I apologise, still lying in bed using my phone. Am still lookingfor a location to plant my roots, maybe between Brest and quimper area, I your opinion, to be self sufficient(ish) where in France area wise is the best place to live the good life and play Tom and Barbara growing veg keeping chooks, fruit trees, fishing etc etc. Thanks in advance. Ps had a great year back in NE Blighty with the veg…
Rossy the dreamer
In the Vienne we find it easy to grow Chillies, cucumbers, melons,aubergines,pumpkins,red and green peppers,tomatoes etc., which we could have found it hard to do so in Yorkshire and, I guess it'll be similar in your neck of the woods.
most people will say where they live is the best place. It really depends what you want to grow. The northern part of France is better for plants and vegies which prefer a cooler and damper climate. Further south we still have enough cold winter days for good fruit setting, but growing things like rhubarb and other plants which prefer cooler climes can be a challenge. However, for the mostpart you can find the right spot for something in the garden. Find a place you like and just get in there and give it a go! Whatever works you can find out by looking at your neighbours' gardens and by trial and error. The people on the network here are very helpful if you get stuck and need to know anything else.
Have a look at Finisterre Ross. We live about 20 min by car from Concarneau. Great area for fishing, coarse & sea. I grow all our veg. Climate relatively mild. Rains a bit!! The Breton symbol is BZH. People say it stands for "bienvenue zone humid"
I think you would like the area where I live. We have a trout fishing lac in the village which also has fresh water crayfish. cepes girolles and other mushrooms grow in abundance ... plently of hazel walnuts and chestnuts to take for free from the woods, many wild herbs and fruits grow local and the hunters take sanglier and deer from the forrest. Fire wood is sold in lots from the forrest where you go and chop your own trees down each year 125e for 18 steres if your a villager. House prices are still very resonable and the locals are friendly and helpful. if you make and effort to fit in and not be standoffish as some of the expats here can be . I was given a huge compliment the other week by a neighbour who said i was a french english woman not one of the english english women !!! (I hope that was a compliment !!)
The soil here is very good and as we are higher than the basin down below we get a little more rain and all the sun of the south with out plants burning in the ground. We have a lac side bar cafe . 2 local resturants both of which sell great food and in Jan we are getting a new shop/bar/cafe in the village. other services are done by van delivery and we are far enough away from the towns to not get any crime around here . But only a 30min drive to 2 towns for all your needs ..... you couldnt drag me away I love it here.... sadley maybe a little too south for you ?