dispute resolution scheme provides an impartial process if disputes can’t be settled directly. This offers a commitment to consumer satisfaction and industry integrity.

The BAR has an excellent ‘Find a mover’ tool on its website (bar.co.uk) that allows you to search for accredited companies for a move overseas. Choosing a removal company that is part of the BAR Overseas Group is the best option for moves to France or wider Europe, as the UK is now outside the EU and customs rules do apply.

While some independent associations also exist such as the Guild of Removers and Storers, and the Association of Independent Movers, within the industry it is understood that the BAR remains the leading body with the most robust consumer protections, industry engagement and oversight. However, any industry-specific association is worth discussing further, to ensure the same scope and standards are on offer.

By verifying a company’s credentials at the outset, you take a major step toward ensuring your move is handled professionally, transparently and with the highest levels of care. Companies that boast more general affiliations that are not industry-specific may be worth avoiding. Some associations are a pay-to-enter arrangement, with minimal or no requirements to join.

Since Brexit, customs procedures for moving to Europe have become more complex, with each EU country applying its own rules for goods arriving from the UK. While many are broadly similar, there are key differences that can easily catch people out.

For example, France applies duties and taxes if you are furnishing a second home while maintaining UK residency. To qualify for duty-free entry when relocating your primary residence, specific documents must be submitted, some of which may only be available once you are living in France. This could potentially require a period of storage before the move is completed, which most BAR members will be able to offer. This is why it is essential to choose a mover with genuine experience in European removals and customs formalities. Involving your chosen company early ensures the right documents are prepared for the specific destination you are moving to.

For relocation to Europe, it is essential your mover holds the correct transport licences. This includes a UK Heavy Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence and a Standard International Licence, both of which are legally required to move goods into Europe from the UK.

Some companies like to subcontract European moves to other removal firms, which is perfectly valid, however, customers should be informed in advance and have the process explained clearly. It’s worth asking the company representative who is surveying or discussing the move with you whether they will be running to Europe in their own trucks with their own removal personnel, or if they are subcontracting.

At the end of the day, your move is too important to leave to chance or reputation. Finding and trusting a professional mover is essential when relocating to France. Choosing an accredited member of a recognised industry trade association ensures you are working with a company that meets the highest standards, offers full consumer protection and has the experience to handle even the most complex moves.

Scott Middleton is a removal consultant at GB Liners

Tel: 0808 1000 988

gbliners.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

With a plan to create sociable holidays in France grounded in gastronomy, Sam and Heather Lusardi were determined to do everything to make the project work, they tell Alison Hughes…

Sometimes dreams are a long time in the making. They usually start with an idea, often after a blissful holiday in the sun, imagining yourself buying your daily baguette before stopping for a pause café to watch the world go by. On returning home, the daydream fades until the next holiday comes round. But sometimes life takes an unexpected turn that makes us translate those dreams into action.

Fifteen years ago, Sam and Heather Lusardi were dreaming -like so many of moving to France ‘someday’. The lure of long sunny days, mouth-watering produce on market stalls and that famous slower pace of life was always at the back of their minds. Then, in 2020, a series of events made them think long and hard about how they wanted to spend the rest of their lives, and their plan for ‘sometime in the future’ became ‘why not now?”.

That year had a devastating effect on so many people. When Covid struck, Sam was working in the government department dealing with civil contingencies. Suddenly, the contingency plan for pandemics was no longer a plan but the real thing. This meant long. stressful hours in the office. Heather, who had previously worked in a globe-trotting job that she loved, had spent the previous year in a higher-education role that didn’t live up to expectations. Added to this was the personal tragedy of finding out that a fifth round of IVF treatment had been unsuccessful.

Taking inspiration from the ‘vibe’ at a foodie weekend in rural Wales (forest), they wondered if they could recreate the same atmosphere of relaxation and good food in the south of France. Given that their new life needed to also provide them with an income, they fixed on the idea of running convivial holidays, “where like-minded people could meet around a table filled with good food, good wine, stories and laughter”.

Once they had established their aim, Sam and Heather swung into action. First on the list was making sure they could both get residency -Heather already had a European passport, courtesy of her Hungarian ancestry, and Sam was about to obtain his first Italian passport after jumping through a few linguistic hoops at the Italian embassy.

While waiting for this formality to be sorted out, they were religiously keeping up their French on duolingo, and Heather, who was already a talented cook, decided to take a Chef’s Skills course at the prestigious Leith Cookery School. Not to be outdone, Sam took a Level 3 course at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Although both Sam and Heather downplay their prowess in these subjects, these are highly regarded professional qualifications. Knowing that there’s a huge choice of activities available for holidaymakers to combine with their accommodation (archery and nudism were just two they came across), Sam and Heather had already established their USP as sociable holidays ‘grounded in gastronomy”.

They’d often found self-catering kitchens woefully lacking in gadgets when on holiday themselves, so they were determined to furnish their gites not only with garlic presses, but everything needed to rustle up a gourmet meal if guests so wished. Equally, for visitors who preferred the idea of tasting delicious food rather than preparing it themselves, the pair decided to offer ‘feast nights’ for guests and locals.

The food they would offer was to be seasonal and international, using locally sourced (and hopefully their own homegrown) produce. Heather says her inspiration for cooking comes from ‘the sunshine food of the Mediterranean-bright-red tomatoes and peppers, cool lemons, apricots and peaches one look at Heather’s Instagram page will leave you in no doubt about her cooking skills.

So with their professional qualifications and the stamp of approval for residency, the exciting part could begin. Heather’s mother has lived in the Hérault department for 20 or so years, so Sam and Heather were very familiar with the area and planned to start their property search in the Occitanie region. The aim was to rent for a few months and make house hunting forays in the area.

Their checklist included: a character property (but not a complete wreck), a fair amount of land (enough to have a few animals and a potager), some outbuildings (suitable for gite conversions and event space), a pool or space for one, near a town and not too isolated (they wanted privacy, but not to be too far from a boulangerie). They began their search.

The couple knew the things to watch out for too old buildings may well have at least one roof containing asbestos, a fosse septique will invariably need replacing and the electrics might be functioning, but will probably not be aux normes (up to standard). But as every househunter knows, the most important question is ‘can you see yourself living there?”.

After many exploratory trips and 65 viewings, ‘the one’ was a property that wasn’t listed with the agents who’d been showing them around and wasn’t even in their original search area. “We were won over by the stunning scenery of the Gorges de l’Aveyron,” Heather says. The property ticked a lot of boxes, but more important was the coup de coeur they had been waiting for. It felt like home.

Les Mirabelles is in Tarn-et-Garonne, but near the borders with Tarn, Aveyron, Lot and Lot-et-Garonne. Beautiful villages like Cordes-sur-Ciel and Najac are a few kilometres away and the Sunday market at nearby St-Antonin-Noble-Val is an event in itself with, as well as food stalls, buskers playing and plenty of opportunity for people-watching.

Just as important as all the practicalities of their new life, one of Sam and Heather’s priorities was to become part of their local community. The previous owner of Les Mirabelles, Monsieur Debecq, turned out to be a real treasure, insisting they stop paying for storage in the UK and move their belongings into the barn-even before the acte de vente was signed. He wasa heating engineer and proved to be an invaluable source of information and help during the renovations-including sweeping the chimney for them before they moved in.

