Advice please

How exciting, decision made. wish i could persuade my husband to do something like that. Have a wonderful time and if it doesnt work out for some reason, you can always come back knowing you gave it a go.
Goodluck.

Thanks everyone for your encouraging remarks- I have put my house with a rental agent, have the possibility of 3 places on the south coast of France, and will probably be there well before Christmas. Flying over with my daughter for a 'reccy' in September, told my siblings (all think it's a great idea and are coming to visit) but am still a bit apprehensive/excited. But if I don't do it now, I'll never do it.

Go for it RedDevil. As everyone say you only have one life so live it how you want and ignore what family might say.

Nine years ago I was looking at property to buy in SW France and somehow clicked on a house in Portugal. We flew out 10 days later to look at it taking my 90 year old Mum with us too. A year later we moved over totally and it has been a great 8 years so far. My old Mum lived until she was almost 98 so it did her good too. My family were not very happy about us moving away but it is only a 2 hour flight to get back to England. Make the most of everything while you are fit.

What a lovely plan. (Let me know if you ever want a fourth.)

Oh you make me envious. After spending many holidays in France, I want to hire a camper van and travel round France for months. Unfortunately family commitments means thus is impossible at the moment but perhaps one day ........
Go Reddevil13 and enjoy it.

Go for it Reddevil3. You're fit and healthy so what's to stop you?
Please keep us posted!

Wow! see my thread ,Have I finally gone mad!!

Wow. Sounds wonderful. All the very best in your adventure.

I live on the French side of the French-Swiss border near Geneva so have a big lake but no sea. The Mediterranean coast is expensive and very crowded in the summer. I'd go for the south-west, better weather than further north. Bear in mind that to sign a lease the French usually Insist on an income of three times the rent so if the rent is €700/month you need an income of €2,100/per month. Also, if you stay for over 6 months you'll have to submit a French tax declaration which can be complicated since the French and UK tax years are different. Best of luck if you decide to go for it!

Sing along if you know the tune -
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink
The years go by, faster than a wink
Enjoy your self, enjoy yourself while you're still in the pink.

Go for it! You only live once as they say so why not.

West of Beziers (Narbonne) is windy and east of Montpellier is too but between the two is occasionally windy, and can last several days, but not that often.
Bonne chance
former resident of Pezenas

Just back from Antibes - how I would love to go back there. The square near the old town is beautiful where you can just sit under the trees watching the world go by. Don't know if there's a bridge club there though.

REDDEVIL3.....Go.....live up to your name. You may regret it later on !!
Check out health situation if we do come out of EU though. ENJOY...and DO tell us how it goes....?

Adding to my post - Biarritz is a lovely town, on the SW coast bordering Spain, and plenty of activities going on. Probably cheaper than the Nice area.
I'm sure they'll have bridge clubs, it's very popular in France.
www.bridgebiarritz.com/bridge_club_le_bcbb_065.htm

Go for it indeed !!!

What an inspirational bunch of lovely ladies who are living and loving life! How empowering for the rest of us, makes me want to be adventurous too.

I agree with others - it's a great idea, do it while you can (especially with Brexit around the corner it might be more complicated.)
We live in the Gers near the Pyrenees which is beautiful but far from the sea and very quiet. But there is a bridge club in the nearest market town (20km) - we used to go, they make you very welcome.

Grannyknot, We met some people (Australians) recently in France., they were travelling around Europe, and had been for 6 months, with a company called, I think, Trusted House Sitters. Owners go away and you move in and look after the cat or dog. They had stayed in some enviable houses, on of them a chateau. Worth a thought?

michelle husband and I daydream about the same. Upping and spending 3 months at a time in a place we fancy ... easily done nowadays with AirBnB.

Ooooooh good for you , what a lovely idea X

Does it matter if someone calls you crazy? It's YOUR life so go and enjoy it. At 75 surely you're entitled. They may just be jealous of you doing something they don't have the courage or opportunity to do themselves. Of course they could also be worried for you so may need a bit of reassurance that you have done your research and will have some support if needed.
I'd say go for it and have a great year - or more....

I'm looking in the Bezieres/ Montpellier area. Maybe Carcassonne but I have been warned it's very windy? Are there any of you down there?

What a great idea. My DH and I have been thinking of perhaps letting the house and doing perhaps 3 month stints in different foreign cities. Would we be able to make acquaintances in Venice for example, or in NYC?

My advice, go for it. We all have time for another adventure.

What a lovely idea, I know there is a a bridge club in Nice, in Rue Paul Deroulede, hope it works out and you enjoy your gap year.