Languedoc, South of France, what do you think

[christmasspongecake]

Hi there
it looks like we might be on the move there next year with our new baby (due march) does anyone live there or know it well? what's it like? we will be in the montpellier/ bezier/ carcassone region. Any views welcome.. what do you think? thanks v much..

[Tinker]

Bezier is twinned with Stockport. However, I wouldn't hold that against it. Believe it's lovely.

[moondog]

It's lovely around there.
My sister lived nearby for years and an old botfriend worked in Beziers.
Do you speak French?
What will you do there?

[christmasspongecake]

thanks- i like the sound of it....my dp will be working there and I can work from home perhaps (if they mean it!) Is it busy and lively- i mean do people go out for dinner and stuff, or is the culture really quiet and people stick to themselves? my french is ok, and sure after immersion will be better.. also baby will have to learn it!

[moondog]

Well I had a good time.
I think people are the same wherever you go.
Speaking the language and having children always makes a massive difference.

[aDadTidingsWeBring]

Lovely area.
All sorts within reach for you from there, Med, skiing, pyrenees, scenery, some great towns and cities.
Busy/lively depends where you are going exactly tbh.

[Berries]

Don't live there but went on holiday this year - just South of Perpignan. Absolutely loved it. Stayed in a little village called Laroque des Alberes, everybody was really friendly even though most of the visitors were French. They speak Catalan in that area (not sure if they still do further along) which seems a mix of Spanish & French (I'm sure someone will correct me here ) Anyway, school French & holiday Spanish meant we managed to get along (although different to 'real life' I know). I would seriously think of moving to that region if the opportunity came up, lucky you.
PS we have booked same villa again next year,

[ntsmum]

It's the windiest region in France! Very beautiful though, and fantastic wines

[admylin]

I lived there for a while and learnt to drive in Montpellier (very scary, instructer just kept yelling "faster, faster, overtake.. " But the city of Carcassonne is gorgeous. You will have lots to visit, lovely villages, the mountains the beach, all easy to access if you drive. I lived in a very small village so without a car it would have been impossible to get anywhere, public transport might have improved as that was years ago. I envy you, would love to go back there.

[christmasspongecake]

am looking forward to it loads more now, thanks! am on maternity leave from mid feb, month before baby due, so hoping to brush up on my french then. not sure about the wind but am sure sunshine will make up for it!

[calmontheoutside]

Hi, I've lived in Beziers for six months and started off with very litte French... We absolutely love it here. It's lively, busy with locals, not incredibly touristy, lovely buildings, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, etc... Fifteen minutes drive from the coast, fantastic mountains and hillwalks nearby, Canal du Midi runs through it... Sunny, sunny summers, and autumns and winters... Inexpensive wines, cheeses, appartments... Unfortunately we have to return home some time next year.

[christmasspongecake]

am really looing forward to going... dp is going in jan to sort out the house for us-i can't fly now as due march- no pressure, poor love. it sounds so nice, why do you have to leave? sounds like you enjoy it there.. how;s your french?

[dodgykeeper]

Wow Christmasspongecake! I'm so jealous. We have been there on hols several times and I can't get enough of it. The people are really friendly and the wine is very good (and cheap!)

[TheDivineLiliLaTigresse]

My maman is from the area, and my grandparents used to live in Carcassonne, I have many fond memories of the place (and yes it can be very windy!) Toulouse is also a great place.
I think I would want to live in a town rather than a village if I was moving abroad with a baby, what are your plans at the moment?

[calmontheoutside]

christmasspongecake - sorry first time to self after MIL over for Christmas. The reason we were returning is that we feel very, very guilty having DD here, away from MIL who has recently found out that she osteoporosis. However, after pretending not to be able to lift a finger all Christmas, and shouting orders for breakfast, lunch and the heating to be turned higher, we feel we need to rethink our reasons for returning. MIL can manage very independently at home, according to DSIL and BIL... who were shocked to find her so helpless (they live quite near her and see her frequently). Even so we do feel guilty and that we ought to return, but that cannot be the reason at the top of the list, because we will feel forever resentful. We LOVE it here. Lucky, lucky you for being about to come. We have some more major thinking to do.
To answer your other question - Came with beginner's French, have improved greatly in six months but cannot follow conversations... Am now giving English lessons in French though, which is great.

[aznerak]

Hi there
I am really interested in all this.
My parents own a villa in Creissan (just outside Beziers)and we have spent a lot of time over there and are starting to think that life would be so much better for us all over there. We love the pace of life, the region, the people, the weather and the list goes on.
The only real sticking points for us are - we have a DS who is just 5 and very shy. he is very bright and confident once he is in familiar environments and as such, he adores his primary school here but in unfamiliar territory, he is SO shy and timid, I wonder how he'd settle in to a school where no-one speaks English at all. I am worried how the move may affect him longer term. OUr DD is only just 2, so she'd be fine, I'm sure of that.
The other issue is work. I speak French virtually fluently (did a degree in French) and lived in France for a while 15 years ago. However, my hubbie's french is only basic so we are worried about getting jobs as I know employment can be hard to find. At the moment, I am the stay at home one, which of course we could reverse if need be.
Calmontheoutside - what do you do in terms of work? Did your DH/DP go over there with a job already or did you find work?
How have you found it making friends? Are you in Beziers itself or a village nearby? How old is your DD? So interested to hear more! Maybe I could email you....

[Lucycat]

oy Tinker!!

Bezier is lovely though - d'you reckon the representative from Bezier hadn't actually seen Stockport when they agreed to be twinned with us?

I'm very of anyone who lives down there - it's my favourite region of France.

[Leoladyofleisure]

Hello... am I a bit late to reply to this?

My sister lives down there in a small village called Albas somewhere between Carcassone and Narbonne (her and boyfriend have a small vinyard). They are quite isolated but it seems they have a few expat friends, some with children, although non-french are still quite a novelty in the area. Its a very beautiful area and I think France is a fantastic place to bring up children.

[Rach35]

This is REALLY late on but wondered if christmasspongecake is still in Langudeoc? I am 33wks and in Montpellier and always looking for friends!!!

[saintpeta]

This is late but wondered too if christmasspongecake is still in Langudeoc? I want to relocate to this area and am going to visit at easter. From what I have seen and heard it just sounds wonderful. Does anyone think DH could get a job truck driving down there? I am worried too like aznerak about my shy 4 year old and my french is rusty, although my spanish is good this will not help. I could teach in language schools but don't know how much of a demand there is for this -any one know more?