For many, the memories of winter holidays, ski ing in the breathtaking Alpine resorts, clustered with pinewood chalets and surrounded by brightly clad sporty types, may be the abiding picture of Alpine France. Of course the region makes most of its money from tourism, and during the summer season the paragliders, climbers and hikers move in to take up where the snowmen and women left off. For your average smallholder therefore there isn't much point in trying to make a living or even subsist on your familiar crops and livestock, halfway up a mountain......unless of course, your not 'your average' smallholder!

However, if one partner has a good city job, can speak french, and expects to continue working in order to enjoy the french version of the good life, then the southeast is probably the better option.

Lets look at a few of the hotspots:

There's certainly a lot of wealth around. At Grenoble for example, a university town and 'hi tech' centre, attracts Europewide business but pushes the property and cost of living prices through the roof.

Lyon is considered France's second city, and sited where the Rhone and Saone mingle, has been a vital gateway between north and south since commerce was invented. An historic city full of gastronomic excellence and busy streets, not short in dramatic landscapes as you explore the surrounding volcanic rockhills of the Massif Central.

Fashionable Spa towns surrounding Lac Leman (Geneva) on the border of Switzerland and backdropped by the Alps is home to many of Frances wealthiest. The warm sunshine, glorious views and range of sports facilities and tourism make this beautiful region one of the most exclusive places.

There's more industry and manufacture providing support in a number of larger towns across this region. The busy town of St Etienne for example gave birth to the development of the Jacquard loom, and Montelimar created nougat, Chambery is also upbeat and lively. Other noteworthy spots in the region include Nyons, the centre of olive production in France, and the picturesque village of Perouges thrived in the 13C for linen weaving, now often a film set for historical drama.

So if you really dream of waking up in the morning to a stunning snow capped glacial scene you will need to put in a lot more cash in order to make higher than average (for France) income. Prices for a studio flat in the Alps fetch as much as a farmhouse in the Ardeche, and you wont find much flat land around in any case! But you can still find stunning scenery and a view of the mountains from far inland where the terrain might be more condusive to a bit of 'grow your own'.

Rhone - Alps region

This huge section comprises Ain, Ardeche, Drome, Isere, Loire and Rhone Alpine Savoie and Haute Savoie

Having already described the pros and cons of Alpine dwelling, I'll deal with the westerly departments across the Massif Central first and leave the Alpine Savoie and Haute Savoie to your imagination.

You've all no doubt seen Nippi and Nigel?..... and probably at least a year before it finally reached french satelite 'chez nous' .....well that's the Ardeche region, with her rugged lofty landscape so typical of the Massif Central which covers a huge portion of Frances total land surface. Made up of volcanic rocks and filled with striking gorges, mystical grottes and amazing water ways, everything in the 'daring sports' category, from canoeing to climbing to paragliding, is popular here. Once again, this is a region where you may make some money from tourism, but please make sure you have researched your access, area and competition before you do so......and preferably not to open an Indian restaurant?

Sheep, goats and hillside crops are about all you'll grow in the steep bits, but theres some fertile rich valley floors where wine and wildlife thrive!

From the Rhone to the Drome there are plenty of tourist attractions from the Spa towns of Val les Bains and Aix les Bains to the vinyards of Beaujolais and the Cotes du Rhone, but if you find a cheap run down farm which you want to renovate here please be realistic about your income potential, and ability to make money from any 'crop'. With the possible exception of goatherding or sheep farming you may find it hard going here. Don't forget either, that although glorious in the short summer, the winter weather will be spiteful and harsh in such high territory.

The department here known as the Loire is nowhere near the already described Loire Valley, this is the root of the River where it rises.

As you move to the the further southern regions of Drome and Isere, the landscape becomes less intimidating although still majestic. Fruit orchards, fields of sunflowers, then lavender and olive groves form the tapistry of colours in the sultry hills. Two of France's largest nature reserves at Chartreuse and Vercors are here in the Isere department and surround the metropolis of Grenoble. Prices here however will not likely offer many bargains unless you are prepared to renovate from scratch and can see an ambitious project through to its expensive completion. If you seek to retire and this sort of scenery and climate appeal to you then 'go for it', with its mild climate, fresh air and a laid back lifestyle, it is possibly one of the healthiest regions to live!

