Thinking about moving to Brittany

ophie · Newbie Joined: Sep 01, 2009 Posts: 2

Hi

I'm very seriously thinking of moving to Brittany, I haven't as yet been out ot investigate properties. I will be bringing my 3 year old child with me (she has special needs, but not severe).

I do not know anyone in France and would also like to have a social circle of some sort over there too - my French is minimal... but I understand more than I speak.

I was thinking of buying a farmhouse with 3 or 4 gites attached and starting a business of holiday rental or B&B or even if there is enough land that hasn't be designated as agricultural land to have a small campsite too.

My dreams are ambitious, I know that...

But can anyone please give me any advice about the nicest areas to look at purchasing houses in, how to go about setting up a business (is it the same as in the UK? Do I need to do all the tax stuff), is there anything else that I need to know about before making a definite decision on the move?

What is the school system like for a child with special needs? She will be able to attend mainstream school with additional support in the UK. I am guessing that perhaps and English speaking school may be best for her though.

Thank you for reading, any advice more than welcome.

Gylbeth

I can't answer all your questions but as far as setting up a business, the best place to start is URSSAF. You'll need them to get all the information/paperwork that's required.

Its easy enough to drop your child in a local French school without any long process or complications. However, as far as special needs children, thats a different story. While it is a law in France that every child has the right to an education, I have read about certain departments where the teachers have resisted accepting particular children with certain "special needs" claiming that they do not have the particular training necessary to handle said cases. Therefore, there are a lot of cases where parents are fighting(litigation) the school board to admit their children. In some departments, there's no problem and in others, its no problem as long as the parents pay for a state approved assistant who will take care of/ be responsible for the child for the entire school day.

Sorry to be negative. I want to emphasize that its not all departments and I don't know what the situation is in Bretagne but you should be aware even still.

piglet

Hi Ophie, and welcome to Expat Focus.

You seem to b setting yourself quite a challenge, but as they say nothing ventured nothing gained. Wink

It may also be worth looking at the Expat Focus guide to moving to France

www.expatfocus.com/ind...amp;t=2681

Hope this helps.

Just a tip though...when you ask questions it may be best if you make a new post specific to each topic rather that ahve them all it one post. It just makes it easier for people to read at a glance.

Ie Special needs Schooling
Starting a Gite Business
Tax etc etc

Bon chance!

Piglet

ophie · Newbie Joined: Sep 01, 2009 Posts: 2

thank you for your responses, sorry for my delay in replying. I was on holiday Smile