Seemed like a good idea at the time… on the way back to the Gard from Dorset, we decided to have a rummage round the area of France most favoured by our compatriots to see if its all its cracked up to be. Tempted by stunningly low house prices compared to the Gard it had to be worth a look. Especially as our forays into possible house buying so far have been potentially very draining of our funds.
Turns out its a very large region and in a week we have barely brushed the surface. Our interest was piqued but our resolve remains unresolved. It is certainly a lovely area, greener with a greater diversity of trees, very wooded to the north, more open and agricultural to the south – cows, crops and, happily, vines!
No prizes for guessing which part we preferred. But then we missed a big area to the east so not exactly a thorough investigation. Perhaps another foray – in due course as Dad would say.
So what have we achieved? Well we have found that, as all over, the photos on estate agent details hide as much as they show. At each viewing the rose tinted spectacles are rapidly removed and reality sets in. Houses are cheaper, for sure, but finding the right one is just as difficult as always, and finding the right location much more complicated.
We found that a lot of restaurants have uninspiring menus which cater to the omnipresent Brits – too many burgers and fish and chips! Good news – and bad news – you can get British breakfasts with real bacon and sausages. Of course we have found some excellent French restaurants too – you have to seek them out, but they are there.
Top meals this week – carpaccio de boeuf (yes, I know, Italian) at La Terrasse in Duras, and at La Bastide in Eymet it was foie gras mi cuit with walnuts followed by wild boat stew, then prune mousse with fresh figs…..yum!
As for decisions, well none really. We liked the region well enough and if we were not already living in the Gard then would probably go for living there. But the Gard and our life and friends there are calling. We have a feeling – rightly or wrongly – that the people are more friendly in the Gard – both the locals and the expats…. and it doesn’t look like Dorset which the Dordogne does somewhat (minus the vines if course!).
So back to the Gard for a rummage further into the boonies there. The only house we both liked during this trip was 3 minutes drive outside a small town – if its acceptable there then we figure it can be in the Gard too, so time to change criteria to encompass the lower priced parts of that region.
On verra! (We will see!)