Brive-la-Gaillarde

[Lori]

So, in our on going house hunting quest, we are heading to Brive-la-Gaillarde. Yep, a good ways away from the Vaucluse. We have a list of around 25 houses that - if still on the market when we arrive - we will try to visit.

We'd love any bits of information from anyone who lives in the area or knows it. We did a good bit of research on several areas. This one seemed the most interesting overall. We've never been. Some of the surrounding towns look stunning (visually).

Planning to stay 2 to 3 weeks to see the region and see houses.

Any advice to give us?

Thank you !

[MAD87]

If you like rugby, go watch CA Brive!

[manonthemoon2]

We live about an hour from Brive. For us it's good for hyper supermarkets, DIY shops like Brico Depot, it's the closest Grand Frais and generally good for shopping.

The centre of Brive is typical of most French cities, cobbled streets with unique (expensive) shops.

Oh, and it's always raining when my OH drives to and from catching ferries up north.

Good luck

[DominicBest]

Enjoy your time in the corner of France that’s very near the top of my list of favourite places.

[Wilbro]

Brive really is a nice place. The old town and the church are interesting. Good restaurants and shops plus as mentioned so many interesting places to visit within easy reach.

[hughnique]

That was the part of France I first fell in love with, from memory a place called Gramat, then you turned off to a little village called Espedaillac, not sure of my spelling. Spent a week there wiring up a barn conversion, all UK materials, EDF came and connected up, didn't even go inside, no inspection whatsoever. I was amazed at the tranquility of the place, spent the next 40 years wishing.

[Lori]

If you like rugby, go watch CA Brive!

Yes, I read about them. I'm sure my husband will be pleased to watch them.

[Lori]

We live about an hour from Brive. For us it's good for hyper supermarkets, DIY shops like Brico Depot, it's the closest Grand Frais and generally good for shopping.

The centre of Brive is typical of most French cities, cobbled streets with unique (expensive) shops.

Oh, and it's always raining when my OH drives to and from catching ferries up north.

Good luck

Thank you for that. Very helpful. The weather is part of our concern. When you say raining, is it normally just a steady rain or is it heavy storms that require you leaving the autoroute because you can't see the road??? It seems that towns with distances of one hour can have totally different weather. This year seems an odd year for everyone, weather wise. I've been checking the weather in Brive each day and lately it is almost the same as here; with mornings being a touch cooler.

We were hoping to get 4 seasons instead of the 2 we get here (Summer and Winter).

[Lori]

Enjoy your time in the corner of France that’s very near the top of my list of favourite places.

Thank you. It does look very attractive and nearly all of the surrounding towns/villages also look attractive.

I find it interesting that we can get so much more for our €'s in this area. We see houses that - over here - would sell for a minimum of double what they are selling for in the Brive region. Often a lot more than that.

There must be a reason. We haven't yet figured out what it is.

[Lori]

That was the part of France I first fell in love with, from memory a place called Gramat, then you turned off to a little village called Espedaillac, not sure of my spelling. Spent a week there wiring up a barn conversion, all UK materials, EDF came and connected up, didn't even go inside, no inspection whatsoever. I was amazed at the tranquility of the place, spent the next 40 years wishing.

Thank you. Looks like both of those towns are one hour and one hour 20 (respectively) South of Brive. We hadn't looked that far South. I'll have a look.