Midi-Pyrenees Escape to the Continent

This 14th-century bridge looks very idyllic in its

setting, but its history has a dark side.

So much so, that the locals call it the Devil's Bridge.

Join us in just a moment to find out those demonic connections

and indeed, which country I am in.

After a tough couple of years, today's buyer is hoping to

make a new start abroad, bringing her sister along for moral support.

Our properties give her endless possibilities...

-Gosh, it goes on forever.

-It does.

..and with a few surprises along the way.

-I'd be living the dream!

-That's beautiful.

Welcome to Escape To The Continent.

Today, I am in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France and this is

the Valentre Bridge that crosses the River Lot in the city of Cahors.

It was built at the beginning of the 1300s

and took a mammoth 70 years to complete

and was such a challenge to the architect, it's said that he

sold his soul to the devil to get it completed.

But at the last minute, he managed to outwit the devil who was so

enraged that he damaged the brickwork in the central tower.

An event that is commemorated in this 19th century addition

at the top, showing a little devil pulling away the stones.

The bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

and it's said that, after Paris,

this is the most photographed bit of architecture in France.

A two-hour direct flight from the UK,

the landlocked region of Midi-Pyrenees is found in

the south-west of France and takes its name from the mountain range

that runs along its southern border with Andorra and Spain.

Covering a massive 17,500 square miles,

it's France's largest region

and the varied landscape is roughly the same size as the Netherlands.

The countryside is dotted with pretty, age-old villages

with white Quercy stone buildings and terracotta rooftops.

At the region's heart is the magnificent city of Toulouse,

known as "the Pink City" due to the colour of the bricks

used in many of its historic buildings, including the basilica.

It's the country's fourth biggest metropolis,

with a multicultural population.

Despite the absence of a coast,

the region is refreshed by a number of stunning rivers,

including the Lot, which carves a sinuous path through

verdant countryside, flanked by beautiful towns such as Cahor,

and the River Aveyron, famous for its steep gorges.

With an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine each year, making it one

of the sunniest regions in France, it's no wonder that many Brits

are choosing to make this stunning part of the country their new home.

How is this reflected in property prices?

Well, the average cost of a detached house in Midi-Pyrenees

is £130,000, which is £140,000 less than the average back home.

But this is a gigantic part of France,

so there are regional differences.

Around the main city of Toulouse in the Haute-Garonne region,

you can pay top dollar - the average there is £180,000.

But if you go further north to the rural Lot region,

then prices start to come down around £100,000.

But it's in the southern department of Ariege that

you get your best bargains here.

There, the average is £80,000.

OK, so what is it that our buyer is looking for in this area?

Let's meet her and find out.

Today's house-hunter seeking a new life abroad is recent divorcee,

Fran, who will be taking along her sister, Lou,

on our property journey through southern France.

Fran has lived in the village of Spofforth, North Yorkshire,

for 18 months, since the split from her husband.

Spofforth is a lovely place to live, it's a really sociable village.

I've been embraced by all the community, very quickly.

Lots going on in the village.

I was quite worried about you moving here,

small village and being accepted...

Well, she hit the ground running. In the first week,

she was talking about this friend and that friend...

I got invited to dinner parties! It was really funny.

She knows more people than I do in my village

and I've been there ten years!

Although she's thrown herself into village life,

even helping to walk the local dogs, sociable Fran likes a challenge,

and moving to France will fulfil a long-held dream.

I love the country, we've spent some time there in the past as children.

The lifestyle is so completely different to the UK,

and I've reached a time in my life where I'm able to do this.

I've recently got divorced, my children have left home and grown-up

and it's a new start.

It's something I've always wanted to do, and do you know what,

life's too short not to give it a go.

BOTH: Cheers!

With a 16-month age gap, Fran and Lou have always been close,

and in terms of property style,

Lou knows exactly what her older sibling is after.

She likes everything a little bit old, a little bit strange,

a little bit quirky. So it would have to be...

-What?

-I thought you were describing my men!

THEY LAUGH

Having renovated her current home,

Fran isn't afraid of a property project.

I think Fran has a really good vision for things.

She knows how to walk into a room and immediately see

how things could maybe be done differently.

That's a skill I don't feel I really have, but, er...

But you can sing. And draw.

Is that it?

LAUGHING: Plus your many other talents!

Thank you.

Keen to embrace new opportunities,

our buyer's also planning to run a holiday-let business in France

in addition to her job as a self-employed cruise travel broker.

Now that I'm in a position where I'm free to actually go and live in the

country, I'd like to buy a property whereby I could create an income.

So the obvious answer is to maybe it look at some gite property.

I can just see myself integrating into that way of life very easily.

You will be away from family, don't forget.

-Well, I know, but not that far. It's only a plane ride.

-I suppose so.

Although Lou is clearly concerned about Fran's relative isolation,

she's convinced her sister will make a go of it.

I've seen her take on many, many projects,

and she just always rises to the challenge

and I just wish her all the best.

Thank you!

Fran doesn't want to be too far from airports with connecting

flights to the UK, such as Toulouse and Bergerac.

So we're concentrating our property search in the area around Cahors,

which is about halfway between the two.

I'm meeting up with Fran and Lou

in Midi-Pyrenees to go over the details of her planned move.

-Bienvenue!

-Merci!

-You know this area, right?

You're both sort of quite well-versed in France?

I know the area quite well, I've been here about...

-Well, this is my fourth trip now.

-And how is your French?

-Errrr...

HE LAUGHS

-It's... It's OK. A bit rusty.

-Will it come back?

-It comes back quite quickly.

-This is a very, very big move for you, Fran.

Yeah. Scary stuff, really.

But it's been a dream for a few years now,

the time wasn't quite right before.

And now all of a sudden here I am, single, nothing to hold me back,

kids have left home. You know, I feel like perhaps now is MY time.

So, Lou, you obviously know Fran very well.

What are your concerns about her moving here?

I mean, uppermost in my mind I would think, loneliness.

That is a big... That is a thought, Fran. Does that worry you?

I'd be stupid to say, "Absolutely not, I'm totally confident."

It's always a little bit of a niggle at the back of your mind.

