Last updated at 16:28, Wednesday, 16 January 2013

WANTED: one Barrovian family to spend a year in the idyllic countryside surrounds of a charming southern France village.

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If this “opportunité magnifique” piques your interest – and why wouldn’t it? – then a sabbatical-seeking former Barrow resident is desperate to hear from you.

In 1998, a twist of fate saw Faith Adams meet and fall in love with Frenchman Christophe Gonzalez while on a camping trip near Biarritz.

Now, 14 years and two children later, the happy couple are looking for a temporary transfer back to Barrow so Dexter, 9, and Clarisse, 7, can keep in touch with their British heritage.

“Our utmost reason for spending a sabbatical year in Barrow is to learn more about British culture,” Ms Adams, a former Greengate School pupil, said.

The family lives in a small village of 800 people about 12 miles outside of Montelimar in the south of France, where Ms Adams is an English as a Second Language teacher and Mr Gonzalez is a policeman.

The region is noted for its hiking trails and cycling routes and, with its central location, is only a short drive from some of the country’s famous wine routes and ski slopes.

Ms Adams is hoping to find a suitable family in Barrow to house swap with for a full 12 months starting in August.

“We would love to swap with responsible people willing to experience a cultural exchange,” she said.

“As an English-speaking person I’ll be looking for a job in Barrow, whereas my husband will be looking after our children and bettering his use of the language.

“Anyone willing to exchange with us would have to be an independent employee working from home, or retired and free to visit the region.”

The family is no stranger to Furness, having made regular trips across the English Channel to visit family and friends.

“Our children love the numerous parks and my husband enjoys the geographical situation with its proximity to the Lakes, which he finds breathtakingly beautiful even when the weather is completely abysmal.”

To express your interest, or for more information, contact Ms Adams via email on adams.faith@neuf.fr.

First published at 16:20, Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Published by http://www.walneylocal.co.uk