0:00:02 > 0:00:04This 14th-century bridge looks very idyllic in its
0:00:04 > 0:00:06setting, but its history has a dark side.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08So much so, that the locals call it the Devil's Bridge.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Join us in just a moment to find out those demonic connections
0:00:12 > 0:00:14and indeed, which country I am in.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37After a tough couple of years, today's buyer is hoping to
0:00:37 > 0:00:42make a new start abroad, bringing her sister along for moral support.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Our properties give her endless possibilities...
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- Gosh, it goes on forever.- It does.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..and with a few surprises along the way.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- I'd be living the dream! - That's beautiful.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Welcome to Escape To The Continent.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Today, I am in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France and this is
0:01:03 > 0:01:07the Valentre Bridge that crosses the River Lot in the city of Cahors.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10It was built at the beginning of the 1300s
0:01:10 > 0:01:12and took a mammoth 70 years to complete
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and was such a challenge to the architect, it's said that he
0:01:15 > 0:01:18sold his soul to the devil to get it completed.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22But at the last minute, he managed to outwit the devil who was so
0:01:22 > 0:01:25enraged that he damaged the brickwork in the central tower.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28An event that is commemorated in this 19th century addition
0:01:28 > 0:01:32at the top, showing a little devil pulling away the stones.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35The bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
0:01:35 > 0:01:37and it's said that, after Paris,
0:01:37 > 0:01:42this is the most photographed bit of architecture in France.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45A two-hour direct flight from the UK,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47the landlocked region of Midi-Pyrenees is found in
0:01:47 > 0:01:51the south-west of France and takes its name from the mountain range
0:01:51 > 0:01:55that runs along its southern border with Andorra and Spain.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Covering a massive 17,500 square miles,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01it's France's largest region
0:02:01 > 0:02:05and the varied landscape is roughly the same size as the Netherlands.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08The countryside is dotted with pretty, age-old villages
0:02:08 > 0:02:13with white Quercy stone buildings and terracotta rooftops.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17At the region's heart is the magnificent city of Toulouse,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20known as "the Pink City" due to the colour of the bricks
0:02:20 > 0:02:24used in many of its historic buildings, including the basilica.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26It's the country's fourth biggest metropolis,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28with a multicultural population.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Despite the absence of a coast,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34the region is refreshed by a number of stunning rivers,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36including the Lot, which carves a sinuous path through
0:02:36 > 0:02:40verdant countryside, flanked by beautiful towns such as Cahor,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44and the River Aveyron, famous for its steep gorges.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48With an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine each year, making it one
0:02:48 > 0:02:52of the sunniest regions in France, it's no wonder that many Brits
0:02:52 > 0:02:55are choosing to make this stunning part of the country their new home.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00How is this reflected in property prices?
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Well, the average cost of a detached house in Midi-Pyrenees
0:03:03 > 0:03:10is £130,000, which is £140,000 less than the average back home.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12But this is a gigantic part of France,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14so there are regional differences.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Around the main city of Toulouse in the Haute-Garonne region,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21you can pay top dollar - the average there is £180,000.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24But if you go further north to the rural Lot region,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27then prices start to come down around £100,000.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30But it's in the southern department of Ariege that
0:03:30 > 0:03:31you get your best bargains here.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34There, the average is £80,000.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39OK, so what is it that our buyer is looking for in this area?
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Let's meet her and find out.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Today's house-hunter seeking a new life abroad is recent divorcee,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Fran, who will be taking along her sister, Lou,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51on our property journey through southern France.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Fran has lived in the village of Spofforth, North Yorkshire,
0:03:53 > 0:03:57for 18 months, since the split from her husband.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Spofforth is a lovely place to live, it's a really sociable village.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03I've been embraced by all the community, very quickly.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Lots going on in the village.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I was quite worried about you moving here,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10small village and being accepted...
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Well, she hit the ground running. In the first week,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16she was talking about this friend and that friend...
0:04:16 > 0:04:18I got invited to dinner parties! It was really funny.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20She knows more people than I do in my village
0:04:20 > 0:04:22and I've been there ten years!
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Although she's thrown herself into village life,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28even helping to walk the local dogs, sociable Fran likes a challenge,
0:04:28 > 0:04:32and moving to France will fulfil a long-held dream.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35I love the country, we've spent some time there in the past as children.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39The lifestyle is so completely different to the UK,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43and I've reached a time in my life where I'm able to do this.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I've recently got divorced, my children have left home and grown-up
0:04:46 > 0:04:48and it's a new start.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51It's something I've always wanted to do, and do you know what,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53life's too short not to give it a go.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54BOTH: Cheers!
0:04:54 > 0:04:57With a 16-month age gap, Fran and Lou have always been close,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59and in terms of property style,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Lou knows exactly what her older sibling is after.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05She likes everything a little bit old, a little bit strange,
0:05:05 > 0:05:10a little bit quirky. So it would have to be...
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- What?- I thought you were describing my men!
0:05:14 > 0:05:17THEY LAUGH
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Having renovated her current home,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Fran isn't afraid of a property project.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25I think Fran has a really good vision for things.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28She knows how to walk into a room and immediately see
0:05:28 > 0:05:31how things could maybe be done differently.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35That's a skill I don't feel I really have, but, er...
0:05:35 > 0:05:38But you can sing. And draw.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Is that it?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42LAUGHING: Plus your many other talents!
0:05:42 > 0:05:43Thank you.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Keen to embrace new opportunities,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49our buyer's also planning to run a holiday-let business in France
0:05:49 > 0:05:53in addition to her job as a self-employed cruise travel broker.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Now that I'm in a position where I'm free to actually go and live in the
0:05:56 > 0:06:00country, I'd like to buy a property whereby I could create an income.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04So the obvious answer is to maybe it look at some gite property.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08I can just see myself integrating into that way of life very easily.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11You will be away from family, don't forget.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- Well, I know, but not that far. It's only a plane ride.- I suppose so.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Although Lou is clearly concerned about Fran's relative isolation,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22she's convinced her sister will make a go of it.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I've seen her take on many, many projects,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28and she just always rises to the challenge
0:06:28 > 0:06:30and I just wish her all the best.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Thank you!
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Fran doesn't want to be too far from airports with connecting
0:06:41 > 0:06:44flights to the UK, such as Toulouse and Bergerac.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48So we're concentrating our property search in the area around Cahors,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51which is about halfway between the two.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53I'm meeting up with Fran and Lou
0:06:53 > 0:06:57in Midi-Pyrenees to go over the details of her planned move.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- Bienvenue!- Merci!- You know this area, right?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02You're both sort of quite well-versed in France?
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I know the area quite well, I've been here about...
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- Well, this is my fourth trip now. - And how is your French?- Errrr...
0:07:07 > 0:07:09HE LAUGHS
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- It's... It's OK. A bit rusty.- Will it come back?
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- It comes back quite quickly.- This is a very, very big move for you, Fran.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Yeah. Scary stuff, really.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21But it's been a dream for a few years now,
0:07:21 > 0:07:23the time wasn't quite right before.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27And now all of a sudden here I am, single, nothing to hold me back,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31kids have left home. You know, I feel like perhaps now is MY time.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33So, Lou, you obviously know Fran very well.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35What are your concerns about her moving here?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39I mean, uppermost in my mind I would think, loneliness.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42That is a big... That is a thought, Fran. Does that worry you?
0:07:42 > 0:07:46I'd be stupid to say, "Absolutely not, I'm totally confident."
0:07:46 > 0:07:48It's always a little bit of a niggle at the back of your mind.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50And what sort of property are you looking for?
0:07:50 > 0:07:52I mean, what's the sort of spec of the house?
