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France of a Lifetime Tours, Saumur (2026)

14/07/2026

My best French friend told me — twice in one week — "you're French now, so you have to like football."

This is by far the best compliment I've received in the 5 summers we've lived in France, especially because she would not say it if she didn't mean it. I took it very seriously and watched my first match with her that same week.

Ben doesn't have what he calls the "sports gene" so I haven't been subjected to years of watching every sport imaginable. Thankfully, because I don't have the gene either. We would watch three 49ers American football games a season, but really only if they were winning.

So when my friend informed me it was time to embrace football, I sat down expecting to be polite for an hour and then play on my phone. Instead, I was completely hooked by halftime, which surprised no one more than me. It turns out the game moves much faster, which builds excitement much more than the American counterpart, and even though the goals themselves are far less frequent, that somehow makes each one feel enormous when it finally happens.

My favorite part though isn't even the match, it's the sound of Saumur erupting in cheers a half-second after I do, as if the entire town is cheering for France alongside me. It feels like camaraderie. It feels like I finally belong in my community.

Today happens to be the fourteenth of July, which most Americans call Bastille Day, though if you say that phrase to a French person, you will likely be met with a polite and thoroughly confused smile. Here it is simply Fête Nationale, marking the storming of the Bastille prison back in 1789 and the spark that lit the French Revolution, though the holiday itself was established in 1880 as a celebration of national unity and the Republic.

The entire country usually celebrates with parades, balls, and fireworks, but this year is extra special. France will face Spain, a historic rivalry, tonight at 9pm for a spot in the World Cup final.

If the match stays within regulation time, the final whistle should land almost exactly when Saumur's own fireworks begin lighting up the sky -- the perfect way to celebrate if -- no WHEN -- we win!

Allez Les Bleus !!! 🇫🇷 Bonne fête nationale ! 🇫🇷

This photo is from one of my favorite le foot memories so far, a glass of wine on a café terrace, cheering along with a whole row of strangers as if we'd known each other for years. The photo is a little out of focus, but so was I by the time this was taken, so I think it's fair.

Will you be watching tonight?

03/07/2026

France has been America's friend since before America officially existed.

Before the ink was even dry on the Declaration of Independence, France was quietly championing the cause. Money, gunpowder, and weapons crossed the Atlantic through a fake trading company created specifically to funnel aid to the colonies, allowing France to support the rebellion without officially declaring war on Britain. Behind the scenes, France believed the American cause was worth backing long before it was announced publicly.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Franklin was walking the streets of Paris, charming the French court and dazzling the city's salons, becoming something of a celebrity in the process. He wasn't alone for long. John Adams joined him, helping transform quiet sympathy into the military alliance the fledgling United States desperately needed.

By 1778, France was ready to make its support official. King Louis XVI signed a formal alliance with the United States—the first nation in the world to do so. French ships followed. French soldiers followed. Thousands crossed the Atlantic to fight beside a country that was not their own.

France certainly had its strategic reasons for helping weaken its longtime rival, Britain. But many individuals embraced the ideals of liberty as well. None more famously than the Marquis de Lafayette, whose devotion to the American cause made him a hero on both sides of the Atlantic.

Lafayette returned home inspired by the principles he had helped defend, becoming an important figure in the early days of the French Revolution. Ironically, Louis XVI had helped finance a revolution overseas that, among many other factors, contributed to the financial crisis that would eventually sweep away his own monarchy.

Without France, there's a very real chance the American Revolution would have failed.

Without Franklin's years in Paris—with all the meetings, the friendships, the persuasion, and the sheer stubborn diplomacy he brought to the task—there's a very real chance America would not be celebrating 250 years of independence tomorrow.

France didn't just support America's birth.

France helped deliver it.

Tomorrow, as fireworks light up American skies for America's 250th birthday, we'll be raising a glass here in France—not only to independence, but to one of history's greatest friendships.

Happy Fourth of July. 🇺🇸🇫🇷

Image: Franklin’s Reception at the Court of France, 1778 (Library of Congress).

