2019 Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 258-270
Currently, Western European rural areas are experiencing population retrogression from cities to farm villages. Using a French rural village that has experienced population growth as an example, this study discusses the state of rural villagers’ lives and background factors by focusing on their state of mind. The background growth factors behind people relocating to the village of Quintigny can be attributed to its commutability to the city for work/school, with the quiet environment, affordable land prices, old farmhouses, and other aesthetic features as background factors. Most of the relocated residents enjoy renovating their houses by themselves; thus, they tend to be civil servants or people with more free time. They prize the village highly not only for its location and environment but also for its sense of vitality. While Quintigny emphasizes communication among residents within the area, it does not force it, reflecting Quintigny’s characteristics.
