FRENCH FINDS
Kimberly
POSTED: Mon, 02/14/2011 - 8:44pm
Who all has been to France?
I am new here and I was just curious who all has been to France? How many times have you been and where did you go and who did you go with? Did/do you all know french before you went? How did you learn? DO tell all. I want to go. I asked my husband and he said "I'll buy you a ticket" meaning I can go ahead but he has no desire to go at all. *sigh* Maybe I will go one day. I am pretty sure it would not be difficult to convince my sister in law to go with me. Anyone go on a regular basis? Where are the best places to go and why?MIREILLE'S CALENDAR
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LaurenRose
POSTED: Thu, 11/03/2011 - 9:30am
Going home
See I am the kind of person who is not comfortable being outside of the familiar, and I really struggle not being in a "home" environment. I have always believed I was meant to have been born in Paris, (don't get me wrong, Sydney is beautiful!) and when I arrived I knew I was home! I was 13 years old wandering the streets, like a confident Parisienne - ordering for my family and acting like a local. I even picked up the language! It truly is the most magical city in the world <3cwlorente
POSTED: Sat, 11/19/2011 - 10:53am
Home
I feel the same way. As soon as I come out of the Metro from the airport, I feel like I just found my home. Gertrude Stein said (paraphrased), "I'm an American, but my hometown is Paris." I always think of that when people ask where I'm from.cwlorente
POSTED: Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:53pm
My trips to France
I've been to France once with DH and son to visit our daughter, who lived in Brittany; once with our daughter, when we stayed a week in Provence and a week in Paris; and the third time, when I flew over to meet two girlfriends and tour Paris. DH and I are going to Paris in Sept. to celebrate our birthdays and wedding anniversary.............Most of the French I know my daughter taught me or I learned through cooking and food; the rest I learned by reading French dictionaries and phrase books. I am nowhere near fluent but I know enough to get around town and not go hungry!............Normandy, Brittany, Provence are all beautiful, and I adore Paris. Co-workers toured Dordogne last summer and had a fabulous time there, too. .........You must go! Buy the Rick Steves' guidebook(s) and phrase books. Learn a few basic phrases, In Paris, at least, most people speak some English. Nothing to fear! Just go! You will love it!Emika
POSTED: Wed, 07/20/2011 - 12:53pm
yes and no
Well, I've been to Paris but I haven't been to France. The reason I would say it that way is because I can't believe that the capital city is representative of the entire country!At least, I hope not: I didn't like Paris. Sorry, I know, city of lights and all that... but I'm absolutely not a city person. I would love to go back and explore the French countryside some day.
Marilyn
POSTED: Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:48pm
French countryside
The French countryside is very diverse. From beautiful Brittany via the flatlands of Les Landes to the Pyrenees, the delights of the Med, the flavours of Provence, back North through the Alps to the lights of Lille. You will love it. If you can watch Le Tour de France (it finishes this week), you will see some beautiful countryside.karlanee
POSTED: Tue, 07/19/2011 - 8:10pm
Went in high school
I was fortunate enough to travel to Paris and surounding areas in high school - summer 1988. I've never stopped thinking about going back.karlanee
POSTED: Tue, 07/19/2011 - 8:10pm
Went in high school
I was fortunate enough to travel to Paris and surounding areas in high school - summer 1988. I've never stopped thinking about going back.ChristineE
POSTED: Sun, 06/19/2011 - 4:59pm
First, but not the last!
My husband and I went for a long week to celebrate our 20th anniversary a few years ago. It was the best trip we've taken to date! We rented an apartment overlooking Notre Dame on Isle de la Cite that was perfect! It had all the French charm we were looking for! We were up and out first thing in the morning for croissants and then off to the museums all day. Little nap then out for dinner and walking until late. I was so excited when we got there, I could not fall asleep the first two days. I was so worried I was going to make myself sick! We're going back as soon as we finish paying our daughter's university tuition...in 4 years.Vintage1944
POSTED: Sun, 06/19/2011 - 7:41pm
Sounds like a wonderful trip
I too long to go back.Saw the movie Midnight in Paris today.Loved it and the scenes of Paris.OXOAva
POSTED: Tue, 02/15/2011 - 3:12pm
Kimberly,
I'm the same as Marilyn, too many times to recall! We're lucky living so close to the Continent. It's easy to jump on a plane, Eurostar or ferry and be there in an hour. For us, Paris & Nice are regulars though we have visited other places too. I was based in St. Tropez when I was about 18 and worked as a stewardess onboard 'Kalizma' (a beautiful yacht once belonging to Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton.) That was the good life!malkan
POSTED: Tue, 02/15/2011 - 10:40am
I was so lucky to live with
I was so lucky to live with a french family with 6 children in Paris the summer I was 16...traveled with them for les vacances to Chamonaix and to Ibiza. When back to the US I was dreaming in french...and oh what happy memories. I am about to retire and first place I want to go is Paris. VIVE LA FRANCE!Marilyn
POSTED: Tue, 02/15/2011 - 7:25am
A day to tell you
Despite living in the most northern part of England I have been to France more times than I can probabley recollect. OH and I have been regularly over the last 30+ years as it is so easy to do so. He at one time would not think of going anywhere else!! He still won't venture outside of Europe!!! I will have to sit and think before I give you a resume of the places we have been. Some places of course we have returned to many times such as Lille, Provence, Rouen and although not in France, Belgium. I will come back to this.meneia
POSTED: Tue, 02/15/2011 - 3:53am
Twice
I've been twice. The first time, I was backpacking around Europe, and went to Lyon and Paris. The second, I visited a friend in Toulouse, and travelled around the area a bit. I studied french in high school but didn't speak it much when I was there, as locals typically like to practice their English. I would recommend Paris for a first visit, as it's so iconic, and there's so much to see and do.Elizabeth G
POSTED: Mon, 02/14/2011 - 11:50pm
Youthful romance
My one and only visit to Paris was when I was 20 years old, and it was the stereotypical girl-and-boy-with-backpacks-trek-around-Europe. We went to London, Berlin (East and West, when the Wall was still standing!), Amsterdam, and Paris, and several other cities, all a blur of three hurried, impoverished, love-stricken weeks. I still have my diary from that trip. I didn't stay with the boy, but the memories still warm my heart. The diary is well-tucked away; now I'm tempted to unearth it and share the best parts with y'all!Kimberly
POSTED: Tue, 02/15/2011 - 2:13am
Please do.....
it would be fun. Makes me think of pulling my album out from when I went to England several years back. You think you will remember every single moment when you are there but as the years go by you forget. *sigh*