16.03 - What Changes When You Return to Bordeaux After 14 Years (And Why Toulouse Isn't What You Think) + Your Event Invitation
In this FREE le Bulletin you'll find... when cities reveal themselves differently the second time around—and what locals really think about the rivalry. Your February fireside chat awaits inside.
Today at a Glance: Your FREE weekly newsletter
Bonjour mes amis !
It’s wonderful to have you back here with me today, at the beginning of a new year! Bienvenue !
In this newsletter, you’ll find these wonderful fresh articles taking you to France beyond the cliché,
Don’t miss the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin in your inbox: “16.02.a - .The Cheese Pilgrim, The Bilingual Storyteller & Your French Adventure Awaits“ It’s not too late to upgrade & read it←
À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 24.1.2026
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
Our list of valued Contributors →
a) Toulouse: Wine Bars, Patisseries, Markets and More
by Sacha Cohen
After 10 glorious days in Bordeaux, we took the train to Toulouse in early December 2023.
Our immediate impression was that the city lacked the charm of Bordeaux and was geared very much toward its large student population. We learned that there is even a friendly rivalry between Bordeaux and Toulouse—and when we mentioned that we had just come from Bordeaux, the typical response was, “oh, they are stuck up there.” We didn’t find that to be the case at all but there you have it.
Located in the heart of the South-West, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Toulouse, also known as the “La Ville Rose” or the Pink City is the fourth largest in France. And frankly, it was too big for us. Even though it was December, the cafes and bars were teaming with young people huddled under heat lamps, smoking, drinking, and laughing. There was a packed Christmas market in the Place du Capitole, which we tried to avoid as much as possible because Jason and I don’t like crowds and noise. In fact, even though people will tell you to go there, we much preferred exploring the smaller adjacent neighborhoods and going away from the “hyper centre.”…” writes Sacha Cohen.
b) A weekend in Bordeaux
by Joanna MacLennan
Once again it has been a long time since I was in Bordeaux. The last time my daughter was about 9 months old (now nearly 14!) and was sitting underneath my tripod whilst I was shooting a house.”
It seems that I have been revisiting a lot of places recently that I went to 10 , 20 or even 30 years ago. I feel like they created impressions and memories but going back again has enhanced my appreciation. Maybe for the most part I see it with different eyes…” writes Joanna MacLennan.
2. RSVP→In Conversation with Mark Greenside - online #Bookclub Event: 7-8 February 2026
You are invited to attend this free event.
Mark your diary and → RSVP now - Spaces filling fast.
In 1992, at the age of 47, Mark Greenside bought a house—almost by accident—in a tiny Breton village. He has lived there ever since, splitting his time between Brittany and California.
With self-deprecating humor, Mark has written three entertaining books about his life in France. In his latest, I Am Finally, Finally French, he reflects on his three decades in Brittany—what he has learned, how he has become part of his community, and how life in France has changed him.
Join us for a lively, fun conversation with Mark about what life is like in a small Breton village. He will be joined by MyFrenchLife contributor Keith Van Sickle, himself a part-time expat in France, and our own Judy MacMahon.
Here is our FORM ← RSVP with your email address, so closer to 7-8 February, we will email you the online event ACCESS LINK.
Here you’ll find → a collection of Keith’s reviews of Mark’s books.
3. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’, the newsletter of MyFrenchLife™ Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
Here’s the thing about France—everyone talks about Paris, and for good reason. But then there’s Toulouse, with its pink terracotta buildings glowing in the winter light, and Bordeaux, elegant and timeless along the Garonne. These cities have their own rhythms, their own stories, their own ways of getting under your skin.
This week, we’re taking you deep into both. Sacha Cohen brings us into the heart of Toulouse—not the crowded Christmas markets, but the quieter neighborhoods where real life happens. And Joanna MacLennan returns to Bordeaux after fourteen years, seeing it with completely different eyes. Sometimes the best travel writing isn’t about discovering a new place—it’s about rediscovering one you thought you already knew.
And speaking of rediscovery... our fireside chat with Mark Greenside is coming up on February 7-8. And you’re invited wherever you live. Mark has spent three decades in a tiny Breton village, and his stories are filled with the kind of honesty that makes you laugh and wince at the same time—the mishaps and the magic, the frustration and the joy of making France your home. Keith Van Sickle will be leading the conversation, and I truly hope you can join us. These live gatherings are when our community comes alive in real time, across many time zones - we all love them!
The RSVP link is above—don’t forget to note your timezone for the event!
Thank you for being here, for supporting this work, for being part of this beautiful global family of Francophiles. You make it all possible.
With so much gratitude, Judy
À bientôt, mes amis,
Judy x
judy@myfrenchlife.org
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