Bonjour

From the moment my husband and I stepped off the plane and gazed across the classic Haussmann roofs of Paris, I knew this was going to be an experience I will never forget.


This book represents a social experiment that includes:
(i) how (defining the dream, setting a budget and finding the funds),
(ii) when (how soon can I pack my bags), and
(iii) where (wine, wheat and foie gras here I come) I was able to fulfil a life long dream of living and working for 60 days in France.


The main body of text comprises primarily of my 100+ blog entries and over 500 pictures I shared with family and friends during a very hot Spring in 2017. I also added a few fun facts and hopefully helpful trivia about quirky French traditions, a variety of gorgeous villas and chateau’s we stayed in, cafes and restaurants we ate at, wines we drank and regions we visited.


The beginning of our journey set a high benchmark as we lived in the lap of luxury in a gorgeous traditional Parisian apartment overlooking the Sienne and Notre Dame while settling into local life on the Ile Saint-Louise. From there we hired a car and headed off to the Champagne region. The rolling green fields filled with wheat and wines while savouring a champagne or two was wickedly naughty but essential. 


From champagne we leaped across to the Alsace region and settled into the multicultural lifestyle of Strasbourg with its picturesque waterways, pretzels and beer on tap. It wasn’t long before the big red Burgundy was calling to us accompanied by the Michelin star gazing. From Beaune we headed to Southern Rhone and the most magnificent wine region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. 


After enjoying our fair share of Pope endorsed syrah, ancient roman amphitheatres and majestic aqueducts, we headed for Cognac to mix it up a little. Here we were welcomed with the magic of double distilleries, cognac infused beer, a boat race or two, and lots of cats. A small detour to La Flotte gave us an opportunity to see how the sea faring folk live with their olive skin and yachting lifestyle. 


As the journey came closer to its end we landed on the beaches of Normandy and reflected on the hardships of those fateful days, weeks, years these soldiers endured. As we looked towards the sky in preparation of our departure back to the land of Oz, we detoured momentarily to smell the flowers (lily ponds) in Monet’s garden. And so as the sun set on Paris once again, we farewelled this wondrous place, while planning our next trip back to the city of love.