The entire region is pretty well served by air and rail transport, at least to major towns, and certainly to major ski resorts, but only a sled and a mountain goat will get you home if you are stranded in the cafe bar when the snow comes across the mountains!

A few points about french property purchase

Last month we looked at signing the Compromis de Vente, several months after this date will culminate in the final signing of the Acte de Vente.

If all has gone according to plan you should know this date quite well in advance, but do be warned that Notaires, as well as Banks who hold the mortgage money, can go on holiday, change their diary or just decide to be too busy to complete on the agreed date and theres not much you can do about it even if you have booked the ferry! Having a reliable and communicative person 'on the ground' so to speak is essential, especially if you have limited skills in the french language. A simple task, like phoning the Notaire to ask about the progress is fraught with distress if you can't understand the answer in french....which it inevitably will be.

So, assuming you've double checked your signing date and you have arranged either with your english speaking immobilier or an independent translator, to meet you there on the date, the day can be nothing but joyful!

Notaires are held in high esteem in France and they enjoy making their job as authoratitve as possible. What this means is, that it is essential to read every page and ensure you have understood every word written therein, before every member here present signs their initials on the bottom of each and every page. To be realistic this can take at least an hour, but in the case of a large plot of land, or where you have bought through SAFER who have all sorts of clauses written in, it takes even longer.

It's important to mention here that you must be clear about what your signing for. There should be no nasty surprises relating to the Plan Cadastre (the definitive map showing your boundary, rights of way and access points) but you must check for yourself. It is not a normal procedure to have guarantees regarding building standards and regulations (except on New Build) and many a cossetted expat buyer has assumed that he can sue the vendor if the plumbing isn't actually connected....he can't, or at least if he tries it will cost the earth and take several years to be compensated!

It is a mine field no less strewn than any other legal document would be in the UK , so please don't assume that your interests are being accounted for just because you can't understand the language...Get a Translator!

However, let's assume the funds have been transferred correctly to the Vendors bank account (which isn't always as simple as it sounds, bearing in mind currency changes), after a few jolly japes and and handshaking all round the deal is struck and you finally get the keys to your new property. It is customary, but not always obligatory to join the vendors for a few bevvys at the local Cafe Bar to toast your good health and happiness in the ancestral home. This is definately the time to find out all those little local quirks and customs which no one dared tell you, and you had no idea you needed to know, before you signed. Like 'oh my great Uncle Gilles usually pops in for dinner on a sunday lunchtime you won't mind will you? He's 93 you know!' or 'The local chasse like to meet in your back field on Thursdays, they'll repay you with a pheasant or too?'. Of course, not speaking much french you may not even realise what they said until Sunday lunchtime or the first Thursday in October arrives, but don't worry you'll soon catch on!

By the time you reach your new home, warmed and rosy from the 'excess du vin', open the cobwebby shutters, sweep out the dust and get the ancient woodstove burning, it'll be too late to ring the EDF or the EAUX and ask why you still haven't been switched on, and, most likely it will be a Friday so your first few days will be truly 'rural living in France!'

Seriously though, you are very likely to find most of your neighbours popping in to see who and how you are, they will eagerly help you settle, encourage you in your endeavours and welcome you into their hearts. Accept their help, for to snub or reject anyone at this stage would be a serious error. If neighbours visit, all you need to do is offer a coffee and a look around, if you can't speak the language don't worry, use hand signals, use a dictionary, smile a lot and you will soon make friends and influence people!

We have been in France now for eight years, and can recommend the way of life, the countryside and the bonhommie. Its not for everyone though, but if you have a yearning to own more land, slow down a pace, live more simply, enjoy more quality time together, then you'll likely find it in rural France as anywhere.