Stephen BUSS's selection of French property for sale

About my area

The area where I’m lucky enough to live and work in Calvados, Basse-Normandie has plenty of landmark features to put it on the map. Bayeux, with its famous tapestry, and the D-Day landing beaches need no introduction and offer a poignant reminder of the area’s history, as well as attracting visitors all year round. It’s an area famous for its seafood and dairy produce, especially its cheeses - Camembert and Pont L’Eveque to name but two – also for its cider, pommeau and Calvados apple brandy. And with its long coastline of unspoilt sandy beaches, its gently rolling countryside, the quiet roads and – that magic ingredient – a slower pace of life, it’s the perfect place to unwind.

There are great opportunities for walking and cycling here, with numerous planned routes to make life easy and mountain-bike (VTT) routes for the more adventurous. Also horse-riding, kayaking, wind-surfing, even bungy-jumping – the list goes on. Plus there are excellent rail links to connect you with the rest of France – Bayeux to Paris takes a mere two hours.

Access from the UK couldn’t be easier, with major ferry ports and airports at Cherbourg, Caen and Le Havre, making it the ideal spot for a weekend getaway. And with no long drive on this side, in no time at all you’ll be relaxing and experiencing le joie de vivre in true French style. That’s got to be a plus!

About me

We first came to Normandy twenty years ago to visit a friend, with no intention of buying a house. We went back owning a watermill. Well, not quite, but we’d put in an offer – and shaken in the bar afterwards wondering what we’d done! But the sale went through and six years later we moved here permanently and began the massive task of renovation. Did I mention it was a virtual ruin?

We also converted an old bakery on the site into a gite, which has now been running successfully for eleven years with bookings exceeding our expectations. (In Normandy there’s a demand for holiday cottages all year round.) We then did the same with another cottage, also run as a gite. But it hasn’t all been hard work and I’ve managed to pursue existing interests as well as taking up new ones, like cycling and tai’chi. I’ve even braved the bungy jump from the Souleuvre viaduct. Well, why not!

Over the years I’ve dealt with most issues relating to property and renovation - from local taxes and planning permits, to finding artisans and landscaping – and I’m happy to help with any queries you may have. Why not give me a ring?