And what sort of property are you looking for?

I mean, what's the sort of spec of the house?

Three bedrooms would be ideal for my accommodation.

Obviously, I've got two boys who hopefully will be visiting

on a regular basis, so a little bit of space would be nice.

I love the outdoors so I would like little bit of outdoor space.

Swimming pool is a bit of a must if I'm going to be inland...

-Swimming pool, yeah.

-..with this sort of climate.

-Lots of those around here.

Is got to be full of character, nothing modern or contemporary,

it's got to be really old French, farmhouse feel.

And you mentioned a gite?

Are you looking for a single gite or one that's up and running,

or are you going to develop something?

Well, if I'm going to be single-handed there,

-I think maybe one or two.

-Would you also convert a building?

Absolutely, yes.

And what about location, are you're looking to be out

in the countryside, or more in a village or in a town?

It would be lovely to be on the edge of a village, so you've got

-the best of both worlds.

-That old chestnut. Edge of the village.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Remind me again of how much your budget is.

£400,000.

Well, we've got lovely properties lined up,

and no time like the present, as they...don't say in France.

-Yeah, fantastic, exciting!

-Follow me.

With a budget of £400,000, Fran would like a character property

with an old French farmhouse feel, but a light interior.

She'd like somewhere with space to run a number of self-catering

holiday rooms or gites and at least three of

her own bedrooms for her visiting grown-up sons.

She'd like enough outside space to accommodate a swimming pool

and is after an edge-of-village or rural location.

We've lined up four delightfully characterful French properties

with holiday business potential for Fran and Lou to visit

over the next couple of days.

But I won't be revealing the price tag until the end of each tour.

Our mystery house shows Fran that there's more than one way

to bring in the money.

Our first property is found in the countryside surrounding

the village of Lauzerte in the north of the region.

A bastide, or fortified commune,

Lauzerte was founded in the 12th century by the Count of Toulouse.

But it was later occupied by the English during the Hundred Years' War.

Perched on a hill, it's typical of many of the bastides in this region

with strengthened perimeters and streets laid out in a grid pattern.

Lauzerte is blessed with a multitude of fine medieval houses,

a vibrant market square lined with busy cafes and rightly deserves

its official accolade as one of the country's most beautiful villages.

House number one is a ten-minute drive from Lauzerte,

set in a remote location and nestled within a beautiful valley.

A voila! House number one.

Oh, it's pretty.

-Oh, wow.

-Isn't it lovely?

-I think this is a great property.

-Fabulous, yes.

It's quirky, it goes back to 1600.

Really?

Is an old mill, see, the millstream would have flowed underneath

-that bridge there through the property.

-Gosh.

-Oh, yes.

Because the stream has been diverted over there.

Although you do have neighbours, they're sort of scattered up on the hills around you.

-It's panoramic views, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's lovely. Really, really nice.

-Is this what you were dreaming of?

-Wow.

-I could say so.

-I like the roof.

-Yes.

-It's the detail.

-Shall we look inside?

-Yes! Lead the way!

-Thank you.

Build from a distinctive local limestone called Quercy stone

named after the surrounding area,

our first house was completely renovated around ten years ago

and I think he really reflects the character Fran is after.

Step in and adjust your eyes a little bit because it's so...

-Oh, yes. Oh, what a lovely room.

-..bright outside.

-Look at that fireplace.

-Oh, a wood burner.

Yes. Oh, it's a lovely room.

The owner's done that, I mean, it was just earth floor when he moved in,

so he's actually put in a sort of straw and concrete base and then

-these tiles on top.

-Um-hm.

-All these are sort of pine beams

from the original mill.

Very nice, yes, I like it.

In terms of interior feel and design, yeah, you've hit the nail on the head.

Looking good with this one, so far.

-Let's look in the kitchen and see if you like that, too.

-OK.

-This is also very nice.

-Oh, this is lovely!

-Exceptionally large French kitchen.

-Isn't it beautiful.

-Yes.

Fantastic, I love it. I love it, it's beautiful.

This'd be cosy in the winter.

-Did you see the fireplace?

-Yeah.

-I'm a big fireplace fan.

This is the south-east end of the house,

this gets all the morning sun.

It's lovely and bright in here. Yeah.

Look at that lovely through flow of the space and everything.

-That really works well, doesn't it.

-Yes.

-How're you going to top this?

-Well, the bedrooms are pretty nice.

-Are they?

THEY LAUGH

I couldn't have asked for a better start to our tour.

Both Fran and Lou seem completely charmed by

the old mill's character and layout.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms in total, which are all a good size

and what's more, each of the bedrooms is en-suite, offering

private guest accommodation when Franz's sons come to stay,

as well as Lou, of course.

Well, what can I say, it's beautiful.

And a duck-egg blue.

-Your favourite colour.

-I know! Sold!

-Yeah.

-We did our research.

-You did.

It's beautiful, really lovely. It's a gorgeous room.

-Huge size.

-Yes, it is, massive.

-Lovely atmosphere.

-And look here.

-The lovely view over the orchard up the valley.

-Yeah.

-Imagine waking up to this every morning. Beautiful.

-Lovely, isn't it?

You could just supplement your income by using this as

-an en-suite B and B, even, couldn't you?

-Yeah.

It wasn't the original plan, but definitely gives you more options.

Fran's original business plan involved running a separate gite,

or holiday home, from her property.

So, in addition to the B and B options inside the main house,

outside, just across from the entrance,

is a old stone barn that could be converted into letting accommodation

subject to local planning permission.

In terms of outside space, there's two-and-a-half acres of land

on offer, which wraps itself around the house

providing panoramic views of the surrounding orchards and valley.

It includes a field, ploughed by arrangement with the local farmer

and the garden itself, which is mainly lawn.

There's also a pretty courtyard in which to enjoy an aperitif or two.

So you come to the edge of your property and turn back and see

a lot of potential. You've got your job big field behind,

-you'll notice there's a swimming pool?

-That hadn't escaped my attention!

Very keen-eyed!

-Absolutely a must in this climate, isn't it?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Yes.

-It's a raised one, but you could sink it into the ground.

