Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles

Recently I travelled for a couple of months in France, road tripping from the top of the country in Normandy to the bottom at the Côte d'Azur and towards the end of my stay I enjoyed a most marvellous visit with Caroline Riddell-Clark at her Villa Florente in Menton on the Italian border.Caroline has stayed in France each year for many years, spending much of that time in Menton staying with friends who had moved there a long time ago. So during the Melbourne Covid lockdowns it was not a surprise that Caroline was surfing the internet for the French real estate on offer and as soon as she could, she headed back over there! Whilst a long time ago Caroline had lived in France  for a number of months near Toulouse, with her children even attending school there, it was Menton that had captured her heart. Caroline had decided to wait for a few years before purchasing a property but after 20 minutes in Villa Florente, she had bought the place!Menton has beautiful beaches with beautiful buildings of different colours, reflecting the colours of the Cinque Terre just across the Italian border. There is a long history including pirates as well as Russian palaces nestled in between Monte Carlo and Italy, and from Caroline's Villa Florente one can walk between 3 countries before lunch! I loved how a stroll into Italy can result in wonderful coffee followed by market shopping for fresh produce in France and then end the day with glitz and glamour in Monte Carlo! Caroline says after a walk like this, she comes home and feels like she's the luckiest person ever to look over her amazing Mediterranean view.Caroline now wants to welcome others to stay with her too, but first come and join us for a chat here on the Loulabelle's and escape to the Cote d'Azur momentarily.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

I am currently in France and have been road-tripping all over the place, but more on that in upcoming episodes....At the moment I have connected with friend to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast Ruby Boukabou and in this episode we discussed some observations from this particular Cannes Film Festival. We had tickets for the opening night red carpet event and we were in the room for the opening ceremony too, to see Robert De Niro receive his honorary Palme d'Or presented by Leonardo DiCaprio. I felt a shift in Cannes this time, with a more overt political statement being made, particularly i the opening night speeches from De Niro, DiCaprio and head of the 2025 Cannes jury Juliette Binoche..Ruby and I also spoke about the opening night movie "Partir Un Jour", the other goings-on in Cannes as well as what to do to escape the craziness for just a short time or a day-trip! We also touch on when the best time is, to visit Cannes for your specific purposes..Tune in and escape to France with us xx**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Kent Tisher is a Palliative Care Doctor in Toronto Canada who loves to unwind and shed the stress of life by traveling in France. I first chatted to Kent back in April 2023 about his love of French vacations and it was fabulous to chat again as he arrived home in Canada on the same day that I arrived in Paris!.Kent came to France this time for only 10 days. He caught the TGV direct from CDG down to the Languedoc region to end up in Pezenas near Montpellier. This is a game changer for me as I had no idea there was a TGV to access straight from CDG!.(Tip from Kent: Check that you know the exact station you are either arriving at or departing from as many towns have more than one train station with very similar names!).Kent has lots of other personal observations and tips from his experiences during his travel that are key for anyone considering regional regional travel in France. I also have some considerations from my current trip to add to your list which we discussed in this episode!.You may want to think about:* car hire: size of car and type of hire arrangement;*short vs long French sojourns (European/North American travellers vs Australian/NZ voyages);*currency conversions;*making specialty arrangements for things such as scuba dives;*planning for where to go on road trips solo or with a group;*packing light (which I always struggle with!);*packing arrangements on a daily basis to assist with managing luggage on a road trip..Something else we discuss is the concept of visiting new places vs revisiting old faves. I am very aware of being fortunate enough to return to France on numerous occasions. Kent and I discussed how lucky we are, but also how we go without some things at home to enable these trips to our happy place. When visiting a new place there can be a sense of guilt if we don't make the most of every minute! But when enjoying a return trip there is a different energy about the visit. I always say to leave a reason to return and one of the reasons to return to the same region if you're fortunate to be able to do so, is to see it at a less frenetic pace!.LFF listeners can book a time with Loulabelle to discuss your itinerary ideas and arrangements. Just head to the LFF website: www.loulabellesfrancofiles.com .**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

This episode is coming to you from Paris! Ouuuuiiiii!I have escaped Melbourne and headed to my happy place, but before my departure last week I chatted to my dear friend, author, performer, tap dancer and long time Cannes Film Festival journalist Ruby Boukabou.2025 is the 78th festival in Cannes where Ruby and I will meet up, but even though this is my second time attending the festival, I needed this chat with Ruby to explain many of the details of the festival including the types of awards and some of the stuff we can look forward to both in Cannes and coming up in Paris. It was wonderful to reminisce about the fun of Cannes and the South of France in previous times too! What's not to love about memories of beach club days in Nice, hanging out in the old town of Cannes or even the time we snagged tix to strut the red carpet with French movie royalty! Tune in to hear all the fun and fabulousness of this iconic event in such a magical French region! Come and escape to France with us xx.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

