Whether they are running some of the world’s fastest trains or shaping some of the most recognisable trees on the planet, there is a whole lot to admire about the French dedication to precision and quality. I love how the French go above and beyond when it comes to the fine details. Let’s take French […]
French Inspiration
85 posts
Is it just me or does anyone else feel like we’ve just raced through the fastest January on record? I feel like it is just a few days since we celebrated the new year and I’m already flipping the calendar pages over! But the good news is that the new year seems to have inspired […]
Welcome to 2016! I hope you’ve all had a fabulous festive season. I was fortunate enough to spend time with family and friends over the Christmas period. And although I headed straight back to work after Christmas, I’ve been able to use the public holidays and the weekends to do some planning and relaxing – […]
I love the comments that Distant Francophile readers share – they always get me thinking. A comment earlier this week had Scott and I discussing how generic cultures can become. Australian culture is a great example. Post white settlement, the Aussie culture was driven by the British Empire, prior to being deeply and positively influenced […]
When Paris was so tragically attacked last month, many people questioned whether we were still planning to travel to France, and specifically Paris. While our travel plans were never in danger of changing, we were curious to understand what had changed in France after the Paris attacks. Personally, I was hoping for nothing – but […]
I love it when I get to write the monthly French inspiration posts from France. It just adds something to the whole experience for me. Maybe it’s because I’m feeling so inspired myself. And I have to tell you that where we are – France’s Alsace region – would have to inspire anyone. Situated […]
p Christmas is almost upon us (yay!) and if you are anything like me, one of the joys of Christmas is tracking down just the right gifts for my loved ones. One of the reasons I’m so excited to be visiting Europe right now is the fact that I will get to do much of […]
I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again but I love the fellow francophiles I’ve come in contact with since starting Distant Francophile. I adore the fact that they love France as much as I do, and I love the stories they share about ‘their’ France. Although we’ve never met (but hope […]
Is it just me or is anyone else surprised by the fact that it is November already? I really can’t believe how quickly this year has flashed by. But I’m also thrilled that November is here, because we head back to Europe for a little mini-break at the end of the month – yes, it’s […]
Well, I finally know what I want to be when I grow up. Yes, while it has taken me a little longer than most to work it out, I feel I now have clarity. I want to be Janelle McCulloch. And I figure I’m half way there – I’ve got first name covered. Obviously this […]
Autumn is my absolute favourite time of the year. And it is absolutely my favourite time of the year to visit France. The weather is (usually) still lovely, the trees turn to rich shades of russet and gold and the light is perfect for photography. The high summer crowds have thinned and savvy travellers are […]
One of the unexpected benefits of starting this blog is the fact that l am now in everyday contact with stacks of other francophiles who love France just as much as I do. Through Distant Francophile I’ve been asked to guest post and collaborate on a variety of sites. And recently, I was excited and […]
It probably goes without saying that French women are known for their seemingly effortless, somewhat understated style. Over the years, I’ve noticed that there are a few key elements to this style – skinny jeans, a quality t-shirt, a great jacket, a scarf (bien sûr) and flat shoes. Predominantly ballet flats. Yes, ballet flats – […]
I can’t tell you how glad I am that September has finally arrived – mainly due to the fact that Melbourne has just suffered through the coldest winter in 20-something years. I know I am not the only one in this part of the world who has been not-so-patiently waiting for spring. To celebrate the […]
Welcome to August everyone. I’ve got lots of French inspiration to share this month, so I am going to dive right in. Paris has a kind of mixed reputation during August. Some francophiles love visiting in August because things are sometimes quieter as the locals head out of town for their summer vacation. Others are […]
Well, July is here. And to be perfectly honest, I’m struggling to believe it. I’m amazed at just how quickly the first half of the year has flown. But despite the fact that I keep shaking my head at the calendar, I’ve come back from our holiday feeling super inspired. This has seen me […]
While we were in Paris, we were lucky enough to spend an unforgettable day with three amazingly creative, beautiful and intelligent women – all of whom actually live in Paris. Now, we all know just how fabled French women, and particularly Parisian women, are. Entire libraries have been written on ‘how to be Parisian’ or […]
Welcome to June everyone. I am writing this month’s inspiration post from Paris – and seriously, you can’t get any more French inspiration than by spending time in Paris. I’ve found some great new vantage points for people watching and have come up with a stack of other French themed bits and pieces to share […]
Hooray – we’ve made it to May. I was very excited to flip the calendar over on Friday…mainly due to the fact that we head back to France on the 22nd of the month. This coming trip is full of long-term wish list items for me – language school, a Parisian photo shoot, a stay […]
One of our favourite things to do in Paris – and all of France for that matter – is watch the passing parade of people going about their day. Whether it is the chic French or the occasionally not so chic tourists, we can lose hours just people watching in Paris. Paris is well set […]