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French Girl in Seattle

Takes France!

To make your French heart smile

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  • French Home Essentials
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Bonjour. Immortalized by a song in the 1930s, “ Bonjour. Immortalized by a song in the 1930s, “La Canebière” has always been Marseille’s most famous and once most elegant street. Today, it’s still the main drag, as diverse, lively and colorful as the rest of the city. La Canebière goes all the way down to the Old Port, the center of town. In a side street nearby, sits a local institution, “la Maison Empereur,” the city’s best hardware store since 1827. — Ah, if these creaking, worn out, floors and wood countertops could talk! There’s a little bit of everything there, to fix, clean, maintain, decorate your house, whether your parents and grand-parents used to patronize the store, or if you are a “Bobo,” (bourgeois-bohemian) in love with vintage stuff. As I was about to leave the store, I spotted an older woman. Dressed in a red jacket, she caught a salesperson’s attention. She spoke loudly. Many do in Marseille and in southern France. She was looking to replace the filter of her old enamel coffee pot. She couldn’t afford, she said, to buy a new pot. Besides, she pleaded, it had come with her from Tunis… I got closer. The story was familiar. Half my family once returned to the mainland from North Africa, like this woman, so many decades ago, in search of a new life. Without missing a beat, the young employee replied she had good news: One of the coffee pots on the shelf had been damaged. Nobody was using the filter inside. Would it fit? Did the lady want to take it home, as a gift? The old woman did not understand. She was, as it turned out, hard-of-hearing, and kept insisting she couldn’t pay for a new coffee pot, even as the filter was being wrapped by the cashier. A younger woman materialized at her side, her daughter, who thanked the sales person profusely when she found out what was happening. “She does love this coffee pot. She’s 80 years old. It belonged to her mother in Tunis, you know.” When the old woman finally understood, they had both stepped outside. As I went past them, walking arm in arm, I overheard: “This was really nice of her. I can’t believe I going to use my coffee pot again!” Marseille, the city of second chances, even for enamel coffee pots. Véro
Bonjour. It took 7 hours, 2 TGVs m, 1 blue bracel Bonjour. It took 7 hours, 2 TGVs m, 1 blue bracelet certifying my Health Pass is in good standing and 1 shuttle train to go from Marseille to Tours. I stopped on the way at my usual lunch spot, a café located directly across la Gare Montparnasse. Perk 1: They offer “le service continu,” and they’ll serve lunch no matter how early I arrive. Perk 2: I get to dine in fine company. An entire bear family lives there. Today, I shared a table with “Nounours” and the chef, on his lunch break! Complimented him on the “croustillant de chèvre,” a goat cheese salad for the ages. When I got home, dusted up a storm following the end of the long-awaited kitchen remodel. Headed off to “Les Halles,” Tours’ covered market. Monday is slow day, but my favorite merchants were open. Walked back home with two full grocery bags. Said “Bonjour” to “the Monster” on the way. Unpacked travel bag… until the next trip at the end of the month. I’ve been up since 5:00am. Très fatiguée. A glass of Chinon, du fromage, Muscat grapes and I am off to bed. Bonne nuit les petits (French TV reference from the 1960’s) Véro #francewithvero #chezmoi #toursmaville #touraine
Bonjour, Thank you for joining me on Facebook Liv Bonjour, Thank you for joining me on Facebook Live earlier today as we explored the surprising, quaint, and ever colorful “Panier” neighborhood. The tour replay is available on Facebook and should be uploaded to YouTube in a couple of days. I pointed out a restaurant along the way that came highly recommended as a lunch place by local friends. Welcome to “le Clan des Cigales.” Looking for Marseille specialties in a great setting? You’ve arrived. My selection today: - Aïoli du Chef (steamed vegetable assortment, hard boiled egg, steamed cod, with Aïoli. - Dessert du Jour: Slices of fresh pineapple, anise-flavored “navettes” (boat-shaped hard Cookies,) lime sherbet, chantilly cream. - Café Don’t forget reservations. They were turning people away both times I went there. On to new (YouTube) Marseille adventures on Sunday with France with Véro Club Members. Last day in town. Let’s make it count! Véro #francewithvero #virtualtour #marseillefood #marseillelifestyle #choosemarseille #bienvenue_a_marseille
Bonjour, It’s going to be a Marseille kind of w Bonjour, It’s going to be a Marseille kind of weekend… Event #1: Saturday, 5:00pm CEST, join me on Facebook Live for a stroll in Marseille’s oldest neighborhood. See how you can be in France’s second largest city and still feel like you are strolling in the heart of a small Provençal village. Et oui. Event #2: Sunday, 5:00pm CEST, YouTube. France with Véro patrons will get treated to a “Sunday afternoon in Marseille.” -- Another adventure with their Best French Friend in France. Want to join the fun? Head over to Patreon. It won’t break the bank, and you’ll be doing yourself a favor. Trips come… and go. This French native creates an unlimited stream of content on France and French life each month. Don’t like subscriptions? There are two you should still look into. They are both free and will allow you to travel to France virtually any time you need your fix. Subscribe to the France with Véro YouTube channel. Join La Mailing List on the blog. All links in Bio. That’s all. I’ll be in Marseille this weekend. Where will you be? Véro #francewithvero #virtualtours
