WEBVTT 1 00:00:10.907 --> 00:00:11.367 Guess what? 2 00:00:11.847 --> 00:00:12.828 I'm moving country again. 3 00:00:14.128 --> 00:00:14.568 I don't know, 4 00:00:14.848 --> 00:00:15.488 maybe a year, 5 00:00:15.848 --> 00:00:16.449 maybe more. 6 00:00:17.409 --> 00:00:17.969 Where's the phone? 7 00:00:17.970 --> 00:00:19.129 The phone's everywhere. 8 00:00:19.370 --> 00:00:20.450 I'm an expat. 9 00:00:20.451 --> 00:00:21.050 Hey, 10 00:00:21.250 --> 00:00:22.811 it's Pauline from UT Expats, 11 00:00:22.951 --> 00:00:25.411 and today I meet with Cecile, 12 00:00:25.531 --> 00:00:27.272 who is founder of Haven. 13 00:00:27.512 --> 00:00:27.932 France. 14 00:00:28.072 --> 00:00:30.013 After years of living in the UK, 15 00:00:30.493 --> 00:00:35.354 she came back to France and experienced the dreaded reverse culture shock, 16 00:00:35.654 --> 00:00:38.315 which led to this new company. 17 00:00:38.415 --> 00:00:41.396 So we'll definitely be diving into those two topics, 18 00:00:42.276 --> 00:00:42.976 moving to France, 19 00:00:42.977 --> 00:00:46.017 but also moving back to France when you are French. 20 00:00:46.537 --> 00:00:46.657 Hi, 21 00:00:46.717 --> 00:00:47.077 Cecile, 22 00:00:47.117 --> 00:00:47.577 how are you? 23 00:00:47.978 --> 00:00:48.398 Hi, 24 00:00:48.498 --> 00:00:48.878 Pauline. 25 00:00:48.879 --> 00:00:49.398 I'm very well, 26 00:00:49.458 --> 00:00:49.818 thank you. 27 00:00:49.918 --> 00:00:50.618 But how about you? 28 00:00:51.319 --> 00:00:52.519 The sun is back out in Paris, 29 00:00:52.539 --> 00:00:54.019 which is nice. 30 00:00:54.099 --> 00:00:54.279 Yes, 31 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:55.640 same here in the southwest. 32 00:00:55.680 --> 00:00:56.480 It's really lovely. 33 00:00:57.188 --> 00:00:57.908 Yeah. 34 00:00:57.909 --> 00:00:59.609 Where are you in the Southwest? 35 00:00:59.729 --> 00:01:00.129 Today, 36 00:01:00.330 --> 00:01:01.370 I'm in Puy-sur-Guey, 37 00:01:01.450 --> 00:01:03.171 which is very close to Saint-Emilion. 38 00:01:03.291 --> 00:01:05.632 I'm at a client's property. 39 00:01:06.352 --> 00:01:06.632 Lovely. 40 00:01:06.993 --> 00:01:07.553 Close to Porto. 41 00:01:07.833 --> 00:01:08.413 Nice. 42 00:01:08.533 --> 00:01:08.953 Lovely one. 43 00:01:11.535 --> 00:01:11.675 Well, 44 00:01:11.715 --> 00:01:14.396 we'll dive into your recommendations for sure at the end. 45 00:01:14.556 --> 00:01:16.457 I'm certain you have a lot. 46 00:01:16.757 --> 00:01:23.000 I'll let you do a brief introduction and we'll go more into detail into your life after. 47 00:01:23.808 --> 00:01:24.008 Hi, 48 00:01:24.228 --> 00:01:24.348 so 49 00:01:25.028 --> 00:01:27.769 I'm the founder and president of Haven in France, 50 00:01:28.990 --> 00:01:31.370 a project that I built since 51 00:01:32.190 --> 00:01:34.951 December 2023. 52 00:01:34.952 --> 00:01:35.171 Okay, 53 00:01:35.531 --> 00:01:35.992 so Haven, 54 00:01:36.012 --> 00:01:37.852 born in 2023. 55 00:01:37.853 --> 00:01:39.753 We'll get to that one a little bit later. 56 00:01:40.053 --> 00:01:43.634 Let's go back a couple of years in the past. 57 00:01:44.214 --> 00:01:46.475 How did you move to the UK in the first place? 58 00:01:46.555 --> 00:01:49.896 What was the opportunity or the trigger for you? 59 00:01:50.996 --> 00:01:51.196 Well... 60 00:01:52.232 --> 00:02:04.215 It was in 1994 and I was studying philosophy at the University of Poitiers and a friend of mine had lived in London. 61 00:02:04.375 --> 00:02:08.056 I was very much in love with the language since I was 11 years old. 62 00:02:08.637 --> 00:02:13.778 There was something that really made me feel warm about the language. 63 00:02:13.958 --> 00:02:14.758 All right. 64 00:02:15.158 --> 00:02:17.199 Fast forward many years later, 65 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:19.540 I found out actually that I'm half British. 66 00:02:20.200 --> 00:02:20.680 I had to. 67 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:24.942 My family had no idea and the whole story behind that. 68 00:02:24.982 --> 00:02:26.723 So I guess probably, 69 00:02:28.443 --> 00:02:28.663 you know, 70 00:02:28.664 --> 00:02:30.324 when your body knows things that you don't. 71 00:02:30.325 --> 00:02:31.505 There was intuition there. 72 00:02:33.225 --> 00:02:35.086 So I moved there in 94, 73 00:02:36.187 --> 00:02:37.647 supposedly for three months. 74 00:02:38.588 --> 00:02:39.428 And after a few days, 75 00:02:39.468 --> 00:02:41.129 I decided to stay at least a year. 76 00:02:41.969 --> 00:02:42.189 Okay. 77 00:02:42.489 --> 00:02:42.609 So 78 00:02:43.110 --> 00:02:47.091 I put my studies on hold and started working. 79 00:02:47.271 --> 00:02:47.752 And in the 80 00:02:48.512 --> 00:02:48.632 90s. 81 00:02:48.892 --> 00:02:51.394 oh my god it feels like i'm very old now in the 82 00:02:52.154 --> 00:03:10.447 90s it was london was amazing because they had just finished a recession a decade and everything was possible if you wanted to work hard and not be willing to count your hours you had amazing opportunities so 83 00:03:10.967 --> 00:03:17.172 that's what i did i thought well i'm i'm just going to go with the flow and anything i want to do i'm going to try to do it 84 00:03:18.256 --> 00:03:19.777 I worked many jobs. 85 00:03:20.638 --> 00:03:27.883 I have a CV from that experience there for 15 years that goes to three pages. 86 00:03:30.325 --> 00:03:31.486 But I feel like the British, 87 00:03:31.546 --> 00:03:34.868 they give people the opportunity versus France. 88 00:03:35.068 --> 00:03:37.290 It's a little bit harder if you want to make switch in the UK. 89 00:03:37.490 --> 00:03:39.211 Just you're motivated. 90 00:03:39.351 --> 00:03:40.252 You can share. 91 00:03:40.253 --> 00:03:41.193 You can do whatever you want, 92 00:03:41.313 --> 00:03:41.993 which is wonderful. 93 00:03:42.594 --> 00:03:43.154 Absolutely. 94 00:03:43.214 --> 00:03:44.495 This is exactly like that. 95 00:03:44.675 --> 00:03:44.995 and 96 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:48.682 What I've always loved in my life is learning. 97 00:03:50.243 --> 00:03:51.685 Learning is so important to me. 98 00:03:51.845 --> 00:03:51.965 So 99 00:03:52.745 --> 00:03:56.048 I had many opportunities to learn and I took these opportunities. 100 00:03:57.209 --> 00:03:59.691 So I studied photography for many years. 101 00:04:00.332 --> 00:04:05.996 I went to the University of Westminster to study conceptual fine art. 102 00:04:07.197 --> 00:04:07.918 In the meantime, 103 00:04:07.958 --> 00:04:09.279 I was working full time. 104 00:04:09.839 --> 00:04:09.959 So 105 00:04:10.380 --> 00:04:14.083 I was a croupier in a luxury casino. 