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Category: Culture

“Chandeleur,” The Day of Crêpes… and Candles?

Posted on February 2, 2023February 2, 2023 by Rose Joly

Like every day, February 2nd is another day to celebrate France’s delicious gastronomy. Unlike every day, crêpes dominate the day. When I first moved here and encountered free (yes, free) crêpes being handed out this day, I asked my husband “is it like national donut day, but crêpes because we are in France?” Sorry to…

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galette des rois, a round puff pastry cake with paper crown on top

January in France: Fête de la Galette

Posted on January 1, 2022January 6, 2022 by Rose Joly

The 1st of January marks a momentous occasion every year in France, and no, I’m not talking about the new year! Instead, I am talking about the return of the most delectable of all pastries: the galette des rois [gah–let dey rwa]. The galette is a buttery, sweet and flaky pastry that comes with a…

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pack of 1664 beer with a no sign

Foreigner in France: My Top Five French Beer Brands

Posted on May 23, 2021June 4, 2021 by Rose Joly

Put down that 1664, it’s time to try some other French beer!* Here’s my top 5 (in no particular order): Dremmwel “Horizon” in the Breton language, Dremmwel is one of my favorite brands coming from Bretagne. Of particular remark is their “Blé Noir,” a gluten-free amber beer made with buckwheat (the “black gold” of Bretagne, if…

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Partagez votre pouvoir, donnez votre sang! banner

Donating Blood as a Foreigner in France

Posted on May 9, 2021May 22, 2021 by Rose Joly

Today I wanted to talk about donating blood in France. Pandemic aside, treatments for new and pre-existing illnesses still take place every day and donating is as important as ever. This article focuses on my experience donating blood in France (in the blue boxes) and how you can go about doing so yourself. 1 Hour…

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photograph of bouchee a la reine served with green beans and mashed potatoes

Americanized French Recipe: Bouchées à la Reine

Posted on May 2, 2021May 22, 2021 by Rose Joly

Are you ready to feel like a damn queen? If the answer is “yes,” you definitely need to try this recipe made for a French one! The Queen’s Bite Known as the “bouchée à la reine” or “queen’s bite,” this recipe combines the best of a light puff pastry exterior (called a vol-au-vent) with a…

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Sephora France vs. Sephora USA

Posted on March 28, 2021May 18, 2021 by Rose Joly

If you are anything like me—which you probably are because you are reading this article—you are likely obsessed with Sephora. You have fond memories of going to the mall and trying out all the newest trends or collecting your free birthday gift. Whatever it may be, those signature stripes really got your heart! Personally, I…

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Thinking About Moving to France? 5 Things the Other Expats Forgot to Tell You

Posted on March 21, 2021May 18, 2021 by Rose Joly

I have been living in France for over a year now, and let me tell you, expat life is not all fun and games! From administrative procedures, to finding a job, and even just daily tasks, I have had a lot of struggles. Obviously adjusting to a new life in a new country is no…

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Getting Married in France (Twice!)

Posted on October 19, 2020May 22, 2021 by Rose Joly

If you have read the about page you are aware that I have gotten married in France twice (to the same person). The reason for this being is that marriage can only be officiated legally in France by the government since the country is laic, meaning there is a firm separation of church and state….

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When Someone Says “France:” The Most Popular Stereotypes About France Debunked

Posted on October 18, 2020May 22, 2021 by Rose Joly

Today I wanted to discuss some things that are not necessarily untruths about France, but are characteristic tropes of French culture and France itself. The stereotypes or cliches I have collected and discussed below were retrieved by posing the question “what comes to mind when you hear the word ‘France’?” on several social media platforms….

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Salut! I’m Rose.
I’m an American married to a Frenchman living in the countryside of France. I’m here to fill you in on life here, from administrative paperwork to weird customs to underrated places to visit.

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This is why I haven’t been very active here on F This is why I haven’t been very active here on FCG… I’m super busy building this dream! 🌈 Hope you all don’t mind. I will be back with more content very soon, I swear! @jolyvitrail
New post on the blog about the oh-so-charming Vill New post on the blog about the oh-so-charming Villeneuve-sur-Yonne. The Tour Bonneville was one of my favorite little parts of the trip! So cute and cozy, wish I could take a peek inside!