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Three bedrooms would be ideal for my accommodation.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Obviously, I've got two boys who hopefully will be visiting
0:07:58 > 0:08:02on a regular basis, so a little bit of space would be nice.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06I love the outdoors so I would like little bit of outdoor space.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Swimming pool is a bit of a must if I'm going to be inland...
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Swimming pool, yeah.- ..with this sort of climate.- Lots of those around here.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Is got to be full of character, nothing modern or contemporary,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19it's got to be really old French, farmhouse feel.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21And you mentioned a gite?
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Are you looking for a single gite or one that's up and running,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26or are you going to develop something?
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Well, if I'm going to be single-handed there,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- I think maybe one or two.- Would you also convert a building?
0:08:31 > 0:08:32Absolutely, yes.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35And what about location, are you're looking to be out
0:08:35 > 0:08:37in the countryside, or more in a village or in a town?
0:08:37 > 0:08:40It would be lovely to be on the edge of a village, so you've got
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- the best of both worlds.- That old chestnut. Edge of the village.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- Yeah, yeah.- Remind me again of how much your budget is.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48£400,000.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Well, we've got lovely properties lined up,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52and no time like the present, as they...don't say in France.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Yeah, fantastic, exciting!- Follow me.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00With a budget of £400,000, Fran would like a character property
0:09:00 > 0:09:04with an old French farmhouse feel, but a light interior.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07She'd like somewhere with space to run a number of self-catering
0:09:07 > 0:09:10holiday rooms or gites and at least three of
0:09:10 > 0:09:13her own bedrooms for her visiting grown-up sons.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15She'd like enough outside space to accommodate a swimming pool
0:09:15 > 0:09:20and is after an edge-of-village or rural location.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23We've lined up four delightfully characterful French properties
0:09:23 > 0:09:26with holiday business potential for Fran and Lou to visit
0:09:26 > 0:09:28over the next couple of days.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31But I won't be revealing the price tag until the end of each tour.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Our mystery house shows Fran that there's more than one way
0:09:34 > 0:09:36to bring in the money.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Our first property is found in the countryside surrounding
0:09:44 > 0:09:48the village of Lauzerte in the north of the region.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50A bastide, or fortified commune,
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Lauzerte was founded in the 12th century by the Count of Toulouse.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58But it was later occupied by the English during the Hundred Years' War.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Perched on a hill, it's typical of many of the bastides in this region
0:10:02 > 0:10:06with strengthened perimeters and streets laid out in a grid pattern.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Lauzerte is blessed with a multitude of fine medieval houses,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14a vibrant market square lined with busy cafes and rightly deserves
0:10:14 > 0:10:18its official accolade as one of the country's most beautiful villages.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21House number one is a ten-minute drive from Lauzerte,
0:10:21 > 0:10:26set in a remote location and nestled within a beautiful valley.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28A voila! House number one.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Oh, it's pretty.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- Oh, wow.- Isn't it lovely?
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- I think this is a great property. - Fabulous, yes.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39It's quirky, it goes back to 1600.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40Really?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Is an old mill, see, the millstream would have flowed underneath
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- that bridge there through the property.- Gosh.- Oh, yes.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Because the stream has been diverted over there.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Although you do have neighbours, they're sort of scattered up on the hills around you.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55- It's panoramic views, isn't it?- Yeah. - It's lovely. Really, really nice.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- Is this what you were dreaming of? - Wow.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- I could say so.- I like the roof.- Yes.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- It's the detail.- Shall we look inside?
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- Yes! Lead the way!- Thank you.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Build from a distinctive local limestone called Quercy stone
0:11:10 > 0:11:11named after the surrounding area,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15our first house was completely renovated around ten years ago
0:11:15 > 0:11:18and I think he really reflects the character Fran is after.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Step in and adjust your eyes a little bit because it's so...
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Oh, yes. Oh, what a lovely room. - ..bright outside.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Look at that fireplace.- Oh, a wood burner.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Yes. Oh, it's a lovely room.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31The owner's done that, I mean, it was just earth floor when he moved in,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34so he's actually put in a sort of straw and concrete base and then
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- these tiles on top.- Um-hm.- All these are sort of pine beams
0:11:37 > 0:11:38from the original mill.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Very nice, yes, I like it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45In terms of interior feel and design, yeah, you've hit the nail on the head.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Looking good with this one, so far.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- Let's look in the kitchen and see if you like that, too.- OK.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- This is also very nice.- Oh, this is lovely!
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Exceptionally large French kitchen. - Isn't it beautiful.- Yes.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Fantastic, I love it. I love it, it's beautiful.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05This'd be cosy in the winter.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- Did you see the fireplace?- Yeah. - I'm a big fireplace fan.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11This is the south-east end of the house,
0:12:11 > 0:12:12this gets all the morning sun.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15It's lovely and bright in here. Yeah.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Look at that lovely through flow of the space and everything.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- That really works well, doesn't it. - Yes.- How're you going to top this?
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Well, the bedrooms are pretty nice. - Are they?
0:12:24 > 0:12:26THEY LAUGH
0:12:26 > 0:12:28I couldn't have asked for a better start to our tour.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Both Fran and Lou seem completely charmed by
0:12:31 > 0:12:33the old mill's character and layout.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Upstairs, there are three bedrooms in total, which are all a good size
0:12:37 > 0:12:41and what's more, each of the bedrooms is en-suite, offering
0:12:41 > 0:12:44private guest accommodation when Franz's sons come to stay,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46as well as Lou, of course.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Well, what can I say, it's beautiful.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51And a duck-egg blue.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Your favourite colour.- I know! Sold! - Yeah.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- We did our research.- You did.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59It's beautiful, really lovely. It's a gorgeous room.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Huge size.- Yes, it is, massive.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Lovely atmosphere.- And look here.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09- The lovely view over the orchard up the valley.- Yeah.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- Imagine waking up to this every morning. Beautiful.- Lovely, isn't it?
0:13:13 > 0:13:16You could just supplement your income by using this as
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- an en-suite B and B, even, couldn't you?- Yeah.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24It wasn't the original plan, but definitely gives you more options.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Fran's original business plan involved running a separate gite,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30or holiday home, from her property.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33So, in addition to the B and B options inside the main house,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35outside, just across from the entrance,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39is a old stone barn that could be converted into letting accommodation
0:13:39 > 0:13:41subject to local planning permission.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44In terms of outside space, there's two-and-a-half acres of land
0:13:44 > 0:13:47on offer, which wraps itself around the house
0:13:47 > 0:13:51providing panoramic views of the surrounding orchards and valley.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54It includes a field, ploughed by arrangement with the local farmer
0:13:54 > 0:13:57and the garden itself, which is mainly lawn.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02There's also a pretty courtyard in which to enjoy an aperitif or two.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05So you come to the edge of your property and turn back and see
0:14:05 > 0:14:07a lot of potential. You've got your job big field behind,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- you'll notice there's a swimming pool?- That hadn't escaped my attention!
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Very keen-eyed!
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- Absolutely a must in this climate, isn't it?- Yeah, absolutely.- Yes.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- It's a raised one, but you could sink it into the ground.- Could you?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- Yeah. But you'd have to pay for it, obviously.- Yes.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I think that would be my preference.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- I could do with a plunge in there now.- Yes, I'd have said can I have a quick dip now!
0:14:27 > 0:14:30And here you can see a bit more clearly the layout of the...
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- So you've got... This is obviously the prime gite candidate.- Yes.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35But you also have this big garage.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Now, this is a great big workshop, he uses it as a workshop.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- Is it? Right.- And what do you think it costs?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44I would say, a stab in the dark at 380.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49I would come a little bit higher, maybe 415.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Well, zut alors!
0:14:51 > 0:14:55The actual price of this property is just under...
0:14:55 > 0:14:58£354,000.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- Really?!- No way!- Yes, way!
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Ooh-la-la!
