Are you in the midst of  planning your retirement?

If so, you should take a serious look at the possibilities La Rose Blanche offers you, either to make a gentle transition into a more long-term presence in France/Europe, enjoy an alternative affordable luxury retirement lifestyle where you can easily take your first step in to this beautiful country - experience the good life in France first hand, test the water, see if you like the lifestyle and just as easily step out again - it is incredibly easy. So easy, in fact you could be buying a beautiful mobile home on this residential site within weeks - no fancy contracts, no need for notaries or other legal expenses and paid for in Sterling (Please note annual site fees are payable in Euros). 

Many of our residents have chosen to stay on at La Rose Blanche for years, even for good. It speaks volumes that some of our longer term residents have enjoyed being at La Rose Blanche since it was first conceived by its English owners over 17 years ago!  

Among our residents are people from all across the UK, from France, South Africa, and America.  All have been attracted by the easy living and good life style on offer here in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of France. 

La Rose Blanche is perfectly located for enjoying the beautiful country of France. We are close to the Charente Maritime beaches of Royan, Meschers, St George du Didonne. Also nearby are the amazing ecosystems of the Gironde Estuary and the famous vineyards of Bordeaux and the Medoc.  

We are surrounded by beautiful rural countryside and small hamlets making walking the dog (Yes! we are pet friendly) or cycling on quiet country roads and tracks through the many vineyards and ancient oaks under big skies a pure delight.

To Learn More about the Mirambeau Area Click Here

Getting out-and About is easy - travelling on the fast well maintained road system in France is a joy (except in August*).  La Rose Blanche is within striking distance of all the main ferry ports to the UK, e.g. St Malo, Roscoff, Cherbourg, Dieppe, etc., serving the South of England ports from Portsmouth to Dover and also Ireland.

Similarly, we are just a couple of hours drive from the Spanish Ferry ports of Bilbao and Santander that also serve Plymouth and Portsmouth in the UK. 

Just 69 Kms (43m) from the UNESCO world heritage City of Bordeaux; the capital of our Region - Nouvelle Acquitaine, we have high speed (+200mph) TGV train services to Paris and other cities.

Airports abound providing domestic and international flights - with Merignac Airport in Bordeaux serving most of Europe including Ireland, UK and Canada,  Île de Ré Airport at La Rochelle home to Easyjet, Ryanair and serving the UK and Ireland as well as airports in Bergerac, Limoges, Biarritz and more.

* The roads can become congested in August when many of the French (particularly the Parisians) drive South from for their holidays. However every cloud here has a silver lining, this mass migration of the French affords us a great opportunity to enjoy the City of Love - Paris just a few hours away by TGV!

Whether you choose to spend a little little time or a long time each year or live here permanently or for most of the year - having a choice of activities  is important. From simply lazing around on your deck or by the pool, enjoying the 2 hour lunch at a local cafe as favored by the French or keeping yourself active and agile there is plenty to do at La Rose Blanche.

Focusing on activities favored by the over 50s you will never be short of things to do, places to go, things to see and things to taste. From wine tastings at a local chateau, a visit to La Rochelle to watch the Rugby, to a  great Sunday Lunch (Something not to be Missed!!)  

The choice of activities and social events provide good healthy fun activities for adults rather than children. Here are just a few:

• Cycling
• Arts & Crafts, 
• Walking the dog
• Boules (Petanque) 
• Clubhouse Activities (see below)
  

Clubhouse events include Sunday Lunches, Cheese & Wine Tasting; Karaoke, BBQs, Brunches; Bingo (French of course), craft activities, games and coffee mornings. 

There are also the Brocante (Second Hand Stalls) much loved in almost every village in France, and so much more. 

So whilst you won't find paint-balling,  or Ferris wheels at La Rose Blanche the grandchildren are not forgotten. Typically, they look forward to being warmly welcomed by the all the residents of La Rose Blanche during their summer visits and enjoy joining-in with the various activities put on in the club, at the swimming pool, on the boules court, etc., during the summer months. As well as having a chance to experience France and practice their French. 

In addition, we have easy access to many sites of interest for adult and children alike - with castles and chateau's everywhere, significant Gallic-Roman sites of immense archaeological interest; coastal and environmental conservation sites and of course many world renowned leisure parks including the very educational and fun Futuroscope at Poitiers less than 2 hours drive away and at nearby Jonzac is Les Antilles. 

It is worth noting that La Rose Blanche is managed by the residents for the residents - mainly the over 50's - though no one will be checking your birth certificate! 

La Rose Blanche Residents Association, or LRBRA as it is known, is a legal non-profit making entity under French law and is under contract to the owner of the site to manage the site and has done so since 2009. All elected and non-elected positions are unpaid volunteer positions. The residents are committed to this very workable approach that benefits both the legal site owner and site residents through the efforts of dedicated residents.  

The Residents' Association has a small membership fee which entitles you to vote at our annual general meeting, attend the clubhouse and volunteer for elected or advisory positions, e.g. President, Secretary, Treasurer, Clubhouse Steward. This small elected volunteer management committee is voted in each year to ensure the site is managed - pool, gardens, site fees are collected, and we conform to French regulations, etc. The management committee man the office two mornings a week and are often joined by other volunteer staff.

We find this minimal level of governance ensures the site is managed well under French law in the interest of all residents and the owner and any issues or problems that arise on site from time-to-time are resolved to the best interest of all residents. Above all, the La Rose Blanche continues to develop a unique environment and atmosphere that is tailor-made to those in the 50+ age bracket, close or near to retirement that seek the good life with like-minded people in this idyllic French setting.