Poitou-Charentes, Limousin

[sun flower]

Hi Everyone my name is Di, Does anyone know the area of Poitou Charantes, Limousin. Any advise as we are looking for a house there. The countryside looks ideal for our needs.
We are two Brits and have been expats for a few years, and are learning French on our own to start with then we are having a teacher. My only problem is we both speak a little Spanish and Greek and as you know as you get older it can get a bit difficult but i am sure we will get there.
Well nice to hear from any expats out there with some advise, will be glad to reply to you Cheers Di x

[Bevdeforges]

Hi Di! I've moved your post into its own thread so we can try and pick up some replies from folks who know Poitou-Charentes or Limousin.

Learning a language seems to go a bit easier if you've already learned another one, so you should manage to pick up French. However, in my experience, when you first get here, you'll feel like you didn't learn a thing for a while. It's part of the "experience" I guess.

Are you planning on retiring to the area? Or will you be working - either for someone else or for yourselves?
Cheers,
Bev

[frenchie]

Hello there!

I used to live in Charente-Maritime (my parents still do). It is very pretty but depending on how far you are in the countryside, a car is a must! The summers are usually invaded by tourists but you learn how to avoid the "hot spots".
My favorite city is La Rochelle. Very old, pretty yet modernized. You will also find a french teacher more easily. But as you are not far from France, I recommend scouting. Each individual wants something different. Poitou-Charentes is about 2 hours and half on TGV (train) from Paris.

Keep us updated on your search!

[sun flower]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Hi Di! I've moved your post into its own thread so we can try and pick up some replies from folks who know Poitou-Charentes or Limousin.

Learning a language seems to go a bit easier if you've already learned another one, so you should manage to pick up French. However, in my experience, when you first get here, you'll feel like you didn't learn a thing for a while. It's part of the "experience" I guess.

Are you planning on retiring to the area? Or will you be working - either for someone else or for yourselves?
Cheers,
Bev

Cheers everybody, I am retired but my husband is not. When we come over as we have lived in Asia for 6yrs life will be so different in every way including our diet life without chillis will come as a nice change. We both like a quite kind of life and love the countryside. The teachers here are natives of France so that will help a bit i think. Can i ask does anybody know if it is possible to buy Thai nick-nacks and food ,or do we have to bring it with the shipment as i am sure we will have food cravings from time to time ?And as my husband is a chef he would like to do some Asian food in a small way, if an outlet came along in time to come.So now we will look forward to making friends on the Forum Cheers Folks Di

[Bevdeforges]

Some of the big hypermarkets (Carrefour, Auchan, etc.) have an "exotic foods" aisle, but their selection can be fairly limited unless you're in an area where there are lots of recent immigrants. (Our local stores seem to concentrate on Portuguese and Moroccan delicacies. Their selection of "Chinese" is limited to fairly standard items.)

There's always the possibility of making a run (monthly, quarterly, ??) to Paris, where you can shop in the Asian district (near the porte d'Italie). Teng Frères is well known and well stocked with foods and nick-nacks from most Asian countries including many produce items you can't get in most French supermarkets. (Their prices are also very good.) There are a number of smaller stores in the same neighborhood - though lately it seems like they all belong to Teng Frères.
Cheers,
Bev

[sun flower]

Thanks Bev great info, looks like wewill be taking a few trips when we run out.You seem to be well versed in the way of life there, and are well informed as to the shopping. Funny we shop at Carrefores every week as it is only 7k away from our house. We watch everything on TV about France and one of our neighbours is married to a French guy he only spends a few months over here and only speaks a bit of English, and Thai so it will be good to try out a few words in french for some fun at Christmas. Thanks once again Cheers Di

[GALLUS]

For your consideration,

- just know that most Limousin is polluted by natural radioactive gas (emanating from the ground and accumulating in houses) called Radon (leukemia, cancers) although some parts are exempt
- just know that some parts of Limousin, because of presence of Uranium, have been industrially exploited during number of years with little concern on environment. You might end up buying a property with a hidden nuclear waste dump ground in the backyard or in the same village.

11 French departements are heavily polluted by Radon gas.

Do a little search on the web before. And always ask the local population, and green associations. You deserve to know. test kits for Radon are available at a cheap price. Real easte agents will of course minimise or ignore the problem.

Good luck