Three years ago, I made one of the most significant decisions in my life. I chose France as my new home. Alone. To compound the weight of my choice, I knew very few people in my new “hometown” of Uzès, and I didn’t even know the language.
Anyone who has followed me on the journey from South Carolina to the south of France knows I started my expat life with a three-year plan. (For those new to the saga, click the hot links for more of the story.) I sold my belongings in the States, except for a few very “special” things, and said goodbye to my friends and family. With a long-stay visa, I moved into an empty apartment in Uzes, which I quickly filled with brocante furniture and dreams. That was September 2013.
It’s 2016. Where has the time gone?
Travel
Before moving to France, the only places I’d been in the country were Paris and Nice. I’ve visited over a hundred French towns, villages, and cities in the south and southwest. There have been short trips to Italy, Spain, England, Scotland, Istanbul, and a tour of Nepal since 2013. Also, I spent three 6-month stays in the US, one of which was for dental surgery, and the other two were to help welcome a grandbaby boy into the world, then a grandbaby girl.
French Holidays and Fetes
Bastille Day was the only French holiday I knew about before moving to France. Funny, it’s not even called “Bastille Day.”It’s “Fête Nationale française” , “July 14th” or “bon fête.” Festivals like Fete Votive and Nuit Blanche, music festivals, and Ferias were new to me.
Customs
French customs. It’s a subject I learn more about with each passing day. From “what to eat when” to “how to cut cheese,” there seems to be “rules” for everything — or at least, good etiquette. For example, whenever you are with a friend(s) and have your first cocktail or drink, there’s always a “toast.” The proper language is a vote santé which is spoken while lifting your glass, clinking your glass with everyone in your party, looking each person you’re toasting straight in the eye, then taking a sip of your drink. Any step in this ritual that you omit curses your sex life for years. (No comment)
Fashion
How do they dress in France? It’s one of my favorite finds. I live in the south of France, very close to Provence. Fashions here are as varied as the people who live here. You see it all: blue jeans, t-shirts, and frilly bo-bo or provençal styles. What I love the most is that it doesn’t matter what you wear. You can be as flamboyant or as reserved as you like. It’s all OK. I will say, however, you can spot a tourist if he/she’s wearing a baseball cap.
French cooking
OMG! The best food ever! I don’t know where to start on this subject except that I’ve enjoyed every food moment. Everyone knows about bread, pastries, cheeses, and wines. I didn’t know how French foods and palettes changed within the country’s regions. A mystery to me was why Paris restaurants offer rich, creamy foods and dishes that are not as easy to find around Uzes. It’s because there are very few pastures and cows around here. Rocky, garrigue terrain surrounds this area. So foods align with the Mediterranean diet — olives and olive oil, goat and sheep cheeses, and lots of garlic.
Another treat to living here has been attending cooking classes. There are two world-class cooking schools in Uzès — Cook’n with Class Uzes and Le Pistou. Each offers a different type of experience, making both a “must” to do!
Dining out is my passion. It’s more than a weekly event here since many bistros and cafes offer a “plat du jour” at such reasonable prices. Then there are the many restaurants with dishes that are superbly designed in taste and appearance. Truly masterpieces. I miss my tacos and sushi, but you can’t have it all!
French bureaucracy
Even the French laugh about the struggles you go through getting things done around here. Mostly, you know it will take two to three times longer than you’d hoped to get things done. Which is partly why I chose to live here. To learn to be patient. There are daily lessons.
Visitors
Everyone says your long-lost friends appear “out of the woodwork when you move to France.” Agree. Visitors have come here I haven’t seen in 40 years. I’d be thankful for the move if I had to go to France to meet up with them again. Many of my closest friends from the US have stopped by to check out my new “digs” and to play in France and beyond. More are signed up for future trips.
Friends
New friends made along the way are the best rewards for changing continents. I never imagined meeting so many lovely people by moving to Uzes. The French have welcomed me with open arms. They award me daily with big smiles when they recognize I’m trying to learn the language. The town is a magnet for tourists from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Europe. Barefoot Blogger followers who have told me they’re in town have become my best buddies.
What’s Next?
Life’s so unpredictable. Who knows what the future will bring. Right now, I’m happy as a clam in France. The only drawback is that I’m far from my adorable grandchildren. I miss them at their most precious ages –toddlers. We “FaceTime” every week, though, and I’m hoping they will be ready to travel this way soon. I would have liked a”grandma in France” I could visit.
In the back of my head, I feel another big move still left in me. Maybe to Spain, where I know a little more of the language than I did French. As I’ve said, “While I have the energy and curiosity to travel and experience this great big world of ours, I’ll find a way to get there.”
