By Vaucluse Dreamer: By the start of November, our little place was in a state of chaos in readiness for the work to start. The rooms were piled high with relocated furniture & building supplies and Andy had laid new Travertine floors throughout the 2 main spaces upstairs that would …

By Barefoot Blogger: After living in France for five (5) years and struggling to learn French, it was time. Deborah realized that being able to communicate in the language was critical during her 10-week hospital stay and the recuperation phase. There are many to take French classes but why not beautiful Aix-en-Provence …

If you’ve been searching for French property for a while and find the system confusing, then you’re not alone. On the face of it, things in France seem to work the same way as in the UK, Australia, America or the Netherlands. Maybe you contacted an estate agent assuming that …

By Barefoot Blogger: French Healthcare Information One of the most asked questions for this American expat in France is about healthcare. “What do you do about healthcare when moving to France?” The simple reply is “travellers insurance.” The answer you really want to know is “don’t worry about it.” I couldn’t …

The following is an excerpt from my second book “.” My wife Val and I live part of the year in Provence. Our friends Xavier and Marie-France are kind of our cultural guides, making sure we have local experiences that foreigners often miss. Sometimes they are fun and sometimes… French …

House purchase negotiations are a delicate process anywhere in the world. Tempers quickly flare, and communications can break down because of misunderstandings or hurt feelings. When you don’t speak French fluently and don’t know the ins and outs of French customs and the French real estate market, then things could …

By Vaucluse Dreamer: Firstly I have to start with an apology – the last few months have been rather chaotic with one thing and another and I find that this really is the first time I’ve been able to sit and write about our little half-life in France for quite …

House Search in the Alpilles Not everyone would have the vision and know how to transform a tiny 17th-century farm building into a bright, inviting pied-à-terre. The house was in poor condition, its last renovation dated from the 1970s as evidenced by the orange and brown colour palette. However, it …

The following is an excerpt from my second book “.” Bad Timing Three days before leaving on a long trip to France, I swerved to avoid a squirrel while riding my bike, which caused me to crash and break my wrist. Once my wife Val and I arrived in France, …

Learning French Learning another language is not easy at any age, but as an adult, there is no question it is hard! The Business Insider takes a stab at explaining the issue “Here’s Why It’s So Hard To Learn A New Language As An Adult.” Where children are generally less …