In rural France, the calendar is punctuated by fêtes that reflect the seasons. On these occasions, the whole village turns out, trestle tables are erected and a repas champêtre enjoyed. In nearby Espinas, the highlight of the year is La Fenaison (haymaking festival). It attracts thousands of visitors who come to watch the celebration of traditional skills and rural activities such as wielding a scie long long saw), ploughing and clog dancing. Starting with a mass in The tractor parade at Fenaison Occitan, the festivities continue with a parade of tractors, and culminate with a 10-course meal and copious amounts of red wine.

Sam knew he had been accepted when he was asked to help paint signs for the Fenaison and later to help out on a communal pruning and weeding day-both events ending with plenty of locally made eau de vie. As in most small communities, people expect to help each other. “You should never be afraid to ask for help either,” says Heather. “Entr nide is the norm here.” Of course, it helps if you have put in the effort to learn the language. The Lasardis have embraced this, both taking an intensive French class in Toulouse and continuing with weekly lessons by Zoom.

Despite all their preparations for the move to France, there Fenaison is a local farming Festival have still been a few things that have taken them by surprise the cost of building materials being one and the fact that in France “they do things differently. But the couple’s delight with their new life comes across loud and clear.

Sam has written an amusing blog detailing their journey from civil servants in the UK to owners of this little bit of paradise in southwest France. It’s full of anecdotes and observations about their daily life, including how to deal with a canicule (heat wave) when you haven’t yet installed a pool, and interactions with their neighbours. “One thing we have learnt,” says Sam, “is to adapt and also to recognise our limits: when it’s better to get someone else in, rather than trying to do everything yourself”

Two gites-Le-Cerisier and Le Néflier are now up Fêtes often include meals for all and running, the potager is producing courgettes, beetroot, tomatoes and numerous other vegetables, and, living up to its name, there has been an abundance of mirabelle plums-enough to make chutney, wine and Scotch bonnet hot sauce. A family of chickens has joined the household, and two faithful canine companions-Olive and Elwood-who have had several of their own adventures along the way! All in all, I would say this has definitely been a dream come true for Sam and Heather.

Follow the couple’s adventures at infinitejest.substack.com and on Instagram @lesmirabelles82

Heather’s culinary story is here: leithsonline.com/post/student-stories-heather-lusardi-on-her-leiths-online-experience

For more about Les Mirabelles, visit lesmirabelles82.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Travel entrepreneur Doni Belau found her tranquil haven in Bordeaux wine country – where river views, local flavours and village charm create the perfect retreat…

We didn’t choose the village, we chose the house – in 2009 after looking for four years due to its spectacular location right on the Dordogne river and its proximity to St-Emilion. We divide our time between our flat in Paris, our home in New Orleans, our sailboat, and our French home on the river, which we call Le Priolet, in Flaujagues in the Gironde department. It was a priory for monks back in the 18th century, hence the name. It is in the traditional Girondine-style of cream-coloured limestone, mostly symmetrical with terracotta roofs. They have a classic feel with large windows and wooden shutters.

Small-town life in France is simply lovely. What I enjoy most is the peace and quiet I feel when we sit on our terrace and look out at the river. All we can hear is birdsong. During the summer, we have a few night markets, which are basically an excuse to walk into town, buy some local food, and sit down at long tables and commune with the neighbours while drinking the local Bordeaux wine. They also do a very nice Bastille Day celebration.

Tons! St-Emilion, which is about 15 minutes away, is a Unesco World Heritage site. It not only produces incredible wine, making wine tasting and winery visits a must, but the underground church carved best is probably the Ste-Foy market in the Dordogne on Saturdays, when the whole of the region seems to descend on the ancient bastide town, and it becomes as much about catching up with friends as it is about shopping. As we are on the river, kayaking in summer is a delight, plus we also have two guinguettes (waterside open-air cafés) nearby, which are a hoot in the season. There are many châteaux and castles nearby, but very close is the writer and philosopher Michel de Montaigne’s château, which is never busy and quite impressive. Further afield is Bordeaux, which is a spectacular city, the Dordogne, and the Atlantic beaches.

Intermediate. It still is. In Paris, you hardly need it, but you do a lot more in the smaller villages. I get a little better with each stay. I’m convinced that in order to become fluent, I need to stay for six months, taking lessons. But due to the nature of my travel business, I am not in one place for long enough.

They are terribly friendly and a nmoda also a decent number of expats, more English than American. I’ve met French women after joining the Bordeaux Women’s Club, which is open to anyone who speaks English, as well as English, American, Swedish, Asian and more.

Luckily, I can work wherever I am, be it France or Japan. Our online travel business, Girls’ Guide to the World, takes women on tours all over the globe. This year, we have presented 65 tours to 40 countries, but France is where we started, so we have more trips to France than we do to any other country. People in the hospitality business in France, as in most other places, are congenial, but working in France in general takes some understanding of the cultural differences between the way we do things in the US versus France. In addition, our villa has been a good moneymaker for us; we rent it out when we are not here. I often encourage others to buy in France because you can have a home cost free, or an investment property.

Absolutely. The oysters, which the farmers sell every Sunday in every small town in our area, are raised in the Arcachon basin, just over an hour from our home. They are superb, juicy and briny, making them everything you want in an oyster. This is also where I first had seaweed butter, which is delicious on brown bread alongside the oysters.

They also make a duck burger in the area – ground duck with a prune inside wrapped in a web-like type of duck fat. Put one of these babies on the grill and you’ll be in culinary paradise! They’ve also started producing caviar locally, and it is excellent.

How friendly the people are, and how tranquil the lifestyle is. I’ve been a lifelong Paris fanatic, but I alsmost prefer the quiet of the country as I get older – another thing we’ve learned from living there. Nothing, and I mean nothing gets in the way of closing at noon sharp for lunch. You could have a thousand dollars to spend at the local hardware store, but they won’t ring you up even one minute after noon because lunchtime is sacred!

I love it when they say this at a restaurant when they serve the main course after the starter: “bonne continuation”, meaning happy continuation of your meal. There is nothing like it in the English language.

To find out more about Doni’s online travel business or rent her historic property, visit girlsguidetotheworld.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

From trading routes to a modern-day leisure focus, France’s rivers make the perfect casting-off point for a property search, says Joanna Leggett…

Long before the Romans came to France and bisected the land with their roads, its many wonderful rivers provided major ‘thoroughfares’ throughout the country. From neolithic foragers to intrepid travellers, emissaries, missionaries, pilgrims and knights, merchants, traders and the like, France’s mighty rivers provided the best and often safest way to travel.

For millennia they were highways for travel and trade with many a byway and settlement set along their banks. Indeed, the Meuse in northeastern France is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world because it emanates through the Ardennes, which were formed at least 250 million years ago. From rivers winding through wine regions (in France, most seem to do so), to the blood-red-coloured rivers of the Camargue and the romance of the Seine, their beauty and character are so varied it’s hard to choose a favourite.

