Sunday, May 27, 2018

THE LOT & DORDOGNE REGIONS

Looking down on Gourdon, from the Table d'orientation.

Table d'orientation

When we first starting looking to buy in France, we focused our search on the Aquitaine region near the border of Spain. Being from Newcastle and loving our local beaches, we knew the areas around Biarritz had a beautiful coastline and was only an hour from San Sebastian and the Basque region of Spain. This area was dearer than the Lot and Dordogne but we liked the idea of being near the coast. We then considered Brittany in the north east because of its proximity to Paris and the UK. A visit to Dinan confirmed how special this region was but we wanted somewhere more central to use as a base in the coming years. The deciding factor for us was just how beautiful the Lot and Dordogne regions were. On the drive south from Paris, the land gradually became more green and hilly, with numerous rivers and streams punctuating the landscape. As we began to drive between the nearby towns of Souillac, Sarlat, Domme and Gourdon, we were amazed by the natural beauty of the region and its medieval towns. In particular, Gourdon was perfect for us. It had a population of about 5000, with the old-town positioned on a hill overlooking the countryside. It had a ring-road around the old-town which was dotted by bars, bakeries, restaurants and cafes, as well as shops selling local delicacies and groceries. Just outside the old-town, were three good size supermarkets, a hospital and the Gare de Gourdon train station that had direct links to Paris and Toulouse. Italy and Spain are about 5-hours by car with the Mediterranean and Paris reachable in about 4-hours. There were also international airports at Bergerac and Toulouse with short flights to the rest of Europe and beyond for our future travels. But the icing on the cake was the actual house. A perfect base for the future, fully renovated with centuries of 'character' maintained. For us, this has never been about buying an investment property. Its about having a European base for our future, and hopefully for our children and theirs. We like the idea of the house being handed down from generation to generation, with family and friends using it as a base to expand their horizons and meet new and interesting people, from all walks of life.

Gourdon's old-town, with ring road.

Gourdon in winter

The road between Gourdon and Domme

The ring-road around Gourdon's old-town

The menu-de-jour at Le Palais, on the ring-road. Three courses for 13 Euro (this was entree).

Souillac, 30 minutes from Gourdon

Our Gite accommodation in Sarlat

Sarlat

Sarlat, 30 minutes from Gourdon

Sarlat

Domme

A view above the clouds in Domme, 20 minutes from Gourdon

Domme

Bordeaux Cathedral

Gourdon countryside

Bordeaux, about 2.5 hours away by car.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, the 'Paris of the South'

Bordeaux at dusk in October 2017, in t-shirts

Bordeaux - plat de jour (tuna)

Washed down by a cheeky local red

At Le Puy-Paulin.

Bordeaux

Departments of France - (Lot - 46)

Friday, May 11, 2018

THE PROCESS

In Australia, the normal conveyance process takes about 6-weeks, give or take. We understood it might take a bit longer in France, and be a bit different, but had no idea. After first viewing the house on 25 October 2017, we headed off to Spain to decide whether we really wanted to go through with it. Being there in person was very different than the months of online research. We were aware that we should not make an offer unless we were fully committed to go through with it. After a few sleepless nights, we decided that you only live once and that it would be an amazing experience. The house was being advertised for €87,000 and seemed amazing value for money compared to the other properties we inspected. So from our experience in Australia, we made on offer of €80,000 expecting we would receive a counter offer and finally settle at about €84,000. So much for our 'experience'. Two days before we were to leave Europe, we received an email from Pierre stating:

"I had the reply just now. And it's ok you can have the house for 79.000 Euros included agency fees. It's a really good news!" (2/11/2017)

We couldn't believe it, the owner had asked for less then we had offered. We received the email at a petrol station in Brittany on the way back to Paris. The expression on Karin's face below says it all.

Over the next few months, further emails trickled in from the agent and the Notaire, who was the lawyer acting for both parties. We kept waiting to be asked for a deposit but it never came. We received the compromis de vente on 24/2/18 and the purchased was finally completed on 9/5/2018.

The email from Veronique, who was our agent after Pierre had left the agency, read:

"Yes, the sale has been completed. Congratulations to you. You are now owner of this lovely medieval house in the old center of Gourdon" (12/5/18)

The original online advert.

The email from Pierre.

The effect the email had on Karin.

The final confirmation email.

"This is page 1 of your attestation of purchase of the lovely house in Gourdon. Please keep this document because for the moment it proves that you bought it.You will receive the deeds in a few months, the Notaire will send it to you". (email from Veronique attaching the 'Attestation')

OUR HOUSE IN GOURDON

We have just received confirmation that the sale has been finalised and we are the proud new owners. Our house in Gourdon is a beautifully restored medieval stone house. We bought it from a lady from London who used it as a holiday house. We understand she purchased it in 1996 for forty thousand francs (40,000 francs). We have been unable to determine how old the house is, but the town dates back to about 961. The local travel guide provides some history:

"Historically Gourdon was an important town and at one time the town had four monasteries. The town was given by Count Raymond I of Toulouse to the Gourdon family in 961 but they were nearly wiped out in 1189 by Richard the Lionheart. Rumour has it that the Gourdon family were later avenged by a surviving son who fatally shot Richard in the shoulder at the siege of Chalus"