0:15:02 > 0:15:05That leaves a lot of scope for spending, doesn't it, on the property?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Yes.- It does indeed. - Oh, you have surprised us there.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I can't believe that.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- That's the joy of shopping in France.- France, yes. Indeed.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15That's amazing.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- So you have an explore inside and all see you out the front.- OK.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25£46,000 under budget, our first house is a converted 400-year-old
0:15:25 > 0:15:30water mill and gives Fran the age and character she was after.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34It comes with a large living and entertaining space, a big kitchen,
0:15:34 > 0:15:38three bedrooms all en-suite, offering ideal guest accommodation.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42But there's also a separate barn, which could make an excellent gite.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47When we arrived, I wasn't absolutely blown away with it.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52But as we've walked through it and just seen the general flow,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55it's very much something I could imagine Fran living in.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Ooh, look at this, Lou!
0:15:58 > 0:16:02Wow, look at the view. Beautiful room.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Crikey, have you seen the size of this en-suite?
0:16:05 > 0:16:07So would you book into this room or the other room?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I'd book into all of them, quite frankly!
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Which one would you choose, if you were going to live here?
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- The most expensive for you, darling. - Right, yes.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18You can't fault it. The finish is fabulous.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Exterior, it's not until you actually look through the whole circumference
0:16:22 > 0:16:27of the property and you appreciate just exactly how much there is.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Fantastic potential.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33The only reservation I would have would be that it's quite
0:16:33 > 0:16:37an isolated area for a single lady to be living in on her own.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40It's fine when business is up and running
0:16:40 > 0:16:42and she's got plenty of people around,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46but maybe in the long winter months she might possibly get a bit lonely.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52- Hello, ladies.- Hello.- Would you like to try a grape?- Oh, I say.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Pre-fermentation. Thank you.- Thank you.- That's nice, isn't it?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- Having your own grapevine.- Mm.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59I'm going to have to tear you away
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- because we've got another house to visit. Follow me.- OK.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Since Fran is moving to France alone,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I want her to met another Brit who's made the leap solo.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Expat Leslie relocated from the UK to France with her children
0:17:21 > 0:17:25and for many years lived here as a single parent.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27So, Leslie, how long have you been in France?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- It's been eight years for me, now. - Really? Quite some time, then.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Long enough for me to get deeply rooted, I think.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36It's difficult for me to possibly think about going home.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39I don't want to be anywhere else, really.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41So, how difficult has it been as a single person to integrate
0:17:41 > 0:17:43yourself into the community?
0:17:43 > 0:17:46I don't think it's any more difficult than it would be if
0:17:46 > 0:17:48you are in the UK.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51If your language is good enough, if there's no language barrier.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- How was your French when you came here?- I had enough to get me by.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57But it's not the same as conversational French
0:17:57 > 0:17:58in a cafe or a bar.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00And that's actually what you need.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02But to get that, you need to mix.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06You need to go out, you need to mix with French people.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09I've brought my sister, Lou, with me on this trip here, Leslie,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13as moral support. She's particularly worried about me coming on my own.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16You can cope perfectly well on your own in the UK,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19you can cope perfectly well by yourself out here.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21There's no reason why not.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- It wasn't a problem. It never has been.- Thank you.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Merci.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Anyway, I'm hoping that you'll introduce me
0:18:29 > 0:18:33to your new partner's brother when I come out here.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35I'd love to, but he's only got a sister.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Although she can't help with matchmaking,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Leslie's advice has made Fran even more committed to moving to France.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Although sister Lou may still need some convincing.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55For our next house offering, we're heading to the village of Le Boulve,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58just under 20 miles to the west of Cahors.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01The river Lot is a short drive away.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Meandering its way through steep limestone cliffs,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08the Lot shares many similarities with it's close relative, the Dordogne
0:19:08 > 0:19:10And has given rise to a number of pretty medieval
0:19:10 > 0:19:13villages along its banks, including Puy-l'Eveque,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16which prospered thanks to the local wine trade.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Our next house is found on the edge of the smaller village of Le Boulve.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Surrounded by views of the Lot valley.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27The water running up to it is a clue to its former life.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32- Take a look at house number two. - Oh, look! Water.- More water.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- I love it.- It's picture book. - Isn't it just charming?- Yes, it is.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- It is a sort of mill, but this one a wet one.- Right.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42But it's not a functioning mill obviously.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44This is a decorative lake, there's another one on the other
0:19:44 > 0:19:47side matching it, it doesn't actually flow under your property.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49It's really just a sort of hint at the history.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52It's absolutely peaceful and idyllic, isn't it?
0:19:52 > 0:19:53You see upstairs
0:19:53 > 0:19:57- that balcony with the lovely green sort of Y shaped beams?- Yes.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- This is an up and running gite and B&B.- Is it?
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- So, you could move straight in here and start earning money.- Fabulous.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06It would be lovely to arrive here and see that you were
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- staying in that little balcony thing there, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Shall we look inside?- Yes, let's.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15The mill house dates back around 600 years,
0:20:15 > 0:20:20but it was fully renovated in 2006 by the current owners,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23who earn around £8,000 a year from the self-contained gite
0:20:23 > 0:20:27accommodation, which we'll explore later.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29I say bring you indoors, but actually, in France,
0:20:29 > 0:20:31outdoors in the new indoors.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Because I wanted to actually bring your attention to this room.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- Outdoor living, love it.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39I'm just wondering, during the winter, you don't
0:20:39 > 0:20:41have this area at your disposal.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- What happens then? - Then you go inside.- Right.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49So, coming in from the outside room into the inside room, it's a
0:20:49 > 0:20:52sort of cooler, darker space but also big and long.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54This is a more contemporary style than the other one,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57so the floors are sort of laminate throughout.
0:20:57 > 0:20:58But that might
0:20:58 > 0:21:01be something that you could change if you loved the location and the...
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- Yeah.- The wow factor's missing here. So far.- It doesn't grab.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10But I've bought properties previously and changed things around,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- depends on budget at the end of the day, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:19But, gut feeling is something that always, I... I'm led by.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20And your gut is saying?
0:21:20 > 0:21:25- My gut is saying, maybe not as nice as the first one.- Right, OK.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Perhaps the property's business attributes will help lift the mood.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33The whole of the upstairs is let out to holiday guests, there are two
0:21:33 > 0:21:37large bedrooms with a contemporary feel, along with a bathroom.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Because of this arrangement, the current owners use the downstairs
0:21:40 > 0:21:45as their space, which includes their kitchen and their bedroom.
0:21:45 > 0:21:52- OK. It's very square.- Yes. Square and perhaps a bit modern for you.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- And dark.- And a bit... Low ceiling.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57It's nice that you've got all that window with all the light
0:21:57 > 0:21:59coming through, isn't it?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- Yeah, nice view out to the fields.- Yes, it is.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- Your eyes are looking outside longingly.- Yes.- I like the outside.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Let's go back outside, then.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Even though Fran says she can see past the decor of a property,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16I feel the contemporary feel of the interior is not her style.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19To the side of the main house there is a separate cottage which
0:22:19 > 0:22:22was converted from a garage into a self-catering gite,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25with its own kitchenette and shower room.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The garden is landscaped with shrubs and mature trees,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32and the total land amounts to three and a half acres.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35As well as the ornamental pond to the side of the mill, there is
0:22:35 > 0:22:38also a peaceful stream which runs through the garden.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41And there is another even more eye catching water feature for Fran
0:22:41 > 0:22:43to soak up.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46This, I think, is a real selling point. This is a fabulous pool.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49It is lovely, it is nice. Beautiful.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- A real winner for the guests. - It's a lovely pool.- Yeah.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Nice with the lavender around the edge.- Pool plus lavender.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Yeah, I can see why this sells it for holiday-makers.- Yeah.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- Yes, it's lovely.- What do you think the price is?
