We spoke with Simon and Sarah, who started a new life in France in 2017, after deciding life in the UK wasn't for them anymore. They went looking for an authentically French lifestyle, and found it in the Vienne. "When we moved to France in 2017, we weren’t chasing a postcard version of the country. We weren’t looking for somewhere polished, busy, or overly geared towards tourism. What we wanted — quite simply — was an authentic French lifestyle. After years of living in the

There’s a certain softness to the Charente. It’s not dramatic like the mountains, nor as immediately famous as the Dordogne, but spend even a few days here and it quietly wins you over. Rolling vineyards stretch into the distance, sunflower fields glow in summer light, and the River Charente winds its way lazily through market towns that feel untouched by urgency. For many buyers and movers to France, the Charente sits in that sweet spot — accessible but not overcrowded, affo

We ask our community for some stories of people who moved to the Haute Vienne and their experiences of that. Below you'll find a great account from Daniel about his family's move to Saint‑Léonard‑de‑Noblat, and the life and business they have created. Moving with children can have its worries, but it can also be incredible joyful... "Four years ago, my wife and I did something that, at the time, felt both exciting and slightly terrifying - we packed up our lives in the UK an

We sat down with Jo Pratt, a passionate Yoga Instructor who embarked on a life-changing journey to France in 2022. In this candid and insightful conversation, Jo shares the highs, lows, and everything in between of her relocation experience , and starting her yoga business. In the quiet countryside of the Haute-Vienne, in a small village called Darnac just twenty minutes from Bellac, Jo has created something that feels both peaceful and purposeful. It’s the kind of place wher

We spoke with Denise about her experiences of moving to the Haute Vienne, and spoke about everything from the challenges of property renovations to the triumphs of launching a successful Chambre D'Hote business. When they first arrived in France twelve years ago, it was November 2011 and bitterly cold. Looking back, they often joke that it probably wasn’t the best time of year to start a new life. But sometimes a dream doesn’t wait for perfect timing. The idea had actually

We spoke with Sarah , who moved to the Dordogne in 2020 after leaving the UK in search of a slower, more balanced way of life. Like many people considering a move to France, she weighed up several regions before settling on the Dordogne, a decision shaped by lifestyle, affordability, and a desire to feel part of a real, working community rather than a tourist hotspot. Below, Sarah shares why she decided to make the move, what drew her specifically to the Dordogne, and what e

The initial questions: Answer as honestly as you can What is your weather tolerance? Mild + coastal + breezy: Brittany, parts of Normandy, Charente-Maritime Hotter summers + more sun: Provence, much of Occitanie, Gers Four seasons + cooler winters: Haute-Vienne, Dordogne (inland), much of central France “City climate” reality: Paris can be surprisingly hot in summer and grey in winter, but you’re trading weather for convenience How much “English around you” do you actuall

Choosing where to live in France is one of the most important – and most misunderstood – decisions when relocating from overseas. France is not one lifestyle. It is dozens of climates, cultures, property markets, and rhythms of life layered into one country. Many people arrive with a romantic idea of “France”, only to discover later that the reality of daily life – weather, distances, bureaucracy, healthcare access, transport, and community – matters far more than postcard