15.42 - Literary Journeys & Hidden Terroirs: Your French Discovery Guide
In this FREE le Bulletin we learn how books transport us deeper than travel, Beaujolais secrets beyond the stereotypes, and a fromagerie worth the journey - pure French magic inside!
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: “15.42.a - The Democracy Paradox: Why Political Chaos Might Signal Strength - It’s not too late to subscribe←
AND IMPORTANTLY, our MyFrenchLife French BookClub is active again.
À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 18.10.2025
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) How to read France?
by Victor Coutard
People often say that reading is a form of travel, and it’s more than just a convenient metaphor. I sometimes think books move us more deeply than most real journeys. They allow us to discover a place, a time or a sensibility with an intensity that lived experience rarely matches.
b) Misunderstood French Wine Regions
by Eveline Chartier
Misunderstood how? Stereotypes and subregions galore! Here, we do a deep dive into what the Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley have to offer. So much to discover and explore!
c) Fromagerie les Frères Bernard
by Caroline McCormick-Clarke
Let’s delve into the many subregions within the Beaujolais and learn what a cru really refers to. Rejected from Burgundy, Gamay is the star in Beaujolais. The variation between the twelve subregions comes from the parent rock, the exposition, elevation, and microclimate in each. So much wine, so little time!
d) Mediterranean Relaxation: And fish on the menu + Recipe
by Rachel Shenk
I wake up late.
My vacation relaxation mode must be kicking in. In the dark of our shuttered cottage,
My Fitbit tells me it’s already 9:30.
Today is market day in the next town over, and we’re hoping to buy some fresh fish for our evening meal before it closes…
I make my grocery list from a fish recipe I found in our hosts’ cookbook. It gathers recipes from farming women of this area based on the local foods and customs. I take along our reusable grocery bag, we pile in the car, and are off to find a parking place not too far from the market. As we arrive, we can immediately tell that booths are closing down. With the presence of the Tramontane, one of the two winds that sometimes hug this coastline, it’s possible that the market vendors decided to close early,” writes Rachel.
2. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’, the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
As I write this, I have a glass of Beaujolais at my elbow - inspired, naturally, by Eveline's wonderful piece on misunderstood wine regions. It strikes me how perfectly today's stories complement each other: Victor showing us how literature can transport us more deeply than physical travel, while Eveline and Caroline prove that the real France is found in its lesser-known corners and artisan traditions, and all while Rachel thrives at the market.
This is what I love about our community - we don't just scratch the surface. We dig into the terroir of French culture, whether it's through books that capture the French soul, wines that tell stories of specific soils and climates, or artisans who've dedicated their lives to perfecting their craft.
Each week, I'm amazed by how our contributors find these gems - the overlooked, the underappreciated, the authentically French. They remind us that the best discoveries often happen when we venture off the beaten path, whether that's through pages of a book or the back roads of wine country.
À très bientôt
Judy
judy@myfrenchlife.org
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I absolutely loved 'How to Read France' Judy, saved for future reference! Thank you for your endless and beautiful research. xx