Sociably distanced

A French country home is the dream for many and never more so than now. Space, clean air and low population density all wrapped up in stunning countryside. What’s not to like? asks Julie Savill

- Julie Savill

The press has been full of the stories of Parisiens and other city dwellers beating a path to the beautiful French countryside recently.

Well, after weeks of lockdown in a city apartment, who wouldn’t feel the pull of some garden space, long country walks and no near neighbours? And it’s not just the French who suddenly have a new focus on rural life. There is renewed interest from the UK from those seeking a second home bolthole in France along with others firmly focused on a lock-stock move.

Privacy has become a buzzword. Buyers are using words such as remote, isolated and secluded when we ask them to paint a picture of their perfect pad.

Coming to view properties here in 2001, I too was set on remoteness. I found a couple of decent agents who were prepared to share their knowledge of life here and not just flog me the first property that made my heart flutter and their advice was invaluable.

Living in the UK, it’s easy to think that isolation is what is required. Yet, most often, when you really get down to it, what people really want is privacy. That was certainly the case for me and I eventually bought a house on the edge of a hamlet where I had long views and no one overlooking the garden. I had part-time neighbours, when they came to stay in their holiday home, and for me that was seclusion enough.

Of course, splendid isolation might genuinely be exactly what you are looking for, in which case crack on. However, if you think a bit more of an understanding of French country life might be helpful, let’s see if we can make a hierarchy of privacy with all the pros and cons that are attached to it.

ALL BY MYSELF