0:00:02 > 0:00:05This gently-flowing river may seem like a picture of tranquillity,
0:00:05 > 0:00:07but years ago, it was the front line in a bloody conflict
0:00:07 > 0:00:10that raged for 100 years.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Find out more about that and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36'Today, we are taking a couple across the Channel, to entice them
0:00:36 > 0:00:39'with what they could be their first property purchase together
0:00:39 > 0:00:41'and we get some watering eyes.'
0:00:41 > 0:00:43We've got tears! I was expecting it from Carol,
0:00:43 > 0:00:44but we got it from Warren.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- No, no!- Oh, it's lovely. - That's great.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Welcome to Escape To The Continent.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Today, I'm in the Dordogne, in the south-west of France,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and this is the river that gives the area its name.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00600 years ago, the English ruled this part of France
0:01:00 > 0:01:03and they waged a bloody war against the French,
0:01:03 > 0:01:05which became known as The Hundred Years War,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09and ended in 1453, with the French victorious.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12But our love affair with this part of France goes on unabated
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and, now, there's a more peaceful invasion taking place,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19in the form of British homeowners keen to own a slice
0:01:19 > 0:01:22of what has affectionately been called "Dordogneshire".
0:01:22 > 0:01:25The Dordogne lies within the larger Aquitaine region,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28in the south-west of France, and covers an area
0:01:28 > 0:01:32roughly the same size as Devon and Dorset combined.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35In 1790, the French Revolution
0:01:35 > 0:01:38created the newly-formed Dordogne Department
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and it's here that you can see the region's history
0:01:41 > 0:01:43reflected in the architecture,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46from Roman remains to medieval dwellings.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49More than 1,000 chateaux pepper the landscape,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51with Renaissance examples in the north
0:01:51 > 0:01:55and medieval strongholds in the south.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58With a countryside that is reminiscent of rural England,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02coupled with an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine a year,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04it is easy to see why the British
0:02:04 > 0:02:08account for almost 40% of all property investors in the Dordogne.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Let's find out what drew our couple here today.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Romance blossomed for our couple just 12 months ago, over the internet,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20after their shared interest in angling
0:02:20 > 0:02:25brought Warren to Carol's ten-acre home in Yorkshire.
0:02:25 > 0:02:26I've got a fishing lake
0:02:26 > 0:02:31and Warren came fishing here and we got to like one another.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35At the moment, their respective homes are almost 70 miles apart
0:02:35 > 0:02:36and they are desperate to live together,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40so they have decided on a completely fresh start, across the Channel.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42I'm looking forward to retiring
0:02:42 > 0:02:48and I can't think of a better place to retire than the Dordogne
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and I can't think of a better person to retire with than Carol.
0:02:51 > 0:02:52SHE LAUGHS
0:02:52 > 0:02:56As this will be their first property purchase together,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59it could throw up some differences of opinion.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03For myself, I'd want more out of the house.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05And I would want more out of the land.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08I would be looking forward to having family come and stay.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Carol has owned a fishery for many years
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and is keen to continue with a fishing lake business
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and, at the very least, her plan is that water
0:03:16 > 0:03:18would be a key feature in the new property.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20When you have got a piece of water,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23you're never without something to do, ever.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25I'd be lost without it.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28And they have other ideas about how to increase their revenue further.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32We have thought about gites and letting them out...
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- Yeah.- ..for the summer period.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37It'd be another income.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Both their current homes are on the market
0:03:39 > 0:03:40and they are hoping for quick sales,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44so they can fund all the elements they want for their new home.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46To get what we are looking for, we're going to have to spend
0:03:46 > 0:03:52somewhere in the region of £250,000-£350,000.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Carol and Warren are concentrating their search
0:03:57 > 0:03:59in the north of the Dordogne
0:03:59 > 0:04:02and, as the region is known for its abundance of chateaux,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06'we are meeting at Chateau de Jumilhac, in Jumilhac-le-Grand,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09'to understand the finer points of what they are after.'
