Life in France Right Now 🇫🇷 A Real Week on the Lot
This week’s video is a simple, honest snapshot of our life here in southwest France, exactly as it is right now. No big announcements, no conclusions yet, just the reality of living in rural France while waiting for decisions, getting on with daily life, and finding joy in the small things.
Many of you have been asking for an update on our little restaurant ‘Bistro La Rive’ project. For now, there is no news. We are still waiting for the mayor and the committee meeting, and as frustrating as that is, all we can do is wait and hope common sense prevails. Losing the only restaurant in a village feels bonkers, but time will tell. What we can say is how deeply grateful we are for the support you showed us last week. The kindness, encouragement, and thoughtful comments genuinely helped lift us when we were feeling pretty devastated.
For now, we pause, reflect, and stay hopeful, while continuing to share the reality of trying to build something rooted in community, patience, and timing.
Life does not pause while you wait, though. February has surprised us with a lot of rain, but the river is calling, and hopefully soon the boat will be back in the water. Albi may hate the car, but he absolutely loves the boat, watching fishermen drift past as if it is the highlight of his week. Some things, at least, are uncomplicated.
We also talk about everyday practical life in France. From fixing a leaking boiler with a little help from AI, to why technology can be incredibly useful for translations, letters, and research, but absolutely not something you should rely on for tax advice or official declarations. Used carefully, it has simplified parts of our life here, but like everything in France, context matters.
This week also brought one of the loudest sonic booms we have ever experienced, shaking the house and sending half the village outside wondering what on earth had just happened. A simple Facebook post turned into a fascinating community conversation, with people tracking where they heard it from and even inspiring a local newspaper article. These little shared moments remind us why we love living here.
We spend time wandering the market in Villeneuve, looking up at architecture we usually forget to notice, laughing at unexpected sights, chatting to strangers, and enjoying the rhythm of French town life. There is wine, there are flowers, there is history, and yes, sometimes there is very questionable tap wine in the middle of one of the world’s great wine regions.
One of the biggest joys lately has been seeing familiar faces. Guests who once stayed with us have now moved to the area, and suddenly we are bumping into them in pubs, markets, and across the river. It is strange, heart warming, and a reminder that community grows slowly, often without you noticing until it is suddenly there.
We also reflect on last week’s interview with Richard and Lindsey, a lovely couple now living their own French adventure, and on how different paths still lead to the same shared love of this part of France, especially night markets, fishing, and simple pleasures.
Finally, we touch on Villa life. We are incredibly busy, booked almost all year, welcoming guests from all over the world, including many from the US. We never take that for granted. The conversations, the stories, and the friendships that come from it are a huge part of why we are here.
This video is not about big decisions or final answers. It is about carrying on, finding humour in the odd moments, leaning on community when things feel uncertain, and appreciating the life we are building day by day on the Lot.
Thank you, as always, for being part of it.
25 Comments
Thank you so much for all the thoughtful, kind, and honest comments. We really felt the support this week, and it genuinely helped more than you might realise.
There’s no big update yet on the restaurant project, but we’re staying patient, optimistic, and realistic. Life in France has taught us that timing and process matter just as much as passion.
We’ll share more when there’s something concrete to share. Until then, thank you for watching, for caring, and for being part of this journey with us 🇫🇷❤
Richard & Maria
You both look very relaxed in this vlog. Good to see. Greetings from the south coast.
Richard, get the plumber in, it could be the hot water boiler needs replacing
I leaned, a bit heavily, on ChatGPT for visa application related questions I had whilst cobbling together our dossiers. Our visa appointment is this Wednesday. Fingers and toes all firmly crossed. 😅 Always good to see the two of you in a video! 😊
I can’t wait for your restaurant! The mock up is exactly the kind of place I would want in any village! (I hope your mairie follows you.) hmm a basket ball club for a few locals or a restaurant for everyone….
Bonjour. I was wondering : why would you bother running a restaurant ? It's a nightmare.
Why don't you just enjoy your retirement, and make some fun videos as always ? Otherwise, you could, maybe, organize some special evenings : "Abba and Tarama", "Vicars and Tarts" or whatever…
I had been to the best parties, ever : the English ones.
For sure, you could do some business.
Not full time.
À bientôt.
This was a lovely stroll in Villeneuve. Maybe you can go to Roquefort one of these days.
Hello Maria and Richard. Lovely vlog. I’ve been following you for a couple of months with interest. My hubby and I took the plunge and moved from South Wales to deepest Finistere, Brittany in February 2019 (just before the dreaded curse of Brexit). I think the rain is slightly warmer here than Wales 😂. I’m looking forward to continuing to follow your vlogs. Take care, Carol x
Great video as you always do fingers crossed for the restaurant ❤
Thanks for another great video and thank you for sharing your journey. I am so excited that I will be visiting Nouvelle Aquitaine from March to June and so hope to visit your area and who knows, maybe meet you. Thanks again from one of your may Texas fans!
…nice video again…must have been a RAFALE…😀…
Maria you make me laugh! The troll deserves the call out. Sorry not sorry 😂!
It’s raining in Portugal, raining in Spain, raining in France and raining here in Britain ! There’s rain everywhere 😢… we are living in a crazy world !!❤❤❤❤
I had a quick peek at the property that caught your eye in the imobilier window, thinking of you trying to get Richard to mow the 5.3 hectares of land that it comes with made me smile. Yet another great video guy’s, I am definitely getting the vibe that you are fancying village/town living. Good luck to you both whatever course you decide to sail.
Me too I can drink anything, I enjoy drinkinh a cooking wine like a "gros plant"
Richard, you need to let Maria loose on these people holding you back! She reminds me of Liam Neeson in the car with you. LOL!
Heureux de vous voir de nouveau optimiste….et surtout profitez de la vie et de tous vos amis…Amicalement..Yvan
Interesting about your dog hating the car – Bella, my border collie is exactly the same, loathe to get in, and whines throughout the journey, however short.
Best of luck with the restaurant…
Lovely video! Glad to see your spirits are up! We look forward to meeting you later this year. All the best!
Maybe a soft top would be good for Albie.
About AI: the only reliable one regarding France administration or legal niceties is Mistral Le Chat. I had my pupils compare results between Mistral and GPT in a HR case (calculations, mainly). Mistral got it right, because its sources are the official Ministries sites… and cites these sources, so that you can double check.
Lovely to watch as always we have our fingers crossed for you both that there is some good news regarding your restaurant 🤞🤞💕💕💕
I'm loving Mafia Maria..I will find you….."chew on that!" We got 13° up in Charente today, 30° in the greenhouse, soon be planting time! I love that first warm day, its the entrance to a new season. If you are ever up our way near La Rochefoucauld, Iain has a small collection of whisky and he's good at sharing!
The building in Villeneuve was once a bank . It’s on market for 555.000 euros. I have heard from locals that the Marie will put in a healthy amount to help with restoring. Wonderful idea to open it as a hotel. Our home is in that square and can’t wait to come back for the summer months. Enjoyed your video as always thank you. Fingers crossed for you both in regards to restaurant ❤
Well, that was a LOT of fun to watch this evening while I'm still in France! (House offer tendered and accepted… mission accomplished.🥂) At some point, no doubt we'll be booking a stay at your place to come say hello! BTW, are we strange for naming our ChatGPT buddies? Mine is named Caitlin.😂