Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Alex Lalak is an Aussie born and bred travel journalist who now calls France home. Growing up in Sydney, Alex was gifted many cook books, many of them French and also studied French at school. A part of her always thought she would live there one day. After a few trips to France over the years, Alex moved overseas in her thirties, first to New York, then London and eventually Paris. She then met Pierre, her now husband and that changed everything!

When Alex first moved to Paris, she had only a couple of friends there who both left to live elsewhere not long after. Alex realised she needed connections and made a lot of friends through ex-pat groups and through friends of friends. There was a year of exploring Paris before meeting Pierre and since then they have lived elsewhere in France in Burgundy and now in Provence.

Alex’s story of discovering herself is fascinating to me. Her chat about making a vie français and experiencing some of life’s most significant events such as having a baby in France, getting married and buying a house now in Provence, is the stuff that many peoples’ dreams are made of! Now living a gorgeously French rural life, Alex described her local market days, the fresh produce, the local dishes and the different style of living compared to Paris or even Australia. She gave us wonderful tips for when visiting the Pont du Gard and painted a beautiful picture for our imaginations of the balmy Provençal days. But the best part? When asked to describe what a perfect French day would look like for her, Alex was able to chat about her day that happened only yesterday, because she is actually right now living her perfect French life!

Tune in to escape to France with us momentarily.

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
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Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Elaine Lewis was always interested in books. So when she made the decision to move from Australia to Paris to open a book store on the left bank of the Seine, her family gave full support. Other opinions were mixed, but regardless she moved to France and spent quite a long time preparing for the opening of her Australian book shop.

There were challenges along the way, such as deciphering info being rattled off to her over the phone! But after months putting together a dossier to provide to the French consulate Elaine attained her Visa of Longue Durée. Elaine ended up with a very individual style store with wrought iron shelves, oak panelling and mood lighting. It sounds like the sort of place that would feed a book-lovers soul. She highlighted books in both French and English, anything that promoted Australia that Elaine thought the French would appreciate, some with Aboriginal designs.

Competition with the online book stores became increasingly difficult. Regardless of this Eliane continued along happily until she received a quite dramatic letter enacting a very old law that caused her to close. Over 100 local university professors signed a petition which was sent to the president, but although the ban was then overturned, Elaine had made the decision to close the doors.

Tune into a fascinating story about a life navigating a part of France that many of us don't ordinarily see. Elaine's connection to France stretches much further that the book store... she reminds us that dreaming is important and making plans to follow our dreams can fulfil both our own souls as well as inspire others.

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
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Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

English born Kylie Lang has lived all over the world, but it wasn’t until she gave her husband the next choice of where to live, that she even considered a move to France and now she is fully in loooooove with every thing about her new adopted home.

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Kylie now lives in rural France in the Charente department on the border of the Dordogne, 2 hours from Bordeaux. In south-west France, Kylie’s area is known for its sunflowers and is a beautiful part of France (although who am I kidding, all of France is exquisite!) 

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We chatted in this episode about the ways ex-pats moving to France can find ways to connect with their community. Kylie suggested something I hadn’t considered before, on moving to her village she joined a line dancing class! It’s a little known fact that the French love line dancing or some might call it formation dancing. When I went to the Bayonne festival a couple of years back there were certain songs where the whole crowd would just break into dance, with everyone seeming to know all the steps! It never occurred to me then that the locals would go to lessons to learn this! 

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So Kylie and and I had great chats about the discovery of her new home and her move from the UK, about how she continued her work in her business from France and how she has become part of the local community (even initially with no capacity to speak French!) I loved that Kyle has even ended up in the kitchen peeling spuds and washing dishes at the local fête!

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

www.loulabellesfrancofiles.com

Hosted by Louise Prichard

Kate Venter has always loved drawing. Her school books were always covered in creative doodling! So after a career in IT she made the decision to move into her own business designing party ware. But just prior to the recent COVID lockdowns she got her creative juices flowing further by moving more into the design side of things and immersed herself in her art with her Sambellina Studio.