I am about to return to Burgundy for my third visit there and I can't wait! The region is wonderful to immerse in with wonderful food, scenery and amazing wines!On my last time in Dijon I met the wonderful Emeline Pin whose business Vino Dilectio runs tasting workshops showcasing the various wines of her region. I attended a cheese and wine pairing workshop and I loved every minute of it.Emeline and I chatted about the various things tourists could do in Dijon and Burgundy/Bourgogne, such as visit local villages, explore ancient castles, taste mustards and cheese, wander through vineyards. Dijon and Burgundy has great weather for travelling being not too hot, but be very thoughtful about what time of year to visit not just for the weather but also consider the harvest timing (it varies each year through August-September depending on the ripening of the grapes). During the harvest some activities may be postponed due to the important work that needs to take place.This chat with Emeline provided more than just some expert opinion on wine, Emeline chatted about places to visit throughout France, tips for the best types of restaurants to go to as well as ideas for visiting Burgundy as only a local can give.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Tune in to hear Loulabelle chat to Shannon Pratuch:Shannon Pratuch has moved to France from the US many years ago. She now shares her world which is most often in Paris or Brittany and shared with her gorgeous French bulldogs, through her website as well as her ThisFrench.Life YouTube and Instagram accounts. Last year Shannon compiled a series to take us virtually through many châteaux in the Loire and close to Paris, as well as a separate series highlighting the noël celebrations in châteaux around various regions of France. Shannon is a wealth of knowledge about many experiences that we crave as tourists to France, as well as giving us an insight into what we can do when we're visiting to help us feel as though we're living like a local. She has so many "under-the-radar" suggestions that don't pop out of the guidebooks often so she's well worth listening to! As I'm heading to France soon I've used Shannon's suggestions as my travel plan!Come and escape to France with us. xx**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Each year one of the highlights of the French calendar in Australia is the Alliance Française French Film Festival which commences with the gala opening night of the 36th festival at Melbourne's Astor Theatre on March 5th. But it is not only here in Oz that French film is popular. 2024 was a record breaking year for attendance at the cinema in France, with a higher percentage of the population going to see a film there than in the US. I loved chatting to the fabulous people at the Alliance Française who are responsible for putting together the festival this year:Frédéric Alliod - AFFFF25 CEO & Artistic DirectorMarie-Hélène Predhom - Alliance Française Melbourne General ManagerSara Harrington - Alliance Française Event ManagerFrench cinema is so much more than a cliché... it's quirky, fun & intelligent. Generally French films have a wonderful depth and the 42 films in this year's AFFFF25 are no exception! There are more than 5,500 screenings across the country in the 2025 festival with regional towns now benefitting from some AFFFF25 action!Go to the LFF website for the links to the movies mentioned in this podcast chat, or just tune into to our great discussion about French film culture.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Maria Tawk made the decision to study in France a few years ago and moved from Lebanon to university in Aix-en-Provence. From dreaming as a child with her best friend about one day being in Paris together, to now living a beautiful life in Provence, Maria feels like every day she is living out the life she had only seen before in movies.It was lovely to chat to a fellow Francophile, who seems to now be where she has felt she always belonged, a place that feeds her soul. We chatted about the type of travel that many people crave now... the ability to reset and travel slowly, rather than ticking the travel boxes of the main tourist sites. Everyone wants to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre or if travelling regionally, to see the lavender in the south of France for example. But to immerse in slow travel and connect with a place is very special. As I often say: allow the time and space for the magic to happen during your travel adventure. Maria and I chatted about our perspectives of slow travel... go to a place once and you will see it. Go to a place twice and you will feel it. If you get to go three or more times you will start to know the place from within, drink its wine, eat its food, talk to its people, spend the night under its sky... then that is the luckiest of all.Come and escape to France momentarily with us.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

This episode is the first in Season Six of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast with me (Lou) chatting to Alex Ganipeau from The French Hack. After having many Francophiles get in touch with me about their upcoming intended travel to France, we thought it a good opportunity to chat about our experiences of planning trips to France in recent years but also plans for each of us with our intended trips coming up in 2025.With Alex being French, there is a different experience to me, as I travel as a tourist albeit a tourist with extensive experience traveling in France. For Alex I imagine all her friends and family want to see her! But apparently even for French ex-pats living elsewhere, they want to return to France and explore just as us foreign tourists. So the tips we touched on in this episode:* who is coming on your trip? (just me/ me & girlfriends/ me & my husband/ me & family including kids)* consider the ages and capacity of your attendees. This will impact your choices for the type of accommodation (eg: toddlers who many need a nap) or your mode of travel.*what region is on the wish list? Are there particular things some attendees have on their not-to-be-missed list?*what is the weather preference of the participants? I personally happen to dislike excessively hot weather, so I'll head to the south of France further away from the summer months. Weather preference is important when deciding on the region and time of year to visit.*luggage tips for road-trips and safetyI usually work out 1. what region I am going to be in and simultaneously 2. ascertain what sort of transport will be required for 3. the amount of participants and their capacities. I don't lock in anything until these three things are clearly sorted! Each thing can impact the other.After the transport and region is sorted I divide the planning into 3 separate sections:1. accommodation2. activities3. the boring but essential stuff (including but not limited to - check your passport is valid and has at least 6 months left on it after your return from your trip/ check visa requirements/ insurance/ finance including currency cards or banking/ medical check ups before travel and plan medication requirements)But mainly the most important thing is to plan ahead to allow time for the magic to happen. Without good prior planning the travel experience can be very stressful, but conversely with an itinerary that is too tightly planned with a rushed and full schedule, the possibility for magical moments will be severely diminished. Allow space in the itinerary for spontaneity. Immerse in SLOW TRAVEL!**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Ma belle amie Claudine Hemingway has so much knowledge of the history of Paris, she also lives just a few minutes walk from Notre Dame, so it was fascinating to chat with her about all the goings-on for the opening of the iconic cathedral in December.In this petit papotage we discussed the cathedral's renovation, the before & after differences, how to plan your visit to the newly opened Notre Dame as well as the impact on Paris and the world of being able to again access such an important place for people of faith as well as lovers of history, architecture and France in general.The new Loulabelle's FrancoFiles 2025 Diary mentioned in this episode can be accessed via the following link: https://loulabellesfrancofiles.com/shop/**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Annie Smithers is a celebrated French chef in Australia who has achieved a wonderful work life balance living in the country French style, growing her own produce from paddock to plate! Starting out in the early 80s in the kitchens of the famed Aussie restauranteur Stephanie Alexander, Annie has an amazing knowledge of French cooking, with its intricate techniques and traditional dishes. I love Annie's passion for working with the terroir when making up a menu. I also adored chatting with her about the history of food in France as well as nattering on with our observations of the evolution French life and how we connect with it here in Australia too. She has a wealth of knowledge, telling me all about particular breeds of chickens, about how the power of food creates memories, about various regional French dishes and cooking techniques including fabulous French sauce-work, about the temptation to buy a château on Instagram, just discussing the evolution of a quieter French life. For Annie's French way of life it is all about the French food that brings people together! Tune into to escape to France and share the joy with us.**Note this episode was recorded onsite at Annie's home at Babbington Park. Patience with the sound will be required momentarily at the start, with the regular high Loulabelle's sound quality returning after the first few minutes.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

A few years ago I chatted to Kate Veach on the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast and since then (like a number of guests!) she has become a beautiful friend. I stayed with her and her husband Nathan recently in Burgundy which was such a wonderful time and our stay with her absolutely illustrated why we are now lovely friends. Kate and Nathan have become part of their local community in Lucenay-L'Eveque with artist events, aperitif sessions in the village square and more important that anything, wonderful friendships that will be life long.Kate has an amazing knowledge of her local area. I have connected with her on previous trips but this time was on her actual home turf and she didn't hold back! We experienced everything wonderful that Bourgogne has to offer. Kate asked before my friend Trudy and I arrived, what we'd like to do and lucky for us, Kate knows all there is to know about finding great brocante which is exactly what we wanted! We visited the Beaune market as well as other brocante spots nearby, we meandered through Burgundian villages and towns, we had food and wine experiences I never expected, we were accepted and wrapped up with warmth by the locals and we enjoyed amazing cooking and hospitality in the cosy country home of Kate and Nathan.Tune in to hear the wonderful tips if you're planning a trip to Burgundy, but even if you just want to imagine a day in France and escape momentarily.Link to The Paris Plan as mentioned in this episode on the LFF website**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

