My adventures as an American woman starting life over in the French Alps with videos, photos, recipes, travel tips and observations about life in France
Get my Chambery, France Guide Book free with the purchase of my Cookbook: 'French Comfort Food: Recipes of Savoie and the French Alps.' Get both for only $12.99. Click the photo to get more information or to purchase your books now.
French Tutorial
A basic grammar and vocabulary review of the French language, as well as some informal & slang vocabulary and a special section on vocabulary for English-speaking expatriates living in France. Also included is an appendix on French pronunciation for English speakers as well as IPA transcriptions for most of the vocabulary lists and all of the verb conjugations.
Visit the Store to buy the e-book for $9.95 or paperback book for $24.95.
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French Alps Tours
Join us on a small group tour of the French Alps June 4-11 or September 3-10, 2011. I designed this tour to include the best of the region. Wander the Medieval town of Annecy, nicknamed the Venice of the French Alps, and take a boat ride on its crystal blue lake. Do you like pampering yourself on your vacations, then why not spend an afternoon at the Aix les Bains thermal baths inside your lakeside hotel? Are you the adventurous type? Then take a horseback ride in the Alps or fly through the trees at the High Ropes Adventure. Are you a foodie? Taste local chocolates, cheeses, wines and walnut oils. But don't just taste it - cook it too at a cooking class taught by one of Grand Bornand's best chefs and restaurateurs. Are you a history buff? Then satisfy your curiosity at Lyon's Old Town or Vienne's Roman Temple and Forum. Or just enjoy watching the hang gliders and sunset at a catered outdoor dinner on the top of a mountain overlooking Annecy's lake. See you in the French Alps! www.french-alps-tours.com
Alps Cookbook
Get my ECookbook: 'French Comfort Food: Recipes of Savoie and the French Alps.'
51 recipes of the region, collected from friends and local cookbooks. This is the only English language Savoie and French Alps cookbook in print. Only $12.99 and includes a bonus book: The Chambery Guide Book.
Click the photo to buy yours now or go to the Cookbook Page on the Navigation Bar!
French Comfort Food
Visit my French Comfort Food website for articles, recipes, videos, tips and products about French Food and Wine. Click on the photo or go to www.frenchcomfortfood.com
We finally finished decorating the downstairs, including the living room, kitchen, hall entrance, dining room and office. And just in time for the wedding in four weeks. We’ll tackle the upstairs this fall. There were a few mild battles in the process – the concept of a ‘red wall’ in the dining room wasn’t winning me any fans in the family. Once it was done however, everyone loved it. First of all, the French use mostly wallpaper for their walls while Americans tend to go with paint. Many French like brighter and modified primary colors (or stone and wood in the newer homes) while Americans go with either bold warm colors or subtle tones. I’ve seen a lot of patterns in French houses - it’s not uncommon to see 4 to 7 patterns in one room, while Americans like more uniformity and a calming decor. We do live in a French home however so I tried to work with both traditions in redecorating the rooms.
Dining Room After: Dining Room Before:
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There are few places more beautiful to go hiking in than the mountains surrounding Chambery. My favorite place to hike is the Granier Park area – it's gorgeous AND not too strenous. Here's one of the hikes we did just before the full force of winter struck.
Three weeks before my Florida trip I was in the Alps hiking on my first frozen lake and attempting to walk on snow shoes. To find myself boating and basking in the sun a few weeks later in Florida was a bit surreal but tremendously appreciated. I was getting a bit tired of the cold and gloom. Next month my family will be coming to the Alps for my wedding so it will be their turn to 'change planets.'
Having spent my entire life in Southern Florida and Southern California, I haven't figured out how to manage the French Alps winters yet. I did have a few fun days doing 'wintery things' like trying out snow shoes and hiking for the first time on a frozen lake. 'When in Rome do as the Romans do….'
This video is the last in my Annecy series and features its beautiful, and primarily Medieval, architecture. The best way to enjoy Annecy is by wandering through its streets and along the lake and canals. At each turn you discover something interesting and surprising.
Having just returned from my trip to Florida and LA, being in the French Alps is almost like being on another planet. Future videos will include a beach and boating mini-adventure as well as a visit to a snow ski resort located near Chambery. Nothing like contrasting worlds!
If you want to do videos and video editing, this is a good resource. Click Here!
Here is Part II of my hotel research in Annecy, France, a gorgeous Alps City. I found two well-located, budget hotels that I decided to recommend for those of you planning to make it to Annecy someday. This one is called: Hotel du Nord. I hope you find it helpful information.