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Carol and Warren, welcome to the Dordogne.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Hello.- Thank you.- Beautiful weather you've brought with you.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17Tell me about your desire for water.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20I don't think I could live without water not too far away.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I'd rather have it on the doorstep.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26In an ideal world, we'd like to pick up where Carol lives at the moment,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28bring it to the Dordogne and put it down.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- That would be marvellous.- Yeah.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33What about the actual house?
0:04:33 > 0:04:34How many bedrooms, for example? How big?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37We'd like a minimum of three bedrooms,
0:04:37 > 0:04:39but there again, the more, the merrier.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Yeah, the more, the merrier, really.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Cos you were talking about also gites and having...
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Some sort of business.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Although we are retiring to France,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52we don't actually want to stop work completely,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- so if we had a little gite to run, that would be really good.- Yeah.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00Are you up for a project or would you like something ready to move into?
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- Up for a project, definitely. - Me, too.- You, too?- Yeah.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Can you foresee any... any differences of opinion
0:05:07 > 0:05:09about the houses or...?
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Carol will go for something really quirky, where, um...
0:05:13 > 0:05:15I don't mind something that is different,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17but it has to be liveable.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20The budget. How much have you got to spend?
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Around the 350, perhaps going up to 400.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Well, the Dordogne has come up trumps.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29We've got lovely properties lined up, so let's go and see them.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Our buyers have a budget of between £350,000-£400,000.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38For that, they are hoping to find a character property
0:05:38 > 0:05:40with a minimum of three bedrooms,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43although Carol would prefer more, to accommodate family.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46They are also seeking the potential from some rental income
0:05:46 > 0:05:48from an on-site holiday property
0:05:48 > 0:05:52and at least five acres of land that should include a lake,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and they would be happy to take on a project.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58We are showing our house hunters three impressive French properties
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and we'll conclude our search with a Mystery House,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03which, while challenging what they think they want,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05is a sizeable proposition.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13We are beginning our search in the village of Saint-Saud-Lacoussiere,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15which is an hour's drive north of Perigueux,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17and we are viewing
0:06:17 > 0:06:20a classic 19th-century French manor house nearby.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23It's funny, as you were coming down the lane, you were singing,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25# I've got a good feeling... #
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Ho-ho!
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- It's fantastic.- This is one of the grandest houses in the area.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Obviously, the vantage point is amazing.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34It looks out, down over the village.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- We've got 12 acres of land, here. - Oh, good.- That sounds good.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40What do you think about the property?
0:06:40 > 0:06:43It's from the 1870s, so high French style.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44Very much.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- And it's big.- That's interesting.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Do you want to look inside? - Please, yes.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55To the front of the house, there is a terrace with a view,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57shaded by lime trees.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Let's see if Carol is as excited by what is inside.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- Oh, yes!- Lovely.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Does that match up to expectations from the outside?
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Better. Better. Definitely better. - It's lovely.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13You've got all the modern fixtures and fittings,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15you've a gas oven, bottled gas,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17you've got all new fixtures and fittings.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18Very, very tasteful.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Fabulous. It's really fabulous. I want to see some more, now.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Let's have a look at the dining room.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- This is a grand room.- Wow! - This is for best.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- So impressive.- It's beautiful. - It's a clever trick, isn't it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Putting up this huge mirror, to bring double the daylight in.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Absolutely, and look at it - it's wonderful.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44I like everything. It's so tastefully done.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46At the back, they put on an extension,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48quite some time ago, but they've made that
0:07:48 > 0:07:49the more snug, family room.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53I'm impressed. Very impressed. It looks gorgeous.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Upstairs on the first floor are two grand double bedrooms and a bathroom
0:07:57 > 0:07:59and further up still, in the eaves,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02is more accommodation, in the impressive loft conversion.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07These are the original 1870s staircase
0:08:07 > 0:08:11that brings you right to the top of the house, what was the attic.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Wow! It's lovely! Ain't this great?
