Expats in France story from James and Elma
Finding belonging in rural France: James & Elma’s retirement journey After years of holiday visits, James and Elma decided to make France their new home in retirement. Through learning the language and embracing local customs, they found a warm, fulfilling life in the countryside. Their story is a heartfelt reminder that integration begins with effort and empathy. Our...Read MoreExpatriate’s story from Peta living in the Normandy region in France.
A Normandy expat story: Peta’s day-to-day life in rural France. Peta shares her peaceful life in Normandy: early morning jogs past cows, glimpses of newborn foals, and the gentle rhythm of village life. Discover what it’s like to settle in rural France through her vivid and charming account. Sunlight hits our bedroom window early and I’m off for a jog with one of our dogs...Read More
How to Use The French Verb “Prendre”
The verb “prendre” is used a lot in the French language. Do you know how to use it? What about the verb prendre conjugation? Here are some explanations: The verb ‘prendre’ is used the same way as the English verb ‘to take’ but is also used as the verb ‘to have’ in English when speaking about drinks or food. We don’t say: “I’ll have a coffee” but we say I take a coffee....Read More
How to Express Your Opinion in French
In France, there are not many subjects that are considered taboo, and the French will frequently speak their mind without holding back. At a dinner party in France, you might be asked to share your opinion on your political beliefs, relationships, spiritual tendencies, the environment, immigration, etc. In discussions, there is one topic that many avoid which is people’s finances or...Read MoreExpatriate’s story from Paul in Côte d’Azur
Life on the Côte d’Azur: Paul’s expat perspective in southern France Paul reflects on life in southern France – where long lunch hours and scenic drives coexist with cultural differences like driving habits and personal space. Despite the quirks, he’s built meaningful local bonds, set up a press agency, and found beauty in the rhythms of the Côte d’Azur. The expression...Read More
French Grammar – L’incroyable verbe “passer”
If you spend a day listening to French people speaking to one other, you will hear the verb passer over and over. It is an extremely rich verb and probably one of the most important ones to master since it is used in so many everyday life contexts. Passer also has the particularity to take either the auxiliary avoir or être in the passé composé depending on its meaning. 1. Passer du...Read MoreExpatriate’s story from Diane, living in the Brittany region in France.
From dream to calm: Diane’s tranquil life in Brittany, France Diane recounts how a spontaneous decision led to retiring in Brittany — discovering a serene lifestyle, learning French in her sixties, and embracing a welcoming community in rural France. It all began in 1998 when the world cup was being televised and the cameras panned around the French countryside. This was where...Read MoreBuying a studio in Paris – Story from Debbie
From dream to reality: Debbie’s Parisian apartment adventure From the ceremonial “Acte de vente” to winning over the concierge, Debbie shares the joys and surprises of buying a studio in Paris’s 6th Arrondissement. Learn what it’s really like to settle into the Parisian city life A little over three years ago, a dream came true when I bought an apartment in Paris. A French...Read More
Meet Steven, A Devoted French Student
This story is derived from the chapters of our e-book titled “Learn French? Of Course You Can”. For the all the stories visit our online store to download our ebook. FOR ME, THE PROCESS OF LEARNING has centered on repetition and exposure to the language. I try to space out my lessons so that they are every other day, or every third day, on the days I...Read More