-Could you?

-Yeah. But you'd have to pay for it, obviously.

-Yes.

I think that would be my preference.

-I could do with a plunge in there now.

-Yes, I'd have said can I have a quick dip now!

And here you can see a bit more clearly the layout of the...

-So you've got... This is obviously the prime gite candidate.

-Yes.

But you also have this big garage.

Now, this is a great big workshop, he uses it as a workshop.

-Is it? Right.

-And what do you think it costs?

I would say, a stab in the dark at 380.

I would come a little bit higher, maybe 415.

Well, zut alors!

The actual price of this property is just under...

£354,000.

-Really?!

-No way!

-Yes, way!

Ooh-la-la!

That leaves a lot of scope for spending, doesn't it, on the property?

-Yes.

-It does indeed.

-Oh, you have surprised us there.

I can't believe that.

-That's the joy of shopping in France.

-France, yes. Indeed.

That's amazing.

-So you have an explore inside and all see you out the front.

-OK.

£46,000 under budget, our first house is a converted 400-year-old

water mill and gives Fran the age and character she was after.

It comes with a large living and entertaining space, a big kitchen,

three bedrooms all en-suite, offering ideal guest accommodation.

But there's also a separate barn, which could make an excellent gite.

When we arrived, I wasn't absolutely blown away with it.

But as we've walked through it and just seen the general flow,

it's very much something I could imagine Fran living in.

Ooh, look at this, Lou!

Wow, look at the view. Beautiful room.

Crikey, have you seen the size of this en-suite?

So would you book into this room or the other room?

I'd book into all of them, quite frankly!

Which one would you choose, if you were going to live here?

-The most expensive for you, darling.

-Right, yes.

You can't fault it. The finish is fabulous.

Exterior, it's not until you actually look through the whole circumference

of the property and you appreciate just exactly how much there is.

Fantastic potential.

The only reservation I would have would be that it's quite

an isolated area for a single lady to be living in on her own.

It's fine when business is up and running

and she's got plenty of people around,

but maybe in the long winter months she might possibly get a bit lonely.

-Hello, ladies.

-Hello.

-Would you like to try a grape?

-Oh, I say.

-Pre-fermentation. Thank you.

-Thank you.

-That's nice, isn't it?

-Having your own grapevine.

-Mm.

I'm going to have to tear you away

-because we've got another house to visit. Follow me.

-OK.

Since Fran is moving to France alone,

I want her to met another Brit who's made the leap solo.

Expat Leslie relocated from the UK to France with her children

and for many years lived here as a single parent.

So, Leslie, how long have you been in France?

-It's been eight years for me, now.

-Really? Quite some time, then.

Long enough for me to get deeply rooted, I think.

It's difficult for me to possibly think about going home.

I don't want to be anywhere else, really.

So, how difficult has it been as a single person to integrate

yourself into the community?

I don't think it's any more difficult than it would be if

you are in the UK.

If your language is good enough, if there's no language barrier.

-How was your French when you came here?

-I had enough to get me by.

But it's not the same as conversational French

in a cafe or a bar.

And that's actually what you need.

But to get that, you need to mix.

You need to go out, you need to mix with French people.

I've brought my sister, Lou, with me on this trip here, Leslie,

as moral support. She's particularly worried about me coming on my own.

You can cope perfectly well on your own in the UK,

you can cope perfectly well by yourself out here.

There's no reason why not.

-It wasn't a problem. It never has been.

-Thank you.

Merci.

Anyway, I'm hoping that you'll introduce me

to your new partner's brother when I come out here.

I'd love to, but he's only got a sister.

Although she can't help with matchmaking,

Leslie's advice has made Fran even more committed to moving to France.

Although sister Lou may still need some convincing.

For our next house offering, we're heading to the village of Le Boulve,

just under 20 miles to the west of Cahors.

The river Lot is a short drive away.

Meandering its way through steep limestone cliffs,

the Lot shares many similarities with it's close relative, the Dordogne

And has given rise to a number of pretty medieval

villages along its banks, including Puy-l'Eveque,

which prospered thanks to the local wine trade.

Our next house is found on the edge of the smaller village of Le Boulve.

Surrounded by views of the Lot valley.

The water running up to it is a clue to its former life.

-Take a look at house number two.

-Oh, look! Water.

-More water.

-I love it.

-It's picture book.

-Isn't it just charming?

-Yes, it is.

-It is a sort of mill, but this one a wet one.

-Right.

But it's not a functioning mill obviously.

This is a decorative lake, there's another one on the other

side matching it, it doesn't actually flow under your property.

It's really just a sort of hint at the history.

It's absolutely peaceful and idyllic, isn't it?

You see upstairs

-that balcony with the lovely green sort of Y shaped beams?

-Yes.

-This is an up and running gite and B&B.

-Is it?

-So, you could move straight in here and start earning money.

-Fabulous.

It would be lovely to arrive here and see that you were

-staying in that little balcony thing there, wouldn't it?

-Yeah.

-Shall we look inside?

-Yes, let's.

The mill house dates back around 600 years,

but it was fully renovated in 2006 by the current owners,

who earn around £8,000 a year from the self-contained gite

accommodation, which we'll explore later.

I say bring you indoors, but actually, in France,

outdoors in the new indoors.

Because I wanted to actually bring your attention to this room.

-Outdoor living, love it.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

I'm just wondering, during the winter, you don't

have this area at your disposal.

-What happens then?

-Then you go inside.

-Right.

So, coming in from the outside room into the inside room, it's a

sort of cooler, darker space but also big and long.

This is a more contemporary style than the other one,

so the floors are sort of laminate throughout.

But that might

be something that you could change if you loved the location and the...

-Yeah.

-The wow factor's missing here. So far.

-It doesn't grab.

But I've bought properties previously and changed things around,

-depends on budget at the end of the day, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

But, gut feeling is something that always, I... I'm led by.

And your gut is saying?

-My gut is saying, maybe not as nice as the first one.

-Right, OK.

Perhaps the property's business attributes will help lift the mood.

The whole of the upstairs is let out to holiday guests, there are two

large bedrooms with a contemporary feel, along with a bathroom.