0:08:16 > 0:08:20And it is now, as you can see, a self-appointed apartment.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22It's got a little kitchen, it's got a bathroom...
0:08:22 > 0:08:25I like everything to the eye. Everything.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- I love it. - I'm picking up on the feeling.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- It's got a nice feel to it.- It has.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34It doesn't feel strange. It just feels homely.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36The house seems to be hitting the mark
0:08:36 > 0:08:38and there's more space on offer.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41In addition to an extensive cellar, there is a double garage and,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44with the right planning permission, there is an opportunity
0:08:44 > 0:08:47to convert the existing stable into holiday gites
0:08:47 > 0:08:51which would fulfil Warren and Carol's request for a project.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54But I have saved a feature that could whet their appetite
0:08:54 > 0:08:56for this property even more.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04Peaceful. Absolutely peaceful.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- Are there fish in here? - There are some black bass,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09there is some carp.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Is it big enough? Is it enough water?
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Mm...no.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14THEY LAUGH
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Not really. What do you think, Warren?
0:09:17 > 0:09:22- It's big enough for friends and family to come and fish.- Yes, yes.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28It is lovely, if we didn't want to exploit it a little bit.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33It just looks like a very, very, very, very nice, big pond,
0:09:33 > 0:09:35as opposed to a lake.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37It's good to know your true feelings.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40What do you think the price of the property is?
0:09:40 > 0:09:45I am going to say...345.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Warren?- 375.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Well, this property is actually on the market for...
0:09:50 > 0:09:52..just under £320,000.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- Wow.- So, a lot of land,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58a lot of potential with this one, I think.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Yeah.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02This classic French home comes in under budget.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Set over three floors, plus a large cellar,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08it has a kitchen, dining room, lounge, three bedrooms,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11two bathrooms and a double garage
0:10:11 > 0:10:15and whilst the lake hasn't passed the test for Carol in terms of size,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18there are 12 acres of woodlands to explore.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Oh, beautiful French weather.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25If you close the door, we are all done here,
0:10:25 > 0:10:26so let's head to the car.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Our next destination is La Bucherie,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38in the heart of the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Within this peaceful hamlet are a handful of handsome homes,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46which look out onto an attractive pastoral landscape.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49I'm hoping this quiet setting will suit Warren and Carol,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52who want a rural outlook, without feeling too isolated.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56And a short stroll away is a show-stopping lakeside property.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00I'm so excited to show you this one.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Oh, yes. That's more like it!- That's it.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06That is much more like it.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08You're going... We've got tears!
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- I was expecting them from Carol, but we got Warren!- No, no...!
0:11:11 > 0:11:12- Oh, it's lovely.- That's great.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17It's a beautiful property.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18I was so excited about showing you this one.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- LAUGHING:- Oh, my oh, my!
0:11:21 > 0:11:25It's a 3.75 acre lake.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Right.- And there is a fully-functional fishing business.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30- Oh...- Put it there!
0:11:30 > 0:11:32THEY LAUGH
0:11:32 > 0:11:34It's unbelievable.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36You see what I mean about a pond and a lake?
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Spot-on.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39So much more to show you,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42so let's get over there and take a look.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46A wonderful start, and we have only just scratched the surface.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50I have a feeling I won't need to FISH for compliments as we look inside
0:11:50 > 0:11:55this charming 50-year-old house, which is divided into two apartments.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57The upstairs can be hired out to anglers
0:11:57 > 0:12:00and includes a large living and dining area,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04a kitchen and double bedroom, with a shower room.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06But we are kicking off in the ground-floor apartment,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08where the current owners live.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Whoopee. Whoopee!
0:12:13 > 0:12:16So, they have got all their living apartment on this floor.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18These incredible views out over the lake
0:12:18 > 0:12:20and they have got a study and a bedroom here.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23What do you think about this sort of set-up?
