The Untold Truth About Retiring in Central France

IN TODAY'S ISSUE

📍HIDDEN GEM: Bourges — A cathedral-crowned medieval city that feels like France hit “pause” (in the best way).

🏡 AFFORDABLE FIND: A 9-bedroom French castle with a pool and over 5 acres just outside Bourges. Please invite me to visit.

📜 TAX, VISA, HEALTHCARE: Retiring in France isn’t “all or nothing”—you can test-drive it in smart, flexible ways.

📺 FRANCE MUST-WATCH: Explore Bourges and it's surrounding countryside in this stunning video.

📚 FRANCE RESOURCE LIBRARY: (New) Buying or importing a car to France is possible (and I have a contact for you).

👋 Personal Update

This weekend, we’re in Knoxville, Tennessee for the SEC swimming championships—and I can’t help noticing how international the pool is.

Swimmers come from all over the world to compete in the SEC (and the U.S.) because the combination is hard to beat: elite training + a strong college education.

And honestly? That’s not so different from why people are drawn to France: excellent healthcare, a high quality of life, and a front-row seat to Europe.

Also—proud dad moment: my daughter is a freestyle sprinter for UGA, and she hit her NCAA qualifying time. 🎉

The best news: you don’t have to spend years swimming laps to retire in France…😂

But a little French “language training” will definitely make the experience smoother (and a lot more fun).

Alright, on to the newsletter...

Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the free content I create for this community, like this newsletter. Thank you!

📍Hidden Gem - BOURGES

Tucked into central France in the Centre-Val de Loire region, Bourges is the kind of place that surprises you—in a quiet, confident way. It’s historic without feeling like a theme park, and lively without feeling busy.

The headliner is the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne (Bourges Cathedral)—a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the great masterpieces of Gothic architecture. I

t’s the kind of building that makes you stop mid-sentence, tilt your head back, and go, “Well… wow.”

Another can’t-miss is the Palais Jacques Cœur, tied to the story of Jacques Cœur, a major 15th-century merchant whose life reads a bit like a medieval business thriller (with a very French ending).

If you like exploring on foot or by bike, Bourges is a sleeper hit.

A great option is to ride the Canal de Berry via the “Heart of France by Bike” route (V46)—easygoing, scenic, and wonderfully unhurried. Bring a camera and a snack and pretend you’re in a French film.

Getting there is straightforward: Gare de Bourges has frequent service, and trains to Paris run in roughly 2h 36m on average (with faster options).

And once you’re in town, Bourges has that “stroll-able” feel—especially in and around the historic center.

On affordability: compared to France’s headline cities, Bourges can be appealing because you’re getting real history, real culture, and real day-to-day livability—without paying “Paris pricing” for the privilege.

📍FAST FACTS: Bourges
👫 Population: 64,186 (commune) and 173,185 (metro)
🚄 Train: Gare de Bourges — ~2h 36m average to Paris
✈️ Airport: Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF) — ~1h 44m drive
🏥 Hostpital: Centre Hospitalier Jacques Cœur — 145 avenue François Mitterrand, Bourges
👣 Walkability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Compact center; easy daily errands on foot in-town, more spread out as you move outward)
🧺 Market: Yes — multiple weekly markets
🌦️ Climate: Temperate with four distinct seasons

*Anything underlined is clickable 🔗

AFFORDABLE FIND 🏠

🏰 Here's the French Castle You've Been Searching For

This 18th-century manor (“petit château”) sits about 15 km east of Bourges in the Cher, offering 402 m² of renovated living space on a 2.2-hectare (5.44 acres) landscaped park for €798,000.

Inside, the standout is a 65 m² reception salon opening to the grounds, plus two elegant dining rooms and nine bedrooms that keep the period character while adding modern comfort.

Outside, you get a pool and a set of practical outbuildings to the north—garage, an independent guest/secondary dwelling, garden shelter, and workshop—ideal for hobbies, storage, or hosting.

Architectural details like the pigeon house (pigeonnier) and an original tower add extra charm, making it a peaceful, family-sized country property with real heritage appeal.

🏠 Property Details

TAX, VISA, OR HEALTHCARE TIP 💡

Here’s the mindset shift I love: retiring to France doesn’t have to be a black-and-white, forever decision.

It can be a series of smart “trial runs” that help you learn what you actually want—before you lock anything in.

A few ways to think about it:

Option 1: The “taste test” (up to 90 days).
Many Americans start with a short stay to see how France feels in real life—groceries, routines, neighborhoods, and whether you truly enjoy daily life there.

For Schengen travel, the general short-stay framework is up to 90 days in any 180-day period. No visa needed.
Option 2: The “full-year experiment” (VLS-TS visitor visa).
If you want to experience all four seasons (and not just the honeymoon phase), France offers a long-stay path for visitors: the long-stay “visitor” visa, issued as a VLS-TS that you validate after arrival.

This is where you learn the real stuff: winter rhythms, local friendships, healthcare logistics, and whether your dream location still feels like home in February.
Option 3: The “France sampler platter.”
Spend 3 months in four different locations over a year. Coastal? Mountain? City? Small town?

You’ll quickly discover what matches your lifestyle—and what looks great on Instagram but doesn’t fit you long-term.
Option 4: The deeper dive (2–3 years).
If you’re considering a permanent move, giving yourself a couple of years allows for true immersion: language progress, community connections, and enough time to make a grounded decision—without pressure.

Bottom line: keep your options open until you’re certain (or not!).

France will still be there—and you’ll make better choices when you treat this as a process, not a cliff jump.

FRANCE MUST-WATCH 📺

Bourges and the Surrounding Countryside

This video promises a scenic mini-journey through Bourges and the surrounding countryside, highlighting the area’s “breathtaking landscapes” and the kind of quiet, natural beauty that makes central France such a pleasant surprise.

It’s part of a broader documentary series featuring France and its regions—perfect if you want a quick, visual “test drive” of the Bourges vibe before adding it to your France short list.

📺 Watch Now