VerifiedGet matched with vetted international mover We match you with only accredited partner for your route: fewer calls, less stress, and a clearer quote.
South-west France stretches from the Charente coast in the north to the Pyrenean border in the south, and from the Atlantic coast east to the Massif Central. It is one of the most popular regions in France for British buyers, particularly in the Dordogne and Lot, which have a British expat population large enough to have earned the nickname "Dordogneshire."
The region has two distinct motorway routes from the Channel. The A10 via Paris and Poitiers is the standard route to Bordeaux and the Atlantic coast. The A20 via Limoges is often the better choice for the Dordogne, Lot and Limousin, and much of it is toll-free south of Paris.
International Removals Companies connects each enquiry with one FIDI-certified partner mover who knows south-west France. It does not carry out the move itself. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576, has operated the service since November 2010. The enquiry is free.
Free. One FIDI-certified partner mover. No obligation.
The route choice affects both cost (the A20 south of Paris is largely toll-free) and total drive time. The partner mover decides, but it helps to know which applies to your specific area.
Best for: Bordeaux, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Landes, Biarritz, Bayonne, Basque Country and Gers.
Channel Tunnel, A26 south, Paris, A10 south through Tours, Poitiers and Saintes to Bordeaux. Then A63 south for Biarritz. A62 east for Agen and Lot-et-Garonne.
Note: the A10 south of Paris is a toll road. Bordeaux is approximately 750 miles from London on this route.
Best for: Dordogne, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Limousin (Limoges, Brive, Tulle), Correze and Aveyron.
Channel Tunnel, A26 south, Paris, A20 south through Vierzon, Châteauroux, Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde to Périgueux. Largely toll-free south of Paris.
Note: saves significant toll costs vs the A10. Périgueux is approximately 730 miles from London via this route.
Bordeaux city has good lorry access year-round. The suburbs and métropole are straightforward. The wine château country of Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol has narrower D roads and estate driveways.
London to Bordeaux: approx 750 miles via A10. Confirm: estate gate width, vineyard track access.
The Dordogne has the largest British resident community of any rural French department. Périgueux (24000) is the capital. Sarlat-la-Canéda (24200), Bergerac (24100) and Les Eyzies are the main expat hubs.
Rural Dordogne is deeply rural. Many properties are accessed by D roads narrower than 3 metres or unpaved tracks. Confirm access for any address outside a market town.
London to Périgueux: approx 730 miles via A20.
Cahors (46000) is the Lot capital. Rocamadour, Figeac (46100) and the Lot river valley are popular with British buyers. Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Agen (47000) cover Lot-et-Garonne.
The Lot river valley has steep limestone cliffs (causses) with properties on valley floors and cliff tops. Some cliff-top access roads are very narrow.
Confirm: valley road width, cliff access, village street width.
Cognac (16100) and Angouleme (16000) cover the Charente. La Rochelle (17000) and Saintes (17100) cover the Maritime. Both are accessible via A10.
The Charente countryside is gentle and generally good for lorry access. La Rochelle is a coastal city with some restricted access in the old port area.
Confirm: old town access in Angouleme, port district access in La Rochelle.
Limoges (87000), Brive-la-Gaillarde (19100) and Guéret (23000) are the main towns. The Limousin is accessed via the A20, largely toll-free south of Paris.
The Creuse in particular has very affordable property and a growing British community. Rural Creuse has farm tracks and small village streets that need access confirmation.
London to Limoges: approx 690 miles via A20.
Biarritz (64200), Bayonne (64100), Saint-Jean-de-Luz (64500) and Pau (64000). All accessible via A63 south from Bordeaux. The Basque coast has excellent lorry access.
Inland Basque villages and the foothills of the Pyrenees can have narrower access. Confirm rural access for addresses outside the main coastal towns.
London to Biarritz: approx 900 miles.
Auch (32000) is the Gers capital. Gascony covers the rolling hills between the Dordogne and the Pyrenees, famous for Armagnac and foie gras. A quieter region with fewer British buyers than the Dordogne but growing.
Many properties are on hilltop villages (villages perchés) or farms with track access. Confirm lorry access before booking.
Route: A10 to Bordeaux, A62 east to Agen, then south.
Mont-de-Marsan (40000), Dax (40100), Hossegor and Capbreton. The Landes is Europe's largest pine forest. The coastal resorts have good lorry access. Pine forest tracks to rural addresses may be unpaved.
Confirm: forest track access for addresses away from the coast or main towns.
Rodez (12000) and Millau are in the Aveyron. Montauban (82000) covers Tarn-et-Garonne. Accessed via A20 to Montauban, then north for Rodez.