It's getting to that time of year when Christmas is on our minds, although I'm a little obsessed about all things Chrissy all year round! So when I had the chance to chat to Lucie Brocard and Anne-Sophie Pink about the Alliance Française Melbourne's upcoming Marché de Noël, I jumped at the opportunity!Lucie is the Cultural Events Manager and has done an amazing job with the AF Christmas Market being held at the Abbottsford Convent on the weekend of Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December. For Loulabelle's listeners who are Australian residents, there is a family pass to be won to this Marché de Noël... just make sure you are a subscriber to the Loulabelle's free newsletter and the winner will be randomly drawn from the subscribers and notified via email on 26 November. (see below for the T&Cs for this giveaway).Anne-Sophie is the Director of Studies so is coordinating all the Education programs at Alliance Français Melbourne from pre-school up to advanced adult levels. As well as hearing about upcoming up events and what's going on for learning French at AF Melb, I loved chatting to both Lucie and Anne-Sophie about their stories of growing up in France, how they came to be in Australia and then also sharing our experiences of travel, food, culture and life in France.Terms & Conditions for the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles AF Marché de Noël giveaway:Win 1x Family pass (two adults and two children) for the Alliance Française Xmas Market taking place at Abbotsford Convent on Saturday 30 November & Sunday 1 December, 2024.Entry is open to Australian residents only.Giveaway commences 17/11/2024 and closes on 25/11/2024.The winner will be randomly selected from subscribers to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles free newsletter.Prize is not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.The winner will be notified via email and will receive their ticket via email.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Nadège Alex knows Paris inside and out! After growing up in the Champagne region, she moved to the French capital in her early twenties and fell in love with the city. She is now a travel planner and assists travellers from around the world to put together their itineraries for their Paris visit.Chatting to Nadège was like having a conversation with an old friend. She gave me tips of places to photograph the Eiffel Tower and lots of little tips for visits to Paris. We spoke about her fave spots in the city and also her thoughts on lots of the regions of France as well, as she has travelled to almost all of them! It was wonderful to chat to a kindred spirit with a similar obsession as me with history and all the fabulousness that France has to offer. For the details related to the Château Mas de Pradié event on December 8th mentioned in this episode, head to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website to the blogpost for this episode 170. **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Kyong Millar has been having a love affair with France for ages, which prompted a purchase of a wonderful village home, 500 year old Maison de Frédéric in the south of France near Avignon and Uzès, in the beautiful Provence region.What followed was an amazing experience which was more than Kyong and her husband expected at the outset, but the end result is better than anything they could have imagined.Kyong takes us through her story including how they found their home, what criteria was on the list of must-haves, how the renovations progressed, how she found items to furnish with her eye for gorgeous French styling and now what kind of life they experience when they're in their idyllic corner of France.I have been following Kyong's @maisondefrederic on Instagram for years and have loved following her journey. Now I think I need to take the next step to visit her beautiful Maison de Frédéric, which Kyong describes as a "vessel for memories" to make some lifetime memories there of my own.Click through to the LFF website for links and further details from this episode.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Daniel Alexander is an Australian Fashion Designer now living in Paris. Chatting to him after his second Paris Fashion Week show, I was fascinated to hear about his passion for fashion, the things that inspire him and how he hopes to inspire the next generation of designers.From a young age in Brisbane Australia, Daniel was making clothes out of his mother's drapes (a la Sound of Music!) and he continued to work hard to pursue a career that has taken him to live around the world and now in Paris. Even though Daniel lives in a world where it is normal to consider showing his collection at a venue like the Ritz Paris, something most of us can only dream of, he is wonderfully grounded and still full of the Aussie spirit that embodies hard work and determination.I met up with Daniel when I was recently in Paris and reconnecting for our podcast chat was such a delight. Whether you are a Francophile, perhaps a devotee to fashion or you're just interested in the life stories of others, tune into listen to Daniel's chat with Loulabelle and "watch this space" for what is coming up next for Daniel Alexander!**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Recently I spent a couple of months in France, road-tripping through gorgeous historic villages, passing majestic châteaux, immersing in village markets bursting with brocante and eating my way through the special dishes from a variety of regions! This podcast episode follows my journey with my friend Trudy Walker as we travelled from Normandy westwards, to a couple of plus-beaux-villages-de-France in the Pays de la Loire, then turned back to the east and headed to Burgundy before going through the Champagne region on the way back to Paris.Tune in to hear Trudy and I chat about the pockets of magic we discovered, the adventures and special events we booked, like a motorbike and side-car trip through the vines of Burgundy. We discussed staying with locals as well as times when we stayed in airbnbs or chambre d'hôtes. We also share some great tips for planning or survivng a French roadtrip! Join us for lots of laughs and beautiful recollections of a roadtrip that has created some marvellous lifetime memories. If you're wanting assistance for planning your own French roadtrip, book an hour with Loulabelle wherever you are in the world via the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website. **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Friend of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast, Ruby Boukabou has a new project working with French director Clément Reboussin, The Paris Plan!Whenever I spend time hanging out with Ruby in France we have so much fun with loads of original, sometimes classic, must see and sometimes quirky, out of the box things to do!For anyone planning a trip to Paris, potentially for residents living in the French capital or perhaps for those elsewhere around the world who just want to stay connected to what's going on, The Paris Plan is for you!Tune into this podcast chat to hear more detail about The Paris Plan and head to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website for all the links for how to follow The Paris Plan on your socials.There are some suggestions on The Paris Plan which are evergreen and can be done anytime, with other events that are a specific agenda for the upcoming week. There are touristy things to do weekly as well as local stuff, with special occasions sometimes coming up, like this week's harvest at the Montmartre vineyard!After listening, head to the LFF website for more info. **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

