About Us.
We are Australians who have been obsessive Francophiles for many years. To the point that our goal became..... to live in France.
Starting eight years back we achieved that to a point by holidaying every year, living in Paris for up to two months and adding when possible, few weeks in the country. Our French visits gradually increased to a point where we were not quite sure where was home.
Whilst in Paris, we felt an integral part of our neighbourhood, became regulars at the local cafes and shops, played charades with the butcher, took French instruction from our boulangerie and tried blend with the city and its ways.
We have experienced the odd low, having been pick pocketed at Franklin Roosevelt metro, broken an arm cycling along canal St Martin, (as a consequence experienced the French hospital system), slept in an absolute dive when our room was re-let unexpectedly, had many a run in with the gypsies trying to con other tourists, endured the mysteries of the postal system (which is terrific unless your mail item is incredibly important), stood in queues until we ached but still never ever wishing for a moment we were somewhere else.
But the highs. Wow! The spontaneity of the city, the unexpected just around the corner, beautiful gardens and monuments, discovering a new appreciation of art, the familiarity of our favourite restaurants. We have met some incredibly interesting people, developed lifetime friendships, experienced the finest wines, dined in famous establishments, eaten fantasitic meals in unexpected places, been intrigued and fascinated by the tumultuous history, been swept up in the romance of the city. We've trampled the streets in search of the best tarte fine (pomme of course), researched for the best cream brulees, had art lessons at Montmartre, become addicted to Café Richard, the best coffee ever. And now....... Paris is ours!
When we return to the countryside we yearn for a rural property, an ancient village house or a cream stone mas, its pergola covered with wisteria, a garden filled with rosemary and thyme, a view of cherry orchards with a vigneron as our neighbour. Then there’s the rugged beauty of the Mediterranean coast, the subtle hues of the landscape, the legendary chateaux, the villages desperately clinging to mountainous outcrops and the thousands of church spires piercing the skyline.
Paris is our first love but the countryside runs a very close second. We are living our dream gratefully, with the support of our five children and our grandchildren who encourage us to LIVE.
If we in some way can make your appreciation of France more intense, satisfying and less stressful, it will be our pleasure. We’d love to help.
email us at affordabletravelfrance@hotmail.com
Starting eight years back we achieved that to a point by holidaying every year, living in Paris for up to two months and adding when possible, few weeks in the country. Our French visits gradually increased to a point where we were not quite sure where was home.
Whilst in Paris, we felt an integral part of our neighbourhood, became regulars at the local cafes and shops, played charades with the butcher, took French instruction from our boulangerie and tried blend with the city and its ways.
We have experienced the odd low, having been pick pocketed at Franklin Roosevelt metro, broken an arm cycling along canal St Martin, (as a consequence experienced the French hospital system), slept in an absolute dive when our room was re-let unexpectedly, had many a run in with the gypsies trying to con other tourists, endured the mysteries of the postal system (which is terrific unless your mail item is incredibly important), stood in queues until we ached but still never ever wishing for a moment we were somewhere else.
But the highs. Wow! The spontaneity of the city, the unexpected just around the corner, beautiful gardens and monuments, discovering a new appreciation of art, the familiarity of our favourite restaurants. We have met some incredibly interesting people, developed lifetime friendships, experienced the finest wines, dined in famous establishments, eaten fantasitic meals in unexpected places, been intrigued and fascinated by the tumultuous history, been swept up in the romance of the city. We've trampled the streets in search of the best tarte fine (pomme of course), researched for the best cream brulees, had art lessons at Montmartre, become addicted to Café Richard, the best coffee ever. And now....... Paris is ours!
When we return to the countryside we yearn for a rural property, an ancient village house or a cream stone mas, its pergola covered with wisteria, a garden filled with rosemary and thyme, a view of cherry orchards with a vigneron as our neighbour. Then there’s the rugged beauty of the Mediterranean coast, the subtle hues of the landscape, the legendary chateaux, the villages desperately clinging to mountainous outcrops and the thousands of church spires piercing the skyline.
Paris is our first love but the countryside runs a very close second. We are living our dream gratefully, with the support of our five children and our grandchildren who encourage us to LIVE.
If we in some way can make your appreciation of France more intense, satisfying and less stressful, it will be our pleasure. We’d love to help.
email us at affordabletravelfrance@hotmail.com
