In 1989, investment banker and management consultant Jane Hanslip was living a fast-paced existence in London, and had every reason to think that things could not possibly get any busier. That was before she bought an imposing 18th-century manor house, just outside Bergerac, on impulse after a holiday to the Dordogne. For a number of years, she lead a triple life as a City worker, renovator and holiday letting agent, travelling between France and London on a regular basis to keep on top of things - before the days of budget fl ights!
Jane eventually moved to her French home permanently in 2003, but instead of things fi nally quietening down, a slide in the holiday rentals market forced her to rethink her options. To stay ahead of the game, workaholic Jane decided to set up not one, but three more businesses. She now provides riding holidays, French language learning immersion courses and gastronomy weekends alongside her holiday rentals agency.
Busier than ever, Jane maintains a hands-on approach to all her ventures, and is particularly proud of the immersion courses, which she believes are the best and most enjoyable way to learn the language.
FRENCH MAGAZINE: What attracted you to life in France?
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