Category Archives: Life in France

Finding Your New Home in France

Posted on by

Twenty years ago we rented an apartment (in the Beaujolais) and I spent three years exploring every corner of France to find our home. I found the best way to discover France was by rail and stay in local B&B to get the feel of a town or village (and masses of information from the owner) – for us Languedoc was the perfect region with sun, civilization contentment and opportunity, and we have lived here for seventeen years, moving only once, a few kilometers down the road, to a larger home so our parents could come and live with us and our family.

We now run a guest house and many people staying with us do exactly what you suggest, rent a studio or stay as our B&B guest for a few days or up to several months, to understand the region and what it has to offer – many of our guests have now bought homes here and others decided to look in other parts of France.

The only way to discover France (or anywhere I guess) is to live in a community and make it your “home” – as we say on our websites – “stay with us, from one day – to a lifetime” – My advice is to choose one region, go there and stay awhile – every village will have a unique personality so sit in the cafe – talk to the secretary in the Mairie, ask the boulanger about the town and avoid the estate agents – if you don’t fall in love with one place – try another region – if you find your ideal spot, stop looking and your new home will reveal itself

Good Luck

Tony and Carole at Villa Roquette

Arts and Crafts in the Cevennes

Posted on by

My thanks to the department of Herault for an invitation to visit some of the many places of beauty and interest in this department.

A group of writers and journalists visited the region 25 km north of Montpellier last Friday and met some of the craftsmen who keep alive some of the arts and crafts which have been important in this region for many centuries.

I will be writing in detail about the individual visits – here are few quick photos from Friday October 29 2010.

Christmas Cracker Fair in Herault

Posted on by

Cassan Christmas Cracker Fair – Saturday 27 Nov and Sunday 28th November

Started as a way for Brits to get their Christmas Crackers 5 years ago, the event has grown each year.

The event has become so successful that this year it will be run over 2 days, which the organisers hope will cut down the crowds. “Last year we had just over 4,000 visitors – a 30% increase – and it was almost too many” said Robin Hicks, the organiser.

Christmas Cracker fair inHerault

Christmas Cracker Fair in Cassan Herault Languedoc France

“We hope the 2 day event will spread the crowds, as the 11th century chapel isn’t really designed for such large numbers”
Last year 45% of the visitors were French, who seem to have taken to the Cracker Fair – described on local TV as “The Christmas event in L’Herault”

About a half of the 120 exhibitors are French – the rest being drawn from 11 countries.
Apart from the trade exhibitors there will be local organisations promoting their charities and a range of entertainers at the weekend event showcasing their work to a large audience.

“This year we expect to top 5,000 visitors which will generate funds to run and develop the local community based charity website WoW – www.heraultwhaton.info