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Table of Contents

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  • French History
  • French Culture
  • Fun French Facts
  • French Country Decor
  • Learning French
  • Christmas in France

French History

  • Following in the Footsteps of the Knights Templar in France: Hidden Sites, Secrets and Debunking the Myths

  • The 5 Most Visited Cathedrals in France and the Stories That the Guidebooks Leave Out

  • Josephine Baker’s Chateau des Milandes, Home to the French Resistance and Her Rainbow Family

  • The Resistance Fighter Behind Miss Dior: Catherine Dior’s War and Why History Nearly Forgot Her

  • The Story of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and the King Who Nearly Bankrupted France to Build It

  • 7 Historic Streets in Paris Where You Can Still Walk in Medieval Footsteps

  • 5 Haunted Places in France That Send Shivers Down Your Spine: Chateaux With Tales of Torture, Love, & Restless Spirits

  • 12 UNESCO Spots in France That Take You From Roman Ruins to River Palaces

  • Beyond Battles: 10 French Things We Owe to Napoleon

  • 7 of the Oldest Buildings in France Allow You To Step Back In Time Over 1000 Years (Wait Till You Hear Their Stories)

  • The Story of the Real d’Artagnan: The Man, the Myth and the Musketeer

  • If Walls Could Talk: 7 French Châteaux and the Secrets They’d Reveal

  • Follow In the Footsteps of the Famous Residents of Montmartre

  • Roman Roads, Ruins & Relics: 10 Spectacular Sites to Add to Your French Bucket List (Spoiler: They’re Not In Paris)

  • What Really Happened Behind the Walls of Château de Fontainebleau

  • Inside the Bastille: The Prison So Many Feared and a Few Enjoyed

  • Château de Chantilly: The Inspiration For Molière, Host to Kings, and the World’s Best Cream

  • 10 Historical Spots in France That Take You Back in Time (and aren’t in Paris)

  • Pont du Gard Has Stood for 2,000 Years – But Why?

  • Château de Monte-Cristo: The Chateau That Inspired a Literary Legend

  • How French Fashion Designers Saved Haute Couture in Paris During World War II

  • Why Chateau de Chenonceau Is More Than Just a Castle: Secrets From Inside the Walls!

  • 3 Overlooked Women in French History With Fascinating Stories

  • Isabella of Angouleme: A Tale of Power, Intrigue, and Royalty

  • 15 Interesting, Little Known Facts About Marie Antoinette

  • Fontevraud Abbey in the Loire Valley (A Local’s Guide)

  • Escape to the Chateau in the Charente, France 2026, 5 Must-See Chateaux

  • The BEST 5 Villages in the French Countryside, 2026 (Visit the Charente)

French Culture

  • 12 French Culture Shocks Americans Need To Be Ready For When They Come To Rural France

  • The Basilique Saint-Denis: The Church That Invented Gothic Architecture (And Holds a Dauphin’s Stolen Heart)

  • The Thinker at Musée Rodin: The Story Behind the World’s Most Recognized Sculpture

  • 10 Books Set on the French Riviera to Feed Your South of France Obsession

  • The Complete Guide to Living in France as an American Expat in 2026

  • 13 Must-Watch TV Shows Set in France Perfect For Getting Rid Of the Winter Blues (Some in French With English Sub-Titles)

  • 15 Cities in France That Aren’t Paris, But Are Just As Beautiful With As Much History and Character

  • 10 of the Most Beautiful and Historic Cafes in France (Outside Paris)

  • Your Complete Guide To the ‘Must See’ Emily in Paris Locations Now Season 6 Has Been Confirmed

  • 7 French Lifestyle Books That Will Change How You Eat, Dress, and Age (Without Moving to Paris)

  • The Secret Behind Why French Women Age So Well Compared to Americans (And It’s Not Genetics)

  • Why the French Spend More Time Eating Than Any Other Nation and Why Lunch at Your Desk is Banned

  • Where to Spend New Year’s Eve in France For the Best Party and Fireworks in 2025

  • Wine at 12:01 AM Sharp? What is Beaujolais Nouveau Day (and Why France Goes Wild for It)

  • The Story of Oradour-sur-Glane and the Massacre That Shocked France

  • 7 Podcasts About France That Will Transport You Straight to Paris and Beyond

  • 7 Summer Fashion Faux Pas to Avoid in Paris at All Costs

  • The Secret to Parisian Chic: Accessorizing Tips You’ll Wish You’d Learned Sooner

  • From Paris to Provence: 10 Movies That’ll Whisk You Away to France Without Leaving the Couch

  • Top Summer Beach Reads Set in France for Francophiles

  • 10 Fun Traditions During Easter in France (It’s Not All About Chocolate)

  • Spring in France: From Paris to Provence, What Not to Miss

  • How to Effortlessly Achieve French Fashion Style and Create a French Wardrobe

  • When is Fete de la Musique in France & how is it celebrated?

