🧘‍♀️ Organised & Light: A Minimalist Approach to Moving to France

Here’s a set of friendly and effective recommendations to help you stay organised during your move to France which is a mind-set that I embraced during my moving to France stages f rom start to finish, and I couldn’t recommend this methodical approach to moving especially abroad, for any busy family or couple— My best discovery during this time was the minimalistic mindset like Marie Kondo’s “joy-driven” philosophy which helped me and all of ‘us’ - kids included - in the earliest of stages of preparation at the very beginning of the vision of this new chapter of our lives. We began to get to work minimalising, simlpfying and organising - the moment we knew we were about to go through a major change in our lives. A new beginning and new adventure which would also mean new costs - but to be as cost-effective as possible, Kondo’s concept made it feel fun, freeing and in control of the immediate situation.

Moving across borders is a perfect moment to simplify—not just your belongings, but your systems and mindset too. Here’s how you can organise the process and reduce stress by letting go of what no longer serves and planning with purpose.

🌟 1. Declutter With Intention (à la Marie Kondo)

Before you even box a single item, ask: “Does this spark joy in my future French life?”

• 🎒 Only keep what you’ll genuinely use or love

• 🗂️ Digitise documents you don’t need in hard copy

• 🧼 Clear physical, digital, and mental clutter—packing light means landing lighter

🧾 2. Create a Relocation Binder or Digital Folder

Keep all important files together:

• Passport scans

• Visa documents

• Birth/marriage certificates

• Banking, housing & healthcare papers Label it clearly, use folders or subfolders, and set up cloud backups!

📅 3. Build a Timeline With Milestones

Break your move into stages:

StageExamples

6–8 weeks before Finalise visa/residency documents

3–4 weeks beforeNotify banks, utility companies, mobile provider

1–2 weeks beforeConfirm healthcare access (S1, Ameli, CPAM), pack essentialsArrival week

Register locally, meet your mairie, activate services

A simple checklist with dates keeps you focused and calm.

💼 4. Reduce Admin Stress with Expert Help

Let Normandy Consultancy simplify the logistics:

• We liaise with French offices, translate documents, make appointments, and track progress

• Our bilingual support smooths out communication gaps so you don’t get lost in the system

Just as Marie Kondo is your declutter guru, think of us as your bureaucracy whisperers 😉

🧘‍♂️ 5. Embrace a Simplified Lifestyle

France encourages slow living:

• Fewer things, more connection

• Local food, fewer brands

• Quiet mornings, fewer notifications Start cultivating this mindset from the moment you begin packing—your relocation becomes a lifestyle reset.

🎥 Watch & Learn on Our Channel

Check out our YouTube channel – Normandy Consultancy, where we chat about:

• Packing strategies

• Everyday admin tips

• Life in different regions of France

• How to live more simply, but more fully

Moving doesn't have to be messy. With a minimalist approach and thoughtful planning, France can feel like a fresh start—not just geographically, but emotionally and practically.

Ready to organise your dream move? Normandy Consultancy is here to help you do just that—neatly, calmly, and joyfully. Contact me via the contact form, Annabelle for a free consultation today! Why wait?