The Loire was once so beloved by kings of France that they dotted it with glorious châteaux; the mighty Rhône flows west and south through southeastern France down to the Mediterranean, passing through wonderful wine regions and Provence; and then there’s the southwest, dissected by the Garonne, Lot and, arguably, most beautiful of all the Dordogne.

I admit to some personal bias towards the latter. As a teenager during an exchange to France (to improve language skills – French food and boys weren’t supposed to be the focus of study), my ‘French family’ used my stay to explore the Dordogne river close to Sarlat, and with its charming golden stone towns and pretty villages, lush landscape, forests, meadows and defensive châteaux lining the cliffs overlooking the river, I was sold. My pen friend had merely been introduced to London: the Changing of the Guard and the Tower of London – I clearly got the better deal!

Geologically, river systems in France are determined by a major divide running from the Vosges in the northeast down past the Massif Central to the south of France. As a result, most of the rivers of the larger, western part of the country emanate from there such as the Seine and Loire. The other ‘major five’ rivers include the Garonne, which springs from the Pyrénées, while the mighty Rhône and even mightier Rhine originate in the Alps. You might not consider the Rhine river to be French although it forms its eastern boundary for 190km. Fed by Alpine headstreams, it is at its height in late spring and lowest in the autumn.

Most famous of all French rivers has to be the Seine. This beautiful river, so beloved of Impressionists, dissects central Paris where it runs beside the Louvre Palace. Rising in Burgundy northwest of Dijon, fed by tributaries such as the Marne and Yonne, it meanders through Champagne and Brie (a mouth-watering combination!).

Along its route it passes wooded banks, chalk hillsides, steep slopes and flat meadows before reaching the main attraction – Paris. Here, a number of memorable islands enhance its beauty – most notably the Île de la Cité, home to the stunningly restored Notre-Dame. Its banks are wonderful to promenade along, boat trips are a must and wonderful bridges connect the city’s left and right banks. It flows on northwest up into Normandy running alongside Monet’s garden in Giverny and through the ancient city of Rouen until it empties into the English Channel. The simply stunning Pont de Normandie, once the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world, is the last to cross the Seine, connecting Le Havre with beautiful Honfleur. Much of the river is navigable, a mecca for boaties.

The longest river in France, the Loire, starts its journey in the Ardèche in south-central France, flows north, takes a left turn around Orléans, before meandering through the world-famous Loire Valley, where it’s better known as the river of the Kings of France.

Flowing for over 1,000km, it’s the only major river in Western Europe that has never been fully canalised, drifting onwards through Tours and Nantes before emptying into the Bay of Biscay at St-Nazaire. Of course, it’s best known for its amazing Renaissance-style châteaux including mighty Chambord, enchanting Azay-le-Rideau and magnificent Amboise. Chenonceau – So beloved of Diane de Poitiers before Catherine de Medici, mother of three future kings of France, took over ruling the country from its famous Green Room – sits atop the arched bridge over the River Cher. Used as military hospital during the First World War, during the Second its great gallery provided the gateway to the Free Zone for people seeking to escape Occupied France. It continues to enchant with its glorious setting and gardens.

The Loire became ‘the’ place and holiday home destination for kings, queens, nobles and hangers-on (and more than a few mistresses) as it was ‘conveniently situated’ not too far from Paris, even before the TGV. Blois, with its amazing intertwining double staircase, was home to seven kings and 10 queens of France. They loved the mild climate, abundant hunting for wild boar and deer, the excellent wine and luscious food – most of which continue to be great attractions today for we lesser mortals.

The Rhône is the only major river flowing directly into the warm Mediterranean from its source in Alpine glaciers, covering quite a few kilometres along its way. One highlight of its course is the gastronomic epicentre of France, Lyon, where many of the world’s best chefs have trained – not for nothing is it known as the French food capital. The city is also known for Burgundy wines; winemaking areas encompass the eastern part of the valley including Beaujolais, Chablis, Côtes du Rhône… the list goes on. Perhaps the most famous of all is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, nearer Avignon with its famous bridge.

Eventually the river flows into the Mediterranean after it splits into two branches at Arles to form its delta – the wild Camargue – famed for flamingos, salt marshes and the blood-red rivers and lakes caused by the high levels of salt in the water.

Last, and by no means least, is the Garonne, which slices through luscious rich southwestern France, travelling from the Pyrénées northwards through the rose-red city of Toulouse and Agen (watering the plums that make those tasty prunes) on the way to Bordeaux and the Gironde estuary.

Along the way it’s joined by the Ariège, Lot, Tarn and finally the Dordogne. It is one of the few rivers in the world with a tidal bore beloved by surfers and jet skiers, sometimes reaching as far as the town of Cadillac, a name to conjure with. It is also the last place left where the sturgeon fish breeds.
In about the 15th century, someone had the bright idea of digging canals to create waterways in France for a new communication network, making it possible to transport goods more easily – perhaps it was an entrepreneur with an eye for a ‘nice little earner’.

The first sizeable boat canal was the Briare-Montargis canal, which merged the Loire with the Seine. With canals joining large rivers it became possible to transport goods ever more cheaply from one region of France to another. When it comes to canals, for me the most fascinating is the Canal du Midi, linking Bordeaux with the Mediterranean.

I’ve touched on just five major rivers here. Large or small, waterways provide the backdrop to life in France. For one thing, fishing is a serious undertaking in the country and many towns and villages boast their own Société de Pêche. Every weekend you’ll spot groups of keen anglers meeting by the water, armed with sustenance suitable to augment their catch.

Homes have always been built along rivers, originally because of the need for adjacent water. Today, they provide the most beautiful of settings offering great gardening opportunities, somewhere to moor a boat, or to simply gaze upon as you enjoy a glass of the local wine.

Joanna Leggett is the Marketing Director at Leggett Immobilier View the full portfolio of properties at leggettfrance.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Become a FrenchEntrée Member and unlock our exclusive members content. With 20+ years of experience and a vast network of experts covering legal, tax, currency, and more, we’ll help you transform those big dreams into real actionable steps. If you need more of a helping hand, upgrade to speak with our bilingual property and relocation advisors and receive an easy-to-follow personalised roadmap to success.

Find out more about FrenchEntrée Membership here or click the button below.

Become a FrenchEntrée Member and unlock our exclusive members content. With 20+ years of experience and a vast network of experts covering legal, tax, currency, and more, we’ll help you transform those big dreams into real actionable steps. If you need more of a helping hand, upgrade to speak with our bilingual property and relocation advisors and receive an easy-to-follow personalised roadmap to success.

Find out more about FrenchEntrée Membership here or click the button below.

Discover southwest France’s most charming labelled towns and villages – and what they offer, with Saskia Vasklamp…

France has a knack for celebrating the finer things in life and its towns and villages are no exception. Beyond the picture-perfect shutters and café terraces, there exists a whole lexicon of labels that distinguish the country’s most beautiful and character-rich places. For anyone considering a move to the southwest of France or if you simply want to indulge in the dream -these labels can be an excellent guide to finding somewhere special to call home. Let’s unpick a few of the best-known (and a couple of the lesser known) labels and spotlight just a small selection of the delightful villages that proudly wear them.

