Speaking from experience, yes. And that was moving within England.
When we arrived neither of the schools asked anything and it had been months! Also they are on summer holidays December / January. I wouldn’t stress too much.
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The French variation I guess! Friends did this and were hassled.
Absolutely! Good to know that it can be an issue. I think I thought if our house hunting trip as holiday, we then went to the UK for a couple of weeks and came back for spring term, I used the date we moved into our gite waiting for signing so maybe that’s why there was no trouble. I called both schools before the holidays.
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Yes and no, we did what we did because of the Aussie summer holidays and birth of Remy(late November). We felt that starting when they did in May gave them a chance to meet some kids before the summer, get an idea of school, start learning French ect, then having the summer break and starting a bit less scared for the fresh school term.
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Hello and welcome! I think you need to be more specific about where you want to go. French “régions” are simply administrative units that group together “départements”, but France is a mosaic of landscapes, climates, cities and villages, economic activities, and so on—all of which can vary greatly even within the same region. Do you want to be in the city or in the countryside? There are many international high schools, some of which are well-known; perhaps that’s where you should start your search?
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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Hi Toryroo 
I’m so sorry for my shockingly late response to your very insightful and honest message - a massive thank you and I truly appreciate it.
Your message did not come across as a negative Nelly at all, so please don’t apologise!
To touch on the house side of things; unfortunately, we are not in a position to keep the house in WA. The plan is to sell and to buy in France - if there are any future diverts in our journey, we’ll keep the French house for retirement.
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We are definitely placing the emphasis on my nearly 15 year old’s schooling - I feel she will transition the hardest! We have been in contact with one particular school already so we’ll see how it goes.
I’m sorry you’re feeling isolated - I’m like you in the respect that I’m very chatty, I love a natter. I also get quite overstimulated at the same time! The fact I can’t speak the language yet is a good thing for the locals! lol
would love to converse more and pick your brain if I may! Is there an option for private messaging?
Many thanks
Dee
I worked in Brazil in the 70s for 5 years. The first two years I lived with (British) boyfriend and worked in an office where one of the guys spoke fluent English. For two years I said virtually nothing in Portuguese. I then split from said boyfriend and lived on my own. The fluent English speaker left and suddenly I HAD to speak Portuguese and people in the office couldn’t believe it. This silent little English woman suddenly became this almighty gossip who never stopped talking - I loved it!
Very good luck with your own progress.
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G’day.
I am a Sandgroper born and breed, but came here via the UK, Belgium, and briefly Germany.
Sorry I can’t help with the visa stuff as I am now a EU citizen.
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Hi, bienvenue - I’d be most worried for your eldest really, if she has academic aspirations it will be hard for her in the French system. Home schooling has to be in line with the Education Nationale’s requirements and foreigners are particularly scrutinised because education is seen as the best method for integration (so people who choose not to must be dodgy). Repeating a year is a good way for someone to learn the language and then work closer to their level. Be aware that FLE (French for foreigners) is available only in the year you arrive, after that there’s no obligation for a school to provide it, so make sure you get that organised asap.
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Hey
Thanks for the message! We too are thinking of arriving indirectly - UK to visit family and possibly an Asia trip on the way out.
We’ll definitely be spending time between France and UK at first whilst we look for a house.
We don’t need visa info thank you as myself and kids will have EU passports.
Dee 
There’s an Australian couple own a very large house here in Cussy. A couple of years ago their son got married and they held a reception there, afaik flying the guests out. They’re here for just a few weeks, but are resident in Oz.
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Hi there, and well done for making such a big call to move here. My daughter lives and works as a Nurse / Midwife in Perth, and she is on a years sabbatical here currently. We just moved from near Monflanquin on the borders of Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne, so know the region really well. No real “advice” to offer, as the journey will be as important for you as the destination.. We are now in the Pays de la Loire, in the 44 department. The heat was a bit much at times further South, but whatever the weather, we will perhaps all find a way to complain a bit… If there is any help I can offer, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Especially if the ruggedness of the Brittany region speaks to you. My daughter says it’s more Tasmania than W.A., but we love an oyster or 30. All the best. John & Vanessa.
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Hi John and Vanessa,
Thank you so much for your message - so welcoming and inviting. I truly appreciate that!
My husband is a massive historian and would love nothing more than to move to northern France - so isn’t completely off the table - and now oysters have been mentioned, it’ll gain extra points from me
How wonderful for your daughter to enjoy a year in France and also return to Australia - the best of both worlds.
we’re still in the throes of preparing to go to market but hoping to be on our way on or just after Xmas!
thank you - I may just pick your brain at some point!
Dee
Hi Dee,
Thank you for your lovely reply. I share your husband’s love of history and to be honest, the area around the Bastide villages of Monflanquin, Villeréal (47) and Monpazier (24) were steeped in the stuff of the 100 years war, on which I have educated myself quite studiously… I am now officially a bore, if the subject ever comes up.
The region of Brittany is a bit less dramatic from a classic historical point of view, but nonetheless it aligns with much Celtic culture and legend. More folklore than 100 years war.
I think we are - through human nature - creatures susceptible to “confirmation bias” … That wherever we hang the Akubra, we will just say "It’s the best place ever..’
Anyway, I will let you return to the thrill of your imminent pack-up-and-prepare.
Both Vanessa and I look forward to corresponding later in the year, should you need assistance with absolutely anything.
All the very best to you and a big hug to Subiaco, where I lived for a bit.
John & Vanessa.
Sorry I read and ran your reply! Brain melting probably! Yes you can private message on here and more than happy to help.
ETA click on my face then you’ll see an alarm envelope, click on that.
I was also a RN/MW. Is she on a 20/80 contract? Not sure if WA health does it. It may only be a NSW health thing. You work full time and get paid 80% for 4 years (but because of tax brackets you don’t notice much wage difference apparently). The 5th year you keep getting paid 80% but don’t work. I should have done that!
I don’t really know.. her husband works at the University of W.A. as a woodwork / cabinetry teacher, and he got like 8 months of long service leave, but Natasha.. don’t think she got that. She was at Hollywood for a long stretch, which I seem to remember was a private hospital, where things are perhaps a bit less “loose” than the public sector?
All the best,
John
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