Life in France

10-year blog anniversary

It was 10 years ago today that we published our first post on this blog entitled “This is where it all started” that explained how we came up with the name you see across the banner at the top. It also detailed our search for a retirement spot across the US that would give us the water view that we had enjoyed so much at Bill’s sister’s house in Florida. It wasn’t until we had visited several other cities along the US east coast that it occurred to us that while those vistas were important, what we really were seeking was a sense of “community”. During years of annual (sometimes more) vacations in cities, towns, and villages across France we always pretended that we lived there by making sure we rented accommodations with kitchens so that we could do our own cooking. That way, instead of just looking at all of the enticing food at markets, bakeries, butcher, fish and cheese shops, we could actually bring them “home”. That’s exactly what we’ve been calling France now for almost 10 years: home.

Canal-du-Midi

When we first started looking for information in English about moving to France, there didn’t seem to be much available. At the time, the UK was still part of the European Union so British people had all the same rights as any other EU citizen meaning they could get a job here, move about freely from one country to another and not be concerned about the regulations we “foreigners” had to follow. Consequently, Bill and I had to seek out the advice from the few American bloggers that we could find who had made the big move. As a way of paying back that assistance we decided to chronicle our experiences in hopes that it would help others in the future who were looking for a new place to live. 

At the market

Some topics that we’ve covered have included applying for an initial visa and then a year later renewing that authority to live in France. We’ve rented a house and later bought one, opened a bank account, had utilities connected, had the roof and bathroom replaced, found a doctor and a dentist, and signed up for universal healthcare. We buy our fruits and vegetables at the weekly outdoor market, meats from the butcher, fish from the poissonnerie, and other groceries from the small store in our neighborhood or take the city bus to one of the hypermarkets in the suburbs.

Tour de France

Thanks to the train connections we have in Carcassonne we’ve visited 7 of the 8 countries that surround the French mainland plus the Netherlands, the UK via the Channel Tunnel, and with the ferry to Ireland and Greece. With the discovery of a cruise company that has hotel barges we’ve explored many of the canals in France that often visit areas that aren’t easy to see via the train. 

Neighborhood street party

Regarding that sense of community we were seeking, that arrived within 2 weeks of our moving in when our neighbors threw a “Bienvenue” party for us so that we could meet everyone on the street. During the lockdowns of Covid, we still shared evening cocktails (an apéro) with those living beside and across from us by standing at an open window or doorway and lifting a glass. Earlier this year, when I became a naturalized French citizen, that just intensified the feeling of belonging. 

Fresh bread at the boulangerie

Our readers have been very kind with their comments, questions, and compliments. Many have visited and a few have moved to France including some right here to Carcassonne. If, by sharing our experiences we have made yours easier and more enjoyable, then all the better. Thank you for reading!

Photo notes: All of these were taken in Carcassonne during our first year here. Across the top is the Aude River at the end of our street and in the first paragraph is at the main square, Place Carnot, where the fountain was temporarily filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

30 thoughts on “10-year blog anniversary”

  1. Félicitations! I have enjoyed your blog immensely and you have been so helpful all of these years. Here’s to the next decade of posts!

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Many congratulations mes amies. I was in Pont l’Eveque last week and half expected to see you sipping cocktails on a barge! Here’s to more blogging, more cocktails and more barging and hope we get to meet up again one of these days… Bisous, Janine

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  4. Congratulations ! You found a sense of community and definitely paid that back by enriching the lives of those who followed with this excellent blog. To many more posts ahead !

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Hello Bill and Bob,

    a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS from your friend in Bavaria.

    What I admire about you is that you both enrolled in french classes, practiced and generally did everything possible to endear yourselves to your french neighbors. Well done.

    I will continue reading you every sunday and recommending you to other people wanting some help with the whole french life. It is huge to change country and culture. You both are a shining example as to how one can make a success of it!

    Susanne

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Susanne, for saying such nice things. We both enjoy writing/illustrating the blog and it brings us much joy when others find it interesting and helpful.

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  6. congratulations, Bob and Bill. Your blog has been a highlight of my Sundays ever since I discovered it and we are grateful to know you. We’re overdue for seeing you lovely people – soon, I hope!

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  7. Congratulations both of you on your 10 years there, and the 10 years for the blog. I’ve enjoyed your posts, and very much enjoyed meeting the two of you as well. Hopefully sometime I can revisit Carcassonne and visit again. There’s lots more to see there, and in your area.

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  8. Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! So enjoy reading about your adventures in making France your forever home! Look forward to continuing your journey with you.

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  9. Thank you Bob and Bill. You have had a big influence on me and my wife. You were kind enough to meet with us on our first scouting visit to France. And every Sunday, we look forward to your latest adventures. It takes a lot of effort and commitment to keep the blog going – so thank you!

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    1. Ah gee, Bruce, thank you. Actually we have fun putting the blog together—finding the best photos, describing the scenery or explaining how we navigated a government process. It’s well worth it when we get feedback like yours, thank you.

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  10. A distinctly American tribute to a couple of guys I’ve come to know. I don’t know if this suits your musical style, but these speak for me (never mind that the first one is about a car – c’est une métaphore)!

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    1. Thanks, Rich. I never realized that Neil Young’s “Long May You Run” was about a car but we’ll gladly accept la métaphore. And we agree totally with you about Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”. That’s the place to be!

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    1. Thank you very much, Wendy! You know, we’ll be here when you return to paint even more of France 🎨🖼️🖌️

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  12. wow 10 yrs how wonderful. Your blog has played a big part in my decision to make the move to France. I have put my home up for sale recently, have all paperwork ready to go when it all happens. Looking forward to new chapter in my life. You two have helped cement my decision to start a new life there. Have enjoyed your life and info for several years now and have passed your blog info to other friends. Thank you for all you do and a toast to the next 10 yrs of happy blogging.

    chris

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    1. New chapter, new life. Sounds like a great combination. And who knows, maybe you’ll start a blog once you arrive. Thanks for reading and there’s much more ahead!

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  13. Congratulations on 10 years! I have so enjoyed your blog since I discovered it a few of years ago. My husband and I moved the Pyrénées Atlantiques (just south of Pau) 13 months ago and couldn’t be happier. The information you shared helped us so much during our planning and moving process. Thank you for all of that and here’s to 10 more years! 

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    1. Thank you so much and a belated welcome to France! It’s a genuine pleasure for us to learn that something we’ve shared has helped others.

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  14. Happy 10 years of making your dream not only real, but personally fulfilling in every way!

    You have shared this amazing journey and with that, many of us have experienced life in France with you!!

    With hugs and best wishes for every dream come true (we never stop dreaming, do we!!)

    xoxo

    Elaine

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Elaine, Thank you so much. We are so fortunate to have friends like you that we have met along the way. What is next for us? There is so much more to discover and maybe a few old and new friends to meet up with, too.
      Take care and give Fred a hug for us!
      Bill

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  15. We love France right along with you. Thanks for highlighting lesser-known spots, illuminating murky cultural questions, and always catching the rainbow on the horizon.

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