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."

Affordable retirement spots on the Cote d’Azur

The Cote d’Azur, often known as the French Riviera, has always been one of the most desirable parts of France in which to buy property. The very name seems to conjure up an image of sun drenched sandy beaches, sophisticated towns, beautiful ancient villages and probably ports full of glamorous yachts.

Five of the best villages in la Nouvelle Aquitaine

La Nouvelle Aquitaine is the largest region in France in terms of area, created in 2014 when the Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes all merged together. As well as having some wonderful cities and towns such as Bordeaux, Limoges, La Rochelle and Pau, there are some beautiful villages here too, hugely popular with expats and second home owners.

Les Deux-Sèvres: a lesser-known department to discover

The Deux-Sèvres is not an area known to many, but with so many lovely towns and villages, two rivers and the coast nearby, it seems as if it is ready and waiting to be discovered! This department has much to offer anyone looking for a reasonably priced property in France.

Escape the crowds in beautiful Provence: 5 quieter spots

Provence is one of the most widely known areas of France and has retained a certain cachet about it. However, its ongoing popularity means that some areas can get quite busy, especially in the summer months. So, where can you go in Provence to get away from the madding crowds?

6 wonderful places to spend Christmas in France

The atmosphere in France at Christmas is magical; most towns and villages are proud to get into the festive spirit. Each mairie (town hall) takes care of lights, decorations and even Santa Claus in the weeks running up to Christmas. Like the rest of Europe, the big day is Christmas Eve, when the family gathers for a grand meal and to open their presents. There is less of a commercial feel to Christmas in France and more of a feeling of community and celebration.

Les Landes: the best of coast and countryside

Les Landes is a beautiful department of France situated on the far south-west of the Aquitaine region. The name literally means “heathland” and thus it offers the most wonderful rich countryside and is hugely popular with hikers and bikers.