Plus Beaux Villages de France

This label needs no grand introduction. Established in 1982, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France) is perhaps the most iconic of them all, awarding its coveted seal to communes with exceptional heritage, beauty and preservation efforts. Living in one of these villages means stepping into a storybook-only with better cheese. Here are just a few examples.

Monpazier (Dordogne)

A bastide jewel in the Périgord, Monpazier ticks every box: medieval arcades, honey-coloured stone houses, and a calendar packed with brocante fairs and summer festivals. It’s postcard-perfect without being a museum piece, and yes, you can still buy your morning baguette from the boulangerie near the square.

Cordes-sur-Ciel (Tarn)

One of the oldest bastides in Occitanie and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its name comes from the imagination of a poet who described the sight of fog covering the Cérou valley, with only this medieval town emerging from the clouds.

Auvillar (Tarn-et-Garonne)

Perched above the Garonne river, Auvillar charms with its round market hall and red-brick Renaissance facades. Artists have long been drawn to its peaceful vibe, and the slower pace of life here is almost an art form in itself.

les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org

Villes et Villages Fleuris

Since 1959, this colourful label has been awarded to towns and villages that put real effort into landscaping and sustainable green spaces. It’s about more than just aesthetics; it’s about quality of life and a visible pride in place. Here are a few of my favourites.

Fourcès (Gers)

A circular medieval village straight out of a dream, Fourcès is as green as it is pretty. Flower boxes spill over balconies and the central square, ringed with timber-framed houses, is always in bloom. It’s not just for show: the local mairie coordinates community gardening events and eco-friendly practices.

Villeréal (Lot-et-Garonne)

Another bastide beauty, Villeréal takes its flower game seriously. Awarded multiple fleurs by the national body, its manicured public spaces create a fresh and inviting setting for markets, concerts and casual strolls.

Jonzac (Charente-Maritime)

Jonzac’s setting is its most natural asset, along with its thermal spring water. Built along both sides of the River Seugne, which flows between two hills, the local white stone used for its construction is the perfect backdrop for the colourful floral displays. If you like your charm with a dash of geranium and a hint of honeysuckle, look for the little red flower symbols at the entrance to the village.

villes-et-villages-fleuris.com

Petites Cités de Caractère

These are small towns of character with a rich heritage that might not make the international guidebooks, but have nonetheless invested heavily in preserving and sharing their architectural and cultural legacy. For buyers who want something authentic but not overrun, these villages strike the perfect balance.

La Sauve-Majeure (Gironde)

With the ruins of an imposing Benedictine abbey at its heart, La Sauve-Majeure has a quiet magnetism. The village offers a mix of history and rural calm, with a strong local community that enjoys a glass of wine as much as a guided tour.

Martel (Lot)

Known as the town of seven towers, Martel is all cobbled lanes and hidden courtyards. It has managed to maintain a genuine lived-in feel, while at
the same time honouring its past through cultural events and careful conservation.

Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (Charente)

A town on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. History buffs and leisure enthusiasts head here to enjoy its rich heritage of buildings and quiet alleyways, the beauty of its hilly landscapes in all seasons and its river beaches in the summer.

petitescitesdecaractere.com

Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire

Managed by France’s Ministry of Culture, this label highlights towns and territories committed to promoting their architectural and historical heritage. These places often have strong local engagement, guided tours, educational programmes, and a thriving cultural calendar. For those seeking a blend of culture and community, these towns are fertile hunting ground.

Lectoure (Gers)

Lectoure combines a rich Roman past with a bohemian present. You’ll find artist studios, antiques galore, and festivals all year round, all set against a backdrop of pale limestone and sweeping views of the Gascon hills.

Moissac (Tarn-et-Garonne)

Home to one of the finest Romanesque cloisters in Europe, Moissac is a town that embraces its past, while making space for contemporary art and open-air concerts. It feels alive – and proud of it.

Sarlat (Dordogne)

Yes, we’ve all seen this one on the TV – and apparently in famous films since 1928! Medieval Sarlat offers you art and history, and the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photos. And, apparently, Sarlat has the highest density of listed historical buildings per square foot in the whole of the country.

culture.gouv.fr/aides-demarches/protections-labels-et-appellations/label-ville-et-pays-d-art-et-d-histoire

Grands Sites de France

Awarded by the government minister for ecology, this label recognises landscapes of exceptional beauty and cultural significance that are managed with a focus on sustainability. It’s less about the village and more about its surroundings.

St-Cirq-Lapopie (Lot)

Overlooking a dramatic bend in the Lot river, St-Cirq-Lapopie has inspired poets and painters for decades. Its clifftop setting, medieval houses and car-free centre make it one of the most atmospheric spots in the whole of the southwest.

La Roque-Gageac (Dordogne)

Wedged between the river and steep limestone cliffs, La Roque-Gageac is a showstopper with canoeing, markets, châteaux and exotic gardens all within strolling distance. And yes, you can actually live here -some lucky people do.

grandsitedefrance.com

Stations Vertes

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, this green label is awarded to tourist destinations in an unspoilt environment in the countryside, mountains or on the coast. A Station Verte is an area in the heart of the terroir, recognised at national level as a town or resort favouring environmentally friendly, nature-focused tourism. If you are looking to buy a property in France that could also provide some tourism-related income, look out for the signs!

Châlus (Haute-Vienne)

Châlus witnessed the death of Richard the Lionheart at the Château de Châlus-Chabrol in 1199. Apart from enjoying the area’s rich history, trout fishing in the local rivers and lakes is a must, and the Voie Verte, a 13km trail along the old railway line, is open to rollerbladers, cyclists and walkers.

Quillan (Aude)

At an altitude of 300m, this small town is the ideal place to enjoy outdoor sports and discover the amazing Cathar heritage. Visit castle ruins, walk along the Aude river, hike on the footpaths or mountain bike trails, try your hand at white water sports, go fishing, go climbing… There’s something for everyone: young and old, sporty or not.

stationverte.com

While labels aren’t everything, they can be a helpful compass when you’re househunting or dreaming of a new life in France. These distinctions signal a village that not only has charm and history in abundance, but also a sense of community and a commitment to quality of life. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to live in a place that goes the extra mile with its flower boxes and squares? If you’re looking for more than just a pretty view – a place where tradition meets thoughtful living – then following the labels might just lead you home.

OTHER TOURISM-FOCUSED LABELS:

Les Plus Beaux Détours, Famille Plus, Pavillion Bleu, Les Villages Étapes, Parc National, Station Pêche, Parc Naturel Régional, Village de Neige.

Saskia Vlaskamp is the Marketing Director at Beaux Villages Immobilier

Tel: 0033 (0)8 05 69 23 23 (Free from France); 0800 270 0101 (Free from the UK)

beauxvillages.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

September in France is all about La Rentrée – the return to school. It’s not just for children though, there are plenty of training opportunities for adults too, as Gillian Harvey finds out…

Stewart and Fiona Paterson, La Rochefoucauld

The Patersons had always had a love of France, often holidaying in the country, and had discussed the possibility of moving there. Then came a now-or-never moment.

