Bon weekend from a snow-kissed village in France!

Bonjour,

I hope that you and yours are well.

I’m not usually one for New Year’s Resolutions, too many failed intentions have made me wary of them. Lose weight, go to the gym – the usual stuff! Madame Bernadette who lives down the road tells me she’s had ‘lose weight’ on her list for 58 years and never succeeded – Bread Man’s buns, bread and cakes are too tempting! But this year I’ve changed my mind about this traditional new year habit, and I’m setting myself realistic goals – learn how to make a cracking crème brulée, spend a day in the boulangerie with Bread Man baking croissants, and swim in the Mediterranean Sea – goals I think I can really get behind!

And The Good Life France has several plans for 2025, including launching a video channel! I’ve really loved making podcasts and as I travel all over France, I often wish I could share more of my journeys with everyone, so… watch this space, more news will follow when I’m ready! I am quite shy and prefer to be behind the camera but my video producer partner tells me that you’ll want to see me at least a bit in front of the camera – eek! So bear with me while I get used to coming out of my shell!

I’m also working on a guidebook, but if that gets finished this year I’ll eat my beret – it’s growing longer and longer and I’m enjoying writing it so much I’m not rushing. I’ve loved all your recommendations for the places that simply have to be included – from dazzling medieval villages, to fabulous seaside resorts, city attractions to hidden gems that aren’t well known but should be. Feel free to keep sending me your ideas – and thank you!

And I’m working on a property and lifestyle magazine/book idea – so many people email me and ask about how to buy, where to buy, how to rent, visas, finance advice, banks etc. We have a ton of information on the website, but I thought I’d create something that’s just for those wanting to move here or have a home here – I love a happy moving to France story!

And finally, a dream come true – in Spring and Fall, I’ll be co-hosting tours of Paris with a fabulous tour company who specialise in small group, bespoke tours with authors – and I can’t wait to share Paris with you. If you’d like to come with me – I’d be thrilled, you may even appear in my next book! You can find out more here.

Meanwhile, there’s tons of fantastic stuff planned for The Good Life France Magazine, (lots of it inspired by your messages, photos shared on Facebook, comments on social media) and the spring issue is in full production and looking gorgeous already – you can see the current issue, and subscribe for free here. The magazine is free and always will be, so please feel free to share it.

Wishing you a very bon weekend from my little corner snow-kissed northern France, back next week with a tale of life in France and lots of inspiration to fuel your France dreams…

Bisous,
Janine
Editor

ps top photo is me with my four dogs Ronnie and Reggie Kray the Labradors, and Lady Ella and Nina Simone the Australian Shepherd puppies who absolutely loved playing in their first snow in the village!

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Janine Marsh is Author of My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream, My Four Seasons in France: A Year of the Good Life and Toujours la France: Living the Dream in Rural France all available as ebook, print & audio, on Amazon everywhere & all good bookshops online. Her latest book How to be French – is a celebration of the French lifestyle and art de vivre.

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