France - Languedoc Escape to the Continent

150 years ago, the beautiful vineyards behind me were

ravaged by millions of parasites, devastating the land and the people.

Find out what happened and where I am in just a moment.

Today's buyers are taking their continental love affair

one step further with plans afoot to create a new life together

across the Channel.

It's very romantic, isn't it, Jill?

-Oh, absolutely, darling.

-Yes.

THEY LAUGH

But their starry-eyed fantasy may need to move with the times.

It's really hip, but how hip are you two?

I think the word "hip"

is not what you would automatically describe me as being!

I'm in the South of France in the Languedoc-Roussillon region,

and this area produces more wine than anywhere else in the world.

That's more wine than Australia, Bordeaux, South Africa

and Chile all put together.

But in 1875, the French economy was plunged into turmoil when a deadly

parasite was unwittingly brought into Europe on American vines.

Thankfully, the vineyards have been replanted

and the economy shot back up.

And now, here, they produce a third of all French wine.

That's around two billion bottles every year.

Right down on the Spanish border

and stretching across an area from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees,

Languedoc-Roussillon covers a wild and massive 10,000 square miles.

A sunbaked region of vine-covered hills, wide, sandy beaches

and pretty, historic villages,

Languedoc owes much of its roots to the Romans.

It was on this rugged French terrain

around 19 BC that they built Pont du Gard,

an astonishing three-tier aqueduct that rises

some 50 metres above the river's deep valley.

Whilst one foot is in the past,

the other is firmly investing in the future

as Languedoc's capital, Montpellier,

is world-renowned for academic excellence as well as the arts.

With contrasting cultures, construction

and landscapes fringed by over 100 miles of coast,

Languedoc-Roussillon makes a fascinating foundation

from where to set up home with the added bonus

of some 300 days of glorious sunshine every year.

But what is it about this region that's attracted our buyers?

Let's meet them to find out.

Milton Keynes-based retirees Dave and Jill

aren't averse to a challenge when it comes to setting up home.

They decided the best way to get the right house that would

fit their large family was to start from scratch and build it.

We have four daughters, the youngest two of which are twins,

and we wanted them all to have the same size room.

The only way we could get that, affordably,

was basically build our home.

-We've never regretted it, but I don't think we'd do it again!

-No.

I think it's a one-off.

After ten years in their custom-designed home,

their daughters are now grown up and they've set their sights

on the next property adventure, this time in southern France.

Well, last year, after having visited Le Grau-du-Roi,

and we also went to Aigues-Mortes and various other places around there,

all in the Languedoc region, we thought, "Right, this suits us fine."

It's got a lot to offer.

-So I think that that whet our appetite for the area.

-Yes, yes.

Dave has recently retired from his work in electrical engineering

and Jill from primary school teaching,

so now they have more time to focus on their shared passions.

We both play boules.

We think it's quite a nice Sunday afternoon, seeing everybody.

I don't think I'd probably wear a beret or not,

but we might go for that eventually!

And this Francophile pair are so committed to crossing

the Channel, it seems it won't be long before berets are,

indeed, a permanent fixture.

We're not after going somewhere where there's tourists,

British, Italian or whatever.

We want to meet the French.

So the final step is to actually move out to their beloved France.

And when it comes to the new house, it must be equally a la mode.

Enjoying that?

'I like character. I don't really want'

the bland, modern home. It's got to feel French.

I'd like to feel that when I'm in the home, that I'm in a French house.

All the windows will be shuttered.

There could well be a gravel drive leading up the front to it.

It must have a swimming pool

and probably a minimum of half an acre, landwise.

Sounds like they're after a pretty impressive property,

-and, luckily, they have the funds that should fit.

-Cheers!

Our budget for the move is between £500,000 and £650,000.

Our couple want to relocate to Languedoc, but are yet to

pinpoint an exact location within this expansive region.

And now they've arrived in France, we're all meeting up

to find out more about their prospective migration.

Jill, Dave, why do you want to live in this particular region?

The weather, I think.

Yes, and the proximity to the Med

because we are planning on buying a boat.

What about these four gorgeous daughters?

You'll be leaving them behind, upping sticks,

-coming to a foreign land.

-We're going to France.

-We're not going to the moon!

-As long as we see one another regularly.

And what are you looking for from this property?

