Bonjour and a great big welcome to all our new subscribers – it is great to meet you.
This week I’ve been out and about in my local area of the Seven Valleys, Pas de Calais. I went to meet an artisan known locally as “the goat lady”. She makes bread in her ancient wood oven to go with the goats cheese she makes by hand. She is a bit of a legend in these parts and when I arrived at her chevrerie (goat farm, above), having driven a few miles passing only three vehicles the entire way, I was astonished to see a queue of cars parked outside. They were there for the bread and I will be telling you more about my visit when I return next week to watch the cheese being made…
We’ve had mixed weather this week in France as Hurricane Bertha swished her tail over parts of France bringing heavy winds and torrential rain. I’ve had to move my little ducklings with their mother’s into temporary pens on the terrace to keep them warm and dry. My neighbours are now convinced that I am completely crazy but the weather is set to improve next week so I can put them back in the garden I hope.
In the news this week France retained her title of most popular tourist destination in the world as figures revealed an astonishing 815 million people visited France in 2013. We know you’ll understand the reason for all those visits as there is so much to see and do, such a huge diversity of landscapes, chateaux, medieval towns, gastronomy, wonderful markets, flea markets, culture, history and heritage and more!
Hope you enjoy the articles we’ve bought you this week
With best wishes and a very bon weekend to you,
Janine
Editor
Volunteering in France: We talk to a British expat who volunteers at her local SPA animal rescue centre. If you are an expat in France you may find volunteering not only a worthwhile cause but a great way to make friends and get involved in the local community…
Riquewihr in photos: Riquewirh in Alsace is a fairy-tale town with magnificent architecture and a great deal of charm. We look at Riquewihr in photos and we’re pretty sure you’ll love to see them…
French Attic Finds Gorgeous Vintage in France: We meet Canadian expat Marmen who moved to France and fell in love with a French man and the flea markets. She has turned a passion for French vintage into a career. She seeks out fabulous French items and sells them in her Etsy shop – and she is offerigng 10% off for all The Good Life France friends (details in the link)…
Nuits des Chimères Le Mans: The annual light show at Le Mans is spectacular and what’s more – it’s completely free…
American student in france: An American student tells how he found going home after a year in France
Cycling in Poitou Charentes: The Tour de France seems to have imbued everyone with a passion for cycling so we look at two great places to cycle – Poitou Charentes and the south of France. Cycling veteran and ex deputy Editor of the Tour de France magazine Roger St Pierre gives his top tips for safe cycling in France…
A day on the Cote d’Azur: Lyn Baker from Australia visits Sanary-sur-Mer and Bandol and falls in love with the French Riviera…
