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Mimi and John live near Rennes in Brittany. Twelve months ago they packed up all their things and moved their young family to another town just 2km away. In spite of the short distance involved, there was plenty to do!
"Approaching retirement from our university teaching careers, we were ready for new challenges, making a product that we both enjoy - red wine! " - British couple describe their steep learning curve since buying a vineyard in 2005...
Like many of us Sam Parry and her family fell in love with The Limousin on holiday and decided to make it their home. They are currently renovating and plan to set up a cycling holiday business once the work is completed. They have agreed to keep a diary of progress and the ups and downs of the project here is the story so far
It was the summer of 2005.
My husband, Tony, and I were somewhat disillusioned with England and wanted very much to do something different with our lives.
We also still had a mortgage and were approaching the dreaded middle age.
If you’re newly settling into the Pays de la Loire, chances are that you’re going to want to meet people, make some friends, or just get out of the house for a while. There are a variety of different organisations for you to check out, all with different aspects and objectives.
If your budget is large and your French is limited then consider buying on the Cotes d'Armor. This department is traditionally the most popular with British buyers, and is consequently ...
"Lesconil Harbour"Richard and Margaret Hadley bought a holiday home in a small coastal village in the Breton department of Finistere nearly eight years ago, and enjoy holidaying there for two months...
Linette and Stuart Smith had never run a restaurant until they moved to Brittany. Over the past year they have learned the hard way what makes a restaurant work - but they have no regrets
How does it feel to move to France when you're a child? To leave behind all that is familiar for a country you may know little about, and where you don't speak the language?
Plus! What to do - and not do - to help your child adjust
Easy to make, but takes a long time. See our recipe here.
One of the many varieties of fish readily available in Brittany is the whiting or merlan...
Click here to see a movie of our latest menu being prepared and read the menu
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A short time after moving to France, Linda Shepherd discovered she had breast cancer. The following months were deeply traumatic - but today she is using her experience to help others through the association Cancer Support France
Learn more about the property that the Calvados has to offer and the sort of price you will have to pay for your dream home in the Calvados département of Normandy...
The reinette apple is an apple grown widely in the Languedoc Cévennes and is ripe at the beginning of winter. It is good for eating fresh as well for cooking. If you ask anyone who lives in the Languedoc how to make an apple tart, you will get many different versions, this is one we like.
"Tarte aux Pommes"
When Ros Weston returned to France with friend looking to buy a house, she realised that she too would like a place in the country where she had spent many happy times. Here's how she found her dream home in Finistere, Brittany
Dozens apply each year for permission to marry dead people under a law created during World War I. Over the years, hundreds of requests have been granted
Père Noël is the French equivalent of the British Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus. In general, France has not adopted the modern garb of Santa Claus in jacket and trousers, but keeps to the older version with a long red...
"Chouchen"Chouchen is an alcoholic drink popular in Brittany. It is made from the fermentation of honey in water. It is comparable to mead...
"Lobster"Over medium heat in a medium sized saucepan, heat butter and add garlic, onions, and mushrooms. Saute until soft. Add walnuts, black pepper, lemon, spinach and white sauce. Blend thoroughly and remove from heat...
"The French Baguette"The baguette is a long thin, crusty loaf, the name of which is derived from ‘baguette magique’, the French for magic wand. A good baguette should have a crisp, golden brown crust that will break if you push it inwards. The interior crumb (or ‘mie’ in French) should be a creamy colour ...
The most ancient game of bowls in France is practised in the western part of France, especially in Brittany. The game is also called boule en bois, because the boules ...
"French Onions"Onion Johnny is the nickname given to the French farmers and agricultural labourers that sell distinctive pink onions door-to-door in England, Wales and Scotland.
The first known flag of Brittany was the Kroaz Du (or Groaz du), the Black Cross, virtually the reverse of the old Cornish flag...
To any visitor the most obvious difference between Brittany and the rest of France is the Breton language. This is not always high-profile in everyday life but everywhere are examples ...
"Restaurant"A café shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant. A café provides coffee, drinks and snacks at the bar. These could consist of a Croque Monsieur, pastries, soups or...
"Breton butter cookies"With an electric mixer on slow speed, cream the butter, sugar and salt together. Slowly add the egg and vanilla, continuing to beat on slow speed. ...
"Salt Meadow Lamb"Salt meadow lambs are widely available in the "pays d'Armor". Those from the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and from the Breton Islands (Belle-Île, Ouessant) are particularly sought after...
"Wood boring beetle"Wood Boring Insects infest most properties in Northern France and are commonly but incorrectly generally referred to as ‘woodworm’. In fact most damage to timberwork is in fact caused ...
The regional music of Brittany is unique and covers all genres from Celtic style with obvious maritime influences...
"Breton food & drink"Combining aspects of “Armor” the landscape of the sea and “Argoat” the landscape of woodlands, Breton gastronomy has over the years benefited from all the riches offered by the natural ...
Here is a list of telephone numbers and websites for the main gas, electricity, water and telecom service providors in Brittany.
"Creme Brulee"
Whisk the eggs with the sugar until pale and foamy. Add the seeds from the vanilla pod and the cold whipping cream.
"Breton Galette"Mix the flour with the salt, eggs, cold water and melted butter. Let it rest for 2 hours. Bake the crepes...
We started to look for houses in Brittany when our kids were quite small but never really had the time or finances to follow this up. In February 2001, after ...
A look at the life of an oyster and a visit to an oyster farmer at Gujan-Mestras, on the Arcachon Basin, to find out, among other things, how the oyster parks prepared for the huge French Christmas rush...
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Looking for a vegetarian place to stay? Or a place that will serve you a delicious vegetarian meal? Take a look at this list of accommodation and restaurants.