From Colorado to France: Jennie and Ward's Life in Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Starting over in a new country is a bold move that only a few dare to try. For Jennie Vercouteren and her husband, Ward, the idea of leaving the U.S. for a quieter life in France wasn’t just about a change of scenery—it was a fresh start filled with challenges, new routines, and finding joy in unexpected spots.
Why they packed up and moved
Jennie and Ward’s move to France started with their shared love for mountains and a craving for peace away from the hustle and bustle. They first met while working in Colorado, bonding over their mutual passion for nature. Ward, originally from Belgium, was attracted to Europe’s laid-back vibe, while Jennie, hailing from Minnesota, fell for France’s rich cultural scene. Their vacations in the southern part of France only made the dream feel more real.
On top of that, practical matters came into play. Jennie, who managed a co-working space for eco-minded entrepreneurs, felt constantly boxed in by city stress. With skyrocketing real estate prices in Denver hinting that homeownership would cost them a hefty premium and a lot of commuting, the idea of moving to Europe fit perfectly with their financial plans and personal hopes.
Tackling the hurdles
Moving abroad comes with a load of logistics, especially when you’ve got pets. Jennie and Ward were set on bringing along their beloved dogs, Hobbes and Athena. They found a neat solution by opting to travel on The Queen Mary 2, which warmly welcomed pets on board. Even though there was a nerve-wracking two-year waitlist just to get two dogs on board, luck eventually turned in their favor.
Their move meant saying goodbye to their holiday home in Crested Butte, Colorado. They hopped on The Queen Mary 2 on December 8, 2016 from New York, arriving in the UK a week later before heading off to France. Jennie sorted out her Carte de Sejour (a residence permit) to make her entry into France as smooth as possible.
Settling into the French scene
Once in France, the duo scoped out a home in the Aubeterre region in the southwest. They ended up buying a three-bedroom house in Saint Séverin for 120,000 euros (around $136,000), using funds from previous business ventures and property sales to set themselves up.
The adjustment wasn’t a walk in the park, though. Jennie’s limited French made day-to-day life pretty challenging and sometimes left her feeling isolated. “Because I didn’t speak French… it’s very difficult to be in a foreign country,” she admitted, leaning on Ward’s fluency to help bridge the communication gap during those early days.
Embracing local vibes and finding their groove
They quickly noticed that Saint Séverin was pretty quiet during winter. A trip to the Pyrenees changed things when they fell in love with Luz-Saint-Sauveur—a place that buzzed with life all year round. They put 170,000 euros (about $193,000) into revamping a building next to a centuries-old church, turning it into two cozy apartments.
Committed to making the most of their new life, Jennie dove into a full-year French course (which really helped her get comfortable with the language) and ended up making friends with other expats along the way.
Opening up to fresh possibilities
In Lourdes, their real estate journey continued. They built a third apartment, affectionately named Chez Lolette, and bought another apartment in 2023. Lourdes offered a laid-back lifestyle rich in diverse cultural experiences—a fact that resonated with Jennie as she broadened her world view.
Living in France gave them the freedom to enjoy hobbies like pottery and eco-gardening—pastimes that would have been hard to squeeze into the fast pace of American life. Reflecting on the big change, Jennie remarked on how much more peaceful and beautiful life had become.
Though they sadly lost Hobbes and Athena along the way (now replaced by Teddy), their story is still rolling forward in a positive direction. Jennie is even in the process of applying for Danish citizenship while holding an entrepreneur visa.
Summing it up in her own words, Jennie said, “I love how beautiful and calm life here is… how much time there is for friendship.” Their journey shows us that sometimes taking a leap into a different life can open doors to happiness beyond what you ever imagined.