Thirteen years ago, I packed a bag, some travel money, and a dream, and flew off on a solo trip to the South of France. Destination: Uzès. I wasn’t running away, and I certainly wasn’t planning on retiring in France. I was simply following a spark of curiosity that had been lit two years earlier when I visited Uzès for just one unforgettable market day.
The Barefoot Blogger began as a diary—a way to remember every discovery, flavor, and magical place I visited. My first post, So It Begins, was a simple outline of my six-week adventure—nothing fancy. I was just a solo woman with a suitcase, a lot of curiosity, and a sense that something special was waiting.
And it was.
Each post that followed told a little more of the story. The weekly visits to the Wednesday and Saturday markets. The sunlight on the old stone walls. The joy of not knowing what tomorrow might bring. By the nineteenth post—Going to Live in France—I’d made a decision. I wasn’t going home. Uzès was home.
Since then, the blog has grown with me. It has gone from diary to guidebook, from tourist to local, from wide-eyed wanderer to someone who now gets to say, “ Live your dream.”
I never set out to inspire anyone. But if you’re reading this and wondering, “Could I really move to France?”—let me be your answer. Yes. You can.
Thirteen years later, I’m still here. Still learning. Still falling in love with this place every single day. And still writing—to remember it all, and to share it with you.
Here’s to sketchy plans, bold decisions, and the beautiful unknown.
Now, please enjoy the video that inspired me to write this blog post. It popped up on Facebook Memories this week. I hope it gives you the courage to follow your dreams.
The feature drawing was created by an Australian friend and artist, Karen McAllister. Thanks, also, to Lisa Kaslyn, formerly of Boomer Patrol, for the interview and encouragement!
12 Responses
Don’t ever stop following your dreams! You are so right. And I am so looking forward to seeing you in Uzès again this summer!
Thank you, Cherry. If I hadn’t followed my dream, I wouldn’t have meet you! Lookimg forward to returning to Uzès soon. We have some “play dates” to catch up on! Hugs
You are so fortunate to have found Uzés! I drove over 3000 km last year looking at places I’d like to live in and I adore Uzés! I hope someday soon to come and live there!
Yes! I do love Uzès! A friend visited recently and was surprised that I didn’t look at other choices before I moved to France. I literally fell in love with Uzès. I haven’t looked back. Please touch base next time you’re here. Meanwhile, I’m adding more partners to French Footsteps who can help you on your way. Thank you for taking time to send a note!
Both my husband and I want to move to France
What’s holding you back? If there’s some way I can help prod you, let me know. There’s lots of help by people and organizations I trust. Just let mw know. Keep moving in the right direction! Best wishes.
Loved meeting you in Uzes! May we meet again.
What a great interview! Bravo 🍾
Love this Deborah!! You are an inspiration ❤️
Thank you, Vivian. I love my life and I know that I’m very fortunate. I really appreciate your note and knowing that you enjoy hearing about life in France. Hope you’ll visit!
Greetings, I am in the process of a applying for a vls. I am struggling for choice of where to live. Narbonne? Nîmes? Arles? Uzès? Or go further west to Toulouse, Bordeaux, or Angers.
I know I want to be in the south-ish but not directly on the south coast. Directly on the west coast if fine. I want close to tgv, so I can make short trips elsewhere without the hassle of numerous buses to get to a tgv.
Why did you choose Uzès?
Why did I choose Uzès? That’s a good question. I think that Uzès chose me. From first sight, I fell in love with the charm of the town and its Saturday Market. On my longer visit, everything just seemed to fall into place for me — meeting fascinating people, outdoor activities, the food. Then I stumbled upon an apartment in a tower across from the Chateau of the Duke. That was too good to be true! I couldn’t resist. Twelve years + later, I haven’t looked back. My advice is to try out the place you want to live beforehand. Rent an apartment and see how it feels. Don’t be in a rush. Enjoy the search and the new things you’ll learn about France … and yourself. Reach out, like you’ve done here, and ask for help and advice. Best of luck with your move and your decision. Stay in touch!