Jackie Clarke moved to France from Reigate in Surrey, England, with her husband and two daughters, then aged six and eight, in 2003.
“We headed down for a trial of two years which turned into over 20,” she told The Connexion.
Six years ago, with both girls having left home, Jackie took up tennis, encouraged by an Englishman in her village.
“Lawrence, a former Major in the Lancashire Fusiliers, patiently played back and forth with me for a year until I got better and better, at which point I realised there were other people like me, who perhaps had played in their youth or had always wanted to play. Now I do the same for them,” she says.
Ms Clarke ended up reviving a tennis club in the village, where today a mixture of English and French locals play.
“It has become a centre for expats and French locals to make friends and play tennis together – we now have an annual tournament with linesmen and umpires so it is inclusive for those who can’t play.”
The club has gone from strength to strength, with its members even building a clubhouse and installing floodlights.
“The ethos of the club is to encourage people to play no matter their level,” Ms Clarke says.
And members are even trying their hand at new sports. The club recently added pickleball, which requires “less rushing around”, to its options, on the suggestion of a Canadian member who could not play tennis because of a knee injury.
Simon Lester and his wife Veronica, from Preston in Lancashire, England, moved to Indre-et-Loire in 2018. Here, they bought a house to restore in the small village of Palluau-sur-Indre.
“It was a challenge we wanted, rather than face retirement in an ever-busy and claustrophobic UK. We did not want to see life roll along in the same old routines and ways,” he says.
Simon Lester is on the road to a happy retirementSimon Lester
Simon had been a keen cyclist in the UK, but had only ever competed in the time trial category. It was not until he moved to France that he discovered road racing.
“The main culture in France is road racing, so I decided to give it a go, despite it being completely foreign in terms of training, racing, tactics, and distances,” he says.
“I had my eyes opened to the fabulous world of French road racing – roads closed to traffic, friendly and supportive marshalls and riders, incredibly competitive racing, and amazing.
Mr Lester immediately noticed the difference between the attitude to sport in France and the UK.
“Back home, the emphasis was on individual results and effort. Here, I realised it is a more cooperative, team-based effort,” he says.
“Get a top finish and it is seen as a win firstly for the team and club. It is very refreshing.
“The first step is to join a club,” he advises.
Races take place every weekend from March to October.
Mr Lester recommends interested readers to check out UFOLEP (ufolep-cyclisme.org), the main French road racing body for information on how to take part.
“I have had several highly enjoyable seasons and it has been a privilege to join in this revered traditional part of French culture,” he says.
“It can be a very nervous start to racing in large groups in a foreign country, but really if that can be set aside, the rewards and friendships are more than an adequate reward. France must be the best place in Europe to take up this sport.”
All ages are welcome at road races.
“Do not worry about age – here it is all about ability and fitting in. Older racers are treated with respect by the younger members. The young ones are not always the fastest.”
Mountain biking
Geoff Smith bought a house in the Hérault department of southern France nine years ago and lives between France and the UK. Although already a keen mountain biker, he noticed a big difference when he started cycling in France.
“It is a lot more user friendly than at home in the UK,” he told The Connexion.
Mr Smith has found lots of nearby marked trails on his electric mountain bike.
“You can get a map from the tourist office and the routes are graded in difficulty like on a ski map,” he says.
“Each route is marked with the parcours number and it’s easy to see if it is a one way or boucle (loop). It also has large red Xs when you go the wrong way!
Geoff Smith says mountain biking in France is very organisedGeoff Smith
“There is some challenging MTB terrain but also a lot of routes through very scenic parts, and all off-road without any traffic except the odd grape-picking tractor. Farmers and vignerons are always friendly and leave the tracks around the field accessible,” he says.
And another change from the UK?
“The weather makes a huge difference as there is a lot less rain, and mud, although July and August call for an early ride or later in the evening,” he says.
How to join a sports club in France
Joining a club is common in France, with 19% of adults belonging to a sporting association and September is the month when most clubs sign up new recruits.
This affiliation entitles members to a number of benefits, including taking part in competitions and being covered by insurance.
Certain federations also offer more specific perks.
For example, members of the French Tennis Federation have priority when booking tickets for the French Open.
This also comes with obligations.
First of all, to join a club which is part of a federation requires a licence, an official membership which starts at around €20, depending on the sport.
Note that the licence fee goes to the federation. Most clubs will also charge a membership fee to help with running costs.
Another condition of obtaining a licence is showing a recent medical certificate which proves you have no health issues which would prevent you practising the sport.
This can be obtained by visiting your GP. You will have to pay €26.50 for the consultation (which will rise to €30 from December), since visiting the doctor to ask for a medical certificate is not reimbursed.
