France - British Expat Forum

I have been looking for a while at the possibly of buying a little place in France as a holiday home. I don't particularly enjoy flying (I'm such a wuss!) and so was looking for somewhere that I can drive to off the ferry in North or North West France.

My dream is to own a property that is in complete countryside, where I can run round naked if I want to, on my own land which could have its own stream or woodland (I don't want much do I ).

I was wondering what the climate is like in the North of France. I'm not after blistering heat but would prefer to not have an abundance of rain.

I also wondered what the French perception of us Brits is. Are they getting pee'd off with us Brits buying their houses (like I am getting with certain nationalities taking jobs and houses by where I live?).

I currently own my house in UK but we are selling to rent somewhere instead. We therefore thought about using our equity to purchase a little dream in France that we could escape to as and when we please.

Your thoughts on this idea would be most appreciated.

skysky69 wrote: where I can run round naked if I want to, in the North of France. I also wondered what the French perception of us Brits is. .

Care for a French opinion?
Please feel free to run naked, I'm pretty sure the neighbours would be interested to see how long you can do this in the North.
In any case, there would always be a "nice" neighbour ready to call the gendarmes to take care of that English next door!

As a French whose parents own a house in the centre, Limousin next to the Dordogne, I can tell you that the local people don't like the British, the Dutch or the Germans who buy old houses and fix them, but they usually are quite happy to see them in their shops!

Don't forget that we are old friends since William the Conqueror...

Quote:

call the gendarmes to take care of that English next door!

How do you know the poster was English? Maybe they were some other British race.

Don't forget the Auld Alliance where the Scots sided with the French against the English.

It's a bit cheeky to make the assumption that all Brits are English. Actually I find it quite offensive.

See? No French can make the difference...

Well, I am considering a move to France..Maybe !! One day. But as a Brit who has worked a lot in various bands all over Europe and having relations who are Swiss I thought it may be worth throwing in my personal views.

I don't think it's a case of..Do the French like us?

Obviously their are racial bigots in all countries, but generally on the whole I'd say, it's all according to who the Brit is.

If the person is the type that thinks the whole world should speak English Eat fish and chips, and only drink best bitter and try to stamp their authority by joining local groups wanting to change this and that in the locality, then one is asking for trouble.
I have always found that even if one doesn't speak the language well and at least shows signs of making an attempt, and respect their lifestyle and culture, you'll gain a lot more sympathy and respect in return from local residents.
This is in many cases is more down to the personality of the individual rather than ones nationality.

When I first moved down to Dorset from London some twenty-five years ago, I was told. " The locals won't like you. You'll be back in a year"
Unlike some who moved here and did move back, I didn't get on any commitees. I didn't try to have road signs changed within a week of moving in, and I didn't treat the locals as if they were some sort of Stone Age primitives who needed educating.
I put my head down and got on with the simple task of trying to make a living and educating my children in local schools like everyone else.

This post may sound a bit over the top, but believe me, these types of people do exist in all nationalities. I have met loads, as I guess many others in here have too.

For instance, there is a guy down the road from me, who has just sold up and moved to Portugal. He won’t last long, for the simple reason that he's a busy body with an overbearing personality who interferes. I want this.. I want that.. I'm right every time. Give him a few weeks of moving in and he'll be trying to change (Educate is how he'd like to see it) half the village he's moving to.

As far as the weather goes... I haven't a clue..

Phil.