106 00:04:15.820 --> 00:04:40.714 few years i was uh running an estate agency um with um with the owner um i had my own cafe restaurant with my ex-husband um in kings road i did many many many things so that was a that was an experience i mean i didn't see the 15 years go by yeah i can imagine changing constantly yeah it's just yeah 107 00:04:40.794 --> 00:04:44.936 you all one project after the other and you know you get opportunities Peace. 108 00:04:45.204 --> 00:04:47.285 If you show that you're willing to work hard, 109 00:04:47.825 --> 00:04:50.307 that was how the atmosphere was at the time. 110 00:04:50.347 --> 00:04:51.007 And it was really, 111 00:04:51.547 --> 00:04:52.228 really amazing. 112 00:04:52.948 --> 00:04:53.268 Okay. 113 00:04:53.869 --> 00:04:56.650 And so what brought you back to France then after 15 years? 114 00:04:56.890 --> 00:04:57.130 Well, 115 00:04:57.731 --> 00:04:59.912 I was going through a very difficult divorce. 116 00:05:00.780 --> 00:05:08.004 My daughter was six years old and all my friends were very kind and they were like, 117 00:05:08.024 --> 00:05:11.766 maybe you should just go and rest in the south of France for a couple of years. 118 00:05:12.407 --> 00:05:13.247 And eventually I thought, 119 00:05:13.287 --> 00:05:13.447 well, 120 00:05:13.527 --> 00:05:14.528 that's not a bad idea. 121 00:05:14.748 --> 00:05:19.170 I really do miss France as well because I'm constantly surrounded by 122 00:05:20.411 --> 00:05:22.412 British or other foreigners, 123 00:05:22.532 --> 00:05:26.174 but I was not that much into the French community at all. 124 00:05:26.294 --> 00:05:27.395 Which is pretty big, 125 00:05:27.475 --> 00:05:27.915 don't you think? 126 00:05:28.195 --> 00:05:28.355 Yes. 127 00:05:29.596 --> 00:05:29.756 Yes, 128 00:05:29.796 --> 00:05:30.836 I never lived with, 129 00:05:30.996 --> 00:05:31.256 you know, 130 00:05:31.677 --> 00:05:32.017 in the... 131 00:05:33.297 --> 00:05:34.257 In the neighbourhoods. 132 00:05:34.277 --> 00:05:35.238 In the French areas, 133 00:05:35.418 --> 00:05:35.578 ever. 134 00:05:35.678 --> 00:05:35.878 Okay. 135 00:05:37.678 --> 00:05:37.798 So, 136 00:05:37.858 --> 00:05:38.879 we moved back to France, 137 00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:39.899 my daughter and I, 138 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:43.220 in the south for supposedly two years, 139 00:05:43.260 --> 00:05:46.981 but then we stayed because it was very hard. 140 00:05:46.982 --> 00:05:49.842 The moving was very difficult. 141 00:05:49.982 --> 00:05:54.083 My daughter was six and she understood French, 142 00:05:54.123 --> 00:05:55.863 but she spoke only English. 143 00:05:56.284 --> 00:05:56.524 Okay. 144 00:05:58.400 --> 00:06:13.928 catching up there yes yeah all right and so how was it for you this new adaptation also like helping your daughter work through this new new phase new language of 145 00:06:14.269 --> 00:06:21.893 I guess divorce in the middle also doesn't help of course so it was very hard the first six months I didn't want to open the boxes because 146 00:06:22.373 --> 00:06:27.456 I was in fear I was like and all my friends in London were like come back come back you can say it does. 147 00:06:28.460 --> 00:06:29.160 And I was like, 148 00:06:29.161 --> 00:06:29.861 I'm exhausted. 149 00:06:29.901 --> 00:06:32.301 I really need to settle. 150 00:06:32.361 --> 00:06:34.722 And the fact that we were close to the beach, 151 00:06:35.442 --> 00:06:36.402 my daughter loved it. 152 00:06:36.502 --> 00:06:37.243 I loved it too. 153 00:06:38.563 --> 00:06:39.703 We needed that time, 154 00:06:40.283 --> 00:06:45.125 but it was so hard because I couldn't understand the whole French system. 155 00:06:45.165 --> 00:06:46.185 I couldn't understand it. 156 00:06:46.265 --> 00:06:46.665 I left, 157 00:06:46.666 --> 00:06:48.226 I was 22 years old. 158 00:06:48.266 --> 00:06:48.386 Oh, 159 00:06:48.686 --> 00:06:48.826 yeah. 160 00:06:49.106 --> 00:06:51.687 Very much protected by my parents. 161 00:06:51.847 --> 00:06:53.207 I was under the umbrella, 162 00:06:53.347 --> 00:06:53.847 basically. 163 00:06:54.007 --> 00:06:54.127 So 164 00:06:54.887 --> 00:06:56.888 I didn't have... 165 00:06:57.168 --> 00:06:59.169 my own social security number. 166 00:06:59.849 --> 00:07:01.369 I struggled to get back. 167 00:07:03.090 --> 00:07:03.410 And 168 00:07:04.250 --> 00:07:05.630 I had not experienced 169 00:07:06.010 --> 00:07:07.071 France as an adult, 170 00:07:07.171 --> 00:07:07.591 basically. 171 00:07:07.671 --> 00:07:12.212 And all my friends were already living like that in France, 172 00:07:12.213 --> 00:07:12.932 but I wasn't. 173 00:07:13.212 --> 00:07:14.433 So everything was hard. 174 00:07:14.553 --> 00:07:16.133 I was very far from my friends. 175 00:07:17.454 --> 00:07:18.554 We knew nobody there. 176 00:07:19.634 --> 00:07:25.216 And then the schools were very difficult for my daughter as well. 177 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:27.160 you know, 178 00:07:27.161 --> 00:07:29.462 she went through, 179 00:07:29.862 --> 00:07:32.543 she went to two amazing schools in London. 180 00:07:33.184 --> 00:07:35.925 The first one when she was two was Montessori, 181 00:07:37.186 --> 00:07:38.767 an English Montessori school. 182 00:07:38.947 --> 00:07:41.589 So she stayed there for two or three years. 183 00:07:42.229 --> 00:07:54.296 And then she was at a French school in London that was bilingual and had priority for the lycée français oh yeah it was an amazing school they were 184 00:07:55.540 --> 00:08:13.831 you know 16 kids in the in the in so yeah a lot of the international schools are very visible still which is nice yeah one english teacher one french teacher so it was just like yeah it was amazing it was really amazing so so the difference was quite a shock i mean for 185 00:08:13.971 --> 00:08:20.896 context in french schools you're often 30 kids for one teacher so absolutely absolutely absolutely so 186 00:08:21.752 --> 00:08:29.759 It was very difficult to understand how the system worked because I realized as well that my vocabulary had shrunk. 187 00:08:30.559 --> 00:08:30.780 So 188 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:38.406 I was not using as much French as I used to before moving to London because I was never much with French people. 189 00:08:39.126 --> 00:08:40.628 But at home with your daughter, 190 00:08:40.688 --> 00:08:41.308 would you speak 191 00:08:41.689 --> 00:08:43.610 French or English in London? 192 00:08:44.351 --> 00:08:44.791 In London, 193 00:08:44.851 --> 00:08:45.792 we would speak both. 194 00:08:46.312 --> 00:08:50.276 I would spend some time speaking French for her to really understand French. 