Work in progress
Where to?
We had managed to dodge the question of where to retire for as long as humanly possible. It was one of those topics we routinely pushed aside with a “we’ll talk about it later,” knowing perfectly well that “later” wasn’t a real date. But the day I took the bold step of retiring early, the subject could no longer be avoided. The question was no longer if — it was where.
We were faced with three real options.
The first was to remain in Germany, close to our children and grandchildren. Familiar, comfortable, and full of people we love — but we feared life would slip into a predictable routine. Same house, same town, same rhythm. Not quite enough adventure for our liking.
The second option was rural England, by the sea in Devon, where many of our friends live. We adored the idea — charming villages, dramatic coastlines, pub lunches — but logistics quickly spoiled the romance. Devon is not exactly easy to reach, especially for family visiting from Germany. Lovely as it was, it didn’t feel practical.
And then there was France — my home country. Not Paris, where I grew up, but the south, where sunshine and good humour are part of the local climate. Friends, familiarity, accessibility, and a lifestyle we could picture ourselves enjoying. When we weighed everything, France quietly moved from “possibility” to “front-runner.”
The first big decision was made.
The next one — where in the south — proved far harder.
Naturally, the Côte d’Azur tempted us: glamorous, beautiful, and close to the sea. But we weren’t looking for a holiday postcard. Many towns there are sleepy in winter and impossibly crowded in summer — and, to be honest, the price tags can make your eyes water. So we shifted our focus westward, toward the Mediterranean between Montpellier and the Spanish border. That would be our hunting ground. We gave ourselves two years to search, buy, and renovate whatever needed doing.
Our cahier des charges was simple enough:
a house within walking distance of a town centre for shops and entertainment,
at least three bedrooms,
and a garden with a pool — or the potential to build one.
With that in mind, we began our search.
sauvageraie.fr 