Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 281,697 playable programmes from the BBC

Brits Abroad

Episode 2: France

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LWLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for over a year

There are so many retired Brits in the South West of France that it has been dubbed 'little England'. Sarfraz Manzoor meets British builders and tradespeople who are meeting the needs of Brits renovating retirement and second homes.

As well as seeing business opportunities, many come to secure a better life for their children with small village schools and a safe rural environment.

They come for a better life but often don't speak French and stick together in English speaking cliques. So how different are they from the immigrants in Britain who are often criticised for not integrating?

Are they under-cutting French builders or offering different skills? And why is that the Brits prefer British builders - and even British hairdressers?

Producer:Sara Parker
A Juniper production for BBC Radio 4. Show less

About this data

This data is drawn from the data stream that informs BBC's iPlayer and Sounds. The information shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was/is subject to change and may not be accurate. More