Why I love life in the south of France
My husband and I moved lock stock and barrel to France over nine years ago now: my, how time flies. We are so glad that we made France our home. In a nutshell, it is a far more relaxing lifestyle, there is more space, less traffic, a lovelier climate and we have quite simply never looked back. Here I look at some of my favourite things to do, places to see and events to go to down here in the Occitanie region of the south of France.
Picture perfect French property
You’ve seen the new film starring Willem Dafoe as Vincent van Gogh, you’ve fought for tickets at the impressionist exhibition at Tate Britain, now buy the French home where so many artists found inspiration. See some of those places our favourite painters found especially inspiring, and a few homes to get your own creative juices flowing!
“Enjoy going slow”: the van Hartens’ new life in southwest France
Anglo-Dutch couple the van Hartens have ditched the rat race in the UK for the more relaxed pace of life, sunnier weather and affordable property of southwest France. Mrs van Harten describes the move as ‘the most relaxed move I’ve ever made’ – we caught with her to find out her top tips for a smooth relocation, and to hear how she and her husband are enjoying their new life.
“We found our perfect renovation project in the Charente”
Have you ever driven past a picturesque abandoned property, perhaps an old farmhouse or cottage, and imagined how you could breathe new life into it? We spoke to someone doing just that. Karen, originally from the UK, has bought a spacious rural property in the stunning Charente, and is renovating it into a family home. We caught up with her to find out how it’s going.
