Travel Blogger Kylie Lang lives in the Charente region of France and travels extensively around France, finding the medieval villages time forgot. She uncovers secrets about the cities at the top of everyone's French bucket list, a local Francophile living the French dream in rural France.
Are the French really giving up the baguette...say it isn’t so
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Bonjour Reader, How was your weekend? One thing I can say is that life in France is never boring. Not sure if you've heard, but there's talk of the French turning their backs on the baguette. It seems that the younger generation prefers sliced bread, American style, over the traditional baguette. What????? I hear you scream, and I’m right behind you. Meanwhile, today is Armistice Day, and therefore a public holiday. We observed a two-minute silence, and I attended Mass at the local church in my village of Saint Front. However, the major news that emerged over the weekend was that French MPs have now endorsed a new amendment that would make healthcare contributions mandatory for non-EU residents living in France. But, as always, I still have plenty of time to write about the most important things, such as how we spend Christmas in France, where to see the Christmas lights in Paris, and how one woman let ChatGPT decide where she was going to live in France - I kid you not! So let’s get to it. Fun French Fact!You Can Write to Santa—and He Has to Reply Planning a Trip to France this Christmas?10 Unmissable Spots to See the Christmas Lights in ParisThe City of Light puts on its own show at Christmas with twinkling lights and decorations as far as the eye can see. The Parisian architecture is the perfect backdrop, and the famous skyline sparkles even brighter.
The Demise of the Baguette. Is France Turning Its Back On the Iconic Loaf of BreadAre we about to stop seeing baguettes in the boulangeries in France? It doesn’t seem possible, but the stats seem to say differently. The baguette has been a staple of French food for longer than most of us care to remember, so what’s happened?
Americans Could Soon Be Charged For Healthcare Access in FranceFor years, Americans who made the move to France on long-stay visas have enjoyed one of the country’s best perks: access to its world-class healthcare system. But that may be about to change.
And a little bit of French culture...Armistice Day in France: Remembering the Moment Peace Returned to the NationIt marks the moment, in 1918, when the guns finally stopped after four years of devastating war. Towns and villages across France fall quiet when the church bells ring at eleven and people stop to remember the fallen.
The Magic of Christmas in France and How the French Do It DifferentlyChristmas in France isn’t all about presents, going into debt, or shopping like your life depends on it. It’s a completely different experience from the mayhem I’ve been used to. The star of the show for a French Christmas is, without a doubt, the food. It’s front and center of everything.
A Guide to a Traditional Christmas Dinner in France, a Sumptuous Feast of Several CoursesThe French are renowned for their gourmet meals, but a traditional Christmas dinner in France takes it up a notch.
Kylie x |
Life in Rural France
Travel Blogger Kylie Lang lives in the Charente region of France and travels extensively around France, finding the medieval villages time forgot. She uncovers secrets about the cities at the top of everyone's French bucket list, a local Francophile living the French dream in rural France.
Bonjour Reader, How's your week going? Mine has been spent doing something I absolutely love — hunting down the best Black Friday travel deals for 2026. And let me tell you, I've found some absolute corkers. We're talking 75% off select hotels through Expedia's flash sales and 40% off hotels on other platforms. But here's the thing: these deals run through Travel Tuesday (that's December 2nd), so you've got a small window to snap them up before they're gone. I managed to get a 5-star hotel in...
Bonjour Reader, I hope you've had a good couple of weeks. I've had two very busy weeks, and as so many people have been on vacation, I haven't sent my usual newsletters. But, like the rest of France, I'm back with a vengeance. It’s the period in France they call La Rentrée, which means "the return" in French. It marks the end of the summer holidays and the start of the new school year. It happens in early September, with the exact date varying each year. You may not know this, but France...
The 'French Connection' The best news from Life in Rural France Bonjour Reader, Did you know that today is National Croissant Day 🥐? And, contrary to popular belief, the French didn't invent the croissant, it actually originated from a different country in the 17th century. My husband says I'm full of useless information, I prefer to think of it as being the font of all interesting facts in France. I'll leave you to make your own mind up. Anyway, I've written a fun article all about the...