Thanks Ann. Prudent words but I’m soooo excited 
Seriously, I am flying out in a week and if anything is untoward, I can walk away from the deal. From my reading of the cooling off period, I can walk away for any reason whatsoever. Don’t get me wrong though. I would love to live in France and the property looks wonderful. The walk through videos - live with the agent on FaceTime, were very thorough.
The Cooling-off Period… you have 10 days maybe less?? from the date you sign the Promise (a solicitor will confirm the French Law) … during which time (not after) you must send a letter of retraction by Recorded Delivery with Proof of Reception… Personally, I would not transfer money to the Notaire until AFTER I had seen the property… which should still be within the “delay” period in your case.
Be careful … that is all we can say now… make an informed decision and live with the outcome (hopefully happily).
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Thank you Stella. Will do.
Mike
You should be able to pull out without penalty before a certain date, just make sure exactly what date and time that is, and make sure to view the property before then. After this you can still pull out but it will cost you 10% of the sale price plus some Notaire’s fees.
Beware of strike action affecting flights at the moment.
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Great stuff Matt.
Missed that on strikes? Got a link anyone?
Here you go : http://www.cestlagreve.fr/ for the overall list and for today : http://www.cestlagreve.fr/greve/fonctionnaires-mai-2018/
Cheers Simon
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It appears from your comments Mike that you have already signed the Comprimis. Did you ask for any clauses to be added ?
As Stella has already mentioned, I believe that you have a 10 day cooling off period. Quite honestly I would be on the next plane, train or coach down and not wait until next week. Why delay things ? This is not like buying a car from Exchange & Mart for a couple of grand. Its going to be a lot of money involved and you really do need to act quickly !
Enough said …
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Hi Mike… please will you let us know how things go along… we are all on your side. 
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Hi Ann. Had to wait 18 hours as I’ve reached my limit. Tess, my wife, turned 50 last Friday, the day we made our offer. The offer letter was signed on Sunday by both parties and following the bank holiday, the sales documents are winging their way over by email in an hour or so. We have a 50th Birthday party this weekend with 30 odd guests. Then we get on a plane. After speaking with 3 specialist solicitors this morning, I am quite comfortable with the speedy process. Sandy and Pete have been wonderful and popped over to the property this morning, took plenty of photos and we all had a good chin-wag. If this is the level of friendship over there in France, then I can’t wait to join the rest of you!
Thanks to all of you for your comments, support and messages of caution.
Mike and Tess
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My last message was saved but not sent as I had reached my limit. Well folks. Great news! We have a deal. The notaire did not send out the promesse d’achat and the 18!! Appendices until 11am (noon in France) yesterday (Wednesday). Over 200 pages of gobbledygook …sorry, French We had an hour to initial everything, confirming receipt and then spent 2 hours on the contract. Then signed, pdf scanned and sent to Agence Eleonor, who printed it out, seller signed and all was rushed back to the notaire for 16:30 French time for approval. Job done. Cindy at Agence Eleonor did a sterling job, pointing out all the bits that needed clarification, working from 2 phones, correcting the notaire and fortunately, kept off the gin until all was finished. I had no time to include the UK solicitor but can use her if I think I need to. I have 2 friends in France who both just used the joint notaire and estate agent. Is this normal?
Well. Let’s see what I’ve promised to buy next Tuesday. Thanks again. Mike ‘n Tess
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Great News !!! We await your updates and photos… what an exciting time for you both… yippee… 
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Very very good luck.
I love this story and really really hope it works out for you, Mike 'n Tess
Wishing you all the best…sometimes no matter how wide the chasm appears you just gotta take that leap…x
Mike, I work as an agent with Leggett. I can confirm that you have a 10-day cooling-off period starting the day after signing the compromis. You can pull out without reason during this time, and not lose any deposit you might have paid. You would have paid it to the Notaire (not the agent or the seller) so it would be safe in his escrow account. After the 10-day “period de retraction”, you can only pull out if there was a “clause suspensive” put in the compromis, something which couldn’t be met as expected (you needing a loan, the vendor replacing missing roof tiles or whatever). Good luck.
Can’t you also pull out beyond the 10 day period - you just have to forfeit the deposit?
Mike ,
The 10 day cooling off period statrts after you receive the Compromis signed by both parties - its likley that you have signed first then returned the document for the vendors to sign. The totally signed document is then returned to you and its then that the 10 day Cooling off eriod starts - so you may be here before all that kicks in.
You are obviously a risk taker - I do hope you have not been pressured into something you later regret?
You should have received the Diagnostic Reports including a drainage report if it is not on mains draiange - hopefully your French is good enough to understand these?
Fingers crossed for ypu
Gordon Barnes MRICS FCIOB
Chartered Surveyor
You can pull out if there was a suspensive clause in the compromis (such as the need for a loan, or confirmation of a planning request) and not lose your deposit. Otherwise yes, you would usually lose the deposit unless the vendors are nice! It is negotiable.