15.27 - Why French Poetry Beats Textbooks + Tricolour Stories That'll Surprise You + 2 Special Creative Retreats
In this FREE edition of le Bulletin you'll find three articles that completely shifted how I see French culture. Ready to be immersed?" And your French ancestry...
Today at a Glance: Your FREE weekly newsletter
Bonjour mes amis !
It’s wonderful to have you back here with me today! Bienvenue !
In this newsletter, you’ll find yourself immersed in French Poetry, FunTricolour Stories, off to Montmartre, and invitations to two Creative Retreats
Watch out for the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin on Saturday this weekend: “ 15.27.a - Paris in Summer: Immersion and Adaptation— Your personal how-to guide.”- It’s not too late to subscribe←
→Are you ready to deepen your French knowledge and connection?
🔓 Here you can UNLOCK EXCLUSIVE FRENCH STORIES:
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À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 5.07.2025
1.MyFrenchLife™ Magazine new articles
“There are many talented contributors to MyFrenchLife Magazine and I thank all of you for sharing your experiences with us in such an engaging manner.
You take us right across France & deep into many worm-holes. We delight in discovering
and learning more about France beyond the cliché”
Merci
Judy
a) →Why Poetry, Music, and Literature are the best tools for French Pronunciation
by Morgane Andersson (English & French)
…Let me present you with a different path [to learning French] A softer, more powerful one: Poetry, music, and literature.” writes Morgane Andersson.
b) →Three colours, a thousand meanings — the story behind France’s most visible symbol
by Pierre Guernier
…A few colours, a bit of fabric, something to hang outside a town hall or wave during a football match. But the French flag? The Tricolour? That one is different. It has been soaked in the blood of revolutionaries and paraded by kings. Carried into battle by saints and martyrs, flown by republicans and monarchists alike. It has been banned, burned, reinvented, lightened for diplomacy, darkened for defiance, and occasionally—rather awkwardly—forgotten…” writes Pierre Guernier.
c) →Off the Beaten Track: A walk in Paris, France
by Rachel Shenk
…We always forget that Paris is not flat but we are soon reminded when it’s time to walk from the Metro to the top of the hill.
Since it’s such a beautiful day, we choose to stroll, taking in as many sights as we can. There are two 17th-century windmills along the way, remains from 13 that once populated this hill, formerly used to grind flour for what once was a working-class village…” write Rachel Shenk.
2. Two Special Creative Opportunities: Provence & Paris
Exceptionally, this week, I’d like to draw your attention to two special CREATIVE WORKSHOPS / RETREATS, both hosted by Contributors of MyFrenchLife Magazine.
a) →Provence Photography Workshop←:
September 16-23, 2025 [Note discount code]
An authentic photographic, styling, interiors, still life, and creative workshop
led by Joanna Maclennan.
Due to two cancellations in one week, Joanna has let me know about available spaces. She is generously offering you a discount… available for all MyFrenchLife Magazine and le Bulletin subscribers… You must use this discount code: MYFRENCHLIFE25 - to obtain a discount of 250 euros per person, which will expire at midnight on Sunday, 12 July [Paris time].
This creative RETREAT IS 7 NIGHTS and 6 FULL DAYS limited to 8 people and the all-inclusive price starts from €4,950.00 ( 6 rooms) and €5250.00 two master en-suites with magnificent views ( 2 rooms) per person for single person occupancy. [Please contact Joanna for double occupancy.]
September in Provence is a wonderful time of the year. Beautifully warm but not with the searing heat of Summer.
“…During your stay we will be using Joanna’s home and studio as a base and visiting the local area, including brocantes, private visits, food markets and flea markets. Joanna’s partner Mike an artist/antique dealer will also be on hand to help. You will also be able to purchase props /antiques at Joanna’s home and shipping can be organised.
Between us all we will show you the area, introduce you to some of the wonderful local residents, further your photography skills and give you a creative experience you’ll never forget.” writes Joanna.
Joanna is a professional photographer specialising in Interiors, Still Life, Travel and Portraits for international magazines and publishers such as Cabana, World of Interiors, Thames & Hudson and Flammarion. She has lived in Provence for almost 20 years. Find her at JoannaMaclennan.substack.com — A Photographer's Life in Provence
Find out more about this creative opportunity. →
b) →Reignite Your Creativity Retreat in Paris:
4 -9 October, 2025, and make connections with other creative women
led by Karen Bussen
Karen writes about her retreat this way:
Bonjour ma belle,
I see you over there, with your artist’s heart and your fondest dream to finally finish that memoir, start that screenplay, get back to painting, or do something crazy like moving to France and joining a jazz band! But there always seems to be something in the way–an obstacle, a doubt, a demanding schedule.
If you’re a woman longing to prioritize living more joyfully and artistically, come join me this autumn in Paris as a real creative insider. I’ll be taking a very small group through an unforgettable adventure in the City of Lights that will delight your senses, boost your artistic self-love, and activate your incredibly powerful inner muse so that you can finally make those dreams come true…”
3. Are you interested in another peek into a tiny bit of what our PAID subscribers enjoy?
Last week in the ‘15.26.a le Bulletin’ newsletter for paying subscribers, I asked them if their family had any connection with France.
This was amidst some fascinating subscriber family stories about their ancestry/heritage in different parts of France. I offered them an exclusive personal service in relation to this… And this will be an ongoing service exclusive to PAID subscribers.
Now I’m asking you to share with me…
Thank you for sharing your opinion.
Judy
PS: Which part of France are you connected with? You can email me or comment below.
4. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’ the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
These three pieces reminded me why I fell in love with France in the first place - the layers, the stories, the unexpected discoveries around every corner. I'd love to hear which one caught your imagination!
And your French connection awaits you - see the poll above.
Warmly,
Judy
judy@myfrenchlife.org
P.S. Still wondering about your family's French roots? The stories you shared last week were incroyable - keep them coming!
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