France, Part 2

How We Took 15 People to France Without Losing Anyone

Part 2: Fifteen People Living Our French Countryside Dream

After planes, airports, cars, vans, and almost 24 hours without sleep, we finally saw it.

Our castle in the French countryside.

Yes, an actual castle.

The kind of place you look at and think, “Wait... we really get to stay here?”

But before the fairytale could officially begin, there was one very important task:

Claiming bedrooms.

And let me tell you, after traveling for almost an entire day, you have never seen people move faster.

The great castle room race had begun.

Everyone scattered, exploring hallways and opening doors, looking for their little corner of the castle to call home.

The good news?

Every room had its own bathroom.

A little luxury that matters a whole lot when you’re traveling with 15 people.

Once rooms were claimed and bags were dropped, it was time for our next adventure.

The French grocery store.

Now, grocery shopping in another country sounds simple until you actually do it.

Different brands. Different labels. Different foods.

A simple shopping trip becomes part scavenger hunt, part guessing game, and part “well... let’s try it and see.”

And honestly? That was half the fun.

Because staying in a castle meant we weren’t just tourists passing through.

We cooked together. We ate together. We cleaned together.

Did 15 people sharing a kitchen always go smoothly?

Absolutely not.

There was laughter. There was chaos. There may have been a few “spirited family discussions.”

Because let’s be honest, put that many people together in one kitchen and you’re going to get both memories and opinions.

But those moments?

Those are the ones we still talk about.

One of our favorite surprises was just a walk down the lane.

A little vending machine.

But not the kind with candy bars and chips.

This one was filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs from the countryside around us.

Only in France does a walk to a vending machine somehow feel charming.

And everything tasted incredible.

When we weren’t exploring, cooking, or figuring out life as temporary castle residents, we enjoyed everything our little French home had to offer.

An indoor pool.

A beautiful lawn where everyone gathered.

Long evenings outside talking, laughing, and soaking in the simple joy of being together.

No rushing.

No schedules.

Just family, friends, and a castle full of memories being made.

Because sometimes the best parts of a trip aren’t the famous landmarks.

Sometimes it’s everyone sitting together at the end of the day saying...

“Can you believe we’re actually here?”

To be continued...