A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

A quick update from the edit suite! 🛠️🇫🇷

Hi everyone! We were all set for our 17:00 release today, but the "export gremlins" have had other ideas. We’ve had a few technical hitches rendering the final file so rather than rush out a version we aren't 100% happy with, we’re doing a high-quality re-export to make sure the stunning views of their property are perfect for you.

Martyn and Liz are officially selling their lovely luxury Manoir and gite business, so we’ve sat down with them for a private look around and an honest look at the "realities" of buying and selling in France, so from legal surprises to the local bartering system, we promise it’s worth the wait! 🥂

Keep an eye out, we’ll be live as soon as the render is done. Thanks for your patience!

Maria & Richard 🇫🇷✨

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3 days ago | [YT] | 19

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

While we love sharing our life here in France with you all, we’ve recently been digging through our personal archives and found something truly special.

Before we started our French adventure, as some of you may know we were exploring the world with our cameras. We came across our original footage from a 1996 expedition to Peru—raw, handheld, and full of memories. We’ve spent some time restoring it to 4K so we could finally share it properly.

Since these "Flashback" adventures are a bit of a departure from our regular videos, we’ve launched a brand-new channel for them called The Solo JetSetter.

Our very first video, "We Found a Lost City in Peru 🇵🇪," is live now! It’s a nostalgic look at Machu Picchu as it was nearly 30 years ago.

We’d love for you to head over, take a look, and please subscribe to our new channel to join us on these archival journeys. It’s a chance to see a different side of our travels!

Watch the premiere here: https://youtu.be/CjcyK-3FsL4

1 week ago | [YT] | 3

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

THE DREAM ALMOST DIED. THEN THIS HAPPENED... 🇫🇷

We have spent months dealing with the sheer, unadulterated chaos of French bureaucracy, trying to keep our dream alive. We had literally reached the point where Maria was packing her bags and with plans to move to Spain!

The dream of starting a business in France was, for all intents and purposes, dead in the water.

Then came the 8th of May...

While attending a solemn Victory in Europe Day memorial service by the river, the Mayor of Fongrave quietly pulled us aside. We thought we were about to get a final lecture. Instead... he dropped a total bombshell that changes everything for our future here.

So, rather than a quiet life by the river, we are now faced with the terrifying prospect of potentially running a commercial kitchen and feeding an entire French commune.

What could possibly go wrong?

Oh in this episode that and plenty more - including the Victory Parade itself, a river run on the Lot, and of course the community reaction at our favourite bar!

We so look forward to your comments!

This brand new episode is live now. https://youtu.be/UKmBT5rNodc?si=bwgwB...

Grab a very large glass of local white wine and join us as we attempt to process the fact that we might accidentally run a bistro.

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 41

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

We had such an incredible time filming this 'recky'! 🏰 Out of the three chateaux we visited—Chambord, Blois, and Amboise—which one was your absolute favourite? Let us know in the comments! 👇

1 month ago | [YT] | 32

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

Right. The brand new episode is dropping tonight at 17:00 CET and it features the absolute extremes of the French property market.

First, I am dropping in on Rob and Lisa from A Place in the Sun (@Escapetofrance-Charente)

Having valiantly hacked all the old render off their converted barn in the Charente, they have finally finished their stonework and saved themselves fifteen thousand euros. It is exactly the sort of ambitious expat DIY that usually ends in absolute disaster, but annoyingly, Rob has actually done a rather brilliant job of it.

Then, in complete contrast, I am taking you on a television recce to three of the most absurdly massive palaces in France. This includes a building so enormous it has casually housed thirty four kings, two emperors, and a pope. Not all at exactly the same time, obviously, because the morning queue for the bathroom would have been frankly catastrophic.

It is muddy expat reality versus absolute royal luxury.

Get the kettle on. The Ultimate French Chateau Tour goes live very soon!

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1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 33

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

🌍 Beyond France: Our South Africa Adventure 🇿🇦

Before we ever started sharing our new life in France, we took our cameras to South Africa — and it was during this trip that I realised something. Maria wasn’t just great company, she was hilarious on camera 😂.

Her reactions, her humour, and the fun we had filming together made me decide: we have to do more of this.

That’s how our France series was born!

This 4-part mini-series takes you with us from Cape Town’s Table Mountain to the Cape of Good Hope — with wine, wildlife, penguins, and plenty of laughter along the way.

📺 If you missed it, you can now binge the whole journey here:

👉 Watch the full playlist

Would you swap the river Lot for whales, penguins, and a Big Five safari? 🐧🦁🐘

10 months ago | [YT] | 30

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

One troll’s comment after Maria’s operation stayed with her for months… but this week she faces it head-on. And through it all, we’re reminded just how important friends and family are when you move abroad.

Add in Bordeaux, Pujols, Saint-Livrade market, and a few unforgettable Lot moments, and this might just be one of our favourites yet. 💛🇫🇷

📺 Watch with us today at 11:30 CET!

10 months ago | [YT] | 66

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

“We’ve brought Episode 66 to you a day early! This is one of the most beautiful homes we’ve filmed — but owner Daniel is selling it. Find out why…”

10 months ago | [YT] | 8

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

🎉 13,000 subscribers!

That’s 12,999 more than Maria expected… and one accidental click while I was trying to fix the thumbnail 😅

This of course means either people love what we’re doing, or the algorithm’s broken again 🤷‍♂️⚙️ Either way, Albie’s demanded a pay rise 🐾🎥

Here’s to the next chapter — and probably a few more technical disasters along the way! 🚤🥖🍷

10 months ago | [YT] | 91

A New Life in France with Maria and Richard Hall

🌙🎶 The Fongrave Night Market is BACK! 🎉🧀🍷

One of our favourite summer traditions — twinkling lights, live music 🎸, delicious food 🍗🍓, local wine 🍷, and that unbeatable French village vibe 🇫🇷✨

We’ve got TWO Thursday nights available at Villa La Rive 🏡💦 — just across the river from all the action!

Why not book in and join the fun? Bring your appetite, your dancing shoes 💃🕺 and your love of all things local ❤️🧺

📅 Dates are filling up fast — message us or head to villa-la-rive.com to reserve your spot 🌟

#NightMarket #Fongrave #VillaLaRive #SouthWestFrance #SummerVibes ☀️🇫🇷🍇

11 months ago | [YT] | 25