Buying Land, Living in a Yurt & Building Off-Grid in France – Paul’s Story
- Georgia Kitson
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
What does it really take to leave conventional life behind and build an off-grid home in France?
In the latest episode of the Soul Sufficient Podcast, Georgia is joined with Paul, who shares his honest and inspiring journey from corporate burnout to creating a self-sufficient life in rural France — starting with a yurt, a vision, and a deep pull toward freedom.
Leaving the Corporate World Behind
After years in the corporate world, Paul experienced burnout that forced him to question the life he was living. Like many people drawn to off-grid living, the pull wasn’t just about sustainability — it was about alignment.
Instead of buying another house, Paul made a bold decision: to buy land and build a life from the ground up.
Buying Land in France for Off-Grid Living
Paul purchased 3 hectares of land in the Dordogne region of France for just €45,000.
Rather than rushing into construction, he spent time visiting over 100 properties before finding land that felt right — with clean soil, beautiful views, and space to live simply in nature.
In the podcast, Paul breaks down:
The reality of buying land in France as a foreigner
How long the process actually took (around six months)
Navigating French permits and zoning regulations
Why some land suddenly becomes unbuildable — and how to avoid surprises
This part of the conversation is invaluable for anyone researching off-grid land purchases in France.
Living in a Yurt While Building Off-Grid
While preparing to build his wooden prefab cabin, Paul currently lives on the land in a yurt with his dog, fully immersed in nature.
He shares what day-to-day life looks like:
Morning walks checking the weather and wildlife
Encounters with wild pigs
Learning patience, presence, and resilience
Adapting mentally and emotionally to a slower pace of life
Living in a yurt hasn’t just been practical — it’s been a powerful transition into off-grid living.
Off-Grid Systems, Sustainability & Regulations
The episode also dives into the practical side of off-grid life, including:
Starting with basic on-grid connections before transitioning fully off-grid
Plans for solar, wind turbines, rainwater collection, and wood heating
French building regulations that can restrict modern eco-friendly features
Designing systems that grow over time rather than trying to do everything at once
Georgia also shares her own experience of gradually upgrading off-grid systems, reinforcing that off-grid living doesn’t need to be “perfect” from day one.
Making Off-Grid Living Financially Sustainable
One of the most refreshing parts of the conversation is the honesty around money.
Paul explains how he:
Rents out his apartment in the Netherlands
Monetises camper vans and tents for passive income
Plans to host retreats and work with other facilitators
Uses flexibility rather than pressure to sustain his lifestyle
This approach shows that off-grid living doesn’t have to mean financial stress — it can mean creative freedom.
Following Your Heart (Even When Others Don’t Get It)
Throughout the episode, one message comes through clearly:Most people already know what they want — they just don’t trust themselves enough to go for it.
Paul speaks openly about:
People projecting fear about pensions and security
Learning to tune out negativity
Starting small instead of waiting for “perfect timing”
Feeling gratitude every day for making the leap
For anyone feeling the pull toward a simpler, nature-led life, this conversation is both grounding and empowering.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:
👉 Spotify: Listen here
👉 You Tube: Watch here
Connect with Paul:
If you’re dreaming of off-grid living in France, buying land, or building a self-sufficient lifestyle step by step — this episode is a must-listen.
To be on Georgia's podcast Soul Sufficient please email her at info@georgiakitson.com - she is always looking for inspiring guests who are creating alternative lifestyles living off grid all over the world.
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