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How to Decorate Your France-inspired Home with Second-Hand Treasures: A Personal Journey
Decorating Your Home with French Brocante Treasures Recently, I had the honor of being featured in the beautiful online magazine, Redfin, to share how I’ve incorporated a Parisian/French style into my home. (You can find the link at the bottom of this page.) If you’re moving to France, planning to do some treasure hunting on an upcoming trip, or simply want to bring a touch of French charm to your space, decorating with second-hand treasures is an affordable, eco-friendly way to do so. Here’s how to make the most of French brocantes and antique markets, with a focus on Brittany’s unique finds. What Should You Bring When Moving to France?…
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Rochefort-en-Terre: A Gem in the Heart of Brittany
Nestled in the heart of Brittany, Rochefort-en-Terre is one of France’s most enchanting villages, known for its cobblestone streets, floral displays, and medieval charm. Recognized as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France," it offers visitors a magical blend of history, culture, and gastronomy.
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A Visit to Saint Suliac, Bretagne, France
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Why You Should Visit the Pink Granite Coast in Brittany, France
There’s a stretch of coast in Brittany that feels like it’s been plucked from a tale of fairies and giants, where the rocks blush in shades of pink and the sea whispers in shades of blue. Welcome to the Pink Granite Coast, a place where nature wears her most whimsical colors. Here are the reasons you should put the Pink Granite Coast on your Bucket List: Nature’s Artwork Ploumanac’h is the crown jewel of this fantastical coast, with boulders that seem to have tumbled from the sky and landed in the most photogenic poses. As I wandered along the Sentier des Douaniers, the coastal path, I couldn’t help but feel…
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A Visit to Le Nessay and St Briac sur Mer, Brittany, France
I have had the opportunity to explore the breathtaking coastline of Brittany, France over the last several years. Each experience has been its own kind of wonderful, from hikes that left me in awe at every turn, to forests that had me thinking giants really do exist (see my post on Huelgoat forest). If you are visiting the area and want to know where to eat and relax and perhaps watch a fantastic sunset, read on … Where Should I Eat in St Briac? Recently, some friends and I visited Le Nessay, a lovely hotel and restaurant set on a picturesque peninsula, its sandy beach and clear blue waters beckoning…
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Best of Brittany 2022: Part 2
Following up on my last post on The Best of 2022: Part One, below is a summary of the adventures I had in the second quarter of last year. (Again, apologies for not keeping you up-to-date as the year went on, but settling into life and work and all that French life as an Expat implies, I needed a minute … or a year.) April in Brittany was lovely. The days were becoming noticeably longer, the weather warmer, and new plants were springing up everywhere. We are so blessed to see greenery throughout the year here – vastly different than my home state of Michigan, which generally lies under a…
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Best of Brittany, France in 2022 Part 1
If you have been asking yourself “What Should I See and Do in Brittany, France in 2023?” look no further. In today’s post, I will share my 2022 Highlights to give you some ideas for your upcoming trip. See something in particular that catches your eye? Please leave a comment and I will be sure to cover that area in more detail in an upcoming post. Please also use the Search function to see if I have already written about that area or town. I have been blessed with a few wonderful clients who kept me quite busy in 2022 (and into 2023, thankfully), but I took full advantage of…
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A Visit to Combourg, Brittany, France
Combourg is a quaint town located in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany. It has been given the title petite cité de caractère which means, according to Petitecitedecaractere.com, that they have taken it upon themselves to “maintain, restore, safeguard and publicize that heritage, thereby contributing to the economic development of the region.” Combourg lies between the cities of Rennes and St. Malo. It has a population of roughly 6,000 people. The town served as inspiration for the writer François René de Châteaubriand, considered one of France’s most cherished Romantic novelists. Strolling about the castle and surrounding gardens, it is easy to see why. While I found the château lovely, it was…
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Parks to Visit Near Dinard and St Malo, Bretagne, France
Brittany has an oceanic climate with mildly wet winters and bright sunny summer days. The air can be quite humid, allowing for an abundance of green foliage throughout the year. This gift of greenery – especially during the winter months – is one of reasons I settled here. After spending the majority of my life in the Midwestern United States, where winters are long and freezing cold, I cannot begin to say how much I appreciate being able to walk along the river Rance, in January, and still see leaves on some of the trees and plants that I thought only grew in the hot tropical regions. With this climate,…
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Why is Dinan, France the Ideal Home Base ?
It is no secret that I think Brittany is the most beautiful region in France. To me, it is sheer perfection. Here, one finds emerald green waters, sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, the GR34 hiking trail, charming Breton villages and bustling cities, magical forests and enchanting castles, delicious cuisine, and friendly people. There is literally something for everyone here. If I haven’t been able to tempt you to come and visit, I will endeavor to persevere. If you have decided to come, congratulations! Now it is time to find a home base and I have just the spot for you: Dinan. While there are a plethora of delightful villages here –…
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Life in Brittany, France : An Update
This morning, I was reviewing a few draft posts that I had created but not published. I came upon the one below and read through it. I almost hit the “delete” button, but reconsidered. You see, it’s easy to look at someone’s life on Instagram or Facebook – or even here in this blog – and think “Oh, she’s so lucky to be living in this charming town in France.” Yes, I do feel blessed to be here. I do. It took a LOT of work and a good number of tears to get where I am. I thought that I would share this in the hopes that if people…
