In spring and summer in Samoens in the French Alps, the snow melts, the whole valley turns green and the meadows come to life. Although, we all love the winter season, the spring and summer months mean it’s time to get out the walking boots, bikes, climbing gear, rafts and relish the warm weather. Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval […]
Orange in Provence is a sunny city with oodles of charm that has been built up over the centuries quite literally. The Romans were here two millennia ago and the town is proud of its ancient legacy. The UNESCO Listed Roman ruins You just can’t miss the incredible Roman theatre at Orange. It’s one of […]
Fougères is situated in a green and lush corner of Brittany, very near the borders of Normandy and Pays de la Loire. The word Fougères means ferns, but in this case, it is a town of about 20,000 people and is most noted for its magnificent castle. The lower town of Fougères The town is […]
The small city of Vienne in the Isère department of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes sits on the banks of the River Rhône. It has a delightful mix of rich heritage and history, and fabulous wines as well as sublime culinary delights. It’s a city of Gauls, Romans and Christians along with a sprinkling of fine […]
You can’t go to Orange in Provence and not see the UNESCO listed Roman Theatre. I think it might actually be against the law! It’s not a theatre like we might know it, somewhere with a dark interior with plush velvet seats. It’s an open-air theatre with a 37-metre high wall and a stage facing […]
The Good Life France Magazine – the Spring issue. As always it’s bursting with inspiration, filled with fabulous photos and packed with articles on places, to go, culture, gastronomy and life in France. It’s completely free to read online or download a PDF, you can subscribe for free and share it with your friends […]
There’s no denying that the French love a festival, their many and diverse street celebrations always seem to bring out the soul and essence of a city. And surprisingly, the sleepy and historic city of Vienne in the Isère department of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region in the south east of France, is no exception. […]
Discover the most wonderful places in the south of France from Provence to Cotes du Rhone on this luxury 10-day, small group tour. Explore the sun-drenched region of Provence as well as Nice and Lyon. Highlights include visits to the monumental Palais des Papes in Avignon, exquisite Aix-en-Provence, beautiful Saint-Remy, always lovely Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the fragrant Luberon […]
Summer is coming very soon, and for many of us, it simply means that it is the time for golf and vacation. If you are currently planning a golf trip to Europe, make sure to include France on your list. Being one of the most popular golf destinations in Europe, France is the home to […]
There are thousands of restaurants in Paris and choosing where to go for dinner when you’re only in the city for a short while can be a challenge. Long term American expat in Paris., writer and foodie Barbara Paquet-James reveals where Parisians go when they want to indulge in a luxurious dinner in the city… […]
The perfect side dish for a barbecue, these roasted tomatoes from Provence call for a glass of chilled rosé and some delicious grilled meat or fish. They also use herbs that are classic in southern France, and often called herbes de Provence in France. Prep time: 5 minutes • Cook time: 20 minutes • Serves 4 […]
An elegant interior of marble fireplaces, ceiling high, gilt-edged mirrors, crystal chandeliers and ornate furniture formed an unlikely backdrop for a beer and food matching dinner with a twist. This was no ordinary setting and no ordinary dinner! The Brewers Association, a not-for-proft trade body representing small and independent American craft brewers, was the guest […]
Research shows that learning a second language offers proven benefits for intelli- gence, memory and concentration, plus lowered risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Learning French can be challenging but fun – and it makes trips to France that much more rewarding. Here’s how I learned French in my 50s: Build a Foundation You need some […]
American Diane Covington-Carter was obsessed with France. She had spent her youth listening to her father’s wartime tales, studying French, and saving every spare penny to go there on her junior year abroad when she finished school. Alas this was not to be, and instead she found herself becoming a young married mother. However, two […]
Yves Saint Laurent was a genius – a visionary who became a legend at an early age. Today his name graces a variety of products from luxurious cosmetics to high-end handbags. Knowing a bit about his background will enhance your visit to this excellent new museum. Early Yves Saint Laurent Saint Laurent’s career began with […]
Normandy has just about everything for holiday makers to France – picturesque villages, gorgeous sandy beaches, historic towns, exquisite countryside and the most delicious gastronomy. Wherever you go on holiday in Normandy, you’ll find some fabulous day trip destinations not far away including the world famous Mont-St-Michel. Here are four more of our favourites in […]
We might all hanker after a 5 star visit to the city of light but for most of us, it’s way beyond our budget. However, with a little know-how, you can enjoy 5 star style and not have to take out a bank loan. 5 Star Paris Dining and Drinking without breaking the bank If […]