195 00:08:50.336 --> 00:08:50.536 Okay. 196 00:08:50.856 --> 00:09:10.293 yeah it's what they do usually they only speak the language of the country when they live in that country so she would answer me in english but i would i would often speak french still yeah we would read like two three books a night at least and one of them was in french the others were in english and you know so it was okay 197 00:09:10.673 --> 00:09:18.159 yeah i'm sorry so you were saying yeah you had lost a bit of the vocabulary in this understanding the system of how things worked in France. 198 00:09:18.540 --> 00:09:18.740 Yes. 199 00:09:18.1000 --> 00:09:19.841 It was very hard. 200 00:09:19.921 --> 00:09:22.662 So it took me quite a while to understand things. 201 00:09:23.202 --> 00:09:30.667 I had to reapply for the social security six times because every time something was wrong. 202 00:09:30.747 --> 00:09:32.928 And so I went through the whole thing. 203 00:09:33.088 --> 00:09:37.830 This is why I understand how people feel like when they move to France. 204 00:09:37.971 --> 00:09:38.691 When they arrived. 205 00:09:38.791 --> 00:09:38.991 Yeah. 206 00:09:39.191 --> 00:09:39.371 Yeah. 207 00:09:39.772 --> 00:09:39.952 Yeah. 208 00:09:40.552 --> 00:09:41.092 It is hard. 209 00:09:41.192 --> 00:09:41.913 It is very hard. 210 00:09:42.733 --> 00:09:47.476 And so how did you sort of settle in as you went? 211 00:09:47.736 --> 00:09:49.719 Because this was quite a few years ago now. 212 00:09:51.101 --> 00:09:52.424 That was 2009, 213 00:09:52.425 --> 00:09:52.624 yes. 214 00:09:52.964 --> 00:09:53.245 Okay, 215 00:09:53.325 --> 00:09:54.086 so how did you, 216 00:09:55.729 --> 00:09:56.490 day after day, 217 00:09:56.590 --> 00:09:57.632 month after month, 218 00:09:57.772 --> 00:10:02.380 make it a bit more of your home and feel comfortable again there? 219 00:10:03.062 --> 00:10:03.342 Yes, 220 00:10:03.482 --> 00:10:03.663 well, 221 00:10:03.703 --> 00:10:07.385 I had to do it. 222 00:10:07.526 --> 00:10:07.846 I mean, 223 00:10:07.926 --> 00:10:09.747 I was the only one raising my child. 224 00:10:11.269 --> 00:10:12.149 I had no family. 225 00:10:12.550 --> 00:10:13.270 I had no one. 226 00:10:13.410 --> 00:10:13.530 So 227 00:10:14.531 --> 00:10:16.913 I had to really make it through for her. 228 00:10:17.934 --> 00:10:26.040 I didn't want her to suffer too much because it was already a big move when you're six years old and you have not only one country. 229 00:10:26.881 --> 00:10:27.001 So, 230 00:10:27.521 --> 00:10:27.862 um... 231 00:10:28.342 --> 00:10:29.783 I started doing lots of research, 232 00:10:30.203 --> 00:10:31.463 trying to understand things. 233 00:10:31.584 --> 00:10:40.848 I made a few friends there and they advised me and I would just get as much information as possible and research as much as possible. 234 00:10:41.768 --> 00:10:42.949 I love researching things, 235 00:10:42.969 --> 00:10:45.570 so that's how I really got through the process. 236 00:10:46.110 --> 00:10:46.691 And obviously, 237 00:10:46.931 --> 00:10:48.732 I made loads of mistakes. 238 00:10:48.772 --> 00:10:48.892 So, 239 00:10:49.372 --> 00:10:49.632 you know, 240 00:10:51.733 --> 00:10:52.974 this is the only way to learn, 241 00:10:53.074 --> 00:10:53.654 mistakes. 242 00:10:55.758 --> 00:10:55.999 So yeah, 243 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:57.119 that's how I did that. 244 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:57.780 Eventually, 245 00:10:58.160 --> 00:11:03.823 I managed to rent an apartment and then settle slowly. 246 00:11:04.544 --> 00:11:07.865 The school thing was as well a bit difficult. 247 00:11:08.606 --> 00:11:09.186 But eventually, 248 00:11:09.206 --> 00:11:13.549 we managed to settle and my daughter loved being on the seaside. 249 00:11:13.709 --> 00:11:15.830 And that was really... 250 00:11:16.410 --> 00:11:17.631 That was a highlight for you. 251 00:11:17.671 --> 00:11:17.811 Yes, 252 00:11:17.871 --> 00:11:18.332 that was a highlight. 253 00:11:18.333 --> 00:11:19.132 Everything together. 254 00:11:19.732 --> 00:11:19.952 Yes. 255 00:11:20.012 --> 00:11:22.314 All right. 256 00:11:23.502 --> 00:11:24.743 And so moving on to 257 00:11:25.203 --> 00:11:26.144 Haven in France, 258 00:11:26.284 --> 00:11:29.846 how did this project start specifically for you? 259 00:11:30.447 --> 00:11:30.687 Yes. 260 00:11:30.787 --> 00:11:30.907 So 261 00:11:32.628 --> 00:11:38.832 I was sent for a mission in the southwest of France for a family in 262 00:11:39.632 --> 00:11:44.175 Jersey who had a domain in the southwest. 263 00:11:44.816 --> 00:11:46.016 And so I went there, 264 00:11:47.297 --> 00:11:48.438 had a couple of months. 265 00:11:48.638 --> 00:11:53.161 and then started meeting people and I realized I really love the southwest. 266 00:11:54.061 --> 00:11:55.262 People are very friendly, 267 00:11:55.402 --> 00:11:56.142 very kind. 268 00:11:56.743 --> 00:11:58.604 The nature is just stunning. 269 00:11:58.684 --> 00:11:59.344 It's beautiful. 270 00:11:59.404 --> 00:12:00.144 Yeah, 271 00:12:00.385 --> 00:12:00.825 it's just like, 272 00:12:00.885 --> 00:12:01.005 oh, 273 00:12:01.725 --> 00:12:02.286 I loved it. 274 00:12:02.386 --> 00:12:02.506 So, 275 00:12:04.127 --> 00:12:12.991 and what was missing in the Côte d'Azur was that it's not that easy to actually mix with several cultures. 276 00:12:13.892 --> 00:12:16.033 I really missed speaking French, 277 00:12:16.513 --> 00:12:16.834 English, 278 00:12:16.894 --> 00:12:17.134 sorry. 279 00:12:17.954 --> 00:12:21.597 Every day and then suddenly here I met loads of 280 00:12:21.937 --> 00:12:23.299 British American 281 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:35.809 Dutch Belgium I mean it was very international which is something I really love and that's why I loved living in London because there's lots of different countries and cultures there and 282 00:12:36.309 --> 00:12:36.429 So 283 00:12:37.310 --> 00:12:41.654 I started obviously everyone wanted to ask me questions about how you how do we do this? 284 00:12:41.694 --> 00:12:45.677 how do we do that and I started explaining this that that that and 285 00:12:46.037 --> 00:12:46.157 I 286 00:12:47.354 --> 00:12:51.276 And I was very interested in the Americans. 287 00:12:52.316 --> 00:12:53.977 I started researching, 288 00:12:53.997 --> 00:12:58.439 and I realized that lots of Americans live in France or come to France. 289 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.779 But they go to Paris, 290 00:12:59.979 --> 00:13:01.380 and then they go to the Côte d'Azur. 291 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.720 They don't know the rest. 292 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:05.081 And every time I would ask them, 293 00:13:06.582 --> 00:13:07.142 they would say, 294 00:13:07.562 --> 00:13:07.762 oh, 295 00:13:07.943 --> 00:13:10.684 we would love to explore the Southwest, 296 00:13:10.764 --> 00:13:12.825 but where do we start? 