matt85

hey people, im new to this site.. just signed up to drop this mesaage. Ive been living in the vendee for nearly 3 years and working here now too. When I was in the uk, i would be up town every weekend with the lads, in the week i would be out almost every night socialising etc. I moved to France knowing nobody.. it was very lonely. I had no friends.. so nobody to go out with to meet new friends! I almost even become depressed with endless days alone. I'd go out though, whether it be just for a walk, fishing, for a beer.. but always on my own. this lasted for a good few months until a lad i had been talking to in my village pulled up outside my house with a car full of lads n offered a drink round his place, so i went.. not speaking french at the time it was difficult but we had a real laugh. alot of them spoke english too! since that night i made alot of friends there who introduced me to more friends etc. 2 years later (present) I can speak french fluently and have many french friends and a fair few english around the same age (im 21). i'm out drinking somewhere every single weekend.. most weekends im torn between 2, even 3 options of where to go! we go on random road trips bordeaux etc.. alot of bbq's.. campsites.. house parties.. town pff! basically when i was going through that time again when i first moved here.. this thread is exactly what i would have wanted to find, so if you are in the same position then get intouch. We'l' go for a beer and il introduce you to alot of people, in which case you could probably find work too! and you dont have to speak french, i have english mates too and most of my french mates speak english anyway! so.. hope to hear from you, Matt

Ka Ora!

Welcome to the forum Matt, If you get any Issues give me a shout.

stefi1

This forum is full of great people ready to help!God knows that I need it... I`m glad that I took a peek here! Oh, and thanks Ka Ora for the warm welcome

fidobsa

It is ironic that the apparently solitary activity of sitting at a computer can help people to make new friends and meet people but it's true. Nobody would have the nerve to stand up in a crowded pub and ask if anyone would like to be friends with them but you can get away with doing the same on the internet. When I was on holiday in New Zealand I visited several people I had only ever spoken to online, one couple even put me up in their house for about a week and took me out sightseeing!

clothmama

Good on you Matt for standing up and sharing your story! I was 21 when I first went out to France and I was so welcomed and was such a novelty for the French I came in touch with (most had never met an Aussie!)and got invited into peoples homes etc.

I hope your life continues to be full and happy in the Vendee and you can help others settle in and find a lovely life for yourself!

Perle

Good for you Matt! I'm well impressed with your story and hope you meet many more great people.

cjm

Hi Matt, just caught your post. I know Fontenay, our bank is there. Lot of older peeps (us included) in and around you; we know some Brits who run a campsite at Bressuire and though a bit of a trek, if you play cricket, there is a club based on La Roche sur Yon (check out LRsYCC). Need some youth, but embarking on recruitment drive for some French young blood, male and female.
Wish my French was as good as yours. Have just spent two months in UK catching up with family and friends and though that bit was great, we can't wait to get back to our home and both our Brit and French friends.
Being made welcome is something the French excel at, so GR8 you've chummed up.
And, yes, this forum is spot on for quality advice and info.

nicksie

hello, this thread is just what I have been looking for so glad I stumbled across it. I have been in the vendee about a month, so very new. I don't speak much French but want to, but with no friends its hard as I have no one to speak French with! Would love to meet some younger people, I'm 29 and live near Fontenay. Currently spending my days doing not a lot, going out for bike rides or walks by myself so related to your post Matt. I would love to meet new people, make friends and socialise and hopefully find some work too! nicki

cjm

Hi nicksie, welcome, others will also welcome you. As I'm close let me know if I can help, or PM me. What are you doing? Little French so assume you can't be working. How come Fontenay? Share if you wish.

Danny1982

Hi. Im 29 and moved to vendee region recently, i too am finding it fairly lonely so far, i speak ok french and tend to get by but would like to know if there are many other english speaking people around the Les Sables d'Olonne area who may have any advice on the area. Thanks.

cjm

Hi Danny, welcome to the Forum, as you can see from my info we are south of you. Not that familiar with Les Sables, though do visit it from time to time. Why settle there, what brought you to France? Share here or PM me.

jonjar

CJM Labels was the name of my business which I had for over 25 years!
We did have a holiday home in la vendee, in a place called Angles, so we were "les anglais de angles". Les Sables is really lovely and I am sure you will make plenty of friends there.

Now we are in la rochelle but with a flat in the UK. I hope to do some bass fishing next year.

cjm

Hi jonjar, I buy wine en vrac from Angles Cave at the Forge. La Rochelle I know and next weekend will be watching rugby there with some pals. La Rochelle is very beautiful and I'm sssuming if you are fishing for bass it will be via boat. I beach fish with another pal if the tides are right.

jonjar

Hi cjm. I was told that there can be good fishing for bass from the shore just after the end of the bridge to the Isle de Re. Friends here in la rochelle have boats but are not interested much in fishing. We did catch a couple of small bass from the beach at la terriere some years ago.

cjm

To anyone checking this post, I would recommend Matt's way of doing things. Not that you need to go out for beers etc., but try to get involved. Smaller communities are often easier I feel, but check out French neighbours, there are assocations you can get involved with and if you play sport that can also be a route. Talk to people. Even bonjour can help break the ice. My French I would accept is limited, but I get by and I am not afraid to get it wrong and even be a little foolish. French people I have met respect this and if you can do all of this with a light heart and a smile, it goes far. It may be we are fortunate in our part of France. The Vendée is said to be a little different (but if I was born or local here I would probably say that too), but I have met met few grumpy people. Yes, there are quite a lots of Brits here, some with holiday homes but many permanent residents. So, get stuck in and be surprised.