Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.9, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.

# Aussie in France

from the Tropics to the City of Light

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Friday's French - police, policier, gendarme, police municipale, commissariat, hôtel de police](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/02/fridays-french-police-policier-gendarme-police-municipale-commissariat-hotel-de-police/) - I was talking to an Australian friend about having to go to the commissariat to register a proxy vote for the forthcoming municipal elections and she said that she hadn't quite worked out the difference between policier and gendarme. Gendarme v. policier The gendarme, of course, with his képi, is well-known in French films and
- [My Croatian Itinerary - Part 9: Lichtenstein & the Rheinfall](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/02/my-croatian-itinerary-part-9-lichtenstein-the-rheinfall/) - We have come to the 9th and last part of our Croatian Itinerary. After a very pleasant stay in Innsbruck, we headed for Germany via Lichtenstein, simply because we had never been there, it seemed a good place for lunch and wasn't too far out of the way. It was mainly full of tourists doing
- [Friday’s French – courant, current, actuel, actual](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/11/fridays-french-courant-current-actuel-actual/) - These are more of those look-alike words that the French call faux-amis. Courant We’ll start with courant which has a few different meanings. We’re only going to look at adjectives here. Les dépenses courantes d’une maison, for example, are ordinary or everyday expenses. Un mot courant is a standard or ordinary word. Une pratique courante
- [Friday’s French – monnaie, money, coins and currency](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/02/fridays-french-monnaie-money-coins-and-currency/) - Last week I talked about liquide, espèces and cash. A reader’s comment has set me thinking about other money-related words, starting with money itself. Monnaie Both the French word“monnaie” and English “money” come from moneta, which initially referred to the goddess Juno in her aspect as Juno Moneta, in whose temple at Rome money was
- [My Croatian Itinerary - Part 1: Paris to Milan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/my-croatian-itinerary-part-1-paris-to-milan/) - Now that we’ve given up spontaneous travelling and plan our itinerary practically down to the last detail, we spend a lot of time pouring over guide books. Or rather, Relationnel does, because I do the bookings (much more productive in English because you have a greater choice) and then once the holiday has begun, I
- [My Croatian Itinerary - Part 2: Milan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/my-croatian-itinerary-part-2/) - Part 1 ended as we left Castello de la Sarre on our way to Milan. Hotel Vecchia Milano turned out to be somewhat old and decrepit despite the photos on the website. I gave up staying in the “oldest hotel” in this or that city long ago. I should have paid more attention to the
- [My Croatian Itinerary - Part 3: Ancona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/my-croatian-itinerary-part-3-ancona/) - Well, as I explained in Part 2, I left Milan furious as a result of our huge garage bill. I hate being had. We took the motorway straight to Ancona on the Adriatic Coast about 400 kilometers away and got there at about 4 pm. Impossible to find our B&B, Villa Fiore Conero. It was
- [My Croatian Itinerary - Part 4: Split, Mostar & Dubrovnik](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/my-croatian-itinerary-part-4-split-mostar-dubrovnik/) - When we got to Split from Ancona in Italy, we drove off the ferry and were immediately searched. Maybe the customs official found it strange we should have so much luggage. Well, the car fridge already takes up a fair amount of room and then there’s the bike gear and stuff. Anyway, she finally waved
- [My Croatian Itinerary – Part 5: Sibenik, Zadar & Plitvice](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/my-croatian-itinerary-part-5-sibenik-zadar-plitvice/) - We left Dubrovnik for Zadar on a Sunday morning at the end of July and it was already very hot. Along the way there were countless vendors selling fruit and vegetables, often with makeshift showers to keep their watermelons cool! We stopped and bought figs, grapes, tomatoes, capsicums and olive oil. We ate our lunch
- [My Croatian Itinerary - Part 6: Porec and Pula in Istria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/my-croatian-itinerary-part-6-porec-and-pula-in-istria/) - The previous leg of our Croatian itinerary (Part 5) ended at Plitvice lakes which were truly the highlight of our trip. The next stage of our journey took us to Porec in the very Italian peninsula of Istria. We arrived at Hotel Filipini, 7 or 8 K from Porec, around 3.30 pm. First problem –
- [My Croatian Itinerary - Part 7: Ljubljana in Slovenia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/my-croatian-itinerary-part-7-ljubljana-in-slovenia/) - In part 6 of my Croatian itinerary, published way back in June last year, I recounted our stay in the Istria Peninsula. The next day we left Croatia for Slovenia. We stopped at the little mediaeval town of Vodnjan (Dignano) with its somewhat dilapidated Venitian Gothic Renaissance buildings to write our last postcards. We then
- [My Croatian Itinerary – Part 8: Innsbruck, Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/my-croatian-itinerary-part-8-innsbruck-austria/) - This is a continuation of our Croatian itinerary which I last wrote about 13 years ago! It was under drizzling rain that we left Ljubljana in Slovenia for Innsbruck in Austria. After several inexplicable traffic hold-ups at the borders between Slovenia and Austria and Austria and Germany, we went past a beautiful freshwater lake called
- [The Truth about Drying Hydrangeas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/02/the-truth-about-drying-hydrangeas/) - Now that I am a proud hydrangea owner, I want to know how to dry them properly. Last year on the market, I bought a big blue hydrangea, hung it upside down in a cool dry place. It dried beautifully and I was able to use it for about six months as a decoration in
- [Friday's French - Liquide, espèces and cash](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/02/fridays-french-liquide-especes-and-cash/) - Although the word "cash" is widely used in French today, the real term is "argent liquide" or "espèces". The origin of the term "liquide" The term "liquide", from the Italian meaning "fluid" came into use in the 14th century as a way of designating fully-paid up assets such as farming land and houses that could
- [Visit the Loire without a Car based in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/visit-the-loire-without-a-car-based-in-blois/) - The Loire Valley with its famous châteaux, especially Chenonceau, Chambord, Chaumont and Cheverny, is only a couple of hours from Paris by train or car. Visiting the area by car provides the greatest freedom but not everyone wants the added expense or bother of hiring a car. Fortunately, public transport is available to get around
- [Friday's French - empêchement, prévenir, prevent](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/01/fridays-french-empechement-prevenir-prevent/) - One of the most useful lessons I have learnt from Jean Michel is to give as few explanations as possible if there is something you can't or don't want to do and feel uncomfortable explaining why. So, instead of making up a vague reason for not going somewhere you don't want to go, you can
- [Life in retirement in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/01/life-in-retirement-in-france/) - I finally retired at the end of 2024 after semi-retirement 5 years earlier. I worked full-time for 40 years in France as a freelance technical and legal translator, in the days before AI. I also lectured in the Masters programme at ESIT, which for many years the only state-run translation and interpretation school. I was
- [Happy New Year for 2026](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/01/happy-new-year-for-2026/) - I see that I have not published a New Year post since 2021! Life has kept getting in the way. This, my first full year of retirement was very much focused on grandparenting with a 5-week visit in February/March from my baby Lucas and his mum, 3 weeks in Boston in April to visit my
- [Promesse de vente vs compromis de vente](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/01/promesse-de-vente-vs-compromis-de-vente/) - All property transactions in France take place in two steps: first, after the seller has agreed to the price offer, the seller and buyer sign a promise to sell in the form of either a promesse de vente (unilateral promise to sell) or a compromis de vente (bilateral promise to sell). This can take place
- [Marbella](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/marbella/) - Marbella is like the Saint Tropez of Spain - not that I’ve ever been to Saint Tropez. Not quite my style. But we want to stay a couple of days on the Costa del Sol which we have never seen before going to Cadix and Marbella has an old town which sounds better than endless
- [Home of the Tarte Tatin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/home-of-the-tarte-tatin/) - The Tarte Tatin or upside-down apple cake is a very popular dessert in France, usually served warm with fresh cream. It is one of my favourites. We are driving from Blois to Gien, where we are taking back a secondhand dishwasher which, sadly, does not work. We are usually more successful with leboncoin.com. At least
- [Concubinage, PACS and Marriage in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/01/concubinage-pacs-and-marriage-in-france/) - A few statistics to start with. The population in France at the end of 2025 was 69 million. In 2025, 251 000 marriages were celebrated (7 000 same sex) and 197 000 civil solidarity pacts (PACS) were signed (10 400 same sex). The PACS was created 25 years ago, mainly to protect the rights of
- [Winter Depression Hits Again](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2025/12/winter-depression-hits-again/) - This year in France, autumn has been particularly rainy and lacking in sunshine. Despite the fact that I have lived here for more than fifty years, my North Queensland origins make me particularly prone to SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as winter depression. This is a mood disorder in which people who have
- [Must a birth certificate really be less than three or six months old?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2026/01/must-a-birth-certificate-really-be-less-than-three-or-six-months-old/) - Most foreigners living in France are asked at some stage to deliver a full birth certificate that is less than 3 (and sometimes 6) months old. Why three or six months? If you’ve even seen the French birth certificate of someone who has been married, you will understand why. French birth certificates are “annotés” which
- [Costa del Sol - Tarifa, Casares and Benalmádena](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/costa-del-sol-tarifa-casares-and-benalmadena/) - We leave Cadix in the rain with no regrets, heading for Tarifa. It’s still raining when we get there but it clears up sufficiently after our coffee to walk around the village. Unfortunately there isn’t much to see. As we drive up the Mediterranean Coast from the industrial port of Algeciras, we keep seeing the
- [Exchanging an Australian driver licence for a French licence](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/10/exchanging-an-australian-driver-licence-for-a-french-licence/) - Updated January 2026 A driver's licence issued by a country outside France is only recognised for one year once the person has acquired “normal residence” in France, normal residence being defined as the place in which you live for at least six months (185 days) a year due to professional or personal attachments. If you
- [The Hornets’ Nest](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/the-hornets-nest/) - We’re very worried. Our guests have been telling us about large bees in the kitchen at Closerie Falaiseau that appear to be coming from the inside. When we arrive, the first thing I do is look for the bees. There are several dead insects in the birdbath but I can see instantly that they
- [Pokies and Casinos in France and Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/pokies-and-casinos-in-france-and-australia/) - One of the things I noticed in Australia were the "Pokies" or poker machines. We ate on several occasions in surf lifesaving clubs and pubs that had whole rooms of one-arm bandits. In France the only place you'll find a bandit manchot is in a casino which is strictly reserved for adults. And casinos are
- [Friday's French - se rappeler, se souvenir, mémoire, souvenir](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/fridays-french-se-rappeler-se-souvenir-memoire-souvenir/) - Se rappeler and se souvenir are almost complete synonyms. I can't really think of any occasion on which one can't replace the other. However, there is a grammatical difference which fewer and fewer people observe these days. Se rappeler takes a direct object and se souvenir doesn't. So what does that mean? I remember my
- [Profile: John Modesitt, American Impressionist painter in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/profile-john-modesitt-american-impressionist-painter-in-france/) - You may remember that I talked about our first guests in Blois - the American Impressionist painter, John Modesitt, and his wife, Toshiko - in a previous post entitled A Painter Comes to Stay. For my monthly guest post on My French Life, I skyped John at his home in San Diego to gain more
- [The Secret of Coffee in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2020/12/why-cant-i-get-decent-coffee-in-france/) - Why can't I get a proper cup of coffee in France? This is a question I am often asked by disappointed Australians and Americans who are used to a very wide variety of coffee beverages and are surprised to see that France, with its café culture, does not seem to have the coffee they are
- [Washing Machines I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/washing-machines-i-have-known/) - I grew up in North Queensland with one of those enormous top loading agitator washing machines that could wash huge loads in record time. We had a drip dry cycle which meant that the machine stopped after the last rinse and you could remove whatever you wanted, such as a drip-dry shirt, drain it on
- [Vouvray and a Troglodyte Restaurant](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/vouvray-and-a-troglodyte-restaurant/) - Our lovely friends from Sydney, Redfern and Saint Vincent are staying with us in Closerie Falaiseau. They’re spending a couple of months visiting different parts of France and improving their French which is wonderful for Jean Michel because it means they can communicate directly. We’ve been wanting to buy some wine in Vouvray and try
- [Agra Fort, a Marble Inlay Table and the Baby Taj](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/05/agra-fort-a-marble-inlay-table-and-the-baby-taj/) - It’s 9.15 am and we’ve finished our luxurious breakfast at the Radisson Blue still under the magic of our early morning visit to the Taj Mahal and are about to meet up with our guide, Vivek, to visit Agra Fort. After we get in the car and greet our driver Rajendar, Vivek suggests we stop off
- [A Restaurant for Two and Lavardin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/a-restaurant-for-two-and-lavardin/) - It’s that time again – the anniversary of the day Jean Michel and I met. We’re up to nineteen years. I have friends celebrating their 40th wedding anniversaries but not everyone is lucky enough to meet the right person the first time round. Last year, we tried out some new wave cuisine at Pertica in
- [Friday's French - normalement, normal & norme](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/fridays-french-normalement-normal-norme/) - In a very amusing post, Abby from Paris Weekender talks about her new pet peeve as opposed to her previous one which is normalement that got me thinking about how it is used in French. Abby gives the example of normalement meaning that something should happen : Le magasin est ouvert demain ? Normalement, oui. - The
- [Friday's French - déménager, déménagement, ménager](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/fridays-french-demenager-demenagement-menager/) - Lundi on déménage ! For some reason, it sounds more specific in French than the English "We're moving on Monday !" I guess it's because "move" can be used to mean so many different things but déménager always means moving house (or office or whatever). A ménage, which comes old French mesnage, a derivative of the Latin mansio (house), is
- [May Flowers in the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/05/may-flowers-in-the-loire/) - I have never had any doubts about moving to Blois despite the dreary winter but spring in our garden and the surrounding villages and countryside is just so wonderful that I don't think I could ever spend it anywhere else! Let me share some of our May flowers with you starting with the traditional lily-of-the-valley
- [Friday’s French – acte de naissance, extrait d’acte de naissance, copie intégrale, birth certificate, entry of births](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2018/03/fridays-french-acte-de-naissance-extrait-dacte-de-naissance-copie-integrale-birth-certificate-entry-of-birth/) - In my work as a sworn translator in France, the document I am asked to translate and certify the most often is the birth certificate. In France, it comes by various names: acte de naissance, extrait d’acte de naissance, copie intégrale, extrait avec filiation, extrait sans filiation. So first, what is an acte de naissance
- [Why must birth certificates in France be less than 3 months old?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/04/why-must-birth-certificates-in-france-be-less-than-3-months-old/) - Most foreigners living in France are asked at some stage to deliver a full birth certificate that is less than 3 months old. Why three months? If you’ve even seen a French birth certificate of someone who has been married, you will understand why. French birth certificates are “annotés” which means that any change in
- [The French Post Office - a love-hate relationship](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/the-french-post-office-a-love-hate-relationship/) - The French post office has changed. You used to spend hours waiting in queues in dismal-looking buildings hoping that the person behind the window in front of you wouldn’t suddenly close it just before you got there. I took to buying aerogrammes (remember them?) so that I wouldn’t have to go to the PO too often.
- [Friday's French - savoir-faire, savoir-vivre, savoir-être, know-how, expertise, interpersonal skills](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/01/fridays-french-savoir-faire-savoir-vivre-savoir-etre-know-how-expertise-interpersonal-skills/) - Savoir-faire looks like a word that should mean the same in French and in English. But it doesn't! Savoir-faire in English is the ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations. Savoir-faire in French, however, means skills acquired by experience in various practical problems when doing one's work. Savoir-vivre in French is knowing and
- [The Best Area to Stay in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/the-best-area-to-stay-in-paris/) - Knowing where to choose accommodation in Paris often poses a problem for first time visitors. If you’ve never been to the City of Light, it’s difficult to imagine exactly what it’s like and what area to choose. I’m always surprised when I learn that travel agencies have recommended hotels near the Eiffel Tower or Montmartre, for
- [Friday’s French – littoral, cotière & rivage](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/fridays-french-littoral-cotiere-rivage/) - In last week's Friday's French, I talked about côte meaning coast (among other things). A reader said he thought that littoral meant coast so I thought I should do a second post! I checked out my trusty Larousse which tells me that le littoral is a sinuous area where the sea or a lake comes
- [Our First Taste of Rococo in Bavaria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/our-first-taste-of-rococo-in-bavaria/) - It’s 1999 and we are on our first road trip to Germany. We get to Fussen, at the bottom of the Romantic Road in Bavaria and go to the tourist office to find a place to stay. We don’t have wifi or iPhones or anything like that. There are zillions of people milling around and
- [The Wonderful World of Home Exchange](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/the-wonderful-world-of-home-exchange/) - If you’ve been following my blog recently, you will have noticed that most of the places we stayed in Australia were home exchanges. Our first swap was last February in Madrid. Since then, all our exchanges have been with Australia – two simultaneous and four non-simultaneous. Two have included a vehicle, which is an enormous
- [Friday's French - un truc de ouf!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/fridays-french-un-truc-de-ouf/) - I'm walking along the street near the Louis Philippe Café behind a young man of about 30, talking loudly on his iPhone and madly gesticulating. "600 euros", he says, "Un truc de ouf!" and I immediately think of my daughter in New York because it's one of her expressions. Truc, truc muche, machin truc, have
- [Top Ten Chateaux in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/top-ten-chateaux-in-the-loire-valley/) - There are so many wonderful places to visit in the Loire Valley that newcomers to the region often need guidance. It’s pointless saying “Chenonceau is my favourite. You should go there” or “Forget about Chambord, there’s nothing to see”. Each of the châteaux is different and visitors will be attracted to one or the other
- [Musée Carnavalet – an exceptional museum in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/musee-carnavalet-an-exceptional-museum-in-paris/) - I can’t believe that I have lived in Paris for 35 years and never been to one of its best museums. Musée Carnavalet in the Marais had always been described as a museum of French history which seemed very dry to me but someone posted a photo on FaceBook recently which made me think that
- [How much does a certified (sworn) translation cost in France?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2020/10/how-much-does-a-certified-sworn-translation-cost-in-france/) - Before I answer the question, a little terminology. Although many people say “sworn translation” and “traduction assementée”, the correct terms are “certified translation” and “traduction certifiée”. It’s the translator who is sworn or assermenté by the court, not the translation. First, what exactly is a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté)? In France, a sworn translator or
- [Friday's French - Trêve des confiseurs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/fridays-french-treve-des-confiseurs/) - I heard a new expression on France Info this week - "l'entre deux fêtes" - which literally means "between two celebrations", the first being Christmas and the second New Year. It's the same construction as 'l'entre-deux-guerres", which is what the French call the interwar years. When I mentioned it to Jean Michel, he said it
- [My Favourite Chianti](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/my-favourite-chianti/) - Just like everyone else, we fell in love with Tuscany the first time we went there together in 2003. I’d been to Florence before, staying with friends in Umbria so was already smitten. My memories of chianti, however, were associated with wine and cheese parties when I doing French at uni in Townsville. The bottles
- [Friday’s French – autant pour moi - au temps pour moi - sorry](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/fridays-french-autant-pour-moi/) - It took me a while to actually understand what this expression is all about. Autant usually means "as much as" or "as many as", such as prenez autant que vous voulez – take as much as you want. Autant pour moi may be short for C'est autant pour moi with the general idea being "so
- [Cordoba at last!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/cordoba-at-last/) - In January 2015 we spent a week in Granada and it snowed! The one thing I regretted was not hiring a car to go to Cordoba for a couple of days. So on Monday after a very long day, leaving Blois at 8 am by car for Charles de Gaulle airport to catch a 2
- [Friday's French - place, endroit, lieu](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2018/01/fridays-french-place-endroit-lieu/) - Place sounds like is would be an easy word to translate from French to English and vice-versa. Well, it isn’t. Only rarely does it mean the same thing in both languages. I can think of a couple of situations where the meaning is the same: Si tu remets chaque chose à sa place, il y
- [Leaving Van Gogh in Auvers - Language Exchange Speed Dating with Franglish - Visit to Institut de France Library](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/leaving-van-gogh-in-auvers-language-exchange-speed-dating-with-franglish-visit-to-institut-de-france-library/) - This Wednesday, I'm bringing you a new blog I've just discovered for the art lover - American Girls Art Club in Paris - with a post that will take you to Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh died. Next Paris Weekender tells us about Franglish, a novel group which holds language exchange events in various bars around Paris.
- [Friday's French: bonne femme, nana, belle plante, gonzesse](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/fridays-french-bonne-femme-nana-belle-plante-gonzesse/) - An Australian friend asked me recently exactly what bonne femme meant and whether or not it's derogatory. A French friend of hers seemed to be using it all time and told her it has no real significance. Well, maybe that's so in his vocabulary, but frankly, I wouldn't like someone to call ME a bonne
- [Voting in the provinces](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/voting-in-the-provinces/) - There are no provinces in France but anything that happens outside Paris is called "en province". In fact, France is divided first into 27 regions, including Normandie, Picardy and Brittany (our region is called Centre and not Pays de la Loire as one might imagine), while some of them are overseas (Guadeloupe and Martinique, for
- [Friday's French: confondre is confusing!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/fridays-french-confondre-is-confusing/) - Confusing is a word we use quite a bit in English to mean that something is unclear and difficult to understand. e.g. "The information he gave me is confusing." If I confuse John and Paul, it means that I wrongly think that John is Paul and Paul is John. Now I hope I'm not confusing
- [Secret Blois #1 – Around the castle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/06/secret-blois-1-around-the-castle/) - If you are like me, when you visit somewhere new, you don’t just want to see the main attractions. You want to see the hidden face behind the castle or the museum, the little details on the way. You want to eat in the sort of restaurants the locals go to. You want to understand
- [Troglodyte houses in Andalusia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/troglodyte-houses-in-andalusia/) - I live in a region in France - the Loire Valley - known for its troglodyte houses so it was rather fun to discover the same concept in Spain, but with an entirely different result. The cliffs here are clay and the cave houses in Guadix have white chimneys. Altogether, there are about 2000 troglodyte
- [Jerez de la Frontera](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/jerez-de-la-frontera/) - We leave Marbella and the high-rise coastline of Costa del Sol without regret and are very pleasantly surprised by Jerez de la Frontera, especially the Alcazar, which is balmy and peaceful. After our visit we choose a nearby restaurant- Bar Juanita - which at 1.30 pm is practically empty. It starts to rain so we
- [Cadiz](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/cadiz/) - After leaving the monastery at Jerez de la Frontera, we head for Cadiz where we discover it’s carnival time! Many people are in home made costumes grouped around comedians and very talented singers. What a pity we can’t understand. Next morning, the town seems much calmer and we are able to visit the sights with
- [Troglodytes in the Loire Valley and Vouvray wine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/troglodytes-in-the-loire-valley/) - The first time I heard someone use the word troglodyte in France, I was a little surprised. It conjured up cave dwellers for me. But apparently I was going to be shown their houses – cave dwellers have houses? However, it turns out that in French, it also means a house dug out of a
- [Inside the Cordoba Cathedral Mosque](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2023/03/inside-the-cordoba-cathedral-mosque/) - The Cordoba cathedral mosque or mezquita-catedral de Cordoba is quite extraordinary. The architecture and decoration are sumptuous. It has changed religions several times over the centuries and is an incredible mix of Moorish and European architecture. The great mosque was built in 785 on the site of a Visigoth basilica. It was then expanded many
- [Alsatian vin nouveau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/vin-nouveau-in-alsace/) - It’s vin nouveau time in Alsace, the white wine lovers' mecca. We first tried it a few years ago. We were in Colmar and went into a bakery recommended in our guide book for its antique oven. They had a sign up for pain de vendange (grape-harvest bread) so we bought some of course. It
- [Friday’s French – Venetian blinds & persiennes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/fridays-french-venetian-blinds-persiennes/) - When you grow up in Australia, you know all about Venetian blinds. They are not nearly as popular in France and most people don’t know how to use them. We had them at the French university where I taught and I began each year with a lesson on how to open and close them! However,
- [Pigeon Houses in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/pigeon-houses-in-france/) - When we were cycling in the Loire Valley last weekend, we stopped in the little town of Thenay, just in front of an unusual pigeonnier which is a place where you keep pigeons so the name varies in English according to the type of abode. It’s not really something I knew much about in the
- [Friday’s French – gens, personnes, monde, peuple, people](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/fridays-french-gens-personnes-monde-peuple-people/) - People learning French seem to find it difficult to know how to translate the word people! It’s because there are several different words that can be used depending on the context and meaning: gens, personnes, monde, peuple, people. Aïe! Let’s start with a few examples and see how they are used. Les gens intelligents = clever
- [The Big Kneipp Family Reunion in Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/the-big-kneipp-family-reunion-in-australia/) - When we were in Australia 3 years ago, I took Jean Michel on a pilgrimage to the sheep country where my father was born – Bonshaw, near Glen Innes and Tenterfield in northwestern New South Wales. The Kneipp family originally comes from a little village called Winkel along a small section of the Rhine River
- [Happy New Year for 2021](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2021/01/happy-new-year-for-2021/) - “The best laid plans of mice and men …” John Burns never said a truer word! We started the year with lots of travel plans and the first was a trip to Crete in March to break the winter blues. Covid 19 at that time was still a minor issue, although we did wear masks
- [Friday’s French – bonne année](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/fridays-french-bonne-annee/) - I couldn’t resist the temptation to take a look at new year’s greetings in France particularly since I overheard my father-in-law explaining the tradition of mistletoe in France to Jean Michel and it didn’t seem very clear to me so I checked it out. There are several different explanations but it seems that the Druids
- [A Gift of Rabbit Ears](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2021/03/a-gift-of-rabbit-ears/) - Today is the anniversary of our first Covid19 lockdown in France. We arrived home from our holiday in Crete at 2 pm, just two hours after the closure of all non-essential venues, with outings restricted to one hour a day for exercise and essential shopping. At the present, in Blois, mask-wearing is compulsory in built-up
- [From Pont des Arts to Ladurée on the Champs Elysées](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/from-pont-des-arts-to-laduree-on-the-champs-elysees/) - It’s Sunday afternoon. We’ve recovered from our early Christmas celebrations on Saturday night and I want to take some photos of Paris in its end-of-year finery. Our first stop is the Pont des Arts, shiny with lovelocks. It’s nearly 6 pm so we wait, with a number of other people, for the Eiffel Tower to
- [The Loire ConneXion Strikes Again!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/the-loire-connexion-strikes-again/) - Once again, we were in the Loire on the first Friday of the month so were able to attend the Loire ConneXion’s monthly get-together organised by Summer Jauneaud. The last two times, it’s been at The Shaker in Amboise with its exceptional view of the Loire and Amboise castle. This time, it was in Montrichard,
- [Beds I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/beds-i-have-known/) - I’ve already told you about my obsession with showers. I’m probably just as obsessed, if not more obsessed, with beds. Not as easy to do something about though. I don’t think I’ve always been this fussy. It’s probably developed with age. The worst are the ones that sag in the middle, particularly when there are
- [Pickpockets on the train from Charles de Gaulle Airport](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/pickpockets-on-the-train-from-charles-de-gaulle-airport/) - We’re on our way back from Sofia. A couple of people asked us whether we had any safety issues in Bulgaria but we didn’t. Apart from an insistent beggar in Plovdiv, we always felt perfectly safe, even walking through deserted streets at night (except for the pavements which are treacherous). We have a large suitcase,
- [Cycling along the Neckar in Germany #2 – Horb - Rottenburg - Türbingen - Bebenhausen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-neckar-in-germany-2-horb-rottenburg-turbingen-bebenhausen/) - We seem to have scored with our hotel at last. It is well-located, right on the bike path, the room is spacious with a sofa, two chairs and a desk, the bed is comfortable (and there is even a double bed unlike most accommodation in Germany where two single beds are usually pushed together), it
- [The Truffle Fair](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/the-truffle-fair/) - We’re up at the crack of dawn (well, for a Saturday anyway) to join Susan and Simon from Days on the Claise at our first truffle fair in Touraine, a couple of hours away. Not chocolate truffles, but the mythical mushrooms. As you know we are keen mushroom pickers. The proximity of a State forest
- [Wild Mushroom Picking in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/wild-mu_/) - When Relationnel first mentioned mushrooming, he said you had to get up at the crack of dawn or there wouldn’t be any left. As our only free day was Sunday, I decided to give it a miss. I am not an early bird. But a few years later, the Serbian man who runs the Pergola,
- [Friday's French - au revoir and salut](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/fridays-french-au-revoir-and-salut/) - When I first moved to France in 1975, I don't remember hearing people saying anything other than au revoir and adieu for goodbye. I had learnt that you only said adieu if you weren't ever going to see the person again or at least for a long time. I was a bit surprised to hear
- [Friday's French - chevreuil, biche & deer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/fridays-french-chevreuil-biche-deer/) - I'm telling someone about our little wood and explain that the biches ate all our medlars. "We don't have any biches", says Jean Michel. "We only have chevreuils". "Isn't it the same thing", I ask. "No, it's not. The only thing in common is that they're all cervidés", he replies. "Well, they are all deer
- [Wait for the Ice Saints - Il faut attendre les saints de glace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/05/wait-for-the-ice-saints-il-faut-attendre-les-saints-de-glace/) - There is a saying in France that you have to wait until after the ice saints - 11th, 12th and 13th May (Mamert, Pancrace and Servais) before you plant tomatoes and flowers like Busy Lilies. Well my tomatoes are fine because they are still in the laundry but not the Busy Lizzies or the plumbago
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Château de Chaumont, Loire Valley, France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/mondays-travel-photos-chateau-de-chaumont-loire-valley-france/) - When I first visited Château de Chaumont in 1997, I found it very delapidated. Last summer we spent a wonderful afternoon there during the annual garden festival. I discovered yesterday that it has been totally renovated inside and is now quite stunning! The château as it stands today was rebuilt by Pierre Ier d'Amboise en
- [Buying Property in France # 1 Finding your dream home](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2020/09/buying-property-in-france-1-finding-your-dream-home/) - Even when you speak the language and have lived your whole life in a country, buying a property can be stressful and challenging. Doing so in a foreign country makes it a little more complicated. I have lived in France for over 40 years and have been directly or indirectly involved in the sale or
- [Friday's French - fenêtre, vitre, baie & vitrail](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/fridays-french-fenetre-vitre-baie-vitrail/) - You’d seriously think that something as simple as a window would have a direct correspondence in French, now wouldn’t you ? Well, it doesn’t . The English word "window" has a much wider connotation than the French fenêtre. The comparison starts off simply enough. J’ai regardé par la fenêtre = I looked out the window. Mon
- [PROMESSE DE VENTE VERSUS COMPROMIS DE VENTE IN FRENCH PROPERTY SALES](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/11/promesse-de-vente-versus-compromis-de-vente-in-french-property-sales/) - All property transactions in France take place in two steps: first, after the seller has agreed to the price offer, the seller and buyer sign a promise to sell in the form of either a promesse de vente (unilateral promise to sell) or a compromis de vente (bilateral promise to sell). This can take place
- [Friday's French: se rappeler, se souvenir, mémoire, souvenir - part #2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2021/01/fridays-french-se-rappeler-se-souvenir-memoire-souvenir-part-2/) - In 2014, I wrote a post about the difference between se rappeler and se souvenir which has remained very popular with readers. However, I have had to update the framework of my blog since then (WordPress) and the answers and comments have disappeared. So here are possible translations of the four sentences in bold type:
- [Cycling in Germany #18 – Painted façades from Hann Münden to Höxter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-18-painted-facades-from-hann-munden-to-hoxter/) - After our three days of wonderful weather in Friesland, we are homeward bound. We have 5 nights left in Germany and are spending the last three on the Moselle, near Trier, which is an 8-hour drive, so we are looking for somewhere in the middle where it’s not going to pour with rain. I would
- [Café Gourmand - A French Speciality](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/cafe-gourmand-a-french-speciality/) - My monthly contribution to My French Life, the global community of French and francophiles connecting like-minded people in English & French has just been published, this time in the Gastronomie section. One of the best inventions in French cuisine in recent years, in my opinion, is the café gourmand. I’m not big on desserts. Also I think that the
- [Happy New Year for 2020](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2020/01/happy-new-year-for-2020/) - This post was written early January but somehow didn't get published! It started by saying that I was earlier this year than I was last year in wishing you all the best for the coming but I was sad to say that my ideas of writing more blog posts have not come to fruition! I
- [Coffee & Cappuccino in France and Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/coffee-cappuccino/) - One’s perception of good coffee is highly personal. I know that DrummerBrother will go to the other end of Sydney to get a good cup of coffee. I was not a natural coffee drinker in my younger years. When I was at uni, I had to train myself to drink black Nescafé (how could I?
- [Friday's French - amener, emmener, apporter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/fridays-french-amener-emmener-apporter/) - Viens ! Je t'emmène à la Tour Eiffel. Apporte des sandwichs, nous pouvons faire un pique-nique sur place. J'amènerai ma cousine avec moi. Come on! I'll take you to the Eiffel Tower. Bring some sandwiches - we can have a picnic there. I'll bring my cousin with me. Now before we go any further, I'd
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-up: Beaugrenelle, the new shopping centre - Dance Macabre - Rue d'Aligre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-beaugrenelle-the-new-shopping-centre-dance-macabre-rue-daligre/) - This Wednesday, Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris takes us to the newest shopping centre in Paris, Beaugrenelle, which even has a Marks & Sparks; Daisy de Plume from THATlou Treasure Hunt at the Louvre whom I will be joining on the evening of October 30 for her Death Hunt, introduces us to the
- [Friday's French - bis, ter and encore!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/11/fridays-french-bis-ter-and-encore/) - Have you ever noticed a number in France followed by bis or ter, particularly on an entrance or gate? Well, it means that a house or property has been divided up, so it's like our a or b. He lives at 3a = Il habite au 3bis. Bis comes from Latin - twice - while ter
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-Up: Michelin star restaurants - Chrysanthemums in France - All Saints' Day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-michelin-star-restaurants-chrysanthemums-in-france-all-saints-day/) - This week, The Good Life France, appearing for the first time in my Wednesday's Blogger Round-Up, explains the origin of the Michel star award to French restaurants, while two Aussies, whom I've often quoted here - Wendy Hollands from Le Franco Phoney and Phoebe from Lou Messugo - share their experience of the chrysanthemum tradition
- [Friday's French - notaire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/fridays-french-notaire/) - Anyone who has been involved in buying (or selling) a house or appartment in France will know who the notaire is but may not be aware of exactly what they do, mainly because the equivalent does not exist in the Anglosaxon world. According to the Chambre des Notaires, which has a very useful English version
- [Friday's French - propre, clean, own, proper](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/04/fridays-french-propre-clean-own-proper/) - I was talking to my Australian friend Susan from Days on the Claise recently and she mentioned the different meanings of propre in French. It does seems strange that the same word should mean both "clean" and "own". My trusty Dictionnaire Historique de la Langue Française has come to the rescue. Propre meaning "own" is derived from the
- [Cycling in Germany #11 – Martin Luther Country: Torgau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-11-martin-luther-country-torgau/) - Today, we’re off to Wittenberg Lutherstadt as it now seems to be called everywhere. It’s 100 km away and there is only one point of interest in-between – Torgau. We had thought of passing via Leipzig but the photos on google images aren’t very encouraging. We get off to a false start because our Radhaus in
- [Cycling in Germany #8 : Dresden Neustadt – Kunsthof Passage, Pfund’s Molkerei, a broom shop &  trompe l’oeil](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-8-dresden-neustadt-kunsthof-passage-pfunds-molkerei-a-broom-shop-trompe-loeil/) - We’re up early due to the lack of shutters – it’s light at 5 am at the moment – so we have breakfast, pack up and cross the bridge to Neustadt or New Town as opposed to Altstadt or Old Town where we’re been staying. On the way, we see a wonderful trompe l’œil building.
- [Cycling along the Romantic Road in Bavaria #7 – Würzburg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-romantic-road-in-germany-7-wurzburg/) - We’re on our way to Würzburg, at the northern tip of the Romantic Road, known for its wine and the former residence of the Würzburg prince-bishops, Unesco world cultural heritage site and one of the most important baroque palaces in Europe. The weather doesn’t look too bad but it’s only 15°C so we don’t know
- [Working from Home during Lockdown](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2020/04/working-from-home-during-lockdown/) - Having worked as a translator full-time at home since 1979, even during my children’s very long French school holidays, I am probably not suffering from the constraints of lockdown as much as other people. These are my basic rules: 1/ Get dressed immediately when you get up (this became a rule right at the
- [Cycling on the Romantic Road in Bavaria #2 – Lechbruck to Fussen via Neuschwanstein Castle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-on-the-romantic-road-in-bavaria-2-lechbruck-to-fussen-via-neuschwanstein-castle/) - We start off on our day’s cycling on the Romantic Road in Bavaria by driving 15 minutes to Lechbruck am See and the first views of a little turquoise lake are beautiful. Our route then takes us along the Forggensee and past some of the most stunning scenery I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, the photos do
- [ Bamberg – A World Heritage Site in Germany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/bamberg-a-world-heritage-site-in-germany/) - My Australian friend Jane first told me about Bamberg a couple of years ago but although it’s still in Bavaria, it’s a lot further north than the Danube. However, my iPhone says that the shortest route from Melk to Blois is via Nuremberg and Bamberg is only 40 minutes further north which makes it a
- [Australia: A Culture Shock](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/australia-a-culture-shock/) - Leonardo’s now been in Sydney for a month and has started a new job. He’s finding the situation in the workplace very different from France. The thing that bothers him most is that people don’t take time to socialise. He says he doesn’t understand it because if people don’t know each other, he doesn’t see
- [Friday’s French - blocage](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/fridays-french-blocage/) - I'm introducing an Australian acquaintance to Jean Michel. "Bonjour", she says, then turning to me, somewhat flustered, "I’m tongue-tied. How do I say that in French?" "Langue coupée", I say rather doubtfully. "No, I know, je suis bloquée, j'ai un blocage." "Ah, then it doesn't mean the same as the English word 'blockage'", she laughs. Definitely
- [Five Places to Lunch near the Louvre in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/five-places-to-lunch-near-the-louvre/) - Visiting the Louvre can be tiring particularly when you try and take in too much at a time. When your feet are aching and you’re hungry, you want to find a place to relax that’s hassle-free and has friendly service. As a rule, it's always best to have your main meal in France at midday
- [Friday's French - chien assis](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/fridays-french-chien-assis/) - Whether you've heard the term chien assis - literally sitting dog - or not, you probably don't know its correct meaning. I didn't until a couple of days ago although I thought I did. The windows in the photo below have always been referred to by the people I know as chiens assis, but I've
- [Cyclng in Germany #15 – Turgermünde, the prettiest village on the Elbe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cyclng-in-germany-15-turgermunde-the-prettiest-village-on-the-elbe/) - After Magdeburg and the Green Citadel, we continue on to our next location in the little village of Dahlenstedt near Stendal, where we are to spend 3 nights, including a rest day. We first heard of this little town from guests who came to stay at Closerie Falaiseau last year. Henri Beyle, the author of
- [Death Hunt with THATLou](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/death-hunt-with-thatlou/) - It’s almost Halloween. I’m dressed in black from head to toe as instructed and standing in line to buy my entrance ticket to the museum in order to participate in a Treasure Hunt at the Louvre by THATLou. "Hi", says a voice behind me. I turn to see Sylvia from Finding Noon in this stunning purple
- [Sunset on the Tuileries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/sunset-on-the-tuileries/) - I've already talked about the sunset in Paris but my very favourite spot is in the Tuileries Gardens. I don't usually post this many photos at a time but I happened to be there recently when the sun and the sky were just perfect! They're not of the sunset itself but of the changing light over
- [How I lost 20 kilos after 50, for good - Part 4](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/how-i-lost-20-kilos-after-50-for-good-part-4/) - Two weeks ago, in part 2, I told you about my visit to Dr Séjean, a touchy-feely encouraging nutritionist from Martinique. She basically told me to cut out all wheat-based products for three weeks and divide my plate into four: ½ protein, ½ carbs (the contents of a Chinese bowl) and ½ cooked vegetables (cooking
- [An Easter Monday Birthday in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/an-easter-monday-birthday-in-paris/) - Jean Michel usually takes me to a Michelin-star restaurant for my birthday but it’s Easter Monday which is a public holiday in France and there isn’t much open so we’ve postponed it until Wednesday. Instead, he surprises me by suggesting we go for breakfast at Angelina’s. I’m secretely a little disappointed because it means I’ll
- [The Emergency Department in a Paris Hospital](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/the-emergency-department-in-a-paris-hospital/) - I hate wasting time, probably because I never have enough. To me, the emergency department of a hospital is the epitome of wasted time, to be avoided at all costs. So far, I’ve managed to do so. I wake up one morning in Blois with slight pain in my middle back. Hmm, that’s a new
- [Friday’s French – cote, côte, coteau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/fridays-french-cote-cote-coteau/) - These words all look fairly similar but they’re not, of course, or I wouldn’t be talking about them. To start off with, cote and côte are not even remotely related and not even pronounced in the same way! Cote is pronounced much like the English "cot" whereas côte is almost like "caught" but not quite.
- [No Boxing Day in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/no-boxing-day-in-france/) - Unfortunately, there is no Boxing Day in France. We had to pack up everything in Normandy and leave last night which was very sad. I couldn’t believe how much stuff we’d acquired in just over a week! There were all the Christmas decorations for the tree and crib and table of course plus the holly
- [FRENCH CHÂTEAU COUNTRY IN THE WINTER – THE LOIRE VALLEY](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/12/french-chateau-country-in-the-winter-the-loire-valley/) - Not everyone can choose to come to France during the warmer months. Australians in particular often come at Christmas time during their summer holidays, willing to trade over-30-degree temperatures for under ten degrees. Many hope to find snow. Snow falls in the Loire Valley are highly variable. They rarely arrive for Christmas but there are
- [Friday's French - Ecole Normale, normal, standard, norme, norm](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/08/fridays-french-ecole-normale-normal-standard/) - The first time I heard the expression école normale was when I took up a post as an assistant English teacher in Nantes many moons ago. I soon discovered that it was a teacher training college. I then heard about the école normale supérieure which is one of the most prestigious and selective university and research institutions, in
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Safe Solo Travel Tips for Women - Supplements for Single Travellers - Family Travel Tips for Iceland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/weekly-blogger-round-up-safe-solo-travel-tips-for-women-supplements-for-single-travellers-family-travel-tips-for-iceland/) - We have an all-Australian line-up for this week's Blogger Round-Up, starting with some excellent tips from Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel on safe travel for solo women. Carolyn from Holidays to Europe then discusses another aspect of solo travel - why single travellers have to pay a supplement. And to end up on a
- [Cycling along the Danube – Watch out for trains!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/cycling-along-the-danube-watch-out-for-trains/) - Today I nearly got run over by a train when on my bike. When I heard the blast just next to me, a searing pain shot through my head and my legs turned to jelly. I immediately backtracked and got out of its way. Then I burst into tears. Now how could this happen, you
- [Oyster Season Again - Les huîtres sont de retour](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/09/oyster-season-again-les-huitres-sont-de-retour/)
- [The Oldest House in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/the-oldest-house-in-paris/) - Surprisingly for an old city, Paris has very few mediaeval houses and when someone asked me recently where the oldest house was, I had absolutely no idea even though I later learnt that I had actually been inside! For very many years, it was thought that the house at n°3 rue Volta in the 3ème arrondissement was
- [Lunch View - Vue de table](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/10/lunch-view-vue-de-table/) - We celebrated Jean Michel's birthday today at L'Orangerie in Blois and this was our view. Nous avons fêté l'anniversaire de Jean Michel aujourd'hui à l'Orangerie à Blois et voici la vue depuis notre table.
- [A Mock-Up of the Little House](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/a-mock-up-of-the-little-house/) - You may remember our poultry yard dilemma that got in the way of our project to renovate our "little house" to make a gîte (self-catering holiday rental accommodation). We thought we might have to drop the idea altogether. The next idea was to convert our second barn instead. Then the neighbours sold their house to
- [Lunch with Learners](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/lunch-with-learners/) - Our party of four arrives just before noon in front of the local hospitality high school in Blois. It's important to be on time because class goes back at 1.30 pm. We enter the building and can see the students through the window of the restaurant on our left, all dressed smartly in white shirts,
- [Budapest – Pictures of Pest](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/budapest-pictures-of-pest/) - Once our accommodation and washing were sorted out, we were able to forget the hassles and get on with our holiday. Szentendre, the village where we are staying, is only a half an hour’s drive from Budapest – not a very scenic route admittedly, but a very convenient location if you don’t want to stay
- [Captain Cook and the French Revolution](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/captain-cook-and-the-french-revolution/) - I’ve been reading Hough’s biography of Captain Cook and thinking about what Townsvillean said when I told him we’d bought a house in Blois built in 1584: "Your house is about twice as old as my nation!". One of the amazing things to me about Cook is that he didn’t know he had discovered
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Advantages of Paris in Winter -  Surprising Things about Istanbul - Eating Rules for French Children](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/weekly-blogger-round-up-advantages-of-paris-in-winter-surprising-things-about-istanbul-eating-rules-for-french-children/) - In this week's Blogger Round Up, Carolyn from My Sydney Paris Life shares nine big reasons to love Paris in winter (even though it hasn't snowed this year); Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Traveler takes us to Istanbul in the first of a series of posts, while Mind Body Green gives ten very interesting eating
- [History of a Wine Lover](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/history-of-a-wine-lover/) - When Relationnel and I first met 16 years ago, he had a wonderful cellar but no one to share it with. Although I hadn’t done any serious wine tasting, I loved good wine. So I was delighted to help him taste some of the bottles he’d been keeping in reserve. I can still remember the
- [Forbidden Mushrooms](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/forbidden-mushrooms/) - The last few times we’ve been mushroom picking, we haven’t had much luck because of the unusually mild autumn. The last time we were in Blois State forest we came across a group of forest workers and one of them told us that we should go over to Lancôme where there are beech trees which are
- [The First Mushrooms in our Wood](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/the-first-mushrooms-in-our-wood/) - When Relationnel arrived in Blois on Thursday evening, he immediately went up into the little wood behind the house which is part of our property and reported that there were some white mushrooms that he wanted to check out next day when it was light. So next morning, I put on my thick walking shoes
- [My Wonderful Cataract Operation in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/my-great-cataract-operation-in-paris/) - We’re cycling in Germany and I suddenly start seeing little brownish halos over to the right during the day and flashes of light at night. When we arrive back in Paris at the end of July, I make an appointment with the ophthalmologue (no one says anything as straightforward as eye doctor here). In the meantime,
- [Friday's French - Chantier, mess, roadworks, construction work](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/12/fridays-french-chantier-mess-roadworks-construction-work/) - Chantier is an interesting word. The photo below is a perfect illustration of its three main meanings. Un chantier is a place where some sort of construction work is going on. It is also the construction work itself while the third meaning is related to the mess produced by the construction work. So what would
- [A Laundry in a French House No Less! #1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/a-laundry-in-a-french-house-no-less-1/) - We’ve set aside two weeks to make a laundry at Closerie Falaiseau. Like most French houses, it doesn’t have one. I've talked about this before. In fact, Jean Michel has already drilled a 10 cm diameter hole through a 70 cm wall to evacuate the water from the washing machine in the downstairs bathroom into
- [Friday's French - Minute papillon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/10/fridays-french-minute-papillon/) - As we were driving through Paris recently in the rain, we saw a café called "Minute Papillon" which made me wonder about the origin of the expression which is roughly equivalent to our English saying "Hold your horses!". Some sources suggest it is simply a metaphor about butterflies which flit from flower to flower, which
- [Happy New Year 2018](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2018/01/happy-new-year-2018/) - It's nearly mid-January and I have only just found the time to write this new year post. Even though we have up until the end of January in France to do so, it's still better to wish people a happy new year within the first week of the month. But lack of time is the
- [The Akubra Saviour](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2018/02/the-akubra-saviour/) - We've just arrived in Malta for a week of sun and exploring. It is 1°C when we leave Blois at 5.20 am and 15°C when we arrive in Valetta at 1 pm. After checking out our rental apartment, Marina View, with its stunning view of Vittoriosa across the other side of the Marina, we have
- [Cycling in Germany – Tips & Tricks](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-tips-tricks/) - We have now been on four cycling trips to Germany, first on the Rhine near Lake Constance, second along the Danube from its source to Budapest, third on the Moselle, Rhine, Elbe and Eiser Rivers through former East Germany and north-west Germany and fourth along the Romantic Road in Bavaria and the Neckar Valley. My preference
- [I Love My Garden](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/i-love-my-garden/) - Each time we go to Blois, we fall in love with the garden again. In June, we had masses of honeysuckle and roses. Now the outside fence is lined with light and dark pink hollyhocks. The view as you drive down the street towards the house is quite spectacular. Inside, the prettiest flowers at the
- [A-Tisket A-Taskat and Tea for Three](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/a-tisket-a-taskat-and-tea-for-three/) - I’m still getting over the flu that I’ve shared with several MILLIONS of people in France this year. My recovery after 5 weeks is remarkably slow and annoying. Every time I think I’m better, I seem to have a mini relapse. My friends and neighbours are faring no better than me and we still haven’t
- [Bread Ovens in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/bread-ovens-in-the-loire-valley/) - Well, I shall start with my own! Closerie Falaiseau, our lovely house in Blois, has its own beautiful bread oven, unfortunately no longer in use, but Relationnel has every intention of turning it at least into a working fireplace. The day we were given the keys, Mr Previous Owner opened the door to the oven
- [Sound & Light at Blois Castle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/08/sound-light-at-blois-castle/) - I am not a great fan of sound & light shows but I think I should go to the one at Blois Castle so I can recommend it (or not) to visitors. As residents of Blois, we have free passes to the castle and the weather is very warm so it seems the ideal time.
- [Sewing Machines I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/sewing-machines-i-have-known/) - Last Sunday when we were on another dépôt-vente excursion, I came across two Singer treadle sewing machines, one of which seemed in very good condition and a bargain at 40 euros. A nostalgia trip of course. My first sewing machine was one of those little kid’s ones that only did chain stitch. For the uninitiated,
- [Happy New Year 2019](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2019/01/happy-new-year-2019/) - This is my absolute last chance to write my New Year post and wish you all a wonderful 2019, as tomorrow is the first day of February. I have an exciting year ahead - I am going to retire on 30th June (although I shall keep up my certified translations for a few more years).
