After the last 12 months I wouldn't actually disagree with either of your points, and neither would my better half, but that's an entirely different story.........

Been here for 3 years, came down to look after my father in law but he's now decided he'd rather be back in the UK. The authorities here are a pain, still very authoritarian and many seem to think Franco is still in charge according to our neighbour! Also the lack of seasons and the place just looks a mess, litter everywhere and rather than. take a sofa or a fridge to the local ecoparque ( dechetterie ) they'll dump it by the bins and hope that the council will collect it some time in the next month. Sad really but we can't wait to get back to France.