1. ^aPIRES (Politics) Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics LE11 3TU, UK. E-mail: h.p.drake@lboro.ac.uk
2. ^bSussex European Institute, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RG. E-mail: s.p.collard@sussex.ac.uk

Abstract

Britons are owning property and living in France like never before. As such, they are part of the broader phenomena of the free movement of European Union (EU) 'citizens' within the EU's borders (intra-EU migration); and the centuries-old Franco-British relationship. We explore the salience of each of these contexts for the latest British emigrés to cross the Channel, by means of a case study of the Pays d'Auge area of Normandy. On the basis of our fieldwork with approximately 20 British households, we assess and update material first collected from and about these British migrants almost two decades ago. We review our findings in the light of the state of the Franco-British relationship, and the realities of a 'Citizens' Europe'.