- [The Truth about Making Cappuccino Part 1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/the-truth-about-making-cappuccino-part-1/) - You may remember my desperate attempts to make cappuccino during the winter. Well, now I know the truth. It's the espresso machine that makes all the difference. I now have intimate knowledge of three different machines: the cheap-O model we bought new in a second-hand shop somewhere near Blois, the superduper expensive Pavoni that grinds
- [Friday's French - feu](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/fridays-french-feu/) - A Facebook comment by an Australian cousin currently living in France has inspired this post: Dear smokers of France, Although I have an odd accent, I will understand you if you ask me for a lighter. Making expansive gestures and asking "Do you 'ave zee fire?" is only going to result in me busting out
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Public Art on the French Riviera - Liguria in Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/weekly-blogger-round-up-public-art-on-the-french-riviera-liguria-in-italy/) - The weekly blogger round-up today takes us to the French Riviera, with an excellent report on public art by Australian Phoebe from Lou Messugo (which is your favourite?) while another Australian, Chrisse from Riveria Grapevine takes us across the border to Liguria to the Olioliva festival where everything tastes better (what do you think?). Enjoy! Public
- [The 5:2 fast diet - fast and feast and still lose weight!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/the-52-fast-diet-fast-and-feast-and-still-lose-weight/) - Success at last ! I can now wear most of my summer clothes again! I just love the 5:2 eat fast diet that I told you about last week. I’ve had two more fast days and lost a kilo in weight and 3 cm at the waist in 10 days. Also I am no longer getting
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Monumental  Churches in Charente Maritime - Villa Romana del Casale - Malbork Castle in Poland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/weekly-blogger-round-up-monumental-churches-in-charente-maritime-villa-romana-del-casale-malbork-castle-in-poland/) - My Weekly Blogger Round-Up hasn't been very regular recently but I'm hoping things will start to return to normal soon. This week, it begins with a new blogger whom I discovered through Lou Messugo's link-up last week. Susan from Our French Oasis introduces us to the huge churches that are monumental landmarks in Charente Maritime
- [Friday's French - taxi, fiacre, taxis de la Marne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/fridays-french-taxi/) - I'm very excited because yesterday, I discovered the origin of the word taxi! And it's Parisian. Who would have imagined that? I learnt about it while taking some Australian friends on a walking tour that included the oldest houses in Paris. Paris has lots of street signs explaining its history and we came across one that talked about
- [A Walk from Chambon to Molinleuf – 6 kilometers of surprises](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/11/a-walk-from-chambon-to-molinleuf-6-kilometers-of-surprises/) - It’s November 1st, All Saints’ Day, which is a public holiday in France. It’s supposed to be sunny but the fog hasn’t lifted all morning. After lunch, it finally clears but it is only 11°C instead of the promised 14°C. I wonder sometimes at the lack of synchronization between the weather gods and the weather.
- [Paris in December – Is it Worthwhile?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/paris-in-december-is-it-worthwhile/) - I have just received emails from two Sydney readers asking about visiting Paris in December so I decided to answer them in a blog post so that other travellers could benefit from my responses and experienced readers give their opinion. Marie asks: Can you tell me how cold it is in Paris in early December compared to our
- [Our First Home Exchange](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/our-first-home-exchange/) - The idea of a home exchange first came to me when a French friend told me that her stepson and his Australian wife were going back to Melbourne to live. I consoled her by saying she and her husband could visit them for longer and at less expense if she did a home exchange. I
- [Secret Blois #2 - Wars Wounds and Fountains](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/08/secret-blois-2-wars-wounds-and-fountains/) - At the end of Secret Blois #1, I left you in Place Louis XII, the most animated part of Blois and home to a twice-weekly fresh produce market. You may have noticed a certain uniformity in the buildings around you. During World War II, Blois was occupied by the German army which invaded the city on
- [How I lost 20 kilos after 50 - for good: Part 6](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/how-i-lost-50-kilos-for-good-part-6/) - This week has been like mid-summer in Paris, yet we’re only just moving into spring! So I’ve been swapping over my wardrobe from winter to summer. Strange, I didn’t realise that extra kilo or two had sneaked in there. My winter clothes weren’t getting tight but I have a couple of pairs of summer trousers
- [Where do those extra kilos come from?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/where-do-those-extra-kilos-come-from/) - I don't understand where those extra kilos come from. I don’t even have a sweet tooth! I hate to think what would happen if I did. Between November 2009 and January 2011, I lost 20 kilos. They stayed off for about 18 months, then very slowly, five crept back on. In January this year, I
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: July & August in France - Wines from the French Riviera - Cruising on the Canal du Rhône](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/weekly-blogger-round-up-july-august-in-france-wines-from-the-french-riviera-cruising-on-the-canal-du-rhone/) - We're off to the sunny French Riviera for this week's blogger round-up, starting with Margo Lestz from The Curious Rambler who gives a very interesting historical explanation of the August exodus I mentioned recently. Next, Chrissie from Riviera Grapevine introduces us to the wonderful and often unknown wines of the French Mediterranean Coast. To finish off,
- [A Garland of Wildflowers in Cyprus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/03/a-garland-of-wildflowers-in-cyprus/) - We are visiting the ruins of Salamis, an ancient Greek city-state on the east coast of Cyprus. It's a perfect spring day. There are yellow wildflowers everywhere and, in particular, yellow daisies. We see a young woman making a crown of daisies. A little further away, her husband is playing with their two sons. I
- [Friday’s French – service civil, service civique, civil service, fonction publique](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/fridays-french-service-civil-service-civique-civil-service-fonction-publique/) - France Info is by far my favourite radio station. I like it because it keeps repeating the news all day so that if you tune off at any time, the same information will soon come round again. I usually listen when I’m cooking or eating by myself. They don’t just do news. They also have
- [French wine in cans – what is this?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/french-wine-in-cans-what-is-this/) - We’ve just cycled from Château de Chaumont to Candé sur Beuvron, a lovely little path through shady woods along the Beuvron River on the Loire à Vélo circuit. We reach the village and discover that renovations on the pedestrian bridge are finished and that it’s decorated with enormous brightly coloured flower pots. We’ve already been
- [Cycling from Breschia to Lake Iseo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/06/cycling-from-breschia-to-lake-iseo/) - We are on our way from Blois to Romania and Jean Michel has chosen Lake Iseo as our first stopover. We’ve booked an apartment for two nights in Cazzago San Martino 2 km from the Turin-Trieste motorway. By 5 pm, we are on our bikes and ready to begin our holiday. The scenery is delightful
- [3 iPhone Apps for Paris and WiFi](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/3-iphone-apps-for-paris-and-wifi/) - Black Cat told me about the most wonderful iPhone App called What’s App. You can send text messages for free throughout the world to anyone with an iPhone and What’s App. Wish I’d known about it last summer when I clocked up a nice little bill texting Black Cat from the 9 different countries we
- [iPhone Crazy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/iphone-crazy/) - I love my iPhone. Sounds like some corny commercial doesn’t it? But I really do. I used to have an uncool Sony mobile with bluetooth and a cool Palm Pilot. That was before Black Cat dropped her phone in the Seine on the first day of her first real job when she went out onto
- [More Delhi and the Road to Jaipur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/03/more-delhi-and-the-road-to-jaipur/) - We arrive in Delhi at 7 pm, one and a half hours late due to an electrical problem on our plane which kept us sitting on the tarmac in Melbourne but I sent a quick email to Trinetra Tours to let them know and our coordinator is waiting for us. When we arrive at the
- [How I lost 20 kilos after 50, for good - Part 1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/how-i-lost-20-kilos-after-50-for-good-part-1/) - Now there is something important you need to know if you want to lose a lot of weight. The more weight you have put on, the more quickly you will continue to put it on. Where, in your slimmer days, you could eat overeat for a couple of days and nothing happened, once you are
- [Loire à vélo: Cycling from Tours to Château de Villandry](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/11/loire-a-velo-cycling-from-tours-to-chateau-de-villandry/) - Another beautiful sunny autumn day when it's warm enough to cycle. I've been wanting to see the gardens at Château de Villandry ever since Susan from Days on the Claise mentioned that the late summer planting was at its peak and the famous potager garden looking splendid. There is a dedicated bike route from Tours to Villandry
- [Cycling in Poitevin Marsh #1 - Aiguillon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/07/cycling-in-poitevin-marsh-1-aiguillon/) - The outside of the new kitchen window is finally finished and we are taking a well-deserved 3-day cycling holiday. We’ve chosen Poitevin Marsh after talking to friends. It’s been on the agenda for a while and isn’t too far by car (about 2 ½ hours). I’ve reserved a B&B that looks as though it has
- [Meeting the Neighbours in Blois Part 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/meeting-the-neighbours-in-blois-part-2/) - Each time we’ve come down to Blois since we signed the final papers in April, most of our waking hours have been spent getting the gîte ready and planting potatoes in the rain. So this time, we decided we’d have a holiday. Yesterday was our first "work-free" day so after a côte de bœuf cooked on
- [Tips for Visiting the Golden Triangle in India](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/05/tips-for-visiting-the-golden-triangle-in-india/) - When we discovered that the Taj Mahal is close to New Delhi which was our intended stopover on the way to Australia flying Air India, we immediately wanted to visit it but we had lots of questions: How long should our stopover be? Should we go it alone or find a tour operator? If we
- [Mulled Wine and Chestnuts with the Locals](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/12/mulled-wine-and-chestnuts-with-the-locals/) - It’s one of those dull and dreary rainy days in December with little motivation to venture much further than the fireside but our local association, Les Amis des Grouets, is having its annual mulled wine and chestnut evening just down the road at 6 pm and we missed it last year. The Christmas cake is
- [Verrines – another French culinary speciality](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/verrines-another-french-culinary-speciality/) - You may remember my post on Café Gourmand last month in My French Life, the global community of French and francophiles connecting like-minded people in English & French . In this month's post, I've talked about another wonderful French culninary speciality - the verrine. Verrines - another French culinary speciality At about the same time that the café
- [Cycling in Germany #10: Meissen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-10-meissen/) - We've left Meissen for the best day weather-wise. It's already 16°C by the time we set out at 9.45, taking the ferry in front of Elbklause, our "bike hotel" across the Elbe, and the sky is bright blue. It's 14 km to Meissen mainly along the river. The castle can be seen quite a long way away.
- [Cycling on the Danube in Germany – Binzwangen to Mengen including Zwiefalten](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/cycling-on-the-danube-in-germany-binzwangen-to-mengen-including-zwiefalten/) - There’s thunder and lightning and pouring rain when we leave Paris at 9 am but after 3 hours driving east, the weather improves immensely and by the time we reach Germany, it’s an incredible 31°C and the sky is an intense blue. Now, that’s what I call holiday weather! We come round a bend and
- [Visiting Padua by Bike](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/visiting-padua-by-bike/) - I’ve been wanting to visit Padua for a very long time. Many years ago, we toured northern Italy and got as far as Vicenza. We can’t remember why we didn’t go any further. Our Routard guidebook tells us that the best way to visit Padua is by bike. Jean Michel is a little dubious, especially
- [Cycling along the Romantic Road in Bavaria 5#– Nordlingen, Wallerstein, Dinkelsbühl and Feuchtwangen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-romantic-road-in-germany-5-nordlingen-wallerstein-dinkelsbuhl-and-feuchtwangen/) - We arrive in Dinkelsbühl just as the sun comes out after very heavy rain following our visit to Augsburg and are absolutely delighted at our choice of a place to stay for 4 nights. Everywhere we look inside this walled city is a delight – except the parking! We find the Romantica Hotel Blauer Hecht
- [Lisbon in the Rain and More Great Panoramas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/lisbon-in-the-rain-more-incredible-views/) - After virtually no sleep during our first night in Lisbon due to a barking dog, jets constantly flying overhead, merry makers under our window, the arrival of the rubbish truck at 1.30 pm with much clashing and clanging and shouting, leg cramps from being squashed into a plane for a couple of hours and a smaller-than-usual bed, I wake up to
- [Cycling in Germany #4 - Koblenz where the Moselle meets the Rhine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/cyclone-in-germany-4-koblenz-where-the-moselle-meets-the-rhine/) - We're off to a late but chilly start today. After we leave the car a few kilometers out of Koblenz to avoid the usual large town parking problems, we both put on our windcheaters and don't take them off for the rest of the day. This time I didn't forget our rain capes ... As
- [Cycling in Germany #16 – Celle and Bremen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-16-celle-and-bremen/) - Bad weather has struck so we’ve studied the weather report and after a day of R&R at Kunsthof Pension in Dahrenstedt we’re off to Bremen via Celle which has over 400 timber-framed houses. We are going back into the former West Germany today and wonder whether it will be noticeable. Nothing could be more flagrant! The houses
- [Cycling along the Neckar in Germany #3 – Rottweil to Oberndorf](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-neckar-in-germany-3-rottweil-to-oberndorf/) - It’s the last day of our cycling holiday in Germany. We’ve checked a few on-line sources and studied the cycling map and are driving to Altoberndorf a half an hour away so that we can cycle along the Neckar to Rottweil and Oberndorf. After an excellent breakfast at the Martinhof, Hotel including Spiegel ei, we
- [Cycling in Germany #19 – Bernkastel on the Moselle - a hidden treasure](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-19-bernkastel-on-the-moselle-a-hidden-treasure/) - We arrive in Bernkastel at about 1.30 pm after a 4-hour drive from Hann Münden with only a couple of rough patches on the motorway. I wouldn’t have liked to be going in the other direction around Hanover though. The line-up seemed to go on forever. One thing I will not regret are the German
- [Cycling in Germany #12 – Luther Country : Wittenberg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-12-luther-country-wittenberg/) - We arrive at our Black Bear Hotel (Schwarzer Baer) about 2 pm in stifling heat and appreciate the coolness of the rooms. We don’t have a terrace but we have a little closed-in verandah afffair with a leadlight window which is very neat. Even neater is the fact that the curtains are of the total
- [Cycling along the Danube - a Renaissance Festival in Neuburg, Bavaria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/cycling-along-the-danube-a-renaissance-festival-in-neuburg-bavaria/) - In one of our guidebooks, there was mention of an annual Renaissance festival in Neuburg,, west of Regensburg, but I could find no information in English or French about dates on the Internet so we thought we should go there on a Saturday or Sunday just in case it was on. When we cycled into
- [Cycling in Germany # 3 - Cochem to Zell on the Moselle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/cycling-in-germany-3-cochem-to-zell-on-the-moselle/) - Compared with most of the cyclist we saw today - and we saw a lot of them -we are spring chickens! There are a lot of Dutch people and a lot of electric bikes. Considering most of the cycle paths are flat, I don't imagine it makes a lot of difference. We might be looking
- [Cycling in Germany #14 – Shades of Gaudi on the Elbe: Hundertwasser](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-14-shades-of-gaudi-on-the-elbe-hundertwasser/) - "I mustn’t forget to show you something before we leave Wittenberg tomorrow", says Jean Michel, "a modern building, the Martin Luther Gymnasium" (which means high school). Wow, I am bowled over when I see it, tucked away behind the vegatation in a side street. It’s Sunday so there is no one about. What an inspiring place
- [Cycling along the Romantic Road in Bavaria #1 – Peiting to Wies](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-romantic-road-in-bavaria-1-peiting-to-wies/) - With our new Bikeline maps, we are ready to start our cycling trip along the 350-kilometer Romantic Road which starts in Fussen in the south of Bavaria and ends in Würzburg in the central Germany. Although it more or less follows the old Roman road of Via Claudia Augusta, it was really only invented in
- [Cycling along the Romantic Road in Bavaria #8 – Tauberbishofsheim to Creglingen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-romantic-road-8-tauberbishofsheim-to-creglingen/) - After a refreshing sleep in our sccond hotel room in Tauberbishofsheim and Spiegel ei for breakfast, we are ready to go. We’re on our bikes by 9.45 am and it’s already 17°C and expected to get to 22°C in the afternoon. This is the best weather we’ve had for several days. As we ride through Tauberbishofsheim,
- [Friday's French - horloge, pendule, clock, réveil, watch, montre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/11/fridays-french-horloge-pendule-clock-reveil-watch-montre/) - We get up on Sunday morning after going back onto winter time and all the clocks are an hour out. "Il faut remettre les pendules à l'heure, c'est le cas de le dire". "Resetting the clocks" is an expression in French which means to put the record straight or put things in their right place.
- [Cycling in Slovenia – our power bikes pass the test!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/06/cycling-in-slovenia-our-power-bikes-pass-the-test/) - We’re in Malibor in the north of Slovenia, a country known for its hills. We ask for a bike map from the tourist office and study it. In Malibor, there are cycle paths everywhere so we assume that outside the town, the bike circuits will be well indicated. We choose n°3 north of the city,
- [Cycling in Germany #20 – Trier and the Binoculars Scare](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-20-trier-and-the-binoculars-scare/) - It’s the last day of our cycling holiday in Germany and we’re going to visit Germany’s oldest town – Trier – then cycle from Thörnich to Neumagen-Dhron. We’re not cycling around Trier itself because the bike paths in and out of the city look as though they go through industrial areas. On the way, we
- [Heading Home to France after a Month’s Cycling Holiday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/heading-home-to-france-after-a-months-cycling-holiday/) - We’ve had a wonderful month, cycling over 1,100 kilometers along the Danube, Lake Constance and the Doubs, all on the Eurovelo 6 route, visiting two new countries – Slovakia and Hungary – exploring new areas of four other countries – France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland – and taking nearly 5,000 photos between us, but now
- [The Elephant Ride](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/03/the-elephant-ride/) - We have been in India for two full days and have done so much and seen so many wonderful places that I am exhausted by the end of the day and incapable of writing a blog post. But I had to post this photo of my first (and last!) elephant ride, at Amber Fort in
- [Famagusta - Cyprus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/04/famagusta-cyprus/) - Famagusta on the east coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, was the first stop on our one-week self-driven tour. In mediaeval times (particularly under the maritime republics of Genoa and Venice), Famagusta was the country's largest port city, trading with the ports of the Levant. In Turkish it is also called Gazimagusa which can
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: All about Romanians - Mediaeval Slovenia - Travel Safety in Albania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/weekly-blogger-round-up-all-about-romanians-mediaeval-slovenia-travel-safety-in-albania/) - This week's blogger round-up is focussed on Eastern Europe, a destination I find quite fascinating. To start off, Anda from Travel Notes & Beyond tells us what you should know about Romanians before you travel to the country where she was born. Next, Australian-born Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel takes us to mediaeval Slovenia as
- [Monday's Photo: Black Cat's Sewing Blog](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/mondays-photo-black-cats-sewing-blog/) - This week I spent a most enjoyable day shooting photos of my daughter, Black Cat, for her new sewing blog: New York Paris Needle. This is our favourite photo taken from our balcony in the Palais Royal!
- [Cycling along the Danube – the Weltenburg Narrows](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/cycling-along-the-danube-the-weltenburg-narrows/) - Every time we move onto a different section of the Danube, we tell ourselves that it can’t be better than the last one, yet we are never disappointed. After leaving the Austrian S-bend yesterday, we moved to a little village near Kelheim in Bavaria with the unpronounceable name of Niederleierndorf where we are renting an
- [It's Still Cold in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/its-still-cold-in-paris/) - I got caught in the cold today. I was working away in my office and suddenly realised there was sun streaming in through the windows so I thought I should make an effort and go outside. I looked at the temperature and saw it was 9°C but I figured it would be warmer in the
- [Gaudi's Fabulous Facades](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/gaudis-houses-facades/) - I hope you’re not sick of Gaudi yet because I still want to tell you about Guell Palace, Casa Batlló and Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, all three of which are on the Unesco World Heritage list. You’ve already seen the chimneys which I think are probably the most exciting part, but there
- [A safe travel guide for solo woman travellers - Scenery, sunshine and saddle bags on the Austrian Lakes - Paris-Orly train transfer tips](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/a-safe-travel-guide-for-solo-woman-travellers-scenery-sunshine-and-saddle-bags-on-the-austrian-lakes-paris-orly-train-transfer-tips/) - Another all-Australian bloggers round-up this Wednesday, with advice from the ever-practical Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel on safe travel for solo women travellers; a report from Carolyn from Holidays to Europe on her recent cycling tour in a different part of Austria from us; and tips on transferring from Orly airport to
- [First Fire in the Fireplace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/6132/) - We’re at Closerie Falaiseau. We’ve had dinner and are sitting on the sofa in front of the non-operational fireplace downstairs . Why, you may ask, are we not upstairs, drinking champagne and eating foie gras in front of our beautifully renovated Renaissance fireplace. Well, the answer is simple. We’ve lit the first fire and discovered
- [Tasmania Redeems Itself - the Devil's Kitchen & Tasman's Arch](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/tasmania-redeems-itself-the-devils-kitchen-tasmans-arch/) - Tasmania has redeemed itself! Today THERE WAS SUN. Not sun all the time, mind you, because there was intermittent rain and it was about 8°C, but it was an enormous improvement over yesterday and all the other days since we arrived in Tasmania a week ago. So we went to Port Arthur. On the way,
- [Who's Kevin Rudd?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/whos-kevin-rudd/) - After living in France for more than 35 years, I’m not sure I really know who I am any more. I mean in terms of nationality. When we go back to Australia on holidays, I feel a bit odd because I don’t know how things "work" any more. It always amuses Relationnel that I can't
- [Friday’s French – poil, cheveux, hair, fur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/12/fridays-french-poil-cheveux-hair-fur/) - You may remember a discussion about poêle a couple of weeks ago. Now there is another word that is pronounced exactly the same way (unless you come from the south of France and pronounce the "e" at the end of poêle) and seems to have resulted in a few embarrassing situations for some of our readers! Poil,
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Feminine articles - French rail site for cyclists - Singing drainpipes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/weekly-blogger-round-up-feminine-articles-french-rail-site-for-cyclists-singing-drainpipes/) - In this week's Blogger Round-Up, Gigi from French Windows explains her love/hate relationship with French articles, while Maggie LaCoste from Experience France by Bike gives us a detailed explanation of French rail's new site for cyclists in English. To finish off, Anda from Travel Notes and Beyond takes us to a most unusual place in
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: New Year etiquette in France - Christmas produce markets - Authentic restaurants in Budapest](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/weekly-blogger-round-up-new-year-etiquette-in-france-christmas-produce-markets-authentic-restaurants-in-budapest/) - For this week's Blogger Round-Up, I have two posts related to Christmas and one from a new member of the blogosphere on Budapest. Phoebe from Lou Messugo explains the do's and don't's of wishing people a merry Christmas and happy new year in France while Susan from Days on the Claise takes us to the
- [Cycling along the Danube – Passau to Linz: the S-bend](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/cycling-along-the-danube-linz-to-passau-the-s-bend/) - We’re staying at Gasthof Dexler in Niederranna on the Danube close to the S-bend between Linz in Austria and Passau in Germany so are able to start directly from our hotel. It turns out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The sky is blue and it’s 22°C when we leave at 9.30 after
- [Friday’s French – docteur, médecin, toubib, doctor](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/fridays-french-docteur-medecin-toubib-doctor/) - I was surprised recently when a 6th year French medical student told me that there is a difference between a médicin and a docteur : a médecin is able to prescrire but is not qualified whereas a docteur has a Ph.D. After translating in the field for nearly 40 years and never having witnessed this distinction,
- [Intermittent fasting or 5:2 fast diet after 5 months](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/intermittent-fasting-or-52-fast-diet-after-5-months/) - I thought you might like to know how we’re getting on with our intermittent fasting (or 5:2 fast diet) that we started in June this year just before we went on our cycling trip along the Danube. Well, it’s going wonderfully! I’ve lost the 5 kilos I put back on after my initial diet three
- [A Visit to Chambord the Magnificent, including lunch](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/a-visit-to-chambord-the-magnificent-including-lunch/) - The day we went to Chambord, we really needed the break from our fireplace renovation. What I didn’t realise is that Chambord has over 300 fireplaces, a few of which look remarkably like ours. We had decided to have lunch at the Saint Michel, just opposite the château and as we entered the restaurant, the
- [Roses, Chambord Gardens and a Birthday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/10/roses-chambord-gardens-and-a-birthday/) - I think I should begin with an explanation about why I haven't posted since the begininng of June! It's very simple - lack of time! I used to post every day when on holidays but realised that Jean Michel had ended up writing the travel diary by himself and our evenings were completely tied up as
- [The Secret Châteaux of the Loire Valley - Langeais, Villesavin, Montpoupon & Beauregard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/the-secret-chateaux-of-the-loire-valley-langeais-villesavin-montpoupon-frbeauregard/) - First published in The Good Life France My top ten châteaux and castles in the Loire Valley are the four “Cs” - Chenonceau, Chambord, Cheverny and Chaumont - followed by the royal castles of Amboise and Blois, all of which are located in the same general area, then Azay le Rideau, Ussé and Villandry, which
- [Cycling in Germany #2 - Rhine from St Goar to Lorch](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/cycling-in-germany-2-rhine-from-st-goar-to-lorch/) - We've cycled along the Rhine on two previous occasions - on our way back from Croatia when we visited the Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein, both very memorable experiences - and last year after cycling along the Danube, when we spent a few days at Lake Constance and visited the Rhine Falls and Stein again.
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: The Urinette - Railing it in Switzerland - Oldest Basketball Court in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/weekly-blogger-round-up-the-urinette-railing-it-in-switzerland-oldest-basketball-court-in-paris/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up begins with Wendy Hollands from Le Franco Phoney who has some very interesting information for the female element, as my father used to say, but you have to read to the end of post to discover what it is. Next, a blog that I haven't featured before called Le Chic en
- [Cappuccino Woes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/cappuccino-woes/) - I don’t know how long I’m going to survive my inability to make cappuccino without having a nervous breakdown. This probably says a lot that I don’t want to know about my character, particularly at my age when there’s not much hope of making any appreciable improvements. I spend every solitary meal (Relationnel has gone
- [Cycling Along the Neckar in Germany - #1 – Ludwigsburg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-neckar-in-germany-1-ludwigsburg/) - We have come to the end of our cycling tour of the Romantic Road and have a week left before we have to be back home in Blois. We look at the map to see where we can do some more exploring by bike. The Neckar river starts in Villingen-Schwenningen in the Black Forest and
- [Cycling in Germany #7 – Dresden: Accommodation & Car Trouble and Baroque Treasure](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/cycling-in-germany-7-dresden-accommodation-car-trouble-and-baroque-treasure/) - The idea is to go to the Tourist Office in Dresden to find a hotel. I’ve already done some research and there doesn’t seem to be much on offer in the old town apart from the Hilton and a couple of Ibis Hotels. I've seen something called Aparthotels on booking.com, a bargain at 58 euro,
- [Why I love the market even when it's cold or rainy #1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/05/why-i-love-the-market-even-when-its-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 underground parking lot nearby. Over the last 3 years and particularly since we moved here
- [Friday's French - comme une vache espagnole](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/fridays-french-comme-une-vache-espagnole/) - Susan from Days on the Claise published a post recently about a florist shop called Vachement Fleurs. She also mentioned in a comment that her neighbour once told her she spoke French comme une vache espagnole - like a Spanish cow. What an insult! But it set me thinking about vache and its variants. Vache
- [Summer in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/summer-in-paris/) - I love staying in Paris in summer because it’s so different from the rest of the year. In one of the my very early posts back in October, I talked about all the things I dislike in winter, so I thought I should tell you what I like in summer. First, there are fewer Parisians
- [Happy New Year 2014 & Five Resolutions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/happy-new-year-2014-five-resolutions/) - This year we ARE sitting in front of a roaring fire in the renovated upstairs fireplace, unlike last year when we decided not to herald in the New Year until the renovation was finished. We finally lit our first fire on February 28 only to the discover it smoked. The problem was eventually solved in
- [A Barge on the Seine in Paris - what better holiday accommodation can you get?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/a-barge-on-the-seine-in-paris-what-better-holiday-accommodation-can-you-get/) - I haven’t seen my cousin Geraldine in about 50 years and it’s her first time in Paris. I advised her to try and get accommodation in the 1st arrondissement because it's so central. I've been following her adventures in Lucca in Italy on Facebook and am stunned when I see her first photos of Paris.
- [Moving is No Fun, Not to Mention Exhausting!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/moving-is-no-fun-not-to-mention-exhausting/) - It’s 8 am on Tuesday and the removalists are already here (4 Russians, an Algerian and a Tunisian). They start with the apartment down the road from us where Jean Michel’s sons have been living for the last 9 years, just giving me time to pack up the last cartons (our bedding, bedroom curtains, toiletries,
- [Eurovelo 6 - Cycling around Lake Constance](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/eurovelo-6-cycling-around-lake-constance/) - We’ve left the Danube and are now staying in Moos on Lake Constance, which is called the Bodensee in German. However, we’re still on the Eurovelo 6 route from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. Two years ago, on our way home from Croatia, we spent a few days cycling around Schaffhausen and Stein am
- [Cycling in Germany #6 – Bastei Rocks, Honigstein and over the border to Czech Republic](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/cycling-in-germany-6-bastei-rocks-honigstein-and-over-the-border-to-czech-republic/) - Weather report: sunny in the morning but storms in the afternoon. We decide not to cycle but to visit Battei Rocks in the morning and Honigstein in the afternoon, despite the fact that it’s Saturday and both places will no doubt be full of vistiors. It’s 11 am by the time we reach the closest
- [Eurovelo 6 – Moos to Stein am Rhein and Steckborn on Lake Constance](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/eurovelo-moos-to-stein-am-rein-and-steckborn-on-lake-constance/) - Take a look at the following photo taken from our bike path. What do you think of the view? Amazing, isn’t it? Well, there is only one way you can have repeated views like this one and that’s to pedal up and down the hills, walking your bike up when it’s a 15% climb! We
- [Cycling along the Danube - Regensburg and the Altmuhle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/cycling-along-the-danube-regensburg-and-the-altmuhle/) - The only thing Jean Michel remembers about Regensburg when we went there about 15 years ago is eating sausages and sauerkraut in the oldest roast sausage restaurant in Germany on the banks of the Danube! He wants to go there again. I vaguely remember the restaurant episode but have no other images in my head. On
- [  Cycling in Germany #13: Wörlitz Gardens and the beginning of German Neo-classicism](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/-cycling-in-germany-13-worlitz-gardens-and-the-beginning-of-german-neo-classicism/) - After a standard breakfast, we set out on our bikes at about 10 am for Wörlitz, 25 k away. I’m feeling rather sluggish and the somewhat dull countryside doesn’t help. We’re finding it a little hard to adapt to the difference between the Elbe and the Danube where nearly every bend brings a change of scenary.
- [Cycling in Germany #1 - Kobern Gondorf](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/cycling-in-germany-1-kobern-gondorf/) - We reached our destination - Kobern Gondorf on the Moselle near Koblenz at 4 pm and by 5 pm we were on our bikes ready for our first ride along the Moselle. First I'd like to explain how we operate. We have a very good bike stand on the back of our car that enables
- [Cycling on the Romantic Road in Bavaria #3 Peiting to Diessen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-on-the-romantic-road-in-bavaria-3-peiting-to-diessen/) - We set out early at 10.15 am on Sunday and see several locals in their Bavarian traditional clothing. We go to the front of the church hoping to see more of them but we’re too late! Today we are cycling to Diessen and coming back by train. It's not exactly on the Romantic Road but
- [Cycling in Germany #9 – Country Roads around Niederlommatzsch on the Elbe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-9-country-roads-around-niederlommatzsch-on-the-elb/) - We reach Elbklause, our Radhaus (bike hotel), in Niederlommatzsch around 12.30. Our room is new, large and airy with a wonderful view of the Elb. The wifi works immediately and doesn’t require endless codes. We are directly on the bike path. The hotel's restaurant on the river looks very inviting. We order two local white
- [Cycling along the Danube - Ehingen to Ulm](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/cycling-along-the-danube-ehingen-to-ulm/) - It’s funny how you can go to the same place twice and have a totally different experience each time. When we saw Ulm the first time, it didn’t seem at all attractive. Its famous Minster might be the tallest church in the world but it was dark and ugly in my books, particularly after all
- [Cycling in Germany #5 - Bad Schandau to Pirna along the Elbe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/cycling-in-germany-5-bad-schangan-to-pirna-along-the-elbe/) - We wake up in our lime green and yellow pension in Bad Schandau (bad means bath and hence spa) and the first thing we do is check the weather and the temperature. Yesterday we were in transit between our spacious comfortable flat in Kobern-Gondorf and Saxon Switzerland on the Elbe River. Theoretically the 550 km
- [Cycling along the Romantic Road in Bavaria # 4 – Augsburg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-romantic-road-in-bavaria-augsburg/) - Now that we’ve decided to follow the Romantic Road from beginning to end, we’re moving further north and staying for 4 nights in Dinkelsbühl. On the way, we stop off for lunch at Augsburg. We park outside the historical centre so we can cycle into the city which proves to be a good plan. We
- [The Fireplace is Finished – well, almost](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/the-fireplace-is-finished-well-almost/) - We are on our way back to Paris. It’s 10.30 pm and by one o’clock, we should be in bed. Not like last night when Relationnel hit the sack at 4.30 by which time I was asleep, woken from time to time with hammer blows. But today was our last today and it seem inconceivable
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Spring Flowers in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/mondays-travel-photos-spring-flowers-in-france/) - Coming from North Queensland, I have remained amorous of spring flowers ever since I saw my first field of buttercups back in 1975 in the south of France. These are photos taken recently in the Blois and when we travelled back from the Basque Coast. I had never seen flax (linen) in bloom and had
- [Friday's French - mondain, mundane & banal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/fridays-french-mondain-mundane-banal/) - "She's very mundane", a bilingual French-English speaker said to me recently, obviously thinking that mundane means the same thing as mondain. To start off with, in English, we wouldn't use mundane to describe a person, but rather something more abstract such as life or existence. Mundane means dull and ordinary or relating to ordinary life
- [The 5:2 Fast Diet on Holidays](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/the-52-fast-diet-on-holidays/) - You may remember I started the 5:2 fast diet about 2 weeks before we left on holidays, desperately hoping it would allow me to wear all my summer clothes again. Well, it worked but I wondered how it would go once we were actually on holiday particularly as I wasn’t sure whether or not Jean
- [Friday's French - Important, importance, substantial, substantiel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/fridays-french-important-importance-substantial-substantiel/) - Unlike English, important in French can indicate quantity where in English, it only means "of great import or significance". e.g. Il y avait un nombre important de demandes : there were a large number of applications. In English, we have to choose among a whole range of words such as large, considerable, substantial, big and extensive! You sometimes
- [Monday's Photo of the Week - Double Rainbow](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/mondays-photo-of-the-week-double-rainbow/) - This photo owes its existence to Australian photographer Wendy Smith who is currently living in France. We were walking along chatting in the Palais Royal after a sudden shower chased us off the terrace of the Café Nemours. Suddenly, Wendy said, "the light - it's really amazing! look over there!". I rushed to the fence and
- [Fabulous Rila Monastery and Boyana Church in Bulgaria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/fabulous-rila-monastery-and-boyana-church-in-bulgaria/) - We’re debating about a day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery because it’s a 2 to 2 ½ hour bus trip each way (120 K) but various friends have encouraged us to go and the photos are certainly encouraging. It's also a World Heritage site. We also want to go to Boyana Church in the
- [Fabulous Gaudi](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/fabulous-gaudi/) - Ok, just forget what I said yesterday about not being sure what I think about Gaudi’s basilica. It is the most wonderful construction I’ve ever seen. Inside it is absolutely dazzling, breathtaking, overwhelming. There are no words to describe it and no photo to do it justice. It is the most amazing well of light
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Plitvice Lakes, Croatia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/sundays-travel-photos-plitvice-lakes-croatia/) - I had never seen colours like those in the Plitvice Lakes National Park before. Every view was more marvellous than the one before!
- [A Marvellous Monastery in Belem, Lisbon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/a-marvellous-monastery-in-belem-lisbon/) - What I love most about travelling is coming across something that is totally unexpected, totally overwhelming and totally unforgettable. It can be the Rheinfalls in Germany, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Tasman’s Arch in Tasmania, the Cathedral in Reims, Plitvice lakes or the S-bend in Austria. Today, it happened in Lisbon with the Jerónimos Monastery.
- [Cycling in Germany #17 – Windmills and Dykes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-17-windmills-and-dykes/) - Windmills and dykes, I can hear you saying. Aren’t they Dutch? Well, we are in the north-east of Germany, near the North Sea, in East Friesland in Lower Saxony which is only separated from the Netherlands by a small stretch of water. From what I gather, the Dutch province of Friesland and the German province
- [Cycling along the Romantic Road in Bavaria #6 – Rothenburg am der Tauber and Tauberbishofsheim](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-along-the-romantic-road-in-germany-6-rothenburg-am-der-tauber-and-tauberbishofsheim/) - We have three memories of our visit to Rothenburg am der Tauber in 1999. We bought two beautiful handmade enamelled champagne glasses; we discovered Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas shop; and we had an unforgettable chanterelle salad in a restaurant with a romantic flower garden. We arrive in Rothenburg by car at 11.30 for a lunch stop
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Château de Langeais](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/mondays-travel-photos-chateau-de-langeais/) - The Royal Castle of Langeais in the Loire Vallely, built in 1465 by King Louis XI, is an excellent example of a late mediaeval fortress, with a drawbridge in working order and a parapet walk open to visitors. The interior furnishing is typical of the period, with sculpted wooden chests and fine tapestries. Fifteen wax
- [The Road to Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and the Moonlight Gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/04/the-road-to-agra-fatehpur-sikri-and-the-moonlight-gardens/) - After a thoroughly enjoyable stay in Jaipur, we’re on our way to Agra which is the last point in the Golden Triangle. It is 8 am. Ragendar tries to find an ATM but they seem very scarce. He’s says not to worry, that he’ll lend us any money we need before we get to Agra. The
- [Powerwalking to the Pont Neuf - Part 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/powerwalking-to-the-pont-neuf-part-2/) - It’s not that I’m doing any powerwalking at the moment. It’s too cold. Today, the temperature got up to 1.5°C and there’s sun, but it’s still a little chilly in the Tuileries Gardens and along the Seine with that Siberian wind blowing through. But I got a little side-tracked last time before I got to
- [Roland Garros 2012 - Back in Paris with a "Grand Slam"! - Père Lachaise Cemetary and Brocante - Travelling Alone. Solo Travel. What you need to know.](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/roland-garros-2012-back-in-paris-with-a-grand-slam-pere-lachaise-cemetary-and-brocante-travelling-alone-solo-travel-what-you-need-to-know/) - From before the Paris sky turned dull and gloomy, Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris describes her Roland Garros tennis experience, Kathy Stanford from Femmes Franchophiles goes to the Père Lachaise Cemetary and gets swooped on, and Johanna Castro from Zigazag Magazine, whose aim is to "champion voyages of discovery to dream places and
- [Sorting out the vines - Visiting some of the major champagne houses: Taittinger, Pommery and Moet & Chandon -](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/sorting-out-the-vines-visiting-some-of-the-major-champagne-houses-taittinger-pommery-and-moet-chandon/) - This Wednesday's blog round-up introduces a new blog from a fellow Australian living in the Loire Valley, Susan, author of Days on the Claise, explaining how to recognise the different grape varieties in the Loire. Thanks to her post, I was able to identify the grapevine at Closerie Falaiseau as gamay. Mary Kay from Out
- [A Rose Garden in a Priory](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/a-rose-garden-in-a-priory/) - June is a wonderful month in the Loire Valley because all the roses are out. I’ve already told you the story of our Madame Meilland or "Peace" roses and our Pierre Ronsard climbing roses. Yesterday morning, as we were having breakfast in the kitchen, which looks out into the courtyard in front of the house,
- [Why Daisy Came to France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/why-daisy-came-to-france/) - While I was away on holidays, MyFrenchLife, a global community of French and francophiles connecting like-minded people in English & French, published a post that I wrote about Daisy who runs a Treasure Hunt at the Louvre Museum called THatLou. I found her story fascinating and I'm sure you will too! Why Daisy Came to France Although
- [Lisbon - an iconic tram, a hilltop castle, La Fontaine's fables and a sublime view](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/lisbon-an-iconic-tram-a-hilltop-castle-la-fontaines-fables-and-a-sublime-view/) - It’s an intermittent fast day so we prepare a picnic to eat in nearby Estrela Gardens with their exotic trees and shrubs and 19th century bandstand, obviously a Saturday rendez-vous for the locals. There’s even an outdoor cinema. What a pity it’s in Portuguese or we could come back in the evening and conjure up childhood memories of
- [Outlet Stores in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/outlet-stores-in-paris/) - Saturday was satisfying if not exciting. We went to Usine Center in the north of Paris (on the way to Charles de Gaulle Airport) and I was able to cross quite a few things off my never-ending list of things to buy for the gîte in Blois. I first learnt about outlet stores many years
- [Loire à vélo – Montsoreau to Saumur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/loire-a-velo-montsoreau-to-saumur/) - We’ve decided to take advantage of the wonderful spring weather and do some more cycling further along the Loire. I’ve been wanting to go back to Fontevraud Abbey for some time so we book a chambre d’hôte in Turquant which is on the Loire about two hours west of Blois. We have a picnic lunch
- [Wolves in the Palais Royal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/wolves-in-the-palais-royal/) - Imagine my surprise when I looked out the window on 2nd January 2008 to see a pack of wolves in the Palais Royal gardens, made even more realistic by a blanket of snow! Even up close they were pretty convincing. The sculpteur, Olivier Estoppey, had managed to make them look as though they were running.
- [Cycling in the Veneto – Walled Cities and the Euganei Hills](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/cycling-in-the-veneto-walled-cities-and-the-euganei-hills/) - After a rest day at our flat in Arqua Petrarca, the town where the famous Italian poet, Petrach, chose to spend his last five years (he died in 1374), we are back on our bikes. We’ve driven the 6 or 7 kilometers to Monselice and are following the official cycling itinerary that links up the
- [Cycling in the Loire – Luynes to Langeais: Castles & Troglodytes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/08/cycling-in-the-loire-luynes-to-langeais-castles-troglodytes/) - It’s one of those perfect summer days in the Loire Valley and we’ve chosen to cycle from Luynes to Langeais via a loop we’ve found in our La Touraine à vélo book. Luynes is about 50 minutes from Blois by car. You can see the castle as you approach the village. We park in the
- [Stinky Cheese - Provence: Expect the Unexpected - Rambling through Riquewihr and the Alsace Wine Route](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/stinky-cheese-provence-expect-the-unexpected-rambling-through-riquewihr-and-the-alsace-wine-route/) - I've showcased three Australian blogs on this Wednesday's Bloggers' Round-up. Susan from Days on the Claise explains about stinky French cheese, while Kathy from Femmes Francophiles recounts a very exciting experience in Provence. Carolyn from Holidays to Europe takes us on a brief tour of the beautiful region of Alsace. Enjoy! Stinky Cheese by Susan
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Abu Simbel, Egypt](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/mondays-travel-photos-abu-simbel-egypt/) - The French love Egypt. They study it at school several times during their scolarity which means that they end up knowing quite a lot about it. Ancient Egypt, I mean, with the mummies and pharoahs. As a result, Black Cat had her heart set on going to Egypt so when she was about 12, I
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Munich](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/mondays-travel-photos-munich/) - Although we had already been to Bavaria, we hadn't been to Munich. We prefer to visit major cities during an extended weekend rather incorporate them into a road trip as they say these days. But Munich was on our way from Andelfingen to Aschach so I insisted we have our lunch break there. It was
- [Off to Plovdiv in Bulgaria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/off-to-plovdiv-in-bulgaria/) - We leave our home exchange apartment in Sofia around 10 am. It’s a short walk to the central bus station. We go past a group of bystanders and see three men lying on their sides on the ground, hands handcuffed behind them and surrounded by police officers in front of a police station. I’m not brave
- [Wild Mushroom and Onion Quiche](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/wild-mushroom-and-onion-quiche/) - I am a sporadic cook at best these days. When my children were at home, I used to cook a lot more but most of the time, I serve up the same old dishes that are easy and quick to make and that Jean Michel and I both like. However, now that we have started
- [Discovering Canal Saint Martin in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/10/discovering-canal-saint-martin-in-paris/) - We’ve come to Paris for a long week-end to celebrate a friend’s 60th birthday, organised by her daughter as a surprise. As usual, we’ve fitted in a few medical appointments, as there is a severe lack of specialists in Blois, and some pleasure time with friends. I have found a home exchange with an Australian/French
- [More Light at Last](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/more-light-at-last/) - Jean Michel’s first retirement project is finished. All five doors on the front façade of Closerie Falaiseau now have glass panels instead of three glass and two solid wood doors. The difference in light is amazing! The first step in November is to order the new glass. The next step, in December, is to block
- [Friday’s French – S’il vous plait](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/fridays-french-sil-vous-plait/) - Last week, I talked about the use of bonjour in French. This week, I want to comment on another very common expression - s’il vous plaît (or s’il te plaît in the familiar form). It literally means ""if it pleases you but, like bonjour, it is not necessarily used under the same circumstances as please. To
- [Summer in Paris - Obligatory Breathalyser - Let's Make Duck](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/summer-in-paris-obligatory-breathalyser-lets-make-duck/) - Snippets from other blogs that I've enjoyed recently. Thank you to all those who wrote the posts. Summer in Paris by Petite Paris, an Australian based service for Australian travellers and fellow francophiles on www.petiteparis.com.au Summer transforms Paris!! To all our guests who have booked their summer in Paris...enjoy Paris Plages as the banks of
- [Showers I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/showers-i-have-known/) - I’m very fussy about my shower. First, I want to be able to attach it to the wall. Now if you think that’s a strange thing to say, it’s because you haven’t been to France. Or you’ve only stayed at my place or in four-star hotels. The first time I ever came across a hand-held
- [Blogger Round-Up: Kaunas Castle in the Baltics - Cycling planning tool for Europe - Paris bucket list](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/blogger-round-up-kaunas-castle-in-the-baltics-cycling-planning-tool-for-europe-paris-bucket-list/) - I have three very disparate subjects for this week's blogger round-up. Andrea from Rearview Mirror takes us to Lithuania, one of the Baltic States, where she visits Kaunas Castle and experiences her first Baltic sunset. Fellow cyclist, Maggie LaCoste from Experience France by Bike, introduces us to a very efficient website called Biroto for planning bike
- [A Just Reward  – The Macchiaioli](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/a-just-reward-the-macchiaioli/) - Saturday was set aside to do my professional tax declaration, never something I enjoy and I expected it to take all day as there is inevitably something that I haven’t done according to the book despite the fact that I use accounting software and do my VAT (GST) declaration once a month. As it turned
- [Europe in the winter - 6 tips to travel well - Itarod, here we come - A Day Trip to the Great Wall](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/europe-in-the-winter-6-tips-to-travel-well-itarod-here-we-come-a-day-trip-to-the-great-wall/) - This week's blogger round up, slightly later than usual, starts with some very useful tips for travelling well in Europe in the winter from Frugal First Class Travel, followed by a horrendous tale of dog sledding in Lapland from Sylvia at Finding Noon (not a destination on my wish-for list) and ends with a day
- [Visiting Padua by Bike #2 – Cappella degli Scrovegni and Sant’Antonio - and a puncture!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/visiting-padua-by-bike-2-cappella-degli-scrovegni-and-santantonio-and-a-puncture/) - We set out on our bikes at 10.30 am after having a typical Italian breakfast at our B&B. A bit too high carb for cyclists. Our hostess spontaneously suggests eggs and cheese for tomorrow. It’s a little muggy to start with but not at all cold. This time, when we get to the canal, we
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Sofia off the beaten track](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/mondays-travel-photos-sofia-off-the-beaten-track/) - When visiting a new city, I'm always on the lookout for things I haven't seen anywhere else or that catch my attention because they are unexpected. Sofia provided lots of opportunities! If you have enjoyed reading this, don’t forget to subscribe to new posts using the subscription form on the top right – that way
- [An Original Engraving](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/an-original-engraving/) - The first engraving I bought (I already had Captain Cook) was a Christmas present for Relationnel soon after we moved into the Palais Royal. It’s a coloured engraving of the Palais Royal gardens drawn by Fred Nash (1782 to 1856) and engraved by Edward Goodall. Instead of today’s rows of linden trees, planted very recently
- [Château de Beauregard - 327 historical portraits](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/chateau-de-beauregard-327-historical-portraits/) - We kept on passing Château de Beauregard when cycling to Chambord and Cheverny, so we finally scheduled a visit on a Sunday morning in March. We were surprised to run into friends from Montrichard who had just finished their visit! It's a small world, isn't it? The château started off as a manor house in
- [Friday's French - se promener, marcher](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/fridays-french-se-promener-marcher/) - Anglosaxons do a lot of walking – well, at least in theory! We walk to the bakery. We go for a little walk. We walk in the country. We do a 10 kilometer walk. We take the dog for a walk. We walk someone home. We go on a long walk to see a castle. We
- [Old is Relative](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/old-is-relative/) - Here I’ve been, for the last six months, vaunting my 400-year old house in the Loire Valley and I arrive in Tasmania which has some of the oldest buildings in Australia. The trouble is, most of them look just like the buildings in the centre of Townsville where I grew up and the oldest date
- [Je chine, tu chines, nous chinons](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/je-chine-tu-chines-nous-chinons/) - There’s actually a verb in French – chiner – for poking around in junk and antique shops looking for treasures! Now that we have a house in view, we’ve started doing the rounds of “brocantes”, “dépôts ventes” and “antiquaires” though I think we might have to give the last one a miss because of the high prices.
