CountrylassAnne Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 I've just been reading the article in today's Mail On Sunday called - 'French village marches on its British Invaders'.It says that yesterday more than 100 demonstrators gathered in the square at Bourbriac in Brittany to revolt against the tide of expats that has sent property prices soaring. More than 300,000 Brits now live in the region with 10,000 new British arrivals each year. Apparently they were waving banners, giving speeches and burning brochures from estate agents specialising in selling homes to the British. The protest was organised by A-Stroll meaning 'together' in Breton language, and is dedicated to ending foreign and especially British property speculation in the area. They are complaining about British having their own clubs and are not integrating etc......!It makes very unhappy reading, and the article is obviously all fact and not fiction. Isn't it highly likely that this bad feeling towards Brits could spread to other areas in France, given the number of Brits purchasing? It worries us a lot and to be honest makes us have second thoughts about getting our own holiday home in Normandie - I know prices there have almost doubled in the last 3 years. One reason we actually love France is because the French (certainly in rural Normandie) seem to be very unmaterialistic, and live in an old-fashioned way which we find very charming - I would hate that to all change, to me it is the very essence of France! My son is studying Geography A-level and has been told that France has more tourists per year than any other country in the world. I wonder why............!? (USA comes 2nd but has only half as many tourists pa) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 This has been boiling up for years here and now the pan has boiled over and will probably get worse unless agents stop inflating property prices. I would be very worried about owning an isolated property here now that isn't inhabited all the time and that is known to be non-french owned - look at what happened in Wales in the 80's when many were burned down in the same sort of protest as previously mentioned on a thread here. Our french friend has a house to sell and does not want any agent involved because of the fees they charge and the prices they ask which no local can afford these days. 25 year plus mortgages are now the norm here in France after being 15 years previously. I get to mix with many different people here both at work,in business and on council and I can tell you there is a lot of comment now about all this latest carry-on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 >>and the article is obviously all fact and not fiction<<<What - In the Mail on Sunday ? I think you will find its rather exagerated.........the article the Mail published yesterday certainly was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 They mentioned it on every new's bulletin on the local radio here today.There was also an article in the Sunday paper and a nice big photo.In Ouest France the other day, they reckoned 15,000 British in the centre of Brittany.I know Val saw 'Reportages' yesterday but they were in the Creuse and the prices down there are what Brittany was like a few years ago. People very happy to be selling but will they feel robbed if the prices rocket like they have here? All about the influx of agence immobiliers......Oh. The English "disease" of chambre d'hôte and gîtes....that got a mention in the Creuse too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 [quote]I've just been reading the article in today's Mail On Sunday called - 'French village marches on its British Invaders'. It says that yesterday more than 100 demonstrators gathered in the square at Bo...[/quote]Not sure about facts being reported by the Sunday Mail but then there is a first for most things.A friend has given us eye witness accounts, it appears there was nowhere near 100 but nearer 20, the Mayor of Bourbriac was quoted but it wasn't him, it was the Mayor of another commune.Didn't the Mail also state that the Mayor (the other one ! from the other commune) was masterminding the campaign ? Apparently there was someone in a chicken outfit, not sure if the Mail quoted the chicken though unless they mistook the chicken for the Mayor, which wouldn't surprise me More seriously, the demonstrators quoted a few disagreements, which may or may not escalate in the years ahead but for the moment it appears pretty low key. It will be interesting to get a more factual account in tomorrows Ouest FranceOh. The English "disease" of chambre d'hôte and gîtes....that got a mention in the Creuse too.What's the symptoms of this disease Alexis, is it a stupid look on ones face, cos Tina says it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judie Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 One of the previous posters mentions that until agents stop inflating prices, animosity will continue.I have been out to value 6 properties in Lower Normandy in the last two weeks, both french and english owned. On all but one occasion, the vendor wanted more than I valued each property at. Perhaps not the agents but vendors, maybe ?????Judie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrylassAnne Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Over the last couple of years 3 members of my family have tried to move house within their own county here in the UK - Lincolnshire and Derbyshire. Unfortunately none of them were able to buy a different house because they were guzzumped at the eleventh hour, by buyers from the south of England!! My relations felt resentment towards a group of people whose ability to pay was much greater than their own!!So yes I can empathise with the indiginous French population. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 That just shows Countrylass, I live in the South of England and get fed up with people from the midlands and north taking the houses (often with company paid relocation allowances)that my kids might buy !Thats life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrylassAnne Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 In that case Russethouse, do I take it that you would be in favour of the French Government stepping in and giving local people preferential treatment when a house comes up for sale? It wouldn't bother me if that happened because after all France does belong to the French! