Bonjour, I’m Kylie….

I have lived in France since 2016 and travelled all around the Nouvelle Aquitaine (the largest region in France combining Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes). I guess you could call me a bit of a Francophile.

Just as the name of the site says, Life in Rural France is all about French rural life, being an expat in France and travelling around France – especially Paris and the South West region.

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I’m a copywriter by trade, and I have helped my clients, who are based all over the world, to nail their marketing using the written word. I’m also a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, making me a bonafide journalist, which I’m very proud of.

After living in Spain, Australia and America, I persuaded my husband to move to France, so we could immerse ourselves in all things French, including a lovely tradition called afternoon apéros.

I now spend my days travelling around France writing about undiscovered French gems, as well as the more well-known ones. So if you’ve ever wondered about the best wine tours to try in Bordeaux, which chateau to visit in the Dordogne or where to stay in Paris, that won’t break the bank, you’re in the right place.

And unlike many other travel websites, you won’t find any AI-generated content here. Everything on this site has been written and experienced by yours truly and not just regurgitated from a machine. You’re getting my REAL-LIFE knowledge, stories, tips and experience.

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A Local’s Guide to France

Living where I do gives me access to some wonderful places in France such as Bordeaux, which is where the picture above was taken. I have Carcassonne, Toulouse, Lyon, Montpelier, Provence, the Loire Valley and the Dordogne on my doorstep. Plus, I’m only a two-hour train ride from Paris.

I spend hours reading and researching to discover those fairytale castles, historic villages, medieval churches and places with a story to tell, so you can enjoy them too.

I partner with local tourist boards to find the best tours, hotel deals and events that are happening throughout the year to share with you here on the blog.

And of course, no French blog would be complete without telling you about the wonderful local markets where you’ll find deliciously fresh fruit & veg, cheese, bread and more.

Living the French dream…

There are so many things to love about living in rural France, but if I had to name just one, it would have to be the French way of life.

Why? Because the French work to live not the other way around. They value family time above working and quality of life above expensive gadgets, and I’ve found myself seduced by this wonderful approach to life.

My border collie Lottie and I love that we can go out for a walk every day and see nothing but fields as far as the eye can see. And that everyone waves and says ‘Bonjour Madame‘.

There is a joie de vivre to life here that’s intoxicating.

So I hope you’ll allow me to play virtual host and give you a behind-the-scenes look into my wonderful rural world in the middle of the French countryside.

But in the meantime, here are a few of my favourite things…

ABBA

I’m a complete and utter Abbaholic. I can’t think of an ABBA song I don’t love. I particularly enjoy belting out numbers like Waterloo and Super Trouper in the woods when I’m out walking Lottie.

And when I get caught, the post lady just shakes her head & smiles .

Musicals

I love Musicals, particularly old musicals such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and any from Rodgers and Hammerstein.

My all-time favourite is the Sound of Music and I recently visited Salzburg and did the official Sound of Music Tour. It was a dream come true.

Piano

I’m a classically trained musician playing violin and piano. I studied at the Royal College of Music and dreamt of becoming a concert pianist until I got the travel bug.

I still have a baby grand and often tinkle the ivories looking out over the French countryside.