- [Henri II Style Furniture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/henri-ii-style-furniture/) - We’ve been haunting second-hand furniture shops and websites since we signed the promise of sale for our house in Blois last October and having a lovely time. Now that it’s actually ours and we can’t live there permanently until Relationnel retires in 2014, we’re getting it ready for self-catering holiday rental. When we first started
- [No Laundry Rooms in Paris Apartments](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/no-laundry-rooms-in-paris-apartments/) - One of the first things I discovered when I arrived in France was the very different attitude towards washing clothes. I rented a room in an apartment in Pau, in the south-west of France, with two other students and we shared a bathroom. The landlady lived in a separate part of the apartment and presumably
- [Second Impressions of Sofia - Tour n° 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/second-impressions-of-sofia-tour-n-2/) - The first thing I do when I wake up is to slip on the tiled threshold of the bathroom and seriously bruise and sprain my big toe as I grip the edge of the tiles with it in a fortunately successful attempt not to fall over completely. How stupid can you get! We set out
- [Cinque Terre - Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/cinque-terre-italy/) - Several times, when holidaying in Italy, we drove down the Italian coast from Genoa along a highway perched far above the sea. It seemed obvious to me that there must be some wonderful little villages and breathtaking scenery down below, if only we could get to them. Once, we tried, but only seemed to find
- [Cycling along the Cher from Montrichard to Saint Aignan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/08/cycling-along-the-cher-from-montrichard-to-saint-aignan/) - Sunday is cool and rainy so we have reserved our weekly cycling excursion for Monday which dawns bright and sunny. We are off by 10.30 am to Montrichard on the Cher River, about a half an hour’s drive from Blois, via Chaumont. We are going to get cycle maps at the tourist office. They don’t
- [Post-Holiday Depression and Miscellaneous Holiday Photos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/post-holiday-depression-and-miscellaneous-holiday-photos/) - I’m not really sure how much sympathy I’ll get on this one – obviously the best way to avoid post-holiday depression is not to go on holidays, particularly month-long ones. It’s amazing how quickly you get used to not working and being stress-free. No boring mundane activities either. A typical day during our cycling holiday
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up - the Liebster Bloggers Award](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/weekly-blogger-round-up-the-liebster-bloggers-award/) - This week's blogger round-up is going to be a little different. Paula McInerney from Contented Traveller, whom I have featured several times in this blog, has nominated me for the Liebster Bloggers Award. It's a little different from the other awards in that it is designed to encourage fellow travel bloggers, particularly those with a smaller
- [My Christmas Cake](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/my-christmas-cake/) - Yesterday, I was just cutting up the dried fruit for my Christmas cake, which always takes me back home to Townsville of course. I’m using my mother’s recipe, that she got from her mother, written in Mum’s lovely copperplate writing (she used to handwrite wills in a solicitor’s office when she was young) and still
- [Cappuccino Progress!!!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/cappuccino-progress/) - When the special stainless steel milk foaming jug arrived by mail, my heart sank. It looked much smaller than any of the ones in the videos. But in the meantime, I’d watched a few more and one by The Caffee Society seemed to hold the key. He didn’t mention a particular sort of milk or
- [A City Break in Angoulême](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/02/a-city-break-in-angouleme/) - We haven't had a break since we went to New York in September what with having to fill the coffers again after our three months' holiday in 2016, digging the trenches for the automatic watering system and Jean Michel's varicose vein operation but he's now up and about again so we've chosen to spend two
- [Favourite Flowers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/favourite-flowers/) - Peonies are one of my favourite flowers. They don’t come out for long but as soon as they do, I buy them on the market on Sundays. I like the pale pink ones best. We have a bush growing in the garden of our "little house" (next door to our Renaissance home) in Blois but
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Rheinfall near Schaffhausen in Switzerland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/sundays-travel-photos-rheinfall-near-schaffhausen-in-switzerland/) - Last summer, we spent three days in Germany and Switzerland cycling along part of the Eurovelo 6 bike route. The highlight was definitely the natural waterfalls on the Rhine river near Schaffhausen in Switzerland, the largest in Europe - 150 m wide and 23 metres high. When they came into view on our cycle path,
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Mussels & Bread](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/weekly-blogger-round-up-mussels-bread/) - This week's blogger round-up is all about food. Paula McInerney from Contented Traveller reports on eating mussels in Brussels, which it's a very popular food in France as well. We buy them on the Sunday market. And it's the Fête du Pain in France, so I have two posts for you: first we have an historical explanation by The
- [Back in the Saddle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/back-in-the-saddle/) - The weather is absolutely wonderful not only in the Loire but right across France and most of Europe so we’re back on our bikes after a six-month break. I suggest we find choose a nice flat bike path out in the open as a warm up. It's 2.30 pm and an unbelievable 19°C which must
- [Where to go in Tuscany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/where-to-go-in-tuscany/) - If I didn’t live in France, I’d live in Italy and, more especially, Tuscany. Umbria, just next door, isn’t bad either and contains my favourite cathedral - Orvieto. The first time I went to Tuscany was about twenty years ago with two young children in tow and I’ll never forget the magic of Florence. I
- [Stories of Venice at the Accademia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/stories-of-venice-at-the-accademia/) - We didn’t go to the Accademia in Venice last time and I’m not really sure what is awaiting us but the weather isn’t brilliant so a gallery seems like a good idea. Housed in the former Scuola della Carità, the Convento dei Canonici Lateranensi and the church of Santa Maria della Carita, all disbanded by
- [Fontevraud l'Abbaye and its Extraordinary Kitchen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/fontevraud-labbaye-and-its-extraordinary-kitchen/) - It’s the second day of our spring cycling weekend near Saumur. We wake up in time for 9 am breakfast at our B&B, Le Balcon Bleu, having slept very soundly in a comfortable bed after all our hills and dales of the day before. We pass through the inner courtyard with its stunning Clematitis armandii
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: City Daily Photo Theme Day - Triangles in Amboise, Paris and Perth](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/weekly-blogger-round-up-city-daily-photo-theme-day-triangles-in-amboise-paris-and-perth/) - For this week's Blogger Round-Up, I've chosen fellow participants in the City Daily Photo theme day to which I also contribute on the first day of the month with the blog that Jean Michel and I write together: Blois Daily Photo. This month, the theme is triangles. First, Amboise Daily Photo - Stuart lives just
- [Blogger Round-Up: Choosing accommodation with airbnb - Luggage transfer when cycling - History of potatoes in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/08/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 Sara Travel's method for selecting the perfect airbnb accommodation which I'm sure you'll find helpful
- [Planting Potatoes in the Rain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/planting-potatoes-in-the-rain/) - The weather was so beautiful on Monday that we decided that it was time to do some planting. We dashed out to Truffaut before it closed and filled our trolley. We started with gardening gloves (3 pairs for me – rubber, roses and everything else), a large pronged fork, an edge cutter, some perennial fuschias,
- [Chickens with Blue Legs - Introducing Susie Kelly](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/chickens-with-blue-legs-introducing-susie-kelly/) - I am an avid reader and being a translator gives me every excuse to indulge my passion. If I didn't read at least one or two books a week, I could lose my English. Not that I haven't lost it a bit anyway. Speaking and hearing French all day has a tendency to contaminate my
- [Pain d'épices and Pumpkin & Chestnut Soup](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/pain-depices-and-pumpkin-chestnut-soup/) - I went walking with my new French neighbours in Blois last week. Two and a half hours, sometimes through muddy forest, but I survived and enjoyed it! Fortunately I was wearing my trusty mushroom-picking shoes but I think I should take a walking stick next time as the clayey soil is quite slippery. Being three
- [A Sunday Walk Through the Marais in August](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/a-sunday-walk-tnrough-the-marais-in-august/) - We’ve just had a lovely visit from of my former ESIT students now living in Maryland, with her husband and little Ada, which is my mother’s name. The weather is not brilliant so we decide to forego a visit to the Villette version of Paris Plage as planned and walk towards the Marais. As we
- [From Italy to Bavaria via Innsbruck for more Cycling](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/from-italy-to-bavaria-via-innsbruck-for-more-cycling/) - After our disappointing cycling experience in the Po Valley in Italy, where we were based in Crema for two nights, ,Jean Michel suggests we go back to Wies in Bavaria. I agree but insist on getting a proper cycling map first. First we schedule an over-night stopover in Innsbruck in the south of Austria, with an
- [Aussie in France wins Expat Blog Honour Award!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/aussie-in-france-wins-expat-blog-honour-award/) - Great news for Aussie in France which has been awarded the Honourable Mention Award for Best Expat Blog in France! Thank you to everyone who sent in a review (and to those whose busy lives prevented them from doing so but who expressed their appreciation of the blog in private). I was very touched and encouraged
- [Friday’s French – Retraite, retrait, pension](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/fridays-french-retraite-retrait-pension/) - I thought that it might be appropriate at the moment to deal with the term retraite in French which means retirement. A similar word is retrait meaning withdrawal as in un retrait d’argent – a cash withdrawal. So retraite sort of means withdrawing from one’s working life and, from what I gather, suffering from withdrawal
- [Boeuf à la Mode is Back in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/boeuf-a-la-mode-is-back-in-paris/) - I love the funny details on some of the façades in Paris. Above the door at 8 rue de Valois, there’s a cow dressed in a bonnet. It suddenly disappeared a few months ago when the little shop beneath was sold and the place next door turned into a function room. I was most upset
- [La Fete de la Musique](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/la-fete-de-la-musique/) - The music festival celebrated in France on the 21st June, which corresponds to the summer solstice in Europe, was created by French culture minister, Jack Lang, in 1982. It’s also celebrated in other parts of the world where it is known as World Music Day. Until we came to live in the Palais Royal seven
- [Cyprus - Kourion](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/03/cyprus-kourion/) - The archaeological remains of Kourion, one of Cyprus' most important city-kingdoms in antiquity, are the most extensive on the island, and excavations have unearthed many significant finds. The city-kingdom was built on a hill overlooking the fertile valley of the river Kouris. The archaeological finds suggest that Kourion was associated with the Greek legend of Argos
- [Leaving the nest](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/leaving-the-nest/) - Leonardo is leaving the nest. Well, not really, because he's been independant for the last 10 years, but he's leaving France with a one-way ticket to Australia in two days' time. What can I say? I did it myself in the other direction! I left Townsville, dry-eyed, brimming over with ill-concealed excitement, with absolutely no
- [A Hedgehog, a Poppy Field and a Horse & Buggy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/06/a-hedgehog-a-poppy-field-and-a-horse-buggy/) - My son Leonardo, who lives in Berlin en route for New York (and incidentally is the person who encouraged and helped me to set up this blog), is visiting for the weekend. We're in the upstairs living room and Jean Michel is looking out at the garden. "There's a hedgehog!" he says and we rush over
- [Secret Venice – Carpaccio and Grande Scuola di San Marco](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/secret-venise-carpaccio-and-grande-scuola-di-san-marco/) - As this is our second time in Venice and we’re (almost) living like locals, the main attractions are not on our list. Our home exchange is in Castello, which is a working class area of Venice. Our host, Pierleone, is waiting at the vaporetto station, Ospedale, when we arrive from the airport. He takes us
- [How to Look French](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/how-to-look-french/) - Since I've started writing this blog, I've heard so many discussions and read so many posts about the French look that I decided to write my monthly guest post on the subject for My French Life, the Australian-based online magazine & global community of French & francophiles. How to Look French They learn when they’re very young of course.
- [Baja and Pecs – a few surprises](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/baja-and-pecs-a-few-surprises/) - After our wonderful visit to Szeged with its beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, we arrive in Baja, our Danube destination for the next three nights. We follow the Tom-Tom and arrive at Hotel Kaiser Panzio (pension) where we’ve booked an apartment as we would like a bit more space and the possiblity of doing a little microwave
- [French Oysters on Sunday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/oysters-on-sunday/) - They have a lot of rules about food in France. One of the most intriguing is that you can only eat oysters during months with the letter "r". So that rules out "mai", "juin", "juillet" and "août" (note that circumflex indicating a lost "s" again – remember in Blèsoise? The word for oyster, "huîtres" also
- [Friday's French - je me débrouille](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/fridays-french-je-me-debrouille/) - "Je me débrouille" is one of Jean Michel's most oft-used expressions. The verb brouiller comes from the Gallo-Roman brodiculare which is turn comes from the verb brodigar in the Italian dialect of Bergamo (a lovely city, what's more) meaning to sully or soil, a derivative of the German brod, meaning broth. In old French, it was used
- [Christmas is Over Already](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/christmas-is-over-already/) - Black Cat left for New York today with the Flying Dutchman for Christmas and New Year, so we celebrated Christmas early his year, on Saturday evening, as both Relationnel’s sons were free as well. Leonardo, of course, was asleep in Sydney. I got back from Blois on Friday night so Relationnel and I spent Saturday
- [Travel Photos - Venice in the Rain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/travel-photos-venice-in-the-rain/) - The first time we came to Venice 7 years ago, at about the same period, we had stunning weather. This time, we arrived in the rain and it seems it may last quite a few days. But the moment we started walking through the tiny streets from Ospedale vaporetto to our home exchange in Castello just
- [Three Tonnes of Freestone](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/04/three-tonnes-of-freestone/) - Now that the practice window is coming along nicely and we’ve bought the secondhand stone sills and bricks for the kitchen windows, the next step is to buy some freestone blocks for the window on the back façade so it will match the ones in front. For those who don't know what freestone is (like me!),
- [Flying Across the World Today](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/flying-across-the-world-today/) - I mentioned in a previous post that the time it takes today to go from Paris to Sydney has shortened considerably over the last 30 or 40 years, going from 36 hours to about 20. And that’s not the only thing that has changed ! The inflight amenities have gone ahead in leaps and bounds.
- [French-Style Primaries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/02/french-style-primaries/) - The first time I voted in the French presidential elections in 2007, there were no primaries. In 2012, the main parties held their own primaries but it was an internal vote and you had to be a party member. This year, however, someone has thought up a new system. Anyone on the electoral role can
- [Flowers of Tasmania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/flowers-of-tasmania/) - As you already know, I love flowers and gardens. We have just spent twelve days in Tasmania and I just loved the spring blossoms, particularly the "natives", including one of my great favourites - the wattle, Australia's national flower - of which there are many varieties. The flowers below are not necessarily indigenous to Tasmania
- [Friday's French - Content, contented, satisfait, satisfied, heureux, happy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/01/fridays-french-content-contented-satisfait-satisfied-heureux-happy/) - Content is another one of those words that does not necessarily have the same meaning in French and in English. Je suis contente de te voir = I am happy to see you. You can also say Je suis heureuse de te voir but I'd say it's more emphatic. Heureux (heureuse) is usually reserved for
- [Friday's French - galette, galet, shingles, gâteau, cake, pancakes, crepes, biscuits](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/01/fridays-french-galette-galet-shingles-gateau-cake-pancakes-crepes-biscuits/) - It's galette des rois time again. This is the cake used to celebrate the Epiphany in France, the 12th day of Christmas, January 6th, the day on which the three kings reached Bethlehem. It has become an essential part of New Year throughout the country and is practised in different forms that you can read about
- [Sunny Spain and the Alhambra](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/sunny-spain-and-the-alhambra/) - We’ve booked our tickets for the Alhambra ahead of time on ticketmaster.es and collected them in a Servi Caixa terminal to avoid the queues. We know this from Barcelona. This is a great idea when there are lots of tourists but unfortunately it means you can’t choose the weather. Today it’s overcast and sometimes drizzly
- [La Loire à Vélo - Loire by Bike #1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/la-loire-a-velo-loire-by-bike-1/) - Loire by Bike is part of the EuroVelo bike route from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. We’ve already covered quite a bit of the Loire route as well as a small portion in Germany, in the Rhine Valley, between Basel and Lake Constance, on our way back from Croatia last year. In another post,
- [Shopping in the Sales in Tours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/shopping-in-the-sales-in-tours/) - It’s the winter sales in France, which start in mid-January. I’m not a keen shopper at the best of times, nor am I a fashionista, so I prefer to wait for the second week of the sales and hope that prices have dropped have dropped a little further and my size hasn’t disappeared. Jean Michel
- [Beaugency on the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/08/beaugency-on-the-loire/) - Beaugency is a small town of 7,500 inhabitants on the banks of the Loire, about 30 km north of Blois and 40 km south of Orléans. The 400-metre long bridge, which dates back to the 12th century, has 23 arches and is said to be the oldest over the Loire. Beaugency is a pretty little town with cobblestones, a Renaissance
- [Two thumbs up for sign language cafe in Paris, Café Signes - The Bouchons of Lyon - Chandelle versus Bougie: A Brief History of Candles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/two-thumbs-up-for-sign-language-cafe-in-paris-cafe-signes-the-bouchons-of-lyon-chandelle-versus-bougie-a-brief-history-of-candles/) - It's amazing how quickly Wednesday comes round again! This week's bloggers' round-up starts with two interesting restaurants. Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris takes us to Café Signes where sign language is the main means of communication, while fellow Australian Wendy Hollands from Le Franco Phoney introduces us to the "bouchon" in Lyon,
- [Don’t walk, fly… - Christian and Islamic Cultures Come Together in Córdoba - Cooking (and Eating) French pastries at L’Atelier des Sens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/dont-walk-fly-christian-and-islamic-cultures-come-together-in-cordoba-cooking-and-eating-french-pastries-at-latelier-des-sens/) - I can't believe the week can go by so quickly! Wednesday again and time for my Bloggers' Round-up. Finding Noon takes us to a Korean painting exhibition at the Bespoke Exhibition Pavilion in the Tuileries Gardens, Kathy Stanford from Femmes Francophiles stuns us with her lovely photos of Cordoba in Spain, which is definitely on
- [Outdoor swimming at 4°C in Normandy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/outdoor-swimming-at-4c/) - ‘Twas the day before Christmas and the ground in Normandy was covered in snow. So we decided to try the outdoor pool in Rouen. We had a lot of trouble finding it, despite the Tom-Tom because it was in the middle of an enormous housing estate. We picked our way carefully along the path from
- [I've Joined the Kindle Community!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/ive-joined-the-kindle-community/) - I’ve always been a ferocious reader. I had the great fortune to have a father who let me read absolutely anything I wanted from both his own library and the town library (he had to sign a paper saying that I could take books from the adult section when I was still a child) and
- [The Truth about Making Cappuccino Part 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/the-truth-about-making-cappuccino-part-2/) - The first time I went to Telescope in rue Villedo near the Palais Royal about a year ago, it felt like an insiders’ club. No one greeted me. The only thing written on the blackboard was café, there was no menu and I had to ask someone if they could remove their books from the
- [Friday's French - donjons and dungeons](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/fridays-french-donjons-and-dungeons/) - Donjon and dungeon are so obviously of the same origin that I was curious to know why the meanings are so different although both relate to feudal castles. What the French call donjon is what we call a keep in English, whereas the places where prisoners are kept is called oubliettes, from the verb oublier,
- [Our Favourite Barbecue is Back!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/our-favourite-barbecue-is-back/) - On our third night in Blois, we finally had a barbecue with our Barbecook, which is a story in itself. When we were married nearly 14 years ago, it was a second marriage for both of us and we each had two children so finding an appropriate date was not easy, let alone having a
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Château de Villesavin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/mondays-travel-photos-chateau-de-villesavin/) - Château de Villesavin, which isn't really a castle, is an hour's ride on horseback from Château de Chambord and was actually a glorified worksite hut built at the beginning of the 16th century by Jean Le Breton who was François I's minister of finance and in charge of construction of his "hunting lodge". The inside of
- [Friday's French - cloche](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/fridays-french-cloche/) - One of the most significant differences between French and English technical vocabulary is that the French terms often describe appearance while the English terms refer to purpose or use. A prime example is cloche. It’s original meaning is bell, as in church bell, with clochette used to signify the smaller version. Church bells live in
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Vienna, Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/mondays-travel-photos-vienna-austria/) - I have to confess that Vienna is not one of my favourite cities. I found it too clean and stark. But I still think it's worth a visit. We went there in early June 2008 just when the World Football Cup was starting, without realising the date. The town hall was topped with a huge
- [Three More Reasons to Live in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/three-more-reasons-to-live-in-blois/) - There we were, two Aussies, a Southern Californian and two Frogs, standing in a street in Blois, talking ten to the dozen in French and English, just opposite a beautiful Renaissance building called Hôtel d’Alluye built in 1508. Next to us, there was this street sweeper with one of those plastic birch brooms they have
- [Devonshire Tea en français in Queensland and Seafood at the Regatta in NSW](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/devonshire-tea-en-francais-in-queensland-and-seafood-at-the-regatta-in-nsw/) - One of the unexpected spinoffs of writing a blog is making new friends. I started blogging last October and I’ll never forget the thrill when I received an email just before Christmas from Barb in Sydney, whom I didn’t know, telling me how much she enjoyed my blog. We tried to meet up last summer
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Origin of the croissant - Road Trip to Romania - Le Petit Palais](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/weekly-blogger-round-up-origin-of-the-croissant-road-trip-to-romania-le-petit-palais/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up is all Australian. French Moments shares the story of the croissant with us which is more Turkish orAustrian than French while Andrea from Rear View Mirror takes us on the ultimate road trip to Romania, a country that is definitely on my wish list. Gemma King from Les Musées de Paris,
- [Galette des Rois - Kings' Cake](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/galette-des-rois-kings-cake/) - When I first came to France, the galette des rois was only celebrated on the feast of the Epiphany, the famous 12th day of Christmas, January 6th, the day on which the three kings reached Bethlehem. Now you see the first galettes at New Year and you can buy them right up until 31st January.
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Château de Montpoupon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/mondays-travel-photos-chateau-de-montpoupon/) - Château de Montpoupon in the Loire Valley, just 10 minutes from Château de Chenonceau, is an excellent example of what can be done to make a small family château attractive to the public. A recorded conversation between a young girl and her father, for example, is used to take the visitor through the living and
- [Monday's Travel Photos - First impressions of Sofia, Bulgaria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/mondays-travel-photos-first-impressions-of-sofia-bulgaria/) - When we were first offered a home exchange in Bulgaria, we said, "Why not?" But as the time got closer and I had time to take a closer look at what was awaiting us, I began to have doubts particularly after visiting Slovakia and Hungary during the summer. My first impressions of Sofia confirmed my
- [Getting to Delhi and First Impressions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/02/getting-to-delhi-and-first-impressions/) - The big day has arrived at last for our 6-week holiday in Australia via India. As you know, we now have our hard-won visas. We leave Blois at 1.30 pm by car. Our flight is at 9.30 pm. We’ve checked out the trains and discovered that, since we arrive back at 6 pm at Charles de Gaulle
- [Why Elizabeth and Stuart Came to France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/why-elizabeth-and-stuart-came-to-france/) - When I met Americans Elizabeth and Stuart, who have chosen to spend their retirement in France, at a get-together of the Loire Connexion, I was immediately fascinated by their story and wanted to share it on My French Life as an inspiration for other Anglophones who would like to live the French dream. We’re at ‘The
- [Friday's French - L'été indien, l'été de la saint martin, l'été de Vireux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/fridays-french-lete-indien-lete-de-la-saint-martin-lete-de-vireux/) - The exceptional warmth in France (and most of the northern hemisphere from what I can gather) this year has everyone talking – incorrectly as usual - about the été indien which is a literal translation of Indian summer. The real meaning of l'été indien is a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather after the first
- [Ever Navigated on a French Canal?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/ever-navigated-on-a-french-canal/) - When I learnt French at school, we used to watch a programme on TV once a week about a family of four who lived on a barge and used to travel throughout France along the canals. They had bikes and would go off and visit the neighbouring towns and villages whenever they stopped. It looked
- [Friday's French: bonne question](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/fridays-french-bonne-question/) - It took me a while to realise what bonne question actually means in French. Initially, I took it to literally mean "good question" as in English. But it's not exactly the same. For example, I asked the following question of an American company recently: "Can you tell me the difference between air conditioning and air
- [No Oysters on Sunday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/no-oysters-on-sunday/) - I think our cold snap this year has even reached the news in Australia. February is always the coldest month in Paris and we usually have a couple of snow falls during the winter but the temperatures rarely go below freezing. But we’ve just had two weeks in Paris with minus 2 or 3 degrees
- [Zagreb - a City of Contrasts](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/zagreb-a-city-of-contrasts/) - We've been to Croatia before - in 2011 - but didn't get as far as Zagreb so it's been on my list for a while. We mainly visited the coast: Split, Dubrovnik (with an excursion into Mostar in Bosnia Herzegovina), Zadar, Sibenik and Plitvice Lakes (which is one of my top sites in the world) and Pula
- [Friday's French - patrimoine, immobilier, mobilier & immeuble](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/fridays-french-patrimoine-immobilier-mobilier-immeuble/) - With the journées du patrimoine coming up, I thought I'd take a look at the word patrimoine. It's an interesting word because it has so many different meanings all connected with its Latin origin of patrimonium meaning property inherited from a father. Let's start with the journées du patrimoine, which is part of the European
- [Friday's French - terrible & formidable](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/fridays-french-terrible-formidable/) - "I love your blog. It's terrible". This comment was left on my daughter's blog. I'd hate to think what the comment would be if she didn't like the blog! The reader making the comment is French of course and not aware that terrible is something negative in English. Like formidable. Telling someone they are formidable
- [How I lost 20 kilos after 50, for good - Part 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/how-i-lost-20-kilos-after-50-for-good-part-2/) - Last week, in Part 1, I told you about the first nutritionist I saw when I decided to go on a diet (after listening to weight-loss hypnosis tapes first, remember), a guilt-inducing naturally skinny Asian doctor. The second person I saw was much better – a very smiley touchy-feely doctor from Martinique, Marie-Antoinette Séjean, who
- [The Big Fireplace Operation and a Delinquent Seller](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/the-big-fireplace-operation-and-a-delinquant-seller/) - The Big Fireplace Operation is obviously taking longer than expected, but that is no surprise. Renovations always take longer than expected. First, Relationnel underestimated the size of the fireplace itself. Second, it turns out that someone along the way used it incorrectly resulting in a thing called bistre which is a brownish substance made of
- [A Walk Along the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/07/a-walk-along-the-loire/) - It's Sunday and we've been looking forward to having a break after a week of kitchen renovation (Jean Michel) and seismic concrete translation (me). During breakfast we look at the weather report. The temperature is below 20°C and rain is predicted so cycling is out. We decide to go for a walk along the Loire.
- [3 Places for an Apéritif in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/3-places-for-an-aperitif-in-paris/) - When Relationnel and I go for an apéritif in Paris, we like to do it in style. We’ll never stay in the Hôtel Meurice or the Hôtel du Louvre or the Lutétia (because we live here!), but we can have a taste of luxury in their beautiful bars and indoor gardens. The Hôtel du Louvre,
- [Old Bricks, a Cloche and a Priory](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/old-bricks-a-cloche-and-a-priory/) - While the concrete sill on the practice window (made with our new secondhand concrete mixer) is drying, Jean Michel is planning the logistics for the two large windows in the kitchen. We’ve already bought two stone sills for the rear façade window through leboncoin.com (where else ?) but we need bricks for the side window and the
- [Wine Tasting in Tassie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/wine-tasting-in-tassie/) - Our four days in Sydney were spent catching up with family and friends, some of whom we hadn’t seen for 3 years, which was wonderful but exhausting particularly since we arrived a day later than I had expected which meant quite a bit of rescheduling. We left for Tasmania on Monday morning. The plane left about
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: the San Pellegrino headquarters - Le Crotoy flea market - Gourd festival in Nice -](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/weekly-blogger-round-up-the-san-pellegrino-headquarters-le-crotoy-flea-market-gourd-festival-in-nice/) - In this week's Blogger Round-Up, Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris takes us to Bergamo in Italy where she was given a special guided tour of the San Pellegrino art nouveau building, while Janine Marsh from The Good Life France takes us to a flea market in Le Crotoy in the lovely Somme
- [Beret and baguette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/beret-and-baguette/) - It's surprising how one's tastes change over the years. When I first arrived in France, just out of uni, I fell immediately in love with baguette - the lovely white squidgy sort. I even remember the price at the time (1975!): 90 centimes. Francs, that is. Today it's 90 cents. Euros, this time. You know,
- [Lamma Island – Hong Kong](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/lamma-island-hong-kong/) - The last time we went to Australia, we stayed in Hong Kong on the way there and the way back so we have already visited most of the sights. After touching down at about 7 am, we went to our hotel, Butterfly on Wellington, a so-called boutique hotel (I’ve yet to really understand what a
- [Travel Photos - Venetian Doors](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/travel-photos-venetian-doors/) - We did a lot of walking in Venice and saw a lot of doors with often intricate decorations. These are just a few!
- [Friday's French - Tout un fromage and other cheesy expressions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/10/fridays-french-tout-un-fromage-and-other-cheesy-expressions/) - You would imagine that a country with more than 400 different cheeses would have a certain number of expressions involving the word fromage, but surprisingly, there are more cheesy expressions in English than in French. I was rather disappointed recently to learn that Il en fait tout un fromage only appeared in the 20th century.
- [Cycling in Italy #2 – Imperia to Cervo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-in-italy-2-imperia-to-cervo/) - We arrive in Imperia around 4 pm after our day's cycling from Sanremo to San Lorenzo just in time for an ice-cream. It’s seems a strange name for a city to me, but it turns out it was created in 1923 by Mussolini when a number of towns and villages were amalgamated, including Oneglia and
- [Our Free Sofia Tour](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/our-free-sofia-tour/) - Having walked our feet off exploring Sofia in the morning, we’ve come home to recuperate. After a couple of hours, I notice a leaflet on the dining table of our home exchange hosts advertising free English-speaking tours of Sofia every day starting at 11 am and 6 pm and lasting around 2 hours. It’s 5
- [Friday’s French – raisins](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/fridays-french-raisins/) - I made my Christmas cake this week using the recipe handed down to my mother by her mother. For the last 8 years, I’ve been able to buy all the dried and candied fruit (peel) at my local market but the stall has closed so I’ve been chasing around Paris for such simple ingredients as
- [Invited for Dessert](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/invited-for-dessert/) - We haven’t seen Mr and Mrs Previous Owner for quite some time, what with moving, retirement blues, Christmas, New Year, the flu, Granada, getting over the flu and finishing the glass doors and shutters. However, we are now sufficiently en forme for a visit. Mrs Previous Owner emails me and suggests either dessert and coffee
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up - Getting Tough in French - Top 7 moments in France - A French library and literature](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/weekly-blogger-round-up-getting-tough-in-french-top-7-moments-in-france-a-french-library-and-literature/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up starts with two expats talking about their experience in France. Wendy from Random Ramblings describes a major breakthrough in French while Bread is Pain shares her top 7 moments in France as part of the Expat Blog Award which I didn't have time to enter this year. After you read her
- [The Weather Vane and the Nightingale](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/the-weather-vane/) - Mr and Mrs Previous Owner came to visit this morning on their way back from voting and I learnt some interesting facts about the weather vane on the top of the garage. We were talking about the aspect of the house, which Relationnel was convinced was south-facing. It seems it actually faces south-east. Mrs Previous
- [Keep Those Clothes On!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/keep-those-clothes-on/) - Au mois d’avril ne te découvre pas d’un fil, En mai fais ce qu'il te plaît. (In April, don’t remove a stitch, In May, do as you please.) It’s 19°C today with bright sun and blue sky and I just powerwalked up to Concorde and back. And there they were, the poor little kids, all
- [Twitter Twitter Little Star](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/twitter-twitter-little-star/) - Until I started blogging last October, I didn’t even know what Twitter was. Not that I'd taken much interest. But my "how to become an expert blogger" course said it was important to sign up to as many social media as possible. So I asked Black Cat about it (she’s a communications manager after all
- [Breakfast at Angelina’s](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/breakfast-at-angelinas/) - Not sure how wise it was to have thick delicious hot chocolate PLUS a mille-feuille à la vanille Bourbon (vanilla slice) after two soft-boiled eggs with brioche toast at Angelina’s in rue de Rivoli this morning. I didn’t add any fresh cream to the chocolate though. Perhaps I should have stuck to the basic breakfast
- [Le Mesnil Jourdain - a little corner of Normandy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/le-mesnil-jourdain-a-little-corner-of-normandy/) - The little village of Le Mesnil Jourdain in Normandy has some wonderful half-timbered houses, both new and old, in addition to the manor house we stayed in over Christmas. Can you tell the old from the new in the ones below? The oak structure was built first and the holes filled in with wattle-and-daub (upright
- [Cycling along the Loire: Beaugency – Meung sur Loire – Clery Saint André](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/08/cycling-along-the-loire-beaugency-meung-sur-loire-clery-saint-andre/) - There is a saying in France that 15th August which is a public holiday heralds the end of summer and with 15°C at 11 am on Sunday 16th, it seems as though it might be true. At least it’s sunny. We arrive in Tavers, 40 minutes by car from Blois, around midday. We’ve chosen Tavers
- [Monday's Travel Photos - the Roof Tops of Chambord](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/mondays-travel-photos-the-roof-tops-of-chambord/) - Fellow Australian Susan from Days in the Claise, who also lives in the Loire Valley, but in the southern part of Touraine, has done a series of posts on Chambord Castle recently. We cycled there several times this summer, you may remember, but didn't visit the inside. I didn't think there was much beside the
- [Château d’Azay-le-Rideau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/chateau-dazay-le-rideau/) - Azay-le-Rideau has always been one of my favourite châteaux in the Loire Valley although it doesn’t have the majesty of Chambord, Chaumont or Chenonceau, which is not surprising because it’s not a royal castle. The original fortress was bought by a rich financier called Gilles Berthelot in 1510. After marrying Philippe Lesbahy, a rich heiress
- [A Walk Along the Cisse to Coulanges](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/12/a-walk-along-the-cisse-to-coulanges/) - It's Sunday and we are continuing our walk along the GR track starting at Chouzy-sur-Cisse, first to Coulanges where we have never been before, then to Chambon sur Cisse. The sun gradually comes out but it remains quite chilly. We walk about 10 km which is quite a lot for me.
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Szentendre, Hungary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/mondays-travel-photos-szentendre-hungary/) - Szentendre, pronounced San-ten-dray, is a charming little town on the Danube about twenty kilometers north of Budapest, very popular in summer it seems as it is easy to get there by boat, bus, train or bike, but only crowded between about 10 am and 6 pm. After that, you can wander down the main street
- [Favourite Paris Wine Shops - Phone App: Google Translate - Creating a Healthy French Pantry](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/favourite-paris-wine-shops-phone-app-google-translate-creating-a-healthy-french-pantry/) - Where to buy wine in Paris, a helpful traveller's phone app and healthy eating the French way are the subjects featured in my Wednesday's Other Blogs this week. Thank you to Like Home in Paris (vacation apartment rentals in Paris), Femmes Francophiles (fellow Australian blogger with an ongoing passion for France and the French language) and
- [Pickpockets on the Metro in Paris - Siena - an Italian escape - Burgundy at a Glance](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/pickpockets-on-the-metro-in-paris-siena-an-italian-escape-burgundy-at-a-glance/) - The posts from other blogs that I'm featuring this Wednesday are by American blogger Mary Kay, from Out and About in Paris, who is a fund of useful and interesting information and will help you have a pickpocket-free holiday, fellow Australian and photographer Karina from Carams who takes us to Siena in Tuscany and Doni Belau from Girls'
- [Friday's French - gigue, gigot, gigoter, jig, leg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/12/fridays-french-gigue-gigot-gigoter-jig-leg/) - Susan Walter from Days on the Claise was wondering recently about the use of gigue and gigot when referring to a leg of venison or lamb. I was not aware of the term gigue as I don’t often buy venison! So I checked on the etymology and learnt that it comes from Old French gigue
- [Launceston - Tamar River Conservation Area & Cataract Gorge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/launceston-tamar-river-conservation-area-cataract-gorge/) - Had a rather quiet day today. We had originally decided to go to Cradle Mountain to do the Dove Walk but the thought of driving 150 K each way on Tasmanian roads, where you usually average about 60 K, was a bit daunting. From the window of our home exchange, we have a wonderful view
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Renovating a château - Visiting Southern Italy - No pants in the Paris metro](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/weekly-blogger-round-up-renovating-a-chateau-visiting-southern-italy-no-pants-in-the-paris-metro/) - Welcome to this week's Blogger Round-Up. Three posts caught my eye immediately this week. The first, by Janine Marsh from The Good Life France, tells the story of an Australian couple who have bought a château in the south of France to renovate. It is a stunning project and I wish them luck and the
- [A Little Trip to Paris Two Weeks after the Terrorist Attacks](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/11/a-little-trip-to-paris-two-weeks-after-the-terrorist-attacks/) - We’ve been planning to go to the Independent Wine Growers’ Fair in Paris for some time. During our two-day stay, I’ve lined up three routine medical appointments and organised to see two lots of friends. We decide not to let the terrible attacks on 13th November dissuade us from going. You may wonder why I
- [The Independant Wine Growers Fair in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/the-independant-wine-growers-fair-in-paris/) - This is just a quick post to tell you what we just bought at the Salon des Vignerons Indépendants at Porte de Versailles in Paris today - open until 26th November from 10 am to 8 pm (and on Monday until 6 pm). Be prepared for crowds! Last year, we bought sancerre, margaux, jurançon, vacquéras
- [Friday's French - Bonjour](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/fridays-french-bonjour/) - Now you might wonder why I am writing a post about something as basic as bonjour which everyone knows means "hello". However, Black Cat and I were having a discussion the other day about WHEN and HOW it is used in French which is quite different from the English use of hello. If I am in
- [Breakfast at Caffè Florian, Palazzo Grimmani and dinner at Al Vecio Bragosso](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/breakfast-at-caffe-florian-palazzo-grimmani-and-dinner-at-al-vecio-bragosso/) - Seven years ago, we had an aperitivo on the terrace of the mythical Caffè Florian on Piazza San Marco, Venice’s oldest café, which dates back to 1720. This time, we’re having a late breakfast, but inside, surrounded by romantic art deco work. Yesterday’s beautiful sunshine has been replaced by thunder and rain. Through the open
- [An Aussie in France Makes History!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/an-aussie-in-france-makes-history/) - I believe that I reached a turning point in my history as an Aussie in France today. The butcher gave me exactly what I wanted. An entrecôte, well hung (the best meat is always a dark red colour and not bright red which means it's too fresh), 600 grammes. It weighed in at 595 grammes
- [An Irish Band in the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/an-irish-band-in-the-loire/) - One of the things most people worry about when they retire to a new area is isolation. It can take years to get to know the locals. So we’re very fortunate in our choice of Blois because we already have a whole network of English and French speakers. Each time we come here, there is
- [My Incredible Bangkok Adventure # 1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/my-incredible-bangkok-adventure-1/) - We’ve got a day in Bangkok, having flown in from Australia late the night before and flying out again to Paris in the evening. We’re standing in the street, just in front of the Old Bangkok Inn, where we’ve been staying. The temperature is already high and Relationnel is checking which direction to go. A
- [President Hollande's Marianne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/president-hollandes-marianne/) - If you read my post last week on green stamps, you may have noticed the drawing on the stamps. When I saw it, I was somewhat intrigued because the previous Marianne stamp was a little different. So I checked it out and this is what I discovered. Marianne, who is the symbol of the French
- [Architecture on the Basque Coast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/architecture-on-the-basque-coast/) - One of the things I like best about the Basque Coast is the architecture. The typical Basque home in the Saint Jean de Luz area where we’re staying is the Labourdine – white with dark red, dark green or blue half-timbering and shutters and red roof tiles. Although each house is different, it gives an
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Visiting Lisbon - Parliament House in Budapest - Being Polite in French](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/weekly-blogger-round-up-visiting-lisbon-parliament-house-in-budapest-being-polite-in-french/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up takes us to Lisbon in Portugal with Jenny and John in Brittany, a place that is definitely on my shortlist while Adelina from Pack Me To visits the inside of the Parliament Building in Budapest which we didn't see on our visit to Hungary last summer. Margo Letsz from The Curious
- [The Silver Net on the French Ministry of Culture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/1029/) - I’m sure you’ve noticed this building across the road from the Louvre on the corner of Rue Saint Honoré and Rue Croix des Petits Champs, just down the road from Café Louise, and wondered what it is. Well, it’s the Ministry of Culture and Communication and I’m sure you’ll believe me when I tell you
- [One of those nights!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/one-of-those-nights/) - Relationnel is on call this week. The reason we live in the Palais Royal is not because he’s a wealthy banker or some such thing. About 4,000 people work in the French reserve bank (Banque de France) that occupies the block of buildings across the road from us. Because of the xxx hectares of gold
- [The Indian Visa](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/02/the-indian-visa/) - We’re fairly seasoned travellers and have made a lot of stop overs between France and Australia in our time so aren’t too worried about getting our Indian visas for our forthcoming visit to Delhi on the way to and from Australia. We know that we have to apply within 30 days of our departure date.
- [A Lunch Stop at Gyor, Hungary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/a-lunch-stop-at-gyor-hungary/) - We’re on our way to Ybbs an der Donau in Austria and Gyor seems like a good halfway point. We arrive at 12.30 just in time for lunch. We find an indoor parking lot so we won’t be restricted with regard to time (we still have our two parking tickets from Szeged) and set out
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Mostar - Bosnia Herzegovina](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/sundays-travel-photos-mostar-bosnia-herzegovina/) - I described our visit to Mostar in Part 4 of My Croatian Itinerary series. It was a terribly hot murky day and it felt as though we had reached the end of the earth, but the little cobbled street leading up to the famous arch bridge and over the other side was absolutely full of
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Regensburg, Germany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/mondays-travel-photos-regensburg-germany/) - The medieval town of Regensburg at the confluence of the Regen and Danube Rivers in Bavaria, is on the Unesco World Heritage list. Its many buildings of exceptional quality include ancient Roman, Romanesque and Gothic constructions and reflect its history as a trading centre and to its influence on the region from the 9th century.
- [On-line restaurant bookings and museum tickets Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/on-line-museum-tickets-and-restaurant-bookings-in-paris/) - There’s nothing worse than waiting in long queues outside museums or missing out on a restaurant because it’s full when you get there, particularly when you’ve only got a few days in the City of Light. The wisest thing is to buy museum tickets on-line and book restaurants ahead of time. RESTAURANTS – mytable.com A
- [The Night Revellers' Kiosk](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/the-night-revellers-kiosk/) - Now this is another "sculpture" near the Palais Royal that I'm not keen on, because I find it somewhat garish, but I have some (perfectly normal French) friends who think it's wonderful. It's the entrance to the Palais Royal metro on Place Colette and it’s called "Le Kiosque des Noctambules" (The Night Revellers’ Kiosk) and
- [Friday's French : Vide-greniers, vide-armoires, brocante](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/fridays-french-vide-greniers-vide-armoires-brocante/) - Until recently, I had never heard of a vide-armoires, which literally means "wardrobe emptier". I have been to many vide-greniers (grenier means attic) and brocantes and had worked out the difference for myself. The vide-greniers provides the occasion for people to get rid of all the stuff they don't want any more. A lot of
- [Friday’s French – prune and other metaphorical colours   ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/fridays-french-prune-and-other-metaphorical-colours/) - I’m reading a book in French and come across an expression I don’t know (which doesn’t often happen – I’m a translator after all). "C’est quoi, prendre une prune", I ask Jean Michel. "Une amende". So why would you call a speeding or a parking ticket a plum? Maybe it’s the colour of the ticket,
- [Monday's Travel Phots - Krems an der Donau, Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/mondays-travel-phots-krems-an-der-donau-austria/) - Krems is a pretty town of 24,000 inhabitants at the confluence of the Krems and Danube Rivers at the eastern end of the beautiful Wachau Valley in Austria, and about 70 kilometers from Vienna.
- [The Many Faces of Joan of Arc](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/the-many-faces-of-joan-of-arc/) - I don’t know how much you know about Jeanne d’Arc, as she’s called in French, but most people probably remember that she was a peasant girl who heard divine voices, then, disguised as a man, led the French army to several victories during the One Hundred Years’ War after which she was sold to the
- [Friday's French - hôte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/fridays-french-hote-2/) - Hôte is the strangest word because it has two opposite meanings: guest and host! So chambre d'hôte, which means Bed & Breakfast in French, is literally "guest room" while table d'hôte is the host's table. So, je suis votre hôte, vous êtes mes hôtes means "I am your host and you are my guests". Of course,
- [A Christmas Day Walk above Montrichard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/12/a-christmas-day-walk-above-montrichard/) - It's 25th December and overcast. The sun has obviously decided not to waste its energy on people about to tuck into Christmas lunch inside their homes where they won't know if it rains or shines. We celebrated Christmas with just the two of us last night as our four adult children are all elsewhere this year, which is
- [From Bridge to Bridge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/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 now and I’m still learning how to do it so Jean Michel explains as we
- [Maria Taferl Basilica overlooking the Danube in Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/maria-taferl-overlooking-the-danube-in-austria/) - On Saturday morning, the weather forecast for Sunday promised bright sun, blue skies and 19°C (even better than Saturday) so we intended to cycle from our Radlerpension in Hagsdorf to Melk for lunch then drive up to the Maria Taferl basilica to save our knees – it’s at the end of 4 km of winding
- [Budapest – Beautiful Buda](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/budapest-beautiful-buda/) - Pest has not prepared me for Buda. Although we can see it from the other side of the Danube, I have no idea of what is awaiting us. We park the car next to an unidentified red brick church with colourful varnished tiles, put our remaining coins in the parking metre and go off to
- [Friday's French - perron & pas japonais](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/fridays-french-perron-pas-japonais/) - We went to visit Mr and Mrs Previous Owner recently and I wanted to know what they did to get rid of the moss on the front stairs. "Sur le perron", replied Mr Previous Owner. "No, the front steps". "Oui, le perron", he insisted. And here I had been labouring under the misconception all these
- [The French wine region of Burgundy - Interview: Daisy de Plume of THATLou - Official Butterfly Report for 2012](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/the-french-wine-region-of-burgundy-interview-daisy-de-plume-of-thatlou-official-butterfly-report-for-2012/) - It's Wednesday again already! Burgundy is a wonderful place to visit and Carolyn from Holidays to Europe gives us an excellent introduction to its charms. It has beautiful countryside, fantastic wine and amazing bike paths. Abby from Paris Weekender interviews Daisy de Plume of THATLou who organises treasure hunts in the Louvre. I haven't had
- [May Day in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/may-day-in-blois/) - Yesterday was the first time I spent May Day in Blois. It was a good day. I woke up alive for the 3rd day running since I smashed my head into a very low authentic Renaissance beam at Closerie Falaiseau that you are supposed to duck under to go into one of the rooms. The
- [French Cling Film and Band-Aids](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/french-cling-film-and-band-aids/) - I can remember translating a text about plastics with my students once. That year, they came from Canada, the US, the UK and Ireland. Cling film was mentioned and it sparked off a most vehement hate session about French products and film étirable in particular. First, instead of having a metal serrated edge to tear
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Porec, Croatia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/sundays-travel-photos-porec-croatia/) - Porec is on the peninsula of Istria, which lies in three countries: Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. Having visited all three countries, I would say that the cultural dominance is Italian. Porec itself is built on a peninsula and is famous for its 5th century basilica, Eufrazijana. It also has several Renaissance buildings.
- [Slow Walking on Rue du Louvre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/slow-walking-on-rue-du-louvre/) - Now if you happen to walk down Rue du Louvre, with your back to the Seine, you should stay on the left side until you come to the remains of a stone wall that is actually part of the fortress built by Philippe Auguste at the end of the 12th century to protect Paris while
- [A Barge on a Cycle Path in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/a-barge-on-a-cycle-path-in-the-loire-valley/) - Writing about cycling along the canals in Brittany and the Loire reminded me of another trip in the Loire Valley. We have this book called (in French) Freewheeling from the Atlantic to the Black Sea and one of the bike paths really took my eye. In the photo, you could see this couple, with their
- [Universities in France and Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/universities-in-france-and-australia/) - When I enrolled at Dauphine University in Paris to do my post-graduate translation diploma at ESIT many long years ago, I was rather shocked at the environment. It was located in a high-rise building (and the toilets were disgusting). When I started teaching there 15 years ago, it was no better. Only the toilets were
- [An Aussie in France at Berges de la Seine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/an-aussie-in-france-at-berges-de-seine/) - We’re back in Paris with our heads to the grindstone but it promises to be a lovely evening so we have an early dinner at home (very light - it’s a fast day) and set off through the Palais Royal gardens for the new Berges de la Seine area which Jean Michel hasn’t seen yet.
