Dry January in France

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Keith Van Sickle

There is a program called Dry January that encourages drinkers to forgo alcohol for the month and ask themselves questions like: How many drinks do I have a day? Why? And how do I deal with the social pressure to drink?

Begun in the UK in 2013, Dry January has spread throughout the world. In 2020 it was launched in France as Défi de janvier (January challenge), but it was unclear if it would be welcomed in a country where wine is an important part of daily life.

Surprisingly, this month-without-alcohol has been a success, though not without controversy.

Read all about it in Bonjour Paris!

A Conversation with Author Mark Greenside

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Keith Van Sickle

In Mark Greenside is one of my favorite authors. His books are funny, thoughtful, and always a good read.

In 1992, at the age of 47, he bought a house—almost by accident—in a tiny Breton village. He has lived there ever since, splitting his time between Brittany and California.

His three books about life in France are full of self-deprecating humor and interesting insights. You can read my review of them at MyFrenchLife.

Even better, on February 7, I’ll be chatting with Mark about his life in Brittany. Please join us! You can find more details and sign up here.

France’s Most-Loved Bestsellers Now in English

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Keith Van Sickle

The French love to read—the average français knocks off more than a book a month. But what do they read? Is it all Proust and Flaubert or are there some page turners in there?

If you’d like to read like the French do, you’re in luck, because many of their recent best-sellers are now available in English. They are typically translated a few years after publication, especially the top prize winners.

I’ve put together a selection of recent best-sellers in France that you can read in English. You’ll find serious novels, thrillers, non-fiction, and France’s favorite Gaul, Asterix.

Read all about it in France Today!

How to Sound Like You are From Provence

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Keith Van Sickle

It’s a new year and in Provence people are telling each otherl Diéu nous fague la gràci de vèire l’an que vèn, e se noun sian pas mai, que noun fugen pas mens !

This is in the Provençal language and translates as “May God grant us the grace to see the new year, and if there are not more, let there be not be less!” In other words, even if no babies are born, let’s hope nobody dies!

I’ve always liked this expression and have learned a few more in my time in Provence. Most are in French, and some are pretty funny.

Read about 15 fun Provençal expressions in Frenchly!

7 Tips for Understanding French Wine

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Keith Van Sickle

With all of the holidays this time of year, you may want to buy wine to add to the festivities, and the French make some of the best. But the labels can be confusing–how can you figure them out? What should you buy?

I’ve put together a primer on French wines to help you make sense of all this. It points you to wines for different tastes, and don’t worry it’s not about the expensive stuff.

Learn about the basics of French wine in Frenchly!

Making French Friends

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Keith Van Sickle

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!

Hostess Gifts à la Français

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Keith Van Sickle

This is the time of year for holiday gatherings with friends and family. Val and I find that our social calendar is pretty packed between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

When you are invited to all these events, what should you bring for the hosts?

The French make an art of this, so Val and I try to follow their example. Would you like to thank your hosts in the French style? I’ve written an article with some tips for you, and you can read it in Frenchly!

Why I Love Provence

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Keith Van Sickle

I was interviewed recently by The Connexion about my life in Provence. Every month it features an English-speaking expat in France, asking what they think about living there. The people interviewed are usually those who have moved to France full-time, but I guess they wanted to mix it up this month and talk to a part-timer like me.

If you guessed that I love it in Provence, you would be right! Here’s the interview in The Connection!

France’s Favorite Monument

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Keith Van Sickle

Every year, the French vote on their favorite monument. It’s a big deal–dozens of monuments from all over France are nominated, and then there is a round of voting by internet. The top vote-getters become finalists, and voting happens all over again.

Then comes the big reveal: a two-hour television broadcast where the Top 10 are slowly counted down, with a segment on each. Finally, the big winner!

Millions of people participate and the television broadcast is a big deal, with everyone wondering who the winner will be.

France’s Favorite Monument of 2025 has just been revealed. Would you like to know what it is? Find out in France Today!

France’s Female Wine Revolution

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Keith Van Sickle

Wine has traditionally been a man’s world, from winemakers to sommeliers to critics. There have been important exceptions, like champagne innovator Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot of Veuve Clicquot fame, but women have generally been few and far between. Thirty years ago, fewer than 14% of the country’s wine estates were run by women.

But then women started working together, sharing knowledge and resources through regional winemaker associations. The first was in Bordeaux and they have since spread throughout the country. Today the number of French wine estates run by women has more than doubled, to over 30%.

How did they do it? Find out at France Today!