From Flâneur to Founder
The Story Behind Joie de Vivre Homes
A flâneur, depicted by Paul Gavarni in Le Flâneur (1842).
A year ago, I turned a long-standing love affair with France into a full-fledged (ad)venture: Joié de Vivré Homes. After more than a decade of summer pilgrimages to France, I made the leap—from being a flâneur, someone who strolls and observes, to becoming a founder. The idea was simple, though it took years to clarify: combine my passion for travel and adventure with my professional roots in real estate. It may sound obvious in hindsight, but arriving at that synthesis took time—and more than one life transition workshop.
The past year has been a thrilling chapter of growth and momentum. I’ve brought on trusted project partners both in the U.S. and in France, collaborated with a brilliant designer who brought my vision to life online, and retained the services of Andy Sirkin—one of the most respected names in fractional real estate law. When I mentioned Andy’s name to friends in San Francisco, many instantly recognized it. He’s the go-to guy for TICs, condo conversions, and complex real estate structuring.
Even more compelling: Andy’s personal connection to Europe. Though his legal office remains on Spear Street here in San Francisco, he now lives in Switzerland after relocating first to France. His deep expertise in fractional ownership—particularly in France—makes him the ideal legal guide for this venture.
In September, I participated in a Modern Elder Academy (MEA) workshop in Santa Fe, hosted by Inc. Magazine and led by MEA founder Chip Conley and TED speaker MacKay McNeill. The theme was "Entrepreneurship At Any Age"—and my cohort offered invaluable feedback on the future of Joié de Vivré Homes. One crucial insight? Build a succession plan. That’s when I reached out to longtime friend and Oxford alum Joske Thompson. With decades of international real estate experience, Joske brings both gravitas and grounded know-how to the team.
With Joske now on board, our vision is crystal clear: a strong team, an extraordinary home in one of my favorite corners of France, and a well-structured path to welcome a community of co-owners.
My "work" over the past year has been pure joy—touring two to three homes per day across Provence and the South of France. I had a clear checklist: historic charm (no modern minimalism), a pool, three to four bedrooms, no major renovations, and walkable access to markets, shops, and healthcare—not remote. At first, I limited my search to homes under €800,000 within an hour of Avignon, but my trusted guide Pierre Guillery—an expert in helping Americans buy homes in France—suggested increasing the budget to €1.2 million. That shift changed everything.
The dream took shape quickly. I envisioned a ten-share co-ownership model with shares priced between $100,000 and $150,000 each. Many of my U.S. friends immediately saw the appeal—access to a dream home without the inefficiencies of full ownership. The concept of lifestyle arbitrage became a core theme: in France, a $1–1.5M budget can buy a sprawling, character-rich estate. In California wine country? It might barely cover a modest house.
Pierre and I narrowed the list to four remarkable homes. I shared a “four-home package” with close friends and family, asking them to vote. Remarkably, their top choice aligned with mine—proof we’d found the one.
Being there in person made all the difference. I walked the neighborhoods, chatted with locals, lingered in cafés, wandered cobblestone paths, and visited ancient churches and bustling morning markets. The village spirit mattered just as much as the floor plan. That immersion helped me choose a home that embodies the French dream.
Today, Joié de Vivré Homes is no longer just an idea—it’s a reality. And this first home is just the beginning. From this foundation, we plan to expand to Italy, Portugal, Spain, and beyond.
Adventure awaits—and I’d love for you to join me. Here’s the view from our home in Serviers-et-Labaume. Share sales begin in May and will close by July—or as soon as all ten shares are sold.
If this vision speaks to you, I’d be happy to share more details about the co-ownership opportunity.
Warmly,
Don Spradlin, Don@FindYourFrenchHome.com
Founder, Joié de Vivré Homes