Clare Elizabeth Knott and her husband Leigh moved to Allier in 2008 where they are raising their three daughters. Clare explains why she loves this tranquil part of rural France
What brought you to France?
The adventure began in Norwich in 2001 when I met Leigh. We both had a desire to do something out of the ordinary, so decided to buy a cheap van and drive south. That was as much planning as we did! We travelled around Europe for two years, returning to Norfolk where we bought a caravan and towed it to Cornwall (why not?), but we soon realised our hearts were still lost in our travels. We knew that France was where we wanted to be. Soon after our first daughter was born in 2004 we bought a large, very cheap run-down property in a sleepy village in Corrèze. Four years later and two more children in tow, we moved to Allier.
What attracted you to Auvergne?
We just loved the ragged mountains of the Puy de Dôme and the pretty villages of Cantal. Allier was new to us when we moved here. Big skies, agricultural land and rolling hills scattered with creamy white cattle dominate the landscape, dotted with quiet villages and the odd château.
Tell us about the renovation work.
Esta historia es de la edición Autumn 2017 de Living France.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Autumn 2017 de Living France.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Beauty to behold
With its legendary vineyards, charming old towns and rich gastronomy, Gironde is quintessential France at its best, as Alison Weeks discovers
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
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
