If you’re anything like me, you crave new episodes of the original Escape to the Chateau series, as well as the DIY spinoff. (Maybe, like my parents, you’ve even watched from on repeat!) Don’t fret, because there are people out there who are making YouTube videos all about expat life in France who make amazing content, as well.
5. The Chateau Diaries
You may recognize Stephanie Jarvis from Chateau de Lalande on her episodes on “Escape to the Chateau DIY.” If you loved watching her bubbly personality, then you will simply adore her vlog channel, The Chateau Diaries. Stephanie shares videos of her family, friends, and the people who visit her chateau for weekend trips and various workshops. We also get to see an inside look into her various rehab projects. She also writes a blog with the same name, over at TheChateauDiaries.com.
4. Messy Nessy Chic
Messy Nessy Chic is one of my favorite blogs of all time. I could spend hours combing through the articles it if I let myself. The owner of the brand, Vanessa Grall, also has a YouTube channel by the name name. On her YouTube channel, she gives cinema-quality tours of hidden gems around France that you may have never known before. She goes on adventures in museums, cabinets of curiosities, and even hidden underground bunkers! It’s seriously interesting stuff. Even if you are not planning on becoming an expat, it still gives you plenty of great ideas of where to visit next. She even wrote a book called Don’t Be a Tourist in Paris: The Messy Nessy Chic Guide.
3. Not Even French
Rosie is an expat from New Zealand who began a YouTube channel called Not Even French. In her videos, she goes over some essential advice on French etiquette, language, work visas, and so much more. If you are considering making the move to France, Rosie probably had a video covering your questions.
2. Jay Swanson
American writer Jay Swanson has a really unique journey. He moved to France thinking that he had a job waiting for him, only to find out it didn’t exist. Deciding to make the best of it, he began a life in France anyway. His YouTube channel, which is simply called Jay Swanson chronicles his daily life filming around Paris. He also tries to blend his own unique sense of humor, too.
1. Damon and Jo
Damon and Jo are American travel vloggers who film their adventures around the world. Both of them are fluent in multiple languages, including French. Damon recently moved to an apartment in Paris for his “forever home”, but the two of them spent years filming videos on French language and culture beforehand. They give French language lessons, tours of Paris, and so much more. They answer a lot of questions about fitting in to the French culture as an English speaker, and they give some great tips on how to become more proficient in the language. Check out their French playlist.
Shannon Quinn is the editor-in-chief of InspiringHome.org. She has written for multiple personal finance publications such as MoneyWise, Yahoo Finance, and The Penny Hoarder. She has also written for several YouTube channels; Biographics, Geographics, and TopTenz. You can find her full portfolio at ShannQuinn.com.