About Us

Your Gateway to France is a family owned property services business based in Limousin, France. We aim to provide you with a complete, personal and professional service.

Stephen Coates

What I Done To Make My Dream Happen

I moved to France with my family in August 2005, giving up my full time job in retail for a better way of life in France.  It was something which was at the back of my mind for a couple of years prior to coming out here.  Of course there were those questions that you can't answer, but the unknown was the exiciting bit, being on an adventure.  

There was a lot of research went into looking at different countries, until we decided on France, and the areas of France.  Visiting property seminars, and other seminars about dealing with life once you are there, certainly made it easier to deal with issues such as health, registering cars and the learning the language.  I done a lot of research on the internet too regarding the different areas in France.

Why I Like Living In Limousin

One of the main reasons for choosing France and the Limousin is the excellent transport links to the UK, with flights from RyanAir, TGV closeby and only being around 7.5 hours from Calais (6 hours if you go by Paris).

Having a quieter pace of life is certainly one to relish, I have not regretted moving to France, and plan to see a lot more of the country.  I enjoy travelling around France experiencing the different areas, being located in the Limousin, I consider I am lucky, as you have an excellent choice of locations, just 170 miles you can ski at Le Mont Dore or Super Besse, or 170 miles to the west you are in Charente Maritime with it's famous coast line.

I brought over my two classic cars from England people thought I was mad bringing my 1964 Triumph Herald 1220 Estate over, not only did they thought it was mad to take her once, but the old lady has made three comfortable trips back to the UK, without any problems.  I always travel on the Eurotunnel, which is excellent I find, the journey is smooth, and it only takes approximately 40 minutes.  

What I Do For A Living

We were given the opportunity of working as an estate agent in Limousin, and decided we would take the chance, prior to this we were working in Property Management.

My Spare Time

In my spare time I love to work on my two classic cars and have a great interest in mainly British classic cars of the 50s, 60s and 70s.  My own very small collection consists of a 1974 Triumph Toledo and a 1964 Triumph Herald 1200 estate of which I have had no problems re-registering them in France. 

My other interests include music, films, reading, snooker, pool, table tennis, cycling around our lovely countryside, and walking.

What Limousin Means To Me

Limousin to me offers a great life, the air is pure, the pace of life is laid back.  We are extremely lucky to be located near to some superb lakes, in fact we have a great fishing lake just a mile from us with lovely walkways, leisure activities, and we also have a swimming lake closeby too.  Not only that, we have a range of lakes to choose from within a 20 mile radius, which offers us excellent summer activities, water sports, sailing, swimming etc.,

Amanda Coates

With my background being primarily sales, I was looking for something more than the daily grind - something with a challenge.  Moving to France has provided that challenge in many ways, not just the language, but also finding my way, dealing with every day life situations, which you take for granted in the UK, like dealing with a cracked windscreen of the car to dealing with builders, plumbers, electricians.  Of course it can be tricky when they are French, and you have only started the language. 

How I Started To Look At France

The process of deciding to move to France rather than anywhere else in the world started in 2004, having done a lot of research into various countries I finally decided on France.  The question of where to move in France was the next question, looking at all the regions, the Limousin was decided as it was centrally placed in France.  With Limoges Airport having good flights back to the UK, and only being a 7 and a half drive back to Calais, (or 6 hours if you go by Paris), I moved to the Limousin region in August 2005 for a better way of life in France.

We have excellent transport links here, with the TGV at La Souterraine it gives us another option for travelling back to the UK.

It is fair to say that the Limousin is very quiet, it is in comparision to the Lake District with some breathtaking scenery around. With plenty of lakes, which cater for the active sportsman or woman, lots of activities to keep even the fittest of people happy.  We are lucky to be living near some lovely lakes, and we have a swimming lake just 5kms away from us, and a lovely fishing lake with picnic areas, and activities. 

Work

Of course moving to another country, you can't say well that is it - I will retire now - of course not having a mortgage to pay, is one big weight off anyone's mind - but you have to do something. We have been extremely lucky, and we have been given an opportunity to work as a Immobililer/negotiator. We are living the dream and are glad we made the moved, rather than sitting back in the UK and saying "What If".  Sometimes you have to just grab an opportunity and see where it takes you.

Spare Time

In my spare time I love to go on countryside walks with our whippet Billy, gardening, cycling, tennis, table tennis, cooking for friends and family when they come over to spend time with us.