- [French Renovations in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/french-renovations-in-the-loire-valley/) - I thought I would use my guest post on My French Life this month to do a recapitulation of the renovation of our Renaissance fireplace in Closerie Falaiseau, our 400-year old house in Blois. I know that some of you waited with bated breath as we converted it from a "bandy-legged monster" as Barb Hall
- [Three Reasons to Live in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/three-reasons-to-live-in-blois/) - Having lived in the city of light for many years now, I’ve become immune to the general attitude of Parisians so it comes as a surprise when people act differently outside the capital. We were in Blois for a few days last week and had three encounters that reinforced our decision to move there in
- [Sunday's Picture and a Song: Bastille Day (La Fête Nationale) 2013 - On the third day she rested ... Bicycling in Provence: A Very Sad Au Revoir -](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/sundays-picture-and-a-song-bastille-day-la-fete-nationale-2013-on-the-third-day-she-rested-bicycling-in-provence-a-very-sad-au-revoir/) - I haven't been publishing the usual Wednesday's Blogger Round-up for the last month because I simply didn't have time to read any other blogs! Cycling and visiting all day and writing posts at night took up a good part of every 24 hours. Although we arrived back on Sunday night just in time for Bastille
- [Friday's French - frais & fresh](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/fridays-french-frais-fresh/) - I keep walking past this little grocery store in our neighbourhood and seeing the sign: "fresh drink inside - boissons fraîches" and wondering whether tourists really understand that he's selling cold drinks. Tu as de l'eau fraîche? does not mean "Do you have fresh water?", but "Do you have cold water?" L'eau froide is used
- [Cycling along the Brenta Riviera from Stra to Fusina with a visit to Villa Pisani](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/cycling-along-the-brenta-riviera-from-stra-to-fusina-with-a-visit-to-villa-pisani/) - As promised, Paola, our lovely hostess at La Casa di Paola e Marco, the B&B where we are staying in Noventa Padovana near Padua, gives us scrambled eggs, ham and cheese for breakfast so we are ready to start a hard day’s cycling. We are off to the Brenta Riviera, with its Palladian villas between
- [Easter Sunday in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/easter-sunday-in-blois/) - Sunday being a day of rest, we decided to have a late brunch then visit one of the many châteaux in the Loire Valley with Thoughtful and Brainy Pianist who had come to spend the weekend with us. In the end, we decided to go to Blois Castle, particularly as it was open between 12
- [The Dry Tree](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/the-dry-tree/) - Well, it’s not really called The Dry Tree but L’Arbre sec. You’d think that a translator could come up with something better, wouldn’t you? But in fact, it has an historical reference that the more learned amongst us will no doubt know. It’s also called the Solitary Tree and was first recorded by Marco Polo
- [Trumpets of Death](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/trumpets-of-death/) - One of the things I like best about mushroom picking is that it’s like meditation. You’re so busy looking at the ground that your mind can wander wherever it likes. After saying a tearful goodbye to Leonardo at Gare du Nord on Sunday, we bought some sandwiches for lunch and drove north for about an
- [Friday's French - navet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/fridays-french-navet/) - "What's a navet?" someone asked on Facebook this week. "It's a film that's a flop", I answered. But a navet is actually a vegetable - a turnip in fact. So how did we get from turnip to a dud film? Good old expressio.fr came to the rescue. Certain sources say you have to go back
- [Outwitting the Cat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/outwitting-the-cat/) - I used to have a German friend and every time she came to my house in Fontenay sous Bois, she would look out the window and say "there's a blue tit" or "there's a nuthatch" which always made me very envious so when we came to live in Closerie Falaiseau in Blois I decided that I would learn
- [Plant your Language Garden with Memrise - Wonderous mountain train - a day trip from Nice -](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/plant-your-language-garden-with-memrise-wonderous-mountain-train-a-day-trip-from-nice/) - Since I have been writing quite a bit about Sofia in Bulgaria recently, I thought you might like a more French focus for this Wednesday's Bloggers' Round-up. Kathy Stanford from Femmes Francophiles reviews the phone app Memrise for learning and improving your French vocabulary; Phoebe from Lou Messugo takes us on a day trip by
- [Happy New Year! Bonne Année!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-bonne-annee/) - These are the first snowdrops in the private woods behind the house we are buying in Blois, La Closerie Falaiseau. The photo was sent to us by the current owners. That, of course, is our big adventure for 2012. On 17th March, the house will be ours. We're planning to spend Easter there with the
- [Fighting the Flu](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/fighting-the-flu/) - Very short and sweet, just to say that I am been in the grips of the flu (grippe = flu!) since Saturday afternoon and am desperately hoping I'm going to be better by Saturday when we are leaving for Granada! Fortunately, Jean Michel has only caught a very mild version so has been holding the
- [Four Fireplaces, Two Fire Starters and No Fire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/four-fireplaces-two-fire-starters-and-no-fire/) - Last Friday night when we still thought we might be able to have a fire in the renovated fireplace upstairs in Closerie Falaiseau, we thought we would order a fire starter on-line. We first became acquainted with the Cape Cod fire-starter, under the name of pierre à feu (fire stone) when staying in Valérie’s beautiful
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Plovdiv Old Town, Bulgaria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/mondays-travel-photos-plovdiv-old-town-bulgaria/) - The history of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city after Sofia, spans 6,000 years and includes periods of Thracian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman occupation, all of which can be seen in its attractive architecture. The old town has been extensively renovated with many painted façades, particularly from the Bulgarian Revival period in the 19th century.
- [Berlin at Last!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/berlin-at-last/) - Leonardo’s come back to Paris. Well, not for good. He’s just spending a few days here before he goes to Berlin which is really just a stepping stone for San Francisco while he sorts out his US working visa. We’ve been to Berlin before. One of Jean Michel’s sons, Forge Ahead, was doing an exchange
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Venice](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/sundays-travel-photos-venise/) - Spring is without doubt the best time to go to Venice. The wisteria is out everywhere in April and it's quite splendid. The photos below capture the essence of my Venice. Since we were there for a week and had a vaporetto pass, we took the time to venture outside the main tourist areas. One
- [A French woman's secret to staying slim - Saint Malo - Dali's restrospective at Beaubourg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/a-french-womans-secret-to-staying-slim-saint-malo-dalis-restrospective-at-beaubourg/) - In this Wednesday's bloggers' round-up, New Zealander Rebecca Russel (now living in Nice), tells us in a post on My French Life how French women manage to stay slim while American blogger in Paris, Sylvia from Finding Noon, who "likes food a lot", suggests places to find slimming things like crèpes and butter in Saint Malo in
- [What am I really? Australian or French?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/what-am-i-really-australian-or-french/) - If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I recently went on holidays to Australia and it was not always as I expected. In my monthly guest post for My French Life, the global community of French and francophiles connecting like-minded people in English & French, I ponder on where I really belong. I
- [Outside My Front Door](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/outside-my-front-door/) - Paula McInerney from Contented Traveller, whom I've already featured in my weekly blogger round-up, is publishing a series of posts entitled "Outside my front door". I was delighted when she asked me to contribute and I've been enjoying hearing from other bloggers as well. Outside My Front Door Outside my front door is a large expanse of trees
- [Friday's French - pêche, nectarine, brugnon, peach](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/11/fridays-french-peche-nectarine-brugnon-peach/) - There is a popular belief in France that nectarines and their cousins, brugnons, are combinations of peaches and other fruits such as plums and apricots. Jean Michel was quite adamant before I was able to prove the contrary. He even flatly refused to accept the definition in the Larousse dictionary but he says that he
- [Christmas Tree's Up!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/christmas-trees-up/) - When I was a child in Townsville, our Christmas tree was an athel pine. Well, I think it was anyway. You certainly couldn't buy fir trees or go out and cut them down in the forest as Relationnel and his father did when he was little. After a while, my mother got sick of all
- [A bittersweet treat: La Chapelle de tous les Saints - Speak like a local: quand the French use quand même - Of Hospitals and Cheese Courses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/a-bittersweet-treat-la-chapelle-de-tous-les-saintes-speak-like-a-local-quand-the-french-use-quand-meme-of-hospitals-and-cheese-courses/) - Last week's bloggers' round-up had a single theme - Barcelona - but this week, the subjects are completely different. Chez Charnizay from the Loire Valley offers us a very complete description of the danse macabre, a mediaeval allergory for death, depicted in a local chapel in Touraine. Katerina Forrester, posting on My French Life, examines all
- [Lunch Cruise on the Seine - Paris Restaurants: My Short List for What Stays Open in August (2012) - Gigondas: perfect food, wines & weather… and a good idea](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/lunch-cruise-on-the-seine-paris-restaurants-my-short-list-for-what-stays-open-in-august-2012-gigondas-perfect-food-wines-weather-and-a-good-idea/) - The wonderful weather is more or less lasting so make the most of it! Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris, took a lunch cruise on the Seine this week, Abby from Paris Weekender checked out a few places to eat and drink that are staying open in Paris during August, when nearly everything
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Madrid: Bronze Statues](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/sundays-travel-photos-madrid-bronze-statues/) - When we arrived at our home exchange flat in Madrid, the first thing we saw was an extremely realistic bronze lamp lighter. During our visit, we found four other bronze statues of the same kind plus a "fake" one in the form of a "living statue". It was amusing to see how people would give
- [Friday's French - père de famille](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/fridays-french-pere-de-famille/) - Now I bet most of you don't know what this post is about. Père de famille, you say, "father of the family"? Don't all fathers have families? And why not mère de famille? Aren't père and mère enough? Well, there is an added meaning. Of course. Un père de famille ne doit pas prendre de risques means that a man
- [Back Home in Blois to a Broken Weather Vane](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/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 break-ins (you never know in this day and age what might happen) so we unload the
- [May Flowers in the Country](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/05/may-flowers-in-the-country/) - Last time, I took you on a tour of my garden in May. I thought you might like to see the wild flowers in the surrounding countryside as well. Here are the photos I took last Friday when we cycled along the Loire from opposite Saint Claude sur Diray to Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire, then through the forest to Château
- [On the Water in Venice](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/on-the-water-in-venice/) - I am fascinated by the activity on the canals and lagoons in Venice. I can sit and watch them for hours. There are no vehicles of course and everything has to be transported by water. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFx9aJ1_DoI&feature=youtu.be [Sorry about the sound - I don't know how to remove it yet!] The gondolas, vaporettos and water taxis
- [A Tapestry Shop and a Tea Room in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/a-tapestry-shop-and-a-tea-room-in-blois/) - I’m in the train again, going back to Paris and my shuttered-up apartment. But on Fridays, the workmen go home early so I won’t have to put up with the pneumatic drill for too long. Then on Monday, we leave for Australia for five weeks. We haven’t been for three years. Australia is a long
- [Cycling along the Danube - Wachau in Austria, a World Heritage Site](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/cycling-along-the-danube-wachau-in-austria-a-world-heritage-site/) - We nearly missed out on one of the highlights of our trip. If our home exchange in Budapest hadn’t fallen through, we would have passed over Washau altogether. It was Jean Michel’s fault, of course (he organised the itinerary and read the guide books!) but he he hadn't realised it's a Unesco World Heritage Site.
- [War declared by next-door neighbours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/warfare-declared-by-next-door-neighbours/) - Today I did something I know I am going to regret for the rest of my life. A little background first. Our house in Blois, Closerie Falaiseau, where we will be moving permanently in October 2014, was built in 1584, just like a similar house on the left (the houses were built by two brothers).
- [Paris Apartments - Travel Tips - Baguettes & Boulangeries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/paris-apartments-travel-tips-baguettes-boulangeries/) - I keep reading all these interesting posts on other people's blogs so I've decided that on Wednesdays, I'll bring you some snippets so that you can enjoy them too and perhaps discover some blogs you didn't know. Thank you to everyone I've quoted! Writing the unwritten rules of travel Femmes Francophiles at www.femmesfrancophiles.blogspot.com Fairfax media's
- [Blois, Here We Come!!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/blois-here-we-come/) - I feel like I’m in a sort of limbo at the moment – on the verge of a great new adventure that I can hardly believe is about to become a reality. In just two days’ time, we will have the keys to our late 16th century Renaissance home in Blois. At last we will
- [Cycling around Belgrade](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/cycling-around-belgrade/) - We leave Zagreb with overcast skies and slight rain. We have lunch in a rest stop on the motorway in the car because it’s not warm enough to sit outside – not to mention there are no picnic tables. We’re a bit worried about the border between Croatia and Serbia because Croatia is stopping lorries
- [Friday's French - aimer & adorer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/fridays-french-aimer-adorer/) - How could I not talk about aimer on Valentine's Day? My first French boyfriend, many moons ago, told me that je t'aime beaucoup was not as strong as je t'aime on its own which seemed very strange to me. I already knew that je t'aime bien means "I like you" rather than "I love you"
- [The Iron Gates on the Danube in Serbia – Why we didn’t cycle!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/the-iron-gates-on-the-danube-in-serbia-why-we-didnt-cycle/) - We finally leave Zemun near Belgrade around 11 am. The weather is better than we expected but still only 15°C and somewhat overcast. We’re heading for Donji Milanovac in the middle of the Iron Gate gorges (Djerdap) which are the deepest and narrowest on the Danube and the largest and longest in Europe. After leaving
- [Why Inge Came to France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/why-inge-came-to-france/) - One of my greatest pleasures in teaching at the university in France was meeting young people from English-speaking countries across the world and learning about their hopes and aspirations. My French Life, the global community of French and francophiles connecting like-minded people in English & French, has just published my interview with Inge Laino, who is
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Highlights of 2012](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/mondays-travel-photos-highlights-of-2012/) - I wanted to pick out the highlights of my Monday's Travel Photos posts in 2012 but rather than choose my own favourites, always a difficult task, I asked Relationnel to tell me which of my Monday's travel photos he preferred month by month. These, of course, are not the places I went to in 2012,
- [Boletus Eatus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/boletus-eatus/) - So now that we’ve found all these wild mushrooms and cut them with our nifty mushroom knives rather than yanking them out of the ground so that we'll find more next year), how do we cook them? Ceps and the more compact boletes such as boletus aureus and boletus pinophilus can be stand alone as
- [A New Wave Cuisine Anniversary Lunch in Vendôme](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/12/a-new-wave-cuisine-anniversary-lunch-in-vendome/) - We wake up quite late and realise we’re going to have to hurry up a bit if we’re to go to the market and still arrive at 12.30 in Vendôme for our anniversary (of-the-day-we-met) lunch at Pertica, an up-and-coming success that Jean Michel has read about in the local newspaper La Nouvelle République - the one
- [One broken and two stolen iphones](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/one-broken-and-two-stolen-iphones/) - Am I jinxed? Is it because I love my iPhone too much? Is this a subtle message from the Cosmos? Beware, this could talk a long time to tell. You might need a glass of wine. One beautiful twilight evening in May, as we were strolling around our neighbourhood in Blois, I wanted to
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Loche in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/mondays-travel-photos-loche-in-the-loire-valley/) - Loches, like Azay-le-Rideau, is on the banks of the Indre. Château de Loches, which consists of the 10th to 12th century collegiate church of St Ours, the early 15th century Logis Royal built by Charles VII and the 12th century keep, said to be the first stone built castle keep in France, surrounded by a very thick
- [Making the Most of Spring in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/making-the-most-of-spring-in-blois/) - I don’t know how it got to be 10th March when just a couple of days ago, it was still February. All that R&R we were supposed to have this week doesn’t seem to have happened. Even though the fireplace smoked, we still could have spent time stretched out on our new sofa or relaxing
- [Summer Time and French Time](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/summer-time-and-french-time/) - I really love the long summer days in Europe when it doesn’t get dark until 11 pm. Of course the midnight sun is even better. We went to Saint Petersburg a few years ago in July and it was quite magic to actually watch the sun set at midnight. The problem is that on the
- [Red Tape in France - Part I](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/red-tape-in-france-part-i/) - It’s been one of those days. You know, the sort where no matter what you do, there’s always a problem. I wake up, not to the birds in Blois, but to hammering on the balcony in Paris. After breakfast, I go to see what progress has been made. « It’ll soon be finished", says worker #1.
- [First Impressions of Lisbon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/first-impressions-of-lisbon/) - When we arrived in Lisbon at 4 pm, it was 26°C, a welcome change from Paris. We walked from our home exchange on the western tip of Barrio Alto down to the Tagus and back to get a feel of the city. Here are my first impressions. Very dilapidated. Many outdoor cafés. Some stunning views. Tiles (azulejos) everywhere. Very strong
- [Happy New Year for 2017](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/01/happy-new-year-for-2017/) - And there you go - another year has just flipped by. Admittedly, we did spend a whole three months travelling - first to Australia and India in the winter, then to Italy, Austria and Germany on a cycling holiday in the summer, especially the Romantic Road, and finally New York and Boston in the autumn. As
- [Gardens I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/gardens-i-have-known/) - I spent my first 9 years in France living in a flat and biding my time until I could have a house and a garden again. It finally became a reality when I was pregnant with Black Cat and Leonardo was nearly 2 1/2. It was a funny sort of a garden, 10 metres wide
- [Dividing the House in Two](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/dividing-the-house-in-two/) - We’ve now furnished most of our new house in Blois and Relationnel is onto the second-last major operation – dividing the top floor from the bottom floor. Downstairs, there are now three rooms: the kitchen, the living room and the bedroom (with its en-suite bathroom). There is both an internal and external staircase leading up
- [Fabulous Gaudi Interiors - Casa Batllo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/fabulous-gaudi-interiors-casa-batllo/) - I loved Casa Batlló as soon as I saw it. All those lovely mauves and blues and pinks on the façade. I’m a romantic at heart and my favourite painters are the impressionists and art deco artists such as Mucha and the Nancy school. The inside has soft curves and beautifully coloured ceramics. This is
- [News on the Home Front](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/news-on-the-home-front/) - It's now four weeks since we moved to Blois. All the boxes are unpacked (except those in storage such as Christmas decorations and things that we're not sure where to put or may never use again). I finally found the exercise book with the contents of the first lot of cartons by which time it was a
- [Powerwalking down to Pont Neuf - Part 3](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/powerwalking-down-to-pont-neuf-part-3/) - Last time, in Part 2, I told you about Saint Germain l’Auxerrois but the time before, in Part 1, I explained about Pont Neuf actually being the oldest bridge in Paris. After leaving Saint Germain, you turn left along the Seine to the bridge. Halfway across, there is an equestrian statue in honour of Henry
- [First Day in NYC - Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty & Times Square](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/10/first-day-in-nyc-ground-zero-statue-of-liberty-times-square/) - We are in New York. The last time I was here was in 1979. For Jean Michel, it’s the first time. We are visiting my two grown-up children, Leonardo and Black Cat, who live and work in NYC. We have no agenda. “We’re in your hands”, I say. “I want you to show me your
- [Top Tips for Wine Tasting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/top-tips-for-wine-tasting/) - You may remember a post about Michelin-star restaurants that I included in my last Wednesday's Blogger Round-up written by The Good Life France, an independent on-line magazine about France and all things French, covering all aspects of daily life including healthcare, finance, utilities, education, property and a whole lot more. As a result, the editor, Janine
- [Voting for a New President](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/voting-for-a-new-president/) - As I explained in Battling with French Administration, I have only started voting relatively recently and this is only my second French presidential election. The first time, we were here for both rounds. Of course, it would be much easier if they adopted the preferential voting system in France, but having the two rounds is
- [The Tuileries Gardens in Spring and a Chess Tournament](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/the-tuileries-gardens-in-spring-and-a-chess-tournament/) - Jean Michel and I have just had lunch at Café Diane in the Tuileries Gardens for the first time this year. It was wonderful sitting under the trees on the edge of the duck pond lined with sweet-smelling pink hyacinths and vibrant red tulips. Spring has been a long time coming this year, but I’m
- [I Love My Kindle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/i-love-my-kindle/) - It's about 1°C and I'm taking the metro to meet friends for lunch. As I walk through Palais Royal, I see that one of our regular pavement artists has begun work. I'm cold just looking at him. On the metro reading, I open up Jane Austen’s "Sense and Sensibility" which I'm reading again. The French
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Galette des rois - The Cake of French Kings](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/weekly-blogger-round-up-galette-des-rois-the-cake-of-french-kings/) - For this week's Blogger Round-Up and as a follow-up to my last Friday's French post, I thought I'd find three different posts about the galette des rois or the French cake of kings, an increasingly popular tradition in France which starts on or about January 6th (feast of the Epiphany) and continues right up until
- [Intermittent Fasting – for better health and less fat!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/intermittent-fasting-for-better-health-and-less-fat/) - You know those people who get carried away with new ideas and can’t seem to stop talking about them? Well, I’m one of them. It’s part of my enthusiastic nature I guess. For the more naturally cautious – like Jean Michel! - it can seem a bit overwhelming and give the impression that I have
- [Friday's French - déjeuner, jeûne and jeune](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/fridays-french-dejeuner-jeune-and-jeune/) - Breakfast and déjeuner both have the same origin. I don't mean their Latin root, but their meaning. Jeûne = fast and dés = stop. But déjeuner doesn't mean breakfast, it means lunch. Breakfast is petit déjeuner. On the days we practise intermittent fasting our déjeuner really is when we break our fast. I searched around to see
- [Le Nez du Vin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/le-nez-du-vin/) - One of my greatest frustrations during our 4-part introduction to wine-tasting many years ago was my inability to identify all the “noses” that the other participants seemed to have constantly … on the tip of their tongues. “Blackberry, most definitely”, they’d say, or “bilberry – reminds me of my grandmother’s tarts”, “morello cherry – just
- [Melt-in-the-mouth foie gras au sel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/melt-in-the-mouth-foie-gras-au-sel/) - I love foie gras. But not just any foie gras. The best foie gras I had ever eaten until recently was at Jean Michel's parents' place about 15 years ago. It must have been an important birthday because there were caterers. It just melted in your mouth. I have never forgotten it! We have been
- [Five Years of Blogging](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/10/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 a problem. He also hosts me. I started my second blog, Blois Daily Photo (now
- [Friday's French - châtaigne, chestnut, marron, brun, brown](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/11/fridays-french-chataigne-chestnut-marron-brun-brown/) - It's roast chestnut season. If you come from Australia, you probably think there is only one kind - the edible sort you read about in English novels. Not so! In French, there are two different words: marron and châtaigne and the distinction is rather complicated. There are basically two sorts: an edible sweet chestnut that is easiest to spot
- [Monkeys in the Louvre and Other Strange Things in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/monkeys-in-the-louvre-and-other-strange-things-in-paris/) - And there he was, just hanging out the window of the Louvre with absolutely no one taking any notice of him, up to some monkey business no doubt. And today, I walked past Stella McCartney’s shop in the Palais Royal and the dummies had lost their heads (not to mention the reflection of the gallery
- [Back Home in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/back-home-in-france/) - By the time we leave Australia, I am starting to feel less of a foreigner. I can understand most of what people are saying and know what to do in a restaurant or a bar. OK, so I still can’t recognise the coins but Relationnel is looking after that most of the time anyway. We
- [Cement Mixers and Crows](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/03/cement-mixers-and-crows/) - Jean Michel has widened the window in the laundry to put in a new one as practice for the bay window that he is going to make in the 70 cm thick wall in the kitchen to let in more light and give us a view of our little wood which is currently full of
- [Friday’s French – Reflexive verbs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/fridays-french-reflexive-verbs/) - I don’t usually write about grammar. I learnt French at high school in Australia where we did a lot of grammar in both English and French and, believe it or not, it was something that appealed to me, a bit like maths somehow. However I have some friends who are having difficulty with the reflexive
- [Secret Venice - Burano Lace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/secret-venice-burano-lace/) - After visiting Erasmo and having lunch in Treporti, we are on the vaporetto to Burano along with a lot of other people. They all get out and we join the throng. I didn’t remember it being this crowded seven years ago. We enter what looks like a very expensive lace and household linen shop and
- [My Two Favourites B&Bs in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/my-two-favourites-bbs-in-france/) - It took me a long time to start using B&Bs in France. I had horrible memories of my arrival in Dublin when I first left Australia many long years ago. I went there with friends who were staying with friends and I had thought, in my innocence, that I would be staying with them too.
- [Monday's Travel Photos - "Wet" Champagne - Half-Timbered Churches](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/mondays-travel-photos-wet-champagne-half-timbered-churches/) - Like most people, our only view of Champagne was Reims, Troyes, Epinay and vineyards but late one September, we were looking for somewhere to spend a long weekend and do some cycling before the cold weather set in. We found a gîte near Lac du Der and discovered, to our amazement, the existence of no
- [Why it's so great to cycle in France - Experience France by Bike](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/09/why-its-so-great-to-cycle-in-france-experience-france-by-bike/) - I have just read a post by Maggie Lacoste on her blog "Experience France by Bike" and I wanted to share it because it so exactly explains why I love cycling in the Loire Valley. I'm sure you'll agree with her! Maggie is an American who "love sthe adventure and unpredictability of experiencing France by
- [Getting to NYC from Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/09/getting-to-nyc-from-blois/) - My children, Black Cat and Leonardo, live and work in New York or NYC as they say and are keen for me to visit but I’m a little reluctant as I was not impressed on my last trip (admittedly in 1980). We’ve chosen to leave from Orly which is only two hours by car from
- [Friday's French - chance, fortune and luck](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/fridays-french-chance-fortune-and-luck/) - What luck! What bad luck! What good luck! Quelle chance ! Quelle mauvaise chance ! Quelle chance ! That’s right, it's not a mistake – quelle chance twice - because you don’t say quelle bonne chance in French. You can say bonne chance all by itself though to wish someone good luck. Otherwise, chance is always good. In
- [Eurovélo 3 – Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois - Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine – Maillé : goats cheese, dolmens & massacres](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/09/eurovelo-3-sainte-catherine-de-fierbois-sainte-maure-de-touraine-maille-goats-cheese-dolmens-massacres/) - It’s a Sunday in the middle of a heat wave and we’ve chosen a cycling itinerary from our new Tours-Basque Coast book (Eurovélo 3) that we don’t know yet. It goes through Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, famous for its goats cheese, and Maillé, infamous for being the site of the second largest massacre in World War II after Oradour sur
- [Friday’s French – Globalisation, mondialisation, global, overall](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/09/fridays-french-globalisation-mondialisation-global-overall/) - There is a perfectly good word for “globalization”in French - mondialisation which comes from monde meaning “world” – but they seem to be set on using globalisation instead. In English, global is mainly used in the sense of worldwide, particularly in economic fields, in which case it is usually rendered by mondial in French: on a
- [Another Three Reasons to Live in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/another-three-reasons-to-live-in-blois/) - It’s Mei Lun and Alain’s last day in Blois. The sun is shining brightly even though it’s four degrees. We decide to go into Blois and visit the Cathedral area. We park on the mail, so-called because of a game called mail, from maillet meaning mallet, that was very popular in the Loire Valley. We cross
- [Troyes – A Taste of Late Mediaeval France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/08/troyes-a-taste-of-late-mediaeval-france/) - We are on our way back to Blois from our cycling holiday in Germany and are looking for a stopover in France. There is nothing interesting midway but Troyes is about 3/5 of the way which is fine. We book a hotel that is a bit higher than German prices but seems to be well
- [Easter Sunday in Château country](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/easter-sunday-in-chateau-country/) - It hardly seems like a year ago that we got the keys to Closerie Falaiseau, our 400-year-old Renaissance house in Blois in the Loire Valley. We decided to take the weekend off and visit some more châteaux. We thought that if we went to Azay-le-Rideau around noon on Sunday, there wouldn’t be many people. Well,
- [Our Pierre Ronsard Roses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/our-pierre-ronsard-roses/) - Yesterday, we went to visit Mr and Mrs Previous Owner in their new modern home about 20 minutes from Closerie Falaiseau and I learnt that the climbing roses on our original Renaissance railing are called Pierre Ronsard after one of France's most famous poets who was born in 1524 and died in 1585 in the
- [Cycling along the Loir – Vendôme to Lavardin: troglydytes and murals](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/08/cycling-along-the-loir-vendome-to-lavardin-troglydytes-and-murals/) - Before I begin, just a little note to say that I really am talking about the Loir and not its cousin, the Loire River. We’ve been to Lavardin before – on a cold winter's day in December last year during the Christmas markets – and promised we’d come back and cycle around the area in
- [Bread Baking Day in Les Grouets](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/bread-baking-day-in-les-grouets/) - The sky is overcast and we’re hoping it’s not going to rain because we’re about to attend the 8th annual bread-making day in our neighbourhood, Les Grouets. It’s all happening at a bread-oven I’ve already photographed in the past. We didn’t expect to be in Blois this weekend so we’re not sure of the programme.
- [Happy New Year 2016 - Bonne année à tous !](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/01/happy-new-year-2016-bonne-annee-a-tous/) - It’s New Year’s Eve and there are just the two of us, in front of our fireplace. We’re not having anything complicated to celebrate the New Year. I once spent all day making a special dish that took forever and I didn’t think it was worth the trouble so we’re mainly having Christmas leftovers (unfortunately,
- [Cycling in Italy #3 – Crema to Soncino : Never again!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-in-italy-3-crema-to-soncino-never-again/) - Imperia is four hours by car from our destination of Crema in Lombardy so we plan a lunch stop at Voghera along the way. As we go north, the sun disappears and the sky darkens. We arrive in the main piazza just before noon to find everything closed. It’s Monday. Note to self: never try
- [Cycling in Italy # 1 - Sanremo to San Lorenzo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/07/cycling-in-italy-1-sanremo-to-san-lorenzo/) - We have been driving most of the day. After a lunch stop in Cavaillon, famous for its melons where we have a delicious lunch under a shady terrace recommended by the lady in the bookshop where we buy a guide book, we have an afternoon tea break in Saint Laurent du Var, just next to
- [Douceur and Le Coup de Fourchette in Blois – two new places to try!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/douceur-and-le-coup-de-fourchette-in-blois-two-new-places-to-try/) - It’s a rainy Sunday afternoon and we’ve finally taken the time to collect our Blésois passes so we’ll have free entry to Blois Royal Castle and the Magic Museum plus lots of other places. The pass will also give our friends a reduction if we’re with them. "So, where do we go for afternoon tea?"
- [In search of a quincaillerie - Festival du nouveau mot - Bicycling The Burgundy Canal for 100 Euro A Day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/in-search-of-a-quincaillerie-festival-du-nouveau-mot-bicycling-the-burgundy-canal-for-100-euro-a-day/) - Three very different posts for this Wednesday's bloggers' round-up: Abby from Paris Weekender takes us on what seems like a wild goose chase to a large number of Paris quincailleries; LLamalady from Blog in France tells us about a wonderful competition to suggest new words in French; while Experience France by Bike describes one of her
- [Why I love the market even when it's cold or rainy #2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/05/why-i-love-the-market-even-when-its-cold-or-rainy-2/) - We are halfway through the Saturday market (you can read #1 here) and having our coffee, waiting to hear about the Chambord second-hand and antique fair on May 1st from a lady who was an exhibitor. "I slept the night in my car", she explains. "It was very cold – it rained all night. The first
- [Friday’s French – Va te faire cuire un œuf ! and other eggy expressions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/04/fridays-french-va-te-faire-cuire-un-oeuf-and-other-eggy-expressions/) - You’d wonder why "go cook yourself an egg" would have the meaning of "get stuffed" or more politely "go jump", wouldn’t you? I googled it and am not convinced by any of the explanations. You can insult someone by calling them an egg: Quel œuf ce type as in "What a blockhead". In this case,
- [I Have Not Disappeared](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/06/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 up with Loire Daily Photo though. I have several posts in the making: Secret Blois,
- [Friday's French - poêle, poeliste, fumiste, fumisterie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/fridays-french-poele-poeliste-fumiste-fumisterie/) - I would just like to point out straight away that poeliste is not a real word but it amused my Solognot neighbour Alain no end. We are thinking of putting a wood-burning stove in our downstairs living room (as I mentioned earlier this week) and the stove installer recommended by Alain came round to give
- [Five Unforgettable Places I Have Visited](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/five-unforgettable-places-i-have-visited/) - When we discovered Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon recently, I added it to the list of places that have left an indelible mark on me because they were totally unexpected and totally overwhelming. At the same time, I was asked to participate in the Booked.net – Top Destinations to Go challenge by Anda from Travel Notes and Beyond. Choosing
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - London](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/sundays-travel-photos-london/) - The last time we went to London, it was August, but the weather was not brilliant, as usual. We stayed in Greenwich overlooking the Thames so most of my photos are understandably related to the river. The first time I went to London, in 1975, on my way to France, I adored it. It was
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Seville](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/sundays-travel-photos-seville/) - We spent 5 days in Seville in February 2011 and loved it. The weather was sunny (except for the last day) and warm enough not to need gloves and to be able to sit outside to eat. The trees will also full of oranges! We stayed in a wonderful hotel called Las casas de la
- [Delhi Delights](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/02/delhi-delights/) - We’ve arrived in Delhi, met up with the coordinator, driver and French-speaking guide from Trinetra Tours, checked into our hotel and are about to have lunch. I’m surprised to see that the restaurant is called Lutyens Cocktail Bar, opposite the Meridien Hotel. When we enter the half-filled room, the only people I can see certainly
- [Granada – Final Impressions and Suggestions – and maybe Cordoba](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/granada-final-impressions-and-suggestions-and-maybe-cordoba/) - I somehow feel that Granada escaped me. I think there are two reasons: the fact that I was still recovering from a bad bout of flu and the unexpectedly cold weather. It seems to me that Spain is an outdoor country and that is the only real way to enjoy it. With temperatures around freezing,
- [Photo of the Week - My Wisteria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/photo-of-the-week-my-wisteria/) - Each time our wisteria blooms I fall in love with it again! This year, it's early of course, but it means we get to enjoy it for longer before we have to go back to Paris. Below is a photo taken last year by a lovely American couple from North Carolina who rented Closerie Falaiseau
- [The Taj Mahal - Simply Majestic](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/04/the-taj-mahal-simply-majestic/) - Today’s the day. We’re going to visit the Taj Mahal. It’s 6 am and we’re walking across the foyer of the Radisson Blue to meet our new French-speaking guide. I’m relieved that yesterday’s unsatisfactory guide is being replaced. From the corner of my eye I see a man standing alone and wonder if it’s him.
- [Friday’s French – gens de voyage, Roms, gitans, Romanichels, Tsiganes, bohémiens, Manouches, gypsies](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/04/fridays-french-gens-de-voyage-roms-gitans-romanichels-tsiganes-bohemiens-manouches-gypsies/) - Before I left Australia, gypsies for me were only characters in novels but in France, I learned that they were present in large numbers, lived in caravans (often large and expensive) and travelled around the country following seasonal work such as fruit picking, and mostly parked on otherwise vacant land on the outskirts of town.
- [Nougat? Did You Say Nougat?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/nougat-did-you-say-nougat/) - I’ve at last decided to leave Paris again because of the balcony renovation and go back to Blois. It’s not that I want to. This living in two places is starting to wear me down. I’m also exhausted by the company-closing business. And I won’t see Relationnel for another 9 days. However, Françoise, my friend
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Food shopping in Europe - Bridges of Ljubljana](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/weekly-blogger-round-up-food-shopping-in-europe-bridges-of-ljubljana/) - In this week's round-up, Carolyn from Holidays to Europe takes us on a quick food shopping tour of Europe while Adelina from Pack Me To provides an excellent explanation of the beautiful and fastastic bridges of Ljubljana in Slovenia, one of my favourite cities. Enjoy! A Quick Guide to Shopping Etiquette in Europe by Carolyn from Holidays
- [Beaujolais Nouveau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/beaujolais-nouveau/) - There are a lot of detractors of beaujolais nouveau, mainly because it’s not particularly good wine. After all, it is the first wine of the new harvest. They use this special process called carbonic maceration or whole berry fermentation so they can keep the fruity quality of the wine without extracting the bitter tanins from
- [Chateau de Chambord - Metro Maze in Paris - The Presidential Debate](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/chateau-de-chambord-metro-maze-in-paris-the-presidential-debate/) - Already Wednesday again! All those public holidays in May make the time just disappear! This week, we have a description of Chambord castle (just next to me in Blois) by Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris, a great new phone App for the metro along with some lovely photos by Petite Paris of
- [The Saffron Fair in Preuilly sur Claise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/the-saffron-fair-in-preuilly-sur-claise/) - It’s our second day in Blois and Susan and Simon from Days on the Claise have invited us to their local saffron fair. I know next to nothing about saffron except that it comes from the pistils ofcrocuses. Even that’s not right – it actually comes from the stigmas which are a part of the
- [Back to Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/back-to-blois/) - When we packed up the weekend before last, we thought we’d just be spending one more weekend in Blois before going to Australia for five weeks on 10th September. But on Friday, I was working away in my apartment in Paris (I’m a freelance technical and legal translator) when a large set of scaffolding suddenly
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up - Wild Mushrooms - Fest Noz in Brittany - Napolitan Novels](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/weekly-blogger-round-up-wild-mushrooms-fest-noz-in-brittany-napolitan-novels/) - This Week's Blogger Round-Up starts with a logical follow-up to Monday's post on Forbidden Mushrooms. Susan from Days on the Claise talks about what mushrooms are safe and explains how to pick them. Next on the list is a description of a Fest Noz in Brittany by Abby from Paris Weekender. If you're intending to
- [Our First Neighbours' Day Party](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/06/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 what my oldest and dearest friends in the street think about it. Great idea, they
- [Port Arthur Historic Site in Tasmania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/port-arthur-historic-site-in-tasmania/) - When we decided to holiday in Tasmania, the one place I knew I wanted to go to was Port Arthur. As children, we learn a lot about the early days of Australia at school, particularly the convicts and early settlers. Van Dieman’s Land, as Tasmania was first called, was reputed to have taken the worst
- [Friday's French - livret de famille, fiche, fichier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/fridays-french-livret-de-famille-fiche-fichier/) - When I first got married in France and saw our livret de famille I thought it was very neat although I didn't realise its importance. It's a little book in which the details of your marriage are written and which is completed with each child. When you get divorced, your livret is updated as well. If
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-Up: Day trip to Reims - Dealing with train stations on a bike - Christmas in France in 2013](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-day-trip-to-reims-dealing-with-train-stations-on-a-bike-christmas-in-france-in-2013/) - Three entirely different subjects this week. Ever pratical Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel takes us on a day trip to Reims which is not only famous for its champagne; Maggie La Coste from Experience France by Bike gives tips on how to take the train with a bike and panniers; while Janine from
- [Aussie in France celebrates its first birthday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/aussie-in-france-celebrates-its-first-birthday/) - Thursday 11th October 2012 was my first blog anniversary. It was also the last day of my holidays in Australia and there was no time to write a post. I can’t believe the year has gone so fast. The idea of having a blog came from my son Leonardo just before he left France a
- [Cycling  to Saint Dye sur Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/cycling-to-saint-dye-sur-loire/) - When we used to live in Fontenay sous Bois, we usually went cycling along the Marne River three or four times a week in the summer. We’d take our bikes to Bry sur Marne on the back of the car then ride down to the old Meunier chocolate factory at Noisiel and back. Most of
- [A Significant Birthday or Taking a Pensioner Out to Dinner](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/a-significant-birthday-or-taking-a-pensioner-out-to-dinner/) - I’m always on the look-out for new restaurants to try so when my friend and neighbour Françoise mentions the Manoir de Contres in Sologne, I immediately note the name in my iPhone for Jean Michel’s next most significant birthday – the one corresponding to his retirement and our move to Blois! Contres is about 45
- [Photos of the Week - Blois in early spring](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/photos-of-the-week-blois-in-early-spring/)
- [Friday's French - capital soleil](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/fridays-french-capital-soleil/) - It's interesting that such a wonderful expression should exist in French and not in English, or at least in Australian English where it would be very useful, given all the sun there compared to what we get in France (it's a very rainy day today). Your capital soleil is the amount of sun that your
- [Friday's French - coussiège, cushion & siège](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/fridays-french-coussiege/) - In Closerie Falaiseau our late 16th century house in the Loire Valley, we have a little stone seat in the alcove formed by the 70 cm wall next to the window. In a 17th century house we used to rent at Christmas in Normandy, there was one each side of the window. Last weekend we
- [Friday's French - parapharmacie, paramédical & paramedics](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/fridays-french-parapharmacie-paramedical-paramedics/) - I was doing a translation today and had to find a solution for the word parapharmacie. A parapharmacie is a shop that sells everything you would find in a French pharmacy except medication, and you usually pay a lot less. From my FaceBook research today, it seems that there is nothing similar in the UK.
- [Thank Goodness for Friends and Neighbours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/12/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 for any distraction that will take us out the house and into the company of
- [Moving from Paris to the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/moving-from-paris-to-the-loire/) - At 20, I lived in Townsville on the north-east coast of Australia and dreamed of living in France. When I arrived here for good at 22, I spent a week in Paris then went to an assistant teaching post in a town called Pau in the south-west of France which has a population of 100,000,
- [Bruce McAleer, Bike Tour Guide - Travelling to Provence - Crossing the Berlin Wall](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/bruce-mcaleer-bike-tour-guide-travelling-to-provence-crossing-the-berlin-wall/) - This Wednesday's features from other people's blogs. Thanks to Judy McMahon from MyFrenchLife, a global community of French and francophiles connecting like-minded people in English & French, for her profile of Bruce McAleer, Vicki Archer, an Australia writer who lives between London and Saint Rémy de Provence and author of French Essence for her tips for travelling in
- [Friday’s French – avoir le droit & entitlement](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/fridays-french-avoir-le-droit-entitlement/) - In a comment on last Friday’s French, Conrad from Canada asked me how I would translate the word "entitlement". His example was "The community lost their vistas because of a new housing project; they were convinced that they were entitled to these vistas, so it created great stress for years to come." I would have
- [Monday's Travel Photos - San Sebastian, Spain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/mondays-travel-photos-san-sebastian-spain/) - San Sebastian is an attractive city in the north west of Spain on the Bay of Biscay, 20 K from the French border in the Basque Country. Known as Donostia in Basque, it has an old part that mainly dates back to the 19th century when the town was rebuilt after being destroyed in 1813
- [Secret Venice – the Gondola Ride](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/secret-venice-the-gondola-ride/) - On our last trip to Venice seven years ago, we chose not to go on a gondola ride – it seemed too much of a cliché. Instead we took the little traghetto ferry across the Grand Canal. This time, however, I am fascinated with water traffic in general and our home exchange host tells us
- [5:2 Diet - Navigating the Metro - Double Giratoire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/52-diet-navigating-the-metro-double-giratoire/) - This Wednesday's Bloggers' Round-up brings three completely different subjects. First, on the subject of fasting and dieting, Jacqueline Meldrum from Tinned Tomatoes, introduces the documentary behind the 5:2 fast diet I've been talking about recently. You'll be interested in her recipes as well. Australian B&B website Petite Paris gives a very practical tutorial on how
- [Cycling in the Loire – Château de Chambord](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/cycling-in-the-loire-chateau-de-chambord/) - My highschool friend Jane is staying with me in Blois for a few days. It’s quite hot so we’ve decided to cycle late afternoon and dine out. Jane has been cycling in Townsville along the Ross River in preparation for her visit and the day before, we’ve already ridden along the Loire from Château Menars
- [A Welcome Break from Packing - my Daughter and the Fondation Louis Vuitton](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/a-welcome-break-from-packing-my-daughter-and-the-fondation-louis-vuitton/) - For the last week, I have been packing, moving and unpacking virtually non-stop, with the wonderful exception of Monday between 10 am and 2.30 pm which I spent with my daughter on a flying visit from New York visiting the Fondation Louis Vuitton, an extraordinary building that I will describe when I am not feeling quite so
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Bangkok](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/mondays-travel-photos-bangkok/) - When I think of Bangkok, I think of gold and garish colours. I also think of contrasts. We happened to be there for the Queen's birthday and everyone was wearing yellow T-shirts. We had a most unusual experience which I'll tell you about in another post. In the meantime, here is a a few representative
- [Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire's International Garden Festival - Paris Day Two. Chantilly - The Audacity of Age](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/domaine-de-chaumont-sur-loires-international-garden-festival-paris-day-two-chantilly-the-audacity-of-age/) - For this Wednesday's bloggers' round-up, I've chosen Kathy Stanford's description of the highly original international garden festival at the château of Chaumont-sur-Loire, Denise from Bolton's visit to the Chantilly race course, which definitely seems a worthwhile excursion and Bread is Pain's very amusing story of an elderly woman jumping the queue at the Orsay Museum.
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Vitré](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/mondays-travel-photos-vitre/) - We stopped for the night in Vitré, about 40 K east of Rennes, on the way back from Brest on the western tip of Brittany one summer. We discovered a very pretty little town with a mediaeval granite castle, one of the first castles in France to be classified as a monument historique. There are many
- [My Foie Gras](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/my-foie-gras/) - The idea of making my own foie gras came to me when I went to a party and the hostess had made her own. It was just the way I like it - mouth-melting. So when Relationnel came home from work one day and said that the Comité d’entreprise* had a special offer for a
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Aperitivo in Italy - Cycling the Nantes-Brest Canal - Cruising through Iceland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/weekly-blogger-round-up-aperitivo-in-italy-cycling-the-nantes-brest-canal-cruising-through-iceland/) - Three very different destinations are on the agenda for this week's blogger round-up. First Rosemary from Le Chic en Rose, shares an aperitivo with us on Lake Como, a must if you go to Italy. Next Abby from Paris Weekender takes us cycling along the Nantes-Brest Canal in Brittany and finally Sara from Simply Sara Travel invites
- [Blois Chambord Cycling Itinerary 11 & 11bis](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/blois-chambord-cycling-itinerary-11-11bis/) - Most of our time in Blois seems to be spent frantically gardening, restoring fireplaces and making laundries, but this time, I’ve checked the weather report and Thursday looks as though it will be bright and sunny. We have breakfast in the garden then, after much searching, unearth our Blois & Chambord bike maps. We decide
- [Taking the Bike Ferry across the Loire between Blois and Chambord - Loire à Vélo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/08/taking-the-bike-ferry-across-the-loire-between-blois-and-chambord/) - It’s Sunday again and unlike last week, we wake up to a bright blue sky. We have breakfast and are out of the house at the unusually early hour of 11 am – but we have a boat to catch. We drive to the other side of Blois and park next to the bike path
- [Learning a Language with a Home Exchange](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/05/learning-a-language-with-a-home-exchange/) - As you know, I am a keen home exchanger. We have just redeemed three home exchanges in Australia (Coff’s Harbour, Adelaide and Drysdale) and enjoyed hospitality in Melbourne with the home exchangers of French friends in Paris. Jean Michel, less of a linguist than I am, had been studying and practicing his English for a
- [Our Home Exchange in Barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/our-home-exchange-in-barcelona/) - I didn’t realise when I started looking for a home exchange in Barcelona that Paris might not be a peak time from people used to a warmer climate - particularly since our main motivation for going to Spain in February was to get away from the grey skies and cold of Paris! Home exchanges can
- [Original souvenirs from Paris - A hymn - Last minute change of plans from Burgundy to Belgium and from wine to beer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/original-souvenirs-from-paris-a-hymn-last-minute-change-of-plans-from-burgundy-to-belgium-and-from-wine-to-beer/) - This week, in my bloggers' round-up, Pierre from Paris on Demand suggests some original souvenirs from Paris, Sylvia from Finding Noon takes us to a Chagall exhibition in Paris that is on until 21st July and Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris describes her last-minute trip to Belgium, especially Ghent and Antwerp, instead
- [Game season at Le Mesturet Restaurant in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/hunting-season-at-le-mestruet/) - We first got to know Le Mesturet during a food and wine-tasting with our wine-tasting circle and have been back many times since particularly in winter. Since it's very close to the stockmarket (Bourse), it's a popular lunchtime venue. The menu changes with the season so at the moment, it includes hare pâté with pear
- [Friday's French - special](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/fridays-french-special/) - Special is a very special word and very rarely translated by spécial in French and vice versa. Special est un mot très particulier qu'on traduit rarement par spécial en français et vice versa. Now that's an easy meaning to translate. What is more difficult in finding an equivalent term when we want to talk about
- [Friday's French - gate, clôture, barrière , portail](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/fridays-french-gate-cloture-barriere-portail/) - I am a firm believer in learning vocabulary if you want to speak another language with any fluency. However, it has the disadvantage of giving the impression that A always equals B. Which is not true of course. I still remember learning that gate = barrière = and fence = clôture and find it difficult
- [How I lost 20 kilos after 50, for good - Part 5](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/how-i-lost-20-kilos-after-50-for-good-part-5/) - A month ago, I talked to you about my discovery of the benefits of fish for which I have gradually developed a real liking and which have certainly helped me lose weight and keep it off. Christmas was also approaching and I was a bit concerned about a backslide. As it turned out, I needn’t
- [Lost in Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/03/lost-in-australia/) - I can't believe that we left Blois nearly a month ago! After our first brief stay in Delhi, we have been in Sydney, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Adelaide and Melbourne. We are now in Kennet River on the Great Ocean Road on the southern coast of Victoria. We have been constantly on the go, visiting family
- [Apple Crumble!!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/apple-crumble/) - Hi! You may know about me a bit, I'm the Aussie son who lives in Sydney, nicknamed Leonardo in this blog. You may have read my recent interview with my Mum on what goes on under the streets of Paris! I baked a very special apple crumble last week at work for my co-workers for
- [Jaipur – temples, elephants, forts and palaces](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/03/jaipur-temples-elephants-forts-and-palaces/) - We are up bright and early at our beautiful Shahpura House Heritage Hotel in Jaipur so we can have breakfast and be ready to leave at 8 am because today is a big day – my first elephant ride! Our excellent Himalayan driver, Rajendar Negi from Trinetra Tours, is waiting for us with our new
- [Szeged, Hungary - Art Nouveau at its Finest](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/szeged-hungary-art-nouveau-at-its-finest/) - We have Andrea from Rear View Mirror to thank for our unique visit to the Hungarian city of Szeged today. She was lucky enough to enjoy it with both snow and sunshine! In 1879, the town was flooded and only 300 out of 5,500 houses remained. Most of the European countries contributed to its reconstruction resulting
- [Meet the Bollards in Geelong](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/03/meet-the-bollards-in-geelong/) - As we drive along the waterfront at Geelong on the way to our home exchange in Drysdale, our host Jill mentions something called "bollards" which, she says, are a reflection of the town's history. When we return to Geelong for a longer visit, we discover them in greater detail and find them most endearing. To quote the Bollard
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Je suis Charlie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/weekly-blogger-round-up-je-suis-charlie/) - After the terrible terrorist attack yesterday on the offices of the satirical weekly, Charlie Hebdo, and the deaths of 12 people, I tried to write a post, as I felt I could not simply ignore what happened, but I kept scrapping everything I wrote. Today, Sylvia from Finding Noon published a post I would like to
- [Souzay Champigny Troglodyte Shopping Centre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/souzay-champigny-troglodyte-shopping-centre/) - We’re on our way back from Saumur to Turquant, having just cycled up hill and down dale in the opposite direction. We’re on the riverside cycle path on the Loire à Vélo route, which has just taken us through a series of troglodyte houses parallel to the river when another hilly path takes us up
- [Friday's French - s'embrouiller](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/fridays-french-sembrouiller/) - Well, when I left some homework at the end of last week's post about "confusing", I didn't realise it was so difficult. My apologies. Two brave souls did, however, take up the challenge. Both found a good solution for the third sentence i.e. 3) Imminent and eminent are easily confused words. Il est très facile de
- [Our Foie Gras Atelier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/our-foie-gras-atelier/) - There was a time when we used to eat quite a lot of foie gras. In the winter, we would often rent a gîte for a long weekend somewhere in the country within a couple of hours from Paris and set off with a few slices of foie gras from the traiteur, a côte de
- [A Monumental Afternoon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/01/a-monumental-afternoon/) - We’re in Amboise in front of the Church of Saint Denis, waiting for our friends Susan and Simon from Days on the Claise. We’re here for a purpose. Susan wants to see some artworks in the church that she has heard about. It’s extremely cold so we go inside and wander around. It’s quite dark
- [Secret Venice – Exploring the Lagoon – Treporti and Erasmo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/secret-venice-exploring-the-lagoon-treporti-and-erasmo/) - We have already visited Burano, Murano and Tortello, the best known islands in the Venetian lagoon. We want to return to Burano and Murano but also go to Erasmo via the Lido and Treporti. The sun is shining when we depart from Fondamenta Nuove at 11.15 on line 14 and after an enjoyable one-hour ride
- [Off to Barcelona and one kilo down!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/off-to-barcelona-and-one-kilo-down/) - We’re going to Barcelona for six days on a home exchange in February. I can’t wait. Apart from our trip to Australia in September, we haven’t been out of the country for a whole year. We haven’t even gone anywhere except Paris and Blois during that time which means that I’m travel-starved. During the same
- [A Day in Paris with Lunch at Le Lobby](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/01/a-day-in-paris-with-lunch-at-le-lobby/) - It’s nearly 9 am and we’re about to go to Paris for the day which we don’t do very often. To our immense surprise, the ground is covered in snow! I run around taking photos and videos while Jean Michel makes sure all the bird feeders are well stocked. This is our first snowfall for
- [SAD and Au Vieux Campeur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/sad-and-au-vieux-campeur/) - I don’t know if displaced tropical Queenslanders are more likely to suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder or Winter Depression) than others but I can’t find any other explanation for having felt so down this week. Already the days are short (it’s only light from 9 am to 5 pm max) but the scaffolding on
- [Timisoara in Romania – A great R&R stop](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/timisoara-in-romania-a-great-rr-stop/) - We leave Serbia without regret and pass the border into Romania on the other side of Derdap dam. It’s raining and we thank our lucky stars for yesterday’s perfect weather for visiting the Iron Gate gorges. There is an immediate change in the built environment. Although many of the constructions are still delapidated, the impression
- [Château de Chaumont in Winter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/12/chateau-de-chaumont-in-winter/) - I’m off to visit Château de Chaumont with Black Cat and the Flying Dutchman. I suggest we park along the Loire and take the front entrance to the castle. Not a good idea. It’s closed so we have to walk a kilometer up the hill at a nearly freezing 2°C. Stoic, the Flying Dutchman does
- [Cycling to the Rendez-vous du Chocolat at Château de Villesavin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/cycling-to-the-rendez-vous-du-chocolat-at-chateau-de-villesavin/) - We can’t believe that it’s mid-October and the temperature is going to be 25°C in the afternoon! Absolutely unheard-of. We can’t wait to get out on our bikes. It’s also the 9th Rendez-vous du Chocolat at Château de Villesavin so we choose Itinerary n° 5 on the Châteaux à Vélo route called "Shadow and Light" and
- [12 Tips for 1st-Time Visitors to Paris - 42,000 Canal du Midi Trees Threatened by Fungus - Looking for lobster on Martha's Vineyard and the Fresnel lens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/12-tips-for-1st-time-visitors-to-paris-42000-canal-du-midi-trees-threatened-by-fungus-looking-for-lobster-on-marthas-vineyard-and-the-fresnel-lens/) - We've been experiencing a heat wave this week in Paris so everyone has gone into slow motion. But there are still some bloggers out there! Abby from Paris Weekender gives us 12 very useful tips for first time visitors to Paris, Experience France by Bike tells us about the sad demise of plane trees along
- [Friday's French: poireaux & oignons - leeks & onions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2016/01/fridays-french-poireaux-oignons-leeks-onions/) - I was so excited at the market last Saturday when I saw this wonderful shopping trolley. In response to my post on navets (turnips), a reader suggested several expressions including arrête de poireauter from poireau meaning leek. And here is a wonderful example: j'aime pas trop poireauter, which means I don't like waiting around, very appropriate for
- [The Bird Bath](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/the-bird-bath/) - The previous owners of Closerie Falaiseau were very keen on birds. When they handed over the keys to the house, they explained how to feed them and left us enough feed to go on with for a week or so, including couscous (these are French birds after all). There are lots of different bird feeders
- [Best Nine Instagram Photos for 2015](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/best-nine-instagram-photos-for-2015/) - These are my nine most "liked" photos on Instagram for the year. Four are châteaux of the Loire and two are the flowers in my garden! Top: Chenonceau, Sully, my wisteria Middle: Grenada, foie gras and vouvray in front of our fireplace, Chambord Bottom: Chenonceau (from the other side), spring blossoms in Chouzy, our Pierre Ronsard roses Which
- [Cleaners I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/cleaners-i-have-known/) - I love my cleaning lady! We joke together that the only time I’m not so happy with her is when her holidays don’t coincide with mine (dammit, she goes away most of August) or when she stays home to look after a sick child (which I approve of naturally). One of the hardest things when
- [An Orchid Exhibition and our Perfect New Neighbours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/an-orchid-exhibition-and-our-perfect-new-neighbours/) - I was delighted when I discovered we had orchids in our garden in Blois. I had thought they were strictly tropical plants but it turns out that France has quite a large number of wild orchids and our region alone has about sixty. We have found three different ones in our little wood. So when
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Hong Kong Island](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/mondays-travel-photos-hong-kong-island/) - Three years ago, we had a stopover in Hong Kong on our way to Australia. Our hotel - Causeway Bay - was on Hong Kong Island and that is where we mainly stayed. There are very few traditional buildings left on the island now, unlike my first experience 30 years ago!
