LIVING THE DREAM

Scotland is a beautiful part of the world with plenty to see and do, but it didn’t stop this lively couple from wanting to explore other interesting places.

“We decided to take a holiday in Burgundy,” says Maey, “and I’d be the first to admit we knew nothing about the area, but that’s part of the excitement, isn’t it?”

They visited the region, loved it and the weather was spectacular. That’s a heady mix and Burgundy left an indelible impression on them both, so much so that…. Well, you know the outcome: they decided to buy a holiday home in the region.

Says Maey, “It was almost love at first sight. The landscape was stunning with its rolling hills, wooded river valleys, and pastures populated with cows, it felt very familiar and comfortable - a sort of home from home.”

“Well almost, adds Andrew “except the weather is a lot better!”

So their minds were set and they began their search. Like many UK buyers, they wanted a traditional home, something with character, secluded and, of course, located in the countryside, with walks for the dogs on the doorstep.

Surprisingly it didn’t take them that long to find their dream house and because this was to be a secondary home, there had to be neighbours nearby, which would give them a sense of security when they were back in Scotland.

And where did this all come together for them, well it is in an area that newsletter readers will know quite well, having joined us on our visits to the Charolais, renowned for its famous breed of cattle (Ed: ah ha… hence the comment about the cows and pastures!)

The decision was made, they bought a pretty stone cottage in open countryside in 2019 and started to live their dream not far from the village of Martigny-le-Comte in the Saône-et-Loire department in Burgundy.

“We love it!” exclaims Maey, “there are some lovely walks through the countryside, many of these are mapped out and take you to interesting places that you can explore. You can cycle too, although it’s hilly but good for strengthening those calf muscles! (Ed: the area also has the voies vertes routes which tend to be flat and safe cycle paths).

Adds Andrew: “France conjures up images of grand châteaux, and the local area has its fair share. One of our favourites is the Château de Digoinne where they have a calendar of special events. We also recommend the Château de Dré and the 16th-century Château de Chaumont with its famous riding stables.”

In truth, the couple are surrounded by history. Not far from their home in France is the town of Cluny with a historical record dating back to the 10th century. In its heyday in around 1100, Cluny and its monastic order (the Cluniac order) held authority over 10,000 monks and 1,500 monasteries across Europe. At that time, its abbey was the biggest in the world, and remained so until the construction of St-Pierre-de Rome some 500 years later!

Although the couple live in the open countryside, the essentials are not far away. “Our local boulangerie is about 3 miles away in the pretty village of Martigny-le-Comte. We love their big-size croissants!”

They also visit the Wednesday market in Charolles, and in the season there’s a Sunday market where you can sample a lot of local products. “And yes, the big supermarkets are pretty close too in Charolles and Paray-le-Monial, Super-U, Intermarché, Grand Frais, Leclerc” says Maey.

Charolles is 10kms (6 miles) away and has a Michelin-starred restaurant called ‘Maison Doucet’. Next to it is a more informal bistro called ‘Bistro du Quai’.

Comments Andrew “Eating out in France is a great experience and there are so many restaurants to be found in the villages that surround us where you can enjoy a menu du jour. ‘Relais de Champlecy’ and ‘Fabienne’ in Martigny-le-Comte are our favourite spots. Oh… ‘Le Saint Martin’ in Chapaize is one we love for its fantastic food.”

If you ask Andrew and Maey if they made the right choice in buying a home in France, their answer is an emphatic: “Yes… we are actually living our dream!”