Retiring in France… What Everyday Life Really Looks Like 🇫🇷

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall December 14, 2025
Video Thumbnail
A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall Logo

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

@maria_and_rich_newlifeinfrance

About

A New Life in France’ follows our gloriously unscripted move to the southwest of France — specifically the bit called Lot-et-Garonne, where life runs slower, the cheese smells stronger, and the locals have opinions about , well everything! Every Sunday at 17:00 CET we drop a new episode, packed with river views, dodgy DIY, and real stories about what it’s actually like to live here. Subscribe. Hit the bell. Pretend it’s the BBC but with fewer drones and more ducks. ⸻ ⭐️ Fancy a taste of it yourself? Come and stay with us at Villa La Rive - on the banks of the River Lot, where things are calm, the wine is local, and Richard might even take you boating. https://villa-la-rive.com 🎬 Need proper filming or editing for your own channel? Richard’s still got the gear, the know-how, and possibly the patience. https://richmedia.je 📌 YouTube insists we include this: https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks/policies/community-guidelines

Video Description

What is everyday life really like when you retire in France? In this episode we share a very honest, very unfiltered look at real life here in southwest France. No big plans, no property tours, no glossy edits. Just the reality of living in a French village, the people who make it special, and the small moments that quietly define life after the move. Last week we filmed an interview with Marie-Claude in Saint-Livrade, and the response was overwhelming. In this video we reflect on that experience, the importance of community, and why places like Saint-Livrade matter so much when you choose to live in France full time. We also share what the last few days have really been like for us. A sudden trip back to Jersey to visit a friend in hospital, unloading years of life from our boat, and returning straight into village life in France with rugby dinners, long tables, laughter and late nights. This is what living here really looks like. There has been a huge international conference in the area, bringing people from all over the world and filling every hotel, gîte and Airbnb. We talk about what that means locally, how small villages cope, and how communities quietly step up. Our house was full, breakfast became takeaway, and life simply adjusted. Food plays a big part in everyday French life and we show that too. From incredible value local pork, shared meals in village bars, wild boar cooked and handed out by the bar owner, and the way food is used here to look after people. Not restaurants chasing reviews, just people feeding people. We also visit nearby Villeneuve-sur-Lot to see the Christmas market, talk about traditions, festive chaos, Guinness in France, and why these small seasonal moments matter so much when you live here permanently. If you are researching retirement in France, thinking about moving, or simply curious about what life here actually feels like once the novelty wears off, this episode shows the truth. The warmth, the unpredictability, the friendships, and the quiet joy of belonging somewhere. No filters. No fantasy. Just real life in France. If you would like to experience this region for yourself, you are always welcome to stay with us at Villa La Rive, right on the River Lot, and explore village life, markets and community at your own pace. 🔗 https://villa-la-rive.com/

You May Also Like

Upgrade Your Everyday

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), With Spatial Audio, Smart Home Hub, and Alexa, Charcoal

Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), With Spatial Audio, Smart Home Hub, and Alexa, Charcoal

(21,817)
149.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
9K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

(26,751)
$118.98$114.22
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 17
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones, True Wireless Stereo Earphones with IPX7 Waterproof, Noise Cancelling Mic, Fast Charging and Comfort Fit Ear Buds for Sports/Workouts - Black

Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones, True Wireless Stereo Earphones with IPX7 Waterproof, Noise Cancelling Mic, Fast Charging and Comfort Fit Ear Buds for Sports/Workouts - Black

(1,741)
$19.99
FREE delivery Sun, Jun 22 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

(23,152)
$89.99$83.69
FREE delivery Thu, Sep 4
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

(38,487)
$199.00$187.32
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Smart Watch for Men/Women, 1.95" AMOLED Fitness Tracker Watches with Bluetooth Calls/Flashlight/100+ Sport Modes Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor Ultra Lightweight Ultrathin Design

Smart Watch for Men/Women, 1.95" AMOLED Fitness Tracker Watches with Bluetooth Calls/Flashlight/100+ Sport Modes Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor Ultra Lightweight Ultrathin Design

(0)
17.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Loading...
Smart Watch for Men Women (Answer/Make Call), 1.96" HD Smartwatch Fitness Activity Tracker, 110+ Sports IP68 Waterproof, Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor/Pedometer/Calories, Fitness Watch for Android iOS

Smart Watch for Men Women (Answer/Make Call), 1.96" HD Smartwatch Fitness Activity Tracker, 110+ Sports IP68 Waterproof, Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor/Pedometer/Calories, Fitness Watch for Android iOS

(550)
24.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Light Blush Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant
Best Seller

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Light Blush Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

(7,994)
$329.00$296.10
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant
Best Seller

