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Bonjour and Bienvenue!  It is not always easy to hop on a plane and travel to France. But that doesn’t mean we can’t indulge in a bit of “armchair travel”.  As a writer and artist based in Paris, join me as I dive beyond the surface, past the elegant historic monuments, and into what it is really like to live in France.

The daily life, the ups and downs, and the everyday moments, let’s go on a little jaunt, shall we? Bon voyage!

LIVING IN FRANCE

18 French female singers you will love

Over the last few decades, the music scene has been undergoing a kind of renaissance, …

17 French male singers you should know

There is something about listening to a song in French, even if you don’t entirely …

19 Famous French Writers and their greatest works

With language and a literary tradition at the heart of French culture, it’s no surprise …

Guide to Renting an Apartment in Paris: 29 tips from locals

If you are looking for a rental apartment in Paris, I should warn you now …

Childcare in France: From Nannies to Nurseries

As anyone with children can attest, finding good childcare for your little one is one …

Preschool in France: What Maternelle is really like

If you have small children and are thinking of moving to France, you may be …

FRENCH FOOD

65 Useful French Cooking Terms and Techniques

The French aren’t just famous for their fashion sense and general good looks, they are …

How to blanch vegetables (French cooking technique)

Blanching is the process of boiling fresh vegetable for a short time, which is then …

Stuffed Zucchini boats with cheese (French recipe)

This Recipe uses: Zucchini (courgettes)Brousse cheese (alternative Ricotta)(Optional) Egg Crushed Garlic clovesOlive oilSalt and pepper Stuffed zucchini …

Scallops and spinach pasta, with mushrooms and pesto sauce (Instant Pot)

This Recipe uses: ScallopsWholewheat pastaSpinachWhite button mushroomsGarlic flakesEchalote flakes Pesto or pistou saucePinch of salt and …

Homemade Sauce Espagnole (Recipe)

This Recipe uses: ButterFlourBeef stock (low sodium)1 Small carrot1 Small onion (white or yellow) Canned tomato puréeGarlic …

Homemade French Velouté sauce (Recipe)

This Recipe uses: ButterFlourChicken stock crème fraiche (heavy cream)Pinch of salt and pepper One of the most classic …

Living in Paris: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

It is called the Paris Syndrome: the severe culture shock that tourists experience upon realizing that the Paris of one’s dreams is not the reality. And that is for visitors, imagine if they lived here!

I don’t intend to dash all your dreams but the reality of living in Paris is that it is not all it is cracked up to be. After being in Paris for over 10 years, I have to bemusedly point out a few pros and cons…

Read More about living in Paris

TRAVELING IN FRANCE

Visiting the Calanques near Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat

The Calanques in Provence is one of the most unique and beautiful parts of the …

Visiting Les Baux de Provence and Carrières de Lumières

Les Baux de Provence has been named one of the “plus beaux villages de France” …

Canal du Midi: The Best Stops by Boat, Bike, or Car

A man-made river, the Canal du Midi in the Occitanie region is considered one of …

Castres and its Colorful houses on the River Agout (Occitanie)

With its location in the sun-shine filled southwest corner of France, Castres offers …

Visiting Albi in Occitanie, France

On the banks of the Tarn river in a corner of south-east France, is the …

Visit the beautiful village of Lautrec in Occitanie

The tiny town of Lautrec has long been recognized as one of plus beaux villages …