Selling the French

The Colverson family

Simon and Theresa Colverson were amongst the first pioneers to emigrate to France.

They moved to their home in the tiny hamlet of Fomboisse 17 years ago.

Their restored farmhouse has walls of honeyed stone almost three foot thick and views across the rolling hills and vineyards of Bergerac.

The couple have found that there is a business to be made selling homes to the Brits who have followed them.

Estate agent

Theresa acts as a self employed agent for a local estate agent.

She finds properties and business up for sale and then markets them to UK residents looking for the good life in France.

Thing are going so well that Simon, a builder by trade, has now joined the business and is building up websites to offer more services the growing ex-pat community.

The couple warn that few people move to France to make their fortune.

They find that most people are looking for a way to fund their new lifestyle.

Research

The Colverson's three daughters were born and grew up in France and can speak both languages fluently.

Simon warns that anyone moving out to France should do a lot of research first.

Fomboisse

"It's no mystery really," says Simon.

"Just like setting up a business back home, you need to know the area you are moving to and whether there is a market for what you are planning to do.

"And I would advise anyone coming out here to have the right finance.

"You could do with two years of money in your back pocket to tide you over whilst you are setting up," adds Simon.

He also warns that it is almost impossible to get a loan from a British bank to set up in business in France and so you will need to get finance through a French bank.

Language

But for the Colversons the most important piece of advice is to learn the language.

It may seem obvious, but with so many ex-pats around it is possible to live in the Dordogne and speak only a minimal amount of French.

"That's fine if you're just coming out here to retire," says Theresa.

"But if you want to do business you will have to learn French.

"For one thing it means you can make good contacts and most importantly, build up a relationship with the local Marie.

"He's the mayor and the person who can smooth out all your problems," adds Theresa.