Categories: Christmas in France, Off the Beaten Track in France
40 Trips to France and What Keeps Calling You Back
In episode 577 of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast, host Annie Sargent welcomes back returning guest Janice Chung. Janice has visited France 40 times. Yes, forty. This episode explores why France keeps pulling her back and what she has learned along the way.
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This conversation is for travelers who want depth, not checklists. It is also for people who believe that France reveals itself slowly.
Why France Feels Like Home
For Janice Chung, France feels familiar. Comfortable. Almost like home. She talks about how her personality shifts when she arrives. She relaxes. She smiles more. She speaks French, even when it’s imperfect.
Annie Sargent relates to this deeply. They discuss how visitors often worry about the French being unfriendly. Janice’s experience is the opposite. She finds people welcoming, especially when you make the effort to speak the language.
That idea comes up again and again in this episode. Try. Say bonjour. Be curious.
Building Trips Around Experiences
Janice does not travel randomly. She builds trips around experiences. Sometimes that means a race, like the Adidas 10K Paris. Sometimes it means a train ride.
One highlight is the Train de l’Ardèche.
It’s a full-day experience. Steam train. Small villages. A vélo-rail ride through the countryside. This is slow travel at its best.
She also talks about her love for the Aveyron region.
This is one of France’s least touristy departments. It’s full of rugged landscapes, beautiful villages, and serious food. Aligot makes a memorable appearance.
Running, Biking, and Moving Through France
Janice often plans trips around races. Running lets her see places in a different way. Crossing the Millau Viaduct during a race left a lasting impression.
She also talks about biking trips in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and along the Canal du Midi.
France’s bike infrastructure stands out. Dedicated paths. Clear signage. Beautiful scenery.
These experiences shape how she remembers France. Movement matters.
How France Has Changed Over Time
Forty visits give you perspective. Janice notices real changes.
Less smoking. Cleaner streets. Fewer cars in city centers. More English spoken, especially in Paris. More technology everywhere.
Contactless payment is now standard. QR code menus are common. Paper tickets on the Paris Metro are disappearing.
Annie and Janice also talk about how prices have risen, especially in Paris. Outside big cities, good value still exists.
This long view of France pairs well with broader historical curiosity. Many listeners who enjoy this episode also search for Charles de Gaulle, his legacy, and leadership style. Interest in Charles de Gaulle often leads people to explore a Charles de Gaulle biography alongside modern French life. Annie notes that understanding figures like Charles de Gaulle helps travelers better understand France today. A Charles de Gaulle biography gives context to how France sees itself.
A French Christmas Feast with Annie and Elyse
The episode ends with a festive magazine segment. Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin discuss their favorite French Christmas feast.
They cover chocolate, foie gras, oysters, chapon, scallops, cheese platters, and bûche de Noël. They explain how bakeries work at Christmas and why pre-ordering matters.
They also recommend Picard for visitors spending Christmas in France. This part of the episode feels like sitting at the table with friends.
Why You Should Listen to Episode 577
This episode is about returning to France with intention. About slowing down. About finding joy in repetition.
It pairs personal experience with practical advice. It also shows how curiosity about France today can coexist with interest in history, including figures like Charles de Gaulle and the stories found in a Charles de Gaulle biography.
Subscribe to the Join Us in France Travel Podcast on your favorite podcast app, on Spotify, or on YouTube (audio only).
France rewards those who come back. Janice Chung proves it.
Table of Contents for this Episode
Table of Contents for this Episode
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TranscriptCategories: Christmas in France, Off the Beaten Track in France