Martins' Lakes

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We decided to move to France in the autumn of 2002 as Greg had always been a keen fisherman and dreamed of owning his own lake one day.

Although we loved where we lived in England we knew that as far as our two children were concerned, we should make the move sooner rather than later in order to give them the best chance of becoming integrated into the French educational system and picking up the language.

We spent a lot of time searching the internet looking at French properties and were lucky enough to find come across this house which was described as a 'Villa with three lakes, in need of renovation'. When we came out to view it in January 2003, the agent could only find two of the three lakes and the house hadn't been looked after for over 20 years. However, it had the right feeling about it, plus lots of potential, and a perfect setting. Our first offer was rejected, so we offered the asking price, which was accepted.

We came back in March to see the elusive third lake, now called Jungle Lake as it was so overgrown, and to sign the preliminary contracts. We finally moved here at the start of August 2003 and so started the process of starting the business and adapting to the new French way of life.

The first thing we needed to do was get the Specimen Carp Lake up and
running and ready for fishermen. We added to the existing stock with
Common carp, Mirror carp, Grass carp and three big catfish.
We restored the little chalet by the lake and kitted it out with cooking
facilities, running water, heater etc. then added a proper flushing loo
and solar shower.
The covered eating area to the side of the chalet was built a couple of years
later and makes a welcome addition.

Then we converted the out-building into the gite and got the Coarse Fishing
Lake ready for customers and well stocked with bream, smaller carp, roach, black bass etc.

The longest project has been Jungle Lake as the dam was in a very poor state of repair when we first saw it, but by the time we arrived, it had collapsed in the middle due to damage by coypu which had made burrows into the earth. The quote to repair it was in excess of €20 000 which was completely out of our budget so we bought an old JCB and a large tipping trailer to go behind the tractor and gradually, over the last few years, we have managed to re-build the dam. Jungle Lake is now destined to be a tench lake with some large carp for good measure, and will have a 9m delux caravan located at the top end of the lake, looking down to the dam, for accommodation.

There have been lots of addtions and improvements added over the last 8 years as time and money have gradually allowed us to do the changes we have wanted to.