How would you like to spend a whole week immersed in French culture, while learning about the practicalities of moving to France? How about if the setting could be a genuine, 18th-century French chateau-like mansion with all its breath-taking elegance? This moving to France retreat in France is designed to help you find out exactly what is needed to start your new life in France from visas to health care and everything in between.
An overview
The dream of moving to France is often defeated by the logistics of visas, taxes, and the language barrier, but for those who are committed enough to their dream, practical help is at hand – and in a wonderfully pleasant package!
The ‘Move to France Retreat’ is a week-long training course for English-speakers, designed to address all the practical aspects of moving to France as well as giving you a real flavour of French life and culture through excursions and cultural experiences. Run by Abigail Carter, Canadian-American owner of Château de Borie, and an award-winning author and Amy Witherbee, a professional financial advisor for American expats. The course is designed to address all the problematic questions involved in making such a move, in a setting that is relaxing and energising; by the end of the week, you’ll feel informed, inspired and ready to take your next steps.
A stunning location
Any learning process is affected by the learning environment, and it would be hard to beat this setting. The Château de Borie is a beautiful example of French architecture dating back to the 1700s, located in glorious southwest France, between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The opportunity to spend a week in such elegant surroundings is a real privilege, particularly when you’ll be part of a group of like-minded people, all sharing the same dream of moving to France.
Everything about the château is inspiring and grounding, from the high ceilings and elegant windows to the timber flooring, wood panelling and sparkling chandeliers. The rooms offer timeless grandeur and a warm welcome, from the individual bedrooms to the spacious living areas: come on in, take a breath and feel suffused with well-being.
Having followed her own dream of moving to France, Abby has transformed the château into a haven where creativity and community thrive, a place for positive encounters and a sanctuary for people navigating life’s transitions.
A true learning experience
Join this unique retreat in October 2025 to enjoy good company and explore the very real possibility of moving to France. Unlike online research, this is a three-dimensional, immersive experience designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and insights about moving to this wonderful country, shared by those who have been through the process themselves.
The week’s activities have been thoughtfully designed to balance informative sessions, delightful excursions and the chance to make meaningful connections. You can learn about the process of house-hunting in the morning, then meet with a French real-estate agency later that day or even go through the process of viewing a property so you can discover for yourself how it feels to turn the information into reality.
Addressing the vital questions
Your guides have both been through the process of buying property in France and relocating here, so they know the key issues to be addressed.
As well as demystifying the different types of visas, you learn about the financial aspects of life in France, from setting up bank accounts and organising money transfers to ongoing tax obligations once you’re established as a resident. In addition, you’ll learn about healthcare in France and why the French health service is so highly regarded throughout the world.
When it comes to real estate, your guides can explain the whole process of house-hunting, making an offer and your legal obligations as a buyer. You can also discuss transfer taxes, energy ratings, and rentability, so if you’re looking to invest in a rental property, you can learn about the seasonality of certain French regions, helping you to make informed decisions about property investment.
The retreat will cover the realities of property renovation and construction in France, from the complexities of the bureaucratic requirements through to practical insights into local construction norms.
Regarding everyday life in France, you’ll learn about driving licences and permits to get you mobile, and the cultural differences regarding holidays, opening hours and Sunday closures. You’ll also get a good grounding in social and leisure activities, community life and the importance of certain festivals.
Finally, to fully prepare you for making the move, Abby and Amy will also tackle the tricky subject of psychological, social and language realities, discussing the less obvious difficulties of settling in a new country and how to be prepared for this. Again, these sessions are informed by intellectual and practical insights but also first-hand experience from those who have personally lived through the process.
Excursions
To achieve the perfect balance of information and experience, this week-long ‘move to France’ retreat also includes several planned excursions. You can visit local vineyards to improve your knowledge and enjoy a wine-tasting session guided by expert sommeliers, or tour the Foie Gras Museum so you can get acquainted with a quintessential part of French culinary heritage.
Take a tour of the local outdoor markets, renowned for their fresh produce and vibrant atmosphere, and visit the local flea markets and brocantes to look for bargain antique pieces and unique treasures that could furnish your future home.
On the property front, you’ll get the opportunity to view specific locations and even go on a property viewing so you get a better understanding of the local real estate market and the whole process. You’ll also visit a French home-improvement store to learn about how they source, display and sell the materials and tools you might need for future DIY projects.
Personal connections
This week-long retreat about how to move to France is about far more than what you’ll learn; the personal connections are invaluable. One of the most rewarding aspects of this retreat is the sense of camaraderie and community that develops naturally throughout the time spent together. As you share stories, experiences and meals in the enchanting setting of Château de Borie, you inevitably develop deep connections with your hosts and your fellow participants, often leading to lasting friendships.
Make the first move
Join the Move to France Retreat 2025 and make that exciting first step on your journey to a life in France. Visit the Sanderling Expat website for more details and booking information, then start planning this significant step on the path to your dream French life.
