French swap on offer for rugby avoiders

The holiday home in Serralongue, France. Photo / Supplied

A holiday on the Mediterranean is on offer for Kiwi homeowners keen to escape World Cup fever in 2011.

British rugby fans Frank and Penny Parkinson are offering to swap one of their French holiday homes - a seafront apartment or a mountain chalet - for a New Zealand base during the tournament.

The keen rugby supporters, who now live in France, have travelled Europe supporting Daniel Carter's Perpignan side.

"Following in this vein, we decided to use the 2011 World Cup to see New Zealand," said Frank. "We plan to be in New Zealand for about six weeks, so a house exchange seemed a good idea, although we have never exchanged before." The pair have advertised the offer on a website, and have received a "surprising number" of offers, but haven't yet made any commitments.

They're hoping to attend some pool matches, but will be content to take in the big games "in a bar watching good rugby with other rugby lovers".

Details of the house-swap offer are at www.med-and-mountain.com.