The Blog - Vivre ma France

Since moving from a beautiful, yet cold, Montreal in La Belle Province to a sunny little region known as Montpellier, la France has transitioned to Ma France - an adventure that has been documented with you, my dear reader.  My journey has grown from creating a home in a Haussmannian apartment within a new country to the evolution of a community of new friends, colleagues and clients - both locally and internationally!

The inspiration I get from experiencing new sights, trying different cuisines and taking in new cultures translates into my everyday life, whether throwing a casual mid-week get together with friends, or hosting an all-out bash for a corporate dinner event.

Here in the sunny wine region, Sud de France, l’Occitanie, I am living out my life's mission: Bringing ease into event planning for the people - so that together we can craft their most memorable events. Whether teaching my friends how to set a formal table for their next dinner party including folding elaborate napkins or becoming a trusted advisor to a newly engaged couple by helping them meticulously plan the wedding of their dreams: My joy is to share my talents in making life a little bit sweeter and celebratory for all.

Follow me into wine country as we visit different vineyards and learn about wine production. Then I will take you back home and teach you how to pair the perfect wine to go along with a carefully curated menu for your home celebrations. Then recreate your adventures by following my online restaurant reviews and recommendations via VivreMaFrance at Trip Advisor.com.

You may occasionally see affiliate links included within my posts, allowing me to make a small commission from any sales coming from the blog. Please remember that I only post about vendors I trust and use myself - all opinions, reviews and recommendations are authentically my own.

So whether you are looking to find daily inspiration from la vie en rose, or you are ready to work with a trusted professional on crafting a wedding beyond your wildest dreams, I want you to join me.  See the beauty of the south of France and beyond through my own eyes and experiences.

Vivre Ma France!

Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Wales

27 November 2023

Nestled in the western part of the United Kingdom, Wales is a land of rugged coastlines, lush valleys, and historic charm. Steeped in rich history and culture, this small but captivating country offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of traveler.  From exploring medieval castles to trekking through breathtaking landscapes, Wales promises a…

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Exploring the Enchanting Charms of Lisbon, Portugal

30 August 2023

Nestled along the banks of the Tagus River, Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is a city that blends centuries-old history with a vibrant modern atmosphere.  With its colorful streets, stunning viewpoints, rich culture, and lovely locals, Lisbon is a destination that captures the hearts of travelers from around the world. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie,…

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Leo’s Top Restaurants for 2023

08 March 2023

As you know being a foodie, wherever I go, I try to eat in at least two great restaurants in town.  Here are my top 11 choices of restaurants from the past year.  Each of the restaurants was able to create a great evening and experience for me.  Do keep in mind that I don’t…

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Haussmann Architecture: The Other Revolution of Paris

19 January 2023

In the middle of the 19th century, the last King of France, Emperor Napoleon III (great-nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte) won the first direct presidential elections ever held in France with an overwhelming 74.2 percent of the votes cast, becoming the first President of France too.  One of his first acts was to appoint a somewhat…

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Arles, City of Art and History

19 September 2022

Arles is geographically the largest city in France spacing a whopping 758 km.  It is nestled on the Rhone River between Nimes and Aix-en-Provence, just north of the Camargue region of Southern France.  It is also famous for being the home of Vincent Van Gogh during part of his life as he was obsessed with…

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Malta, The Vibrant Island Nation

17 February 2022

In December, we had the pleasure of visiting friends who now live in Malta, the smallest country in the European Union.  Malta has a grand population of 515,000 Maltese, with 20% being non-Maltese Nationals.  One you have visited the island nation you can easily see why – the islands are some of the most beautiful places…

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The Leo List of Restaurants for 2021

26 January 2022

I was organizing a dinner for a client recently in Montreal, Canada, and I was shocked when I started calling restaurants to see about availability only to find out that so many of them have closed, permanently.  Yes, it’s been and continues to be a very tough times for restaurants.  The pandemic has wreaked havoc…

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La Rochelle, A French Port with a Canadian Connection

14 August 2021

I remember hearing about the La Rochelle in history class.  The French port where many began the migration to Canada.  Numerous ships left for the new world both before and after the establishment of Canada, which included my ancestors who originated from La Tessonnière & Saint-Loup Lamairé and left for Canada in 1659. La Rochelle…

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Les Toiles du Soleil, A Catalan Tradition

05 July 2021

The southern part of France and the northeast part of Spain is home to a group of people known as Catalans.  An estimated 8 million Catalans live in this region which includes places like Valencia, the Balearic Islands, eastern Aragon, Barcelona, Andorra, Roussillon (modern day Perpignan), and the city of Alghero in Sardinia.  While the Catalan language may seem similar to…

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The Medieval City of Carcassonne

18 May 2021

The Medieval citadels of Carcassonne otherwise known as La Cité, are one of the most visited places in France, on the same par as Mont Saint Michel, the mystical island city in Brittany.  They both have thousands of years of history, murder, mystery and mayhem.  La Cité is a fortified city located between the Pyrenees…

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