Life in France

Deep in the Limousin countryside, Richard Wiles bought his dream home, but little did he expect to be living full time in the dilapidated barn and struggling to finish the conversion during the insect plagues of summer and the harsh blizzards of winter. Watched by his bemused neighbours, Richard pursues his more unusual dreams of raising llamas, hot air ballooning and marathon running whilst trying to keep the roof over his head. Told with unfailing humour and optimism, this is a unique tale of overcoming the challenges of building a home, and a life, in the French countryside.

A dilapidated, rat-infested stone barn might not be many people's vision of a potential dream home, but for Richard and Al the cavernous, oak-beamed building in a sleepy hamlet in the Limousin region of France is perfect. Tussles with French bureaucracy and fierce storms do little to dampen their resolve as they immerse themselves in this quiet corner of France. Told by a well-intentioned if often hapless do-it-yourselfer, Richard's hilarious and heart-warming tale of a new life in France resounds to the Gallic refrain, 'Bon courage!'