Diane    If you love the idea of owning a beautifully made handbag the kind that makes you feel instantly put-together every time you sling it over your shoulder but can’t quite justify a 2000 designer splurge, this one’s for you. There are two French quiet luxury handbag brands that need to be on your ......

Diane    People often ask me some version of, So... does France feel like home now? It’s a simple question on the surface so to move the conversation along, I usually just say something like, Yes, I’ve been there a decade so it’s home. But when I think about it, the real answer isn’t so simple at ... Read...

Diane    If you’ve ever drooled over a classic designer handbag but couldn’t quite justify the four-figure price tag, you’re not alone. I bought my first designer bag when I got my first bonus at my sales job out of college (when the bag was still in the 3-figure range) and I still have that Louis Vuitton ....

Diane    When I first moved to France, I expected to learn about the culture, the language, history, and maybe a little about cheese and wine, of course. But what I didn’t expect was that France would slowly and sometimes stubbornly teach me about something bigger: how to enjoy life. And not in the curated ...

Diane    When people think about retiring in France, the images that come to mind are often dreamy: long lunches on sunny terraces, leisurely strolls through charming villages, and endless glasses of wine or coffees at neighborhood cafés. It’ll be a permanent vacation I completely understand the appeal...

Diane    If you’ve recently moved to France or if it’s your first fall season here, you might be surprised to learn that canned pumpkin isn’t something you can grab off the shelf of every supermarket. In the U.S., especially in the fall, aisles seem to be overflowing with canned pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie...

Diane    When I first boarded that plane to France, I thought I had a pretty good handle on what I’d gain by moving there. Better pastries? Sure. The challenge of a new language? Definitely. A fun, new life with my husband? Heck yes. Weekend trips to quaint villages? Check, done But what I didn’t anticipate...

Diane    This is not a post that’s going to answer that question with a rose-colored glasses type of answer like, No, life in France is even BETTER than it looks and go on to list off a bunch of clichés about life here that are largely unhelpful. I can do better than that and you deserve ... Read More about...

Diane    C’est la rentrée It’s back-to-school time in France The first day back for students at all public schools nationwide is Monday, September 1, 2025, and along with that comes school supplies shopping. Let’s take a look at what school supplies French kids need before they head back to class. P.S. If...

Diane    As a native English speaker who has worked in international environments and who started learning French as an adult, I’m very familiar with accents both my own and those of others. I’ve noticed an assumption that’s as frustrating as it is widespread: People often assume that someone’s accent is a...