Hi all - we have just bought a nice village house in Normandy. Originally, it went on the market inclusive of a non-adjoining piece of land described as a “small vegetable garden” (no size mentioned). Sadly for me, the village council has first refusal on land coming onto the market and opted to buy it. I don’t even know where the plot is located, so I can’t gaze mournfully at it and think about onions. Apparently its market value was only about €800-1000, so it must have been small, yes? My question (if you haven’t dozed off yet) is this: what’s my best option to get a growing space in the village? Should I ask around if someone would sell me some land? The legal fees would probably cost more than the plot. Rent it/borrow it? Ask the village council if they could assist me?
Indeed, why not approach your Mairie ?? … you’ll want to introduce yourselves anyway and this will be an ideal opportunity to discuss your hopes of finding somewhere to grow veg.. 
Yes the legal fees will most likely cost more than the land. Ask at the Marie and also put a notice up on village notice board (which most villages have) saying you want to buy, rent, or share a potager plot. One of the older members of our village found a young couple who were keen to share the work and produce.
One of my gardens is owned by the Mairie, so yes go and have a word with them. Keep the plot clean all year round, & be generous with your veg, you’ll find others in the village that have un attended gardens offering them to you.
This all sounds very positive - thanks all of you.
Roughly whereabouts in Normandy? Land availability for veg gardening is a bit limited around us but sometimes a farmer who is retiring (and so many are) will sell a wee bit of a field. As has been said, presenting your dilemma to the Mairie is very likely to provoke interest and/or help.
Hi @AngelaR we are in Orne, near Domfront. We hope to pop into the Mairie next week. I’ll report back 
Please do report back! You’ve picked a lovely area to live in but not one I know really well.