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Paris Doors – The elegant doors of Paris

Paris Doors - The elegant doors of Paris

Can you imagine a Paris without its unique and stunning doors? I can't and I know plenty of other photographers wouldn't be able to either. Paris and her doors are a drawcard for professional photographers, amateurs and tourists and even the locals take snaps of pretty doors also. Any why not? Brightly and freshly painted, or cracking and peeling, polished large knockers or petite handles, they are part of the Parisian architecture that the city is famous for.

Seasonal Fall Menu

Seasonal Fall Menu - 'A Dinner with Friends'

Autumn or Fall is a time of changing colour and cooler temperatures and of course heart warming recipes. Nothing is better than cooking and preparing for a cosy family gathering or dinner with friends in the fall; and I was delighted to be invited by the leading magazine and website on food, travel and lifestyle in the South of France and the French Riviera, Perfectly Provence to curate their fall menu.

Each season a well-known French blogger, acclaimed chef or restaurant owner curates a menu featuring Provençal regional seasonal produce and this fall I've put together 'A Dinner with Friends' menu. Included are four delicious courses and a festive cocktail. Pink Elephant Martini Cocktail, Marrow on Toast, Pot-au-feu, Cheese Plate with Figs and a sweet Fig Tart with Marzipan complete the dinner menu.

Where to Stay in Paris – My Recommendations

Where to Stay in Paris? It's a question that I get asked each week by readers and social followers asking 'where to stay in Paris' and more specifically, 'where do you stay in Paris' and 'what hotels do you recommend'. After answering numerous emails and helping loads of travellers with my personal Paris hotel recommendations, I thought it made sense to put my suggestions all in one place and share it with everyone. Honestly, I don't know why I haven't already done this!

The timing is perfect to share this blog post because I've just come back from a couple of pleasant Autumn days in Paris and stayed at my usual hotel, and I have a number of emails from readers waiting for my reply on 'where to stay in Paris'.

How to Open A Champagne Bottle the French Way

French Champagne at old harbour of Cassis, Provence

How to Open A Champagne Bottle the French Way

Feeling festive? Well, that probably means you'll be enjoying a glass of champagne. Did you know there's a traditional French way to open a bottle of champagne?

Champagne bottles are made to be pretty indestructible as you might already know. This is because as champagne undergoes its second fermentation in the bottle (the part of the process that makes the bubbles), the pressure rises up to six atmospheres, or 60 pounds. Early on in the champagne industry Dom Pérignon experienced some disastrous results attempting to harness this pressure with frequently exploding bottles and cellar workers often wounded or even killed.

A French Collection Interviewed by French Views

It's always a pleasure to meet fellow bloggers who are as passionate about France as I am, and to share what we love together. Carole from French Views was born in England but has spent the majority of her life in Sydney, Australia, so she's practically a neighbour at only 160kms away - Australia is a BIG country! Carole loves travelling and in particular to France and her blog French Views has come from her desire to share those travel experiences, and inspire others to travel independently.

When Carole approached me to find out more about how and why we came to buy a house in France, what our life looks like and how we make it work spreading our everyday living between the northern and southern hemispheres, I was delighted to be interviewed and share my story with her lovely readers.

Preparing to Go to France

Preparing to Live in France for Three Months

Today I thought I'd share some thoughts on how I'm preparing to live in France for an extended time and especially as my family will be remaining in Australia mostly while I'm away. Thinking this might be helpful for you in case you also have plans to one day live for some time in another country, these are my personal preparation plans and what's been happening over at my house for the last week or so.

Just for context, our family have a second home in a tiny farming village deep in the Brittany countryside that we have been visiting on and off over the last 12 years. We are now entering the next stage of our life with independent grown children and starting to make plans to see if we can create a life in France for ourselves on a more permanent basis. As with all major life changes, we are being flexible and taking it one step at a time.

Medieval City of Carcassonne

Carcassonne - The Medieval City of Southwestern France

Where were you when...? A Carcassonne Memory.

Thanks to guest writer Linda Rowe for her post on Carcassonne which shows the incredible power of travel and the memories it creates. Now let's read on about her visit to Carcassonne, the medieval city of southwestern France and why Linda clearly remembers her visit to the ancient walled city.

Our initial view of the medieval town of Carcassonne

Long before we entered the medieval town of Carcassonne, the walls of the old town and the slate roofs of the turrets could be seen from quite a distance, given that it sits on a hilltop. Walking across the drawbridge we entered a 13th century world of towers ( 52 of them), turrets and cobblestones.

I Quit My Job to Move to France

Annette from A French Collection at Palais Royal, Paris

I Quit My Job to Move to France - The Back Story

Yes, I quit my job the other week to move to France and shared this news with my followers and readers on Thursday and the response has been unprecedented. The outpouring of well wishes, messages of encouragement and congratulations has been extraordinary. Thank you for your heartfelt and beautiful comments.

Many of you thanked me for inspiring you to consider taking the plunge on your next big decision and to passionately follow your own dream. I never anticipated such an outpouring of love and well wishes and I am humbled by everyone's response. So much so, I thought it might be helpful for others thinking of living in France, to know the back story of why I quit my job to move to France and why this is good news for you.

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Paris Doors – The elegant doors of Paris

Paris Doors - The elegant doors of Paris

Seasonal Fall Menu

Seasonal Fall Menu - 'A Dinner with Friends'

Where to Stay in Paris – My Recommendations

How to Open A Champagne Bottle the French Way

How to Open A Champagne Bottle the French Way

A French Collection Interviewed by French Views

A French Collection Interviewed by French Views

Preparing to Go to France

Preparing to Live in France for Three Months

Medieval City of Carcassonne

Carcassonne - The Medieval City of Southwestern France

Our initial view of the medieval town of Carcassonne

I Quit My Job to Move to France

I Quit My Job to Move to France - The Back Story

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