Ben Pearson, 39, and his husband, Nathan, 31, had always dreamed of moving to France and stumbled across the abandoned farmhouse in Sainte Segros
A British couple have left the hustle and bustle of their life behind – swapping it for France and a village of their own.
Ben Pearson, 39, and his husband Nathan, 31, have left the hustle and bustle of British life behind to buy a French ‘village’ for just €80k in pursuit of a “peaceful life”. The couple had always dreamt of relocating to France and found the perfect opportunity in an abandoned farmhouse in Sainte Segros.
When they began seriously considering buying a property two years ago, this ‘village’, complete with five outbuildings and two hectares of land, came on the market. After two years of paperwork, they finally received the keys in December 2024.
The property, which dates back to the 1600s, currently lacks a toilet or heating, but Ben plans to single-handedly transform it into a three-bedroom home. They hope to eventually convert the outbuildings into Airbnb rentals and guesthouses.
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Ben, an RAF aircraft engineer from Hull, East Yorkshire, said: “It’s getting out of the 9 to 5 rat race in England. There is no way we could afford something like that in the UK. You can barely buy a flat for £80k.”
He believes it’s a nicer way of life with no running around, saying: “It will be a peaceful life and no stress – once it is built.”
Nathan, an English tutor, shared: “When we dreamed of a simpler life, we somehow ended up buying a small village – we wouldn’t change it for the world.”
The couple discovered the farm seven years ago in the village where Ben’s mum, Karen Pearson, 62, moved to France 10 years ago. They fell in love with the house but weren’t ready to make the move at the time. Three years after beginning their search for the perfect retirement home, a couple finally stumbled upon their dream farmhouse which astonishingly returned to the market.
Putting in an offer in February 2022, they spent the following two years “on tender hooks” as the drawn-out paperwork process unfolded. Ready to leave everything behind in the UK, they’re gearing up for a July move to begin renovations on their new abode.
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Nathan revealed: “It’s the oldest property in the little commune. The main house is early 1800s and the farmhouse is 1600s. There were old pots and pans, mason jars all left on the shelves.”
Ben added: “It had never been modernised. There is one tap, no toilet. No heating – apart from an open fire.”
Retiring in July, Ben and his partner are set to relocate to France and commence work on their historic residence. The renovation list is extensive, necessitating a new roof, septic tank, and heating system. They aim to render a section liveable within six months, using a caravan as their temporary home during the transformation.
Determined to honor its past, they even aspire to showcase some ancient contracts they’ve discovered.
With £100k at the ready for the initial restoration phase, the couple has no illusions about the likely steep costs ahead. Nevertheless, the prospect of moving and escaping the UK fills them with excitement.
Even trips to the nearest town have affirmed their choice for Nathan shared: “Even when you go to the nearest town the people are friendly and welcoming. There is the perception that the French are snobbish but it’s the opposite.”
Ben enthused about their discovery: “This is the sort of thing we’d been looking for. We never dreamed it would come true.”
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