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Oh, now, there you go. Um...
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- Maybe... I don't know. Let's go for 300.- OK. What about you?
0:23:09 > 0:23:11I'll go for 295.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15- Well, it's actually 330, so a bit above what you guessed.- Yes.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16- Hoping or guessing.- Yeah.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Bearing in mind it obviously needs a little bit of money spent.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Probably quite a bit of money spending on it.- Yes.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24It doesn't need that much structurally spent on it.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- I mean, it's really just sort of cosmetic inside.- Cosmetically, yes.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Why don't you go in and explore a little bit more,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33look upstairs, and I'll meet you by a lavender bush, probably.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- OK, all right, see you later. - See you in the blooms.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Well under budget by £70,000,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44the price of this restored 16th century water mill leaves
0:23:44 > 0:23:48cash in Fran's pocket to remodel the contemporary interior.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51There are two letting bedrooms in the main house,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54and a separate self-catering studio to the side.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57If she decides to take on the up and running gite,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Fran will need to register the business
0:23:59 > 0:24:03and any profits will be subject to French income tax.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07This house is beautiful from the outside.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10An absolutely amazing place for outdoor living.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13And look, what's not to like about these wonderful grounds?
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Lovely swimming pool. However, inside was a big disappointment.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23Didn't feel that it had any features remaining and really left me
0:24:23 > 0:24:24feeling somewhat disappointed.
0:24:24 > 0:24:31I cannot see Fran immediately feeling that this is the one.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34It's not going to work for her.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- Hello, ladies.- Hello.- Are we done? - Yes, thank you.- Completed that tour.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Yes, thank you. I think we've seen everything.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43So, that's all the properties that we're going to see today
0:24:43 > 0:24:46but I've got a little surprise.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50You've come all this way, so we're not going to put you up in a hotel.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53We're going to put you up in your own home.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- Are you joking?- Absolutely not.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- What?! When?!- Now. Follow me.- Really, oh!
0:25:00 > 0:25:02The villa we've found is within striking
0:25:02 > 0:25:05distance of the magnificent gorges of Avignon.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08A series of tall limestone cliffs rising up from the river
0:25:08 > 0:25:09valley below.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I hope I'm going to get a big tip for this.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19- Your bags are heavy.- A ginormous tip!- Look at that view!- Goodness me!
0:25:19 > 0:25:20Look at this.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- That's beautiful.- And this is your home for the next few days.- Wow!
0:25:26 > 0:25:31- You are absolutely amazing. - Oh, thanks.- Thank you so much.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- It's a lovely surprise. - We'll be living the dream.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Well, we will be leaving you here on your own,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- are you going to be all right? - Yes, oh, absolutely.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Have a look inside and make yourself at home,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42we've left some food in the fridge.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46- Have you?!- And I'll come and get you in the morning.- Brilliant.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Thank you.- Bonne nuit.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51As the sisters settle into the villa, with one strong contender
0:25:51 > 0:25:55in the bag, Fran is one step closer to realising her French dream.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04It's perfect weather for the second day of property shopping,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08in Midi-Pyrenees, with Fran's £400,000 budget.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11And at their rented villa, the sisters are up early.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15- I've just brought a little French treat for us.- Oh, lovely.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19- This is how it's going to be. Croissants all the way.- It is.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- Imagine waking up to this every morning.- I know.- Gosh.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- Come and get your feet in the water. - Is it cold?- No, it's beautiful.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31God, you couldn't do without a pool in these temperatures, could you?
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- I'm quite excited after yesterday. - Yeah.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38Well, I mean, yesterday you thought you might have seen the one
0:26:38 > 0:26:42- but you just never know. There might be the next one.- I know.
0:26:43 > 0:26:48- You know, I'm full of hope. - It's so exciting.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Day two in the Midi-Pyrenees. I think yesterday was a success.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Both ladies, Fran and Lou, seemed to love the first house.
0:26:54 > 0:26:55Not so keen on the second one.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59But it was interesting to me that Lou, particularly, seemed to be
0:26:59 > 0:27:02very concerned about how Fran would survive here in France all on her own.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04So it's going to be interesting
0:27:04 > 0:27:08to see how they managed up here overlooking the gorge of Aveyron last night.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18- Bonjour madame.- Bonjour.- How was it up here on your own?
0:27:18 > 0:27:23How was it? What, sitting looking up at the stars with a glass of wine? It was hell.
0:27:23 > 0:27:29- Absolute hell.- Are you ready for a bit more house shopping? - Absolutely, yes.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32I've come to drag you away from the pool, I'm really sorry, but it must be done.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- OK.- We'll be back.- You will be back.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44For our next house offering we're heading to the village of Caylus,
0:27:44 > 0:27:46to the south east of Cahors.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Set in a lush valley, Caylus is
0:27:48 > 0:27:50characterised by pretty stone houses
0:27:50 > 0:27:54with classic pastel blue wooden shutters.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Notable buildings include the House Of Wolves,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58dating to the 14th century.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00So-called due to the wolf-like gargoyles
0:28:00 > 0:28:03protruding from its upper floors.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06The next property is situated off the beaten track,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09around a 10-minute drive from Caylus, in a hamlet called La Salle,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12which has its own boulangerie,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14so Fran could walk to get her morning baguette.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17In terms of style, the house should appeal to Fran as
0:28:17 > 0:28:20it's a vintage, French pigeonnier or dovecote.
0:28:20 > 0:28:28- Ah pigeonnier.- Gosh, look at this. - Well done, yes. A pigeonnier, indeed.- How did you know that?
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Because I've always liked the look of pigeonnier.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Well, there you go. Actually, this is the youngest of all the properties.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36- This only dates back to the 1830s.- Right.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38The part at the front was the original farmhouse
0:28:38 > 0:28:42and then behind there's an enormous barn that was converted.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45And that lovely veranda... we were just saying, weren't we?
0:28:45 > 0:28:48We love this French veranda sort of outdoor space.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49This is a slightly complicated property
0:28:49 > 0:28:52because it is really in two parts.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56The current owner has sort of made it into a separate gite.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59This bit at the front can be rented out as a gite, with three bedrooms,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02and then at the back is where they live.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- So we are going to start at the back.- Right, lovely.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I'm not sure how Fran will feel about giving up
0:29:07 > 0:29:11the characterful farmhouse with its dovecote for her guests.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14But the adjoining stone barn at the back has been tastefully
0:29:14 > 0:29:17redesigned, retaining many of the original features.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- Ta-da!- Wow.
0:29:21 > 0:29:26- Gosh. It goes on forever.- It does. - Doesn't it?
0:29:26 > 0:29:31- Very, very nice. Really very unusual.- You've hit the brief with rustic character.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- Definitely.- Come and look at the kitchen.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39This property is a feast of original features.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- We have got these lovely whitewashed beams.- Quirky.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- Very atmospheric as well.- I love quirky.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49And I have always aspired to a butcher's block as a centre island.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51- Except they are not leaving it there.- Oh, I know.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- I'll have to get another one. - You will.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55Do you get a feeling about this place?