#travelblog #expatblog #Francetravel #france #frenchcountrysideguide #americaninfrance #liveinfrance #lifeinfrance #cultureblogger #expatinfrance #travel #travelinfrance #expatlife #Bourgogne #Bourgognetourisme #bourgognetourism #burgundytourism #burgundy #tourisminfrance #francetravel #daytripsinfrance #villeneuvesuryonne #villeneuve #blog #americanexpat #expatlife #frenchcountryliving #countryside #frenchcountryside
It snowed last month here (a rarity)... But what d It snowed last month here (a rarity)... But what does this month have in store for us? 🌧❄️☔️💨☀️

#blog #americanexpat #expatlife #frenchcountryliving #countryside #frenchcountryside #travelblog #expatblog #Francetravel #france #frenchcountrysideguide #americaninfrance #liveinfrance #lifeinfrance #cultureblogger #expatinfrance #travel #travelinfrance #expatlife #winter #snow
I'm baaaack! 💥 New post on the blog about the o I'm baaaack! 💥
New post on the blog about the oh-so-charming Villeneuve-sur-Yonne. 

#travelblog #expatblog #Francetravel #france #frenchcountrysideguide #americaninfrance #liveinfrance #lifeinfrance #cultureblogger #expatinfrance #travel #travelinfrance #expatlife #Bourgogne #Bourgognetourisme #bourgognetourism #burgundytourism #burgundy #tourisminfrance #francetravel #daytripsinfrance #villeneuvesuryonne #villeneuve #portedesens #sens #blog #americanexpat #expatlife #frenchcountryliving #countryside #frenchcountryside
New Year, don't care. 🎉💁‍♀️ #firework New Year, don't care. 🎉💁‍♀️

#fireworks #france #frenchcountrysideguide #frenchcountryside #travelblog #expatblog #frenchvillagelife #Francetravel #frenchvillage #lifeinfrance #expatinfrance #travelinfrance #frenchcountryliving #newyear #newyearseve #nouvelan #year2022 #HappyNewYear
Pre-fire photo (2019) of some lovely decorations o Pre-fire photo (2019) of some lovely decorations outside of the Hôtel de Ville with a view of Notre-Dame's towers in the background. 

#frenchcountrysideguide #travelblog #expatblog #Francetravel #Frencharchitecture #france #lifeinfrance #americaninfrance #cultureblogger #travelinfrance #notredamedeparis #Paris #ChristmasDeco #Christmastrees #festiveseason #Cathedral #CathedralenotredamedeParis #notredame #notredamedeparis #holidayseason #happyholidays #merrychristmas #joyeuxnoël #joyeusesfêtes
So close to a new year... Wonder what 2022 will b So close to a new year... 
Wonder what 2022 will bring? Maybe a visit to the states? Or perhaps next New Year's my family will be celebrating here with me in France?
What are you looking forward to in '22?

#fireworks #france #frenchcountrysideguide #frenchcountryside #travelblog #expatblog #frenchvillagelife #Francetravel #frenchvillage #lifeinfrance #expatinfrance #travelinfrance #frenchcountryliving #newyear #newyearseve #nouvelan #HappyNewYear
Ah, Chartres during the holiday season. 😍 Just Ah, Chartres during the holiday season. 😍 Just need a chocolat chaud from le Café Serpente and I am set! 

#frenchcountrysideguide #travelblog #expatblog #Francetravel #Frencharchitecture #france #frenchcountryside #medievalarchitecture #lifeinfrance #liveinfrance #cultureblogger #expatinfrance #travel #travelinfrance #frenchcountryliving #historicalmonument #architecture #MonumentHistorique #christmasinFrance #christmastree #Chartres #Chartrescathedral #CathedraledeChartres #NotredamedeChartres #ChartresFrance
Perhaps you are not celebrating tonight, nor tomor Perhaps you are not celebrating tonight, nor tomorrow, but I wanted to wish you all happy holidays!
Tonight, my husband and I celebrate with his family with a semi-traditional/non-traditional dinner. 
Each year I try to bring something a little bizarre (from their perspective) that they have never heard of or tried before. The first year I came (2019), I brought s'mores to make in the chimney, the following year I made Polish kruschiki and this year will be trifles (caramel apple cinnamon & chocolate with salted caramel). I always love making them discover something new and look forward to this year's reaction to my dessert!

#frenchcountrysideguide #travelblog #expatblog #frenchvillagelife #Francetravel #frenchvillage #france #countryside #frenchcountryside #lifeinfrance #frenchcountryliving #ChristmasinFrance #noël #Christmas  #christmaslights #christmastime #christmasdeco #happyholidays #merrychristmas #joyeuxnoël #joyeusesfêtes #christmaseve #réveillon #réveillondenoël #christmasdinner
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Recent Posts

  • Sens & Villenueve-sur-Yonne, A Day Out Exploring in Bourgogne
  • “Chandeleur,” The Day of Crêpes… and Candles?
  • An Update
  • January in France: Fête de la Galette
  • A Long Weekend in Étretat

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