Charming Normandy Colombage - French Property of the Week

Charming, stone longere, totally renovated yet retaining the character of the property. situated in a quiet hamlet near the pretty town of Ducey. the house sits on a plot of just over 1000m2 with fruit trees and a stream.

At just 190,800 euros

Charming, stone longere, totally renovated yet retaining the character of the property. situated in a quiet hamlet near the pretty town of ducey. the house sits on a plot of just over 1000m2 with fruit trees and a stream. Possibility to buy furnished, this house would make an ideal bed and breakfas.

Town: Ducey
Department: Manche
Region: Lower Normandy
Price:     €190,800

More details and photos: Normandy Longere

More about the department of Manche, Normandy
La Manche is the most westerly Département of Normandy. From Cherbourg to Mont saint-Michel, this little corner of France provides a wealth of outdoor activities, and places to visit including the magnificent Mont Saint-Michel, the D-Day beaches, and much more ...

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Video Tour: Medieval Normandy

Need an excuse to visit France? Visit Normandy with the children and get involved and experience the Medieval history of Normandy.

In 2011, Normandy celebrates 1100 years medieval history as the Duchy of Normandy was created in 911. Festivals and fetes mark the medieval anniversary, which is being celebrated all year long. Come and see it for yourself, you may find yourself amidst your very own Norman conquest!

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Pining for a Pineau in Poitou Charentes

I remember well coming across Pineau whilst looking for a French property to buy around the Poitou Charentes region in the early 90s. Fortunately, we were looking for a rural property and you come across Pineau in the local bars and restaurants. It is a great favourite. Findingourwaynow.com have an interesting article about Pineau - extract below:

We were served Pineau des Charentes (produced by Domain La Prenellerie) as an aperitif several times while in France.  It was simply divine.  When I went in search of information about the wine, I found a very interesting and unique history.findingourwaynow.com

Nobody knows exactly how Pineau des Charentes came to be.  The legend is it was due to a happy accident.  The story goes, that in 1589, it is believed that a winegrower mistakenly poured unfermented grape juice (must) into a barrel of Cognac.

A few years later, when he needed to use that particular barrel, he discovered he had made a wonderful new drink.  That was when “Pineau des Charentes” was born.  In the four centuries that followed winegrowers who have made and are making Pineau des Charentes have maintained a very high standard for this unique and amazing product.

For a long time, Pineau des Charentes was kept a secret.  Bottles of this unique wine were hidden, only to be used for important occasions.

This fantastic fortified wine is now known around the world and is France’s most famous sweet, fortified wine.

Read full article: Trip To France: Pineau des Charentes 2010: Wine

Video: Tasting Pineau

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Pain in the Dough!

One of the reasons we love France is the Bread and Delicatessens. Here is the lowdown on the various types of Bread.

All boulangeries (bakeries) have baguettes (or flûtes), which are long and thin, as well as wider loaves simply known as pain (bread), both of which are at their best if eaten within four hours of baking.

Other types of bread, which come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, vary from shop to shop and region to region, but since they are all on display, making a selection is easy.

The following is just some of the types of bread you will find at a boulangerie.

1. Baguette – the standard long, crispy French loaf weighing 250g

2. Ficelle – a thinner, crustier 200g version of the baguette (really like a very thick breadstick)

3. Flûte – similar to, though often heavier than, a baguette

4. Pain – a wider, less crispy version of a baguette weighing 400g

5. Pain d’avoine – oat bread

6. Pain azyme – a flat unleavened loaf

7. Pain biologique (pain bio) – organic bread

8. Pain de campagne – country loaf

9. Pain aux cinq/six/sept céréales – five/six/seven grain bread

10. Pain complet – wholemeal bread

Read more other breads: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/travel-tips-and-articles/75917?affil=twit#ixzz22wFvpEZX

Making Bread Video:

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Converted Vendee Longere: 2 Gites French Property of the Week

A WELL- PRESENTED MODERNISED TRADITIONAL VENDĒEN LONGERE COTTAGE ARRANGED AS TWO SEPARATE GITES.

Located in a hamlet only 15mins from sandy Atlantic beaches.

Completely renovated while retaining its original character.

Excellent opportunities for income and competitively priced at just 149,000 euros

Superb location for rental income, given easy access to the long sandy beaches of the Vendee. Scope to increase current rental income as vendors are not fully exploiting rental potential (by choice).

More Details and Photos: Vendee Longere

Why choose the Vendee?

With its magnificent coastline of fine sandy beaches fronting the Atlantic Ocean, the Vendée is a family holiday destination, steeped in history where you can cycle through amazing natural landscapes. Discover an unexpected variety of fascinating scenery where you'll never be short of interesting places to explore.

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Video: Aix en Provence

One of my favourite locations in Provence. It is great to promenade the lovely streets, and enjoy the cooling fountains, and avenues of plane trees. Sit in a cafe and people watch - or enjoy a game of boules.

Aix-en-Provence is famous for its elegant streets and squares, markets, beautiful people, and ability to embrace the good life. For a tourist, Aix is happily free of any obligatory turnstiles — there's not a single ancient site to see. It's just an attractive, prosperous town filled with 140,000 people — most of whom, it seems, know how to live well and look good. Experience Aix by strolling the Cours Mirabeau, people-watching in an outdoor café, tasting the local goat cheese in the market or taking part in a game of boules.

For more information about Aix-en-Provence: Aix-en-Provence Tourism or 1st-for-Provence-Property.co.uk

Take a stroll down the streets of Aix:

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