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French Village Life & Making New Friends

This story called 'One Good Turn Deserves Another' is the next instalment in our French Life Series. It's all about making friends and helping each other.

One Good Turn Deserves Another

We live part time in a little village that's nestled amongst maize fields and grazing cows and this stay at our French house Paul (my husband for any new readers) got sick and to be honest it was driving me crazy. Normally, I am quite a kind and understanding person but in these circumstances I was a bit short of empathy and well, a wee bit cranky.

The History of Montmartre, Paris

The History of Montmartre

"From the days of the pilgrimages, in the Middle Ages, Montmartre has always been a spot where barriers are dropped and pleasures are indulged.

With a history stretching back 2,000 years, the village of Montmartre blends religious mysticism, cabaret life and the full-range of the arts." - Montmartre Office of Tourism

We’ve Adopted a Star to Save The Oldest Church in Paris

Adopt a Star to Save Saint Germain des Pres Church in Paris

A French Collection joins the American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés Church to help save the oldest church in Paris which would you believe dates back to 543.

Adopt A Star - The Oldest Church in Paris

As you can imagine after centuries of use and dirt build up, any building will show its age and need to be restored, and Paris' oldest church, Saint Germain des Prés is one such building definitely needing restoration. When I read about the American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés Church raising funds in the unique way of offering 800 'stars' on the celestial ceiling of the Monk's Choir for adoption, I knew I had to get on board. The project started with 3,000 stars available for adoption on the ceilings of the Transept and the Nave but due to the popularity of the project there are now around 800 stars available.

Nina’s Marie Antoinette Tea Salon, Paris

Nina's Marie Antoinette Tea Salon in Paris

Nina's Marie Antoinette French tea salon has been offering the original tea of Marie Antoinette since 1672 and for anyone who loves their cup of tea, with or without cake or is enthralled with the life of Marie Antoinette will love Nina's Marie Antoinette Salon.

The Salon is located in central Paris at Place Vendrôme, in the 1st arrondissement and it is truely a delicate place with its golden gilt decorations, creme décor and pretty china teapots and cups.

The Beekeeper’s Promise: Book Review

The Beekeeper’s Promise by Fiona Valpy

Fiona Valpy expertly takes the reader into two worlds divided by seventy years in her best seller, The Beekeeper's Promise. Through clever narration she is able to set the differences in time and culture from the period of 1938 to present day. At the same time by highlighting the differences Valpy also reveals that over time and space much of what makes up an individual’s humanity remains essentially unaltered.

This book explores many themes; love and loss, loyalty and betrayal even domestic violence. On the face of it, one could be forgiven for thinking Valpy has tried to do too much, to tackle too many issues. However, her writing is skilled and she sensitively explores events by simply telling the story. She resists the temptation to moralise allowing her characters to live out their circumstances with sincerity.

Combourg -The Hometown of François René de Chateaubriand

Combourg castle amongst trees viewed from the lake

Combourg – A Small Town of Character

Combourg is a small town in the north western part of France in the region of Brittany or Bretagne. This small town of character or Petite Cité de Caractère is said to have risen from a small parish town when in the 6th century Irish monk, Saint Lunaire, built a church. Much later in the 11th century the archbishop of Dol-de-Bretagne built a château where his younger brother Riwallon lived.

The town grew around three centres; the château, the feudal settlement that developed due to the protection of Riwallon and then a priory settlement that developed after Riwallon summoned Benedictine monks to the area.

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French Tours with A French Collection

Join Our Small Group Immersive Tours to France

Come with us to France in spring when the cherry blossom is out or autumn when the leaves turn every shade of gold. A week long escorted tour of Paris or Normandy & Brittany with me, Annette, will be the sort of trip you've long dreamed of. Immerse yourself on our 7 day small group tours and experience authentic France like a local.

Classic Paris Tour 7-13 April 2021 and 6-12 September 2021

Discover Normandy & Brittany Tour 15-21 April 2021 and 14-20 September 2021

Claude Monet’s Hometown Giverny – What to See & Do

Claude Monet's Hometown - What to See and Do

Giverny in the northwest region of Normandy is well known as the hometown of Impressionist artist Claude Monet (1840 - 1926) but the picturesque village has more to explore than just Claude Monet's House and Garden complex. Read more as I discover what to see and do in Giverny.

Monet In Giverny

Monet's attachment to the village of Giverny started after signing a rental agreement for his pink maison (home) on 3 May 1883, and then after buying the house, moving in with Alice in 1890. They lived in this house and village with the two children from Monet and Camille's marriage and the six children from Alice and Ernest's marriage for the rest of their lives as a blended family.

The village was originally divided by a railway line that went along what is now called Chemin du Roy. Chemin du Roy divides Monet's two gardens and is now a narrow laneway for cars. Giverny encompasses Monet's garden and home but also has many other attractions to offer for the visitor.

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