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave&Olive Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Wales went through the same thing a few years back now.Remember the saying come home to a real fire buy a cottage in Wales Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 No, I am just illustrating the point that there are always two sides to these things.The only person who can give preferential treatment to locals is the seller, would you accept less than the market price for your house ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrylassAnne Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Illustrating 2 sides of a situation you say........hmmmm!My relatives in Lincolnshire were hoping to buy a 'home' which was actually bought by a family from somewhere in the south of England for £400.000 as a 'WEEKEND RETREAT'!! Nice for some!You mentioned people from the Midlands relocating to the south of UK (for work purposes?), presumably being told that if they refused they may not have a job.............direct comparison, similar situations.......I think not!! How many people do you know that have been told they must relocate to France in order to keep their job with an existing company? Whereas how many people do you know that have bought a little place in France as a holiday home because they could?Would I sell my house for less than the market value?It all depends. We bought our home here as a wreck 26 years ago and have done loads to improve it. Apparently it's now worth 10 times more than we bought it for. Whatever we sell for, it will be a huge profit and exact market value or not we will still win.As regards buying a house in France - we would like to own one for the next 20-25 years, so once again the same answer will apply.As you will realise I am very 'passionate'!!?? (maybe the wrong word) about this subject and worry that collectively foreign buyers in France are in danger of destroying the very reason why we wanted to live/be in France in the first instance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Not sure it is just the house purchases that will aggravate the situation. I suspect that other things will just add to the cocktail. It won't take many people to be getting benefits ie CMU and grants and anything else going and a little gossip and then rumours and the story will go around that these anglais come and pay over the odds for houses and then sap the system. I am in no way inferring that anyone will not be claiming what they are not eligible for, but the perception of it may be quite something different. I do, after all, hear enough conversations about other immigres in France to know how these things go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 >>My relatives in Lincolnshire were hoping to buy a 'home' which was actually bought by a family from somewhere in the south of England for £400.000 as a 'WEEKEND RETREAT'!! Nice for some!<<What they do with the property when they have got it is nothing to do with anyone else except the local council who need to collect taxes etc>>You mentioned people from the Midlands relocating to the south of UK (for work purposes?), presumably being told that if they refused they may not have a job.............direct comparison, similar situations.......I think not!! <<<No, people move south for all sorts of reasons, some because they just think it will provide better opportunities for them, or that they think the weather is better (and I really have known people who moved for that reason! )>>How many people do you know that have been told they must relocate to France in order to keep their job with an existing company? Whereas how many people do you know that have bought a little place in France as a holiday home because they could?<<<And why not - there was a time when the French were not remotely interested in some of the properties Brits would take on. And the Brits are not alone here, numerous French do the same !(buy second houses because they can)Would I sell my house for less than the market value?It all depends. We bought our home here as a wreck 26 years ago and have done loads to improve it. Apparently it's now worth 10 times more than we bought it for. Whatever we sell for, it will be a huge profit and exact market value or not we will still win.'Winning' may not matter, if you have children you may feel obliged to get the best possible price for their benefit.>>As regards buying a house in France - we would like to own one for the next 20-25 years, so once again the same answer will apply.As you will realise I am very 'passionate'!!?? (maybe the wrong word) about this subject and worry that collectively foreign buyers in France are in danger of destroying the very reason why we wanted to live/be in France in the first instance.<<<Well France is a country, not a theme park, things change and develop......this is a more complex problem than Brits buying up houses, why not ask the local government what they do to encourage businesses to invest in the region ? That might provide work, better wages etc.France sees itself as a key part of the EU, as such it is obliged to allow other Europeans to settle where they will.I do have sympathy for your view but you have your place in France, are you saying you don't want others to enjoy the same ?PS Were you one of the demonstrators ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0BRIAN WOODHEADI,m here in franceddMMyyyy0Falseen-USI,m here in franceTrue Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 "France sees itself as a key part of the EU"france sees itself as the EU not just a key part and only now slowly waking up to the fact that it is not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrylassAnne Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Yes I've been sussed, I was the one in the chicken suit........................thought I was setting a good EGGsample, while I HATCHed out my next move. It was not a POULTRY demonstration cos there's no smoke without fire.......................!To be serious, I have no problem whatsoever with anyone from any country buying a 'place in France' so long as they:Don't pay over the odds for property - enjoy the spirit of haggling, the French do,(I strongly disagree with the advise frequently given - offer the asking price and it's yours!)Can afford to buy - ie are not completely tied up with loans.Learn the language, make friends with their neighbours and local folk,Join in with community activities and integrate as much as possible,Learn, understand and respect the local customs and traditions.In my