An Interview with Mélie Dunod

Deciding to spend Thanksgiving in Europe is a delight. Whether you’re booking time in your August home or visiting friends and family, you can nod to tradition on November 28th and over the entire holiday period in many ways. For insider inspiration, we caught up with the local August team for their thoughts on celebrating Thanksgiving in Europe and the UK, including Kirsten Meyr, August Collections’ Commercial Director. Born and raised in Maryland, USA, before moving to Norway, now Kirsten lives in London with her British husband and Thanksgiving has always been a part of her family’s traditions. “Growing up we always integrated both American and Norwegian cultures and Thanksgiving was always a highlight for me,” shares Kirsten. “Getting the family together, the crisp fall air, how the holiday marks the beginning of the Christmas season - I love it.” Though we cannot guarantee crisp weather, here are some thoughts on how to spend Thanksgiving in Europe this year.

Following a successful spring event in the Netherlands, we held our first community event in a famous, historic district of Antwerp for our Belgian friends.

The French Riviera is synonymous with sun, glamour and Mediterranean bliss. From Cannes on the Côte d’Azur to idyllic villages such as Tourrettes-sur-Loup in the rolling hills of les Alpes-Maritimes, this area of France is ripe for discovery throughout the year. And if you’re looking for a dream home in Southern France, you are not alone and have a lot in common with our Homeowners who turned their aspirations of a holiday home in France, into a sweet reality with August Collections...

If you're considering a second home, understanding where your equity lies might help make the decision clearer. Speaking with August Collections’ head of finance, we discuss how co-ownership offers equity in comparison to a timeshare.

With beautiful food, delicious sites to see and endless history to discover, there is much to intrigue in France. Thankfully, you can buy a home in France as a non-resident. Pre and post-retirement, every year, many UK, EU and non-EU citizens decide to pull the trigger and move to France. But what do you need to know about the process? Here, August highlights a few key requirements you will not want to oversee. 

The dream of living on the French Riviera is a beautiful reality for August Homeowners. With enchanting 'aperçu mer' sea views, the glamorous La Croisette within easy walking reach, and mountainous peaks that hug the region just a short drive away, whether you want to immerse yourself in the town’s history or dive into contemporary cool locales, having a Pied À Terre apartment to call your own will let Cannes be your year-round playground. 

You will not be the first or the last to dream of buying property in France. Many from the United States decide to ‘up sticks’ and swap the American lifestyle with something a little more je ne sais quoi. Frenchisms aside, living on the French Riviera, in beau Paris or even in a lesser-known part of la Métropole, in la France ‘profonde’ can be a wonderful experience, pre or post-retirement.