Gay in Rural France - A French Countryside Podcast

Why are our bodies never just bodies?In this first episode of Gay in Rural France, I reflect on the idea of the body as currency — especially within queer spaces, and even more so outside the city.Growing up and living as a gay person often means learning, consciously or not, that your body carries value: how it looks, how it ages, how it’s read by others. From desirability to discipline, from visibility to self-worth, the body becomes something to manage, improve, protect, or trade.In this episode, I speak openly about my own relationship to the body, about pressure, expectation, and the quiet ways we internalise them — and what it might mean to step back from that logic.Gay in Rural France is a queer countryside podcast, released monthly.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

In this final episode of Season 2, I reflect on everything we’ve talked about since relaunching the podcast—mental health, queer visibility, chosen family—and why this space has come to mean so much to me. But I also speak about the reality we’re facing: the worrying political shifts across Europe, the rise of the far right, and what that means for queer people, for all minorities, and for our ability to live freely and visibly.This isn’t a doom spiral. It’s a reminder that we’re still here. And we’re not going anywhere.To wrap things up with some softness, I’m sharing a few of my favourite queer movies, series, books, and even a vegan cookbook—things that have kept me company and might do the same for you this summer. I’ll be back in September with Season 3, focusing on the queer body in a heteronormative world—a theme I can’t wait to explore through movement, emotion, and personal stories.💬 Stay safe, stay visible, and take good care of yourself. We are many, and we are alive.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #QueerPodcast #Pride2025 #SeasonFinale #LGBTQVoices #QueerResistance #HalfChateau

In this episode, I explore what it means to rest—not as laziness, but as a radical, queer act of resistance. Even here in the countryside, with birdsong and silence all around, I find myself rushing. Rest is something I crave but also struggle to allow.I talk about how productivity feels safer than stillness, what queer rest means in a world that demands performance, and why slowing down is deeply political—especially for those of us who’ve never been given permission just to be.This isn’t a guide or a how-to. It’s a reflection. I’m not here to tell you to rest more—I’m still figuring it out myself. But maybe, like me, you’re ready to start unlearning the pressure to always do, fix, or perform.💬 What does rest look like for you? Have you let yourself stop lately?🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #RestAsResistance #QueerPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #SlowLiving #LGBTQVoices #CreativeBurnout

In this episode, I dive into the unexpected experience of being visibly queer in a tiny French village—where people know before you ever say a word. I share my personal story of a second coming out, small-town gossip, and how my boyfriend Alexei became part of the plot twist. But this isn’t just about me—it’s about queerness in rural France, community dynamics, acceptance (or lack thereof), and what it means to be seen without having to perform.I also get into some surprising statistics about LGBTQIA+ life in the countryside and reflect on why visibility still matters—even in quiet places.This is for anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s safe to be yourself where the baker knows your name and the neighbors know your business.💬 Has your queerness ever felt invisible—or hyper-visible? I’d love to hear your story. Message me or leave a comment.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #QueerInTheCountryside #LGBTQLife #ComingOutStory #QueerPodcast #RuralFrance #HalfChateau

In this episode, I open up about the hidden pressure behind “slow living”—especially when it becomes something we have to perform. From the aesthetic expectations placed on queer men to the rise of calm as a monetized niche, I explore how even serenity can become exhausting when it’s constantly on display.I also talk about the cost of constantly producing content, how my body image has shifted since leaving city life, and why I’ve decided to scale the podcast back to twice a month—at least for now. This isn’t a goodbye. It’s a call to stay honest, stay grounded, and keep creating with intention.💬 Have you ever felt pressure to appear peaceful, even when you’re not? Let me know—I’d love to hear from you.🏡 Curious about my space? Watch the 2023 house tour on my other channel:👉 https://youtu.be/ynFRZASF0Nk🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #QueerLife #SlowLiving #ContentFatigue #AestheticPressure #LGBTQPodcast #ChateauLife #RuralLiving #MentalHealthMatters #BodyImage

Rural life is supposed to be quiet… right? In this episode, I share the surprising truth about living in the French countryside—it’s not as solitary as people think. From daily chats on dog walks to a house full of guests and shared dinners, rural life here feels more like a loosely structured commune. I dive into what it’s like to crave solitude when you're constantly surrounded by warmth, noise, and community—and how that tension especially shows up in queer spaces where chosen family is everything.We also touch on queering the domestic, redefining home as a tender and inclusive space, and how even the most beautiful connections can turn into noise if we don’t make space for ourselves. If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to the countryside, or if you're navigating that fine line between connection and overwhelm, this one’s for you.💬 Does your quiet life feel unexpectedly social too? Let me know in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to hear your experience.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #QueerLife #LGBTQPodcast #RuralCommunity #ChosenFamily #ExpatLife #QuietLiving #MentalSpace #QueerDomesticity

