My journey · The beginning
What’s the worst that could happen?
A fresh start, a leap of faith and nearly ten years of learning that France rarely gives you quite the answer you expected.
That’s the question I asked myself before moving to France in 2016.
If it all went horribly wrong, I could always move back. What I couldn’t bear was the thought of reaching the end of my life and regretting that I’d never tried.
So, with my French partner Jac—now my husband—and our young son, I packed up my old life and started a new one in the Dordogne.
Nearly ten years later, I’m still here.
And I love it.
Well, most of the time.
We opened a chambre d’hôtes, welcomed guests from around the world and soon became part of village life. Somewhere between school runs, new friendships and learning that everything closes just when you need it most, France began to feel like home.
That doesn’t mean I’ve worked everything out.
I still have questions about French paperwork. I still haven’t found a proper substitute for a Bramley apple. And I remain baffled that a country famous for its dairy produce can offer an entire aisle of cream without a single pot behaving like the double cream I actually need.
These days, I help people buy and sell homes across the Dordogne and southwest France. I also love cooking, entertaining and discovering the little shortcuts that make everyday life here easier.
Because France isn’t just pretty villages, sunflowers and long lunches.
Although, to be fair, there are plenty of those.
It’s also mysterious potatoes, confusing restaurant menus, surprisingly complicated paperwork and the dawning realisation that the cashier’s conversation with Madame Durand will finish in its own good time—regardless of what your ice cream is doing.
Lost in the French Aisle is where I’ll share the discoveries, the recipes, the restaurants, the property questions and the everyday adventures of building a life in France.
Not because I have all the answers.
Because it’s much more fun finding them together.
Whether you already live here, dream of making the move or simply enjoy seeing what French life looks like beyond the holiday photographs, pull up a chair.
French friends and family are very welcome too. I suspect you’ll find our bewilderment rather entertaining.
And if you’re hesitating over a big decision of your own, wondering whether to take the leap?
Ask yourself what I did:
What’s the worst that could happen?
Ten years later, you might still be here—arguing about roast potatoes and buying twelve packets of cheddar because Lidl had an offer on.
Honestly, there are worse ways to end up. 😉