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- I daren't even look. - Go on, have a look!
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Oh, right...
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Well, I'd just sit here all day and just look out there and...
0:12:34 > 0:12:39Fantastic. A fantastic property. Fantastic setting.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Let's have a little wander into this part.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46There is a brand-new, French-style kitchen here,
0:12:46 > 0:12:47all new units, a gas range.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52Yes, it's a lovely. It's workable, it's clean, it's modern...
0:12:52 > 0:12:54It's more than acceptable.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56You look at the ceiling, you are on a riverboat, aren't you?
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Yeah, you are. It's...
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Sit here eating and looking out there and...
0:13:02 > 0:13:05I could stay here now and not go anywhere.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07I think Warren is crying in every room!
0:13:07 > 0:13:09THEY LAUGH
0:13:09 > 0:13:11So, I'm going to show you something now,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13and I'd like you to bear one thing in mind.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- And that is, spiral staircase. - Mm.- OK?
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Warren and Carol were keen to take on some sort of building project
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and I have got an idea in mind that could make good use
0:13:25 > 0:13:27of the existing basement.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32ALISTAIR CHUCKLES
0:13:32 > 0:13:34I know it doesn't look like much, now,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36but I want you to put on your imagination,
0:13:36 > 0:13:41because this is the ground floor and the house is directly above you.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43So, the spiral staircase comes into here.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47And, with a little bit of money and love and architecture,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50you take the whole thing out to the water's edge,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53with decking, and make this the kitchen diner.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55You wouldn't want a job, here, would you?
0:13:55 > 0:13:56THEY LAUGH
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Don't you think that would be amazing?
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- Yes.- Yes, definitely. - Absolutely.- So gorgeous.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Let's go and talk money. Out you go.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Besides the privately-fenced garden are acres of woodland,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15with camping facilities for anglers.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18This property really seems to have the foundations in place
0:14:18 > 0:14:21for our buyers to land both property and a business.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29Aw, it is a lovely spot. I shouldn't be partial, but it is a lovely spot.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31As I say, almost four acres of water
0:14:31 > 0:14:34and about the same acreage of woodland and land.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Lovely, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38How much does it cost?
0:14:38 > 0:14:42I'd say...425?
0:14:42 > 0:14:46I'm going to be really cheeky. 380.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49This property is on the market for
0:14:49 > 0:14:52£275,000.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53Wow!
0:14:55 > 0:14:56SHE LAUGHS
0:14:56 > 0:15:00That's a hat-trick. More tears from Warren!
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- It's unbelievable. That's great.- Oh, dear.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06This place has been waiting for us.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10This lakeside property is priced
0:15:10 > 0:15:13at £125,000 below their maximum budget
0:15:13 > 0:15:17and offers our buyers everything they want on paper.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19It comes with two self-contained apartments,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21offering two kitchens, two lounge-diners,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a basement
0:15:25 > 0:15:27and, to top it all, a certified fishing lake,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31which can generate a steady income of up to 2,000 euros per week.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- Big applause for your lovely tour. Are you happy?- Absolutely.- Ecstatic.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- Blissfully happy with it. - Oh, God! We love that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46But I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you away.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50I know. I'm going to take you away, but you can come back and visit
0:15:50 > 0:15:52and pay for it any time you like.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- Just saying. Come with me.- Great.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Carol is hoping to continue running a fishery in the Dordogne,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03so to get a better idea of what is involved in France,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06we are introducing our buyers to expats Charlie and Nick,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08who have been living here for ten years
0:16:08 > 0:16:11and run their own angling operation.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14So, this is Warren and Carol. This is Nick and Charlie.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- Nice to meet you.- Hi.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- We are going to pick your brains, if that's all right.- That's fine.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I think it might be good if perhaps you two go and look
0:16:21 > 0:16:23at the whole lake, cos you've got some beautiful lakes.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Thank you.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Nick has been fishing and working on this lake for nine years,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31so this is a great opportunity for our buyers
0:16:31 > 0:16:35to learn about the reality of running this type of enterprise in France.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37So, what sort of fish have you in here?
