Seeking a more natural and balanced life for their two young children, in 2010 Eamon and Tanya O’Hara set out on a journey to begin a new life. Rural France seemed to be the answer to all their dreams. However, starting a new life in rural France is not some romantic idyll. Aiming to tell their story while also passing on valuable advice to others hoping to make the big move, Eamon O’Hara shines a light on the high and lows of their new life in the Lot Valley:
The struggle to find and acquire the property of their dreams
Coping with ongoing financial concerns
Adjusting to life in a strange land and integrating into a new community
The joys and challenges of living in the country
Property renovation nightmares
Launching a gîte and chambre d’hôtes business
The strains of the move on their relationship
The valuable life experience and lessons gained along the way
This is a very personal story about Eamon and Tanya’s struggle to make a new life, finding the courage to break with old habits, growing and maturing, and learning how to be content. However, more than just an anecdotal account of the trials and tribulations of starting a new life in a foreign country, A French Renaissance? also provides real practical insights and a very honest assessment of the reality of making a new home in rural France. This book will appeal to anyone who dreams of a simpler life abroad.