Brittany Higgins has shared the first update from her new life in France after moving there permanently following her latest court appearance in Sydney.
The former political staffer wrapped up her final court appearance in the Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel 10 in early December, and was on a flight to Europe before Christmas.
She purchased a home in the south of France and has started a new life with partner David Sharaz and their cavoodle, Kingston.
Ms Higgins received about $2.4million from the taxpayer in 2022 based on claims her political career was left in ruins after she alleged she was raped by former Liberal party colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019.
In new photos shared to Instagram on Wednesday, Ms Higgins’ paints a picture of a quiet life in the small town of Lunas, located about halfway between Paris and Barcelona in Spain.
Ms Higgins’ previous collage was posted four weeks ago and featured photos of Byron Bay, Sydney Harbour and Parliament House in Canberra.
‘No matter how far or how wide I roam, I still call Australia home,’ she captioned the series of picturesque Australian landscapes.
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz are seen arriving in France on December 21
Ms Higgins gave her Instagram followers the first glimpse into her new life in France
The pair said they were excited to settle into their new home with their pets over Christmas
The couple shared a Christmas feast inside their chateau in the French village of Lunas
Pictured is the couple’s five-bedroom chateau in the country’s historic Dordogne region
The first photo in the series shows Ms Higgins rugged up in a black wool coat, heeled black leather boots and a bright red ribbon tied in a bow in her hair.
She is walking Kingston through a cobbled stone street covered in petals from a tree stripped bare by the European winter.
The caption is a quote from French philosopher Sartre which reads: ‘Nous sommes nos choix,’ and is roughly translated in English to ‘We are our choices’.
‘Here are a few of mine as of late,’ Ms Higgins captioned the photos.
A series of photos showcasing her first month of adventures across France include a snap of the Arc de Triomphe at night and what appears to be a Parisian streetscape.
The collage suggests the couple have travelled by train across France, visiting art galleries and museums along the way.
The pair cooked up a roast dinner paired with bubbles for their first Christmas overseas with Mr Sharaz proudly posing at the head of a long table.
Ms Higgins’ followers left messages of support in the comments.
‘Love seeing you living your best life in Paris,’ one wrote.
‘You deserve the very best of everything from now on,’ a second agreed.
A third shared: ‘You deserve peace and joy… always.’
The couple have fled Australia to ‘start fresh’ in the town of less than 600 people
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz are seen at Airport quarantine in France on December 21
Ms Higgins moved to the French town of Lunas with her fiancé David Sharaz in December
Kingston, the couple’s cavoodle, featured in several of the photos in the Instagram post
The couple appear to have travelled by train across France and visited several art galleries
The couple’s first month in their new home seems a welcome change of pace from Australia
The couple’s property is reportedly worth about $600,000 and was purchased last year
The village has its own automatic baguette machine located in the centre of the town
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz landed in France just days before Christmas and were pictured arriving at their rustic five-bedroom chateau for the first time.
The couple had travelled from the 4.5 star Sheraton Bordeaux Airport Hotel and were later spotted walking hand-in-hand as they picked up their beloved cavoodle Kingston and cat Clover from quarantine at Bordeaux-Merigniac Airport.
They purchased the property in 2022 and made frequent visits since then.
Lunas is a community of fewer than 600 people in the country’s historic Dordogne region, named after its main river and famous for more than 1,500 castles dotted throughout its picturesque farmlands.
It is home to a city hall, bakery, one pizza place, a horse centre and a church, along with an automatic baguette machine.
The couple’s first month in their new home seems a welcome change of pace after the stressful end to 2023 when Ms Higgins was was called to give witness testimony during Mr Lehrmann’s defamation case.
Mr Lehrmann is suing Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson over an interview Ms Higgins’ did with The Project in which she alleged she was raped in Parliament House.
He has always strenuously denied the claims.
