Our place in the sun
This website and blog is published by an English 40-something honours graduate psychologist and a 70-years-young Scottish retired college lecturer, who with their clan of cats and black goldfish are all living the life of the Paysans Grigny.
For anyone, young or old, making a move to foreign climes can be an exciting but daunting task... as it was when we made the decision to buy a neglected property in the south of Pas-de-Calais and set-to making it habitable, in order to make a permanent move to La Belle France.
During the course of our journey we have encountered fun times - and the odd obstacle that has required us to seek the assistance of others. We didn't arrive armed with all the information we needed to settle into a quiet paysan life. On the contrary, we have had to dig ourselves out of the proverbial mire on more than one occasion, sometimes relying only on our wits and an English-French dictionary. But these events have provided us with some new and valuable skills, which we are happy to freely share with others through this website.
So if you are considering abandoning the rat race and joining us to take up the 'paysan' mantle, we hope that our site provides some interesting features and information to help you make a smooth transition into French life. Check out 'Notre Vie francaise' for our tips on integrating within your new community. Already made the move? Then use the 'Contact us' form if you have any advice to pass on to others.
Alternatively, if you are a regular traveller across the Dover Straits to visit the local Calais hypermarkets, why not extend your journey inland to take in some of the culture and historical treasures that can be found within a short drive of the coast? Our pages 'Pays d'Opale', 'Les Pays des 7 Vallées' and 'Other interesting bits!' give an overview of some of the features of Pas-de-Calais.
Agenda
For full details of events scheduled in Les Sept Vallees see:
http://www.tourisme7vallees.com/
Brocantes
July
4: Hesdin
5: Camiers, Capelle les Hesdin, Coulogne, Cucq, Embry, Fruges, Helfaut, Sempy, Zoteux
12: Blendecques, Fressin, Goudy St Andre
14: Houlle, Ligny Thilloy, Montreuil-sur-Mer, St Etienne au Mont
19: Cavron St Martin, Blangy sur Ternoise, Setques
26: Bouin Plumoison, Frevent, Saulchoy, Verchin
August
2: Douriez, Wamin
9: Hesdin, Brimeux
15: Beaurainville, Viel Hesdin
23: Contes
30: Guisy, Lespinoy
September
6: Ruisseauville
13: Eclimeux
20: Marconnnelle
DISCLAIMER: Brocante listings supplied by third parties.
May be subject to cancellation or change.
Links
NEWS:
Subscribe to the newspaper for English-speakers in France at: www.connexionfrance.com
SERVICES:
For good value telephone calls and internet connection, with excellent English-language support, switch to: www.phonexpat.com
(quoting reference: 105835)
Peinture Paysanne: landscape and abstract artwork
Markets
Stella-Plage:
Wed and Sun: all year, Place du Marché
Berck-Plage:
Tue 16h-21h: Place de l'Eglise; Traditional market selling local products: Wed and Sat: Place de l'Eglise
Berck-ville:
Tue, Fri and Sun: Place Claude Wilquin
Le Touquet:
Mon, Thu and Sat: Pl du Marché Couvert
Fruges:
Saturday mornings
Merlimont:
Mon and Fri: Place de la Gare
Etaples:
Tue and Fri a.m.: Pl du Général de Gaulle
Montreuil:
Saturday: Place du Général de Gaulle
Hesdin:
Thursday: Place d'Armes
Beaurainville:
Wednesday mornings
Saint Pol sur Ternoise:
Monday mornings