The Aveyron has dramatic gorge country (Gorges du Tarn, Gorges de la Jonte). Properties in gorge villages may have extremely limited lorry access. Confirm before booking.
Confirm: gorge village access, bridge weight limits on approach roads.
South-west France has the most diverse rural property types of any French region. The access challenge varies significantly by property type. The partner mover will ask about property type before confirming the quote.
Honey-coloured stone farmhouses typical of the Dordogne and Lot. Often on D roads or minor tracks. Many have been renovated. Confirm track width, surface condition and turning space. Soft clay soil in winter makes unpaved tracks impassable for heavy lorries.
Bastides are medieval fortified towns, common across the Dordogne, Lot and Gascony. Properties within bastide walls are often on very narrow cobbled streets. A relay vehicle from outside the bastide wall is almost always needed for these addresses.
Bordeaux and Bergerac wine estate properties. Long gravel drives, estate gates and vine-bordered approaches. Confirm gate dimensions and driveway surface. Harvest period (September to October) may restrict delivery access at working estates.
White-rendered houses with dark timber framing, typical of the Pays Basque. Most coastal Basque addresses have good access. Inland foothills properties can have steep approaches. Confirm driveway gradient for addresses above 250 metres.
South-west France costs sit between Paris-range and Riviera-range pricing. Bordeaux is approximately 750 miles from London: comparable to Lyon. The Dordogne and Limousin are slightly shorter at 690 to 730 miles. Rural access surcharges apply to many south-west France addresses.
Boxes, small furniture, flexible date
From about £700 to £1,600
Transit 7 to 14 days. Confirm rural access window for farm and track deliveries.
8 to 15 cubic metres
Bordeaux: £950 to £2,000
Dordogne: £950 to £1,900
2 to 3 day transit. Rural surcharge of £150 to £400 for farm track addresses.
20 to 40 cubic metres
Bordeaux: £2,200 to £4,000
Dordogne: £2,200 to £3,800
Relay vehicle for bastide or track addresses adds £150 to £400.
40 to 70+ cubic metres
From about £2,500 to £6,000
Priced after survey. Rural access, track condition and relay vehicle assessed before quoting.
Since Brexit, all goods from the UK to France require French customs documentation. This applies equally to a Bordeaux apartment, a Dordogne farmhouse and a Limousin manor house.
A dedicated vehicle to Bordeaux or the Dordogne takes 2 to 3 days. London to Bordeaux is approximately 750 miles. London to Périgueux is approximately 730 miles via the A20 through Limoges. To Biarritz: approximately 3 days (900 miles). Channel Tunnel crossing: 35 minutes. Part loads: 7 to 14 days.
Often yes. The A20 south of Paris is largely toll-free, making it cheaper than the A10 Bordeaux route for Dordogne, Lot and Limousin deliveries. London to Périgueux via the A20 is approximately 730 miles. The route passes through Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde before reaching Périgueux. The partner mover checks both options for your specific postcode.
Yes. Rural Dordogne removals are regularly handled. Many properties are accessed via D roads narrower than 3 metres or farm tracks. Confirm track width and surface condition before booking. Clay and limestone soil becomes soft November to March. Book May to October for track deliveries where possible. For bastide village properties, a relay vehicle from outside the walls is usually needed.
The Dordogne and Lot have had a large British resident community since the 1980s. Affordable rural property, good climate, accessible from the UK (750 miles from London) and French lifestyle all contribute. The Dordogne's British population is large enough that the region is informally called "Dordogneshire." Charente, Limousin and the Basque coast are also popular.
Yes. Since Brexit, all goods from the UK to France require French customs documentation regardless of destination. A detailed inventory is required. Transfer of residence relief from Douane may reduce import duty if you qualify. Check douane.gouv.fr before goods leave the UK.
International Removals Companies connects the enquiry with one FIDI-certified partner mover who services south-west France. They confirm the price, route (A10 or A20), rural access plan and French customs documentation. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576, operates the service. The enquiry is free.
Send the UK collection postcode, full south-west France delivery address, inventory, property type and access details (track condition, gate width, bastide location), preferred date and any special items. One FIDI-certified partner mover confirms the quote, route and access plan.
Get a South-West France QuoteFree. One FIDI-certified partner mover. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, operating since 2010.
International Removals Companies connects south-west France removal enquiries with one suitable vetted partner mover. Partner movers hold FIDI FAIM, BAR Overseas, FEDEMAC and IAM accreditations where confirmed. Working Member of AGM Group since 2010.
Prices, rural access requirements, relay vehicle needs, insurance and customs paperwork must be confirmed by the partner mover before booking.