  • The Paris Bouillon Restaurant Revival & Art Nouveau Decor

  • The Love Story Of Héloïse And Abélard, The French Romeo And Juliet

  • What Does Bonjour Mean In French And Why Is It Important?

  • 22 Stunning Walled Cities in France to Explore

  • How To Say Good Luck in French | 12 Different Phrases

  • 45+ of the BEST Quotes About France

  • Reims Christmas Market 2026: A Local’s Guide

  • Moving to France for a Slower Pace of Life | Expat Interview

Fun French Facts

  • How Valentine’s Day in France Is So Different From the American Version (There is Even a Village Named After It)

  • 15 Underrated Romantic Places in France For a Valentine’s Getaway That Aren’t Paris

  • 28 Movies That Will Make You Want to Move To France Immediately (And They Aren’t All Set in Paris)

  • Galette des Rois, the French Epiphany Tradition Where You Become King For A Day

  • The Story of Oradour-sur-Glane and the Massacre That Shocked France

  • What happens on All Saints’ Day in France, the French version of ‘Day of the Dead’?

  • 5 Haunted Places in France That Send Shivers Down Your Spine: Chateaux With Tales of Torture, Love, & Restless Spirits

  • Halloween in France is Not What You’d Expect. Between the Living and the Dead, Discover the Spooky Secrets of France

  • Move Over, Emily in Paris, White Lotus is Coming to France For Its Next Season, the Question is Where?

  • Say Cheese to the New French Travel Trend

  • French Wine in Crisis During The Current Harvest: The Surprising Slump That Nobody Could Have Predicted

  • Beyond Battles: 10 French Things We Owe to Napoleon

  • Paris Can Wait Filming Locations – Relive the Movie and Discover France Outside of Paris

  • Why Do the French Celebrate Bastille Day? The History & Story Behind the National Day of France

  • 9 Abbeys in France That Have Survived War, Revolution, and Time

  • Top Summer Beach Reads Set in France for Francophiles

  • 7 of the Oldest Buildings in France Allow You To Step Back In Time Over 1000 Years (Wait Till You Hear Their Stories)

  • World Record Just Broken: France Says “Bon Appétit” to a 400-Foot Strawberry Cake

  • The Myths About France I Believed Until I Actually Lived Here

  • Strange But True: The Quirkiest French Holidays and Traditions

  • Beyond the Baguette: Mastering the Art of the French Picnic (and How to Recreate It)

  • Did Nicolas Flamel Live in Paris? And was he a real person?

  • 7 Books Set in France That Will Transport You Into French Life

  • The Secret Life of a Francophile: Are You One Too?

  • 15 Fabulous Things to Do in the South of France

  • 17 Interesting Facts About France And French Culture You Won’t Know

  • Where was Chocolat filmed? The French village of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain

  • La Chandeleur: Crepe Day in France in February

  • Let them eat cake, Marie Antoinette said. Fact or fiction?

  • 10 Movies About Marie Antoinette + 2 Epic TV Series

  • What is an Orangery in France? The Facts you won’t know!

  • Do people speak English in France? (Expat Truths)

  • Does it snow in France? (2026). Discover the BEST places to go.

  • Do You Tip in France? The French Tipping Calculator, 2026

French Country Decor

  • How to Create a Stunning French Country Summer Table in Your Home in 7 Easy Steps

  • The Secret to a Stunning Summer Garden Tablescape: French Country Meets Earthy Wilderness

  • Effortless French Country Garden Decor: How to Create a Beautiful Outdoor Table in Minutes

  • Beautiful French Country Table Decor You Can Actually Do Yourself

  • The French Rococo Revival in 2025: A Journey Through Style and History

  • Easy Tips on Styling Your Home With French Country Chandeliers

  • The Art of French Vintage Floral Decor: How to Get It Right Without Looking Overdone

  • Create a Stunning French Country Fall Tablescape in 5 Easy Steps

  • Master the Art of French Country Farmhouse Decor with Insider Tips

Learning French

  • Five Minute French: French phrases to use in July

  • Five Minute French: French phrases to use in June

  • Five Minute French: French Phrases to use in May

  • Five Minute French: French Phrases to Use in April

  • Five Minute French: French Phrases to Use in March

  • Five Minute French: French Phrases to Use in February

Christmas in France

  • Galette des Rois, the French Epiphany Tradition Where You Become King For A Day