Two studies, cos he's always moaning at me

that I'm messing up the computer.

So that would mean we'd probably have to use bedrooms as studies.

And we've come to the conclusion we need four.

Downstairs has to have a large kitchen, which we're

prepared to make larger, ie we'd be knocking down a wall, if necessary.

-We're flexible on the internals.

-Yes.

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

-Absolutely!

-Shall I take you to the first one?

-Please do, yes.

-Absolument!

-Follow me. Very good. This way.

For a top budget of £650,000,

our buyers are looking for a traditional French home

that offers four bedrooms, a spacious kitchen/diner in a large

plot of land that has a swimming pool.

They're up for a little remodelling to get the property just right,

but the location must be within an hour of the sea.

And we've got an arresting assortment of beautiful

French houses that will take our buyers right through

the property ages, including the mystery house,

where the present joins forces with the past.

For the first property, we're starting just over

half an hour's drive from the coast in the village of Peret.

Set amidst vast, verdant agricultural land,

Peret is a small and quiet village with many historic buildings

of fading grandeur.

The house lies within walking distance of the shops

and epitomises rustic French style, so I'm hopeful

that it's somewhere Dave and Jill will find appealing.

-And this is the first property.

-Very nice.

Well, it's got what we wanted - shutters, stone walls.

It's picture perfect.

I can see myself here straightaway, from the outside.

It was built in 1800. That's what it says on the deeds.

-I would never have believed that.

-I thought it was younger than that.

I can't wait to go in.

-Excellent. Shall we do it?

-Certainly, yes.

We'll go through the front door.

This wonderfully spacious 200-year-old stone-built property

spreads itself over three floors

and was completely renovated in the late '90s.

We're beginning the tour in the main reception rooms

on the ground floor, where there's an L-shaped dining

and living area as well as a fully fitted country kitchen.

-Now, this is the dining room.

-Right.

-That's the kitchen through there.

And you wanted something old, you wanted something charming,

-with character.

-With the beams, yes.

-Aren't they amazing?

Well, it's certainly got loads of character.

-Well, there's lots more to show you.

-Oh, can't wait!

-Are you ready to go upstairs?

-Yes, yes. Fine, thank you.

-This way.

-Good vibes so far.

-Good.

The wooden staircase from the reception areas take us

straight up to the first floor,

where a large study leads straight into the beautiful master bedroom.

You can tell that this is an old building when you see those beams.

When you see the shape of the roof, etc, yes.

With THAT stunning view to wake up to every morning.

On this floor, you've also got a single bedroom,

but could be used as another study.

There's also a really decent-sized bathroom with

lots of storage in it, all on this floor.

-I mean, this is a lovely-sized room.

-It's very romantic, isn't it, Jill?

-Oh, absolutely, darling.

-Yes.

Well, there's lots more to show you, so follow me. There's more this way.

The final floor is back downstairs

and down again to the lower ground floor, where a separate

entrance takes us into completely self-contained quarters.

-This is different.

-It is, isn't it? Good different?

Yes, again, it's a good size.

So on this floor, you have two really decent-sized double bedrooms

-with their own ensuite shower rooms.

-Right.

It means you have a perfectly self-contained area

-for your daughters, for any guests, for any friends.

-Yes.

-I have saved, in my opinion, the best till last.

-Really?

Can't imagine what you're going to show me.

-Time will tell.

-Come on. This way.

-You lead the way.

Through this beautiful garden to this.

That view is just priceless.

It's gorgeous.

Now, below you, you've got the garden with a swimming pool.

This property comes with quite a lot of land.

It comes with 0.8 of an acre.

I could see us sitting out here with the sun shining in. Yes.

-South-facing.

-Spot on.

Now, the one thing you don't know about the house yet is the price.

I'll hazard a guess at 525,000.

525. Jill?

I think it's on for £550,000.

-OK.

-OK.

-It's actually on for less.

So the whole house is currently on

at £477,000.

I want you to go off, I want you to explore the house on your own,

really get into all the nooks and crannies,

-discuss it amongst yourselves and I'll catch up with you shortly.

-OK.

-OK? Off you go.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

-Enjoy.

-Thank you.

At over £100,000 under budget,

property number one is a detached stone-built house

across three floors with many historic, characterful features.

