Christmas in France has a habit of unfolding in ways you never quite plan for, and this year was a perfect example. In this episode we share a mix of festive tradition, village life, friendly rivalry, and a reminder of how closely life here is tied to the River Lot.
We begin in Fongrave, where Christmas carols bring people together in the way they so often do in small French communities. Hosted by Gilles, who is French, and his husband Jim, the evening was a genuine mix of French and English friends, neighbours, and locals. Voices were warm, notes occasionally wobbly, and the mulled wine certainly helped. It was one of those moments where language mattered far less than being together, and where the Christmas season truly felt like it had arrived.
Back at home, attention turned to what has become a surprisingly competitive annual tradition the mince pie competition. Judging was taken extremely seriously. Appearance, pastry, filling, and the all important balance between the two were debated at length. Some pies were brave, some ambitious, some a little too creative for their own good. Opinions were strong, scores varied wildly, and not everyone agreed. In the end, after much tasting and discussion, one clear winner emerged and the coveted title of Mincer of the Year was awarded.
Alongside the festivities, the River Lot was behaving very differently to normal. After days of heavy rain upstream, the river was running high and fast, powerful and mesmerising to watch. Standing on the bridge, it was the fastest we have ever seen it flowing. Areas that are usually calm were transformed, trees and debris moved quickly with the current, and even the ducks seemed to be battling the speed of the water. It was dramatic without being dangerous, a reminder of the sheer force of nature and how carefully the river is managed here.
Thanks to controlled water management, levels were later dropped and the flow eased, returning the river to its more familiar appearance. Watching that change happen so quickly was fascinating and reassuring, especially living so close to the water.
The episode finishes quietly. Guests arrive, rooms are prepared, and attention turns toward New Year. After a busy and joyful Christmas week, it felt right to slow things down again and appreciate the simple rhythm of life by the river.
This is not a postcard version of France. It is a real Christmas lived locally, shaped by friendships, traditions, weather, and the natural world around us. Thank you for being part of it, and we wish you a very happy New Year from the River Lot.
If you are planning a visit to this part of southwest France, we run a small riverside guesthouse called Villa La Rive, right on the banks of the River Lot near Fongrave. We offer comfortable rooms, relaxed breakfasts, and a peaceful base for exploring the local villages, markets, and countryside. Guests often arrive by car, bike, boat, or simply curiosity, and many end up staying longer than planned. Details and availability can be found here:
Villa La Rive
34 Comments
Des personnes heureux Que demande de plus le peuple Joyeux Noël Et bonne fête de fin d'année
What a lovely community you have! We wish you all a Happy New Year! 🎉
Bonne année !
What a lovely lot of mincers! Glad you had a good Christmas and the flooding didn't affect you. Enjoy your new year's eve!
Happy new year and best wishes for you!! 😊🎉
A lovely video you two! Loads of merriment! And oh my goodness, Maria!!! Your voice!!! Phenomenal!!! Wishing you both many wonderful blessings in 2026!!!
Wow!!! These people know how to make merry! Absolutely stunning and delightfully beautiful!
Personnellement …. Je ne perdrais pas mon temps à noter les pâtisseries … Je les mangerai !! ☝️😌😋😋😋😋
A lovely Christmas spent with family ❤ xx
So dignified. You do NOT want me at that party. I'd be sloshed, three sheets to the wind, singing "Bring Me a Man For Christmas," by The Weather Girls. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
What wonderful fun to see the party! Happy to hear that you had a relaxing Christmas with family. Enjoy your New Year's Eve, and blessings for 2026!
Lovely video both. always so calming . Have a great new year
Who the heck does your music? Superb!!!!
Hope you had a great xmas. kisses
What a wonderful party. Looking forward to seeing your NYE video. Anyway, gonna have to tackle a few trolls on here
Toujours de la joie et la bonne humeur. Ne changez rien, vous êtes les meilleurs. 🎉
Great episode again guys the weather looked great the party looked lovely and omg the river, we were only there two weeks ago and you could walk along under the trees and around the beach should you wish too. Bet your glad you took the boat out of the water, have a great week and happy new year to you both.
Merry Xmas guys great video from the lot and wishing you both a happy and healthy new year 🎉
Hi.😊 ❤. Oh what a lovely great community and many great singers too. Great Party. And the AI singer and backup singers…woow! Y've been working on that one, for sure!!😃😀🤩 See you Next Time. I Like It A Lot . 😉 Much Love ❤😍👍
Magnifique chant joyeux noël a vous!
…Joyeuses fêtes de fin d années, Richard et Maria, continuez !!!
Lovely vlog. The ducks were improvising; no snow for tobogganing so cruise down the river instead!! ☺️
Lovely party. So much fun to watch.
What a lovely episode! I hope to be at the party one day!
I loved everything about this video. The food looked AMAZING and what a fun party! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you guys!! Diane😊
"Ooh matron!" you are a saucy lot with your mincing, aren't you now?! 😅 What a great pre Christmassy, get in the festive state of mind thing to do, and there were some lovely carolling voices too.
Thanks for taking us along; I hope they didn't mind us gate crashing? 😊 Happy hoggers to you both, and Albie of course. 🎉🎆🐾🐾
Wishing you both a Happy Healthy and Safe 2026 ❤
Amazing video Rich, thanks so much. The party was amazing and we are so lucky to have you as friends and brilliantly chronicaling our adventures!
Hope you had a great Christmas and wishing you a happy new year, really enjoying the videos
That mince pie competition sounds hilarious and heartwarming — I need to try one of those festive gatherings myself.
Love this Video, super clear for Viewers.
Quick question: are you using YouTube to actually book more consults, or mainly for education? Your first 15 seconds + titles are probably killing 40–50% of potential patients. If you’d like, I can show you what to change in a short Loom.
…I JUST HAVE TO SAY: The singing, the fine jummy looking food, the joy and happy people. The whole package. I think it is radiating , admitting and shining out the true feeling of that night through the camera and into my device and jumped right into my heart.😊🥰❤
You are so blessed. I kind of felt the love.
The Queen of Saint Livrade! We are not worthy! 😄
Awww lovely video. Great to see the party at Jim and Gilles house. The choir were fabulous. Hope you get a bit of a break from the madness ahead of another new year. All the best for 2026 🎉 Don’t work too hard 🥰