Yvonne RUSSELL's selection of French property for sale

About my area

We live surrounded by breathtaking views of the Pyrénées Mountains and beautiful Gascony countryside with fields of sunflowers in the summer, where the culture is largely agricultural. In the winter skiing in this region is excellent with many bustling resorts including St Lary. There are quality golf courses in the region and good areas for walking, climbing and mountaineering, it is a permanent fixture for the Tour de France, also wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature wildlife sunsets stargazing and other relaxing pass times. Most villages host weekly markets where you can collect provisions of fresh bread cheese vegetables etc or sit at a local wine bar or cafe and just watch the world go by. Many restaurants in the villages offer delicious three or four course lunches plus wine for approx 12 euros. In the evening there are fine quality restaurants to choose from. The medieval town of Marciac hosts one of the world's finest jazz festivals- when the town is flooded with performers and aficionados of Jazz. Not to forget the annual Country and western festival in Mirande - Latin American music in Capvern and many more. The town of Auch steeped in history with a statue of DArtagnan, is very pretty as is the Spa town Bagneres De Bigorre Lourdes and the Chic city of Pau with its University and Horse Racing are also both in the Midi Pyrenees. The Basque region of Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz are only one hour away on the Atlantic coast.

About me

Prior to moving to France I worked as a registered nurse for 18yrs in Edinburgh then moved onto medical sales for 5yrs before getting into property which is my passion. I have been living with my husband and three dogs in Hautes-Pyrénées for the past four year. We initially purchased the property as a holiday home and investment (only seeing it on the day of signing with the notaire) we have friends out here who found the property and we chose it from pictures!! The property was not habitable and required a lot of work to be done in it. However on visiting the area for a long weekend, we very quickly decided to live here so got renovation started straight away - sold our house in Scotland and moved over four months later. My husband has a business in Scotland and via phone fax and email we can be anywhere. We have easy access to flights via Toulouse, Pau, Biarritz and Carcassonne. Property prices are relatively affordable for what you get in this area - and now is certainly a good time to buy. We have fallen in love with the relaxed French lifestyle, with minimal crime or vandalism - This is all so different from the hustle bustle of life back in UK. I therefore look forward to meeting you and helping you find your dream home in the South West of France.