As a whole, it offers four bedrooms, open-plan living and dining areas,

paved terraces, an infinity pool and just under an acre of land.

-Here they come, the explorers.

-Yes.

-Seen enough?

-Yes, I think so, yes.

-Satisfied?

-Yes, very much, thank you.

Can I extract you away from this property now, then?

-I think so.

-I think so, yes, I think it's time.

Good, OK, follow me, then. This way.

The next property lies in Magalas which will take our buyers

just a little further inland and so a bit further away from the sea.

And there's a good selection of essential amenities within

the small town of Magalas which is a short walk away from the house

we've lined up.

Now THAT is a whole lot of house.

I think it's excellent.

Very good looking from this aspect, yes.

How old do you think it is, Dave?

-1920s, '30s.

-I would say...1880.

-I don't want to take the sheen off it, but it's five years old.

-Is it?!

-It's a baby!

-We're the experts.

-It looks old.

-It does, doesn't it?

-Are you ready to go in?

-I'm looking forward to it.

-Definitely.

-Come on, then, this way.

The requested checklist is all there from the outside, with a long

gravel driveway, shuttered windows and climbing vines.

But this property will really challenge Jill and Dave's

preconceptions of French style, because although it is very French,

and very stylish, it certainly isn't rustic.

In you come.

Straight into this huge lounge, kitchen, dining area.

It's really hip. But how hip are you two?

I think the word "hip" is not what you would automatically describe me

as being! We've got the old and the new within the same eyeline,

and it takes a bit of getting used to.

Jill, you're the one who does all the cooking,

so what do you think of that kitchen? Is that appealing to you?

No. Because Dave knows that I won't have stainless steel.

No, we're not particularly keen on stainless steel, no.

This is about having lots of friends or family round, music on,

someone cooking over there.

If we had the four children here, that might be different,

but I don't think they're going to come every weekend.

Let's go and have a closer look at the living area.

A very different feel, and they've managed to cut it off

by putting the sofa the way it is.

But again it's about whether this is your way of living.

I mean, this area on its own, divided from the kitchen area,

I think would be fine.

But I can't really see myself sitting over there and Jill

cooking away with the noise, the clangs, the smells etc, etc.

-With my music on and you trying to watch television.

-Yes.

I had high hopes, cos outside was...

It looked totally different

to what the inside is actually looking like, yes.

Regrettably, it's clear that the beautiful through living

and kitchen zones just aren't working for Jill or Dave,

but there's plenty more to see on the ground floor, with walls

and doors, including an office,

separate utility room

and a huge, swanky bedroom en-suite.

And in you come into, I think you have to agree,

quite a spectacular master bedroom.

Just look at the two French doors leading out onto that gorgeous,

gorgeous garden. Wake up in the morning

and dive straight into that pool.

-Straight in, yes.

-Yes.

This is beautiful, it's very nice.

It's just not to my taste.

It's really surprising that this property continues to disappoint,

despite the very impressive style and dimensions.

Upstairs, the polished finish continues,

with four more en-suite bedrooms.

One is being used as a gym and store room,

and the other three are all great sized double rooms,

creating bags of space for visiting family and guests.

We're making our way back outside to the elegantly landscaped

south-facing garden that has two paved terraces

and a rather inviting pool.

Now the property comes with just over half an acre of land.

Brilliant.

I don't think we could ask for any more for the garden or the pool.

So, Jill, how much do you think this house is priced at?

I'm going to pitch it at £570,000.

I'll plump for £610,000.

-It's actually on at around £650,000.

-Oh, my.

Right.

Oh, I'm taken aback there, yes.

With all that in mind, go back in there,

have another look around, explore the upstairs.

-There's a huge double garage to look at.

-OK.

-Fine.

Thanks a lot. Okey doke.

Right on budget, this immaculate, newly built property

is a whimsical combination of traditional charm

with a tres chic design.

It has a huge ground-floor reception with a modern kitchen

and living room, five en-suite bedrooms

and a private landscaped garden with a swimming pool.

The intrepid house explorers.

-Return.

-Return! Exactly. Retourner.

-Are you done?

-Yes.

-We are indeed, yes.

-This way, then, please.

-Good.

With Languedoc's vast, fertile plains of vineyards,

the hillside village of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens

rises majestically on the landscape

and is home to British expats Bob and Amanda,

who relocated here from Norfolk over a decade ago,

so we've arranged for them to share their experiences with Jill and Dave

over a very French pastime.

