While Uzès Truffle Festival 2022 is smaller than usual due to COVID, the truffle hunting pig put on a show. Here’s a look back … _________________________________________________________________________ Saturday night I served a fancy pork terrine bought in the Loire Valley to friends who were in town for Uzès’ […]
The French know how to do the holidays. Here are some of my favorite holiday places in France, along with 2021 event schedules. I could visit over and over again. You may want to put some of these on your travel list, too! Best Christmas Markets Alsace A […]
My recent return to France and a taste of Barcelona was a walk through memory lane. Almost exactly, eight years ago, I stopped over in Barcelona before beginning my new life in Uzès. While passing through Barcelona this time, food was at the top of my list of […]
Here’s a Holiday Gift from France my family and friends LOVE. Yours will, too! One of my favorite chefs in France, Emma Kershaw, introduced her new cookbook during COVID lockdown. “The Day Louis Was Eating” is a big hit with my family in the US and it’s available […]
After spending three months with family and friends in the US, I’m back in Uzès. For the return trip to France, I came by the southerly route: Barcelona to Collioure. While sitting at the beach in Collioure, enjoying the views, the breeze, and an Aperol Spritz at a […]
Searching for lavender fields close to Uzès isn’t just for tourists. Locals take great pleasure in finding them too — off the beaten track — in a charming town — with a great restaurant. Goudargues is one of those special places. Less than an hour’s drive from Uzès, […]
After seven years of living in France, I’ve found a suitable companion. Now I’m learning about life in Uzès traveling with a pet. Meet Fanny. Fanny came into my life six weeks ago. Now, we’re inseparable. My friend Aileen brought Fanny from Sete. Aileen knows how much I […]
After months of lockdown, we’re ready to open again! Tomorrow is the grand re-opening in Uzès of shops and cafes with outside dining. Ready… Set … Let’s Go! There’s lots of activity in Uzès this week with business owners tidying up their spaces after a long, long time […]
Now that I’ve dealt with the humbling experience of failing the French drivers’ code test not once, but six times, I’ll make this post short and sweet After the first disastrous French drivers’ code examination in Nimes — with a translator (read more here) I braved on to […]
Valentine’s Day is more than a box of chocolates in France. It’s a day to celebrate the myths and legends of Saint Valentine. Roquemaure, a hamlet in the south of France, boasts a special connection to Saint Valentine. Each odd year, on the weekend closest to Valentine’s Day, […]
I’m inspired to know people who are staying productive and creative during COVID. While I was in the United States, there were artists in lockdown here in Uzès who created memorable art they are now sharing. British artist Gilly Beal, a resident of Uzès for the past two […]
Renewing my Carte de Sejour mid-COVID was a task I dreaded. To be truthful, renewing my Carte de Sejour is a headache anytime. But it’s the only way that I can continue to live in France. The Prefecture appointment to update my Carte de Sejour was last week. […]
Through my Uzès experience, I’ve known and written about quite a few artists. Yet there was something extraordinary about meeting Simon James … aside from his status as an award-winning writer and illustrator. Meeting Simon James Living in a “red zone” COVID world, I miss the small, intimate […]
Since COVID has scrambled plans about traveling this year, there are still many things that excite me about life in Uzès. Like food. This post is all about food south of France, and how it literally “fills me.” All About Food South of France I never take a […]
Maybe I’m crazy for traveling during a pandemic, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I wanted to get back to France mid COVID. In October, I made a big decision to leave my home in Uzès to go to the States to help my family with some business […]
I’m digging way back into the archives of the Barefoot Blogger to republish the post about my first Beaujolais Nouveau day in France. It’s because of stories and friends like this that I’m still loving life here. By the way, Beaujolais Nouveau was this week. Hope you enjoyed […]
When it comes to French etiquette, Nancy McGee knows the answers. From the proper way to cut cheese, to eating oysters, she can tell us the French way. Nancy is my good friend from Sete and tour planner, Absolutely Southern France, for our Memories Tours. She’s used to […]
The Occitanie Region and the Camargue Aigues-Mortes is at the gateway town to the Occitanie region of the Camargue. The walled city with its history of Kings and crusades is as impressive as its past.“From its earliest days, Aigues-Mortes was significant for its salt fields and its location […]
A visit to the most famous city on the Côte d’Azur is exciting enough for most travelers. To really appreciate the top spots in Nice, you need to have a good guide. For the Memories Tour, our guide Stephanie Is one of the best. She’s lived in the […]
Arrival day for the Memories Tour was filled with excitement, anticipation and busy last minute preparations for a welcome to Nice for our 18 guests. Patricia Sands, tour co-leader and I were anxious to put names and faces together. Welcome to Nice! Our hotel for the tour, is […]