297 00:13:13.005 --> 00:13:13.185 Yeah, 298 00:13:13.225 --> 00:13:14.625 there's not that much communication. 299 00:13:14.905 --> 00:13:16.026 It's not as known. 300 00:13:16.426 --> 00:13:19.669 internationally for sure absolutely so 301 00:13:21.570 --> 00:13:29.277 I started researching a lot I started studying the whole project and then I started thinking okay well maybe I can help so 302 00:13:30.398 --> 00:13:39.846 I would ask every single American I met to tell me all the problems that they've been through and find a solution for that so prior to launching the company 303 00:13:40.526 --> 00:13:44.850 I worked full-time for a whole year building the 304 00:13:44.970 --> 00:13:48.312 project because I wanted to answer every single question. 305 00:13:49.593 --> 00:13:49.833 You know, 306 00:13:49.933 --> 00:13:50.274 everything. 307 00:13:50.354 --> 00:13:50.814 A visa, 308 00:13:51.014 --> 00:13:51.715 insurance, 309 00:13:52.795 --> 00:13:53.156 health, 310 00:13:54.176 --> 00:13:54.797 properties, 311 00:13:56.058 --> 00:13:56.298 you know, 312 00:13:56.398 --> 00:13:56.778 events, 313 00:13:56.898 --> 00:13:57.719 how to meet people, 314 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.719 how to build a community, 315 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:58.940 etc, 316 00:13:59.260 --> 00:13:59.400 etc. 317 00:14:02.642 --> 00:14:04.403 So I did that and then realized that, 318 00:14:04.503 --> 00:14:04.744 you know, 319 00:14:05.104 --> 00:14:05.944 a lot of people, 320 00:14:06.064 --> 00:14:09.367 a lot of Americans living in Paris or the suburbs. 321 00:14:10.928 --> 00:14:11.048 So, 322 00:14:11.848 --> 00:14:12.049 yeah, 323 00:14:12.069 --> 00:14:12.909 I started like that. 324 00:14:12.929 --> 00:14:14.010 I started doing and 325 00:14:14.270 --> 00:14:15.451 building this project like this. 326 00:14:16.631 --> 00:14:16.871 Okay, 327 00:14:16.972 --> 00:14:20.133 and so what were the frequent questions? 328 00:14:20.894 --> 00:14:29.138 Were there any related more specifically to the Southwest versus a difference to just a general move anywhere in France? 329 00:14:29.898 --> 00:14:30.099 Well, 330 00:14:30.219 --> 00:14:32.640 it's not that there was specific... 331 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:33.580 The Southwest, 332 00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:34.821 they don't know the Southwest. 333 00:14:34.841 --> 00:14:36.142 They know Bordeaux wine, 334 00:14:36.322 --> 00:14:37.262 and that is it. 335 00:14:37.322 --> 00:14:38.723 They may have been to Bordeaux, 336 00:14:38.863 --> 00:14:40.164 but not necessarily. 337 00:14:41.104 --> 00:14:42.745 So they don't even have an idea, 338 00:14:42.905 --> 00:14:43.806 a proper idea of... 339 00:14:44.398 --> 00:14:53.115 what Southwest is like and how exciting it can actually be to move to the Southwest. 340 00:14:53.415 --> 00:14:53.776 Because, 341 00:14:53.836 --> 00:14:54.097 I mean, 342 00:14:54.457 --> 00:14:55.098 let's be honest, 343 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.762 the Côte d'Azur is full. 344 00:14:57.513 --> 00:14:58.273 It's saturated. 345 00:14:58.633 --> 00:14:58.753 Yeah, 346 00:14:58.754 --> 00:14:59.634 it's saturated. 347 00:15:00.894 --> 00:15:03.355 The vibe is very different also. 348 00:15:03.535 --> 00:15:04.975 It's a bit more bling than the South. 349 00:15:05.215 --> 00:15:08.396 How would you describe the Southwest for an international, 350 00:15:08.656 --> 00:15:08.876 actually, 351 00:15:08.877 --> 00:15:09.576 who doesn't know it? 352 00:15:09.577 --> 00:15:13.938 The thing I say is that there's so much kindness in the Southwest. 353 00:15:15.578 --> 00:15:17.979 I've lived on the Côte d'Azur for 14 years, 354 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.399 so I can really see the difference. 355 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:20.179 You know the difference, 356 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:20.319 yeah. 357 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:20.1000 Yes. 358 00:15:21.640 --> 00:15:21.920 You know, 359 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.920 people here, 360 00:15:24.121 --> 00:15:24.641 they kind of... 361 00:15:24.642 --> 00:15:24.801 I mean, 362 00:15:24.841 --> 00:15:25.601 there's one thing. 363 00:15:26.273 --> 00:15:43.521 that really struck me is that you know how the French say if you do something for them and they're going to say de rien for nothing yeah in Occitanie they don't say that they say avec plaisir my pleasure it 364 00:15:43.581 --> 00:15:53.745 for me it's a very yeah it's a different mindset it is a different mindset they really are kind and welcoming to people. 365 00:15:54.917 --> 00:15:56.598 It's easier to make friends here, 366 00:15:56.678 --> 00:15:57.038 I think. 367 00:15:57.138 --> 00:15:58.059 I'm not saying it's easy, 368 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:58.1000 but it's easy. 369 00:16:01.961 --> 00:16:02.181 In the 370 00:16:02.561 --> 00:16:03.342 Andicote d'Azur, 371 00:16:03.402 --> 00:16:04.342 it's saturated, 372 00:16:04.483 --> 00:16:05.623 everything is expensive. 373 00:16:08.325 --> 00:16:10.066 It's quite a lot about showing off. 374 00:16:11.526 --> 00:16:12.987 If you want to build a house there, 375 00:16:13.087 --> 00:16:17.129 you're going to spend half a million already just for the plot. 376 00:16:17.130 --> 00:16:17.850 Just for the plot, 377 00:16:18.270 --> 00:16:18.790 basically. 378 00:16:19.491 --> 00:16:19.611 So, 379 00:16:20.411 --> 00:16:20.631 for me, 380 00:16:20.651 --> 00:16:21.832 it's not worth it. 381 00:16:22.312 --> 00:16:23.473 I know Americans love... 382 00:16:24.061 --> 00:16:24.942 stone houses. 383 00:16:25.542 --> 00:16:28.144 There are plenty of stunning stone houses, 384 00:16:29.365 --> 00:16:37.610 projects or potentials in the southwest and everything is so much cheaper than over there. 385 00:16:37.730 --> 00:16:37.850 So, 386 00:16:39.151 --> 00:16:40.432 and the food is stunning, 387 00:16:40.552 --> 00:16:44.675 the wine is stunning and the wine is stunning because it's not only Bordeaux, 388 00:16:44.735 --> 00:16:45.836 it's actually Cahors. 389 00:16:46.416 --> 00:16:48.177 I got a shock actually when I, 390 00:16:48.738 --> 00:16:48.978 you know, 391 00:16:49.058 --> 00:16:51.339 started exploring Cahors. 392 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.780 Cahors is just incredible. 