I'm late to the game here - but first, sorry about your mom.
I hope your scouting trip works, but I can't help thinking that maybe the thing to do is just jump - take a chance and give any one of the cities you plan to visit a try. I say this only since I have spent too many years thinking about moving to France and wondering what the perfect city/town would be. I have read every single memoir of " I quit my life and moved to ....", and while some of the moves didn't work out, and some resulting in moving around after the first landing pad, ultimately, the story becomes about getting settled in and finding a community. I think I mentioned to you before that I have made over 20 trips to France over more than 30 years, and after each and everyone, thought "could I live there?", but never really had the guts to make the move. It wasn't so much about not fining the perfect place, as not having the confidence or family support to make the move. And now I fear it is too late.
I suspect that the reality is all the cities you mention have positives and negatives, all are well-connected to other parts of France and all can support you. For what it's worth, I just came back from France (with pneumonia), where we had 18/21 days of rain. Paris is overrun with tourists, especially young women who seem to have one goal in mind - to take instagrammable photos of themselves in or in front of buildings that I'm willing to guess they know absolutely nothing about. Lyon seemed like a mini Paris to me and was well-loved by friends who spent 5 years there, and Dijon is much smaller but surrounded by jaw-droopingly beautiful countryside. Bordeaux I know least of all, having been there only twice, briefly, but there has been a tremendous amount spent on civic services - parks, streetcars, etc. and it has a huge pedestrian street downtown. I love pedestrian streets.
But as I said, maybe the really point is just to make the leap.
I wish you well with the scouting trip and hope it is fruitful.
Hi Cynthia--thank you so much for your thoughtful and insightful comment! I agree with you--part of me wants to jump and just do it. For us, it's not so much finding the perfect place either--it's more about having elderly parents here in the U.S. not to mention work considerations. But...I suppose it's easy to come up with excuses! Why do you think it's too late for you? Maybe it's not.
I'm so sorry to hear that you got pneumonia and had so much rain! That stinks. And you're right, Paris is overrun with wannabe influencers, which is why, as much as I adore Paris, I don't think I could live there.
Anyway, I appreciate everything you wrote so much! Feel free to reach out to me directly via email if you'd like to continue the convo :)
Have a wonderful time! We just arrived at our new house in Italy for a two-week trip to hook up utilities and get it in a presentable state. We are doing it a little at a time like you, and won’t be full-time till next year when our son starts university. But in the meantime it is such a gift to wake up in the morning to birdsong and cappuccinos in the piazza and the slow, lovely pace of Italian life.
We’ll be two or so hours east of Bordeaux visiting my only first cousin and her progeny down to great granddaughters next month. We’ve heard many things about museums in Bordeaux and look forward to learning about them from your stays there. Hope to see you on this side of the pond in the spring. Adieu.
Hi Milton--I wish we were going to be there the same time! Bordeaux is wonderful--don't miss the Cite du Vin, and we have lots of restaurant recommendations if you want. Have a fabulous time!
You know I’m a big fan of your writing always and can’t wait to hear more about your drunken adventures with whatever. What a lovely ode to your mom who was herself such a lovely woman!
Hi Sacha
I'm late to the game here - but first, sorry about your mom.
I hope your scouting trip works, but I can't help thinking that maybe the thing to do is just jump - take a chance and give any one of the cities you plan to visit a try. I say this only since I have spent too many years thinking about moving to France and wondering what the perfect city/town would be. I have read every single memoir of " I quit my life and moved to ....", and while some of the moves didn't work out, and some resulting in moving around after the first landing pad, ultimately, the story becomes about getting settled in and finding a community. I think I mentioned to you before that I have made over 20 trips to France over more than 30 years, and after each and everyone, thought "could I live there?", but never really had the guts to make the move. It wasn't so much about not fining the perfect place, as not having the confidence or family support to make the move. And now I fear it is too late.
I suspect that the reality is all the cities you mention have positives and negatives, all are well-connected to other parts of France and all can support you. For what it's worth, I just came back from France (with pneumonia), where we had 18/21 days of rain. Paris is overrun with tourists, especially young women who seem to have one goal in mind - to take instagrammable photos of themselves in or in front of buildings that I'm willing to guess they know absolutely nothing about. Lyon seemed like a mini Paris to me and was well-loved by friends who spent 5 years there, and Dijon is much smaller but surrounded by jaw-droopingly beautiful countryside. Bordeaux I know least of all, having been there only twice, briefly, but there has been a tremendous amount spent on civic services - parks, streetcars, etc. and it has a huge pedestrian street downtown. I love pedestrian streets.
But as I said, maybe the really point is just to make the leap.
I wish you well with the scouting trip and hope it is fruitful.
Hi Cynthia--thank you so much for your thoughtful and insightful comment! I agree with you--part of me wants to jump and just do it. For us, it's not so much finding the perfect place either--it's more about having elderly parents here in the U.S. not to mention work considerations. But...I suppose it's easy to come up with excuses! Why do you think it's too late for you? Maybe it's not.
I'm so sorry to hear that you got pneumonia and had so much rain! That stinks. And you're right, Paris is overrun with wannabe influencers, which is why, as much as I adore Paris, I don't think I could live there.
Anyway, I appreciate everything you wrote so much! Feel free to reach out to me directly via email if you'd like to continue the convo :)
-Sacha
I can't believe it's been 15 years. You remind us how vibrant she was 💗
Thanks love 💕
Thank you for the inspiration- I’ve already quoted your mom’s favorite poem today after reading your thoughts.
Wish I had known your mom more. Only met her briefly. This is so beautiful and full of emotion.
I know, I wish you had too. She would be so happy about our friendship
Have a wonderful time! We just arrived at our new house in Italy for a two-week trip to hook up utilities and get it in a presentable state. We are doing it a little at a time like you, and won’t be full-time till next year when our son starts university. But in the meantime it is such a gift to wake up in the morning to birdsong and cappuccinos in the piazza and the slow, lovely pace of Italian life.
Merci!
We’ll be two or so hours east of Bordeaux visiting my only first cousin and her progeny down to great granddaughters next month. We’ve heard many things about museums in Bordeaux and look forward to learning about them from your stays there. Hope to see you on this side of the pond in the spring. Adieu.
Hi Milton--I wish we were going to be there the same time! Bordeaux is wonderful--don't miss the Cite du Vin, and we have lots of restaurant recommendations if you want. Have a fabulous time!
You know I’m a big fan of your writing always and can’t wait to hear more about your drunken adventures with whatever. What a lovely ode to your mom who was herself such a lovely woman!
I vote for Bordeaux! And it's certainly as good a place as any to get drunk...
Sacha, you write beautifully!! Your mom's poem was touching, heart felt.
You look fabulous for 55!
Can't believe you live in France!
How do you do it?
Love,
Penni
Oh, the poem is by Charles Baudelaire 🇫🇷
You’re too kind! Not there yet 😍
BTW, I just bought TUMI carry on....discounted at the TUMI store! Fabulous carry on. The Continental Carry on!