0:16:37 > 0:16:40At the moment, we have a mixture of carp and catfish.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Do you find it difficult? Do you find it hard work?
0:16:43 > 0:16:45The busiest time is the spring, early summer,
0:16:45 > 0:16:47when the grass is growing quick.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50A five-hour changeover between parties coming and going.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55What are the pros and cons of setting up a fishery in France?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58I think the pros is the weather.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01It's that much hotter down in the south of France
0:17:01 > 0:17:03and the fish grow to bigger proportions
0:17:03 > 0:17:04that they would do in the UK.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- The English anglers want to catch the big carp, really.- Yeah.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11The cons - being seven or eight hours south from Calais,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13you have to try and get the people here.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Would you say it'd be better to start a business from scratch
0:17:16 > 0:17:18or look for an existing fishery?
0:17:18 > 0:17:20It may be better to look for an existing fishery,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23because to stock a lake from scratch,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26depending on the size and the size of the fish you want,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29it can cost anything from 5,000-50,000 euros.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- This looks like it's going to be a nice fish.- Here he comes.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Let's have a look at him, then.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- They are ready.- Oh!- Oh!- He's lovely.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43So, how much is a fish like that going to set you back, then?
0:17:43 > 0:17:48A fish touching 30lbs would cost between 800-900 euros.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51What a handsome fellow, he's lovely!
0:17:51 > 0:17:55OK, that's been really, really helpful. Great.
0:17:55 > 0:17:56'Now that Carol and Warren
0:17:56 > 0:17:59'have more information about running a business in France,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02'we are regrouping, so that our couple can learn more
0:18:02 > 0:18:05'about the practicalities of everyday life.'
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- You guys have been here ten years. You've had kids here.- Yeah, three.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- How has that been? - Fantastic. Yeah, brilliant.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15The healthcare system is amazing.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Yeah, couldn't have asked for better, really.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21So, would you need to pay for some medical insurance here?
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Yeah, you need to get what's called a mutuelle,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27which is a top-up of insurance, which you would have to pay for.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- Is it expensive?- It can be.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- It can depend on your age.- Right.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33This is the land of 1,000 lakes.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Is there a danger of there being too many fishing lakes
0:18:36 > 0:18:37or is there the demand?
0:18:37 > 0:18:38I think there is the demand.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41I think there is enough anglers to go around.
0:18:41 > 0:18:42How about integration?
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Because, you know, Dordogne is famous for having so many English people.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49When we first moved into the area, I joined the local football team
0:18:49 > 0:18:52and I was the only English player there,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55so whatever you're interested in, join a club and twice a week...
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Combined with French lessons, you'll learn it within a year.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59You've got to attack it.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- Do you have any, sort of, regrets?- No.- No.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06We miss people. There are certain people we miss,
0:19:06 > 0:19:07but we don't miss...
0:19:07 > 0:19:11We found, with family, our family, when we lived in the UK,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13we'd live ten or 15 miles away,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16we'd bump into each other year after year
0:19:16 > 0:19:18or see each other at Christmas, but now, they come out and spend
0:19:18 > 0:19:20quality time, for a month.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Carol, you are planning on having your daughter and son...
