Author: Soraya
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Exploring Switzerland in Spring: Zurich, Tulip Festivals, & Lakeside Towns
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Sometimes it takes visitors to make us see where we are really living. I noticed that when I lived in New York, and I notice it here in France too. When family or friends come to visit, suddenly you become a tourist in your own life. You look around a…
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A Dog’s Guide to France: The Magic of French Outdoor Cafés
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There is one thing here that I have decided is possibly the greatest invention of all time; the magic of French outdoor cafés. More specifically, outdoor cafés that allow dogs. I have decided to save the best for last the place I get to go and watch people eat. Usually…
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Lucy’s Guide to France: A Dog’s Guide to French Farmers Markets
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I knew it was different the moment we woke up. First of all, it was light outside when I went for my first walk, which usually means one very important thing Mom is not going to work. The whole morning moves differently on these days. Slower, softer, less rushing around…
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Traveling Through France With a Dog: Lucy’s Guide to Pet-Friendly Travel
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I’ve been writing for a while now about my life here in France, about the places, the adjustments, the beauty of it all. But there’s someone who has been with me through every step, every move, every uncertain beginning, Lucy, my dog, my loyal companion. You’ve met her before. But…
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Retiring in France: Why Sundays Feel Different
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This morning I found myself walking through a beautiful botanical garden in a nearby town. The kind of place you don’t rush through. Right at the entrance there was an archway covered in wisteria, soft purple flowers hanging down in clusters, the scent gently drifting as I walked beneath it.…
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Living in France with a Dog: 5 Essential Things to Know
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When I brought my dog with me to France, the biggest hurdle was getting here. The paperwork, the vaccinations, the approvals—all of that I shared in a previous post, Moving To Europe With Dogs .But what I did not know was what everyday life would actually be like once we…
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Tipping in France: When to Tip, How Much, & What’s Expected
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Having moved to France from the United States one of the small but surprisingly confusing parts of settling here was understanding when to tip. How does tipping work here? Is it expected or is it optional? What I have learned is that tipping in France is appreciated but not obligatory.…
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Annecy Venetian Carnival: A Magical Winter Festival
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Living in Annecy, I had the chance to attend the Carnival Festival for the first time,. It is the last weekend of February,. The carnival is a celebration that quietly marks the end of winter and hints that spring is not far behind. The Annecy Venetian Carnival fitting for a…
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French Culture Tips for Expats: Conversation Do’s and Don’t
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Every society has its own etiquette, its own subtle rhythms and unspoken rules when it comes to conversation. What feels perfectly natural in one country can feel slightly off-key in another. After nearly six months of living in France, I’ve come to appreciate the beautiful nuance of the French approach…
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Resources for Expats Living in France – My 5 Most Trusted
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When you move to another country, especially later in life you quickly learn the difference between information that sounds helpful and information that actually is. Over time, I’ve learned to rely on a small circle of resources that are clear, trustworthy, and grounded in real life, not forums full of…