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!
Citrus, The Zest of Life
The sight of anything citrus puts me in a good mood. A bright lemon yellow kitchen, an enticing bowl of oranges or a gorgeous lime topiary in a French jardin. It all makes me smile. I have fond memories of eating deliciously sweet and fragrant mandarins during the holidays. On winter mornings, in my youth,…
Life at the Beach
The smell of the beach naturally soothes many of us. It’s been proven in studies that show it relieves stress and relaxes the mind. It is also one of the reasons we moved to Montpellier. Indeed with over 300+ days of sunshine, the beaches here are huge draws in the area. The beach is only…
Heading North to Norway
Recently we were able to fulfill a lifelong dream of my husband of visiting a Scandinavian country, which he had decided to do for his 50th birthday. He had the good fortune of flying to Paris, when he discovered that his seatmates were a lovely couple from Norway. This country has always been on our…
Apéro, and the best places to enjoy it in Montpellier
Like many French cities, Montpellier has a treasure trove of wine bars and these places go hand in hand with the aperitif. Aptly known as apéro, is an evening custom here that blends friends, food and beverages. It is a pillar of French food, culture and society and in many cases takes place in a…
Climb Every Mountain: Pic Saint-Loup and L’Hortus
I did it. I climbed a mountain. Yes, me! Who knew I could? I never thought I would and wasn’t truly interested until a good friend, Mimi, visiting from Switzerland insisted we go for a hike. I’ve never hiked anywhere. I’ve walked to places, strolled in towns, jogged or biked for sport, but never once…
Nîmes, The French Rome
When you arrive in Nîmes, it feels like you are stepping back in time, one that is rich with history and includes Celtic Volcae, Romans, Muslims, Protestant Huguenots and Kings of France. It was built along the Via Domitia, the first Roman road, which reached from Italy to southern France and into Spain. We recently…
The World is My Oyster
“The world is my oyster”, has been one of my favourite mantras for my entire life. Funny though, I hated the idea of eating them and now I cannot eat them enough. I love oysters and mussels. One only need read any of my French restaurant reviews to see how many times I order oysters. …
Annecy, the Pearl of the French Alps
Nestled away in southeastern France, Annecy is called the “Pearl of the Alps” and is located on the northern tip of picturesque Lake Annecy surrounded by the snow-covered Alps. We recently travelled to Annecy to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday party, which was held in a chalet in this majestic area and were blown away…
Castres, Languedoc’s Little Venice
Another little family weekend trip turned out to be a discovery of a new town and region in Occitanie. Located far from our beaches, nestled in the mountains, we reached Castres, aka the little Venice of Occitanie, known throughout the country for its rugby team and its pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturing. So, after 2 hours…
Charcuterie Boards
Charcuterie is the French art of cooking dedicated to cured or prepared meats such as ham, pâté, terrines, sausages and confit. These items are served all together on a long planche (wooden board) and are to be shared as a group. Truly the most wonderful thing about a charcuterie board is its versatility and so…
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