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

(7,993)
$299.00$269.10
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3
8K+ bought in past month
Loading...
NOCO Boost GB40: 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack, Portable Jump Box, Power Bank & Jumper Cables - for 6.0L Gas and 3.0L Diesel Engines
Best Seller

NOCO Boost GB40: 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter – 12V Lithium Battery Booster Pack, Portable Jump Box, Power Bank & Jumper Cables - for 6.0L Gas and 3.0L Diesel Engines

(117,789)
$99.95$75.43
FREE delivery Sun, Sep 21
30K+ bought in past month
Loading...
UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W Portable Charger 72Wh PD Fast Charging 3-Port USB C Battery Pack with TFT Smart Display for MacBook/iPad/iPhone 16/Samsung S24 and More

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W Portable Charger 72Wh PD Fast Charging 3-Port USB C Battery Pack with TFT Smart Display for MacBook/iPad/iPhone 16/Samsung S24 and More

(1,903)
69.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
ANKER 737 Power Bank, 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger with 140W Fast Charging, Smart Display, for Outdoor Work, Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14 Series, Vision Pro, Samsung, MacBook, and More

ANKER 737 Power Bank, 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger with 140W Fast Charging, Smart Display, for Outdoor Work, Compatible with iPhone 16/15/14 Series, Vision Pro, Samsung, MacBook, and More

(13,939)
109.99
FREE delivery Saturday, June 14
9K+ bought in past month
Loading...
VOLTME Portable Charger, Slim 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&Out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, Travel Essentials Dual Output Compatible with iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Samsung Google iPad etc

VOLTME Portable Charger, Slim 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&Out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, Travel Essentials Dual Output Compatible with iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Samsung Google iPad etc

(51)
19.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Wireless Charging, H2 Chip

(26,751)
$118.98$114.22
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 17
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone
Best Seller

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone

(23,152)
$89.99$83.69
FREE delivery Thu, Sep 4
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

(38,487)
$199.00$187.32
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Active Over Ear Noise Cancelling and Mic, Deep Bass, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, White Smoke

Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Headphones with Active Over Ear Noise Cancelling and Mic, Deep Bass, Up to 24 Hours of Playtime, White Smoke

(10,961)
249.00
FREE delivery Wednesday, June 11.
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Barnyard Designs Indoor Herb Garden Planter Set with Tray, Metal Windowsill Plant Pots with Drainage for Outdoor or Indoor Plants, Set/3 (Black)

Barnyard Designs Indoor Herb Garden Planter Set with Tray, Metal Windowsill Plant Pots with Drainage for Outdoor or Indoor Plants, Set/3 (Black)

(3,684)
26.95
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Eye Contact Web Camera for Desktop Computer – 1080P USB Camera with Microphone & Stand, Center Cam for Laptop or Desktop, Manual Focus, Plug & Play for macOS & Windows(Black)

Eye Contact Web Camera for Desktop Computer – 1080P USB Camera with Microphone & Stand, Center Cam for Laptop or Desktop, Manual Focus, Plug & Play for macOS & Windows(Black)

(96)
37.39
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
PEHAEL 3+3Pack for iPhone 17 Pro Max Privacy Screen Protector with Camera Lens Protector Full Coverage Anti-Spy Tempered Glass Film 9H Hardness Easy Installation Bubble Free [6.9 inch]

PEHAEL 3+3Pack for iPhone 17 Pro Max Privacy Screen Protector with Camera Lens Protector Full Coverage Anti-Spy Tempered Glass Film 9H Hardness Easy Installation Bubble Free [6.9 inch]

(151,641)
$7.99$6.39
FREE delivery Mon, Sep 29 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
New on Amazon in past month
Loading...
Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max [6.9 inch] + 3 Pack Camera Lens Protector with Installation Frame,Sensor Protection,Dynamic Island Compatible,Case Friendly Tempered Glass Film

Ailun 3 Pack Screen Protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max [6.9 inch] + 3 Pack Camera Lens Protector with Installation Frame,Sensor Protection,Dynamic Island Compatible,Case Friendly Tempered Glass Film

(362,029)
$7.63
FREE delivery Wed, Aug 20 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
2025 AI Portable Fan Rechargeable, 4 Speeds 6600RPM Strong Airflow, Personal Waist Fan with up to 25H of Working Time, Hands-Free Hanging Neck Fan, Wearable Belt Fan for Camping, Outdoor, Jobsite

2025 AI Portable Fan Rechargeable, 4 Speeds 6600RPM Strong Airflow, Personal Waist Fan with up to 25H of Working Time, Hands-Free Hanging Neck Fan, Wearable Belt Fan for Camping, Outdoor, Jobsite

(1,636)
$19.98
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
40K+ bought in past month