Painting above by Tom Vieth
From the French, from friends both French and expat, just from living here and soaking up the culture, here are some of the things I’ve learned from 12 years of living in France.
1. The good life is not just about work, about things, about getting to the end of your list. It’s about leisurely moments spent with family and friends. About relaxed breakfasts, long lunches, family dinners. Not just on week-ends, but every day.
2. One of the great pleasures of winter is crawling into a toasty bed with a heated mattress pad. I learned this from my English friend Chris, but I think every Brit has one.
3. Universal and excellent health care, for every citizen, with almost no paperwork or hassle for the patient, is possible and do-able. And the French do an impressive job of it.
4. Nothing allows you to get inside a foreigner’s head or their culture like learning their language.
5. There are few things more beautiful than living across the road from a 10th century Romanesque church that sits atop a hill and is lit like a beacon at night.
6. Life is more interesting when your friends come from a dozen different countries.
7. I will never be completely fluent in French, or lose my southern accent.
8. The French social system, for all its flaws, is enormously successful in providing basic humanitarian services (retirement, maternal care, health care, disability insurance, etc.) to every citizen, rich or poor.
9. It is hard to beat sitting on the terrace of a French café with a fresh, buttery croissant and a cup of piping hot espresso.
10. As a people, the French can be maddening, arrogant, and stubborn. They can also be kind, funny, and wonderful.
11. If you want to have a really fun and different retirement, take the plunge, and have an adventure.
OK, that was eleven. Expats and/or voyageurs, how has traveling or living abroad changed you?
In the COMMENTS: I had a great meet-up with loyal readers Molly, from Georgia, and Ricky, from Texas, last week in Cluny. Hope the rest of your trip was fun. Sandra, welcome to the blog! Natalia, you have the most incredible memory. Yes, the Bar du Nord was where I was sitting when I wrote about the sale of the château. Elle, glad you had a good stay in Cluny, and YES, I know that cat! What a sassy hotel cat Chipie is. One very busy summer market day I spotted him on the wall by the abbey, unfazed by the crowds all around. He sashayed over to the (automatic) doors of the hotel and sat waiting for me to walk up and open them for him. Mariella and Dee, see you at coffee, in the spring!
Mark, good question. To read the backstory of this blog, look under PAGES in the left column, "How we first came to the château". There's a book nearly done on that subject, if I can ever get around to finishing it!
Favorite Reads Art: Tom Vieth does beautiful, happy watercolors of his home in the Southwest. His wife Susan (of the blog A Small Village in France) has made some of them into scarves and tea towels. See them at Lily O's. And hearing from Mark Kane was a reminder of his lovely macro garden photos, which you can see at The Ardent Gardener on Facebook (see one below).
Photo left, see #11: Ready for a French adventure? Pack those bags and allez-y!
Photo below, one of Mark Kane's gorgeous macro shots of flowers, available for purchase at The Ardent Gardener.
Lynn, thanks for meeting up with us last week! We really enjoyed hearing about your experience living in France, as well as ideas for the rest of our trip!
I hope to cross paths again in the future!
Posted by: Molly | 10/29/2015 at 08:42 PM
That is a wonderful list, Lynn. Thank you.
Posted by: Carol | 10/29/2015 at 09:43 PM
Since I don't live here full time I can't comment about the health system. And my apartment is small enough to be toasty and so I don't need the heated mattress pad. But I agree with the rest. While dealing with a foreign culture as a part-time resident (rather than just traveling through) can be frustrating as I try to figure out how things work or who to call to solve problems, I've met so many interesting and kind people. But maybe I should just reverse my time in France vs. time in the States because two days before I leave the country I'm trying to take care of a leaking roof and learn about how my insurance works instead of sitting in a café drinking hot chocolate with 6 inches of chantilly and talking with a French friend about "must see" vacation spots. If this country ever got decent Mexican food it would be a lot harder to leave at the end of each of my extended stays.
My wish is that every person, at least once in their life, gets a chance to live anywhere but home long enough to fall into the rhythm of that place.
Posted by: Julie Farrar | 10/30/2015 at 02:14 AM
Love this! And you're so right, Lynn. Hope you don't mind if I share ....
Posted by: Deborah | 10/30/2015 at 05:11 AM
Great list, Lynn - Living here is a continual learning curve, even after 8 years! For anyone wanting to live next to Nice in a medieval village, please check out the charming character house on my blog site, 24/7 in France.
Posted by: 24/7 in France | 10/30/2015 at 05:32 AM
Hi, Lynn. I was lucky enough to spend about two weeks in France last summer (while you were in South Carolina, sadly) and I heartily agree with #'s 5 and 9 (although I prefer a latte). The marvelous old churches hiding out in so many little towns were one of my favorite parts. I'm so happy your experiment turned out so successfully!
Posted by: Irmgard | 10/30/2015 at 06:35 AM
Like any experience, it is what you make it. Despite all of the challenges I faced when Ole and I lived there, I truly embraced living in Vallauris and attempting to absorb the ambiance of the Cote d'Azur…..I now feel like I have a little French in my soul that I treasure. You are so right Lynn…..don't just wade into foreign waters - DIVE!
