Elizabeth and I have traveled several times through southwest France – particularly the lovely Dordogne Valley -  to such storied places as Sarlat, Beynac, Castelnaud and Domme.  When you get out of the big cities, into the real heart of France, you find wonderful treasures at every turn.

Our nugget of gold this time lies in the beautiful Lot Valley.

Recently, I was given a book to read by a friend – The Title: “From Here, You Can’t See Paris: Seasons of a French Village and its Restaurant”, by Michael Sanders.

I found it a lovely book, beautifully capturing the flavor of a place, the people, a restaurant, and wonderful food.

The author’s original intent was to explore the inner workings of a French restaurant, but along the way, he says, he stumbled upon something richer.

The story takes place in the small (population 159) village of Les Arques, the lovely Lot Valley area, in southwest France, just south of the Dordogne.  It’s the story of a dying village’s struggle to survive, revolving around the restaurant Le Recreation, and its owners Jacques Ratier and his wife Noelle.

The book really gets into lives of the villagers, their hopes, their dreams, their struggles, the nuances of French life, with the writer’s deeply sympathetic eye and ear.  Much of the book revolves around the restaurant, Le Recreation, and food, and I was fascinated, as I always am, by the extraordinary range of French cuisine – the recipes, the preparations, the ingredients, the artistry.

And in case you’re one of those contemplating making a move to France and buying a home there, check out the videos of different areas of France on our Matchmakers real estate website, and search for properties there also.

We make beautiful homes our speciality, in both the greater San Francisco Bay Area and in France.  We pride ourselves on great service.  Give us a call, we would like to meet you.

Jim & Elizabeth Hilgendorf, The Matchmakers

THE MATCHMAKERS
Real Estate in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and France.
Jim Hilgendorf
CA DRE # 00667290
Cell: 510-501-9564
Elizabeth Hilgendorf
CA DRE # 01891419
Cell: 510-501-9643
Email: thematchmakers@comcast.net

Avenue Foch, the widest street in Paris, is also located here, running southwest from the Arc de Triomphe.

Arc de Triomphe

Avenue Foch is one of the most prestigious streets in Paris, home to many grand palaces, including ones belonging to the Onassis and Rothschild families.

If you are thinking of buying property in Paris, or elsewhere in France, give us a call or send an email.

As The Matchmakers, we put together people and properties, making our expertise several of the loveliest areas of France – the Riviera, Provence, Bordeaux and the Dordogne, and Paris.

Jim Hilgendorf – one of the Matchmakers – is also a highly acclaimed film producer; and his travel films include one on France – “Bordeaux & the Dordogne: A Tribute“, covering the Bordeaux area and the beautiful Dordogne river valley. You can view short clips of the videos on the website of The Tribute Series.

Go our website and view more selected properties in Paris. From our website, you can also search properties all over France.

We look forward to talking to you.

Josephine Baker came to France at age 19 as a young American entertainer, and almost immediately became a sensation.  For decades after, she was one of the most famous singers and dancers in the world.

Josephine Baker

Josephine rented Chateau des Milandes in 1940, then bought it in 1947.  The amazing story of her life, and the story of Chateau des Milandes, is told in the video below.

Chateau des Milandes, home of Josephine Baker, in the Dordogne

Jim & Elizabeth Hilgendorf – The Matchmakers – have their own real estate company in Eugene, Oregon; but they also specialize in helping clients find their dream homes in France.  You can go to their website and search the real estate listings for over 350,000 listed properties throughout all of France.

If you are considering buying a home in France, send us an email.  We have been to France many times, and have established connections with excellent agents throughout the country who can help you navigate through the process of searching for and buying a villa, an apartment, or chateau in France.

Jim, by the way, is a film producer, and has produced a series of highly-acclaimed travel films, one of which is “Bordeaux & The Dordogne: A Tribute”.  Clips from the videos can be seen on the Tribute Series website.

Jim & Elizabeth Hilgendorf, The Matchmakers

Enjoy the video of Josephine Baker’s life and Chateau des Milandes.

About twenty miles northeast of Bordeaux, in southwest France, is the beautiful village of Saint-Emilion.  This is one of the most famous wine-growing regions in all of France.

Saint-Emilion, France

Saint-Emilion’s history dates back to prehistoric times, and the village itself is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The streets of Saint-Emilion are lined with wine shops, filled with the wonderful local wines. Saint-Emilion is one of the principal red wine areas of the Bordeaux region, and its wines are famous worldwide.  Winemaking here dates back to the Romans, who began planting vineyards here in the 2nd century A.D.

If you are thinking of buying a home in France, send us an email.  We have been to France many times, and have established connections with excellent agents throughout the country who can help you navigate through the process of searching for and buying a villa, an apartment, or chateau in France.

Jim, by the way, is a film producer, and has produced a series of highly-acclaimed travel films, one of which is “Bordeaux & The Dordogne: A Tribute”.  Clips from the videos can be seen on the Tribute Series website.

Jim & Elizabeth Hilgendorf, The Matchmakers

Jim and Elizabeth Hilgendorf – The Matchmakers - have a real estate company in Eugene, Oregon, but they also specialize in helping clients find their dream homes in France.  You can go to their website and search the real estate listings for over 350,000 listed properties throughout all of France.

The Provence region of southern France, of course, is one of the most visited areas in France. This is an area of sun and wine and lavender, and lovely ancient villages. One of these is the village of Seguret.

Seguret, in the Provence region of southern France

Seguret is one of the official “most beautiful villages in France.”  The steeply sloping streets are lined with ancient houses.  There is a lovely, quiet atmosphere in the village.

Seguret is located in the southern Cotes du Rhone region, and the village produces it own appellation controlee wine, the Cotes du Rhone Seguret.

If you are thinking of buying a home in France, send us an email.  We have been to France many times, and have established connections with excellent agents throughout the country who can help you navigate through the process of searching for and buying a villa, an apartment, or chateau in France.

Jim, by the way, is a film producer, and has produced a line of highly-acclaimed travel films, one of which is “Bordeaux & The Dordogne: A Tribute”.  Clips from the videos can be seen on the Tribute Series website.

Jim & Elizabeth Hilgendorf - The Matchmakers