Bonjour, Marseille, the gift that keeps giving. Bonjour, Marseille, the gift that keeps giving. Done scouting. Enjoying a delicious lunch “en terrasse” in the neighborhood I’ll be touring on Saturday… Mark your calendars: Facebook Live, 5:00pm CEST. This is the Marseille you never knew you loved 🙂 Before you ask: Lunch. Place des Augustines, a lovely square on the site of a former convent dating back to the 17th century. Le déjeuner? A delicious twist on the “Provençal daube” (beef stew) served with grilled squid (the chef assures diners it cooked for 6 hours!) Olive bread. Dry rosé wine. Dessert? Not pictured in video. Fiadone. Corsican cake, lemon flavored, reminiscent of cheesecake “only lighter,” the chef’s daughter announces. Great food. Beautiful spot. Friendly service. Go to @leffetclochette.france Véro PS: Merci pour le déjeuner, Michael. (Happy to report I have the best patrons. :-)) #francewithvero #france🇫🇷 #marseille #tourguidelife @choosemarseille @francefr
Bonjour, One thing’s for sure, visitors who hav Bonjour, One thing’s for sure, visitors who haven’t been here in the last decade are in for a surprise when they return! The second largest city in France, 2600 years old and counting, is on a roll these days. Bienvenue à Marseille, the city that won't be pigeoned into a hole. Sure, she’s still gritty (some say “dangerous”) in sections, but the former bad girl seems to have turned overnight into tourist heaven, Instagrammer Central and a coveted destination (ask Parisians!) This is a big a** city. Busy, loud, with grandiose architecture (next to run down buildings) and magnificent sea views. It can be overwhelming. I am staying by le Vieux Port (the Old Port) where Marseille was born. I walked miles today, on the northern side of the port and reached the lower section of Le Panier, a popular neighborhood. Talk about mixing the past and the present! Fort Saint-Jean, an old fort guarding the port’s entrance is linked to le Mucem, a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to Mediterranean civilizations. They both tower above the azure waters of “la Grande Bleue.” Farther up, “la Major,” a gigantic cathedral built in the 19th century. Later, after following a newly redesigned, pedestrian-friendly boulevard, former docks turned into an incredible site, Les Docks Village, where concept stores and creative spaces meet trendy eateries. Fact: Marseille HAS changed. I can’t wait to see more. Interested? Join me on Facebook Live on Saturday at 5:00pm CEST to see for yourself! Véro #francewithvero #docksvillage #mucem #mucemmarseille
Bonjour, After another visit to Avignon enhanced Bonjour, After another visit to Avignon enhanced by a local friend’s generous guidance, the question is not whether I will return but when. Like my friend @ninaseffusatti pointed out during our live chat on Facebook yesterday, there’s a lot to like about this city, as a resident or a visitor. Both feet firmly planted in history and an exceptional heritage, Avignon continues to surprise and evolve. Food is one of many reasons to come here… Even the local boulangerie is not what you have come to expect in France. As for wines, who doesn’t enjoy a Côte du Rhône? Last night, at la Maison des Vins d’Avignon, I loved learning how to pair Côtes du Rhône whites with a wide selection of cheese during a fascinating (and delicious) workshop. Ce n’est qu’un au revoir, Avignon. Véro #francewithvero #provence #igersprovence #avignon #cotesdurhone #frenchwine #frenchcheese #winetastingevent #artisanal #boulangerie
Bonjour, Arles the Southern Belle seduces visitor Bonjour, Arles the Southern Belle seduces visitors with her intricate maze of narrow streets lined with a mix of colorful façades telling stories of centuries past. Once a major city in the Roman Empire, she still harbors an impressive amphitheater, one of several well-preserved antique sites where visitors can travel back in time. Arles is the perfect city to be a “flâneur” in… as long as one doesn’t get too distracted by the boutiques, art galleries, exhibits and a myriad of cultural events scheduled year around. Arles is also the perfect city to follow in Vincent Van Gogh’s footsteps. Here he struggled. Here he created before moving on to Saint Rémy de Provence (where I took you a few days ago.) In 2021, Arles continues to inspire artists and creators worldwide — like architect Frank Gehry. His stainless steel “Tower” now looms over the city and the Rhône. It seems alive, reflecting the glorious light and blue skies throughout the day. Gehry’s impressive structure is a must-see (9 floors and a panoramic terrace with surprising and often jaw-dropping exhibits.) “Le Parc des Ateliers” around it welcomes more exhibits in renovated warehouses once owned by the SNCF (the French railroad company.) The Luma Foundation can be proud: They have just given visitors one more reason to return to Arles. We would have come back anyway. Véro PS: To learn more about this beautiful part of France, join me and my friend @ninaseffusatti , a licensed tour guide based in Avignon, on Tuesday 10/12 at 5:00pm CEST (Facebook Live.) #francewithvero #provence #arles #arles_camargue_tourisme #igersprovence #lumaarles #arles2021 #gherybuilding
Bonjour, Lively, lovely Avignon slows down a bit Bonjour, Lively, lovely Avignon slows down a bit during the fall and winter months. The glorious light found in the Provence region still shines on an eclectic mix of façades, along small cobbled streets and peaceful squares where “life en terrasse” awaits. “Take me as I am,” Avignon seems to say, a city that never tries to be postcard-perfect. I like her just as she is. It’s good to be back even if le Mistral, the dreaded northerly wind that can make or break a week in these parts, has returned today. Brrrr…. Continue following my adventures “dans le Midi” (southern France) this week. A couple more days in Avignon, and I will move on to another southern Belle closer to the Mediterranean. Véro PS: Sign up for La Mailing List on the Blog (link in Bio) and get access to exclusive content about the trip. #francewithvero #virtualtours @avignontourisme @francefr #avignon #igersavignon #avignon #provence #provencealpescotedazur #provencefrance #provencelife

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