I moved from the UK to Montpellier, the ‘Brighton of France’ – here’s why the shopping is better and the French aren’t as rude as you think

If you don’t take no for an answer, then you’re part-qualified for a new life in France.

Because, as revealed to MailOnline Travel by UK expat and wine expert Hannah Milnes – who has begun a new life in Montpellier, the regional capital of the Languedoc – ‘if you want something or want something done in France, it could be anything at all, the answer often starts out as a no’.

She continues: ‘When this happens, you may start doubting yourself, wondering if you have come to the wrong place or made a spelling error somewhere. But don’t panic, it’s just a French quirk – an initial reactionary answer.

‘You have to keep pressing on in your most polite French explaining the situation and how you have all the right paperwork, or have spoken to the relevant person and so on, and insist that they look deeper into the situation.

‘It can feel disheartening at first, but now I realise it’s just a sort of dance of the ego that you need to entertain. Rather than be frustrated, I try to see it as a good opportunity to practise some French.’

Hannah, 39, from Salisbury, has now been in Montpellier for 18 months with her (British) fiancé and ‘plans to stay for some years’ in the city she describes as the ‘Brighton of France’.

Hannah has held a diverse career in the wine industry, encompassing roles in tastings, sales and event management, and even dedicated two years to wine production in Australia, New Zealand, France and England.

This year, she is concentrating on content-creating, ‘sharing about life in France, including having a better quality of life, and bringing a fresh perspective to wine communication’ via her Instagram profile, @the.british.bouchon.

Hannah remarks: ‘We were attracted by Montpellier’s size, spirit and the pretty, old town’ 

So, how is the quality of life in Montpellier and Languedoc better?

Hannah remarks: ‘Montpellier is an extremely popular place to move to right now. It’s growing quickly with lots of newly built apartment blocks. We were attracted by its size, spirit and the pretty old town.

‘With two universities, there’s a great mix of French people from all over the country living here, plus it attracts immigrants from all over the world, so the city pulses with a youthful and open-minded energy.

‘Furthermore, the environmentally focused mayor has been spearheading numerous green initiatives that are transforming the urban landscape.

‘This includes a growing network of cycling paths and expanded tram lines. Transforming public spaces and planting 50,000 trees by 2026. Finally, he is constructing community living complexes. You can imagine it as the French equivalent to Brighton.’

Montpellier is also the ‘perfect size’ for socialising while remaining small enough to escape from for a countryside adventure.

Hannah continues: ‘There’s a plethora of restaurants and bars here to keep me occupied, but when I need a nature hit, there are miles of beaches; there is world-class hiking, river swimming and canoeing; and salt flats, historical towns and castles to explore. I know we won’t run out of things to do for a few years yet.’

The shopping is a bonus, too.

Hannah says: ‘I find it so much easier to shop responsibly for groceries here. Buying organic produce is very normal for the French. It’s not just for wealthy types on London salaries.

‘I live just a five-minute walk from the bi-weekly farmers market. I no longer buy any fruit or veg in packaging. It’s much easier to eat seasonally because as soon as something comes into season, there are literally piles of it at the market.

Montpellier is the ‘perfect size’ for socialising while remaining small enough to escape from for a countryside adventure, notes Hannah

Montpellier is blessed with a ‘plethora of restaurants and bars’

‘Furthermore, shoppers like talking directly with the people who are growing the food. People will stop and have a long chat with the vendors and no one blinks an eye if it causes a big queue.’

The weather is another huge plus point.

Hannah says: ‘My biggest issue with Britain is 100 per cent the weather. The constant grey skies have always got me down.

‘I was never interested in going outside in the gloom despite growing up in the countryside. I would always be thinking about all the places in the world that might be sunny and want to be there instead. Now, when it rains in Montpellier, I welcome it. I love the smell and how all the plants suddenly look greener and more vigorous.

‘Because it’s so often sunny here, I am more motivated to go out and explore, even through winter.’

And where to explore?

Hannah recommends visiting the Hotel Pinard wine bar in Montpellier – ‘run by an extremely passionate couple’- hiring a car and climbing the famous Pic Saint Loup, swimming under the famous Pont du Diable in the Aniane area and visiting one of the many wineries in the Languedoc.

Hannah recommends visiting one of the Languedoc’s many wineries 

The wine guru says many have an ‘open cellar door’, including ‘wine star’ Mas de Daumas Gassac, which grows wine in the ‘hip’ Terrasses du Larzac appellation, along with Gerard Bertrand, which Hannah notes makes the world’s most expensive rose.

She notes: ‘There’s also Ormarine, a respected co-operative producer, well known for its high-quality Picpoul de Pinet. I could go on… ‘

If you fancy following in Hannah’s footsteps, you’ll need to brush up on your French – ‘all administration is in French’ – and brace yourself for some direct conversations.

Hannah adds: ‘There’s a view that the French are very rude, but it’s more normal for them to openly disagree. It doesn’t mean that they don’t like you. They just don’t mind confrontation. A good debate is a bit of a pastime for them. I appreciate that they don’t skirt around the edges when trying to make a point like the English do. They say what they think and then move on.’

For more from Hannah visit www.instagram.com/the.british.bouchon and @studio_bouchon. And look out for Hannah’s ‘terroir’ focused retreats in collaboration with ‘fellow wine professional and immigrant’ Amber Gardner. Hannah says: ‘Participants will have a chance to disconnect from digital life and reconnect with the authentic origins of food and wine, exploring their deep connection to the land. This includes dining on meals prepared on an asado fire by a Michelin-trained chef.’