26/06/2026

My favorite event of the entire year starts this weekend!

The 14th edition of Anjou Vélo Vintage is about to take over Saumur, and more than 13,000 people are expected to attend this celebration of vintage bicycles, music, dancing, costumes, food, and wine.

The Loire Valley is crisscrossed with wonderful cycling paths that connect vineyards, villages, and historic sites. Many visitors spend days exploring the region by bicycle, but this weekend adds a fun twist.

Participants can choose from several cycling routes ranging from 30 to 65 kilometers before returning to Saumur for the festivities. There is just one catch:

Only vintage and antique bicycles are allowed!

And that's just the beginning. Nearly everyone dresses in period clothing, from the 1920s through the 1980s. Families coordinate matching outfits, bicycles are decorated with wicker baskets, old radios, flowers, and all sorts of creative accessories, and the finish line becomes a parade of smiling faces.

More than 140 vendors fill a large open-air market selling vintage clothing, accessories, bicycle parts, antiques, and all manner of treasures. Local businesses join in the fun as well, with a pop-up vintage barber shop, an old-fashioned photo studio, and plenty of opportunities to step back in time.

You'll spot some very old bicycles rolling through the streets, live bands performing on two stages, and dancers swinging, twirling, and occasionally launching one another into the air.

In short, it's impossible not to smile!

If you've been following us for a while, you already know where we'll be spending the weekend. 🚲🍷

25/06/2026

French word of the week: une canicule 🌞 Or, as I’ve been calling it, « the reason I haven’t slept properly in days. »

A canicule is a heatwave, but more specifically, it’s a period of unusually high temperatures that lasts for several consecutive days and nights. Meaning it never really cools down.

Monday night was the hottest night ever recorded in France, and I spent most of it feeling like a rotisserie chicken, constantly turning over in bed trying to find the cool side of the pillow.

Here in the Loire Valley, temperatures have climbed above 40°C / 104°F for several days in a row—about 19°C above average for this time of year.

Our old stone building does a decent job insulating against the heat, but even indoors we’ve been hovering between 27°C and 32°C (81°F to 90°F).

Inside.

For days.

Thankfully, we have a portable AC unit that usually sits unused except during les canicules.

The heatwave happened to coincide with one of my favorite French traditions: the Fête de la Musique. Every year on the summer solstice, musicians of all levels take to the streets, squares, cafés, and parks to perform free concerts throughout France. It’s one giant nationwide celebration of music.

Normally we’d spend hours wandering around town enjoying the performances, but this year survival required a different strategy.

Thankfully, Saumur recently refurbished the fountain in the town center and added a timed misting system. Between the fountain, the mist, and the laughter of the children splashing around, we were able to enjoy a lovely band for about an hour before retreating to our slightly cooler apartment to recover.

French canicules certainly know how to make an impression!

If you’re currently visiting France, seek out churches, wine/cave tours, and museums with AC to explore. These will all be cool enough to enjoy.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be standing in the nearest fountain until further notice. 💦

24/06/2026

Our visas were approved for another 4 years! 🥳

Huge shout out to Allison Lounes and her team at Your Franceformation, who took care of everything! It is an enormous relief not to have to try and figure out the system and procedures on our own and instead have the assistance of the experts. Thank you so much ladies!!

Allison also helped us apply for our initial visas, which was a massive and daunting task to say the least. It took a lot of time, effort, and about 500 sheets of printed documents. I don't think "Hand-Holder" is a sufficient title for the work she does, but it certainly describes the process perfectly.

She literally held our hands and guided us through each step as gently as possible.

I was pleasantly surprised how simple the renewal process was in comparison. Allison asked for a handful of documents that she didn't already have on file and submitted the renewal request. About two weeks later, they asked for a handful more documents, including our 2025 taxes. The US side must be completed first, so we had to wait a bit for the two personal tax teams to finish up.

Only about a week later and we're approved!