“I’d been a freelance computer programmer for many years, but the market had become saturated in the early 2000s, driving rates down. I started learning how to plumb – teaching myself as I went – in the hope of a career change. But we were living in Ascot with a high mortgage and it was difficult to make ends meet,” says Stewart.

“We considered moving to Wales, then thought – if we’re going to uproot the family, why not go to France?” The pair’s two children, Callan 27 and Briony 25, were three and six at the time, so it was a great opportunity for the children to become bilingual. However, while Stewart had hoped to find plumbing work on arrival, things didn’t pan out as planned.

“Like a lot of people, I hadn’t done enough research. There wasn’t much work about, and without qualifications I was only offered employment as an unskilled labourer.” However, the job he was offered at a local tile factory turned out to be an excellent move. “My GCSE French soon improved and having the job also meant we were quickly in the social security system.”

Stewart worked at the factory for seven years, which was followed by three years working as a printer. Then in 2012, he was made redundant. “I went to the job centre (Pôle Emploi) and was given the opportunity to retrain as a heating engineer. It was a nine-month course, which was fully funded and I was given money to help with living costs while I studied.”

The training was full time and took place at a technical college, with work experience midway through the course. And due to the demand for heating engineers, Stewart had a job waiting for him the moment he qualified. “The technical college was well-known and companies would come in and recruit before we’d even finished training.”Graphic designer Fiona opted to spend their early years in France looking after the couple’s young family and working on her sculpture.

But in 2019 she decided to look for paid work. Like Stewart she visited the job centre and was offered the chance to train as an electrician. “The full-time course was at the same technical college Stewart trained at and offered both classroom work and practical work experience. While my French was good, it was lucky that the teacher was originally from Ireland and I could ask for clarification in English on occasion.”

Fiona passed her exams just prior to lockdown in 2020. Once things opened up again, she decided to look for short-term contract work rather than a full-time position. “I’m registered with a temping agency that arranges contracts lasting between a week and a month. They also deal with all my taxes – so I just do my work and go home at the end of the day. “I’m still picking up contracts, but my sculpture work is gaining traction. It’s great that I can balance this with my day job.”

Sian Griffiths, Nîmes

PR specialist Sian Griffiths and her husband Philip, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army, had lived in Hong Kong for decades when, in 2016, they decided to move to pastures new. “I’d been in Hong Kong for 30 years at the time, working my way up in the tourism industry, and I loved my work,” says Sian. Philip had been there for 20 years handling the closing-down logistics.

The pair both had a love of France and already owned a flat in Nîmes, where they holidayed regularly, so it seemed like the ideal place to choose, especially as Sian already spoke fluent French. “We looked at lots of different places but we loved Nîmes and already knew it well, so decided to settle there.” After making the move in 2016, Sian set about finding suitable work. “I love tourism and started to look into the field. I applied to do a course at a nearby university, but sadly didn’t get a place.” Then a friend told Sian about the CNAM – Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers.

“It’s an organisation that helps people to change careers. To be a tour guide in France working for tour operators or offices, museums or anything government-run, you need a licence. When I found that CNAM runs tour-guide training in Paris, it seemed ideal.”

Sian enrolled on the part-time, year-long course in January 2017 and thoroughly enjoyed her studies. “It was a really international group. We had a retired architect, a couple from Air France and a geologist. So a really fascinating mix. The course included trips to the Louvre, various practical exercises around Paris and lots of in-classroom theory on four consecutive days each month. We also had to do a two-month internship over the summer.”

Assignments involved preparing, researching and presenting on guiding topics, as well as projects and a written submission about the internship. Finally, there was an interview before a panel. Fortunately, around the same time Arles and Nîmes tourist boards had written to CNAM to ask if they had any students from the south who spoke English – and Sian was offered a contract with them.

“To qualify, I had to carry out a nerve-wracking test in French, talking for 20 minutes on a given subject. But I passed and was given work in the river cruise industry. All the ships need guides with good English, so it was perfect.”

Sian now carries out her work closer to home, at locations around Nîmes. “I love it – there’s always plenty of work, but I choose contracts that suit me and work around my life,” she says. “Completing the course has given me so many opportunities.” In December 2017, Sian passed her final exams and received her licence.

Teri Fox, Brittany

When Teri Fox moved to Brittany in 2007 with her then husband (they have since separated), she was hoping for an easier pace of life, made possible by the lower property prices and the chance for them to own land. Having worked in the fitness industry for many years. as well as being a qualified massage therapist, Teri hoped to get work in the health and fitness sector. However, she knew she had to improve her ‘schoolgirl’ French before she started her job hunt.
As a first step, in 2008 Teri enrolled on a full-time, nine-month French programme with an organisation called GRETA (Groupements d’Etablissements), which runs adult learning centres. “Although I wasn’t completely fluent at the end, I had a better understanding of both written and spoken French; I’ve worked hard since and am now fluent,” Teri explains.

Once she felt her language was up to the task, she contacted the managers of a local fitness organisation to see if they had any suitable work. “They said I’d need a French diploma rather than my British qualifications and experience to teach with them.

“But then they made me an offer. I could come to work with them, provided I also studied for a relevant qualification CQPALS (Certificat de Qualification Professionnelle Animateur de Loisir Sportif). They even offered to pay for my training!

“While I already had a great deal of existing knowledge in the fitness arena, learning  my craft once again, but in French, was quite a challenge. I qualified in 2010 and began to teach fitness classes including step and zumba, as well as fitness for people with heart and lung conditions.”

Sadly, in 2019 a knee injury forced Teri to change direction. “Having a bad knee made it impossible to continue working full time as a fitness instructor. I had also realised that I’d probably need to change careers eventually to something more sedentary,” she explains. “As I was already a qualified massage therapist, I decided to explore the possibility of becoming a beautician and spa therapist. “I went to the job centre for advice and was offered the chance to take a fully funded course in aesthetics, cosmetology and perfumery at a specialist beauty school based in St-Brieuc.”

As her O-levels had not been validated in France, Teri was also required to sit several exams, including in maths, French and science. In 2020, she qualified as a beautician, with additional qualifications in reflexology, lymphatic drainage and hot stone massage. She has since studied more courses including bamboo massage and reiki.

Having spent five years working in several salons and spas, including Yves Rocher, and managing a beauty salon for a Breton cosmetic company, Teri has now created treatment rooms at the home she shares with new husband Patrice, 46, and in 2025 opened her own beauty salon.

Since her move, Teri has enjoyed an interesting and varied career and feels very fortunate to have had the chance to retrain. “France has given me lots of opportunities and I’m very grateful.”

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Owning a home in France is a dream for many people. But when the owner’s away, the property can tell a very different story. Carmel O’Connell explains…

As property managers looking after second homes for English-speaking clients across France, we’ve seen just about everything: snakes sunning themselves on patios, rogue robot mowers and even a skinny dipper with absolutely no regard for property lines. While property management may sound routine-a lawn tidy here, a pool check there-the truth is often far messier, funnier and more surprising. These ‘confessions’ pull back the curtain on what really happens when no one’s home, and why having someone local and eagle-eyed to keep a check on your property matters.

