My French boyfriend now has some serious competition but it’s okay he likes the boulanger too, especially for his chocolate cookies.

Our long distance relationship can be challenging but we still have a lot in common. We both like the goodies at the boulanger, we really like le goûter (an afternoon snack of preferably Mamie Morissette’s homemade cookies) and sitting at outdoor cafes enjoying a coffee – usually his idea because he gets the cookie not the bad coffee.

My French boyfriend also likes verifying how his picture looks on my camera’s LCD screen, “Ouaiss, c’est bien.” (Yeah, it’s nice) and asking questions like “Est-ce que c’est l’appareil de ton marie?” (Is that your husband’s camera?)… sometimes it’s better to just respond “Oui”.

I visit Clermont in July to celebrate his birthday but this past Sunday he celebrated without me.  He had requested a camera for his birthday and Papa came through with a low-cost digital camera.  His Mom reported the camera hasn’t left him since and Sunday night he told his parents “Je fais comme Leslie” (I’m like Leslie) and he started snapping pictures of all the plates of food on the dinner table.

I miss my French boyfriend (and the boulagner).  If business doesn’t pick up soon I have threatened to hire myself as his personal English teacher and his Mom has just advised photography classes will also be needed.   Not a bad combination knowing I will have unlimited access to the boulanger and Mamie Morissette’s homemade cookies.

Enjoy!

Leslie

When traveling to France I’m often asked if I’m visiting Americans friends.  My response is always “No, I’m visiting French friends.”.  When I follow this up with “in Clermont Ferrand” faces often become contorted with laughter or concern.

The French are wondering and maybe worried why I’m visiting a city known for dark colored stone, volcanos and Michelin tires.

I visit Clermont every year… first and foremost to visit my friend Claudine, followed by my French boyfriend, Mammi Nicole’s cooking, Claudine’s kitchen, hiking in Le Puy de Dôme, and my newest discovery Claudine’s boulanger (baker).

“How did I miss the boulanger ?!?!”.  Claudine explained I always visit in July when the boulanger is on vacation.

But as it was June Claudine introduced us and explained why I’d never been to see him before.   He communicated through Claudine in French to tell me he loves me, confirm if I like les bons choses (to eat well) and gave us the details on how the boulangerie is managed and run since he retired and sold it.

As the line continued to grow behind us and the boulanger continued to talk, the clientele waited patiently. There was no grumbling, impatient humming or walking out…a small French price to pay to ensure you get some of the best bread and pastries in Clermont.

As you can imagine I’m also in love and I’m looking forward to my next visit to Clermont which definitely won’t be in July.

Enjoy!

Leslie

Lately I have been offering a lot of advice on Paris and it has me thinking about my own French planning.

If you are visiting Paris I can recommend pastry shops, budget or four star restaurants, hidden neighborhoods, small hotels, almost anything Italian and everything in between.

But when I visit Paris there are a few French things I can’t go without.  No fancy brands just my favorite French basics.

Monoprix for shower gel from Le Petit Marseille, T-Shirts from Petit Bateau, a Pharamacie or Parapharmacie (preferably Pharmacie Fouhety at 26 Rue du Four – for the best selection and prices) for Anthelios Sunscreen and La Roche-Posay Lip Balm.

This is not what most people think of when they are heading to Paris.  But for a city known for sophistication sometimes the basics are really the best.

For those of you heading to Paris…  Enjoy!

Leslie

I was hoping to post more from the South of France but I had some major technical challenges.

Happily…here are a few more highlights for you to enjoy with a big thank you to Mapi and Claudine for another great girls weekend.

…And a very special thank you to Richard, who helped save my photos so I could continue posting.  Merci Richard!!!!!

Aix en Provence…culture, food and yes a little shopping…

Another Village Inconnu… no restaurant, 2 bars, 1 boulangerie (bakery), 1 epicerie (small supermarket), 1 newstand and a lot of beautiful homes all link together in a winding hilltop town in the shape of a snail.

Our Chambre D’Hote (Bed & Breakfast), a refuge for rest and relaxation…

The seaside Village of Cassis – I think the pictures say it all…

The Team!

Bye Girls!!!  See you next year!!!

Bises (Kisses)

Leslie

I have been sprinkling French words in my postings and Italian will soon follow.

The idea of speaking a foreign language, especially French or Italian, usually excites people, “Oh la la….French!”.   For me speaking a foreign language is pure enjoyment.

People are usually suprised when I tell them I was a horrible French student, my parents can vouch.  I was consistently tutored to pass required high school and college coursework…but a trip to France changed everything.

I can’t really say what changed me during that first visit except I couldn’t imagine not speaking French.  So I bought a phrase book, called my parents and announced “I am going to speak French.”.  My mother kindly asked if this was her daughter.

My friend Dan says “Learning and speaking a foreign language is like exercise, you have to do it everyday to see the benefits”. He is right!

I am still a horrible student but I work at it almost everyday.  I love the ability to communicate in another language.  It is fear, joy and sometimes exhaustion all rolled in one.

Moving forward you can click on the category Language Lessons to see all postings where I have used and translated words in French or Italian… to have a little language escape of your own.

In the future I hope to offer a word of the month, one in French and one in Italian…because who doesn’t enjoy saying a few words in a foreign language.

I hope you agree!

Enjoy!

Leslie