Frankly, change is better for you than you can ever imagine.
Categories: Around France, Blog, Uzès
I am so freakin’ jealous of you. But–I am in awe of you because you will be out of the USA as the vile pig becomes the next president. I spend time in the South of France each year. We stay in Theoule-sur-Mer. My better half, a Frenchman, who is now an American Citizen , grew up in Paris and St. Trop. Our careers and children are here. Mentally, I’m in France. Physically I’m in the States. But who knows for how long. Trump will destroy America!
I love your recent post, Catherine. Ditto, ditto! Being outside of the US doesn’t shield us from the news. It’s like a soap opera. Everyday is more bizarre and unbelievable than the day before. Thank you for connecting with me and come back to France!
Dear Deborah
I have enjoyed reading of your exploits – thank you.
I have noted that you chose Uzes: I (and my nieces) rented a house in Uzes in 2011. We decided on Uzes because it provided easy access to towns and villages – it’s interesting and I think it’s big enough not to confine, but yet not too big to lose its interest, and its proximity is not prohibitive.
I’d travelled a lot around France in years both before and after that stay, but I still think Uzes is a good decision; it’s something I think about. I find many places, like Gault or Roussillon or the Luberon to be quite exquisite but a little too confined, and yet Lyon or Avignon would not be my choice. Maybe Aix. It might all have a different complexion if one had a job – even as a casual waitress in an outdoor cafe , and that would depend on one’s tolerance for tourists !
My mother’s old carved wooden lounge is upholstered in a fabric from Uzes. – We were their first customers to purchase from the store and have the fabric shipped to Australia; it really does suit the furniture and gives me lovely memories.
Enjoy – cheers to you, Regards Patricia
Sent from my iPad
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I love your tales of Uzes. You have to come back again! Thank you!
Dearest Cuz…while reading your blog I felt I was right next to you in Uzes. I had such a wonderful time with you .
Life is good here. My Debbi is turning 50 next week. Can you believe??
Andrew and Emily are so precious. What are your plans for coming to the states?
A happy and healthy new year my love.
I’m so glad to hear from you. Happy New Year to you, too! Planning a visit to Atlanta and the Carolinas mid March to mid April for the birthdays. I’ll call soon to catch up!
Fantastic Deborah, I so enjoyed reading this brief recap of all you have learnt in the last three years. Reading the above comment, San Sebastian is gorgeous, we’ve visited a couple of times and always loved it. Before you leave France though, do head up the west coast and come and visit, always a warm welcome, a bed and a meal and a glass of wine here and would love to hear more of your stories. Wishing you a very happy 2017 xx
Wish I had your energy! Writing a blog and raising a family must keep you up late at night. Though it sounds like you are taking all of France in that you can muster. Bravo! Thank you for the note and the invitation. I may take you up on it someday. I’d love to meet you all. Happiness, love and good health in 2017. Hope we will meet!
Love hearing about all your adventures, Debbie, so hope the bureaucracy part has come good, that 2017 is a wonderful year for you and we meet up again in beautiful Uzes! X
Thank you Caroline. I hope that we will have another time to visit together and hope all is well!
While I adore the photographic posts, I think this more personal, essay style is one of my favorites. Funny, I keep lingering on Spain (San Sebastian) and Portugal (Porto).
I appreciate the feedback, Paula. There’s always so much to talk about and now that I’m staying put for awhile, I hope to catch up with the travel blogs so I can tell more personal stories.
An excellent summary, Deborah. I agree with everything, especially the new friends. John, Jude and I are grateful we met you. xo,
Love having you a my new friends. Please stay! I’d miss you all!
Great recap, Deborah. I enjoyed getting to know your story a little better and happy to read that it’s been a smooth ride and you’ve met a lot of people. About the baseball cap, it’s also a good way to find my husband (he’s French). He loves NY teams. 😉
That’s so funny, Diane! You should be able to pick him out because I don’t see many baseball caps around! Thanks for taking the time to write.
Hello Deborah
Another great and informative article. I remember your post about getting your car registered and the difficulty that turned into something positive for you. I found your blog through the cooking school so I feel blessed. I will be in Uzes in late April/early May and have one class booked.
My California friend Cheryl Rickabaugh (whom I met in San Sebastián on a Rick Steves tour many years ago) spends 3 months every time it’s permitted in Spain. She wants to retire there. She too has been welcomed with open arms.
I will keep looking for your posts and am sure I will smile with every one.
Best Sandra Quesenberry
Where in the world are me and my iPhone?
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I’m so anxious to see San Sebastian. I hear it’s fabulous. Please keep in touch so we can meet when you get here. I’ll be in the States in April but back early May.