Out of sight, out of mind, that's how Jacques sums up his feelings.
"It's been so long since I left that I no longer find anything in common with France"
, confides the one who is now called "Jack".
This Frenchman has lived in the United Kingdom for more than 35 years and feels good there.
First arriving in London after two years of studying law and with the aim of perfecting his English, the 50-year-old never left.
“I immediately liked English culture and life, the politeness of the people, the fact that everything is possible here, at least more than in France
,” he explains.
Married to a Briton for almost 30 years, he is the father of two grown children, who have not taken French nationality.
“We never did the process, they were born here, with my wife, we consider that they are full British.”
.
He did not reapply for a French passport.
“I decided to take British nationality as soon as I could.
It was normal for me, knowing that I was building my life here and that I was not going to return to live in France.
I know this may sound shocking to some, but that's how I felt and I've never had any regrets."
Read alsoExpats in London: how to successfully maintain the French culture of your children
Even with Brexit?
“I voted against the country's exit from the European Union in the referendum.
But for me it doesn't change anything, on the contrary even, since I'm British so I have no worries about coming and going.
“
I lost my parents a few years ago.
Before, we were going to spend a few days of vacation with the children to go see them, but now I don't really have a reason to go back.
My life is here”
, launches Jacques, who after more than 35 years in the United Kingdom expresses himself in French with a slight British accent.
“We can say that the integration is total
,” he smiles.
Impression that France is "drowning"
Sylvie feels
“less and less French at heart”
, as she puts it.
Expatriated for more than 15 years in England, the forties believes that France has
"changed too much"
and
"has not taken the right direction".
“Living abroad
allows you to take a step back from…
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