15.45 - Beyond the Cliché: Historic Ports, Alpine Charm & the Art of Protest
In this FREE le Bulletin you have a dose of authentic France: La Rochelle's secrets Annecy en vidéo + how France treats protest as civic duty,not spectacle. [And a secret is shared in thePAID edition]
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 these wonderful fresh articles taking you to France beyond the cliché,
Watch out for and don’t miss the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin on Saturday this weekend: “15.45.a - Something Special Is Coming (And You’re Getting First Access)” - It’s not too late to subscribe←
À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 8.11.2025
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
a) La Rochelle, Charente-Maritimes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Five Special Spots
by Betty Carlson
As I selected my five special spots in La Rochelle, it struck me how steeped in history they all were. Of course, all French cities boast a rich history, but could some be more historic than others?”
I found such a connection between the past and the present: although each site bears witness to history, today these are the places where Rochelais shop, reflect, sip, and worship...” writes Betty.
b) Série Vidéo: 7 Sites sur la Rive Gauche du Lac d’Annecy - #3
par Pierre Guernier
Explorer Annecy : Lieux à visiter, histoire et conseils
Nichée entre lac et montagnes, Annecy séduit par son charme intemporel et sa douceur de vivre. Dans cette vidéo, Pierre vous invite à parcourir la « Venise des Alpes », entre vieilles ruelles médiévales, canaux pittoresques, musées, églises et promenades au bord de l’eau.
Le voyage commence dans la vieille ville, avec ses arcades colorées, ses ponts fleuris et le célèbre Palais de l’Île, emblème d’Annecy depuis des siècles. Un peu plus haut, le château d’Annecy veille sur la cité et abrite un musée passionnant retraçant l’histoire de la région et du lac…”
c) What France Understands About Protest That America Doesn’t
by Keith Christiansen
With over 3.5 million protesters in a single day and 4,000+ farmer actions in 2024 alone, France treats protest as civic duty—not spectacle. Meanwhile, 132 million Americans line up for Black Friday.”
Summer is a quiet protest season in France, unlike the US. In France, protest is woven into everyday life—people march between errands, kids chant with sandwiches in hand, and civic action is expected. In the U.S., mass action is rare, and shopping is our national pastime. If we want real change, maybe we need to stop swiping and start marching…” writes Keith.
2. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’, the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
Every single week when I curate these articles for you, I fall in love with France all over again. It never gets old.
This week, walking virtually through La Rochelle’s historic spots with Betty (virtually), I found myself transported back to various moments in my life; the salt air, the sound of halyards clinking against masts, the way afternoon light turns golden on old stone. Then Pierre’s video reminded me why Annecy steals hearts so effortlessly. And Keith’s piece? Well, it made me think (as good writing should) about what we can learn when we pay attention to how other cultures approach the fundamental act of showing up.
These stories aren’t just words on a screen—they’re invitations. Invitations to see differently, to question assumptions, to discover the France that lives in everyday moments and historic connections. The France where people shop in medieval markets, worship in ancient churches, and yes, take to the streets when something matters.
And speaking of invitations... I’ve got something extraordinary to share with my PAID subscribers this Saturday. Something I’ve been keeping close to my chest, working on behind the scenes, dreaming about for longer than you know. It’s the kind of announcement that makes my hands shake a little as I type this… It’s a good kind of nervous excitement. I’m giving my paid community the full insider scoop, the complete story, before the rest of the world gets even a whisper. If you’ve been on the fence about joining our paid subscriber family, this is your moment. Saturday’s edition is going to be one you’ll want to be part of.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for caring about the stories that matter. And thank you for letting me share this passion—and now, this big reveal—with you.
Bisous et à très bientôt,
Judy
judy@myfrenchlife.org
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I don't actually believe that France treats protest as "civic duty." It's definitely more a part of life here, and some people may consider it a civic duty, but far from all. But I'll comment more directly on Keith's post.