393 00:16:53.101 --> 00:16:53.581 I know a 394 00:16:53.841 --> 00:17:18.108 domain there domain de la garde it's a few kilometers from carol and i mean the wine is just delicious it's a family that's been doing that uh for six generations um you know they greet you as if you're so special i mean every time i go there with my clients everyone is like my god this is amazing there 395 00:17:18.148 --> 00:17:20.749 are several places like that all the 396 00:17:21.269 --> 00:17:37.462 you know it's very friendly it's very kind right and so in terms of service offerings because there's all this admin piece but you're also talking about those experiences can you talk just through the a little bit quickly the panel and 397 00:17:37.763 --> 00:17:49.913 why there is this more touristy approach also that you you bring of discovering new places well um what what one thing that i've realized is that um 398 00:17:50.805 --> 00:17:52.386 When Americans move here, 399 00:17:52.466 --> 00:17:54.407 they need to have a sense of community. 400 00:17:55.148 --> 00:17:55.348 So, 401 00:17:56.909 --> 00:17:57.149 you know, 402 00:17:57.209 --> 00:17:59.330 some companies do the admin stuff. 403 00:17:59.570 --> 00:18:00.150 It's great. 404 00:18:00.291 --> 00:18:10.376 But I wanted to actually take their hands and take them with me all along the journey until they feel safe and settled properly. 405 00:18:11.577 --> 00:18:11.837 You know, 406 00:18:12.157 --> 00:18:12.778 so for me, 407 00:18:12.838 --> 00:18:13.898 it was a question of, 408 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:15.759 you know, 409 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:18.341 starting with the questions they may have about the visa. 410 00:18:18.641 --> 00:18:23.003 I've made 150 partnerships with insurances, 411 00:18:23.283 --> 00:18:23.743 banks, 412 00:18:26.444 --> 00:18:26.924 jets, 413 00:18:27.605 --> 00:18:28.145 hotels, 414 00:18:28.445 --> 00:18:29.766 four and five star hotels, 415 00:18:31.366 --> 00:18:31.606 many, 416 00:18:31.686 --> 00:18:31.886 many, 417 00:18:31.966 --> 00:18:32.187 many, 418 00:18:32.307 --> 00:18:32.547 many, 419 00:18:32.927 --> 00:18:33.847 many partnerships, 420 00:18:33.947 --> 00:18:46.132 even partnerships in the US with a major shipping company and also chateaus in France and events. 421 00:18:46.172 --> 00:18:48.013 We work on events because the idea is to... 422 00:18:48.669 --> 00:18:50.951 is not to mix Americans with Americans. 423 00:18:51.952 --> 00:18:52.713 There's a bit of that, 424 00:18:52.773 --> 00:18:53.173 obviously, 425 00:18:53.253 --> 00:18:54.675 because it always helps a bit. 426 00:18:55.135 --> 00:18:57.938 But it's to mix Americans with French people, 427 00:18:58.078 --> 00:18:58.658 locals, 428 00:18:59.659 --> 00:18:59.899 and 429 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:00.780 Dutch, 430 00:19:01.501 --> 00:19:03.102 British, whoever. 431 00:19:03.783 --> 00:19:05.925 So we started doing events like that as well. 432 00:19:06.365 --> 00:19:09.889 And to accompany them in the process of buying or renting. 433 00:19:10.749 --> 00:19:12.931 Which is complicated here. 434 00:19:13.312 --> 00:19:14.553 It is very complicated. 435 00:19:14.773 --> 00:19:16.314 I found a solution for that, 436 00:19:16.914 --> 00:19:18.754 for Americans to rent in France, 437 00:19:18.794 --> 00:19:25.556 because it's also very difficult when you move from abroad and you build your company. 438 00:19:25.796 --> 00:19:26.477 It's very hard. 439 00:19:27.257 --> 00:19:27.817 Yeah. 440 00:19:27.818 --> 00:19:27.937 I mean, 441 00:19:27.938 --> 00:19:29.938 it's already hard for the French to find a place to rent. 442 00:19:29.958 --> 00:19:34.319 So let alone a foreigner is just that challenge. 443 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:35.419 Absolutely. 444 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:35.740 So, 445 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:37.360 you know, 446 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:40.261 the idea is really to take their hands and. 447 00:19:41.033 --> 00:19:57.405 accompany them until they really are secure and settled so you know my advice is always you don't need to buy your property straight away come explore see if you're ready to actually settle also and explore a little bit because 448 00:19:58.031 --> 00:19:58.711 You don't know, 449 00:19:58.791 --> 00:20:00.052 you may actually straight away buy. 450 00:20:00.072 --> 00:20:00.292 I mean, 451 00:20:00.392 --> 00:20:13.539 I came across situations where people had already reserved a house to buy in the Creuse and visited it once with lots of issues, 452 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.520 lots of problems, 453 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:16.381 things that were not really adequate. 454 00:20:16.461 --> 00:20:17.722 And then when they explore 455 00:20:18.402 --> 00:20:19.803 Occitanie, they start realizing, 456 00:20:19.804 --> 00:20:20.223 oh my God, 457 00:20:20.263 --> 00:20:21.984 I like that much better. 458 00:20:23.185 --> 00:20:23.445 And, 459 00:20:23.705 --> 00:20:23.985 you know, 460 00:20:24.065 --> 00:20:25.646 so just take the time. 461 00:20:25.706 --> 00:20:26.887 you know i'm here to 462 00:20:28.007 --> 00:20:29.008 Me and the whole team, 463 00:20:29.068 --> 00:20:32.931 we're here actually to really help people settle somewhere. 464 00:20:33.231 --> 00:20:36.233 We're going to organize visits for you everywhere. 465 00:20:37.594 --> 00:20:40.777 We have a whole data of places, 466 00:20:40.977 --> 00:20:41.777 people, 467 00:20:42.358 --> 00:20:43.759 so that you can really explore. 468 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:46.601 And after a couple of months or maybe six months, 469 00:20:46.721 --> 00:20:48.622 you'll know exactly where you want to settle. 470 00:20:48.983 --> 00:20:53.366 And then we can get it and start exploring houses to buy. 471 00:20:54.827 --> 00:20:57.249 And then it's much better for people so that, 472 00:20:57.349 --> 00:20:57.589 you know, 473 00:20:57.689 --> 00:20:59.611 they really settle where they want to settle. 474 00:21:00.151 --> 00:21:00.292 Yeah, 475 00:21:00.332 --> 00:21:05.256 to understand the lifestyle and the different regions to find something that actually matters. 476 00:21:05.936 --> 00:21:07.217 And build communities. 477 00:21:07.417 --> 00:21:08.458 That is so important. 478 00:21:08.459 --> 00:21:10.140 So we've done a few events so far. 479 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:13.082 We've done a gin tasting at 480 00:21:14.003 --> 00:21:16.345 Franco-British Capole. 481 00:21:17.185 --> 00:21:17.966 They make gin. 482 00:21:18.166 --> 00:21:19.107 It's called Saint-Amand. 483 00:21:19.647 --> 00:21:21.209 And they make stunning gin. 484 00:21:21.449 --> 00:21:24.031 They use products from their own garden. 485 00:21:24.351 --> 00:21:26.112 and from local farmers. 486 00:21:26.652 --> 00:21:29.674 So we made an event that everyone loved it. 487 00:21:29.854 --> 00:21:31.735 And they even, 488 00:21:31.955 --> 00:21:32.195 you know, 489 00:21:33.856 --> 00:21:34.757 for the gin and tonic, 490 00:21:34.758 --> 00:21:39.499 the tonic is actually made in Bordeaux from another company that's making organic tonic. 