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Self-Sufficiency in Style

france

Part Four

Where should we look for our house and land in France?

It is a delightful area, cooled in summer by Atlantic breezes and warmed in winter by the proximity of the ocean; a usually undulating landscape, often well-wooded, without the mountains and extremes.

The towns and villages are pretty, and lively: loved, cherished and protected.

Most of the main European road routes don't pass through the area, so Western France is quieter than the east and north.

The exact boundaries and names of French Provinces have varied through history, so we paint with a big brush.

As its name suggests, this very different area has long associations with ancient Britain and even its own related Celtic language.

It is perhaps most like Cornwall. Soft landscape with stone houses - and the ever present sea. A much less wild landscape than Scotland, Wales or the West of Ireland.

It is especially attractive for anyone from Ireland, Wales or the West Country of England - and who needs to spend time in both. There are sea passenger links.

It is cheap, very cheap by English standards, but not in the least poverty-stricken.

Good stone farmhouses with land, and even private lakes, are available away from the sea.

Disadvantages?

Tourism and an over emphasis on a sometimes doubtful "Celtic" history can get on the nerves a bit.

Real history is far too interesting to manipulate to attract tourists.

Bretagne - Brittany.

Normandie - Normandy.

Softer still than Brittany, it closely resembles Southern England, with rolling countryside, fertile and peppered with fine farmhouses.

Close to the south coast of England, there are many daily ferry links.

The houses are often timbered in a style similar to Herefordshire. The orchards are very similar too.

Land and houses are a little more expensive than Brittany, but still very affordable.

Most tourists pass through, with maybe a short stop at one of the attractive towns and villages.

Perfect for smallholding. You can even get British TV in most places and a day trip to the nearby Channel Islands for homesick Brits.

Rolling, sometimes slightly open hills, inland, to marshes and seascape, farms and vineyards. Cattle, sheep and countryside, horizon to horizon.

A small vineyard for your personal consumption is not just a possibility but an obligation. Good soils and plenty of fine affordable houses, as always many for renovation.

Disadvantages? Maybe a little warm in summer for long labouring.

The writer is at a bit of a loss as to what to call this area...

Anjou or the Loire in the north, maybe Poitou-Chantres in the South.

Whatever you call it, it is lovely.

Gascony - Gascogne.

The bastide towns were fortified so long ago, many by Edward I, at the same time as the Welsh Marches.

Again a delightful area producing fine wines and very suitable for self-sufficiency. The land may be a little too sandy towards the coast or too hilly inland, but the rest is magnificent.

Disadvantages? A little too hot in summer. The little cafés under cool arches present a temptation to anyone.

We often talk about settling there and the main reason we haven't is probably the difficulty in choosing between the four regions in the west.

On Monday we are attracted by the warmth of Aquitaine; on Tuesday, we fancy a little fishing in Brittany, Wednesday takes us to the plains around Poitiers, Thursday has us dining outside on a long Gascon evening, Friday sees us sipping cider in a small Norman town.

You notice that we have not talked about starting a business in France. Anyone who considers moving to and starting a business in France, is, in the opinion of the writer, suicidal.

France is a delight, to be enjoyed. It is just possible, we think, to be self-sufficient and still get the best out of the country...

...but to start a business and miss the best - phew!

You can now return to parts one, two or three...and join us in dreaming.

"spoiling yourself in France"

 from Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner.