Les Parfums: A Beautiful Film About Memory, Aging, and Scent

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There is something quietly enchanting about Les Parfums (2019), a French film that invites viewers into the rarefied world of haute perfumery while telling a deeply human story about loss, resilience, and unexpected connection. My first introduction to this world came not through film, but through a French friend who…

Bringing the French Alps Home: Classic Tartiflette

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On a recent trip to the Alps, I tasted tartiflette for the first time—and it completely stole my heart. The rich, gooey cheese melting over crispy potatoes and smoky bacon was irresistible. I knew immediately that I had to recreate it at home. That meant hunting down authentic Reblochon cheese,…

How My Name Sparked My Love for France

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My last name, Bergeron, has deep roots in France. It comes from the Old French word berger, meaning “shepherd,” and over time it came to mean “the son of the shepherd.” A name that traveled from the quiet French countryside to bustling towns—and eventually all the way across the Atlantic…

How to Find the Best Brocantes and Vide-Greniers

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There’s something truly magical about the Parisian tradition of brocantes and vide-greniers – those enchanting second-hand markets where elegant vintage treasures await discovery. Imagine a delicate Limoges porcelain dish gracing your table, an ashtray from the legendary Ritz Paris as a sophisticated trinket holder, beautiful damask table linens with intricate…

A Tribute to Catharine Hamilton: A Chicago Philanthropist With a Deep Connection to Versailles

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You may be aware of the American Friends of Versailles—the extraordinary organization that helps preserve one of France’s most iconic landmarks—but are you aware of its deep connections to Chicago? Today, I share this post in tribute to Catharine Cline Hamilton, the remarkable Chicago philanthropist and Francophile who founded the…

My Tale of Two Cities: Following Caillebotte from Paris to Chicago

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Every once in a while, I have the good fortune to see the same—or almost the same—exhibit in two cities. It’s always fascinating to notice how differently curators in different parts of the world interpret the same artist. That’s exactly what happened with Gustave Caillebotte: The Painter’s Eye at the…

About-Jeannine
welcome to the blog

I began my blog in 2008 as a fun and creative outlet to share musings about my time in Paris, the things I love, making the most of your travels, and how to bring everyday France into your everyday life—no matter where you live.

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