Let's hear your recommendations for where to live in France, France is such a diverse and beautiful country I would love to hear why you are where you are and if there is anywhere you would rather be!
Thanks
James
Bordeaux Bordeaux Bordeaux!!!
Now is the time to get set up cos house/flat prices are about to rocket into 2014/15 as half of Paris moves down with the new TGV link, Centre du Vin, Rive Droit, etc etc
Tailgaters.... foglights.
If you are likely to be doing any construction or renovation work in France (and even if you are not), it would be best to buy a property no more than 20 - 30 minutes away from a good sized town with all the everyday amenities including supermarkets and builders merchants. Vehicle fuel costs are increasing in France and delivery costs can be prohibitive - if the company delivers to your area. I once found I could order some doors from the UK including delivery but another company north of Paris would not deliver to the area. We have property in the Lot et Garonne where you are never too far from a suitable, large town. The department also has other things going for it .........................
A tip - a bit risky - for tailgating drivers - just pull on your hand brake a nats + It means you slow down but they don't see any lights. Mind you I am always ready to speed away just in case. Worked so far
There may be some truth in that I'm sure Robin!! Mind you, not many of the local drivers seem to slow down when they "hit" the border going from Olonzac to Pepieux, not even a hint of a red brake light!! The back road to lac Jouarres is different though. The potholes have just been filled in with lumps of Tarmac and the road is bumpier than ever. The art is how to weave in and out just to protect the suspension and to avoid grounding! Still, wouldn't have it any other way.
There seems a sort of logic about poor road surfaces - like native sleeping policemen - and do the same job with much less investment. We had the main street done up recently from its bumpy old surface - became so fast in came the calming measures. Perhaps Aude leads the world on this??
Quite agree Robin, we tried Cannes - nice to visit, but soon learnt our lesson and moved West to the Languedoc. Apart from the road difference, Herault and Aude blend into each other very nicely. This is the "Real" South of France for sure.
Well of course Aude is lovely too - the main point is - choose the "Real" South not the other bit!
Robin, I'd go for the Aude, not as rich a department as Herault, the road from Pepieux to Olonzac proves the point - smooth, white lined excellent surface at Olonzac end, changes to old bumpy, somewhat broken surface with no white lining at the Pepieux end. Same the other side of Pepieux heading to Siran etc.
Still, a great place to have a house, half way between Carcassonne and Narbonne in the Minervois plain, surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye can see.
We initially planned to emigrate to Italy (long story) and learnt Italian.... but after some 'events' we chose France instead - that was after only one trip to Bretagne - we loved it but we wanted somewhere completely different to what we were used to - that is, the north of New Zealand. So we chose the Aude region and literally put a pin on the map and took a punt on starting in or around Quillan - we managed to find a place to rent short term which allowed our dog to be with us, but another long story, we moved out quickly and found a place in Limoux. We stayed there while looking around for property and found our spot in the Razès. We are surrounded by vineyards and other crop fields, have a large garden, hubby has a huge workshop and printing atelier. We are on the Cathar Trail close to Limoux, Mirepoix and Carcassonne, and Toulouse is just over an hour away. We're supposed to have over 300 sunshine days each year but I think this last winter will drop the average quite a bit. We love it here but want to find time to explore more regions. Most importantly, we feel like we are at home. Photo is (half) our vegie garden in July last year.
Cantal in Auvergne: rural heaven = no crime, no traffic (except when the milk cows are brought in from the fields at 4pm), no noise (except for the cows lowing if the farmers not there at 4 pm sharp), no mess in the streets (except for the cows who do leave deposits at around 4.05 pm), lovely fresh milk and cheese (thank you cows), houses are cheap (especially those with cows in adjacent fields), food is fresh (thanks cows for the fertiliser), and no Brits; but did I mention the lovely cows ?
So funny totally agree with Jennifer and Hilary. I worked in Clermont Ferrand/Auvergne for 2 years and I have shivers whenever I think about that area. Clermont is fine for a week maybe ... but it gives me the creeps for any longer. No TGV, no decent flights, rubbish road links ... really is forgotten part of France but La Caveau restaurant is the best I have visited in France ... simple meat, pottee, salad and great wine Not good for the diet
Not sure I should be saying this but.............. Herault and Gard are in the "real" South of France - fewer swanky cars, lower prices and really nice people. Not sure we want too many anglophones around here - but must not be selfish. 320 days of sun - bliss. A bit windy around Narbonne area, expensive around Montpellier and rainy in the black mountains. It was the advice an immo gave us and just spot on.
Agree with Jennifer ... Herault is a top top place. It is difficult to find work but not impossible. One of the many things I like about it is that people do such varied things to try and stay out here and make it work. Also not just retired folks lots and lots of young people make it out here and give it a go. Top Tip Get a good well paid job in London,Dublin,New York and then ask them to work from home in the Languedoc at a cut price.
Oh, I would recommend the South around the Gard and Herault. Beautiful but not a lot of work. So, if you are a retiree and you have money, go there. It is great. Or if you work from home go there. Otherwise, don't go there looking for work because there isn't a lot right now.
Hilary is right. Puy De Dome blows. Big time. I've been here for nearly thirteen years and it is like I'm sitting watching my life just pass away. The property is cheap, beautiful places. It was worse thirteen years ago and it is getting better but I can't say that I have another thirty years to wait for something, anything to happen. It sucks here. A lot.
I have little choice. I must live near work and cannot change my job for survival reasons. I lived in a bedsit in Rambouillet for nearly two years. That town is lovely, bourgeois, has a castle etc but is best left for the retired and families though the train service to Paris is quite good - still takes an hour though.
Now I live further away in an apartment, it's quieter and a bit cheaper here in Epernon, Centre. The countryside is not spectacular- it's the Beauce so little variety in land and landuse- can be boring. There is a train line to Paris but it doesn't run very frequently and it's expensive because it's not in Ile de France.
The climate is, for me, harsh. Too cold, too much winter and snow and hail and rain. You see a plant you want and you can't buy it because it'll die in the garden so as a gardener you are limited. I like where I'm living but it's not my ideal. I'd prefer to be somewhere handy to city facilities but living in the country, near trains and shops but with natural beauty and a milder climate. My dream would be to discover enough money (miracle) and to survive long enough to be naturalised so I could choose where I'd want to spend my later years, maybe have a house and start my last garden, maybe have a cat. Many of you seem to be living in idylls. Enjoy the gorgeous countryside, it's not less beautiful than NZ.
We live in the west of the Dordogne, near the river itself. Lovely area. However, the truth is that people should look round until they until "Yeah...". Then take it from there.
JARNAC, CHARENTE
