What can you really get in rural France for the price of a one-bedroom flat?
In this episode, we meet someone who’s done just that — and then some.
For roughly the cost of a one-bed flat in Guernsey, she bought not one, but two homes in southwest France: a spacious 7-bedroom house with a large swimming pool designed for holiday rentals, plus a charming converted chez tucked just behind it — a small, peaceful space she lives in full-time with her slightly mischievous rescue dog, Billy.
But this episode isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about courage, resilience, and starting over solo. It’s about choosing open skies, long table lunches, and unexpected community over the comfortable and familiar.
We filmed on one of the liveliest nights of the summer — at the weekly Fongrave night market. Every Thursday during July and August, this tiny riverside village comes alive with food stalls, music, and dancing under the stars. The perfect setting to talk about big life changes and the joy of finding home in an unexpected place.
🏡 Here’s what you’ll see in this episode:
– A walkthrough of the main house used for summer rentals, with space for large family groups and multigenerational stays
– A look at her separate home behind the rental property — cosy, quiet, and fully self-contained
– The land: just enough to manage with a pool, a barn, an orchard, and several quiet outdoor areas
– Her thoughts on hosting solo, managing changeovers, and setting boundaries with guests
– Candid insights about making a big move on your own — without a partner or backup plan
– Her experience with French bureaucracy, visas, and how Brexit complicated the process
– How she built a new social circle from scratch — from joining French lessons to throwing big local parties
This is not a château fantasy. It’s not curated Instagram living or a retirement dream with a full renovation crew.
It’s real life — brave, messy, rewarding, and full of personality. Just like Sandy.
🐾 Oh, and of course, there’s Billy. Her four-legged companion who arrived shortly after her move. He might not be the best-behaved dog on the riverbank, but he’s got a lot of charm and even more fans in the village than his owner.
⚓ Speaking of riverbanks… this episode includes a little river drama too.
When Sandy’s boat broke down, she called in what we jokingly call the “AA of the Lot” — aka Rich — to tow her home. All part of the fun when you live life beside the water.
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🧭 Thinking of moving to France?
This episode is part of our series exploring real stories of people who’ve made the leap. We don’t sugar-coat it — we talk about the good, the unexpected, and the downright difficult. But what comes through, time and again, is just how many people say they’ll never go back.
If you’re curious about southwest France, life in the Lot-et-Garonne, running a holiday business, or just creating something new from the ground up, this story will give you a real taste of what it takes — and what you might find if you go for it.
🔗 Explore Sandy’s beautiful property here:
🌐 www.maisondemaitre-fongrave.com
The main house sleeps large families and groups, and she lives discreetly in her separate home on-site. The pool is a highlight — and yes, Rich is slightly jealous of it.
📍 Find us on Facebook: @VillaLaRive
🌐 Fancy experiencing the Fongrave night market for yourself?
We’ve got two Thursday nights free this July and August at our riverside home, Villa La Rive — just a two-minute boat ride to Fongrave.
It’s the easiest way to spend an unforgettable evening: grab some duck, sip local wine, dance under the setting sun, and then drift back across the river at nightfall.
More info at https://villa-la-rive.com
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🎬 Enjoyed this episode? Here’s what to watch next:
– Unwrapping Life in France
– Was It Right to Move to France?
– Our French Journey: From Big News to Big Challenges
– Integrating into France
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📣 We’d love to hear from you
Could you take the leap?
Would you do it solo?
Does this kind of life tempt or terrify you?
Leave us a comment — we reply to as many as we can. And if you’re on your own French journey already, let us know how it’s going!
🔔 Subscribe if you enjoy stories of real people building a new life in France — with all the joys, the challenges, and the wine along the way.
Merci et à bientôt,
Maria & Rich
@Maria_and_Rich_Newlifeinfrance
29 Comments
What would you choose — a one-bed flat, or two homes and a pool in France?
This was such a fun one to film, and we loved sharing Sandy’s story.
Let us know what surprised you most — and if you’d have the courage to do it solo!
P.S. We’ve got two Thursday nights free this July and August at Villa La Rive — just a two-minute boat ride to the Fongrave night market.
Duck, rosé, music… it’s one of our favourite nights of the summer! 🦆🍷✨
1st
What an interesting interview, I too am doing this move solo and sometimes it does feel overwhelming- I think she is an amazing woman – so inspiring! So this week the bad – the electrics on my campervan are playing up and yes, I did have a new lithium battery fitted and electrics upgraded before I left 😏 The good – saw an amazing French/Irish band last week, they’re all French but sing Irish songs in English. Had a sing along and then they came over to me and asked how I knew the words, said well I’m a Plastic Paddy, have an Irish father. Then I got invited to sing with them and an invite to their next concert – loved it! Now I’m in the Pyrenees and I’m SO happy!!! Much cooler and so much more my vibe – could this be the place?! Have fallen in love with a house here that has a gite attached 😊 Wanted to ask actually, what made you choose the Lot??? Thanks for another fab video! 😊
Nice vlog as usual Richard…
What an amazing house and pool ! Guess this is so much work to maintain for Sandy.
