PARIS – The Covid-19 pandemic intensified an already-growing trend: urban residents seeking refuge in the countryside, away from the cramped apartments and high-paced lifestyle of the French capital.
While the initial rush has slowed, many who made the move remain steadfast in their decision, having found new opportunities and a different rhythm of life.
One such individual is Jessy, a 39-year-old former events industry worker, who in May 2020, just after France lifted its first lockdown, left her small Parisian studio for what she thought would be a brief visit to a friend in the Perche region, a rural area west of Paris. That short stay turned into a life-changing decision.
An Impulsive Leap into the Unknown
“I was charmed,” Jessy recalled. “I suddenly thought to myself: why not?” Within days, she began house hunting and quickly made an offer on a 125-square-meter home in a secluded hamlet near Authon-du-Perche. Selling her 30-square-meter Paris apartment, she financed her move, embracing the promise of space and tranquility.
But the transition was not without challenges. Jessy had never lived in a rural setting before, and she was determined to immerse herself fully. “I wanted to do it the rough way—to spend a winter here without a job, without knowing anyone. To start from scratch,” she said.
Her biggest obstacle was employment. With limited opportunities in her previous field, she pivoted to entrepreneurship. She established a concierge service managing Airbnb rentals, capitalizing on Perche’s popularity with weekend visitors from Paris.
To supplement her income, she pursued a professional diploma in cooking and began working as a home chef.
A Complex Social Transition
Despite the professional adjustments, social integration proved to be another hurdle. In Perche, longtime residents often refer to newcomers from Paris as “accourus”—meaning “those who arrived running.”
The term carries a mix of curiosity and skepticism, as urban transplants are often seen as outsiders. Initially, Jessy felt welcomed, but tensions soon surfaced. She recalled how her only year-round neighbor, a local man, gradually distanced himself.
“He didn’t accept that his wife regularly spent time with me, or perhaps he resented the number of friends who came to visit me,” she speculated. Over time, their interactions ceased entirely, highlighting the difficulties some urban newcomers face in being fully accepted by rural communities.
A Fresh Start, but No Looking Back
The experience led Jessy to another major decision—selling her home once again. She recently relocated to another hamlet in Perche, hoping for a fresh start and a smoother social transition.
Despite the ups and downs, she has no regrets about leaving Paris. “There’s no way I’d return to the city, not even to a small town,” she affirmed.
Jessy’s story reflects the broader reality of France’s rural migration trend—one driven by the desire for space and nature but tempered by the challenges of adapting to a new way of life. For those like her, the countryside is not just an escape but a permanent shift toward a different future.
Leave a Comment