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GIVEAWAY! 3 copies of A House At The End Of The Track – Ariège (France)

17th February 2020

Fancy winning a copy of A House At The End Of The Track by Michelle Lawson, a travelogue set in France?

A House At The End Of The Track

Intrigued by the endless accounts of English incomers `living the dream’ in France, Michelle Lawson set out to find out what it’s all about beneath that romantic veneer. Travelling around the Ariege Pyrenees she captured stories and observed the online interactions of a scattered English community, as well as frank conversations with new arrivals, old-timers and those packing up to return to England. We hear stories of meticulous preparation as well as buying on a whim, and from those who describe themselves as village celebrities, along with couples living in social isolation.

The book is a long way from the usual `we moved to France’ accounts. Instead it casts aside the romantic lens as the author travels among English settlers to hear their reasons for ending up in this remote corner of France. Readers will feel a mix of admiration, envy and sympathy, and perhaps even irritation with the incomers, as they sometimes contradict themselves in order to avoid the well-worn stereotype of the English abroad. The book is also a gentle reminder that such stereotypes present an unbalanced picture, and that if incomers do stick to some of their old ways, the reasons why might be understandable.

The author weaves her relationship with the landscape into the stories of the incomers in this wild and depopulated corner of the Pyrenees. Stories open up comment on local issues relating to conservation and re-wilding, as well as the continuing shadow of wartime events, in this much less well known part of France.

HOW TO ENTER:A House At The End Of The Track

FIRST: Join TripFiction, just scroll down on this link until you get to “JOIN NOW” tab

SECOND: Share with us your favourite part of France in the comments below! Enter by midnight UK time 29th February (lucky for some!). Open UK/Europe. First 3 names out of the hat…

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Comments

  1. User: Reading all over the world

    Posted on: 20/02/2020 at 7:58 pm

    Hello, I have been to Paris in France. It has some lovely areas. I really enjoyed visiting the Rodin museum there, it has beautiful pieces of art with lovely gardens.

    Comment

    • User: tripfiction

      Posted on: 19/02/2020 at 9:21 am

      Definitely! They’re so beautiful in all seasons!

      Comment

  2. User: Fiona jk42

    Posted on: 18/02/2020 at 1:34 pm

    My favourite part of France is Brittany. I love the architecture, scenery and the food.

    Comment

  3. User: Susan Gilley

    Posted on: 18/02/2020 at 12:28 pm

    Love the area around Pont du Gard. Between Avignon and Nimes. We stay on a campsite in Remoullins. Love it- on the side of the River Gard and set in Scots Pine Forest. Beautiful place.

    Comment

  4. User: Pat Stubbs

    Posted on: 18/02/2020 at 8:57 am

    Love the Dordogne. Great history and amazing scenery as well as rather fabulous wine

    Comment

  5. User: lapsapchung

    Posted on: 18/02/2020 at 7:15 am

    My favourite part of France is Just across the French Border from Geneva, a small town called Ferney-Voltaire because my daughter and her family live in one of the nearby villages. It’s in a lush valley between the Alps and the Jura so whichever way you look there are beautiful mountain views.

    Comment

  6. User: lapsapchung

    Posted on: 18/02/2020 at 7:14 am

    My favourite part of France is Just across the French Border from Geneva, a small town called Ferney-Voltaire because my daughter and her family live in one of the nearby villages. It’s in a lush valley between the Alps and the Jura so whichever way you look there are beautiful mountain views

    Comment

  7. User: Janice H

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 10:19 pm

    I’m currently living in the Dordogne region of France and would love to win this book! Janice Horton.

    Comment

  8. User: HELEN CLAYTON

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 8:39 pm

    Menton-such a deliciously beautiful and sun drenched town.

    Comment

  9. User: Rachel Hall

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 7:29 pm

    Boulonge- a school day trip. I didn’t see much but it is the only part of France I have been to!

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: tripfiction

      Posted on: 19/02/2020 at 2:03 pm

      Hi Rachel, Boulogne would be amazing! Don’t forget to become a TripFiction member to be in with a chance of winning a copy. Just follow the link above! Good luck!

      Comment

  10. User: ajcairns

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 6:43 pm

    The beautiful windswept beaches of Normandy.

    Comment

  11. User: Lesley Morton-Evans

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 4:53 pm

    Les Houches nr Chamonix. It has all the wonderful qualities of Chamonix, especially the breathtaking views but is without the tourist trappings.

    Comment

  12. User: julie Ryan

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 3:46 pm

    Spent a year in Auvergne – beautiful, underrated part of France.

    Comment

  13. User: Claire Harris

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 3:40 pm

    Nice & the Mediterranean coast generally! I spent several years holidaying there & did in fact consider moving there at one point! Just couldn’t afford it! Maybe just as well?

    Comment

  14. User: Linda Rumsey

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 3:28 pm

    I’ve never been to France but Paris is on my bucket list 🙂

    Comment

  15. User: Andrea Hedgcock

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 3:00 pm

    I’ve never been to France so I don’t have a favourite part but I am fascinated by it’s time in the 1400 & 1500s.

    Comment

  16. User: Leah Tonna

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 2:50 pm

    I love the houses of Normandy, the style & simplicity would suit me I think.

    Comment

  17. User: philatel

    Posted on: 17/02/2020 at 2:43 pm

    Cavalaire – spent many summer holidays there courtesy of my friend’s parents who owned a house on the hillside overlooking the sea. Very hilly but good exercise when going for the early morning bread and evening dinner. So easy to get to St Tropez, Cannes, etc. Beautiful place to relax.

    Comment