The French Dream - Remarkable Drone Footage of Historic Western France

The French Dream is a quietly cinematic travel film by Patrick Morris, better known as the Drone Biker. Travelling through Europe on his motorbike, Morris combines road travel with aerial filmmaking, capturing landscapes from both ground and sky.

In this film, he explores parts of France including the Loire Valley, the Dordogne, and the Périgord - La France de l’Ouest. These are regions shaped by rivers, stone villages, and long, long histories, and the video takes its time to observe them. Castles emerge from morning mist, fields stretch beneath wide skies, and small towns appear seemingly untouched by the urgency of modern life.

Rather than aiming for spectacle, The French Dream focuses on mood and atmosphere which allows the spectacle (and this part of France is truly spectacular) to effectively reveal itself. The camera lingers, allowing light, movement, and sound to do the work. It’s a reminder that travel doesn’t always need narration or drama; sometimes it’s enough simply to look carefully.

I particularly liked the shots at 2:49 of the video of Beynac-et-Cazenac in the Dordogne Valley, southwestern France (and pictured at the top of the post). The castle is Château de Beynac, a medieval fortress perched on a limestone cliff above the River Dordogne, with the village of Beynac clustered along the riverbank below. It’s one of the best-preserved and most recognisable castles in the region - and a frequent subject for drone footage and travel films.  Having visited in my youth, this brought back a whole host of happy memories.

Morris’s film offers a calm, reflective view of France - one that invites the viewer to slow down and appreciate the quiet details of place and history.  I must say, it has made me want to pack a bag and head for France…