Irene, just to say that I am really inspired by your farm!
I'm French but currently in Edinburgh/Scotland (20 years in the UK), looking at moving back to France (on my own)...to set a small self-sufficient project...my dream although rather daunting but the idea is nagging nagging nagging so I am looking into it one step at a time. I'm orginally from North Normandy but not considering to move back there, although open minded to anything. I have a PDC and currently doing another one online with Geoff Lawton, also got a lot of teaching from Benjamin Broustet too. I take part in urban growing here but not an expect though.
Like Rus, I don't think I can manage this on my own and would rather settle near like minded people to exchange help, knowledge etc... My initial idea was to join an 'eco hameau' and enquire about this on the website Colibris. At the same time, I don't really fancy the idea of being in an all french environment as I don't want to lose my English and I have really enjoyed living in a multi-national environment while abroad. I am training in Bi Aura Therapy (bio energy) and also hoping to develop some business online so internet access might be essential. At the same time, maybe I could develop something for the british expat as there are a lot in some places. I love Dordogne and the french actually call it 'Dordogneshire' given the British demography! The only thing I would be a bit worried about Dordogne is the thunderstorms there in the summer. They've always been pretty violent at times but that does not seem to get any better, with gust wind and massive hail stones!
David, I have also checked out the Anjou Region, seems to be a convenient location near Nantes, Anger, Tours etc..
I also love the Alps but I am still looking at some French speaking info/places about specifically developing permaculture projects for an Alpine climate (apart from Zepp Holzer, mostly in German, same in Switzerland, not much stuff found so far)
Christele