Issue No. 13

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Piling into the agent's car at the appointed hour, the pair of them sped across the ancient salt marsh towards a church tower far away on the horizon. Fifteen minutes later they rolled down a dusty sunny street into a village, and came to a stop at a huge pair of gates, covered in ancient peeling paint. Beyond the gates lay a driveway bordered with hedges, and a garden that stretched as far as the eye could see. My husband told me later that he'd known instantly this was to be our home. The house belonged to a family that had been there for generations. The old woman had gone to a nursing home near Paris, the interior was a time warp. In one room, upstairs, a shelf groaned under the weight of every Paris Match ever printed, books stood in stacks, covered in dust. In the attic, boxes of scientific journals going back a hundred years lay ready for serious study, and each room seemed to live on a different level, steps leading up and down like a rabbit's warren of dark and shuttered spaces. The outbuilding turned out to be the old farm manager's cottage, complete with a kitchen and bathroom untouched for decades. But despite the long grass and unkempt appearance, he knew this would be a good home for a large family. The garden even came with a sun-dappled set of childrens' swings - a proper set, proud and tall with room for three siblings. After a frantic night of phone calls and photos, I put it all in his hands, and told him it was his decision. The next morning he rang the agent made his offer, and agreed to sign the papers at lunchtime. At half-past two, as he sat at a desk in the agent’s office, scrawling his signature across the contract, the phone on the table rang. It was the people who had seen the house first, wanting to put in an offer; but they were too late, the ink had already dried. Two hours later, he drove back to his chambres d'hôtes in a daze, a copy of a power of attorney in one hand, the sale papers in the other, and two weeks to pay the deposit. When he rang me, the children whooped with excitement and my eyes grew moist with elation. We were going to France. Find out how life is in France for Susan and family at her blog: Our French Oasis
Find your dream home in La Rochelle La Rochelle is a great place to live, it's known as the sunniest town of the South West of France says local property agent Elinor Murless. The historical old port of La Rochelle is a lovely place to sit and relax watching the world go by with lots of great restaurants and bars. There's plenty to do all year round. The different architectural styles of La Rochelle give it a really special feel, it’s very atmospheric and picturesque. For nature fans, living around La Rochelle is ideal because of its proximity with the Atlantic coast, the Marais Poitevin and the Vendée. You can even island hop here as the Iles de Ré, Aix and Oléron are just a short ride away. To sum up, the living is good, there are lots of brilliant beaches, traditional villages, the benefits of city life plus nature reserves on your doorstep. Plus the people are really friendly! I would say to that by living close to La Rochelle, you really have so much choice for your French lifestyle – there’s something here to suit every dream… Large family home with 4 bedrooms on a big wooded garden with a small pond. €304,950 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS Beautiful farmhouse with 6 bedrooms in a quiet hamlet, on beautiful garden, spa and sauna 20km from La Rochelle center. € 478,000 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS Splendid Manoir style house with tennis court, swimming pool and guest house, large garden with streams. €880,000 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS Elinor's Property Portfolio, Leggett Immobillier
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16 great prizes to win _
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Contributors Brian Beard is a write
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Page 62 Page 55 Page 84 Page 64 62
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10 Brilliant Book Nooks in Paris lo
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La Belle Hortense Berkeley Books Th
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American writer in Paris Barbara Pa
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Artazart Artazart first caught my e
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Credit Sarah Sergent, Paris Tourist
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Full on glamour and Bobo treats Thi
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A captivating Corner of Paradise Ha
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A young woman came out of the house
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In the summer the cows go higher up
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In a seaside resort with an English
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Historic and very very chic Le Touq
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Left: Le Touquet at Christmas; abov
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The Chateau de Brissac is a private
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Clockwise from top left: Sitting ki
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Micro Provence: Parc Naturel Régio
Page 42 and 43: Les Alpilles So it is with Les Alpi
Page 44 and 45: Les Baux de Provence Continuing sou
Page 46 and 47: It may be a hidden gem in the Frenc
Page 48 and 49: Not only was the ski in, ski out a
Page 50 and 51: Paris Mon Amour Author Mark Pryor w
Page 52 and 53: Credit Doug Crawford In every sense
Page 55 and 56: The Belle of the French Author Patr
Page 57 and 58: One imagines the author peering out
Page 59 and 60: Of all the narratives that make up
Page 62 and 63: Magical Musical Moments at Saint-Ch
Page 64 and 65: Carcassonne, the p Karen Slater, Fr
Page 66 and 67: French Caviar a la Carte Caviar is
Page 68 and 69: SPotligHt on BLAYE spotlight on bla
Page 70 and 71: Beginning French... by Les Americai
Page 72: But that doesn’t explain why we
Page 75 and 76: I also visited nearby Saint Simeon
Page 77 and 78: Above left: Susans's home in Ile de
Page 79 and 80: we're giving away 16 Great Prizes o
Page 81 and 82: A fantastic foodie gift - Fine Fren
Page 83 and 84: A truly inspiring book about an Ame
Page 85: september - mont st michel By Danie
Page 89 and 90: Expat in France Susan Hays shares t
Page 91: our dream house... and then I got t
Page 95 and 96: How did you come to be in France? I
Page 97 and 98: FIND YOUR DREAM HOME IN HAUTE-VIENN
Page 99 and 100: 'Bugsy' as he is nicknamed continue
Page 101 and 102: Above and left: The Burrows rental
Page 103: FIND YOUR DREAM HOME IN DORDOGNE Th
Page 106 and 107: Says Tim Sage, property expe Buying
Page 108 and 109: Looking after elderly relatives in
Page 111 and 112: What to do with your UK Pension whe
Page 114 and 115: © Sergio Coimbra, from Pierre Herm
Page 116 and 117: Perfect for parties, these gorgeous
Page 118 and 119: Tartiflette Savoyarde with Reblocho
Page 120 and 121: See Page 66 to find out more about
Page 122: My Good Life France As I sit here w
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