15.44 - 700 Years of Female Power, Budget Paris Living & Why Cheese Has Rules
In this FREE le Bulletin, a veterinarian in a 16th-century priory joins our team, sharing tales of medieval matriarchy, modern Parisian budgeting, & the cheese etiquette that matters (but doesn't).
Today at a Glance: Your FREE weekly newsletter
Bonjour mes amis !
Welcome back! Bienvenue !
In this newsletter, you’ll find a diverse array of fresh articles to transport you to France,
Watch out for and don’t miss the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin on Saturday this weekend, you’ll receive a preview, where I’ll share lots of INSIDER INFO: “15.44.a - When Community Shows Up: Poll Results, Generous Collaborations & What’s Coming in 2026“ -
PS: Not only is there a mountain of Insider info this weekend, but the following weekend is another BIG REVEAL - It’s not too late to subscribe or upgrade.←
À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 01.11.2025
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
Introducing a new Contributor: Lorraine Tilbury
Lorraine introduces herself as:
I learned French as a child in Greece and studied veterinary medicine in France, where I have lived ever since.
On Substack, I’ll share Mom’s WW2 stories, her marriage to my American dad, her French influence on me before I spoke a word of French.”
However, I’ve found Lorraine to be particularly humble, and I’ve quoted and reproduced a more complete bio below, so you can get a better idea of the depth of the wonderful Contributors we have in this team. Welcome, Lorraine, you’re in lovely company!
“Dr. Lorraine Tilbury has already realized many of her childhood dreams: she is a multilingual veterinarian, living in a 16th-century renovated priory in the beautiful Loire Valley region, surrounded by her family and her animal companions.”
Lorraine supports her herd of 5 horses so that THEY can be the guides and coaches of her workshops and seminars. They are the real “coaches” and guides of the participants of the Eponaquest © workshops that she organizes.”
Lorraine regularly contributes to BBC Capital’s online magazine and has lectured on 3 continents, from India to Arizona, via Paris. She is creating a collection of works of art by applying the “Intentional Creativity ©” method (”creation with an intention”). It is a powerful method of creative expression that helps to clarify life plans. Lorraine uses techniques of collage and “scrapbooking” associated with drawing and painting to guide you towards your personal and professional fulfillment, supported by her horses who will “whisper” to you their advice, also ... if you know how to listen to them!”
Lorraine’s creations are inspired and humorous - they reflect her way of life.”
Lorraine finds her inner Being through her creations, where she shapes the wisdom of her soul in a way that highlights the richness of her imagination. Lorraine spent 45 years understanding that she could live her dreams - now she would like to help others do the same.”
… And here is Lorraine’s first contribution - a fascinating read
a) Fontevraud Abbey: 700 years of feminine power
by Lorraine Tilbury
The Abbey of Fontevraud is an amazing piece of medieval architecture and history, located in the Loire Valley in the center of the aptly-named Fontevraud-l’Abbaye village. The Abbey was the center of a vast European power structure led by a single female Abbess for nearly 700 years, a highly unusual hierarchy,” wrote Lorraine.
b) 10 Things I’m Doing to Save Money in Paris
by Victorine Lamothe
I don’t know about you, but lately it seems like everyone is talking about money: needing more of it, spending too much of it, or worrying about where the next paycheck will come from. In my own circle, I know people who’ve been laid off, seen retirement accounts shrink, or—like me—are juggling multiple freelance gigs to pay the bills.:
Half of my income comes from tourism. I lead food & wine tours in Paris, mostly for American visitors, and I’ve noticed a subtle shift: June, typically a booming month, feels a bit slower with fewer fully booked tours and smaller tips. Maybe Americans are tamping down on their European travel plans, or if they are still coming, maybe they’re skipping the “extras.” Whatever the reason, I’m tightening up,” writes Victorine.
The good news?
c) Unspoken French Rules, from Cheese to the Bise
by Shelby Chambers
I frequently share the story of the first time I met my French in-laws back in 2015. It was at a cute little cottage in Brittany, wherein a fortuitous encounter with cheese led me to discover THE RULES. Not that they matter. But they do.”
My in-laws weren’t my in-laws then; they were my boyfriend’s parents, and because I’d met that boyfriend in California, the French culture didn’t yet play a major role in our relationship. So far…” writes Shelby.
2. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’, the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
There we are, friends—your weekend reading sorted with stories that span medieval abbeys, modern budgets, and the minefield of French social etiquette.
Lorraine’s arrival in our hugely talented contributor circle feels like a gift. Her piece on Fontevraud Abbey isn’t just history; it’s a reminder of how powerful and progressive this place was, a woman-led institution in medieval Europe that thrived for 700 years. If you’re planning any Loire Valley travels, this should absolutely be on your list now.
Victorine’s candid look at her financial reality in Paris struck such a chord with me. She’s juggling freelance work, watching tourism numbers dip, and figuring out how to maintain her quality of life without breaking-the-bank. What I love most is that she’s not pretending everything is fine… she’s sharing real strategies for real challenges. If you’re living in France or dreaming of it, this kind of practical wisdom is invaluable.
And then there’s Shelby’s cheese story, which made me genuinely laugh out loud. Meeting your French partner’s parents for the first time and discovering through cheese—cheese!—that there are Rules with a capital R for absolutely everything? The bise protocols, the cutting angles, all the invisible codes that make French culture so simultaneously maddening and enchanting? She nails it. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider trying to decode French social norms, this piece will make you feel wonderfully less alone.
Thank you for trusting me with a little of your weekend time. This community of Francophiles and France-lovers is truly special, and I’m grateful you’re part of it. Don’t forget that paid subscribers get tomorrow’s extended edition with even more stories, discoveries, and an article from me. Either way, I hope your weekend is wonderful, whether you’re dreaming of France or living it.
Warmly,
Judy
judy@myfrenchlife.org
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