All posts tagged: France

Caitlin Au Pair in South of France, Au Pair Tips, Au Pair Guide

The Au Pair Series: Caitlin in the South of France

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Becoming an Au Pair Tell us about yourself! My name is Caitlin Houston! I’m a 20 year old living near Glasgow, in Scotland. I study International Business with Modern Languages (French, Spanish & Italian) at the University of Strathclyde. I’m just starting my third year of University, and next year I’ll be studying in France for a full year! Where and when were you an au pair? I was in au pair in the Summer of 2015 in the South of France. I lived in a tiny village in the Midi- Pyrenees, called Mazères, that I imagine you wouldn’t really know unless you were from there/had friends there. It was very small and so cute, and had such a buzz around it for such a small village! I was around 30 minutes away from Toulouse and 40 minutes away from Carcassone, but very remote and in the countryside. It was beautiful. I au paired for 3 beautiful girls, aged 8 months, 3 years and 9 years old. My host mum was an air hostess (but …

Paris Metro sign, black and white

A return to Rainy Paris

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After being back in England for a month, last weekend I was headed back to Paris.Sadly it was only for a weekend, but any amount of time spent in Paris is sure to be appreciated. Despite having lived there for the past year and calling it my home, as I boarded the plane I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. This time I was somewhat of an outsider – I was no longer the current au pair, and so it felt a little different visiting the city that had stolen my heart. Despite these minor worries, I was super excited to get back to the city of Lights and couldn’t wait! Although the weather throughout the entire weekend was pretty awful – rain everyday – I still had a wonderful time meeting with some of my closest and dearest friends who still live in Paris, as well as spending time with my au pair family. As soon as I stepped off the metro to meet one of my French friends, I knew that I …

The Au Pair Series, Emily in Paris

The Au Pair Series: Emily in Paris

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Becoming an Au Pair Tell us about yourself! I had recently graduated from University of Northern Colorado when I decided to live abroad as an au pair before starting my life in the “real world”. Now, I am back in Denver working and missing Paris dearly! Where and when were you an au pair? I was an au pair in Paris, France from August, 2014-July 2015 (age 22). Why did you choose to go au pairing in that particular country? I had studied French throughout college. I had done a short study abroad trip to the south of France over the summer in 2012. I love getting to practice my French and learning about French culture! I have always wanted to live in a big city, and Paris is the perfect place for au pairs. What was the ‘aim’ of your year as an au pair? My goal was to learn everything to know about life in France. What I never realized is I would learn so much about many other countries as well through …

Paris off the beaten track/path - things to see and do in the Summer, France - roisingrace.com

Paris off-the-beaten-path: 5 things to see & do in the Summer

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Summer in Paris is truly magical, and it’s definitely a great time of year to come and visit the city. However, with this, comes a mass of tourists into Paris. But do no fret! For this blog post will show you some of the lesser-known sights of the city, meaning that you’ll be able to avoid those crowds who flock into Paris in the summer. Escape the rush, and stroll along the Promenade Plantée The Promenade Plantée offers walkers an unparalleled and unique experience. Often off the beaten-track for tourists, the promenade provides visitors with expansive views of the city – you become one with the various buildings and architecture, yet remain a flâneur simultaneously. It is a surreal experience – hardly do you find a place within a capital city wherein you feel totally separated from the buzz and rush; but whilst uniquely being right in the middle of it. Ascend the mysterious La Tour Saint-Jacques Throughout the summer months, the Tour Saint-Jacques opens its doors to visitors, to allow the public to ascend up …

Claude Monet's Gardens, Claude Monet Fondation, Giverny

The Impressionist’s heaven: Claude Monet’s Gardens in Giverny

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Not too long ago, I finally experienced something that I have been longing to see since I can remember. That was taking a trip to explore Monet’s gardens for the first time. It seems to be a cliché as an Art Historian to say that you love the Impressionists – but I really do! There’s something about their work, especially Monet’s, dreaminess and visionary paintings that captivates the viewers. When looking at their work, I could stand for hours staring at the various colours, watching them wash and merge into one another as you move your gaze around the surface. It was here in Giverny where Claude Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. Living in a delightfully sweet house, Monet transformed his gardens into an amazing landscape of beauty – an ode to nature. “It’s maybe because of flowers that I’ve become a painter.” Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) Monet’s gardens are divided into two separate areas – the Close-Normand and the Water Garden. Starting at the Close-Normand, which was remodeled according to …