Back in the middle ages, a new Carcassonne was created at the base of the hill of the ancient citadelle of Carcassonne. The town of lower Carcassone was built on the left bank of the river Aude and is called the Bastide Saint-Louis. Most visitors to Carcassonne miss it completely and what a shame that […]
We talk to British expat Linda James who with her husband Alex runs Le Pommier gites and a cake making business in Riberac, Dordogne department, Aquitaine, south west France. What inspired you to move to Riberac? Coming here on holiday, I fell in love with the sunny weather, the stunning countryside, being able to swim […]
Talk of income tax in France is something that can cause the jitters. But if you’re thinking about buying a second home in France, or making a complete move, the advantages from a tax perspective may represent great value. Jennie Poate, Head of Operations, France for Beacon Global Wealth Management explains… Income tax in France There […]
We’ve all heard about the high quality of life, superb climate and low crime rate. Joanna Leggett of Leggett Immobilier looks more closely at the practical issues. The golden rule: You get out what you put in Even if your French is basic, your efforts to communicate will be appreciated. Try to learn the language. […]
The lush green area of Dordogne is popular with expats and none more so than the Brits. In fact the area has been termed “little Britain” as it’s attracted so many entranced Brits Why do we all love Dordogne? There’s loads that inspires our love for Dordogne. For a start the weather is great. There’s […]
Half of Britain it seems, is glued to the TV series Escape to the Chateau featuring the lovely Angel and Dick who bought a castle and have been doing it up before our eyes. They’ve also taken starring roles in Escape to the Chateau DIY, a TV series in which we get to see the […]
I have a home in the north of France, known for its lush and gorgeous countryside. There’s a reason its so green though, it rains a fair bit. I don’t mind, I’m from the UK, we Brits are used to that sort of weather. Every now and again though, I hanker after a bit of […]
Bonjour from France! We’ve had such good weather where I am that it’s been possible to crack on with the renovation at quite a pace. It’s looking like half building site and half lovely rustic French farmhouse in the front now. After 14 years of dreaming of blue shutters, roses and a pretty gate I’m […]
Almost always the first place that all visitors head to when they go to Carcassonne is the old city. You can see it from miles around and it is a sight that’s memorable. A chateau perched on top of a hill surrounded by ramparts dotted with fairy tale pointy turrets that contain an entire medieval […]
Hope you had a good week. Something strange happened here. I was sitting in my little pigsty writing away (there are no pigs in here now, it’s been rebuilt as a little office for me). I was writing about beautiful Burgundy and its dreamy chateaux (coming up in next issue of the Magazine). It was […]
We talk to British expat Linda James who with her husband Alex runs Le Pommier gites and a cake making business in Riberac, Dordogne department, Aquitaine, south west France. What inspired you to move to Riberac? Coming here on holiday, I fell in love with the sunny weather, the stunning countryside, being able to swim […]
Life isn’t all sitting around eating cheese and quaffing wine for expats in France. There’s the tricky issue of everyday life and administration to deal with too! Never annoy a Fonctionaire… I read somewhere that 20% of the French population work for the government. If you buy a home in France, you will eventually come […]
Wikipedia defines ‘Francophile’ “as a person who has a strong affinity towards the French language, French history, French culture or French people.” When I read that, I thought, “Wow, that is totally me.” I grew up in Southern California, just an hour from the Mexican border. The most logical language to learn was Spanish. But from the first moment I heard […]
Half of Britain it seems, is glued to the TV series Escape to the Chateau featuring the lovely Angel and Dick who bought a castle and have been doing it up before our eyes. They’ve also taken starring roles in Escape to the Chateau DIY, a TV series in which we get to see the […]
We talk to Sébastien Martin-O’Driscoll about expat life in the Vienne department, Poitou-Charentes, France. Can you tell us a little about you and where you are from? I was born in France, in the Auvergne, and emigrated to the UK in my early 20’s. I met my husband Fox, with whom I work as a […]
Have you ever seen a ghost in Paris? Many say they have… Paris has ghosts in abundance. We can search for them and find them, then shudder as we feel their closeness to us. The spirits of historical events litter the timeless landmarks of the great capital. Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera, the parks and […]
Charlotte Field from the UK talks about life as an expat in charming Chinon, Loire Valley where she has lived for eight years and works as a local agent for Leggett Immobillier, the award winning French Estate Agency… Where are you from and how did you come to be living in France? I was brought […]
Night Nurse Needed – Should be young and pretty. This was the ad Henri Matisse placed with the nursing school in Nice, France in 1942. He was seventy-two years-old and still working while recovering from a serious surgery. He required constant care and needed someone to fill in while his regular night nurse was away. […]