In this episode of A New Life in France, one lesson stands out above all: learning French isn’t just helpful—it’s probably essential.
Richard finally secures his long-awaited talent visa, a huge step toward becoming fully integrated into French life. But as Richard and Maria soon discover, it’s not just about paperwork—mastering the language is key to unlocking the full experience of living in France.
Maria continues to battle the complexities of the French visa system, highlighting how language barriers can turn even the simplest tasks into major challenges. Endless online forms, confusing instructions, and administrative delays push their patience to the limit.
On top of this, they face an unexpected hurdle: an accidental payment of the habitation tax. Fortunately, they manage to reclaim the funds, but the situation serves as a reminder of how misunderstandings can happen easily without fluency in the local language.
Richard also undergoes a routine medical test, navigating the healthcare system with growing confidence in his language skills. Meanwhile, new arrivals to France may soon face an added challenge of their own: proposed rules could require a language test for securing a Carte Vitale—making learning French even more vital for those planning to settle here.
Amid these challenges, Richard finds peace through simpler pleasures—chopping logs by hand instead of using a chainsaw. It’s a symbol of the slower, more mindful lifestyle they’ve embraced in rural France.
There’s also excitement brewing as Richard attends a meeting to discuss launching a new yacht club on the River Lot. With the river expected to open up for further navigation, the club could bring new life to the local community and become a gathering point for boating enthusiasts.
The episode also features a couple reflecting on their own life-changing decision: Should they move to France or Spain? Their insights offer a fresh perspective on the tough choices, cultural differences, and language barriers that come with starting over abroad.
Through it all, Richard and Maria reflect on their own progress learning French—and how every conversation brings them closer to feeling fully integrated in their new home.
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What’s Inside:
✅ Richard secures his talent visa—a huge milestone
✅ Maria’s ongoing battle with the French visa system
✅ Accidental payment of the habitation tax—successfully reclaimed
✅ Richard’s medical test and navigating French healthcare
✅ New arrivals may soon face a language test for their Carte Vitale
✅ Chopping logs by hand—embracing rural simplicity
✅ Plans for a new yacht club on the River Lot
✅ A couple debates their future: France vs. Spain
✅ Reflections on bureaucracy, language learning, and rural life
If you’re thinking about moving to France or just curious about life as an expat, this episode offers real-world insights into the importance of language learning, along with humor, reflections, and personal triumphs.
💬 Would a language test stop you from moving abroad? Share your thoughts in the comments!
📢 New here? Like, comment, and subscribe for more personal stories from our journey in A New Life in France.
That’s your lot from the Lot! 😊
26 Comments
I'm so glad you cleared up the "white spirit mystery" 😅😅😅😅
France is not a dream country, it's neither heaven or hell, just a real country with its pros and cons.
Well that was different, informative and interesting to hear some mixed comments…. (A close friend of mine has always said that, it is not only learning the language, but developing an accent…. This (apparently) gives you extra 'Brownie-points'.. 💁♂️… Mine gets better the more local wine I consume 🤭.. (please do not attempt a chop & chat at this time)
Bonjour , J'ai un petit probleme 😅.
That's smart to start the conversation with the administrator.
La vie est belle 😅 petite maison , petit jardin , petit bateau , petite voiture…😅
Im definitely visiting south west France this year.
Another great episode, thank you for sharing all your experiences! The dinner party looked lovely, loved the full Champagne 🥂🍾 bucket, and Maria’s tarte tatin, WOW! Très bonne semaine à vous deux! Catherine
New Zealand is.
So you're not doing a "chop n chat"?
I'll be definitely coming to stay with you when I depart the Great Southern Land of OZ in 2026. Stu
We look forward to your videos x
Every time we watch, we wish we were back in the Lot… Missing the Lot a Lot.
The Timelapses look great, more of the Lot in not a Lot of time.
What a lovely couple you are, I’m going to be honest, you will find yourselves becoming more proficient in French quickly, getting the yacht club up and running is an ambitious task and your passion shines through, you will be interviewing staff, liaising with contractors and that’s going to increase your vocabulary very fast. Each of us has a different perspective and of course expectation, France is a beautiful country, there’s nothing wrong with someone feeling a different place would be more suitable . I do enjoy the videos and the interviews set you apart from others
Je tenais à partager une réflexion concernant les Anglais qui choisissent de s'installer en France. Il est essentiel de leur rappeler que nous ne sommes pas une région anglaise, et qu'il est donc important d'apprendre le français pour mieux s'intégrer dans notre culture et notre communauté.
La langue est un élément fondamental de notre identité, et maîtriser le français facilitera non seulement leur quotidien, mais aussi leurs interactions avec les habitants. Cela contribuera à créer des liens plus forts et à favoriser une meilleure compréhension mutuelle.
…eh bien…another nice one…on fait quand-même du progrès en ce qui concerne la langue Francaise…bientôt il n`y aura plus de soucis…lollol…😀…
Why was a urine sample required? What are they looking for?
When you're in a smaller village, admin tasks at the prefecture or the Mairie are more relaxed and easier compared to having to go to a big city.
But what foreign language thé English learn in their schools ? Chinese ? Wy not the language of yvour neighbours French ?
It seems to me that you live in the Lot et Garonne not the Lot. Excuse me if I am wrong.
Dear French friends… welcome home ! Your channel, which I discovered today, is as friendly as you are and your house is magnificent. (Even if I find this whole South-West region from Bordeaux to Toulouse a little too "flat" for my taste, except of course those at the edge of the Pyrenees…) You did well to choose France rather than Spain and Italy. Spain is also a beautiful country, especially North and South, but you'll never find food as exceptional as here. If I had to choose, I would have preferred Italy, a sublime country but sometimes a little too messy. Thank you for mentioning the bureaucracy of some countries, ours being a joke compared to these ! As for speaking French, above all don't get stuck on the "book" and the writing, but much more on listening, whether in the street or in the media. And if you want a magic recipe to express yourself more fluently in our language, (Although it may seem paradoxical and not obvious at first to use…) here it is : above all, don't try to translate in your head what you want to say, but say it straight away in French. It doesn't matter if your sentences are full of errors, people will understand you and you'll improve ten times faster ! Good luck for your life in this country that I love so much despite its flaws, and which is now as much yours as mine for 67 years… 🤗
I like it how, in front of a difficulty, You take it with a smile…it makes things easier.
Great video! Everyone in a dip should see it. Most important: make friends.
Pour accélerer vos progrès en français, avez-vous songé à vous inscrire à un club de randonnée ou une autre activité qui permette de discuter tranquillement ? C'est assez répandu et cela devrait vous permettre de progresser (en plus de vous faire des amis chez les autochtones :).
why did you have to pee in a bottle
"White spirit" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nowhere lives up to the dream, if you dream about it for too long.
Hi there, can you please tell me what tax you have to pay on your main French residence? Thanks