I have just returned from 2 months in France, road tripping through various French regions and loads of plus-beaux-villages. Regular listeners to the podcast will know how much I love a road trip! Every chance I get I will take off from Australia and drive around France!The first road trip I took this time was with my husband Paul across Normandy and Brittany, with the second road trip through more of Normandy, the Pay de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, Burgundy and the Champagne region with a dear friend Trudy.In this episode I outline a number of tips. How can we allow for the magic to happen, but still be well planned enough to enjoy ourselves without stress and pack in the fun? I'll give ideas for car considerations, planning time frames, accommodation research considerations and tips for how to enjoy regional France in the best way possible.  The extra little oooh and aaaah moments with squeals of delight can't always be planned however. I regularly recommend to get off the freeways and take the back roads. The little places sometimes found along the way can be the difference between an exceptional vacation and one that is probably quite lovely, but only what you've planned for... I don't think anyone can plan for the magic to happen, especially in France.For all the links for this episode, head to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website to blogpost number 165.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Currently I am in France! I have escaped the Aussie winter and returned to my fave destination! This time however, my husband Paul and I decided to couple our visit to Paris and other regions of France, with a stay with some dear friends who live near Prague.There were some unexpected issues we encountered, such as the fact that our internal European flight weighed every single carry on bag before boarding which rarely happens in Australia! After a walk of shame to the overweight baggage desk and many euros later, we were fine to board but it was an issue we hadn't planned for. It was also frustrating as we had plenty of weight allowance in our checked luggage, so we were kicking ourselves for not considering the problem prior to getting to the airport for the internal European flight... we were still in long-haul Aussie-Europe mode! We did not make the same mistake on our internal european flight returning back to Paris!It is also worth noting that not all countries in the EU use the Euro and the exchange rate is not necessarily the best once already in Europe, so a bit of research prior to departure is a must!We adored Prague. Every building is food for a Francophile soul, even though not in France. Our friends live in Plzen about an hour from Prague, where Pilsner Beer is made. It is an amazing town with parts going back many centuries, then other parts of the city are almost stuck in the communist period. I had my hair done in Plzen w2hich was a real eye opener for the w2ay regular life takes place. I was transfixed by the difference to how we operate in Australia, or in France for that matter. We visited an ancient castle, did a beer tour in Plzen, ate incredible Czech food, attended a candlelight concert in Prague and met some gorgeous locals with our beautiful friends. I think that was the most special thing, meeting wonderful Czechs including our friends' adopted grandma, Ivcha. In the middle of our Czech week, we popped down to Vienna for a couple of days to attend a Mozart concert at the Musikverein, the Golden Hall. Everywhere is so close in Europe so heading to another country to fulfil a lifelong wish is not so much of a problem.Tune in to hear some of the problems we faced as well as some great tips when going to a new city for a brief visit.**Coming up soon will be a number of episodes about the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles current road trip through France with a number of different guests.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

 Alex Lalak is an Aussie born and bred travel journalist who now calls France home. Growing up in Sydney, Alex was gifted many cook books, many of them French and also studied French at school. A part of her always thought she would live there one day. After a few trips to France over the years, Alex moved overseas in her thirties, first to New York, then London and eventually Paris. She then met Pierre, her now husband and that changed everything!When Alex first moved to Paris, she had only a couple of friends there who both left to live elsewhere not long after. Alex realised she needed connections and made a lot of friends through ex-pat groups and through friends of friends. There was a year of exploring Paris before meeting Pierre and since then they have lived elsewhere in France in Burgundy and now in Provence.Alex's story of discovering herself is fascinating to me. Her chat about making a vie français and experiencing some of life's most significant events such as having a baby in France, getting married and buying a house now in Provence, is the stuff that many peoples' dreams are made of! Now living a gorgeously French rural life, Alex described her local market days, the fresh produce, the local dishes and the different style of living compared to Paris or even Australia. She gave us wonderful tips for when visiting the Pont du Gard and painted a beautiful picture for our imaginations of the balmy Provençal days. But the best part? When asked to describe what a perfect French day would look like for her, Alex was able to chat about her day that happened only yesterday, because she is actually right now living her perfect French life! Tune in to escape to France with us momentarily. **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Elaine Lewis was always interested in books. So when she made the decision to move from Australia to Paris to open a book store on the left bank of the Seine, her family gave full support. Other opinions were mixed, but regardless she moved to France and spent quite a long time preparing for the opening of her Australian book shop.There were challenges along the way, such as deciphering info being rattled off to her over the phone! But after months putting together a dossier to provide to the French consulate Elaine attained her Visa of Longue Durée. Elaine ended up with a very individual style store with wrought iron shelves, oak panelling and mood lighting. It sounds like the sort of place that would feed a book-lovers soul. She highlighted books in both French and English, anything that promoted Australia that Elaine thought the French would appreciate, some with Aboriginal designs.Competition with the online book stores became increasingly difficult. Regardless of this Eliane continued along happily until she received a quite dramatic letter enacting a very old law that caused her to close. Over 100 local university professors signed a petition which was sent to the president, but although the ban was then overturned, Elaine had made the decision to close the doors.Tune into a fascinating story about a life navigating a part of France that many of us don't ordinarily see. Elaine's connection to France stretches much further that the book store... she reminds us that dreaming is important and making plans to follow our dreams can fulfil both our own souls as well as inspire others.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Danielle Overton Chambers was born in London but moved to Saint Malo as a small child to live with her great-grandparents and after a life around the world she has returned to her favourite place.Saint Malo has fascinating history from the 1950s post war to the pirates of the 15th-18th centuries and even earlier with monks and religious living a hermits life there in the 6th century, before they decided to build a cathedral! From a medieval cathedral town, Saint Malo became a very rich port as the home of trade for hundreds of years, profiting especially from the opening up of the New World.Chatting to my friend Danielle was fascinating as she is so knowledgeable about the history as well as what to do in Saint Malo right now. I will be returning in August and I'm so looking forward to the amazing seafood, the beautiful stone village, the beautiful welcoming people and the tourist stuff to do! To find out more about the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

What Claudine Hemingway doesn't know about the history of Paris probably isn't worth knowing! But as I plan to take off to France for the European autumn, arriving somewhere amongst the shenanigans of the Olympics and the Paralympics, I am picking her brain for what to expect in the Paris of today!It is exactly 100 years since Paris last hosted the Olympic Games, and what an amazing amount of history has occurred since then in the French capital. Paris is quite changed since 1924 and it will be exciting to see how she glams up for the world in this modern era. I'm looking forward to a wonderful new concept literally being floated in the Olympic Summer Games Opening Ceremony. For the first time in the history of the Jeux Olympiques this will not take place in a stadium. Paris 2024 is doing away with the old and bringing in the new, with the Opening Ceremony being held on the Seine including the parade of athletes on boats for each national delegation. Now whilst floating athletes to kick start a Games is a first and I'm certain there will be loads more to marvel at as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will have be the largest Opening Ceremony in Games history, I really wanted to know from Claudine, what will the city be like for the residents and visitors over the next couple of months whilst all this is going on!Tune in to hear all the details and transport yourself away to Paris momentarily.For details and to express interest in the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, contact janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