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Yeah, it's absolutely amazing. There's so much character.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- Well, there's lots more to see. - Lead on.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04After the open plan living room and kitchen,
0:30:04 > 0:30:09the barn also has a cosy nook dining room, and a large games room.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12There is also a downstairs bedroom currently being
0:30:12 > 0:30:16used as a children's playroom and an en-suite wet room,
0:30:16 > 0:30:20which leads on to a summer room overlooking the front courtyard.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Upstairs the barn has two further bedrooms
0:30:22 > 0:30:25accessed via a staircase in the children's playroom.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28And both with ensuite bathrooms.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Plus there's an office space above the snooker room,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33accessed by its own separate staircase.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35But this could make another bedroom.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38So potentially four bedrooms in total in the barn.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Plenty of room for Fran's grown-up children and Lou
0:30:41 > 0:30:43when she comes to stay.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45As for the holiday guest accommodation,
0:30:45 > 0:30:47we're heading into the main farmhouse.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49So this was actually the kitchen.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53You can see the old, sort of like, stone basin.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55And then they converted this into the sitting room
0:30:55 > 0:30:57so this is now the sitting room of the gite.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Upstairs you've got three beautiful bedrooms,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- one of them has this amazing ensuite in the pigeonnier. - All right.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08And through here you've got the big kitchen for your visiting guests.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- Too good for guests this, isn't it? - I'm thinking exactly the same.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14- Fran will want to live in every room I think, won't you?- I will.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16Well, it's interesting,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19because the owners actually vacate the property in the summer.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23They vacate it for two months and they rent it for 2,000 Euros,
0:31:23 > 0:31:27- so that's about £1,600 per week. - The whole property?- Yep. - Really? Gosh.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31So they just make all their money during the summer.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- I could nip back to Yorkshire. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Or enjoy peace and tranquillity here.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Lots of decisions to make with this vast property,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43including which half to take as her own.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46To help Fran decide, we're going back into the barn to
0:31:46 > 0:31:50one of the upstairs bedrooms which could be her master.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52I mean, you can take your pick, really,
0:31:52 > 0:31:57- but this is a very pretty one. - Isn't it?- Amazing beams.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01The crystal chandelier. It is amazing.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Think it is best, actually, in this instance, that you have an explore
0:32:04 > 0:32:07round the house because there are so many bits you haven't seen.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- Then I'll meet you at the P-O-O-L. - Just given it away.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Oh, look. There's a nice view of the garden from here.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- Opening out into the garden.- Look what I can see.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Oh, and here we have...
0:32:28 > 0:32:31It is like a little Romeo and Juliet balcony, isn't it?
0:32:31 > 0:32:34This is the bit I have been looking forward to from when we arrived.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36- I know.- The balcony scene.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- Imagine sitting here with your rose. - Where's Romeo?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Oh, well, we'll have to find him later.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Outside, the garden extends to the rear of the property
0:32:45 > 0:32:49and is largely lawn, but there is also a private seating area.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52And of course, the all-important swimming pool,
0:32:52 > 0:32:57which is solar power heated. But how much will all of this cost?
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- It is a toughie, this one, isn't it?- Very, very tough.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05- Let's plump for 410. - I'm going to go wild and say 425.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10- Oh, that is very daring. - Probably too wild.- That is her idea of going wild.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13I've been wrong with everything else so I may as well
0:33:13 > 0:33:17- sort of keep to a theme, there. - Well, you are both wrong.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22- It is actually on the market at 412,500 Euros.- Really? That is three to me.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25- I nearly said 415.- Did you?- Yeah.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Well, I think that is a hell of a lot of property for that sort of money.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32Yes.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Slightly over budget by £12,500, this 19th-century
0:33:35 > 0:33:41farmhouse with a dovecote is a vast property, offering Fran
0:33:41 > 0:33:44massive income potential as a holiday guest home.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46The main farmhouse contains three guest bedrooms,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50and the converted stone barn offers for Fran and her visiting family.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56I have never been into a house to view that has so much take my breath away.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Every single angle in it has something incredibly
0:34:01 > 0:34:06interesting, breathtaking, so I'm just... I'm speechless, really.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08My main worry with properties of this sort of age,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10one has to consider and factor in
0:34:10 > 0:34:13the cost of maintaining a property of this size.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16It is oozing with character and charm
0:34:16 > 0:34:20and it has got the potential for running a business from it.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22The possibilities are endless.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26But whether or lot she feels she's up to the job is another matter.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31Well, we got a bit lost. We lost our bearings once or twice.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- Well, let's get our bearings and move away.- OK.- OK.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Of the 200,000 Britons living in France,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43an increasing number are choosing to live in the largest region,
0:34:43 > 0:34:44the Midi-Pyrenees,
0:34:44 > 0:34:49tempted by its sparse population and relatively low house prices.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51To help Fran get a better feel for life here
0:34:51 > 0:34:55we've brought our buyer Lou to meet a couple of expats.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58After moving to the Midi-Pyrenees from Oxfordshire last year,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02retirees Nigel and Cathy completely renovated their property.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Something Fran has said she would consider doing.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Cathy and Nigel, we are going to drill you for information
0:35:08 > 0:35:11because we have seen some properties that might need a bit of work
0:35:11 > 0:35:15and you've done a lot of work. How was it when you moved here?
0:35:15 > 0:35:18It was in sound solid condition, generally.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22But in need of a lot of TLC, rewiring, re-plumbing, that kind of thing.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24- And did you do that while you were living in it?- Yes.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27In retrospect, I don't think we would do that again.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31We would, you know, rent a local gite or something for three to four months.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33We were practically eating dust, weren't we?
0:35:33 > 0:35:35You were quite keen to do a bit of remodelling
0:35:35 > 0:35:38or would just get someone else to do it and move in later?
0:35:38 > 0:35:40I'm quite happy with that sort of minor work
0:35:40 > 0:35:41but I didn't have to live in it.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45I had a team of builders coming in and I project managed. So that's what I'm used to.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49How important is to be able to speak French when you're dealing with all these workmen?
0:35:49 > 0:35:51They will have a few words of English.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54But for the most part it's French, the accent around here is
0:35:54 > 0:35:57pretty strong, they will often speak very quickly.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01Our roofer is an absolutely wonderful man, salt of the earth,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05if I get 30% of what he says it's a good day.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08You need to make good connections to find the right people.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11How did you go about meeting people to make those connections?
0:36:11 > 0:36:15Well, the family who owned the house produced a list of local
0:36:15 > 0:36:17tradesmen and their telephone numbers.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21And our estate agent also has a good network of trades people
0:36:21 > 0:36:23but you just have to work at it.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Well, it's hot and I don't want us to talk technical stuff all day.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- I know you're a fantastic cook.- I like to cook.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Fran's also quite keen on the culinary side,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33so maybe you could look after Fran.
0:36:33 > 0:36:34- I know you've got painting to do. - Yes.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Louise, come with me and we'll wander round the garden.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42As we go our separate ways in the garden, food lover Cathy has
0:36:42 > 0:36:46laid on a selection of local delicacies for Fran to sample
0:36:46 > 0:36:50including Roquefort cheese, sausage salami and rose grapes.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52If I was to get a nice meal together like this
0:36:52 > 0:36:56for friends in the UK, it is going to cost me a pretty penny.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- Oh, yes. - I noticed in the supermarket earlier today there are some
0:36:59 > 0:37:04incredibly cheap bottles of wine on the shelf from about three euros up.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- If you spend five euros you've gone overboard.- Expect to be in heaven.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- Really?- Yes.- Goodness me. How about food?
0:37:10 > 0:37:13It used to be a lot cheaper over here, food.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15But it has caught up with the UK
0:37:15 > 0:37:18so I don't find that food costs cheaper over here. You don't?
0:37:18 > 0:37:21But living expenses are definitely down.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- Would you like me to slice some of the...?- Yes, if you would.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25The sausage.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33One of the things that worries me is the wrench from family in the UK.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35I have children in the UK.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Have you got children in the UK and how do you feel about them
0:37:38 > 0:37:39- being so far away?- We do.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43We have three grown-up sons and five grandchildren.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47And they literally, before we were in the car leaving,
0:37:47 > 0:37:49were booking their dates to visit.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- So, yes.- You probably see them more often now, I would think.- We do.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56In terms of her moving away, I mean, it is a big move.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00- I know she's been through a difficult break-up with her partner.- Yes.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04And this is a sort of clean slate but do you worry about her coming
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- here on her own? - Well, of course I am, yes.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09The thought of her not being down the road from me is difficult.
