Jeff and Julie move to France (during a global pandemic)

What an eventlful week. We battled storm Nils, and won. Then embarked to beautiful Barcelona with our friends Brian and Angela Hayward. This is part one of our trip.

Julie was benched for Chapter 194, to make way for our friend Brian Hayward, whom Jeff met while in Winnipeg in the 80's. Brian was an NHL goalie for the Winnipeg Jets and later the Montreal Canadians, to name a couple, and now continues his long run as TV Hockey Analyst for the Anaheim Ducks.

If you operate, or use, Air BnB or other short-term leasing platforms, be aware, new laws are taking affect soon. We'll also tell you about the beautiful village of Gourdron and Michelle and her son Charlie, whom we met through the podcast.

Brace yourself for this week's episode. You'll hear one of the most bizarre stories ever, and it just happened here in France. We also ventured out to the 9th Annual Honey Market and learned a lot about Bees.

We are all over the map this week. Everything from the Dr. approved benefits of wine circa 1935, to the Takata airbag recall and an eye-opening stroll through the magnificent Abbey in Moissac.

This week, we took a stroll through the many half-timber structures of Clairac. Truly amazing. Up the road a bit, the World Economic Forum was unfolding in Davos, and Canada's Prime Minister served notice with a speech that moved the dial. We discuss that as well.

It has been a fantastic week here in South West France. We received some amazing news regarding our Solar field grievance. And, we were treated to a lovely afternoon in the charming village of Villefrance du Perigord.

Happy New Year good people! On this week's chapter, we catch up on some current events that occured during our Christmas break, including news that George and Amal Clooney have been approved for citizenship here in France.

We couldn't think of a better way to wrap up 2025, than with a visit to the amazing Montauban Toy Museum. What a wonderful surprise. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and we hope you enjoy a fun, prosperous 2026. See you next year. - Jeff & Julie

On this week's podcast we delve into the heartwarming story of the once dilapidated Chateau Roussillon, and the inspiring people who put it back together.

There's always something to do in France. This month, it's the Christmas Markets. In this week's Chapter, we returned to one of our favorite destinations, Bergerac.

This week, we look into the new military service policy introduced by the Macron government. We also have a Louvre heist update, and an amazing visit at the Toulouse Christmas Market.

This week, we explore the Emergency Survival Guides of Canada and France. Jeff recounts his recent surgery, and Julie goes shopping in her own closet.

In France there are museums for just about everything, Hazelnuts, Brie, Charlais cows, Garlic, Foie Gras and yes, Prunes. It was fantastic, and it's 90 minutes long. We hope you enjoy the abbreviated tour.

On this week's Chapter of our podcast, you'll find out all about the Grand Nez Distillery and whose grand nez they're talking about. Also, the arrests continue in the Louvre jewel heist from a couple of weeks ago.

What a ride it has been. This week, we celebrate 5-years in France with a retrospective of our adventure.

This week, we reflect on our amazing trip to Biarritz, on the Atlantic coast of France. We've also got an update on the brazen jewel heist at the Louvre this past week.

This week's Chapter almost didn't make it out, as Jeff found himself stuck in the hospital all week. We discuss the French health care system at length, and Jeff will share some special Emergency Room stories.

This week, our travels took us to another bastide village. We visited Beaumont de Lomagne. We'll have a post mortem of the Ryder Cup and the unruly American spectators. And, watch out! The French Driving Instructors are on the war-path.

We have a lot to get to this week. The most action-packed month of sports begins this weekend, and we'll have more on that. Also, Le Journees du Patrimoine last weekend took us to the stunning, Chateau de Roquefere. Enjoy!

If you're a fan of France's historical architechture, we have an informative episode for you. This week, we traveled to the Manoir de Prades in Lafox France. Find out all about the tax on structural openings like windows and doors, why France doesn't have many bronze statues laying around and the difference between a Chateau and a Manoir.

While they were breaking ground for a new hospital, the city of Villeneuve Sur Lot uncovered a lost ruins. Hospital plans were shelved, and the Excisum Archeological site and Museum were founded. This week, we headed over for a look.

On our return from Sick-Bay, we venture out to the Chateau Ferrassou to enjoy some Jazz. Julie also took in the 41st annual Foire a la Poterie de St. Avit. And we pay tribute to the amazing actor, advocate and human being, Graham Greene.

Jeff returned from a jam-packed trip to Canada, which included some amazing times with friends and family, and the cancellation of his flight home on Air Canada resulting in an unplanned trip to Detroit. Warning: There may be a rant here.

We are on the road again, with a lovely day trip to the Duras wine region. Also this week, we look into the dogs who've improved train efficiency here in France. And road deaths are dramatically up in the States, and down in Canada.

This is France's busiest tourism weekend of the year. So in this week's Chapter, we focus on how to be a good French tourist, whether you're camping, dining or touring. We also look into the 2025 Passport Power Rankings, and visit the Pomarede Night Market.

