France Anyone?

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RichardRider

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Haras du Pin, Normandy, France
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While I am at it(looking for boots,) an English Friend here gave me a thought regarding our property and I thought I would like to try this out on you all...

We have a small farming property in Normandy(20acres.) Over the years I have restored the place, beginning with a small cottage and now a larger home. The cottage is empty as we have moved into the larger home.

My wife had an idea to let it as a vacation rental, which can be scary at times. My English friends said that they would have jumped at the place, had they known, instead of buying a property here straight from Britain, thus giving themselves a gradual adjustment period to France and it's tax and business structures.

Hence, my friend's idea to offer it somehow(maybe with HandH) as a short/long term rental property for horse owners...I have 3 horses here, my wife doesn't ride, and god knows I would love some nice 'horsey' people as neighbors!

If anyone has ideas, agency or persons to contact that handles this sort of thing we would greatly appreciate they're letting us know...

rr
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I think that is a good ides. Many years ago I looked into buying a small farmhouse in the Vendee area, initially as a holiday home, with a view to retiring there. What put me off was the knowledge that I would be a long way away whilst restoration work (actually simply installing the basics of electricity and sewage) was going on. If I had been in a position to move then, and there was a suitable property to let nearby I might have been more enthusiastic.
Don't know of any agencies, sorry, but wish you luck
 
Also, some English people just don't like the French tax laws, etc and find out only too late, after having bought their property...This, sadly is the case of my English Friend. He claims a 'gradual' getting to know the country would have probably suited him better. He has sold his stud and now rents, choosing to do business in the U.K. but continue to live in France...
 
Richard,

Hi, you could try this link. There is a French section. Not exactly what you were asking about but you will probably find someone on there who knows, or knows a man that does! It is that sort of place.

www.britishexpats.com

I think that idea of renting the cottage long term is brilliant, a kind of "Try before you buy" and having someone who knows the ropes close by would be invaluable.

You haven't got the cottage rented out for Christmas!!!!!!!!!?

Good Luck
 
hi Merlot, How's the leg?

Most of you probably ride better than me,....so I'd be delighted!

The idea would be to share some of the work on the 20acres, rent the cottage and have some horse people on the premises...

The big house has a guest room(will have more when finished.) You're already invited!

rr
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Thistle and Goodking...Thanks so much...

It's too bad that the "Haras du Pin," 1km up the path doesn't do more eventing and shows...My English Friends tell me in "Jolly Old" there's something going on every weekend...If this were the case we would try just renting to people showing...

Several English people already that I know here, not all in horses, have bought properties and then decided it was too complicated making a living here(for the time being...I hope things will change with Sarkosy,) and are selling and moving elsewhere...

The other idea was to let the cottage to someone still living and working in the U.K.(Jolly Old,) who would leave his horses with me to take care of and hop on the ferry to Ouistream, just an hour's drive away for holidays and long weekends...

Will check out the expats site now...Keep all the ideas coming...Free wine if ever in our area!! rr
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I am in France next year, delivering the child to her Grandparents for the summer (yay! Hardly Channel hopping, but there you go) will have to look things up to see how far away from Lot you are. Miles I suspect.
 
It sounds like a lovely idea - and I'd say it's a great way of gradually adjusting to the French way of life.

I moved to France in 1997, and luckily for me, my company took care of the legal side of things to ensure I had all the correct papers/taxation etc to live/work there. I worked there for 5 years, and lived there for 4 (I commuted for a year on the Tunnel - til I couldn't cope with it any more, hence the decision to move there), and I truly love the french culture, so I would definitely be up for a visit!

A BIENTOT.....
 
My husband and I were on the point of moving to France last year, but had worries and eventually didn't go. If we had been able to rent somewhere long-term with land, in exchange for helping on the land, we would certainly have been interested in a long-term let. I think there is definately potential is some form or othe for you as we know several people near us who have moved to France to undertake similar things. Unfortunately I have no contacts to give you for advice or info. I'd definately look further into it though.
 
We've often thought of France as an affordable place to move to, as my parents lived in the Loire valley for a while. However I am so bad at languages, much as I love France I dont think I'd ever survive there. But your idea sounds a really good one as you could help tenants adapt to French life before they make the big leap so sounds like a real winner
 
Think yours an excellent idea especially with the horsey side of things for anyone moving from the UK to France who hasn't got a clue about the culture, taxes and where their horse fits into it all.

Could put an advert in the Classifieds of H&H?
 
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