- [More Tassie Wines and Australia's Oldest Bridge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/more-tassie-wines-and-australias-oldest-bridge/) - Today, we went wine tasting and the owner of the Puddleduck Vineyard about a half an hour out of Hobart told us it is the second driest capital in Australia. Considering how much rain we've had since we arrived, it is difficult to believe. He had lots of other figures: Tasmania produces 0.4 % of
- [Great Things about Christmas in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/12/great-things-about-christmas-in-france/) - Phoebe from Lou Messugo - traveller, francophile, expat, mum and foodie now living in Roquefort les Pins near Nice where she runs a gîte after many years of travelling and living in Asia, Eastern Europe and Australia - has come up with the brilliant idea this year of asking other bloggers what they like about Christmas in
- [The Big Fireplace Operation - Stage 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/4849/) - To the untrained eye, the current state of the fireplace may not seem any different from the last time I posted. However, another 5 days’ work put has been been into it! Now fireplaces are more complicated today than there were in the past for a very simple reason. Fires need air which used to
- [Black Cat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/black-cat/) - "Black cat entre home. Y’a pas happy moi. Moi pleure. Black cat parti. Moi happy." A direct quote from Black Cat at the age of 2 ½ when a stray cat came into the house and upset her. And that is typical of the way she used to talk. Growing up in a family where
- [A Peaceful Walk in Les Grouets](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/11/a-peaceful-walk-in-les-grouets/) - We are still reeling from the news of the terrible terrorist attacks in Paris on the evening of Friday 13th November. Our vegetable vendor at the market on Saturday receives a call from her son at 11 am while she is serving us. He lives with other students in the area where the killings took place but she
- [Things that Disappear and Reappear](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/things-that-disappear-and-reappear/) - Are you one of those people (like me) who has a problem with things that mysteriously "disappear"? I wouldn’t say I actually lose them. They just don’t seem to be where they should. The gold bracelet Relationnel gave me when we got married fell off a while ago. Fortunately, I felt it happening and saved
- [Introducing Célestine, Susan & Simon of Loire Valley Time Travel in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/introducing-celestine-susan-simon-of-loire-valley-time-travel-in-france/) - You no doubt read Susan's description of a country "Charcuterie" in yesterdays's bloggers' round-up. But she doesn't just spend her time buying "persillé" - she also runs a business. Susan and Simon and Célestine, their 1953 Citroen Traction Avant vintage car, who has just acquired a little sister called Claudette, take visitors on luxury tours of
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/sundays-travel-photos-blois/) - Blois is in the heart of the Loire Valley and built on the Loire River. These photos are all of Gabriel Bridge, except the last, which is a gabarre, a traditional sailing boat for transporting goods.
- [Colmar – the Magic of Alsace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/colmar-the-magic-of-alsace/) - Alsace is one of France’s most picturesque regions and has a lot in common with its neighbour, Germany, in terms of architecture, customs, cuisine and even language. It is famous for its white wines and the vineyards grow at the foot of the gently sloping Vosges mountains. I have been to Colmar twice before, once
- [Le Jeune Intermittent - The 5:2 Fast Diet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/11/le-jeune-intermittent/) - Ce blog est normalement en anglais mais j'ai eu tellement de demandes concernant notre pratique du jeûne intermittent de la part de nos amis français que j'ai décidé de leur dédier un post. [This blog is usually in English but I have had so many requests for information on the 5:2 Fast Diet from our French friends
- [Monday's Travel Photos: Chateau de Cheverny, Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/mondays-travel-photos-chateau-de-cheverny-loire-valley/) - When we visited Cheverny today, I was amazed at how beautiful it is inside. I did not remember any of the state rooms, only the bedrooms which I found disappointing during my last visit over ten years go. The domaine has been in the same family for six centuries and open to the public since
- [Friday's French - marmelade, confiture & jam](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/fridays-french-marmelade-confiture-jam/) - I was recently told a very plausible and fascinating story about the origin of the word marmelade. The future Mary Queen of Scots was brought up in France, mostly in the Castle of Amboise just down the road from us. She was often sick because she had no appetite until someone finally came up with a special
- [The Wonderful Gardens of Château de Chaumont](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/the-wonderful-gardens-of-chateau-de-chaumont/) - Every time we go from Blois to Amboise, we pass Château de Chaumont, which stands majestically above the Loire River, with a quaint little row of houses below. I visited it some years ago and was not very impressed with the inside which is rather delapidated. It must have been in the winter too because
- [  Cycling along the Danube – from Ybbs to Grein in Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/-cycling-along-the-danube-from-ybbs-to-grein-in-austria/) - We know we’re in Austria because the host at our Radlerpension (radler = cyclist) greets us with Grüss Gott which literally means "may God greet you". The first time we heard it was in Bavaria as we climbed the hill to the stunning Baroque church of Wies. Every person we passed said Grüss Got to
- [Cycling along the Loire in Autumn](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/cycling-along-the-loire-in-autumn/) - The last time we were on our bikes was when we cycled from Ybbs to Grein in Austria on October 3rd. Jean Michel has cleaned them and we have put away all our gear but an unusually warm sunny day with 20°C maximum is predicted so we decide to make the most of it. We drive the
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Amboise, Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/mondays-travel-photos-amboise-loire-valley/) - Amboise in the Loire Valley is probably the best-known town in the region. Its lovely mediaeval castle and grounds are on the world heritage list and offer an exceptional view of the Loire and surrounding area. In 1516, François I invited Leonardo da Vinci to live in a little château down the road called Le
- [A Visit to Château de Chenonceau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/a-visit-to-chateau-de-chenonceau/) - Château de Chenonceau has always been one of my favourites and is definitely among the top ten châteaux in the Loire. In recent years, we’ve cycled along the path on the opposite side several times and taken some wonderful photos of outside but we haven’t visited the interior for some years. The weather was supposed
- [Friday's French - piqure & injection](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/fridays-french-piqure-injection/) - I was sitting in the dentist's chair today thinking about the word piqûre as the needle sank slowly and painlessly into my gums (that is why I am willing to go across Paris to see my dentist!). Although injection is the correct term, it is very rarely used. Piqûre comes from the verb piquer from
- [Favourite Spring Flowers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/05/favourite-spring-flowers/) - I have two half-written posts that I don't seem to be able to find time to finish so I thought I'd share some of our spring photos with you in the meantime. Those you follow Loire Daily Photo will already have seen some of them.
- [Taking the Train to Paris Like A Real Provincial](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/taking-the-train-to-paris-like-a-real-provincial/) - This is my first experience of commuting to Paris from Blois. I have to go up to teach a double class at uni today. I’ve discovered I can take two types of trains – TER and TGV. The first is quite cheap – 26 euros – while the second is a lot more expensive. I’m
- [Auberge de Launay - an excellent restaurant in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/auberge-de-launay-an-excellent-restaurant-in-the-loire-valley/) - "This is the best dining experience we’ve had in the Loire", says Laszlo, halfway through the meal, and I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s always tricky choosing a restaurant for overseas visitors and I wasn’t sure which of our other favourites in Blois our lovely American/Hungarian/Romanian friends Anda and Laszlo had already tried. My
- [Friday’s French – arbre, arbuste, arbrisseau, buisson](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/fridays-french-arbre-arbuste-arbruisseau-buisson/) - I originally thought the equation was arbre = tree, arbuste = shrub and buisson = bush. Well, I was wrong. The first time I saw a lilac bush, I thought it was a tree. It looked like a tree to me and certainly not like a bush (a lot of the flowers are way above
- [What I Bought at the Wine Fair in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/what-i-bought-at-the-wine-fair-in-paris/) - Nearly forgot to go to the Independant Wine Growers Fair at Porte de Versailles this weekend and pick up some more Sancerre for our oysters on Sunday before we ran out which would have been a disaster! Most of the wine in our cellar was originally bought directly from the vineyard when we used to
- [Using an iPhone in Paris- woohoo! - Learning French ... an ongoing love affair - Expats Blog Award 2012](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/using-an-iphone-in-paris-woohoo-learning-french-an-ongoing-love-affair-expats-blog-award-2012/) - It's Wednesday again, and I have two blogs by fellow Australians to present and an award to announce. Teena Hughes from A Night in Paris, explains how to use your iPhone in Paris while Jill from Gigi's French Window, a brand new blog, shares her love of all things French and gives tips on learning
- [Early Morning Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/early-morning-paris/) - Because I work from home, I’m rarely outside in the street at 8.30 am, although I can see the Palais Royal Gardens through my office window any time of the day. When Black Cat lived nearby, she would sometimes suggest we go to breakfast together before she went to work but she moved to another
- [Cycling on Lake Garda #1 – Torri to Malcesine and Limone](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/cycling-on-lake-garda-1-torri-to-malcesine-and-limone/) - Off on our summer holiday at last ! The window and the kitchen are finished and a well-deserved month is awaiting us. We are starting with Lake Garda in Italy and hoping to go to Slovenia and onto Zaghreb in Croatia and eventually to Bucarest to continue cycling along the Danube where we left off last
- [A Celebratory Lunch in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/a-celebratory-lunch-in-blois/) - To celebrate this truly momentous day in the life of our couple – the purchase of Closerie Falaiseau, our beautiful Renaissance home in the Loire Valley built in 1584 – we chose L’Embarcadère in Blois , with its lovely view of the Loire. It was a perfect spring day, with bright sun and blue sky.
- [An Anniversary Celebration at La Maison d'à côté in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/an-anniversary-celebration-at-la-maison-da-cote-in-the-loire-valley/) - Last year Jean Michel and I also celebrated the anniversary of our meeting in the Loire and were very disappointed with the restaurant we chose. This year, we were much luckier. We arrived early too early for lunch at Montlivaut which is about 20 minutes from Blois in the direction of Saint Dyé sur Loire
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Melk in Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/mondays-travel-photos-melk-in-austria/) - Melk, a pretty little Baroque town of 5,000 people in Austria, is famous for its Benedictine Abbey built in the early 18th century on the site of an earlier abbey dating back to 1089 and affording a stunning view of Wachau Valley and the Danube. The abbey library contains numerous mediaeval manuscripts, including 750 incunables,
- [Cycling in Hungary - An experience](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/10/cycling-in-hungary-an-experience/) - It’s finally going to be warm enough to cycle – 16°C at 1 pm going up to 19°C at 3 pm. Jean Michel has checked all our Eurovelo 6 maps, plus the local map from the Tourinform office. We can cycle from Baja to Dunafalva, and back, he tells me, a round trip of about
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Tivoli Gardens, Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/sundays-travel-photos-tivoli-gardens-italy/) - The Villa d’Este, more often call the Tivoli Gardens, is an easy visit from Rome. It's no surprise that it's on the UNESCO world heritage list. It has the most impressive number of fountains, nymphs and grottoes you could possibly imagine. It really is sheer magic. I nearly didn't put the last photo in, because I think
- [At Your Age and In Love](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/at-your-age-and-in-love/) - It’s an excruciatingly hot day in the Loire Valley and we’ve waited until quite late to go bike riding. After cycling about 15 K from Cour Cheverny, we’ve had our picnic dinner by a little lake in Bracieux and I want to find a place to have coffee. Relationnel doesn’t hold out much hope –
- [Photos of the Week - First Arrondissement](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/photos-of-the-week-first-arrondissement/) - Back in Paris after a month's cycling holiday in Germany, we're having lovely weather so I've been catching up with friends especially in my neighbourhood, the first arrondissement, so I have some new photos of Paris. You may remember another photo I published of the front of the Bourse du Commerce (commodities market) after renovation. If
- [Getting to Granada and First Impressions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/getting-to-granada-and-first-impressions/) - We leave Blois at 10 am on Saturday to drive to Orly Airport where we’re leaving the car in a somewhat suspicious-looking long-term parking lot near for the airport for 70 euros. If the car’s still there on our return, it’s a hassle-free way of get to the airport. Otherwise, we would have had to
- [Our Little House in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/our-little-house-in-blois/) - No, I’m not talking about our Renaissance house built in 1584 but about the little house next door which Mr Previous Owner had the foresight to buy while the ageing owner was still living there, thus guaranteeing that there would be no close (and potentially noisy) neighbours. The little house includes a barn and both buildings
- [A Disappointing Restaurant in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/a-disappointing-restaurant-in-blois/) - When my Australian friends Mei Lun and Alain were staying at Closerie Falaiseau recently, they wanted to try out a restaurant in their guide book called "Le rendezvous des pecheurs" which means "The Fishermen’s Rendez-vous". As it turned out, we didn’t go there for various reasons but had an enjoyable evening at "L’Embarcadère" instead. However,
- [Freezing cold is relative!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/freezing-cold-is-relative/) - As I've already mentioned, when a Queenslander says they’re freezing cold, it means that it’s 15°C at night and all the windows are open (can’t close the windows! gotta have fresh air, you know). When the French say it’s freezing, it actually is zero degrees outside. All the windows are closed and the heating’s up
- [Photos of the Week - a Cubby House on the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/photos-of-the-week-a-cubby-house-on-the-loire/)
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Chenonceau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/sundays-travel-photos-chenonceau/) - Chenonceau castle is one of the 3 Big C's in the Loire Valley - Chenonceau, Chambord and Cheverny - and it's definitely my favourite. A ladies' castle, built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, decorated by Diane de Poitiers, extended by Catherine de Médicis, and saved by Louise Dupin during the French Revolution! We have discovered
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Blois from north bank](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/sundays-travel-photos-blois-from-north-bank/) - We went to Blois on Friday to complete the sale of our new house Closerie Falaiseau. A perfect day and I was able to take photos of the city from the north bank of the river.
- [Cycling on Lake Garda #2: Bardolino – Lazise – Peschiera – Sirmione](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/cycling-on-lake-garda-2-bardolino-lazise-peschiera-sirmione/) - The weather is rather overcast when we set out but the forecast says it’s going to improve. We’re a bit disappointed because we don’t have the magical light we had yesterday when we cycled to Malcesine. We decide to drive to Garda 9 k to the south and stop and visit Torri del Benaco on the way.
- [I Need a Holiday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/09/i-need-a-holiday/) - At 2 am this morning, we finished the kitchen after exactly 3 months. Jean Michel has done a splendid job but we are both exhausted! The tiles on the left of the window are the 18th century tiles we bought in Portugal last September. The rest of this week will be spent getting the house
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Saint Petersburg: Architecture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/sundays-travel-photos-saint-petersburg-architecture/) - Last week, I posted photos of Saint Petersburg but after a reader's comment, I realised that I hadn't included much of the city's architecture. Most of the buildings today are neoclassical built, in the second half of the 18th century after the Commission of Stone Buildings of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, established in 1762, decreed
- [Saint Eustache and the Fish of Remorse](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/saint-eustache-and-the-fish-of-remorse/) - You’ve probably never even heard of Saint Eustache, although you may have seen it if you’ve been to the famous market street of Montorgueil behind the old central markets or halles which are under renovation at the moment and not exactly a tourist attraction. The church is very ornate, in the gothic style of
- [Powerwalking to Pont Neuf - Part 1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/powerwalking-to-pont-neuf-part-1/) - Not that the Pont Neuf's really new – in fact it’s the oldest remaining bridge in Paris – but it was new at the time so that was what it was spontaneously called. If you’ve ever been to Venice and seen the Ponte Vecchio, you’ll have an idea of what most bridges used to look
- [Bus 72 to the Eiffel Tower](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/bus-n-72-to-the-eiffel-tower/) - I had to go to the Australian Embassy today and the weather was so extraordinary – 8°C with a bright blue sky – that I took bus 72 in rue de Rivoli, just opposite the Louvre. I tried to use my iPhone app to see when the bus was coming but someone had tagged the
- [How I lost 20 kilos after 50, for good - Part 3](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/how-i-lost-20-kilos-after-50-for-good-part-3/) - Do you remember in Part 2 that my nutritionist said that I should divide my plate into 4, with ¼ protein, ¼ carbs and ½ cooked vegetables? Well, I haven’t heard anyone say, "I don’t like vegetables" or "It’s too much of a nuisance to make vegetables", which is surprising when you see what most
- [Sydney Writers' Centre's Best Blogger Competition Results](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/sydney-writers-centres-best-blogger-competition-results/) - Thank you everyone for voting for me in the Best Blogger Competition. I obviously did not win (I am very small fry compared to a lot of bloggers) but it was wonderful to be part of the competition. I hope you all found lots of other blogs to follow as well! So here are the
- [Cycling on the Basque Coast #1 – Ups and Downs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/cycling-on-the-basque-coast-1-ups-and-downs/) - The first day in our home exchange in Ciboure on the Basque Coast gets off to a good start with breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Pyrenees. There’s so much sun we even have to open up the awning. After breakfast we go into the centre of Ciboure to buy fresh fish directly from the
- [A Therapeutic Ride along the Marne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/a-therapeutic-ride-along-the-marne/) - It’s Black Cat’s last day in Paris before she goes to New York to look for a job. I’m delighted for her, of course, because she’s following her dream, just as I did 38 years ago, but I am very sad to see her go. We’ve decided not to say goodbye at the airport so
- [Real Balsamic Vinegar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/real-balsamic-vinegar/) - After attending the local mediaeval flag festival at Bebbiano when we stayed at Corte Bebbi, the wonderful B&B in Parma that I have already described, we asked our hostess to recommend a balsamic vinegar factory, the challenge being that Relationnel needed someone who could speak French! A couple of phone calls later and we were
- [The Bird Bath](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/08/the-bird-bath-2/) - We're dining al fresco on a very hot evening. A blue tit swoops down from the rose of Sharon onto the bird bath and starts squawking loudly. It flies off. "It wants some water", says Jean Michel. "That's funny", I say, "I'm sure I put some in when I watered the garden earlier." I take
- [Summer Mushrooms in the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/summer-mushroom-in-the-loire/) - We really have had a beautiful week in the Loire. Everyone in France this year, particularly in Paris, has been complaining about the awful spring weather and it was no better in Blois. But when we came back last week, the potatoes we’d planted in the rain two weeks before were looking very happy (and
- [The Joys of Mushroom Picking with 4 safety tips](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/the-joys-of-mushroom-picking-with-4-safety-tips/) - I've already written extensively about my love of mushroom picking here on this blog but following a recent comment on Facebook by Judy McMahon, I wrote a guest post for MyFrenchLife on how to pick mushrooms safely. How to pick mushrooms safely in France: 4 secrets by Rosemary Kneipp, writing for My French Life - where you
- [A Postcard from the Island](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/07/a-postcard-from-the-island/) - Every so often, I receive a "postcard" from my friend Alan Stretton whom I have known for more than 40 years. This one took me back to Townsville, where we both grew up, and to my holidays on the Island, which is still my very favourite place today. I would like to share his postcard with you. When
- [Frogs in the Wine Vat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/frogs-in-the-wine-vat/) - I don’t like frogs. In fact, I’m petrified of them. Strange that I should chosen to live in a country like France. But apart from the actual people, they don’t have frogs here. Not noticeable ones anyway. Not those great big slimy green ones they have under the toilet seats in Townsville. It took me
- [A Portable Office and Temporary Residence in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/a-portable-office-and-temporary-residence-in-blois/) - Relationnel and I are on our way back to Blois. It’s 11 pm and it’s raining. We have another 1 ½ hours to go. I’ve now mastered the art of using a laptop in the car and the train. I never thought I would. I used to be allergic to laptops – I couldn’t handle
- [Cycling in the Poitevin Marsh #2 – The Wet Marsh](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/07/cycling-in-the-poitevin-marsh-2-the-wet-marsh/) - We wake up rested in our B&B and have a delicious breakfast in the courtyard in front of the main house, consisting of freshly-squeezed orange juice, two types of bread, two types of brioche (a sort of bun loaf), a mini-raisin roll, a slice of raisin bread, 5 types of jam, a soft-boiled egg and
- [City Daily Photo Theme Day on Blois Daily Photo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/city-daily-photo-theme-day-on-blois-daily-photo/) - Today is the first day of the month and, as usual, I have joined the City Daily Photo Theme Day on my other blog, Blois Daily Photo. This month's theme is Entry and I've chosen River Entry.
- [Instagram Favourites This Week #1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/06/instagram-favourites-this-week-1/) - Since I don't have a lot of time to post at the moment I thought I would share my favourite Instagram photos. The format on Instagram is square which is an interesting cropping exercise. What's your pick?
- [The First Day of Summer & Cycling Itinerary N° 9](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/06/the-first-day-of-summer-cycling-itinerary-n-9/) - It’s the summer solstice – 21st June – which in Europe is officially the first day of summer. We get up very late and have a full breakfast, including tostadas, which we were introduced to in Grenada in January. By the time we’re finished, it’s after twelve and we are due at the local wine-tasting
- [Sun and Snow in the Albaicin in Granada](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/sun-and-snow-in-the-albaicin-in-granada/) - Snow has been predicted but when we wake up, there is no sign of it. We walk up Cuesta Alhacaba, our double hill road, to Casa Pasteles on Plaza Larga for breakfast. There’s a market today – one clothes stand and a fruit and vegetable stand! We go for the tostado medio and have trouble
- [A Day in Paris with my Daughter and the Nissim Camondo Museum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/06/a-day-in-paris-with-my-daughter-and-the-nissim-camondo-museum/) - My daughter Black Cat is a jet-setter. She works in New York where she lives with her Flying Dutchman and goes to places such as Bogota in Columbia for the long week-end. She’s back in France for a very short time to attend a wedding near Avignon. With less than two days in Paris, where
- [A Neighbourhood Party - New French Words - Holidaying in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/a-neighbourhood-party-new-french-words-holidaying-in-the-loire-valley/) - For this Wednesday's Bloggers Round-up, I've chosen a description of France's neighbours' day by Phoebe from Lou Messugo, the latest French words to be included in the Larousse and Robert dictionaries by Stéphanie from Blog in France and, to finish up, a guest post I wrote on visiting the Loire Valley for Carolyn from Holidays
- [The Tamar Estuary Tasmania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/the-tamar-estuary-tasmania/) - Today was our last day in Tasmania and since we have become rather attached to the wonderful view of the Tamar River we have from our window, we took the advice of our home exchange hosts and drove east up the estuary and back down the other side. The scenery was rather pastoral on the
- [Acting French in Paris - Creating the French look - Chateau de Mery and Auvers-sur-Oise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/acting-french-in-paris-creating-the-french-look-chateau-de-mery-and-auvers-sur-oise/) - On this Wednesday's blogger round-up, we have Wendy Hollands from Le Franco Phoney giving us tips on how to make the most out of a visit to the Eiffel Tower, Jill from Gigi's French Window giving her interpretation of French decorating styles and Abby from Paris Weekender describing a visit to Méry and Auvers-sur-Oise, where
- [Meeting the Neighbours in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/meeting-the-neighbours-in-blois/) - Relationnel has devised this radical way of meeting the neighbours in Blois. I would have gone for something softer myself. The first time, we were coming back from our celebratory dinner at L’Embarcadère after spending our first day in the new house. Before I go any further, I’d just like to point out that we
- [The House of Happiness](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/the-house-of-happiness/) - There is a beautiful lilac bush just across the road from our house in a large vacant lot followed by meadowland that goes down to the Loire. Our rainwater flows into the vacant lot so Jean Michel keeps the area free of brambles and nettles. He has also cleared a parking space next to it.
- [The Secret of Eating Out in Madrid](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/the-secret-of-eating-out-in-madrid/) - Not that I really discovered the secret. Our bacalao experience was only the start. The first morning, we set off from our home exchange flat for desayuno and saw that a lot of cafés were offering the American-style breakfasts we had seen in Seville obviously geared towards tourists, with fried eggs and sausages. We ended
- [Busy Back Soon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/04/busy-back-soon/) - I am not sick. I have not given up my blog but like Owl in Winnie the Pooh, I am busy! After a sluggish start to the year workwise, I am suddenly inundated with translations. I can't complain but it's not easy to juggle with work, the beautiful weather, the garden and cycling. I am
- [Deer and Orchids in Our Little Wood in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/deer-and-orchids-in-our-little-wood-in-blois/) - This morning when we got up, Jean Michel called me from the bathroom whose first floor window overlooks the little wood behind our house which is part of our property. "Un chevreuil à côté du neflier". Mr and Mrs Previous Owner told us we could see deer in the wood at dawn and dusk but this
- [Cycling along the Loire from Jargeau to Germigny](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/04/cycling-along-the-loire-from-jargeau-to-germigny/) - We’ve talked it over and decided that, based on the experience of the practice window, the kitchen windows may take a lot longer than expected and we may well have to forego our summer cycling holiday this year. I was hoping to go to Romania but we would need at least a month to cross
- [Rethinking our projects in the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/rethinking-our-projects-in-the-loire/) - I was very encouraged by all the sympathetic comments on the post I wrote a couple of weeks ago called War declared by next-door neighbours. Thank you for your support. I have to confess that I have been depressed ever since because it looked like we might have to give up our gîte project altogether.
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Best travel apps for Europe - 5 things not to like about France - Sibiu in Romania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/weekly-blogger-round-up/) - This week's blogger round-up brings us three completely different subjects. We start with favourite Europe travel apps by Marie-Eve from Europe Trip Tips, a girl after my own heart, because she, too, is addicted to her iPhone! Next, Janine Marsh from The Good Life France shares 5 things she doesn't like about France and I'd be very interested
- [Daylight Saving in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/daylight-saving-in-france/) - I do, of course, love the long summer days when it stays light until 11 pm. Cycling after dinner is particularly attractive. What I don’t like is the actual changeover because it puts me out-of-kilter for at least a couple of weeks and I’m not a good sleeper at the best of times. Black Cat
- [Easter Sunday in Les Grouets](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/04/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 lunch. It’s sunny but only 8°C and there is a northern wind which means it
- [Early Spring and Ponderings on our New Life](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/early-spring-and-ponderings-about-our-new-life/) - It’s been the strangest winter. I don’t think the temperature has gone below zero more than a couple of times and there has been absolutely no sign of snow. As a result, spring seems to have come a couple of weeks early. We are in Blois for a month this time, the longest period yet
- [Me and My Tom Tom](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/me-and-my-tom-tom/) - How come I don’t understand what my Tom Tom’s telling me to do? I bought one a few years ago for Relationnel but I’ve hardly ever used it. Now that we live in the middle of Paris, I rarely drive because it’s mostly just as fast to take the metro or the bus inside the
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Stein am Rhein in Switzerland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/sundays-travel-photos-stein-am-rhein-in-switzerland/) - I have already posted photos of the Rheinfall, the beautiful natural waterfalls on the Rhein River. Stein am Rhein is a charming little village close by. The first two photos are taken from the bridge that we cycled across from the waterfalls, followed by some of the beautiful painted façades in the centre. Not easy
- [Crepes Recipe for Chandeleur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/crepes-recipe-for-chandeleur/) - A little bit late, but here it is! Chandeleur or, more popularly, "la fête des crèpes" is held on 2nd February, 40 days after Christmas. One explanation is that it celebrates the presentation of Christ at the temple of Jerusalem but it seems there are pagan origins as well. Its name derives from the expression "festa candelarum"or
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Car or train in Europe? - Chartres - Saint Bernard dogs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/weekly-blogger-round-up-car-or-train-in-europe-chartres-saint-bernard-dogs/) - Three completely unrelated subjects for my Weekly Blogger Round-Up today. First, if you're wondering whether to take the train or hire a car in Europe, Paula McInerney from Contented Traveller will help you to make the right decision. Next, if you're looking for a weekend getaway idea, Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris has an
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up - All About France with Lou Messugo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/weekly-blogger-round-up-all-about-france-with-lou-messugo/) - You are all familiar with Phoebe from Lou Messugo who lives in Nice and has often been featured in this weekly blogger round-up. Today, she is beginning a new monthly link-up focussing on posts about France from bloggers across the glob. I've contributed my post on the Ten Top Châteaux in the Loire Valley. As I'm writing she already has
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Saxon Switzerland - Dying Overseas - Chinese New Year Treats](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/weekly-blogger-round-up-saxon-switzerland-dying-overseas-chinese-new-year-treats/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up starts in Germany, in Saxon Switzerland, where Anda from Travel Notes & Beyond has inspired us to go on another cycling holiday this summer. Australian blogger Paula McInerney from Contented Traveller broaches the somewhat taboo subject of what happens if you die overseas while, on a less serious note, Adelina from
- [First Impressions of Barcelona – Gaudi and Pintxos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/first-impressions-of-barcelona-gaudi-and-pintxos/) - The trip with Easy Jet went perfectly and we even arrived early at our home exchange which gave us time to have a look around us. We’re just across the road from the former Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in the El Guinardo neighbourhood, built between 1901 and 1930 and now a
- [My Spanish Past](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/02/my-spanish-past/) - The first time I went to Granada was in the spring of 1976 when I was young and naive. I was living and working in Pau in the French Pyrenees and had befriended a woman called Anne Marie who ran a hikers’ refuge in the mountains in the summer months. She suggested we go on
- [Photos of the Week - Paris in August](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/photos-of-the-week-paris-in-august/) - We don't often find ourselves in Paris on a sunny Sunday in August without our bikes, so after a leisurely lunch on the balcony, testing a new vinho verde, we went for a walk along Berges de Seine from the Orsay Museum to the Floating Gardens. I have to say we were a little disappointed compared
- [What a friend we have in cheeses - Salon Mer & Vigne et Gastronomie - How to Tip When Abroad](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/what-a-friend-we-have-in-cheeses-salon-mer-vigne-et-gastronomie-how-to-tip-when-abroad/) - This week's bloggers' round-up is dedicated to three bloggers whom I haven't yet featured on Aussie in France: Lisa Rankin from Flavors of Paris recounts the first time she came across an open-air cheese stand; Donna Morris from Best Friend in Paris introduces us to the twice-yearly Salon Mer et Vigne wine and seafood fair;
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Blois Castle - Marsala in Sicily - French Slang for Money](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/weekly-blogger-round-up-blois-castle-marsala-in-sicily-french-slang-for-money/) - I have three totally different subjects for this week's blogger round-up. Susan from Days on the Claise gives us a lively and interesting history of Blois Castle, while Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris takes us to Sicily where she spent New Year in the snow, starting with Marsala. To finish off, Phoebe
- [Green Stamps](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/green-stamps/) - I’m in Nogent sur Marne on the other side of Paris because even after living for 8 years in the Palais Royal, I still go to the dentist I found 15 years ago when I opened my office in Nogent. We’ve even become friends and have lunch together afterwards. I don’t know what I’m going
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Fountains of Rome](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/mondays-travel-photos-fountains-of-rome/) - We went to Rome in August when all the Romans flee the city, of course, to places like the Tivoli Gardens, because it's too hot. The only way to survive was to get up early then go back to our air-conditioned apartment for a long siesta before venturing out again in the late afternoon. Not
- [A Vide-grenier from the inside](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/a-vide-grenier-from-the-inside/) - It’s not the first time Black Cat and I have participated in a vide-grenier. Living in an appartment with no cellar meant we needed to regularly get rid of toys and clothes and the local town hall had a free garage sale for kids once a year. After that, we shared stalls with friends until
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Naples](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/mondays-travel-photos-naples/) - Naples is not a popular destination with tourists. True, we did have to hurriedly get off a bus when Jean Michel realised his pockets were being searched, but he had taken adequate precautions so nothing was stolen. But apart from that, I felt perfectly safe and I really loved Naples. I particularly liked the ceramics in
- [Travelling Highlights of 2014 and ideas for 2015](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/travelling-highlights-of-2014-and-ideas-for-2015/) - Venice, Germany and Lisbon, in that order, outside France, and Turquant near Chinon, closer to home. Venice comes first because of our wonderful gondola experience (which sounds very touristy I know) and all our other less touristy visits as it was our second time in the Floating City. Strange as it may seem, it was
- [New Year Resolutions for 2015](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/01/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 as though August would be completely empty but in the end, it filled up, giving
- [The Keys at Last!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/the-keys-at-last/) - Well, we’ve now spent our first night in the new house in Blois. We finished packing the two cars and the (now reinforced) trailer at 2 am on Saturday morning, then added the bikes (which we had forgotten) and all the last-minute stuff, all of which took much longer than expected (isn’t that always the
- [Why the Fireplace Smokes and Other Annoying Things](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/why-the-fireplace-smokes-and-other-annoying-things/) - We seem to be having a run of bad luck and are hoping we’ve come to the end of it! The first thing we did after we got to Closerie Falaiseau late Wednesday afternoon was to turn up the heating. Then we went to buy an espresso machine to replace the cheap-O one that gave
- [Padlocks on the Pont des Arts in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/padlocks-on-the-pont-des-arts/) - The view from the Pont des Arts footbridge is one of best in Paris, according to Relationnel. Difficult to beat, I must admit. If you stand in the middle and look towards the Left Bank, you have the Institut de France containing the Académie Française with its famous dome in front of you. Behind you,
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up; Ice Skating on the Eiffel Tower - Blogger Highlights 2014 - French Holidays and Traditions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/12/weekly-blogger-round-up-ice-skating-on-the-eiffel-tower-blogger-highlights-2014-french-holidays-and-traditions/) - I missed last week's blogger round-up from lack of organisation and general post-move sluggishness but this week I have three great posts to share with you. First, Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris takes us ice skating on the Eiffel Tower and I'm very jealous not to be there myself! Next Anda from
- [Our New Office](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/12/our-new-office/) - It’s not really an office. That’s the word Jean Michel uses in French; it means a place next to the kitchen or dining room in which the table service is prepared. Well, it’s sort of that. I would call it an upstairs kitchen but Jean Michel has names for all the rooms so I'm happy
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Interview with Aussie in France - The Greek Island of Anafiotika - Spending Christmas in Europe ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/weekly-blogger-round-up-interview-with-aussie-in-france-the-greek-island-of-anafiotika-spending-christmas-in-europe/) - All my posts are a little late at the moment but here is my Weekly Blogger Round-Up starting with an interview by Anda from Travel Notes & Beyond our Eastern Europe expert with yours truly! Next the ever dynamic Jo from Frugal First Class Travel takes us to a Greek Island in the foothills of the
- [Romania's Outrageous Palace of the Parliament - Paris Fashion Week SS 14 - Charles de Gaulle airport to city centre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/romanias-outrageous-palace-of-the-parliament-paris-fashion-week-ss-14-charles-de-gaulle-airport-to-city-centre/) - Wednesday's Bloggers Round-up time again. After visiting Budapest and Sofia and reading Andrea's post on Bucharest in Rear View Mirror, I'm ready to add Romania to my travel destinations. As you know, I'm not a fashionista, but fortunately, other bloggers are covering Paris Fashion Week. I'm referring you to Sylvia's first post on the subject
- [Last Three Months in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/last-three-months-in-paris/) - We are well and truly back from our cycling holiday in Germany. It’s amazing how far away it already seems. Our next holiday, a six-day home exchange in Lisbon, is scheduled for September. Now we have to get ready for our move to Blois at the end of October, which means we only have three
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Chocolate Fashion Show in Paris - Writing and Reading Suggestions for November ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/11/weekly-blogger-round-up-chocolate-fashion-show-in-paris-writing-and-reading-suggestions-for-november/) - I haven't been reading many blogs this week with the move but I'm sure you''ll get a kick out of Mary Kay's chocolate fashion show on Out and About in Paris - not exactly what we saw at Château Villesavin! And Margo Lestz is back in Nice with lots of writing and reading suggestions for November
- [An Anniversary Dinner in Romorantin and a Bike Ride to Mer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/an-anniversary-dinner-in-romorantin-and-a-bike-ride-to-mer/) - We’ve been to Romorantin in Sologne before and loved the fresh produce market. At the bread baking day in Les Grouets, Le Lion d’or was recommended to us as being one of the best restaurants in the region so we’ve decided to try it out for our 16th wedding anniversary. We’re coming directly from Paris so
- [An Autumn Walk in Les Grouets](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/an-autumn-walk-in-les-grouets/) - The sun’s shining outside and we’ve just had lunch. Instead of getting back to work on a very boring translation and the Big Fireplace Operation respectively, I suggest to Relationnel that we go for a walk. What’s the point of living in the country if we can’t make the most of autumn? Relationnel immediately agrees
- [Appetite Suppressants Anyone? Some Natural Solutions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/appetite-suppressants-anyone-some-natural-solutions/) - I’m not a newspaper-reader or a TV-watcher, but I do listen to the radio in the morning. France-Info is perfect for me because it’s an all-day news station which means that if I tune off (as I tend to do), I get a repeat fifteen minutes later. That way, I know what’s going on in
- [Berges de la Seine – the floating gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/berges-de-la-seine-the-floating-gardens/) - After our recent and most enjoyable wander along the Berges de la Seine between the Orsay Museum and Pont Alexandre III, we decide to go in search of the much-vaunted floating gardens on the other side of the bridge at Port du Gros Caillou. It's a cloudy night and I realise too late that I
- [Top 5 beautiful parks in Paris - Details at the Fete des Gardians - An Archipelago of Floating Gardens on the Banks of the Seine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/top-5-beautiful-parks-in-paris-details-at-the-fete-des-gardians-an-archipelago-of-floating-gardens-on-the-banks-of-the-seine/) - In this week's bloggers round-up, fellow Aussie Andrea from Rear View Mirror shares five beautiful parks to visit in Paris, Heather Robinson from Lost in Arles brings us some stunning photos from the Fête des Guardians in Arles and Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris gives us an update on an archipelago of
- [Friday's French - piles, batteries & torches](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/fridays-french-piles-batteries-torches/) - We’ve just bought a set of telephones and are setting them up. "Est-ce qu’ils ont fourni les piles?" I ask. "Non", says Jean Michel, "il y a des batteries." He is not correcting my French. Pile is the word I first learnt for the English battery back in the seventies and I was surprised when I
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Fête des vendanges on the French Riviera - October events in France - Alba Iulia in Romania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/weekly-blogger-round-up-fete-des-vendanges-on-the-french-riviera-october-events-in-france-alba-iulia-in-romania/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up starts with a great discovery. Every month, well in advance, The Good Life France gives a list of national events in France. I know we're already halfway through October, but you can take a look at November while you are over at their website. Next, Chrissie from Riviera Grapevine invites us to participate
- [ More Progress on the Fireplace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/more-progress-on-the-fireplace/) - Relationnel said today that if he'd known how long the fireplace was going to take, he'd never have started the renovations. I'm not convinced though. I somehow can't see him going to stay in a gîte somewhere else in France to enjoy an open fire when we are the proud owners of a 400-year old
- [Friday's French - bernache](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/fridays-french-bernache/) - Today I learnt a new word - bernache - used in Touraine and particularly in Anjou, to designate what is known in other parts of France as vin nouveau, i.e. grape juice at the beginning of its fermentation. I've already recounted our experience with vin nouveau in Alsace and the famous beaujolais nouveau tradition that is sadly dying
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Colmar in Alsace - Zadar in Croatia - Saint Valentine's Day in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/weekly-blogger-round-up-colmar-in-alsace-zadar-in-croatia-saint-valentines-day-in-paris/) - In this week's Blogger Round-Up, Carolyn from Holidays to Europe takes us to Colmar, which is one of my favourites places in Alsace, with its picturesque canals while Chasing the Donkey gives us an insider's tour of Zadar in Croatia with it's famous Sea Organ. To finish off, Mary Kay from Out and About in
- [My Piano Finds a New Home](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/my-piano-finds-a-new-home/) - When I was a child I loved singing but unfortunately I was constantly told that I was singing out of key or that I was tone deaf. I had no idea what that meant of course and still sang along gustily with my more gifted siblings when we spent whole days in the car going
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Apostrophes in French - Chenonceau & the War Effort - 3-star Hotels in Europe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/weekly-blogger-round-up-apostrophes-in-french-chenonceau-the-war-effort-3-star-hotels-in-europe/) - An all-Australian cast for this week's Blogger Round-Up. Wendy Hollands from Le Franco Phoney talks about a subject dear to my heart - the French language - and the apostrophe in particular. Susan from Days on the Claise takes us to back in time to one of my favourite châteaux - Chenonceau - which served as
- [After 500 Years, Tour Saint-Jacques Temporarily Opens to the Public - Lavender fields of Haut Provence: a photo essay](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/after-500-years-tour-saint-jacques-temporarily-opens-to-the-public-lavender-fields-of-haut-provence-a-photo-essay/) - Three very different posts have caught my eye this week for Wednesday's Blogger Round-up. Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris informs us that the recently restored 500-year-old Tour Saint-Jacques in Paris, the starting place of the San Diego de Compostela pilgrimage, is open temporarily to visitors. Phoebe from Lou Messugo takes us through
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Zadar, Croatia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/sundays-travel-photos-zadar-croatia/) - Zadar is a fascinating mixture of old and new, including the Church of Saint Donat built in the 9th century, the remains of a Roman forum from the 1st century, modern shopping streets and the famous sea organ. The sea organ is a musical instrument consisting of tubes located under a set of large marble
- [La Saint-Valentin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/la-saint-valentin/) - As my 9-year-old nephew in Sydney pointed out to me yesterday when I mentioned Saint Valentine’s Day to him, the "Saint" has disappeared from Valentine’s Day in English. Francophiles may wonder why it’s "la" Saint-Valentin and not "le". Well, like all feast days, it’s short for "la fête du Saint-Valentin". Hence the feminine for what
- [The August Exodus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/the-august-exodus/) - We’re back in Paris. I feel like a côte de boeuf so I go to the butcher’s on rue Montorgueil. Usually there are three open, today there is only one. In fact, only about one shop in five in Paris is open. There are even restaurants that are closed. Now it’s Sunday and we’re at the
- [Croc Monsieur: Meet Adam Ruck, The Man Who Cycles in Crocs! - One man’s faith – a visit to Sagrada Familia, Barcelona - English French words](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/croc-monsieur-meet-adam-ruck-the-man-who-cycles-in-crocs-one-mans-faith-a-visit-to-sagrada-familia-barcelona-english-french-words/) - Some interesting posts this Wednesday on very different subjects. Stephanie, the Llamalady from Blog in France, interviews English cyclist Adam Ruck, author of France on Two Wheels, about his bike trip across France. Australian blogger Frugal First Class Travel, whom I discovered recently, describes the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. She also has lots of tips for winter
- [Cycling along the Danube – the Aussie Cyclists](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/cycling-along-the-danube-the-aussie-cyclists/) - Due to our change of plans because of bad weather near Linz a couple of weeks ago and our accommodation problems in Budapest, we have an extra two days after Wachau without any planned accommodation. The weather is looking much more promising and we’re planning to cycle around the S-bend or loop in the Danube
- [Dijon more than cuts the mustard - Coffee Culture in Paris - Open a Bottle of Wine with a Shoe - ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/dijon-more-than-cuts-the-mustard-coffee-culture-in-paris-open-a-bottle-wine-with-a-shoe/) - Bringing you Wednesday's selection of posts from other Anglobloggers on France. This week, Weekend in Paris, Femmes Francophiles and French Entrée. Many thanks! Dijon More Than Cuts the Mustard by The Weekend in Paris - Paris advice that is practical and fun A weekend in Dijon is just the ticket for anyone who wants to get
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Leasing a vehicle in Europe - City map phone app - Stockholm in black & white](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/weekly-blogger-round-up-leasing-a-vehicle-in-europe-city-map-phone-app-stockholm-in-black-white/) - This week's blogger round-up starts with two very practical posts. First, Carolyn from Holidays to Europe, gives us a step-by-step guide to leasing a vehicle in Europe, which may not be a solution you had thought of. Next, Abby from Paris Weekender, tells us about a phone app you can use to find your way
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: A Florentine Pig - An Australian in Paris and Provence - Snapshots of Europe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/weekly-blogger-round-up-a-florentine-pig-an-australian-in-paris-and-provence-snapshots-of-europe/) - I'm back from Lisbon (but there will still be more posts) so am resuming my weekly blogger round-up, beginning with a wonderful story about a Florentine pig from Margot from The Curious Rambler. Next, Andrea from Rear View Mirror, is celebrating her second anniversary on the road with a wonderful photo giveaway that I'm sure
- [Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Onzain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/domaine-des-hauts-de-loire-onzain/) - Little did we know when we celebrated Relationnel’s birthday at Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain in the Loire Valley last October that in June we would have finished furnishing a 400-year old house for rental just 15 minutes away! We had decided to come down for a week at the beginning of October
- [Sintra – A Lovely Palace and a Yellow Monster](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/sintra-a-lovely-palace-and-a-yellow-monster/) - We’ve checked the weather and it looks like it isn’t going to rain. We walk down to Rossio Station to take the train to Sintra. We’re amazed to see the long queue of people, even at the ticket machines. We soon understand why – the system is quite complicated because of the Via Viagem travel card.
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: What travelling teaches you - Best SIM card for France - Twiztour cars in Paris ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/weekly-blogger-round-up-what-travelling-teaches-you-best-sim-card-for-france-twiztour-cars-in-paris/) - I didn't have much time to read other blogs when cycling in Germany, but now I'm home, I'm catching up! I'm starting with a very interesting post by Anda from Travel Notes and Beyond about what she has learned from travelling the world. It certainly got me thinking. Next comes some excellent advice from Maggie at
- [Bussing in Barcelona and a Lost iPhone](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/5958/) - After taking the metro once, we decided we’d rather use the bus, particularly since there were no direct metro lines between Sant Pau where we were staying and most of the places we wanted to go. Jean Michel took charge and, after six days, knew his way about better than our home exchange host who
- [Friday’s French in Portugal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/fridays-french-in-portugal/) - My first contact with Portuguese was during my honours year of university in Australia when I studied and fell in love with Romance Linguistics, which is the story of how Latin turned into Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian. It was like a jigsaw puzzle – and I had always liked jigsaws. I found it
- [Cycling in Croatia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/cycling-in-croatia/) - When I first talked to Relationnel about cycling in Croatia, he was most dubious. It’s full of mountains. But in the end, he agreed and we started organising the trip. I love cycling when I travel because I think you go at just the right pace. You aren’t stuck with the other tourists in the
- [Monday's Travel Photos - the Basque Coast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/mondays-travel-photos-the-basque-coast/) - The Basque Coast extends from Bayonne in France to San Sebastian or Donostia in Spain and contains some of the best surfing beaches on the Atlantic, the best known of which is Biarritz. There is a walking path from Ciboure to Hendaye with spectacular views that we were not able to take because of the
- [My Genuine Italian Fresco](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/my-genuine-italian-fresco/) - I told you recently about the beautiful impressionist painting by John Modesitt we have just bought. It is the first oil painting I’ve bought, but I have other original artworks that I am very fond of. One of my favourites (but they’re all my favourites!) is an Italian fresco. We were in Italy a couple
- [Friday's French - epouvantable epouvantail](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/fridays-french-epouvantable-epouvantail/) - It should really be épouvantable épouvantail but WordPress (the blog template I use) doesn't deal with accents in titles well, so I try to avoid them. An épouvantail (épouvantail à oiseaux, in its full form) is a scarecrow, from épouvante which means terror, from the Latin expavens, entis, fear which also gave the Italian spaventare.
