Our French Journey: Big News and Big Challenges

From Talent Visa to a New Yacht Club on the River Lot!

This week, I’m excited to share some life-changing news—I’ve officially been granted a French Talent Visa! It’s an incredible milestone in our journey here, and to celebrate, I’m diving into a new challenge: creating a yacht club on the River Lot in Fongrave.

The Yacht Club Vision

As a former Commodore of the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club, I’ve always had a deep connection to boating. Now, with the River Lot reopening next year as far as Cahors, the time feels right to bring a new club to life.

The challenge? Transforming a derelict building in Fongrave into a fully functioning yacht club—and all within just four months! It’s ambitious, but with the river opening up to more boating opportunities, it’s the perfect way to connect people with this beautiful waterway.

Stay tuned as we roll up our sleeves and take on this exciting project—because who doesn’t love a mix of vision, determination, and a touch of chaos?

A Trip to Agen: Shopping and Cassoulet

After tackling the yacht club plans, Maria and I decided to take a well-deserved break and head to the regional capital, Agen. Known for its prunes and picturesque streets, Agen has something for everyone—including great shopping (as Maria happily discovered).

While Maria hit the shops, I wandered through the town, soaking up its charm and history. But the real highlight came when we reunited for lunch at a typical French restaurant that’s famous for serving one of the best cassoulets in the region.

If you’ve never had cassoulet, imagine a slow-cooked dish of beans, sausage, and duck confit—a hearty, soul-warming meal that perfectly captures the essence of southwest France. And trust me, this one lived up to its reputation!

The Journey So Far

This episode is about more than just big news and great food—it’s about the dreams we’re building here in France. From starting a yacht club to exploring the heart of Agen, it’s a celebration of the challenges and joys that come with creating a new life abroad.

What You’ll See in This Episode:
• The big reveal: my French Talent Visa and the plans for a yacht club on the River Lot.
• A visit to Agen, the regional capital, with its vibrant streets and great shopping.
• A traditional French lunch featuring one of the best cassoulets in the region.
• Behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in France, from challenges to celebrations.

Why Watch This Episode?

If you’re curious about life in France, starting new projects, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode has it all:
• Big Dreams: The ambitious plan to create a yacht club in less than four months.
• French Culture: A trip to Agen, showcasing the charm of southwest France.
• Delicious Food: A classic cassoulet experience that will have your mouth watering.
• Real-Life Stories: Honest reflections on navigating life, work, and adventures abroad.

Tips for Exploring Agen and the Lot Region:
1. Explore Agen’s Streets: The city is full of historic architecture, boutiques, and a lively market scene.
2. Try Cassoulet: It’s a must-try dish in southwest France, especially in a traditional restaurant.
3. Discover the River Lot: With the reopening next year, it’s the perfect time to explore this stunning waterway by boat.
4. Dream Big: Whether it’s starting a project or embracing a new chapter, there’s always room for bold ideas.

Thank You for Watching!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to follow our journey as we bring a yacht club to life, explore France, and share the little moments that make life here so special.

See you next time—à bientôt!

21 Comments

  1. Every time I watch you both I get ‘homesick’ fur my future home. You’re allowing me to revisit several of the towns and villages I fell in love with on my recent visit. I too liked the idea of being close to but not in Agen for the train options. If you haven’t already, visit the cathedral next time. It’s gorgeous…

  2. bonjour, après le cassoulet vous n'étiez plus à jeun à Agen. le célèbre mot de Cambronne commençant par M pour vous portez chance pour votre club (vous avez la licence pour l'alcool ?). Merci pour la balade et joyeux Noël

  3. Excellent news about the yacht club but I hope that you have understood enough about 21st century French culture to know that you cannot just make this a refuge for wealthy expats. You very much have to include the locals in all of their diversity, create social programmes for local youth and maybe even finance some language training for the employees. And try to include some old timers in your plans or they will turn against you, and that would lead to disaster;

  4. What an exciting venture for you both. Bringing a bit of Jersey back into your lives. No doubt it will be bloody hard work to start with but hopefully when it’s in full swing you’ll be revelling in it. Well done and bonne chance🥰. Maria, you missed a good shop in Agen. If you ever go again it’s called Jennyfer. I got some cracking combat trousers there once. Good prices for the clothes and style wise a bit like an H&M relative 😂

  5. Interesting news about the new Yacht club. My other half often went to the Yacht club before he left Jersey and we’ve been there for meals on trips back… small world 😊

  6. So jealous for that cassoulet. I think after 25 years in USA I'm finally starting to get homesick (or it's the orange buffoon effect perhaps). Anyway I need that cassoulet so I'm moving back in 2025 or 2026.

  7. I'll bet that some framed prints of your lovely wildlife and nature photos from the river would provide beautiful artwork to adorn the walls of the new yacht club!🤔

  8. That”s great news. We live in Pinel-Hauterive and would be interested talking to you about joining / assisting / what the club will offer. I would really like to learn how to sail a small dinghy

  9. FFT 😂 Congratulations on the new visa, what a fantastic opportunity! I was also going to ask about the sirens but i saw your answer above. Yes, what a world.

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