October 21, 2012

Moving to Normandy

Port-en-Bessin

One year ago my husband and I packed up our car with our suitcases, the chihuahuas, a couple of umbrellas and some Languedoc wine, and headed 10 hours north to the gîte we'd rented for a week in the seaside town of Port-en-Bessin.

Our mission: Find a new place to live in France.
Our requirements: Better job opportunities. Affordability. Close to the sea. Closer to Paris. Cooler summer weather. Very little, or no, snow in the winter.

We arrived in Basse-Normandie full of high hopes.

Flowered Courtyard

Belle!






Bayeux

Normandy Cheese

Barfleur

We had done hours of research and on paper Normandy looked like the perfect place. But you just never know...
Well, by the end of that week we knew...Normandy was it.

Two months later we said "au revoir" to the Languedoc and "bonjour" to Normandy.

One wonderful year. A reason to celebrate!

Port-en-Bessin Market

Our apple tree

fleurs



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32 comments:

wcs said...

Congratulations! Glad it's working out so well. :)

Amanda said...

It has been 1 year already? Glad you found the perfect spot and you are happy.

Unknown said...

I can't believe it's been a year already!! You guys made a wise choice - stunning no matter the weather! (and of course I'm glad you're closer to Paris!)

Brianna Asaro Photography said...

Beautiful! So jealous!! I lived in england and I miss it terribly!

emiglia said...

I'm so glad you guys are happy in Normandy! Is there anything you ever miss about the Languedoc? Do you go there at all to see old friends?

Veronica said...

It's great that it's worked out so well for you! Just goes to show taking a risk can be so worth it.

Diane said...

So glad the 12 months later all is going as planned. Long may it last. Keep well Diane

Unknown said...

Happy one year anniversary! I love exploring Normandy through your lens!

Katherine said...

Glad it's working out so well for you.

Mlle Paradis said...

congratulations on landing well!

Sandy said...

Fantastic!

Sandy said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jenny Beaumont said...

So glad to have you as a "neighbor"!

spacedlaw said...

Happy anniversary. It feels like it was a good choice.

Unknown said...

Congratulations. I was surprised when you moved as you seemed to rejoice in the Languedoc, but, with your gift for evoking and celebrating la Belle France, we could do with you moving constantly! Roll on the book...

The Beaver said...

Congratulations Loulou

The yr has been eventful - what with jobs that came to you instead of you having to pursue them and for us to have a glimpse of day to day life in Basse Normandie from butter to cheese to seafood and then...... opportunity for wine tasting :-)

Looks like the new govt. is making it easier to get naturalization.

georgiegirl said...

Glad that you found your paradise. I am looking forward to visit Normandie one day. BTW, where is Domino? Did you bring him with you?

Dvora said...

You did very well. Congratulations and many happy years ahead. P.S. (Was the cow the deciding factor?)

La Torontoise said...

Loulou, enjoy your celebration! It's a wonderful feeling to see a dream coming true.
What's next on your list?

I wish you many dreams coming true in the years ahead. All the best from the Netherlands!

Carla Coulson said...

So happy you made the right choice and you are both loving life in Normandy. Looks beautiful just had a weekend in Brittany and it was so lovely to be out of the city and breathing fresh coastal air!
Carla x

Jennifer said...

wcs
Merci! It is a welcome change.

Nadège
It's been a year since we visited the area for the 1st time. We moved last December.

Jennifer said...

Lindsey
It is a stunning region...and yes, being closer to Paris is wonderful! :)

Brianna
Can you return? Maybe?

Jennifer said...

emiglia
Thanks!
I miss our friends, the olive groves and the wine, of course. :) That's about it though. I thought I would miss more...but I don't.

Veronica
Very true! Thank you!

Jennifer said...

Diane
Cheers!

Ann
Thanks...I hope to show you in person one day...

Jennifer said...

puppyfur
Merci! Me too. :)

Mlle Paradis
Thank you. We landed very well, I think!

Jennifer said...

Sandy
I agree! Thanks.

Jenny
Moi aussi. It is nice to have friends close by!

Jennifer said...

Nathalie
It was a very good choice I think. Thank you.

Stoicus
Thank you for such a nice comment. I loved living in the Languedoc, and now love Normandy...but I think we'll stay put for a little while. :)

Jennifer said...

Beaver
It has been a fantastic year!
Thankfully I asked for French citizenship many years ago...but have several friends who are in the midst of it, and Hollande has just removed some of the rules that Sarkozy added, so it is easier than a few months ago.
Glad you enjoy the photos!

georgie
You will love Normandy! Yes, Domino came with us. Here's a photo of him sitting in our window: http://chezlouloufrance.blogspot.fr/2012/01/settling-in.html

Jennifer said...

Dvora
The cheese (and the cow) was a deciding factor, yes. :)
Also the sea, and the soft weather and many other things.

La Torontoise
Thank you!
Next on the list is to continue enjoying Normandy!

Jennifer said...

Carla
We need to visit Brittany...I've heard it is stunningly beautiful. Any places in particular that you can recommend?

j a k s p a p e r said...

Hi:) Where in Normandy do u live? I`m moving from Norway to Normandy in the summer with my son and hubby. We are looking for a farm in the Bayeux area. I`m 31 and wondering if it is easy to find a network of friends there in my age? Is there a lot of englishmen and scandinavians living there? Hope you will reply in a comment on my blog or via mail :) thanks :)

Jennifer said...

Jak & don
We live just outside of Bayeux and think it is a beautiful part of Normandy. You should meet people if you make an effort. I'm not sure if there are many Scandinavians in the area, but I do hear a lot of British accents at the markets.
Look into joining the AVF in Bayeux for connecting with others and good luck with your move!