Tres Dignified

For some, it may be Thanksgiving. For us, we're getting ready for Christmas at a decorated Chateau with roaring fireplaces, animatronic polar bears and scented kitchens, plus marshmallow roasting, ice skating and velour capes. We also welcome Ellie's parents, who seem pretty confident that nothing will go wrong...

Pandas at ZooParc de Beauval, charming châteaux, a Gallo‑Roman museum, a sturgeon farm with caviar and vodka tastings, the stunning Padirac underground river, the Lascaux replica caves, walnut mills, medieval Sarlat, and a warm Halloween farm evening with local community spirit. So, yeah. It's the Dordogne episode.

We welcome Ellie's brother and sister-in-law just as we're catching our breath from one trip to the next. But catching breath does not mean sleeping in. It's up and at 'em, as we get in our steps, patronize the restaurants, conquer the local school, and play some tennis. What else? Find out! 

"Sardinia: Sheep, Stones and Sea — A Weekend That Changed Us" is the episode title suggested by AI. Ok, let's go with that. Have a listen.

Exploring Château de Vincennes, joining heritage days events, juggling kids' activities, and navigating strikes and local bureaucracy. There are small victories (French class, vaccinations, tennis waitlist), parenting challenges (late-night wakeups, activity mix-ups), and the best things eaten. Come along, won't you?

Celebrate our 50th episode in style - well, a kind of style anyway. We settle back into post-vacation life in France, seek out the foods we were missing, and try to subscribe our children to enriching programs. It's la rentrée.

We announce Season 2 format changes, recount our trip to the U.S., and tease our travels ahead. We're back!

This week, we split the family for Bastille Day, visit the world's most famous mouse, and struggle through another weekend. But le grande vacance is in site!

One-time restaurant industry friends Jen and Stephen join us for another edition of Conversation with Houseguests. Hear about their exciting journey across France, our origin story together, and Ellie resolutely holding her feet to the ice. It's just another Tres Dignified.

Experience the ups and downs of adjusting to new norms, from cultural differences in childcare to unexpected viral outbreaks. Meanwhile, personal reflections and humorous misadventures pepper our journey, including a memorable trip to a storied rowing regatta and birthday celebrations amidst illness. With friends visiting and culinary explorations on the horizon, our family's French escapade continues with resilience and hope.