491 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.420 And I mean, 492 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.420 we went just, 493 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.341 you know, 494 00:21:42.481 --> 00:21:45.082 we've done quite a few events so far and it's just amazing. 495 00:21:45.102 --> 00:21:46.543 And people start knowing each other. 496 00:21:46.783 --> 00:21:47.664 It's important to, 497 00:21:48.084 --> 00:21:48.324 you know, 498 00:21:48.844 --> 00:21:49.525 communities, 499 00:21:49.565 --> 00:21:49.985 everything. 500 00:21:50.125 --> 00:21:51.045 Yeah, 501 00:21:51.046 --> 00:21:52.686 it makes you feel at home. 502 00:21:54.655 --> 00:21:54.815 Yeah, 503 00:21:54.816 --> 00:21:55.436 it's true. 504 00:21:55.556 --> 00:21:59.978 I think when you're a foreigner moving to a remote place in France, 505 00:22:00.098 --> 00:22:01.359 outside large cities, 506 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:04.240 not only is the population smaller, 507 00:22:04.320 --> 00:22:05.041 but there may be, 508 00:22:05.521 --> 00:22:06.221 in some cases, 509 00:22:06.322 --> 00:22:09.103 less use to having internationals. 510 00:22:09.104 --> 00:22:09.883 It can be harder, 511 00:22:10.184 --> 00:22:10.444 again, 512 00:22:10.504 --> 00:22:12.705 to come in. 513 00:22:13.245 --> 00:22:14.526 And you need to be able to talk. 514 00:22:14.566 --> 00:22:14.826 I mean, 515 00:22:15.306 --> 00:22:15.527 you know, 516 00:22:15.587 --> 00:22:18.788 lots of clients tell me their stories and, 517 00:22:18.888 --> 00:22:19.129 you know, 518 00:22:19.189 --> 00:22:23.251 you have to be able to listen to them and empathize with them. 519 00:22:23.571 --> 00:22:25.092 And I've been through it. 520 00:22:25.152 --> 00:22:26.714 I've been in their shoes. 521 00:22:26.774 --> 00:22:29.296 So I know exactly how they can feel. 522 00:22:29.356 --> 00:22:32.619 And it's a very different culture from the US. 523 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:39.445 But I'm very familiar with the US because my previous company was in social media. 524 00:22:39.605 --> 00:22:42.307 I started in 2007 when I lived in London. 525 00:22:43.008 --> 00:22:45.590 And I trained with the Americans for 15 years. 526 00:22:45.710 --> 00:22:45.830 So 527 00:22:46.691 --> 00:22:51.295 I know how they are and what they like and what's important to them. 528 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:55.140 France is a great idea, 529 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:57.460 but it's a very different culture for them. 530 00:22:58.961 --> 00:22:59.081 Yeah, 531 00:22:59.201 --> 00:23:06.683 they do need to have someone or a community to be friends with and listen to. 532 00:23:07.843 --> 00:23:10.004 So a little earlier in the conversation, 533 00:23:10.084 --> 00:23:14.705 you described the vibe of southwest of France. 534 00:23:14.905 --> 00:23:21.527 Is there anything specific you think people can expect? 535 00:23:21.907 --> 00:23:29.194 or should be expecting from moving to this region versus Paris or versus the South? 536 00:23:30.035 --> 00:23:30.175 Well, 537 00:23:30.715 --> 00:23:34.119 the pace is much slower. 538 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.059 The pace is much slower. 539 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.881 So you have to really, 540 00:23:37.161 --> 00:23:37.882 if you come here, 541 00:23:37.922 --> 00:23:41.846 it's really to have a slower lifestyle and, 542 00:23:41.866 --> 00:23:42.106 you know, 543 00:23:42.206 --> 00:23:43.067 take your time. 544 00:23:43.107 --> 00:23:43.587 People, 545 00:23:43.828 --> 00:23:44.088 you know, 546 00:23:44.148 --> 00:23:47.271 they have lunch in their houses or at the restaurant. 547 00:23:48.303 --> 00:23:51.886 They do enjoy going to the market on the weekend. 548 00:23:53.687 --> 00:23:56.669 It's all these little things like the lifestyle is much slower. 549 00:23:57.990 --> 00:24:02.813 They aren't going to close the shops at 7pm max or 5pm depending. 550 00:24:03.274 --> 00:24:04.995 They're not going to be open on Mondays. 551 00:24:08.337 --> 00:24:12.200 It's a bit of a shock culture when they arrive there. 552 00:24:13.821 --> 00:24:14.461 Otherwise, 553 00:24:14.481 --> 00:24:16.723 you have a year to actually start. 554 00:24:17.183 --> 00:24:19.705 the process of learning the French code, 555 00:24:20.205 --> 00:24:21.306 the theory test, 556 00:24:22.086 --> 00:24:25.528 and you go through a driving test as well. 557 00:24:26.769 --> 00:24:29.090 And that needs to be done pretty quickly. 558 00:24:30.491 --> 00:24:30.611 So, 559 00:24:31.011 --> 00:24:31.251 you know, 560 00:24:31.671 --> 00:24:36.994 if you are coming from a state where there's no equivalence in France, 561 00:24:37.094 --> 00:24:39.756 then you have to really prepare for that. 562 00:24:40.336 --> 00:24:41.817 Because if you live in a countryside, 563 00:24:41.897 --> 00:24:42.197 you know, 564 00:24:42.438 --> 00:24:43.098 you need a car. 565 00:24:43.438 --> 00:24:44.499 You're going to need a car. 566 00:24:45.075 --> 00:24:46.697 Most of the cities, 567 00:24:46.757 --> 00:24:46.937 yeah, 568 00:24:47.177 --> 00:24:47.678 in the area. 569 00:24:47.858 --> 00:24:48.318 That's true. 570 00:24:48.739 --> 00:24:52.642 Which is a big difference from maybe some places in the 571 00:24:53.944 --> 00:24:57.247 South Riviera where you still have some large cities. 572 00:24:58.344 --> 00:24:58.544 Yes. 573 00:24:59.264 --> 00:24:59.464 Yeah. 574 00:25:00.885 --> 00:25:02.866 And also another thing as well is that, 575 00:25:03.746 --> 00:25:06.027 which is sometimes very surprising for Americans, 576 00:25:06.047 --> 00:25:07.808 is that when you purchase a house, 577 00:25:07.828 --> 00:25:12.470 it takes longer here and you have to have a notaire. 578 00:25:13.590 --> 00:25:17.232 And one thing that I tell every single client, 579 00:25:18.232 --> 00:25:19.433 when you purchase a house, 580 00:25:19.453 --> 00:25:21.134 the seller will have their own notaire. 581 00:25:21.294 --> 00:25:24.475 I would strongly advise you take your own notaire. 582 00:25:24.675 --> 00:25:25.475 It's very, 583 00:25:25.636 --> 00:25:26.496 very important. 584 00:25:29.073 --> 00:25:31.275 it will be much better for your sake. 585 00:25:32.095 --> 00:25:34.237 They will defend your interest a lot more. 586 00:25:34.238 --> 00:25:37.999 I've seen some patients where... 587 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.400 Mistake made in the past. 588 00:25:44.864 --> 00:25:45.284 All right. 589 00:25:45.425 --> 00:25:45.585 Well, 590 00:25:45.725 --> 00:25:48.387 let's move on to your recommendations. 