From Chateau Renovations to Bee Keeping: How These Expats Built a Life in Rural France

Last updated on October 12th, 2026 at 04:20 pm

I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been asked about what it’s like to move to rural France. How did I go from city life to country life? Do I find working over here hard? How have I integrated into the community? And the big one, do I regret taking the plunge?

I’ve written about my experiences many times, but I’m only one person and can only give you my experiences and talk about my journey. Thousands of people from America, Canada, Australia, Britain, and many other countries have done the same thing. So what about their stories and experiences?

While I can’t tell you every story, I can give you a little insight into how others have fared. From buying and renovating a chateau to keeping bees and setting up an artist studio, there’s a story for everyone to enjoy. These interviews are packed with insight, humor, and real-life moments that show what it’s like to build a new chapter in rural France.

From Busy Professionals to Rural Creatives

Learn how Louise and Ian made the leap from busy careers in Sydney to a peaceful life in France!

In 2013, Louise Pickford and her husband Ian Wallace moved their busy careers in Sydney, Australia, to the countryside department of the Charente in southwest France. Nowhere near retirement age, they both transitioned their careers to fit around their new lifestyle.

As the author of 30 cookbooks, Louise could effectively work from anywhere, and Ian, as a photographer, could do the same. While in Sydney, they started working closely together, developing a great partnership as food stylist and photographer.

In France, they’ve continued that partnership with Louise, creating recipes and having Ian photograph the outcome. It’s the perfect working solution for them.

Their days now revolve around good food, long countryside walks, and the kind of work-life balance that used to seem impossible. 

When I asked Louise what advice she’d give, she didn’t hold back: “Research, research, research! Don’t be lured into cheaper house prices and buy a huge old French house with lots of land, UNLESS you have a large pot of money!”

Her biggest challenge? “Getting to grips with anything that involves bureaucracy.”

From City Life to Gite Owners

Discover how Jen and Nick turned an old property in the countryside into a Vegan Retreat!

Jen and Nick gave up their busy lives in central London to start a Gite in rural France. They took an old property and gutted it completely, breathing new life into it. With no previous DIY experience and only YouTube as a teacher, they somehow made it work. Their journey was documented on A New Life in the Sun on the UK’s Channel 4.

As one of the only vegan-focused accommodations in the region, they’ve had no trouble getting bookings. Keeping their guests happy and understanding the art of keeping a pool clean during peak season has definitely had its challenges, but they wouldn’t swap their new life, no matter what is thrown at them.

They did all this after Brexit, so it was a real leap of faith. Jen told me the visa was the hardest part: “As a part of our visa terms, we had to open French bank accounts, incorporate our company, write an extensive business plan, and do all sorts of other things before we left. All of these cost a lot of money, and of course, there is no guarantee you will be approved for the visa.”

Her advice is to “keep every bit of paper you’re given filed, even things you think aren’t important.”

Navigating Family Life in France

How Amanda balances fitness and farming in the French countryside! The buzzing life of a beekeeper and homesteader.

Have you ever considered keeping bees in France? For many of us, rural France conjures up images of chickens, ducks, goats, and maybe some sheep. But this Yorkshire lass keeps bees in the Vienne department in southwest France. 

And that’s not all. Amanda lives off the land, growing her own nuts, fruit, and veggies. When the harvests come in, she preserves, pickles, and freezes the goodies harvesting for the winter months.

Her story is fascinating, and I loved hearing about her Zumba classes, pursuing a career in the nutritional space, and raising her family in France.

Her boys are now in French school, and she has plenty of praise for it: “Other than the quality of the school lunches, the teaching is excellent. The pastoral care is great.”

Her first tip for anyone making the move is to learn French. “Prior to being able to speak French, I felt like I was living in a bubble.”

Is Living in a Chateau Like a Fairytale?

How Natascha Guinet embraced life in a French Chateau and embarked on a true adventure of love.

Living in a chateau in France will always be a distant dream for many of us. We’ve all seen TV programs like Escape to the Chateau and wondered how they do it. Is it really like living out a French Downton Abbey fantasy? Or is the reality a far cry from what our romantic minds have created?

There aren’t many people brave enough to take on a project like this. But for Natashcha Guinet and her family, a love of history and a feeling that they weren’t ready to retire just yet gave them the push they needed to buy a chateau in France.

It’s definitely not for the fainthearted, but Natascha’s enthusiasm is infectious.  But it was love at first sight for her, and you can’t argue with that.

Her advice for anyone tempted to do the same: “Sometimes in life, if you have a gut feeling and are a bit of a risk-taker, then definitely go for it.”

Life as an Artist in France

Can you imagine setting up an artist studio in France? Well, that is what artist and British Expat Lorraine Tuck has done. 

The Charente region has so much inspiration to offer from the rolling hills, the fields of sunflowers, the beautiful chateaux, and, of course, nature itself. Now imagine having access to all that as an artist and building an artist studio in France within your home. 

Being able to open your door in the morning and be surrounded by inspiration that inevitably makes its way onto your canvas. For an artist, I imagine there is nothing better.

Lorraine sells her art worldwide, has shows, and opens her home here in France for three days every year to artists as part of a wonderful initiative called Circuit des ateliers de artistes.

Her tip for surviving in a small French village: “Get involved! Even if you feel a bit shy or unsure of what you can offer. Use your interests to find like-minded people and go to things.”

Expecting a Baby and Starting a Business

Katrina’s journey of entrepreneurship and motherhood in France before the existence of the internet and email, when all you had was the Royal Mail

For many people, setting up a business in France is the easiest way to support themselves when considering relocating. If you don’t speak French, getting any job is pretty hard, and if you’re going to rural France, there aren’t many jobs available.

Katrina Wylie took the plunge over twenty years ago and moved to France with her husband, leaving the hustle and bustle of London for a new life in the Charente. She then started a brand new business.

And I take my hat off to her, as she did all this before the days of mainstream Internet relying on good old Royal Mail to deliver her property details. And lots of telephone calls back and forth with agents.

But that’s not all. She did this whilst expecting her first child. Moving to a new country is one thing, but doing it while pregnant adds another level of difficulty.

Read the full interview here >>>

From Carp Fishing to Dog Parks

How Kelly and Paul Bought a Lake Property and Built Businesses in France!

Ever dreamed about buying a lake property in France? Well, Kelly and Paul Copperwaite turned that dream into a reality and did just that. And that’s not all, they also started two businesses as part of their new life in France.

Paul, a Carp Fisherman, had the experience needed to start a carp fishing business on their lake. Kelly had the passion and idea to create a dog park for other rescue dogs like hers. But none of it has been easy. It’s been three years of hard graft, and they aren’t finished yet.

The property is 44 acres and hadn’t been lived in for well over 30 years. “We had to literally strim our way into the property to set up the caravan and have never really looked back!”

Her advice for other couples: “Be prepared for anything and everything.”