The French Property Portal

Have a look through the houses and properties and real estate advertised on our site. You will find all types of French property for sale - from houses in France, French lakes, farms, barns and renovation projects to French businesses for sale, prestige property, magnificent chateaux, equestrian property or an apartment in Paris. You will also find many cheap French properties to buy on this site as well as gites in France, businesses for sale in France and the odd chateau or two for sale.

How an Illinois retiree, after enrolling in a language class, found a new life in the city of Dijon

In 2004, at the age of 54, I retired from my job as a business-systems analyst. The work had been all-consuming, with continuing education a constant necessity, and I had little opportunity for travel. I often felt there must be something more to life.

I settled on a 10-acre piece of land (with a pond and barn) in southern Illinois, near Carbondale in the Shawnee National Forest. Looking for a way to keep my mind and spirit active, I enrolled in a French class. There, a professor urged me to study French in France, as part of a program offered by a group of Illinois schools.

In August 2006, I found myself in a one-month class at the University of Burgundy in Dijon.