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Newsletter Archive

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Jeanne et la belle buche

Happy Holidays from Jeanne-la-Cane (& Véro)

December 15, 2023
Posted in Newsletters
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Vero a Villandry 1

And just like that, I am a tour guide

October 31, 2023
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Versailles 5

La Petite Venise

October 6, 2023
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Roque Gageac

A French summer

August 23, 2023
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Affice Lot et Garonne 2

France and overtourism

July 4, 2023
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Beret rouge

Tourist season is on!

May 11, 2023
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Tulip 3

Is France burning?

March 31, 2023
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paris facades

A Parisian Week

February 23, 2023
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jeanne new year

So long January!

January 29, 2023
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vero dec 22

Bonne Annee!

December 31, 2022
Posted in Newsletters
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Bonjour. When I originally released a virtual to Bonjour. 

When I originally released a virtual tour of Château Gaillard in 2021 after moving to the Loire Valley and shared it with my online community I could count on the fingers of my left hand the number of people who had either heard of it or visited it. 

Those virtual tours are available on the France with Vero YouTube channel. 

Things have changed, and Château Gaillard is finally getting the attention it deserves in the town where two other historic estates are major tourist draws, Leonardo da Vinci’s Le Clos Lucé and the royal fortress of Amboise. 

Visitors could be forgiven if they haven’t heard about the magnificent Renaissance gardens once created by a famous 16th century gardener for the kings he served. 

After all Château Gaillard changed hands often over the centuries and by the 1900’s only showed as a black spot on city maps: Like Sleeping Beauty’s castle, the estate had been reclaimed by nature. Even locals had forgotten about the once mighty Renaissance château above Amboise. 

In 2011 a businessman passionate about the Italian Renaissance and French heritage, Marc Lelandais, invested considerable resources to bring Château Gaillard back to life. After five years of restoration the estate finally opened to the public in 2016.

More manageable and less crowded than many larger Loire Valley castles, Château Gaillard is always a good idea with its lavish interiors, its romantic Renaissance gardens, the first orangerie created in France, or its winding paths meandering through an ancient forest by the Amasse river. 

Join me today on another special visit in the Loire Valley. 

Véro

#francewithvero #loirevalley #amboise #chateaulife
Bonjour Just another slice of French life with Fr Bonjour

Just another slice of French life with France with Vero. 

Even if smoking has been on the decline in France, numbers remain high when comparing statistics with the rest of Western Europe or the United States. 

Tourists often complain about cigarette smoke as they sit “en terrasse” a very French pastime. 

In a nation known for its attachment to rules and regulations and with strong social codes that can mystify foreigners, it should be no surprise there are dos and don’ts applying to smoking as well. 

“Les garçons de café” (French waiters) love taking “une pause cigarette” (a cigarette break) throughout the day. The attentive observer will notice cigarette butts go to a specific spot at the end of the break — a potted plant or a discreet metal bucket on a window sill. 

Heaven forbid an ordinary passerby should do the same thing. A note left by a guy named “René” will promptly remind them that rules, do, in fact, exist. 

“Appearances can be deceiving. Ceci n’est pas un cendrier.”
(Don’t be fooled by appearances. This is not an ashtray) 

A bon entendeur, salut. 
You have been warned. 

Véro

#francewithvero #frenchlife #parisianwaiters
Bonjour. Built on a former swampy area along a st Bonjour.

Built on a former swampy area along a stream that connected the Loire and the Cher rivers, Tours’ botanical garden is not the oldest or largest one in France. 

It was created in the 19th century as training grounds for students of the new School of Medicine and Pharmacy. It’s still used for teaching and scientific research by the University of Tours today.

During a challenging weekend where peaceful protests were overshadowed by violence and chaos we all woke up a bit hungover, a bit discouraged and often, angry. 

Over 180 years old “Le Botanique” reminds visitors old and young that life goes on and beauty surrounds us every day if we know where to look.

The local rooster’s unabashed crow puts a smile on my face before I leave. 

“Le coq gaulois” remains, after all, a beloved symbol of France. 

He lives in a beautiful environment dedicated to learning and science. 

He knows it. We know it. He won’t go down silently.

Vero

#francewithvero #toursmaville #tourscity #toursetmoi #frenchgarden
Bonjour. Follow me on another adventure in the L Bonjour. 

Follow me on another adventure in the Loire Valley. 

Code name: Villandry. 

Better yet: the Gardens of Villandry. 

Need I say more? 

Véro 

#francewithvero #loirevalley #villandry
Bonjour. It can take decades to find your specia Bonjour. 

It can take decades to find your special place, not for lack of trying (and I did try, on two continents.) 

I was just a few years short of my 6th decade when I made the bold decision to leave Paris and move to a region where I had no family, personal or professional ties. 

Once there I built a new life. Five years later, it's still working great for me (and hopefully many in this community benefit too.) 

There's a new "Lettre de France" waiting for you wherever you read my newsletter. It's already in your inbox if you subscribe (it's free,) in the Bio, and on Substack where most of my writing happens. 

Join me in the Loire Valley, my special place. 

If you enjoy the story, do share and help me get the word out. That's free too and only takes one click. Merci beaucoup.

Véro

Photo credit: Le Brother, June 2026

#francewithvero #loirevalley #toursmaville #tourscity #toursetmoi
Another slice of French life with France with Vero Another slice of French life with France with Vero 

Welcome to Château de l’Islette, Azay-le-Rideau.

A long time ago two famous lovers came here to hide their love story, Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin. 

Their passion didn’t stand the test of time but l’Islette is still here, one of the most welcoming, magical châteaux in the Loire Valley. 

The owners are more creative than most and host special events including their renowned musical nights in the summer. 

This dog lover stopped by last weekend to check out a fun happening, the 31st National Breeding Show of the Bobtail (English sheepdog) Club of France. 

What a hairy event! ;-) 

The house cat, Nala, joined the fun. This friendly beauty has one yellow eye and one blue eye. 

Like l’Islette, she stands out. 

Another delightful time at a Loire Valley favorite. 

Vero

#francewithvero
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