Five Favorite Things About Life in France

Life has certainly changed since I moved from Portland, Oregon to the French countryside five and a half months ago. Although I miss certain things about living in the US, and life in France is far from perfect, I know I made the right decision to make this country my home. The lifestyle agrees with me. Every day when I wake up in my cozy French cottage and look out over my beautiful garden, I am immensely grateful.

This week I want to share five of my favorite things about living in France.

Being close to nature with easy access to cities

I never get tired of the rolling green landscape and pastoral scenery as I drive through the French countryside. One is never too far from a charming village with boulangeries, restaurants, ancient chapels and charming flower-lined streets. I love the architecture of Brittany with its stone cottages, painted shutters and slate roofs. I get a thrill whenever I'm driving through the countryside and a magnificent chateau suddenly appears before me.

I do miss the energy of a city sometimes, but I can satisfy my city cravings with a 50-minute drive to Nantes or Rennes, or by jumping on the train which takes me to Paris in around two and a half hours. And if I want a day at the beach, the Atlantic Ocean with its spectacular coastline is only an hour away.

Learning French

You would think learning another language would be my least favorite thing, but I actually enjoy it. I only regret not having as much time to study as I’d like. The renovation of my house and dealing with the bureaucracy of moving to another country has taken over my life. But it won’t be forever. More on those two subjects in a future post.

Using and understanding another language on a regular basis is stimulating, and a serious and much needed challenge for my aging brain. My comprehension is improving, but only when I know the context. If someone approaches me on the street and asks me something in French, I’m a deer in the headlights. I know that fearlessly using French is the only way to learn. Sometimes it’s frustrating. But other times — like when I surprise myself by saying something new in French — it’s gratifying.

Vide grenier along the Vilaine river

Vide greniers

A vide grenier, which literally means “empty attic,” is a community yard sale. Instead of having a sale at one’s home, fifty to 200 people bring their stuff to sell in one area. Just about every Sunday from spring through the fall I can find a vide grenier within 30 minutes of my home.

In the rainy months they will be indoors in a community center. But the rest of the year, you'll find vide grenier sellers lining the streets of villages and fields with their wares. I just attended a vide grenier in my village in a lovely setting along the river. They have a festive feel with folks gathered around picnic tables to enjoy a glass of beer or wine. And they usually serve the traditional Breton “galette saucisse,” which is a pork sausage wrapped in a buckwheat crepe. You may also find sandwiches or a simple crepe with Nutella or jam.

It’s fun to peruse the array of items people are selling, and you never know when you might find a gem among the junk. There's always a bargain to be found. Although it’s mostly newer household items and clothes, there’s usually some antiques and vintage items as well. I found my empire chandelier at a vide grenier, but if you are looking exclusively for antiques, it’s best to go to a flea market, called a “brocante.”

The sense of community

In France I feel like a part of the community. I’ve made friends and I attend regular meetups with both English and French speakers. There is no shortage of activities and opportunities for meeting others. There's a real sense of community in the French countryside. People look out for each other and support each other. I’m so grateful for friends and neighbors who have helped me with trimming trees, chopping up firewood and finding the right people and resources for my house and gardens.

The quality and cost of food

I could certainly find French wine, French cheese, baguettes and croissants in any major city in the US. There's more than a dozen French bakeries in Portland, Oregon alone. I could also enjoy a French restaurant in the US if I want to pay $70 plus tax and tip for a three-course meal. In France, can enjoy that same meal without any genetically modified ingredients or banned additives, for anywhere from 15 euros, and up to 40 to 59 euros at a Michelin star restaurant. I can also partake in true French pastries for less than half and sometimes a third of what I paid in Portland, Oregon. And they are made with healthier flour that’s lower in gluten.

Recently, I've enjoyed a few long, leisurely lunches at a local restaurant. It starts with a self-serve appetizer or “entrée” bar with a variety of salads and cold cuts. Then a traditional French main course (or “le plat principal”) of meat or fish is served with fresh vegetables, some of the best “frites” (French fries) I’ve had, and a baguette. Every table is set with a bottle of truly delicious red wine, which is included in the price. After the main course, the cheese plate is served with three or four varieties to sample. For dessert you have a choice of six to eight different traditional desserts, such as crème brûlée, floating island and apple tart. All this for one set price of 15.50 euros, which includes the tax and the tip. You can’t find that in the states.

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With all the many things I love about France, I'm sure to have a follow-up post or two. Yet, living in France isn’t all wine and roses. Look for next week’s post, Five Frustrating Things About France.