A short tram ride to discover the heritage of their adopted city, a welcome in the town hall hall to discover the activities at the stands… The welcome morning for the new inhabitants of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, organized by the municipality, attracted nearly 300 people on Saturday November 16. A large majority of them had white hair, arriving in the South-West to enjoy their retirement “in the sun, not far from the sea and the mountains”.
“We were charmed”
However, a few couples under 60 were also present at the reception given by the mayor, Gérard Régnier. Like Eric and Patricia, in their fifties, who came from Pau “to find a more lenient climate. Initially, we aimed at Sarlat, which we know as tourists, but finding a rental there was impossible. To refine their project, the couple made a few stops around Périgord… including one in Villeneuve-sur-Lot: “We were charmed by the bastide. It was two years ago. As soon as we found a rental opportunity, we went for it. » Because a little space was needed for these two Maine Coon and Yorkshire breeders. In the two months since they have settled, Eric and Patricia do not regret their decision: “We find that the city is lively, much more so than Pau. We enjoyed Bastides en fête and Halloween in Rogé, continues Eric. And every Sunday morning, we hunt in the numerous garage sales. »
Céline and Christophe arrived in September, following the latter's professional transfer to the Eysses detention center. “It’s a choice,” explains Christophe. We discovered Villeneuve-sur-Lot because one of my colleagues came to settle there. We came to see him, we were seduced. » These two tourism enthusiasts have already taken advantage of the region’s heritage assets: “We are hiking enthusiasts. What we appreciate here is the kindness of the people and the proximity of everything. Businesses, my work… The only complicated thing is on the medical level…”
