Transferring to France comes with loads of expectations—the truth that we’ll be studying French, seeing beautiful structure in all places, visiting a few of the world’s finest museums, consuming nice meals, and, in fact, the joie de vivre. There are many surprises alongside the way in which too, although. Some weren’t so nice, some have been simply impartial, and others blew me away in one of the best ways attainable and it’s that final one we’re specializing in at this time. A few of these discoveries have been small, others fully life-changing, however all of them have made my expertise right here much more particular.
So, what are the sudden optimistic surprises about life in France? Let’s get into it!
1. French meals tradition is on one other stage
Okay, I knew France was well-known for its meals, however I fully underestimated simply how deeply ingrained meals tradition is right here. It’s not nearly consuming—it’s an artwork, a ardour, a lifestyle, and even regarded as a faith by some.
Even in small, non-touristy cities, I’ve been blown away by what number of eating places serve creative, completely ready do-it-yourself dishes with recent, native substances. And the folks working there? They’re not simply workers—they’re artists, craftsmen, and storytellers, taking real satisfaction in each plate they serve.
Restaurant jobs aren’t simply jobs in France. They’re vocations for lots of people. Servers listed below are NOT simply working for suggestions – bear in mind tipping 20% if you exit to eat in France isn’t a factor. Seeing this stage of dedication and love for meals has fully modified the way in which I admire what’s on my plate.
The bets half is that even informal neighborhood eating places serve dishes that may rival effective eating elsewhere. My favourite kinds of eating places are those that make easy meals executed very well, like completely cooked recent fish and flippantly sautéed greens which might be in-season and domestically farmed.
In fact, there’s nice meals within the US too. This isn’t a knock of my dwelling nation, however it’s a celebration of what France will get proper and French meals tradition is on the high of my listing. FYI, that is my favourite French mealtime behavior.
I really like and miss her each single day. I don’t suppose that’ll ever go away. Grief sucks.
2. Veterinary care
That is one thing that actually touched my coronary heart and I’ve raved about vet care in France earlier than. Our candy canine, Dagny, who was like a toddler to us, handed away in March 2022, and all through her life, she had some well being points that required common vet visits and specialised care.
And let me inform you—the extent of care, kindness, and dedication we skilled from the vets right here all through her life was past something I may have anticipated. From our common vet to emergency specialists, everybody was mild, caring, and really put the well-being of our canine first. Positive, yow will discover good vets in all places on the earth however the truth that our expertise throughout the board in France with vets was extraordinarily optimistic her total life was one thing that made all of the distinction to me, particularly in high-stress moments an particularly on the very finish.
A variety of vet practices are company owned within the US and I’ve felt that it’s extra about being profitable than offering care generally, however in France I used to be pleasantly shocked with how all the things was dealt with all through Dagny’s life.
I used to be additionally shocked by how reasonably priced vet care is in comparison with the U.S. For instance, Dagny’s medicine was round 50 euros a month—which might have been a number of hundred {dollars} within the U.S. Her MRIs have been round 550 euros every, whereas within the U.S., it will have been 1000’s only for one scan.
Shedding Dagny was extremely tough (particularly proper after my mother), however realizing she was in such good arms each step of the way in which meant the world to us and I’ll all the time bear in mind how fantastic the vets have been right here in France for so long as I dwell. I nonetheless cease into her vet’s workplace to say hello generally after I’m within the space. The workers was an everyday a part of our lives for a decade.
Tom snapped this magnificence on a June night simply because the solar was setting. It’s one in all his finest, proper?
3. France’s insanely lovely landscapes
I’d seen photos of France earlier than shifting right here, in fact. However let me inform you—seeing the locations in individual is a complete completely different story. Les Gorges du Verdon? Completely breathtaking. The Calanques close to Marseille? Unreal. The Brittany Coast, Le Mont-Saint-Michel, the lavender fields in Provence and even quaint little villages… I may go on ceaselessly.
What’s really wonderful is simply how various France is. You’ve gotten mountains, seashores, vineyards, dramatic cliffs—it’s all packed into one nation. Each time I go to a brand new area, I really feel like I’ve stepped into a complete new world. With the ability to see France with my very own eyes is one thing I’ll by no means take with no consideration.
