“It’s about time that women of all ages, stages, sizes and shapes have the opportunity to feel great about themselves in their swimwear.”   For those of you planning a winter vacation somewhere warm,  I have to tell you about Bathing Boomers — a line of swimwear for “mature women”, or as I like to…

  To me, a perfect day in Paris is exploring one single street.   Naturally, most people who visit this city for the first time head to the grand and wide Champs-Elysées which leads to the magnificent Arc de Triomphe.   But if you have more time, I find searching out other hidden gems in…

  My last trip to Monaco was more than 40 years ago!   I was teaching English as a second language in Grenoble and jumped on a train at the beginning of November to take advantage of the school break called “la Toussaint”| All Saints.   The weather was glorious even at that time of…

  *WINNER of the 3rd GIVEAWAY Draw for Annual Members is in this blog post! Is it you?   A few weeks ago I made a list of Ten French Foods that I personally avoid,  so now, here is the list of my Top Ten Favourite French Foods.   Each of these choices has a…

  I don’t know if other Francophiles feel as I do BUT, however long I spend learning French, and I have spent a lifetime at it, I will never feel that I have mastered speaking French!   French unlike English is not a forgiving language. In English, non-speakers can make all sorts of mistakes and…

My love affair with Paris and France has a lot to do with French cuisine.   However, familiarizing myself with French food was a gradual process of discovery.   And that gradual discovery has developed into a list of my Top Ten French Foods To Avoid.   Note:* Do not be offended if you like…

  Hey, this is NOT Paris was my first thought as I woke up one morning this summer.   I was sticky from the humidity, rocking slightly to the ebb and flow of the water beneath, listening to a distant call of the loon, and wondering where I was!   As many of you know…

  I sometimes dream of a hilltop village in France and renting a pied-a-terre overlooking the Mediterranean sea.   I see myself spending a couple of months there soaking up the local life.   Waking early, I would head out for my morning caffeine hit in the busiest cafe where I  would eavesdrop on the…

  When you visit the Mediterranean, it is not hard to be swept up by the conspicuous wealth.   Nothing stands out more in that regard than the turquoise-watered marinas berthing a plethora of luxury yachts.   After all, the Côte d’Azur is where the super-rich come to play and relax in style on their…

  I do enjoy going out for dinner, but not as much as I enjoy a long lunch — especially Sunday Lunch!       In France, as in many parts of Europe, Sunday lunch is a sacred time with family and an opportunity to cook up some favourite dishes to enjoy late into the…