0:19:23 > 0:19:24I'd like to, yes.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26At the end of the day, it is down to them,
0:19:26 > 0:19:31but they have shown a really massive desire to come with Warren and I.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- I'd like that to happen.- It'll be difficult for you to leave them.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Well, I will have to force you to drink up,
0:19:36 > 0:19:37because we've got houses to see.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44I think all this talk of family seems to have made Carol realise
0:19:44 > 0:19:48how much she would like her children to make the move with them.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49But relations aside,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52there are a whole host of practical considerations
0:19:52 > 0:19:56to bear in mind when relocating abroad.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57It's necessary to set aside
0:19:57 > 0:20:01up to 10% of the advertised price of a property for legal fees.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Some of this fee will go towards a notaire,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06who are the equivalent of solicitors,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09who work for both the buyer and the vendor and remain impartial.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13If you don't speak the language, it's advisable to find
0:20:13 > 0:20:16a bilingual notaire, who can help explain the whole process.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22It's the last day of our property search with Warren and Carol
0:20:22 > 0:20:24here in the Dordogne and I have to say,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26it is pretty much a foregone conclusion
0:20:26 > 0:20:28that they will go for that house by the lake.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30I have never seen a response like that to a property -
0:20:30 > 0:20:34tears and punching the air and dreams fulfilled.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36But we do still have the Mystery House to go,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38so we are going right to the north of the Dordogne
0:20:38 > 0:20:41and giving them a huge project,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44just to challenge how ready they are to retire.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I will give you a clue, though. It's not a river.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Our search concludes near the village of Marval,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54which borders the Dordogne and Limousin.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57A mile away is a substantial French farmhouse,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59that comes with a sizeable lake,
0:20:59 > 0:21:03and, as Carol's desire to have her family move with her is growing,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05this property would certainly accommodate them,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07as well as giving her and Warren
0:21:07 > 0:21:10the foundations for the gite business they have requested.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16- What do you think? - Wow. I'm just lost for words.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Where we have brought you is a holiday complex.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26This property has 17 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29scattered over this house, and six chalets,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32spread out over 22 acres of land.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I've just got my adrenaline absolutely up to here.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Come on. Let's go and have a look inside.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Well, Carol doesn't seem at all fazed by the size,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44but let's see if the interior will put things into perspective.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Not sure you were expecting this, in your living room.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- A pool table. That's a pool table! - I can beat you at that!
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- Look at that. - It's a pool table and a bar.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59This is really the centre of the social life
0:21:59 > 0:22:01of the holiday complex.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- It's massive.- There'd be hundreds of things you could do with this place.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Let's look at the kitchen.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11The house really does offer all the facilities for a workable hotel,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15with a utility room and WC on the ground floor,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17but I'm not sure Warren is convinced.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Oh, lovely working kitchen. - It is a working kitchen.- Absolutely.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25This is a huge kitchen.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27A beautiful skylight, bringing in lots of light.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30It's airy, it's clean.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35Warren, I'm wondering whether you are looking around and thinking,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37"Oh, my goodness, it's huge."
0:22:37 > 0:22:40I'm concerned about the finances and the running costs and...
0:22:40 > 0:22:42If you wanted to, you could scale things down,
0:22:42 > 0:22:47and just have the chambres d'hote, the guest rooms, in this building.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52Upstairs are three double bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor,
0:22:52 > 0:22:53but I am leading us up to the loft space,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57which has been transformed into a further three bedrooms
0:22:57 > 0:22:58by the current owners.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Mind your heads.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07This is...this is the quirky feeling. It's lovely.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Essentially, you have got two family rooms.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12You've got a double room here, a double room here
0:23:12 > 0:23:14and an en-suite shower-bathroom there
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and the same again at the back.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22- That's big. It's a big house. - It has 17 bedrooms, it's got to be!
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- Yes, indeed.- It's just got to be big.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I just want to wander off and just look everywhere.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Well, you are getting the gist of it, but you've only seen the half of it.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34- So, let's keep going.- Let's.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37This property really does come into its own with the outside,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41which has a massive 22 acres of lush woodland
0:23:41 > 0:23:44that encompasses a river, swimming pool
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and, most crucially, a lake.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- Here it is, what you have been waiting for.- Oh...!
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- It's the lake.- Come on, Warren, let me see your face!