0:38:09 > 0:38:16But the thought of being her here on her own, isolated,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19I mean, I would be quite scared, to be quite honest, if it were me.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20But she is different from me.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22I picked that up a few times, when you said,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25- "Well, I would be terrified here."- I would.- But it seems to me that she
0:38:25 > 0:38:29is moving here for a completely new start, a bit of an adventure.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Is she a bit more kind of adventurous than you?
0:38:31 > 0:38:33No, I'm up for changes. I like changes.
0:38:33 > 0:38:39But the thought of actually doing it on my own is another matter.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Would you be happier if she was in a town or a village?
0:38:42 > 0:38:46I would rather she was with neighbours.
0:38:46 > 0:38:51Somebody, you know, across the field at the least, or across the street.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54She seems, sort of, quite blase about it all.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58So I think we're just different people.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I would not like to be that isolated on my own.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Clearly, Lou still has worries about Fran being lonely.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08But in the perfect evening summer sunshine,
0:39:08 > 0:39:10it's easy to put those concerns to one side.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13And at supper there is a chance for Fran and Lou to quiz Nigel
0:39:13 > 0:39:18and Cathy further about moving to this beautiful part of the country.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- He's lovely. Did he come with you? - No, he adopted us.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24I was wondering about bringing my cat over.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27What's the format for bringing animals over to France?
0:39:27 > 0:39:30The vet will bring the cat a rabies jag
0:39:30 > 0:39:34and you get issued with a pet passport that says that all
0:39:34 > 0:39:36the jags and things are up-to-date.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39And then just before the cat travels, you have to take it back
0:39:39 > 0:39:44to the vet who gives it a once over and says, yes, it's fit to travel.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Is it quite an expensive thing to do?
0:39:46 > 0:39:54- Flying them costs us £700 altogether, to fly them.- Gosh. £700.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57If you bring them over land, there is a service, I think
0:39:57 > 0:40:00he wanted £250 or £300.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Do you think, because you've done the renovation on this property,
0:40:03 > 0:40:07- has that actually helped you to get to know more people?- Yes, it has.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Because we have had to ask around and say,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12"Do you know a good builder and a good electrician and a plumber?"
0:40:12 > 0:40:14and people have been very helpful with their advice.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18So we have got to know quite a lot of people very quickly.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Do they tend to come to new neighbours and knock on your door
0:40:21 > 0:40:26- and say, "Welcome, how can we help? - That's exactly what happened to us, isn't it?- Yes.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Our French neighbours have been great.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30They all come and visit us
0:40:30 > 0:40:35and they bring us eggs and pots of honey and all kinds of things.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Oh, that is very encouraging.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Some excellent advice from Nigel and Cathy.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42But there are a number of other considerations
0:40:42 > 0:40:44when relocating to France.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Particularly if you're hoping to make renovations to
0:40:46 > 0:40:48a property to run holiday lets.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52If you're planning to carry out any DIY, it is
0:40:52 > 0:40:57worth remembering that power tools are more expensive than in the UK.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59And it can be difficult sourcing carpets,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01which are little used in France.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03When deciding to run a gite,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06remember that the tourism industry is seasonal.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Don't expect to let your gite between autumn and spring
0:41:09 > 0:41:14when demand falls away and heating costs make it uneconomical.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18On the plus side, now is a great time to buy in France
0:41:18 > 0:41:21with fixed mortgage rates as little as 3%.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24But when budgeting, bear in mind that you will need to set
0:41:24 > 0:41:29aside around 10% of the purchase price for legal fees and other costs.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35With all this new information to take on board, back
0:41:35 > 0:41:40at their holiday house, Fran and Lou are enjoying an evening aperitif.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44I would be absolutely terrified of the change.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48At the end of the day, it's what's important to you, isn't it? Where you're happiest.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52I don't want to spend the rest of my life or in ten years'
0:41:52 > 0:41:56time thinking, "I wish I'd done that." Yeah, what if? "I didn't even try."
0:41:56 > 0:41:58It's time for new horizons
0:41:58 > 0:42:02and a bit of an adventure before I've got my Zimmer frame out.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04I do worry about that. A little bit.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09You know, are you thinking about this as your forever home
0:42:09 > 0:42:14or for this season, is this somewhere you could grow old?
0:42:14 > 0:42:19God forbid if you do become a bit cronky, you know.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20We're not going to be here.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23At the end of the day, you know, if things
0:42:23 > 0:42:24went pear-shaped, then I come home.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27I tell you what, darling, I'll come and rescue you if you need me to.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Thank you.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39It's the final day of our house search
0:42:39 > 0:42:42here in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France
0:42:42 > 0:42:46and on a budget of £400,000 we are helping Fran from Yorkshire
0:42:46 > 0:42:51build a new life in foreign climes despite some reservations from sister, Lou.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59It's the day of the mystery house here in Midi-Pyrenees,
0:42:59 > 0:43:01and this is going to be an interesting property
0:43:01 > 0:43:04because it is in a town, which I think will placate Lou,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07who has been a bit worried about Fran being all on her own
0:43:07 > 0:43:09out in the middle of the French countryside.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12But it's also going to be interesting for Fran because,
0:43:12 > 0:43:15particularly the property yesterday, which was so big, with lots of gites,
0:43:15 > 0:43:16and certainly lots of potential
0:43:16 > 0:43:21for growth, I think slightly daunted Fran and I think that this
0:43:21 > 0:43:24property which also has a lot of potential, could be
0:43:24 > 0:43:28the testing ground about whether she really wants to engage with
0:43:28 > 0:43:32renovations, and her business.
0:43:34 > 0:43:39For our mystery option we are travelling to Montcuq, around 16 miles from Cahors.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Montcuq is situated in an area known locally as Quercy Blanc,
0:43:42 > 0:43:46a thin strip of countryside south of the Lot river which is
0:43:46 > 0:43:49characterised by limestone hills and pretty valleys.
0:43:49 > 0:43:54Many of the buildings in the town are built from distinctively white Quercy stone.
0:43:54 > 0:43:58Montcuq is on the Pilgrims' Path to Santiago de Compostela,
0:43:58 > 0:44:03and attracts walkers and backpackers making their way across to northern Spain.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06Since Lou is concerned about Fran being on her own,
0:44:06 > 0:44:09our mystery property is literally right bang in the middle
0:44:09 > 0:44:11of the busy shopping centre of Montcuq.
0:44:11 > 0:44:16It comes with a variety of business options, but will Fran buy it?
0:44:16 > 0:44:21- This...- Oh, really? - ..is the mystery house.- Gosh.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25- So you can guess what the mystery is, can you?- It is a shop.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28- It is indeed a shop.- Really? Gosh.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31Unlike some French towns, which sort of close down out of season,
0:44:31 > 0:44:33Montcuq is quite busy throughout the year and, particularly,
0:44:33 > 0:44:36on Sundays it has a wonderful kind of market.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39So this road and many of the roads in the centre here are just full of stalls.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Obviously if this property is a commercial one that can only
0:44:42 > 0:44:44be good with lots of passing traffic, won't it?
0:44:44 > 0:44:51- They do say that the town is crying out for a tea shop.- Oh, really?
0:44:51 > 0:44:55- So you could introduce them to Yorkshire tea.- Fran's tearoom.
0:44:55 > 0:45:01- I can see it now.- Fran's fancies. - Let's look inside.- Yes, let's.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03But first, Fran has to fancy our final offering.
0:45:03 > 0:45:07The shop facade conceals a vast house full of character,
0:45:07 > 0:45:11which at the moment is unfurnished and in need of some updating.
