All the towns

Special Pluses

• Extraodinarily beautiful views and architecture
• A reasonable mix of newcomers and locals
• On a  train line (of sorts) which is unusual for Dordogne

Special Pluses

Antibes’ Old Town and central city are compact and easily walkable. It feels like a small town, with its ramparts perched on the sea; but has the conveniences and amenities of a much larger city. There are great beaches at your feet, and it’s easy to take day trips by train to anywhere along the coast. Because of Port Vauban, there are many English living or visiting the area, and English is spoken at least a little in most places.

Special Pluses

• Particularly good, big market of the region
• Comments on various internet forums making the point that  “Riberac is only second to Eymet” in terms of how dense a population of expat Brits might represent a minus or a plus depending on your goals
• Susan J.: “Riberac does not shut shops in winter as really there are no truely just for tourist shops!”

Special Pluses

• Really lovely town with a substantial English-speaking town and a well-established social scene.
• About the St. Etienne collegiate church “Like a lighthouse in the middle of the vineyards, the collegiate church is visible from afar. Its enormous proportions intrigue the traveler… fine example of southern Gothic architecture
• From “The Good Life France” website: ” One of the best places to enjoy its full glory is in the medieval village of Capestang in the wine growing region of Saint-Chinian. Here you can stand on an ancient bridge arched over the canal, admiring a selection of sun drenched riverboats and lazy coypu and contemplating just what a marvel this Canal is.”
• From the website “That’ s Hamori”You drive up towards the town square, through little light colored row houses, along twisting and turning narrow streets towards the church steeple peeking above the rooftops. Once there, the church reveals ruin remains, with a story to discover, and stands on guard with strength in the square. Cafés with outdoor seating, people with baguettes under their arms scurry away; giving a sense of life here.”

Special Pluses

• A fairy tale castle
• Favorite foods:  cider, crêpes, mushrooms, seafood, and pastries are very popular.
• The Celtic culture, which remains very strong and pairs beautifully with the local music.

Special Pluses

• A larger river(Lot) town in the area of Dordogne and the Lot. If you like this region but want a bigger town, Cahors is a handsome, affordable small city/ big town. not mobbed by tourists nor unfriendly to newcomers, “We live halfway between Cahors and Albi. Property here is not expensive, the climate is approx. one third warm but cloudy Atlantic weather, one third Mediterranean, with sunny days and warm nights, and one third Continental (sunny days, cool nights). The countryside undulates, so views change all the time, but not so much as to make cycling impossible; roads are super quiet food and wine are delicious, lunches out cheap, French people are kind and often generous. We don’t hear a great deal of English spoken, though there are expats around if you seek them out, and many are Dutch, also Danish, Swedish… Flights to the UK abound from Toulouse, also Rodez and Brive.?”
• Cahors now remains as the only French region that produces Malbec-based wines.
• The Valentré Bridge is listed as historical monuments in the 1840 list and since 1998 a UNESCO World Heritage site, as the paths of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle in France.
• There is a market on a Wednesday and Saturday morning in the old town

   

Special Pluses

• “not a large city by any means, we found the center to be charming and tranquil. Cassoulet restaurants cover the city, and the riverfront sets as a centerpiece with all sort of boats floating on their journey across this great canal.”(https://girlinflorence.com/)
• “it is a medium city and quite a few English expats and a good standard of living. Maybe you should visit if you’re looking for a place to settle in France that’s not too expensive.”(https://joinusinfrance.com/episode/castelnaudary-cassoulet-and-canal-du-midi/)
• “Its a region thats not too populated so kind of traditional in its values and cultures. For me, theres a feeling of isolation in the Aude, and in this isolation, there’s not the blemish of globalisation, hence old school. France before the sell out. Perhaps thanks to the wind or that there’s no big city in the area.” Stephen McCartney,
• “”Lovely town with everything you need.It’s more than just the cassoulet festival every year” Ian Black
• I know Castelnaudary very well. In my view, this city has its positives and negatives. On the positive side, it’s populated by modest and generally pleasant people, offering a human-scale environment with accessible locations on foot and by bicycle. The surroundings, including a lovely lake, scenic views of the Pyrénées and Montagne Noire, and an active community, contribute to its charm. A sunny climate, proximity to places like Toulouse and the Mediterranean, and ample parking are also pluses.Hugo Szpak