“What’s that smell? Oh right-July’s leftovers in December!” One of the more pungent problems we’ve dealt with began innocently enough: an owner left their home in late July with a fully stocked fridge and freezer, assuming they’d be back in a few weeks. But plans changed and their return kept getting postponed.

Somewhere along the way, the power went out. By December, when asked to check on the property, what we walked into wasn’t so much a kitchen as a biohazard zone. The stench hit us before we even stepped through the door. Inside, the fridge had grown something resembling a sentient life form, while the freezer contents had long since liquefied and leaked through the tiled flooring.

Aside from the clean-up (which involved industrial-strength gloves and breathing through our mouths), the real cost was in replacing appliances, cabinetry and floor tiles not to mention deodorising the house before the owners could return.

From rodents to reptiles-who moves in when you move out? When your holiday place sits quiet for weeks or months, nature doesn’t hesitate to make it self at home. And once the humans disappear, the wildlife moves in. We’ve come across everything from a beehive nicely established inside a chimney stack with honey dripping down into the hearth, to mice nesting in linen cupboards, hornets building rugby ball-sized nests in attics, snakes curled up in sunlit conservatories, and even a whole family of bats tucked behind exterior shutters.

And then there are loirs -European dormice. Cute, yes. But also impressively destructive. We once found one had shredded an entire roll of toilet paper to build a five-star rodent nest in a bathroom cabinet. They chew through soft furnishings, insulation, plasterboard and sometimes even wiring. It’s hard to stay mad when they’re staring at you with those big eyes-but the damage can be extensive. And it’s not just the small creatures. Snakes make an occasional appearance too-especially in rural gardens. One of our property management teams, who had sat behind desks in their previous UK careers, recently answered a call from a couple terrified by two harmless, but very real, snakes sunbathing on their terrace. The rescue involved a broom, a laundry basket and a surprising amount of bravery (and shrieking-mostly from the clients). Who knew our career-changers could channel Steve Irwin and Crocodile Dundee so convincingly? Sadly, not every wildlife encounter has a happy ending. Once we were called to a new client’s property, only to discover that two young deer had fallen into their uncovered swimming pool. By the time we arrived, it was too late to rescue them-we were faced with the grim task of dealing with what can only be described as deer soup.

Uninvited guests of the human kind… One memorable surprise happened during the 2022 heatwave, when temperatures in parts of France reached 44 degrees. On a routine check of a rural home in a quiet hamlet, one of our property managers found a woman-stark naked swimming in the client’s pool. Flustered and baffled, they double-checked the diary for any sign of a booking or family visit. Nothing. The woman? “Oh, I just saw the pool and couldn’t resist,” she said. She returned a second time for another dip. The cheek of it! Sometimes, cultural norms take a backseat to 40-degree heat. Still, a locked gate should have been a hint.

“Can you let my friends in?” Keyholders are the unsung heroes of holiday home ownership. One of the most frequent, frantic calls we get is “My friends/family have just arrived at the house, and they can’t get in can you help?” Whether it’s unexpected visitors, forgotten keys or heating that wasn’t turned on before guests arrived, being a local keyholder means becoming a lifeline. We’ve had requests to meet couriers, accept and assemble furniture deliveries, even corral a horse -yes, really.

In one case, an owner’s brother, who didn’t have a property manager, spotted an owl flapping around inside his house via a security camera. The result? A 24-hour dash from London to Burgundy involving a flight, train and taxi-costing a few hundred pounds just to let the owl out. Having a trusted local contact isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessary lifeline.

It’s not always drama-but it is always important. It’s not always chaos. Often, it’s the unnoticed little things that matter most a thermostat left on full blast, quietly burning euros; an overflowing post box, signalling ’empty home’ to thieves, overgrown gardens drawing complaints from neighbours, roof tiles missing from the back of the house, out of sight. Sometimes, it’s not what’s broken-it’s what’s baffling.

Take smart tech. Robot mowers are brilliant, until they go AWOL. One property under LBV’s care has a mower called René. Our team regularly tracks him down in ditches, under bushes or tangled in flowerbeds. At another house, the owner alternates between us and a local electrician to ‘rescue’ their mower-possibly they’re too embarrassed to keep calling the same person. When you get a guest booking for ‘four adults, you might think two couples, right? Especially when it’s a house with five double bedrooms. But one of the earliest lessons we learned is never assume anything when it comes to sleeping arrangements, We’ve had groups of friends, estranged in-laws, two couples who no longer liked each other and even one guest who brought their own inflatable mattress so they could sleep alone in the lounge. These days, we always ask for the exact room configuration. It saves on unnecessary laundry, last-minute sheet shuffles, and some very awkward misunderstandings.

The pipe that waited to burst until you were gone. Frozen pipes are bad. Frozen. pipes that burst silently while you’re away are worse. We’ve seen everything from collapsed ceilings to ruined flooring caused by small leaks that went unnoticed for weeks.

But the most extreme example? A client who had only recently acquired their dream holiday home in the stunning Gers department. Just six months in, one of those fierce, localised summer hailstorms swept through the area causing a mini-landslide that blocked the usual water courses. As water always finds a way, it found its way into homes in the valley-including theirs.

We’d never met the owners in person, but thankfully we held a key. Our van skidded along a mud-washed track that used to be a road. When we arrived, three teams of sapeurs-pompiers were alteady pumping sludge from the house. Inside, the living room was more than a metre deep in mud. An American-style fridge bobbed gently in the disgusting brown soup. In the weeks that followed, we coordinated with the fire brigade, the mairie, insurance assessors and tradespeople to clear, clean, dry and restore the house. The owners were devastated to find their ground floor furniture ruined-but relieved they hadn’t walked into it for the first time alone.

Microwave blindness and other mysteries. Some of the most important work we do never makes it onto an invoice. As one of our teams put it: “llesides the little favours we don’t charge for, there’s the unpleasant stuffi emptying bins guests were meant to clear (bathroom bins are the worst), unspeakable toilets, things in fridges that have grown legs and the occasional dead creature in the pool or live one.” Spiders, as it turns out, can hold their breath for an impressively long time.

And don’t get us started on microwaves. We’ve discovered ‘microwave blindness’ is real -most people simply can’t see the mess in there. Now it’s our secret test: if the microwave’s bad, the rest usually is too. But then there are the little wins. A client recently called me a superhero for setting up their smart TV for them in minutes after they’d been struggling with it for hours. “I don’t know about superhero, muttered my partner, to which I replied, “hey, don’t be jealous of my cape!”.

But the risks are real. Behind every bizarre anecdote is a truth: homes need care-even when no one’s in. Neglect multiplies problems and what seems like a small oversight can spiral into something costly, uninviting or catastrophic.

That’s where we come in. Whether it’s rescuing robot mowers, spotting a hornet’s nest or just flushing the loo and checking the microwave, a good property manager is your eyes, ears (and nose) on the ground. We’re not just caretakers. We’re guardians of your peace of mind.

Carmel O’Connell and husband Joe Wilson run Les Bons Voisins

Tel: 0033 (0)562 29 26-62

propertymanagementinfrance.com

Looking for more like this?

