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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.
SOS Help is a listening service for English speakers in France. Whatever the problem, they are there to take your call every day from 3pm to 11pm. Your call is confidential, you remain anonymous and listeners are non-judgmental.
It was thirty odd years ago as a married couple with a mortgage, little money and a very young family, and after spending many years camping in England, We decided to take what was then a massive decision.......
Taking its name from the 800-mile long river that runs through it, the Pays de la Loire covers a diverse region.
The Loire-Atlantique and Vendee have lovely harbours and sandy beaches, while inland, the Loire valley has beautiful rolling countryside, fairytale chateaux, and vineyards producing some of the best wines anywhere. The Loire is a thriving region...
The excitement of owning French property had not diminished. The cooling off period had passed and we had sent the 10% deposit to the Notaires office.......
We decided very early during our renovation, that time would not be an issue, our renovation had to be enjoyable and not just all about work. .......
Coral Luke talks about why she decided to retire to Burgundy with her husband. Some regions, she said, felt "inundated with British people and what we didn’t want was to move to Britain with the sun".
Normandy is renowned for being the equestrian capital of France – no doubt then, that there is plenty of choice for the potential horse or pony breeder, and some excellent quality available.
If you're bringing a dog or cat to France you need to know about these portentially fatal pests and diseases that may not be found in your country of origin...
Despite no professional horticultural experience, Charles and Charlotte Liddell moved to France and opened a nursery selling David Austin roses. Here, Charlotte tells the story of their first year - and gives their tips for growing roses successfully
Buying a property at auction has long been both an exciting and rewarding way of acquiring cheap real estate. Whether its a foreclosure, repossession or simply someone wanting to off load their property quickly for whatever reason.
Although it doesn’t seem possible, it is a year to the day since I posted the first of my garden meanderings and I would like to thank the folk out there who have read them...
Welcome to another monthly update from The Celtic Herbalist. These monthly bulletins cover the development of the Celtic Herbalist's gardens based on a four and a half acres farmstead on the Causses ...
The Midi-Pyrenees is the largest region in France, and possibly the most diverse, stretching from the undulating charm of the Dordogne valley in the north to the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees in the south...
After a terrible house move in England and just one too many snarl ups on the M25 our decision was made, Burgundy was no longer just the place we went to for holidays, we were going to make the BIG move.
We all know that wine is made from grapes not meat. So what is vegetarian wine? Well - some wines are not suitable for vegetarians due to the use of animal products during production.
Frances and David Wilkinson retired to France in 2006 and love their new life which is full of new things as well as more time, less stress and good friends - French and British. Read their inspiring stories...
The vast selection on offer at cheese stalls throughout the region can be quite daunting, Emilie Broudy-Masson tells us the best way to enjoy French cheese and has a few suggestions on where to start..........
The department of the Creuse is situated in the center of France, within the region of Limousin.
Creuse is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution
For some, the dream of a new life in France doesn't work out. For others it is hugely successful. How do you make sure you fall into the latter category? We take a look at the common problems cited by those who give up on French life.
“Avoine, avoine, avoine..?”, I try again, saying it differently each time, in the hope that I will fall on the right pronunciation, the right vowel sound, which I, with my American tongue, have trouble with...
If you do any authentic French cooking, you're likely to run across recipes that call for mirepoix. While that might sound daunting to English speakers, the fact is that mirepoix is a very simple, easily-found ingredient. So what is mirepoix, and how is it used in French cooking?
.jpg "horse racing and betting in france")
There are no bookmakers on French Racecourses, and all betting is done via the Pari Mutuel – the equivalent of the Tote in UK. At the hippodrome the betting is known as PMH, but if betting is for elsewhere it is PMU.
No, we're not in South America but in south-west France! When Margaret and Brian Venables arrived here they needed to earn a small income until the day their pensions kicked in. After a disastrous foray into renewable energy, they found success with an exotic animal
"A Burgundy barn"
A brief history of the region's food. We look at the foodstuffs traditionally grown and reared in Limousin through the ages. We also take a look at some local recipes with their particular regional variations.
"Patricia in front of her house"
Before making a life changing decision, such as moving to Burgundy, have you thought about 'testing the waters' and finding a property to rent? Or, if you know your heart ...
This is a delicious accompaniment to roast goose, duck or turkey. Every ingredient can be sourced locally in the Quercy, and the famous Agen prunes can be found worldwide if you happen to be elsewhere...
The charity organization Cancer Support France has been set up to help English speaking sufferers of the disease. They provide much needed support at a very difficult time. CSF is now hoping to start a branch in Creuse, Limousin....
"Lesconil Harbour"
David Anderson, Helen Belle and Graeme Perry of solicitors and chartered tax advisers Sykes Anderson examine the law surrounding the 3% tax payable by non-resident companies on the value of their French property
"Marie-Odile & Simon" 
"Jean-Fran at the Ocrerie" 
"The barn undergoing DIY"
No doubt you enjoy sipping Chablis in the Burgundy son but why not accompany your glass with this very simple and delicious dish...
A little history lesson on the most famous French appéritif...
If you thought truffles could only be found in the exotic south of France you're most definitely mistaken...
