Your list is spot on! When I moved to Paris in 1995 for 5 years, it was very different but I still remember the quality of life I had with a humble teaching salary. The food, the wine, the cheese! Oh there were bureaucratic hassles, sure, and patience was required but there was always a croissant au beurre to set you right! Now when I am in France (Nérac) I take the time to appreciate the simple things (and the great food markets!). You are in the perfect place for you!
Hello Jennifer, Your list was perfect. Reading it made me smile. I've lived in rural Bosnia for over 22 years. There are so many parallels. I won't copy you, but will write my own list, and frame it to remind me how wonderful my life is here, and for when I'm gone, that my children and grandchildren will understand. Bests, David
I'm so happy to read this! And I agree with so many things -- after 35 (gulp) years. The pharmacies! The health system! The fascinating regions! The cheese!
Oddly, it's hard to find a good baguette in Aveyron, however.
Some of them are not so bad, but they aren’t as much of a tradition here, where the main bread is “pain de campagne” of some sort. And it’s impossible to even find a ficelle!
Love this list ! I've list in the South East of France until I was 21, then London, then back to Paris, now Canada, and there are so many things I miss about France and French food - their bread, fromage and wine (at reasonable prices) are most certainly at the top of the list
Hi Jennifer, your writing has touched my nerve Française as in my youth I spent a year in the south of France. Now in my late 70’s and still speaking respectable French, conversations like yours whet my impulses to move over!
I’ve joined Substack to find a writing tribe and Im absolutely discovering one. Maybe several!
Question for you… have you a favourite location and why? 🤗👏
Hi Jennifer! I’m glad you’ve joined the community.
The 3 places I’ve lived in France are all so vastly different and I loved them all for different reasons.
I love the vineyards and olive groves in the south. Loved being near the sea and the green of where we lived in Normandy. Love Paris for its art, beauty and café life. I love the markets in all 3 places and made wonderful friends in all 3.
I also lived in the Poitou Charentes when I was an au pair and loved that area as well.
I nodded along so many times while reading your post! I absolutely love the slower pace of life in France and the emphasis on truly living rather than chasing money and other things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. And the fromage, pharmacies, healthcare, and that incredible butter with sea salt crystals - just amazing 🥰
I miss the cheeses of France. And the pate. And some of the breads. Not enough to live there any more but I miss them
We used to live near Grasse on the Riviera for 13 years. Then we moved to rural Japan. The plan thereafter was to come back for vacations and so on. It worked for a few years but COVID more or less killed that for a few years and now we have so much to do here we aren't missing France so much.
There is good bread here, but good pate and good cheese is harder to find and very expensive. I was in Strasbourg in September and may have pigged out a bit on them because yes even the local Petit Casino had perhaps 2 dozen different cheeses and half a dozen pates.
Bonjour Jennifer. I enjoyed reading this and went down your list agreeing with most of it. This made me realize I don’t often order “steak frites” but I saw you recommended “Le Bon Georges” where our common friend Gail B. once took me. Maybe I’ll have to return. That cheese selection alone is worth a detour.
You should put those people inside a frame and hang that piece of art at the local museum. There aren’t that many of them around (at least in my generation) ;-)
Your list is spot on! When I moved to Paris in 1995 for 5 years, it was very different but I still remember the quality of life I had with a humble teaching salary. The food, the wine, the cheese! Oh there were bureaucratic hassles, sure, and patience was required but there was always a croissant au beurre to set you right! Now when I am in France (Nérac) I take the time to appreciate the simple things (and the great food markets!). You are in the perfect place for you!
I agree about quality of life! And Nérac is so lovely. 💗
Hello Jennifer, Your list was perfect. Reading it made me smile. I've lived in rural Bosnia for over 22 years. There are so many parallels. I won't copy you, but will write my own list, and frame it to remind me how wonderful my life is here, and for when I'm gone, that my children and grandchildren will understand. Bests, David
Thank you David! I'm glad it made you smile.
