We Left France. Came Back. Left Again… And Now We’re Staying for Good!

Video Description

EPISODE 59: Cath & Mark Wilson – Happy with Their Lot 📍 Filmed in the Lot-et-Garonne, South West France What makes someone pack up their life — not once, but three times — and keep coming back to France? In this deeply personal and uplifting episode, we meet Cath and Mark Wilson, a couple who’ve carved out an extraordinary life in rural France… the long way round. From heartbreak to homebuilding, their story is one of resilience, love, and an unwavering pull toward a place they now call home. They first moved to France in 2002, full of hope and ready for a new start. But reality hit hard: work was scarce, the winters were long, and connections were few. Feeling the weight of it all, they did what many might do — they packed up and returned to the UK. But on the ferry crossing, Mark had a gut feeling he couldn’t ignore: “I’m not a quitter. And this feels like quitting.” Eight weeks later, they were back. Since then, Cath and Mark have lived between two countries, raising children who became bilingual, building businesses in both places, and learning through trial and error what makes a life truly sustainable. Their final move back to France — just before the Brexit deadline — was spurred on by COVID complications, changing work realities, and the sense that France still held their future. And now, they’re building their dream home in the Lot — by hand. No contractors. No crew. Just the two of them, working side by side, one cable, one tile, and one decision at a time. Their YouTube channel started as a simple way to keep family updated, but has evolved into a beautifully crafted, irregular-but-inspiring diary of their life and build. 🎉 But here’s the twist: Their entire extended family is arriving on July 6th. And the house is not finished. The question is — will they make it in time? As they race toward move-in day, they open up to us about: – Why they keep returning to France — even after “swearing never again” – How their children adapted and became fluent in French – What it’s really like to navigate French planning and bureaucracy – Their tips for surviving (and thriving) through a French self-build – Why they believe the French healthcare system is one of the best in the world – The surprising cultural shifts they’ve seen in France over the last 20 years – And how, despite everything, they’ve fallen in love with the Lot — not once, but three times This isn’t just a story about bricks and mortar. It’s about commitment. It’s about choosing a new life — with eyes wide open. It’s about grit, compromise, laughter, and the determination to do it together. As Cath says, “You can’t do this unless both people are 100% in. Not 50/50. It’s got to be all in.” So will they be in the house before the family arrives? Will the plumbing be done? The electrics? Will the black leather sofa (that’s made more international trips than most people) finally have a place to sit?