Kate loves to draw buildings and has a fascination with architecture. Her travel and architecture inspired illustrations often take me away to Paris. She confesses to having a particular affection for illustrating cafes! She loves the shadows, the light and the different colour that buildings exude at different times of day.

In this lovely warm chat we hear all about how Kate creates an artwork, about her love of travel and of France and we get transported away with her description of her fave French day. With French recipes and music to quench the French vibes, join us for a little escape to France.

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

www.loulabellesfrancofiles.com  
Hosted by Louise Prichard

Professor Emmanuel Josserand grew up in Montmartre but now resides in Sydney, Australia. He has worked around the world but it was "love" that kept him in Sydney! Very French he says!

In this warm and funny chat with Emmanuel he tells me about his life growing up in Montmartre with his grandparents who lived next door to uber famous singing sensation Dalida! 

With Emmanuel it seems his connection to France is all about the food. Just like me! He loves the stinkiest cheese, chouquettes or pain au chocolat for petit-déjeuner and when in the countryside he and the family would all eat fresh bread and saucisson with fresh tomato from the garden. It just sounds so dreamy... take me away maintenant!

Come and escape to France momentarily with us and hear about going solo on the slopes of Chamonix, Michelin Star restaurants near Lyon and naked women in the streets of Montmartre in Emmanuel's childhood memories! Oooh la la! 

Recettes from renowned chef George Blanc and musique by Dalida xx

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

www.LoulabellesFrancoFiles.com 
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Loulabelle's FrancoFiles on Instagram - @loulabelles_francofiles  
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We often think of Paris as the beautiful tourist Mecca flooded with cutesie photo ops of flowers, promenades, cafes and gorgeous doors. But under all of that beauty is a rawness. A wonderful strength and determination to survive. I chatted to Parisian Lise Buisson Primaud whose family struggled through the war in ways most of us can’t or don’t want to imagine, but the after effects of the war lasted more than a generation. Hearing Lise talk about HER Paris really highlighted that for me. I’m so grateful to those courageous Parisians who didn’t give up. They’re one of the reasons why we still have the Paris we all adore today. 

Tune in to hear Lise talk about her early story in post war Paris, growing up in Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement.  Whilst times were tough, she and her siblings never complained or wished for a different life. They had each other.

We find it hard to imagine this reality they all lived and whilst Lise says we shouldn't dwell on the difficult times, (one of the strategies she employs which assists her to be such an amazing survivor I think) it is important to remember this period of history to avoid being repeated.

Eventually Lise and her little family moved to Australia, but with her husband and her children Lise would visit and go back to France often.

Lise now teaches French in south east Melbourne, Australia.

Hear Lise's fave music by Jacques Brel and also traditional fave cuisine Les Rillettes.

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

www.LoulabellesFrancoFiles.com 

Through this podcast I have met so many wonderful people and I have continued to be in awe of the generous spirit and beautiful connection I have had with guests. Some have become lovely friends. There's a kind of global French appreciation community of sorts, and it's chockablock with beautiful souls. If you’re on Instagram it is so worth following Katherine Burns’ account “Rue-Dauphine-Paris”. She has some wonderful suggestions of ways to stay connected to France. Meandering through her account is a lovely way to lose half an hour on a lazy afternoon! 

I had a chat with Katherine to find out her French faves as well as some tips from her as an experienced and repeat traveler to Paris. I was very excited to hear that she is headed back there in May so I look forward to her photos once she's there!

I asked Katherine what is so special about Rue Dauphine and Paris for her. She also gives some fabulous travel tips.

For anyone going to France at the moment it is crucial to talk to a travel agent and to your airline about any COVID rules or requirements. They can change swiftly so ensure you get up-to-date info about your own individual circumstances.

With recommendations for Paris and regional France plus sweet French music and recipe ideas to keep connected to our fave destination! Tune in and escape to Paris with us momentarily! 

