Originally from the UK, Sonia never intended to move to France. After many years of travelling, and a long stint living in Dubai, she went to Belley in eastern France in July 2020 to visit family. But when pandemic lockdown rules changed, it was difficult for her to leave. “I ended up staying and helping to start a bed and breakfast with my brother’s mother-in-law,” she says.
In the spring of 2022, she went out for dinner with a friend, where she met the owner, Olivier, who had moved to the area from Paris to open his restaurant. “I really liked the restaurant because the staff accommodated my vegetarianism, which was a hard thing to find in France!” she says. “It was really quiet, so we ended up chatting to Olivier over the countertop.” At the time, she says, her French wasn’t good. “Olivier was talking about life and future plans. I didn’t understand it all but I thought: ‘Oh my God, he’s cute and funny.’”