- [Little Bo Tweep](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/little-bo-tweep/) - In Twitter Twitter Little Star, I explained about the basic uses of Twitter, but since then, I’ve been learning lots of new things. I’m no longer a #tweep and am now a #twitterian, having joined the #500tweetsclub. Soon I’ll be a #tweeting machine. Let’s take it one at a time. Now tweep can actually mean
- [La Rentrée](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/09/la-rentree/) - After the August exodus comes La Rentrée, that untranslatable nationwide "back-to": back-to-school, back-to-work, back-to-wearing-shoes-every-day, back-to-setting-the-alarm, back-to-the-metro, and all the other disagreeable things about everyday life. For those who have stayed in Paris it means queuing at the market, leaving the car in the garage and being packed like sardines in the metro. For families with
- [Friday's French - gîte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/fridays-french-gite/) - Even French people confuse gîte and chambre d'hôte. I know this for certain because when I tell people I have a gîte they often start talking about le petit déjeuner which, of course, is only served in a B&B. Before it came to mean a self-catering cottage in the country, gîte, which comes from the
- [Photo of the Week - Autumn Leaves in the Palais Royal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/photo-of-the-week-autumn-leaves-in-the-palais-royal/) - It's turning out to be a very rainy autumn. We don't often seem to get much sun these days, but when we do, the Palais Royal garden is a good place to soak it up! I spent a couple of hours there last week with three new American blogger friends, all of whom have photo
- [Mother’s Day in Galerie Vivienne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/mothers-day-in-galerie-vivienne/) - Black Cat and I decided to celebrate Mother’s Day a bit early this year because on the real day – 3rd June – she’ll be in Delft and I’ll be in Blois. Last year, Leonardo was with us as well but he’s in Sydney now of course and we had a lovely brunch in the
- [Gaudi's chimneys](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/gaudis-chimneys/) - Like so many others before us, we've become Gaudi fans and fascinated, amongst other things, by his chimneys. All of the houses designed by Gaudi that we visited included the roof with their marvellous chimneys. Gaudi believed that all things useful should also be aesthetically pleasing. Some of the chimneys are used to evacuate smoke
- [Cycling in the Loire Valley - Agrémonts Windmill in Bléré and Château de Chenonceau at dusk](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/cycling-in-the-loire-valley-agremonts-windmill-in-blere-and-chateau-de-chenonceau-at-dusk/) - Relationnel loves windmills (and wind for that matter) because he grew up in an abandoned windmill near Saumur. Well, the house itself wasn’t abandoned but the windmill no longer had any sails and the wooden structure on top was missing. He was therefore delighted when we arrived in Bléré yesterday to see the beautifully renovated
- [My Mother's Story](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/my-mothers-story/) - It’s my mother’s 7th birthday. She goes off to school happily to share the excitement of the day. But jealousy rears its ugly head and a little boy says, "In any case, you’re adopted". When she gets home from school, she learns the heartbreaking truth – well, part of it, anyway. Her real mother, Ada,
- [Paris in August - where have all the people gone?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/paris-in-august-where-have-all-the-people-gone/) - At the Sainte Eustache market on Sunday, there were only two regular stalls - fruit & vegetables and fish and certainly no oysters! There were a couple of other people selling jewellery and scarves. When we arrived, there was absolutely no one at the fruit & vegetable stall and the three vendors were looking very
- [Last of Summer in Blois and Stendal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/last-of-summer-in-blois-and-stendal/) - Today was our last day of summer in Blois. And, despite the sun, there was a slight chill in the air. We know that the next time we go there, in mid-September, autumn will be on its way. We had hoped that waiting until Monday night to go back to Paris after the Assumption weekend
- [Friday’s French – prochain, next, this,  huitaine & quinzaine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/fridays-french-prochain-next-this-huitaine-quinzaine/) - That may seem like a strange combination but an English-speaking friend living in France has suggested I deal with the topic of "this" and "prochain". This is what she wrote: “ I just had a confusing text message exchange with a French friend who I'm going to visit this Saturday. And yes, "this Saturday" was
- [A fishy start to April - True French dining experience for a savvy traveller](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/a-fishy-start-to-april-true-french-dining-experience-for-a-savvy-traveller/) - Wednesday's bloggers round-up this week features two Australians whom you already know: Phoebe from Lou Messugo, who explains the history and customs of the French version of April Fool's Day or poisson d'avril, and Jo Karnagan from Frugal First Class Travel, guest posting on My French Life, who explains how to have really good French
- [Monday's Photo of the Week - Blois autumn afternoon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/mondays-photo-of-the-week-blois-autumn-afternoon/) - This winter we'll be spending quite a lot of time in Blois. This photo was taken from the Mail Saint Jean riverside road looking towards Vienne with Pont Gabriel on the right. The second photo was taken downstream of the same bridge. The river as suddenly picked up speed.
- [Fabulous Gaudi Interiors - La Pedrera](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/fabulous-gaudi-interiors-la-pedrera/) - Since we’ve come back from Barcelona, I have got a bit sidetracked, what with fireplaces that smoke and snow in March. But I still have a couple more posts to write, and one of them is Gaudi's La Pedrera. I’ve already talked about the chimneys and the façade. You may remember that La Pedrera was
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: French Lingerie - Cycling in France - Louis XIV's portrait in Chenonceau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/weekly-blogger-round-up-french-lingerie-cycling-in-france-louis-xivs-portrait-in-chenonceau/) - This week's blogger round-up starts with Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris, who takes us behind the scenes of French lingerie, Maggie LaCoste from Experience France by Bike shares her favourite cycling itineraries in France while Susan from Days on the Claise presents a portrait of Louis XIV, "The King of Bling" by Hyacinthe
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Navigating Europe's main airports - Riviera medieval festival - Packing Tips - ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/weekly-blogger-round-up-navigating-europes-main-airports-riviera-medieval-festival-packing-tips/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up is all-Australian, starting with Carolyn from Holidays to Europe with practical suggestions as usual, this time on how to get to and from Europe's major airports. Phoebe from Lou Messugo gives a detailed description of a mediaeval festival on the French Riviera while Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel gives
- [Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo/) - You may remember back in May when I woke up alive for the 3rd day running after smashing my head into a very low authentic Renaissance beam at Closerie Falaiseau that you are supposed to duck under to go into one of the rooms. Well, this may just be the sequel. It’s Monday morning. I
- [Photos of the Week - Théâtre Ephémère about to disappear](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/08/photos-of-the-week-theatre-ephemere-about-to-disappear/) - It has taken over 2 1/2 years to renovate the Comédie Française theatre and find a new location for the temporary structure replacing it next to the Buren columns, called the Théâtre Ephémère. Initially, Libya made an offer but it didn't work out. It is now going to Geneva for the Opéra des Nations, a strange choice in
- [Gardening and Getting Ready for Germany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/gardening-and-getting-ready-for-germany/) - Just in case regular readers have wondered where I've got to, I've been gardening flat out since we arrived in Blois on Thursday afternoon. It's amazing just just how quickly the vegetation grows at this time of year. I have a theory about weeds too. As soon as you plant something that you want to
- [Halloween and Pumpkins in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/halloween-and-pumpkins/) - I can remember being in Troyes one year at Halloween and was surprised to find a restaurant decked out in black and orange because although Leonardo was born on 31st October, I had never seen any sign of Halloween in France. Then I heard the explanation on France Info. I love that radio because it
- [Feeling more at home in Sofia ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/feeling-more-at-home-in-sofia/) - The sky is a stunning blue although the temperatures have dropped a little. We go directly to the imposing church of St Nedelya, just across from the statue of Sofia and the little church of St Petka, with the School of Theology in the background. As we approach it, we see a lot of activity
- [Photos of the Week - Spring in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/photos-of-the-week-spring-in-paris/) - We have just spent a week in Paris and are returning to Blois tomorrow for two weeks. I'm so looking forward to it! Although spring is present in Paris, it pales in comparison with the Loire Valley! Here are some spring photos anyway! For more on the Night Revellers' Kiosk, click here. You can see
- [Cameras I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/cameras-i-have-known/) - Writing last week’s post about my genuine Italian fresco made me nostalgic for Italy. We won’t be going there this year as we often do because we’re going to Australia for 5 weeks in September and have run out of holidays. Such a pity because I love Italy. First, I love the language and get
- [Cycling on the Danube – Sigmaringen to Beuron](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/cycling-on-the-danube-sigmaringen-to-beuron/) - We wake up to another brilliant blue sky and by the time we’ve finished breakfast, it’s already 25°C. We decide to drive to Sigmaringen, about 20 K away and get ourselves a proper cycling map since ours isn’t detailed enough. After paying 20 centimes for one hour’s parking (you wonder why they bother!) we wander
- [Cycling along the Danube – from its source to Ehingen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/cycling-along-the-danube-from-its-source-to-ehingen/) - A total of 110 km, but it actually took two days. We’ve definitively adopted the train-in-one-direction system which means we can see more and not have to cycle up all those hills again on the way back. Jean Michel thought we should start with the source in Donau-Eshingen so we began day 2 by driving
- [Blèsoise - a demonym](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/blesoise/) - I think the only thing I don’t like about having bought a 16th century house in Blois is that I’m going to be Blèsoise. I’m a bit put off by all those slippery s-pronounced-z-sounds. When you come from Townsville, the most you can be is a Townsvillean or a Townsvillite. We have Sydneyites and Sydneysiders,
- [Banking in Australia When You Live Overseas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/banking-in-australia-when-you-live-overseas/) - We don’t go to Australia all that often – only once every three years – but with the development of Internet banking, I thought it might be useful to have an account in Australia to avoid the hassle of international money transfers through my French bank and the cost of using a Visa card on holidays.
- [Premises of Spring in Biting Cold Paris to Greet the New Bells at Notre Dame](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/premises-of-spring-in-biting-cold-paris-to-greet-the-new-bells-at-notre-dame/) - On the way to the Sainte Eustache market on Sunday, delighted to have sun at last, we walked past a garden bed of primroses. I couldn’t believe it! The vendors at the market were bright and cheery this week as well. It’s amazing what a little sun can do to the morale of the population
- [My Incredible Bangkok Adventure #2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/my-incredible-bangkok-adventure-2/) - In a previous post, I told you about how we found ourselves with a chauffeur and an air-conditioned 4-wheel drive to take us round Bangkok after buying a pair of gold and sapphire earrings. Our new vehicle is most welcome after the morning tuktuks! Relationnel sits in the back pacha style (he doesn’t speak English
- [Photos of the Week - Dresden](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/photos-of-the-week-dresden/) - Dresden was once one of Europe's great cultural capitals. One thousand fire bombs devasted the city on 13th February 1945 killing 40,000 people and leaving 900,000 homeless. Many of the main monuments have been rebuilt but not the historical houses that give a city its character. It was overcast when we arrived and rained most
- [The hottest new pop-up bar in Paris with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower - Top 12 Patisseries in Paris - Scallops & St Peter ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/the-hottest-new-pop-up-bar-in-paris-with-a-stunning-view-of-the-eiffel-tower-top-12-patisseries-in-paris-scallops-st-peter/) - This week, in Wednesday's blogger round-up, Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris takes us to a pop-up bar (a new concept for me) in Paris where she was tempted by the sin of gluttony. I can't wait to try it out! Andrea from Rearview Mirror shares her top 12 patisseries in Paris from
- [Sunday's Travel Photos on Tuesday - Herculaneum, Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/sundays-travel-photos-on-tuesday-herculaneum-italy/) - Like many people, I had been fascinated by Pompei since I was a child, but I had never heard of Herculaneum (Ercolano in Italian) which was also destroyed when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. Pompeii was impressive, but it was Herculaneum I was really taken with. It was a smaller town but had a wealthier population
- [My Favourite Exhibition in Paris this Summer and a Fun Fair](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/my-favourite-exhibition-in-paris-this-summer-and-a-fun-fair/) - I love the Tuileries Gardens in the late afternoon in summer. The crowds have died down and if it’s a fine day, the sunset will turn the Louvre a lovely shade of pink. There are four fountains, each with a different view. Just pick a chair and take it all in! But first, make sure
- [The Natural Skinnies and Us](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/the-natural-skinnies-and-us/) - We all know there are two types of people in the world when it comes to weight – the natural skinnies and us. The natural skinnies, including Black Cat, appear to be able to eat enormous amounts of food, and never budge a gram, while we seem to put on weight just looking at a
- [10 most unusual churches in Paris - Walking in the Paths of Van Gogh - Paris Discount Passes ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/10-most-unusual-churches-in-paris-walking-in-the-paths-of-van-gogh-paris-discount-passes/) - Three very different posts for this Wednesday's Blogger Round-up. French Moments takes us to visit 10 unusual churches in Paris; Heather from Lost in Arles takes us walking on the paths of Van Gogh; while Guide 2 Paris offers a very helpful and detailed analysis of discount passes in Paris. Enjoy! 10 most unusual churches
- [French Tours: Beware Madame la Guillotine - It Pays to be a Friend - The Old Woman without a Clue](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/french-tours-beware-madame-la-guillotine-it-pays-to-be-a-friend-the-old-woman-without-a-clue/) - While I was on holiday in Australia, I didn't have time to read my favourite blogs so I have a lot of catching up to do! This Wednesday, Abby Gorden from Paris Weekender, posting on My French Life, reviews a wonderful iPhone app on the French revolution which begins at my very doorstep, Mary Kay
- [Bikes I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/bikes-i-have-known/) - When I was little, my mother was always very concerned about my welfare so I didn’t have a bike. As a result, I spent hours after school learning to ride my classmates’ bikes. I finally got one when I was 13. However, I was only allowed to ride it on the street if I promised
- [Photo of the Week - Giant Lampshades](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/photo-of-the-week-giant-lampshades/) - As I turned the corner of rue Aboukir the other evening, I suddenly saw all these wonderful giant lampshades. They were part of a soft-furnishings exhibition during Paris Fashion Week. I thought they were a very clever idea and were certainly very effective.
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Buying French & German rail tickets - Packing cubes - Love locks in Paris ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/weekly-blogger-round-up-buying-french-german-rail-tickets-packing-cubes-love-locks-in-paris/) - This week's blogger round-up contains a very helpful website review by Maggie Lacoste from Experience France by Bike for hassle-free purchase of French & German train tickets at the best prices, followed by tips on using packing cubes (I had never heard of them!) by the very practical Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel and, to round off, the
- [The Fireplace Operation](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/the-fireplace-operation/) - I’m sure you’re all waiting with bated breath to hear the results of the fireplace operation. As it turned out, Relationnel was the only performer because the polyethylene tent could only contain one person. Not that I really minded. I had other things to keep me occupied, not to mention the fact that it would
- [Friday's French - the subtleties of si ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/fridays-french-the-subtleties-of-si/) - I've already talked about the fact that you don't say oui merci in French but oui, je veux bien, but I didn't think to mention si. An Australian friend living in France and attending French lessons asked me the following question: If someone repeats my order and says pas de lait (no milk) and that is correct
- [Red Tape in France part 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/red-tape-in-france-part-2/) - Part 1 of the story of how I closed Leonardo's one-man company ended with the drab tax office in Saint Maur so that leaves only two more places to go. First, the legal publications office, back in Paris, then the commercial court in Créteil, also in the eastern suburbs. It would have been more logical to
- [Fabulous Gaudi Interiors - Guell Palace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/fabulous-gaudi-interiors-guell-palace/) - Judging by the somewhat austere façade of Guell Palace, what would you expect to find inside? As soon as you walk into the double vestibule designed to make it easier for carriages to go in and out, you are struck by the juxtaposition and opulence of the different materials: stone pillars, steel beams with visible
- [Photos of the Week - Reflections at Dusk](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/photos-of-the-week-reflections-at-dusk/) - I know we could do without the scaffolding in the middle but the Buren columns between the Cour Constitutionnelle and the Palais Royal gardens remain photogenic no matter the weather!
- [Fraussie Grouet Makes Her Final Bow](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/fraussie-grouet-makes-her-final-bow/) - When I first started writing this blog in October 2011, I was worried about my university students and possibly my translation clients being able to track down my private life so I came up with the pseudonym of Fraussie. When I created the Facebook fan page for Aussie in France, I discovered that I needed
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Overalls for women now legal in France - Great party trick](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/weekly-blogger-round-up-overalls-for-women-now-legal-in-france-great-party-trick/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up is a spin-off from my post on the disappearance of père de famille. Bellanda from Bellanda in Paris tweeted a post explaining that women are now legally allowed to wear overalls in France, while Tim from Invisible Bordeaux responded with a famous example of an exception to the rule - Rosa
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Saint Paul de Vence](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/mondays-travel-photos-saint-paul-de-vence/) - Saint Paul de Vence in Provence, 12 k west of nice and 26 k from Cannes, can be seen from afar. It's the sort of village that is so well known that you imagine it will be chock-a-block with tourists and craft shops. But in fact, it's really lovely and well worth a visit. The
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Carnival in Barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/mondays-travel-photos-carnival-in-barcelona/) - When we arrived in Barcelona on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, we had no idea it was the start of carnival. Our first inkling was when we saw lots of school children in costumes near our appartment, but we dismissed it as some sort of very local festivity. However, when we went to the main
- [Reflections from a Garret](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/reflections-from-a-garret/) - That is the very corny title I gave to the diary that I started on my arrival in France on 1st October 1975. I had a corner room on the 3rd floor of a 4-story building in Pau in the Pyrenees. Hardly a garret but I guess I’d never been higher than the upstairs of
- [Budapest - more accommodation problems](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/budapest/) - We’re driving along the motorway to Budapest pleased to have our Aschach and Bratislava accommodation experiences behind us. This time, there should be no problems. We have organised a home exchange with an American couple who have a well-located apartment in the centre of Budapest which they let and exchange. They have kindly agreed to
- [Rain on the Danube in Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/rain-on-the-danube-in-austria/) - When we leave Andelfingen after six wonderful days of cycling along the Danube, the weather forecast for our next stop – Aschach in Austria – is not promising. As we’ve never been to Munich, we decide to stop for a couple of hours on the way. Unfortunately, there is a big annual sports event on
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Love Locks in Paris - Developing a wine palate - Exercising apparel in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/weekly-blogger-round-up-love-locks-in-paris-developing-a-wine-palate-exercising-apparel-in-france/) - Already time for my Weekly Blogger Round-Up. I'm sure you know about the love locks on the Pont des Arts in Paris. Lisa Anselmo and Lisa Taylor Huff, guest posting for Out and About in Paris, explain why they are causing a problem. Chrissie from Riviera Grapevine gives us very helpful information on developing our
- [Battling with French Administration](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/battling-with-french-administration/) - I just hot-footed it over to the tax office to file a new declaration because my accounting software made a mistake with my depreciation expenses (well, I might have had something to do with it). The tax office closes at 4 of course. I arrived with 3 minutes to spare only to discover it’s moved.
- [Photo of the Week - Rooftops & Roses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/photo-of-the-week-rooftops-roses/) - We started the week in Paris and finished up in Blois. We're moving into summer at last with the return of the warm weather and the lovely long twilight. The first photo was taken at about 7.15 pm and the second around 9 pm. It's still light at 10.30 as we approach the longest day of
- [Adjusting to Living in Two Houses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/adjusting-to-living-in-two-houses/) - Well, so far, I’m not doing so well! Relationnel came back to Paris on Sunday night by car and I followed by bus and train on Monday afternoon because I had to wait for the EDF man to increase the wattage. When I caught the metro in Paris, I suddenly realised that I had left
- [Paris kiosks celebrate 150 years - An excellent fortress: Chinon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/paris-kiosks-celebrate-150-years-an-excellent-fortress-chinon/) - Only two posts on this Wednesday's Bloggers Round-up (I'm a little pressed for time). Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris, brings us a very interesting interview with a kiosquier as Paris celebrates 150 years of newsstands. Niaill and Antoinette from Chez Charnizay take us on a visit of Chinon castle in theL oire
- [Friday’s French - merde](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/fridays-french-merde/) - When kids start to learn a foreign language, the first thing they do is to find out how to say all the four (or five) letter words they know. They’re called gros mots or coarse words in French. I never say "shit" in English but I do occasionally say merde because for some unknown reason
- [Sans Keys Again!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/sans-keys-again/) - Yesterday, I picked up Jane, my faithful friend from high school days, who still lives in my hometown (Townsville, whose name, to French people, borders on the absurd, but it was founded by Sir Robert Towns) at Gare du Nord in Paris and drove to Blois. Jane is a seasoned traveller, with friends across the
- [Photos of the Week - Palais Royal in June](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/photos-of-the-week-palais-royal-in-june/) - Just a few photos from the sunny Palais Royal Gardens to start the week.
- [Panic à bord and the iPhone saga](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/panic-a-bord-and-the-iphone-saga/) - Do you ever get that sink or swim feeling as though you are about to go under and you don’t know how you are going to make your way up to the surface again ? Everything you try to do goes wrong. You do things and make decisions that are completely out of character and that
- [Sunset in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/sunset-in-paris/) - One of the things I like best about living in the centre of Paris is walking through the streets at dusk. From mid-May until about mid-September, we can wander down after dinner, through the Palais Royal gardens, across rue de Rivoli and under the Louvre coming out next to the glass pyramids. We then have
- [The Carpet Salesman](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/the-carpet-salesman/) - There's an expression in French: "C'est un vrai marchand de tapis" which literally means "he's a real carpet salesman" but which actually means someone who haggles over small sums. I've managed to find nearly everything I need to make our gîte in Blois as perfect as possible, but I am still missing two small bedside
- [Friday's French - tort & wrong](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/fridays-french-tort-wrong/) - Il a tort – elle a raison : He’s wrong – she’s right. Tort comes from the Latin tortus meaning "twisting" as in tortuous so it’s a sort of deviation from the straight and narrow, isn’t it? Faire du tort à quelqu’un means to harm someone morally. Tort also carries the idea of fault. Elle a
- [Breakfast at La Cigale](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/breakfast-at-la-cigale/) - Family events are not always easy, particularly when you are a pièce rapportée as they say in French. The first time I heard the expression, which literally means a patch, to describe an in-law, I was shocked. A patch indeed! When we finally decided that everything would be much smoother if we took a hotel
- [Photos of the Week - Roses in our Garden in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/06/photos-of-the-week-roses-in-our-garden-in-blois/) - Back in Blois for a week and loving the roses! The previous owners told us the roses on the front steps were Pierre Ronsard, but we now know they are not. We're trying to track down their name.
- [The 2013 Independant Wine Growers’ Fair in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/the-2013-independant-wine-growers-fair-in-paris/) - It’s Friday and we’re making our yearly trip to the Independant Wine Growers’ Fair in Paris at Porte de Versailles. We are surprised to find plenty of empty parking spaces in the back street we usually use to avoid the large crowds waiting to take the lift to the underground parking area. For once, there
- [A Painter Comes to Stay](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/a-painter-comes-to-stay/) - Closerie Falaiseau was almost ready for rental when I received a phone call from an American and his wife who wanted to stay for nine days, starting just two days later. I was having dinner at L’Embarcadère with Kathy Stanford from Femmes Francophiles. Relationnel had already gone back to Paris to work. I frantically tried
- [Friday's French - fauchage & faux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/fridays-french-fauchage-faux/) - There was a sign in front of our house this week saying fauchage which actually means scything or reaping. The word for scythe is faux. Obviously the council workers were not going to appear with scythes. Fauchage now also means mowing or cutting with machines. It got me thinking about the word faux which also
- [A Rainy Winter's Day in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/a-rainy-winters-day-in-paris/) - It’s Saturday and I’m back in Paris at last. The scaffolding has been removed from our windows so we decide to replace some of our house plants because I’m not the only one to have suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder. We go down our four flights of stairs with the shopping trolley and discover it’s
- [Travel Photos - Bridges in Venice](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/travel-photos-bridges-in-venice/) - You can't think of Venice without bridges and the ones at canal-level all humpbacked to let the gondolas and other boats through. I loved them all! These are a few of my favourites.
- [Photos of the Week - Tuileries Gardens and a Royal Rose](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/photos-of-the-week-tuileries-gardens-and-a-royal-rose/) - A meeting with some Australian friends on a sunny day took me to my favourite café in the Tuileries - Chez Diane. On the way back, I went to see my favourite rose in the Palais Royal gardens. I don't know what it's called but it has the most amazing fragrance. We're going to have
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Secret hot chocolate spots in Paris - The blue church in Bratislava - Good & bad in Istanbul](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/weekly-blogger-round-up-secret-hot-chocolate-spots-in-paris-the-blue-church-in-bratislava-good-bad-in-istanbul/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up starts with a post by Judy MacMahon from My French Life who shares 4 secrets spots for hot chocolate - I shall be the first to try! Next Phoebe from Lou Messugo takes us to visit the Blue Church in Bratislava - I'm so jealous because I didn't know of its existence
- [The Best View in Venice, a Disappointing Lido and Sunset at Santa Elena](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/the-best-view-in-venice-a-disappointing-lido-and-sunset-at-santa-elena/) - It’s the first of May, Labour Day, and the sun is shining brightly unlike the day we arrived. There’s a gondola race in Venice but it’s not in the centre and we’re afraid of the crowds. Instead, we head for the island of San Georgio to visit the church there. We push our way through
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Burano Island in Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/sundays-travel-photos-burano-island-in-italy/) - It's easy to take a day trip to the little islands on the other side of the Venetian lagoon - Torcello, Burano and Murano. The most picturesque is Burano, which is actually a little achipelago of four islands, known for its brightly coloured homes and beautiful lacework. We succumbed to the charm of both. Even
- [Plastic Art](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/plastic-art/) - Facebook fans and friends may have already seen the photo below. Take a good look and tell me what you think it is. Suggestions so far are "art", "a nat. Or maybe two nats" (what is a nat?), "plastic bottle sculpture", "gelato", "cake icing", "melted plastic bottles" and "weird-flavoured icecream". If you look at the
- [Getting a Good Cappuccino in Venice](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/getting-a-good-cappuccino-in-venice/) - If you have been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that I am a cappuccino freak and have finally managed to produce something fairly decent at home. In most French cafés, however, the cappuccino leaves something to be desired. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to a good cappuccino
- [SAD No Longer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/sad-no-longer/) - It was very comforting to have so many people commisserating with me during my attack of SAD, alias Seasonal Affective Disorder, winter depression and light deprivation disorder, with lots of helpful comments both on the blog and on Facebook. You'll be pleased to hear it is OVER. I probably could have avoided it to some
- [Friday’s French - offrir](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/fridays-french-offrir/) - You’ve probably heard of faux amis, literally "false friends" or "false cognates", which are words that look the same in two languages but have different meanings. The word blocage which I talked about last week is an excellent example. Sometimes the meaning is totally different while in other cases, it’s quite subtle. Take offrir and "offer".
- [Power Walking down to Concorde](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/power-walking-down-to-concorde/) - Just power walked down to Concorde and back through the Tuileries Gardens but grossly underestimated the temperature. The thermometer says 9.5° but I forgot about the wind factor. Next time, I’ll wear my cap with ear flaps (hoping I don’t meet anyone I know, Black Cat in particular) and my inferior Australian suede gloves (because
- [Birthday Lunch at Carre des  Feuillants](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/birthday-lunch-at-carre-des-feuillantes/) - Every year on my birthday, Relationnel takes me to a surprise venue. In 2010, it was La Cascade in the Bois de Boulogne and last year it was the Ritz, no less! It was a perfect spring day and we were able to sit outside in the inner courtyard. I am embarrassed to say that
- [Friday's French - travail](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/fridays-french-travail/) - I wrote a short post last week about travaux so I thought I should talk about travail today. You may remember that travail comes from the low Latin trepalium, instrument of torture, derived from the Latin tres, three, and palus, stake. I was about to give travaux scientifiques and travaux manuels as examples of travaux when I realised that
- [Photos of the Week - Tuileries Gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/photos-of-the-week-tuileries-gardens/) - Back in Paris this week, trying to recover from our renovation stint! A favourite cousin came through Paris so we spent a delightful afternoon catching up in the Tuileries at Café Diane because it really does have the best view.
- [Friday's French - travaux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/fridays-french-travaux/) - This is going to be a very short post because we are up to our necks in travaux. Travaux, the plural of travail is, interestingly enough, from the low Latin trepalium, instrument of torture, derived from the Latin tres, three, and palus, stake. Well, I can tell you, the pain in both my hands (being
- [How I lost 20 kilos after 50, for good - well, almost - part 7](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/how-i-lost-20-kilos-after-50-for-good-well-almost-part-7/) - You’ll be pleased to hear that the balcony renovations are finished and the scaffolding has moved over to the next set of windows. This doesn’t mean there is no noise. The same drilling and hammering is still going on, only it’s not right next to my office and I won’t hear the trade union fellow
- [Photos of the Week - Wisteria & Lilies of the Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/04/photos-of-the-week-wisteria-lilies-of-the-valley/) - We have been enjoying spring so much in Blois that we are sad to go back to Paris even though it will be a break from our travaux! We can't get enough of our wisteria at Closerie Falaiseau. We also love the wisteria at the entrance to the house in our original John Modesitt oil painting. I've posted
- [Painting the Front Gate and Cycling in a Heat Wave](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/painting-the-front-gate-and-cycling-in-a-heat-wave/) - We’ve all been complaining about the awful weather in France this summer. Then suddenly, when we were least expecting it, a heat wave turned up. Usually after 15th August, it starts getting cooler and you know autumn’s on the way, followed by winter, which is always a bit depressing. Not so this year. In the
- [Photos of the week - Breakfast Room in a Chambre d'hôte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/photos-of-the-week-breakfast-room-in-a-chambre-dhote/) - Imagine coming down to breakfast after a night in a chambre d'hôte and finding this beautiful room! Le Balcon Bleu in Turquant in the Loire Valley near Saumur is a collector's delight! And this was only the dining area. The next photo shows the other half of the room. When I asked the owner (she
- [Photos of the week - Spring Flowers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/photos-of-the-week-spring-flowers/) - It's now officially spring and we're back in Blois for another couple of weeks. We couldn't get over the difference in how many leaves have appeared on the trees in such a short time. The tulips are out as well so a visit to Château de Cheverny is scheduled for this week to see the
- [Braving the Weather to go to the Market in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/braving-the-weather-to-go-to-the-market-in-paris/) - Every Sunday, when we are in Paris, we go to the local market at Sainte Eustache, regardless of the weather. We have an addiction to fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and, of course, oysters on Sunday. When it snowed last week, we wondered how many vendors we would find. As we walked out the
- [Friday's French - incinération](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/fridays-french-incineration/) - OK, this maybe isn’t the brightest subject in the world but it’s a very interesting false cognate. The first time I heard the word incinération used in French in relation to death I thought it was a joke. I couldn’t believe that incinération could really be the French word for cremation. But it is. And
- [A Laptop in a Plane](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/a-laptop-in-a-plane/) - There is a first for everything. A laptop in a plane. Probably nothing new for most of you(I can hear my drummer brother saying "2time for a Mac, sister") but until I bought my Dell about a month ago, I had never found a laptop I was comfortable with. The seats in these planes are
- [Birthday Parties I Have Known](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/birthday-parties-i-have-known/) - The first birthday party that stays in my mind was my 13th birthday celebration. It took place just 11 days after my older sister died in an accident and must have cost my mother enormous courage and effort because I only have happy memories of that day. It was a "movie party". I invited the
- [Travel Photos - Vendôme](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/travel-photos-vendome/) - Considering the number of canals that run through it, I'm surprised that the mediaeval town of Vendôme on the Loir River (not the same as the Loire), 35 k from Blois, is not called the Little Venice of Beauce after the surrounding flat wheat country. It turned out to be unexpectedly pretty. Every time we
- [Friday's French - relâche](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/03/fridays-french-relache/) - It's actually Saturday, but we've had two days away cycling around Saumur and are now gardening like mad so this is going to be a very quick post. Relâche is what you say when there is no performance. If a cinema is closed on Mondays, for example, you'd say, le lundi est le jour de relâche
- [Friday's French - exit bon père de famille ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/fridays-french-exit-bon-pere-de-famille/) - You may remember another Friday's French post where I talked about bon père de famille used in the context of a safe investment. Well, the expression is about to disappear! A bill on equality between men and women is being discussed in the national assembly at the moment and an article introduced by the Greenies
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Carnival time in Nice - The Bay of Angels in Nice - Van Loos' The Three Graces](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/weekly-blogger-round-up-carnival-time-in-nice-the-bay-of-angels-in-nice-van-loos-the-three-graces/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up starts in the city of Nice on the French Riviera with Phoebe from Lou Messugo who shares her stunning photos of Nice Carnival. And to give you another view of Nice, Margo Lestz, writing for The Good Life France, explains the origin of The Bay of Angels and other place names.
- [The Bacalao in Madrid](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/the-bacalao-in-madrid/) - Before we left Paris, Miguel, our Spanish home exchanger, had a look at the list a French friend had given me with places to eat near the Plaza Mayor. The first address was El Madrono. "Ah yes", he said in Spanish, "El Madrono is good, but just across the plaza, there’s a better one. You
- [Photo of the Week - Stepping up to Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/photo-of-the-week-stepping-up-to-blois/) - We arrived in Blois on Friday and are here for a month, the longest we've ever stayed. This morning, we were rewarded with bright sun and blue skies so we went for a walk on the other side of the Loire River. The church is that of Saint Nicolas, probably the most noticeable monument in
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up - Travel Insurance - Bergamot](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/weekly-blogger-round-up-travel-insurance-bergamot/) - Just a short Blogger Round-Up this week as I am still under the weather: Carolyn from Holidays to Europe talks about the importance of travel insurance and Sylvia from Finding Noon explains what a bergamot is. Enjoy! A Real-Life Travel Insurance Experience by Carolyn from Holidays to Europe, an Australian based business passionate about sharing their
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-up: New places to shop in Paris - Reserving a restaurant in Paris - Chocolate Tasting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-new-places-to-shop-in-paris-reserving-a-restaurant-in-paris-chocolate-tasting/) - This Wednesday, we're staying in Paris. Australian blogger Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel, whom I had the great pleasure of meeting up with during a recent trip to Paris, shares her latest find - three new shopping streets in Paris; well-known foodie Wendy Lyn from The Paris Kitchen, which I have just discovered, gives
- [Photos of the Week - Sun in Paris in Winter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/02/photos-of-the-week-sun-in-paris-in-winter/) - We have been starved for sun in Paris recently so when it came out at last this weekend, I had a field day! The Bourse du Commerce is beautiful inside as well!
- [Place de la République ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/place-de-la-republique/) - They've been fixing up Place de la République for ages but I only saw it finished very recently and I don't see what they've really achieved, except for reducing traffic. It doesn't look anything like the architectural sketches published by the Mairie de Paris. But then, maybe the fact that I was feeling under the weather
- [Discovering the real south of France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/discovering-the-real-south-of-france/) - Regular readers of my Wednesday's Blogger Round-Up will already know Carolyn Schonafinger from Holidays to Europe, an Australian based business passionate about sharing their European travel expertise and helping travellers to experience the holiday in Europe they have always dreamed of. I recently quoted from her post on cycling on the Austrian lakes. Carolyn has kindly agreed
- [Photo of the Week - Palais Royal on a wet winter morning](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/photo-of-the-week-palais-royal-on-a-wet-winter-morning/)
- [My Fève Collection](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/my-feve-collection/) - This is a photo of my fève collection from the galette des rois. You can click on it to see the fèves in more detail. You can see that some come from the same bakery (the two see-through carafes, the sugar and jam, for instance). I haven't kept any of the less interesting white plaster
- [Photo of the Week - Galette & Crackers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/photo-of-the-week-galette-crackers/) - We were invited by our neighbours for a galette des rois. Liliane and Alain had bought two types - one with almond filling (frangipane) and one with apple filling just in case we didn't like frangipane. I took along some Christmas crackers (or bonbons as we call them in Australia) which, surprisingly, I had found
- [Photos of the Week - New Year and after](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/photos-of-the-week-new-year/)
- [Holly and Mistletoe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/holly-and-mistletoe/) - I know it’s supposed to be holly and ivy though I don’t know why because most of the ivy – well, the Viriginia creeper anyway – loses its leaves around here in winter. Our holly and mistletoe come from Normandy. We had a lot of problems finding holly with red berries this time but the
- [Blogging in 2014](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/01/blogging-in-2014/) - Yesterday’s five New Year resolutions didn’t mention Aussie in France despite the fact that it is now an integral part of my life. After more than two years of blogging I’m still enjoying it as much as ever and never have writers’ block . However, there is no denying that it’s time-consuming even though I’ve
- [Blois Daily Photo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/blois-daily-photo/) - The first time I saw a "daily photo" site, I didn't understand that it was part of a worldwide community called CDP (City Daily Photo), but I have seen several since then which have inspired me, and in particular Stuart's Amboise Daily Photo site. I thought, too, that it would provide the occasion for Jean
- [Happy New Year 2013](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/happy-new-year-2013/) - Even though we are not sitting in front of a roaring fire in the renovated upstairs fireplace as planned (we're in front of the closed-up fireplace downstairs) and the oysters are unfortunately back on our balcony in Paris, we are nevertheless in Closerie Falaiseau in Blois. People have been seeing in the New Year in
- [Photos of the Week - Tuileries Gardens in December on a sunny day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/photos-of-the-week-tuileries-gardens-in-december-on-a-sunny-day/)
- [Merry Christmas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/merry-christmas/) - Merry Christmas to all my lovely readers from our somewhat reduced Christmas table this year - only Leonardo was able to be with us on Christmas Eve. It's the last year we'll be celebrating it in Paris - next year, Blois!
- [Snakes in the Wood Pile](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/snakes-in-the-wood-pile/) - We arrive at the sawmill in the middle of Cheverny forest just before midday and not at 11.30 am as planned. We can hear machinery but can’t see any people. We finally see a man pull up in a large truck and get out. Jean Michel goes over to talk to him. I can see
- [Photo of the Week - Christmas Lights in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/photo-of-the-week-christmas-lights-in-blois/) - It is surprisingly difficult to take photos of Christmas decorations at night. Many of the streets in Blois have the blue and white decorations on the left. My favourite shop window is La Caf'Thé tea and coffee shop.
- [Fried Onion Rings on a 5:2 fast diet feast day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/fried-onion-rings-on-a-52-fast-diet-feast-day/) - Apparently fried onion rings are an important part of Thanksgiving in America but most people buy them in cans which I can’t even begin to imagine. It would be like buying tinned battered fish surely. But I checked it out on the Internet and would you believe it, one of the popular brands is called
- [Photos of the week - Through my window in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/photos-of-the-week-through-my-window-in-blois/) - We've been having lovely weather in Blois - very cold, with minus temperatures at night and sometimes throughout the morning followed by bright sun and blue skies. The view from my office window is unfortunately marred by those horrible cables. They're supposed to go underground in a couple of years' time. For more photos of
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: A Provençal Christmas village - European Christmas Foods - The Notre Dame Christmas Tree](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/weekly-blogger-round-up-a-provencal-christmas-village-european-christmas-foods-the-notre-dame-christmas-tree/) - With Christmas approaching, the theme for this week's Blogger Round-Up was easy to find! Phoebe from Lou Messugo takes us to the Provençal village of Lucéram famous for its Christmas cribs, while Carolyn from Holidays to Europe introduces us to various European Christmas foods; meanwhile Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris explains why
- [Christmas Blog Hop - Celebrating Christmas with the Loire Connexion](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/christmas-blog-hop-celebrating-christmas-with-the-loire-connexion/) - I've often featured posts from Steph's Blog in France in my Wednesday's Bloggers Round-Up. You know, she's the Irish llama and alpaca breeder who also runs a carp fishery and a holiday gîte. Anyway, today, she is hosting a Christmas Blog Hop and I signed up to participate. So after reading my post, just click
- [Our Anniversary Dinner in the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/our-anniversary-dinner-in-the-loire/) - This is not our wedding anniversary, which is in June, but the anniversary of the day we met which we consider far more significant. We used to go back to our first restaurant called Les Deux Chevrons in the 15th in Paris - it had really wonderful pan-fried foie gras - but one day it had
- [Photo of the week - Autumn in the Tuileries Gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/photo-of-the-week-autumn-in-the-tuileries-gardens/)
- [Miss Bibi and the Palais Royal in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/miss-bibi-and-the-palais-royal/) - Ow! that was loud! I always forget. At 12 noon every Wednesday, the time cannon in the Palais Royal gardens goes off. Initially installed in 1786 on the Paris meridian by a clockmaker called Rousseau who had a shop on one side of the gardens, it would go off at exactly midday on sunny days.
- [Nice celebrates May - Paris to Mont St-Michel By Bike - Real life one bag travel ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/nice-celebrates-may-paris-to-mont-st-michel-by-bike-lu-festin-de-nissa-real-life-one-bag-travel/) - Welcome to Wednesday's Blogger Round-up, on 1st May this time, so very appropriately, Phoebe from Lou Messugo introduces us to the May Day celebrations in the city of Nice. Maggie LaCoste from Experience France by Bike reports on the Paris to Mont St-Michel bike route while Jo from Frugal First Class Travel gives us a
- [Weekly Bloggers' Round-Up: How to make a Christmas log - Favourite places in the Marais - Limone in Piemonte ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/weekly-bloggers-round-up-how-to-make-a-christmas-log-favourite-places-in-the-marais-limone-in-piemonte/) - A little bit of Christmas to start this week's Blogger Round-Up with a recipe for French Christmas Log from French Moments, followed by Paris Weekender's favourite haunts in the Marais. To finish off, fellow Aussie Chrissie from Riviera Grapevine takes us on a visit to Limone in Piemonte in Italy. Enjoy! French Christmas Log - Bûche
- [Photos of the Week - Autumn in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/12/photos-of-the-week-autumn-in-paris/)
- [What does adventure mean to me?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/what-does-adventure-mean-to-me/) - Adventure means going out of your comfort zone. That’s what my son would say anyway. For me, that means experiencing a new culture, a new language, a new place. So my first adventure was going to Noumea for six weeks to work in a snack bar when I was 19. My next adventure was leaving
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Lake Annecy France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/sundays-travel-photos-lake-annecy-france/) - Don’t forget to subscribe to new posts – that way you’ll get them directly on your smart phone or in your mail box!
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Orangerie Museum - French history of the Potato - New rabbit to eat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/weekly-blogger-round-up-orangerie-museum-french-history-of-the-potato-new-rabbit-to-eat/) - This week's Blogger Round-Up starts in a museum and ends in a cemetary. Daisy de Plume, whom you may remember from the THATLou treasure hunt I participated in recently, tells us all about the Orangerie Museum; Bread is Pain, in her usual humouristic musings, recounts the difficult ascension of the potato in France; while fellow
- [Winter has come to Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/winter-has-come-to-blois/) - Winter has come to Blois and the fireplace at Closerie Falaiseau is not ready. Which is to be expected. Snow came surprisingly early this year, but didn't last long thank goodness. We've had some very cold nights (-5°C) which challenged the underfloor heating system upstairs but when Relationnel woke up to 15°C in the bedroom the
- [Spring and Sunglasses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/spring-and-sunglasses/) - I can’t help thinking that there should be some way, in a country such as France, of only having to work when there is no sun. I’m sure that would still give us enough working days. I know I’ve already complained about the awful weather this winter and spring but there hasn’t been a lot
- [Monday's Travel Photos - "Wet" Champagne Half-Timbered Churches: interiors](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/mondays-travel-photos-wet-champagne-half-timbered-churches-interiors/) - Last week, I posted photos of the outside of eleven half-timbered churches in the area known as "Wet" Champagne. I thought you might like to see what they are like inside. Unfortunately, the last three churches were closed by the time we got there. The recurring feature of course is the timber frame, sometimes unfortunately
- [Eating Well in the Cinque Terre - A Self-Guided Tour of Copenhagen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/eating-well-in-the-cinque-terre-a-self-guided-tour-of-copenhagen/) - This week's blogger round-up takes us to two very different parts of the world. Jo Karnagan from Frugal First Class Travel gives tips to eating well in the Cinque Terre, that wonderful area on the west coat of Italy that I've blogged about in the past and where I probably had the best seafood meal ever, while Laurence
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-up: Scammers - Winter in Northern Germany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-scammers-winter-in-northern-germany/) - This Wednesday, we have two Australians on the list - Carolyn from Holidays to Europe, warning us of various scammers you may encounter when travelling and Andrea from Rear View Mirror, who takes us across the north of Germany in winter. Enjoy! Don't be caught out by scammers when travelling by Carolyn from Holidays to Europe,
- [Monday's Photo of the Week - Tour du Foix, Blois Royal Castle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/11/mondays-photo-of-the-week-tour-du-foix-blois-royal-castle/) - This photo was taken just before sunset from the area behind Blois Castle overlooking the Loire River. The Tour du Foix is part of the old 13th century fortifications.
- [Monday's Photo of the Week](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/mondays-photo-of-the-week/) - This was taken from my balcony overlooking the Palais Royal fountain.
- [Sofia – Third impressions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/sofia-third-impressions/) - The starting point for our third walking tour of Sofia is the Archeology Museum opposite the Presidential Palace and the changing of the guard which I described in my Second Impressions of Sofia. The oldest museum in Bulgaria (formerly the Big Mosque) has been in its present location since 1899. The building itself dates back to
- [Photo of the week: The Sleeping Boatman ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/photo-of-the-week-the-sleeping-boatman/) - I often take photos that simply don't fit into a post but that I want to share so I thought I might alternate Wednesday's Bloggers Round-up with Photo of the Week. Those who follow me on Facebook or Instagram may have already seen them.
- [I am not a real Parisienne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/i-am-not-a-real-parisienne/) - Today, it was proved, once and for all, that I am not a real Parisienne. Primo (as the French say), I am not a shopper. Secundo, I went into Le Bon Marché department store in the chic 7th arrondissement for the first time and had never heard of 90% of the brand names in the
- [Sofia – Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Saint Sofia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/sofia-alexander-nevski-cathedral-and-saint-sofia/) - We wake up very late and I am relieved that my toe is no longer swollen and painful. I can now move it which is reassuring. The Nurofen, the three ice-cold foot baths and not going out for dinner and walking on it again yesterday seem to have worked. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Saint Sofia
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Bains sur Mer, France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/sundays-travel-photos-bains-sur-mer-france/) - The summer holidays in France are about to happen. Most people go away sometime in July or August. One of the closest seaside areas is Normandy. The only problem is that it's not very warm! However, there are some lovely places to go and Bains-les-Mains, with its beautiful painted façades is one of my favourites,
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-up: La Maison du Chou - Autumn in France - Driving in Europe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-la-maison-du-chou-autumn-in-france-driving-in-europe/) - So what's on the agenda this Wednesday? Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris takes us to the Maison du Chou where she has discovered the lightest choux à la crème, while French Moments delights us with ten stunning photos of autumn in France. Meanwhile Carolyn from Holidays to Europe brings us some very
- [Liege-Guillemins - Europe's Most Impressive Railway Station - Fougères and the St. James American Cemetary, Brittany - Cycling the Atlantic Coast: Likes, Dislikes and What I Would Do Differently](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/liege-guillemins-europes-most-impressive-railway-station-fougeres-and-the-st-james-american-cemetary-brittany-cycling-the-atlantic-coast-likes-dislikes-and-what-i-would-do-differently/) - In my bloggers' round-up this week, we start off in Liège in Belgium with a description of an iconic railway station by Kathy Standford from Femmes Francophiles who also shares her impressions of the Thalys train service. Abby from Paris Weekender then takes us on a trip to Fougères, which is also one of my
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-up: Butte aux Cailles - Texting in French - Céléri Rémoulade](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/10/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-butte-aux-cailles-texting-in-french-celeri-remoulade/) - This week, Filly di Somma, writing for Guide2Paris, takes us off the beaten track to the Butte aux Cailles in Paris, while Katerina Forrester, in a post for My French Life gives us tips on text messaging in French. Meanwhile, Susan from Days on the Claise tells us about a little-known vegetable - celeriac -
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Everyday Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/mondays-travel-photos-everyday-paris/) - We're about to leave on a one-month holiday, cycling along the Danube from Ulm to Budapest. Fortunately, the floods have subsided and most of the bike paths should be open again. So this Monday's photos are of Paris - just shots I've taken over the last few days, mainly in my neighbourhood, the sort of
- [iPhone Thieves in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/10/iphone-thieves/) - Of course, the problem about iPhones is that other people want them too. When I had lunch at Vilalys in the Palais Royal gardens with my German friend Chris just after I got my iPhone, I naturally had to demonstrate all its wonderful features, particularly since the last time I saw her, I only had
- [Another Country, Another Language: from Taipei to Ljubljana](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/another-country-another-language-from-taipei-to-ljubljana/) - We were in Taipei on a 24-hour stopover on our way to Australia and Black Cat must have been about twelve. The language barrier was not easy as very few people spoke English once you set foot outside the hotel. Black Cat was quite scandalised at my lack of preparation. She was used to being
- [Don’t miss European heritage weekend in Paris on September 14 and 15](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/dont-miss-european-heritage-weekend-in-paris-on-september-14-and-15/) - We’re about to miss the European heritage weekend in Paris for the second year in a row. However, we’ll be in Blois so I’m hoping to make some new discoveries. The wonderful thing about the heritage weekend or journées du patrimoine is that buildings usually closed to the public open their doors, mostly free of
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Palais Royal, Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/mondays-travel-photos-palais-royal-paris/) - Regular readers will know that I have the great fortune to actually live in the Palais Royal overlooking the fountain. I shall never tire of taking photos. Here are some taken on a sunny afternoon at the beginning of September. This time next year, we will be in the throes of moving permanently to Blois
- [Meet Kathy, a francophile with big dreams](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/meet-kathy-a-francophile-with-big-dreams/) - I have often quoted paragraphs from Kathy Stanford's blog Femmes Francophiles in my Wednesday's Bloggers Round-up. Kathy's permanent home is in Adelaide, but she comes to France as often as she can. In my contribution this month to My French Life, the global community & magazine for francophiles & French, I tell the fascinating story of
- [Monday's Travel Photos - the unexpected in Germany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/mondays-travel-photos-the-unexpected-in-germany/) - These are photos of things I saw in Germany that were unexpected. They may not be typical of the country at all but I didn't see them anywhere else!