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

www.LoulabellesFrancoFiles.com  


Julia Fulford-Kirby had loved France since visiting as a child and followed her dream with a little help from the popular series Escape to the Château DIY.

Julia was born in Australia and moved to England as a young person and the Francophile seed was sewn on holidays to France back then. Julia describes France as a magical place and I completely agree! She always knew when the time came to buy a property in France that it would be an old building. She scoured the internet for over a year and eventually came to France with 2 of her sisters to see them in person. The search started for a traditional farmhouse but rather quickly their search upgraded to château hunting! Beware though! Whilst your dollar will go a long way in purchasing a property, renovating in France is not cheap. Ensure you leave enough in your pot of money for the improvements you want or need to make, especially if restoring an historical property.

In this podcast papotage, listen to Julia chat about how she found her dream property, previously owned by a famous French artist, in the Lot region of south western France.  Julia felt instantly a warm, enveloping, homely connection to Mas de Pradié and that also comes across in the Escape to the Château series.

The most beautiful thing I heard from Julia was how this move to France to restore a château has been so very rewarding for her. Previously she had a lovely life but she was molding her life to fit with other people. Now she feels she is living her true life, the life that is in her heart. I think this is something many more people are looking for inspiration to find, after the COVID period we've lived through... the life we truly want to lead.

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify playlist

Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram

**
Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

www.loulabellesfrancofiles.com 
Episode 58 

I often wonder about the way I view French culture and consider how the things France is famous for might be viewed by the French!

Today I chatted to our fave French correspondent Sarah Zwick from Be My Guest Immersions about the French perspective of wine. Not the expert perspective but how wine is seen culturally by ordinary French citizens.

In this gorgeous petite "papotage" Sarah and I chat about the winemakers as artisans, a little about the history of wine in France, and we touch on the way the terroir is of profound importance.

Some people look upon French wine as just an investment. I have seen a couple of documentaries that showed how French wine is becoming increasingly popular as an investment purchase, but for me I love to savour and taste it too much to let it sit in the bottle forever! Somethings are worth more than money to me, and  the memories created with friends in France or even in Australia for that matter whilst sharing a bottle of wine are often in my opinion, priceless.

Regardless of me getting all emotionally connected to the wine, it's a huge industry in France with wine being enjoyed and sold all over the world and employs loads of people. Sarah has family friends with a vineyard and has worked with them before. I loved hearing her chat about that time and I now plan to be in France for les vendanges, the harvest. After a couple of hours work in the morning the workers have a second breakfast with un verre du vin rouge!  

So settle in with a verre du vin rouge ou blanc and join us for a little journey to the vineyards of France!

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website

www.loulabellesfrancofiles.com 

In Christmas week I was very excited to chat to Emily Gaudichon who has joined me for a petit papotage on the Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles podcast previously right back in episode 20.  Emily is on Instagram as The Real Emily in Paris. I've always wanted to go to France for Christmas so it was wonderful to chat to her and find out the low down for Christmas in Paris! 

Emily spoke about some of the traditions in France such as Christmas Eve being the biggest celebration and Santa coming that night. I loved hearing her chat about the decorations in all the stores and the famous Christmas markets. From what Emily says the photos I'm seeing on Instagram at the moment showing that every corner of Paris has been Christmas-ified is exactly what it feels like to her!

Now as I said to Emily I love Christmas and I love Christmas in Australia as to me it means time spent with my family. But I am longing to one day spend Christmas in France. After chatting to Emily I want to experience the lights and festivities in both Paris and the country French villages. I want to visit the Christmas markets and have mulled wine from a little caravan in les jardins!  In this gorgeous festive chat you can hear all about loads of these Chrissy French traditions and more.

There is so much on my Christmas list that I'd like to see and do when I eventually spend a Christmas in Paris or France, I may need to go back multiple times! For this year though I will make a mulled wine and dream of future Christmases en français!

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Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.
**
Other Loulabelle's links:
FrancoFile Fix on YouTube
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles Instagram
Loulabelle's FrancoFiles website