SOUTH WEST FRANCE: PAULINE
This week Jim starts off the series in Rousillon in the South West of France. The capital of the region, Pepignan is a good base for exploring the Pyrennees to the south or just enjoying the Mediterranean to the west. And with miles of sun-drenched coastline, it's hardly surprising that the population explodes during the summer months.

Our first house hunter, Pauline Armstrong from Raheny in Dublin, plans to spend more than just her summers here. Pauline, now a widow, sold her house in Dublin and is looking for a new permanent home. She discovered the area years ago and thinks that it's the perfect place for her to retire.

If you're planning to buy abroad, a local agent who speaks English and knows the ins and outs of the local system is a must. Pauline has hooked up with an agent Suzanne O'Reilly. Suzanne and her sister Karen set up Bids in France four years ago and they have a number of places lined up for Pauline to look at.

Today she views two properties, the fisrt one is an apartment in Perpignon Town. The asking price is E125,000 Buying a property in France is quite different from Ireland and the process can take from two to six months. You are obliged to appoint a public official called a notaire, and in some cases you may want to give them power of attorney to allow the sale to proceed without you having to be in France. So, particularly if you don't speak good French, it pays to have someone on the ground for you.

It's a top floor apartment, 80m sq with garage. It has Living Room, bedroom, study, bathroom, toilet, kitchen. And a cellar in basement 10m sq. While she loves the apartment, that part of town is just too noisy and there is absolutely no sea view.

The next property is a little more promising, and a little more expensive! It's a 3 Bed Townhouse, again, in Perpignon. The price is E152,000. On the ground floor is Garage, Kitchen / Cellar area, Small back garden (150m sq). The first floor - Tiled Kitchen, Dining area, Living room, W.C. And finally, 3 bedrooms, bathroom, W.C on the second floor. Pauline is very taken with the house but is worried about all the stairs. And again it's in the town.

Pauline decides no thank you to city living. Suzanne will just have to find her something with a nice sea view.

Perpignan, the capitol of Rousillon is located near the Mediterranean Sea and Spanish border in South West France and has a Spanish influence. It is a good base for exploring the Pyrennees to the south or just enjoying the Mediterranean to the west. With miles of sun-drenched coastline, it's hardly surprising that the population explodes during the summer months. It is a pleasant city with a lively street life. The heart of the town is pedestrianised and dominated by cafes, brasseries and lots of good places to eat and drink. Pauline viewed 6 properties with the help of Suzanne and Karen O'Reilly, two sisters from Limerick, who now run their own property agency in Perpignan. Their contact details are: www.bidsinfrance.com.