Because of this arrangement, the current owners use the downstairs

as their space, which includes their kitchen and their bedroom.

-OK. It's very square.

-Yes. Square and perhaps a bit modern for you.

-And dark.

-And a bit... Low ceiling.

It's nice that you've got all that window with all the light

coming through, isn't it?

-Yeah, nice view out to the fields.

-Yes, it is.

-Your eyes are looking outside longingly.

-Yes.

-I like the outside.

Let's go back outside, then.

Even though Fran says she can see past the decor of a property,

I feel the contemporary feel of the interior is not her style.

To the side of the main house there is a separate cottage which

was converted from a garage into a self-catering gite,

with its own kitchenette and shower room.

The garden is landscaped with shrubs and mature trees,

and the total land amounts to three and a half acres.

As well as the ornamental pond to the side of the mill, there is

also a peaceful stream which runs through the garden.

And there is another even more eye catching water feature for Fran

to soak up.

This, I think, is a real selling point. This is a fabulous pool.

It is lovely, it is nice. Beautiful.

-A real winner for the guests.

-It's a lovely pool.

-Yeah.

-Nice with the lavender around the edge.

-Pool plus lavender.

-Yeah, I can see why this sells it for holiday-makers.

-Yeah.

-Yes, it's lovely.

-What do you think the price is?

Oh, now, there you go. Um...

-Maybe... I don't know. Let's go for 300.

-OK. What about you?

I'll go for 295.

-Well, it's actually 330, so a bit above what you guessed.

-Yes.

-Hoping or guessing.

-Yeah.

Bearing in mind it obviously needs a little bit of money spent.

-Probably quite a bit of money spending on it.

-Yes.

It doesn't need that much structurally spent on it.

-I mean, it's really just sort of cosmetic inside.

-Cosmetically, yes.

Why don't you go in and explore a little bit more,

look upstairs, and I'll meet you by a lavender bush, probably.

-OK, all right, see you later.

-See you in the blooms.

Well under budget by £70,000,

the price of this restored 16th century water mill leaves

cash in Fran's pocket to remodel the contemporary interior.

There are two letting bedrooms in the main house,

and a separate self-catering studio to the side.

If she decides to take on the up and running gite,

Fran will need to register the business

and any profits will be subject to French income tax.

This house is beautiful from the outside.

An absolutely amazing place for outdoor living.

And look, what's not to like about these wonderful grounds?

Lovely swimming pool. However, inside was a big disappointment.

Didn't feel that it had any features remaining and really left me

feeling somewhat disappointed.

I cannot see Fran immediately feeling that this is the one.

It's not going to work for her.

-Hello, ladies.

-Hello.

-Are we done?

-Yes, thank you.

-Completed that tour.

Yes, thank you. I think we've seen everything.

So, that's all the properties that we're going to see today

but I've got a little surprise.

You've come all this way, so we're not going to put you up in a hotel.

We're going to put you up in your own home.

-Are you joking?

-Absolutely not.

-What?! When?!

-Now. Follow me.

-Really, oh!

The villa we've found is within striking

distance of the magnificent gorges of Avignon.

A series of tall limestone cliffs rising up from the river

valley below.

I hope I'm going to get a big tip for this.

-Your bags are heavy.

-A ginormous tip!

-Look at that view!

-Goodness me!

Look at this.

-That's beautiful.

-And this is your home for the next few days.

-Wow!

-You are absolutely amazing.

-Oh, thanks.

-Thank you so much.

-It's a lovely surprise.

-We'll be living the dream.

Well, we will be leaving you here on your own,

-are you going to be all right?

-Yes, oh, absolutely.

Have a look inside and make yourself at home,

we've left some food in the fridge.

-Have you?!

-And I'll come and get you in the morning.

-Brilliant.

-Thank you.

-Bonne nuit.

As the sisters settle into the villa, with one strong contender

in the bag, Fran is one step closer to realising her French dream.

It's perfect weather for the second day of property shopping,

in Midi-Pyrenees, with Fran's £400,000 budget.

And at their rented villa, the sisters are up early.

-I've just brought a little French treat for us.

-Oh, lovely.

-This is how it's going to be. Croissants all the way.

-It is.

-Imagine waking up to this every morning.

-I know.

-Gosh.

-Come and get your feet in the water.

-Is it cold?

-No, it's beautiful.

God, you couldn't do without a pool in these temperatures, could you?

-I'm quite excited after yesterday.

-Yeah.

Well, I mean, yesterday you thought you might have seen the one

-but you just never know. There might be the next one.

-I know.

-You know, I'm full of hope.

-It's so exciting.

Day two in the Midi-Pyrenees. I think yesterday was a success.

Both ladies, Fran and Lou, seemed to love the first house.

Not so keen on the second one.

But it was interesting to me that Lou, particularly, seemed to be

very concerned about how Fran would survive here in France all on her own.

So it's going to be interesting

to see how they managed up here overlooking the gorge of Aveyron last night.

-Bonjour madame.

-Bonjour.

-How was it up here on your own?

How was it? What, sitting looking up at the stars with a glass of wine? It was hell.

-Absolute hell.

-Are you ready for a bit more house shopping?

-Absolutely, yes.

I've come to drag you away from the pool, I'm really sorry, but it must be done.

-OK.

-We'll be back.

-You will be back.

For our next house offering we're heading to the village of Caylus,

to the south east of Cahors.

Set in a lush valley, Caylus is

characterised by pretty stone houses

with classic pastel blue wooden shutters.

Notable buildings include the House Of Wolves,

dating to the 14th century.

So-called due to the wolf-like gargoyles

protruding from its upper floors.

The next property is situated off the beaten track,

around a 10-minute drive from Caylus, in a hamlet called La Salle,

which has its own boulangerie,

so Fran could walk to get her morning baguette.

In terms of style, the house should appeal to Fran as

it's a vintage, French pigeonnier or dovecote.

-Ah pigeonnier.

-Gosh, look at this.

-Well done, yes. A pigeonnier, indeed.

-How did you know that?

Because I've always liked the look of pigeonnier.

