France Trip: French Class at Coeur de France

Monday, April 20, 2026

French Class at Coeur de France was fantastic. I placed into Advanced I, although probably more like Advanced 0.5, which is pretty good considering I haven't taken a French class in 20 years! While I was the second youngest person there (this place is apparently a retiree's dream), I greatly enjoyed socializing with all my fellow students and learning from them.

Language classes abroad are like summer camp for adults. A decent chunk of time is spent in the classroom, trying to remember words you first learned 25 years ago, but interspersed with walks to le marché or le bouchère or le boulangerie for even more French practice. Even social events organized by the students have a fair bit of French speaking involved. Which is nice, because as beginners we talk slower, unlike the French who speak fast enough a novice has difficulty.

Documentation of field trips to come!

France Trip: Around Sancerre

Sunday, April 19, 2026

'Headed to Sancerre for two weeks for Couer de France, École de Langues and to drink my weight in very reasonably priced fancy Sancerre white wines.

While a bit remote, and not the most convenient of public transit, the location was absolutely stunning. These were my daily views walking to/from class and dinner...Sancerre is magic.

Also, of course, with a healthy dose of well-cared-for street cats.

France Trip: Paris, Musée d'Orsay, Around Montparnasse

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Saw an absolutely fantastic temporary exhibit at the Musée d'Orsay on street billboards. Also, of course, amazing impressionist art, mixed in with lovely modern impressionist art to create a truly novel experience. I'd never been to this museum, and it was really lovely.

Lunch in the museum cafe was also easy and pleasant.

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Did the last day in Paris with a walk around Montparnasse - the Jardin Luxembourg, the cemetary, whatever else! Our hotel was in this neighborhood - easily accessible to 4 metro lines, on a little street absolutely packed with creperies. What's not to love?!

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Pondering how the food anywhere could be so fantastic all of the time.

I mean, even the ham sandwiches are fantastic.

France Trip: Loire Valley

Friday, April 17, 2026

'Thought we'd throw in a day-trip tour of some chateau around the Loire Valley outside of Pris. Above is Chateau Chenonceau, which also has a lovely little winery.

Above is Chateau Blois on the right, the town where we had lunch.

And this is Chateau Chambord, with a lovely modern stained glass exhibit on the upper floors.

France Trip: Versailles

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Can't do a trip to Paris without a day trip to Versailles, apparently! Last time I was here, I was in high school, so it was nice to experience the gardens and the music-synched fountain shows again as an adult.

The opulence. The audacity,

France Trip: Paris, The Eiffel Tower and The Louvre

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

It was a busy tourist day, but we got through it! The views from La Tour Eiffel are lovely. It wasn't my friend's top choice of activities, nor was The Louvre, but if it's your first trip to Paris, you kinda gotta go. They're iconic, and quite lovely!

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We did The Louvre after the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre was absolutely mobbed, but the trick is to enter through one of the less popular wings...and slowly work your way to the more popular spots.

As always, The Mona Lisa is an absolute mob scene, but the people watching is spectacular!