Ben Pearson, 39, and his husband, Nathan, 31, have always dreamed of moving to France and when the abandoned farmhouse in Sainte Segros was put up for sale, they snapped it up
A British couple have traded the hustle and bustle of their daily grind for the tranquillity of a French ‘village’ they snapped up for a paltry €80k, eyeing a serene retirement life. Ben Pearson, 39, together with his husband Nathan, 31, long harboured a desire to relocate to France when they fortuitously encountered an abandoned farmhouse in Sainte Segros.
During their hunt for a French property two years prior, the duo leapt at the chance to acquire this ‘village’, complete with its ensemble of five outbuildings and lush two hectares of land. After a drawn-out process weighed down with paperwork, they claimed the keys this past December 2024.
Their home, dating back to the 1600s, is lacking modern comforts such as a lavatory and heating, but Ben envisions self-renovating it into a snug three-bedroom house. Ambitious plans are afoot to turn the outbuildings into revenue-generating Airbnb listings and guesthouses.
Ben, from Hull, who served as an RAF aircraft engineer, 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. It’s a nicer way of life – there is no running around. It will be a peaceful life and no stress – once it is built.”
Nathan, an English tutor, added: “When we dreamed of a simpler life, we somehow ended up buying a small village – we wouldn’t change it for the world.”
The serendipitous discovery traces back to Ben’s mother, Karen Pearson, 62, who settled in France a decade ago, allowing the Pearsons to stumble upon the idyllic farm within her village seven years before. Despite feeling an instant connection, the couple wasn’t yet prepared for the monumental move.
Three years ago, their quest for the perfect retirement home began and, despite initial disappointments, fortune smiled on them when their ideal farmhouse re-emerged on the market.
They leapt at the opportunity in February 2022 with an offer that was accepted; however, the subsequent two years have been a nervous wait as they meticulously managed the requisite paperwork. Having sold everything in the UK, they’re now gearing up for a July move to commence revamping their new home.
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 described the property’s untouched nature: “It had never been modernised. There is one tap, no toilet. No heating – apart from an open fire.”
With Ben set to finish working in July, the duo plans to relocate to France and undertake the challenge of renovating the main house, which needs a new roof, septic tank and heating system. They aim to have a habitable room ready within six months and will reside in a caravan during the renovation process.
Their intent is to restore the house sympathetically to its historical essence, even contemplating showcasing some of the old contracts they uncovered.
Nathan declared: “We want to keep the grandeur of it all.”
The couple have earmarked £100,000 to kick off the restoration but hold no illusions about the potential for costs to escalate well beyond that. Nevertheless, they are brimming with excitement for the move and eager to bid farewell to life in the UK.
Nathan said: “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 added: “This is the sort of thing we’d been looking for. We never dreamed it would come true.”
Be sure to check out their journey on Instagram and YouTube by following @frenchfarmhouserenowithwine.