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Julie Child in Paris – Following in the Footsteps of America’s French Chef

Julia Child in Paris

Want to follow in the footsteps of the famous American French Chef Julia Child? Well, when you spend a lot of time in Paris you will undoubtably visit many of the places that Julia also frequented during her life in Paris.

Julia Child has been described as America's French chef and is famous for her cooking, her books and as host of her acclaimed television show, The French Chef. Let's go find Julia Child's Paris together.

“A party without cake is just a meeting.” - Julia Child

The Day I Became A True French Villager

What makes you a feel like a local or a real citizen of your town, village or suburb? For me I felt like a tourist in our second home in France, rather than a real homeowner and local, for nearly five years and it was the smallest event that suddenly made me feel like I belonged.

The Day I Became A True French Villager

Being an expat can fill your daily life with wonder and amazement and also consternation as you try and figure out how everything works around you in your foreign environment or new country.

For some people fitting in seamlessly and appearing to have always belonged to their new life looks easy and for others it takes time and the inevitable faux pas and awkward moments before a sense of belonging is enjoyed. The aha moment of belonging caught me unaware and it was the simplest of things that caused it.

Best Small Group Tours of Brittany

"There aren’t many guided tours of Brittany, so when one comes along that’s absolutely brilliantly put together, run by a most charming host and takes in the very best of Brittany and just over the border Normandy – we’re excited!"

Best Small Group Tour of Brittany

That's what Janine Marsh of The Good Life France had to say about my Brittany Tours, calling them the best guided tour of Brittany, and I agree that Brittany is best explored in small groups where you are guided to the most charming towns, picture perfect beaches and best natural wonders along the French northwest coast. [Photo above is of Tregestal, Brittany where we take a coastal walk among the boulders]

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.

« Previous Page

Julie Child in Paris – Following in the Footsteps of America’s French Chef

Julia Child in Paris

The Day I Became A True French Villager

The Day I Became A True French Villager

Best Small Group Tours of Brittany

Best Small Group Tour of Brittany

French Village Life & Making New Friends

One Good Turn Deserves Another

The History of Montmartre, Paris

The History of Montmartre

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

Adopt A Star - The Oldest Church in Paris

Nina’s Marie Antoinette Tea Salon, Paris

Nina's Marie Antoinette Tea Salon in Paris

The Beekeeper’s Promise: Book Review

The Beekeeper’s Promise by Fiona Valpy

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