In 2023 my dear uncle Carl Putt and his best mate Paul Steinfort embarked on a life changing experience walking Le Puy Camino, a huge pilgrimage trail through France.I have obviously known my Uncle Carl my whole life and with a shared love of France it was wonderful to share this chat with him. I have known Paul mainly as Carl's best mate through my life (but just prior to COVID I took on the role as President of a large football club in suburban Melbourne for a number of years, with Paul having the capacity and experience to be my mentor through that time.) It was just lovely to chat with both Paul and Carl about this extraordinary experience they shared in France and I was thrilled to meet up over in Cahors, France to witness their last night.The walk they did is what's known as "Inn to Inn" walking, that is hotel to hotel. Most days they walked about 20 kms, but then as I discovered some days they walked more when they got lost! We chatted about the preparation required including training, equipment and the impact on participants' health and wellbeing. With both men being aged 75 at the time of this walk, I ascertained that taking on a challenge of this kind is not out of anyone's reach, as long as adequate medical advice is sought prior and the required steps to ensure readiness are undertaken.I loved how this experience has now spawned the idea of doing something similar with grandchildren. That experience will potentially provide memories for those grandchildren completing a similar trek now, to carry through their lives and possibly then do with their own grandchildren in the future whilst remembering the same experience with their grandfather. A wonderful ongoing family connection through the generations.Paul identified the deepness of the connection to France for our family and he was very happy to immerse in that with his friend, my Uncle Carl. This connection has brought a closeness of our extended family, and may possibly bring about more walks such as this for us all in the future.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

A short while ago I chatted at episode 152 with Clare Needham, Curator at the Bendigo Art Gallery all about their amazing current exhibition Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925. This exhibition finishes on Bastille Day next week, so I popped back yesterday to see all the fabulousness there with friends who are just as crazy about all things French as I am! I had a petit chat with mes amies afterwards which is included in this episode.The Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925 exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the lively and picturesque streets of historic Paris with real footage of life as it was, as well as artworks and even advertising posters, fashion and other artefacts dotted through the gallery. There are seven themed rooms or pathways, which take us through the most iconic parts of Paris. We discovered artisan street signs alongside wonderful posters and maps of Paris as well as fascinating footage of bustling marketplaces and grand boulevards. We wandered virtually through the jardins of Paris, saw some beautiful historic couture, immersed ourselves in artworks depicting life on the banks of the Seine, the Tour Eiffel and the heady atmosphere of bohemian Montmartre with artworks by Toulouse Lautrec and footage of the Can Can. This exhibition has more than 170 works of art and artisan objects reflecting on a period of great social change, urban development and artistic innovation which shaped the modern Paris that we love today. The Paris: Impressions of Life 1880-1925 exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery and the Electric Wonderland light show both end on Bastille Day, 14 July 2024. If interested in the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email Jane: janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com For free tickets to the Loulabelle's champagne soirée in Prahran, Melbourne this Thursday 11 July 2024, head to the LFF website and click the link in the post for episode 158.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Alex Ganipeau is a native of Bordeaux who is now a skilled French teacher residing in Australia with her business The French Hack.Alex is always a wealth of info for me when I'm planning my next French escape so we thought a chat about her faves from a local perspective would assist the many of us heading to France this year during the Olympics or across the French summer.Tune in to hear details most tourists wouldn't consider in both Paris and Bordeaux!If interested in the September 2024 Normandy Retreat as mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

I got out from behind my desk in the Loulabelle's recording pod and met Pierrick Boyer in his Prahran Rêverie Café. For someone who has so many accolades and awards, who is always excelling and noted as being at the top of his craft, he is an exceptionally grounded and genuine person. I have spent time in his café before, always a place that is warm and welcoming, filled with French dreams in every dessert and dish served!After growing up in France, Pierrick lived a number of years outside of France and thankfully for us in Melbourne, he eventually ended up making a life here with his family. He has been rewarded too, winning the title of Australian Pastry Chef of the Year.  Pierrick is also about to be recognised by the French Ambassador with the Mérite agricole, for his outstanding work in promoting French food to Australians. Pierrick and I chatted about the importance of dreaming. Most of us dream of all sorts of things: travel, beautiful places, achieving great things... Pierrick talked of being a "doer" and making dreams a reality. We lamented the change in the way kids grow up now, in a period of time when they never seem to have space to sit with their own thoughts... there is always a screen to fill the void. I wonder if without this time to ponder and think, will kids continue to dream big in the future, in the same way as we and previous generations had the space to do in the past.Dreaming is something that can't be taught. But Pierrick is definitely showing how hard work and determination can make dreams come true.If interested in the Normandy Retreat as mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com for details.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Recently I followed with great interest all the excitement of the Cannes Film Festival, which got me reminiscing about when I was there for the 2023 Festival last May with friend to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast Ruby Boukabou.  I also loved the chat I had with Ruby back then while we were in Cannes with loads of insights into the local customs, the sights, the weird and the wonderful happenings of the most famous film festival on the planet!Tune into hear all the insider views on the festival as well as be updated on some exciting stuff to consider if you are heading to Paris this coming French summer!If interested in the Normandy Retreat this September as mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Melbourne local Catherine Deveny has a career I have followed for decades. She is a writer, a comedian, an inspiration to many and she has provided many a belly cackle for me over the years. She is irreverent, intelligent and loads of fun and I loved unpacking the French angle of her story. Catherine describes herself as a professional MILF!!! Seriously though, she is the founder of the Gunnas writers retreats and since its inception she has had 10,000 writers or "gunna-be" writers through her workshops. Her retreats have created a community of writers that keep coming back for more!Catherine has said, "We put obstacles in front of our happiness... they are distraction, procrastination and self-doubt. Satisfaction is what makes us happy, not distraction. There's no effort without error. 80% of success is just turning up." These words inspire me to get up and get going! It's fabulous life advice!  We should not postpone joy! We should live our lives with as much joy as possible and I love how Catherine makes this "real" in our chat during this episode.I often wonder that many women have not been raised to consider their own dreams. Listening to Catherine as we chatted left me really considering how I might live my best life and actually live my dreams...Tune into hear our chat and maybe consider how to shift from being a "Gunna" to an actual "Do-er".If interested in the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

