Bonjour! Je m’appelle Lauren. My friend of more than 35 years (Dianne) and I are at last in France. We are both retired and most definitely in the ‘senior’ set (69 and 74 respectively). We decided to join forces and make a new life in this lovely country. Our first two weeks has been an adventure--a mix of excitement, bafflement, and a certain amount of stress. But that’s not unexpected. We did so much prep and research and yet you only find out the little things once you are here.
After a few days in Paris, we journeyed to Caen to pick up a rental car and then drove to Sourdeval. As it turns out, the ‘charming cottage’ let by an absentee owner, fell rather far short of its billing. And we unwisely arrived on a Sunday when of course all the shops are closed. So picture two old ladies, reasonably intelligent but inexperienced in the ways of rural Normandy, trying to maintain a sense of humor in a cold, damp little stone house amidst a wildland stand of forest just outside the village. Lumpy beds, heaters with the dial markings rubbed off from long use, a gas hob with no visible way to turn on the gas flow, and minimal basic household supplies. But we persevered, and settled down to a supper of a bag of pistachio nuts and a shared croissant we brought from Paris.
The next day, while foraging for groceries in the village, we did run into a lovely retired English couple and realized what a thrill it was to have a full conversation with someone. My French is passable for everyday life and Dianne is working on hers. But the ease of talking in our native language was a bit of a relief. They also directed us to a pizza machine. Yes, a large gleaming metal structure in a little parking lot that dispenses hot, (freshly baked within itself) pizzas to order. What a delightfully unexpected anomaly: in an old and venerable village… something right out of “The Jetsons.”
We had to move on though and now we are in the area of Tourneville-Sur-Mer (Lingreville) in a modern cottage with modern amenities and arrived to find little treats from our hostess. Yes, the little symbols on appliances appear to have been devised by a playful cryptographer, but we have comfort, warmth, food, and can just see the English Channel at the end of the road outside the gate. Ah, the walks on the beach!
So far we have already learned important lessons. We have learned that living in a truly rural setting has many challenges as well as rewards and we need to be in a somewhat more populated area, not a city per se, but a good size town where we can enjoy both French culture and language, assimilate into daily French life, and also find connections with English speaking folks, too. We were drawn to Normandie and Bretagne by our researches, and also the affordable housing options as compared to some other parts of France. But we must decide where to travel next to find a medium-term rental where we can feel more settled for a few months. We also need to validate our long stay visas and believe we must have an address that is good for more than a month in order to receive our “cartes de sejour” by mail. I understand the bureaucracy moves at its own “stately” pace.
Suggestions about locations where we might become part of a circle of friends--both French natives and people from other nations. We are kind and friendly ladies who appreciate diversity and new discoveries and greatly value our fellow human beings. Are there some good choices in Bretagne or Normandie, or other nearby regions ilke Pays de La Loire? Suggestions from all you more experienced folk would be VERY welcome indeed. There are many beautiful places to explore, but we definitely haven’t the time or funding to wander too far afield. In the meantime, we are seriously considering a new YouTube channel: “Two Old Broads Abroad.” We already have enough material for a late night comedy hour.
Warm regards, Lauren
After a few days in Paris, we journeyed to Caen to pick up a rental car and then drove to Sourdeval. As it turns out, the ‘charming cottage’ let by an absentee owner, fell rather far short of its billing. And we unwisely arrived on a Sunday when of course all the shops are closed. So picture two old ladies, reasonably intelligent but inexperienced in the ways of rural Normandy, trying to maintain a sense of humor in a cold, damp little stone house amidst a wildland stand of forest just outside the village. Lumpy beds, heaters with the dial markings rubbed off from long use, a gas hob with no visible way to turn on the gas flow, and minimal basic household supplies. But we persevered, and settled down to a supper of a bag of pistachio nuts and a shared croissant we brought from Paris.
The next day, while foraging for groceries in the village, we did run into a lovely retired English couple and realized what a thrill it was to have a full conversation with someone. My French is passable for everyday life and Dianne is working on hers. But the ease of talking in our native language was a bit of a relief. They also directed us to a pizza machine. Yes, a large gleaming metal structure in a little parking lot that dispenses hot, (freshly baked within itself) pizzas to order. What a delightfully unexpected anomaly: in an old and venerable village… something right out of “The Jetsons.”
We had to move on though and now we are in the area of Tourneville-Sur-Mer (Lingreville) in a modern cottage with modern amenities and arrived to find little treats from our hostess. Yes, the little symbols on appliances appear to have been devised by a playful cryptographer, but we have comfort, warmth, food, and can just see the English Channel at the end of the road outside the gate. Ah, the walks on the beach!
So far we have already learned important lessons. We have learned that living in a truly rural setting has many challenges as well as rewards and we need to be in a somewhat more populated area, not a city per se, but a good size town where we can enjoy both French culture and language, assimilate into daily French life, and also find connections with English speaking folks, too. We were drawn to Normandie and Bretagne by our researches, and also the affordable housing options as compared to some other parts of France. But we must decide where to travel next to find a medium-term rental where we can feel more settled for a few months. We also need to validate our long stay visas and believe we must have an address that is good for more than a month in order to receive our “cartes de sejour” by mail. I understand the bureaucracy moves at its own “stately” pace.
Suggestions about locations where we might become part of a circle of friends--both French natives and people from other nations. We are kind and friendly ladies who appreciate diversity and new discoveries and greatly value our fellow human beings. Are there some good choices in Bretagne or Normandie, or other nearby regions ilke Pays de La Loire? Suggestions from all you more experienced folk would be VERY welcome indeed. There are many beautiful places to explore, but we definitely haven’t the time or funding to wander too far afield. In the meantime, we are seriously considering a new YouTube channel: “Two Old Broads Abroad.” We already have enough material for a late night comedy hour.
Warm regards, Lauren
