The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: bildabob on September 15, 2009, 04:27:42 pm

Title: what do I do with it?
Post by: bildabob on September 15, 2009, 04:27:42 pm

I am about to purchase a six bedroom property here in the Vendee area of France. There are several very usable stonebuilt outbuildingsplus a couple of paddocks The paddocks are about an acre each and on ground that slopes away from the house. currently one of the paddocks houses a neighbors horse. The other altho it has electrified fencing is at the moment unoccupied. The above descrption is a very general one but I would like to know how I can use the land to perhaps even earn me a few Euros.
Bob

Title: Re: what do I do with it?
Post by: Rosemary on September 15, 2009, 05:18:17 pm

HI and welcome. Lots of ex pats in France who will have suggestions, I'm sure!

Title: Re: what do I do with it?
Post by: MrRee on September 15, 2009, 06:29:56 pm

Hi Bob,
   . Given that there's a horse on one,and there seems to be usable buildings,how about a livery?  Setting up a business in France is,by all accounts,a nightmare and you'll have to pay your year's taxes upfront (someone correct me if I'm wrong please). There is an micro or auto-entrepaneur classification,but not sure if livery would fall into that.
  You could always rent the land out to a local farmer. But with this beware,once rented out,it can be very difficult to get it back unless you have a good Notaire in the first place. Another potential use is to sell the "grass",just the grass,to someone local who wants to graze sheep etc. Failing that,dig a couple of acre lake,chuck in some 40lb carp,convert the buildings to gites and charge 300 a week for fishing!
  Or,how about digging 40sq metres of veg patch,getting two weaners to bring on,half a dozen sheep,a few chickens ducks and geese,planting a small orchard,buying a couple of big freezers to store them all in and cut your yearly food bill by at least 50%? ........... Ree

Title: Re: what do I do with it?
Post by: bildabob on September 15, 2009, 07:10:32 pm

many thanx mr Ree
I'm just not sure as yet but will certainly consider any practical suggestions

Title: Re: what do I do with it?
Post by: Hilarysmum on September 15, 2009, 08:35:55 pm

Whatever you do, get recommendations for a really good accountant, one that is practised in working with MSA.  Believe me he will be worth his weight in euros.

Title: Re: what do I do with it?
Post by: doganjo on September 15, 2009, 08:56:24 pm

Gites are very popular - can your buildings be converted/have you the finances for this?