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.
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