Ray51

If there's anyone , would you care to comment on your life there ,
thanks ,
R.

dennerlymum

have you also thought of contacting a regional forum,; where there may be a more definite group of people local to the area you are looking at

Ray51

Thanks , could be a great idea !
( which "local forum" , pray ? )

dmu

Hi, you may get more response if you say why you're asking. Plans to move there? Writing a book?
PM sent with a couple of suggestions.

Etoile de Berger

I live in the Bearn.

Why? What do you want to know?

Ray51

Just wandered , what it could be that made Bearn recommended as one of the top places to retire , by a recent U.S. survey .
Haven't been there ever , nor south of Bordeaux - maybe , next spring-summer ?

Etoile de Berger

OMG we don't want YANKS here!!

Well where do I start?

How about you starting on the internet, google Bearn, and get to know us?

I am happy to answer any detailed questions but your canvas is just too broad.

Ray51

[QUOTE=Etoile de Berger;9756271]OMG we don't want YANKS here!!

QUOTE]

Don't panic ! At the current exchange rates , they probably wouldn't be too keen either , at least : until Merkel , Sarko , van Rompuy and ECB let EUro come down to Earth , parity with the US$ or at least the values at which it was originally launched .

As for Bearn , I've done some preliminary look-ups/search ; doesn't tell one nowhere near enough , IMHO & sadly .
As one familiar with many a place in France , from Lille and Reims & , to Metz , Alsace , Lyon , Annecy , Cote d'Azur , Languedoc , Toulouse , Carcassone , Limoux , Cognac , Normandy , Brittany , Bordeaux etc...still I wander what life could be like in that part of Aquitaine ?

Etoile de Berger

The Bearn is between very rural, relatively poor, dry and hot (summertime) Gers and the pays Basque which, while the Bearn and the Basque say they have nothing in common, actually influence/cross each other.
It is more moist in summer so greener than the Gers, close enough to Biarritz, Bayonne and Pau to enjoy urban opportunities and yet equally as close to the mountains for summer and winter sports. There is a lot of agriculture but also more of a feeling of larger towns. Of course it is old and it isn't hard to find 12th/13th C. churches, but that happens all over France. Bearnaise history includes Henry IV born at Pau and was King of Navarre, Gaston Febus, Jean d'Albret who legalised the salt production in Salies as well as supporting this area as a Huguenot stronghold. Salies was also on the border of the Vichy and free states in WW2.

Roofs are very sloped with a distinctive shape...the internet will show you. Google Salies de Bearn where I live. Lots of photos there.

Food is very good as usual, and most people have vegetable gardens. We take the Black Gascon pigs from Gascony for charcuterie, the wine from the Jurancon (Pau), and Bordeaux, the ducks as usual from our own region, lamb from the Basque country as well as their peppers, tomatoes and piperades.

It is quiet, with its fair share of international people here. Houses are average in price but as everywhere, not selling. I find it a pleasant cross between peaceful and there being something to do.

Does that help?

Ray51

Yes , somewhat ;
Thanks a Lot !
R.