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- Let me look at it. - That's a good size.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01That's lovely. It's...everything, now.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Let's go and look at one of the chalets.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08That's the view of the lake for your guests.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12You have five freestanding wooden chalets like this,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14scattered through the land,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17and then one, sort of, attached to the house, next to the house.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21I'm still trying to take it all in, the size of it. It's huge.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- It's really big. - Well, it is an undertaking.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26What do you think it costs?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I think it's going to be about 425.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34I'm going to go to the top of our budget and say 400.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Mm-hm.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Well, this is on the market for...
0:24:38 > 0:24:42358.
0:24:44 > 0:24:45CAROL SIGHS
0:24:45 > 0:24:46That's good.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49WARREN LAUGHS
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Is that a smile of relief, Warren, that it wasn't more expensive?
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Yeah. No, no, that's...
0:24:56 > 0:25:00That sounds like we've got some money left to do things.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05For £358,000, they get 17 bedrooms in all,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07if you count the six holiday chalets.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11It also provides 12 bathrooms, a swimming pool, open barn,
0:25:11 > 0:25:1522 acres of land, and a six-acre lake.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21- It's just a bit untidy.- Let's go and have a look inside this one.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24This is for us.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26It's what we are looking for, it's what we want to do.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30My main concern is the size of this and what we'd be taking on.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33As opposed to coming to retire here,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36we'd be coming here to run a big business.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39And I know we'd have help, I know we'd have help,
0:25:39 > 0:25:40but it's still...
0:25:40 > 0:25:42We'd be taking it on.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Ah, there you are. Perfect timing. Finished your wandering?
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- Yes.- Yes, yes. - Good. Are you ready to go on?
0:25:49 > 0:25:50- We are.- Yes, we are.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55I think our Mystery House might have reinforced Carol's feeling
0:25:55 > 0:25:58that she'd love her family to relocate to France with her
0:25:58 > 0:26:02and that property could accommodate the prospect.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06But now our buyers have seen all of the houses we have to offer,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08'I'm keen to hear what they think of them.'
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- It's been a long week.- Yes. - We've seen lots of lovely properties.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Personally, myself, I feel it's been a success.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20- It's really reaffirmed our desire to come here, definitely.- Yes.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23It seemed to me that it all came into focus with the house on the lake.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26You both seemed like this was the dream house.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I still like that house, but...
0:26:28 > 0:26:30It didn't tick every single box.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32OK, let's talk about the box it didn't tick, which I think -
0:26:32 > 0:26:37- and I might be reading between the lines - was your family.- Yes.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42We could have accommodated them easily, but not comfortably.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Warren, you seemed to really love that house.
0:26:45 > 0:26:50Yeah. It really made me emotional. It's still my number one choice.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53But, you know, it's not just about me.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55We have to work together on this
0:26:55 > 0:26:58and I don't fancy moving into that house on my own.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59So...
0:26:59 > 0:27:01You loved the Mystery House.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03The Mystery House gave you scope to have all your family.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Hopefully, they might come out and want to join in with us.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08That's the big thing.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11And if they do, it's the right choice.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16If not, then we are going to have to downscale
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and, hopefully, look at the one on the lake,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22because there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's beautiful.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I hope you sort it all out soon,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28because France is missing you already. So, come back.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31You will be an adornment to the Dordogne, the both of you.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33- Thank you. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38It's been interesting, being with Carol and Warren,
0:27:38 > 0:27:39as they have discovered all these things
0:27:39 > 0:27:43that they perhaps hadn't thought about when they first arrived here in the Dordogne.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45So, I hope they get home and make some decisions
0:27:45 > 0:27:48and make it happen, because France needs them.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49And we, of course, need you,
0:27:49 > 0:27:54so make sure you tune in next time for more Escape To The Continent.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Carol and Warren remain very keen on both the Mystery House
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and the lakeside property, but still need to sell their homes
0:28:01 > 0:28:04before they can make that dream a reality.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06If you wish to Escape To The Continent
0:28:06 > 0:28:12and would like our help, please apply online, at...