Fulfilling Dreams From Paris Vacation to French Countryside Home

Michael and April Meyer’s love affair with France began with a trip to the country five years ago to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

The Beginnings of a Love Affair

“I wanted to surprise April with something, and I knew that she loved art but had never really been to Europe,” Michael, 56, told Business Insider. “We usually went to Hawaii for vacation, but it was our 25th anniversary, so I surprised her with a trip to Paris.”

Falling for France

The couple, who are from Sacramento, were charmed by every part of the city — the culture, the food, the people.

“It was kind of transformative, and we went back almost immediately, like six months later,” Michael said. The couple visited other parts of France and returned for a holiday whenever they could.

A New Adventure Beckons

They liked the idea of spending more time in France, but it wasn’t until Michael retired from his engineering job last year that they decided they were ready for a new adventure.

“We were like, ‘OK, what are we going to do?'” The couple had recently downsized their home, and their kids had moved out, so they began exploring options.

House-hunting in the Countryside

The couple knew that they wanted to be in central or northern France because that’s where they felt their dollar would go further. They ended up arranging a six-week trip across the French countryside, zipping from Burgundy to Bordeaux and then to the Loire Valley, to view some houses that were for sale.

“It was like our Tour de France,” Michael said.

Finding Their Dream Home

The couple stumbled upon a quaint stone house in a small hamlet north of Limoge, a city in central France. Despite not planning to view it immediately, they received an urgent email from the real-estate agent.

“When they arrived, they knew almost immediately that the house was the one,” Michael said. “It checked all the boxes.”

Embracing French Life

The couple is committed to immersing themselves in the French way of life. They’re even taking French language classes back in the US. They’ve made some friends already, noting the welcoming nature of the locals.

Planning for Retirement

Their French stone house is currently a vacation home, but the couple is considering retiring there in the future. The lower cost of living in the French countryside compared to California is a significant factor in their decision-making process.

Documenting Their Journey

The couple has been documenting their journey in France on their YouTube channel, sharing their experiences and adventures. They hope to inspire others with their journey and show that it’s possible to achieve dreams at any stage of life.

A Final Note

“We’re midlife, and there are people who don’t ever try. They don’t go anywhere,” April said. “You only get so long on this planet, and I would love for people to see that it’s possible to achieve their dreams.”