My In Laws in one of their few bursts of common sense did several trial runs of longer term stays in european countries during the winters. Their conclusion was that even southern spain wasnt much of a winter improvement and that you need to go as far south as the canaries to get a significantly better winter climate. Thats what they did.
The problem is that the UK is kept warmer than you think by the gulf stream whereas inland areas of europe dont have that moderating effect and get hotter in summer and colder in winter. For example, right at this moment the temperature here in S Wales is 8.8C and the temperature in Gers is 8C. Its raining there but isnt here.
I like France, I speak French but I cant see any real advantages to living there compared to the UK. I would love to move away in the winter but I would want somewhere with a steady 20C not 8C
P.S. Just had a look at climate stats for Gers and Truro. They have much the same summer rainfall but Truro has half as much rain again in January. Twice as many rainy days in Truro. But the key issue for light planes would be wind, and here you would find the UK being a bit windier.