  • 10 Festive Foods You’ll Find in a French Grocery Store at Christmas

  • Ever Heard of the 13 Desserts of Provence at Christmas and Why You Have to Eat Them All or Face Bad Luck? (Yes, Really)

  • How to Inject Some French Country Christmas Décor Into Your Home With These Quick & Easy Tips

  • The Licques Turkey Festival, An Unusual French Advent Tradition Along the Coast From Calais (Only in France)

  • 5 Hidden Gems in the French Alps for a Magical Snow-Filled Christmas and New Year That Won’t Break the Bank

  • 9 French Christmas Desserts You’ll Find in Boulangeries Around France During the Festive Period

  • 7 Big Differences Between an American Christmas and a French Christmas

  • The Magic of Christmas in Carcassonne In a Medieval Citadel That’s Like Stepping Back in Time

  • 7 Hallmark Holiday Movies to Watch This Christmas That Are Set in France

  • A Guide to 9 Christmas Markets in Paris You’ll Want to Visit Broken Down by Arrondissement

  • Christmas in Sarlat: The Dordogne’s Most Popular Market Where Medieval Magic Meets Festive Fun

  • Christmas in Strasbourg is Like Stepping Into a Hallmark Holiday Movie

  • Christmas in Annecy is Like Stepping Into a Magical Winter Wonderland. It’s Europe’s Best-Kept Holiday Secret

  • Step Into the Belle Époque Era at the Festival du Merveilleux at the Musée des Arts Forains

  • How the Bûche de Noël Evolved into a French Christmas Classic

  • 7 Fun Places to Shop in Paris That Have All the Charm at Half the Price this Christmas

  • The Magic of Lille Christmas Market That Feels Like a French Winter Fairytale

  • 7 Magical Ice Rinks in France to Visit This Christmas to Skate Under the Stars

  • The Gift Guide of Christmas Gifts for Francophiles, Stocking Fillers and Plenty of French Day Dreams

  • Experience A Little Magic and Sparkle at the Christmas Market in Metz

  • A Guide to a Traditional Christmas Dinner in France, a Sumptuous Feast of Several Courses

  • The Magic of Christmas in France and the How the French Do It Differently

  • The Christmas Market in Colmar Is Like Stepping Into a French Hallmark Movie With It’s Magical Christmas Village

  • 10 Unmissable Spots to See the Christmas Lights in Paris Where the City Weaves Its Festive Spell

  • 9 Must-Visit Fairy Tale Christmas Markets in Alsace Perfect for a Magical Winter Escape

  • The 2025 Guide to the Strasbourg Christmas Market and Why It’s Known as the Capital of Christmas

  • The Festival of Lights in Lyon Turns the City into a Magical Twinkling Canvas (Get the Full Guide for 2025)

  • 21 French Christmas Traditions You’ll Love Discovering and How They Celebrate the Festive Period in France

  • 7 Books Set in France at Christmas Time You’ll Love and Won’t Want to Put Down

  • 7 French Gifts for Christmas Delivered to Your Door Anywhere in the World

  • The Magic of the Champagne Bar at the Top of the Eiffel Tower on New Year’s Eve

  • 7 Stunning Châteaux in France You Won’t Want to Miss During December

  • Christmas in a Cup: The Magic of French Hot Chocolate for the Holidays

  • 15 Magical Christmas Markets in France That Are Straight Out of a Fairytale

  • A Magical French Chateau at Christmas With Fairytale Vibes

  • Magical French Christmas Markets That Feel Straight Out of a Fairytale

  • 7 Places To Visit in France at Christmas That Are Like A Winter Wonderland

  • Christmas Decorations in France: Ideas for 2026

  • 12 Traditional Christmas Foods in France (Festive Guide)

  • What do they call Santa in France?

  • Where to stay in Strasbourg for the Christmas Market in 2026

  • Reims Christmas Market 2026: A Local’s Guide

ABOUT ME

Bonjour, I'm Kylie 🇫🇷 and I've been living in France since 2016 enjoying rural French life. I've travelled extensively visiting chateaux, wineries and historic towns & villages. Now I'm here to help travellers just like you plan your bucket list French trip.

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Life in Rural France
  • About
    • About Kylie
  • City Guides
  • Quizzes
    • The Paris Quiz
    • The Francophile Quiz
    • French Travel Quiz
  • Resources
    • Paris Itinerary
    • Fun Facts
    • Travel Planning
    • Food and Drink
    • Moving to France
    • Helpful Resources
    • Contact