That is Montdomaine in Amboise. Examine them out right here.
4. Wine straight from the supply
As you already know, I dwell within the Loire Valley, and let me inform you—one of many coolest issues that shocked me is that you could purchase implausible wine straight from the producers in individual, which is one thing I couldn’t do again in New York Metropolis!
It’s not nearly getting good wine (which, let’s be actual, is already a win). It’s the expertise of truly assembly the individuals who make it, seeing the place the grapes develop, strolling by way of the vineyards, and seeing the manufacturing facility. The wine tastes that a lot better when you already know precisely the place it got here from.
Shoutout to my favourite white wine, Muscadet, which is comprised of the melon de Bourgogne grape and produced not removed from the place I dwell. Let’s not overlook all of the Loire Valley glowing choices like crémant, and in addition Savennières, which isn’t too far both, proper on the banks of the Loire. I’m spoiled by the choices, what can I say.
Earlier than shifting to France, I didn’t notice that a whole lot of the wine you see in U.S. wine shops is mass produced white labeled wines. You’ve gotten an organization placing out bulk wines with completely different labels however the precise wine manufacturers are very far faraway from the precise wine-making course of. It’s been actually eye opening to study wine manufacturing first hand and to have the chance to purchase wine straight from the individuals who make it. Listed below are my suggestions for vineyard visits in France, in case that’s of curiosity.
One other perk is that native wines right here in Anjou are tremendous reasonably priced. I’m speaking wonderful bottles for round 10 euros, generally even much less! It simply makes the entire expertise of having fun with a glass of wine a lot extra particular when you already know precisely the place it got here from and the folks behind it.
I don’t suppose I can ever return to only selecting a random bottle off the grocery store shelf now. Once I’m within the U.S., I not often get wine after I’m out to eat as a result of I’m so spoiled by France’s choice and wonderful costs.
Picture credit score: Shutterstock.com / melissamn
5. French persons are really NOT impolite
Everyone knows the stereotype—French persons are impolite. SO RUDE! Effectively… shock! That’s really not been my expertise in any respect. Earlier than I moved to France, folks warned me that the French are all smug snobs who hate People. It’s humorous although looking back that everybody telling me this had little or no expertise with French folks past a trip or two
Have I met any impolite snobs? Positive, yow will discover impolite folks wherever, however general I haven’t discovered the French to dwell as much as these impolite stereotypes and that was such a reduction.
Sure, the tradition is completely different, and other people may not be as overtly chatty with strangers as in another locations. Additionally, should you don’t say bonjour and prolong frequent courtesy, you’ll determine it out after one or two missteps. However as soon as I obtained previous that first layer and realized the ins and outs of the tradition, I used to be shocked to seek out out the French are like another group.
Total, folks have been extremely useful and sort. I’ve by no means been handled poorly as a result of I’m American. The truth is, French folks love telling me about their U.S. holidays and asking questions on American issues. The French may hate our nation’s politics, however when head to head, I really feel they choose you on particular person advantage and that’s been a reduction.
Whether or not it’s folks in my neighborhood, my native pharmacist, a grocery store cashier, I’ve felt welcome right here and have made real connections with folks over time. So should you’re on the fence about visiting France due to the “impolite French” stereotype, simply go for it and e book your journey. Simply be respectful and I do know you’ll be pleasantly shocked like I used to be.
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So there you could have it—5 sudden optimistic surprises about my life in France! Let me level out, as I typically do within the title of steadiness, France is way from good (no place is!), however all the things I talked about helped me to combine and fall in love with residing right here.
Additionally, I do know that a few of the issues I point out exist within the U.S. and elsewhere. I’m definitely not saying they’re issues which might be unique to France. What I’m saying is that in my private expertise, they occurred to all be issues I wasn’t anticipating and was pleasantly shocked by them, that’s all. 😉
So now over to you, inform me within the feedback, have you ever ever been to France, or do you reside right here now? What optimistic surprises have stood out to you essentially the most?
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