The Brannan’s Before and After Story, has inspiration and a message for us all.

Arriving in France 7 years ago, Mike and Lyn Brannan were planning to move away from Lancashire and were viewing property in the Lake District, finally finding themselves moving to France! ‘We learnt French on the M6 travelling down to the Ferry’ laughs Mike, ‘and purchased our dream property in Lower Normandy a beautiful Colombages Normandy Project with loads of work to do on it.’ So they sold their Jaguar car and found themselves buying a transit van and heading for France to buy and restore their 2nd Home.

The story, however, has a twist, as they searched accommodation to stay the night whilst returning to sign the papers to purchase their French property. ‘We found ourselves in Bagnoles de l’Orne’, explains Lyn, ‘a beautiful Normandy Spa Town, and asking ourselves – Why the devil are we returning back home to the UK?’ Whilst signing for the purchase of their dream home, they’d fallen in love again – this time with a Bourgeoise Spa Town House! It was perfect and they therefore decided that two homes would be purchased, one for our main residence and the other for our second home –abandoning the UK altogether!’ With works to do on both and useful key phrases achieved such as ‘Ouvre la fenêtre’ and ‘Vin blanc ou rouge?’ they thus set busily to work…

The Kitchen : Before and After.

‘Life’s for living not Planning’ explains Mike, a wise message for us all – the works on their beautiful Bourgeoise home in Bagnoles de l’Orne have taken around 3 years to finish with some superb ‘Before and After’ results. ‘We’ve even been congratulated by the Maire who loved the transformation’, says Lyn.

The Lounge: Before and After.

Hall: Before and After.

‘It’s been a wonderful experience’, agree Lyn and Mike and we now want to continue to achieve our dream with our original Colombages project and then will go on looking for a Mill or something in the Countryside’, jokes Mike. We must still fulfill our initial project but we are firm believers now that Life must be lived and not planned.’

This Beautiful Bourgeoise Home is now for sale on this site with private apartment and guest annex, please see our section : Property with Income Potential Ref: 1745417

The French Life Seminar took place last Friday 5th March in Mayenne and was well attended at the Grand Hotel.

Simon Verity of Kentingtons and Deborah Verity of World First International Open The French Life Seminar and present their speakers.

Organised by World First International and Kentingtons with Deborah and Simon Verity, RANKIN sarl were invited amongst the speakers to present solutions for ‘Buying and Selling French Property’. We then spoke to Deborah to ask her just how long these Seminars had been running and more about them.

Attendees had booked their places in advance (some through RANKIN sarl) and were interested to hear more. Deborah Verity explains.

The French Life Seminars first started in 2004 and have taken place around France, sometimes up to 4 times a year since. The aim is to make people aware of their situation in France and to give them the opportunity to ask questions to professionals in their region of France.

Attendees have the opportunity to relax and discuss any issues or ask more questions with the speakers after the presentations.

‘The reaction from this Seminar was very good’, explains Deborah Verity, ‘especially owing to the current climate. We also had a lot of enquiries for future Seminars’.

Speakers spoke for the afternoon covering the following topics: Simon Verity from Kentington – Financial Advice. Deborah Verity from World First – Currency Exchange. Anita Rankin from RANKIN sarl – Property Marketing. J Goodwin on Accountancy and Pauline Curl on Building Issues.

The next French Life Seminar will be held in Brittany on the 17th March and other similar seminars are due to be held over the year 2010 in the regions of Lower Normandy and the Dordogne.

For more details please contact us using our contact us.

‘Taste the Setting’; A misty morning in the heart of the Loire Valley, set amongst vineyards and Châteaux; RANKIN sarl found themselves in more of a ‘French Setting’ and were delighted to be included on this Vineyard Tour of some of the most famous Vouvray Vineyards … by Buggy.