We have lots to get to this week. We'll take a look at the most educated countries, the highest taxed and of course our new pooping falcons. We definitely have our own lane.

The dog days of summer are upon us, literally. We also travel to Casteljaloux and the incredible Vielle Auberge restaurant, and Julie gets her hunk fix by introducing France's Mr. Universe contestant.

This week, we get caught up on a number of news stories from Canada and France. We also decided to take our Big Boy Blue to his first ever restaurant lunch.

In France, one of the most intimate activities centers around the night markets or Marche Gourmand. In July and August, thousands of communities roll out local food, drink and music once a week through the summer. This week, we went to experience the delightful Prayssas night market.

On this week's episode, Jeff travels to Greece to collect a very special package. Please join us for this life-altering event.

In this week's chapter, we wrap up the last of our 2-part series on our trip to Paris, Roland Garros and of course Champagne.

This week, we present the first of a two-parter talking about our amazing trip to Roland Garros and the Champagne region. On the way, we enjoyed visits in Brive, Chateauroux and Limoges. Let's get to that first.

Come and join us for a stroll through the beautiful streets of Issigeac in the Dordogne region of France. We also look into the latest effort to curb smoking in France. And we wade through some of the post-covid marriage and divorce rates.

There is so much nefarious activity going on that we had to weigh in. From Kim Kardashian's diamond heist, to sabatoge at a Nice power station, to Crypto kidnappings, France is in the cross-hairs. Not to mention the upper-cut the President endured from his wife. Oh, and we traveled to Miramont de Guyenne.

This week, we take you to one of the largest outdoor markets in South West France. Check out some of the 200 vendors of le Marche at Monsempron-Libos. We also look into Spain's recent crack-down of foreign owned Air BnBs there. And, watch out for the Schtroumpts!!

Against stern warnings from locals, we threw caution to the wind in hopes of finding something interesting in Fumel, and we weren't disappointed. France is hosting celebrities from all corners of the globe as the 78th Annual Cannes Film Festival rolls out the red carpet. And a French dictionary has added 150 new words.

In this week's offering, we explore the EU's decision to roll out the red carpet to scientists from around the world. There's a new French app which detects products made in the USA called, DéTrumpez-vous. And we checked out the "City of Hats", Caussade France.

The rains have moved on and we are in full spring swing. And along with a resumption of some long ignored yard work, we were able to squeeze in an enjoyable day-trip to nearby Castlemoron. Also on this week's show, we explore the history of the Conclave, as the Catholic Church searches for a new Pope.

After stumbling on to some fantastic wines from this appellation, we decided to visit Buzet. If you're looking for a softer French red to wean yourself off of anything from California, this is the region to try. Also, now is the time to set your traps for the Asian Hornet. Julie has the recipe.

We had a lot of fun with Chapter 155 of our podcast. Yes, we visited, and loved, the charming village of Villereal. However, we couldn't ignore a truly Canadian moment involving a federal leaders political debate and a hockey game.

Join us for our visit to the beautiful village of Clermont-Dessous, and the amazing restaurant, Maison Bleu. We also weigh in on Canada's Swearing index. See if your city made the list.

Currently, there's one polarizing topic which has affected everyone's day to day activities...the Trump tariffs. We will endeavor to make as much sense out of it as is humanly possible. Welcome to Liberation Day!!!

The 3rd annual Feria Agricole et Gourmande was held this past weekend in Villeneuve Sur Lot, and it was evident as to why this will continue to be a yearly occurence. Also on this week's Chapter, the origins of April Fools Day.

Since moving to France in 2020, we haven't seen our Canada in the news as much as now. We talk trade, the new PM and how the U.S. is affecting a lot of the attention that Canada is getting.

To celebrate our 150th podcast, we took a special trip. This week, we piled in the car and drove to beautiful Tourrettes sur Loup, with stops in Arles, Cannes and of course, Nice.

With summer travel brewing, we thought it would be a good idea to sit down with Richard Vanderlubbe of Trip Central to discuss options and trends.

Dog adoption season is in full swing, which is why we are thrilled to dedicate this Chapter to finding forever homes for some stray dogs. Today, we talk to Anastasia Somers, CEO of Stray Paws from Greece Toronto Dog Rescue.

Oh Boy! The French Government is at it again. This time, flexing their muscles by telling us all how to wash our clothes. No really! We have that, and quite the spicy plans for Valentines Day to tell you about. Not for the faint of heart.

We just returned home from a spectacular trip to the Costa del Sol in Spain. The highlight was connecting with our dear friend Howard Glassman, then taking on Malaga, Marbella and of course, the Rock of Gibraltar together.

Thanks to TomTom (GPS), we now know which cities to avoid due to congestion, and Toronto isn't the worst. We also look into the number one tourist destination recommended by the Lonely Planet for 2025.