WELCOME


THOUGHTS PIGEONNIER


FROM THE


3 THINGS I’VE LEARNT


THIS ISSUE P10


Rodez in Aveyron


has been judged the best French town to grow old in


P58 With 512 Blue Flag


beaches, France is one of the top fi ve countries


in the international ‘clean water’ programme


P64 Curistes (patients


attending medically prescribed spas) at Dax in the


Pyrénées-Atlantiques


use 1.2m litres of thermal water per year!


Unless you’re a developer, property is so much more than bricks and mortar – there are precious memories within those walls, and history ingrained in the fl oors, trod by generations of owners. I was reminded of this when reading three of this issue’s articles. On page 28, Candy and Charles delved deep into the past of their château in Béziers and decided to rename it Maison Jullian aſt er the original owner, “to awaken a sleeping history”. They’re now in touch with 10 of his great-grandchildren! Fellow château-owners Fiona and Miles in Lot-et-Garonne (p40) were chosen carefully by the previous owner as she wanted to pass on her home to someone who would love it as much as she had and not just turn it into a hotel. Meanwhile, Susan recounts the story of her vendor only agreeing to sell when Susan’s toddler said she wanted to live there (p146)! Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to someone who has had much experience with old French buildings: Neil Vesma who, aſt er 12 years, has penned his fi nal ‘Architect’s diary’ for FPN. We shall miss his warm, wise and witty words.


We hope to


see you at the French Property Exhibition


EDITOR’S PICK Renovated Provençal mas with Luberon views Our guide to Provence on page 22 set me dreaming of a home in the south of France. And this renovated 19th-century Provençal ‘mas’ (farmhouse) is exactly the sort of property I’d buy if I won the lottery! Off ering stunning views of the Luberon countryside, the fi ve-bedroom home is full of character but with mod cons too (underfl oor heating, central vacuum system and fi bre-optic internet) and is set on a 1.3ha plot. There are outbuildings too, including a double garage and an old barn. The price is €1.7m (homehunts.com).


in London in January – see page 39


FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: January/February 2024 3


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