Lesley SLEIGH's selection of French property for sale

About my area

The Minervois is a beautiful area located between the towns of Béziers, Narbonne and Carcassonne, the Mediterranean and the mountains – we chose to live here after a really good look at France over many years, and we feel we made the right choice! We discovered the perfect village and the perfect property in 1996, and on arriving, we were welcomed with open arms. Incorporated into village life, we’ve lived it to the full - we never tire of the beautiful surroundings, the copious sunshine, the unspoilt countryside and wildlife. The blossom starts at the end of January with the almond and mimosa flowers; the countryside is full of vineyards, olive groves, cherry, apricot and peach trees, and in spring we delight in the fields of orchids, baby irises and daffodils, wild scented tulips, thyme, rosemary, mint and lavender, asphodels and campanulas (to mention just a few) and listen to the hundreds of nightingales, the cuckoos, golden orioles and hoopoes… The history and architecture of the region give the area the unique atmosphere of real France, wild and free; if you like sharing gourmet meals and celebrations, come and do it here, amongst the hills and garrigue, or in the local towns where you can discover ‘le shopping’ and local culture. Here we are 45 minutes from the Mediterranean and just next to La Montagne Noire – completely contrasting areas and climates – coastal plains and sea, and hilly wooded retreats.

About me

France has always attracted me – in French classes at school in Bath, in England, I fell in love with the idea of the south of France, the culture, the chic, the towns and the people, the countryside and way of life. At 18 my choice was between architecture, and language studies in France – a good offer came to study in Oxford, and I spent the next 24 years learning and practising architecture there, in London and in the Cotswolds. Meanwhile, I dreamed of France…and in 1996 the opportunity came; I started to work with my father and brother, importing and exporting seeds from and to the whole world, and a year later, moved over here. I worked in the seed business until 2008, when I decided I needed a break! I started to work with Leggett Immobilier in November 2009. So – I love architecture and nature, and also dancing, which I started to learn when I was 3 years old, and have tried all sorts and styles from classical to oriental, Spanish to baroque via disco, tap and Argentine tango. I enjoy photography and art (there are several artists in my family), and I studied Spanish for four years in Narbonne. I like all sorts of music; books, and people, good food and wine, sun and sea…