Are you a spelling bee champion? Or, do you rely on spell check once in a while? Are you a grammar pro? Perfecting your mother tongue is not easy! Even French speakers will admit that learning French can be frustrating… What is the word for ___? How do you conjugate …

The past two weeks the Barefoot Blogger has spent a lot of time with new French friends. Admitting that I live in France and that I can barely put together a sentence in French is getting embarrassing. Currently I have Rosetta Stone and another online language program on my computer. …

The Barefoot Blogger is learning French! For all those ‘doubters’ out there who think the Barefoot Blogger will never learn French, here’s news. After two years living in France, and during a short visit to family in the States, I’m taking French lessons seriously. Seriously. The Rosetta Stone CDs, levels …

Remember when I returned to France in April and promised I’d know French by Christmas? Here’s the update in mid October. Like those 20 pounds I was going to lose. It’s just not happening. Priorities Explore this Post

This article was previously published by Debby Bine (Barefoot Blogger) on her website.  She agreed to share it with Perfectly Provence readers as it is such a classic expat story… Learning to speak French is becoming an issue for me. Try as I may, it is a bit of a …

Expat living is not for the faint of heart. Surrounded by a new environment, comfortable routines are gone, and even mundane daily tasks require extra consideration and effort. Where to grocery shop? What are the best schools? What about health care? Add a foreign language and different cultural norms to …

After 20 years of experience working in the finest restaurants worldwide, 35-year-old French Pastry Chef Nicolas Dolbeau decided to start his project. Thanks to the support of his wife, Sophie, he created his company, bringing the art of pastry making to his home. Meeting French Pastry Chef Nicolas Dolbeau When …

We are thrilled to introduce our new and exciting service – Cooking and Conversation classes in my village of Fontvieille in the Alpilles. French Language Cooking Classes: In collaboration with Catherine, a certified French teacher with over 25 years of experience, our two-hour class provides a unique blend of culinary …

Last year was so full of twists and turns that it sometimes felt like we have been meeting ourselves coming backwards, just trying to keep on top of it all. If you’ve been following us for a while now, you will probably remember that the year started with an engagement …

You are correct if you think paella is not a typical French recipe. The origins of this rice-based dish are certainly Spanish, from the Valencia region. However, as with many culinary traditions, recipes have evolved and travelled within Europe and beyond. Most markets in Provence have at least one vendor …