15.12 - Historical Paris Axis & Rural French Revelations: Two Contributors Share Their Life Changing Journeys
In this FREE le Bulletin we'll discover symmetrical Parisian grandeur and the rhythms of countryside living—let's explore France beyond postcards!
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Bonjour mes amis !
It’s wonderful to have you back here with me today! Bienvenue !
In this newsletter, you’ll meet TWO male Contributors to MyFrenchLife Magazine and read their articles:
- one living in the Auvergne who writes about his MOVING TO FRANCE experience from New York to rural France, and the other,
- a Frenchman from Lorraine, writes about DISCOVERING THE HISTORICAL AXIS OF PARISWatch out for the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin this weekend: “15.12.a - Why We All Love Paris: Find Out How It Changes Yet Stays The Same” It’s not too late to subscribe←
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À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 22.3.2025
1. Let’s explore & read the new articles in My FrenchLife Magazine
Did you know there are many articles in MyFrenchLife Magazine where savvy francophiles love to immerse themselves and indulge in all things French beyond the cliché? You can join them…
→ Here you’ll find the most recently published articles:
Thank you to all the talented Contributors to MyFrenchLife magazine. I love that your articles take us from one end of France to another and constantly remind us of the rich culture of this wonderful and diverse country.
Merci.
Judy.
1. a) Introducing Contributor Keith Christiansen
Keith introduces himself this way:
I’m a former NYC teacher living in France. I write about hidden history, music, food, and where French and American cultures connect. I also host a great podcast about moving between countries! - keithchristiansen.substack.com
…We can expect articles from Keith about France… yet to come :)
Judy
b) →Why Moving to France Changed Our Lives: Lessons from the Countryside
by Keith Christiansen←
From New York to Rural France: Discovering the Power of Food, Nature, and Connection
Moving to France was a transformative experience for us, beginning in 2010 with a Fund for Teachers grant that allowed us to explore how Parisian schools taught students about food and nature. This journey took us beyond the city to a remote farm in Auvergne, where we learned about food, the local ecosystem, and traditions that reshaped our perspective on life. The experience taught us the value of embracing change, patience, and the beauty of slowing down.
It also played a key role in our decision to leave the U.S. for good.
Our first trip beyond Paris, to stay with farmers Bertrand and Lorraine on their remote summer farm, introduced us to a side of France most tourists never see—a place where food, community, and nature were deeply interconnected, shaping a lifestyle in harmony with the rhythms of the land. Or at least that’s what Bertrand and Lorraine were trying to make for themselves…” writes Claude.
2. a) Introducing new Contributor Pierre Guernier
Pierre introduces himself this way:
Born in Lorraine, I’ve wandered from France to Germany and Australia and back to England, with a love for mountains, history, and good food. Always exploring, always sharing—often with too much pâtisserie, a dash of curiosity, and new places calling my name. You'll find me here: https://substack.com/@frenchmoments Where you’ll find his articles in English and French.
Bienvenue Pierre! It’s great to have you onboard! I’m looking forward to reading more about the Axis and wonderful locations in France.
Judy
2 b) →Secrets and Symmetry: Discovering the Paris Historical Axis—Part 1
by Pierre Guernier ←
From Kings to Skyscrapers: The Untold Journey of the Paris Triumphal Way, a Line of Power and Prestige Connecting Centuries of History and Ambition.
Introduction: A Hidden Thread Through Paris
I’ve always been fascinated by the way cities grow, how streets align, how monuments rise, and how, over centuries, a city like Paris tells its story through its layout. Paris isn’t just a patchwork of iconic sights—it’s a living, breathing design. And if you look closely, some patterns start to emerge. One of these patterns is the Historical Axis of Paris, a straight line that cuts across the city. You may have walked parts of it without even realising.
The Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe—familiar places, right?
But did you know they’re all connected, perfectly aligned on a grand scale? This is no accident. It’s a story centuries in the making, filled with ambition, power, revolutions, and even a touch of mystery. I remember the first time I noticed the axis. I stood in the Cour Napoléon at the Louvre, looking westward on a crisp autumn afternoon....” writes Pierre
Read the new series and entire article in MyFrenchLife Magazine←
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’ newsletter” Judy MacMahon
As I’m immersed in nature this week these images of staling murmurations caught my eye and I wanted to share them with you:
Photographer Daniel Biber from Hilzingen, Germany, spent four days trying to capture the spectacle of the dancing starlings until he succeeded. It was only when he returned home and looked at the photos that he realised that the starlings had created the shape of a giant bird in the sky.
Mes chers amis (my dear friends),
One week later, and still by the sea, I'm beginning to feel the slow, gentle process of thawing—of returning to myself.
I've been swimming each morning as the sun rises, or thereabouts, watching light dance across the water in ways that somehow make sense of things that words cannot. Isn't it remarkable how nature instinctively knows what our hearts need?
These days have been filled with reading, reflecting, and remembering the beautiful tapestry of my Mother's 97 years. I'm learning that grief and gratitude can share the same space—perhaps you've discovered this too?
I'm curious—what practices help you navigate life's most challenging moments? Your wisdom and experiences always mean so much to me.
Avec un cœur reconnaissant (With a grateful heart),
Judy
I hope to see you here again next week
Judy MacMahon
Fondatrice
MyFrenchLife.org
You can always email me at info@myfrenchlife.org. I’d love to hear from you.
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