0:45:11 > 0:45:16The shop unit is 40 square metres and arranged over two floors.
0:45:17 > 0:45:23- I'm gobsmacked.- To coin a good old Yorkshire phrase.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25Does it fill you with absolute dread or does it make you excited?
0:45:25 > 0:45:29No, no, it makes me think, "I could do so much with this."
0:45:31 > 0:45:34It's a tremendous space. It is a 19th-century building,
0:45:34 > 0:45:35but originally it was an ironmongers
0:45:35 > 0:45:39so all of these amazing kind of cupboards and display cases...
0:45:39 > 0:45:40I would never have guessed.
0:45:40 > 0:45:45..were full of little bits and bobs and screws and brackets.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47Yep. It's endless possibilities.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51In the past, I've thought of a little quaint sort of tearooms
0:45:51 > 0:45:55but it would be more of an empire than a little corner tea shop.
0:45:55 > 0:46:00- Let's think big. - And big, this property certainly is.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03Because, while Fran is planning her tearoom empire,
0:46:03 > 0:46:07there's another business option which is already up and running.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11The property is also a guesthouse, or chambre d'hotes, with five letting bedrooms,
0:46:11 > 0:46:14arranged off the hallway on the first floor.
0:46:14 > 0:46:19Each has either its own sink or en suite and is popular with backpackers.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21So this is one of the five guest rooms.
0:46:21 > 0:46:26Currently the owner runs it simply for lodging. So she doesn't provide food.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29And it is 25 Euros per person, per night.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32- And, of course, the rooms could be made very sort of chic. - Yes, they could.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34And you could charge a bit more.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37And you could perhaps provide food, because there is a space outside,
0:46:37 > 0:46:40- but you would be sacrificing your space to do that.- Right.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43- A lot to take in, isn't there? - Lots to take in.
0:46:43 > 0:46:47But look at the view out here. I mean, it really is stunning spot.
0:46:48 > 0:46:52So even though you are in the middle of Montcuq, you step out the back.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54Wow, that's an amazing view, isn't it? Lovely.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Well, where you are going to live is also pretty picturesque.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59OK, lead the way.
0:46:59 > 0:47:03With the tearoom business idea brewing in Fran's mind,
0:47:03 > 0:47:05a back staircase takes us down to the ground floor
0:47:05 > 0:47:08and to Fran's own private space.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11And here we have your area.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14- Very nice.- Do you like it?- Double French windows.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16Yes. Proper French windows.
0:47:16 > 0:47:20Actual French windows. I think this is a lovely space.
0:47:20 > 0:47:21This is the sitting room.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24There is a sort of French kitchen there, not massive.
0:47:24 > 0:47:28- And then a bedroom downstairs. - There's a real serenity about it, I think.- Yes.
0:47:28 > 0:47:32- I know it's a lot to take in. - It's the background noise of the water.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34Well actually, this is the lovely thing
0:47:34 > 0:47:38that when you go out the French windows you have your outside space.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42The back of the property spills out onto a pretty walled courtyard
0:47:42 > 0:47:47garden with an outside cooking area, an old well and a private pool.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49I didn't expect a pool.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53And you do have this, sort of, lovely terrace up there.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56It's lovely. It's very private and tranquil. Serene.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58You wouldn't have a lot of time for gardening
0:47:58 > 0:48:02- if you were managing a business like the size of this, would you? - No.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04So this would be more than enough I think.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08- Of course, the thing we don't know is the price.- Oh, gosh.
0:48:08 > 0:48:12- What do you think it is on the market for then, Lou?- I haven't a clue.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15I really haven't. I'll go with 395.
0:48:17 > 0:48:22I would say slightly over 400. Maybe 420.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26OK. So this property is on the market for £375,000.
0:48:26 > 0:48:27Get in there! I won.
0:48:27 > 0:48:31LAUGHTER
0:48:31 > 0:48:37- Oh, goodness.- What a relief. - I am surprised.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41Can you imagine in England what this would cost?
0:48:41 > 0:48:46- Well, rendered speechless yet again.- Tea and scones for thought.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49- Yes.- Why don't you go and explore?
0:48:49 > 0:48:52Because we have whizzed round it and maybe have a wander round
0:48:52 > 0:48:54the shop and see if you can think of any other uses.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56Come on then, let's go.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00Under budget by £25,000, our mystery package offers Fran
0:49:00 > 0:49:04a large commercial unit, an up-and-running five-bedroom B&B,
0:49:04 > 0:49:06and her own private apartment.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08And the central village location means
0:49:08 > 0:49:11she'd have friends and facilities on her doorstep.
0:49:11 > 0:49:15Providing Fran's turnover is less than £65,000 a year,
0:49:15 > 0:49:19she could establish her hospitality business as a micro-enterprise,
0:49:19 > 0:49:22a system in France where self-employed people can
0:49:22 > 0:49:25benefit from simple tax and accounting rules.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28This is the property that would take a lot of research,
0:49:28 > 0:49:31a lot of business planning, to see if the figures stacked up.
0:49:31 > 0:49:33And if you're going to jump into the deep end,
0:49:33 > 0:49:35make sure there is enough water in the pool.
0:49:35 > 0:49:36Do you know what I think?
0:49:36 > 0:49:42Hotel entrance, boutique hotel, Basil behind the reception desk,
0:49:42 > 0:49:43all the rooms up the stairs.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46You could make it an amazing chambre d'hotes as well, couldn't you?
0:49:46 > 0:49:48You could. Or a tea room.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51Being walking distance to lovely restaurants
0:49:51 > 0:49:54and pavement cafes is something that makes me
0:49:54 > 0:49:58feel quite comfortable in a way, although I also like the idea
0:49:58 > 0:50:01of being slightly out of the hustle and bustle and with some privacy and
0:50:01 > 0:50:05a private residence offering maybe views and a bit of countryside.
0:50:05 > 0:50:09But no, absolutely, totally thrilled to be in such a lively
0:50:09 > 0:50:13thriving little community and that's what you want
0:50:13 > 0:50:15if you are going to be running a successful business.
0:50:18 > 0:50:22If ever a property needed time to be digested this is it.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25I am exhausted thinking about possibilities.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28So let's leave the shop front for a while, have a think,
0:50:28 > 0:50:29- and let things settle.- OK.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42Blessed with huge rural vistas and endless countryside, it is
0:50:42 > 0:50:45easy to forget that France is also a major industrial player.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48Competing on the global stage in the fields of aviation,
0:50:48 > 0:50:51nuclear power and space technology.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55The city of Toulouse is home to the operational headquarters of CNES,
0:50:55 > 0:50:59the government agency responsible for space-related projects,
0:50:59 > 0:51:02working alongside other agencies like NASA.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05I have come to ground control just outside Toulouse to find
0:51:05 > 0:51:08out about their missions to the final frontier.
0:51:08 > 0:51:12I'm meeting Deputy Manager for Operations, Thierry Levoir.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16Is it true that France is the second biggest investor in space after America?
0:51:16 > 0:51:19In Europe that is true that we are one of the main
0:51:19 > 0:51:22- players along with Germany.- And what sort of money are we talking about?
0:51:22 > 0:51:25- How much? - Between £1 billion-£2 billion.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29But half of this budget is going directly to the European Space Agency
0:51:29 > 0:51:33and the other half is directly for France to set up new programmes.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36Do people in Midi-Pyrenees sort of get the benefit?
0:51:36 > 0:51:43There are about 20,000 people in Midi-Pyrenees working in space-related activities.
0:51:43 > 0:51:48- 20,000? Well. That is quite an impressive payroll.- It is.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51- So can I see what you have been doing here?- Let's start.