English born Kylie Lang has lived all over the world, but it wasn't until she gave her husband the next choice of where to live, that she even considered a move to France and now she is fully in loooooove with every thing about her new adopted home..Kylie now lives in rural France in the Charente department on the border of the Dordogne, 2 hours from Bordeaux. In south-west France, Kylie's area is known for its sunflowers and is a beautiful part of France (although who am I kidding, all of France is exquisite!) .We chatted in this episode about the ways ex-pats moving to France can find ways to connect with their community. Kylie suggested something I hadn't considered before, on moving to her village she joined a line dancing class! It's a little known fact that the French love line dancing or some might call it formation dancing. When I went to the Bayonne festival a couple of years back there were certain songs where the whole crowd would just break into dance, with everyone seeming to know all the steps! It never occurred to me then that the locals would go to lessons to learn this! .So Kylie and and I had great chats about the discovery of her new home and her move from the UK, about how she continued her work in her business from France and how she has become part of the local community (even initially with no capacity to speak French!) I loved that Kyle has even ended up in the kitchen peeling spuds and washing dishes at the local fête!**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Aujourd'hui I escaped into the real world to get my Frenchy vibes fluttering at the Bendigo Art Gallery, chatting to curator Clare Needham about the current Paris: Impressions of Life exhibition.This extraordinary exhibition was sourced from the Musée de Carnavalet in the Marais in Paris as well as fashion items from the NGV. Clare took me through all the 7 zones of the exhibition taking me through the story of the history of Paris from that time.Tune in to hear our petit tour and check out the details on the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website.For details of the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Claudia Stahl is the creator of French inspired fashion brand Jac Cadeaux. Claudia lived in Paris for a number of years after inheriting a love of all things French from her mother. She went for a year and stayed for five years!Claudia loves the language and the culture but clearly has been affected by the fashion too. Being there for 5 years, she got to learn the language, to meet and make French friends, travel a lot and study the effortlessly chic French women. We chatted about her experiences and it transported me back to France on and off through our chat.Claudia described her life in Paris in a little apartment where they could hear the bells of Notre Dame in the 5th, over the road from a Tabac. I just floated away with her as she chatted. Hearing about the fashion as well, French women who would not be overly styled, but would wear what they had in their wardrobe but in a way that had a chic-ness not often seen elsewhere. When Claudia came back to Australia she explored this further and created Jac Cadeaux which provides a classic French style wardrobe. The Breton stripe is a staple (I loved hearing the history of the striped tops that have endured from Claudia too) but there is so much more!For the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles audience, Jac Cadeaux is now offering a 15% discount! Just use the discount code LFF15 at the Jac Cadeaux checkout. https://jaccadeaux.com/ If interested in the Normandy Retreat as mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com for details. **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Ruby Boukabou is an author, performer, tap dancer and Paris resident with whom I have had numerous wonderful French experiences including attending the Cannes Film Festival last year. The films selected for 2024 have now been announced with loads of Aussies set to be gracing the red carpet. (Bonjour Chris Hemsworth & Cate Blanchett!) Ruby and I are particularly impatient for the global premiere of George Miller's new Mad Max movie. Ruby has been reporting on the famous Cannes Fest for over a decade and this year she and I will be reprising our YouTube program The Cannes Couch and this podcast chat touches on what to expect. After Cannes, Ruby will be returning to an Olympic crazed Paris! She will also have some performances with another friend to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles, Wendy Lee Taylor. Ruby and Wendy are performing their cabaret show Parisian Time Step  on a péniche on the Seine, in the centre of Paris near the Ile Saint Louis. Just imagine the fairy lights in the trees along the river, with wonderful jazz musos on the barge and French food and wine whilst the show takes you through the music and dance of the Belle Epoque of Paris right up to the current day. Last year the show had rave reviews so I can't wait to see it this year! For all the links for this episode including our Cannes Couch project, head to the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website. Bookings for the Parisian Time Step show and links to purchase Ruby's books are also on the LFF site at Episode 150. For details to attend the dreamy Normandy Retreat with Loulabelle this coming September 2024, email: janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com  **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