Het Lot is your lot 😅
Vive la France ❤
Another great video and interesting video. We are itching to move now to Montaigu de Quercy, but we have Fongrave night market on our hitlist. Thanks for the great content 😊
This lady is charming. I'll give you an idea for working on your French. I watch British expat channels to work on my English because you can use the subtitles, and it really helps you progress.
Such an enjoyable episode and Sandy was just a delightful lady. Beautiful house and grounds.
…what should we say?…another nice one from the Lot!!!😀…
If its only for money p,s stay home
Hi been watching so many videos about moving to France but to be honest its all a bit overwhelming. I knew i wanted to live in France since my first visit in 1990. My children are now adults and I would be making the move alone, which is a bit daunting as 2 heads are always better than 1 when making big decisions. Anyway mostly what I watch is essentially trying to get me to pay for a service which im not prepared to do until I get a better understanding of what the move entails and that Im sure I want to make the move. Any advice in this regard would be very much appreciated.
Another great video Rich, and Sandy is amazing, despite all my teasing.
What a fabulous house and I am astounded that Sandys property in Guernsey cost the same as all of her French property! I knew both Jersey and Guernsey were expensive but that’s insane! Hats off to her for taking all of that on herself. It’s also a good idea that there is a percentage reduction in the tariffs for renting out her house for less than a week. Good business move. Chapeau to Sandy 😊
The best review of Fongrave so far!! What a beautiful house and of course the fabulous community spirit and night market! It all looks like a great lifestyle and heaps of fun!
What a great interview, Sandy is a real go getter. You have a wonderful community there.
😊😊😊😊
That was a lot about her lot in the Lot. 🤭 This was such a good video! Thanks for sharing Sandy's story and her beautiful property, along with the gorgeous clips of the area and the night market. And give handsome Billy a big pet (or sniff) from my border collie, Rossi. 🐶 Hopefully, we'll all get to meet one day.
Des nouvelles de Maria? Son visage est-il guéri? Tous mes voeux l'accompagnent.
Richard et Maria , l' autorisation, et des promenades sur le Lot, bars à vins…vous allez grandir assurement,
Excellent! Great interview 😊😊😊
You have a beautiful property! Your village is so quaint and I absolutely love the nightly summer evening get togethers ❤🙌
I love your episodes. Thank you so much. We will be coming next week to sign up on apartment. Your videos make me glad I choose this area. Next we will be visiting the night markets for sure ❤
My apartment in Marbella Spain is available all year round for holiday rentals but in reality only lets out June July August (week or two in September). Is it the same with French rentals?
Thanks
Michael
You never cease to amaze me Richard, at how you manage to make people feel during your interviews. You may have a lot [no pun intended] of experience but I am very impressed at how relaxed this interview felt…so (again) well done….and a Huge bravo to Sandy in going-it-alone…👏👏..Jim
What a lovely interview. Sandy's home is absolutely beautiful. She seems so relaxed and happy in her life in the Lot.
I love these interviews that you have on your channel. They showcase this beautiful country so well.
Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to the next one 🙂
We were on this market as well😂
Hello from Hot Italy!
Just watched today was working yesterday, What a lovely dip into life in France.
Another fascinating interview with a newlifer in Your area. Wow Sandy certainly worked hard to build up her place that looks amazing ! Thanks for keeping the dream alive for those of us who dream of starting over in France Richard and Maria ❤
Wow, what a little Channel Islands enclave you live in 🤣 Seriously, would you consider maybe giving us an interview with the Mayor. I'd love to know how he and the council feel about the foreigners moving into his commune. What are the pros & cons of welcoming so many immigrants? Are there any special accommodations he has to make. It would be really interesting to know what the locals think.
Thanks for this interview. I too will be a solo mover and this lady has given me so much confidence. Great to see other ladies doing it for themselves. Am seeing a mot of brits and americans moving to France. Would love to know if any Irish have done it and where they moved to.
Oh that was so lovely to watch, I’d love an e-bike 😊those villages were all beautiful!
So this week I’ve explored Perpignan and Beziers- both absolutely stunning – and then yesterday (Saturday) there was the most massive thunderstorm here which literally shook my little van. I was fine, just hunkered down and then I saw……. Water. Pouring in through a corner of the skylight 😮 So I put down a towel and a bowl, shrugged (nonchalantly of course) and poured myself a glass of wine. When in France…….. 😂