0:51:51 > 0:51:52Lead the way.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55One of CNES's key projects is working with America, Russia
0:51:55 > 0:51:59and other European partners on the International Space Station,
0:51:59 > 0:52:03which is currently home to six astronauts.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06From the control room in Toulouse, scientists coordinate
0:52:06 > 0:52:12the flight of a spacecraft called an automated transfer vehicle, or ATV,
0:52:12 > 0:52:17which supplies the astronauts with valuable cargo, making one trip each year.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20The size of a London bus, the ATV is launched from a French
0:52:20 > 0:52:24base in South America, taking ten days to reach the International Space Station,
0:52:24 > 0:52:27where it stays docked for several months.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29This is how I imagined, like, a space centre would be.
0:52:29 > 0:52:31This is like in the movies.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34- It is so exciting. - There it is, the ATV.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36- It is like a cargo ship. - It's a cargo.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39So it 's going to supply the Space Station with food,
0:52:39 > 0:52:42science experiments and other supplies.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45And at the end it will be filled with waste,
0:52:45 > 0:52:47disintegrated into the atmosphere.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50- So it is a one-way trip for the cargo ship?- It is one-way.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53So when it docks that must be quite an exciting moment here
0:52:53 > 0:52:56- because that is like the mission accomplished.- Exactly.
0:52:56 > 0:52:57It is not the end of the mission
0:52:57 > 0:53:02but as it is the main goal of the people here, it is a great moment.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05As well as contributing to the space station,
0:53:05 > 0:53:08the budget is also spent on designing and developing instruments
0:53:08 > 0:53:13in dust-free laboratories, for scientists to use in space.
0:53:13 > 0:53:17French engineers have supplied NASA's robotic rover on Mars
0:53:17 > 0:53:20with a camera that analyses the composition of rocks
0:53:20 > 0:53:23on the red planet, but they have also been involved
0:53:23 > 0:53:27in the record-breaking European Space Agency project, Rosetta,
0:53:27 > 0:53:30which landed a small spacecraft on the surface of a flying
0:53:30 > 0:53:35comet for the first time in history in November 2014.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38I visited during the summer before the successful landing
0:53:38 > 0:53:41and was struck by the scale and ambition of the mission.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45You have got a spacecraft up in space and they are going to try
0:53:45 > 0:53:49- and send a smaller spacecraft to land on a moving comet.- Exactly.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52To try to understand how life arrived on Earth.
0:53:53 > 0:53:58So maybe it was a comet who bring us the life. We don't know.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02Although the comet lander's batteries died a few days after landing,
0:54:02 > 0:54:05it did send back valuable photos and data, and scientists
0:54:05 > 0:54:10here in Toulouse will spend the next few years analysing the results.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Giving the Midi-Pyrenees region another reason to be
0:54:12 > 0:54:14proud of its space heritage.
0:54:22 > 0:54:26Back at their villa, it's almost home time for Fran and Lou.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28I don't like this packing process,
0:54:28 > 0:54:30it's the end of our wonderful time here.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33It has been quite an adventure.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37I tell you what though, I'll be back before you can say Jack knife.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40How about you? Are you coming with me next time?
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Well, I must admit, when we set off I was thinking,
0:54:42 > 0:54:43"I don't really get this.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47"I'm not sure if I want to do it", but you've got me quite, you know...
0:54:47 > 0:54:49- You have got the bug.- Yes.
0:54:49 > 0:54:54- Now at least I can imagine you here, do you know what I mean?- Yes.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56Do you know, it's going to be really weird when I get back home.
0:54:56 > 0:55:00Not having you to talk to me constantly but on the other
0:55:00 > 0:55:06- hand, a little bit of time to reflect would be quite nice.- Yes. Thank you very much.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08LAUGHTER
0:55:08 > 0:55:12And with Lou slowly coming round to the idea of Fran leaving, have
0:55:12 > 0:55:16we found her sister how new home and will it be in the town or country?
0:55:20 > 0:55:23So I have climbed to the top of the gorge to see Fran
0:55:23 > 0:55:25and Louise in their holiday rental home
0:55:25 > 0:55:27and get their feelings about the week,
0:55:27 > 0:55:30because it has been a busy old week here in Midi-Pyrenees
0:55:30 > 0:55:34and I'd be interested to see what has come into focus for the ladies.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41Well, I'm quite interested to know what your final thoughts are.
0:55:41 > 0:55:46It's been a really useful learning curve and you won't be
0:55:46 > 0:55:50- surprised to hear that I feel a revisit coming on very soon.- Good.
0:55:50 > 0:55:55Well, that is good. What do you think has come into focus for you?
0:55:55 > 0:55:58I think location has come into focus in a big way
0:55:58 > 0:56:01and what I could bite off in terms of a business.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04Let's start with location, because obviously the mystery house
0:56:04 > 0:56:06was right smack bang in the middle of a town.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09Did that make you think, "Maybe I don't want to be so remote"?
0:56:09 > 0:56:11On the contrary. I think it probably made me
0:56:11 > 0:56:14feel I wanted to be a little bit removed from the hustle and bustle of a town.
0:56:14 > 0:56:17We sat in a market square yesterday and out of season
0:56:17 > 0:56:19it's fine, you can sit and you can get a place
0:56:19 > 0:56:22but in season you would struggle in your own town to even get
0:56:22 > 0:56:24space in the local cafe,
0:56:24 > 0:56:26so I think I'd like to be a little bit more removed so that
0:56:26 > 0:56:30I could dip in and dip out of that sort of village or town centre.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34And in terms of the project? Because you did want to sort of take on a project
0:56:34 > 0:56:37but I'm wondering whether you now want to scale it down a bit.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40Yes, I think I've probably leaned more towards
0:56:40 > 0:56:43the sort of properties that are almost ready to go.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45If I were in accommodation that I could live in
0:56:45 > 0:56:50and approach a project like at the first property, that was perfect.
0:56:50 > 0:56:52But in terms of having to live in a property
0:56:52 > 0:56:57- whilst I was renovating, it probably wouldn't be ideal.- You say, "perfect".
0:56:57 > 0:57:01Does that mean that you would like to revisit or put an offer in?
0:57:01 > 0:57:02That first property,
0:57:02 > 0:57:06yes, I'm definitely quite keen to have another closer look at.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09Lou, I think one of the reasons you came along was just to
0:57:09 > 0:57:12check that it was safe for Fran to move over here. Are you reassured?
0:57:12 > 0:57:15I think it would be a very good move for her.
0:57:15 > 0:57:20I hope she will really miss us and keep coming back but, no,
0:57:20 > 0:57:23I think it's what she wants.
0:57:23 > 0:57:29And, for goodness' sake, take life by the horns and live it.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31Well, I'm very happy to have shown you two around.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34- It has been great fun and I hope it happens soon.- So do I.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37- Keep us in the loop when you come back next.- Will do.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40Well, I hope it happens for my next holiday!
0:57:40 > 0:57:45LAUGHTER
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Ah, la belle France!
0:57:47 > 0:57:51I have to say, the weather gods have really shone on Fran's little recce
0:57:51 > 0:57:54to this region and I think two things have come into focus.
0:57:54 > 0:57:58One, Louise's mind has been put at rest about her sister's move
0:57:58 > 0:58:02over to France and maybe Fran's ambitions have slightly shrunken.
0:58:02 > 0:58:07Because after all, who wants to be working their socks off in the very restful Midi-Pyrenees?
0:58:07 > 0:58:10And I hope you've inspired maybe to move here or at the very
0:58:10 > 0:58:15least to watch us next time on Escape To The Continent. Au revoir.
0:58:16 > 0:58:20Since our trip, Fran has approached the owner of our first property and
0:58:20 > 0:58:24is going to rent and live there for three months to see if she likes it.
0:58:24 > 0:58:26So we wish her the best of luck
0:58:26 > 0:58:28and hope it becomes a permanent arrangement.