Vivre ma France new blog
What’s up Doc? 800 Years of Medicine in Montpellier
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montpellier was established in 1220 by Pope Honorius III, and is the one of world’s oldest university and medical school still in operation. It has some famous alumni including Nostradamus, the great astrologer and prophesier, whose book Les Propheties has not been out of print since the…
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Toulouse, the Capital of Occitanie
Toulouse lies in the heart of the south western France, just north of the Pyrenees, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its other name is La Ville Rose (the pink city), named so because of the pinkish hue of the city buildings built with the pinkish terracotta bricks. Located on the banks…
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Scotland, a Journey North
Scotland is the land of breathtaking views, stunning lochs, beautiful wildlife and welcoming, witty people. It’s also the land of haggis, bagpipes, kilts and a wee dram of Whisky! We left the heat of the south of France for some respite in Scotland. Leaving an average midday temperature of 36, we headed north to a…
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Scotch Whisky 1.0
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Scotland and tour the Glenfarclas Scotch Whisky Distillery in the Highlands. We had a wonderful time, the view, the land, the people, the Bed and Breakfast homes and oh the Pubs! I will write more about our 10 days journey in Scotland in another blog, but I…
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Château de Fontainebleau
After a spending a few days in Paris we toured the picturesque and quiet Château de Fontainebleau. With over 1500 rooms at the heart of 130 acres of parkland and gardens, Fontainebleau is the only French royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries. Château de Fontainebleau can proudly claim to…
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The Best Brunch Ever!
Brunch, a portmanteau of the words breakfast and lunch, may have started in England in the 19th century, but it is alive and well all over the English world, and in France too. There are many theories as to how brunch came to pass. One comes directly from an article written by British author Guy…
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A Great Day For a Barbecue
Nothing smells better than something cooked outside, the barbecue! It is a treat and a rare occasion for some, but for many a way of life. The word barbecue actually comes from the French words barbe-à-queue, literally, “from beard to tail” meaning, the whole of a pig being roasted on a spit. That word had not…
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Silver
Silver is one of my most favourite additions to any table, decor or wardrobe. Dressed against any skin tone, or colour, silver radiates and gives a noble look. Silver represents hope and unconditional love and is so unique, there is no word that rhymes with silver, in English The only problem with silver is how…
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Buying Art 1.0
Thirty years ago, a lovely friend of mine, who worked for the Canada Council Art Bank, invited me to go to a vernissage (a private viewing of art before the public exhibition). “Only buy what you like!” she said. “Art should inspire you, and you should be able to interpret something from it.” So later that night, I…
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Confiture, Preserves and Canning 1.0
Do you have memories of grandma’s fabulous preserves? Did your mom can fruits and vegetables when you were a child? If you grew up in a rural setting then the answer to these questions is probably yes. I have fond memories of running down the cellar stairs to get another pot of jam for breakfast. …
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