Le Franco Phoney

• So long, farewell... 4 years ago Hello from somewhere other than the French Alps. Above is a pic I took of my husband in March, unaware it would be our final day skiing in La Clusaz for the foreseeable future. And what an awesome day it … So long, farewell… Read More » The post So long, farewell… first appeared on Le...
• Why the bells rang at 7.30pm all over France tonight 4 years ago For those of us living in France, village church bells are part of every day life. Mine start at 8am and chime every half hour until 10pm. On Sunday mornings, we have the ‘get to church’ melodic bells at 8.30. … Why the bells rang at 7.30pm all over France tonight Read More » The post Why...
• For the love of tourism, use real English 4 years ago Safety is so important when it comes to ski resorts: there are standard rules for skiers to follow, mandatory helmets for kids in French ski school, and avalanche prevention procedures just to name a few. Somehow, whoever organises these huge … For the love of tourism, use real English Read...
• The paradox of the 'Yellow Vests' 4 years ago Here’s a roundabout in Annecy which the infamous Gilets Jaunes (‘Yellow Vests’) have regularly camped by. It’s a bit of a paradox, and I’ll explain why in a moment. Back in late 2018, the Gilets Jaunes movement gained popularity throughout … The paradox of the ‘Yellow Vests’ Read...
• There's nothing exceptional about it 5 years ago “Fermeture exceptionnelle” is a phrase that everyone who lives in France is familiar with. Literally, it means “Exceptional closure” — a one-off, unexpected business closure, but there’s absolutely nothing exceptional about it. Why? Because every business seems to unexpectedly close...

• Coping with Living Abroad Writing Contest October 2012 The glamour of jet setting or that dreaded feeling of homesickness? What does living abroad mean to you? For me, moving away from home was an escape from a world that felt like an old pair of jeans — comfortable, familiar and reliable. That old...

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