Ten years ago this week, we moved to France. But the love affair, for me at least, started 47 years ago with Christmas in Paris. Then between 1992 and our move, Bill and I vacationed here nearly every year, exploring 450 different villages and cities—first by rental car, and now by train. Inspired by blog reader Gary, we’re celebrating our 10-year residency anniversary by looking back at some of the “experiences” that define this beautiful country for us. In no particular order, here are ten adventures we think many others would enjoy.

Playing Resident in a Paris Apartment We’ve stayed in different neighborhoods over the years, always “pretending” we lived there. The excitement of late night shopping on the Champs-Élysées, choosing your dinner ingredients from the local market, grabbing a baguette from the boulangerie down the street, and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle from your own window.

Living the Château Life Why stay in a hotel when you can share a castle? With friends we’ve rented a small, fortified 14^th century castle and on another vacation a 10-bedroom 15^th century château. The sheer joy of running through the halls to claim a room is a memory we’ll never forget. Tip: Winter rates are a fraction of the summer price.

The Romance of the Rails With 3,000 stations, the train is the ultimate way to see France. We trade traffic jams and speeding tickets for wine and scenery. Leaving from one downtown and arriving in the next—stress-free—is the only way to travel. Blog post: Trains for Christmas

The Wild Side of Brittany As a rugged peninsula, Brittany keeps you close to the salt air. We’ve stayed in everything from a beachside manor to a medieval townhouse in Dinan. This year, we’re returning to follow the circular rail route along the coast. Blog post: To the Manor Born

A Tale of Two Coasts The Atlantic vs. the Mediterranean: it’s impossible to choose. We love the drama of the crashing waves in Saint-Jean-de-Luz just as much as sipping coffee on a balcony in Collioure while the Mediterranean gently laps against the sand. Blog post: Basking in Basque Country

The Magic of Christmas Markets Strasbourg truly earns its title as the “Capital of Christmas” and we’ve been there twice, just to make sure. There is nothing like wandering through a glittering French city in December, your hands kept warm by a steaming cup of vin chaud (hot mulled wine). Blog post: Christmas markets

Slow Living on a Canal Boat Cruising the canals is the ultimate “slow travel.” Everything comes to you—the meals, the sightseeing, and the changing scenery—while you relax on a hotel barge. It is the definition of parfait. Blog post: Canal boat to Paris

The Ferry to Corsica They call it the “Island of Beauty,” and they aren’t exaggerating. Taking the overnight ferry from Marseille to Napoleon’s birthplace is a grand entrance to an island of stunning national parks and historic railways. Tip: Check local holiday schedules before booking transport. Blog post: Corsica, top to bottom

The Thunder of July 14th Paris may have the fame, but Carcassonne has the soul. Seeing the sky above the medieval fortress explode into a non-stop, 30-minute fireworks extravaganza is an experience that TV can’t capture. Tip: Book your view a full year in advance! Blog post: What’s all that noise

The Weekly Market Tradition Whether it’s a village square or a covered hall, picking out seasonal produce from local vendors is the heartbeat of French life. We even plan our travels to ensure we’re home for the Saturday market. Blog post: Eat less, gain more

Bonus: The “Family of the Heart” Perhaps the greatest experience of the last ten years is the one that happens around a dinner table. Being welcomed by French friends—your famille de cœur—is the moment you realize you aren’t just visiting anymore. You’re home.