Where in France to buy ?

A difficult question - should you choose somewhere near the UK, easy to access from a British port, or are you going to be attracted by the lure of lying on one of the beautiful sandy beaches in the South ?

The East Coast of France

If you decide to go for the first option there are beautiful beaches all the way down from the Belgian coast to Brittany, all within relatively easy reach by car. Now that you have the choice of taking the Channel tunnel you can avoid the problems caused by bad weather, and prices are competitive whether taking the train, ferry, or tunnel. Once the high speed service from Kings Cross is operational you will have even more choice.

The Pas de Calais has some beautiful spots: Calais itself is perhaps the least attractive, but the coast down to Boulogne sur Mer is lovely and unspoilt. There are some great hotels and restaurants, and cliffs reminiscent of the Downs the other side of the Channel. Two great recommendations for fish restaurants: the first is one of the best fish restaurants in France, La Matelotte in Boulogne sur Mer is not to be missed if you are looking for a gastronomic experience.  Allow about £25 per head without wine, which is amazing value given the quality of the food. If you fancy something more ‘familiale’ then I can recommend the ‘Pecheur d’Etaples in the main square in Boulogne: a simple plate of mussels and glass of wine would mean you could get out at under £15 per head, though you might well be tempted by their excellent and well priced menu. Décor is warm and wonderful, ancient mariners, fishing nets, marine bric a brac festoon the walls, and the child friendly attitude makes this a family day out a la Francaise.

Brittany is known as the French Cornwall, and is wild, beautiful, with small villages dotted along the coast. Great for artists but not perhaps so good if you want to be travelling around – also more difficult to get to some of the more remote parts, especially on the south coast.

Continuing south La Rochelle is a great town with wonderful restaurants, beaches, shops, and places to visit. A little of the beaten track but you can either drive down if you are that way inclined, or fly to Angouleme.

Bordeaux is the next principal town on your way down to Spain, and a change in ambience as you see the splendour of the bourgeoisie built on the profits of the wine trade. Don’t expect to be able to pop in and visit your favourite Premier Cru Chateaux, they are bombarded with tourists turning up at the door asking to taste their wine – be warned, you’ll be met with a frosty reception. If you want to visit any of the chateau here make friends with your friendly local wine merchant, and no – I don’t mean Tesco or Waitrose ! The only way you’ll get into any reputable Chateau is with a letter of introduction and a phone call beforehand to introduce you as someone of great importance !  

Next down the coast you have the glorious stretch of sandy beach going all the way down to the Spanish coast. Dangerous swimming, great surfing, incredible beaches with the dunes behind. Les Landes is the forest area stretching behind the dunes where you find wild boar, deer, armagnac, and some great restaurants. In Bayonne you are already getting near the Spanish/Basque frontier and the little seaside fishing town of St Jean de Luz is well worth a visit. Not that easy to get to, but worth it once you are there. Spain less than one hour away, skiing in the Pyrenees about a 3 hr drive.