I'm so happy to read this! And I agree with so many things -- after 35 (gulp) years. The pharmacies! The health system! The fascinating regions! The cheese!
Oddly, it's hard to find a good baguette in Aveyron, however.
Thank you!
I'm sorry you can't get a good baguette...the last time I was in Cesseras I noticed that the baguette from the local boulangerie wasn't great.
Some of them are not so bad, but they aren’t as much of a tradition here, where the main bread is “pain de campagne” of some sort. And it’s impossible to even find a ficelle!
I like bread that lasts for more than half a day when I'm in the south. That way I don't have to drive to town every day!
omg I totally agree about steak-frites!
I've had maybe 2 good steak-frites in the last 22 years!
Why were they, Jennifer. Can you remember? Love the article. Thanks.
Judy
Thank you! :) Le Bon Georges and a restaurant in Normandie that has closed since we left, sadly.
Thanks for responding Jennifer.
Love this list ! I've list in the South East of France until I was 21, then London, then back to Paris, now Canada, and there are so many things I miss about France and French food - their bread, fromage and wine (at reasonable prices) are most certainly at the top of the list
I can't imagine living anywhere else now. I feel extremely spoiled by the bread, cheese and wine here! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Hi Jennifer, your writing has touched my nerve Française as in my youth I spent a year in the south of France. Now in my late 70’s and still speaking respectable French, conversations like yours whet my impulses to move over!
I’ve joined Substack to find a writing tribe and Im absolutely discovering one. Maybe several!
Question for you… have you a favourite location and why? 🤗👏
Hi Jennifer! I’m glad you’ve joined the community.
The 3 places I’ve lived in France are all so vastly different and I loved them all for different reasons.
I love the vineyards and olive groves in the south. Loved being near the sea and the green of where we lived in Normandy. Love Paris for its art, beauty and café life. I love the markets in all 3 places and made wonderful friends in all 3.
I also lived in the Poitou Charentes when I was an au pair and loved that area as well.
Right now, Paris is my favorite 😊
I nodded along so many times while reading your post! I absolutely love the slower pace of life in France and the emphasis on truly living rather than chasing money and other things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. And the fromage, pharmacies, healthcare, and that incredible butter with sea salt crystals - just amazing 🥰
I'm glad you're enjoying and appreciating your life here as well. I wouldn't trade it for anything!
I miss the cheeses of France. And the pate. And some of the breads. Not enough to live there any more but I miss them
We used to live near Grasse on the Riviera for 13 years. Then we moved to rural Japan. The plan thereafter was to come back for vacations and so on. It worked for a few years but COVID more or less killed that for a few years and now we have so much to do here we aren't missing France so much.
There is good bread here, but good pate and good cheese is harder to find and very expensive. I was in Strasbourg in September and may have pigged out a bit on them because yes even the local Petit Casino had perhaps 2 dozen different cheeses and half a dozen pates.
I would miss the cheese too!
Bonjour Jennifer. I enjoyed reading this and went down your list agreeing with most of it. This made me realize I don’t often order “steak frites” but I saw you recommended “Le Bon Georges” where our common friend Gail B. once took me. Maybe I’ll have to return. That cheese selection alone is worth a detour.
Thank you Véro! Glad you enjoyed reading it.
Visitors always talk about how great steak frites are, and that dish never does it for me.
I've been in France since 1978 & I agree with everything in this post. 🙂
I actually know some French people who don't like cheese (!) I teasing them by telling them they should have their citizenship revoked 😉😊😏
They should have their citizenship revoked! lol
You should put those people inside a frame and hang that piece of art at the local museum. There aren’t that many of them around (at least in my generation) ;-)
Love your list! Experiencing the same. I have so many cheeses to try. And agree on the healthcare!
SO many cheeses!
I haven't been to Bordeaux in 25 years and am planning a trip soon. Can't wait!