I’ve already introduced George East and La Puce Publications. Now let me introduce Alan Biggins, another Englishman who moved to France with his family. Both George and Alan are now regular cross-channel travelers, but Donella East is irretrievably woven into the French rural scene, whereas Alan’s family is now based in rural Buckinghamshire.

Alan Biggins was so committed to studying French that he moved to France with his family. The job that he took to finance his studies - selling French property - took him behind the scenes of rural France and gave him an enviable insight into the idiosyncrasies of the country and its people. The stories in his second book, ‘Selling French Dreams’, are fun but also informative - an unusual perspective on that great British obsession, buying a second home in France.

Running through ‘Selling French Dreams’ is the story of Alan’s own foray into French life, accompanied by his wife Ann, children David and Alice, and a Jack Russell terrier named Flavie. In all, a wealth of tales about the wonderful characters he and his family met during their time in rural France.

Alan Biggins provides plenty of positive advice (such as identifying a little-known treasure house of French property), but also a selection of cautionary tales that illustrate why the ‘French Dream’ can, and all too often does, go horribly wrong. Based on his research into the experiences of over one hundred people who have made the move to France, Alan lists the ‘reefs’ that can wreck the move, making this probably the most important non-technical book ever written on French property.

‘Selling French Dreams’, launched on 1st May 2002, . ISBN 0952314959. Paperback. UK Price £7.99.

For more information, a review copy or an interview with the author, please contact -

Carol Farley

Tel - 01634 241095 Mobile: 0780 858 6640