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Must-see Castles in Brittany
Let’s take a trip back in time, shall we? Imagine for a moment a scene of lords dressed in long tunics and leggings and ladies in their fine gowns. They are seated around a grand fireplace, wine or ale in hand, the smell of grilled smoked pork, nutmeg, and cardamom lingering in the air. Musicians and captivating storytellers entertain their guests. Ah yes, what it must have been like to live in medieval times! (Well, for lords and ladies anyway.) If castles, medieval history and lore appeal to you, read on. Brittany is home to over a dozen castles, all with a different personality. Today, I will walk you through…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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A Coastal Drive in Brittany
The days are growing longer, reminding us that spring is just around the corner. Spring is my favorite season, as it is always full of the promise of new life. This year, I think that rings even more true. With some encouraging news about vaccines, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing that we may see some sense of normality yet this year. Those of us with a serious case of wanderlust are beginning to imagine – and dare I say plan – for the day that starts with an early check-in at the airport, and ends with our feet touching the soil of a foreign land.…
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Spend a Day with Me in Dinan, Brittany
It is the beginning of February, and we are midway through the “grey days of winter”. The days are getting noticeably longer and the promise of spring is within sight. Today, we happen to be blessed with clear, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. While I need to put on several layers on from head to toe just to take a brief walk with my dog, I am happy to breathe in the brisk air and feel the sunshine on my face. As often happens, my mind drifts off to my beloved Brittany, and what I would be doing if I were there today. I imagine that I’m in the…
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Best of 2020
Yes, I know, the title is somewhat …. interesting. Did we have a best of anything in 2020?! Like many of you, I had goals and plans for the year that went, shall we say, a little off course due to a little thing called Covid 19. For one, I planned to spend spring break and the summer holiday in Brittany. I would have taken you along on my many adventures, we would have tasted delicious cuisine, and we would have learned some useful French phrases along the way. Alas, this was not the year for adventure. No, this was a year to just keep going, and some days, even…
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Interview with Christine Todd, Teacher and Entrepreneur (in English and French)
The most important things in life are the connections you make with others. – Tom Ford Les choses les plus importantes dans la vie sont les connexions que vous établissez avec les autres. – Tom Ford I had the immense pleasure recently to meet up with une amie, Christine, who is embarking on a new adventure that brings people together for the purposes of language learning, cultural understanding, cooking, connection, and, most importantly, fun! Christine and I met through the graces of social media at the beginning of 2020, and had plans to meet in person over the summer. While our get together wasn’t quite as we had originally planned…
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On Gratitude
“Enjoy the little things. For one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault I received a message from an acquaintance last week, a fellow Francophile who, like me, is waiting with bated breath for news that we can travel again. She said she had been missing France more than usual and made herself feel better by going to the grocery store and purchasing some delicious bread, cheese and wine. She planned to spend the evening watching a good French film while savoring her fromage and vin. While not quite the same as being there, it was as close as she had…
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Why Brittany?
If Paris is the heart of France, then I dare to say Brittany is its soul. That is a rather bold – and perhaps controversial – statement given Brittany’s history with France, but I’m going to say it anyway. At least that is how Brittany feels to me. While it would take considerably more time and pages than one blog post to say why I believe that to be true, I’ll try to summarize it here in a few paragraphs. The Climate Brittany is green and lush, thanks to its moderate oceanic climate. It just feels good, like you’re wrapped in a warm green blanket. I have visited Brittany at…
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French Doors
What is it about old doors? What is it that makes some of us stop dead in our tracks, take out our camera, capture the image, and keep it in our hearts forever? It’s just a door after all, isn’t it? Or is it? I have dozens of photos of the door below. I have photographed this little blue door in each of the four seasons, at sunrise and sunset, and almost every hour in between. “What is the draw?” I’ve often wondered. And so today, I sat down and reflected on what it could be … A door represents: A warm greeting A final goodbye A quick, loud knock…
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A Dreamy Day in Brittany
Facebook and Instagram love to remind me that for the last several years I’ve spent my summers in France. My “memories” pop up of the places I’ve visited, people I’ve been with, things I’ve eaten. It’s usually a treat to look back on those photos, but this summer it has been both bitter and sweet to do so. I’m sure many others can relate. Today, just before slipping into full-on longing mode, I realized that I can go anywhere, anytime as a mental traveler. I can take snippets from my years of travel and piece together a beautiful day. In fact, since this is a daydream, I can go for…
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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12 Day Itinerary: Brittany, Normandy, and Paris
I don’t know about you, but I miss traveling. I miss it like one misses an old friend. I’ve had a sense of wanderlust for decades, and while I am capable of being happy at home, I long for adventure. I miss my friends and my beloved Brittany. I miss hearing French in the streets and in the shops. I even miss the airport, and that’s saying something. To travel is to be pushed out of our comfort zone, to discover new places, and meet new people. There really isn’t anything better, in my opinion. I know this too shall pass, and, like many, I’m dreaming of the day in…