No seemingly endless back-and-forth or requests for chickens before eggs have hatched. It was completely painless this time. I'm not sure if that's typical, or if it's down to Allison and her team, but either way, I am delighted!

Merci beaucoup ! Yet again, we couldn't have done it so easily without you!

Receiving the approval got me thinking about how much has happened over the past four years.

When Ben and I first applied for our visas, living in France still felt like a distant dream. We hoped it would work out, but there were no guarantees. Looking back now, it's incredible to see how far we've come.

That thought immediately brought me to these beautiful paintings by the very talented Shu milne art studio.

They were originally commissioned for our website and were meant to depict a couple enjoying a wonderful vacation in France. Shu spent countless hours drawing and painting each one by hand before also creating digital versions for us. The originals now hang on the wall across from our bed.

Every morning I wake up, look at them, and grin because I realize that somehow, we became that couple. Four years ago these paintings represented a dream. Today they represent our life.

Thank you, Shu, for creating something we treasure every day.

I am also incredibly grateful to France. Having been obsessed with this country for as long as I can remember, I am so honored to be able to live and work here for another four years.

Mille mercis, chère France.

16/06/2026

We were thrilled to finally meet Max in person on Day Four of her most recent Plantagenets in France tour, which explores the dynasty that forever shaped both England and France.

Our region is rich with traces of Plantagenet history, with more sites than could ever fit into a single 12-day journey. One of the highlights for many guests is the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, where Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, and Isabella of Angoulême are memorialized in beautiful painted effigies.

After the group spent the afternoon exploring the peaceful abbey and its lovely grounds, Ben and I joined them for a wonderful evening together at the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant.

I have to admit, I teared up a little when Max and I hugged for the first time. We had spent more than a year working closely together to bring this tour to life, yet we had always been separated by thousands of miles and several seas. It was wonderful to finally meet someone who already felt like a dear friend.

It was equally rewarding to hear how much everyone was enjoying the journey. By that point, the group had settled into an easy camaraderie, sharing stories, laughter, and a genuine enthusiasm for the history they were experiencing together. I was especially surprised to learn that several guests had joined the tour because they have Plantagenet ancestry in their own family trees. What an extraordinary experience it must be to walk in the footsteps of your ancestors.

The meal itself was seven courses of pure deliciousness. My personal favorite was an unexpected Chantilly de Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, a local goat cheese whipped into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. I am now determined to figure out how to recreate it at home!

As the evening came to a close, we wandered the abbey grounds after dark. The buildings glowed softly against the night sky, and a wonderful stillness had settled over the site. It was a magical evening shared with new friends brought together by a common interest, and we felt honored to be a small part of it.

We already can't wait for next year!

25/05/2026

The Louvre Gives the Mona Lisa Her Own Wing – And Everyone Benefits

The world's most visited museum has made a strategic decision: the world's most famous painting will move to a dedicated wing, separating the crowds seeking that one iconic selfie from visitors who come to explore the museum's vast collections.

The Louvre in Paris announced major structural changes that include giving the Mona Lisa her own 33,000-square-foot exhibition space. This separation means visitors who only want to see Leonardo da Vinci's famous portrait won't need to navigate through the rest of the museum. They can enter through a dedicated entrance, view the painting, take their photographs, and exit—bypassing the general admission queues entirely.

Meanwhile, visitors interested in the Louvre's hundreds of thousands of other artworks will avoid the congestion created by tourists queuing solely for the Mona Lisa. The dedicated space eliminates the bottleneck that has plagued the museum for years.

The change addresses a real problem: the Mona Lisa attracts approximately 20,000 visitors daily. The small portrait's current gallery often feels claustrophobic, with crowds pushing to get close enough for even a brief glimpse of the painting. "Every day, this very room is the scene of intense agitation," said Laurence des Cars, the museum's former director, during the press conference announcing the renovations.