Friendship isn’t static—and neither are we. In this episode, I dive into how friendships evolve over time, through life changes, distance, and shifting values. As a queer person, a dancer, and an expat, I’ve experienced friendship in many forms—from intense bonds forged in ballet school to long-distance voice notes with best friends raising children. I talk about what it means to grieve a friendship, how new ones form in rural France, and why learning to accept the changing nature of connection might be the most loving thing we can do.💬 Have your friendships changed over the years too? I’d love to hear your story—drop a comment or message me.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #QueerLife #FriendshipPodcast #LGBTQPodcast #ExpatLife #FriendshipsEvolve

Lately, I’ve been sitting with a quiet but persistent question: Am I doing this right?In this episode, I dive into the tender space between creativity and comparison, between romanticizing life and feeling the weight of expectation. From witnessing other château creators to reflecting on how capitalism shapes our identity and value, this episode unpacks what it means to live slowly, queerly, and intentionally—while still wondering if it's enough.I talk about self-worth, identity, and the illusion of unconditional love. I also share why questioning ourselves might not be a weakness—but part of a deeper, more thoughtful way of living.Whether you're navigating rural life, trying to live authentically, or just feeling a little lost—you’re not alone in asking the big questions.💬 Do you ever wonder if you’re doing it “right”? Drop me a comment or send a message—I’d love to hear your thoughts.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #QueerPodcast #MentalHealthJourney #CreativeLife #RuralLiving #ComparisonTrap #SlowLiving #ChateauLife #ExpatsInFrance #QueerAndCreative

What if your home could be an act of quiet rebellion? In this episode, I explore how queerness reshapes the idea of home—from the aesthetics we choose to the communities we build. I reflect on my own life in rural France and how my château, without me realizing it at first, became a political statement.We talk softness as resistance, chosen family, the radical beauty of brocante decor, and how homemaking can be activism. I also share a more personal story about my short film HomoPol, made during the pandemic, and how growing up in Poland shaped my view on visibility, safety, and queerness.🕯️ This episode is about reclaiming space, redefining home, and turning everyday living into a quiet form of protest.🎬 Mentioned in the episode: 👉 Paris is Burning (Ballroom Documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI7EhpY2yaA&pp=ygUQcGFyaXMgaXMgYnVybmluZw%3D%3D👉 HomoPol – My Short Film on Queer Life in Poland: https://vimeo.com/539628337💬 What does home mean to you? Can softness be political? I’d love to hear your reflections—drop me a message or comment below.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#QueerHome #GayInRuralFrance #ParisIsBurning #LGBTQPodcast #HomoPol #QueerActivism #ChateauLife #SoftnessAsResistance #ExpatLife #RuralQueer

This week I take you behind the scenes of what really happens when you’re building a creative life—especially one that looks dreamy on the outside but often feels chaotic on the inside. After five anxiety attacks before lunch (yes, really), I sat down to talk about what it means to live with anxiety while also showing up, creating, dreaming—and trying to keep it all together.From freelancing to coming out, from therapy to coping mechanisms that actually help, this episode is a raw and honest reflection on mental health, ambition, and why breaking things down into small steps might just be the secret to getting through it all.💬 Do you ever feel like you’re trying to move a mountain alone? I’d love to hear how you cope—leave a comment or send me a message.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #MentalHealthMatters #QueerVoices #AnxietySupport #CreativeLife

🌿 EPISODE 2: I'M LOST, AND I GUESS YOU ARE TOO 🎙️Have you ever felt like you’re drifting—uncertain of where you’re going or who you’re becoming? In this second episode of Gay in Rural France, I open up about what it means to feel lost… again and again. From my divorce to starting over in a foreign country, from juggling too many projects to constantly questioning my path—this is a deeply personal reflection on how being lost might actually be a good thing.Living in the French countryside, trying to make a life out of art, renovation, and self-expression—it’s beautiful, but it’s also messy. Maybe you’re in that space too. If so, you’re not alone.💬 I’d love to hear from you: Do you ever feel this way? Let me know in the comments or message me directly. Let’s make this a space where we can be real.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #FeelingLost #QueerLife #LGBTQPodcast #ExpatLife #RuralLiving #FranceLife #LifeTransitions

