A British couple, Dan Heap and his partner Kate, embarked on an unexpected adventure when they decided to purchase a charming farmhouse in southern France for £200,000. Ten years later, they reflect on how their adopted country far surpasses Britain in terms of weather, stunning beaches, and exquisite wine.
Initially, in 2004, Dan, a 50-year-old lighting consultant from London, and Kate had their sights set on relocating to the picturesque Kent coast. They aimed to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and hoped to invest in a home that would fulfill their dreams. “We’d been in London for about a decade,” he recalls. “After completing a house renovation, we were eager to find a place by the coast.”
After listing their London home for sale, they took a spontaneous weekend trip to France in 2005, intending to scout for a smaller property suitable for weekend getaways. Having visited southern France numerous times and cherishing memories of its warm climate and beautiful coastline, they were excited about the prospect. However, fate intervened when they missed their flight, leaving them with just over 24 hours to explore properties near Siran, a quaint commune in the Occitania region close to Carcassonne.
“We met an estate agent who mentioned she had just taken on a large farmhouse,” Dan shares. “Although she didn’t have the keys, she suggested we take a drive by to see it. We instantly fell in love.” Following their heart, the couple returned to London and made an offer of €245,000 (£203,558) for the property. “It came with 12 acres of gardens and a stream,” Dan describes. “The house was once owned by a wine master, featuring a flat front, grand double doors, shuttered windows, and even a barn with an old wine press.”
However, the interior of the house was a different story. Most of it had been neglected for decades, with only one man living in a single room. “The roof was leaking, and it was absolutely filthy. There were rats everywhere,” Dan recalls. Undeterred, they decided to forgo their Kent plans and instead embrace the challenge of restoring their new French home.
Five years after their move to France in 2005, the couple completed their renovations and chose to sell their farmhouse. Since then, they have purchased and transformed two additional properties: one beside a canal in the nearby village of Homps and their current residence, located just five minutes from Narbonne, which also boasts 12 acres of gardens. “We always create spaces we love,” he emphasizes. “Every minute detail has been carefully sketched and considered.”
Their current home, which they acquired for €700,000 (£580,223), offers ample space and luxury. “It’s still quite affordable for what we received,” Dan remarks. “The house spans 300 square meters, features four bedrooms, expansive terraces, a swimming pool, and enormous gardens. Plus, we’re only 15 minutes away from the beach.”
Living in such close proximity to the city allows Dan to easily attend his boxing classes, while Kate can join her exercise sessions, and their 14-year-old son enjoys his “fantastic” private school. Supermarkets and restaurants are conveniently located nearby. “We enjoy the best of both worlds—city amenities with the tranquility of rural living,” Dan explains. “Our neighbors are 400 meters away in either direction, providing a perfect balance of privacy and community.”
Looking out his window towards the sea, Dan sees only sprawling vineyards, and the reliable sunshine means they often dine outdoors or take a refreshing swim after work. Living in wine country, they can indulge in high-quality red or rosé for as little as €4 (£3.30). “You might find a similarly priced bottle in England, but you’ll certainly feel it the next morning,” he jokes. “Here, the wine doesn’t leave you with a hangover.”
The couple also enjoys an abundance of fresh produce. “Even in winter, we’ve discovered local markets that sell fresh ingredients,” he says. “It’s reassuring to know that our tomatoes haven’t traveled for hours in a truck and aren’t laden with chemicals.”
However, Dan also acknowledges some challenges of living in southern France. The cost of living is comparable to the UK, particularly regarding housing prices. In fact, he notes that some expenses are even higher. “My phone bill exceeds €100 (£83) a month, electricity costs around €150 (£124) monthly, diesel is €1.70 (£1.41) per liter, and a loaf of brown bread costs about €2 (£1.66), while a free-range roast chicken is approximately €11 (£9.10),” he adds. He also mentions that the costs of home renovations have skyrocketed in the past three years, likely due to tax increases, prompting them to recycle and upcycle materials whenever possible in their current home.
Despite these hurdles, Dan, who speaks fluent French, admits that assimilation into the local culture has had its difficulties. “There’s always a certain level of caution directed towards outsiders,” he reflects. During visits to the UK, they stock up on favorite foods like crumpets and Marmite, and Kate enjoys picking up personal care items from Boots that are hard to find in France. Yet, despite the “mixed bag” of experiences, Dan concludes, “The weather, beaches, and wine make life here quite enjoyable overall.”
“We sometimes entertain the idea of moving back to the UK, but the quality of life and climate here would be challenging to replicate,” he states. “We have all the conveniences of city living right at our doorstep, combined with vast gardens where we can grow vegetables, keep goats, and where our son can ride his motorbike and build forts. It truly is a wonderful environment for a boy to grow up in.”
