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Chapter 1: How It All Started



So, how did a self-proclaimed Italophile, the world’s most enthusiastic pasta lover, and someone who thinks “La Dolce Vita” should be a lifestyle—not just a vacation—end up buying a house in the Loire Valley in France? Yes, that’s a good question.

Let me take you back to the fall of 2017, when I had a brilliant idea: Surprise my husband, Wolf, with a cycling trip for his birthday. Why cycling? Because it’s literally his favorite thing in the world—besides me, of course (I think?). "What could be better than pedaling through beautiful French countryside?" I thought. "I’m a genius!" And, spoiler alert: he loved it.


Once I finally revealed the surprise (I’m terrible at keeping secrets, so it wasn’t much of a surprise), we chose the Canal de Garonne route, which begins in Bordeaux. We cycled through vineyards, country lanes, hamlets, and occasional roads where I nearly convinced myself we were being chased by speeding cars. After seven days, 320 kilometers, and way too many baguettes, we made it to Toulouse. The best part? Each night, we collapsed into a warm shower and a bed.


As we cycled past vineyards and charming houses, we started to fantasize. “Wouldn’t it be cute to have a place of our own?” - we mused. But, of course, we were too busy eating croissants and enjoying the scenery, so we didn’t take the idea too seriously.

Meanwhile, I had rekindled my love for all things Italian. I had studied Italian in high school (because who doesn’t want to sound super classy ordering pasta?) and thought, “Why not take lessons again?” So in 2018, when Wolf had to work in Rome, I decided to enroll in a language school. In the mornings, I studied; in the afternoons, I explored Rome like a tourist on a mission. Heaven. I was all-in on Italian life, and we even talked about moving there. But, of course, reality and work schedules got in the way, so we just kept doing what we did best—traveling and exploring.


Fast forward to 2022: we were back in Rome, this time for six weeks, with Wolf working remotely. More Italian food, more pasta, more “La Dolce Vita.” We were living the dream. But then—shockingly—COVID happened, and our Italian escapades came to a halt. So, naturally, we decided to take another cycling trip, because if there’s one thing we’ve learned about ourselves, it’s that we really love cycling—and carbs.




Stuck in the Italian mindset, we considered cycling through southern Italy. Maybe Puglia? But, alas, that route was a no-go, and once again, we returned to France. This time, we chose the Indre-et-Loire region, starting and ending in Tours. The trip was out of a fairytale, if fairytales includes copious amounts of cheese and pastries. This time, our route took us past magnificent châteaux and picturesque villages—many of which were listed as "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France," a registry of the country's most beautiful villages. Cycling through this stunning landscape felt like being in a Monet painting. We visited the royal city of Loches, Amboise, Chenonceau, and others, each with its own chateau or castle.




One of our favorite stops was a B&B in Loches, a former carriage house attached to a castle. The owners, Jean-Paul and Jérôme, had spent two years renovating the place, and it was gorgeous. Everything was dripping in French style and elegance. The walled gardens, the homemade jams, the tarts—you get the picture. By the end of our stay, we were dreaming up our own little renovation project.



But wait—what happened to Italy? I still had a serious crush on Italian living. We’d loved the Italian countryside, particularly the medieval town of Orvieto, with its jaw-dropping cathedral. Tuscany was out of our budget (thanks, to all us foreigners), and we started eyeing Puglia and its famous Trulli houses. We browsed properties online, contacted agents, and but still no luck.

Then, Wolf—who, let’s face it, was having way too much fun with our French adventures—suggested, “Why don’t we look in France? We already love it here, and remember that amazing B&B in Loches?” His logic was impeccable. So, we decided to get serious about it and start visiting properties in person.

Fast forward to February 2024, and we’re planning a trip to the Loire Valley, specifically the Southern Touraine region. We were going to explore the area we’d cycled through, get a feel for it, and see what kind of houses were available.

Stay tuned for Chapter 2: “Allons-y à Touraine!” (Let’s go to Touraine!)

Here are popular URL links to the locations mentioned in my blog:

French links

Italian links:


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