As children, we aren’t always taught that what is considered polite to you isn’t necessarily what is polite to another. As an American (especially one from the Midwest), I was raised with a distinct fear of being seen as rude, so … Continue reading
life in France
Moving to France as a Retiree: The Journey (Part 1)
At the age of 69, I decided to move to France. I had already lived in the Paris area in my youth, first as the child of an expat working for a US company, and then as an architecture student … Continue reading
The Week Before I Move to France
I’ve got my visa, a year’s supply of my favorite deodorant, and a one-way ticket to France. The countdown to my departure began when I returned to Texas from France four months ago, but I’m still struggling to fathom how … Continue reading
Why Everything Closes in France in August
If you’ve ever tried to do anything administrative in France during the month of August, you’ve probably hit a wall — or a closed door. Or maybe a handwritten note taped to a window that reads, “fermeture annuelle, réouverture le … Continue reading
Living in France Changed my Relationship with Time
To be honest, I never really thought much about my relationship with time. Until I moved to France and realized just how differently they approach it in terms of, well, almost everything. Things that have become normalized in the US, … Continue reading
The Secret of the South: Le Puy-en-Velay
“Le Puy-en-what?” This is often the response I receive when asked where I am living in France. Even many of my French friends from other regions of the country are unfamiliar with it. As I write during my return flight … Continue reading
French Etiquette 101
When I first moved to France, many things surprised me initially. Most were pleasant — you mean I can order a 2€ coffee and sit at the same table undisturbed for hours on end? I can go grocery shopping without … Continue reading
A Page from 29 Days to France: Getting the Essentials Sorted
For those of us who have moved to France, we know there’s a moment that comes right after the dream becomes reality — when the plan lands, your feet finally hit French soil, and you realize… Okay, now what? It’s … Continue reading
How to Shop at an Outdoor Market in Paris
Visiting the marché is one of my favorite weekly activities, and I especially love going with either my French husband (a professional chef) or my French mother-in-law (an incredible cook herself). They seem to know exactly where to go, who … Continue reading
The Ritual of the French Apéro
If you’ve spent an extended amount of time in France with actual French people, you know all about the ritual of the apéro — and that ritual is the best word to describe it. Consistently splitting my time between the … Continue reading