French at Heart

21/06/2025

Music, wine and Occitanie culture coming our way…

Allez un petit résumé de ce qu on a envie d'aller voir sur les 8 jours à venir !

- - Jeudi 19 JUIN / Montolieu
Mr & Mrs Marvel Vintage Duo @ La Recontre
On est fan de ce duo d'un autre temps qui nous font revenir dans les années 60 et 70 avec un talent fou !

- Samedi 21 JUIN / Partout autour de vous !
C est la fete de la musique et il y a des concerts et animations un peu partout donc profitez bien et régalez vous :)

- Mercredi 25 juin / Conques sur Orbiel
Yes We Jam @ Appa Lanka
Pour tout ceux qui n auront pas pu jouer le 21 et pour tout ceux qui aiment voir des musiciens jouer ensemble et improviser, une jolie seance de rattrapage :)
Plusieurs guitares, une basse, et des micros seront a votre dispostion pour venir jouer seul ou a plusieurs toute la soirée dans un super lieu en plus :)

- Jeudi 26 Juin / Villegailhenc
Opening Rock Live des Ephemeres @ domaine de cazaban !
Un concert rock authentique et puissant avec Antidote , Duo Guitare électrique batterie ! une ambiance conviviale, du bon vin, des grillades… tout ce qu’il faut pour un début de saison inoubliable dans un lieu exceptionnel !

La saison commence vraiment et il ya des événements et des concerts un peu partout et ca c est cool :)
Reservations plus que conseillées sur l'ensemble des événements ;)

15/06/2025

Never too old to move to France!

At the age of 80, Carole Carson “screwed up” her courage and flew from California, where she’d lived all of her adult life, to southern France for a new beginning. Four years later, she’s still there.

13/06/2025

12/06/2025

Cassoulet, anyone? Castlenaudary is only one hour from my house!

Cassoulet is one of France’s comfort foods, originating in the southwest, particularly in the towns of Castelnaudary, Carcassonne, and Toulouse. This hearty, slow-cooked dish of white beans, duck confit, pork, and sausage was originally a peasant meal, designed to be nourishing and made from pantry staples.

The name comes from the cassole, the earthenware pot traditionally used to cook it, which ensures the dish’s signature rich and tender texture. Julia Child adored Cassoulet for its depth of flavor and its celebration of rustic French cooking at its finest.

She encouraged cooks to embrace the dish’s flexibility, saying, "Cassoulet is a recipe of the heart—use what you have, and it will still be divine."

Julia’s tip for Cassoulet? Be patient with the crust. She emphasized the importance of forming a golden, crispy crust on top by cooking the dish uncovered toward the end of its time in the oven. She often recommended breaking the crust and reforming it several times for added texture and flavor, a hallmark of traditional Cassoulet.

Pair it with a bold red wine from the region, like a Minervois or Cahors, and enjoy this labor of love that captures the soul of French cooking.

11/06/2025

Near my house and Walking and bike paths abound!

📍 Canal du Midi, Southern France
A river of dreams — hand-built in the 17th century 💧🚲☀️

Winding through sun-drenched vineyards, sleepy villages, and plane tree tunnels, the Canal du Midi is more than a waterway — it's a masterpiece of engineering and serenity. Built under the reign of Louis XIV, this UNESCO gem stretches over 240 km and invites slow living, bike rides, and lazy boat days.
History flows here… literally. 🚤🍷

📷: .chateau.de.samary

09/06/2025

Trainlovers take note!

9 unforgettable train rides in France (see comment👇)

08/06/2025

Which are the best places to retire in southwest France? A blend of culinary delights, scenic beauty, expat community and relaxed lifestyle

08/06/2025

I found these great hotels on Booking.com and love them all. Help me decide which one to book!

07/06/2025

Do you know what it means to be “redpilled”? 🔴

“Taking the red pill” means believing that men are disadvantaged by a society that favors women—and that is to blame.

This ideology often appeals to young men and boys seeking belonging, but instead ends up pulling them into spaces that promote harmful ideas about gender, power, and entitlement.

“Red pill” narratives are central to the and undermine efforts toward .

📲 Learn more: http://unwo.men/EeTt50W5aXv

03/06/2025

Limoux, home of blanquette, a gorgeous sparkling wine, is featured in this article. Sadly, blanquette is not readily available outside of France!

Find fine wine and fantastic adventures at these lovely French spots.

03/06/2025

I feel the same about life in France. I am fortunate to live in a small village in the Aude!

After years of military life in the U.S., Arianna Briscoe and her husband found their ideal retirement in the Charente region of France, living out their "la vie en rose."