4 benefits of taking your kids on a séjour
We went to a few parties this weekend – and I tried really hard not to drone on and on about France. But of course, I failed miserably! In my own defense, everyone had a ton of questions and it was hard to stop singing the praises of Provence!
The same questions came up over [...]
Home away from home
This is a guest post by my husband, Dan.
Almost two months after Laurie and our daughters arrived in Puyloubier, France, I finally flew in from Seattle to join them for the last 10 days of their stay. After landing and making a quick stop for lunch in Marseille, Laurie took me to the [...]
Little girls doing Judo
Sasha said today that when she grows up she is going to be a mother, a teacher and a Judo girl. And maybe also a gymnast.
Judo is really popular here, so we decided to give it a try. I have been so impressed. Their lessons are jam-packed with physical activity and concentration. By the [...]
One week later, we’re all settled in…
I can’t believe we’ve been here a full week! I absolutely love hearing from all my friends. The house gets pretty quiet at night and it’s nice to read your emails! Today, I thought I’d share some of the questions (and answers) I keep getting.
How are the girls getting along in French?
I [...]
Mr. Gentil saves the day
When they say everything is closed on Sundays, they really mean it. We drove into Puyloubier around 2:30pm on Sunday – and we were STARVING. We walked down every street in the village and nothing was open. I thought about getting back into the car and driving into Aix, but we were out of gas [...]
I love to travel. But scorpions? Really?
Living abroad is difficult, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Which is why I keep going back for more. I know there will be hard times and emotional exhaustion.
But I also know there will be amazing experiences and unforgettable memories. I don’t focus on the [...]
How to move to France – 4 great visa options
One of the many reasons I love spending “only” 2-3 months abroad, is that you don’t need a visa. The whole visa application /immigration process just seems dreadful. But in the realm of making my House Hunters International dreams come true, I’ve been reading up on a few interesting Carte de Séjour (visa) [...]
Running the numbers on a dream
You know what I hate about House Hunters International? They never tell you what those people do for a living. They usually say something like “Joe’s business allows him to work from anywhere, so he and his family have decided to move to Bali!” Well, great! Good for them! We moved to the suburbs to [...]
Why a séjour is better than a vacation
A two-week vacation is great. Truly. But taking a séjour (a 2-3 month stay abroad) is a different experience all together. The effects of a vacation can wear off quickly. But the benefits of a séjour can last a lifetime!
Cultural immersion. A séjour gives you enough time to slow down, immerse yourself in [...]
3 reasons why Taking a Séjour is the next big thing
At Séjour Travels, we define a séjour as a 2-3 month stay abroad. I happen to think that séjours are the next big thing (you heard it here first!) and here’s why:
1. Families are searching for an adventure
We forty-somethings have pursued our passions, tried to find “meaningful” careers, gotten married and had kids. In that [...]
Je suis une airhead.
My kids go to a French immersion school, so I have access to French speakers 5-days a week. You would think that I’d be practicing my French all the time. But I’m not. I have two hang-ups:
1) I panic during the first two minutes of a conversation. When someone approaches me [...]
10 Reasons to Take a Séjour in 2012
Taking a sejour may not (yet) be on your list of New Year’s Resolutions. But I’m here to tell you, it should be. I just got home from a little romantic get-away to Paris with my hubby and it was so inspiring. I can’t wait for my séjour to Puyloubier this spring! Here are 10 reasons [...]
The house we chose…
So in case you are just tuning in, we’ve been trying to decide which rental property to choose on our next séjour in France. And… after much deliberation…. We chose option number 2! The village house in Puyloubier, France.
This place looks absolutely charming. It’s a traditional maison de [...]
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Hi! I'm Laurie - travel consultant and blogger. Do you want to live La Belle Vie? I can help!




