A morning walking around a French marché is time well spent. Whether you’re in a big city or a small…
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Salon des Vins de Loire: My day at a professional wine trade fair as a non-professional
Last week, the 32nd annual Salon des Vins de Loire welcomed over 8,000 people over 2 days in Angers. I…
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My first Facebook live: A stroll through a Maine-et-Loire town (REPLAY)
Happy Friday! Just checking in toady to share my FIRST France Facebook Live broadcast with you. I went for a walk yesterday around a town here in the Maine-et-Loire department of France. We popped by a wine shop, women’s clothing store, bakery, and a few more places. To my surprise, everyone wanted to keep going so the broadcast lasted 90 minutes!
French workplace greetings: Bise, handshake, other?
Tom’s here to tell us about French workplace greetings and how they might differ from what you’re used to in the office at home. Or maybe not. Let’s get to it…
Respecting the culture and doing the right thing
Most of the time, respecting the culture and doing the right thing are one and the same. Other times, it’s not so clear. As a foreigner, it’s hard to always know if you’re doing the right thing and if the way you’ve lived you life up until now counts in the same way it did back home.
What’s surprised me the most about my life in France?
Living abroad is full of surprises big and small. Let’s talk about some of these living in France surprises including culture, food, and stereotypes.
Do you feel French?
“Do you feel French?” someone asked me recently. I had to think about it. The question of feeling French is a complicated one and makes us think about our identity as foreigners living abroad. What makes someone feel French and how long does it take for this to change? Let’s take a closer look.
The rest of our Loir Valley weekend
Even though I’ve lived in France for six years now, I’m always finding new places that are worth a visit. If you find yourself in the Loir Valley, I have all kinds of suggestions for you to keep busy and soak up all things French.
Château de Baugé and the Hôtel-Dieu Apothecary
The nearby Loir Valley has gorgeous castles to discover Let me tell you about the Château de Baugé. After our visit, we headed over to the Hotel-Dieu Apothecary, just a stone’s throw away.
Quick French Lesson: Where is the Loire Valley and why can it be confusing?
Today, I have a geography lesson for you that’s been the source of many misunderstandings over the years. Where is the Loire Valley in France?
A book review: Pancakes in Paris by Craig Carlson
Pancakes in Paris tells us the story of how the American-style diner in the City of Light became a roaring success one pancake at a time. And what a story it is…
A visit to my local foire aux vins
France is home to some of the best wine in the world, and if you want to save a little…
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My favorite place to buy American food in France
You don’t have to look very hard online to find a foreigner abroad looking for some of the comforts of home. Here’s where to buy American food in France. Everything from baking supplies to candy and even beverages.
The dark side of expat life in France (and where to turn for help)
This isn’t a fluffy feel-good post on how life in France is OMGAMAZING 24/7. Nowhere is perfect day in and day out and that’s the truth. This is a post about mental health and the dark side of expat life in France (or anywhere).
Exploring the Charente-Maritime Part 3: Marais Poitevin, mussels, and the Hermione
I admit that I’m easily impressed, but even the most discerning traveler will fall in love with everything the Charente-Maritime has to offer. Let me tell you about our visit to the Marais Poitevin and more!
Exploring the Charente-Maritime Part 2: Ile de Ré
A few weeks ago, Tom and I headed to the Charente-Maritime department of France and drove to the Ile de Ré for the day. Just a short drive from La Rochelle, it’s officially made my short list of my favorite places in France.
DIY France canal cruise (VIDEO): The places we saw along the way
Here’s a video of our France canal cruise on the Canal du Midi. Pretty doesn’t even begin to describe it! Read on for our DIY canal cruise Canal du Midi trip!
Exploring the Charente-Maritime Part 1: La Rochelle
Our long weekend kicked off in La Rochelle, a coastal city about 470 km from Paris whose history is just as impressive as its modern-day approach to life.
Can a beginner handle a DIY canal cruise boat? My honest thoughts
After our first self-piloted canal cruise, people asked me whether or not someone new to boating can do this type of vacation. Can a total beginner handle a canal boat? What’s a good beginner canal cruise?
Before & after our canal trip: Quick stops in Carcassonne & Saint Emilion (PHOTOS)
My parents are here for the rest of the week and we all just got back from a big trip down south. We did our second canal cruise aboard a Nicols boat and I’ll be telling you all about that soon. Until then, I’m sharing photos from our pit stops before and after our cruise in Carcassonne and Saint Emilion.