Posted by: Kiki Ranney | 10/30/2015 at 10:53 AM
Love your insightful list, Lynn. Can't believe it's been 12 years! Happy you haven't lost your Southern accent -- tres charmant. ❤
Posted by: Thea Jarvis | 10/30/2015 at 11:29 AM
Lynn, really enjoyed your list. Lately, I have been feeling so grateful for the French health care system, and for so many things you mention. And thank you for the heated mattress pad idea. Maybe this winter I can actually read in bed--with wooly gloves on!
Posted by: Kristin | 10/30/2015 at 11:42 AM
Hi Lynn, thanks for linking to my photographs. If contacts appear, would you like to know?
Posted by: Mark A. Kane | 10/30/2015 at 01:17 PM
I have a suite of four of Mark Kane's incredible botanical closeups, and love them! (full disclosure: he's my big brother, but that doesn't stop me from being a big fan of his work.)
Posted by: Michaela Rodeno | 10/30/2015 at 01:46 PM
Merci Lynn. What a lovely, insightful list to inspire all who are fortunate enough to read your blog!
"The good life" la belle vie you refer to, is so true. We recently came across the saying: "I would rather have lots of stamps in my passport, than lots of stuff." Anyone fortunate enough to spend an extended period of time experiencing a new way of life, new culture, language, meeting friends from around the world and sharing a fabulous meal, glass of wine, incredible coffee and pastry while pondering life at a French cafe is forever enriched, changed and blessed with lasting memories. We are so enjoying time back in AZ with family, however every day reflect on our lives in France and as always are planning our return as soon as possible! Bon weekend a tous.
Posted by: Sandy Vann | 10/30/2015 at 02:42 PM
Lynn,this is another wonderful post! I am in completely agreement with all ten things;
you beautifully expressed our thoughts and hearts!
THANK YOU!
The only thought I can add,at least for me,when we had extended stays with my belle mere and belle pere:
sometimes,no matter how wonderful,or how enjoyable,there will be instances when you get exasperated to the point of thinking"Oh,man! Maybe I should think about a change of scene,ASAP?!"
Well! What brought me down to earth,FAST....we wished to come here and asked to do so.
Nothing remains forever through rose colored glasses.Take a breath and smell the roses.Alittle effort is SO worth all the rewards it will reap. How blessed we are!
Posted by: Natalia | 10/30/2015 at 08:10 PM
Lynn, I still enjoy your blog so much!! Love this list of things that create your joie de vivre! I am adding to my list now that I have retired and hope to see you soon!
Posted by: Judy Klinck | 10/30/2015 at 10:00 PM
Beautiful! And oh so true! Mille Mercis!
Posted by: Janet Hulstrand | 10/31/2015 at 04:12 AM
Loved your lessons. I have been traveling to France every year now for the past 11 to cycle and I have pretty much covered the entire pentagon. I have to say, it was on only one occasion in that entire time that I ever encountered an arrogant Frenchman/woman. And it wasn't in Paris. It just had to do with trying to get a garage unlocked so I could retrieve my bicycle before the hotel was actually opened. The woman wouldn't budge, but finally did when she realized I was going to miss my train if she didn't "open up" before the designated hour.
Maybe it's because I am a cycling traveler, and in France, that means you basically have carte blanche and are literally treated as a pilgrim, but the French have always been so warm and welcoming and funny and interested in where I have come from and where I am going.
I say Vive la France and pass those croissants!!
Posted by: Derin Gemignani | 10/31/2015 at 06:39 PM
We love the life style in France, shops closed for lunch, Sundays and Monday morning. People relax enjoying the cafe life . My husband especially enjoys seeing the women well dressed and in skirts.
Posted by: Ellie | 11/01/2015 at 04:00 PM
WHEN I SAW TOM VIETH'S BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS, I WAS THRILLED. I LOVE HIS WORK. I HAVE BEEN FRIENDS WITH SUSAN AND TOM FOR YEARS. WE TOOK A FRENCH IMMERSION CLASS TOGETHER MANY YEARS AGO.
I AM IN FRANCE EVERY SUMMER FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS. SUSAN AND I HAVE SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER. YOUR BLOG IS GREAT AND I ENJOY IT IMMENSELY. JUST FOUND IT RECENTLY.
THANKS SO MUCH
JOAN
Posted by: Joan Levine | 11/03/2015 at 10:21 PM
Lynn,
I'm home after spending almost a month in Provence and I just opened your website to read the 11 things you've learned from living in France. How fortunate you are to have lived and learned this remarkable list! I felt your words stronger since I am transitioning back to being away from France, although it's always good to be home to my own bed and bathroom, plus central heat and air. The list of what I miss would easily exceed 11 things. I'm sure you understand. But now I have 2,000 photos and a number of stories to share on my blog while I hope and plan for the next trip.
All the best,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Ambrous | 11/07/2015 at 01:48 PM
Lovely post Lynn. Your list of learning is definitely living the good life. Lovely photos, artwork & scarves, I'm impressed.
Posted by: Colleen Taylor | 11/10/2015 at 11:26 PM