How it all started; Dune Buggy Tours was created in 2001 mainly by demand for people wanting to visit the Vineyards. Philippe Bouleau had a collection of Buggies imported from the States for a hobby and ‘Voila‘ the company has existed ever since. ‘The company had to be created‘ explains Laurence, Philippe’s wife, ‘for insurance reasons as well as demand from the public. It’s vital that people are safe to enjoy their tours.‘

Anita RANKIN (Director of RANKIN sarl) starting up her hired Buggy for the Vineyard Tour.

A quick Demo and we’re off; The Buggy Company attracts local and international clients, all with the same envy; not only to visit the Famous Vineyards and taste the cheeses and wines but also to really be amongst the Vines. ‘We’ve even had our Buggies hired for Birthday outings‘, explains Philippe. Tours generally last about 40mins but different tours can be offered with various visits to Caves and Cheese producers. ‘People just love to be able to travel cross-country and off road, even if it does mean being in the mud sometimes!‘

Finishing the Buggy Tour of the Vines in style with Vouvray Wine.

For more information, call 02 47 52 04 48 or email moncoeurboulea@orange.fr. http://www.dune-buggy-tours.com

Everyone living or owning property in France should be aware of their current situation. Taking steps to ensure that everything necessary has been done protects your financial future and confirms that your actions are in keeping with French law.

Many need to consider their situation in relation to taxation, inheritance rules, buying and selling of property, building
regulations, and health cover to name but a few subjects.

Frequently asked questions include:

• “On what should I pay tax and how can I reduce my tax bills?”
• “How do I run a business in France?”
• “What is the situation with regards to children inheriting before my partner?”
• “What is the most effective way to move my money from the UK?”
• “How can I buy or sell property in France, what should I watch for?”
• “What should I know about engaging builders in France?”
• “Healthcare, cars and insurances?”

We arrange free seminars where a panel of invited speakers will conduct a series of small presentations covering all these subjects and more. There will be the opportunity to ask questions in an open forum and to talk privately with the speakers after the presentation. All are welcome so please feel free to invite friends and neighbors!

Date: For Next Seminar…

Please contact us for more information.

Multimaps France with road names

Need more information? Try our useful resources page.

Set to live life as a Lord, Matthew and Angela Shearn with children Joe, 21 and Alex 18, bought their Château in July 2000. Living in Kenilworth, near Warwick, Angela, a teacher, wanted to do school trips and offer accommodation for school children. Matthew, thought he’d simply commute to and from his work as an Automotive Engineer. After only 4 property viewings in France they visited the Château de Bailleul and fell in love with it.

Château de Bailleul

‘Heart over Head’ Their projects never materialized as The Château was clearly the ‘wrong’ property for the job but ‘Heart ruled over Head’. ‘The location was wrong for the project and the property too grand, but we simply fell in love’, giggles Angela. ‘We so wanted to bring this wonderful property back to life’.

Château’s Napoleonic Moats

Highs and Lows; ‘The ‘high’ of the property’ explains Matthew, ‘is definitely the property’s moat. Tranquility and bird song from Dawn to Dusk. The main ‘low’ is probably the fact that we never did succeed in using the Château as a film set, which had been another possible project.’

Château’s Grounds

Have a plan – stick to it; ‘Good advise to others’, say Matthew and Angela laughing, ‘is to have a plan and stick to it’. No language problems in France for language teacher Angela, but she says that Matthew simply refused to take lessons and now regrets it !

Château’s Chapel and Crest

Keeping up appearances; Their love of France remains firmly intact over the years with this huge project, in all it’s splendor. ‘Relaxed values, space and of course the food, sums up just why I just love France’ concludes Matthew. Asking just to give ONE word to describe their experience in France they decided on ‘EXHILIRATING’

The Château is now for sale on this site, please see our section on Luxury Property and Château Ref: AR901

Derek Lewis, proprietor and founder of Something Fishy, France.

