Mark and Wendy Sherwood

In 2005, shortly after we were married, we spend 6 months traveling, mostly in France, mostly driving, and mostly pre-Google maps. It was a challenge, but 20 years later, we’re still married.

While in France, we stayed in a lot of chamber d’hotes du charme and thought this might be a sort of working-retirement option for us down the line. On this trip, we’re hoping to find our dream property to build a summer hospitality business and a home or our eventual retirement in France.

Fast forward to summer 2024. We found a beautiful 18th C farmhouse in the Dordogne and we’ll be moving in January, 2025! We decided to pivot towards offering small classes about French chocolate and pastry to visitors to the area. Check out our progress at laforetinfrance.com (click on the button to visit the new website).

All throughout this process we have been asking: “Are we in France yet?”