French at Heart

13/04/2026

Foodies take note!

Discover the best food festivals in France to visit. Immerse yourself in French culture, indulge in great food & wine. France at its best.

05/04/2026

Discover the golden limestone villages of France’s Black Périgord — La Roque-Gageac, Beynac, Domme, and the river valley that hides centurie.

Have you ever experienced something like this in France? Tell us below! 👇

Image Credit: Shutterstock

03/04/2026

Americans protested across France this weekend in “No Kings” rallies. On March 28, events took place in several cities, not just Paris, as part of a wider global movement.

In Paris, several hundred people gathered at Place de la Bastille, a location that has seen centuries of protests and political change. Most participants were Americans living in France, but this time French unions and human rights groups joined in too. Beyond the capital, there were gatherings in Nice, Aix-en-Provence, and even smaller towns like Uzès.

28/03/2026

Eight French cities are joining a massive global wave of "No Kings" protests today to demonstrate against the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Organized locally by the French chapter of the US Democratic party, these rallies in Paris, Nice, Lyon, and Bordeaux are part of a larger mobilization spanning over 3,000 cities worldwide.

The movement, known as "No Kings 3," follows two similar large-scale protests in 2025.

While the original focus was on executive overreach and authoritarianism, today's demonstrations are largely fueled by recent federal immigration operations and the ongoing conflict in Iran.

In France, the rallies are branded as "No Tyrants" to align with local political sentiment while maintaining solidarity with the millions expected to march across all 50 US states.

Major gatherings are already underway or scheduled for this afternoon across the country. In Paris, the group met at Place de la Bastille this morning and is heading toward La Victoire for a secondary event.

Other significant rallies include the steps of the Grand Théâtre in Bordeaux and the Statue of Liberty replica in Nice, where participants are voicing opposition to what organizers call the "regime's brutality" and threats to democratic norms.

Organizers from groups like Indivisible and the 50501 Movement expect today to be the single largest day of domestic and international political protest in history.

With over 9 million people projected to participate globally, the decentralized nature of the events has allowed the movement to spread beyond major urban hubs into hundreds of suburban and rural communities.

28/03/2026

26/03/2026

This is for book lover, Leita Kaldi Davis, in Bradenton, Florida!

24/03/2026

It’s a great place for walking and bike riding!

The Canal du Midi was completed in 1681 and still runs across southern France today. It links Toulouse to the Mediterranean and covers more than 240 kilometers through some of the country’s quietest landscapes. And it was built entirely by hand in the 17th century, long before modern machinery.

What surprises most people is how calm it feels compared to other parts of France. You are not dealing with crowds or tight schedules here. It is mostly flat, lined with plane trees, and easy to explore by bike or on foot if you do not want to rent a boat.

There are 300 plus structures along the canal, including locks, aqueducts, and bridges that are still in use. Watching a boat pass through one of the locks is slower than you expect, but that is part of the experience. You start to adjust to the pace after a while, whether you planned to or not.

If you are visiting in warmer months, go early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the heat. And bring water because stretches between villages can be longer than they look on a map. This is not about ticking off sights, it is about spending time in one place and letting it unfold.

📍 Occitanie region, Southern France

Would you explore this by bike, boat, or just walk a small section of it?

22/03/2026

30 people waiting for coffee in the US vs France looks completely different

In the US, 30 people waiting for coffee usually means a drive thru line wrapped around a parking lot. In France, it’s 30 people already seated at small tables outside. Same coffee, totally different mindset.

What stands out in France is that no one is rushing. You sit down, you order, and you stay put for a bit. Even a quick espresso turns into a pause in your day. It’s normal to see tables full at any hour, especially in places like Saint Germain.

In the US, it’s built around efficiency. You grab your coffee between errands or on your way to work. Sitting down is optional. In France, sitting down is the whole point.

If you’re visiting Paris, try doing it their way at least once. Pick a café, order something simple, and just sit there longer than you think you should. That’s where the difference really hits.

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19/03/2026

One of my favorite hilltop villages!

Le Castellet is a beautifully preserved medieval village perched above the vineyards of Provence.

Stone archways, artisan workshops, and panoramic views stretching to the Mediterranean make this hilltop gem worth the visit. Wander through charming boutiques selling local crafts and Provençal products, then stop at one of the village's cosy restaurants for regional cuisine with a view.