The Unexpected Benefits of Living in Rural South of France

Benefits Expat Living Provence South France

Contributor blog post by Susana Iwase Hanson @Mirabeau Wine

We all have a good idea about the expected benefits of living in this Mediterranean region: the clean air, water, the relaxing slow-paced life with good wine and olive oil, the fantastic weather (so much sunshine!), and the outdoor markets full of organically grown produce…the list is long. And it really is that wonderful but I’ve noticed in the 15 years that I have lived here that there are some unexpected benefits too, that make it even more wonderful.

…Continue reading here to learn about Susana’s list of reasons to live in the South of France. She talks about seasonal food, cooking for family and enjoying life at a slower pace.

Susana is an American transplant who has lived in Provence for many years. In her words, “Lives in rural South of France where life is slow but beautiful and best of all wine is cheap.” When Susana is not busy with her young family, she is juggling work at the Marie de Cotignac, a property management business, and her successful Provence Living Cotignac.

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Tags:Cotignac,Expat Living,Provence

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Maison Mirabeau Wine

Stephen had been in the corporate world for 15 years and in August 2008 turned down a promotion that would have meant more money but also more stress, longer hours and less time with his young family. For many years the Cronks had been dreaming and talking about moving to France to make their own wine, but the moment never seemed quite right to make the big leap.

Soon after, a good redundancy offer seemed the perfect opportunity to turn the dream into reality and after selling their beloved house, they left the leafy suburbs of south-west London in August 2009. Their worldly possessions were packed up on the back of a truck and with barely a word of French between them, the family headed south to a small village called Cotignac, in the heart of Provence.

The Cronks spent a year getting their bearings, learning to live the provençal way, as Stephen was criss-crossing the country researching and finding the best vineyards to work with. The next step was setting up a small wine business with the principle objective of making a Provence rosé that would be regarded as one of the very best from the region, while building a brand that people would grow to love. In order to achieve this aim, they put together a highly experienced winemaking team and threw their heart and soul into the brand and innovative communications with their customers. Mirabeau is now being sold in more than 30 markets, has won medals and earned acclaim from some of the world’s toughest wine critics, but what really makes Stephen happiest is that their wines are an integral part of people having a great time together.

Read more about the Mirabeau Wine story here.