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Living the Dream by Paul Smith
A couple who have made a new life for themselves in France share the secrets of their success with Paul Smith
For many of us, holidays are a time for indulging in the fantasy of upping sticks and moving to France.
But few are brave enough to make the dream come true.
Nothing could have been further from the thoughts of Steve and Helen Humphrey just 18 months ago.
The couple, both in their early forties, had built successful careers in England. Steve was a sales director in the food industry handling major accounts like J Sainsbury and Tesco. Helen had worked in advertising in Covent Garden and, over the last 10 years, built up an interior design portfolio with hotel, restaurant and private clients.
The couple had just moved to a village near Pershore where they were 'blissfully happy and content' when, in early August 2003, they decided to book a well-earned, late break. They wanted to return to a favourite haunt - the Domaine de Peyrecaty in the Dordogne - where they had already enjoyed three 'fab' holidays.
It's easy to understand the attraction of this charming property. With its original stone buildings, it was once a working farm and would have grown tobacco, walnuts and maize. Perhaps its former owners had supplemented their income selling cepes from the estate's extensive woodland, or even much sought after truffles.
Imagine the Humphreys' dismay, then, when they discovered it was no longer available and was up for sale.
Helen takes up the story: "We were not looking to buy abroad at all, but after inquiring about the price we thought that maybe it was worth a view. We flew over to
France the following weekend and made an offer. Why? Well, we like a challenge, so why not? We must have been plied with too much wine!"
The compromis de vente was signed in September and in November 2003 the proud new owners and their two fluffy, white Burman cats moved out to France.
There was much to be done, says Helen. "Like most of the English who come out to find their dreams here, we'd no past experience of running holiday properties, no bar or cooking experience and no French language.
"It has been lots and lots of hard work, decorating and getting the properties up to scratch - and then even more work when our guests arrived. But it's been tremendously rewarding, we've met wonderful people, learned lots and had an enormous amount of fun on the way and made some great friends."
Perched atop the hill after which it is named, 52-acre Peyrecaty enjoys breathtaking views in all directions. As well as acres of woodland, it boasts three walnut orchards and even the remains of a troglodyte cave. Accommodation consists of four old stone farmhouses which retain many of their original features, four modern architect-designed gites and a charming woodland lodge as well as the Humphreys' own living quarters.
Facilities include a swimming pool, top quality tennis court, purpose-built volleyball court, licensed bar, dining terrace and large library which doubles as a conference room and wedding venue.
Such surroundings complement a wide range of leisure activities and Helen and Steve are keen to build on the programme offered during 2004, when they were lucky enough to attract the services of a Savoy-trained chef. He will be opening a guest restaurant at Peyrecaty this year and hosting cookery schools during selected weeks (excluding July and August). There are also plans for wine-tasting and gastronomic courses with visits to local vineyards and restaurants.
Helen and Steve are the first to admit it has been a steep learning curve and not always plain sailing: She says: "The worst experience was when the local farmer came with his tractor to cut our grass late one evening. It was dark, but he looked very industrious working by tractor lights.
"The next thing we knew, the farmer was explaining that he had a 'petite probleme.' His tractor was sinking! It transpired that our main water pipe to the entire site had ruptured, the day before all our guests were due to arrive! At midnight Steve and our two helpers Mark and Pete were digging deep trenches in the field by torchlight trying to find the pipe in order to fix it. We eventually located and repaired the pipe at 4am. A truly humbling experience."
But being accepted with open arms by the locals, combined with a successful first season, has more than made up for all the hard work. "We love France with its culture, people and simplicity of life and would recommend it to others," says Helen.
What advice would she give to people starting out down the same route? "If you don't speak or understand the language when you first arrive in France, don't think you will be able to learn as you make your way through translating documents. Running a gite complex, especially one of our size, comes with enormous amounts of paperwork.
"My advice would be to employ someone, say one morning a week, until you have mastered the language yourself. The money you pay them will save you lots in the long run. If you have a query with a bill, don't put it to one side until a fine comes through. Employ someone who can phone up on your behalf, argue your point and get results."
The Domaine de Peyrecaty is featured in the 2005
Chez Nousdirectory.
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