How it started
About
I fell in love with France from my first trip here in 1980 as an exchange student in Angers and spent as much time as I could in my adopted country over the next three decades. I was quite determined to move back to France to live–a dream which I finally achieved several years ago, and I am thrilled to be here.
Experiences in France
I have been lucky to have had so many different experiences while living in Paris and numerous other parts of France: as an exchange student in Angers; backpacker throughout France; sales girl in a souvenir shop next to Notre Dame; as a house cleaner and babysitter for a Parisian family; as a grape harvester in the little hamlet of St. Hippolyte du Fort; as the assistant director of an exchange program in Dijon; a lecturer in the Faculté d’Anglais at the University of Bordeaux III and finally, and most enthusiastically, as a tour planner for travellers headed to the City of Light and throughout France.
Why I love Paris in…
The Spring
The city comes alive and smells of jasmine and new growth. There are festivals like La Fete de la Musique in June, which is a wonderful event across the country with music on every street corner late into the night. The chestnut trees start blooming.
The Fall
Mushrooms and figs in the markets, chestnut trees turning yellow, the chill in the air. It is so conducive to brisk walks in the parks and along the Promenade Plantée. Eating oysters while drinking a glass of Sancerre at the market. Watching spectacular fall sunsets from the many bridges of the Seine.
The Summer
The extra long days of sunshine. Early morning walks on the Seine. The abundant produce—including the most incredible strawberries—in all of the markets. Walks in one of the many gardens of the city, or evening boat rides on the Canal de l’Ourque or the Seine. Having a glass of wine along the quais of the Seine in one of the many cafés.
The Winter
Sipping hot mulled wine or a hot chocolate in the evening under a café terrace awning and people watching. The city is less crowded and it feels more intimate. This is the time of year to go to the opera and theatre which is so abundantly available in Paris.
A few of my go-to places…
Shopping the markets for food and furniture.
I love going to brocantes (antique and flea markets) in different neighborhoods and to the Marché aux Puces St. Ouen. The Marches d’Aligre and Richard Lenoir have all of the food, spices, smells and energy for a full shopping experience.
A not-so-well-known Chateau on the edge Paris.
Very few tourists travel to the Chateau de Vincennes— the largest medieval keep in Europe with a fascinating history. The former fortress and royal residence is located on the eastern edge of Paris and can be easily accessed by métro, RER or taxi. A spot worth a 1-2 hour visit.
All of the sounds and smells.
Sounds and smells of Paris: sirens, cigarettes, garlic, hot fresh baguettes, butter from the boulangeries, street vendors’ cries at the Marché d’Aligre and Marché de Bastille vying for my attention.
The Dordogne.
Again and again.
This is a region that I can never get enough of. Driving through the winding roads and seeing the troglodyte dwellings in the high cliffs. Walking into the caves and being so close to original 20,000 year old drawings that are so detailed and clear. Visiting the bastide towns that are a 1,000 year-old example of city planning. Not to mention the great food, beautiful woods, and incredible red wine of Cahors: this is the Dordogne.
Sunny Days in the Côte d’Azur
There is a joy I feel when I get off the train in Nice…the palm trees, blue sky, aqua water and the feeling of a real joie de vivre which is so palpable along the Côte d’Azur. The fact that there is so much sunshine makes everyone happy. I find Nice to be the perfect blend of France and Italy—it’s only 15 miles to the Italian border.
