Gilles R. Says:
I’m a 77-year-old Canadian widower. My late wife and I traveled extensively. She was very organized… I am not. I am looking to find somewhere in Europe away from the hustle and bustle to spend part of the year, perhaps even move full-time—I have the budget to do so. My first language is French, but I can also function very well in English. Can you help me?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Gilles,
The first thing that strikes me is that you speak French. This will be an immense help if you choose to relocate to France. There are also places in the South of France that are nice and far from the hustle and bustle, as you request—plus these regions offer excellent weather, wine, and food.
Of course, France is a big country and you’ll need to do some exploration to find the part that’s right for you.
You mention you’re not much of an organizer. Well, you’re in luck! We have a selection of France scouting trip itineraries that do all the planning for you. You can choose between spending a week, two weeks, or a month in France and these itineraries will have you covered.
I’d recommend the month-long itinerary so you can dig deep into finding your place. This itinerary aims to fulfill the needs of the most demanding traveler, allowing plenty of time for relaxation and savoring the food and wine delights of France while seeing some of the most beautiful countryside and historical towns in the country.
We have developed this itinerary to take you from the rolling surf of the Atlantic resorts, to the sun-soaked beaches of the Mediterranean with some unique experiences along the way.
You can find our France Scouting Trip Itineraries and Travel Guide here.
You might also wish to accompany the itinerary with a copy of our in-depth guidebook, Escape to France. This “country manual” for France will lay all your options out and is also filled with advice on visas, healthcare, finances, and other practical matters. There is also a rolodex of contacts such as lawyers and real estate agents.
Best of luck!
Got a Question?
Send your thoughts to mailbag@internationalliving.com. We’ll post and respond to as many of your emails as we can right here in the e-letter.