About Dreaming in France

The blog author, Elske, standing on a hill top in France.

For many people, France is more than a travel destination.
It’s a place that sparks a dream — a quiet village life, a coastal town, or a historic city where daily life unfolds at a slower pace.

But France is also incredibly diverse. Every region has its own personality, culture, and rhythm of life.

Dreaming in France helps you discover the towns and regions where you might truly belong.

Through town guides, regional insights, and lifestyle explorations, this site helps readers imagine what life might look like in different corners of France. Whether you’re a retiree, digital nomad, long-stay traveler, or simply someone who feels drawn to life here.

Why I Created Dreaming in France

My connection with France grew through years of exploring its towns, villages, and lesser-known regions. I’ve been coming here since I was a child.

For the past three years (and counting) I traveled extensively across France, often seeking out places that many travelers overlook, small towns, historic villages and regions where daily life still follows local traditions.

These journeys for me were about:

Where could I belong in France?
Which towns would suit my lifestyle?
What would daily life actually feel like there?

Over time, I realized that many of my readers were also asking these deeper questions.

It’s a place where many people imagine building a life.

So Dreaming in France has grown to help answer those questions.

What you’ll find here:

This site focuses on helping you explore the lifestyle side of France.

You’ll find guides that help you imagine what life might be like in different towns and regions.

  • Town & Village Guides – Explore what it’s like to live in towns across France. From historic villages to coastal communities.
  • Best Towns by Lifestyle – Discover the best towns in France for retirees, artists, countryside living, or peaceful village life.
  • Regional Guides – Learn how life differs between regions such as Dordogne, Brittany, Normandy, Provence, and the Loire Valley.
  • Living in France Insights – Understand what daily life in France is really like, including the rhythms, traditions and realities of living here.

Why Trust Me?

Because this site is built on first-hand discoveries. Most of the photography you see here is mine, and I spend months at a time traveling through France, documenting what’s beautiful and what’s overrated.

The best moments in France rarely shout, they whisper.

It’s about slowing down and really seeing a place for what it is. I find most travel guides move too quickly racing from one “must-see” to another. Slow travel lets me savour moments, really discover and connect more deeply to a place.

That’s what I share here.

Charming French village street with half timbered houses, leafy trees and flower filled balconies, overlaid with the words Dreaming in France in coral text.

Let’s Stay Connected and Delight Together

Love dreaming of living in France? I send occasional notes about towns off the beaten path, lifestyle insights and occasional resources to help you imagine what your own life in France could look like. No overwhelm, just a gentle dose of France in your inbox.

The author, Elske, sipping a cup of tea while looking out a window at the French countryside.

Add your email below, and I’ll meet you in your inbox.

Interested in collaborating, featuring my photography, or just saying hello? Drop a note through the contact page, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up!