Insights into the French way of life and European travels by an Australian living in the Loire Valley
Header photo: Blois in spring, 2016. All photos on website copyright by Rosemary Kneipp unless specified otherwise. All rights reserved.Sign up for the latest posts below and don’t forget to click the confirmation email link:
Loire Valley Accommodation!
Stay in our beautiful 400-year old Renaissance house in the Loire Valley. Click on Gîte Loire Valley above. Accommodates 2 to 4 adults. 3-night minimum stay.Live like a local and improve your French!
-
Recent Posts
-
Popular Posts
Categories
Recent Comments
- Cycling along the Neckar in Germany #2 – Horb – Rottenburg – Türbingen – Bebenhausen | Aussie in France on Cycling along the Danube – Regensburg and the Altmuhle
- Cycling along the Neckar in Germany #2 – Horb – Rottenburg – Türbingen – Bebenhausen | Aussie in France on Cycling in Germany #5 – Bad Schandau to Pirna along the Elbe
- Une semaine au Pays Basque – One week in the Basque Country – Artyfixe on Architecture on the Basque Coast
- Jacqueline on Friday’s French – livret de famille, fiche, fichier
- Rosemary Kneipp on The Road to Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and the Moonlight Gardens
Sites to visit
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: Life in France
Five Years of Blogging
I missed my 5th anniversary of blogging! My first post was published on 11th October 2011 just before my son went to live in Australia. He helped me set it up and regularly comes to the rescue when I have … Continue reading
Posted in Blogging, Books, Country living, Cycling, French language, Life in France, Loire Valley
Tagged aussieinfrance, blogging, loiredailyphoto
20 Comments
I Have Not Disappeared
I do not understand where all my time goes. When I lived in Paris, I had lots of time for blogging. Now that we live in Blois, I don’t seem to have any spare time at all! I do keep … Continue reading
Posted in Closerie Falaiseau, Cycling, Flowers & gardens, France, India, Italy, Life in France, Loire Valley, Travelling
Tagged cycling in Italy, flooding in the Loire
7 Comments
Blogger Round-Up: Choosing accommodation with airbnb – Luggage transfer when cycling – History of potatoes in France
In recent times, I have sadly neglected my once-weekly blogger round-up due to my very busy life since moving to Blois last October but three posts caught my eye recently that I would like to share. The first is Simply … Continue reading
Our First Neighbours’ Day Party
I’ve been wanting to have a neighbourhood party since we bought Closerie Falaiseau three years ago but it was a little tricky while we were still living in Paris … I check the date – 29th May – and ask … Continue reading
Why I love the market even when it’s cold or rainy #1
We go to the fresh produce market in Blois every Saturday in Place Louis XII no matter what the weather. You never know what you’ll find! We arrive any time between 10 am and 11 am and park in the … Continue reading
Posted in Blois, Life in France, Mushrooms
Tagged chambord brocante, saturday market in blois
14 Comments
Easter Sunday in Les Grouets
We have just finished breakfast at a very late hour, mainly due to the switchover to daylight saving last Sunday, which is still playing havok with my already terrible sleeping habits, and have decided to go for a walk before … Continue reading
Posted in Country living, Flowers & gardens, Les Grouets, Life in France, Loire Valley, Renovation
Tagged spring in the Loire Valley
18 Comments
Back Home in Blois to a Broken Weather Vane
We pick up our car at the long-term parking lot near Orly Airport at 10.30 pm after our flight back from Malaga and drive the two hours back to Blois with no mishaps. Closerie Falaiseau is safe and sound with no … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Closerie Falaiseau, Life in France, Renovation
Tagged repairing a weather vane
16 Comments
From Bridge to Bridge
It’s Sunday, the sun is shining brightly, the sky is blue and it’s 8°C. We can hardly believe it after the awful weather we have been having since November. We begin with pruning the roses. We have ten climbing roses … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking, Country living, Flowers & gardens, Food, French customs, Life in France, Retirement
Tagged brocante in Blois, retirement in France
13 Comments
New Year Resolutions for 2015
Who remembers their new year resolutions ? I certainly don’t so rereading last year’s blog post was very helpful. The first resolution was to have a maximum number of holiday bookings for Closerie Falaiseau during the season. At one stage, it looked … Continue reading
Thank Goodness for Friends and Neighbours
The weather is revolting. When it’s not raining, it’s grey and overcast and I can’t remember the last time we saw any sun. The adjustment to retirement is proving far more difficult than anyone imagined so I am truly grateful … Continue reading

Posted in Blois, Food, Les Grouets, Life in France, Mushrooms
Tagged gougères, Les Grouets, mini-croissants
14 Comments