Derek’s Plaice; The historical town of Domfront in Lower Normandy, couldn’t be more French and stepping into the Fish n’Chip shop couldn’t be more British. An extraordinary contrast, but it works. ‘The French love it’, says Derek, ‘mainly coming in at lunch time and of course I have loads of English clients too, coming from miles around’. Having lived in Surrey for years Derek came to France in 1999 and is no novice at running a business in France. Since living here he’s set up one of the first English Bars in the region, ‘there are now 15 or 16 in the region’ he says, ‘but mine was one of the first’. He also created another business dealing with traditional British Bacon. The main advice that Derek gives to any newcomer is to ‘Get a good accountant’.

Derek in his Chippy Shop with beautiful period Art-deco ceiling.

‘Life on an ocean wave’; Derek talks about his highs and lows with the Chippy project in France. ‘The problems I’ve had, have been mainly administrative but France is such a lovely place to live, they’re now all forgotten,’ smiles Derek. ‘Now my new project’s a success, I’d dearly love to take it easy, wind-down and really I ought to get around to retiring’, he laughs. Learning to speak French at 54 setting up many successful businesses, Derek certainly is a role-model for anyone considering such a life-change.

‘Something Fishy’ Fish and Chips is for sale on this site, see our commercial and business section: Ref: AR1374

‘Taken for a Spin’; The exclusive French Importers of this fantastic car welcomed RANKIN sarl onto their stand at the Coupé and Cabriolet show in Paris, Porte de Versailles this spring. A truly ‘British’ welcome set by the team still living the ‘Authentic Era’ through these exceptional sports cars.

Demonstration of the AERO 8 to Anita Rankin by Françoise Mahul-Poncini

Nouveauté; Traditional and newer models, including the AERO 8 were on the stand keeping the ‘British Flag flying’. Popular with their French clients, MORGAN sell about 40% of their imported cars to Parisian’s and 60% to clients in other regions of France and Switzerland.

Pierre-Henri Mahul (Director and importer MORGAN France)

‘From the ‘Horse’s Mouth’; Pierre-Henri Mahul, Director and exclusive Importer for Morgan Cars explains that the importation of these cars in France started in 1952. The production line for Morgan Cars consists of about 450 to 500 per year, 80 to 100 of these are exported yearly to Morgan France.

Pierre-Henri Mahul (Director and Importer MORGAN CARS) with client and Morgan owner Marcel Treton. Badge: ECURIE MORGAN FRANCE.

Why Buy?; So, why do clients buy and why have they been buying the famous Morgan classic for so long? RANKIN sarl ask. ‘It’s totally a question of Leisure and Luxury’, explains French Morgan owner Marcel Treton. ‘The Classic sensation without any of the inconveniences, Morgan cars are guaranteed for 4 years. You can easily run around at between 40 to 170kms/hr in total comfort and balance, something you’d have difficulty in doing in a vintage car which can often be unreliable too’. Pierre-Henri Mahul also founded the ECURIE MORGAN France, an exclusive club reserved to French MORGAN clients. ‘This has been a great addition’, he says, ‘we do more things with the cars in group and offer Morgan driving courses and Morgan driving holidays to our clients, it’s excellent fun.’

Anita Rankin (Director of RANKIN sarl) on MORGAN FRANCE stand.

‘At the wheel;’ When asked for one word to sum up a MORGAN car Mr and Mrs Mahul-Poncini chose the French word ‘Décalé’ which describes a ‘Removed’ sensation from anything existing. As the MORGAN FRANCE logo says ‘Another Vision of Things’. Whatever you feel about Morgan car’s, it remains to be seen that today they are the only remaining truly British through and through car left on the market!

Morgan Car’s Welcomed at RANKIN sarl Offices

‘Wheels in Motion’; The Centenary for Morgan in Le Mans this summer set the wheels in motion yet again with meetings and Ralley’s all over France. We were truly delighted to welcome several of the cars in the very front of our RANKIN sarl offices in Mayenne, Pays de la Loire. We also had the pleasure in providing a RANKIN sarl Roadbook for this ‘Timeless Ralley’. Thanks to Monsieur Treton and other Morgan owners for including us and Safe Driving!