Wondering what life is like in France? Whether you are planning on living abroad or just dreaming about the French way of life, get ready to hear about our adventures in daily life, family life, and learning French. The mistakes expats make, the cost of living, we uncover the truth about living in Paris.
If you are not sure where to start, I recommend starting here:
So I have a secret to confess: I am completely addicted to home renovation shows. There is no French version of HGTV, so that is definitely the one thing I binge-watch when I visit North America. All this to say,…
Nobody ever questions nursery rhymes as a child. Au Clair de la Lune is one of those French nursery rhymes that every French kid learns to warble in pre-school. But if you listen to the lyrics for the first time…
Tinkling laughter, a few stumbles down ancient cobblestone streets hand in hand with your French lover, quoting sweet nothings in your ear. Is there any place more romantic than Paris in the spring? (Well Paris in winter is equally lovely…
It's the Jour de l'Epiphanie! Otherwise known as 3 Kings Day! Time for some cake! Or a pastry type dessert, known as a galette de roi, if you want to get specific. France may be a secular country, but certain…
Warning, look away now if you are a sensitive soul. The following French insults are fighting words, and will definitely add fuel to the flames. French may be a beautiful language, but French people are not afraid to get into…
Everyone reaches their limit at a certain point. Sometimes you just need to curse out loud, and swear to the heavens. French people are not afraid of cursing. If you live in Paris, this might be more often than not.…
There is always that annoying relative who asks before the wedding: Are you thinking of changing your last name after marriage? As a woman, the moment of doubt arises. Even if we are in the 21st century. No matter your…
Ah Paris, that romantic city of lights! And the Eiffel Tower, which is one of those iconic places people love to pop the question. And yet, you don't see many foreigners having their wedding in France. That's because it is…
Young Kids say a lot of funny things. I always want to record them chatting, because it is simply hilarious. And it adds a whole different level when those kids are born-and-bred little Frenchies. Funny Words your French Child will…
We like to have a bit of a laugh once in a while, so I thought I would explore that oh-so-elusive concept of the French Je ne sais quoi and its meaning. It is used to describe something that is…
Even if you've never read the comic books, you will still be swept away into the world of Asterix, the mighty little Gaul fighting the evil Roman Empire. Parc Asterix, the French theme park just outside of Paris, is ready…
If you have toddlers and are considering trekking out to Disneyland Paris, I have a better solution: Jardin d'Acclimatation. It is directly on Line 1 of the Paris metro (about 2 km away from the Champs Elysées), and has tons…
Growing up in Canada, we had "snow days", when so much snow had fallen the snowplows couldn't get to it on time. For my kids, on the other hand, it is "Strike day" in France. It is going to be…
The holiday season is fast approaching, and I'm sure you are wondering what to get your favorite francophile! Not to toot our own horn, but we know a thing or two about being a francophile. (P.S. I'm a big believer…
This topic has been swirling around for some time, until last week it all came to a head. I was offered the chance for a feature on another site; the catch was they wanted a picture of me with my…
Paris, the city that was known in ancient Roman times as Lutece. It was not as important a city as Lyon (more central) was at the time, or Marseille (with its natural harbor). But Lutece was none-the-less important enough to…
There comes a point in every Parisian's life when he or she starts to wonder: Should they maybe move out of Paris to the suburbs? Move out of Paris, you say! Why? The charm, the culture, the museums! If you've…
So you want to stay on the west side of Paris, but you want a house! And you perhaps want to send your kid that very famous public International school in Saint-Germain-en-Laye with its multitude of foreign language section. Welcome…
Living in Grand Paris is all about transport. Where do you need to travel to, compared to where you live? And this is where Val de Marne comes in. There's a saying in Paris "Metro, Boulot, Dodo", meaning "Commute, Work,…
The Hauts de Seine, one of the most popular suburbs of Paris, isn't particularly "green" or particularly "cheap". And if you are looking for a house, you will keep on looking. Most of the communes that border Paris, like Boulogne-Billancourt,…