By Gabrielle.
February 1st marked 2 years that we’ve lived in France. Two years! It’s flown by so incredibly fast. And I feel emotional every time I think about it. We hoped and suspected it would be a happy and growing experience for our family, but it has been so much more positive and life-changing than we could have imagined.
Our plan is to move back to the U.S. in July, after the French schools let out for the summer. Which means we’ve got 6 months left here at La Cressionère. And we want soak up every last minute of it! So don’t be surprised if you see a heavier dose of French-themed posts in the next while.
I want to give you the latest report on our children’s experience in French schools. A language learning update, too. I want to share my favorite inexpensive souvenirs. I want to recap what we’ve done, and the places we’ve visited since we arrived. And generally just reflect on what we’ve learned, and what comes next.
Speaking of what comes next, I’ve mentioned it before, but we are trying really, really hard to buy a rustic cottage here in Normandy before we move. (Rustic = needs much TLC.) Lots of paperwork involved, but if we are able to make it happen, I’ll definitely report. Please wish us luck!
And if there’s anything specific about our experience here in France that you’d like me to write about, let me know in the comments.
P.S. — Man oh man I love this house. The image is the hallway at the top of the stairs.
I have also read Bringing up Bebe and French Kids Eat Everything… I would love to hear your take on the French food culture, as it applies to raising kids. How have the kids liked eating at school? How many of their practices have you brought into your home? My little girl is nearly ready to start solids and I am spending a LOT of time thinking about the food culture I want for our family– so I am curious!
I’m moving back to france, where my kids were born and I spent over a decade, this summer with my kids after spending 7 years stateside. I”m fluent but my french husband will stay in the states for 8 months! I’m so nervous about the educational system and looking at a catholic school vs public.
I”m very interested in the social connections you’ve made. That was harder for me when I was there than I’d have thought, though I did certainly make friends–it took much longer than here in the usa where you can be BFFs after meeting once (half-kidding).
Also, health care—do you have it in the french system or are you having to pay for it? I have french nationality but will not be working in france nor will my husband for the first time….
best of luck and enjoy this remaining time. i’ve always found i feel completely at home neither place after living a large part of my life outside the usa. you might even find you want to return to france! It took me a year to adjust to the usa after my time abroad! xoxo
I would love to know how getting a visa worked — which type you got for that long of a stay. (Admittedly I haven’t read all the comments. Hopefully this isn’t a duplicate question)