Une Bonne Idee! I have a great idea!! Come along for the journey!

I’ve been thinking about taking our journey to France one step further — quite literally! Imagine a small group of us, traveling together through Nouvelle-Aquitaine, exploring the vineyards, villages, and coastal towns that make this region such a favorite among expats and dreamers alike.

A first trip could be to Bordeaux with its elegant boulevards and wine culture, the Dordogne’s storybook villages, and the Basque Coast’s seaside charm. For one week, we’d immerse ourselves in the real rhythm of French life — wandering open-air markets, chatting with locals, scouting all the towns in the region, enjoying breakfast together each morning, and yes, visiting a few properties for rent or sale to get a feel for what living there might be like. It would be a busy week, but great for exploring all the towns and getting a feel for what each area is really like.

The idea is to cover one entire region per scouting trip. I don't imagine doing more than 3 per year, but we are still in the idea phase! So, that could change.

We’d likely have our own comfortable coach and local guide to take us around, so all we’d need to do is relax, explore, and dream. There’d be one free day for sightseeing — perhaps a day trip to the coast or a medieval hilltop village. I can see us comparing notes over café crème and croissants, imagining which little town feels like “home.”

This idea was partly inspired by other creators who organize these kinds of community adventures. I believe we could make something beautiful like this come to life with enough interest and planning.

It would take, I believe, a year to organize properly, but I wanted to start sharing the vision now — to see who might want to come along on this Storybook Living France scouting journey.

Would you join me in discovering Nouvelle-Aquitaine together? Or another region that has enough interest?

If this idea sparks something in you — the joy of exploring, connecting, and maybe even finding your own French village — let me know by email. (info@storybooklivingfrance.com) Your feedback will help shape what could become an incredible adventure together. 🌿

Until then, keep dreaming — and maybe start practicing your “bonjour.” France might be closer than we think. 🇫🇷✨