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A French Wine Cellar
I never got into the French wine culture, and this lack of taste for the beverage of the gods makes me an oddity in my home country. When I decline a glass of wine, a beer or an apéritif, some people...
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An Ode to French Pharmacies
My homeopathy shopping list (written by my mum) I love French pharmacies. Sure, they aren’t as convenient as Shoppers Drug Mart in terms of business hours—many of these stores are open 24/7 whereas...
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Jazz Music + Boating = Les Rendez-vous de l’Erdre
Last weekend of August, last weekend of hot weather, last weekend of freedom for most people… in pure French fashion, we decided to run away from responsibilities. At 8 p.m., we walked down the Cours...
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Anger is a Dish Best Served in the Street
The last weekend of August marked the transition from the summer break months to back-to-business September. Those two days were strange and brought out very different groups of people crossing paths:...
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Back to Work, Back to School, Back….
We are leaving the “people of Nantes” for our regular “people of Ottawa”. All around us, people are going back to school, to work, to business—and so will we, but first we have to go back, period. This...
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Saint-Michel X 11
“Mommy, when I was a baby, did I go in your stomach?” “Yes. Before you were born, you were in my stomach.” “When I’m older, can you go in my stomach?” “Huh… nope. Never going to happen. I mean, it...
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7 Facts of Life in France That Are Funny, Puzzling or Annoying
It’s not a myth: check kissing is the most common way to greet relatives or friends. This social gesture can be as awkward as the American hug and is a potential minefield because you have to figure...
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A Medieval Day in Angers
We had promised Mark a medieval castle, but the first sight of interest we noticed was a statue of a butt-naked woman. “Could it get sny more French?” Feng asked. “I see her bum!” Mark laughed. “Which...
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Exploring One of The World’s Largest Shipyards in Penhoët
I find manufacturing processes fascinating. In my shower thoughts—you know, these random and occasionally deep thoughts you might have when you’re performing the routine, relaxing task, absentmindedly...
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A Pachydermatous Sunday
“I fucking hate going to the market,” I complained, emptying the shopping bag in the kitchen. “I queued for 40 minutes to buy fish, then ten minutes to buy two lemons, then another fifteen minutes for...
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Is France Living in Fear?
Unless a major event is unfolding, I don’t follow French news closely when I’m in Canada. I wasn’t there during the last few major current issues—the anti same-sex marriage protests, the terrorist...
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Along the Erdre River
Looking back, I never really explored Nantes when I lived there. I covered a fairly small area—home, school (a fifteen-minute walk through the city centre), the library, my grandparents’ place (a few...
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Reflections and Reflections (Overheard in Nantes)
When you walk around the city a lot, you overhear conversations… including these puzzling, awkward and cringe-worthy moments! The antonym of “classy” A woman wearing shorts, tight boots and a somewhat...
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Written on the Walls (But Not in Stone)
French are getting ready to go back to school, back to work and back to the real world. Soon, hot news topics won’t revolve around holiday traffic chaos, hidden gems to visit, summer jobs and seasonal...
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Late August in Nantes
Weather? Hot, humid and stormy. Damn. Couldn’t it have been like that three weeks ago, when we were looking for summer temperatures? City? Mostly in “back to business” mode. The giant “Journey to...
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Nantes’ Most Unusual Buildings and Architectural Details
From the migrants who are hoping to get a roof over their head before it gets cold to relatives worrying about soaring rental prices, everybody around me is obsessed with real estate. Se loger (“to...
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Angers – Massive Castle, Old Cathedral and Medieval Atmosphere
“I’m gonna grab four seats.” “Sure, thanks. No rush!” “What time is it?” “11:33 a.m.” “What time does the train leave?” “11:47 a.m.” “Oh, we are so early!” “Gonna roll a cigarette.” “I’m having a smoke...
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The Werewolves Theory
For once it’s not the noise level that grabs my attention but red and blue lights flashing into the living room, and by extension, into the bedroom where I’m falling asleep on my book. I take off my...
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And “Bon Appétit”!
Even if the world was collapsing around them, French people would first clean their plate and finish their drink. Food matters in France. I’m always surprised by the number of restaurants and bars in...
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Art That Moves You
What kind of art moves you the most? What’s the creative discipline you enjoy best? Literature, performing arts, visual arts? Have you ever listened to a song over and over again because it’s beautiful...
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