🗺️ Hidden Gems & Healing Hearts: Can a Day in the French Countryside Change Everything? [VIDEO]

From treasure hunting in an antique brocante to rescuing an injured owl, Leslie in Castelnaudary takes readers on a heartfelt journey through Villepint, Saint-Ferréol, and the breathtaking Pyrenees. This is more than just a travel diary — it’s a reminder of the healing power of compassion, creativity, and spontaneous detours.

Come antique shopping with us and find hidden gems

Nestled between the rolling hills and storybook villages of Southwest France lies a world of quiet wonder — where golden dog beds are born from forgotten antiques, and an injured owl can turn a road trip into a soul-deep discovery. For one American writer and intuitive, this wasn’t just another afternoon in the countryside — it was a lesson in love, loss, and finding purpose in the most unexpected places.

🧳 Travel Diary Highlights

🏺 Brocante Antiquités Sébastopol – Villepint’s Antique Wonderland

Do you think Goldie approves?

Just minutes from Castelnaudary, this charming antique shop is home to centuries of history. Here, I met Olivier, the owner, — warm, welcoming, and brimming with stories. I left with a 60-euro vintage child’s bed that I transformed into a gilded throne for my bulldog Goldie, who had ligament surgery. (Yes, she deserves it.)

“Creativity, sustainability, and compassion — all wrapped in one golden dog bed.”

🚗 A Serene Detour to Bassin de Saint-Ferréol

A stunning detour took our breaths away.

We drove through the mist-drenched hills of the Montagne Noire to visit the Bassin de Saint-Ferréol — a tranquil reservoir that has powered the Canal du Midi since 1671.

Designed by Pierre Paul Riquet, this feat of engineering was the first dam built to supply a navigable canal with water.(Source: canal-du-midi.org)

On this wintry day, families were out walking their dogs, and the droplets in the air felt like being inside a dream.

🦉 A Rescue Mission to Le Domaine des Oiseaux

Touching an owl was like holding a cloud.

As we headed home, Franck spotted an injured owl. With a broken wing, the majestic bird was vulnerable.

The local vet referred us to Le Domaine des Oiseaux, a sanctuary in Mazères. The scenic drive — winding roads, rustic farms, the snowcapped Pyrenees — was cinematic.

The park ranger was kind and hopeful. But five days later, we learned the owl didn’t survive. It was a heartbreaking reminder that love often means letting go. (Source: visit-occitanie.com)

“I may not have birds again, but I’ll always have this place to return to when I miss them.”

Have you ever rescued a wild animal?

• 🐾 Yes, and I’ll never forget it
• 🐦 No, but I’d like to
• ❌ Not yet, but I admire those who do

🌿 Empowering Affirmation

• Beauty lives in quiet moments

• I turn pain into peace

• I love with deep presence

• Nature teaches me surrender

• Every day brings new light

Your turn!

What’s the most unexpectedly meaningful moment you’ve had while traveling?

Invite Leslie onto Your Program📣 Calling All Podcasters, YouTubers & Producers

Are you searching for an authentic, insightful guest who blends heartfelt storytelling with travel, intuition, and emotional wellness?🎙️ Invite Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D. to your podcast, show, or panel. She brings meaningful, media-ready stories that inspire transformation.

Leslie is a French-American author, intuitive, and emotional intelligence educator living in Castelnaudary, France. Known for her heartfelt writing and wisdom, she teaches others to live authentically and with purpose — one story at a time.

👩‍💼 About the Author: Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D.

Life The Good Life with Leslie Juvin-Acker: Embracing Emotional Intelligence, Intuition, and Social Justice for Lasting Fulfillment

Leslie Juvin-Acker, J.D., is a renowned expert in emotional intelligence, celebrated author, and intuitive life and career coach to top executives and celebrities. With a unique foundation in law, sociology, social justice, and a deep connection to spirit and intuition, Leslie brings a holistic perspective to life coaching. Her approach is not only shaped by an understanding of systemic issues and individual empowerment but is also guided by her ability to tap into intuition, providing clients with insights that help them connect more authentically to their own inner wisdom.

Leslie’s books and videos go beyond typical coaching by integrating practical tools for emotional intelligence, intuition, and spiritual awareness, with a strong focus on achieving balance, fulfillment, and resilience. With years of experience helping individuals transform their lives, she guides her clients to recognize and harness their full potential while encouraging a deeper understanding of the social structures that influence their journeys. Whether examining the impacts of corporate governance on individual well-being or advocating for inclusive, accessible education, Leslie’s work illuminates the powerful intersections of personal growth, social justice, and spiritual awareness.

Through her books, videos, clarity sessions and transformative speaking engagements, Leslie inspires audiences to break free from limiting beliefs, overcome social and emotional barriers, and cultivate lives of joy, success, and personal empowerment. Her insights are particularly valuable for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to improve their emotional well-being within a context that honors both the social landscape and their spiritual journey.

Invite Leslie Juvin-Acker to speak at your next event, and discover how her expertise in spirit, intuition, emotional intelligence, law, sociology, and social justice can elevate every aspect of your life, inspiring you to live a more authentic, purposeful, and spiritually attuned “Good Life.”

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