Who knew that the French have Alps as impressive as the Swiss or the Germans or even us?! We found that out today. Now they call them "Haute Alpes", which means "high alps"-- but they so low key about the whole deal! The French (and visitors) make a big deal out of Provence and the south of France. But we, in the states, seldom hear about the FRENCH Alps unless Prince William decides to visit. So today we jumped in the car to explore -- with only Jill GPS to help.
What did we find? You may have read (or just heard about) Peter Mayle's book, "A Year in Provence", about him renovating what we call "an opportunity property" in Provence. Well, yes, technically the tumbledown house was in Provence ... but more correctly it was in the Haute Alpes. And we found the little village, Menerbes, perched on a hill, where Mayle lived. And we cautiously climbed the winding road up the hill into the village where, miracle of miracles, we found a parking spot! You see, these medieval towns were all built on the top of hills, so they could see the attacking knights approaching. Well, no knights today, but lots and lots of scenery. The fields of lavender have been harvested, so they are sitting fallow. But the grape vines are heavy with ripe grapes, ready for harvesting. The crops are all planted in the valleys surrounding the mountain towns. ANYWAY, after winding up the cobblestone streets wide enough for only one car at best, we parked and started wandering. It was 1 p.m., which means a lot of the little stores are closed. But we got our fill of our Rosetta Stone French, seeing signs for boulangerie (bakery), la charcuterie (Deli), la pecherie (fish market) -- and IMMOBILER (which means "real estate agents".
Well, couldn't stop with that! So we browsed the windows of the real estate office to see what things cost in this little out of the way village. There is a tv show on HG TV in the states called "Househunters International" which fascinates us. We watch people from different countries go somewhere and pick a vacation home from 3 they look at. It's fun to try to guess which one they will pick! And, most often, it seems, they pick what Bos calls "an opportunity house." That means it is a pile of stones, no plumbing, no wiring, no kitchen, no bathroom. And they pay exorbitant amounts for it! For instance, one couple was in Greece and picked a house on top of a hill with 1000 steps (really) there. It was tumbling down and barely had walls -- so no rooms per se. No kitchen, bathroom, etc. And the only way building materials could get up there was by donkey. What did they pay? SOmething like 250,000 euros. That's mind-boggling. ANYWAY, we saw lots of "opportunity houses" all over the countryside. And the prices didn't reflect the tumbledown aspect at all! Guess Europeans like work!
But we stopped on a small patio at the top of the village for a little lunch of salade nicoise (very French) and a bottle of vin d'ordinaire. Next to us was a group of bicyclers from the states biking all over for their vacation. And a couple from Canada. Another couple from England. So I asked them about their healthcare and if they would rather have ours. They looked horrified! No, they said, in unison. They loe universal coverage! But don't you have to wait for service, I asked?? No, they protested. In Canada, you might have to wait 6 months for ELECTIVE surgery.
But only elective! In England, no waiting, they proclaimed. It was, all in all, a wonderful afternoon! No one pushing us. No cathedrals to visit. Just us, wandering and learning.
What did we find? You may have read (or just heard about) Peter Mayle's book, "A Year in Provence", about him renovating what we call "an opportunity property" in Provence. Well, yes, technically the tumbledown house was in Provence ... but more correctly it was in the Haute Alpes. And we found the little village, Menerbes, perched on a hill, where Mayle lived. And we cautiously climbed the winding road up the hill into the village where, miracle of miracles, we found a parking spot! You see, these medieval towns were all built on the top of hills, so they could see the attacking knights approaching. Well, no knights today, but lots and lots of scenery. The fields of lavender have been harvested, so they are sitting fallow. But the grape vines are heavy with ripe grapes, ready for harvesting. The crops are all planted in the valleys surrounding the mountain towns. ANYWAY, after winding up the cobblestone streets wide enough for only one car at best, we parked and started wandering. It was 1 p.m., which means a lot of the little stores are closed. But we got our fill of our Rosetta Stone French, seeing signs for boulangerie (bakery), la charcuterie (Deli), la pecherie (fish market) -- and IMMOBILER (which means "real estate agents". 
Well, couldn't stop with that! So we browsed the windows of the real estate office to see what things cost in this little out of the way village. There is a tv show on HG TV in the states called "Househunters International" which fascinates us. We watch people from different countries go somewhere and pick a vacation home from 3 they look at. It's fun to try to guess which one they will pick! And, most often, it seems, they pick what Bos calls "an opportunity house." That means it is a pile of stones, no plumbing, no wiring, no kitchen, no bathroom. And they pay exorbitant amounts for it! For instance, one couple was in Greece and picked a house on top of a hill with 1000 steps (really) there. It was tumbling down and barely had walls -- so no rooms per se. No kitchen, bathroom, etc. And the only way building materials could get up there was by donkey. What did they pay? SOmething like 250,000 euros. That's mind-boggling. ANYWAY, we saw lots of "opportunity houses" all over the countryside. And the prices didn't reflect the tumbledown aspect at all! Guess Europeans like work!
But we stopped on a small patio at the top of the village for a little lunch of salade nicoise (very French) and a bottle of vin d'ordinaire. Next to us was a group of bicyclers from the states biking all over for their vacation. And a couple from Canada. Another couple from England. So I asked them about their healthcare and if they would rather have ours. They looked horrified! No, they said, in unison. They loe universal coverage! But don't you have to wait for service, I asked?? No, they protested. In Canada, you might have to wait 6 months for ELECTIVE surgery. 
But only elective! In England, no waiting, they proclaimed. It was, all in all, a wonderful afternoon! No one pushing us. No cathedrals to visit. Just us, wandering and learning.
Our Canadian friends give their healthcare good reviews though they do tell us their docs make less money.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up on HGTV. Yes, I marvel at their innocence or industry in paying many euros for a pile of stones. "Opportunity housing" is a real good example of an euphemism...if we're looking for one. It seems the Brits like the sun as much as anything so they'll pay for that in coastal Med. countries. But there has been a big burst in this bubble in Spain for sure...don't know about the other countries.
ReplyDeleteYour reports continue to enlighten and stimulate. Thank you both!
I love Househunters International. But, as for me, I'd rather just visit other places...I don't need to own property there.
ReplyDelete