- [Le Comptoir des Petits Champs - a new restaurant experience in the 1st arrondissement in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/le-comptoir-des-petits-champs-a-new-restaurant-experience-in-the-1st/) - When Kathy from Femmes Francophiles suggests we have lunch together today, I ask if she can find something close by so I don’t take too much time off work. The downside of being my own boss is that the work doesn’t get done when I’m not there. She suggests Le Comptoir des Petits Champs, just
- [Friday's French - consommer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/fridays-french-consommer/) - It's the next day after a wedding. Everyone's having a late breakfast, including the groom who's just joined us. The bride is still upstairs in their bedroom. This, of course, wouldn't have happened in the olden days. They would have already been off on their honeymoon. "As-tu consommé?" asks one of the guests. "Yes", he
- [Powerwalking down to Concorde in the snow!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/powerwalking-down-to-concorde-in-the-snow/) - On Friday, Relationnel and I went to the sales to replace some of the clothing that disappeared with our missing suitcase. We left our sports shoes until last and I was a bit reluctant to make the effort. Fortunately, Relationnel overcame my reticence and we went to Au Vieux Campeur. This time, I was eventually helped
- [Date Night: Patisserie des Reves - Resting in the shadows of the Chartres Cathedral - How I paid just $925 for my first class airfares and railpass for Europe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/08/date-night-patisserie-des-reves-resting-in-the-shadows-of-the-chartres-cathedral-how-i-paid-just-925-for-my-first-class-airfares-and-railpass-for-europe/) - Three completely different subjects for this Wednesday's bloggers' round-up: Sylvia from Finding Noon invites us along for ice-cream at La Pâtisserie des Rêves; fellow Australian Jo Karnaghan from Frugal First Class Travel explains how she managed to pay only $925 for her firstclass airfares and railpass for Europe; while Heather Robinson from Lost in Arles
- [Franco-Australian Curry!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/franco-australian-curry/) - When Fraussie suggested I write a post for her blog (I'm the Aussie exchange student who appears in this blog under the name of Brainy Pianist), I really didn’t have too many ideas. “Talk about food”, she told me, “everyone loves to read about food”. Fair enough, I thought, but how can I make it
- [Bratislava, a Memorable Experience](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/bratislava-a-memorable-experience/) - We leave Aschach for Bratislava in pouring rain, shortening our stay by 3 days. After a picnic in the car in a desolate rest-stop about 20 minutes out of Bratislava in what must be the windiest part of Austria, in the middle of an immense field of wind turbines, we follow the GPS instructions to
- [Off the Beaten Track in Madrid](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/off-the-beaten-track-in-madrid/) - Apart from the Prado, Madrid's main attraction to me are all the unusual things you keep coming across that I've never seen anywhere else. These are just some of them. You can just see a building on the left that's a squat and has signs up that seem to indicate the people have been evicted.
- [Annecy Adventures - Tapenade - The Shores of Lake Como](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/annecy-adventures-tapenade-the-shores-of-lake-como/) - A little late this week, but here is this Wednesday's Bloggers Round-up, with an all Australian cast. Jill from Gigi's French Window takes us to the beautiful town of Annecy in the foothills of the French Alps; Phoebe from Lou Messugo, who lives in Provence, tells us all about tapenade; while Andrea from Rear View
- [Powerwalking in Winter Again](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/powerwalking-in-winter-again/) - I couldn’t believe it when I saw this guy. Here we have Brainy Pianist, experiencing his first winter in Paris, which hasn’t even been very cold this year - I even gave him some suitable Canadian headgear for Christmas to keep his ears warm when he takes the bus at 8 o’clock in the morning
- [A to Z in the Life of an Aussie in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/a-to-z-in-the-life-of-an-aussie-in-france/) - Enjoy my A to Z and don't forget to click on the links for more ... A – Aussie: How else could I begin? Aussies come from Oz or the Land Downunder where I was born and bred. B – Blois: In the middle of the Loire Valley, where we’re in the process of buying
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Innsbruck, Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/sundays-travel-photos-innsbruck-austria/) - My mother used to rave about Innsbruck so we decided to go there on our way back from Croatia last year. Our hotel was up on a hill and close enough to the centre to walk or cycle down. The magnificent view from our Gasthof balcony, the famous Golden Roof, the Palace chapel with its
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Passau, Germany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/mondays-travel-photos-passau-germany/) - Passau, built on the Danube, is almost on the Austrian border. It's also known as the Dreiflüssestadt or "City of Three Rivers" because the Danube is joined by the Inn from the south (as in Innsbruck) and the Ilz from the north. It's a pretty town and a very popular stop for river cruises along
- [Budapest, the City of Baths](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/07/budapest-the-city-of-baths/) - Everyone who goes to Budapest tells you that you have to experience the baths. However, there are so many that it is difficult to choose. Also, many seem to have separate pools (and even separate days) for men and women. Neither of us can see any point in going there on our own. So I
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Paris in the snow](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/mondays-travel-photos-paris-in-the-snow/) - It doesn't snow a lot in Paris - probably once or twice a year - and the snow doesn't stay on the ground for long. This year, however, there has a been a decent fall, enough for the more adventurous to get out their skis and sleds! We stayed within our neighbourhood because it snowed
- [Friday’s French – chateaux and castles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/fridays-french-chateaux-and-castles/) - When is a castle not a castle? When it’s a chateau. The two words have the same Latin origin – castellum, meaning fortress. The transformation from ca to cha in French is very common : cat/chat, cauldron/chaudron, cart/charrette, etc. In château, the "s" has done its usual disappearing act and turned into a circumflex e.g. pasta/pâte,
- [How to Experience France on a Budget - Cycle Path from D-Day Beaches to Mont-Saint-Michel Open - Two books that take you off the beaten track in Paris ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/how-to-experience-france-on-a-budget-cycle-path-from-d-day-beaches-to-mont-saint-michel-open-two-books-that-take-you-off-the-beaten-track-in-paris/) - Welcome to Wednesday's Blogger Round-up. To start, Petite Paris gives tips on how to experience Paris on a budget, with a list of free things to do. Maggie LaCoste from Experience France by Bike then takes us from the D-Day beaches to Mont Saint Michel by bike while Mary Kay from Out and About in
- [Beyond the Eiffel Tower: An Insider's guide to Paris with Frugal First Class Travel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/beyond-the-eiffel-tower-an-insiders-guide-to-paris-with-frugal-first-class-travel/) - Regular readers will already be familiar with Jo Karnaghan and her Frugal First Class Travel blog from my Wednesday's Blogger Round-up series. She recently asked me if I would agree to an interview and here is the result. And click on some of her other posts while you're there - Jo has some wonderful suggestions
- [Jean Michel's Thin-Crust Apple Tart](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/jean-michels-thin-crust-apple-tart/) - I’m a great believer in having a couple of culinary specialities up your sleeve that you can make standing on your head and everyone oohs and ahs about. It doesn't even matter if you always serve up the same thing to the same people because they usually look forward to it. Jean Michel's great specialty
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Monet's Garden in Giverny](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/mondays-travel-photos-monets-garden-in-giverny/) - For years, I didn't go to Monet's garden in Giverny because I was told there were too many people. Now we go at least twice a year! The best time to visit is at lunch time, when there aren't any groups and few people queuing. And to avoid the queues altogether, you can either go
- [Monet’s Garden and Signac on a Rainy Day in May](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/monets-garden-and-signac-on-a-rainy-day-in-may/) - We had set the date to visit Monet's garden well ahead, in the hope that the weather would be more promising. It turned out to be cool and occasionally sunny but mostly overcast. The drive from Paris takes about 1 ½ hours and we went directly to the parking lot next to the Musée des
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Hondarribia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/06/mondays-travel-photos-hondarribia/) - The Basque mediaeval walled city of Hondarribia (Fontarabie in French and Fuentarribia in Spanish) which has been guarding Spain since the time of Charles V in the 16th century, is built on a little promontory facing Hendaye over the Txingudi bay. There is nothing in particular to visit but even on a rainy day, it's
- [Where do you ride your bicycle? Velib in Paris and Hubway in Boston want to know! - escaping the tourist trail in Paris ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/where-do-you-ride-your-bicycle-velib-in-paris-and-hubway-in-boston-want-to-know-paris-moment-street-poetry-escaping-the-tourist-trail-in-paris/) - In this week's Bloggers' Round-up, Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris compares Vélib in Paris and Hubway in Boston while Caroline Lee from Escape to Paris shares her experience of staying in an unusual and little-known place in Paris. Let's join them! Where do you ride your bicycle? Vélib in Paris and Hubway in
- [10 Do's and Don't's of Home Exchange](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/10-dos-and-donts-of-home-exchange/) - We’re now up to 8 home exchanges and ready for more but I’ve drawn up a little list of do’s and don’t’s. If I have been remiss in any of these areas in the past, I hope that my exchangers will forgive me. I now know better! So, in addition to a good bed, a
- [Friday's French - la bise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/fridays-french-la-bise/) - After my post on Bonjour, I’ve been asked to write about la bise, one of the great mysteries of French social interaction. I’ve heard it described as the air kiss which isn’t a bad definition. You lean over towards the other person and touch first one cheek and then the other with your own cheek,
- [A Restaurant with a View of the Seine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/a-restaurant-with-a-view-of-the-seine/) - In Paris, there are not many restaurants with a view of the Seine, unlike Prague, for example, where you can sit right next to the river. Priority goes to the cars here! But there’s a big project underway to do something about it. In the meantime, we decided to try out a restaurant with a
- [Small Town Fame](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/small-town-fame/) - I’ve finally cleaned up the honeysuckle that’s been nagging me since we got to Closerie Falaiseau in Blois. It’s just beginning to flower and is a wonderful complement to the climbing roses on the stair rail. We’ve had our barbecue and eaten outside in the garden comfortably for the first time since we bought the
- [La Promenade - Paris-Mont St.Michel Route Gets New Name: La Veloscenie - Blame France ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/la-promenade-paris-mont-st-michel-route-gets-new-name-la-veloscenie-blame-france/) - Many of the Anglophone bloggers who live in France are off on their summer holidays at the moment, often taking a break from blogging, which has given me the chance to discover some new blogs, in particular that of Gaynor B. from La Petite Presse who spends the summer in the Loire Valley. She takes
- [Paris Day Trip: Parc de Sceaux - A passion for France - The Sainte-Chapelle of Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/04/paris-day-trip-parc-de-sceaux-a-passion-for-france-the-sainte-chapelle-of-paris/) - This Wednesday's Bloggers' Round-Up starts with a trip to Parc de Sceaux in Greater Paris with Andrea from Rear View Mirror to see the spectular cherry blossoms in bloom at the moment. Pierre from Paris on Demand invites us to the Orsay Museum to see an amazing collection of works from the 19th and 20th
- [Cold Legs and Cappuccino](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/cold-legs-and-cappuccino/) - Well, in my last post, I said that we could maintain an even 19°C in Closerie Falaiseau, our 400-year old home in Blois, but I spoke too soon. Also, I’m not convinced that 19°C is really warm enough when you’re sitting at a computer for long periods! To allow for the BIG FIREPLACE OPERATION, I’ve
- [Wine Tasting in the Loire Valley Part 1](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/wine-tasting-in-the-loire-valley-part-1/) - Yesterday, I explained how I became a wine lover. Before describing my best wine tasting yet at Vinomania, in the company of Kathy Standford from Femmes Francophiles, I thought you might like to read her post first, seen from the viewpoint of a newcomer to wine tasting. And don't you just love the photo! Fraussie,
- [Gardening Again!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/gardening-again/) - Yesterday, after I don’t know how long, the sun suddenly decided to come out, so we hit the garden. The trouble about grass is that it grows and if you don’t cut it often enough, it gets too long for the mower. It’s been so long since we’ve had a garden that we’d forgotten that
- [Chateauneuf, my secret hill village - La Charcuterie - Musée Nissim de Camodo, Paris ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/chateauneuf-my-secret-hill-village-la-charcuterie-musee-nissim-de-camodo-paris/) - Some more Australian connections for this Wednesday's Bloggers' Round-up, starting with Phoebe from Lou Messugo, who takes us on a visit to Châteauneuf in the south of France; Susan from Days on the Claise who describes her local charcuterie in Touraine and Carolyn from My Sydney Paris Life who gives us a very moving description of the
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Angers Castle, France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/mondays-travel-photos-angers-castle-france/) - We had passed the castle in Angers on many occasions on our way to Nantes before finally visiting it during a cycling trip. The impressive ramparts of the 13th century fortress built on a spur overlooking the Maine River enclose several buildings, including the Royal Logis and 15th century Chapel. However, its greatest claim to
- [Friday's French - persillé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/fridays-french-persille/) - A post by Susan from Days on the Claise in which she described the fare offered at her local charcuterie set me thinking about the word "persillé" which literally means "parsleyed", used to describe pâté or brawn with parsley through it. However, when applied to an entrecôté or côte de boeuf, it also means "marbled",
- [Oh no, snow again in Paris!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/oh-no-snow-again-in-paris/) - When I woke up and saw the snow yesterday, I was not happy. I was already in spring mode and the idea of temperatures below zero AGAIN was not appealing in the least. As it was, we were very lucky to have got home from Blois without being trapped for hours like many weekenders from
- [Change of Plans in Snowy Paris - New EuroVelo Website Launched - Updated Restaurant Guides](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/03/change-of-plans-in-snowy-paris-new-eurovelo-website-launched-updated-restaurant-guides/) - This week's blogger round-up features three very different posts. Carolyn Barnabo from My Sydney Paris Life, unable to take the Eurostar back to Great Britain, perfectly echos what a lot of us in Paris feel about yet another fall of snow. Maggie LaCoste from Experience France by Bike brings us one of her usual exhaustive cycling
- [Hotel Dieu: The unexpected inside of Paris' oldest hospital - Itinerary Planning 101 - Map of Literary French History](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/hotel-dieu-the-unexpected-inside-of-paris-oldest-hospital-itinerary-planning-101-map-of-literary-french-history/) - Three very different posts in this Wednesday's Bloggers Round-Up: Yetunde from Like Home in Paris takes us on a guided tour through an unexpected venue: Paris' oldest hospital, Jo Karnaghan, in her usual practical way, gives excellent tips on how to plan an itinerary (part 3, so don't miss the others) while Stephanie, the Llamalady
- [The most original Valentine's Day chocolate in Paris! - Getting a French Driver’s License – Part 1 - European Capital of Culture 2013](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/the-most-original-valentines-day-chocolate-in-paris-getting-a-french-drivers-license-part-1-european-capital-of-culture-2013/) - A break from Barcelona for this week's bloggers' round-up, starting with Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris, who ferreted out the most original Valentine's Day chocolate in Paris. Abby from Paris Weekender tells us how to go about getting a driver's licence in France. Don't forget to read Part 2 as well! Andrea
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Barcelona: Places](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/mondays-travel-photos-barcelona-places/) - One of the things I love about the Mediterranean countries are the shady squares where you can relax and have a coffee or an aperitif. Early February in Barcelona wasn't quite as warm (or sunny) as we hoped, so we didn't spend as much time sitting outdoors as we would have liked but we did
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Klosterkirche Rheinau in Switzerland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/02/mondays-travel-photos-klosterkirche-rheinau-in-switzerland/) - We were staying near Stein am Rhein in Switzerland and on our way back from visiting Schaffhausen and its Rheinfall, the spectacular waterfall on the Rhine, I suddenly spotted the most amazing church in the distance. It turned out to be the Klosterkirche Rheinau monastery church, one of Switzerland's most significant religious buildings. The original 12th century basilica,
- [Barcelona: Gastronomic Dining - Things to do in Barcelona - Gaudi's Barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/barcelona-gastronomic-dining-things-to-do-in-barcelona-gaudis-barcelona/) - The posts on my Wednesday Bloggers' Round-Up today are all by Australians (or people with Australian connections) and all on the subject of Barcelona. Kathy Stanford from Femmes Francophiles has suggestions for both fine dining and casual dining in Barcelona, Craig Makepeace from Y Travel Blog offers lots of insider tips on things to do
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Saint-Valery-sur-Somme](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/mondays-travel-photos-saint-valery-sur-somme/) - Baie de la Somme, which is at the mouth of the Somme River in Picardy, is a delightful little town that goes back to Roman times. It still has an abbey church, a sea lock, a stone tower, ramparts and small winding streets. It has a colourful market on Sunday mornings that often extends along
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Ljubliana, Slovenia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/sundays-travel-photos-ljubliana-slovenia/) - I loved everything about Ljubljana - the city itself, the atmosphere, the people, the restaurants, the countryside - but I found it hard to photograph successfully. The weather wasn't particularly good either which probably didn't help. We had a wonderful bike ride through the suburbs and out into the country which I have described in
- [Celebrating Christmas in France - Great Resources To Help Plan Your Bike Trip to France - Wineries/les vignobles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/celebrating-christmas-in-france-great-resources-to-help-plan-your-bike-trip-to-france-wineriesles-vignobles/) - My Wednesday's bloggers' round-up this week starts with fellow Australian Kathy Stanford from Femmes Francophiles who's been having a holiday from blogging but after a recent trip to France, she's fortunately back on the job. So I'm starting with her authentic experience of Christmas in France with a French family. Next Maggie LaCoste from Experience
- [A Missing Suitcase and a Burglary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/a-missing-suitcase-and-a-burglary/) - There used to be a time when missing luggage was a regular occurrence and I always thanked my lucky stars if all our bags were on the carrousel. If something was missing, however, it always eventually turned up, creating inconvenience in the meantime, but no actual loss. For the last few years, we have had
- [Santa Climbing up the Wall](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/santa-climbing-up-the-wall/) - I love the Christmas decorations on individual homes in the French countryside. It's amazing how many Santa Clauses (père noël) you see climbing up the walls! I don't know how they explain it to the kids. Apart from the Father Christmas in David Jones, I don't remember ever seeing any others. We would dutifully leave
- [House Hunters: Castle Chapter - The perfect gift for someone who is addicted to social media! - Paris Photo Giveaway](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/house-hunters-castle-chapter-the-perfect-gift-for-someone-who-is-addicted-to-social-media-paris-photo-giveaway/) - The three posts on my Wednesday's blogger round-up today were all written by fellow bloggers whom I met up with in Paris this week. Searching for Home is a young blogger who presents some of my favourite châteaux in the Loire in an original and amusing way. Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris
- [The Fireplace is Still Not Finished](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/the-fireplace-is-still-not-finished/) - This is the post that was supposed to announce that the fireplace at Closerie Falaiseau is finished and that we have opened our vintage champagne and eaten our home-made foie gras to welcome in the New Year. Well, we’ve eaten some of the foie gras because of its relatively short lifespan. But you’ve guessed it
- [Celebrating New Year in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/celebrating-new-year-in-france/) - When I submitted my latest post to My French Life, the global community of French and francophiles connecting like-minded people in English & French on 11th December, I firmly believed that the fireplace renovation would be finished. We still plan to celebrate New Year in front of the fire - it might just be a few
- [The Fireplace is Not Finished](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/the-fireplace-is-not-finished/) - The fireplace is not finished. Relationnel has gone back to Paris without me because the balcony in the Palais Royal is not finished either. We will not be welcoming in the New Year with a glass of champagne and homemade foie gras in front of a blazing fire. Unless we postpone New Year until the
- [Two Hats are Better Than One](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/two-hats-are-better-than-one/) - Relationnel and I have a collection of Australian Akubra and Stetson hats that we wear in winter. When we're going away and packing the car, we often put two or more on top of each other to carry downstairs. It's 1.30 pm and Relationnel's rushing to get everything in the car as quickly as he
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Living Like a Local in Rome](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/mondays-travel-photos-rome-local-living/) - In the last two editions of my Monday's travel photos, I've posted photos of Roman fountains and Roman ruins. But Rome is not just a tourist venue of course. These are just a few photos showing the life of the people who live there all the time - the Romans! Starting with the market ...
- [The Kitchen Sink](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/the-kitchen-sink/) - Relationnel is arriving this afternoon with the kitchen sink. Well, almost. I wish he was. I am taller than the average Mrs Frog, unfortunately, which means that most sinks are way too low for me. It wouldn’t matter if I had a dish washer, but that is the one major item missing from Closerie Falaiseau
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Ruins of Rome](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/12/mondays-travel-photos-ruins-of-rome/) - The most striking thing about the ruins in Rome is that they are part of the city, sometimes incorporated into more modern buildings such as churches and restaurants. One lot of ruins has even become a cat sanctuary! I've visited most of the more well-known ones with the exception of the Colisseum because it closes
- [The Renaissance Supermen - Rue View – 75003 Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/the-renaissance-supermen-rue-view-75003-paris/) - This Wednesday's bloggers' round-up features two fellow Australians: Susan from Days on the Claise, compares two larger-than-life Renaissance monarchs, one from each side of the Channel, while Carina from Carina Okula captures Paris' charming façades with her photographer's eye before they disappear! The Renaissance Supermen by Days on the Claise, an Australian living in the south
- [Australia to France - Expat Interview With Rosemary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/australia-to-france-expat-interview-with-rosemary/) - As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been nominated for the 2012 Expat Blog Award (you still have time to write a review if you haven't already done so :) - just click on the logo on the right and scroll down to Aussie in France). Expats Blog currently unites 942 expat blogs in 93 countries
- [In Search of Christmas: Germany Christmas Market Tour - escape the tyranny of distance… and maintain your French - Freaking out Frenchie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/in-search-of-christmas-germany-christmas-market-tour-escape-the-tyranny-of-distance-and-maintain-your-french-freaking-out-frenchie/) - This Wednesday, Jeff Titelius from Euro Travelogue takes us on a tour of Christmas markets in Germany with stunning photos that all look by picture postcards. Fellow Australian, Carolyn Lee, from Escape to Paris, gives lots of suggestions for maintaining your French when not in France and Bread is Pain talks about French phlegm. Enjoy!
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Viterbo, Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/11/mondays-travel-photos-viterbo-italy/) - We chose Viterbo as the centre of Etruscan art which I knew absolutely nothing about. The Etruscans lived in central Italy between the 9th and 2nd centuries BC. Their specialities were life-size figurative terracotta sculpture (on sarcophagi or temples) and cast-bronze wall paintings and metal work (particularly engraved bronze mirrors). We found a wonderful B&B in an
- [Flowers to Brighten a Grey Day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/flowers-to-brighten-a-grey-day/) - I’ve been receiving all these emails from Australian family and friends positively flaunting their blue skies and high temperatures while we have boring nothing, not even snow or sleet or something even vaguely interesting. The fountain in the Palais Royal is working, to my surprise - they turned it off most of last winter –
- [Tips for visiting Venice during Acqua Alta ("high waters") - Fungi Foray in the Foret de Loches - Toll Booth vs Vignette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/tips-for-visiting-venice-during-acqua-alta-high-waters-fungi-foray-in-the-foret-de-loches-toll-booth-vs-vignette/) - This Wednesday's blogger round-up starts with Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris, giving us tips for visiting Venice during the high waters that regularly flood the city (I'll let you discover her other posts on the same subject); Susan from Days on the Claise shares a more scientific approach to mushroom collecting while
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Paestum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/mondays-travel-photos-paestum/) - Paestum, which is about 85 K southeast of Naples, is the home of three major Greek temples dating from the first half of the 6th century B.C., two dedicated to Hera and one to Athena. We were there in early June 2010 and it was one of the highlights of our trip. It's also known for
- [Chariots and Pâté in Blois ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/chariots-and-pate-in-blois/) - Miraculously, the sun has come out so I suggest to my Australian friend Mei Lun, who’s staying with me for a few days, that we go into Blois for coffee and maybe find some ginger tea. It’s warm for late October – 15°C – and the sky is bright blue, certainly not time to be
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Brisbane, Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/mondays-travel-photos-brisbane-australia/) - When I was growing up in Townsville, North Queensland, which has a current population of 200,000 (80,000 back in those days), Brisbane, the State capital and my mother's birthplace, which now has over 2 million people (600,000 in my childhood), was the "big smoke". I found it confusing more than anything as I followed my
- [Cheung Chau - another outlying island in Hong Kong](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/cheung-chau-another-outlying-island-in-hong-kong/) - You may remember that during our stopover in Hong Kong 5 weeks ago, I shunned shopping to follow a sign saying "To the outlying islands" and we had a most enjoyable afternoon and evening visiting Lamma Island. So on the way back, we didn’t hesitate to repeat the experience. Relationnel studied the possibilities and suggested
- [A Unique War Memorial, a Bush Picnic and a Winery near Armidale](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/a-unique-war-memorial-a-bush-picnic-and-a-winery-near-armidale/) - On the day of our family picnic to Dangars Falls near Armidale, we stopped on the way at a unique war memorial which was presented to us by Graeme, the historian in our party. The Dangarsleigh War Memorial is unique in that it was a private memorial erected by the Perrott family in memory of
- [Breakfast in Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/10/breakfast-in-australia/) - One thing I’ve discovered this time is the Australian breakfast cult. I can’t remember when I lived here before (I left in 1975) that people went out for breakfast. I only remember morning and afternoon tea.The day of the Big Family Reunion was also my sister-in-law’s birthday so my brother thought breakfast would be a
- [Why Gabriella Came to France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/why-gabriella-came-to-france/) - I'm always fascinated by stories of why people choose to leave Australia and go to live in France. My latest contribution to My French Life, the global community & magazine for francophiles & French, tells the story of Gabriella whom I met at a soirée run by My French Life in Paris. I’m in Paris,
- [Houses in Hobart](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/houses-in-hobart/) - Today we walked the length and breadth of inner Hobart so we saw a lot of houses. They are mostly made of brick and clapboard and are often brightly coloured with wrought iron lacework. Many have little picket fences and since it's spring, they all have flowers.
- [Coles Bay and Bicheno, Tasmania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/coles-bay-and-bicheno-tasmania/) - Our Launceston home exchange hosts have a house in Coles Bay on the east coast of Tasmania where we are spending three nights. We have the most marvellous view of the Hazards (1590 feet) Yesterday morning, we went for a one-hour walk along the beach to Freycinet Lodge and saw the famous red stones you see
- [Flying into Sydney - one day late!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/flying-into-sydney-one-day-late/) - It's about 6 am and I wake up in our hotel room in Hong Kong with a strange feeling. I look at my iPhone and see there is a message from Leonardo. Panic! Why is he ringing me? I see there is another call coming in (I've turned off the sound during the night) so
- [Feeling like a foreigner in my home country](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/feeling-like-a-foreigner-in-my-home-country/) - Each time I go back to Australia, I feel more like a foreigner and less like an Australian. Although I have dual nationality, I don’t really consider myself to be French, despite the fact that I have lived there 37 years. The trouble is, I still have my Australian accent so people expect me to
- [Which Travel Money Card is best? - Getting to and from the Paris Airports - Road Trip Paris to Berlin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/09/which-travel-money-card-is-best-getting-to-and-from-the-paris-airports-road-trip-paris-to-berlin/) - On this week's list are two very pratical posts for those who will be travelling to France shortly. Holidays to Europe looks at the question of the best travel money card to take with you while Abby from Paris Weekender explains the best way to get to and from the different airpots in Paris. And,
- [Best Brocantes and Flea Markets in Paris - Tea, wine or cocktails - National Garlic Day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/best-brocantes-and-flea-markets-in-paris-tea-wine-or-cocktails-national-garlic-day/) - It's Wednesday again and I've found you some more great posts from other people's blogs, starting with Vingt Paris Magazine giving us the best brocantes and flea markets in Paris, followed by Girls' Guide to Paris with suggestions of places to have your favourite beverage, and a very interesting description of National Garlic day by
- [St Jean de Luz - How to Manage and Maximise your Money when Traveling - Père Lachaise Cemetary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/st-jean-de-luz-how-to-manage-and-maximise-your-money-when-traveling-pere-lachaise-cemetary/) - This week, Sylvia from Finding Noon, who is holidaying in French Basque Country, takes us on a visit to one of my favourites, St Jean de Luz. Australian blog writer Annabel Candy, from Get in the Hot Spot, gives tips on how to manage and maximise your money when traveling. I also came across an
- [Monday's Travel Photos - Orange, France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/08/mondays-travel-photos-orange-france/) - I've always thought that Orange was a strange name for a town. Located 200 k south of Lyon, in the Vaucluse, it was founded in 35 BC under the name of Colonia Julia Secundanorum Arausio, supposedly after a local Celt. How it went from Arausio to Auranjo to Orange, no one seems to know but
- [Paris Plage on a Saturday - Bacharach-on-the-Rhine - Biking in Burgundy: Upcoming Wine Events and Festivals](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/paris-plage-on-a-saturday-bacharach-on-the-rhine-biking-in-burgundy-upcoming-wine-events-and-festivals/) - This week, even Paris is on holiday. Mary Kay from Out and About in Paris has captured the essence of Paris Plage which has got off to a wonderful start with exceptional weather. It's supposed to be 30°C every day this week. Andrea from Destination Europe reports on the delightful little German village of Bacharach-on-the-Rhine whcih will
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Parma, Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/sundays-travel-photos-parma-italy/) - We're gradually working our way around Italy by car which means that each time, we try and go by a different route so we've started visiting the less touristy places. Last time, we went to Parma, famous for its cheese - parmeggiano-reggiano, known in English as Parmesan. We also visited a balsamic vinegar works and
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Saint Petersburg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/sundays-travel-photos-saint-petersburg/) - One of my greatest travel dreams was to visit Saint Petersburg to see the paintings from Picasso's blue period in the Hermitage Museum. I finally got there in July 2007 but only one of his paintings was on display! I actually preferred the Russian Museum, much less crowded with far fewer tourists. I enjoyed discovering
- [Bastille Day or 14th July](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/07/bastille-day-or-14th-july/) - Outside of France, everyone celebrates "Bastille Day" while the French call it "le quatorze juillet" (14th July). The very first year I was in France (in 1976, the summer that has gone down in French history as the hotest in a century - this one could well be remembered as the coldest), I celebrated 14th
- [The Henri II Buffet Finds its Place](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/the-henri-ii-buffet-finds-its-place/) - With the kitchen and bedroom more or less completed, except for the decorative elements, the next room on the list was the living room starring the Henri II buffet I mentioned in a previous post. For transport purposes, it had to be separated in two so Relationnel and I were able to wheel each half
- [Wine Tasting in the Loire Valley Part 2](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/wine-tasting-in-the-loire-valley-part-2/) - I just sat down to write up my impressions of our recent wine tasting with Femme Francophile at Vinomania in Blois but, surprise, surprise, I’ve left my notepad at Closerie Falaiseau, and I don’t know how much I can rely on my memory to relate the details of a 3-hour session! But I’ll try anyway
- [Top 5 Lessons Learned Biking the Atlantic Coast - Taking to the Paris skies with Air de Paris - "Night of the Muses" at Château Vaux-le-Vicomte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/top-5-lessons-learned-biking-the-atlantic-coast-taking-to-the-paris-skies-with-air-de-paris-night-of-the-muses-at-chateau-vaux-le-vicomte/) - Summer looks as though it's really on its way at last. So in this Wednesday's blogger round-up, Experience France by Bike shares 5 lessons learned biking the Atlantic Coast, Like Home in Paris takes us up into the skies of Paris and Mary Kay from Out and about in Paris tells us about a magical candlelight
- [Another Great Place to Dine in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/another-great-place-to-dine-in-blois/) - Up until now, most of the time spent in Blois at our beautiful Renaissance home, Closerie Falaiseau, has been devoted to getting the ground floor ready for holiday rental. Now that we have our first guests, we decided it was time for a bit of a holiday. We arrived quite late in Blois, having spent
- [Saint Denis Cathedral - The Mediaeval Cave that Helped Win a War - Prix de Diane 2012 - Hats & Horses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/saint-denis-cathedral-the-mediaeval-cave-that-helped-win-a-war-prix-de-diane-2012-hats-horses/) - This week, young Australian blogger René de Valois from Cognac & Cigars (alias Brainy Pianist for those of you who regularly read this blog) takes us to one of my favourite places, the Basilica of Saint Denis, where most of the French kings and queens are buried. Another Australian, Francophoney, takes us to a cave
- [A Dead Mouse in a Country House](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/a-dead-mouse-in-a-country-house/) - I wake up on Monday morning in Blois by myself. Relationnel has gone back to Paris and Femme Francophile is arriving by train to spend a week with me. I look out the window and see the sun has unexpectedly come out. Yesterday’s weather report for the week was pretty dismal. I get dressed and
- [Travel Tip for Biking in France - My New Paris Baby - The Marais Poitevin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/travel-tip-for-biking-in-france-my-new-paris-baby-the-marais-poitevin/) - Interesting posts from other Anglophone Bloggers on France this week include a travel tip for biking in France from Experience France by Bike, but it's not restricted to cycling -getting a chip credit card can make life a lot easier! Next Petite Paris introduces her "new baby" - a B&B in Paris that I'd just
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Prague](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/sundays-travel-photos-prague/) - Prague is one of my very favourite cities. I love the architecture, the atmosphere, the mixture of old and new, the fact that you can find wonderful places on the river to eat, the buskers, the people in general. Our hotel was slightly outside the main area, which meant we had to take a tram
- [Cycling Through the Forest in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/cycling-through-the-forest-in-blois/) - Yesterday, we finally managed to go cycling despite the weather forecast. We took our capes but didn't need to use them. I love being able to cycle straight out the gate and onto a country road. To go to the forest, you have to go up a little hill, but that’s OK now that I
- [Exploring Saint Germain des Prés - Mary Cassatt's Greater Journey - Cycling France's Atlantic Coast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/exploring-saint-germain-des-pres-mary-cassatts-greater-journey-cycling-frances-atlantic-coast/) - Wednesday again and more great posts from other people's blogs. Fellow Australian Kathy Stanford from Femmes Francophiles is making the most of her stay in Paris and has come up with some more unusual visits, including Deyrolle's taxidermy shop. The American Girls' Art Club in Paris reviews "The Greater Journey" featuring the story of impressionist
- [Profile: Regina Ferreira – Petite Paris B&Bs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/profile-regina-ferreira-petite-paris-bbs/) - My monthly guest post on My French Life, the Australian-based online magazine & global community of French & francophiles, has just been published. This time, it's an interview in two parts with Regina Ferreira, from Petite Paris B&Bs. As you know, I love staying in B&Bs and only discovered recently about their existence in Paris. I love the idea,
- [Broderie Anglaise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/broderie-anglaise/) - Black Cat’s about 3 ½. We’re walking through the local hypermarket which is not my favourite place. I have a tendency to go as quickly as I can and get it over and done with as soon as possible. "Mummy, can I have the top?" she asks. "What top ?" I say, rather surprised because the
- [Can Bacon be a Vegetable? - Free Walking Tours given by Parisian Volunteers - Sipping on Saturday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/can-bacon-be-a-vegetable-free-walking-tours-given-by-parisian-volunteers-sipping-on-saturday/) - Welcome to Wednesday's other blogs! This week, Bread is Pain talks about the problems of weight gain and loss when living in France, while Kathy Stanford from Femmes Francophiles describes a novel way of getting to know Paris. Gwen Evans, guest posting on Like a Home in Paris, which features vacation apartment rentals in Paris,
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Orvieto, Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/sundays-travel-photos-orvieto-italy/) - The gothic cathedral in Orvieto in Umbria, built between 1290 and 1330, is my all-time favourite. The first time we went there in 2003, it was surrounded by vintage cars and I found it absolutely stunning, both inside and out. We returned two years' later but unfortunately, I still didn't have a very good camera.
- [A Parisian Restaurant with a Tree in the Middle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/05/a-parisian-restaurant-with-a-tree-in-the-middle/) - The first time we went to Le Pré aux Clercs on rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement was on the way home from a week’s holiday and it was about 10 pm. Despite the late hour, it was crowded and we were taken upstairs. Relationnel took the dish of the day – a large sole
- [Coup de coeur – my French house](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/coup-de-coeur-my-french-house/) - This month, my guest post on MyFrenchLife, the Australian-based online magazine & global community of French & francophiles, tells how I fell in love with my beautiful Renaissance house in the Loire Valley and takes you on a tour. Coup de coeur they say in French. Literally a blow of the heart. And it can be used in so many different
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Dubrovnik](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/sundays-travel-photos-dubrovnik/)
- [Use Your French to Help Combat Hunger - Paris for Lunch - Atlantic Coast by Bike](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/use-your-french-to-help-combat-hunger-paris-for-lunch-atlantic-coast-by-bike/) - As usual on a Wednesday, here are some snippets from other blogs. Thank you to the authors: Femme Francophil, Petite Paris and Experience France by Bike! Use Your French to Help Combat Hunger by Femme Francophile Each year, on 20 March, French-speakers around the world celebrate the International Day of Francophonie. This year to mark
- [The Eternal Dilemma of What to Pack](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/the-eternal-dilemma-of-what-to-pack/) - Let’s face it. No matter what you do, you’ll never look like a local. It takes years of living in a country to blend in with the masses, and even then, your hairstyle or the way you walk or wear your handbag will give you away at some stage! So you may as well go
- [The Romance of a Sale - Zen Things in Paris - Laines Locales Wool Festival at Prébenoît](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/the-romance-of-a-sale-zen-things-in-paris-laines-locales-wool-festival-at-prebenoit/) - I'm afraid I was so busy last week setting up house in Blois that I didn't bring you my usual Wednesday's other blogs post. But I'm back in Paris and my computer is up and working again. Thank you to the authors of this week's posts: Petite Paris, an Australian-based independent bed & breakfast booking agent
- [The Sydney Writers' Centre's Best Australian Blogs 2012](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/the-sydney-writers-centres-best-australian-blogs-2012/) - You may be wondering what the Best Australian Blogs 2012 and Vote for Me Now badges are doing on my blog. Well it’s a competition run by the Sydney Writers’ Centre and I have been kindly nominated by a fellow blogger. I'm competing with an impressive 1023 other Australian bloggers! Bloggers are understandably judged on
- [My Street in Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/04/my-street-in-blois/) - On Sunday, we finally found the time to take a walk down our street to the organic bakery! On the left, we went past a primary school in beautiful grounds. Then a house built in the sixties surrounded by flowering trees and shrubs. A fence with a lovely wisteria in front of a turn-of-the-century home.
- [Spring in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/spring-in-paris/) - My monthly post has just been published on MyFrenchLife. This time, it's about spring. We've been cooped up and wrapped up for so long now that the warmer temperatures, new leaves and blossoms and blue skies feel like heaven! Spring is hardly a very original subject, is it? But spring will always remain a source
- [Sunday's Travel Photos - Madrid](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/03/sundays-travel-photos-madrid/) - The photos below are representative of my first impressions of Madrid - the Plaza Mayor, which is our neighbourhood for 4 days, long, sweeping avenues with enormous buildings, little shops and restaurants in the old quarter covered in ceramics, ceramic street signs and the Palacio Real, the counterpart of our own Palais Royal.
- [Leonardo: Paris Below the Surface](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/leonardo-paris-below-the-surface/) - Have you ever wondered what lies under the beautiful streets of Paris? Leonardo tells all in my latest contribution to My French Life, the online magazine & global community of French & francophiles. "Most people have heard of the catacombs, which are actually an ossuary. But few have heard about the other underground activities that have been taking place beneath
- [The Travel Itinerary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/the-travel-itinerary/) - Working out a travel itinerary has become my most time-consuming holiday task. That wasn’t always so. When I was young and adventurous, I used to set off with a backpack and follow whoever knew when the next bus, train or boat was leaving. Or just stuck out my thumb. It made it very simple. There
- [What Language Do You Dream In?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/02/what-language-do-you-dream-in/) - Sometimes people ask me what language I dream in. I’m not sure that I really dream in any language but I guess it depends on what the dream’s about. I’m a translator by trade and when you’re working with two languages all day, you don’t necessarily know which one you’re speaking, let alone dreaming. I
- [An Aussie in France on My French Life](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/an-aussie-in-france-on-my-french-life/) - I'm delighted to have joined the My French Life team of contributing authors, photographers, interviewers and talented people who live all around the world. My French Life /Ma Vie Française - online magazine & global community of French & francophiles – Connect, Share, Inspire, Aspire, Learn… Local Events/Réunions monthly in Paris & soon elsewhere - 7 every month in Ville de Melbourne, Australia Click here
- [The Book Seat & Other Nifty Inventions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/the-book-seat-other-nifty-inventions/) - I love nifty things so was delighted when Thoughtful gave me The Book Seat for my birthday. And he was even more delighted to tell me it's an Australian invention! Perfect for reading while I'm having breakfast or lunch by myself! I can also use it to hold up a cookbook. And while we're in
- [Tarte Tatin with Quinces](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/tarte-tatin-with-quinces/) - Last Christmas (not the one that's just been), Black Cat and Leonardo gave us a voucher for a cooking class at L'Atelier des Chefs in Paris where we learnt to make foie gras a few years ago. We kept putting it off until it was nearly too late (the deadline was 31st December) but finally
- [Who's Getting Married in France?](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/whos-getting-married-in-paris/) - The posters are up for the Paris wedding fair. I think it's amusing that it's being held in Palais Brongniart which I thought was the precinct of the Paris stock exchange. One thing I've noticed in recent years is that wedding dresses are looking more and more like evening dresses, showing as much flesh as
- [Spring Windows in the Palais Royal ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/spring-windows-in-the-palais-royal/) - It's grey and miserable outside, even though it's 13°, but with winter sales starting tomorrow, the spring windows have already appeared. I thought I'd try and cheer myself up by visiting some of the clothing shops in the Palais Royal. But I was disappointed. Just look at this one. I'm stunned that anyone should choose
- [Two Types of Luxury in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/two-types-of-luxury-in-paris/) - I just went to Place Vendôme, not to buy Dior perfume (not my scene) or Mikimoto pearls (I already have a double string, inherited from my mother) or a Boucheron watch (I'd be too scared of losing it) or even to have tea at the Ritz (it's closed for renovation). I was amazed at how
- [A Country Market in Normandy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/a-country-market-in-normandy/) - We always go to the market in Le Neubourg in Normandy on the Wednesday before Christmas. Definitely not a tourist venue, but it's a real country market with lots of little old ladies selling what they can spare from their gardens, such as chestnuts, eggs, leeks, carrots and even holly with red berries (that's why
- [Rouen in the Rain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/12/rouen-in-the-rain/) - One of the sad things about Normandy is that it rains a lot. For the last four years, we've had snow at Christmas with particularly heavy falls last year. This year, however, it’s not cold enough so we’ve got rain instead. This is the fifth Christmas we've spent in this lovely mediaeval manor house in
- [Buses in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/buses/) - Real Parisians don’t take the metro. They take the bus. Also, they don’t go out of their arrondissement unless they’re just going to the next one over. And they think the suburbs are the end of the earth. I have a friend who was born in the 17th, went to school in the 17th, went to
- [Buskers in Paris and Prague](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/buskers-in-paris-and-elsewhere/) - When I came up out of an overcrowded metro the other day onto Place de Valois at 6.30 pm (now why didn’t I take the bus like a real Parisian? because there’s no direct bus to uni so I’d have to take two), there was this fellow playing the piano. Isn’t that amazing? A real
- [Driving in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2011/11/driving-in-paris-2/) - One thing I won’t miss when we move to Blois in 2 ½ years time is Parisian traffic. Not that I mind driving in Paris. When all’s said and done I think it’s pretty organised despite appearances to the contrary. The people know what they’re doing. They may not be particularly polite but it works
- [Friday's French - un truc de ouf!](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/09/fridays-french-un-truc-de-ouf/) - I'm walking along the street near the Louis Philippe Café behind a young man of about 30, talking loudly on his iPhone and madly gesticulating. "600 euros", he says, "Un truc de ouf!" and I immediately think of my daughter in New York because it's one of her expressions. Truc, truc muche, machin truc, have
- [Friday's French - place, endroit, lieu](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2018/01/fridays-french-place-endroit-lieu/) - Place sounds like is would be an easy word to translate from French to English and vice-versa. Well, it isn’t. Only rarely does it mean the same thing in both languages. I can think of a couple of situations where the meaning is the same: Si tu remets chaque chose à sa place, il y
- [Cycling in Germany #8 : Dresden Neustadt – Kunsthof Passage, Pfund’s Molkerei, a broom shop &  trompe l’oeil](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/07/cycling-in-germany-8-dresden-neustadt-kunsthof-passage-pfunds-molkerei-a-broom-shop-trompe-loeil/) - We’re up early due to the lack of shutters – it’s light at 5 am at the moment – so we have breakfast, pack up and cross the bridge to Neustadt or New Town as opposed to Altstadt or Old Town where we’re been staying. On the way, we see a wonderful trompe l’œil building.
- [French-Style Primaries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2017/02/french-style-primaries/) - The first time I voted in the French presidential elections in 2007, there were no primaries. In 2012, the main parties held their own primaries but it was an internal vote and you had to be a party member. This year, however, someone has thought up a new system. Anyone on the electoral role can
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up: Aperitivo in Italy - Cycling the Nantes-Brest Canal - Cruising through Iceland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/10/weekly-blogger-round-up-aperitivo-in-italy-cycling-the-nantes-brest-canal-cruising-through-iceland/) - Three very different destinations are on the agenda for this week's blogger round-up. First Rosemary from Le Chic en Rose, shares an aperitivo with us on Lake Como, a must if you go to Italy. Next Abby from Paris Weekender takes us cycling along the Nantes-Brest Canal in Brittany and finally Sara from Simply Sara Travel invites
- [A Visit to Château de Chenonceau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/05/a-visit-to-chateau-de-chenonceau/) - Château de Chenonceau has always been one of my favourites and is definitely among the top ten châteaux in the Loire. In recent years, we’ve cycled along the path on the opposite side several times and taken some wonderful photos of outside but we haven’t visited the interior for some years. The weather was supposed
- [Busy Back Soon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2015/04/busy-back-soon/) - I am not sick. I have not given up my blog but like Owl in Winnie the Pooh, I am busy! After a sluggish start to the year workwise, I am suddenly inundated with translations. I can't complain but it's not easy to juggle with work, the beautiful weather, the garden and cycling. I am
- [The Best View in Venice, a Disappointing Lido and Sunset at Santa Elena](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2014/05/the-best-view-in-venice-a-disappointing-lido-and-sunset-at-santa-elena/) - It’s the first of May, Labour Day, and the sun is shining brightly unlike the day we arrived. There’s a gondola race in Venice but it’s not in the centre and we’re afraid of the crowds. Instead, we head for the island of San Georgio to visit the church there. We push our way through
- [Top 5 Lessons Learned Biking the Atlantic Coast - Taking to the Paris skies with Air de Paris - "Night of the Muses" at Château Vaux-le-Vicomte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/06/top-5-lessons-learned-biking-the-atlantic-coast-taking-to-the-paris-skies-with-air-de-paris-night-of-the-muses-at-chateau-vaux-le-vicomte/) - Summer looks as though it's really on its way at last. So in this Wednesday's blogger round-up, Experience France by Bike shares 5 lessons learned biking the Atlantic Coast, Like Home in Paris takes us up into the skies of Paris and Mary Kay from Out and about in Paris tells us about a magical candlelight
- [The Book Seat & Other Nifty Inventions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/2012/01/the-book-seat-other-nifty-inventions/) - I love nifty things so was delighted when Thoughtful gave me The Book Seat for my birthday. And he was even more delighted to tell me it's an Australian invention! Perfect for reading while I'm having breakfast or lunch by myself! I can also use it to hold up a cookbook. And while we're in

## Pages

- [Friday's French](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/fridays-french/) - Terms treated in my Friday's French posts in order of appearance: Persillé Chien assis Notaire Donjons & dungeons Vide-greniers, vide-armoires & brocante Hôte Bonjour S'il vous-plaît Autant pour moi (or saying sorry) La bise or kissing in France Comme une vache espagnole Cloche Châteaux & castles Blocage Merde Offrir Feu Consommer Spécial (and original) Bonne
- [Loire Valley Holiday Rental](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/self-catering-loire-valley/) - We have beautifully renovated self-catering holiday accommodation for two people in the middle of Blois with a shared garden. Click here for further information: www.chatelrose.com The studio is located in the historical quarter of Blois, near the Loire River. Right in the middle of the Loire Valley, it is central to Chambord, Cheverny, Amboise and Chenonceau castles.
- [Contact](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/contact/) - Please send me an email to aussieinfrance @ gmail.com I'm still figuring out how to put up a nifty form. I hope you won't have to wait too long. You can also join me on facebook: Aussie in France!
- [About](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/rosemary/) - Welcome to my blog about my life in France. My name is Rosemary Kneipp and when I started blogging, I used the pseudonym of Fraussie Grouet. I'm an Australian-born translator from Townsville, North Queensland, living in France since 1975. I love sharing my experiences of living in France and showing friends and family the things
- [Loire Daily Photo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/blois-daily-photo/) - I have joined the City Daily Photo community with Loire Daily Photo.
