IN TODAY'S ISSUE #7
(See past issues here)
📍 Hidden Gem: Bram, Aude — A canal-side village with Roman roots and laid-back Occitanie charm.
🏡 Affordable Find: A move-in ready 3-bedroom village house in Bram for €97,000.
🎓 Workshops + Webinars: Tour du Mont Blanc Stories & Photos (with me!) on Wednesday at 7pm EST.
📺 France Must-Watch: UTMB trail runners pushing human limits in Mont Blanc’s timeless beauty.
👋 Personal Update
I’m just back from two unforgettable weeks hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc. To be honest, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—long climbs, sore legs, and days when I wondered what I had gotten myself into.
But the rewards were even greater: breathtaking valleys, snow-dusted peaks, bright green meadows, and encounters with fellow hikers from all over the world.
Every day brought a mix of struggle and joy, and by the time I circled back to my starting point, I felt stronger, lighter, and incredibly grateful.
There’s something special about seeing Mont Blanc from so many angles, watching how its moods shift with the weather and the time of day.
And then there were the people—welcoming hosts in mountain refuges, fellow hikers sharing meals and stories, and even strangers offering encouragement on steep ascents.
It was a reminder of how travel, nature, and community weave together into unforgettable memories.
I’d love to share more of it with you.
Join me this Wednesday, September 17th at 7pm EST for pictures, stories, and a peek into why this hike is often called one of the most beautiful long-distance treks in the world.
Let’s get into it –
📍HIDDEN GEM - Bram, Aude (Occitanie)
Bram, tucked in the Aude department of Occitanie, is a village with history stretching back to Roman times. Known for its circular street plan—one of the best-preserved in Europe—it offers a charming blend of ancient roots and everyday French life.
Visitors and residents alike can enjoy the Canal du Midi, which passes right by the town, perfect for leisurely bike rides, picnics, or boat trips. The Lauragais countryside surrounds Bram, with sunflower fields and vineyards adding to the postcard scenery.
Practical life is easy here: Bram has its own train station, weekly market, shops, and cafes. Carcassonne is only 20 minutes away, making it simple to balance village tranquility with city access.
For buyers and retirees, Bram shines with affordability. Houses are often a fraction of what you’d pay in Provence or the Riviera—yet you still get sunshine, wine, and that irresistible French pace of life.
📍 Fast Facts: Cholet
🚉 Train Station: Gare de Bram — 20 minutes to Carcassonne
✈️ Nearest Airport: Carcassonne Airport — 20-minute drive
🏥 Nearest Hospital: Centre Hospitalier de Carcassonne — Carcassonne
🛍️ Amenities: 🛒 Grocery 🥖 Bakery 🍷 Bars/Restaurants 🌳 Greenways 🎭 Culture
👣 Walkability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Flat streets, easy for daily errands)
🧺 Weekly Market: Yes — Wednesdays
🌦️ Climate: Mediterranean — hot summers, mild winters, plenty of sun
*Anything underlined is clickable 🔗
🏠 AFFORDABLE FINDS
✨ 3-Bedroom Village House in Bram – €97,000 ($104,000)
This well-maintained 1930s village home offers 92 m² of space across three levels, including a bright living room, equipped kitchen, 3 bedrooms, and even a large top-floor lounge or library.
With central gas heating and move-in-ready condition, it’s perfect as a first purchase or rental investment. Just a few windows need updating, but otherwise you can settle right in and start enjoying village life.
✨ Historic 17th-Century Village House near Bram – €399,000 ($429,000)
Built in 1662, this remarkable 221 m² home brims with character: half-timbered facades, exposed beams, French ceilings, and a cozy fireplace.
Set on a 531 m² plot with a garden, vegetable patch, and parking, the property also includes an independent apartment on the lower level and a spacious attic studio.
Located only 20 minutes from Carcassonne and 7 minutes from Bram, it’s ideal for lovers of history and authentic village living.
⁉️ DID YOU KNOW?
Bram’s circular street plan (a circulade) is one of the largest in Europe, a layout dating back to medieval times when villages were built in concentric circles for defense and community life.
🎓 Workshops + Webinars
🏔️ Tour du Mont Blanc Stories & Photos (with Tommy!)
Fresh from the trail! Join me as I share photos, stories, and lessons learned from hiking the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc.
📅 Sept. 17th
🕖 7pm EST
No registration required
🏡 How to Find & Run a Profitable Gîte in France (with Rupert Springfield, from The Gîte Guru)
Dreaming of running a gîte? Rupert Springfield, known as the Gîte Guru, will share insider tips on choosing the right property, attracting guests, and making it profitable.
📅 Sept. 29th
🕛 12pm EST
No registration required
📺 France Must-Watch
Enjoy this video I found!👇
🎥 UTMB 2025 Highlights
Elite trail runners take on the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, covering in a single day the very paths I hiked over 10. The grit, the views, and the madness are unforgettable.
👉 Watch it here
🇫🇷 One Step Closer to France
That’s it for this week. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or already packing—we’re in this together.
Until next time,
Tommy
PS - What's the most challenging thing you've voluntarily done in your life? Hit 'Reply' and share it with me.