This reorganization is part of a $1 billion renovation aimed at reducing congestion throughout the Louvre and modernizing the massive building's infrastructure. The museum has faced several high-profile challenges in recent years, including the theft of French crown jewels and a water leak that damaged approximately 400 artworks.

The contest-winning architectural design addresses current foot traffic challenges with multiple improvements: two new underground entrances, separate dining areas and gift shops, and expanded gallery space. New pathways and landscaping will better connect the museum with surrounding Paris neighborhoods.

According to the Smithsonian, these changes are designed to accommodate an estimated three million additional visitors per year—a necessary expansion given the Louvre's growing popularity as a global cultural destination. Anyone who has seen the scrum in front of the Mona Lisa knows that this is long overdue. Thank you France for prioritizing your history.

14/05/2026

Carcassonne is a small city surrounding an enchanting medieval fortified cité in southern France, where soaring stone walls and winding lanes created the perfect backdrop for two France of a Lifetime journeys that briefly crossed paths today.

The medieval Cité sits on a hill, encircled by two rows of ramparts, complete with towers, gatehouses, and a maze of small narrow streets lined with shops and cafés. The Château Comtal offers a fascinating glimpse into a 12th-century castle fortress, and the cité itself is considered one of the best-preserved medieval fortified cities in Europe.

But the real magic happens after the day-trippers leave.

At dusk, the cité ramparts light up and travelers are left free to wander the quieter medieval streets, explore the old stone passageways, and walk alongside the grassy dry moats beneath the glow of the fortifications.

We have a lovely Canadian couple who are nearing the end of an epic 7-week self-guided journey through France. They've walked miles through Paris, sipped Champagne in Champagne and Burgundy in Burgundy. They've thoroughly explored Provence and the French Riviera, from major hubs to tiny quaint villages, all while conversing with locals and fully embracing the slower pace of French life. This afternoon, they arrived in Carcassonne.

Meanwhile, Max's Plantagenets in France tour has dined in the oldest inn in France, stayed overnight on the island of Mont-Saint-Michel, marveled at abbeys, churches, castles that together tell the story of a dynasty that shaped the future of both France and England. This morning, they departed Carcassonne.

Out of the thousands of people in Carcassonne today, two completely separate France of a Lifetime journeys briefly became part of the same living moment. Not connected by planning or intention—just crossing paths in time, in the same place.

Thank you so much to both of you for trusting us with your journeys through France. It has been such a pleasure watching your adventures finally unfold after so much time spent planning them together!

Bon voyage to the next destination!

11/05/2026

The Surprisingly Luxurious Life of a Medieval Queen

When most people think of the Middle Ages, they tend to picture a dark, dirty, and miserable existence. But for the elite — particularly powerful queens and nobles — daily life was often far more comfortable, refined, and even luxurious than modern stereotypes suggest.

Furniture and amenities in elite medieval residences were impressive and surprisingly advanced. Royal chambers featured large canopied beds draped in rich silks and furs, layered with feather mattresses and fine linen sheets for comfort and warmth. Nobles relaxed on cushioned chairs, upholstered benches, and ornate carved thrones. Rooms contained beautifully hand-crafted chests, writing desks, sideboards, and early mechanical clocks. Walls were hung with thick, colorful tapestries that served as both art and insulation. Many castles had sophisticated plumbing systems that delivered fresh (and sometimes heated) water to private bath chambers with large wooden or stone tubs. Dedicated garderobes (toilets) with chutes carried waste away from living quarters, while ice houses and deep cellars preserved food, wine, and perishables.

Expansive formal gardens and early orangeries (glass-enclosed structures for growing citrus trees and exotic plants year-round) provided spaces for leisure, with fountains, orchards, herb gardens, and even small menageries containing peacocks, exotic birds, or imported animals. The elite also had access to early eyeglasses (invented in Italy around 1286–1300), primarily convex lenses for reading, which monks, scholars, and aging nobles used to continue their studies.

