The 29-year-old moved to France last summer after six years at Munster and has no regrets. And he has inside knowledge on the sort of challenge Ireland can expect at Aviva Stadium on Saturday when they take on France with a championship on the line.
He plays with wings Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud at Bordeaux and knows exactly the sort of damage they can do.
"It was a huge opportunity for me that I thought was right for me at the time," he said when reflecting on that move to Bordeaux.
"It's a beautiful place to live as well. It's a great city. So yeah, it was great rugby opportunity, but also lifestyle opportunity. I think as rugby players, we miss out on J1s, we miss out on the whole college experience, getting away and living in a different country for a few years.
"So being able to live somewhere else for us, in our time, in our lives, it was a good opportunity."
Day to day he's getting an up-close look at a couple of French threats who are capable of doing real damage at Lansdowne Road.
"It's crazy," Carbery warned. "I suppose it's a blessing for me when you see them on the wings. I think they're incredible players.
"You look at Bielle-Biarrey. Sometimes he scores tries in training when it's just tip and no one puts a hand on him and you're just like, 'how does this happen?' And then Penaud seems to always get the good bounce of the ball. I don't know how he does it, but he scores tries for fun. I think they're two incredible players."
Les Bleus also come to Dublin depserate to keep their championship hopes alive and atone for their 26-25 to England in that brilliant game at Twickenham last moneth.
"They were very gutted, they were devastated," added Carbery. "And there's a lot more emphasis now, I think, put on this Irish game, because they know they need to win it to be in with a chance of getting the Six Nations. So, it's tough for them. I think they were very hurt by it. I think they're a good enough team to bounce back from it.
"(Ireland have) been, I think the best word is clinical. They're so efficient. They go and they do their job. The Welsh game, the first half, Wales really put it up to them. But they showed in the second half, they were clear, they were concise, they didn't panic and they were able to come through there as well.
"It just shows that they're playing really well at the moment. I think they're in a really good spot."
Pushed on a prediction, Carbery tipped Ireland - just - while he also had warm words for hot shot 10 Sam Prendergast who continues to flourish on the big stage.
"He's been really good. I haven't played against him, but from just watching him from the outside he just seems so calm. He slots in there really well.
"He's able to pick passes, his kicking has been really impressive as well, and then I just think the whole way the team's kind of forming around him, it seems like they're all on the same page.
"I think because it's going to be in Ireland, I think that might be the difference, but then I think a wounded, hurting France is, it's a dangerous beast.
"Some of those guys especially will be out to prove a point as well. So, I think Ireland, but to be honest, it's going to be very close.
"I think if anything, it's going to be the game of the tournament, for sure."
While Carbery will be an interested observer this weekend, he has not fully given up the ghost on returning to Ireland fold.
IRFU limitations on overseas players means he's not getting a look-in; Carbery has not played for Ireland since the victory over Fiji in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.
A few weeks ago he had to bat away suggestions he might even switch allegiance to England (he's eligible through his mother). Instead he's still hopeful of a return to Ireland to play with one of the provinces.
"I think if the opportunity came around, it would definitely be something I'd jump at," he said.
"I love it here so much and I suppose I won't know what happens until my contract's over, but if it's the right opportunity, if Ireland came back knocking, I'd jump at it."
