French Village Life

Mr. Fix It and I were musing over life, love and France the other evening (not necessarily in that order) over a fine glass of Corbieres wine in our local bar. This is a small village of just over 1,000 inhabitants but there is cause for local celebration at the moment since the bar has been taken over by a lovely young family who are fast making it the hub of the village. They do an excellent 3 course “prix fixe” menu at lunchtimes with a quarter of wine and coffee thrown in for €12. Eddie & Alfie are welcome here and indeed in most restaurants. Being creatures of habit much like ourselves, they have become used to lying quietly by our side watching the world go by and wagging at the odd child who comes up to admire them.

"The French seem happier in their own skin,” said Mr. Fix It, noticing a large family with 2 very young children and a couple who appeared to be grandparents, “and they happily mix the generations.” He is right: young and old alike socialise here and the frivolity seems inherent, not simply induced by drinking too much wine. We got chatting to an older German couple who have lived here for some 30 years and invited us for an “apero”. They said they had been welcomed with open arms from day one and felt now more French than German.

So our village has come alive in the last week or so and the flower festival was a great success. Unable to resist a bargain, I bought several herbs for my kitchen windowsill: I may not have a fitted kitchen yet but my mini oven and I have managed to create some outstanding meals and the herbs are steadily growing in the sunlight.

This evening sees the start of the 3 day “Feria” and we have watched the preparation all week as little stages, bandstands and temporary bars are created. By all accounts, this a great tradition in these parts and we look forward to joining in this evening’s entertainment with a meal, drinks, a torchlight procession along the main promenade and even DJ Fanjou playing some (hopefully) decent tunes; no doubt a picture or two in next week’s blog.

The other thing we have noticed is that the French takes great pride in their community: the dustbin men do a twice weekly round, the streets are always spotlessly clean and there are communal bins dotted around. Not only that, everyone says “bonjour” as we go about our local shopping and on dog walks. We have been here just over 2 months now and have to pinch ourselves because although there is much work to be done on our house, we still feel slightly as though we are on holiday. How lucky are we to know that this is not a holiday: we can live happily and safely here. The community spirit is extremely contagious.




We welcome our first visitors tomorrow and as I write, Mr. Fix It is still drilling holes in walls to afford them an extra socket or two in their bedroom. The 2 ensuites are coming along well and much though I am not madly keen on spending hours looking at plumbing materials in Bricomarche, I am ever grateful to know that Mr. Fix It’s talents mean we are gradually making this house into a beautiful home. He is becoming quite an expert on what to buy where, aided by my France Buying Guide, I am proud to say www.francebuyingguide.com/guide.htm

Every day sees a little more done and we feel as though we know the space now: ideas for paint colours and furniture ramble around in my head even though these things will have to wait a little longer.

So our musings on life, love and France continue. Did we come to any conclusion? We walked the dogs along the canal the other day and were stunned at its beauty. I guess you could simply say that we love life in France. We never want to leave this beautiful country.