Veteran travel journalist Richard Hall has worked all over the world, but had always called Jersey home until he and his wife moved to rural south-west France in 2023.
It was during the pandemic when they realised selling up could transform their lives.
“It’s something we’d always wanted to do, we were going to do it when I was in my mid-60s, retirement age, but Covid just brought it all forward – now I wish we’d done it sooner,” said Mr Hall.
He realised by selling up in the UK, he could clear their mortgage, move to France and semi-retire.
The couple sold their Jersey property for £1.5 million, owed £750,000 on the mortgage and bought their house in France for €500,000.
“We became mortgage-free and that is an incredible feeling,” he said.
A keen sailor, Mr Hall initially wanted a coastal property, but his wife Maria found their house by chance on Facebook.
Their first viewing was via video call during Covid and they fell in love with the location, on the banks of the river Lot.
The property has its own pontoonRichard Hall
“It was the view that sold us and the fact it has its own pontoon so we literally step down into our little boat and go to the restaurants and markets.
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“We’ve got views across the river of a small town called Fongrave and at night that lights up and it’s idyllic. Every day we pinch ourselves and say: ‘Wow, do we really live here?’”
An immediate difference between France and Jersey was the cost of property and utilities.
“Jersey is idyllic but it is extremely expensive,” said Mr Hall. “We’ve got a much better lifestyle here. It’s amazing how quickly you can integrate with people and make friends and change your life.”
Living in the countryside
Mr Hall credits the local area, including the nearest big town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, 15 minutes away, with “sealing the deal” when they came to see the house in person.
“The first restaurant we went into was lovely, with river views and fantastic food.
“The whole area is beautiful. On our doorstep are fantastic cycle paths that take you all the way to Villeneuve or the opposite way to Casseneuil.”
The location has also changed Mr Hall’s views on living in a rural area.
“You take a drive and within minutes there are the sort of hills and roads you see on television commercials. The views are fantastic.
“It’s a complete contrast to where we lived. No traffic, very few houses, lots of countryside.”
Making new friends
The couple’s house is “very modern” and “not at all what we were looking for”, said Mr Hall, who envisaged something more like an old farmhouse.
It has four bedrooms and an open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen. As well as direct access to the river, the bungalow also comes with a swimming pool.
It has been easy for the couple to make friends in the areaRichard Hall
The couple have quickly made friends in France and are aiming for a 50/50 split of English and French acquaintances. They appreciate the fact “there are not many English people in this region”.
Mr Hall enjoys a beer in the local bar on market day, where he has met several new friends.
But semi-retiring does not mean slowing down. The couple are “busier than ever”, documenting their new life and local area on their YouTube channel (see tinyurl.com/hall-video) and transforming their home into Villa la Rive. They have already welcomed guests from China, Germany and the US.
Mr Hall also plans to start wildlife spotting tours and to open a yacht club along the river.
