Hi Margo we live in the Tarn, midway between Toulouse and Carcassone small town of Mazamet famous for its leather industry, now almost gone but you can still buy your handbag for 600€,the Montagne noire scenery is fantastic very wooded, very welcoming area steeped in Cathar history
Apart from sitting down to lunch and food in general.... what is it that "The French do" that is different?
As I work and run around on school runs etc and am not retired ... and generally run around as much as any other working mother - what is "The English life" that I am supposed to have escaped from?
Are we confusing what we think is French life and English life with actually what is a slower way of life brought about by retiring / taking it easy / cafe life?
Margo, I can thoroughly recommend our area, the Minervois, east of Carcassonne between there and Beziers, or slightly south into the Corbierres. Just a thought!!
It does Angela ... it really does, thanks
Hi Maria
I have lived in the Dordogne for many years and I am totally integrated with my French neighbours and have never experienced any anti-Brit feelings (apart from being ribbed about the rugby, football etc from time to time). However, you will always come across the occasional French person who blames the high property prices for example, on the number of British expatriates who have bought in the region. It is sometimes forgotten that we are not the sole contributory factors as many Parisians, Dutch, Belgian and Germans also love the Dordogne. This is a very beautiful region of France and so varied with the distinctive parts of the Perigord (Pourpre, Noir, Vert etc). I perhaps should say that I was brought up over here and don't have a language problem which of course helps total integration. That said, I do have lots of British friends (Dutch, German, etc too) and I enjoy keeping that balance just as I love spending time back in Britain and enjoying the things that are more difficult to do here (can't stand Brit-bashing expatriates living here!) You mentioned Montignac, I agree it's a very picturesque village. Having recently been to a Franco/British jubilee celebration in the Lot et Garonne, it was wonderful to see a 50-50 French/Brit participation where everyone had fun. Make the effort to join in at local events and you will be rewarded. Hope this helps. Angela
Truly not noticed that in the supermarche....we have 3 in our village. I use the local Spar...or as was, Casino....there is a Carrefour which all the holiday makers tend to use...and the younger French...initially I found the local supermarket a hotch potch and there was no rhyme or reason where things were stacked...now I find it has far more of the goods I want...I just need to look! all the older French people use the Spar as well. The Carrefour is rammed in the holiday season...but quiet out of season...which is why it had to halve its size recently....
I can also pick out Brits abroad....but am pretty good at picking out other nationalities...the Germans, the Italians...Dutch not so easy to pigeon hole...but I nearly always manage to identify Americans...interesting how its often the faces that give away nationality rather than clothing too..
I lived in Los Angeles for many years which is truly a melting pot. People retained their native language with differing levels of English-speaking capability. Spanish became almost a primary language. Immigrants would develop their own communities and integration seldom happened. There were many of those that said if you came to America, you must speak the language. I always felt it was easy to say and harder to actually do. My feeling is that no country should cater too the non-native speakers, nor should non-natives expect everyone to adapt to them. However, tolerance and understanding goes a long way toward creating community.
apparently more French in the UK than English in France...but in the UK they are nearly all working...not the other way around...
Look at the latest figures there are more French in England than there are in Bordeaux or Strasbourg now. They are MOSTLY working.
The Brits that are in France are MOSTLY retired and BUYING stuff and not taking jobs from the locals...
Not that any of that bothers me... but if anybody complains to me... that's what I tell them.
I now feel that I have fell down a gap in the middle... I'm not English any more and I'm not and never will be French either... that's the odd thing...
well said; I lived in Barcelona and spoke Spanish, but my few words of Catalan opened many doors. Its about attitude, I think.
I totally agree Glen, but dont mind being part of the problem as I love it here..I was just wondering what the French thought of us being here en masse!! Here on the coast in the Vendee near to St Gilles Croix de Vie I have been told by French Friends that they have a laugh between themselves at the English Tourists and can pick them out a mile off..they also seem to bear a grudge as the supermarkets are crammed. I suppose it is worse here as there are lots of campsites. I wondered if it was the same attitude inland?