experience in France over 22 years we have made many genuine French friends and I am only voicing many of their opinions and concerns! Owning a French property is surely a privilege and not a right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Raise the flags outcast - we might agree on something !France really cannot have its EU cake and eat it too.....Countrylass - the problem is with France in the EU having a home in France IS a right, just as French people have the same right here.I've asked several Bretons about this problem and their answer is always the same, as long as people try at least to learn the language, there is no problem. In fact they have had favourable comments about property improvement,trade for local businesses and the influx of young children helping to keep schools open. Those that do not get to know their neighbours, join communities, discover the local culture are the losers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbannister<P><a target=_blank href="http:www.carolynbannister.com">http:www.carolynbannister.com<A><P> Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 just so you can see for yourselves what happened in bourbriac on saturday....http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=27943&subForumID=47513&action=viewTopic&commentID=2129087&topicPage= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbannister<P><a target=_blank href="http:www.carolynbannister.com">http:www.carolynbannister.com<A><P> Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 ......and by the way, countrylass, how come you were a man when you took your head off later in Franks bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrylassAnne Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Simple.........got a friend who's a doctor to pop me in a few hormones the night before(testosterone, you know the score - fantastic how medicine has come along!) - quick and painless. It was good to see how the 'other half ' live - luckily they only lasted for about 24 hours - pity the dog bit me during that time - might take a while to heal!! Please don't ask where the bite is!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbannister<P><a target=_blank href="http:www.carolynbannister.com">http:www.carolynbannister.com<A><P> Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 glad it wasn't long lasting,it could have really serious......stop press .... as we type a journalist is on his way back from paris to interview some of us bourbriacians, call me cynical but i don't think this will mean a more balanced view of things in tomorrows paper... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrylassAnne Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Let's hope these reporters get things into perspective.Incidentally I would just like to clarify a statement I made on an earlier post, which is that yes it is our right to have 'A HOME' in France as members of the European Union, BUT it is still a privilege to own a SECOND HOME in France, Austria, Italy, or in any country in the world - which should not be taken for granted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phweephwoo Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Well I have to say the Anti-British protesters were very nice to this Brit when he went to talk to them. Gave me a poster, offered me cake and cider, and generally chatted. I think like all things when you're faced with a living breathing part of your hated community you tend to change your mind.One thing I find ironic. Pour aider les communes les plus modestes à racheter ces bâtiments ou terrain, il faut obtenir la création d’un établissement public foncier aux larges compétences financé par le conseil régional, les communautés de communes, les conseils généraux, l’europe. So they don't want us buying their houses, but they'll take the Euro-subsidy some of which is British taxes, and use that to pay for their own houses.http://www.agencebretagnepresse.com/fetch.php?id=1735Anyway I feel it's a tempete in a tasse du thé. PS. I was misquoted in the Daily Telegraph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0BRIAN WOODHEADI,m here in franceddMMyyyy0Falseen-USI,m here in franceTrue Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Go on then which one was it.Good to see the free market working in brettonshire hand in hand with the euro dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porth Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 [quote]This has been boiling up for years here and now the pan has boiled over and will probably get worse unless agents stop inflating property prices. I would be very worried about owning an isolated prope...[/quote]If we continue on this thread we will have men with hoods and white ones at that and burning crosses on every hill-top throughout France.You have to live with yourselves and if you integrate utilise local people for the work on your homes, pay your taxes amd treat everyone as a fellow human being, respect their values et al then what more can you do?In our case one of the sons of an artisan and his wife has had a baby our son and daughter-in-law also has had a son and they get on so very well we just enjoy each others company respect values and have some fun.We have meals together and just try as best we can to integrate.They laugh at our French we laugh at their system we laugh at each other's rugby and we look forward to the week-end when we meet in Paris to decide the Grand Slam.We use the local vet buy all our goods locally and share with our neighbours all of our suplus plants and vegetables and fruits.Ok it might well be in our minds but my wife and I are content with our life and if we are singled out then we will on a balanced basis argue our respective values and thoughts.However we will not move.Finally Val as to the Welsh in the 80's please truly believe me but you are not close or even close to what happened. Naturally I am Welsh and a South Walian and we and our colleagues in both West and North Wales disagree both on culture background religion and most other things. Here just see the demise of the Welsh coal fields and what that has done to our society.Howeve one thing I can tell you is that on the back of my car is a Welsh Dragon and this has helped me in over 40 years of travelling through France.I respect the French their background their culture their history and if that is not enough then so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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