April Pett is a breath of fresh air keeping the Frenchy vibes fluttering for many tourists in Paris. She hosts custom tours in Paris, Versailles, Chablis and Champagne and does so with such a lovely vibrant positivity!Coming to live in Paris from a small town in Canada, April first visited France when she graduated high school and her love affair with the French capital began. After more than a decade living there, she still hasn't lost the wonder in her eyes every time she sees the iconic symbols surrounding her. Wandering around the city is still like an outdoor gallery for her, as April says there is always something new to see or find even after daily walks down particular petites rues! Her main rule though, is to "always look up". So many people miss what is right in front of them by burying their heads in a map or phone, or only looking at ground level. Always look up!**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Sonja Bajic is a map illustrator living in Paris, specialising in personalised maps. We use maps so often in our lives and Sonja connects with people to tell their story on a map of their own. Sometimes she will create a map with images or pictures of a family's holiday and place it on a map for them to display at home, or perhaps an individual might have their life in two worlds, such as I would hope to have with France and Australia! Sonja can represent that life on a personalised map.I adore losing myself in a map, examining all the streets and reminiscing about where I've been before. It was fascinating to hear of Sonja's projects including a massive table for a tourist company in Paris with a map across the whole surface displaying the arrondissements, food and main attractions of Paris. I imagine it would have been a beautiful piece of functional art. Together with Sonja's knowledge and passion for maps, I loved hearing all about her personal Paris story. Come and escape to France with us...For more information about the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, contact Jane Hiscock janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com  **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Easter for me has always been a time for gathering with family, for eating copious amounts of chocolate, for egg hunts and as a child for going to church with my grandmothers. This is the same in much of the English speaking world, but what goes on for Easter in France?In this episode I chatted to Alex Ganipeau from the French Hack about her memories of Pâques when she grew up in France. There are some traditions that are particular to France, such as the Cloches de Pâques, the Easter bells which depart France on Good Friday and fly to Rome to be blessed by the Pope, then returning to France on Easter Sunday dropping Easter eggs, candy and presents for all the children. The church bells all ring out in every French village on Easter Sunday and the kids start looking for eggs! Alex and I also talk about the pagan origins of the Easter traditions and other special ways it is celebrated in France.For tourists travelling through France across Easter, it is important to note that Good Friday is not a public holiday in France but Easter Monday is.For anyone interested in the Normandy Retreat as mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com for details.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Kate Hill has lived an extraordinary life. As a young woman she loved to travel and cook and ended up buying a barge and travelling the regional canals of France until she found her little home which back then was a ruin on the bank of the canal. So she parked the barge at the bottom of the garden gate and continued to live on the barge for her first 25 years in the area of Gascony, until the ruined 300 year old building was eventually renovated 10 years ago for her to live in. Early on in the 35 years in total that Kate has lived there, she built her little dream kitchen and learned how to butcher and create charcuterie as well as then teach others to do the same.Kate published an introductory book about how she ended up living this wonderful life, “A culinary journey in Gascony” which was published in 1995 (and is still in print!) She then wrote another book which contains everything one might need to know about Cassoulet, followed by a series of 12 seasonal monthly books, a compilation of her essays and recipes titled “A Gascon Year”. Through substack, Kate now publishes her memoir about how she found France, “Finding France: a memoir in small bites” is now released on a serialised basis.I loved chatting to Kate about the slowness of her life, not that she is slow in her actions, but how life in her rural part of France has forced her to slow down and live a deep immersive life in her kitchen and potager in Gascony. Locals in her area kept explaining something to Kate that sums up their philosophy on how to prioritise the important things in life: “prendre le temps de prendre le temps” (take the time to take the time). In other words, they do things such as stopping on a Sunday to share a meal with family or friends, they stop and enjoy the smaller but precious parts of life. Kate grew into this way of life, she learned how to work a potager, how to raise chickens, how to be connected to her soul. Now in her 70s, Kate is excited about more changes and choices she is making in her life. She is focusing on how to start anew at any age and how to live a connected country French life. This she calls “champêtre”, to be country. As part of this she will continue to host residencies at her Relais de Camont, but she will also have the time to create more herself, with her writing, her potager, cooking in her kitchen. The focus on what is really important to her is a recommendation for a more connected life for us all.For information about the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com  **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Dianne McHugh loves walking through Paris. So much so that she has created 20 walks, one for each arrondissement of the French capital. Dianne has her faves, but one thing she often looks for when planning a walk, is a patch of green on the map. Tha parks and recreational spaces of Paris are food for a Francophile soul! Dianne also likes to make time to have a break and read a book somewhere as well as take in at least one museum or gallery a day.During her last visit to Paris Dianne tried to squeeze all her 20 walks into a 14 day stay, but just fell short. Always leave a reason to  return I say! So now Dianne will go back for 4 weeks and complete the walk for each arrondissement. I'll be doing one of her walks when I next return to Paris too!Tune into feel as though you have had a momentary sojourn to Paris with us...If interested in the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com for details.  **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Bruce and Lisa live near Montreal in Canada and whilst Bruce's French father may have influenced his connection to France, it wasn't until a 20th wedding anniversary vacay that together they discovered their mutual love of France. When visiting the Dordogne, they stayed in Sarlat -la-Canéda and on the last day of their trip they found that an apartment on the top floor of the historic building they were staying in was for sale! And that was it! The journey of French property ownership and renovation began!I've always imagined moving to an historic village and a stone cottage or apartment with my romantic-rose-coloured glasses on. So when Bruce and Lisa described some of the challenges they worked through, I began to realise  the enormity of such a decision to purchase your very own piece of French history. Issues such as getting rid of the refuse, taking it all down a tiny spiral staircase, or having ordinary items such as a sofa delivered when living in a village that is for pedestrian traffic only... Just a couple of important considerations before purchasing.Luckily Bruce and Lisa have loved every step of their journey which is not finished yet. They've enjoyed the DIY aspect, but they also retrospectively appreciate the various glitches that popped up along the way. These are the situations that make up the journey which for them is the fabric of their beautiful French story.To find out more details of the Normandy Retreat as mentioned in this episode, email Jane Hiscock at Château du Jonquay janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com   **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Claudine Hemingway is an American living in France. She has an amazing family history in Paris, with her grandparents and of course Ernest Hemingway having a significant impact on her perspective of the French capital. I have spoken with her a number of times on the podcast before and met in Paris, most recently going to one of her faves L'Avant Comptoir in Saint Germain in the Paris summer of 2023.Claudine is an amazing story teller and historian. She has an incredible knowledge of the Louvre, taking tours there often, as well as many other places in Paris. Her depth of understanding about the history of Paris provides her tour clients with an authentic experience tailored to their needs.I loved chatting with Claudine about her life in Paris, the upcoming Olympics, the re-opening of the Louvre planned for this December, plus her faves to visit in Paris including the incredible place she and I caught up at in the Latin Quarter last year.If you ‘re planning on heading to Paris, tune into this chat for loads of tips, but even if Paris is a distant thought for you, I found my chat with Claudine was a wonderful petit virtual escape to Paris!For details of the upcoming 2024 Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Mandy Murphy and Willo Renehan made a decision after Brexit to buy property in France. What eventuated though, was more than they imagined! After many years of renos, inspired by Dick & Angel on Escape to the Château, they now have a wonderful maison in the middle of the town of Saumur in the Loire Valley. La Maison Trumeau is an 1850s French period home, walking distance to restaurants and shops and not far from chateaux and wineries in the Loire region. When Mandy and Willo were searching for such a find, they specifically wanted a wine region in France (driving distance from the UK). This is not just about the wine however. I hadn't considered a perspective that Willo made clear: if buying in a wine region, there will be a number of boxes ticked or checked just because these things go hand in hand with a wine making region. Good weather is needed for the grapes to grow = check! A wine region encourages a fabulous food and restaurant scene = check! The rolling hills and terroir for wine making also provide a gorgeous backdrop for meandering around the French countryside = check! Together with all of that, the Loire has a châteaux around almost every corner! What's not to love!After this chat with Mandy and Willo, I can see how they team all of that Loire Valley loveliness with the French style living at La Maison Trumeau which has been fully renovated and restyled to it's original French elegance including antique furniture, vintage style furnishings and plenty of space to relax and unwind. It's definitely on my list of future plans for visits to the Loire Valley and France! **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Alex Ganipeau runs French language school "The French Hack" in Melbourne Australia and is our go to Frenchy to chat with about loads of things to help demystify French traditions, customs and culture!In today's chat we hear about the recently celebrated traditions of l'Ephinanie and Chandeleur, plus the ways Valentine's Day is recognised both now and historically in France.Alex tells us about the things that especially connect her to France and feeds my Francophile heart through her words. We discover that it's not necessarily the stuff and things we collect in life that are important, but rather the moments shared with those we love and times we spend in certain places that connect us to our soul.  Come and escape momentarily to France with us.To contact Jane Hiscock regarding the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode email: janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Do you love having French vintage bits and bobs all around to remind you of travels in France? Or do you just enjoy a gorgeous French rustic or provincial style to your home? Perhaps you have just a teeny addiction to brocante shopping... Oui? Yep, me too. If like me, you consider packing light for your vacances en France to squeeze in the French fabulousness found at some brocante markets, then this chat is for you. Jane Hotblack owns French vintage ware business "Vintage Etc" and sources pieces from France to sell in Australia. I love the idea of months on end seeking out vintage paintings, kitchen items, furniture or antiques. But for the professional vintage sellers, it's not all swanning around vide-greniers in regional France. This is a serious and competitive business! Tune in to hear Jane's tips on where to go for the best brocante and how to get it back to your home country without breaking the bank!If you're interested in this September's Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email Jane Hiscock for further details: janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Andrew Prior, host of Fabulously Delicious, the French Food Podcast has now released a book!Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide To The World's Most Delicious City is Andrew's first book and is about so much more than just the best restaurants in Paris. Andrew has visited and sampled the wares of, or dined in,all 379 venues in the book! You will find recommendations for boulangeries,patisseries, cafes, bistros, bouillons, restaurants and wine bars. But alsogourmet food stores, fromageries, department stores, and so much more. Chatting with Andrew in this Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast episode, we touch on loads in his book but also get some of his secret tips, such as how to get a more affordable Michelin starred meal!Perfectly timed for the big year for Paris with the 2024 Olympics andParalympic games coming up, this podcast episode is a must for anyone planning atrip to Paris this year or just for lovers of French food who want to join in fora laugh and natter with us, and a petit escape to France momentarily! **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