I'll echo everyone almost here, when i nod and agree that integration is the key. Having never visited the Dordogne, or other expat hotspots, I can only go on what French people tell me. there is a lady that comes over from the Dordogne to work every season here, and she tells me it's "plein,plein,plein... mais PLEIN" of English people. She also says there is a big difference between those who integrate, speak French, make French friends, and those who live a ghettoised lifestyle, doing lunches, coffee mornings, and so on of ONLY other English, never going to (and, as they see it, not supporting local business) local cafes, bars, or restos, choosing to make a statement by only dining at more elite establishments.
here, in my little village in the 74, I'm getting on well, the more I stretch my arms out to the people around me, the more warmth I feel on my fingertips. I look forward to the apero that goes on all night at all my French friends (and they giggle about expats who run expat only aperos- they reckon that you either take French culture or leave it, but if you're shunning the locals from yer doorstep, you might want to leave the apero evening outside also.
The reason there are lots of English in the Dordogne is because it`s a beautiful area & we know a good thing when we see it!
I have lived near Eymet for the last 7 years and as in all areas where you live you choose your friends carefully. As both I & my wife work here we find the French very welcoming as we are contributing to the local lifestyle and the economy - and we took French lessons for 3 years before we arrived & have continued to do so.
The business people do to not appear to be resentful as the English are putting so much into the economy with renovations, purchasing household goods and keeping the retaurants from going bust!
Just one further thought, what language do the 300,000 (alleged) French speak when in the UK. English in the offices I expect, English when shopping I expect but at home, behind the front door? When out as a family? I would suggest French?
Exactly Carol as if one type of British person has more right to be here than someone else. Who do they think they are? Must have a pretty high opinion of themselves.
Agree on the speaking English with British people and French with French Chris. It niggles me that too. British people insisting on speaking French to me when we both know fine well we are British.
Agree totally with Carol too.
I have never understood the passion for speaking only French. I speak English to the English and French to the French. I enjoy the concentration required to be constantly swapping between languages.
I also notice that many French are itching to practice their English on us so we speak French to them, and they correct us, and they speak English to us and we do the same.
As to the Brits living here - I recall the comment from a French lady when asked whether she objected to all the Brits moving in to her area, to which she replied - no problem, it is better than the Parisians!
Lovely area Donna...we looked at St Antonin...just fell for our house in the Dordogne....I tend to agree. The Brits are the biggest critics of the Brits! the French people we have met, mainly neighbours are encouraging of our French speaking...and are really helpful and kind...not the same with Brits. And I absolutely agree with your comment Glen, if there are too many Brits in France...then we are all part of the problem. I cringe every time on our local forum I hear snooty comments like 'Oh lord...the Brits have arrived...socks and sandals as per usual' I find that kind of nasty little aside beneath contempt....am pretty lively on that forum and as popular with that type of expat, as poison ivy. As I have said before, I do not understand why Brits are so unpleasant about other Brits (if they are unpleasant bores as we discussed in other threads then fair enough)...and often so rude about their home country...you dont hear any other nationality trash their homeland. The more English the area you live in...the more you seem to come across this type of Brit....lucky us....we chose probably one of the worst areas in France!!!!! I think you can live abroad and still love home.
I live down in the South and there are a lot of English speaking as well, especially in St Antonin which is about 10-15 kilometers from us. Although we came here not speaking French, my husband is picking it up quite well. I'm trying, but it's hard when you work in English all day to make the transition. Oddly, it is the English here who are most concerned with us speaking French and most critical about our progress. Most of our friends are French and they are happy with the progress we are making and more than willing to coach us along.
Quite right Wendy, it is a form of inverted snobbery, to avoid other English speakers and to complain there are too many in a particular area. That's life.
I know from experience of moving to another country, albeit English (and Manx) speaking, the Isle of Man. 49% of the population are considered true Manx, the rest of us are 'comeovers', but consider ourselves Manx. Try telling my Manx born children they are anything but Manx.
We have hundreds of Poles, South Africans, Filipinos to name but a few groups and by and large, we all get on. It's often the comeovers who are the most enthusiatic regarding preserving the Manx way of life, particularly the Manx Gaelic language etc.