Why did we buy in France?

People always ask us “so what made you decide to move to France ?” and our answer is “just look at this place!”. In April we purchased a 16th century mill near Cognac, Charente which has four gîtes, 12 acres of land and our own swimming pool. Perhaps somewhat foolishly, we didn’t spend years planning and researching. It was a dream we often toyed with but then after a bad week at work we decided on a last minute trip to France to have a nose around some properties.

Next thing you know, we are driving down a sunlight dappled, poplar lined drive with the millpond glinting at the end and that was our decision made.

The mill was the second property we saw of five. We knew that we wanted to buy an up and running business so that we could move and immediately start making money. We made a shortlist of potentials and got in touch with the relevant agents. Beaux Villages immediately stood out because they managed to get us a viewing at the mill when other agents had said no, and, they didn’t even have it on their books at that point!
So we came, we saw and six months later, we bought. Despite all the horror stories we had heard, the buying process was relatively smooth. Beaux Villages set us up with a great Notaire and mortgage broker and we were lucky to be buying from a fabulous English couple who we grew very fond of. In April we completed and have just enjoyed our first amazing whirlwind of a summer. We are now looking forward to our first winter, which we have been warned will be quiet, but after a summer full of guests we are secretly quite looking forward to it.

If you are house-hunting in the Charente or Charente-Maritime Laura and Rowan would be delighted to welcome you to their gites.