 The Loulabelle's FrancoFiles has an exciting 2024 planned. Grab your beverage of choice and sit back to escape virtually to France on a road trip across the north of France through Normandy and Brittany! This is the topic of the first French Road Trip E-guide to be released soon in the new LFF online store. Also hear my chat about the wonderful intimate, boutique Normandy Retreat planned for September where listeners can join me for one of a kind experiences that will fill a Francophile soul! Even just dreaming about them will keep your Frenchy vibes fluttering! Guests will stay at Château du Jonquay and will be involved in collaborations with a Molly J Wilk cooking class (pastry chef extraordinaire) and a Michelin star chef lesson in the beautiful château kitchens as well as loads more that Normandy offers which only a local could uncover. If a Normandy Retreat is what you need, email Jane Hiscock: janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com If a dreamy virtual escape to France is more your style, then tune in now and join me on my magical French road trip xx **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Joyeux Noel and Bonne année!Currently I am sending you wishes for a gorgeous Chrissy from my home in the Aussie bush surrounded by the sounds of kookaburras in summer, with kangaroos joining us for our morning coffee and returning for apéro in the late arvo! A far cry from last year when I was in France on my wonderful Noël roadtrip through the French alps and the Alsace region. I have a number of tips for travelling in the type of weather that can be expected in France in December as it is winter! This is the time of mulled wine, big coats, warm open fires and rugging up with fabulously filling French comfort food! Tune in to hear Loulabelle's top 5 tips for travelling during the Christmassy period in mountainous France. Really practical advice about what to pack or leave behind. I'll also take you through a number of divine villages I either stayed in or visited briefly in the Beaujolais and Alsace regions in the lead up to  Noël as well as the excitement of Christmas in Paris!**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Julia Fulford Kirby lives in a most magical place, Château Mas de Pradié in Foissac in the Aveyron region of southwest France. I first saw her story on the Escape to the Château DIY show and then chatted to her on the podcast in January 2021, but nothing prepared me for the magic before me when I visited her home in the hot summer of 2022. Mas de Pradié took my breath away. Julia has done so much work over her time there but she has made every effort not to ruin the spirit that made her fall in love with the "mas" in the first place. The majority of the work that has taken place is invisible, but necessary for lining in the 21st century. Many châteaux I have seen renovated look like a modern place within an historic shell. Julia seems to have been able to make modern conveniences such as bathrooms, look as if they have always been there! The renovations are so sympathetic to the history of the property.Living in and renovating an historic property is not for everyone, but luckily for the rest of us, there are brave and adventurous people like Julia who are willing to live a life dedicated to restoring these châteaux that feed the souls of the rest of us Francophiles. I firmly believe that without people willing to take that leap and take on a life of non-stop hard labour, the historic buildings of France may in 50, 100 or maybe 200 years be a pile of ruins. It seems that in some local communities there aren't the people willing or with the funds to get the required work completed. I don't have the capacity to go to France and restore a château myself, but I'm very happy to go there and enjoy the work of people like Julia! **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Texan native Molly Wilkinson moved to France to follow her dream of French pastry cooking and baking a number of years ago and since then has met her fiancé, moved to Versailles and now has an amazing business bringing the opportunity to all of us to cook like a French pastry chef, with her online French pastry cooking school.Molly is so down to earth, patient and accessible. Perfect attributes for a teacher! She has a fabulous cooking space in Versailles which is where all the magic happens online, but also in person for anyone heading to the town.Recently there is another exciting project that Molly is now sharing with us all. Molly has collaborated with author Mandie Davis and illustrator Pete Williamson and the result is a kids' book that is bright, colourful and fun, as it tells the story of Molly in Versailles! As well as having some of Molly's recipes in the book, it is a way to open up iconic places like Versailles to children. Often the story of historic places can be a bit dry and fact heavy, but this gets kids interested in history by making it fun and accessible.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Rachael Coopes is an author, an actress, a yoga expert, a presenter on beloved kids show Playschool and just an all-round lovely like-minded Francophile. Recently I have been reading her book Paris For Beginners and I absolutely love it! I'm not sure why, but every time I sat down to read it, I needed to pair the reading with a glass of wine! It felt like a celebration each time and a petit escape to France for me.  In her 20s Rach moved to France for a couple of years to study theatre. She describes her time in Paris back then as being on the precipice of the next phase of her life. It is often a stage for many of us where we're about to be what I like to call "full-blown adults". Then last year Rach returned to Paris after the world started to open up post-Covid. Her book gives us an insight into her world and the manner in which Paris has impacted her as a mini-adult in 2004 and then again in 2022. Her experiences resonated with me and brought to the fore my own memories of Paris as I was reading.  I've often talked about feeling a homesickness for France even though I've never lived there. Rach has now finally put a word to that for me: hiraeth, which is a Welsh word which has no direct translation, but it describes a longing, homesickness, yearning and nostalgia for a place. That describes my relationship with France when I am in Australia perfectly! Rach and I lamented the changes to Paris with globalisation taking hold in France as it does everywhere, but it was wonderful to share with her the things that we were thrilled to see stay the same. Whilst some of the older, authentic, quintessentially French parts of Paris now seem a bit more polished and sparklier, the joie de vivre experienced by visiting France or even chatting about it, remains. As Rachael says, somehow in Paris they manage to take what is ordinary and make it extraordinary... take the simple and turn it into something breathtaking.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Earlier this year I stayed in Normandy with the gorgeous Jane Hiscock in her stunning historic Château du Jonquay. I'm headed back to stay with Jane again in September 2024 and this time you can come too! Jane has put together an amazing itinerary with a range of experiences that only someone with her local knowledge could uncover. I'm so excited about all Jane has planned for this wonderful Normandy Retreat! Tune into this chat to hear more of the fascinating stories of the Normandy region.For more information on how to join me for a stay at Château du Jonquay including dates, detailed itinerary, prices and inclusions, contact Jane Hiscock: janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com If this sounds like what you need, don't delay, as stays in Jane's Château du Jonquay have previously sold out in no time!**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website