-Hello, there!

-Bonjour.

-Bonjour, bonjour.

Bob, Amanda, lovely to see you.

These two have lived here for 13 years.

I thought it'd be good for you two to spend some time together

-and maybe play a game of petanque. Are you competitive?

-Very.

-How about you guys?

-Indeed we are.

This should be interesting, then.

Anyway, best of luck and I'll see you shortly.

Petanque is played all over France, and almost all towns and villages

have a boulodrome.

The modern game was created in the early 20th century,

and the first petanque tournament was held in France in 1945.

Since then, the game has become

one of the most-practised style of bowls in the world,

but is a sport naturally dominated by the French.

What's the difference between boules and petanque?

The game is called petanque - or pet-ank as they say down here -

and it's played using boules

on a boulodrome,

but the actual game itself is called petanque.

We play it with boules and a cochon, or pig,

and, basically, the simple idea of the game

is to get the boule as close to the cochon as possible.

-Shall we have a go?

-Why not?

So what we do is, we look at who's the closest boule now.

Although they are similar, that one I'd say was closer.

So that one is ours, so that means it's one point.

-Un point!

-Un point! Absolutely.

And you keep going until you get to 13.

Oh!

After some friendly competition, the two teams are rejoining me

on the terrace at Bob and Amanda's home,

where I've already made myself comfortable

with some coffee and croissants.

How was it?

-Lovely. Very good.

-Good.

Well, I think it's important that you dig a bit deeper

about the reality of living in France.

So, Amanda, just tell us a bit about some of the pitfalls

that they should be looking out for when they get here.

There are obviously certain pitfalls not everybody thinks about,

especially if you're retired.

Of course, your pension,

so you need to be very aware of exchange rates.

-Yeah.

-Because you can actually think,

"Oh, well, we've got enough money to live on,

"we can be comfortable,"

and then, suddenly, the exchange rate will go horribly wrong

and then you're thinking,

"Crumbs, I'm going to have some problems this month."

What about the cost of living once you're out here?

I find it rather expensive now.

What about cars?

Car insurance here in France is considerably higher

than it is in England.

They will take into account your no-claims bonus from England.

What's it like integrating into French culture? What's it like...?

No matter how much you integrate, you're still the Brits.

Generally, one of the easiest ways is

by volunteering to do things like work on the comite des fetes,

and, as we've already seen, to play petanque

and to join in with the social activities of the village.

They are more than happy to welcome you with open arms.

It makes me feel I want to buy a house in the surrounding area

so that we can meet and beat them at petanque!

Wonderful.

Bob and Amanda have given our buyers

a deeper insight into the day-to-day practicalities of life here,

though there are a number of things to watch out for.

The purchase price should include the estate agent's fees,

but always check before you make your offer.

Expect to pay up to 10% of the property's value

in taxes and fees.

Remember that the exchange rate you receive

when you transfer your pounds into euros

will have a direct impact on the final costs,

but you can fix an exchange rate for a later purchase,

which could potentially save you thousands of pounds.

It's the day of the mystery property.

They wanted something with character,

and this house has got it in buckets.

But I am a little bit worried, because it could challenge them.

It's very French, but maybe not in the way they're expecting.

The final property lies right in the town centre of Servian,

about 12 miles from the sea.

This small town is full of southern French charm

with an old but elegant architecture

and the mystery element of this central property

is that it offers our buyers the smallest plot of land,

so we're heading into the back entrance

to find out what type of house and garden

is hidden behind the very discreet exterior.

Now we come into this oasis of a property.

Very different, yes, yes.

Yes. Well, it's a townhouse, which is different, isn't it?

-It's supposed to be the mystery house so it's got to be...

-A mystery.

-Looks very modern, doesn't it?

-Yes.

-And behind you,

you have a studio flat.

In there, you've got a bed at the top. It's even got its own en suite.

-You can see the swimming pool....

-Yes.

-..which is just divine. Let's go in.

-OK.

Both Jill and Dave are keeping quite tight-lipped as I think

they're both fearing another uber-modern home.

But I've very high hopes that our couple will be pleasantly surprised

by this historic property,

which was completely renovated in 2005.

Come in.

Straight into the kitchen.

I think it's lovely.

