France’s 3 Digital Art Centers

Val and I visited Bordeaux this spring and saw something really remarkable: a former Nazi submarine base that had been turned into a digital art center. It was incredible! Beautiful art was projected onto the walls and reflected off the water, while lovely music played. Something that had once been a place of war had been turned into a place of beauty. It was the highlight of our visit.

This is one of three such digital art centers in France. There is also one in Paris, inside an old factory. And the place it all started is in Provence, in an abandoned quarry inside a mountain. They are all fantastic places to visit, brilliant and creative and so French.

Read all about them in France Today!

What Do They Call It?

If you’ve been to France, you’ve probably had a luscious pain au chocolat for breakfast (they are irresistible!) Or maybe some croûtons in your salad. And if you were feeling adventurous, perhaps a few escargot drenched in butter.

I was surprised to learn that not all French people use the terms pain au chocolat, croûton, and escargot! There are regional variations in France, as in a lot of countries, and a French professor has written a fun book about them. Now I know that if I’m in Toulouse, I’d better order a chocolatine if I want that breakfast treat.

Read about some of these interesting regional terms in My French Life!

A Dog’s Life in France

I’ll admit it, I’m crazy about my dog Mica. When Val and I go to Provence every year, there’s no way we can leave her behind! So off she goes, with her toys and her Pet Passport (yes, it’s a thing.)

Mica goes everywhere with us, from strolls in town to places we explore. She helps us get our exercise and meet new people. I’ve written a little piece about having a dog in France that you might enjoy.

Read all about it in France Today!

How to Retire in France: A 6-Step Guide

Frenchly has published a helpful guide on moving to France, and I was one of the people they interviewed for it.

The guide covers a lot of ground: how to decide where to live, buying versus renting, how to purchase a property, obtaining visas, health insurance, and more. It’s a great overview for people considering a move to la belle France.

Read all about it in Frenchly!

A Dog’s Life in France

Ever since we got married, Val and I have had a dog. First there was Rodin, who moved with us to Switzerland when we took jobs there. Then there was Lucca, who flew back and forth from California to Provence when we started living there part-time. Now it’s Mica, our cute little border collie mix, who has traveled between our two homes plenty of times. 

Mica’s not crazy about the long flight (neither are we), but once she gets to France she loves her life there. And we love our life with her–she keeps us active, helps us meet people, and shares her love all around.

I’ve written a fun little article about having a dog in France that you might enjoy, in France Today.

A Beautiful Art, Wine, and Food Center in Provence

Just minutes from Aix-en-Provence is a site unique in the region: Château La Coste. Whether you enjoy food, wine, art, or all three, it is definitely worth a stop.

Twenty years ago, Château La Coste was an unremarkable winery set in a beautiful location. Then a new owner decided to change things up. He dramatically upgraded the quality of the wines, hired the world-famous architect Tadao Ando to design an art center, and invited sculptors from around the world to work their magic around the property. Oh, and he added six restaurants, a luxury hotel, and a wellness center.

Today Château La Coste is a definite stop to add to your Provençal itinerary, whether for a meal, a stay, or just to taste wine and enjoy spectacular artworks.

Read all about it in Frenchly!

Southern Rhône Valley Wine Guide

I’m sometimes asked about my favorite wines, and it always makes me think of France’s Rhône Valley. It’s long and skinny, going from Lyon down almost to the Mediterranean Sea, and it has wonderful wines at all price points.

I’ve written a couple of guides to these wines, because the wines are different in the northern and southern parts of this region. My guides aren’t too complicated or wine geeky, just some basic information that might be helpful to someone interested in learning more. I’ve previously written about the wines of the northern Rhône and this guide is about the south.

Read about some of my favorite wines in The Wine Scribes!

How to Kiss a French Person

It’s one of those French customs that mystifies foreigners: les bises (also called bisous). This is where French people kiss each other on the cheek.

It raises so many questions, like…when to do it? How to do it? How many times? And is it the same everywhere in France?

I’ve taken a deep dive into the history and practice of this most French of social customs. Let me share what I’ve learned–you might be surprised by a few things!

Read all about it in My French Life!

The Liberation of Aix-en-Provence

The 1944 D-Day landings of Normandy began the liberation of France, and the country has been celebrating this and other important events throughout the year. The latest is Aix-en-Provence, which just opened an important photo exhibition called Shadows and Light. This show, which runs through October 27, includes many rarely-seen photos from the years immediately before, during, and after World War II.

Taken from the historic Ely photo collection, visitors will see images that will alternately surprise, shock, and delight them. Many of the photos were taken surreptitiously, when photography was prohibited during the Nazi occupation.

If you are not able to visit Aix but would like to see a sample of the photos from the exhibition, check out this article in Perfectly Provence!