Island in the sun
Living France|April 2020
Swept away by the enchanting Île de Ré, Karon Foxwell and husband Mark found themselves returning from their holiday having made an offer on a dilapidated period property there.
GREG COOK
Island in the sun

One of the beauties of holidaying in France is how easy it is to get carried away in the moment. Countless of us have done so and returned with an array of souvenirs to prove it; from the boules set gathering dust in the garage over the past decade, to the bottle of fragrance from the bespoke Parisian perfumery that cost 10 times what you’d normally pay.

As impulsive purchases go though, not so many of us arrive home having just made a serious offer on a French property – especially having set off on our travels without the remotest intention of buying a house in France.

Karon and Mark Foxwell, however, can place themselves squarely within this exclusive set, having returned from what can best be described as a remarkable holiday on France’s west coast back in 2013.

“It was our first proper summer holiday without our daughters, taking our vintage Mercedes over on the ferry to Dieppe and touring down the north-west coast,” recalls Karon, still quite dreamily. “The sun was shining, wind in our hair, staying in lovely châteaux. By the time we reached Île de Ré I think we were approaching a state of bliss.”

HAPPY MEMORIES

Aside from this, Île de Ré, as many will attest, has the power to bewitch entirely by itself. Connected by a 3km bridge to La Rochelle in the mainland Charente-Maritime department, this beloved island, a slice of seaside heaven stretching 30km east to west and studded with languid pines, green-shuttered, whitewashed houses and endless miles of golden, sandy plage, is one of the jewels of the French coast.

“Mark is a keen sailor and used to come here when he was young,” Karon explains, “so we had a fond history with Île de Ré – but this time we totally fell in love.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2020 من Living France.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2020 من Living France.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من LIVING FRANCE مشاهدة الكل
Guide To: Working For A Foreign Company
Living France

Guide To: Working For A Foreign Company

If your current employer is happy to let you continue working for them after you move to France, there are a number of rules and regulations to be aware of to ensure you stay on the right side of the law, as Catharine Higginson explains

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2020
On vintage soil
Living France

On vintage soil

Life in the vineyards of Aude is a dream come true for Leicestershire-born Katie Jones who now successfully exports her wines back to the UK, as Brigitte Nicolas learns

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2020
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Living France

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

What happens if you are buying a French property but can’t attend the completion meeting at the notaire’s office in person? Matthew Cameron explains how a power of attorney can be used and how it works

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2020
In safe hands
Living France

In safe hands

There can be few more unusual homes than the 11th-century Château de Clérans, situated close to the Dordogne river in the Périgord Pourpre region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2020
THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE
Living France

THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE

Robin Ellis made his name as the original Captain Poldark but a diabetes diagnosis led the Tarn-based actor to add cookbook writing to his CV, as Richard Webber learns

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2020
My frugal France
Living France

My frugal France

Embracing modern technology could save you money and time on both the pleasures and essentials of life in France, says Laura Harley as she shares some of her favourite French apps

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2020
Hidden Talents
Living France

Hidden Talents

Moving to France enabled these three expats to switch off from busy careers and in turn discover new creative talents, says Gillian Harvey, who counts herself among them

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2020
Beauty to behold
Living France

Beauty to behold

With its legendary vineyards, charming old towns and rich gastronomy, Gironde is quintessential France at its best, as Alison Weeks discovers

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2020
AS SEEN ON SCREEN
Living France

AS SEEN ON SCREEN

A Dordogne town, a Charente city and a Pyrenean village all have a starring role in three new films hitting the big screen this year, joining a long list of French locations that have gone before them, as Vicky Leigh learns

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2020
A local's view
Living France

A local's view

Trish and Mark Tyler run a beautifully restored chambres d’hôtes, set in six hectares of park and woodland near StÉmilion, which has a fascinating history

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2020