I like beams. That's the first thing I've noticed.

-And I like the size.

-Yes.

-Yes.

I think it's gorgeous.

-It is, isn't it?

-Hmm.

-Could you see yourself cooking here, though?

-Yes. I've seen the sink.

The sink is incredible.

What do you think of this kitchen, Dave?

I find it very pleasant. I like the fact there's so much window in it,

glass, that it is light and airy.

-Let me show you the rest of the house.

-OK.

-This way, please.

Through this gorgeous living room

into the original part of the house.

And you can see that it's done in keeping with the original style,

in that everything's been stripped back, exposed.

-We love those bricks.

-We like vaulted brick ceilings.

This is a very stylish house.

-Yes. I think it's gorgeous.

-Yes.

Take the furniture out and you've got a blank canvas to go on.

That's good.

Lots more to see.

-This house is full of surprises. This way.

-OK.

Utility room, boiler, storage cupboards.

Downstairs toilet. Fantastic office.

Up we go.

Into the master bedroom.

-I like this.

-Dave, what do you think?

Well, they've not tried to change it from downstairs,

which I think's a good thing. Exceptionally well done out.

They've given it some thought, certainly.

There's your own private terrace there.

-No door. Straight onto the bathroom.

-Straight onto it, yes.

But it's the French way!

-That's fine. This is our bedroom. This is the bedroom.

-That's right.

-We're not bothered about having a door here, no.

-No.

I like the slanted ceiling

and I know that without even touching the beams that they are original.

There are two other bedrooms on this floor, and both come with their own

en suites, wet rooms,

done spectacularly.

Shall we go outside and talk money?

-Why not?

-Yes.

-Let's do it.

Thankfully, all the rooms in this remarkable mystery house

seem to be delivering in spades so far.

All that's left is to survey the courtyard garden

and find out what this mystery lot costs.

Watch your step, Jill.

Into the gorgeous garden. Just like the house, everything has been

thought through out here, as well.

You've got this beautiful pathway that's covered in ivy.

-There's a fountain.

-It's been done very professionally.

It's certainly been done to Jill and I's liking, for sure, hasn't it?

So, how much do you think this

really rather special property is on at?

I'm going to put a figure of £700,000.

I'll hedge my bets and go slightly higher at 720,000.

It's actually on for less.

Ooh.

It's on for around £650,000.

Somewhat surprised, yes.

-Somewhat surprised?

-Yes.

At least it's edging in the right direction.

Why don't the two of you go back in,

really take your time, enjoy looking around this property,

-and I'll see you in a mo?

-OK. Thank you.

Bang on budget once again, the mystery proposition

is a striking 19th-century townhouse

that's been given a contemporary, but sympathetic makeover.

It has an open-plan kitchen-diner,

three receptions, three en-suite bedrooms,

an attached one-bedroom studio

and a landscaped courtyard garden with pool.

Hello, my dears.

-Hi.

-And that is it.

The house tour's fini.

-Done.

-Yes.

Are you ready to go off somewhere and have an in-depth conversation?

-I think so, yes.

-Where you can tell me what you're really thinking!

-Exactly, yes.

-Come on, then, this way.

And we're finishing up back where we started -

in the heart of the Peret countryside

and on the terrace of the very first house.

I was going to say, "Are you really ready for this?"

But now I've seen you in the beret, pff!

-Well...

-Who am I kidding?!

-Naturellement.

Now, you have been here umpteen times. Could you live in this part

-of France?

-Without a doubt, yes.

I'd love to.

So let's talk about these properties, then.

I think we've got it in a nutshell.

The mystery house interior,

Magalas exterior...in the location we're in now, in Peret.

If we could shoehorn the three into one, we'd have it made to a T.

The property we want is out there somewhere

and now we've got a fairly small area to attack.

Previously, it was the south of France, then Languedoc-Roussillon

and now it's a portion of it.

-Let's drink to that.

-Certainly.

-Good luck to the two of you.

-OK. Sante.

-Sante.

-Sante.

Jill and Dave are poised and ready for their big move to France.

In fact, I think Jill was born ready.

But it's only through their time here with us

that they have managed to pinpoint

exactly where it is that they want to live

and they've truly fallen in love.

They have found the place that they want to spend

the rest of their lives.

Join me next time for another Escape To The Continent.

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