James and Sam Parry, with their sons William and Ben, first came to Corrèze for a summer holiday in 2007.  After one trip out on his bike James, a road cycling junkie, was so enthusiastic about the cycling here that a seed of an idea was planted. In 2008 the family relocated to France from their home in Surrey, lunged into life in rural France and embarked on a ‘Grand Design’ style adventure which resulted in the opening of Corrèze Cycling Holidays in June 2011

During the three year build, James became an expert on roof slating – a far cry from his career as a financial analyst – and when he wasn’t on the roof, spent his spare time exploring the wonderful countryside on his bike. He now has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the area and is well known in all the restaurants and cafes – top qualifications for guiding our cycling guests.

Sam, formally an interior designer, and a keen chef, was in her element project managing the build and experimenting with the fantastic local produce whilst trying to improve her school level basic french. Her potager provides a lot of quality home grown produce for the dinner table and she has spent several years honing her culinary skills.  Having joined the PTA and becoming president by accident (she didn’t understand the question), her french improved dramatically and she became a local councillor in 2014.  Sam has since gone native.

The boys, aged 7 and 10 when they arrived in France, have become completely bilingual and also both speak good German. Will is a keen filmmaker and is now studying Film production at Northumbria University.  Ben loves football and looking good. He is in his second year at Lycée and plans to study Economics and Business.

Even Better the Second Time

“Sam and James make you feel part of their extended family, this is indeed a very happy place to spend a holiday.”

– Geoff, Adelaide