France Made Simple

French Healthcare Explained: What Is a Mutuelle and Do You Need One?

French health insurance can leave you facing a maze of unfamiliar terms, confusing reimbursement percentages and potentially expensive gaps in cover. Choose the wrong pol

From Little House on the Prairie to Green Bean Hell

From playing Little House on the Prairie in a London garden to fishing for mullet in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel… how exactly did that happen? In this rather more perso

La Rentrée in France — What You Really Need to Know

If you’re moving to France with children, already living here, or simply trying to understand what happens when the long summer holidays finally come to an end… this epis

No Filter France: The Reality of Expat Life After 20 Years

This one’s a straight-up, no-filter Q&A. No polishing, no “France is perfect” fantasy, just me keeping it real! I’m answering your questions about what it’s actually lik

What Moving to France Does to Your Mind: A Therapist’s View on Expat Life

In this episode, I’m chatting with Julia a therapist who made the move to France three years ago—and hasn’t looked back, despite the inevitable challenges along the way…!

Moving to France? The Visa Mistakes That Get You Rejected

Moving to France sounds straightforward—until your visa gets rejected! In this episode, I’m chatting to immigration guru (!), or immigration GP as he prefers to be known

The Truth About Moving to France: Why Some People Thrive—and Others Want Out

 Every year, people move to France looking for a better lifestyle. Some absolutely love it. Others quietly (or sometimes, not so quietly!) regret the decision. So wha

Your Best Life in France After 50: Staying Active, Social and Sane !

Moving to France after 50 can feel like the start of something wonderful… until it doesn’t. Behind the dream, there can be quieter challenges—loneliness, loss of routine

Baume du Mont: Building a Homegrown Brand in the Shadow of Mont-Saint-Michel

What does it take to turn a simple idea into a product people genuinely rely on for recovery? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Ameline, the co-founder of Baume de

Making It Work in France: The Mindset You Actually Need

Moving to France is often sold as a lifestyle upgrade—long lunches, beautiful villages, and a slower pace of life. And while all of that exists, the reality of building a

Going Green In France…

In this episode, we explore practical and realistic ways to make your French home more environmentally friendly, without losing its character or charm! From improving in

Walls Down? Renovating In France - A Reality Check!

Taking down internal walls in a French property can transform your space—but it’s rarely straightforward. In this episode, we look at what’s really involved, from structu

Creating Your Dream Kitchen in France: Style, Budget, and Reality!

Designing a dream kitchen in a French home sounds idyllic—until you run into the realities of old stone walls, uneven floors, and workmen that move ant their own pace. In

Being A Young American Mom In France!

In this episode, I’m chatting to Ellen Hilton, a young American mum, who has made the leap across the Atlantic to start a completely new life in France. We talk candidly

Must-Have Apps for Life in France: Your Digital Survival Guide

Navigating life in France is easier when you’ve got the right tools in your pocket. In this episode, we break down the most useful apps to have on your phone—from transpo

Living In France - It’s The Little Things!

What is daily life really like in France? In this episode, we unpack the small but constant frictions of living in France—from confusing bureaucracy and slow administrati

Registering A Foreign Vehicle In France

When it comes to importing and registering vehicles in France, urban myths abound. And if you listen to ‘Mike’ down the Dog & Duck or rather, le Chien & Canard, you are l

The True Cost Of Living In France

If you’re thinking about moving to France and wondering about the cost of living here, then this episode is a must. I’m chatting through the true cost of living here, fro

Top-Up Health Insurance in France: What You Actually Need To Know

“100% covered” doesn’t always mean what you think in France. In this episode, we unpack the realities of top-up health insurance—how the system works alongside state heal

Escape To France - Creating Your French Dream Home

In this episode I’m taking a look at some of the highs and lows involved in building on an isolated plot. Lots of practical advice and some useful links and resources, pl