Insights into the Life of British Teen Alex Batty Revealed by French Couple

The owners of a farmhouse in France have shared details about the time British teenager Alex Batty spent living with them while he was missing. Alex disappeared in 2017 during a holiday in Spain with his mother and grandfather. However, he recently returned to the UK after walking alone in the French Pyrenees for several days to seek help. The owners of the farmhouse, known as Zach to them, considered him a part of their family. He had been staying with them on and off for the past two years. French authorities have described Alex's family as nomadic, moving from Morocco to Spain and then to France. The farmhouse, Gite de la Bastide, is located in a small hamlet in the Pyrenees. The owners mentioned on their website that Alex did odd jobs in exchange for food and accommodation. They also took him on outings, such as cycling and trips to the beach and river. Although his mother did not live with them, Alex would leave the farmhouse to join her. His most recent stay at the farmhouse was early this summer. The owners tried to help him find a place at a school, but he lacked the required identification. Alex expressed a desire to return to the UK to obtain the necessary documentation to enroll in a local French school and study computer science. When he left, the owners assured him that he would always be welcome and that they were available to support him if needed. Greater Manchester Police stated that they need to gather more information about Alex's disappearance before considering a criminal investigation. Their current focus is on supporting Alex and his family and helping him reintegrate into society. The whereabouts of Alex's mother are unknown, although French prosecutors revealed that he told them she planned to take him to Finland, which prompted his decision to return to the UK.