591 00:25:50.608 --> 00:25:55.912 So what is a bar or cafe that you would recommend? 592 00:25:56.428 --> 00:25:58.389 So there's one that I absolutely love. 593 00:25:58.409 --> 00:26:00.150 It's in a village, 594 00:26:00.310 --> 00:26:03.292 a very international village called Montcuc, 595 00:26:03.772 --> 00:26:05.853 M-O-N-T-C-U-C-U, 596 00:26:06.154 --> 00:26:06.354 sorry, 597 00:26:07.674 --> 00:26:09.455 in the Lotte department. 598 00:26:09.956 --> 00:26:11.256 And it's called Café Broc. 599 00:26:11.977 --> 00:26:12.677 And what it is, 600 00:26:12.737 --> 00:26:17.040 it's a building that is a brocante. 601 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.200 The owner, 602 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:18.861 Séverine, 603 00:26:19.121 --> 00:26:22.763 she's made a coffee shop inside the brocante and it's just stunning. 604 00:26:22.803 --> 00:26:24.364 She has exquisite taste. 605 00:26:24.948 --> 00:26:26.148 Anyone who loves brocante, 606 00:26:26.208 --> 00:26:27.009 French brocante, 607 00:26:27.209 --> 00:26:28.349 will adore the place. 608 00:26:29.209 --> 00:26:30.870 She's very attentive to details. 609 00:26:30.871 --> 00:26:31.270 And also, 610 00:26:31.390 --> 00:26:32.850 she's an interior designer, 611 00:26:32.930 --> 00:26:33.270 actually. 612 00:26:33.271 --> 00:26:34.711 That'd be nice. 613 00:26:34.791 --> 00:26:36.771 If you want her to sort, 614 00:26:37.332 --> 00:26:37.592 I mean, 615 00:26:37.932 --> 00:26:39.152 decorate your house, 616 00:26:39.312 --> 00:26:42.593 she'll be the perfect person if you like brocante stuff. 617 00:26:43.333 --> 00:26:49.575 And she works with someone who actually is an expert in café. 618 00:26:50.475 --> 00:26:50.595 So, 619 00:26:50.715 --> 00:26:51.355 like, 620 00:26:51.455 --> 00:26:53.276 slow coffee. 621 00:26:53.436 --> 00:26:54.036 all these things. 622 00:26:54.076 --> 00:26:54.437 It's like, 623 00:26:54.497 --> 00:26:54.757 you know, 624 00:26:54.877 --> 00:26:54.997 he, 625 00:26:56.358 --> 00:26:57.038 he's amazing. 626 00:26:57.638 --> 00:26:59.479 We're going to specialty coffee as well. 627 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.120 Yes. 628 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.760 Very. 629 00:27:01.040 --> 00:27:01.180 Yeah. 630 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:01.660 And, 631 00:27:01.761 --> 00:27:01.961 um, 632 00:27:02.381 --> 00:27:06.323 we are going to do an event soon actually about coffee and coffee tasting. 633 00:27:06.923 --> 00:27:07.784 And what do we, 634 00:27:08.224 --> 00:27:08.604 what do we, 635 00:27:08.605 --> 00:27:08.724 um, 636 00:27:09.965 --> 00:27:11.506 eat with coffee and, 637 00:27:11.806 --> 00:27:12.046 you know, 638 00:27:12.146 --> 00:27:14.487 like nimbles and all little cakes or whatever, 639 00:27:14.648 --> 00:27:15.108 biscuits. 640 00:27:15.448 --> 00:27:16.028 Um, 641 00:27:16.629 --> 00:27:16.989 this is, 642 00:27:17.329 --> 00:27:17.569 I mean, 643 00:27:17.629 --> 00:27:18.730 for people who love coffee, 644 00:27:18.770 --> 00:27:19.190 personally, 645 00:27:19.410 --> 00:27:20.711 I love the smell of coffee, 646 00:27:20.712 --> 00:27:21.151 but I don't, 647 00:27:21.291 --> 00:27:22.292 I don't drink coffee. 648 00:27:23.308 --> 00:27:26.229 He made me actually drink a little bit of coffee. 649 00:27:26.269 --> 00:27:26.609 Enjoy. 650 00:27:32.171 --> 00:27:33.951 But it's a great place. 651 00:27:33.971 --> 00:27:39.133 So it's called Café Broc and really is something to experience. 652 00:27:39.353 --> 00:27:40.413 I really love that place. 653 00:27:41.173 --> 00:27:41.413 Okay. 654 00:27:41.713 --> 00:27:44.334 And what about restaurants? 655 00:27:44.394 --> 00:27:46.535 There's two restaurants that I absolutely love. 656 00:27:46.935 --> 00:27:47.895 In the same village, 657 00:27:47.995 --> 00:27:48.255 there's 658 00:27:48.655 --> 00:27:51.136 Café du Centre and Sylvain is the owner. 659 00:27:52.128 --> 00:27:55.109 And Sylvain lived in London for many, 660 00:27:55.149 --> 00:27:55.790 many years, 661 00:27:56.190 --> 00:27:58.191 roughly the same times as I was there. 662 00:27:59.071 --> 00:28:00.452 We didn't know each other at the time. 663 00:28:00.892 --> 00:28:02.032 And he worked for 664 00:28:02.833 --> 00:28:05.053 Michelin star restaurants there. 665 00:28:05.234 --> 00:28:06.234 So he's very talented. 666 00:28:06.734 --> 00:28:07.815 It's a great atmosphere. 667 00:28:08.915 --> 00:28:11.176 He's got really great food. 668 00:28:11.516 --> 00:28:12.757 So it's called Café du Centre. 669 00:28:13.197 --> 00:28:16.578 And there's also another one that is a gem and hidden. 670 00:28:18.199 --> 00:28:20.020 This place I've discovered a few weeks ago. 671 00:28:20.060 --> 00:28:20.540 And I'm like... 672 00:28:20.780 --> 00:28:21.781 Oh my god, 673 00:28:21.841 --> 00:28:23.462 it's in a village very close, 674 00:28:23.502 --> 00:28:24.563 it's called Touffailles. 675 00:28:24.803 --> 00:28:29.326 T-O-U-F-F-A-I-L-L-E-S. 676 00:28:30.487 --> 00:28:31.408 I think I get it. 677 00:28:31.409 --> 00:28:31.528 Yeah, 678 00:28:31.628 --> 00:28:33.289 Touffailles in Tarn-et-Garonne. 679 00:28:33.909 --> 00:28:35.150 And the place is called 680 00:28:35.791 --> 00:28:37.392 Aux Petits Moissac. 681 00:28:37.632 --> 00:28:38.092 Petits, 682 00:28:38.473 --> 00:28:40.914 but instead it's T-O-I-S-S-A-C. 683 00:28:43.416 --> 00:28:45.117 Aux Petits Moissac. 684 00:28:45.878 --> 00:28:48.640 You would never ever guess where it is. 685 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.360 You know, 686 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.241 you go there, 687 00:28:50.361 --> 00:28:53.843 you actually arrive at a big property and you're like, 688 00:28:53.943 --> 00:28:55.243 is that a restaurant? 689 00:28:56.644 --> 00:28:57.865 It's only at lunchtime, 690 00:28:58.305 --> 00:29:00.426 so you have to book a while. 691 00:29:02.247 --> 00:29:03.108 There's only one menu. 692 00:29:03.388 --> 00:29:04.189 You arrive there, 693 00:29:04.629 --> 00:29:07.590 you enter through the kitchen and you're like, 694 00:29:07.691 --> 00:29:07.811 OK, 695 00:29:08.671 --> 00:29:09.451 where am I going? 696 00:29:10.772 --> 00:29:17.276 So and then just behind it is a gorgeous room with a massive fireplace. 697 00:29:18.176 --> 00:29:23.077 he cooks the meat in the fireplace and there's only 20 seats. 698 00:29:23.317 --> 00:29:23.898 There's one menu, 699 00:29:24.018 --> 00:29:27.038 20 seats and you have no idea what you're going to eat. 700 00:29:27.459 --> 00:29:27.599 Yeah. 701 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.219 You're on the spot. 702 00:29:28.739 --> 00:29:29.719 The food is stunning, 703 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:31.060 really stunning. 