Well, there you go. Actually, this is the youngest of all the properties.

-This only dates back to the 1830s.

-Right.

The part at the front was the original farmhouse

and then behind there's an enormous barn that was converted.

And that lovely veranda... we were just saying, weren't we?

We love this French veranda sort of outdoor space.

This is a slightly complicated property

because it is really in two parts.

The current owner has sort of made it into a separate gite.

This bit at the front can be rented out as a gite, with three bedrooms,

and then at the back is where they live.

-So we are going to start at the back.

-Right, lovely.

I'm not sure how Fran will feel about giving up

the characterful farmhouse with its dovecote for her guests.

But the adjoining stone barn at the back has been tastefully

redesigned, retaining many of the original features.

-Ta-da!

-Wow.

-Gosh. It goes on forever.

-It does.

-Doesn't it?

-Very, very nice. Really very unusual.

-You've hit the brief with rustic character.

-Definitely.

-Come and look at the kitchen.

This property is a feast of original features.

-We have got these lovely whitewashed beams.

-Quirky.

-Very atmospheric as well.

-I love quirky.

And I have always aspired to a butcher's block as a centre island.

-Except they are not leaving it there.

-Oh, I know.

-I'll have to get another one.

-You will.

Do you get a feeling about this place?

Yeah, it's absolutely amazing. There's so much character.

-Well, there's lots more to see.

-Lead on.

After the open plan living room and kitchen,

the barn also has a cosy nook dining room, and a large games room.

There is also a downstairs bedroom currently being

used as a children's playroom and an en-suite wet room,

which leads on to a summer room overlooking the front courtyard.

Upstairs the barn has two further bedrooms

accessed via a staircase in the children's playroom.

And both with ensuite bathrooms.

Plus there's an office space above the snooker room,

accessed by its own separate staircase.

But this could make another bedroom.

So potentially four bedrooms in total in the barn.

Plenty of room for Fran's grown-up children and Lou

when she comes to stay.

As for the holiday guest accommodation,

we're heading into the main farmhouse.

So this was actually the kitchen.

You can see the old, sort of like, stone basin.

And then they converted this into the sitting room

so this is now the sitting room of the gite.

Upstairs you've got three beautiful bedrooms,

-one of them has this amazing ensuite in the pigeonnier.

-All right.

And through here you've got the big kitchen for your visiting guests.

-Too good for guests this, isn't it?

-I'm thinking exactly the same.

-Fran will want to live in every room I think, won't you?

-I will.

Well, it's interesting,

because the owners actually vacate the property in the summer.

They vacate it for two months and they rent it for 2,000 Euros,

-so that's about £1,600 per week.

-The whole property?

-Yep.

-Really? Gosh.

So they just make all their money during the summer.

-I could nip back to Yorkshire.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Or enjoy peace and tranquillity here.

Lots of decisions to make with this vast property,

including which half to take as her own.

To help Fran decide, we're going back into the barn to

one of the upstairs bedrooms which could be her master.

I mean, you can take your pick, really,

-but this is a very pretty one.

-Isn't it?

-Amazing beams.

The crystal chandelier. It is amazing.

Think it is best, actually, in this instance, that you have an explore

round the house because there are so many bits you haven't seen.

-Then I'll meet you at the P-O-O-L.

-Just given it away.

Oh, look. There's a nice view of the garden from here.

-Opening out into the garden.

-Look what I can see.

Oh, and here we have...

It is like a little Romeo and Juliet balcony, isn't it?

This is the bit I have been looking forward to from when we arrived.

-I know.

-The balcony scene.

-Imagine sitting here with your rose.

-Where's Romeo?

Oh, well, we'll have to find him later.

Outside, the garden extends to the rear of the property

and is largely lawn, but there is also a private seating area.

And of course, the all-important swimming pool,

which is solar power heated. But how much will all of this cost?

-It is a toughie, this one, isn't it?

-Very, very tough.

-Let's plump for 410.

-I'm going to go wild and say 425.

-Oh, that is very daring.

-Probably too wild.

-That is her idea of going wild.

I've been wrong with everything else so I may as well

-sort of keep to a theme, there.

-Well, you are both wrong.

-It is actually on the market at 412,500 Euros.

-Really? That is three to me.

-I nearly said 415.

-Did you?

-Yeah.

Well, I think that is a hell of a lot of property for that sort of money.

Yes.

Slightly over budget by £12,500, this 19th-century

farmhouse with a dovecote is a vast property, offering Fran

massive income potential as a holiday guest home.

The main farmhouse contains three guest bedrooms,

and the converted stone barn offers for Fran and her visiting family.

I have never been into a house to view that has so much take my breath away.

Every single angle in it has something incredibly

interesting, breathtaking, so I'm just... I'm speechless, really.

My main worry with properties of this sort of age,

one has to consider and factor in

the cost of maintaining a property of this size.

It is oozing with character and charm

and it has got the potential for running a business from it.

The possibilities are endless.

But whether or lot she feels she's up to the job is another matter.

Well, we got a bit lost. We lost our bearings once or twice.

-Well, let's get our bearings and move away.

-OK.

-OK.

Of the 200,000 Britons living in France,

an increasing number are choosing to live in the largest region,

the Midi-Pyrenees,

tempted by its sparse population and relatively low house prices.

To help Fran get a better feel for life here

we've brought our buyer Lou to meet a couple of expats.

After moving to the Midi-Pyrenees from Oxfordshire last year,

retirees Nigel and Cathy completely renovated their property.

Something Fran has said she would consider doing.

Cathy and Nigel, we are going to drill you for information

because we have seen some properties that might need a bit of work

and you've done a lot of work. How was it when you moved here?

It was in sound solid condition, generally.

But in need of a lot of TLC, rewiring, re-plumbing, that kind of thing.

-And did you do that while you were living in it?

-Yes.

In retrospect, I don't think we would do that again.

We would, you know, rent a local gite or something for three to four months.

We were practically eating dust, weren't we?

You were quite keen to do a bit of remodelling

or would just get someone else to do it and move in later?

I'm quite happy with that sort of minor work

but I didn't have to live in it.

I had a team of builders coming in and I project managed. So that's what I'm used to.

