Flamingos and Tidewater: A Most Unusual Place for a French Vineyard There’s a most unusual place in the south of France where white horses, bulls, and flamingos roam, and you can find a surprising number of vineyards and significant wine producers. Camargue Vineyard The Camargue, in the southernmost region of France, spreads over more than 360 square miles of pastureland and wetlands formed by the two branches of the River Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea. It creates the largest river delta in Europe. Between its lagoons, reed beds, dunes, and pine forests that provide a habitat for hundreds of ..read more

 Looking for “fun” reads about France?  Check out these must-read books for your French adventure: “60 Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong” and “The Provence Book.” Explore the Heart of French Culture The insightful book, 60 Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong,” offers an engaging exploration into the heart of French culture, dissecting the reasons behind its allure, and the misunderstandings it often faces. An expat- favorite, the book debunks myths (no, the French don’t hate all foreigners) and it serves up facts with laughter. Written by two Canadian journalists, Jean-Benoît Nadeau and ..read more

 “Time flies” might sound a bit trite, but it seems to be truer than ever. That’s why I want to encourage my gal friends and followers to sign up for the “Memories You Promised Yourself” tour of the south of France with best selling author, and my BFF Patricia Sands. It’s time to make memories you promised yourself.  Traveling with the Memories Tour when I co-hosted with Patricia is a memory of a lifetime for me. Here are some of the highlights of the tour: Strolling the seaside Promenade des Anglais in Nice and touring the colorful city. Meandering through the cobblestone streets ..read more

Moving to France. Just a Dream? I’ve met many people during my ten-year journey as an expat in France. These days, I am thinking of those who turned around and went back home. What were their expectations? Were they chasing a dream? What would they have done differently? Was I just “lucky?”   Moving to France I fell for a fairytale village in France that has become my home. I had no expectations, except I could always return home if it didn’t suit me. I’m still here. What makes our stories different? Moving to France is like any other move. You have to pack up your stuff to get there ..read more

This summer, France is having a party—the Paris 2024 Olympics. Uzès preps for Olympic-sized crowds to filter down from Paris.  Olympic Games Bring Crowds to Uzès The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11. Millions of spectators will flood into Paris. The last Olympics in Paris were in 1924, and 625,000 visitors attended. Over 6.8 million tickets have been sold for the 2024 Paris Olympics (as of May 2024.) As millions of spectators flood Paris, they’ll see a new version of the city, where iconic landmarks have morphed into sporting arenas. France is also taking ..read more

Exploring the Contemporary Art Scene in Arles Arles’s contemporary art scene is a new reason visitors flock to the city. One of my favorite Uzès-based British artists, Gilly Beal, visits Arles and shares her impressions of the artistic renaissance and the burgeoning contemporary art scene in Arles. Arles: Beyond Van Gogh Vincent Van Gogh -Rijksmuseum Nestled amidst the inspiring landscapes of the Provence region in southeast France, Arles is a city steeped in artistic legacy and cultural heritage. Renowned for its association with the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, who famously captured the es ..read more

Bonjour, mes amis. Thank each of you who reached out to wish me a Happy Birthday. February 21st has always been my favorite day of the year (if you want to write it down for next year!) Having spent another birthday enjoying my life and friends in Uzès, I am blessed to have a life I feel is perfect for me. I have found a place that fits my soul and my purpose. New Avenues To France Writing the Barefoot Blogger has allowed me to meet and talk with many followers who want to live in France. Some are taking serious steps towards a move. Others have landed here and are loving it. Some have moved o ..read more

There’s nothing like going to Nice for your birthday and finding out there’s a party going on! Welcome to the World of Carnaval in Nice Nice is where centuries-old architecture and traditions blend seamlessly with modern-day attractions to create an unforgettable French Riviera city. It has been one of my favorite places to visit since living in the south of France. On my last trip back from the States, I wanted to stop in Nice to spend a few days for my birthday. Little did I know it was Carnaval! Unexpectedly, my birthday celebration became intertwined with the colorful, crazy, and fun e ..read more

So much time, so many places, so much chocolate! February in France is one of my favorite months. Perhaps that’s because it brings back memories of chocolate. It’s the month of Valentine’s Day and my birthday. Just a week apart. I love February because I give myself permission to splurge on chocolate. Starting with a box of chocolates on Valentine’s Day and finishing with the last morsel of chocolate fudge cake on my birthday, I cram as much of my favorite sweet into a month as possible. As I embark on my new “season” of chocolate, I’m bringing back memories of my favorite chocolate experience ..read more

Barefoot Blogger has a fresh look, a bold vision, and countless ways to connect with you.  Today, I am launching an all-new Barefoot Blogger website, a labor of love that marks a fresh chapter in my life. This revamped site is more than just a blog; it’s a toolkit, an inspiration, and a guide for those who love to visit France or dare to dream of a life in France. I want to welcome newcomers to the Barefoot Blogger community and invite you to return often to experience the fun we have both exploring and living in France. Thank you to the followers who have been part of my incredible journ ..read more