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 this gorgeous country for a few days, a week, a month, or several months, I consider myself to be living as a full-time resident. It’s a state of mind. It’s a way of being and acting. Success in this context is living the sense of French place to the fullest.
I am spending a good part of this summer in France, and it feels wonderful to be ‘home.’ I am here with my American husband—as many friends of French Affaires know, I was married for the first time a few months ago—who is also at home in France and of Europe. We have ‘relocated’ to the Bordeaux area for several weeks for both work and vacation.
On the French Affaires web site, I will be posting current adventures from our southwest France experience in the days to come including this year’s Tour de France race, the Bordeaux wine country, bastide towns in the Dordogne, the varied countryside of the Médoc, beaches on the Atlantic coast, French lighthouses, French oysters…
But first, here are some of the small French pleasures I love to come home to (in no particular order!):
– Delicious wines by the ‘pichet’ (pitcher) at French restaurants
– Windows open all day long, particularly for the cool air at night
– Fruits and vegetables just picked from gardens
– Long lunches on outdoor ‘terrasses’
– Real French camembert cheese made from raw milk
– Lovely qualities of sun and light in France
– Relaxing walks on French country roads
– Buying fresh baguettes every day
– Mind-boggling selections of mineral waters, yogurts, breads, pâtés, cheeses & wines
– Beautiful ancient churches in every town and village
– Reading French newspapers and magazines
– Diving into French novels in the country where they were written
– Open air markets in every city, town & village
– French and European friends old and new
But there are so many things to enjoy about France, please share your favorites too in the comment section of this posting. Meanwhile, bonjour from la belle France!