French Property News is the go-to title for anyone considering a French property purchase, either now or in the future. Packed full of expert advice from property professionals including estate agents, lawyers and tax advisors, it is the ultimate househunter’s guide to the French property market.

Become a FrenchEntrée Member and unlock our exclusive members content. With 20+ years of experience and a vast network of experts covering legal, tax, currency, and more, we’ll help you transform those big dreams into real actionable steps. If you need more of a helping hand, upgrade to speak with our bilingual property and relocation advisors and receive an easy-to-follow personalised roadmap to success.

Find out more about FrenchEntrée Membership here or click the button below.

Many people move to France hoping to purchase a ‘forever home’, but what if your needs change? Gillian Harvey meets three couples who found ‘the one’ after trying others on for size…

Ann and James Young:

“We built our forever home in Normandy – then moved more than 900km away!” Professional horseman James Young, 63, and his wife Ann, 65, a buyer’s agent, were used to living in different locations. with James’ profession taking him from the UK to the US, and Qatar over the years. But in 1999, the couple decided to purchase their forever home in Normandy. “We chose Normandy as it’s the epicentre of professional horse sports in France,” explains Ann. “There are races, showjumping, stud arms – everything.”

The property the couple found was on the site of a former karting track, with a clubhouse, garage and the house itself- a traditional Normandy home with 190m² of space. They converted the garage into stables and the clubhouse into a gîte. The area proved a great choice. “Our village was fabulous and our neighbours were great. We had a very active social life: most of our friends were French, with just one other British couple.” In 2010, Ann and James decided to sell the property and build their dream home in the same location. It was a 350m² house with colombage-style exterior and modern interior, underfloor heating, triple glazing and modern fixtures and fittings. They moved into a gîte as a stop-gap, while the work was being done. However, the build took a long time to finish and by 2017, when it was completed, something had change “I told James I didn’t want to do it anymore.” says Ann. “I couldn’t cope with the physicality of the horses and I also fancied living somewhere a bit warmer.”

One thing was certain, however, the pair wanted to remain in France. “We love the people and the lifestyle, the daily routine. The quality of life is very good and the food is so tasty and fresh.”

The house near carcassonne came about as the result of ‘pure luck’ according to Ann. “I wanted a village setting – we have several cats and needed it to be safe for them. And we’re used to living with quite a lot of land, which can be difficult to get. The house we found is a split-level property with 180m of space. It sits at the top of a village, with a hectare of land above. The road coming up is almost private. We have an amazing view of the château, and a swimming pool.” Having dedicated much of his previous career to horses, James is now thriving in a a new occupation as a videographer, creating videos of motor racing for his YouTube channel, as well as maintaining the four local gîtes that the couple run between them. “All of our properties were the right house at the right time. We thought we’d stay in the dream home we’d built, but the house we’ve ended up in couldn’t be more different. Yet it’s perfect for us now. We miss our friends, but they come to stay and we’ve been made to feel very welcome in the new area we’re living in.

Christina and David Perez: “We rented before buying, and did a virtual ‘tour de France’ before settling!”

When Christina Perez, 49, moved to France with her French husband David. 45, she knew very little about the country. The couple had met in the US and after marrying in 2005, had lived there together welcoming children Eliséa, now 16, and Matys, 13. But in 2008, David began to get homesick, and in 2017 the family decided to make the move back to his home country.

“Initially we thought we’d buy, but it was difficult to secure permanent employment,” explains Christina. “In the end, David found a year-long contract and we thought we’d just get here and work it out. We ended up renting a gorgeous apartment in Bordeaux, with views of the Monument aux Girondins. It was neo-classical on the exterior, but it had a modern interior.”

However, as he was on a temporary contract, the family had to move again in April 2018, this time to Lyon. “We rented an apartment in a manoir just off the river,” says Christina “It was Haussmann style, the interiors were from the late 18th century. It was fairly snug at 125m², but I loved it.”
Finally in 2019, David found a permanent job in Mulhouse Alsace, and the family prepared to settle down however this time they were unable to settle as easily. “The architecture was very different, and we had a duplex apartment on the fourth e fourth and fifth floor that was terrible in the summer. It was so hot,”says Christina. “We tried to settle, but the lifestyle and culture just felt different – even the croissants had a different taste! When Covid hit and we – like many others – had time to reflect, we realised we just weren’t happy in the area.” Luckily, while the couple had intended to purchase a property, they hadn’t yet done this. As David’s office had a satellite in Brittany, somewhere he’d always wanted to live, he asked to change locations. “We did a trip there for our anniversary and I fell in love with it,” says Christina.

The family made the move and finally purchased their own home: a five-bedroom house in Plancoët, Brittany that Christina was able to work her interior design magic on. “I completely renovated the upstairs, creating three bedrooms, a bathroom, separate toilet and dressing room. Downstairs, there used to be two bedrooms, but we transformed these into offices as we both now work at home.”

While it was difficult being so unsettled for a period of time, especially with children Christina is now grateful for the journey they took to find their forever home. “Renting gave us flexibility. I got to see the different way of life in France and the different cities. Now I’m building my own firm as an interior designer, my French is getting better and I really feel we’ve found the right situation for all of us.

Catrin Morgan and Kim Butler: “We were seduced by the French Dream!”

Catrin Morgan first wanted to move to France aged 15 after a move to France aged 15 after French exchange. “I felt very much at home in the country,’ she says. However, it was 44 years later that she finally made the move. “My two sons had grown up and moved on; it seemed like a now-or-never moment. I decided to move, dragging my long-suffering partner Kim with me!”

The couple’s first viewings were scheduled for November 2014. “We’d chosen a selection of houses, in Lot-et-Garonne, an hour from Bordeaux. But when we were over there to view, another house suddenly came onto the market. We decided to have a look. and it was love at first sight.

“We were seduced by the big farmhouse with lots of land. It was a lovely property but came with its fair share of problems: a lack of deep foundations and damp proofing, and hidden issues such as old timber in the roof supports. The thick walls made installing wifi a challenge. It was also in an isolated location, which was a mixed blessing.

“We created two B&B rooms and added a gîte in the attached barn. It was a beautiful house, with no neighbours nearby. I loved how fresh the air smelled and the inky-black, star-studded sky at night.” The couple made a success of their move – with Catrin, now 67, running the business, as well as becoming a property advisor to raise additional income. Kim, now aged 60 continued to commute to her IT job in the UK.

However, first Covid and then new rules post-Brexit hit the business. “We were a dog- friendly business and Brexit rules made it harder for people from the UK to travel with pets. We lost a lot of business. “Running the B&B had been harder work than anticipated and with the additional setbacks, Catrin decided that it was time to retire. The property sold really quickly, and the couple decamped to a gite while searching for their next home.

We decided to move nearer to amenities and life,” says Catrin. “The property we’re living in now is still old, but it’s smaller and more manageable. It’s in the middle of the small village of Le mas d’Agenais, not far from our original property. My pension has kicked in so I no longer have to work full time – but have kept on my part-time role as a property advisor.”

Brexit also complicated the couple’s long-distance relationship, and as a result they decided to tie the knot. “We got married in 2020 after a bit of a panic because Kin would have been subject to the 90/180-day rule.” says Catrin. “Now, we are both entitled to permanent residency here.

