Thinking about moving to France or dreaming of living in rural France? In this episode, we share the absolute reality of expat life in France—from the ultimate luxury of a terrace haircut to the actual psychological warfare of managing a French villa pool in a heatwave.
If you are looking at buying a house in France or wondering what it’s really like to live in France, it isn’t all wine and sunshine. This week, we dive into the unexpected realities of country life, debate whether Clarkson’s Farm is changing everyone’s opinion on British farming, swap scandalous local secrets with a travelling hairdresser, and watch our swimming pool have a total chemical meltdown!
Chapters:
00:00 The Reality of Moving to France
04:37 Life in a Rural French Town
10:39 The Clarkson’s Farm Debate
12:11 The Hidden Costs of a French Villa Pool
22:45 Salon Secrets and Local Gossip
27:20 Making a Caipirinha by the River
Featured Channels:
A huge thank you to the fantastic creators featured in this episode. Go check out their channels and subscribe:
🎬 @ChateauTales
🎬 @Escapetofrance-Charente
🎬 @familygoexploreuk
🎬 @france_unfiltered
🎬 @OurChateauLife
🎬 @Wilsons_World
🏡 Book a stay at our villa: https://villa-la-rive.com/
🟦 Why not follow our updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Villa.la.Rive/Selling up moving may not be easy, but it may as well be fun!
30 Comments
Welcome to the comments section! Before you all start judging my wide-eyed look of utter terror in the thumbnail, let’s settle a few debates:
1 Who was in more danger: my ears from Charlotte’s scissors, or our plumbing from that aggressive 6.2 pH pool water?
2 Has Jeremy Clarkson actually managed to make heavy farm machinery look appealing, or is a telehandler just an oversized toy for men who refuse to grow up?
Let us know your thoughts below! Also, a massive thank you to the brilliant creators featured in this week's episode.
Do go and show their channels some love:
🎬 @ChateauTales
🎬 @Escapetofrance-Charente
🎬 @familygoexploreuk
🎬 @france_unfiltered
🎬 @OurChateauLife
🎬 @Wilsons_World
Hey Richard, a great vlog this week, Charlotte's tales had me in stitches.
Glad you sorted the pool out.
Climate change as a natural cycle of life – with you 100%
Love British humor even though I am an American. Grew up loving Monty Python, Faulty Towers, Peter Sellers…
Thank you for the You Tube suggestions, although now I will never get any work done!!
Love you guys, have a great week❤
How cute you were
Lovely to know if one has a heart attack all shall be laughing around you.
Bonjour, s’il vous plait gardez votre humour, même avec la traduction, c’est tellement anglais.
On adore.
Et on en a besoin 😅
Amities .Michèle ❤
Loved this week’s video 😊
It’s worth taking a look at @OhNoAnotherChateau which is owned by a Brazilian architect and American musician couple. Different and interesting
Another great Video Cheers from Very Raining Calgary.Canada
I’m glad I didn’t tell you I own a JCB teleporter! Whoops!
I’ve had problems with my pool too… nightmare! Had to issue partial refunds to a couple of groups as the cover wouldn’t open 🤯 (and it’s the same as yours, so beware).
Hi Richard. Thanks to share your chemical lesson to get a pool w/certified water.👨🔬 Beware with the no waterproof drone, under an elevation of 3 feet, it can land automatically…🤣. Envoy your new life in France.
Speaking as one of your American viewers, my wife and I watch a LOT of British telly via Britbox and Acorn, so you keep that sarcasm right up! We enjoy it, but we're always learning to recognize it more accurately 😀
Love you guys❤
so how do you know Winchester Richard ? Did you spend time there 😂brilliant blog as always
Charlotte needs her own channel! How about 'Behind the Shampoo Bowl' or 'Shear Confessions with Charlotte' or 'Charlotte's Tangled Tales'? 😎
Bunch of smug expats. Also your hairdresser is working illegally.
Another wonderful episide. Gotta love a dogging story 😂
Thanks so much for the shoutout 😊
…what a lovely lady…nice one, again…😀…
Vous habitez vraiment au paradis.
I'm sure it's something ancestral in my genes, but going back as young as I can remember, I have always loved British sarcasm and dry humor! 😂 Another fun episode. Charlotte's stories were a treat!
Bonjour . Je constate que les coiffeuses anglaises parlent autant que les coiffeuses françaises. Ça doit être typique du métier 😁😉
Americans struggle with British sarcasm? Another challenge accepted! Turn up the dial!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Sending love to Alison 💖 hope she is okay now, and recovering well.
Richard you always remind me of Alan Titchmarsh 😊
"Are you referring to dogging ?" 😂😂😂
Your hairdresser is soooo funny, hope she moves permanently in the future, we would laugh more and more ! 😅
Would love to know all the gossips of the LOT 😂 especially the dominatrix 😅
Snazzy shorts Richard! Hope Ali is recovering well 💕
Thank you for letting me share your life❤❤❤