Alexis Stratfold

Alexis Goldberg

Alexis loved visiting France as a child and always dreamed of living there one day. Fortunately she met a man who had the same dream! So they married, then bought a beautiful 300-year-old character house in a pretty village in the Languedoc Roussillon. Alexis has been writing about France for a decade, inspiring and helping hundreds of British people to move there. She says: "Our only regret is that we did not move to France earlier! The lifestyle is tranquil, the summers are long and hot and the sun shines almost every day (or seems like it does!). We’ve made friends of many nationalities here."

5 affordable destinations for a holiday home in the Alps

Aside from the more famous, glamorous places in the Alps such as Courchevel, Meribel and Val d’Isere, there are some excellent lesser-known villages. You can enjoy a fabulous winter holiday in any of these locations and even buy your very own ski property. Here we explore 5 affordable destinations for a holiday home in the Alps.

A guide to the Nouvelle Aquitaine: which department will suit you?

La Nouvelle Aquitaine is the largest region in France, encompassing no less than 12 departments. Bordeaux is the region’s largest city and as a whole, this area is one of the most attractive in which to buy property. It benefits from a good economy, tourism, agriculture, innovation and research, several ski resorts in the south and, naturally, a thriving wine industry.

Mountains, countryside and city: moving to the Haute Garonne

The Haute Garonne is one of the loveliest departments in the South of France. Named after the river Garonne, it used to be in the Midi Pyrenees region, but now forms part of the huge area of Occitanie. We have picked 5 lovely towns and villages for you here which would be great in which to buy property.

In the heart of France: the beautiful department of the Creuse

The Creuse is one of the least populated French departments. Think space, greenery, a tranquil lifestyle, value for money and beauty. We explore 5 towns and villages in the Creuse department, all of which have a variety of affordable property to buy and are easy to reach from the UK.

The beautiful department of Gironde

The Gironde is the largest and one of the most popular departments in France. A favourite of both French and foreign property buyers, it is located in the Nouvelle Aquitaine, has Bordeaux as its prefecture and is, of course, famous worldwide for its fabulous wines. We have found 5 lovely places to tempt you into this great department.

Pays d’Uzes and the Pont du Gard: a stunning area in the south of France

The Pays d’Uzes and Pont du Gard area is a slightly lesser known (but nonetheless beautiful) part of Provence. Situated in the department of the Gard, the area boasts several wonderful villages and small towns, is steeped in history and would be the perfect place to buy a holiday home.