After a long break, Gay in Rural France is back! In this first episode, I dive into why I’m returning to the podcast, what’s changed in my life, and why this space matters. Living as a queer person in rural France comes with its challenges, but also unexpected joys—and I want to share it all. This podcast is a space for deep conversations, alternative lifestyles, and a little bit of hope for anyone who has ever felt out of place.💬 Let’s keep the conversation going! Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Drop a comment or send me a message—I’d love to hear your story.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.#GayInRuralFrance #QueerLife #LGBTQPodcast #ExpatLife #RuralLiving #FranceLife

It's been quite the ride this year and starting my podcast has been on my wishlist for a real long time. This week, in this seasons final episode, we talk about all the things that happened this year and what podcasting did with me.We talk about future plans, where the podcast is going and when it's back for Season 2 and how to overcome imposter syndrome. I do feel like I have it right now, embarking on my full time creator journey.Tune in, follow and give some love and I shall talk to you very soon again!Much love,Amadeus🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

This week is all about bureaucracy. The most dreaded word when it comes to opening up a business or dealing with anything that is admin related. I'm talking about my experiences here in France and how it's been for me and giving some tips on where to find information when you're either living in France or planning to move to France.Your website with all the answers to your questions about what you need to do in France: https://www.service-public.fr/🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

This week I want to talk about how it is to open up a B&B and how this all can feel very overwhelming. Especially when you're on your own.But don't despair, I have a few tips and insights and maybe some useful ones on how to deal with anxieties and how to also know what feels good and not.This year has been an absolute crazy ride and with 2 episodes remaining in this season I hope that you can enjoy this very personal episode this week.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

Hello you guys,this week I want to talk about my opening of the Bed & Breakfast here in France as well as how to go about when setting up a new business.It can be quite daunting to start a new journey, especially in a foreign country, but don't despair. There are ways to go about things and to find your way around.Listen till be end for all sorts of tips and experiences and don't forget to give me a rating and follow the podcast.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

This week I want to talk about the consumption of alcohol in rural areas, not only rural France is affected by this. But let's talk about the effects, the social importance and how to maybe overcome the whole thing.Let's also link drinking to not feeling well and how it affects queer people because they withdraw from society.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

In this episode I'm taking you on another walk through Charente here in France and I talk more about my adventures renovating half a castle here. It's been quite the ride and I've had to deal with lots of frustration and it's not always easy to overcome it but I have found a way that works. So listen till the end to hear how I deal with stressful situations.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

This episode I want to talk about being openly queer in a very rural area of France. I talk about my experiences that I made so far and try to give you a feel for the overall situation in comparison to living in a big European city, where I lived before.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

... while renovating a house and moving to a foreign country.This episode is all about tips and tricks and maybe just some new ideas on how to maintain your mental health while renovating and moving and probably also very generally in life.I have experienced burn out and I do feel like I'm at the edge of it again but there are some ways to work through this. Although you might consider seeing a doctor in case you feel too drained and/or depressed. I am not a trained expert so this is just purely my knowledge from life experience.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

So this will probably be the first part of a whole series of episodes that will be about renovating a house on your own. I'm talking about emotions, expectations, biases and my very personal history of how I came here.So tune in, do whatever you like doing while listening to my podcast and have fun listening to another episode of the Queer French Farmhouse.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

This week we talk about queer role models and how important they are. Growing up as a queer kid in the 90ies there weren't many people out, I don't even want to think about how horribly hard it must've been for older generations but I can only tell you my side of the story.So tune in, do whatever you like doing while listening to my podcast and have fun listening to another episode of the Queer French Farmhouse.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

Sometimes we encounter many weird misconceptions in life. Biological Men are always good at handy work, biological women are great with children, the gays are sissies that are bad at handy work, lesbians are really butch, non binary people aren't even on the spectrum of definitions of some people. In this episode I'm talking about my own encounters of this, renovating a house all on my own (I'm doing literally ALL the work, from building walls to waste water piping and electrics) as a gay man, and I also talk about how we might see the world and how many of these stereotypes are manifested in all our minds.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.

Here I am! Welcome to QFF Podcast, I have been wanting to make a podcast for quite some time now but have always been hesitant about it but the time has come.This podcast will be all about my new life in rural France. So subscribe to get your weekly dose of French life.🎧 Listen on your favorite platform:👉 Gay in Rural France on RedCirclehttps://redcircle.com/shows/40d184b4-bcc8-429e-a72a-18ad2f5f7817📲 Stay connected:✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_demi_chateau✨ YouTube (Life with Amadeus): https://youtube.com/@lifewithamadeus✨ Website: https://ledemichateau.com💖 Support the podcast:If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it or leaving a review — it really helps others find the show.