704 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.600 It's like, 705 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.540 oh my god, 706 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:32.980 the basic. 707 00:29:33.020 --> 00:29:35.081 It's really, 708 00:29:35.601 --> 00:29:43.603 this is what I love as well about the Southwest is that you discover loads of little gems like this and you're like, 709 00:29:44.483 --> 00:29:45.023 it's amazing. 710 00:29:45.403 --> 00:29:45.884 I love that. 711 00:29:46.204 --> 00:29:47.184 All right. 712 00:29:47.504 --> 00:29:48.205 Bonus question, 713 00:29:48.245 --> 00:29:50.809 what is your favorite experience that you've, 714 00:29:51.330 --> 00:29:54.094 or event that you've organized with one of your partners? 715 00:29:55.674 --> 00:29:58.075 I loved the gin tasting. 716 00:29:58.095 --> 00:29:58.555 It was tasting. 717 00:29:58.695 --> 00:30:00.516 That was great. 718 00:30:00.536 --> 00:30:02.217 Other events that I'm building, 719 00:30:02.277 --> 00:30:02.597 actually, 720 00:30:02.677 --> 00:30:03.778 with someone, 721 00:30:04.718 --> 00:30:06.539 I know one of my clients, 722 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.740 she's Madame Fromage. 723 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:11.241 If you check Madame Fromage, 724 00:30:11.261 --> 00:30:12.321 you'll find her at Tenaya, 725 00:30:12.481 --> 00:30:13.101 Darlington. 726 00:30:13.802 --> 00:30:16.463 And she's an expert in cheese. 727 00:30:17.423 --> 00:30:19.184 So she's moving to France currently. 728 00:30:20.524 --> 00:30:24.646 And we are going to make events at specific places in the South. 729 00:30:25.607 --> 00:30:31.872 and she's the one who's going to teach us what cheese goes well with that alcohol. 730 00:30:32.653 --> 00:30:34.254 I'm not saying we'll be very fresh. 731 00:30:34.975 --> 00:30:36.136 It's so exciting. 732 00:30:36.176 --> 00:30:36.436 I mean, 733 00:30:37.397 --> 00:30:38.417 she's so knowledgeable. 734 00:30:39.018 --> 00:30:40.439 It's amazing. 735 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:42.261 You'll find her easily on Instagram. 736 00:30:42.301 --> 00:30:42.821 She's got like 737 00:30:43.502 --> 00:30:44.663 25K followers. 738 00:30:45.824 --> 00:30:45.944 Yeah, 739 00:30:46.024 --> 00:30:46.544 she's very, 740 00:30:47.505 --> 00:30:49.487 very passionate about that. 741 00:30:49.527 --> 00:30:51.308 So these are events that I love, 742 00:30:51.408 --> 00:30:52.509 little events like this, 743 00:30:52.549 --> 00:30:53.330 and they're just great. 744 00:30:54.354 --> 00:30:54.494 Okay, 745 00:30:54.534 --> 00:30:54.754 great. 746 00:30:55.035 --> 00:30:57.056 They sound exciting and well tailored. 747 00:30:58.758 --> 00:30:59.158 And last, 748 00:30:59.159 --> 00:31:00.259 what is your expat song? 749 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:06.164 This one song that really followed me a lot is from Jean-Jacques Goldman, 750 00:31:06.564 --> 00:31:07.025 Ta Chance. 751 00:31:07.026 --> 00:31:07.125 Ah, 752 00:31:07.126 --> 00:31:09.987 so your luck, 753 00:31:10.227 --> 00:31:10.408 yeah. 754 00:31:10.968 --> 00:31:11.569 Ta Chance, 755 00:31:11.570 --> 00:31:11.829 yes. 756 00:31:13.971 --> 00:31:15.712 I just thought of this one straight away. 757 00:31:16.032 --> 00:31:18.594 I was listening to that song a lot when I moved to 758 00:31:19.175 --> 00:31:19.575 England. 759 00:31:21.357 --> 00:31:21.857 And yeah, 760 00:31:21.877 --> 00:31:22.618 it stayed with me. 761 00:31:23.210 --> 00:31:43.204 you had to stay with me but it does seem like you just tried every opportunity seized every opportunity and went for the luck so yeah the way you told your story it completely resonates for if it matches what you've what you've said yes i just i've learned i've learned during i 762 00:31:43.205 --> 00:31:52.590 mean the last 30 years that i mean you know when we say life is short it's like oh life is short yes okay but actually life is really short 763 00:31:53.286 --> 00:31:56.767 It seems to be long when we're like 20, 764 00:31:57.108 --> 00:31:57.548 30, 765 00:31:57.888 --> 00:31:59.749 but then suddenly when you're halfway, 766 00:31:59.929 --> 00:32:01.389 so life is short and then, 767 00:32:01.589 --> 00:32:01.870 I mean, 768 00:32:02.130 --> 00:32:04.491 you really have to take every single opportunity. 769 00:32:05.871 --> 00:32:06.111 You know, 770 00:32:06.471 --> 00:32:07.672 it doesn't mean that it's not, 771 00:32:09.533 --> 00:32:11.253 I do things in fear sometimes, 772 00:32:11.273 --> 00:32:13.935 but I do them because I don't want to have regrets. 773 00:32:15.475 --> 00:32:16.636 It's important to really, 774 00:32:16.896 --> 00:32:17.176 you know, 775 00:32:17.296 --> 00:32:18.216 take opportunities. 776 00:32:18.236 --> 00:32:19.217 If you have a good feeling, 777 00:32:19.218 --> 00:32:22.158 if you have a good intuition about this. 778 00:32:22.398 --> 00:32:44.573 just go for it go for it but go for it i i was i had a brilliant life in london it was amazing and in france new life in france oh absolutely and i wouldn't want you know i've been asked several times you want to move here do you remember no no no i want to stay there and i really stay in the southwest now i'm like yeah not moving at 779 00:32:44.593 --> 00:32:50.578 all okay wonderful well thank you so much for sharing i'll link everything in the 780 00:32:51.442 --> 00:32:52.162 in the comments, 781 00:32:52.163 --> 00:32:53.022 the locations, 782 00:32:53.082 --> 00:32:55.183 but also the website. 783 00:32:55.403 --> 00:32:55.883 Yes, 784 00:32:56.403 --> 00:32:58.544 we actually launched a new website yesterday. 785 00:33:00.004 --> 00:33:01.625 So the new one will be linked. 786 00:33:02.685 --> 00:33:07.907 Perfect for anyone who wants to connect and also Madame Fromage's Instagram, 787 00:33:07.927 --> 00:33:09.747 because I'm sure there's a lot of cheese lovers. 788 00:33:11.127 --> 00:33:12.348 I mean, 789 00:33:12.428 --> 00:33:12.968 cheese and wine, 790 00:33:12.969 --> 00:33:15.169 we're going to do loads of events like that. 791 00:33:15.229 --> 00:33:15.809 It's lovely. 792 00:33:16.349 --> 00:33:17.129 Thank you very much, 793 00:33:17.189 --> 00:33:17.469 Pauline, 794 00:33:17.489 --> 00:33:18.049 for having me. 795 00:33:18.109 --> 00:33:18.970 It was a pleasure. 796 00:33:19.010 --> 00:33:19.750 You're welcome. 797 00:33:20.590 --> 00:33:20.931 Guys, 798 00:33:21.051 --> 00:33:22.233 if you enjoyed the episode, 799 00:33:22.234 --> 00:33:28.163 you can put a rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and follow all the updates on social, 800 00:33:28.343 --> 00:33:28.784 Instagram, 801 00:33:28.944 --> 00:33:29.365 YouTube, 802 00:33:29.485 --> 00:33:30.066 and TikTok.