How important is to be able to speak French when you're dealing with all these workmen?

They will have a few words of English.

But for the most part it's French, the accent around here is

pretty strong, they will often speak very quickly.

Our roofer is an absolutely wonderful man, salt of the earth,

if I get 30% of what he says it's a good day.

You need to make good connections to find the right people.

How did you go about meeting people to make those connections?

Well, the family who owned the house produced a list of local

tradesmen and their telephone numbers.

And our estate agent also has a good network of trades people

but you just have to work at it.

Well, it's hot and I don't want us to talk technical stuff all day.

-I know you're a fantastic cook.

-I like to cook.

Fran's also quite keen on the culinary side,

so maybe you could look after Fran.

-I know you've got painting to do.

-Yes.

Louise, come with me and we'll wander round the garden.

As we go our separate ways in the garden, food lover Cathy has

laid on a selection of local delicacies for Fran to sample

including Roquefort cheese, sausage salami and rose grapes.

If I was to get a nice meal together like this

for friends in the UK, it is going to cost me a pretty penny.

-Oh, yes.

-I noticed in the supermarket earlier today there are some

incredibly cheap bottles of wine on the shelf from about three euros up.

-If you spend five euros you've gone overboard.

-Expect to be in heaven.

-Really?

-Yes.

-Goodness me. How about food?

It used to be a lot cheaper over here, food.

But it has caught up with the UK

so I don't find that food costs cheaper over here. You don't?

But living expenses are definitely down.

-Would you like me to slice some of the...?

-Yes, if you would.

The sausage.

One of the things that worries me is the wrench from family in the UK.

I have children in the UK.

Have you got children in the UK and how do you feel about them

-being so far away?

-We do.

We have three grown-up sons and five grandchildren.

And they literally, before we were in the car leaving,

were booking their dates to visit.

-So, yes.

-You probably see them more often now, I would think.

-We do.

In terms of her moving away, I mean, it is a big move.

-I know she's been through a difficult break-up with her partner.

-Yes.

And this is a sort of clean slate but do you worry about her coming

-here on her own?

-Well, of course I am, yes.

The thought of her not being down the road from me is difficult.

But the thought of being her here on her own, isolated,

I mean, I would be quite scared, to be quite honest, if it were me.

But she is different from me.

I picked that up a few times, when you said,

-"Well, I would be terrified here."

-I would.

-But it seems to me that she

is moving here for a completely new start, a bit of an adventure.

Is she a bit more kind of adventurous than you?

No, I'm up for changes. I like changes.

But the thought of actually doing it on my own is another matter.

Would you be happier if she was in a town or a village?

I would rather she was with neighbours.

Somebody, you know, across the field at the least, or across the street.

She seems, sort of, quite blase about it all.

So I think we're just different people.

I would not like to be that isolated on my own.

Clearly, Lou still has worries about Fran being lonely.

But in the perfect evening summer sunshine,

it's easy to put those concerns to one side.

And at supper there is a chance for Fran and Lou to quiz Nigel

and Cathy further about moving to this beautiful part of the country.

-He's lovely. Did he come with you?

-No, he adopted us.

I was wondering about bringing my cat over.

What's the format for bringing animals over to France?

The vet will bring the cat a rabies jag

and you get issued with a pet passport that says that all

the jags and things are up-to-date.

And then just before the cat travels, you have to take it back

to the vet who gives it a once over and says, yes, it's fit to travel.

Is it quite an expensive thing to do?

-Flying them costs us £700 altogether, to fly them.

-Gosh. £700.

If you bring them over land, there is a service, I think

he wanted £250 or £300.

Do you think, because you've done the renovation on this property,

-has that actually helped you to get to know more people?

-Yes, it has.

Because we have had to ask around and say,

"Do you know a good builder and a good electrician and a plumber?"

and people have been very helpful with their advice.

So we have got to know quite a lot of people very quickly.

Do they tend to come to new neighbours and knock on your door

-and say, "Welcome, how can we help? - That's exactly what happened to us, isn't it?

-Yes.

Our French neighbours have been great.

They all come and visit us

and they bring us eggs and pots of honey and all kinds of things.

Oh, that is very encouraging.

Some excellent advice from Nigel and Cathy.

But there are a number of other considerations

when relocating to France.

Particularly if you're hoping to make renovations to

a property to run holiday lets.

If you're planning to carry out any DIY, it is

worth remembering that power tools are more expensive than in the UK.

And it can be difficult sourcing carpets,

which are little used in France.

When deciding to run a gite,

remember that the tourism industry is seasonal.

Don't expect to let your gite between autumn and spring

when demand falls away and heating costs make it uneconomical.

On the plus side, now is a great time to buy in France

with fixed mortgage rates as little as 3%.

But when budgeting, bear in mind that you will need to set

aside around 10% of the purchase price for legal fees and other costs.

With all this new information to take on board, back

at their holiday house, Fran and Lou are enjoying an evening aperitif.

I would be absolutely terrified of the change.

At the end of the day, it's what's important to you, isn't it? Where you're happiest.

I don't want to spend the rest of my life or in ten years'

time thinking, "I wish I'd done that." Yeah, what if? "I didn't even try."

It's time for new horizons

and a bit of an adventure before I've got my Zimmer frame out.

I do worry about that. A little bit.

You know, are you thinking about this as your forever home

or for this season, is this somewhere you could grow old?

God forbid if you do become a bit cronky, you know.

We're not going to be here.

At the end of the day, you know, if things

went pear-shaped, then I come home.

I tell you what, darling, I'll come and rescue you if you need me to.

Thank you.

It's the final day of our house search

here in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France

and on a budget of £400,000 we are helping Fran from Yorkshire

build a new life in foreign climes despite some reservations from sister, Lou.

It's the day of the mystery house here in Midi-Pyrenees,

and this is going to be an interesting property

because it is in a town, which I think will placate Lou,

who has been a bit worried about Fran being all on her own

out in the middle of the French countryside.

