For the last 20 years, Val and I have split our time between California and Provence, and before that we lived and worked in Switzerland.

When we were in Switzerland, our social circle was mostly made up of fellow expats. But in France we wanted a difference experience–we wanted to make French friends.

Given the reputation the French have for being aloof, we expected this to be a struggle. But it wasn’t hard at all, and today some of our best friends are French. How did we do it? Read about some of the things we’ve learned in France Today!