End of an era

It sounds as if you have had a wonderful time over the years. France is a lovely country. You are bound to have reservations about leaving but, as you say, you will go back regularly and it is not far away - depending on where you live in the UK - but where I live I am closer to France than Scotland. You are doing the right thing but I am sure there will be many, many more happy memories yet to follow.

You are doing the right thing. Money in the bank and a much less complicated estate. As you say, you can still return to the area for holidays whenever you want but you won’t have the worry and expense of the upkeep of a house, and you will always have memories of the house - and you know you are leaving it in safe hands. On to the next adventure - your impending move!

End of an era indeed. Will you mark it in some way? You have time between now and April to have big party for friends and neighbours.
Congratulations anyway. Straightforward and simple and also satisfying knowing who will be living there after you.

Well done for such a big decision. May I ask what area of France? Just curious.

It is always hard to realize that time has come to end something, and we do get very attached to property. I'm sure you have created many happy memories for all of your family. You should make a photo album specifically for all your memories there.

I felt the same when we sold our villa in Florida and we only had that for 10 years.

You will still have all your memories.

Not quite as impressive , but, DH and I have decided that this year will be our last with our touring caravan.
We have had 5 different ones over the last 48 years and have had so many wonderful holidays in this country and abroad. We are beginning to find the setting up and towing a bit of a chore.

Like the OP we shall be sad but relieved but will still be travelling while we can.

What a long chapter of memories you will treasure of family times at your house! I know exactly how you feel, because we closed the door on our last French property recently, and a little piece of my heart is still very much over there. But things evolve, and life moves on to new pastures.
You were so lucky with your sale, some Brits I know in Brittany have been trying to sell for years. You made me laugh about the notaire, all that flippin' signing on every single page of every single document! Then all the hand shaking, followed by on the spot invitations to lunch together and raise a few glasses.
It's a relief to have all your assets back home. Our AC never showed any interest in keeping any of our properties in France, so it made sense to sell up. Also when Ryanair stopped flying to our nearest French airport, and Flybe went bust, we could no longer just hop across for short breaks. I miss everything about our places, I loved walking in and finding all our own things there, and often having an open ended return date. It isn't the same renting other people's homes, but you get to visit different places each time, and of course, you don't have all those pesky bills for this, that and the other.
I hope you and your DH have hundreds of memories to laugh about, you must have worked so hard over the years. You're doing the right thing, but I guarantee your love for France will never die ...... (says she who has 3 trips already booked in French houses this year. Now, remind me, why did I sell ours?!).

Joseann As I said our sale was miraculous. It took my cousin 3 years to find a buyer for their home in the Dordogne. We had prepared ourselves for a long wait, and still cannot quite believe it happened so easily.

Our house in Normandy is so easy to get to and from by ferry from Portsmouth with only a short drive both ends, Selling the house now makes it possible to move in the UK as well to be a bit more accessible for our children and the selling of our house in France is being followed by the sale of our house in the UK. Easy access to ports and DC was just not possible. It was one or the other.

So very pleased to hear your French house sale has happened so swiftly. I hope your future plans fall into place equally easily. Enjoy the memories you made in your French home and may you make many new ones in years to come. .

As an add-on, M0nica, let me know if you resist the urge to look in estate agents' windows in France to start all over again! It's hard!

Well done! Je ne regret rien!

My in laws did the same about 15 years ago. Theirs was in the South - in Ariege and we thought about trying to take it over from them but it was not practical or sensible.

They went back in following years once or twice to stay with friends but in fact so much was changing and the area was mostly gites with swimming pools where before it had been working farms
My DD went to the village school for a term.
Such wonderful memories for you all.

Well done MOnica. Glad it all went well.

You sound so sensible and practical about it all.

Bon chance for the future. (Hope my schoolgirl French is correct).

A big decision but the right one. So glad it has worked out for you.

That feels both a brave and sensible decision M0nica. I’m relieved and pleased it’s been straightforward. On to the next phase now. Wishing you well.

The wonderful memories will always be with you. Glad it went smoothly we did a similar thing a few years back.

What a relief to have all your assets back home, indeed.

We sold our French home 2022 we had lived there for nearly 20 years. It was the right thing to do as it was too big for us never ending work on the house and in the garden which was huge. Like Josann our local Airport closed , Flybe stopped flying and Ryanair only flew on certain days. Winter hardly any flights at all, the Ferries became very expensive and in the Winter only sailing certain days. My MIL is 86 so it was always a worry about how we would get back in an emergency. Also Brexit made it difficult, saying that I really miss it. Making friends is not easy when you move to an area you have never lived before , it is easier when you have kids but I am sure I will get there.

Joseann Not a chance! DH was browsing the property for sale in the Notaire's window!!!!!!!!

After the signing , having completely forgotten it was St Valentine's day, we went o our local restaurant intending to have the 17 euro(£15) 3 course menu of the day.

When we got there, first we were lucky to find a table still available, and as well as the menu du jour there was a special much more expensive Valentine's day special, so we thought 'what the heck' and ordered it - and an aperatif, and a glass of wine, when we got back home, it is home for 2 more months, we both dozed off for the afternoon and delayed starting packing until today.

I overslept this morning but DH has started assembling crdboard boxes and thn we will do an inventory of everything we need to get returned to the UK bu a removal van.

We have never had our own house in France but over decades of visits wherever we are we are always attracted by the estate agent windows just to dream a little. So many lovely old houses always a lot cheaper than here. Such temptation.
I am missing our regular French holidays, I used chez nous to find our gites but understand sadly they have gone out of business. I hope to return for another slow road trip through the quiet RN roads. Maybe this year.
You will miss it Monica but you will always have your memories - oh those village restaurants cheap but lovely 3 course lunches. Sometimes with a bottle of wine in the table …… happy days.

Well done, M0nica, for taking the decision and acting on it - and for enjoying the Valentine's meal!
It's not the end of time in France, is it, as you'll love your time staying in accommodation there without worrying about the upkeep. I hope that you continue to have French adventures and add some British ones in, too. Bon chance.

Chez nous was such a lovely magazine for French rentals, you used to be able to buy it in WHSmith. We put our properties in there with great results. The Lady also is a good place to advertise or to search.
You suddenly reminded me of Peter Mayle M0nica with your decadent lunch!

The Lady sounds a bit above our budget Joseann but will have a look perchance to dream.

grace selling up in France when you have lived there must be very difficult. One of my cousin's did that, they lived in the Dordogne for 30 years, but, started to sellup as they approached 80. They are both nearly 90 now, but her DH still wishes they were back in France.

They still manage an occasional trip, but at their age - and we are not far behind, they also appreciate being accessible to family when problems arise.

silverlining48

The Lady sounds a bit above our budget Joseann but will have a look perchance to dream.

No worries, Silverlining, above my budget now too! Unfortunately they don't have any glossy photos in the magazine, just a mini advert with contact details, don't buy a copy unnecessarily.

If anyone wants details of nice, medium range properties, I'll let you know which site I use. The trick is to converse with the French owners, who are very quick to do deals!! They like "liquide" cash! Also I l have yet to be asked to pay anything in advance of my stay!!