We don’t regret buying our first property – in fact, we still feel a little sad when we drive past it. But although don’t have the wonderful views anymore, nor do we have to maintain the land. And while we don’t have a swimming pool at the new place, there’s a beautiful municipal pool locally that we don’t have to look after. “I suspect that we’d still buy the first house if we had we had our time again, but it got too much for us eventually. This is a home we can now enjoy, can now enjoy without all the work that comes with it.”

Looking for more like this?

Every issue of French Property News delivers in-depth regional buying guides, sound and trusted advice from leading experts, inspirational real life stories, renovation tales and lots of lovely properties to browse.

A former French president has been sentenced to jail, more strikes are on the way, and France’s new Prime Minister still hasn’t appointed a government. Here are the French news stories you need to know about this week.

Karine Chevalier-Watts is a bilingual French/English paralegal and the in-house certified translator of Stone King’s International and Cross-Border Team. As part of her day-to-day functions, she deals with new enquiries received from British individuals regarding various French matters. Here, Karine discusses the French system of viager.

If you are interested in finding out more about estate planning and trust use in France and would like help analysing the options available to you, please contact the international and cross-border team at Stone King LLP either by calling +44(0)1225 337599 or by emailing [email protected].

Planning a building or renovation project in France? Tom Easdown offers an overview of the country’s planning process, including the different permits you may need…

Over the past 15 years, at French Plans, we have observed a significant shift in the attitude of French authorities towards planning applications and permissions. Gone are the days when a casual chat with the maire over a glass of wine could move a project forward. Today, most communes have, or are in the process of developing, a local development plan (Plan Local d’Urbanisme or PLU). Regulations have become increasingly complex, with different policies applying to different planning zones.

Applications that were once handled at the local level are now typically reviewed by planning officers in the departmental planning authority (Direction Départementale des Territoires or DDT), often with input from conservation officers, environmental authorities and utility providers. Since virtually any change to the external appearance of a property in France requires some form of permit, it’s essential to understand how planning regulations might affect your project.

Most developments fall into one of four main planning application types, with each one being suited to a different size or complexity of project:

• Certificat d’urbanisme (CU): Outline application
• Déclaration préalable (DP): Minor works application
• Permis de construire maison individuelle (PCMI): Major application for homeowners
• Permis de construire (PC): Major application for business owners or multiple dwellings

Planning policy in France is governed by the Code de l’urbanisme, the national legislation that provides a framework for local planning regulations. While each commune can draft its own planning policy, those that haven’t yet done so fall under Le règlement national d’urbanisme (RNU). Where a PLU has been adopted, it may be a joint PLU created by a group of communes forming a communauté de communes, or an individual PLU developed by a single commune. It is usual for these documents to be reviewed every 10 years.

In addition to the PLU, other regulatory layers may apply, such as plans de prévention des risques (PPR) for areas at risk (e.g. flooding or landslides), and regulations from the Architectes des Bâtiments de France (ABF) for protected zones or buildings.

A common initial question from our clients is whether their intended project is feasible. If the property lies within a commune with a detailed PLU, we can often determine this from available documentation. If not, we usually recommend that they submit a certificat d’urbanisme application.

There are two types of CU:

• CUa (informational): Offers basic details on potential risks, zoning and local planning taxes, but isn’t very useful for assessing project feasibility.
• CUb (operational): Provides a legally binding opinion on whether a specific type of development is feasible. This doesn’t grant permission to build, but it gives a valuable indication of whether the proposed project is viable.

Once a positive response to the CU has been received, it’s time to prepare and submit the relevant formal application for the planned works. If the project is minor, such as a modest extension, a DP may be sufficient. This simplified application typically applies to:

• Modifications under 20m² of floor area (surface de plancher) or footprint (emprise au sol)
• Up to 40m² in urbanised areas, depending on local rules.

A DP has a one-month review period. There may be no response issued, as a DP application is generally a non-opposition application. Silence on the part of the authorities is confirmation of approval. However, in protected zones or near historic monuments, the decision period is extended by a month and the authorities will always issue an approval notice. While it is common for no approval to be issued, we always recommend requesting written confirmation of approval to avoid ambiguity later on. There are plenty of instances where a missing approval notice can hold up a property sale, for example.

For larger projects, such as new homes, a full planning application (PCMI) is required. This involves submitting detailed architectural plans and documents. The standard decision period is two months, but again this can be extended if additional documentation is requested, or if the proposed site is in a protected zone. Interestingly, if the application is completely ignored – no requests, no refusals and no notifications of extension – a tacit approval is granted, even if the project doesn’t meet policy. This is rare, but we see a few each year.

For more complex projects – such as multiple houses or converting a château into a wedding venue – a PC application is required. While more demanding in scope, it follows the same timelines and extension rules as the PCМІ.

Note that a CU is not a prerequisite for submitting a DP, PCMI or PC. However, it often helps set expectations and clarify feasibility. Objection is one area where French planning policy differs to other countries’ processes. In the UK, the opportunity to object to an application comes before the decision is made and objections may affect the outcome. In France, the opportunity to object comes after approval and an objection may only be made by neighbours and the prefecture.

Another differing aspect to French planning law is that if a project results in more than 150m² of habitable space, a French-registered architect must submit the application. Additionally, unlike in the UK, there is no ‘permitted development’ rights in France. Virtually all exterior changes – including small extensions, attic conversions, pergolas, or even changing shutter colours – require permission. Any new construction – residential, commercial, or industrial -requires a permit.

While extensions under 5m² may not require permission, any visible change to a building’s exterior almost always does, so in policy terms there is a conflict. Larger extensions are often subject to local limits, and some communes may restrict or prohibit them altogether.

If an attic already has access and openings, no new floor space is created, so permission might not be required. However, installing Velux or dormer windows always requires approval due to external appearance change. Any conversion from non-habitable (e.g. agricultural) use to living space requires permission. This is both due to change in use and possible external modifications.

Pools over 10m² require a DP or PCMI depending on size. Temporary pools (in situ for less than three months a year) don’t need a permit. Some communes, especially in the southeast of France, currently have a moratorium on pools approvals due to the lack of water resources in the area. So its worthwhile doing some research before committing to a pool installation.

French planning policy can seem intimidating, but with the right information and guidance, it becomes more manageable. Understanding your property’s zoning, applicable planning regulations, and the nature of your proposed project will help you make informed decisions from the start. Involving a planning professional early – whether an architect, or a specialist consultant – can help identify potential obstacles to your project and address them before major time or money has been invested. Flexibility in design, informed by policy, often leads to a smoother and less stressful experience.

Tom Easdown is Managing Director at French Plans

Tel: 0033 (0)6 75 05 36 86

frenchplans.com

Looking for more like this?

Every issue of French Property News delivers in-depth regional buying guides, sound and trusted advice from leading experts, inspirational real life stories, renovation tales and lots of lovely properties to browse.

French President Emmanuel Macron made political waves yesterday, but things are still rocky on the home front, plus what you need to do if your Withdrawal Agreement carte de séjour is coming up for renewal. Here are the French news stories you need to know about this week.