Pagnolfan

Hope you don't mind me asking a further question on this thread. I have been following the debate with interest as we are in an identical position to the OP. Is there not a "fourth way"? To run a small business ie on an AE basis and by virtue of this, become part of the french system and thus pay your way? My OH and I were thinking of a small gite or chambre d'hote type business? I expect you will say this has been done to death but I see there are others of you doing it, presumably reasonably successfully. We would only need the income to cover our taxes/ contributions as have early retirement pension income to cover living costs. Also, i think it would give us an interest and involvement. Don't want to become completely inactif, just get out of the UK ratrace.