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Category: Travel

Sens & Villenueve-sur-Yonne, A Day Out Exploring in Bourgogne

Posted on March 6, 2023February 27, 2023 by Rose Joly

Just after confinement lifted in France back in May of 2020, my husband and I began looking for things to do in the region(s) close to Troyes. Being the nerd that I am, and never having had the opportunity to visit, I suggested we go to Sens because I wanted to see the cathedral. After…

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A Long Weekend in Étretat

Posted on August 8, 2021June 19, 2025 by Rose Joly

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Étretat, the first thing that comes to mind are the gorgeous impressionist paintings of Monet. Maybe it’s just the art historian in me, but I have longed to visit ever since I became aware of its existence. After living in France for nearly two years,…

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city gateway

Noyers, A Medieval French Village Where History Lies in Every Stone

Posted on June 13, 2021July 28, 2023 by Rose Joly

Noyers, also called Noyers-sur-Serein, is a charmingly small medieval village located in the Burgundian countryside. Classified as one of The Most Beautiful Villages of France, Noyers is sure to transport you back in time! Ideal for a day walking about or a visit to the local artisans, Noyers is the perfect day trip! History of…

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modern photograph of the chateau de vaux facade

Château de Vaux, Château de Jeux

Posted on December 2, 2020May 22, 2021 by Rose Joly

Now I know what you’re thinking: “ugh another French château to visit? No thanks!” because, let’s be honest, after a while they all start to look the same! I assure you, though, this is no typical château. Don’t expect any perfectly curated and maintained interiors or gardens, nor a walkthrough that leaves all the rooms…

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photograph of modern construction of a medieval castle in france

Guédelon, A Rare Glimpse into the Building of a Medieval Château

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

I already know what you’re thinking, what the hell is Guédelon?! I had no idea what it was or that it even existed until recently! I found it while looking for some fun post-confinement activities to do in the region of Bourgogne (Burgundy). What is Guédelon? Prepare to be greeted by the “clink clink” of…

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countryside church, loire valley

An Atypical Weekend in the Valley of the Loire

Posted on October 19, 2020June 19, 2025 by Rose Joly

This is a trip I took with my husband who decided to book us a romantic and relaxing weekend getaway. I was visiting him briefly from the UK in June of 2019 and I thought it would be apropos to share this experience here, even though it took place some time ago. I kept nagging…

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Clairvaux prison with retaining bars and door

The Shockingly Dark History of the Abbey of Clairvaux

Posted on October 18, 2020August 23, 2021 by Rose Joly

Last night as I watched The Green Mile with my husband, I was reminded of a particularly moving visit we had taken to the Abbey of Clairvaux in July. What could a 12th century abbey and The Green Mile have in common? You’re about to find out. Expectation VS Reality To be honest, I had…

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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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A different kind of château. 

#chateaudeau #châteaudeau #architecture #blog #americanexpat #frenchblog #expatlife #frenchcountryliving #travelinfrance #expatinfrance #cultureblogger #liveinfrance #americaninfrance #lifeinfrance #frenchcountrysideguide #frenchcountryside #countryside #france #Frencharchitecture #frenchvillagelife #expatblog #travelblog #travelblogger
Remember to look up. #lookup #lookupclub #bluesk Remember to look up. 

#lookup #lookupclub #blueskies #blueskiesandsunshine☀️ #blueskiesahead #sky #bluesky #blueskydays #clouds #blog #americanexpat #frenchblog #expatlife #frenchcountryliving #expatinfrance #cultureblogger #americaninfrance #lifeinfrance #frenchcountrysideguide #frenchcountryside #countryside #france #frenchvillagelife #expatblog #travelblog #travelblogger
Beautiful day and some beautiful architecture. # Beautiful day and some beautiful architecture. 

#MonumentHistorique #architecture #historicalmonument #history #frenchblog #historicalplace #travelinfrance #expatinfrance #americaninfrance #lifeinfrance #medievalarchitecture #frenchcountrysideguide #frenchpatrimony #frenchhistory #france #Frencharchitecture #bourges #cathedral #cathédrale #unesco #unescoworldheritage #unescoworldheritagesite #bourgesfrance #bourgestourisme #travelblog #expatblog #Francetravel #blog #cathedraledebourges
I recently renewed my 10-Year U.S. passport in Fra I recently renewed my 10-Year U.S. passport in France & this was possibly the easiest administrative thing I have done in my six years living here. Not only was it simple, it was actually much faster than I expected. Even with a small photo issue, I had my passport back in a little over a month. The application is done via the U.S....

https://frenchcountrysideguide.com/u-s-passport-renewal/
The pond after the snowfall. Untouched. #winter # The pond after the snowfall. Untouched.

#winter #snow #travelblog #expatblog #frenchvillagelife #Francetravel #frenchvillage #france #countryside #frenchcountryside #frenchcountrysideguide #lifeinfrance #americaninfrance #cultureblogger #expatinfrance #frenchcountryliving #expatlife #frenchblog #americanexpat #blog #pond #snowyweather
Well, I did not hear any noises of hunters coming Well, I did not hear any noises of hunters coming from the woods after this snowfall. 

#winter #snow #travelblog #expatblog #frenchvillagelife #Francetravel #frenchvillage #france #countryside #frenchcountryside #frenchcountrysideguide #lifeinfrance #americaninfrance #cultureblogger #expatinfrance #frenchcountryliving #expatlife #frenchblog #americanexpat #blog #woods #snowywoods
"...don't forget what happened to the man who sudd "...don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted... he lived happily ever after." - Willy Wonka

Our new house has what we call a "mare" (a small pond) on the property. I did tell my husband I wanted a mare when discussing our future home purchase, knowing full well that they are hard to come by and would likely accompany a property out of our price range. 

For some reason, the end of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory comes to mind. Somehow I feel this applies here. Purchasing a home feels like an absolute state of reverie sometimes.

#winter #snow #travelblog #expatblog #frenchvillagelife #Francetravel #frenchvillage #france #countryside #frenchcountryside #frenchcountrysideguide #lifeinfrance #americaninfrance #expatinfrance #cultureblogger #expatlife #frenchcountryliving #frenchblog #americanexpat
Didn't even realise we had this lone rose bush on Didn't even realise we had this lone rose bush on our property... 

 #snow #winter #travelblog #expatblog #frenchvillagelife #frenchvillage #france #countryside #frenchcountryside #frenchcountrysideguide #lifeinfrance #americaninfrance #liveinfrance #cultureblogger #expatinfrance #frenchcountryliving #expatlife #frenchblog #americanexpat #blog #rosebush #roses #redroses #nature #naturephotography
Afternoon walk with my #cat in the #frenchcountrys Afternoon walk with my #cat in the #frenchcountryside. The sun was so agreeable and warm today!

#frenchcountrysideguide #frenchcountrysideliving #france #countryside #expatsinfrance #americaninfrance
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Recent Posts

  • Renewing an Adult 10-Year U.S. Passport in France by Mail
  • I Went to a Traditional French Catholic Wedding!
  • The OFII In France and the Integration Process: La Formation Civique
  • Sens & Villenueve-sur-Yonne, A Day Out Exploring in Bourgogne
  • “Chandeleur,” The Day of Crêpes… and Candles?

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