15.41 - Inside France Today: Stories, Culture & the Art of Living Well
In this FREE le Bulletin we dive deep into French worm-holes with talented contributors who take you beyond clichés to the heart of what makes France truly magnifique !
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 fresh articles,
Watch out for and don’t miss the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin on Saturday this weekend: “15.41.a - Why understanding French Culture Today Matters More Than Ever - It’s not too late to subscribe←
AND IMPORTANTLY, our MyFrenchLife French BookClub is active again.
À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 11.10.2025
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 the French Don’t Obsess Over Purpose
by Pamela Clapp
At my wedding - in a château near the Loire, my (American) brother raised a toast, mentioning how much I loved my job and how dedicated I was to it. At the time, I was the marketing director at the Paris-based e-commerce company Monnier Paris, and I really did pour my heart and soul into it.
But I remember feeling a little self-conscious. It’s not the kind of thing people usually bring up in a wedding speech here. Was I already that French?” wrote Pamela Clapp.
b) Are You Prepared To Move To France?
by Shelby Chambers
Living in unprecedented times sure has Americans curious about moving to another country, specifically France. I’ve noticed the spike in interest, the social content and even Substack posts about folks entertaining the idea that a move might be the answer to what my sister fondly refers to as “the horrors.” said Shelby Chambers.
c) Twelve things I’ve learned about French life
by Debora Robertson
Since we moved here, my study of French anthropology of the early part of the Twenty-First Century, largely conducted in the Marine Bar, on the vinyl banquettes of Le Relax, and up and down the port, has revealed some interesting results. This is not a controlled experiment.” writes Debora Robertson.
2. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’, the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
What a feast we've shared today! As I close this edition, I can't help but smile thinking about how each of our contributors offers us a different lens through which to view France. Pamela shows us the subtle shifts in identity that happen when cultures blend. Shelby grounds us with practical wisdom for those brave enough to leap. And Debora? She reminds us that the best anthropology happens over a glass of wine with locals.
This is exactly why le Bulletin exists - to bridge that gap between tourist France and the France where real people live, love, work, and discover themselves anew. Every week, I'm amazed by the stories that land in my inbox from our community. You're not just readers; you're fellow travelers on this beautiful, complicated journey of understanding France.
Until we meet again in your inbox next week,
À très bientôt
Judy
judy@myfrenchlife.org
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Judy, thank you so much for Deborah Robertsons piece, I have giggled all the way through!
Actually feeling a bit passé as I still say bonjour to everyone and bonsoir and bon everything else including bon appétit!
I've read all the pieces and feel they are overall quite right on. I'll be leaving some comments on each!