France is known for its wine, so if you find yourself at a winery sipping up a bit of culture, you’ll want to read on. To make the most of your visit, keep my tips for visiting a winery in France in mind.
Why does France allow us to slow down and appreciate life more?
One of my readers left a comment that got me thinking. Julie wrote, “What is it about France that allows us to slow down and really appreciate the smaller things in life? I find I get excited about things that I wouldn’t even give a second thought to at home and I find myself doing things I wouldn’t think possible.” Why does France allow us to slow down and appreciate the small things? Or does it? Will a move abroad make you enjoy life more? Should it?
French market day shopping essentials (FB Live replay)
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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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.
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…
5 Fun stories you might have missed
Looking for some good French culture stories? If you’re new here, you might have missed these stories that have made their home way back in my blog’s archives. So pour yourself a beverage and cozy up….
When living abroad turns you into a model foreigner
I’ve been living in France now for over 5 years, and little by little, it’s been changing me. These changes have crept up on me, and now looking back, I’ve noticed some distinct areas where living abroad has molded me into a model foreigner. Why is this the case and how did it happen?
Quick French lesson: Les aoûtiens
Every now and then, the French language tickles me when I come across a fun-to-pronounce word or a word that’s just delightful to my ear. The other day, Tom and I were watching a news problem when les aoûtiens flashed across the screen. Not knowing what the word meant but having an idea from the context, my ears perked up.
How living in France has changed my life for the better
Everything is constantly changing around us, including the people. Our environment factors in to how we adapt and evolve and sometimes it’s for the best. I’ve been in France now for 5 years and life in France has changed my life for the better in ways big and small.
Pass the bread, please. That’s not “bread”!
I’m surprised this funny exchange about French bread took 5 years to happen. At first, I wasn’t sure if it…
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7 Little things that still confuse me about life in France
When I moved to France, I felt like my adult self was tossed back to infancy in some ways because everyday things would get super complicated. Let’s talk about confusing things about life in France.
Questions French people ask me… all the time!
Depending on how long you’ve been in France and who you socialize with, French people have probably asked you some strange questions. And a bunch of normal ones as well. Here are the top questions French people ask me.
22 Things I can do in the USA that I can’t in France
My post on things you can do in France that you can’t in the USA was a hit, so here’s the reverse: Things you can do in the USA that you can’t in France.
Big roundup of my favorite Oui In France posts on French culture
From silly mistakes and misunderstandings to general “good to know” posts for those of you coming to France, I delight in writing about French cultural differences. As I near my 5th year of blogging at Oui In France, I’m rounding up a big list of my favorite posts on French culture. Some are old and have gotten buried in the archives and some are more recent.
Let me impress you with my holiday soup (just kidding)
No one wants to embarrass themselves at a multicultural Christmas dinner (or ever)…. but if you’re not careful, that’s exactly what you might do. Let me tell you my story about eating soup in France.
5 Endearing habits of French people that you can’t help but love
This might come as a surprise to those who know me well, but the version of Diane who now lives in France does a lot more observing than actual talking. I like to watch those around me, see how they act and speak and then do my best to adapt to the French way of life. Over the past couple of years, I’ve picked up on some French personality traits and habits of French people that I find quite endearing.
A fine example of customer service in France… NOT!
The French post office is a necessary part of life if you ever want to mail anything. Sometimes it’s fun. Usually it’s pretty pain free. I am patient. But I have my limits. Customer service in France is as helpful as you’d expect. I need to rant.
Most popular posts of 2016 (and a few faves)
Here are some of the most popular posts on Oui In France in 2016. Read on for French culture, language and more about living abroad in France.
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