High Tea A British tradition in France that amuses the French who ‘Gouter’.

Introducing my French neighbours to English ‘tea’.

History and how the French do it differently, the French ‘Gouter’

In 1997 my husband and I moved to France to a doorless drafty chateau in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. The French Chateaux adventure is an exciting way of life. It‘s the dream in large a great attraction for many Brits of getting real country life by moving to France.

In France space comes cheaper and an outdoorsy lifestyle elusive and exclusive in the UK, is more financially accessible. However townies and chateaunauts be warned, cheaper space demands a great deal of time. Expect a cold shower on the learning curve of country life and an exotic society.

Tea is the perfect pause in the day for new homeowners run off their feet, to have a break and quench their thirst for human companionship. With the longer hours of daylight, after a bit of refreshment and chat, there is still enough time for another go at the endless projects.

In my first few years I had to make sure that I did not get consumed with all the work and become what the locals call a bête de travail, a beast of work who cannot put down tools and spend time idly chatting. Getting into the local culture was an equally important part…