People have been idealizing the French way of life since as far back as the 11th century. Unfortunately, reality rarely measures up to the picture-perfect image we fall in love. Here’s a look at my take on the “expectations vs reality” of living in France as a North American Expat.
France, like most countries, has its fair share of weird, strange, unusual and funny laws. Here are a few that stand out.
What day is mothers day? The second Sunday of May? The fourth Sunday of May? The last Sunday of May? Are you sure Mother’s Day is even in May? Surprise, mothers day is celebrated on all those days depending on what part of the world you ask.
Pentecost Monday is yet another public holiday in France that occurs in the month of May. Here’s a brief explanation of what it is and what you can expect if you’re in France on this day.
Very few people enjoy packing. It can be challenging to fit everything you need for a two-week vacation into just one suitcase and still stay within the airline’s luggage allowance, however, it can be done if you know how.
You may not have heard of Victory in Europe day, aka VE day or simply V day, but it’s an important day in history to Europeans and many other countries. Here’s a little background on what V-E Day Means to the world and how it’s celebrated, especially in France.
Driving in France is pretty straightforward, however, there are a few things that can be a little confusing to newcomers who plan on driving in France. Here are 11 things I wish I knew when I first started driving and taking road trips in France.
Weather-wise, springtime is a wonderful time of the year in France, however, as a tourist or newly arrived expat, you should be aware of all the French holidays and celebrations in the Month of May that could put a crimp in your plans.
If you happen to be in France on May 1st, don’t be surprised to find many businesses and services closed- from banks and grocery stores to schools and tourist sites. Even the Louvre is closed. Find out why and what to do on this day.
If you’re an American expat living abroad who’s looking for an accountant or tax firm to prepare your US expatriate tax return, check out “Taxes for expats”, the tax firm I’ve personally used and recommend. Here’s my honest review of their services and how the whole process work for me.
It doesn’t matter how prepared you think you are, moving to France (or any new country for that matter) is going to be chock full of unexpected surprises. Some good, some bad. So here it is- 99 useful things you should know about moving to France. The good, the bad and the quirky.
Although Valentine’s Day is nowhere near as commercialized in France as it is in the US, Canada and Japan, it is celebrated. Here’s a small French town in the heart of France that goes above the call of duty for Valentine’s day and the Japanese love it.