- [Wine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/wine/) - Beaujolais nouveau Chianti Gewurtztraminer Hunter Valley Jurançon Margaux (bordeaux) Quincy Sancerre Vacqueras
- [Recipes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/recipes/) - Apple crumble Christmas cake Compote de vieux garçon (to accompany foie gras) Foie gras Pain d'épices Pumpkin & chestnut soup Tarte tatin with quinces Thin-crust apple tart Wild mushrooms Wild mushroom and onion quiche
- [Places to Eat and Drink](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/restaurants/) - The restaurants, cafés and bars below are our personal favourites or recommended by people we know and are all linked to a post or another blog. BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA Restoran Hindin HanJusovina bb88 000 MOSTARTel/Fax: 00387 36 581 054 Mob. 00387 61 153 924 CROATIA The SkybarPridvorje 5,20217 Dubrovnik FRANCE You may want to use an on-line booking service such as mytable.com. PARIS

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/uncategorized/)
- [Food](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/food/)
- [Lifestyle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/lifestyle/)
- [Family](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/family/)
- [Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/paris/)
- [Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/loire-valley/)
- [French customs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/french-customs/)
- [Restaurants](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/restaurants/)
- [Prague](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/prague/)
- [Australian customs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/australian-customs/)
- [Wine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/wine/)
- [France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/france/)
- [Cycling](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/cycling/)
- [Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/blois/)
- [Slovenia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/slovenia/)
- [Croatia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/croatia/)
- [Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/australia/)
- [History](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/history/)
- [Accommodation](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/accommodation/)
- [Italy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/italy/)
- [Travel photos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/travel-photos/)
- [Dieting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/dieting/)
- [Sightseeing](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/sightseeing/)
- [Cooking](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/cooking/)
- [Travelling](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/travelling/)
- [Spain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/spain/)
- [Germany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/germany/)
- [Closerie Falaiseau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/closerie-falaiseau/)
- [Renovation](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/renovation/)
- [Bosnia Herzegovina](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/bosnia-herzegovina/)
- [Art](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/art/)
- [Switzerland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/switzerland/)
- [Flowers & gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/flowers-gardens/)
- [Austria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/austria/)
- [Les Grouets](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/les-grouets/)
- [Saint Petersburg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/saint-petersburg/)
- [Belgium](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/belgium/)
- [Burgundy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/burgundy/)
- [Asia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/asia/)
- [Thailand](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/thailand/)
- [Egypt](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/egypt/)
- [Architecture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/architecture/)
- [Blogging](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/blogging/)
- [Mushrooms](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/mushrooms/)
- [Home exchange](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/home-exchange-2/)
- [IT](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/it/)
- [French language](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/french-language/)
- [Loire Valley châteaux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/loire-valley-chateaux/)
- [Basque country](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/basque-country/)
- [Denmark](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/denmark/)
- [Slovakia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/slovakia/)
- [Hungary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/hungary/)
- [Photography](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/photography/)
- [Bulgaria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/bulgaria/)
- [Wednesday's Blogger Round-up](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/wednesdays-blogger-round-up-2/)
- [Weekly Blogger Round-Up](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/weekly-blogger-round-up/)
- [Country living](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/country-living/)
- [Turkey](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/turkey/)
- [Retirement](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/retirement/)
- [Portugal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/portugal/)
- [Eastern Europe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/eastern-europe/)
- [Romania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/romania/)
- [Life](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/life/)
- [Life in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/life-in-france/)
- [Health](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/health/)
- [citadel of Alba iulia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/citadel-of-alba-iulia/)
- [Exhibitions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/exhibitions/)
- [Greece](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/greece/)
- [tours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/tours/)
- [Poland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/poland/)
- [museums](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/museums/)
- [Guest post](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/guest-post/)
- [Serbia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/serbia/)
- [Walking](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/walking/)
- [Books](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/books/)
- [India](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/india/)
- [United States](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/united-states/)
- [City breaks](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/city-breaks/)
- [Cyprus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/cyprus/)
- [Mat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/mat/)
- [Malta](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/malta/)
- [Sworn translation](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/sworn-translation/)
- [Certified translation](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/certified-translation/)
- [Buying property in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/buying-property-in-france/)
- [French paperwork](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/category/french-paperwork/)

## Tags

- [bicycling in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bicycling-in-france/)
- [biking](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/biking/)
- [biking in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/biking-in-france/)
- [cycling in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-in-france/)
- [voie verte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/voie-verte/)
- [cycling along the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-along-the-loire/)
- [biking along the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/biking-along-the-loire/)
- [Beauregard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/beauregard/)
- [Montreuil Bellay](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/montreuil-bellay/)
- [universities in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/universities-in-france/)
- [universities in Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/universities-in-australia/)
- [French university](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-university/)
- [Australian university](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/australian-university/)
- [ESIT](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/esit/)
- [wild mushrooms](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wild-mushrooms/)
- [cooking mushrooms](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cooking-mushrooms/)
- [mushroom knife](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mushroom-knife/)
- [boletus aureus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/boletus-aureus/)
- [canals](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/canals/)
- [cycling on canals](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-on-canals/)
- [boating on canals](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/boating-on-canals/)
- [French wine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-wine/)
- [wine fair Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wine-fair-paris/)
- [bordeaux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bordeaux/)
- [sancerre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sancerre/)
- [driving in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/driving-in-paris/)
- [French drivers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-drivers/)
- [parking in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parking-in-paris/)
- [Champs Elysées](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/champs-elysees/)
- [working in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/working-in-paris/)
- [working in Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/working-in-australia/)
- [working France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/working-france/)
- [iPhone](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/iphone/)
- [wifi Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wifi-paris/)
- [whats app](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/whats-app/)
- [buses in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/buses-in-paris/)
- [lost and found](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lost-and-found/)
- [losing jewellery](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/losing-jewellery/)
- [finding jewellery](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/finding-jewellery/)
- [Louvre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/louvre/)
- [Stella McCartney](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/stella-mccartney/)
- [Miss Bibi](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/miss-bibi/)
- [cling film](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cling-film/)
- [bandaids](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bandaids/)
- [Fauchon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fauchon/)
- [T-bone](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/t-bone/)
- [Boeuf à la Mode](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/boeuf-a-la-mode/)
- [rue Valois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rue-valois/)
- [buskers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/buskers/)
- [Vienna](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vienna/)
- [Comédie Française](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/comedie-francaise/)
- [Palais Royal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/palais-royal/)
- [Le Mesturet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-mesturet/)
- [Parisian restaurant](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parisian-restaurant/)
- [wine tasting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wine-tasting/)
- [game](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/game/)
- [beaujolais](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/beaujolais/)
- [beaujolais nouveau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/beaujolais-nouveau/)
- [restaurants in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/restaurants-in-paris/)
- [Café Diane](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cafe-diane/)
- [Café Louise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cafe-louise/)
- [Véro Dodat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vero-dodat/)
- [Royal Valois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/royal-valois/)
- [Café de l'Imprimerie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cafe-de-limprimerie/)
- [Parisian buses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parisian-buses/)
- [oysters](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/oysters/)
- [baguette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/baguette/)
- [fines de claire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fines-de-claire/)
- [Au Coin d'Table](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/au-coin-dtable/)
- [cybercafé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cybercafe/)
- [coffee](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/coffee/)
- [capucchino](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/capucchino/)
- [Verlet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/verlet/)
- [Alfreddo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/alfreddo/)
- [Skybury](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/skybury/)
- [Paris in winter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-in-winter/)
- [dual citizenship](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dual-citizenship/)
- [French birth certificate](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-birth-certificate/)
- [French nationality](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-nationality/)
- [time cannon Palais Royal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/time-cannon-palais-royal/)
- [teddy bear coat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/teddy-bear-coat/)
- [La Petite Robe Noire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-petite-robe-noire/)
- [music boxes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/music-boxes/)
- [pipes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pipes/)
- [swimming pool in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/swimming-pool-in-paris/)
- [pools in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pools-in-paris/)
- [swimming pool in Rouen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/swimming-pool-in-rouen/)
- [cycling](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-2/)
- [speaking French](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/speaking-french/)
- [Taiwan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/taiwan/)
- [showers in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/showers-in-france/)
- [showers in Croatia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/showers-in-croatia/)
- [water towers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/water-towers/)
- [Captain Cook](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/captain-cook/)
- [French Revolution](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-revolution/)
- [Terra Australis](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/terra-australis/)
- [Magnetic Island](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/magnetic-island/)
- [Marie Antoinette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/marie-antoinette/)
- [Christmas cake](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/christmas-cake/)
- [copperplate writing](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/copperplate-writing/)
- [French beds](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-beds/)
- [double beds](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/double-beds/)
- [Le Clos Postel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-clos-postel/)
- [cycling in Croatia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-in-croatia/)
- [Marjan Hill Split](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/marjan-hill-split/)
- [Le Nez du Vin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-nez-du-vin/)
- [nose](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/nose/)
- [olfactory memory](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/olfactory-memory/)
- [foie gras](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/foie-gras/)
- [cling wrap](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cling-wrap/)
- [L'Atelier des Chefs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/latelier-des-chefs/)
- [B&Bs France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bbs-france/)
- [Le Moulin du Mesnil](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-moulin-du-mesnil/)
- [Cotentin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cotentin/)
- [Montrichard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/montrichard/)
- [Australian wine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/australian-wine/)
- [Capercaillie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/capercaillie/)
- [frogs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/frogs/)
- [Giverny](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/giverny/)
- [home](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/home/)
- [chianti](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chianti/)
- [montepulciano](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/montepulciano/)
- [Sandonatino](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sandonatino/)
- [Casa Nova La Ripintura](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/casa-nova-la-ripintura/)
- [French post office](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-post-office/)
- [brocante](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/brocante/)
- [Le Bon Coin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-bon-coin/)
- [fireback](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fireback/)
- [firedogs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/firedogs/)
- [Father Christmas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/father-christmas/)
- [père noël](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pere-noel/)
- [Santa Claus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/santa-claus/)
- [Le Mesnil Jourdain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-mesnil-jourdain/)
- [Rouen cathedral](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rouen-cathedral/)
- [Brasserie Paul](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/brasserie-paul/)
- [Le Neubourg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-neubourg/)
- [holly](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/holly/)
- [capons](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/capons/)
- [coquille Saint-Jacques](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/coquille-saint-jacques/)
- [Christmas tree decorations](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/christmas-tree-decorations/)
- [Boxing day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/boxing-day/)
- [compote de fruits vieux garçon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/compote-de-fruits-vieux-garcon/)
- [flowers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/flowers/)
- [Palais Royal fountain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/palais-royal-fountain/)
- [Epicerie Tetrel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/epicerie-tetrel/)
- [Place Vendôme](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/place-vendome/)
- [Boucheron](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/boucheron/)
- [Dior](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dior/)
- [Mikimoto](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mikimoto/)
- [RItz](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ritz/)
- [New Year](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/new-year/)
- [Eiffel Tower](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/eiffel-tower/)
- [French ministry of culture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-ministry-of-culture/)
- [Francis Soler](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/francis-soler/)
- [happy new year](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/happy-new-year/)
- [Buren columns](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/buren-columns/)
- [metro](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/metro/)
- [Guimard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/guimard/)
- [Kiosque des Noctambules](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kiosque-des-noctambules/)
- [Othoniel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/othoniel/)
- [Place Colette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/place-colette/)
- [hot chocolate](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hot-chocolate/)
- [breakfast in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/breakfast-in-paris/)
- [Angelina](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/angelina/)
- [galette des rois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/galette-des-rois/)
- [almond paste](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/almond-paste/)
- [thatched roofs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/thatched-roofs/)
- [Normandy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/normandy/)
- [skinny](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/skinny/)
- [Tuileries Gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tuileries-gardens/)
- [Carousel Arch](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/carousel-arch/)
- [Ferris Wheel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ferris-wheel/)
- [Obelisk](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/obelisk/)
- [Maillol](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/maillol/)
- [Henry Moore](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/henry-moore/)
- [winter sales](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/winter-sales/)
- [Le](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le/)
- [Le Meurice](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-meurice/)
- [Defender Bar Hôtel du Louvre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/defender-bar-hotel-du-louvre/)
- [Lutetia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lutetia/)
- [salon mariage](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/salon-mariage/)
- [tarte tatin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tarte-tatin/)
- [sleep apnea](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sleep-apnea/)
- [weight loss after 50](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/weight-loss-after-50/)
- [nutritionist](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/nutritionist/)
- [Yayoi Kusaman](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/yayoi-kusaman/)
- [Tuilieries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tuilieries/)
- [power walking](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/power-walking/)
- [clothes horses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/clothes-horses/)
- [washing in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/washing-in-france/)
- [Spode](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/spode/)
- [Gien](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gien/)
- [teapots](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/teapots/)
- [The Book Set](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-book-set/)
- [toast tongs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/toast-tongs/)
- [glasses holders](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/glasses-holders/)
- [teapot drip catcher](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/teapot-drip-catcher/)
- [Au Bon Marché](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/au-bon-marche/)
- [diet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/diet/)
- [losing weight](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/losing-weight/)
- [Marie-Antoinette Séjean](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/marie-antoinette-sejean/)
- [agitator washing machines](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/agitator-washing-machines/)
- [hand wringers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hand-wringers/)
- [French washing machines](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-washing-machines/)
- [twitter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/twitter/)
- [tweets](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tweets/)
- [tweet-up](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tweet-up/)
- [O-Chateau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/o-chateau/)
- [GPS](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gps/)
- [Tom Tom](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tom-tom/)
- [Place de l'Etoile](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/place-de-letoile/)
- [MyFrenchLife](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/myfrenchlife/)
- [MaVieFrançaise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/maviefrancaise/)
- [Plitvice Lakes Natural Park](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/plitvice-lakes-natural-park/)
- [Galérie des proues](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/galerie-des-proues/)
- [Saint Germain l'Auxerrois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-germain-lauxerrois/)
- [Hôtel de police](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hotel-de-police/)
- [hotel Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hotel-paris/)
- [A t Z](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/a-t-z/)
- [meme](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/meme/)
- [fresh bags](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fresh-bags/)
- [ziploc](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ziploc/)
- [L'Appart thé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lappart-the/)
- [Hôtel Alluye](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hotel-alluye/)
- [Troc l'Île](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/troc-lile/)
- [Chandeleur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chandeleur/)
- [crèpes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/crepes/)
- [Chenonceau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chenonceau/)
- [cycling in the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-in-the-loire-valley/)
- [Nancy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/nancy/)
- [Villa Majorelle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/villa-majorelle/)
- [art nouveau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/art-nouveau/)
- [iPhone apps](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/iphone-apps/)
- [viber](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/viber/)
- [instagram](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/instagram/)
- [tweeple](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tweeple/)
- [twitterian](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/twitterian/)
- [hashtag](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hashtag/)
- [tweep](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tweep/)
- [travel itinerary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/travel-itinerary/)
- [Tuileries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tuileries/)
- [gabarre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gabarre/)
- [depôt-vente](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/depot-vente/)
- [L'Arbre Sec](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/larbre-sec/)
- [Paris restaurant](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-restaurant/)
- [Valentine's Day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/valentines-day/)
- [la Saint-Valentin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-saint-valentin/)
- [Le Comptoir](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-comptoir/)
- [La Bastide Odéon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-bastide-odeon/)
- [troc.com](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/troc-com/)
- [Cash Converter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cash-converter/)
- [Annecy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/annecy/)
- [Castello de la Sarre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/castello-de-la-sarre/)
- [Chalet les lupins](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chalet-les-lupins/)
- [Thones](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/thones/)
- [Villa d'Este](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/villa-deste/)
- [Tivoli Gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tivoli-gardens/)
- [bourse du commerce](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bourse-du-commerce/)
- [rue du Louvre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rue-du-louvre/)
- [astrological clock](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/astrological-clock/)
- [Louis Philippe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/louis-philippe/)
- [Ercolano](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ercolano/)
- [Herculaneum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/herculaneum/)
- [Pompeii](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pompeii/)
- [circumvesuviana](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/circumvesuviana/)
- [apple crumble](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/apple-crumble/)
- [crème anglaise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/creme-anglaise/)
- [Singer sewing machine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/singer-sewing-machine/)
- [treadle machine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/treadle-machine/)
- [méridienne verte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/meridienne-verte/)
- [Kevin Rudd](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kevin-rudd/)
- [Cairns](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cairns/)
- [Milan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/milan/)
- [Duomo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/duomo/)
- [aperitivo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/aperitivo/)
- [El Madrono](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/el-madrono/)
- [Madrid](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/madrid/)
- [home exchange](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/home-exchange/)
- [Paris plage](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-plage/)
- [breathalyser France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/breathalyser-france/)
- [La Cuisine Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-cuisine-paris/)
- [cleaners in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cleaners-in-france/)
- [L'Embarcadère](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lembarcadere/)
- [Henri II furniture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/henri-ii-furniture/)
- [Conero](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/conero/)
- [Loreto](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/loreto/)
- [Ancona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ancona/)
- [spring in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/spring-in-paris/)
- [palio in siena](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/palio-in-siena/)
- [wisteria in Venice](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wisteria-in-venice/)
- [gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gardens/)
- [raspberries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/raspberries/)
- [wisteria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wisteria/)
- [Daylight saving](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/daylight-saving/)
- [summer time](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/summer-time/)
- [heure d'été](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/heure-dete/)
- [Henri II](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/henri-ii/)
- [maie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/maie/)
- [Burano](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/burano/)
- [château de Blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-blois/)
- [Pragie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pragie/)
- [Best Australian Blogs 2012](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/best-australian-blogs-2012/)
- [brocanteur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/brocanteur/)
- [Bread is Pain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bread-is-pain/)
- [Petite Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/petite-paris/)
- [Blog in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/blog-in-france/)
- [Split](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/split/)
- [Mostar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mostar/)
- [Dubrovnik](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dubrovnik/)
- [accommodation Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/accommodation-loire-valley/)
- [Alain Détournier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/alain-detournier/)
- [Carré des Feuillants](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/carre-des-feuillants/)
- [packing](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/packing/)
- [travelling](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/travelling-2/)
- [kindle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kindle/)
- [anita desai](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/anita-desai/)
- [book-off](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/book-off/)
- [second-hand English books](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/second-hand-english-books/)
- [presidential elections in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/presidential-elections-in-france/)
- [bird bath](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bird-bath/)
- [bird feeder](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bird-feeder/)
- [garlic](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/garlic/)
- [eating & drinking in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/eating-drinking-in-paris/)
- [Paris flea market](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-flea-market/)
- [Chambord](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chambord/)
- [vide-grenier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vide-grenier/)
- [Maslives](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/maslives/)
- [Manarola](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/manarola/)
- [Monterosso](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/monterosso/)
- [Corniglia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/corniglia/)
- [Venrazza](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/venrazza/)
- [Via dell'Amore](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/via-dellamore/)
- [Riomaggiore](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/riomaggiore/)
- [L'Ancora della Tortuga](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lancora-della-tortuga/)
- [sea organ zadar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sea-organ-zadar/)
- [saint donat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-donat/)
- [weather vane](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/weather-vane/)
- [Amboise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/amboise/)
- [The Shaker](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-shaker/)
- [chickadee](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chickadee/)
- [gardening](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gardening/)
- [Zadar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/zadar/)
- [the Sea Organ](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-sea-organ/)
- [The Greeting of the Sun](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-greeting-of-the-sun/)
- [Apartmani Lipa](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/apartmani-lipa/)
- [Plitvice Lakes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/plitvice-lakes/)
- [Le Prince Jardinier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-prince-jardinier/)
- [Eufrazijana](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/eufrazijana/)
- [istria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/istria/)
- [Paris outlet stores](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-outlet-stores/)
- [usine center](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/usine-center/)
- [leboncoin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/leboncoin/)
- [sunset in paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sunset-in-paris/)
- [pont des arts](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pont-des-arts/)
- [pont du carousel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pont-du-carousel/)
- [bouiquiniste](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bouiquiniste/)
- [Auvers sur OIse](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/auvers-sur-oise/)
- [Van Gogh](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/van-gogh/)
- [Institut de France Library](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/institut-de-france-library/)
- [Angelina's](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/angelinas/)
- [Franglish](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/franglish/)
- [pansies](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pansies/)
- [Ussé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/usse/)
- [orchids](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/orchids/)
- [nympheas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/nympheas/)
- [Orangerie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/orangerie/)
- [orvieto](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/orvieto/)
- [Le Pré aux Clercs restaurant](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-pre-aux-clercs-restaurant/)
- [Ladurée](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/laduree/)
- [lovelocks in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lovelocks-in-paris/)
- [where to eat in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/where-to-eat-in-paris/)
- [broderie anglaise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/broderie-anglaise/)
- [Paris fashion](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-fashion/)
- [like home in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/like-home-in-paris/)
- [vacation rentals in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vacation-rentals-in-paris/)
- [femmes francophiles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/femmes-francophiles/)
- [Gwen Evans](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gwen-evans/)
- [wine tasting in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wine-tasting-in-paris/)
- [A Priori Thé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/a-priori-the/)
- [Bistrot Vivienne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bistrot-vivienne/)
- [B&Bs Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bbs-paris/)
- [Ljubliana](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ljubliana/)
- [cycling Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-loire-valley/)
- [Loire valley cyclng](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/loire-valley-cyclng/)
- [veloroute 6](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/veloroute-6/)
- [Bayonne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bayonne/)
- [Deyrolle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/deyrolle/)
- [Saint Germain des Prés](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-germain-des-pres/)
- [Mary Cassatt](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mary-cassatt/)
- [The Greater Journey](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-greater-journey/)
- [McCullough](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mccullough/)
- [Pierre Ronsard roses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pierre-ronsard-roses/)
- [Madame Meilland](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/madame-meilland/)
- [Peace rose](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/peace-rose/)
- [Reinfall](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/reinfall/)
- [Rhine Falls](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rhine-falls/)
- [Schaffhausen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/schaffhausen/)
- [summer cep](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/summer-cep/)
- [Chouzy sur Cisse](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chouzy-sur-cisse/)
- [Pierre Ronsard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pierre-ronsard/)
- [Saharan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saharan/)
- [Prieuré d'Orchaise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/prieure-dorchaise/)
- [Roland Garros](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/roland-garros/)
- [Travelling Solo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/travelling-solo/)
- [Père Lachaise cemetary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pere-lachaise-cemetary/)
- [engravings](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/engravings/)
- [Christian Collin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/christian-collin/)
- [The Palers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-palers/)
- [hot air balloon Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hot-air-balloon-loire-valley/)
- [country house](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/country-house/)
- [Experience France by BIke](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/experience-france-by-bike/)
- [Paris Weekender](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-weekender/)
- [Villa Letan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/villa-letan/)
- [Novrigrad](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/novrigrad/)
- [Porec](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/porec/)
- [Pula](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pula/)
- [swimming shoes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/swimming-shoes/)
- [Euphrasian Episcopal Complex](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/euphrasian-episcopal-complex/)
- [Domaine des Hauts de Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/domaine-des-hauts-de-loire/)
- [Rémy Giraud](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/remy-giraud/)
- [Onzain](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/onzain/)
- [Golden Roof](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/golden-roof/)
- [Innsbruck](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/innsbruck/)
- [Gastof Koreth](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gastof-koreth/)
- [femmesfrancophiles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/femmesfrancophiles/)
- [Vinomania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vinomania/)
- [Carrière Wellington](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/carriere-wellington/)
- [Saint Denis basilica](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-denis-basilica/)
- [Prix Diane](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/prix-diane/)
- [horse races Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/horse-races-paris/)
- [cépages](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cepages/)
- [fête de la music](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fete-de-la-music/)
- [play me I'm yours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/play-me-im-yours/)
- [streetpianosparis.com](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/streetpianosparis-com/)
- [Vaux-le-Vicomte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vaux-le-vicomte/)
- [flying over Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/flying-over-paris/)
- [biking on the Atlantic Coast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/biking-on-the-atlantic-coast/)
- [candlelight dinner](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/candlelight-dinner/)
- [cheverny](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cheverny/)
- [côte de boeuf](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cote-de-boeuf/)
- [French fashion](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-fashion/)
- [Mer-les-Bains](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mer-les-bains/)
- [halle bracieux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/halle-bracieux/)
- [Denise from Bolton](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/denise-from-bolton/)
- [Chantilly races](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chantilly-races/)
- [Chaumont-sur-Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chaumont-sur-loire/)
- [John Modesitt](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/john-modesitt/)
- [impressionist painting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/impressionist-painting/)
- [summer in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/summer-in-paris/)
- [La Pergola Gournay sur Marne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-pergola-gournay-sur-marne/)
- [Hermitage](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hermitage/)
- [Russian Museum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/russian-museum/)
- [Volga](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/volga/)
- [midnight sun](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/midnight-sun/)
- [cycling in the Loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-in-the-loire/)
- [saint dyé sur loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-dye-sur-loire/)
- [château de menars](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-menars/)
- [cours sur loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cours-sur-loire/)
- [Fougères](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fougeres/)
- [Liège](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/liege/)
- [Atlantic Coast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/atlantic-coast/)
- [Corte Bebbi](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/corte-bebbi/)
- [Sabbioneta](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sabbioneta/)
- [fresco](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fresco/)
- [out and about in Paris blog](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/out-and-about-in-paris-blog/)
- [14th July celebrations](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/14th-july-celebrations/)
- [Bastille Day 2012](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bastille-day-2012/)
- [Mariinsky Theatre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mariinsky-theatre/)
- [Kazan Cathedral](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kazan-cathedral/)
- [Saint Catherine of Alexandria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-catherine-of-alexandria/)
- [Saint Petersburg State University](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-petersburg-state-university/)
- [Paris rooftops](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-rooftops/)
- [Finding Noon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/finding-noon/)
- [making croissants](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/making-croissants/)
- [Cordoba](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cordoba/)
- [Ahae](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ahae/)
- [L'Atelier du Sens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/latelier-du-sens/)
- [Balsamic vinegar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/balsamic-vinegar/)
- [marco pinicriilli](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/marco-pinicriilli/)
- [acetaiea picci](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/acetaiea-picci/)
- [cavriago](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cavriago/)
- [reggio emilia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/reggio-emilia/)
- [balsamic vinegar of modena](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/balsamic-vinegar-of-modena/)
- [Parma](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parma/)
- [baptistry](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/baptistry/)
- [parmesan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parmesan/)
- [Trier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/trier/)
- [Destination Europe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/destination-europe/)
- [Bacharach-on-the-Rhine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bacharach-on-the-rhine/)
- [hydrangeas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hydrangeas/)
- [Rose of Sharon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rose-of-sharon/)
- [hollyhock](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hollyhock/)
- [potatoes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/potatoes/)
- [impressionists](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/impressionists/)
- [Bangkok](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bangkok/)
- [Teak House](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/teak-house/)
- [Out and About in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/out-and-about-in-paris/)
- [Vinosolex](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vinosolex/)
- [Seine cruises](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/seine-cruises/)
- [gigondas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gigondas/)
- [restaurants open in Paris in August](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/restaurants-open-in-paris-in-august/)
- [Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo/)
- [BPPV](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bppv/)
- [Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wat-benchamabophit-dusitvanaram/)
- [Lucky Buddha](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lucky-buddha/)
- [Wat Intharawihan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wat-intharawihan/)
- [sapphire and gold earrings](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sapphire-and-gold-earrings/)
- [tuktuk](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tuktuk/)
- [Orange](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/orange/)
- [Arc of Triumph](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/arc-of-triumph/)
- [Roman antique theatre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/roman-antique-theatre/)
- [Ahae exhibition](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ahae-exhibition/)
- [fun fair](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fun-fair/)
- [La Promenade Petit Pressigny](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-promenade-petit-pressigny/)
- [Veloscenie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/veloscenie/)
- [Velodyssee](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/velodyssee/)
- [Wat Pho](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wat-pho/)
- [reclining buddha](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/reclining-buddha/)
- [grand palace Bangkok](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/grand-palace-bangkok/)
- [vinanmek mansion](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vinanmek-mansion/)
- [dusit palace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dusit-palace/)
- [moon cakes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/moon-cakes/)
- [Orchaise Priory](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/orchaise-priory/)
- [Saharan roses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saharan-roses/)
- [Saint Paul de Vence](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-paul-de-vence/)
- [Ca](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ca/)
- [Bracieux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bracieux/)
- [Au Fil du Temps](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/au-fil-du-temps/)
- [Get in the Hot Spot](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/get-in-the-hot-spot/)
- [Saint Jean de Luz](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-jean-de-luz/)
- [Château de Chaumont](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-chaumont/)
- [Château de Chenonceau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-chenonceau/)
- [Aigremonts windmill](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/aigremonts-windmill/)
- [moulin d'Aigremonts](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/moulin-daigremonts/)
- [Bléré](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/blere/)
- [château d'Amboise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-damboise/)
- [Clos Lucé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/clos-luce/)
- [Leonardo da Vinci](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/leonardo-da-vinci/)
- [Le Shaker](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-shaker/)
- [Château de Chambord](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-chambord/)
- [Fontaines de Sologne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fontaines-de-sologne/)
- [Muides](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/muides/)
- [repainting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/repainting/)
- [fresnel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fresnel/)
- [Dutch bike](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dutch-bike/)
- [Gitane ladies bike](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gitane-ladies-bike/)
- [Pavillion de Flore](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pavillion-de-flore/)
- [Pavillion de Marsan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pavillion-de-marsan/)
- [sailing boats in Tuileries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sailing-boats-in-tuileries/)
- [Café Marly](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cafe-marly/)
- [Vienna Rathaus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vienna-rathaus/)
- [Austrian parliament](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/austrian-parliament/)
- [Hofburg Palace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hofburg-palace/)
- [Saint Stephen's Cathedral Vienna](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-stephens-cathedral-vienna/)
- [Karlskirche](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/karlskirche/)
- [Karleplatz Stadtbahn](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/karleplatz-stadtbahn/)
- [Vienna State Opera](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vienna-state-opera/)
- [Schönbrunn palace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/schonbrunn-palace/)
- [Jugendstil](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/jugendstil/)
- [café gourmand](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cafe-gourmand/)
- [le penalty](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-penalty/)
- [l'appartthé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lappartthe/)
- [my french life](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/my-french-life/)
- [balusters](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/balusters/)
- [Escape to Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/escape-to-paris/)
- [bread oven](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bread-oven/)
- [candé sur beuvron](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cande-sur-beuvron/)
- [pyramids](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pyramids/)
- [sphinx](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sphinx/)
- [abu simbel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/abu-simbel/)
- [vouvray](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vouvray/)
- [freslier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/freslier/)
- [troglodyte houses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/troglodyte-houses/)
- [rear view mirror](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rear-view-mirror/)
- [holidays to europe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/holidays-to-europe/)
- [money travel cards](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/money-travel-cards/)
- [paris airport](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-airport/)
- [paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-2/)
- [bacharach](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bacharach/)
- [heidelberg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/heidelberg/)
- [schwabisch hall](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/schwabisch-hall/)
- [nuremberg](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/nuremberg/)
- [leipzig](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/leipzig/)
- [dresden](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dresden/)
- [pigeonnier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pigeonnier/)
- [pigeon house](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pigeon-house/)
- [pigeon loft](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pigeon-loft/)
- [Langlois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/langlois/)
- [les forges du chateau blois](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/les-forges-du-chateau-blois/)
- [long-haul flights](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/long-haul-flights/)
- [outside camera](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/outside-camera/)
- [cot](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cot/)
- [loire valley wines](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/loire-valley-wines/)
- [champagne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/champagne/)
- [taittinger](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/taittinger/)
- [pommery](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pommery/)
- [moet & chandon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/moet-chandon/)
- [hong kong](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hong-kong/)
- [sydney](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sydney/)
- [expat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/expat/)
- [Velo vineyard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/velo-vineyard/)
- [Launceston](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/launceston/)
- [Ross](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ross/)
- [Campbell Town](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/campbell-town/)
- [Tasmania](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tasmania/)
- [Coles Bay](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/coles-bay/)
- [Bicheno](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bicheno/)
- [Springvale vineyard](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/springvale-vineyard/)
- [hobart](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hobart/)
- [architecture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/architecture-2/)
- [Richmond](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/richmond/)
- [Puddleduck winery](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/puddleduck-winery/)
- [Devil's Kitchen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/devils-kitchen/)
- [Tasman's Arch](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tasmans-arch/)
- [Cataract gorge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cataract-gorge/)
- [tamar river](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tamar-river/)
- [Tamar Estuary](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tamar-estuary/)
- [George Town](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/george-town/)
- [Low Head Lighthouse](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/low-head-lighthouse/)
- [wattle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wattle/)
- [bottle brush](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bottle-brush/)
- [echium](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/echium/)
- [kangaroo paw](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kangaroo-paw/)
- [Tasmanian lavendar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tasmanian-lavendar/)
- [Kneipp family Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kneipp-family-australia/)
- [Dangarsleigh War Memorial](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dangarsleigh-war-memorial/)
- [Dangars Falls](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dangars-falls/)
- [Petersons Wineries](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/petersons-wineries/)
- [GGs cafe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ggs-cafe/)
- [the Goldfish Bowl Armidale](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-goldfish-bowl-armidale/)
- [Australian breakfast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/australian-breakfast/)
- [Devonshire Tea](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/devonshire-tea/)
- [Regatta](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/regatta/)
- [Gold Coast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gold-coast/)
- [blogging](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/blogging-2/)
- [aussie in france](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/aussie-in-france/)
- [Cheung Chau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cheung-chau/)
- [Pak Tai Temple](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pak-tai-temple/)
- [madame la guillotine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/madame-la-guillotine/)
- [parisian museums](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parisian-museums/)
- [learning French](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/learning-french/)
- [casino](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/casino/)
- [lottery](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lottery/)
- [lotto](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lotto/)
- [pokies](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pokies/)
- [spéciales oysters](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/speciales-oysters/)
- [renovations](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/renovations/)
- [Brisbane](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/brisbane/)
- [Goodwill Bridge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/goodwill-bridge/)
- [Kurilpa Bridge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kurilpa-bridge/)
- [Streets Beach](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/streets-beach/)
- [verrine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/verrine/)
- [French food](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-food/)
- [Le Marignan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-marignan/)
- [Greek temples](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/greek-temples/)
- [temple of hera](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/temple-of-hera/)
- [temple of athena](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/temple-of-athena/)
- [paestum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paestum/)
- [ceps](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ceps/)
- [wood mushrooms](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wood-mushrooms/)
- [parasol mushrooms](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parasol-mushrooms/)
- [house swap](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/house-swap/)
- [days on the claise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/days-on-the-claise/)
- [Chez Laurent](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chez-laurent/)
- [Saint Louis' cathedral](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-louis-cathedral/)
- [anti-theft tracking](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/anti-theft-tracking/)
- [prey](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/prey/)
- [Cathay Pacific missing baggage](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cathay-pacific-missing-baggage/)
- [Viterbo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/viterbo/)
- [VIlla Farinella](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/villa-farinella/)
- [Palazzo dei Priori](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/palazzo-dei-priori/)
- [Palazzo Farnese](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/palazzo-farnese/)
- [Pavoni espresso machine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pavoni-espresso-machine/)
- [fireplace renovation](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fireplace-renovation/)
- [christmas markets](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/christmas-markets/)
- [French plegm](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-plegm/)
- [cappuccino](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cappuccino/)
- [Expats Blog Award 2012](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/expats-blog-award-2012/)
- [Roma](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/roma/)
- [fountains](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fountains/)
- [Le Franco Phoney](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-franco-phoney/)
- [tax in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tax-in-france/)
- [companies in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/companies-in-france/)
- [Domaine de la Rossignole](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/domaine-de-la-rossignole/)
- [Les Hauts de Caillevel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/les-hauts-de-caillevel/)
- [Domaine Jacques Rouzé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/domaine-jacques-rouze/)
- [Domaine Pierre Adam](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/domaine-pierre-adam/)
- [Domaine du Grand Arc](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/domaine-du-grand-arc/)
- [international money transfer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/international-money-transfer/)
- [international banking](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/international-banking/)
- [banking in Australia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/banking-in-australia/)
- [London](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/london/)
- [Thames](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/thames/)
- [Big Ben](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/big-ben/)
- [Tower Bridge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tower-bridge/)
- [London Eye](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/london-eye/)
- [Oliver's Wharf](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/olivers-wharf/)
- [Days on the Glaise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/days-on-the-glaise/)
- [François I](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/francois-i/)
- [Carina Okula](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/carina-okula/)
- [dual nationality](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dual-nationality/)
- [closing a company in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/closing-a-company-in-france/)
- [café pouchkine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cafe-pouchkine/)
- [Galéries Lafayette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/galeries-lafayette/)
- [Printemps](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/printemps/)
- [Paris Opera](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-opera/)
- [Colosseum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/colosseum/)
- [Circus Maximus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/circus-maximus/)
- [Torre Argentina](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/torre-argentina/)
- [Santa Maria degli Angeli](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/santa-maria-degli-angeli/)
- [Pantheon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pantheon/)
- [Arch of Constantine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/arch-of-constantine/)
- [Dali](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dali/)
- [Brittany](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/brittany/)
- [Côte Abode](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cote-abode/)
- [Paris on Demand](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-on-demand/)
- [confrerie gourmande de nougat de Tours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/confrerie-gourmande-de-nougat-de-tours/)
- [Piazza Campa de' Fiori](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/piazza-campa-de-fiori/)
- [rome](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rome/)
- [marchand de tapis](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/marchand-de-tapis/)
- [Loire Connexion](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/loire-connexion/)
- [Christmas blog hop](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/christmas-blog-hop/)
- [winter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/winter/)
- [Expat Blog Awards](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/expat-blog-awards/)
- [châteaux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateaux/)
- [Adam Ruck](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/adam-ruck/)
- [France on Two Wheels](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/france-on-two-wheels/)
- [Frugal First Class Travel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/frugal-first-class-travel/)
- [akubra](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/akubra/)
- [Le lion d'or val de loire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-lion-dor-val-de-loire/)
- [Christmas](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/christmas/)
- [Le Saint Michel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/le-saint-michel/)
- [Seasonal Affective Disorder](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/seasonal-affective-disorder/)
- [renovation](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/renovation-2/)
- [Au Vieux Campeur](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/au-vieux-campeur/)
- [New Year in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/new-year-in-paris/)
- [Monday's travel photos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mondays-travel-photos/)
- [lake annecy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lake-annecy/)
- [il babuino](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/il-babuino/)
- [New Years resolutions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/new-years-resolutions/)
- [winter depression](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/winter-depression/)
- [light deprivation disorder](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/light-deprivation-disorder/)
- [champagne humide](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/champagne-humide/)
- [half-timbered churches](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/half-timbered-churches/)
- [Loire Valley Time Travel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/loire-valley-time-travel/)
- [Celestine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/celestine/)
- [fireplace renovations](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fireplace-renovations/)
- [winter travelling](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/winter-travelling/)
- [dog sledding](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dog-sledding/)
- [great wall of china](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/great-wall-of-china/)
- [Dr Antoinette Séjean](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dr-antoinette-sejean/)
- [wet Champagne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/wet-champagne/)
- [quai de la Mégisserie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/quai-de-la-megisserie/)
- [SAD](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sad/)
- [houseplants](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/houseplants/)
- [ferns](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ferns/)
- [searching for home](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/searching-for-home/)
- [barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/barcelona/)
- [weight loss](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/weight-loss/)
- [paris pavement art](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-pavement-art/)
- [place du Palais Royal](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/place-du-palais-royal/)
- [word by word](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/word-by-word/)
- [Paris in the snow](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-in-the-snow/)
- [powerwalking](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/powerwalking/)
- [snow in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/snow-in-paris/)
- [the Night Revellers' Kiosk](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/the-night-revellers-kiosk/)
- [gigi's french window](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gigis-french-window/)
- [Ljubljana](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ljubljana/)
- [dragon bridge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dragon-bridge/)
- [vodnjan](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vodnjan/)
- [triple bridge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/triple-bridge/)
- [saint valery sur somme](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-valery-sur-somme/)
- [Saint Eustache market](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-eustache-market/)
- [Gaudi](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gaudi/)
- [Y Travel Blog](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/y-travel-blog/)
- [Finding the Universe](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/finding-the-universe/)
- [Klosterkirche monastery church](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/klosterkirche-monastery-church/)
- [Rheina](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rheina/)
- [Shaffhausen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/shaffhausen/)
- [Stein am rhein](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/stein-am-rhein/)
- [thin-crust apple tart](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/thin-crust-apple-tart/)
- [tarte aux pommes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/tarte-aux-pommes/)
- [danse macabre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/danse-macabre/)
- [French hospital food](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-hospital-food/)
- [quand même](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/quand-meme/)
- [notre dame bells](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/notre-dame-bells/)
- [primroses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/primroses/)
- [chiensee](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chiensee/)
- [chieming café](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chieming-cafe/)
- [gasthaus koreth](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gasthaus-koreth/)
- [hoffkirche](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hoffkirche/)
- [pintxos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pintxos/)
- [Guell Park](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/guell-park/)
- [Bilbao Barria](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bilbao-barria/)
- [Sagrada Familia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sagrada-familia/)
- [Casa Mila](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/casa-mila/)
- [La Pedrera](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-pedrera/)
- [Casa Botllo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/casa-botllo/)
- [Guell Palace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/guell-palace/)
- [Guell Pavilion](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/guell-pavilion/)
- [buses in Barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/buses-in-barcelona/)
- [taxis in Barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/taxis-in-barcelona/)
- [lost and found Barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lost-and-found-barcelona/)
- [plaça in Barcelona](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/placa-in-barcelona/)
- [La Sagrada Familia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-sagrada-familia/)
- [Casa Batllo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/casa-batllo/)
- [Guell Parc](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/guell-parc/)
- [European capital of culture](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/european-capital-of-culture/)
- [marseilles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/marseilles/)
- [driving licence in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/driving-licence-in-france/)
- [rearview mirror](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rearview-mirror/)
- [Guell](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/guell/)
- [Santa Catarina market](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/santa-catarina-market/)
- [carnival](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/carnival/)
- [Batllo family](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/batllo-family/)
- [azulejos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/azulejos/)
- [Feels like home in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/feels-like-home-in-paris/)
- [llamalady](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/llamalady/)
- [hôtel dieu](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hotel-dieu/)
- [Paris Muse](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-muse/)
- [Paris museum tours](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-museum-tours/)
- [manual chain hoist](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/manual-chain-hoist/)
- [renaissance fireplace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/renaissance-fireplace/)
- [château de Cheverny](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-cheverny/)
- [Rin Tin Tin and Rusty](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rin-tin-tin-and-rusty/)
- [fireplace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fireplace/)
- [espresso](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/espresso/)
- [latte art](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/latte-art/)
- [pop-up bar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pop-up-bar/)
- [180 restaurant and bar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/180-restaurant-and-bar/)
- [chez charnizay](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chez-charnizay/)
- [parçay sur vienne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parcay-sur-vienne/)
- [rearviewmirror](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rearviewmirror/)
- [patisseries in paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/patisseries-in-paris/)
- [Cape Cod fire starter](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cape-cod-fire-starter/)
- [Turgis](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/turgis/)
- [Diane de Poitiers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/diane-de-poitiers/)
- [Catherine de Medicis](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/catherine-de-medicis/)
- [spring](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/spring/)
- [Touraine orchids](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/touraine-orchids/)
- [daffodils](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/daffodils/)
- [My Sydney Paris Life](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/my-sydney-paris-life/)
- [Louvre pyramids](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/louvre-pyramids/)
- [Monet's garden](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/monets-garden/)
- [Impressionism Museum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/impressionism-museum/)
- [joan of arc](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/joan-of-arc/)
- [chinon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chinon/)
- [Flavors of Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/flavors-of-paris/)
- [Best Friend in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/best-friend-in-paris/)
- [Context](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/context/)
- [salon mer et vigne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/salon-mer-et-vigne/)
- [magnolia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/magnolia/)
- [cold in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cold-in-paris/)
- [Palais Royal gardens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/palais-royal-gardens/)
- [Serge Lutens](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/serge-lutens/)
- [smoothies](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/smoothies/)
- [persillé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/persille/)
- [fromage persillé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fromage-persille/)
- [entrecote persillé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/entrecote-persille/)
- [Apocalypse Tapestry](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/apocalypse-tapestry/)
- [château d'Angers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-dangers/)
- [Angers Castle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/angers-castle/)
- [sun](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sun/)
- [sunglasses](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sunglasses/)
- [Galerie Vivienne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/galerie-vivienne/)
- [Lou Messugo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lou-messugo/)
- [My Paris Sydney Life](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/my-paris-sydney-life/)
- [Chateauneuf](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateauneuf/)
- [Preuilly](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/preuilly/)
- [charcuterie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/charcuterie/)
- [Nissim de Camondo museum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/nissim-de-camondo-museum/)
- [Expats Blog](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/expats-blog/)
- [top ten châteaux of the Loire Valley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/top-ten-chateaux-of-the-loire-valley/)
- [chien assis](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chien-assis/)
- [chien couché](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chien-couche/)
- [lucarnes](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lucarnes/)
- [Diocobat](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/diocobat/)
- [château de Langeais](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-langeais/)
- [Anne de Bretagne](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/anne-de-bretagne/)
- [Louis VIII](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/louis-viii/)
- [mediaeval scaffolding](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mediaeval-scaffolding/)
- [Azay-le-Rideau](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/azay-le-rideau/)
- [Langeais](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/langeais/)
- [La Maison de Rabelais](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-maison-de-rabelais/)
- [poisson d'avril](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/poisson-davril/)
- [April Fool's Day](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/april-fools-day/)
- [Philippe Lesbahy](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/philippe-lesbahy/)
- [Gilles Berthelot](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/gilles-berthelot/)
- [notaire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/notaire/)
- [buying and selling in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/buying-and-selling-in-france/)
- [Chaumont](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chaumont/)
- [Villandry](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/villandry/)
- [Valençay](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/valencay/)
- [Loches](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/loches/)
- [Agnès de Sorel](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/agnes-de-sorel/)
- [Charles VII](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/charles-vii/)
- [europe tip trips](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/europe-tip-trips/)
- [donjon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/donjon/)
- [dungeon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dungeon/)
- [keep](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/keep/)
- [oubliette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/oubliette/)
- [Les Gueules noires](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/les-gueules-noires/)
- [domaine freslier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/domaine-freslier/)
- [vouvray wine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vouvray-wine/)
- [latte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/latte/)
- [Telescope](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/telescope/)
- [vide-greniers](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vide-greniers/)
- [vide-armoires](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vide-armoires/)
- [hôte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hote/)
- [chambre d'hôte](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chambre-dhote/)
- [60th birthday](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/60th-birthday/)
- [rue Villedo](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/rue-villedo/)
- [chinon castle](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chinon-castle/)
- [kiosks in Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kiosks-in-paris/)
- [chess tournament](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chess-tournament/)
- [château de Montpoupon](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chateau-de-montpoupon/)
- [Hermès](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hermes/)
- [musée de l'orangerie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/musee-de-lorangerie/)
- [musée carnavalet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/musee-carnavalet/)
- [carrette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/carrette/)
- [place des vosges](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/place-des-vosges/)
- [bonjour](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bonjour/)
- [salut](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/salut/)
- [bon après-midi](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/bon-apres-midi/)
- [greeting people in French](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/greeting-people-in-french/)
- [parc des sceaux](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/parc-des-sceaux/)
- [deer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/deer/)
- [Saint Dyé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/saint-dye/)
- [L'Herbe Rouge](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lherbe-rouge/)
- [Valaire](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/valaire/)
- [Biarritz](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/biarritz/)
- [Ciboure](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ciboure/)
- [cycling on the Basque coast](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cycling-on-the-basque-coast/)
- [Lost in Arles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lost-in-arles/)
- [Arles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/arles/)
- [paris gardens and parks](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/paris-gardens-and-parks/)
- [basque country](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/basque-country-2/)
- [villa leihorra](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/villa-leihorra/)
- [ravel's birthplace](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ravels-birthplace/)
- [s'il vous plaît](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/sil-vous-plait/)
- [merci](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/merci/)
- [retirement in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/retirement-in-france/)
- [San Sebastian](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/san-sebastian/)
- [pinxtos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/pinxtos/)
- [Urgull Hill](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/urgull-hill/)
- [Ghent](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ghent/)
- [Antwerp](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/antwerp/)
- [souvenirs](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/souvenirs/)
- [Chagall exhibition](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chagall-exhibition/)
- [french expressions](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-expressions/)
- [autant pour moi](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/autant-pour-moi/)
- [désolé](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/desole/)
- [chagriné](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chagrine/)
- [navré](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/navre/)
- [confus](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/confus/)
- [je m'excuse](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/je-mexcuse/)
- [medlar](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/medlar/)
- [ornamental broom](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/ornamental-broom/)
- [speedwell](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/speedwell/)
- [lilac](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/lilac/)
- [linen flax](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/linen-flax/)
- [losing 20 kilos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/losing-20-kilos/)
- [losing 5 kilos](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/losing-5-kilos/)
- [Copenhagen](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/copenhagen/)
- [Cinque Terre](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cinque-terre/)
- [la bise](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/la-bise/)
- [kissing in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/kissing-in-france/)
- [Katherine Briçonnet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/katherine-briconnet/)
- [Louise of Lorraine](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/louise-of-lorraine/)
- [Louise Dupin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/louise-dupin/)
- [Marguerite Pelouze](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/marguerite-pelouze/)
- [Simone Meunier](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/simone-meunier/)
- [French decorating styles](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-decorating-styles/)
- [Méry](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mery/)
- [Frédéric Saldmann](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/frederic-saldmann/)
- [dieting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dieting-2/)
- [natural appetite suppressants](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/natural-appetite-suppressants/)
- [chouette](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/chouette/)
- [hibou](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hibou/)
- [vachement](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vachement/)
- [vache espagnole](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vache-espagnole/)
- [vacherie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/vacherie/)
- [hondarribia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/hondarribia/)
- [fontaribie](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fontaribie/)
- [fuentarribia](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/fuentarribia/)
- [Taberna Atetxea](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/taberna-atetxea/)
- [neighbours' day in France](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/neighbours-day-in-france/)
- [Signac](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/signac/)
- [5:2 fast diet](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/52-fast-diet/)
- [intermittent fasting](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/intermittent-fasting/)
- [Dr Saldman](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dr-saldman/)
- [Dr Michael Mosley](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/dr-michael-mosley/)
- [Mimi Spencer](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/mimi-spencer/)
- [cloche de mariée](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cloche-de-mariee/)
- [globe de mariée](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/globe-de-mariee/)
- [Villesavin](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/villesavin/)
- [cloche](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/cloche/)
- [French bridal museum](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/french-bridal-museum/)
- [travel tips for Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/travel-tips-for-paris/)
- [off the beaten track Paris](https://www.aussieinfrance.com/tag/off-the-beaten-track-paris/)