I’ve been in a bit of a funk recently due to some surgery I had a few weeks ago. Thankfully, that’s over, and after one final check-up with my surgeon next week, we’ll be able to hit the road again, this time to central Oregon to see more of the state’s seven wonders.
Until then, I’ve spent much time reflecting on our close to three year sojourn in France, and even though it’s wonderful to be close to family and friends here in the states, we miss France. So today, I’m sharing some photos from our time there.









Our travels took us to many destinations around France, including the Loire Valley.





We visited Paris numerous times.




We found many quaint and charming villages.
















And we spent several months in Avignon towards the end of our time there.




We loved every minute of our time in France. The expat life broadens one’s mind, challenges our beliefs and tests our character like nothing else I have ever encountered. I will be forever grateful for this life-changing experience.
So ask the traveled inhabitant of any nation, ‘In what country on earth would you rather live?’ Certainly in my own, where are all my friends, my relations, and the earliest and sweetest affections and recollections of my life. Which would be your second choice? France. Thomas Jefferson
I apologize to my regular followers for sharing some of these photos a second time. It’s interesting how surgery, even a minor one, can really zap one’s energy and motivation. But, it’s mostly history now and I will return to new material moving forward.
Wishing you good health and adventurous travels,
Tricia
Bon rétablissement et merci pour cette rétrospective en Normandie et bien au delà !
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Merci beaucoup; vous êtes très gentil. Avec plasir!
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You’ll be back
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No doubt.
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I just want to pack a suitcase and fly across the world and have a holiday in France now! And don’t apologise for repeat photos – all are wonderful to see, and the selection makes a full story.
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Oh my, as do I; France is always a good idea. Thank you so much; I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos.
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You make France look wonderful. I am glad that you will be free to travel again soon.
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Thank you. France is wonderful and will always be in my heart. My husband is glad we’ll be traveling again soon too!
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I love looking at photos of France. I would have loved to have lived there, but it never was the right time. Your photos are a delight. Glad you are on the mend.
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Thanks so much; I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos, and thanks for the well wishes too. Maybe someday you’ll get to live there. It’s beautiful in so many ways.
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Similarly, I’ve been feeling melancholic and wistful of France this week, as I got social media reminders that it’d been a decade since I first moved to live and work in France. Although I don’t live there anymore and don’t intend on living there long-term, I still get nostalgia for the country, and your photos really brought me back. Thanks for sharing, Tricia!
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Oh my, it’s been a decade since you lived and worked there? Time certainly flies by. France has a way of becoming a part of us somehow, doesn’t it? I’m so glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks, Rebecca; I appreciate your comments.
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Je suis content que tu te sentes mieux, Tricia. Votre collection de photos est magnifique et il n’y en a jamais trop. J’adore aussi les répétitions. Certains de mes ancêtres sont venus de Normandie. I love it there. Cheers.
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Merci beaucoup, Lynette, pour vos gentils mots. Je me sens mieux. Je suis très heureux que vous avez aimé les photos. C’est très cool que vous avez de la famille en Normandie. J’adore cet endroit. Merci encore!
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Have just finished a huge mug of black coffee on a Saturday morning south of Sydney, Australia . . . am looking at the photos suddenly wishing I was back there NOW 🙂 ! Thank you for the memories and for creating ‘now’ wishes – shall repost to make others dream 🙂 !
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Sydney, and Australia in general is also a beautiful and welcoming place. I’ve only visited once, but thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I’m so glad the photos brought back some nice memories for you. Thanks so much for commenting!
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Wow that makes me want to move to France, what beautiful photos… 🙌
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Thanks so much!
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🌻🌻🙌
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I enjoyed this walk though France with you, but wow, your neighbour’s house/castle! You’ll never get that here. Maggie
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Agreed; a château with a tractor and some cows in the front yard; only in Europe! Thanks, Maggie!
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I
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I hear you’ll be in our old neighborhood soon; très cool! If you need a French teacher, we had a wonderful one in Domfront. Bonne chance!
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Hopefully! We don’t have our visas yet, but we have an appointment to turn in our paperwork. And yes! I would love to hear about your French teacher! We are working on our French. My husband is much more fluent that I, but he grew up in England and worked in France for a spell.
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We received our visas fairly quickly after our appointment; hopefully, it will be the same for you. Terry will email you with her contact information; she’s wonderful.
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I am so glad you are recovering well Tricia. I completely understand about being in a funk – I always feel like when you have lived abroad, you sort of develop two homes, and no matter where you are, you’ll miss your other home. My husband feels exactly the same about Singapore, and I feel that way about Germany.
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Thanks, Hannah, it’s always helpful when others can relate. BTW, a friend of ours from Cambridge (currently living in France) will be visiting Singapore early next year, so I referred her to your blogs for help in planning.
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Beautiful set of captures from your time in France. I can see why you miss it. Wishing you good health too and a full recovery from your surgery.
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Thanks so much!
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These pictures are so good, especially the first few sets. France is truly beautiful.
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Thank you!
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Glad you reshared this. The photos are absolutely stunning!
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Thanks!
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Glad to hear that it was a minor surgery and that you are recovering well. I enjoyed your selection of photos from France. Wow, your neighbour’s house is a veritable château. Having lived in multiple places, I understand your nostalgia. It is strange being home and yet feeling sort of homesick. Indeed, expat life really does test one fully but gives so much in return.
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Thank you, Leighton. We were quite surprised when we saw our neighbor’s château the first time, particularly with the cows and tractor in front. Yes, it is strange to be home, but yet homesick for another country. It’s good to know you get it, having lived in multiple countries yourself. I’m so glad I have had a taste of the expat life; I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
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I agree with Thomas Jefferson. I’m glad your surgery situation is coming to an end. Beautiful pictures of a lovely country. This post is making me miss France, too.
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Yes, his quote is perfect for those of us who love France. Thank you for your well wishes and I’m glad you enjoyed the photos as well.
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Such beautiful photos of France (especially those of the Loire Valley). France will probably always hold a special place in your heart – and I don’t blame you, through your lens I have come to know a beautiful country. I’m glad to hear that you are feeling better after your surgery and I’m sure you can’t wait to travel again.
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Thanks so much, Corna. You’re correct, France will always hold a special place in our hearts. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the photos; maybe someday you’ll visit France and share your photos with us. 😊 Thanks again; the surgery is mostly behind me now; whew!
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Beautiful pictures from a beautiful chapter of your life 🙂
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Thank you!
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This is such a beautiful collection of wonderfully captured photos from France and a great reminder of why I love it so much, too – it certainly holds a certain allure due to its rich cultural heritage and diverse and beautiful scenery. I hope you are feeling much better after your surgery. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Yes, France has all that and more. Thank you; I always appreciate your insightful comments.
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You are welcome 😊 xx
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Beautiful collection of pictures.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you!
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These photos are stunning. Every single one of them. I must confess, though, I’m partial to the photo of your neighbor. You captured her beautifully. Truly.
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Thanks again, Lisa. As you well know, France is very photogenic. I’m glad you got to know our neighbors too, on your long walks. 😉
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Tim and I are so happy we get to see you many times a month in Portland now, but we both often reminisce about how much we loved visiting you at your rural patch of country in Normandy,
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It was a lovely place; sigh.
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