middle of winter might bring you back, Can be a cold wet miserable place. Nelson , Marlborough, Hawkes bay are worth a look
Get around there and have a look , What was the temptation in France? a bit of Fluff
My fathers family reside in France and citizenship is not an issue, at the time I was leaning toward the Legion...I elected to stay and be a husband, and have no regrets.
Tassie is where I have set my retirement sights.