All of sudden, ten years flew by and I had a tall, dark and handsome French husband, a flat in Paris next to the Bois, and two gorgeous little Franco-Americans…I would not have even dared to dream of a life so perfect. Except it wasn’t really perfect, because life never is. Paris is a breath-taking city, but it’s a bit lacking in the UV department. In 2010, our family moved to sunnier days in the South of France, which reminds me a lot of my native California. Once again, I feel like I should pinch myself – I truly am living the dream!

During my 15 years with a global telecommunications company, I worked in areas as varied as Finance, Strategic Development, Marketing and Project Management. It was when researching the possibility of moving my parents over that I became interested in providing solutions to English-speaking retirees in France.

If you have ever dreamed of living in France (like I did), Renestance is here to make it easier. Learn from our experience and enjoy the exceptional quality of life in France, without all the hassle.

From age 9, when I met my first American friend at a hot air balloon fair, I’ve been interested in the English language and culture. Lucky enough to travel quite a lot to Canada and the United States and being exposed to English, I’ve then become fascinated by computers, their pseudo-languages and the first RPG games in text mode. Later came the early Internet, where most of the resources were in English (and very few in French). By the time I was twenty-four, I was fluent enough to be ready for the next step of my life : meeting the american woman who would become my wife and the mother of my two kids.

Knowing that, it feels quite fitting that I now have the pleasure of helping anglophones move to France from the front stage (by co-founding part of Renestance) as well as from behind the scene (by providing online tools) with one goal : make their life a dream in France!

For family reasons we decided to move back to Birmingham and I suddenly felt like an alien in my home town. Only a couple of months later we decided that France was where we needed to be to raise our children.

We decided on the Languedoc region as it has a little of everything – close to the mountains, the coast, plenty of rural life, but not too far from cities big enough to offer everything a growing family needs. The proximity of numerous international airports and the ease of travel from the region sealed the deal, I love to travel and explore. We moved here in 2016 and haven’t looked back. The children are well integrated in the French school system and we all feel very much a part of our community.

My career in the UK was in finance, and since then I have worked in the travel industry for companies who specialise in offering the personal touch along with first class customer service. No request can surprise me now! Having moved to another country with a different language and culture myself, I know how daunting this can feel. If I can use my knowledge and skills to help ease the path for others to enjoy our region, I would see it was a job well done. I am happy to be that reassuring person who you can pose any question to and will always offer a sensible solution.

My husband and I moved to France in 2016 and have never looked back! I first fell in love with France as a university student studying in Lyon and always had plans to return for visits as often as possible, but life got in the way – raising two children, work obligations, etcetera – and so I rarely had the chance to leave the United States. But once our boys were off on their own adventures in very different parts of the US, my husband and I decided that it was finally time to live out our own dream. And so here we are…

When we arrived in France, we did not have the help of a relocation specialist or buyers agent and we made almost every mistake in the book! From not understanding that the real estate agents show you only what they have on their own books – no buyers agents – to how the financial system works and the difficulty there is for foreigners to obtain financing, particularly in the countryside – we learned a lot! But those experiences are what motivated me to start my own real estate agency. My colleague and I built an agency based on helping our clients find their dream property and getting established here, not simply selling properties to the easiest buyers we could find. And from there, my passion for helping foreigners move to this beautiful country really blossomed. We moved to Cannes on the Cote d’Azur to continue my work, but soon realized that our hearts were in the countryside and so we have now settled in the southwest of France, in Sarlat-la-Canéda in the Dordogne department.

My work experience ranges from corporate finance, to artist management, with my husband who is a professional musician, but it is my work here at Renestance that has become my dream job. Having a team to help our clients successfully make the transition to the lifestyle that they are searching for is challenging of course, but makes a difference in how smoothly the process can move along, and is immensely fulfilling. From the planning phases and all of the visa questions, to finding and securing a new home, to fitting into the “community” in your new town and navigating daily life – the process seems daunting, but with help, it is much easier than you can imagine!

Born in the multicultural city of London to Spanish and Italian parents, I’ve always been drawn to languages and diverse cultures. After completing my university studies in the UK, I moved to Montpellier for a teaching position and quickly fell under the charm of this vibrant Mediterranean city. Now, after 15 years in France — the last 5 spent in the dynamic city of Lyon — I continue to embrace the joys of French life while blending it with my rich multicultural background.

Raising a bilingual daughter has deepened my appreciation for the richness of cultural exchange and the privilege of a multilingual life. Professionally, my experience spans language teaching, translation, public relations, and well-being through yoga instruction. My own journey — navigating life across countries and cultures — has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of living abroad, helping me connect authentically with others seeking similar paths.

Born in Montpellier and raised nearby, in the picturesque fishing village of Sète, Armelle grew up surrounded by Mediterranean charm, basking in the soft though vibrant culture of the South of France. She used to be a cultural ambassador for France, spending time in the United-States then in New-Zealand, promoting French language and culture. She now lives in Montpellier again, and loves everything about this city, that she knows “comme sa poche”!

She is delighted to be able to help Renestance clients to find their perfect nest for a new life! And she’ll share her best addresses for food and drinks, and cultural tricks too!

Born in Paris and raised in Montpellier, Gaïa has always had one foot in each culture, having attended bilingual schools from a young age. She is currently pursuing a law degree—first in Paris, and now in Grenoble—while also helping out with the family business as Executive Assistant (the founders just happen to be her parents!).

Passionate about supporting English speakers in their move to France, she loves gaining experience in the relocation world and being part of such a life-changing journey. Whether it’s answering questions, coordinating services, or simply offering a friendly point of contact, she’s always happy to help.