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Pas-de-Calais, in the far north,
is a department of contrasts. Its
coastline runs from the tip of
the Belgian border to Picardy. It
features dramatic cliff s, beautiful
sandy beaches, authentic little
fi shing villages, and seaside resorts
like Le Touquet, also known as 'the
Monaco of the north'. Boulogne-surMer,
a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire and the
biggest port in France, is brimming
with attractions.
The department's interior is a
land of green valleys and bucolic
countryside, peppered with
picturesque villages and historic
towns like Montreuil-sur-Mer with
its cobbled squares and ancient
ramparts, whose scenery inspired
Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Street
markets, artisan boulangeries,
cheese and farm shops are a way
of life here, and yet from Arras, the
capital, it's just one hour to Paris by
train.
"This area is known as the
golden triangle for its ease of
access between Paris, Belgium, and
the UK," says local agent Tim Sage.
"Plus it has the advantage of having
aff ordable property with average
house prices at €190,000. And
with fi bre optic high-speed internet
being rolled out everywhere,
including rural villages, this is a
good area for remote working."
Famous for its gastronomy (duck, melons, wine,
and Armagnac) and welcoming hospitality, the
Gers department is one of France's most authentic
rural regions, where the art of living well is keenly
practiced. The coast is just 1 hour 30 minutes
away, you can be on the ski slopes in just 1 hour
50 minutes, and you can reach Toulouse, Bordeaux,
Pau, and Spain within 2 hours.
Local agents Sarah Thacker and Jane Snow say,
"whether you're looking for a maison secondaire to
have as a special retreat, or a permanent residence,
you won't fi nd a better pace of life than the Gers."
There are picturesque stone bastide towns and
pretty mediaeval villages like Eauze. Uncrowded
roads wind through valleys and past swathes
of sunfl owers, orchards of fi gs and walnuts, and
hillsides smothered in vines.
The average property price is around €240,000,
which will get you a good-sized home (3-4
bedrooms) with a large garden. If you long to
escape the rat race, then this idyllic off -the-beatentrack
location might be just what you're looking for.
Pas-de-Calais
Hauts-de-France
GersMidi-Pyrénées
In the Gers we found an idyllic setting: abundant sunshine, friendly
people and wonderful regional gastronomy, history, heritage, arts and
many sporting activities.
Irene Schulz and Thomas Kaehler - happily living in the Gers
"