But it's also going to be interesting for Fran because,

particularly the property yesterday, which was so big, with lots of gites,

and certainly lots of potential

for growth, I think slightly daunted Fran and I think that this

property which also has a lot of potential, could be

the testing ground about whether she really wants to engage with

renovations, and her business.

For our mystery option we are travelling to Montcuq, around 16 miles from Cahors.

Montcuq is situated in an area known locally as Quercy Blanc,

a thin strip of countryside south of the Lot river which is

characterised by limestone hills and pretty valleys.

Many of the buildings in the town are built from distinctively white Quercy stone.

Montcuq is on the Pilgrims' Path to Santiago de Compostela,

and attracts walkers and backpackers making their way across to northern Spain.

Since Lou is concerned about Fran being on her own,

our mystery property is literally right bang in the middle

of the busy shopping centre of Montcuq.

It comes with a variety of business options, but will Fran buy it?

-This...

-Oh, really?

-..is the mystery house.

-Gosh.

-So you can guess what the mystery is, can you?

-It is a shop.

-It is indeed a shop.

-Really? Gosh.

Unlike some French towns, which sort of close down out of season,

Montcuq is quite busy throughout the year and, particularly,

on Sundays it has a wonderful kind of market.

So this road and many of the roads in the centre here are just full of stalls.

Obviously if this property is a commercial one that can only

be good with lots of passing traffic, won't it?

-They do say that the town is crying out for a tea shop.

-Oh, really?

-So you could introduce them to Yorkshire tea.

-Fran's tearoom.

-I can see it now.

-Fran's fancies.

-Let's look inside.

-Yes, let's.

But first, Fran has to fancy our final offering.

The shop facade conceals a vast house full of character,

which at the moment is unfurnished and in need of some updating.

The shop unit is 40 square metres and arranged over two floors.

-I'm gobsmacked.

-To coin a good old Yorkshire phrase.

Does it fill you with absolute dread or does it make you excited?

No, no, it makes me think, "I could do so much with this."

It's a tremendous space. It is a 19th-century building,

but originally it was an ironmongers

so all of these amazing kind of cupboards and display cases...

I would never have guessed.

..were full of little bits and bobs and screws and brackets.

Yep. It's endless possibilities.

In the past, I've thought of a little quaint sort of tearooms

but it would be more of an empire than a little corner tea shop.

-Let's think big.

-And big, this property certainly is.

Because, while Fran is planning her tearoom empire,

there's another business option which is already up and running.

The property is also a guesthouse, or chambre d'hotes, with five letting bedrooms,

arranged off the hallway on the first floor.

Each has either its own sink or en suite and is popular with backpackers.

So this is one of the five guest rooms.

Currently the owner runs it simply for lodging. So she doesn't provide food.

And it is 25 Euros per person, per night.

-And, of course, the rooms could be made very sort of chic.

-Yes, they could.

And you could charge a bit more.

And you could perhaps provide food, because there is a space outside,

-but you would be sacrificing your space to do that.

-Right.

-A lot to take in, isn't there?

-Lots to take in.

But look at the view out here. I mean, it really is stunning spot.

So even though you are in the middle of Montcuq, you step out the back.

Wow, that's an amazing view, isn't it? Lovely.

Well, where you are going to live is also pretty picturesque.

OK, lead the way.

With the tearoom business idea brewing in Fran's mind,

a back staircase takes us down to the ground floor

and to Fran's own private space.

And here we have your area.

-Very nice.

-Do you like it?

-Double French windows.

Yes. Proper French windows.

Actual French windows. I think this is a lovely space.

This is the sitting room.

There is a sort of French kitchen there, not massive.

-And then a bedroom downstairs.

-There's a real serenity about it, I think.

-Yes.

-I know it's a lot to take in.

-It's the background noise of the water.

Well actually, this is the lovely thing

that when you go out the French windows you have your outside space.

The back of the property spills out onto a pretty walled courtyard

garden with an outside cooking area, an old well and a private pool.

I didn't expect a pool.

And you do have this, sort of, lovely terrace up there.

It's lovely. It's very private and tranquil. Serene.

You wouldn't have a lot of time for gardening

-if you were managing a business like the size of this, would you?

-No.

So this would be more than enough I think.

-Of course, the thing we don't know is the price.

-Oh, gosh.

-What do you think it is on the market for then, Lou?

-I haven't a clue.

I really haven't. I'll go with 395.

I would say slightly over 400. Maybe 420.

OK. So this property is on the market for £375,000.

Get in there! I won.

LAUGHTER

-Oh, goodness.

-What a relief.

-I am surprised.

Can you imagine in England what this would cost?

-Well, rendered speechless yet again.

-Tea and scones for thought.

-Yes.

-Why don't you go and explore?

Because we have whizzed round it and maybe have a wander round

the shop and see if you can think of any other uses.

Come on then, let's go.

Under budget by £25,000, our mystery package offers Fran

a large commercial unit, an up-and-running five-bedroom B&B,

and her own private apartment.

And the central village location means

she'd have friends and facilities on her doorstep.

Providing Fran's turnover is less than £65,000 a year,

she could establish her hospitality business as a micro-enterprise,

a system in France where self-employed people can

benefit from simple tax and accounting rules.

This is the property that would take a lot of research,

a lot of business planning, to see if the figures stacked up.

And if you're going to jump into the deep end,

make sure there is enough water in the pool.

Do you know what I think?

Hotel entrance, boutique hotel, Basil behind the reception desk,

all the rooms up the stairs.

You could make it an amazing chambre d'hotes as well, couldn't you?

You could. Or a tea room.

Being walking distance to lovely restaurants

and pavement cafes is something that makes me

feel quite comfortable in a way, although I also like the idea

of being slightly out of the hustle and bustle and with some privacy and

a private residence offering maybe views and a bit of countryside.

But no, absolutely, totally thrilled to be in such a lively

thriving little community and that's what you want

if you are going to be running a successful business.

If ever a property needed time to be digested this is it.

I am exhausted thinking about possibilities.

So let's leave the shop front for a while, have a think,

-and let things settle.

-OK.

Blessed with huge rural vistas and endless countryside, it is

easy to forget that France is also a major industrial player.

Competing on the global stage in the fields of aviation,

nuclear power and space technology.

