Toward the end of our time in southwest France this summer, my husband and I decided to take a break from the Bordeaux area and head down to the Pyrenees. I had never been ‘down under’ in France and looked forward to exploring the French Basque country nestled along the Spanish border. We left Bordeaux’s…

Today is a full-bodied, sunny August Sunday in the Médoc. As I wrote last week, I am spending time in southwest France this summer for work—with a bit of vacation thrown in. The time so far has been rich, and there are some good stories to tell about French culture, sights, history, geography, food, wine,…

In the world of real estate, the three magic words of the profession are ‘location, location, location.’ Success is based on the value of place–think ‘Boardwalk’ and ‘Park Place’ on the Monopoly game board. When in France, I adopt this adage to my time spent there—and it becomes ‘relocation, relocation, relocation.’ Whether I am in…

Following last week’s “art walk” of French pastry shops, I thought it would be fascinant (intriguing) to go behind the pâtisserie scenes and see how some of this edible art is created. Our virtual visit takes us to Jouvaud, a divine pastry and chocolate shop in the heart of Carpentras in Provence.   The French…

Art is top of mind this week. In our advanced French Conversation class, we read a recent article from Le Point magazine on French attitudes toward art and museums. In a February 2010 survey of 1000 French persons 18 years old and older, six Français sur dix ont déclaré visiter un musée au moins une…

…the concept of a “Restaurant week” has JUST made an appearance. This year for the first time chefs of more than 800 restaurants in France, including 200 restaurants in the Paris region alone, have joined forces to host “Tous au Restaurant” and share their passion for great cuisine. From June 7 to 13, diners all over…

On Monday, French Affaires hosted celebrated food journalist and cookbook author Susan Herrmann Loomis as part of our French Affaires Book Series. She is currently based in France (more specifically in Louviers, Normandy) and runs her cooking school “On Rue Tatin” from there. Over a French-inspired lunch, she regaled our group of nearly 50 Francophiles with…

There are some things a textbook just doesn’t tell you about the French language. In my years as a former French professor and now as a French language and travel specialist, I find that you have to go to the source—France!—to get the real scoop. Take the word bonjour, for example. When you learn to…

Let’s face it. Traveling in France is très cher (very expensive). Although the euro is falling vis à vis the dollar due to the Greek debt crisis, things cost a lot in the euro zone. Even the French find both life’s necessities (real estate, cars, gas, electricity, milk and dairy products) and luxuries (designer goods,…