If it’s Friday it must be France …
I confess I am having a little withdrawal about France today. I’m working away on my next manuscript which means I am immersed in la vie en France and feel like I am there in every way … except I know I’m not …
Every Friday morning, beginning today, at 9:30 I am having a French lesson via Skype with the fabulous instructor I was fortunate to discover when we were in Nice last month. After spending an hour listening to and learning from Ida Young-Bondi’s dulcet tones and immaculate pronunciation, I found myself wishing we were sitting in the bar in Nice where we had our lessons.
Then a friend sent me this photo …
Antonia is celebrating her birthday here … Bonne Anniversaire!
I have to admit that this photo only served to deepen my nostalgia … le sigh …
I decided the only solution was to take a break from writing and visit some of the blogs about France that I follow and enjoy. Let me share them with you!
In no particular order and … croyez-moi, believe me … ALL worth a regular visit for their own unique content!
Provence Post- Julie Mautner ~ all the news you need to know from the heart of Provence
Provence Today – Anne-Marie Simons ~ author of Taking Root in Provence and an experienced journalist, Anne-Marie examines serious news issues in France
Just French It – Ida Young-Bondi and efrenchcafe.com – Ida is a fantastic teacher, entrepreneur, and a lovely person to know – take a look at the many options she offers to help you speak just as she does – *wishful thinking*
People, Places and Bling – Theodora Brack – I looove Theodora! She’s funky, articulate, and I am waiting for the day she publishes her guide to Paris. It will be outstanding!
Bonjour Paris – a favourite companion I’ve been following for years that covers everything you want to know about the City of LIght and other parts of France. I am honoured to contribute articles from time to time.
The Hip Paris Blog – only recently discovered by moi – great practical content including some fab vacation rentals (in Tuscany too)
France Book Tours – if you want to now about the latest books set in France, see many of them here, reviewed by the amazing Emma of Words and Peace, who reads more books than anyone I know, except possibly Claire McAlpine, whose blog Word By Word is also excellent but not really focused on France, although she lives there. Okay, that’s definitely a run-on sentence … sorry … I’m taking so long doing this blog that my husband is now tapping his fingers, waiting for us to go out for dinner.
French Word-A-Day – Kristin Espinasse – an old favourite
Life in Laroque – Margaret Lawrenson – shares her love of photography and the trials and tribulation of relocating in a quiet village
The French Village Diaries – Jacqui reviews books from time to time but, more importantly for me, she shares her experiences of having moved to France from the UK
Food, Photography and France – a fine, fine melange of words and photography and, when we are lucky, recipes
The Riviera Reporter – the French Riviera’s English Language News Magazine – since 1987 they’ve been keeping track of all the news along the coast, first as a magazine and later online – love it! I had the pleasure of meeting Nick Kent when he joined us at my book-signing at The English Bookshop on October 4th.
The Riviera Woman – Anna Fill – a relative newcomer online, this is the perfect place to find out what’s going on along the La Côte. Anna misses nothing!
The Good Life France – Everything you want to know about France and more – I just happily stumbled upon this one and know I will be spending a lot of time here
Visiting France – lots of good practical information for travellers
So there you go! These are some of my most favourite places to take a break from writing … and I’ve probably missed a couple. I know there are many excellent blogs about France so if you have one you would like to share, please do. We can never have too long a list!
Uh-oh, the tapping is becoming louder and faster! A writer’s husband only has so much patience … !
Bon weekend tout le monde! Even my DH agrees we would rather be here ==============>
Patricia Sands 
Your blog posts always make me want to go back to France.
Hopefully one of these days you will do just that! In the meantime, when you have some you can transport yourself through these blogs!
Your first paragraph immediately reminded me about one of the books I am working on. It’s about 1st Century Italy high up in the Alps. When we’re on a gravel road I think this is so much better than the narrow footpaths my characters plodded, or if I go into the chicken coop: why it’s bigger and far brighter AND airtight than their “new” home!! I could go on but I’m sure you’re busy.
Thanks for the links. I, too, want to go back to France.
Enjoy these links and I hope you go back to France before too long. It’s always good to have a dream! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
thanks for your shout out! actually I only read about 100 books/year, nothing compare to many book bloggers i know
Thanks for introducing me to some more great French blogs.
Margaret! I should have included your blog as well. I’m really enjoying your posts and was in a hurry to finish my list … with my husband’s patience wearing thin but I wanted to post before we went out … I knew I would miss someone important to me. I’m going to put it in there right now. Désolée!
I’m immensely flattered to find myself in such wonderful company. Thank you. In fact, it’s not difficult to find something to write about when, even after some years here, every day brings an interesting something-or-other to comment on.
Oh it’s been six weeks since I left my little village home there… I miss it already too!
Are you just on a voyage somewhere or are you returning to Oz? Thanks for stopping by!
We have just returned to Oz after almost two years living in France. But we will be back there as soon as humanly possible!
What a wonderful list! I like to look at my pictures and souvenirs from France and I have a feeling I’ll be back there soon… 🙂
Lovely to be in touch with someone who so obviously adores France. Many thanks for the sites you’ve listed too. I already follow Theadora but I will look up the others. I am very drawn to France and my dream is to eventually live there. The place that calls to me is the Cote Vermeille on the Mediterranean coast of southern France, although I have never been there!! I get a magical feeling whenever I think of it. Strange!! Good luck with the book. ♥
Well, you know what they say:
Thanks for the mention 🙂
Wow – you really are in love with France. I think it’s time you move there.
Bookmarked this post for my trip next summer. I am tempted to get lost in each of these blogs, seriously lost in that dreamy state of holiday planning. I can’t! I can’t. I took my first trip to Paris this year – LOVED it. I lived in the UK and went everywhere but France. Now that I am back in the states I am trying to visit all those places I missed and wondering why I missed them to begin with…