Alchemy, practiced enthusiastically by royal courts and wealthy patrons, led to advancements in perfumery, cosmetics, dyes, distilled alcohols, acids, and fragrant oils. Some palaces even included private libraries with illuminated manuscripts, musical instruments, games like chess and backgammon, and collections of rare curiosities and relics brought back from the Crusades and distant trade routes.

The creature comforts and technological innovations enjoyed by the medieval elite played a significant role in laying the groundwork for the Renaissance. As nobles and royalty invested in more comfortable, beautiful, and functional living spaces — from heated rooms and glass windows to orangeries, eyeglasses, and early chemical experiments in alchemy — they created environments that supported longer, healthier, and more intellectually active lives. These advances allowed scholars, artists, and thinkers to read, write, and create with greater ease and clarity well into old age.

The growing emphasis on beauty, refinement, and human comfort shifted cultural values away from purely spiritual asceticism toward a celebration of worldly pleasures, classical learning, and human potential. Wealthy patrons, accustomed to luxury and surrounded by art, music, and exotic goods, became eager supporters of artists, architects, and scientists. In many ways, the Renaissance wasn’t some sudden explosion of new ideas that appeared out of nowhere. It was the natural result of centuries of slow, steady progress — improvements in how the nobles lived, in technology, comfort, and curiosity — that had been quietly building for generations inside the castles, courts, and monasteries of medieval Europe.

Of course, we must acknowledge the other side of the story. Life for peasants and the lower classes was undeniably much harder. They lived in simpler thatched homes, performed grueling physical labor, faced frequent food shortages, and dealt with poorer sanitation and higher disease risk. Medieval society was deeply unequal, and the vast majority endured significant hardships.

Still, it’s fascinating to realize that pockets of sophistication and comfort existed much earlier than many of us were taught. The next time you walk through a grand château, remember that these weren’t just cold stone fortresses — they were often homes designed for beauty, warmth, and refined living.

What’s the most surprising medieval luxury or invention you’ve come across? Have you ever visited a castle or abbey and been amazed by how advanced parts of it felt? Drop your thoughts below! 👑🏰

*Photos courtesy of Mallory Nettleton

23/03/2026

March has become a meaningful month for us.

Four years ago, we moved to France with six suitcases and a dream.
And three years ago today, that dream took shape as France of a Lifetime Tours.

At the beginning, we knew what we wanted to do—but not exactly how it would look.

We didn’t just want to plan trips.

We wanted to create the kind of experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

The kind where a simple wine tasting turns into a long lunch with a winemaker you’ll never forget.
Where a walk through a market becomes your favorite memory of the entire trip.
Where a place you’d never even heard of ends up being the highlight of your time in France.

So we started building.

We explored—not as tourists, but as future hosts.
We met guides, winemakers, chefs, and property owners.
We asked a lot of questions.
We said yes to almost everything.

And slowly, something really special began to take shape.

Today, we design completely custom journeys throughout France—each one built around our clients’ interests, pace, and style of travel.

Some are celebrating milestone birthdays or anniversaries.
Some are visiting France for the very first time.
Some have been many times before and are looking for something deeper, more personal, more real.

We take care of everything—from accommodations and transportation to private guides, experiences, and those small but important details that make a trip feel seamless.

But what we really do goes beyond logistics.

We listen carefully.
We pay attention to the tiniest details.
We take what someone thinks they want… and gently shape it into something even better.

Because the truth is, most people don’t know what’s possible when they first reach out.

And that’s our favorite part.

Over the past three years, we’ve had the privilege of helping so many wonderful people experience France in a way that feels effortless, meaningful, and uniquely theirs.

And we’re just getting started.

If you’ve been dreaming about a trip to France—whether it’s your first or your fifth—we’d love to help you create something truly special.

Merci beaucoup for being here and following along with our journey ❤

Mallory & Ben

France of a Lifetime Tours

14/07/2026

03/07/2026

26/06/2026

25/06/2026

24/06/2026

16/06/2026

25/05/2026

14/05/2026

11/05/2026

23/03/2026

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