The city of Toulouse is home to the operational headquarters of CNES,

the government agency responsible for space-related projects,

working alongside other agencies like NASA.

I have come to ground control just outside Toulouse to find

out about their missions to the final frontier.

I'm meeting Deputy Manager for Operations, Thierry Levoir.

Is it true that France is the second biggest investor in space after America?

In Europe that is true that we are one of the main

-players along with Germany.

-And what sort of money are we talking about?

-How much?

-Between £1 billion-£2 billion.

But half of this budget is going directly to the European Space Agency

and the other half is directly for France to set up new programmes.

Do people in Midi-Pyrenees sort of get the benefit?

There are about 20,000 people in Midi-Pyrenees working in space-related activities.

-20,000? Well. That is quite an impressive payroll.

-It is.

-So can I see what you have been doing here?

-Let's start.

Lead the way.

One of CNES's key projects is working with America, Russia

and other European partners on the International Space Station,

which is currently home to six astronauts.

From the control room in Toulouse, scientists coordinate

the flight of a spacecraft called an automated transfer vehicle, or ATV,

which supplies the astronauts with valuable cargo, making one trip each year.

The size of a London bus, the ATV is launched from a French

base in South America, taking ten days to reach the International Space Station,

where it stays docked for several months.

This is how I imagined, like, a space centre would be.

This is like in the movies.

-It is so exciting.

-There it is, the ATV.

-It is like a cargo ship.

-It's a cargo.

So it 's going to supply the Space Station with food,

science experiments and other supplies.

And at the end it will be filled with waste,

disintegrated into the atmosphere.

-So it is a one-way trip for the cargo ship?

-It is one-way.

So when it docks that must be quite an exciting moment here

-because that is like the mission accomplished.

-Exactly.

It is not the end of the mission

but as it is the main goal of the people here, it is a great moment.

As well as contributing to the space station,

the budget is also spent on designing and developing instruments

in dust-free laboratories, for scientists to use in space.

French engineers have supplied NASA's robotic rover on Mars

with a camera that analyses the composition of rocks

on the red planet, but they have also been involved

in the record-breaking European Space Agency project, Rosetta,

which landed a small spacecraft on the surface of a flying

comet for the first time in history in November 2014.

I visited during the summer before the successful landing

and was struck by the scale and ambition of the mission.

You have got a spacecraft up in space and they are going to try

-and send a smaller spacecraft to land on a moving comet.

-Exactly.

To try to understand how life arrived on Earth.

So maybe it was a comet who bring us the life. We don't know.

Although the comet lander's batteries died a few days after landing,

it did send back valuable photos and data, and scientists

here in Toulouse will spend the next few years analysing the results.

Giving the Midi-Pyrenees region another reason to be

proud of its space heritage.

Back at their villa, it's almost home time for Fran and Lou.

I don't like this packing process,

it's the end of our wonderful time here.

It has been quite an adventure.

I tell you what though, I'll be back before you can say Jack knife.

How about you? Are you coming with me next time?

Well, I must admit, when we set off I was thinking,

"I don't really get this.

"I'm not sure if I want to do it", but you've got me quite, you know...

-You have got the bug.

-Yes.

-Now at least I can imagine you here, do you know what I mean?

-Yes.

Do you know, it's going to be really weird when I get back home.

Not having you to talk to me constantly but on the other

-hand, a little bit of time to reflect would be quite nice.

-Yes. Thank you very much.

LAUGHTER

And with Lou slowly coming round to the idea of Fran leaving, have

we found her sister how new home and will it be in the town or country?

So I have climbed to the top of the gorge to see Fran

and Louise in their holiday rental home

and get their feelings about the week,

because it has been a busy old week here in Midi-Pyrenees

and I'd be interested to see what has come into focus for the ladies.

Well, I'm quite interested to know what your final thoughts are.

It's been a really useful learning curve and you won't be

-surprised to hear that I feel a revisit coming on very soon.

-Good.

Well, that is good. What do you think has come into focus for you?

I think location has come into focus in a big way

and what I could bite off in terms of a business.

Let's start with location, because obviously the mystery house

was right smack bang in the middle of a town.

Did that make you think, "Maybe I don't want to be so remote"?

On the contrary. I think it probably made me

feel I wanted to be a little bit removed from the hustle and bustle of a town.

We sat in a market square yesterday and out of season

it's fine, you can sit and you can get a place

but in season you would struggle in your own town to even get

space in the local cafe,

so I think I'd like to be a little bit more removed so that

I could dip in and dip out of that sort of village or town centre.

And in terms of the project? Because you did want to sort of take on a project

but I'm wondering whether you now want to scale it down a bit.

Yes, I think I've probably leaned more towards

the sort of properties that are almost ready to go.

If I were in accommodation that I could live in

and approach a project like at the first property, that was perfect.

But in terms of having to live in a property

-whilst I was renovating, it probably wouldn't be ideal.

-You say, "perfect".

Does that mean that you would like to revisit or put an offer in?

That first property,

yes, I'm definitely quite keen to have another closer look at.

Lou, I think one of the reasons you came along was just to

check that it was safe for Fran to move over here. Are you reassured?

I think it would be a very good move for her.

I hope she will really miss us and keep coming back but, no,

I think it's what she wants.

And, for goodness' sake, take life by the horns and live it.

Well, I'm very happy to have shown you two around.

-It has been great fun and I hope it happens soon.

-So do I.

-Keep us in the loop when you come back next.

-Will do.

Well, I hope it happens for my next holiday!

LAUGHTER

Ah, la belle France!

I have to say, the weather gods have really shone on Fran's little recce

to this region and I think two things have come into focus.

One, Louise's mind has been put at rest about her sister's move

over to France and maybe Fran's ambitions have slightly shrunken.

Because after all, who wants to be working their socks off in the very restful Midi-Pyrenees?

And I hope you've inspired maybe to move here or at the very

least to watch us next time on Escape To The Continent. Au revoir.

Since our trip, Fran has approached the owner of our first property and

is going to rent and live there for three months to see if she likes it.

So we wish her the best of luck

and hope it becomes a permanent arrangement.